Battle Of Hudson

While most of the talk continues to center around Kovalchuk, the Sabres made a couple of interesting roster moves the other day. First, teflon GM Darcy Regier signed former Cap Shaone Morrisson to a two-year deal worth $2.075 million-per-season.

The 27 year-old original Boston ’01 first round pick adds size to the Buffalo blueline. Listed at 6-4, 215, he’ll be looked upon to help shoulder the burden with Henrik Tallinder now in Jersey while Jordan Leopold is an adequate replacement for Hostess cupcake Toni Lydman. As our resident Buffalo blogger says, ‘Have fun with that guy Anaheim.’

Meanwhile, Morrisson proved to be a steady influence for the Caps the past five seasons getting into 374 games (74.8 average) while compiling nine goals, 53 assists and 405 penalty minutes along with a plus-26 rating. Solid but unspectacular numbers for the physical defensive blueliner whose 163 hits paced all Washington defensemen- ranking second to Alex Ovechkin (185) in ’09-10. The Vancouver native also blocked 104 shots, placing behind club leader Jeff Schultz (129), Tom Poti (121) and ex-Cap Brian Pothier (107-Wsh/Car).

He’ll turn 28 two days before Christmas. Overall, it looks like a solid signing by Regier, who added a character player to a Buffalo corps which prominently features Tyler Myers, Andrej Sekera along with vets Craig Rivet and Steve Montador. Including extra Chris Butler, all seven Sabre D are signed. With the exceptions of Rivet (35) and Montador (30), every other blueliner is under 30 including Leopold (29), who will be a key to how good it performs.

If there’s a drawback, injuries have caused Morrisson to decline in games played. Since he took part in a career high 80 in ’05-06, it’s dwindled little by little each year spiraling below 70 last season.

Morr Risson For Concern

Year        GP
’05-06     80
’06-07     78
’07-08     76
’08-09     72
’09-10     68 

On the plus-side, in six-plus seasons with Boston and Washington, he’s never finished a minus even posting a plus-10 his rookie year split with the B’s and Caps in which a deadline trade sent Sergei Gonchar to Beantown pre-lockout. Overall, he’s 10-60-70 with a plus-36 in 418 career games.

Kennedy Bought Out In a startling move, Regier opted not to accept the arbitrator’s $1 million reward, placing Tim Kennedy on waivers and then buying him out. A tad curious considering that the 24 year-old made the club and performed admirably as a rookie, posting 10 goals and 16 helpers for 26 points along with 50 penalty minutes, a power play goal and three game-winners in 78 contests.

The Buffalo native was used primarily in a checking role under Lindy Ruff, providing a lift when the club needed it. Interestingly enough, Kennedy fared alright in his first playoff series going 1-2-3 with four PIM and a plus-three rating in six games.

Instead of paying him a difference of $200,000 (seriously), Regier bought him out for $333 K. On why he made the decision, the Buffalo executive explained:

“The only thing I would say to the fans is that our objective hasn’t changed here. It’s about building the very best team, a championship team. That’s the goal, that’s what we do, that’s why we do it. … That’s why we make tough decisions like this. It is a tough decision. I know it hits home, I know it’s personal to our fan base; I know it’s personal to South Buffalo. And it’s unfortunate in that regard.“

What objective might that be???

Finally, there will be a conclusion to this mess. We just won’t know it until Monday. For Ilya Kovalchuk and the Devils, arbitrator Richard Bloch will render a decision on the catastrophic 17-year, $102 million contract the 27 year-old electrifying Russian star signed back on July 19. Here’s the long and short of it via NHL.com’s Dan Rosen:

Bloch has until the end of business Monday to rule on whether the NHL was justified in rejecting the 17-year, $102 million contract Kovalchuk signed with the Devils last month. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly stated at the time the NHL rejected the contract that it was doing so because the deal circumvents the Collective Bargaining Agreement.



If Bloch rules that the NHL was within its legal right to reject Kovalchuk’s contract, the Russian sniper immediately returns to unrestricted free agent status. If Bloch rules that the NHL unjustly rejected the contract and it is indeed valid under terms of the CBA then the League must immediately approve the contract.

Pretty cut and dry. It would be astronomical if Bloch ruled for the NHL, creating a firestorm as they near the end of a CBA in which the same league approved similar long-term deals as was cited in our previous post yesterday. What ever way they rule, one side is going to be awfully steamed, which probably won’t bode well for the future.

The fate of Ilya Kovalchuk still isn’t known. On Day One in Beantown of the hearing between the Devils and a cynical league that was minus Gary Bettman, who opted instead to attend a conference call for the second Hockey Heritage Classic between host Calgary and visitor Montreal, nothing has been decided just yet. In fact, crickets wouldn’t be able to tell you what happened today.

