Leafs may not pick up Sundin's club option for next season...

There is a chance the Toronto Maple Leafs won't be picking up the club option on Mats Sundin's contract next season.
This will feed the speculation he might consider waiving his no-trade clause, or worst case, retirement. Neither of which is likely to happen.
So, please hold the outrage!
Let me explain.
The Leafs and the NHL have discussed the language used in the big captains contract to determine how this option year applies to the CBA.
A contract, I should add, that is unique and will this season include a $760,000 allotment which boosts his salary this year to $7.6 million after the rollback. Its important to note this allotment will be paid out this season and will have no bearing on Toronto's cap in the future. Unlike Ed Belfour's arrangement, which the Leafs are absorbing even though Belfour is now property of the Florida Panthers.
Currently, it's the average of Sundin's salary ($6.3 million) that eats up a big chunk of Toronto's cap space.
However, the theory the Maple Leafs are exploring would see the team decline the option, in affect ending the contract before signing Sundin to a new contract, free and clear of his existing deal.
As long as the 35 year old signs for less than $6.3 million, Toronto would save potentially hundreds of thousands in cap space, freeing up money to re-invest in other players.
If Sundin were to agree to a two-year, $11.5 million deal, automatically Toronto will shave $800,000 off the cap. In today's NHL, $800,000 buys a pretty good player.
Its a technicality worth exploring.

2006 - 2007 NHL Preview from TSN.ca

http://tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=10814

http://tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=10815

The Preseason
2006 Training Camp ScheduleCheck out the dates and locations of each team's first on-ice practice and training camp sites.
2006 Preseason ScheduleTeams begin tuning up their rosters and evaluating talent with an exhibition schedule that begins Sunday, Sept. 17.

More Hockey News - September 15, 2006

Here we go again: Pens to Hamilton? The chairman of Waterloo, Ont.-based Research in Motion Ltd., the makers of the BlackBerry e-mail handheld device, is now the front-runner to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins according to a published report.


Jagr accepts the 'C': Without a true captin since Mark Messier wore the letter back in 2003/04, Jaromir Jagr feels it is now his time to take the Rangers as his team....

Three Kings in crowded net: The Los Angeles Kings open training camp in the envious (depending on who you ask) position of having three No. 1 goaltenders: Dan Cloutier, Mathieu Garon and Jason LaBarbera....

Doug Gilmour joins Leafs' front office staff

TORONTO (CP) - Doug Gilmour, whose passionate style of play made him a Toronto fan favourite, has returned to the Maple Leafs as a talent evaluator.
The full-time position will see him assist GM John Ferguson, assistant GM Mike Penny and player development coach Paul Dennis on assessing players.
"I'll be hands on with John, Mike and Paul," said Gilmour. "It's baby steps right now.
"I'm going to give it all the effort I have and at times give an opinion. Whether it's right or wrong, they'll decide that."
Gilmour, 43, who quit as a player three years ago, said he also is tinkering with the idea of eventually getting into coaching.
"That's a decision I'll figure out in the next couple of years," he said. "Because I'm not that far removed from the game, I have some passion for the coaching side.
"But I'll learn the player development side now. I want to learn. I live here, my kids were born here, so I'm very proud to be part of the organization. I'm looking forward to it."
Gilmour, the Leafs' captain from 1994 to 1997, was an observer during the Leafs' rookie camp and was on hand for the first of the NHL camp's on-ice workouts Friday, when Ferguson made the hiring official.
"I'm waiting for that trip where Mike sends me some place he doesn't want to go," Gilmour kidded during an interview.
Ferguson and Gilmour had been mulling over exactly what he'd do for the last few weeks.
"Bringing Doug back into the organization on this side of the business is going to allow us to use his experience, his passion, his competitiveness - those intangibles - to drive them into the organization," Ferguson said during an impromptu news conference with Gilmour. "I couldn't be more pleased to bring him back and make him part of our future.
"We all know what he's done as a player. We think he can contribute (in the new role). We value his opinion. He'll learn and contribute, and who knows what the future holds.
"His presence in the organization means so much. Obviously, what he's done here as a Maple Leaf - that passion and competitiveness, that productivity, that success - all those things I don't possess and others in our organization don't possess. We'd like to think he can bring that to our group and to our players."
Gilmour twice played for the Leafs and retired as a member of the team after suffering a serious knee injury in 2003.
"It's nice to see him back in the organization," said captain Mats Sundin.
Gilmour played 1,474 NHL games with Calgary, St. Louis, Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, New Jersey and Montreal. He won a Stanley Cup with the Flames in 1989.

Sundin wishes to end career as a Maple Leaf

TORONTO (CP) - He's said it before, and he'll say it again.
"If the organization wanted to move me, you have no real choice but, if it's up to me, I do want to stay as a Maple Leaf the rest of my career," captain Mats Sundin said after Toronto's first on-ice workouts of their NHL training camp Friday.
The topic arose during a media scrum because Sundin sold his posh home during the off-season, and because he's entering the last year - at US$7.6 million - of his contract.
The team has a $4.6-million option for 2007-2008 but it's likely both camps will start talking about an extension sometime this season.
"I don't have a desire to go anywhere else to be part of a championship team," he said. "We have just as good a chance to be a championship team right here as anyone else.
"I can't see myself trying to go to a contender at the end of the season just to be part of a championship. Any of the 16 teams that makes the playoffs has as good a chance as anyone else."
The Edmonton Oilers proved that after squeaking into the post-season on the schedule's last weekend last spring. Parity propelled by the salary cap levels the playing field.
"It's tougher and tougher to predict," said Sundin. "Before, you could tell who were going to be the top teams in the league.
"This year, it's impossible. I think we have as good a chance as any of the other teams. Our first focus has to make the playoffs. It's going to be very important for us to get off to a good start."
The six-foot-five centre earned 78 points and scored 31 goals last season. He played his best hockey after leading Sweden to Olympic gold.
"Having success with the Leafs in the playoffs is the ultimate goal," he said. "That in itself is a carrot that you're looking forward to and it helps you train."
While being bitterly disappointed to miss the playoffs last spring, he said there was a positive element to the club's strong finish.
"We had almost as many points as Edmonton had when they started their playoff run, and they went to the final. It was encouraging to see a lot of the younger players come in during the last 20 games and play well. That gave a brighter outlook to the start of this season."

