Fantasy FanHouse

Good News for Pens Fans! Malkin Is Gonna Stick Around For a Long Time

Jes Golbez — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:10:00 EST

Filed under: General NHL, Penguins, Eastern, Fantasy Hockey, NHL Rumors

With the Salary Cap hovering over the Pittsburgh Penguins like a dark cloud over a Sunday picnic (cue dark and evil background muzak), many pundits and fans have wondered if the Penguins will be able to keep the dynamic duo of Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby together for the long-term. Given the Penguins are having to spend big bucks to keep the likes of Ryan Whitney and Marc-Andre Fleury in the fold, can and will the Penguins be able to have enough cap room to keep Malkin while icing a successful club?

It has been widely speculated that Malkin would demand "Ovechkin!!" money, and might price himself out of the Penguins ability to keep him. Would the Pens have to trade Malkin rather than risk losing him on the Restricted Free Agent market to some poacher?

Well, it appears that Pens fans need not worry any longer. Reports from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and TSN.ca indicate that the Pens and Malkin are close on a new deal which will see Malkin and Crosby stay together for a very long time.

"I'm thinking maybe five or six years," said Malkin, set to enter the final season of his three-year entry-level deal. "I'm an easy guy to deal with. I'd love to stay in Pittsburgh."

Malkin told the newspaper he does not need to exceed the $8.7 million salary of captain Sidney Crosby but sources tell TSN the likely target for Malkin is a five-year deal worth more than $9 million per season.

Obviously, this bodes well for both the Penguins and the league. Having THE dynamic duo together and maintaining a popular 'dynasty' (for lack of a better term) will provide the fans with a must-see team for many years, and give the league a team that it can promote. As great as the Wings are, their style of play, and their quiet superstars, just aren't as marketable as the Golden Boys.

Part of me worries that the Pens could end up like the Tampa Bay Lightning: Stacked with a few highly-paid superstars and a whole bunch of chaff. On the other hand, the Pens have a much better farm system, plenty more quality depth, and a salary cap that continues to rise. The future is bright.

Good News for Pens Fans! Malkin Is Gonna Stick Around For a Long Time originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Deadline Day: Are Big Deals Worth the Cost?

Jes Golbez — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:10:00 EST

Filed under: General NHL, Eastern, Western, Fantasy Hockey, NHL Rumors

As I grow older and more mature (stop snickering), I'm beginning to see the folly of a team, on Deadline Day, spending major assets for a playoff rental. Yes, D-Day is always hyped to the max, and gets fans drooling at the prospect of seeing their team get the likes of Marian Hossa, Peter Forsberg, or Mats Sundin to put their team over the top.

Like Tom Benjamin notes over at his blog, rarely does spending the farm on a short-term rental ever really help a team do big things. Last season, we saw the Isles give up lots for Ryan Smyth and the Thrashers do the same for Keith Tkachuk. Both teams fell flat on their asses in the first round, although some would argue that just getting the teams into the playoffs, and one round of lucrative playoff revenue, was the justification for screwing the team's future.

Think of building a house. A good house takes time to plan, and the foundation is laid early in the design choices one makes. You can't simply stick some Sears Aluminum siding on the outside of a stucco monstrosity and expect it to turn into a million-dollar mansion, can you?

Looking back at the eventual Stanley Cup winning teams reveals a noticeable trend: The great teams don't need to do much at the deadline. Great terms are built during the off-season, or earlier in the season, rather than February and March.

2007 - Anaheim: Anaheim obtains F Brad May from Colorado for G Michael Wall, obtains D Doug O'Brien from Tampa Bay for D Joe Rullier. Dealing for a 4th line thug was hardly making waves, but the Ducks already had a great team, and Burke just wanted some toughness.

2006 - Carolina: Carolina obtains veteran RW Mark Recchi from Pittsburgh for LW Niklas Nordgren, C Krys Kolanos and Carolina's second-round choice in 2007. One of the few big deals made by a deadline team, Recchi was more icing on the cake, and spent most of his time on the third line with Doug Weight.