So, it looks like those hoping for a quick result to this chaos will have to wait until the end of the week before the 17 year, $102 million contract the Devils and Kovalchuk agreed upon is ruled on. In the mean time, the 27 year-old Russian who’ll turn 44 in his final year would earn $98.5 million the first 11 seasons before his salary decreases to an average cap hit of $550,000 the final five years after $750 K in 2021-22.

Honestly, the way this astronomical contract is set up, it’s enough to make your head spin from East to West a la Rocky when he meets Ivan Drago in Rocky V at Moscow. Of course, the KHL is rooting for the contract to be rejected so they can scoop up one of their own. However, even if it gets rejected, the feeling is Kovalchuk and Lou Lamoriello will work something out and he’ll stay put in the NHL regardless of another threat of a lockout.

Even if the Devil architect who knew ways around a cap he helped write, there’s technically nothing wrong with what he did. In the past, other teams have done the same thing with star players (ie Islanders-DiPietro, Flyers-Richards, Pronger, Red Wings-Zetterberg, Franzen, Blackhawks-Hossa, Canucks-Luongo, Capitals-Ovechkin). Should New Jersey really be penalized for taking advantage of the same rules other clubs have? Why? Because the CBA is about to expire and the league and its minyons are furious with these sorta outlandish contracts??? Hey. The cap was supposed to solve everything. Remember? If players want security and GMs and owners agree that they’re worth it, who are we to disagree?

Besides. Is there a worse contract than the one Glen Sather handed out to Wade Redden with Chris Drury right behind? Maybe they should investigate the Ranger GM for robbing his own fans blind along with Dolan. If only that were true.

If the arbitrator has any sense of purpose, they’ll rule in favor of Kovalchuk and the Devils, leaving collective egg on the faces of Bettman and Co. Here’s hoping the right decision is made.

In case you were living in a bat cave which sometimes being a fan of this team I wish I was, the Rangers made a deal yesterday. With it first circulating late Sunday night that they acquired Todd White from Atlanta, speculation was a little premature on what the Thrashers got back, which ranged from a fourth round pick to even Michal Rozsival.

Of course, neither were close as instead, our senile GM actually found a way to dump Donald Brashear and Patrick Rismiller on Atlanta, making it almost a match. The 35 year-old White who played the past three seasons with the Thrashers after teaming with Marian Gaborik in St. Paul is set to earn $2.6 million in the final year of his contract. Brashear earns $1.3 million and Rismiller, who became AHL fodder, makes a cool million. In essence, Atlanta saves $300,000. However, White is a $2.375 M cap hit while Brash and Rissmiller combine for $2.4 M. So, it’s basically a wash.

Watch Brashear go back to being the royal pain in the ass who knocked Blair Betts into next week. Public Enemy No.1 is sure to get a rude welcome back to MSG. It’s not like anyone liked him anyway. Too bad someone forgot to inform Glen Sather and our coach who actually thought a washed up goon was an upgrade over Colton Orr. Now, he’s been replaced by Derek Boogard, who can’t take regular shifts despite an even heftier pay tag ($1.625 M). Ah. Only in Rangerland.

So, what to make of the latest Ranger? If this were a few years ago, we’d love the move. But fact is White’s coming in off his worst year since his final one in Ottawa pre-lockout. A year removed from centering Ilya Kovalchuk and posting career highs in assists (51), points 73), power play goals (12) and games played (82), the Kanata, Ontario native sunk like the Titanic to seven goals and 19 assists for 26 points in 65 games. He also posted a third consecutive minus season finishing minus-11.

The big question is does he have a place on our roster? Our centers aren’t exactly scaring anyone with Artem Anisimov having the most potential. Especially if John Tortorella keeps Brandon Dubinsky on left wing. At the moment, Erik Christensen is slated to center Gaborik. Vinny Prospal can play center but is better suited for the wing. And then there’s captain Chris Drury and his albatross ($7.05 M) with the club stuck two more years with him and Rozsival ($5 M). As for Wade Redden ($6.5 M), if White’s on the roster, it all but ensures that he’s going to Hartford. They have to clear space for Marc Staal. Assuming Ryan McDonagh is ready and Matt Gilroy stronger, the Rangers could be set with a blueline of Staal, Rozsival, Dan Girardi, Michael Del Zotto, Gilroy, McDonagh and Steve Eminger. That would be ideal with Eminger serving as a veteran fill-in.