Koivu takes part in first camp scrimmage

MONTREAL (CP) - Neither Michael Ryder's new visor nor Saku Koivu's blind spot prevented the Montreal Canadiens linemates from seeing eye to eye on the ice Friday.
Koivu had no trouble finding Ryder and winger Chris Higgins with passes in his first scrimmage since he suffered a serious left eye injury in the NHL playoffs in April.
The Canadiens captain even fed a pretty pass from the left side to Higgins for a goal.
"I thought it went well," said Koivu. "Physically, I felt fine and more important, I'm surprised I felt that comfortable with my eye.
"It will be a different scenario when we play against another team, but this was a first step and we have a couple of days before the first pre-season games. I hope that every day I feel a little more comfortable out there."
Koivu wore a contact lens on the eye, which still has a blind spot and recently developed a small cataract after off-season surgery to repair a detached retina.
He also wore a larger visor than the one he had on when Justin Williams' stick clipped his eye during a playoff game against Carolina on April 26.
The team's first day of on-ice workouts before a standing room only crowd at the Sportsplex 4-Glaces boosted Koivu's confidence that he will be ready for the Canadiens' regular season opener Oct. 6 in Buffalo.
"I had some doubts before today how I'd feel and what to expect. but the vision was OK," he said. "I didn't lose the puck in my feet too many times, so it was a pleasant surprise.
"If I don't face any setbacks and the vision is the way it is now, I don't see a problem for the season opener. But the first couple of exhibition games will tell a lot more."
Montreal's first two pre-season matches are against Boston at home on Tuesday and Wednesday. Koivu expects to play a game or two more than usual in the pre-season to get used to his slightly reduced vision.
Ryder is also adjusting to altered vision.
The 30-goal scorer is experimenting with a visor, although it will depend on how well he adapts in the pre-season whether he'll wear it in games that count.
The winger from Bonavista, N.L., said he considered wearing a visor even before Koivu's injury.
"It's a little different, just getting used to the sweat and snow that gets on it," he said. "It feels like you're inside something, looking through. Hopefully, I'll get used to it."
Koivu applauded his linemate's decision.
"Sometimes when something happens to a teammate, you see what might happen if you don't wear one," he said. "I'm hoping that it woke a few guys up and they realize that by wearing one, they might avoid an injury like that.
"I know there's a lot of guys who aren't used to wearing one but for us Europeans, it's never been a problem."
Ryder also showed up 12 pounds lighter than last season at 192 pounds after a summer of therapy for a pinched nerve in his neck.
"Because of my injury, I couldn't work out much," he said. "I was just trying to watch what I eat and make sure I didn't get out of shape and I ended up losing 12 pounds.
"Hopefully, I'm quicker. I don't really feel any pain now. It was in my neck, but I felt it more in my side. But it's gone. Now I'm just trying to rebuild the muscles."
Guy Carbonneau, who directed his first scrimmage since taking over as head coach, opted to keep his veterans together when making up lines.
Koivu, Ryder and Higgins ended last season together, while newcomer Sergei Samsonov showed energy in skating with Mike Ribeiro and Alex Kovalev. That line scored twice in the scrimmage.
Another new acquisition, Mike Johnson, scored a goal playing with Tomas Plekanec and Alexander Perezhogin while Radek Bonk centred Steve Begin and tough guy Aaron Downey, who also scored.
Garth Murray skated with two players competing for a vacant spot at forward - Andrei Kostitsyn and Mikhail Grabovsky.
"It's a short camp," said Carbonneau. "I have to get my team ready first.
"But we had (rookie) Kyle Chipchura's line against Ribeiro's line and they did well. That's good. It shows them what they have to do to play at this level. The first day went well."
One who looked sharp was six-foot-five defenceman Ryan O'Byrne, a 2003 third round draft pick who joined the team from Cornell University.
There is a spot open on defence to start the season as Francis Bouillon recovers from off-season knee surgery. Bouillon is to resume skating in two weeks, but isn't expected back until November.
The public was admitted free and they jammed the 1,200-seat arena. Fans were stacked three deep in the standing room area for the scrimmages.

Hockey News - September 15, 2006

Russian tribunal rules against Malkin
The Evgeni Malkin saga is far from over. A Russian arbitration tribunal issued a court order Friday prohibiting the Russian centre from playing in the NHL. But exactly what that means isn't clear.

Nonis doesn't know why Clarke made offer
Vancouver Canucks general manager Dave Nonis says Bob Clarke's actions in signing centre Ryan Kesler to a US$1.9 million offer sheet make no sense.

The Latest: A year after the Blues suspended Keith Tkachuk for arriving to training camp out of shape -- 263 pounds and 19 percent body fat--the star left winger will step onto the ice today at the Ice Zone weighing 229 pounds with 10 percent body fat. (More)...

Sundin wants to finish career with Leafs
Great things expected of Sens Kaigorodov
Tkachuk reports to Blues in better shape
Konowalchuk having heart checked out
Blackhawks lose Barker up to six weeks
Report: Bruins send Zhamnov home
Flyers centre Primeau retires
Blues sign Radek Dvorak
Leafs take to the ice at camp
Leafs add Gilmour to front office
Flyers name Forsberg captain
NHL to allow bigger stick curves
More Headlines >>

Clarke tries a bold move, and stings Canuks GM...and Why Not? He's just playing by the rules!

VANCOUVER (CP) -- The Vancouver Canucks are going to be paying Ryan Kesler top dollar after all.The Canucks matched Kesler's offer sheet and re-signed the centre to a new contract Thursday after the Philadelphia Flyers extended a US$1.9-million offer to the 22-year-old on Tuesday.Vancouver had hoped to re-sign the restricted free agent for much less money. They had reportedly been trying to negotiate for roughly half the amount Kesler will now be paid.It was the first offer sheet signed by a player since 1999. The Canucks had a week to choose whether to match the offer or receive a second-round draft pick, but took just two days to make the decision.Technically, the last official offer sheet before Tuesday was in July 1999 when Tampa Bay made an offer for little-known Oiler Brett Hauer. Edmonton matched it.The last offer sheet of any note was in February 1998 when Carolina went after Detroit star Sergei Fedorov and the Red Wings matched it.Clarke's move sparked debate around the league. Some GMs privately questioned it although none of them would go public. The general concern was that Clarke nearly tripling Kesler's salary to $1.9 million would be inflationary and affect future comparable players. Kesler is a checking centre who had 10 goals in his rookie season last year.Philadelphia went after the young Canuck in an effort to replace former captain Keith Primeau, who was forced to retire because of concussion-related problems.For his part, Clarke wasn't concerned about how the move was viewed by others."That's the rules in the CBA," Clarke said. "The rules aren't convenient just for one team, they're there for everybody. You can't pick and choose. If you like one rule and I like one rule, does that mean we can only use one rule? That's crazy."If you're unhappy with the rules, complain to (commissioner) Gary Bettman."

Mats will be Maurice's go to guy

TORONTO (CP) -- The Toronto Maple Leafs made plenty of changes for the new NHL season and one that is about to happen might have the most favourable impact of them all.Mats Sundin will get more playing time.The big Swedish centre can expect new head coach Paul Maurice to have him on the ice well in excess of the nearly 20 minutes a game he logged last season. The onus will be on the captain to lead the Leafs' bid to return to the playoffs."I've always had players in those roles play an awful lot of minutes relative to the rest of the league," Maurice said during the opening day of training camp Thursday. "The three TV time-outs during games, charter flights, better nutrition -- all those things point to your better players playing more."The biggest thing though is that there's not the same price to be paid to play hockey as there was two years ago. Mats Sundin, to get to the front of the net two years ago, had to give back five sticks by the time he got to the bench. The wear and tear on these guys has changed."Fitness tests and off-ice workouts were the order of the day in the freezer that was Ricoh Coliseum. A handful of players including off-season free-agent pickup Pavel Kubina donned pads and skated. Most have been training in groups for weeks, so everybody looks to be near game-ready shape. Nobody was puking on the exercise machines.On-ice drills begin Friday, and the first exhibition game is at Air Canada Centre on Monday night against Buffalo. The regular-season opener is at home on Wed., Oct. 4 against Ottawa.At this stage, Maurice isn't fretting over who skates on the first line with Sundin."Who Mats plays with is not the most important question to answer," Maurice said. "He's going to play with a lot of different people over the course of the year."There's times you leave lines together because you know there's chemistry there and you want to let them work through it, but we'll ask Mats to be our best player most nights and if the people around him aren't going then you make adjustments.
Mats Sundin is here to make the players around him better, and he's good enough to."There'll be no camp scrimmages, said Maurice."It's almost like play-fighting with a friend and I don't care for it," he explained. "A short camp forces you to work on systems."NHL training camps were shortened to 20 days this year."I think it's still too long," new Leafs centre Mike Peca said with a grin. "Players are coming into camp in such great shape ... it's plenty of time."Regardless, Maurice's main goal is to make this a quicker team. After all, it's the trend around the league given the strict crackdown on obstruction fouls that is in force.He's not making any bold predictions."It's a dogfight now for everybody to get into the playoffs," he said. "My biggest concern outside of hockey is controlling the emotional rollercoaster our team will go on based on the interest in the team."That's part of being here -- managing that rollercoaster. I understand that we're going to be in a dogfight to make the playoffs. That's hard for home-town fans to hear but it's the (reality) of the NHL" now that the salary cap's levelling of player hiring capabilities has promoted parity.There's been nary a discouraging word about Maurice since he replaced Pat Quinn, but he insists he has yet to feel the weight of the heavy expectations of Leafs fans on his shoulders as he prepares to return to an NHL bench for the first time in 2.5 years."I know it's coming, but I don't feel any pressure yet," he said. "If you're going to win on the big stage, there's going to be some pressure there to do it."The main competition in camp will be for two or three defence spots and a handful of third- and fourth-line wing positions."I don't think there are clear frontrunners in a lot of areas," said Maurice. "A player who did a great amount of work this summer can really change his game."I would expect great competition. The change in the game where the players aren't physically asked to grind is the biggest advantage our young kids have. We don't have to wait two years for a player to physically mature. If you can come in and skate and jump into plays you can be a good player in your second year. There's more room for young players to come in and be impact players."

