Battle Of Hudson

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Henrik Tallinder is headed back to Buffalo. The 34-year old defenseman was reacquired by the Sabres. Prior to signing with New Jersey, he spent his first seven seasons with the team that drafted him in the second round (’97). It will be his second stint with the Sabres, who only parted with former 2010 seventh round pick Riley Boychuk. 

While hard to remember considering his struggles against Pittsburgh, Nabokov had a strong season posting a 23-11-7 mark with a 2.50 goals against average, .910 save percentage and three shutouts. Without him, the Isles would’ve been in the lottery. Nabokov accounted for 23 of their 24 wins in 41 starts. Backup Kevin Poulin won the other game. Poulin and former Islander Rick DiPietro struggled mightily winning once in seven starts.

Nabokov’s 23 victories tied for sixth in the league. He’ll turn 38 on July 25. He signed for a year worth $3.25 million. Facing the prospect of an unbalanced realignment that puts 16 teams in the East, the challenge will be much tougher. Can coach Jack Capuano rely so heavily on Nabokov? Poulin doesn’t have much experience. Strong netminding is a must in a competitive division which features the Pens, Caps, Rangers, Devils, Blue Jackets, Flyers and Canes. It should fall on Nabokov’s shoulders.

One of Snow’s smartest moves was signing Hamonic long term to a seven-year $27 million deal. The former ’08 second round pick blossomed in his third year becoming part of the Isles’ top D tandem. He played in every game including a grueling six-game series against the Pens in which he stepped up following partner Andrew MacDonald’s injury. In 48 contests, the Manitoba native posted three goals and seven assists for 10 points with a minus-eight rating and 28 penalty minutes. Sometimes, you have to look past the numbers. When it comes to Hamonic, he’s a warrior who plays key minutes under Capuano. He’ll throw his weight around and lay out the body. He delivered 59 hits and blocked 109 shots.

Hamonic went up against the best facing Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. While he only had an assist and finished minus-four in the first round, he turned heads with a physical style that gave the Pens trouble. He had 20 hits and 10 blocks. What’s more. He’ll only be 23 entering 2013-14. He should only get better.

Isles add Bouchard: In an underrated move covered by Puck Daddy’s Greg Wyshynski, the Isles added veteran forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard. The 29-year old is a versatile wing who can play anywhere. He inked a one-year contract worth $2 million. A bargain basement for a solid player. His goal production was down on an improved Wild, tallying eight goals with 12 assists in 43 contests. However, he’s dealt with injuries including concussions in the past.

Bouchard might not be as productive as Brad Boyes but is a solid character guy good in the locker room. We wonder if this spells the end for Boyes. That might be a mistake considering the chemistry he had with John Tavares and Matt Moulson. The Isles have plenty of cap space. We’ll see if they’re all in.

Moore returns to where his career started under Tom Renney. He took the year off following the death of his wife to cancer. In the beginning, he centered the popular HMO Line teaming with Ryan Hollweg and Jed Ortmeyer. A cohesive trio that injected energy into our team post-lockout. In many aspects, their grinding approach became the Ranger way. An identity we’ve seen since with captain Ryan Callahan and alternate Dan Girardi exemplifying what a New York Ranger should be. Brandon Dubinsky was also part of it until he was packaged to Columbus for Rick Nash.

The 32-year old former Harvard alum signed for one year, $1 million. There’s nothing wrong with it. He’s a solid player who can be plugged anywhere. Moore is a solid faceoff and team guy who’s great for the locker room. The question with his addition is what happens to Brian Boyle. A long time ago, the Blueshirts chose Blair Betts over Moore. Betts has since come and gone while Moore’s carved a nice niche for himself on nine NHL rosters. It’ll be interesting to see if Boyle is a trade candidate. He enters the final year of his contract.

Another new Blueshirt is Pouilot. A former first round pick of the Wild. Though the 26-year old versatile winger never fulfilled lofty expectations, he’s a speedy guy capable of 10-15 goals and 25-30 points. While nothing earth shattering, Pouilot has skill. It’s always been about consistency. He’s signed for one year earning $1.3 million. Another low risk investment.