Is Brian Boyle still considered our fourth line center? White can easily fill that role as he’s got experience as a checking type two-way pivot who can kill penalties. He also can play power play if needed and is a much more fluid skater. The question is was last year a tell tale sign that his scoring days are over. Has age finally caught up or can he bounce back? If he does make the team and he certainly can help in the face-off dot (401-344, 53.8 Pct), it’s a definite upgrade over Boyle (198-323, 38.7 Pct) with Anisimov (44.9) and Christensen (48.8) not much better. Drury was our best winning 52.9 percent while Dubinsky and Prospal both were over 50 percent.

Adding another center who can win draws is fine. But one look at this roster and who’s scoring the goals aside from Gabby? Alexander Frolov better rebound with at least 25. They need more consistency from Ryan Callahan, who’s averaged a shade over 20 the past two seasons. Can Prospal duplicate last year’s success? Anisimov likely will go up from the dozen he scored in his rookie year. Sean Avery’s a candidate for a few more than the 11 he got. Dubinsky enters Year Four coming off a career high 20 markers after being shifted. He’s also playing for a contract, which should serve as motivation.

Still, when you look at the roster, it once again looks like a one horse show. Unless Derek Stepan or Evgeny Grachev blows them away in camp, there’s not much to get excited over. This looks like a middle of the road team who doesn’t know what it is. On one hand, we got kids who’ll continue to get valuable experience as part of a retooling. On the other, there’s all these vets mixed in making high salaries. Is there any direction?!?!?!?!?!

One word to describe this chaos. Mediocrity.

Lately, there hasn’t been a lot for Islander fans to get excited about. However, a few nights ago while I was out with the big guy and bro over our friend’s new house for a fun barbecue, Garth Snow made a solid move acquiring defenseman James Wisniewski from Anaheim for just a conditional third round pick in 2011.

Considering that the original Chicago ’02 fifth rounder is still only 26, it looks like a calculated gamble by the Islander GM. When healthy, Wiz is easily a top four D who can log important minutes and play any situation. In five seasons spent with both the Hawks and Ducks, the Canton Michigan native who was part of the ’03 USA WJC gold medal team has proven a capable puckmoving D who combines skill with physicality. Loose translation: Wiz ain’t soft as evidenced by his 129 hits (41st among D) and 102 blocked shots, which ranked him in the top 100 for his position. Unfortunately, that edge also resulted in an eight-game suspension after this controversial hit in which he retaliated on former ‘mate Brent Seabrook for a hit on Corey Perry prior in the shift.

Islander fans will like that edge as it’s certainly something their blueline can use in support of budding teenager John Tavares. What also is a plus is that Wisniewski’s in no way one-dimensional as he can also contribute offensively. Following two straight seasons of 20 points or more, the ex-Duck registered a career high 30 including a new best 27 helpers to go with three markers in 69 contests (also a new personal best). The Wiz also racked up 69 penalty minutes with two power play goals, 146 shots while posting a minus-five rating. Numbers he’ll look to improve on in his new Long Island home.

Why was he essentially dumped by Duck GM Bob Murray? Because apparently, he didn’t think the $3.25 million Wisniewski was due was worth it. Especially for a defenseman who’s never played a full season and will turn unrestricted next summer. Still, he gave Sabre reject Toni Lydman basically the same money ($3M) which makes you scratch your head.

For the Islanders, it looks like a win. They get a good player while losing zilch. Does Wiz team with Mark Streit while other key addition Mark Eaton works with Bruno Gervais? What happens to Andrew MacDonald, Jack Hillen and Milan Jurcina if Radek Martinek returns healthy? Considering that there’s a an IL slot reserved for Martinek, you can never have enough defensemen. It’ll be interesting to see who the odd men out are once the season rolls around. Something which could be a tough choice for Scott Gordon.

On paper, the Isles improved with this trade and should be tougher to play against. However, they still haven’t addressed gaping holes up front like who’s going to put the puck in the net other than Tavares and Matt Moulson? Expect Kyle Okposo to increase production and perhaps Rob Schremp can finish a little more as well. Unless top pick Nino Niederreiter makes the roster, the team still lacks enough skill to help Tavares and Co. Given that they have plenty of cap room, what about bringing back a vet like Bill Guerin or taking a flier on Paul Kariya? Unless P.A. Parenteau proves the Rangers wrong, it looks like the club may struggle to score again.

The Devils avoided arbitration, re-signing defenseman Mark Fraser for one year, $500,000. The former ’05 third round pick (84th overall) fared alright in his first full season- tallying three goals, three assists and 36 penalty minutes while posting a plus-three rating over 61 contests. The 23 year-old from Ottawa also took part in one playoff game.