Primeau announces his retirement

Philadelphia Flyers centre Keith Primeau retired Thursday, ending a 15-year NHL career after failing to receive clearance to play because of lingering effects from a concussion.
FULL STORY...
Flyers name Forsberg captain

Hockey News - September 14, 2006

NHL to allow bigger stick curves
The National Hockey League Board of Governors today approved a variety of rule changes pertaining to the curvature of players' sticks.

Canucks match Kesler offer
The Vancouver Canucks are going to be paying Ryan Kesler top dollar after all.

'Canes to deal Jack Johnson?
Now that Frantisek Kaberle will miss most of this season because of shoulder surgery, the Carolina Hurricanes are in desperate need of a defenceman. But it won't be Jack Johnson, Carolina's third overall pick in the 2005 entry draft.

Aggressive tactics
A brief conversation with Vancouver Canucks general manager Dave Nonis is all that is required to establish his disdain for being inconvenienced by the Philadelphia Flyers attempt to lure restricted free agent Ryan Kesler with a high priced offer sheet.

Lalime to be sidelined 2-3 months
Luongo aims to change Canucks culture
Tanguay did homework on Iginla
Oilers begin camp with more firepower
Maurice: Leafs will struggle for playoffs
Senators going with blue-collar approach
Raycroft likes hockey buzz in T.O.
Capitals sign tough guy D Erskine
Panthers agree to terms with prospects
Connolly still has concussion symptoms
Koivu hopes to wait for cataract surgery
More Headlines >>

Hockey News

Gionta to attend training camp: Despite not having a contract, Brian Gionta has decided to put his career at risk and attend Devils training camp....

Remembering the lives lost: The five-year anniversary of the September 11 attacks brings back painful memories for many, including members of the LA Kings family. Scouts Mark Bavis and Ace Bailey were among the hundreds who died aboard United Airlines Flight 175, the second plane hijacked by terrorists and crashed into the World Trade Center.

Vokoun signs for four more years: The Nashville Predators made sure their star goalie wasn't going anywhere, signing Tomas Vokoun to a four-year deal....

Sens sign centre Kaigorodov
Flyers make Kesler an offer
Sabres sign players & coaches
Fitzgerald done after 17 years
Oilers agree to three with Lupul
Canucks ink Linden for one year
Flyers' Gagne gets five-year deal
Canes' Kaberle may miss six months
Vokoun staying put in Nashville
More Lupul-Oiler talks Monday
Sundin arrival surprises Leafs
Sabres ink a keeper in Miller
Malkin hits ice with Penguins
Vigneault: Markus is my captain
King walks out on 'Nucks camp

Primeau close to announcing his retirement?

PHILADELPHIA (CP) -- Flyers captain Keith Primeau is expected to announce his retirement by the end of the week, the Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting."I've had those discussions with my wife and I will have something more to say about it either tomorrow or Thursday," Primeau said. "I have not talked to the club since last week. I had been looking to get myself back into a position to play."If Primeau does end his career, the captaincy will likely go Peter Forsberg, which was the Flyers' plan in the event Primeau did not begin the season.Primeau, 34, who said retirement at his age will be "very tough to face," has been unable to recover from post-concussion syndrome suffered last Oct. 25 at Montreal when he took a blow to the head from Alexander Perezhogin.Primeau played 5{ seasons with the Flyers and 312 games with 87 goals, 126 assists and 213 points. He assumed the captaincy from Eric Desjardins in 2001.

DiPietro signs record deal...$67.5 Millon for 15 years

The New York Islanders have signed goalie Rick DiPietro to a 15-year, $67.5 million contract. The deal will pay DiPietro $4.5 million annually.
''In all of our discussions with Rick, he made it clear that he wanted to be an Islander for the rest of his career,'' said Islanders general manager Garth Snow. ''But it was of equal importance to Rick that we work out a deal that would allow us to continue to build a Stanley Cup contender for years to come. This deal is great news for our franchise and our fans.''
''I'm extremely appreciative of the commitment (Islanders owner) Charles Wang and Garth have made to me,'' said DiPietro.
Islanders' owner Charles Wang, who was directly involved in the negotiations, had indicated that if DiPietro didn't sign by Friday, when the team opens training camp in Nova Scotia, that DiPietro would not play in the 2006-07 season.
''Rick's made no secret for a long time that he wanted to be an Islander his whole career,'' DiPietro's agent Paul Krepelka told The Associated Press..

Brendan Morrison looks forward to taking game to next level

BURNABY, B.C. (CP) -- Centre Brendan Morrison thinks subtracting Todd Bertuzzi from the Vancouver Canucks could result in an addition to his scoring totals this NHL season.For most of the last five years Morrison has been the setup man on the Canucks' high-scoring top line along with wingers Markus Naslund and Bertuzzi.Both Naslund and Bertuzzi wanted the puck as much as possible. That meant Morrison's job was pass first, maybe look for a rebound, then make sure he got back on defence.Bertuzzi's trade to the Florida Panthers this summer means Morrison may find the puck on his stick more often."When you play with those guys, the tendency is just to get them the puck," Morrison said after skating with some of his teammates at a local arena. "Now I might have the puck a little more, get the chance to create a little more and definitely shoot the puck more. That should lead to more production."Naslund said Morrison may get more of a chance to demonstrate the goal-scoring skills he showed at the University of Michigan where he was a Hobey Baker award winner as the top U.S. college hockey player."I think Brendan plays his best when he's forceful and confident," said Naslund. "Maybe it was difficult for him to play with me and Todd who both really want the puck all the time.

NHL news for September 7, 2006

Bettman to settle GM disputes
National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman will be involved in the resolution of Mike Keenan's break-up with the Florida Panthers and will also manage Neil Smith's settlement with the New York Islanders.

Morrison looks to increase scoring
Centre Brendan Morrison thinks subtracting Todd Bertuzzi from the Vancouver Canucks could result in an addition to his scoring totals this NHL season.

Thrashers agree to terms with Lehtonen
The Atlanta Thrashers have agreed to terms on a new multi-year contract with goaltender Kari Lehtonen.

Gagne and Flyers 'a ways away'
Bryzgalov inks two-year deal with Ducks
Naslund responds to captaincy questions
Crawford excited about rebuilding Kings
Ricci still recovering from neck surgery
Taylor named new Lightning captain
Koivu looks to test injured eye at camp
Officer sues VandenBussche for $10.2 M
Ovechkin says he's not ready for 'C'
Sharks' Bell arrested on DUI suspicion
Malkin inks deal with Penguins
Forsberg back on the ice after surgery
Avalanche re-sign Svatos to one-year deal
More Headlines >>

Martin insists he was not the reason for Keenan's departure

Despite reports to the contrary, Florida Panthers coach and GM Jacques Martin insists Mike Keenan isn't gone because of him. "No, I don't think there was a breakdown with my relationship with Mike," Martin told The Canadian Press in an interview Thursday.

FULL STORY...
Dudley: 'Panthers owner big fan of Martin'
Did Keenan jump, or was he pushed?

Malikin to sign soon with the Pens; Keenan fired/resigns; Zherdev could play in Russia

Evgeni Malkin is about to become a Pittsburgh Penguins player. Malkin has spent three weeks training in the Los Angeles region, but is expected to sign with the Penguins on Tuesday - two days before the start of rookie training camp. Malkin's agents said last week they would open contract talks early this week, and the Penguins are planning a news conference Tuesday to announce the signing.FULL STORY...

GM Keenan and Panthers part ways
The Florida Panthers and their general manager are not waiting together to see how the 2006-07 NHL season will unfold.

Zherdev, Columbus still not speaking
The chances Nikolai Zherdev will be playing in Columbus this season are dwindling.