2004 - Tampa Bay: Nothing of note. Their big late-season deal occurred on January 27th, when they acquired Daryl Sydor for a draft pick. This was 40 days before the deadline.

2003 - New Jersey: New Jersey acquires Atlanta defenseman Richard Smehlik, but he plays only five games. A black ace, nothing more.

2002 - Detroit: Detroit was quiet during the season. Its best move is trading for Buffalo goalie Dominik Hasek in July.

2001 - Colorado: Nothing on deadline day. Their big deal was 20 days prior, acquiring Rob Blake and his big slapshot.

2000 - New Jersey: New Jersey Devils obtain RW Alexander Mogilny from Vancouver for C Brendan Morrison and C Denis Pederson. Finally, a truly big deal on deadline day that helped both teams (although Mogilny got only seven points in 23 playoff games that season). Mogilny helped push the Devils over the top while Morrison became a key cog between the Naslund-Bertuzzi combo. Looking at both sides, it was more than simply a rental deal, and not typical of your average deadline deal.

1999 - Dallas: Dallas reacquires Benoit Hogue a few days before the deadline, but that just adds depth. Their free agent signing of Brett Hull in the summer is the biggest transaction. Again, the Stars were already a fine team, and simply added a Black Ace.

So, I would conclude that any team that spends a vast amount of resources on Deadline Day isn't going to be significantly better than they were 24 hours prior. Hockey is a game that requires a great deal of chemistry, and plopping in a new shiny star player into a new environment is hardly a cure-all panacea. GM's need to avoid the public pressure and do what is best for the club. Sometimes, not making a significant move might be the best option.

Deadline Day: Are Big Deals Worth the Cost? originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marc-Andre Fleury: Rising Star or Black Hole?

Jes Golbez — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh, General NHL, Penguins, Eastern, Fantasy Hockey

Many fans and experts expect the Pittsburgh Penguins to do some real damage this season. With a roster packed with more explosiveness than a Chinese fireworks factory, the Penguins ought to run roughshod over much of the NHL. You can only hope and pray that the likes of Crosby, Recchi, Malkin, Sykora, Whitney, Staal, and Gonchar have an off night and score only 3 goals between the lot of them.

Well, after five games, the Penguins sit at 2-3-0, and haven't looked like a very good team. Sidney Crosby is struggling, by his standards, with six points in five games, and last year's rookie sensation Jordan Staal has nary a goal to his credit.

Despite the offensive struggles, the real black hole in the Penguins lineup is in goal, where Marc-Andre Fleury continues his career-long struggle into the stardom that was forseen by Emperor Palpatine. Fleury continues to give out juicy rebounds that even Derek Boogaard could bury, and seems to be guessing more than reacting.

As of now, M-A Fleury sports an awful 4.11GAA and 87.1SV%, numbers that put him near the bottom of the league, statistically. This isn't just a short-term trend dealio, either.

SEASON  GP  W L  T GAA SV%
2003-04 21  4 14 2 3.64 89.6%
2005-06 50 13 27 0 3.25 89.8%
2006-07 67 40 16 0 2.83 90.6%
2007-08  5  2  3 0 4.11 87.1%

Back when the Penguins made Fleury their 1st round draft pick (1st overall) in 2003, management made the short-sighted decision to rush him into the NHL that very fall. 21 games later, he was returned to his junior team, shell-shocked and completely lacking confidence in his game. Marc-Andre developed many bad habits that haven't been ironed out just yet, and took a long time to regain much of his in-game composure.

I realize that goaltenders take awhile to develop, but at what point do the Penguins realize that Fleury isn't likely going to take them anywhere just yet, and get themselves a 1B veteran who can step in? The Penguins have so much invested in Fleury as part of their 'future' that they don't realize they might be wrecking their 'present'. If Fleury can't get himself together before the All-Star Break, it'll be time for the Penguins to find some help.