Used primarily as a sixth D by former coach Jacques Lemaire, Fraser didn’t see a ton of ice-time. However, he brought physicality to the blueline and surprisingly contributed offensively. Prior to last season, he spent most of three years in Lowell aside from seven games with the big club as a 20 year-old rookie in ’06-07.

With John MacLean taking over the reigns after spending a year at Lowell, it remains to be seen whether Fraser’s role increases. Especially with the Devils beefing up the back end thanks to key additions Anton Volchenkov and Henrik Tallinder, helping offset Paul Martin’s departure to rival Pittsburgh. With only one offensive D left in ’09-10 revelation Andy Greene, Lou Lamoriello could be in the market for another solid skating blueliner who can contribute. Physical vets Colin White and Bryce Salvador are also expected back, rounding out the blueline. Fraser will likely battle with Anssi Salmela and Matt Corrente for the final spot.

Much depends on what transpires with the Ilya Kovalchuk case versus the NHL. With the NHLPA filing an appeal as expected, the controversial 17-year $102 million contract will go to an arbitrator, who will decide its fate. Club owner Jeff Vanderbeek is hoping for a quick resolution so that all sides can move forward from the latest chaos caused by a league Hell bent on another lockout. It’ll be interesting to see what develops from this and how it impacts the next CBA.

The Islanders and Matt Moulson got it done, earlier today agreeing on a one year $2.45 million deal to avoid arbitration. After making the club as a roster invite, the 26 year-old former King who was close with rookie John Tavares formed solid chemistry- pacing the club with 30 goals and five game winners while playing all 82. Previously, the North York Ontario native got into only 29 over two seasons with Los Angeles.

Originally selected by Pittsburgh back in ’03 ninth round (263rd overall), Moulson finally got the chance to show what he could do. In his first full season, he scored 30 while adding 18 assists totaling 48 points along with eight power play goals, which ranked third on the team behind Tavares (11) and Mark Streit (9). Only Kyle Okposo took more shots than Moulson (208), whose 14.4 shooting percentage also led the Islanders. Just a shade better than sophomore pivot Josh Bailey (14.3).

Rewarded for his surprise season which saw Moulson do plenty of dirty work in front, he’ll have to prove it wasn’t a fluke. The Isles certainly need the gritty left wing with a nose for the net to duplicate last season’s success. With JT91 entering his second season, he’ll need plenty of help from Okposo, who only converted 19 goals despite leading the club in SOG. More is expected from the Isles’ former ’06 first round pick (7th overall). Featuring a young nucleus that includes Bailey, Frans Nielsen, Blake Comeau and 2010 first rounder Nino Niederreiter, the Islanders will look to improve on the 214 goals they scored.

If Niederreiter is deemed ready, he may be able to help. However, the 17 year-old Swiss who doesn’t turn 18 until September 8 is expected to return to the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL (Western Hockey League) for his second season. In Year One after coming over from HC Davos, he scored 36 goals and 24 assists for 60 points in 65 games while adding eight goals and eight helpers in the playoffs (13 GP). Impressive stuff from a player whose stock rose following a standout WJC in which he was named to the All-Star team.

While Islander fans track how Niederreiter and prospects Calvin de Haan, Travis Harmonic, Matt Donovan, Kirill Petrov plus 2010 picks Brock Nelson and Kirill Kabanov do in camp, it’ll be up to Moulson, Streit, Dwayne Roloson and Trent Hunter to provide strong leadership on a rebuilding club that hopes to improve.

It’s official. Alexander Frolov is a Ranger. Following yesterday’s post on the talented but enigmatic Russian, rumors circulated that he was closing in on signing with our club. The only hold up was that the now former King wanted two years. Fortunately, Glen Sather was able to get it done for one with it expected to be $3 million. Updating this, reliable Rycckuu Puck Daddy source Dmitry Chesnokov just tweeted that he should get a little more than that. Eh.

About what was expected. While it would’ve been nice to get Frolov for our $2.5 M, he did earn an average of $2.9 million on his last contract. So, even coming off a down season in which he fell out of favor with Terry Murray who used the 28 year-old from Moscow more on the third line and even healthy scratched him, it was probably going to cost a bit more. Especially to get him for one year.

Twitter universe wasn’t feeling this move last night with colleague Scotty Hockey leading the charge- saying it’s more of the same from an organization that only wants to get an eight seed and wallow in mediocrity. It’s hard to disagree. He’s dead on about the team being miles away from competing for a Cup. So, why not let a prospect compete in camp for the spot? Most likely because this is still a team that plays in the Big Apple and is owned by a nimrod who would rather see them at least make the playoffs so MSG can get valuable extra revenue out of a frustrated fanbase loyal to a fault.