Roenick perplexed by lack of TV exposure
Checketts guarantees winning start
Oilers to use five partial affiliates
Stars re-sign Trevor Daley
Islanders draft pick Blaho killed in crash
Hurricanes sign tough guy Stephen Peat
Sabres ink Kalinin to two-year deal
Hall of Famer Dickie Moore recovering
Red Wings to retire Yzerman's jersey
Havlat gets a chance to be 'the man'
Hurricanes sign Brad Isbister
More Headlines >>

Iron Mike let go from GM post in Florida

The Florida Panthers and their general manager are not waiting together to see how the 2006-07 NHL season will unfold.
Even after an offseason of major player transactions and renewed playoff hopes, the team announced in a statement Sunday that Mike Keenan has resigned from his front office post and has been replaced by head coach Jacques Martin.
''I can't say that I had looked at being a general manager,'' Martin said. ''Maybe a long-term goal could have been that, but not short term.''
It is not clear what led to the move - made just days before the start of training camp. While the Panthers are publicly saying he has resigned, sources tell TSN that Keenan was actually forced out.
Keenan had three years remaining on his contract with the Panthers and leaves after working parts of four seasons with the club. He was named head coach of the Panthers in December of 2001 and held the post until November of 2003.
He returned to the team as general manager in May of 2004 and immediately made a flurry of changes to improve the club's fortunes. He joined in with Martin - a former Ottawa bench boss who was also his university teammate - and added veteran players to the lineup such as forwards Joe Nieuwendyk, Gary Roberts and Chris Gratton.
The team failed to make the playoffs for a fifth straight season in 2005-06, prompting Keenan to make more dramatic moves over the summer. He swung a blockbuster deal that saw superstar netminder Roberto Luongo go to Vancouver for a package that featured power forward Todd Bertuzzi, and also signed veteran goalie Ed Belfour.
The Panthers were Keenan's seventh NHL team. He began his NHL career as head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers in 1984, and then led the Chicago Blackhawks behind the bench in 1988, guiding both teams to the Stanley Cup Final.
In 1993-94, he was hired as head coach of New York Rangers and led the franchise to its first Stanley Cup win since 1940. Keenan also served as head coach and GM as the St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, and Boston Bruins.
Keenan began his coaching career with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League.
Martin spent eight seasons with the Senators before joining Florida and is considered one of the league's top coaches. He won the Jack Adams award as coach of the year in 1998-99 and was runner-up three other times.
Martin says he doesn't see much need for change to the Panthers' roster.
''I don't see any changes,'' Martin said. ''I think we're excited as an organization about this roster. We feel we've improved our hockey club.''
It will be his first general manager job in the NHL.

Prospect Alexei Kaigorodov pencilled in as No. 2 centre behind Spezza

Metallurg Magnitogorsk will not stand in the way of finding a roster spot in the NHL.According to Ottawa Sun columnist Bruce Garrioch, the Ottawa Senators will invite Russian prospect Alexei Kaigorodov to taining camp -- and no cloak & dagger antics will be needed.However, due to the lack of an agreement between the NHL and the IIHF, Sens GM John Muckler had to be creative in getting Kaigorodov to camp. Under terms of the agreement, Kaigorodov, 23, will be allowed to attend the Senators camp, but if he does not earn a roster spot, he must go back and play with Metallurg Magnitogorsk. But if he does impress at camp and makes the roster, he will sign a rookie deal worth $1.1 million US.According to Garrioch, the Senators already have Kaigorodov pencilled into a spot as their No. 2 centre. Trading Bryan Smolinski to the Chicago Blackhawks last month left an opening.

Hockey News - August 27, 2006

Hitchcock pleased with Primeau: Most hockey pundits have closed the book on Keith Primeau's career, but Flyers' coach Ken Hitchcock is not one of them. Hitchcock is also tired of the Gagne trade rumours, which gain new life each day.

Traded stars on ice: For a brief moment the Florida Panthers must have thought they'd won the player lottery as both Todd Bertuzzi and Roberto Luongo worked out together on the ice in Florida....

Leafs to invite only the elite: The Maple Leafs aren't going to bother with the fringe players this year at training camp, preferring to go with players that have an actual shot at making the team....

Malkin's saga to conclude

Much-heralded prospect Evgeni Malkin expects to sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins in early September following the Labour Day long weekend and intends on be on the ice when the team opens rookie camp on Sept. 7. At least that's the plan that Malkin, the Penguins and the NHL is following. Malkin's Russian Super League team Magnitogorsk may have other ideas. TSN's Hockey Insider Darren Dreger explains.

FULL STORY...
Battle over Malkin over?

Hockey Headlines - August 27, 2006

Report: Kaigorodov free to join Senators
Russian prospect Alexei Kaigorodov will join the Ottawa Senators for training camp. According to a report in the Ottawa Sun, the Senators have come to an agreement with Kaigorodov's Russian club Metallurg Magnitogorsk.

Red Wings re-sign Johan Franzen
The Detroit Red wings have re-signed forward Johan Franzen to a three-year

Canadiens not among suitors for Dumont
'Canes Ward's whirlwind summer
Rangers re-sign defenceman Pock
Report: Lidstrom to wear 'C' for Wings
Questions swirl as Frost is freed on bail
Bruins' ink Bergeron to multi-year deal
Koivu skating, optimistic he'll be ready
Penguins are now Crosby's team
Gretzky excited about Coyotes' changes
Zherdev still staring down Blue Jackets
More Headlines >>

Dumont let go by Sabres; Legace signs in St.Louis; Sinden set to retire; more...

BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Buffalo Sabres have decided to exercise their walk-away option on the arbitration award to forward J.P. Dumont.
Effective immediately, Dumont becomes an unrestricted free agent able to sign with any NHL team. Dumont had his case heard by an arbitrator on Monday, July 31, and was subsequently awarded a one-year, $2.9 million contract. Dumont, 28, scored 40 points in 54 games for Buffalo last season. Since being acquired with Doug Gilmour in a trade from Chicago for Michal Grosek on March 10, 2000, Dumont scored 223 points in 362 games with the Sabres.
For his career, Dumont has 256 points in 434 games with Chicago and Buffalo.

After the Detroit Red Wings chose to cut ties with Manny Legace earlier in the summer, the veteran goaltender has signed with the St. Louis Blues.
''The Blues are thrilled to bring a veteran goaltender with a career winning record to our team,'' said club president John Davidson. ''With the addition of Manny, we feel solid with the depth we have in goal.''
Legace was 37-8-0 record with a 2.19 goals-against average last season but was blamed for the club's first-round playoff loss to Edmonton.
That didn't deter the Blues, who also have Jason Bacashihua and Curtis Sanford between the pipes.

Eric Desjardins
Flyers defenceman Eric Desjardins, the second-highest scoring defenceman in team history, will retire this week, a team spokesman said Wednesday. Flyers spokesman Zack Hill said the 37-year-old Desjardins was going to make an official announcement Thursday.FULL STORY...

Gonchar says Malkin to stay in Russia
Call it a case of broken telephone. After saying he expected Russian star Evgeni Malkin to play in the NHL this season, defenseman Sergei Gonchar has changed his tune.

Bruins' Sinden steps down as president
President Harry Sinden is stepping down after more than 40 years with the NHL team. He will continue as an adviser to Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs and as alternate governor for the team on the NHL's board of governors.

Forward Alexei Mikhnov has informed Russian club Yaroslavl that he wants to play in the NHL this season which means the 2000 first round draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers could be at training camp in September. The 24 year old is expected to sign a one year deal with the NHL club, likely worth $817,000 with a minor league clause... the Oilers have also begun contract talks with recently acquired forward Joffrey Lupul, who earned $949,000 in Anaheim last year... The Oilers have also expressed interest in free agent forward Petr Sykora, who played with Lupul in Anaheim before finishing the season with the Rangers. - Edmonton Journal

Buffalo Sabres to unveil new jersey and logo; will use original jersey as 3rd alternate jersey

BUFFALO, N.Y. --- Buffalo Sabres Managing Partner Larry Quinn announced today the Sabres will wear the franchise's original blue and gold uniform and logo as the team's third jersey during 15 home games in the 2006-07 season.The team will wear a new Blue and Gold uniform design, which will be unveiled in late September, for the remaining 26 home games and all 41 road games.The Sabres first wore the original Blue and Gold in the 1970-1971 season and continued that way for the following 26 years. The first major change to the team's look came in 1996-97 when the team changed its basic colors to red, black and white to coincide with the opening of the HSBC Arena (formerly Marine Midland Arena)."We have been planning all along to use the original colors and logo as our third jersey for next season," Quinn said. "Given the outpouring of fan concern the last few weeks, we decided to make this announcement now instead of September as originally planned. We are still committed and enthusiastic about our new uniform and believe that fans will embrace it once they have a chance to actually see it."The Sabres will unveil their new uniform during the week of September 24, at a time and place still to be determined. The team will actually wear their new jerseys for the first time on Saturday, September 30, in their only home pre-season game at HSBC Arena against the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7:00 p.m.