Marc-Andre Fleury: Rising Star or Black Hole? originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thrashers Take a Chance on Karel Pilar

Jes Golbez — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 17:27:00 EST

Filed under: Atlanta, General NHL, Thrashers, Eastern, Fantasy Hockey

The Atlanta Thrashers went to great lengths to find some talent to add to their roster, and came up with ex-Leaf defenseman, Karel Pilar.

The fact that the Thrashers are bringing in a player that hasn't played in the NHL since 2004 is not unusual. What makes this signing strange is Pilar's past history of viral myopathy, a serious condition that looked to have possibly ended his hockey playing days when it was diagnosed.

The Thrashers certainly hope that this is going to be a Hollywood ending, because it involves serious injury risk to Pilar. I seriously hope we don't see another Jiri Fischer-type incident.

Although Pilar has overcome his condition (twice), he has played only 16 games in the past two seasons (split between the AHL and Czech Republic). Perhaps the Thrashers have information that would deem Pilar to be 'safe', and hope that the Czech defenseman can help them improve on their putrid Goals Against statistics.

For fantasy leaguers, Pilar is just not worth the huge amount of risk involved, even with his offensive potential. While Pilar will have a chance for some primo Power Play time with the Thrashers, he has played so little pro hockey the past two years, that it's unlikely he'll be able to jump right into the fray and start racking up points.

Still, keep an eye on Pilar during the pre-season. If it appears that Pilar's health is holding up and he's getting good ice time, he may very well be a reserve spot.

Thrashers Take a Chance on Karel Pilar originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Wed, 08 Aug 2007 17:27:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trent Hunter: Stuck in the Middle of the Road?

Jes Golbez — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:23:00 EST

Filed under: New York, General NHL, Islanders, Eastern, Fantasy Hockey

Trent Hunter and the Islanders recently went to arbitration, with the arbiter ruling half-way and giving Hunter a $1.55mil/1 season contract. This is a workable and fair number for both sides. Hunter is an industrious worker bee who hits almost everything that moves.

What has always puzzled me is just how Hunter has failed to build on a successful rookie season, whereby he merited some serious Calder Trophy consideration.

 SEASON  GP  G  A  PTS
 2003-04 77  25 26  51
 2005-06 82  16 19  35
 2006-07 77  20 15  35

During his rookie season, Hunter was a 1-man force of nature. He would put onto any line that was struggling, and give them a boost with his hard work, strength in the corners, and ability to do the dirty work. It looked like Hunter had a bright future ahead of him as a bonafide 2nd line powerhouse.So, what ever happened to the guy who could do this?

I always appreciated that Hunter could delivery plenty of hits and work in the trenches while taking very few penalties. In terms of Lady Byng candidates, Hunter never got nearly enough press for his ability to stay out of the Sin Bin.

Perhaps the "New NHL" is just a little too fast for a somewhat-poor skater like Hunter? His strides are good, but his quickness isn't great. It's not too often that a player does obviously better in his first season than he does during the rest of his career.

For poolies, Hunter is not a great gamble to return to his rookie form, despite the promise he holds. If Hunter continues the trend, 35-40 points is a safe bet.

Trent Hunter: Stuck in the Middle of the Road? originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:23:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Year of the Rat,' One of the Worst in Stanley Cup Finals History?

Greg Wyshynski — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 11:42:00 EST

Filed under: General NHL, Islanders, Flyers, Bruins, Senators, Hurricanes, Panthers, Capitals, Blackhawks, Wings, Flames, Avalanche, Oilers, Canucks, Kings, Eastern, Western, Fantasy Hockey, Stanley Cup

Although it's one year too late -- and what former NHL player is going to give up a fishing trip for this? -- the Florida Panthers will celebrate their Cinderella run to the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals this weekend. Panthers alumni like John Vanbiesbrouck, Ray Sheppard and Bill Lindsay will join the majority of the players (sans schedule-conflicted Rob Niedermayer and Robert Svehla) who led Florida to the Finals in only the third year of the franchise, before being swept away by the Colorado Avalanche. There's a golf tournament, player appearances and an exhibition game at BankAtlantic Center on Saturday that will give hockey fans something they've long dreamed about: another chance to witness the majestic skating of Terry Carkner on NHL ice.

