Mel
6-23-05, 9:50 AM
http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/3711022
One sure sign that the NHL lockout may be soon drawing to a close is the increase in player movement rumors in recent weeks.
Almost all the speculation is centered around the status of players who are either eligible for unrestricted free agency or the possibility of those carrying hefty contracts being bought out once the new collective bargaining agreement is in place.
Earlier this month the Fort Worth Star-Telegram carried an article concerning the status of Dallas Stars captain Mike Modano, an unrestricted free agent this summer. While it's believed Dallas will give the long-time Star an opportunity to remain with the team, it's obvious he's not going to haul in the same $9 million per season under the new CBA as he did under the last one.
The Star Telegram noted Modano had recent financial problems due to some bad business deals, suggesting that and the possibility of a low offer from the Stars might force the Stars captain to consider offers from other clubs.
While that's possible, it's not likely the 35-year-old Modano, whose stats took a tumble in 2003-04, will see many lucrative offers from other clubs, as they'll also have to worry about finding room under their own salary caps.
The recent hiring of Brian Burke by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks as their general manager already has stirred up some media speculation as to his future relationship with high-paid Ducks forward Sergei Fedorov.
The Vancouver Province observed that Burke, while he was GM of the Canucks, had a very low opinion of Fedor Fedorov, a Canucks prospect and Sergei's younger brother.
When Sergei became an unrestricted free agent in 2003, there was speculation Burke was interested in signing him, perhaps to help improve brother Fedor's game. Burke denied the stories with the following comment: "I've got one Fedorov already and that's too many."
Burke has already addressed that comment, saying it had nothing to do with Sergei and the center shouldn't take it personally, but it's not hard to tell that the relationship between these two will be under media scrutiny in this upcoming season.
One player who might find himself a candidate for contract buyout is Toronto Maple Leafs forward Owen Nolan. According to Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons, the oft-injured Nolan hasn't earned the "star wages" he was paid before the projected rollbacks of the new CBA.
It's believed there will be a one-time provision in the new CBA whereby contract buyouts made this summer won't apply to a team's salary cap. Simmons believes Leafs management would be better served by buying out the remainder of Nolan's contract and use the savings to shore up depth in other areas.
The Sun reporter makes a good point. The Leafs obviously won't buy out franchise player Mats Sundin nor aging but still effective goaltender Ed Belfour. With Nolan set to make $4.8 million next season, the combined salaries of those three eats up a substantial chunk of the Leafs payroll, which could make Nolan expendable.
Speaking of the Leafs, reports out of Toronto has tough guy forward Tie Domi suggesting he may retire if the club doesn't re-sign him for next season.
Given his popularity with Leafs fans, his reputation as one of the league's top enforcers and his effectiveness as an "energizer" on the team's forward lines, it's a good possibility he'll be resigned.
But as the Toronto Star recently observed, he could face a considerable pay cut. Domi was supposed to make $2 million in 2004-05, and given the possibility of limited cap room due to Sundin's and Belfour's salaries, he might be lucky to see half that amount for next season.
Add New York Islanders defenseman Kenny Jonsson to the list of European players who've opted to retire back to their native countries rather than return to the NHL following the lockout. Newsday recently reported Jonsson told the Isles last Friday he wouldn't be back.
His decision could free up further payroll room for general manager Mike Milbury to either re-sign free agents Adrian Aucoin and Roman Hamrlik, or perhaps seek a replacement elsewhere.
There's some idle chatter in the New York media of Milbury going after former New York Rangers defenseman Brian Leetch once the new CBA is in place. It makes for interesting chat room and message board discussion, but it remains to be seen if anything will actually come of this.
There's even talk of the Rangers bringing Leetch back home to Broadway. This would be a great idea . . . if this were 1995 and not 2005.
Leetch will turn 38 next season, and while he's still a very good defenseman, he's no longer the perennial Norris candidate he once was. If they're serious about rebuilding, the Blueshirts should restock their roster with younger NHL talent ? which could be plentiful this summer in the free agent market ? rather than bringing another aging former Ranger back home.
Another player who might also decide to remain overseas is Edmonton Oilers netminder Jussi Markkanen, whom the Hockey News recently noted might remain in his native Finland next season. If so, that could put the Oilers in the market for an affordable backup.
RE: Leetch - I think he's still an asset especially on the PP. But teams should not sign him expecting his usual 28-29 minutes a game... He might be wearing down a bit.
But then again maybe a year off has helped some of these older guys rejuvinate themselves a bit, as long as they've been keeping in reasonable shape.
Wherever Leetch goes (provided he doesn't retire) it's not for money. I have it on pretty good info that he will not return to the Rangers for any amount of money as long as Glen Sather is around. If Sather were out of the picture, he would like to return to broadway for whatever the team could afford to pay him.
Leetch to the Islanders is interesting because you never know, maybe his family life is comfortable in the New York area. I'm not sure. But I just can't see Leetchie as a fish stick. Maybe a Devil.
Maybe him and buddy Messier will reunite in Phoenix on Wayne's club. :laughing:
Hey don't laugh, lots of old people wind up in Phoenix!