Greg Gilbert new coach of the Marlies

TORONTO (CP) -- Maple Leafs general manager John Ferguson installed Greg Gilbert as the new head coach of the AHL's Toronto Marlies on Thursday and continued to mull over possible additions to the big club's roster.Gilbert, 44, got a three-year contract. Financial terms were not divulged. The former head coach of the NHL's Calgary Flames had been coaching the major junior team in Mississauga, and he now fills the position that opened up after Marlies coach Paul Maurice was promoted to replace Pat Quinn."I love seeing guys finally grasp something you've tried to teach them," Gilbert said of his development role.

More signings and Rumors

An arbitrator has awarded Chicago Blackhawks forward Kyle Calder $2.95 million for the 2006-2007 season. Calder, 27, is coming off a season in which he recorded career-bests and team-leading totals in goals, 26, and points, 59. A fifth-round pick of the Blackhawks in 1997, Calder has notched 210 points in 359 career games. He earned $1.311 million last season.FULL STORY...

Sabres re-sign Pominville, Lydman
Defenceman Toni Lydman and forward Jason Pominville avoided arbitration and agreed to long-term deals with the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.

Red Wings re-sign Williams for two years
The Detroit Red Wings avoided arbitration with Jason Williams on Thursday, re-signing the center to a two-year contract.

Rumors:

With the Danny Markov completing the defence, Red Wings GM Ken Holland remains on the lookout for a goaltender and more scoring on the wing. Winger Anson Carter could be a possibility if he drops his demand for a multiyear deal approaching $3 million per season. Dominik Hasek and Manny Legace, both former Wings, are the lone unrestricted free agents of note, and the team hasn't expressed much interest in either. - Detroit News
Panthers GM Mike Kennan will accept the arbitrator's deal for defenceman Jay Bouwmeester. Once this deal expires after the 2007-08 season, Bouwmeester would have one more season with the team before becoming a free agent. Florida would like to have Bouwmeester signed to a long-term deal before then. - Miami Herald
Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said he expects Alexander Mogilny to compete for a job in training camp and he has apparently talked Vladimir Malakhov into coming back and reporting to training camp. Their combined $7.1 million cap figure will count whether they are on the team or not, so the Devils want them on the roster. - Bergen Record

Lindros signs with Dallas

Sportsnet has learned that Eric Lindros has signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Stars worth $1.55 million plus another million in incentives.The Toronto Maple Leafs refused to budge on their offer of $1 million, which did not include any team or individual bonuses.Lindros was quoted in Saturday's Fort-Worth Star Telegram, saying "I think (Dallas is) a great fit. Looking at the roster there, knowing [coach] Dave Tippett and [assistant coach Mark] 'Chopper' Lamb from my Philly days ... I feel good about going down there and I'm looking forward to getting back on the ice." Over the past two seasons, Lindros has played in only 72 games. Last season, he missed 49 games with wrist injury but scored 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in 33 games. Over his 12-year NHL career, Lindros has 367 goals and 472 assists for 839 points in 711 games.

News and Notes from the past week

Saturday, July 15
NHL Roundup: Eminger commits to Caps
Friday, July 14
Stars looking to land Lindros
Canucks deal late pick for Pyatt
Oilers keep Horcoff for three
Thursday, July 13
Quinn rejected Bruins offer
Habscheid announced as Lewis' assistant
NHL roundup: Sabres ink Biron
Berlin's World Cup co-ordinator dies
Wednesday, July 12
Multiple moves for Canadiens
NHLPA elects interim committee
Primeau: Flyers won't wait forever
Rivalries dot NHL opening night
Aebischer agrees to Habs' offer
Melnyk purchases IceDogs
Tuesday, July 11
Playfair takes charge of Flames
Linden won't seek re-election
Panthers re-sign Horton
Forsberg avoids second surgery
Great One likes Alberta coaches
Monday, July 10
Isles add grit with Simon signing
NHLPA faces U.S. labour board charge
Muckler likes his revamped Sens
Bruins' GM Chiarelli gets early start
Cassie Campbell considers retirement
'Nucks cut ties with ECHL team
Komisarek re-signs with Habs
Oilers add defensive depth
Canucks get faceoff help in Chouinard
Wild re-sign young defenceman Burns
Habs sign Higgins, prospects

Havlat and Smolinski head to Chicago in three team deal

OTTAWA (CP) -- The Ottawa Senators finally traded Martin Havlat and the Chicago Blackhawks finally landed a star.The Senators sent forwards Havlat and Bryan Smolinski to the Blackhawks in a three-way deal also involving the San Jose Sharks, a source told the Canadian Press Sunday.Havlat agreed to a three-year deal with the Blackhawks after the trade. He was a restricted free agent and had refused to commit to the Senators for more than a year during negotiations, saying he wanted to test the free agent market.Chicago initially traded Mark Bell to the Sharks for Tom Preissing and Josh Hennessy, who were flipped to the Senators along with prospect Michal Barinka and a 2008 second-round draft pick.The 25-year-old Havlat has 235 points in 298 career games, all with the Senators.Ottawa had been working on dealing him for weeks before working out this deal with Chicago.Likewise, the Blackhawks tried hard to land a star when the free agent signing frenzy began July 1, but failed to do so. The only player the team brought in was goalie Patrick Lalime, expected to back up Nikolai Khabibulin.

Shanahan to the Rangers; Poti moves over to the Island

The New York Post reports that forward Brendan Shanahan has agreed to a one-year contract with the New York Rangers.
The Post adds that the 37-year-old veteran took the deal - worth about $4 million for next season - after turning down more lucrative offers from both the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens.
Shanahan reportedly informed Canadiens GM Bob Gainey Saturday he was rejecting his team's bid to sign him.
Shanahan had 40 goals and 81 points last season and earned $2.28 million US.
The 18-year NHLer played for nine seasons in Detroit, helping lead the team capture three Stanley Cups.
In 1,350 career games with the Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues and New Jersey Devils, he has 598 goals and 1,232 points.

NEW YORK (AP) - Former New York Rangers defenceman Tom Poti is moving across town.
The 29-year-old Poti joined the rival Islanders on Saturday, signing a $2.75-million US, one-year deal after three-plus, up-and-down seasons on Broadway.
"From the beginning of free agency, I told my agent that I wanted to see if something could be worked out with the Islanders," said Poti, a U.S. Olympian in 2002. "The opportunity to be one of the veterans on such a talented young team is something I wanted."
Poti was thrust into the spotlight with the Rangers after fan-favourite Brian Leetch was traded to Toronto late in the 2003-04 season - New York's fifth straight out of the playoffs.
Known as an offensive-minded defenceman, Poti never could live up to expectations and was unable to be a comparable replacement to Leetch - a likely Hall of Famer.

Maple Leafs sign Ondrus to two-year deal
Blues' pick Johnson opts for college
Wild sign defenceman Burns
Staios to Oilers fans: Team will be fine
Flyers' Forsberg begins rehab on ankles
Free agent Legace waiting for suitors
Sabres in for an expensive offseason
Canadiens sign Ribeiro, blueliner Cote
Wesley stays another season in Carolina
Antropov agrees to deal with Leafs
More Headlines >>

The Big E would like to return to Toronto...if things can work out.