It’s like being stuck between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, we want to see the team succeed and root for the logo which is why fans cough up good dough to go to games. On the other, it’s clear that as long as Dolan owns this franchise, Sather will have free reign and the club will suffer because of it. Imagine if there was accountability. If they really cared about fielding a winning product, our senile GM would’ve been gone eons ago probably during the lockout. Instead, True Blue fans are stuck. Do we root against our own team in hopes that they finish bad enough to finally end this Era Error? Some like Broadway Blue are willing to see them fall as far as possible in hopes that they get a high draft pick. But as Drea also alludes to in another tweet, the Rangers still lack a No.1 center with Slats actually excited for Erik Christensen. A waiver pickup who they re-signed. You just can’t make this stuff up.

It would be one thing if they had a top playmaking pivot who could get the puck to Marian Gaborik and Frolov if he plays top line. Though personally, I wouldn’t throw all my eggs in one basket. This team has lacked balanced scoring. Unless that changes, it will be another frustrating year full of teases.

Can Frolov help? Sure. As we already noted, he’s got high skill capable of finishing and setting up goals. Unlike Scotty Hockey, we’ll say that Frolov is far from one-dimensional as he can kill penalties if needed. He also is better on the cycle than Nikolai Zherdev, able to use his 6-2, 204 frame to ward off defenders. There are two big questions that Frolov must answer:

1.After reportedly turning down approximately $20 million over four years from the KHL, opting for one more year in the NHL before deciding his future, how motivated will he be?

2.Coming in with consistency issues, can he silence the critics?

If he fails at either, it won’t be long before he’s in John Tortorella’s doghouse. If the club struggles or he underperforms, they can always move him at the deadline. Still, at at least three million with no wiggle room, what does this mean for Marc Staal? Shouldn’t our best defenseman have been top priority?!?!?!?!?! More of the same old, same old from a washed up executive who treats free agents better than his own players. Bye bye Redden? For the love of God and all of sanity, please see to it that Tinman isn’t oiled up.

Signed,

Derek Felix of Battle Of New York

They took a chance on one enigmatic Russian to start the Post-Jagr Era two summers ago. Now, the Rangers are reportedly interested in Alexander Frolov, who remains unsigned. Last night via Twitter, reliable Rycckuu Puck Daddy source Dmitry Chesnokov tweeted about the possibility of the 28 year-old King winding up on Broadway.

In seven seasons all spent in Hollywood, Frolov’s tallied 168 goals along with 213 assists for 381 points over 536 career games. Solid but unspectacular for the gifted Russian who the Kings drafted back in ’00 first round (20th overall). Out of the seven, he’s scored 20-or-more five times and hit 30-plus twice, posting a career best 35 in ’06-07 which turned out to be his defining year- playing all 82 while adding 36 helpers totaling 71 points, 10 power play goals, a shorthanded goal and six deciding markers.

Since, the streaky player from Moscow has seen production dip, going from 67 points in ’07-08 to 59 in ’08-09 to 51 last season. His 19 goals and 51 points were the lowest output dating back to Frolov’s rookie year of ’02-03 (14-17-31 in 79 GP). So, is this a player that can help the Rangers? Perhaps. He’s got high skill and similar finishing ability a la Broadway flop Nikolai Zherdev. What to make of the recent decline? Who knows? Two years ago, he still lit the lamp 32 times including a career high 12 PPG. One thing which is shocking is that Frolov doesn’t shoot enough, averaging a shade over 170-per-season. But also similar to Zherdev who signed with bitter nemesis Philadelphia, he’s versatile- registering 30-or-more assists in four of the past five campaigns since the lockout. That included a career best 44 in ’07-08.

The burning question is is he worth the gamble? Surely, Frolov shouldn’t cost a ton, having earned four million this past year but at an average cap hit of $2.9 M. Combined with a down year and not much of a market, he could be forced to take a paycut. Something we’re certain agent Don Meehan wants no part of. But if LA and New York are the only real players, then that doesn’t leave much of a bargaining chip for the Frolov camp.

It’s true that the Blueshirts lack high end skill and could use a player like Frolov to assist Marian Gaborik. However, they have little room. Glen Sather must still re-sign Marc Staal, virtually leaving no space. Of course, that could change once October hits if the Wade Redden to Hartford rumors are substantiated. If they do land Frolov, it better be for no more than two years after the Ales Kotalik debacle. Personally, I’d take him for one at $2.5 M knowing that if he struggles or the team does, they can always move him at the deadline.

If it were up to me, I’d advise Frolov to stay put on an emerging LA club that should only improve. We’re not in his head.