The Panthers, who will unveil their new uniforms at Saturday's game, have dubbed the celebration "Weekend of the Rat" after the single most significant memory from the team's Stanley Cup run. The Sun Sentinel remembers the fun:

In 1995-96, they finished third in their division (41-31-10, 92 points) and fourth in the Eastern Conference in the regular season, then beat in the Bruins 4 games to 1 in a seven-game series, the Flyers 4-2 and the Penguins 4-3 before losing to the Avalanche in four games in the finals.

Right winger Scott Mellanby killed a rat in the dressing room with his stick minutes before the home opener that season, then scored two goals that night, prompting Vanbiesbrouck to declare Mellanby's feat a "Rat Trick." Throwing plastic rats on the ice after goals soon became a phenomenon.

"We accomplished some pretty lofty things with a group of guys who were considered mediocre players at the time," Lindsay said.

"Mediocre players at the time?" Has history been that kind to Johan Garpenlov and Jody Hull? Florida Panthers fans have every right to celebrate this unexpected season of meteoric success, lest they fall deeper into the depressing reality that their franchise is now known more for losing Roberto Luongo and failing to make the playoffs in the Southeast Division than plastic rodents. But for the rest of us, this weekend begs the question:

Are the Florida Panthers the most mediocre Stanley Cup finalist of the last 25 years?

First off, this list will be limited to teams that did not win more than one game in the Stanley Cup Finals. This could eliminate some contenders; the 2006 Edmonton Oilers and the 1991 Minnesota North Stars, for argument's sake. And forget about teams like the 1983 Oilers, the 1984 Islanders, the 1988 and 1990 Boston Bruins and the 1995 Detroit Red Wings -- great teams, all of them. The 1997 Flyers and the 2007 Senators were more talented than the Panthers' Cup finalist, and were just overwhelmed in the last round. Ditto the 1993 Los Angeles Kings and the 1992 Blackhawks.

With that narrow focus, we find ourselves with:

The 1982 Vancouver Canucks, coached by Roger Neilson and 4-0 losers to the New York Islanders.
The 1985 Philadelphia Flyers, coached by Mike Keenan and 4-1 losers to the Oilers.
The 1986 Calgary Flames, coached by Bob Johnson and 4-1 losers to the Montreal Canadiens.
The 1996 Florida Panthers, coached by Doug MacLean and 4-0 losers to the Colorado Avalanche.
The 1998 Washington Capitals, coached by Ron Wilson and 4-0 losers to Detroit.
The 2002 Carolina Hurricanes, coached by Paul Maurice and 4-1 losers to Detroit.

Let's drop the Flyers from that list -- 110 regular-season points and some great goaltending. The Capitals can also come down, unless you can find two offensive players on the '96 Panthers that could carry either Peter Bondra's or Adam Oates's stick bags. The 1986 Flames beat the Gretzky Oilers to get to the Finals, and had Gary Suter and Al MacInnis on the blueline -- that's good enough for me. Which leaves us with the 1982 Canucks, the 1996 Panthers and the 2002 Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes had Irbe in goal, but Ron Francis and Rod Brind'Amour up front. The amazing Roger Neilson/Harry Neale switcheroo and the recent passing of Gary Lupul give me some nostalgia for that Canucks team, but the bottom line is that it was as devoid of star talent (leading scorer: Thomas Gradin) as the Panthers were. Which brings us to Florida.