TORONTO (CP) - The Big E wants to return to the Toronto Maple Leafs and is waiting for the NHL club to decide whether the feeling is mutual.
Veteran centre Eric Lindros, an unrestricted free agent, says he spoke with Leafs GM John Ferguson on Tuesday night about possibly returning.
"We'll see how much (salary cap) space he's got and what he wants to do and who he wants to sign," Lindros said Wednesday. "We'll see where it goes.
"Hopefully we'll figure something out," Lindros added. "But I don't know what's going to happen."
Lindros said other NHL clubs have showed interest since he became a free agent last Saturday so he doesn't want to wait around all summer while the Leafs make up their mind.
"I've been in touch with John about a time frame and when it's time to move ahead," said Lindros, who earned $1.55 million US last season. "So we'll see what happens."
If the Leafs do re-sign him, Lindros returns to a much different dressing room. Gone are Ed Belfour, Tie Domi and likely Aki Berg, Jason Allison and Alexander Khavanov if the Leafs decide not to re-sign the unrestricted free agents.
The team has been busy in recent days, acquiring blue-liners Pavel Kubina and Hal Gill as well as starting goalie Andrew Raycroft.
"We got two big defencemen, that really helps us, and now it comes down to the forwards and what John wants to do up there," said Lindros. "But the team looks really good from the goaltender up to the defence, there's some spots up front that need to be addressed and I'm sure John will do that."
Lindros was speaking to reporters after taking part in Nike Bauer's off-ice training event at Rogers Centre, where several hundred aspiring young players took tips from Lindros as well as Leafs forwards Chad Kilger and Alexei Ponikarovsky, Ottawa Senators forward Chris Kelly and Matt Nichol, the Leafs' strength and conditioning coach.
Lindros got the loudest cheers from the kids on hand and it's clear playing for his hometown team remains the perfect fit for him.
"It's a wonderful place to play in," said the 33-year-old former Hart Trophy winner. "I got out of the gates pretty well last year but I didn't get to play that much last season and I'd like to come back and have a really strong season."
In fact, he was one of Toronto's better players early last season, but was sidelined by a serious wrist injury that ended up wiping out his year, a brief comeback late in the regular season abruptly ended after completely tearing the ligament in his wrist.
"I feel strong and healthy, my wrist will be 100 per cent, certainly by training camp," said Lindros, who had 11 goals and 11 assists in 33 games last season, his first in Toronto.
"It's a time issue, really," he said in explaining his rehab. "A ligament takes time to heal, but within that you're working on flexibility, you're working on wrist strength, your finger strength, everything that comes together with shooting a puck.
"I skated today for the first time in a while."

Cloutier traded to LA; Friesen signs in Calgary; Laraques signs in Phoenix

Just a week after signing new No. 1 netminder Roberto Luongo, the Vancouver Canucks have bid farewell to their former starter. The Canucks and Los Angeles Kings have completed a deal that sends goaltender Dan Cloutier to L.A in exchange for second-round selection in 2007 and a conditional selection in 2009. The move reunites Cloutier with head coach Marc Crawford, who was hired by new GM Dean Lombardi last month.FULL STORY...

Spacek leaves Edmonton to join SabresLike fellow defenceman Chris Pronger, Jaroslav Spacek wanted out of Edmonton.

Flames sign Tanguay; add FriesenThe Flames have signed restricted free agent Alex Tanguay to a new three-year contract.

Coyotes sign Georges Laraque
Briere among Sabres going to arbitration
Wild re-sign Gaborik to three-year deal
Flyers re-sign Niittymaki to new deal
Ducks re-sign McDonald
Lindros hopes to return with Maple Leafs
Hurricanes sign Cole to three-year deal
Panthers agree to terms with Allen, Mezei
Islanders re-sign defenceman Bouchard
Flames add Friesen to forward ranks

Roenick signs on with Phoenix; Barnaby to Dallas

Jeremy Roenick has signed a one-year deal to join the Phoenix Coyotes, a team which he played for from 1996-2001.
''JR is very well liked here in Phoenix, but this isn't about selling tickets on popularity,'' said Coyotes General Manager Michael Barnett. ''It's about adding talent to our club. His pride and toughness breeds winning. That's what sells tickets.''
Roenick, one of the NHL's most outspoken players, indicated recently that he could be signing with a Canadian team this summer.Roenick, 36, is coming off the worst season of his career, during which he scored just 22 points in 58 games with the Los Angeles Kings. However, he's one of the most productive American-born players in history, with 1142 points in 1182 NHL games. He's added 116 points in 136 career playoff games. ''I'm thrilled to be returning home to play for the Coyotes,'' said Roenick. ''I have a lot of great memories from my five years in the desert and I'm looking forward to having a great season and help lead our team to the playoffs. I'd like to thank Wayne Gretzky and Mike Barnett for having faith in me. I'm hungry, I'm focused and I can't wait for the season to begin.”
Roenick has also played for Chicago and Philadelphia.

The Dallas Stars have signed agitator Matthew Barnaby to a one-year contract worth $625,000.
In 82 games with the Blackhawks last year, Barnaby had eight goals, 20 assists and 178 penalty minutes.
In 795 career NHL games with Blackhawks, Avalanche, Rangers, Lightning, Penguins anda Sabres he has compiled 112 goals, 181 assists and 2,345 penalty minutes.


Stars, Barnaby agree to one-year deal
Penguins sign free agent Ruutu
Flyers ink Randy Robitaille
Blues bring back Petr Cajanek
Yzerman headed to WIngs' front office?
Reasoner returns to Oilers
Lightning sign Denis to 3-year deal
Kings sign Willsie to two-year deal
Thrashers sign Brathwaite, Krog, Haydar
Senators re-sign Spezza for two years
Carter's days with Canucks over?
Blues sign unrestricted free agent Guerin
Isles agree to terms with Hilbert
Islanders ink Witt to three-year deal
More Headlines >>

Guerin to St. Louis; Witt to the Island; Rucchin to Atlanta; Aaron Ward newest Ranger

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) - The St. Louis Blues are expediting their rebuilding process.
The Blues continued their free-agent frenzy Monday night, signing veteran right wing Bill Guerin.
Terms were not disclosed.
After struggling to a 21-46-15 record last season en route to missing the playoffs for the first time since 1979, the Blues have been busy since the free-agent signing period began Saturday.
Guerin, who had his contract bought out by the Dallas Stars on Thursday, joins defenseman Jay McKee, center Doug Weight and right wing Dan Hinote as players that have signed with the Blues. Captain Dallas Drake also was re-signed and coach Mike Kitchen inked an extension.

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (CP) - Defenceman Brendan Witt has found a new home for at least the next three years.
Witt agreed to a three-year contract with the New York Islanders, the club announced Monday. ''From the beginning, the Islanders were at the top of the list of teams I wanted to sign with,'' Witt said in a statement. ''This is a franchise with an incredible tradition and I'm excited to be part of the new era on Long Island. I appreciate the faith Neil Smith has put in me and I'm looking forward to being coached by Ted Nolan.
''We're going to be a team that Islander fans can be proud of.''
Witt, 31, had a goal and 13 assists in 72 games with Nashville and Washington last season. The six-foot-two, 220-pound rearguard had only played for Washington before a mid-season deal landed him with the Predators.

The Atlanta Thrashers have signed unrestricted free agent centre Steve Rucchin.
The deal is over three years that will see Rucchin paid $1.85 million in the first season, $2.4 million in the second and $4.25 million in the final year of the deal.
"Steve is a proven veteran with a versatile skill-set that will complement any combination of our wingers, said Thrashers general manager Don Waddell. "He possesses solid offensive skills, is strong on face-offs and brings additional character and leadership to our line-up."
Rucchin, 34, has recorded 468 points in 688 NHL games in 11 seasons with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and New York Rangers. He has recorded 50-or-more points in a season five times and has scored 20-or-more goals on three occasions. In 37 NHL playoff games with the Mighty Ducks and Rangers, he has recorded 17 points.
The 6-3, 215-pound center played in 72 games for the Rangers in 2005-06, his lone season with the team, recording 36 points.
New York, NY -- New York Rangers have agreed to terms on a two-year, $5.5 million contract with free agent defenceman Aaron Ward.
The 6-2, 225-pounder appeared in 71 games with the Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes last season, registering a career-high 25 points. Ward also led the team and tied for 13th in the league with 164 blocked shots.
In 25 postseason contests, Ward notched five points, along with 18 penalty minutes, helping the Hurricanes capture the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history.
"Aaron is another proven winner joining our lineup, having won three Stanley Cup Championships", said Rangers general manager Glen Sather. “He brings leadership and experience to our team and adds a competitive edge to our defensive corps.”
A member of three Stanley Cup championship teams, Ward has skated in 552 career NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings and Carolina Hurricanes, registering 99 points and with 501 penalty minutes. He has also appeared in 78 career playoff games.
Ward was originally the Winnipeg Jets' first round choice, 5th overall, in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft.