Johnson might be insurance for the blueline. At this juncture, the 30-year old journeyman is a solid character who split time between Boston and Providence. At this stage, it appears he’s a depth signing for Connecticut. With the Rangers pretty set 1-7 with Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal, Mike Del Zotto, Anton Stralman, John Moore and recent pick up Justin Falk, Johnson is eighth on the depth chart.

None of the moves Glen Sather made are sexy. Though you do question if he has something else planned. There’s a glut of third and fourth liners. With McDonagh, Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin, Mats Zuccarello and John Moore still needing to be re-signed, there’s hardly any wiggle space. My guess is as good as yours. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

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If you didn’t already know, the first official day of free agency has the hockey world buzzing. Despite a lockout shortened season, the insanity continues. General managers continue to hand out risky long-term deals on free agents. None of which are superstars. Even with limits and the anticipated decrease of the salary cap, it hasn’t prevented the predictable.

The Devils had no problem handing out $24.25 million to Ryane Clowe off multiple concussions and a down season. Clowe was their backup plan for David Clarkson, who bolted home to Toronto for an even more lucrative deal. One so bizarre, there’s no rational explanation for donating $36.75 million over seven years to the now ex-Devil. Remember when Bobby Holik got $45 million over five years from the Rangers? That’s what this is like. Clarkson had one 30-goal season and wasn’t as consistent this year. He’s 29 and plays the same gritty style as Clowe, which doesn’t bode well long-term.

Of course, these teams aren’t thinking about that right now. Toronto believes it can contend after pushing the Bruins to the brink before a monumental collapse. How does adding Clarkson and re-signing Tyler Bozak for five years, $21 million improve their defense? Despite a strong season from James Reimer in net, they also dealt for Jonathan Bernier. Can someone say goalie controversy?

Clarkson’s deal is so ridiculous that it makes the one Nathan Horton got from the Blue Jackets look like a bargain. Horton has had his share of injuries but is playoff proven scoring clutch goals during the Bruins’ 2011 Cup. He battled through against Chicago despite an upper body injury without missing a game. Columbus agreed to a seven-year $37.5 million contract with the 28-year old right wing. He’s a better player than Clarkson or Clowe which explains why the Jackets anted up. It’s again a question of durability for another player with a concussion history. How many good years does he have left? Columbus plays a similar grinding style to Boston. Can he help them reach the playoffs moving East? Time shall tell.

There have been other moves made. Mike Ribeiro returns West inking a four-year $22 million deal. Rob Scuderi returns to the Pens for four years, $13.5 million, bolstering their blueline. The Flyers got their goalie signing Ray Emery for a year, $1.65 million. Told you they would. A bargain for a guy who can split time with Steve Mason.

Last night, the Devils struck out on Danny Briere, who fooled most experts by not staying local. Instead signing with the Canadiens for two years, $8 million. The appeal of playing for a French Canadian team that on paper is better might’ve swayed him.

Perhaps the biggest news is Daniel Alfredsson informing Ottawa that he’s not returning. After 17 years with the Senators, he’s decided to go to the Red Wings for a year, $5.5 million. It’s understandably sad when a player of that stature leaves the only franchise he’s ever known. Ottawa fans are stinging. I guess he just felt it was time to move on. I didn’t see it coming. Who did? It’s going to be awfully strange seeing Alfredsson donning a Winged Wheel. I can’t picture it.

There are other happenings. We’ll get to them over the weekend.

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The free agent frenzy has begun. Already it’s absurd. Before we get to that, Ryane Clowe has signed with the Devils, reaching agreement on a five-year $24.25 million contract. At 30, he becomes the latest player to cross sides in the Hudson. 

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Who says things don’t get done on Independence Day? In what’s a special year due to the late finish to the season, the Bruins and Stars sent off some early fireworks on the Fourth of July by completing a blockbuster trade. Following many Draft rumors, Tyler Seguin is no longer a Bruin. The center was finally dealt as part of a seven-player trade. Perhaps the night life caught up. The Bruins weren’t pleased with Seguin off the ice. The key pieces are Seguin and Loui Eriksson, who goes from Dallas to Boston.