Unlike the other two contenders, the Panthers were a blatant neutral-zone trap team, which is the reason for the franchise's quick maturation as an expansion newbie. They had one 30-goal scorer in Scott Mellanby. Their roster was filled with players who will need to buy a ticket to get into the Hall of Fame. And, in spelling out the three greatest sins of the 1996 Florida Panthers, LCS Hockey writer Michael Menser Dell explains the Rat Pack's greatest offense to hockey:

The Panthers smothered the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Finals, clutching and grabbing the vastly superior Birds into submission in a seven-game shocker. Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Ron Francis, and Petr Nedved combined for an absurd 203 goals and 528 points in the regular season, but the Pens could only muster 15 goals total in the seven- game defeat. The Florida upset once again deprived the world of a potential Mario Lemieux- Patrick Roy Stanley Cup showdown.

In a dead-heat between the Canucks and the Panthers, this fact might provide an edge to the boys from the Sunshine State...

'Year of the Rat,' One of the Worst in Stanley Cup Finals History? originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Thu, 26 Jul 2007 11:42:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is Kevin Lowe Ready to Poach Again?

Jes Golbez — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 11:21:00 EST

Filed under: General NHL, Sabres, Oilers, Eastern, Western, Fantasy Hockey, NHL Rumors

After Oilers GM Kevin Lowe was rebuffed in his attempt to make a large RFA offer to Thomas Vanek, he may very well have his sights set on other shiny objects that belong to others.

Lowe has found it near impossible to attract high-end free agents to Edmonton, despite a willingness to overspend in some cases, and he's already burned up valuable assets such as Jason Smith and Joffery Lupul going the trade route to improve the team.

So this becomes a classic case of desperate times calling for desperate measures.

The Sabres matched the offer, meaning the Oilers still have a need to fill, and there are other players available. There's Zach Parise in New Jersey, Mike Cammalleri in Los Angeles, Dustin Penner in Anaheim and Lee Stempniak in St. Louis.

Given how poorly the Oilers treated heart-and-soul Ryan Smyth, and the kind of bush league tactics they employ, is it any wonder why the Oilers can't attract free agents? Even the ones they managed to make a nice offer to, such as Michael Nylander, bolt elsewhere at the first chance.

Now, making RFA offers is a very expensive proposition, for both clubs. In order to make a player sign an offer sheet, the dollar figure has to be quite high. This, in turn, increases the level of compensation one would have to pay if they got the player.

OFFER $660,000 or below Over $660,000 to $1 million Over $1 million to $2.0 million Over $2.0 million to $3.0 million Over $3.0 million to $4.0 million Over $4.0 million to $5.0 million Over $5 million	COMPENSATION None Third-round choice Second-round choice First-round and third-round choice First-round, second-round and third-round choice Two first-round choices, one second- and one third-round choice Four first-round choices

As you can see, anything over $2mil, which is takes to get most any decent player, costs at least a first round draft pick.Are any of the free agents on the market worth the price Lowe would have to pay?

Zach Parise, 22: 82GP 31-31-62PTS
Mike Cammalleri, 25: 81GP 34-46-80PTS
Dustin Penner, 24: 82GP 29-16-45PTS
Lee Stempniak, 25: 82GP 27-25-52PTS

I have no personal problem with the fact that Lowe used the RFA offer sheet to Vanek as a tool to try and improve his own club. It's within the rules, and shouldn't be frowned upon to use it legitimately.

The real problem is that Lowe's offer was just insanely high. Is Vanek worth $7mil a season AND four 1st-round picks?

If you believe the Sabres, the Vanek offer was made with the knowledge that the Sabres would match.

"It was always going to be a match situation," Regier said during a news gathering in Buffalo, "and they were well aware of it last night. I suppose you have to assume they thought we were bluffing. What this amounted to was an exercise in futility."

"If there's an opportunity for us to put an offer sheet on a player, as long as we're alive, we'll be very comfortable doing that," managing partner Larry Quinn said. "They can expect it if it's in our best interest."