Pronger traded to the Ducks for Lupul, prospect, and picks

Chris Pronger, the biggest name on the summer trade block, is going to California.
The Anaheim Ducks have traded Joffrey Lupul, top prospect Ladislav Smid, Anaheim's first-round choice in 2007, a conditional first-round pick and Anaheim's second-round pick in 2008 to the Oilers in exchange for Pronger.
Pronger, 31, put up 56 points and a plus-2 rating during the 2005-2006 regular season and was a stalwart for the Oilers during their playoff run to the Stanley Cup final, recording 21 points and a plus-10 rating in 24 games. The 2000 Hart and Norris Trophy winner is regarded as one of the very best defenders in the league, and joins a Ducks defence corps that includes 2004 Norris Trophy winner Scott Niedermayer.
Pronger has 456 points and a plus-127 rating in an 802-game career that has seen him play in Hartford, St. Louis and Edmonton. He also has 72 points and a plus-25 rating in 109 career playoff games.
The 6-foot-6, 220 pound defenceman signed a five-year, $31.25-million contract with the Oilers last August, then surprised the team with his request for a trade shortly after the season due to personal reasons.

Steve Yzerman Retires

After 22 seasons, Detroit Red Wings' captain Steve Yzerman is calling it a career, Sportsnet has learned.The Red Wings have called a press conference for 1 pm ET on Monday where the announcement is expected to be made official.The 41-year old is considered one of the greatest players ever to wear the red and white, and led Detroit to three Stanley Cups, which included a Conn Smythe trophy in 1998. Also sitting in the ten-time all-star's trophy case is a gold medal from the 2002 Olympics.Yzerman finishes his career with 692 goals and 1,063 assists for 1,755 points in 1,514 regular season games.

Ed Belfour going to the WIngs?

Is Ed Belfour planning on trading in the blue and white of the Leafs for the red and white of the WIngs?
According to the Toronto Sun, former Maple Leafs goaltender Ed Belfour is looking to sign with the Detroit Red Wings in a role that would see him backup starter Chris Osgood.
The paper quoted Belfour's agent Ron Salcer as saying that "Ed's plans are definitely to play goal again in the NHL. He's weighing his options, doing his therapy religiously (from spring back surgery) and making significant progress every day."
Asked if the Leafs' decision to terminate his contract last week would scare other teams away from the 41-year-old, Salcer retorted "it would be hard not to pay attention to Ed Belfour if he's available. He's come back from every kind of adversity."

Rumors

On the heels of Saturday's blueliner signing frenzy, the biggest name out there for defencemen is Chris Pronger.
Sources have told TSN that Edmonton could finally deal the former Hart and Norris trophy winner, possibly by Monday. Anaheim is believed to still be a major player, which could be an absolute nightmare for teams forced to match up against a duo like Pronger and one of the other best defencemen in hockey - Scott Neidermayer.

Meanwhile, many agents that TSN spoke to this weekend were waiting for the free agent marketplace to establish itself for the forwards. While the market for defencmen was set quickly, it has been a slower process for the guys up front, although that is starting to change.
Jason Arnott's 5-year, $22.5 million deal started the ball rolling, with Doug Weight, Marty Straka and Alyn McCauley all following. This should pave the way for the likes of Sergei Samsonov, Brendan Shanhan, and Anson Carter to all sign soon.
Despite a disastrous year in L.A., Jeremy Roenick is apparently still in demand. Multiple teams are said to be inquiring about the outspoken one's services, and a Canadian team is a definite option - Calgary could be a potential home for JR in 2006-2007.

Former Leafs netminder Ed Belfour continues to rehab in Dallas right now and hopes to get back on the ice later this month. According to the 41-year-old's agent, several teams have expressed an interest in the future Hall of Famer.

Weight back to St. Louis; Straka re-signs with Rangers;

Doug Weight is going back to St. Louis. Weight, 35, was traded from the Blues to Carolina in late January and helped the Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup, but he's now signed a two-year deal to return to St. Louis. FULL STORY...

Rangers re-sign Straka
The New York Rangers have re-signed free agent forward Martin Straka to a one-year, $3.1-million contract.

Lightning deal Sydor back to Dallas
Panthers sign Salei for four years
Kings sign McCauley to three-year deal

Arnott to Nashville; Sillinger an Islander

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CP) -- The Nashville Predators have waded into the free-agent swimming pool, signing coveted centre Jason Arnott on Sunday to a $22.5-million US, five-year contract.The 31-year-old Arnott had a career-high 76 points for the Dallas Stars last season and was one of the top unrestricted free agents available this summer."Jason Arnott provides the perfect fit for the Nashville Predators and we are thrilled to add a player of his calibre to our lineup," GM David Poile said. "He has size, skill and experience and gives us the No. 1 center that we have been looking for." Arnott won the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 2000, when he scored the championship-clinching goal in overtime.In 824 NHL games with the Stars, New Jersey and Edmonton, he has 276 goals and 368 assists for 644 career points.

Mike Sillinger, one of the game's top defensive centers and a 32-goal scorer last season, is now a member of the New York Islanders.
The Islanders signed the 35-year old Sillinger to a three-year contract late Saturday night. The native of Regina, Saskatchewan had 32 goals, 31 assists and 63 points in 79 games last season spilt between the St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators. In five playoff games with the Predators this spring, he had two goals and an assist. In 908 NHL games, the 5-foot-10, 200-pound Sillinger has scored 461 points.
"Mike Sillinger is one of the most respected players in the game -- strong in all zones and at faceoffs, an excellent skater and a leader," said Islanders general manager Neil Smith. "It says a lot about Mike that he excelled in the first year under the new NHL rules by scoring 32 goals and having his best offensive season. Since Saturday morning, Mike was the forward we focused on. His signing makes us a better team in so many areas of the game."
Reached at home in Regina this morning, Sillinger was ecstatic about coming to Long Island. After all, in last season's Blues media guide, he listed Bryan Trottier as his idol.
"Neil Smith drafted me in Detroit and Bryan Trottier was my favorite player growing up, so this is perfect," said Sillinger. "As a free agent, you want to go to a good, young team and the team that wants you the most. I appreciate the faith that Neil has placed in me and I'm really looking forward to playing for Ted Nolan. I'm very proud to be joining the Islanders."

TB signs Kuba to replace Kubina; Wild sign Carney and Johnsson on D

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) - After letting one Czech defenseman leave via free agency, the Tampa Bay Lightning recruited another.
Following the departure of Pavel Kubina to Toronto earlier in the day, the Lightning on Saturday signed blue-liner Filip Kuba to a three-year, $9 million contract.
An eighth-round pick of Florida in 1995, Kuba was traded to Calgary in March 2000 but never played for the Flames. The 29-year-old was selected by Minnesota in the expansion draft that June and spent the last five seasons with the Wild, making his lone All-Star appearance in 2004.
Last campaign, Kuba recorded six goals, 19 assists and 44 penalty minutes in 65 games with Minnesota while leading the team with an average ice time of 21 minutes, 46 seconds.

The Minnesota Wild continue to re-tool their defence.
After signing Keith Carney earlier to help on the blueline, the club has signed Kim Johnsson to a four-year, $19.4 million contract.
Also earlier, the team added established goal scorer Mark Parrish as a free agent.
An 11th-round pick of the New York Rangers in 1994, Johnsson was acquired by Philadelphia in the August 2001 deal that sent Eric Lindros to the "Big Apple."

The 30-year-old Swede developed into an offensive weapon with the Flyers, recording 41 points in his first season with the club in 2001-02 and registering a career-high 42 two campaigns later.

"We are very excited to add a player of Kim's caliber to our blue line," Wild general manager Doug Risebrough said. "Adding his offensive skills is another step towards assembling the team we believe will compete at a high level in the coming seasons."
In 2005-06, Johnsson notched six goals and 19 assists in 47 games before missing the final 31 contests with post-concussion symptoms.
Johnsson, who represented his country at the 2002 Winter Olympics, has collected 51 tallies and 194 points in 442 career contests with the Rangers and Flyers.