One sure sign that the NHL lockout may be soon drawing to a close is the increase in player movement rumors in recent weeks.
Almost all the speculation is centered around the status of players who are either eligible for unrestricted free agency or the possibility of those carrying hefty contracts being bought out once the new collective bargaining agreement is in place.
Earlier this month the Fort Worth Star-Telegram carried an article concerning the status of Dallas Stars captain Mike Modano, an unrestricted free agent this summer. While it's believed Dallas will give the long-time Star an opportunity to remain with the team, it's obvious he's not going to haul in the same $9 million per season under the new CBA as he did under the last one.
The Star Telegram noted Modano had recent financial problems due to some bad business deals, suggesting that and the possibility of a low offer from the Stars might force the Stars captain to consider offers from other clubs.
While that's possible, it's not likely the 35-year-old Modano, whose stats took a tumble in 2003-04, will see many lucrative offers from other clubs, as they'll also have to worry about finding room under their own salary caps.
The recent hiring of Brian Burke by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks as their general manager already has stirred up some media speculation as to his future relationship with high-paid Ducks forward Sergei Fedorov.
The Vancouver Province observed that Burke, while he was GM of the Canucks, had a very low opinion of Fedor Fedorov, a Canucks prospect and Sergei's younger brother.
When Sergei became an unrestricted free agent in 2003, there was speculation Burke was interested in signing him, perhaps to help improve brother Fedor's game. Burke denied the stories with the following comment: "I've got one Fedorov already and that's too many."
Burke has already addressed that comment, saying it had nothing to do with Sergei and the center shouldn't take it personally, but it's not hard to tell that the relationship between these two will be under media scrutiny in this upcoming season.
One player who might find himself a candidate for contract buyout is Toronto Maple Leafs forward Owen Nolan. According to Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons, the oft-injured Nolan hasn't earned the "star wages" he was paid before the projected rollbacks of the new CBA.
It's believed there will be a one-time provision in the new CBA whereby contract buyouts made this summer won't apply to a team's salary cap. Simmons believes Leafs management would be better served by buying out the remainder of Nolan's contract and use the savings to shore up depth in other areas.
The Sun reporter makes a good point. The Leafs obviously won't buy out franchise player Mats Sundin nor aging but still effective goaltender Ed Belfour. With Nolan set to make $4.8 million next season, the combined salaries of those three eats up a substantial chunk of the Leafs payroll, which could make Nolan expendable.
Speaking of the Leafs, reports out of Toronto has tough guy forward Tie Domi suggesting he may retire if the club doesn't re-sign him for next season.
Given his popularity with Leafs fans, his reputation as one of the league's top enforcers and his effectiveness as an "energizer" on the team's forward lines, it's a good possibility he'll be resigned.
But as the Toronto Star recently observed, he could face a considerable pay cut. Domi was supposed to make $2 million in 2004-05, and given the possibility of limited cap room due to Sundin's and Belfour's salaries, he might be lucky to see half that amount for next season.
Add New York Islanders defenseman Kenny Jonsson to the list of European players who've opted to retire back to their native countries rather than return to the NHL following the lockout. Newsday recently reported Jonsson told the Isles last Friday he wouldn't be back.
His decision could free up further payroll room for general manager Mike Milbury to either re-sign free agents Adrian Aucoin and Roman Hamrlik, or perhaps seek a replacement elsewhere.
There's some idle chatter in the New York media of Milbury going after former New York Rangers defenseman Brian Leetch once the new CBA is in place. It makes for interesting chat room and message board discussion, but it remains to be seen if anything will actually come of this.
There's even talk of the Rangers bringing Leetch back home to Broadway. This would be a great idea . . . if this were 1995 and not 2005.
Leetch will turn 38 next season, and while he's still a very good defenseman, he's no longer the perennial Norris candidate he once was. If they're serious about rebuilding, the Blueshirts should restock their roster with younger NHL talent ? which could be plentiful this summer in the free agent market ? rather than bringing another aging former Ranger back home.
Another player who might also decide to remain overseas is Edmonton Oilers netminder Jussi Markkanen, whom the Hockey News recently noted might remain in his native Finland next season. If so, that could put the Oilers in the market for an affordable backup.
RE: Leetch - I think he's still an asset especially on the PP. But teams should not sign him expecting his usual 28-29 minutes a game... He might be wearing down a bit.
But then again maybe a year off has helped some of these older guys rejuvinate themselves a bit, as long as they've been keeping in reasonable shape.
Wherever Leetch goes (provided he doesn't retire) it's not for money. I have it on pretty good info that he will not return to the Rangers for any amount of money as long as Glen Sather is around. If Sather were out of the picture, he would like to return to broadway for whatever the team could afford to pay him.
Leetch to the Islanders is interesting because you never know, maybe his family life is comfortable in the New York area. I'm not sure. But I just can't see Leetchie as a fish stick. Maybe a Devil.
Maybe him and buddy Messier will reunite in Phoenix on Wayne's club. :laughing:
Hey don't laugh, lots of old people wind up in Phoenix!