The official announcement came down an hour ago. The Bruins send Seguin, Rich Peverley and Ryan Button to the Stars in exchange for Eriksson, Joe Morrow, Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser. In order to complete the trade, Eriksson agreed to waive his no-trade clause. A no-brainer with a chance to play in Boston and compete for a Stanley Cup. Eriksson turns 27 on July 15 and has three years remaining on a contract that pays him an average of $4.25 million. He’s less expensive than Seguin, who is set to begin a new six-year deal worth $34.5 million that averages out to $5.75 million and runs through 2018-19.

Seguin is a great talent who’s only 21. Acquired as part of the Phil Kessel blockbuster with Toronto, he was selected by the Bruins second overall in 2010. In three seasons, he totaled 56 goals and 65 assists for 121 points over 203 games. That included three goals and four helpers during Boston’s run to the Cup in 2011. Following a big sophomore year where he set career highs in goals (29), assists (38), points (67), games played (81), plus/minus (34), power play goals (5), game-winners (7) and shots-on-goal (242), Seguin tallied 32 points (16-16-32) with four PPG, 2 GW and a plus-23 rating this year. However, he struggled in the postseason only notching one goal and seven assists with Boston losing the Cup to Chicago.

Part of that was due to coach Claude Julien, who preferred Jaromir Jagr on the top line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. Jagr had his own struggle failing to light the lamp for only the second time in his career. He still had 10 assists. Seguin made some key plays despite inconsistency. He’s awfully young to give up and should benefit from a scenery change that’ll allow him to center the Stars’ first or second line depending on Jamie Benn. Benn shifted to center in ’12-13.

The Stars parted with a smart hockey player in Eriksson, who should fit right in in Beantown. For his career, he’s played 501 games and tallied 150 goals with 207 assists for 357 points. He’s a disciplined player who only has 114 penalty minutes over seven seasons. The former All-Star has scored at least 26 goals-or-more in four seasons including a career best 36 in ’08-09. He’s posted three 70+ point seasons and went 12-17-29 in 48 GP this year. He definitely can improve and should on a better roster. The Bruins gave up penalty killer Rich Peverley. Eriksson is strong on the PK and a shorthanded threat. For his career, he has seven shorthanded goals.

With David Krejci and Bergeron the Bruins’ top two centers, it’s understandable why they moved Seguin. While it’s easy to criticize them for a lack of patience, they got an excellent return also landing D prospect Joe Morrow. Morrow was drafted by the Pens and included in a deal for Brenden Morrow. Obviously, the Stars felt landing Seguin was well worth it. This is one of those trades we won’t the winner for a while. There are a lot of components. It’ll be interesting to follow the path of both teams.

Sather indicated that he wants to look at kids in training camp. It makes sense with Slats dealing Christian Thomas for Danny Kristo. Kristo spent all four years at North Dakota and will get an opportunity to make the club. He played with Derek Stepan and Chris Kreider in 2010 on Team USA at the World Junior Championships.

The Rangers also have J.T. Miller along with Swedes Oscar Lindberg and Jesper Fast in the prospect pool plus Ryan Bourque. If they’re serious about getting younger and faster on the fourth line, it’s a good choice that can benefit the team in the future. Plodding skaters don’t last. At the very least, with Brad Richards returning Brian Boyle is fourth on the center depth chart, which is how it should be. He played too many minutes. A top three of Richards, Derek Stepan and Derrick Brassard is solid. Assuming Richards bounces back and Brassard produces in a contract year, they should have better offensive balance.

Figure Chris Kreider to have a bigger role under Alain Vigneault. He finished playing with Brassard and Rick Nash. There’s no doubting the 22-year old left wing’s ability. Kreider is a superb skater with a quick release. If he continues to use his size, he can develop into a power wing. Something the Blueshirts have lacked forever. I’d love for him to work with Adam Graves in front. The former 52-goalscorer can teach him a thing or two.

With Mats Zuccarello expected to re-sign, the Rangers have their share of speedsters. Carl Hagelin will get a raise and could benefit from a different offensive style. Though I still view him as a third line energy guy. I’d love to see Ryan Bourque make it. He’s not flashy but a smart defensive player who kills penalties. They lose a valuable penalty killer in Powe, who was missed against Boston. Injuries have been an issue for Bourque due to his small stature and how hard he plays. A guy worth pulling for.