Blake back with LA; Parrish going Wild; Lalime to Chicago, and Hedberg to Atlanta

Rob Blake is returning to where his career began. The 16-year veteran signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. Blake, 36, has spent the last four-plus seasons with Colorado, helping the team win its second Stanley Cup in 2001. In 81 games with the Avalanche last season, he had 14 goals and 51 assists.FULL STORY...

The Minnesota Wild have signed right wing Mark Parrish to a five-year contract.
Parrish, who had 29 goals and 20 assists in 76 games with the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Kings this year, will make $2.65 million per year.
In 518 carrer NHL games with the Kings, Islanders and Florida Panthers Parrish contributed 173 goals and 130 assists.

The Chicago Blackhawks have added some depth at the goaltending position.
On Saturday, the team signed unrestricted free agent Patrick Lalime to a one-year, $700,000 contract.
Lalime spent last season with the St. Louis Blues, posting a 3.64 GAA with a .881 save percentage.
The 31-year old could serve as the backup to Nikolai Khabibulin.
More details to follow.







The Atlanta Thrashers have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with unrestricted free agent goaltender Johan Hedberg. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"We focused our attention on strengthening our goaltending and made Johan a priority because he competes at a very high-level and will give us the quality starts that will allow us to be successful," said Thrashers executive vice president and general manager Don Waddell. "We hold Johan in the highest regard and we're excited to add him to our line-up."
Hedberg, 33, posted a 12-4-1 record and a 2.67 goals-against average in 19 games with Dallas last season. He tied his career high with a six-game win streak from Dec. 2 to Jan. 9, notching a 1.64 goals-against average in that span.
Hedberg has posted a 66-67-15 record and 2.81 GAA in 156 NHL games with Pittsburgh, Vancouver and Dallas. He has earned a 10-10 record with a 2.31 GAA in 20 Stanley Cup Playoff contests. The 6-0, 185-pound netminder set career highs with 25 wins and a club-record 66 games with Pittsburgh in 2001-02. He also registered a career-best 2.51 GAA in 21 games with Vancouver in 2003-04.

Ottawa signs Gerber and Corvo, McKee to the Blues

After losing a pair of defencemen earlier in the day, the Ottawa Senators have made a pair of signings.
The team has signed goaltender Martin Gerber and defenceman Joe Corvo.
Gerber, who compiled a 38-14-6 record and a 2.78 goals against average in 60 games with the Carolina Hurricanes this season signed a three-year contract.
He played just six games in the playoffs after losing his job to Cam Ward and was 1-1 with a 3.52 goals against average.

Jay McKee's name is off the free agent list, as the blueliner has signed a contract with the St. Louis Blues.
The Blues have also re-signed forward Dallas Drake.
The Buffalo Sabres didn't give the 28-year-old McKee the long-term deal he was seeking before this season, and instead signed him to a one-year contract.
McKee played his entire 10-year career with the Sabres after being taken 14th overall by the team in 1995.
In 75 games this season, McKee scored five goals and 16 points. His solid defensive play and shot-blocking abilities helped lead the Buffalo Sabres to the Eastern Conference Final.

Flames sign Andrei Zyuzin

The Calgary Flames have signed defenceman Andrei Zyuzin.
Zyuzin, 28, played in 57 games with the Minnesota Wild during the 2005-06 season collecting 18 points and 50 penalty minutes.
In 415 NHL career games with Minnesota, New Jersey, Tampa Bay and San Jose the Russian native has collected 109 points and 378 penalty minutes.

Leafs sign twin towers! Pavel Kubina and Hal Gill

TORONTO (CP) -- With their skilled defencemen locked up long-term, the Toronto Maple Leafs added a pair of blue-line behemoths Saturday.The Leafs signed six-foot-seven veteran Hal Gill to a $6.3-million, three-year contract while coming to terms with six-foot-five defenceman Pavel Kubina on a $20-million, four-year deal.Both players were unrestricted free agents.Gill, who made just under $1.6 million last season, had one goal, nine assists and 124 penalty minutes in 80 games with the Bruins. The 31-year-old native of Concord, Mass., has 20 goals and 77 assists in 626 games, all with Boston.Kubina had five goals and 33 assists for Tampa Bay last season, his eighth with the team. The 29-year-old, who made $2.58 million last season, added a goal and an assist in two playoff games.The duo is expected to add some much-needed grit to the Leafs' defence corps, complementing offensive-minded defenceman Bryan McCabe and Tomas Kaberle. Both recently signed long-term deals with the team.Kubina is expected to officially sign with Toronto in the next few days.

Willie Mitchel signs in Vancouver; more signings

With Ed Jovanovski and Nolan Baumgartner leaving in free agency, the Vancouver Canucks have made a move to shore up the blueline, signing Willie Mitchell to a four-year, $14-million contract.
A stay-at-home defenceman, Mitchell had ten points and a plus-19 rating with Minnesota and Dallas in 2005-2006.
Mitchell, 29, is a B.C. native from Port McNeill and has 61 points in 322 career NHL games.







Canucks sign Willie Mitchell
Flyers sign pair of defencemen
Avalanche sign Arnason to one-year deal
Rangers sign Cullen, Rachunek
Thrashers re-sign Mellanby for one year
Blue Jackets sign Balastik, Eriksson, Svitov
Red Wings re-sign Osgood for two years
Capitals ink Pothier to four year deal
Sharks sign Curtis Brown
Kings sign Scott Thornton
Predators re-sign Mason to two-year deal
Canadiens re-sign Bouillon to 3-year deal
Hurricanes re-sign Commodore for two years

Chara and Savard sign in Boston, Jovo-Cop in Phoenix

Zdeno Chara's days with Ottawa Senators officially are over, as the giant defenceman signed a five-year deal with the Boston Bruins worth $7.5 million US a season. The Bruins then signed free agent centre Marc Savard to a five-year, $20 million US contract.FULL STORY...
Bruins sign Savard to five-year, $20M deal
Bruins' 2006-07 Salary Commitments

Ed Jovanovski's name is off the free agent shopping list, as the Phoenix Coyotes have signed the veteran blueliner to a five-year contract worth $32.5 million US.
The deal pays him $6.5 million a season.
"He was the player we wanted," Coyotes managing partner and head coach Wayne Gretzky said in a statement. "This is huge for our franchise."
Jovanovski, 30, tallied 33 points with the Canucks last season despite missing 38 regular season games with a lower abdominal injury.
"I'm excited about being a part of this organization, and playing for Wayne Gretzky," Jovanovski said. "I really respect the group of players that they have assembled. The Coyotes are committed to winning right now and I wanted to be a part of it."

Jovanovski was drafted first overall by the Florida Panthers in 1994 and played three-and-a-half seasons for the team before being traded to Vancouver in a package for forward Pavel Bure.
In 687 career games with the Canucks and Panthers, Jovanovski has 86 goals and 317 points.
More to follow.

Staal re-signs in Carolina, and Langenbrunner stays a Devil

Hurricanes sign Staal to three-year deal
On a day when most NHL teams are looking for unrestricted free agent talent to put them over the top, the Carolina Hurricanes have locked up their homegrown foundation player.

Devils re-sign Langenbrunner
Scratch one free-agent forward from the list of available players.

Roloson, Pisani re-sign with Edmonton, and more....

Sources tell TSN that the Edmonton Oilers have re-signed free agent goaltender Dwayne Roloson to a three-year contract worth $11-million. Roloson, 36, led the Oilers to the Stanley Cup final after being acquired at the trade deadline from the Minnesota Wild.FULL STORY...
Oilers 2006-07 Salary Commitments
Sources: Pisani re-signs with Oilers
Thrashers re-sign Mellanby for one year
Blue Jackets sign Balastik, Eriksson, Svitov
Rangers sign defenceman Rachunek
Predators re-sign Mason to two-year deal
Canadiens re-sign Bouillon to 3-year deal
Hurricanes re-sign Commodore for two years
Capitals re-sign Brent Johnson
Lightning sign Nikita Alexeev
Lightning acquire Denis from Blue Jackets