The RFA system was designed to make it an undesirable system to use. With the younger UFA age, it's almost not even necessary to use the system and spend valuable draft picks, along with cash, to acquire talent. Only the most desparate GMs, such as Lowe, will take to using such offer sheets.

Is Kevin Lowe Ready to Poach Again? originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Sat, 07 Jul 2007 11:21:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHL Fantasy Analysis: Can Zednik Rebound?

Jes Golbez — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 15:34:00 EST

Filed under: General NHL, Panthers, Eastern, Fantasy Hockey

Before the lockout, Richard Zednik was one of the more dynamic players in the NHL. Delivering highlight reel goals, big hits, and playing like a ball of fire, Zednik was a fairly productive offensive-minded winger.

Inexplicably, Zednik's game faded after the lockout, in which the new standards of enforcement were supposed to benefit guys like him.

Now that Zednik has secured a new 2-year deal from the Panthers, can he regain his pre-lockout form? He certainly wants to put the past behind him.

"With the injuries, the personal stuff in my life, it was a bad year," said Zednik from his summer home in Slovakia. "But I'm looking forward to putting it all behind me. Last year there was just some stuff I had to go through. It wasn't the right one for me. But I'm focused on next season. I want to go forward and be ready for the new season. Everyone is hungry to make it to the playoffs."

After just 21 points in 42 games last year, Zednik will be off the radar of most fantasy players. Is he worth getting your hands on?
As you can see by the numbers, Zed's was a pretty productive player before the lockout, and then fell off of a cliff and had problems staying healthy ...

SEASON TEAM  GP G A PTS
 02-03  MTR  80 31 19 50
 03-04  MTR  81 26 24 50
 05-06  MTR  67 16 14 30
 06-07 WAS/NYI 42  7 14 21

Zednik's always had two major weaknesses in his game:

1. He is heavily reliant on a good play-making center. He had this in Montreal (Koivu), but not in Washington or on Long Island.

2. Zednik is a poor passer, and is not very good on the Power Play for this reason. He'll park himself in front of the net and pick up some goals, but he's more of a support player, and not a real chance creator.

Given the Panthers' current lack of wingers, Zednik may find himself getting ice time with buddy Jozef Stumpel, one of the league's better playmakers, or even (unlikely) Olli Jokinen.

Zednik will probably get around 15-16 minutes of ice time per night (He had 15 last year), and float between the 2nd and 3rd lines. If your league is deep, consider Zednik as a dark-horse option for some cheap goals.

Jes's Prediction: 25 goals, 15 assists.

NHL Fantasy Analysis: Can Zednik Rebound? originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Thu, 05 Jul 2007 15:34:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Michael Nylander Story Isn't Over Yet

Jes Golbez — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 22:29:00 EST

Filed under: General NHL, Capitals, Oilers, Eastern, Western, Fantasy Hockey

This Michael Nylander signing/not-signing story has quickly become the soap opera of the summer for the NHL.

First, reports indicated that Michael Nylander had signed with the Edmonton Oilers. No financial details were released, but nobody thought anything of it. It seemed that the Oilers finally signed an actual free agent.

Then, out of left field, the Washington Capitals locked up the Swedish center to a contract.

Obviously, Oilers GM Kevin Lowe was pissed about the whole ordeal, and now we're starting to find out that is was more than simply being outbid.

"On Sunday, July 1, 2007, Kevin Lowe, Oilers general manager, and Mr. Mike Gillis, certified agent for Michael Nylander, negotiated and agreed to a multi-year NHL Standard Players Contract, starting in 2007-08. Mr. Gillis confirmed same to the Oilers in writing," the Oilers' statement read Tuesday.

"The Oilers then proceeded with preparations to announce Mr. Nylander's contract agreement on July 2, and concurrently continued with the process of negotiating with other free agents based upon Mr. Nylander being an important roster ingredient for the future.

"However, while the Oilers were expecting the returned signed agreements from Mr. Nylander and Mr. Gillis, the Oilers discovered through public announcements made mid-afternoon on July 2, that Mr. Nylander had subsequently entered into a long-term contract with the Capitals.

Wow! I can't remember the last time something like THIS happened in the NHL. Agents don't usually bait-and-switch quite that blatently.

Without knowing the contents of the document the Oilers received, we can't quite tell if Nylander's agent agreed to an actual contract, or agreed that the money was satisfactory. I'm sure we'll find out more in the near future as this soap opera gets juicier.

I'm also sure that the NHL will 'fix' the ordeal by forcing Nylander's contract with the Capitals to stand, by hook and by crook. There is no way that Bettman will allow Nylander to go to the Oilers, nor would the Oilers want an unhappy camper on their hands.

How much is the NHL gonna pay to get out of this one?

The Michael Nylander Story Isn't Over Yet originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 22:29:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No, Nylander is NOT an Edmonton Oiler

Jes Golbez — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:30:00 EST

Filed under: General NHL, Capitals, Oilers, Eastern, Western, Fantasy Hockey

When the Oilers put out a DVD about how 'great' a city Edmonton was, they wanted to land a big fish or two or three, after being shunned and shut out of many free agent bonanzas.

Well, their efforts looked to have paid off as they were 'reported' to have signed Michael Nylander, who wanted the big bucks this off-season.

Well, Nylander got the big bucks ($19.5mil over four seasons) from the ... Washington Capitals!

Yes, somehow the early reports were very wrong, and Nylander is headed back to the nation's Capital for another go-round.

As for the Oilers, this has been yet another terrible week under the reign of GM Kevin Lowe. Nothing seems to be going right for this franchise ...

So upset at whatever transpired when the Washington Capitals announced they'd signed the free agent to a four year deal yesterday afternoon, Edmonton Oilers GM Kevin Lowe was said to be so livid he refused to talk about it, even to a Sun Media reporter parked outside the team officies for two hours.

Lowe, who was left at the altar on the floor headed to the trade registration desk after believing he had a deal done at the NHL Entry Draft in Columbus, remains unsuccessful after two days of the free agent frenzy.

Did the Oilers have a deal in the works for Nylander, only to have the Caps sweep the centerman from right under their noses with a last-minute deal? Was this simply the media blowing their wad too early? Whatever the case may be, the Oilers have caught absolutely no fish from the free agent pond.

No, Nylander is NOT an Edmonton Oiler originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Walker, Carolina Hurricane

Jes Golbez — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:21:00 EST

Filed under: General NHL, Hurricanes, Eastern, Fantasy Hockey

Gritty winger Scott Walker decided to stay in Raleigh, rather than walker off *yuk yuk* to some other town, and signed the dotted line on a three-year deal.

Of course, being offered $7.5mil over three seasons would be enough to keep many players from going elsewhere. From the Canadian Press:

"Keeping Scott in Carolina was one of our top priorities this off-season," Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said in a statement.

"He brings skill and grit to our forward lines and he has become one of our team's leaders on and off the ice."

Is the deal a good one for the Hurricanes?

Walker is 34 years of age, and will be 37 by the time this contract is finished. One would have to believe that he'll be in decline from now until he retires.

His numbers? They are pretty solid.

YEAR  GP G A PTS PIM
------------------------
2003-04 75 25 42 67 94
2005-06 33  5 11 16 36
2006-07 81 21 30 51 45
------------------------

Walker is one of the harder working players in the NHL, and is probably good for at least 45 points per season if he stays healthy. Being a small player (5'9"), Walker tends to rack up a lot of bumps, bruises, and injuries. Last season's 81 games played was a career high from him and rather unexpected.

Verdict: Not a bad deal, albeit one season too long. Walker would have received this kind of dough from quite a few other teams. The Acid Queen gives the deal her thumbs up.

Walker, Carolina Hurricane originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Wed, 20 Jun 2007 15:21:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yashin Looking to Ca$h in with the Canadiens?

Jes Golbez — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:20:00 EST

Filed under: General NHL, Canadiens, Eastern, Fantasy Hockey, NHL Rumors

Alexei Yashin, who cashed in on the Islanders buying out his bloated albatross of a contract, is looking for a new sucker to pay him big bucks to rack up some empty offensive points.

His prime choice? Apparently, it's Montreal!

Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette reports on rumors that Yashin is training with Saku Koivu, and would love to join Alexei Kovalev and his other homeys with the Habs next season.

Given the problems that the Canadiens had with their Russian vodka headaches last season (especially Sergei Samsonov), would the Habs really want to sign a guy like Yashin?

The Habs are in desperate need of a centre with size, and the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Yashin appears to be the kind of player that's worth a gamble. That's the case for Yashin, but the argument against bringing him here seems stronger.

While the Canadiens talk about revving up the offense, the team's system is built on defense first. That's one of the reasons why it was a surprise that Samsonov, last summer's free-agent prize, didn't work because he has been a plus player over his career.

With Radek Bonk UFA's status, the Habs are quite small down the middle with guys like Koivu, Tomas Plekanec, and Chris Higgins. Adding a tall centerman would certainly make some sense.

Now, the Habs had the league's best Power Play last season. Yes, they may lose UFA blaster master Sheldon Souray to another team, but the Habs don't appear to need help with the man-advantage other than getting Souray back, or signing another point-man replacement.

The Habs' total offense was just middle-of-the-road, suggesting that the Habs are weak at even strength. Given how Yashin is strongest on the Power Play, he wouldn't really help in this area, either.

Then, we come back to the style of play the Habs play. Samsonov and Alexei Kovalev whined all year about being restricted offensively. How can a guy like Yashin expect to flourish in such a system?

If I were the Canadiens GM, I'd see if I could sign Yashin for quite cheap. If not, then I'd focus on getting a big 2-way or defensive center ... or bring Radek Bonk back. What the Habs need more of it grit, not another Russian headache.

Yashin Looking to Ca$h in with the Canadiens? originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scott Gomez Set to Enjoy Freedom and Big Bucks

Jes Golbez — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 15:25:00 EST

Filed under: General NHL, Devils, Eastern, Fantasy Hockey, NHL Rumors

Devils centerman Scott Gomez confirmed what most believed when he declared his intentions to test the open market.

That sound you hear? A whole bunch of NHL GM's drooling over the prospect of adding this guy to their roster. (Or maybe it's just your stomach. Lay off the Doritos, will ya?)

Gomez, back home in Anchorage, Alaska, said there have been no negotiations with the Devils since the team was eliminated from the playoffs and he will definitely test the market.

"To have come this far, every hockey player wants to see what's out there," Gomez said via telephone. "It wouldn't make any sense not to go all the way now. There haven't been any negotiations (with the Devils). None at all. I'm sure they have stuff to do."

While Gomez has never really made the leap from his rookie season (70 points) to being a bonafide superstar, he has been one of the most consistent playmaking centers in the league the past few seasons. Getting him into a system that allows him to be more free and creative could likely to result in even more production from Gomez in the future.

From New Jersey's perspective, you can clearly understand why they didn't even bother offering Gomez a new contract. The Devils have over $30mil already committed to player contracts for next season, and had to do some creative accounting not to go over the mark this past season.

This past summer, Gomez wanted $6.5mil a season from the Devils. Eventually, he 'won' $5mil in an arbitrator's ruling, and you know he wasn't too thrilled with that number. Gomez is 27 and at his prime, so he's in a great position to secure a lucrative long-term deal for himself. It's obvious that he's got some $'s in his eyes right about now.

Now, looking at these numbers, do you think Gomez can justify asking for a $6.5mil/season contract?

SEASON GP G A PTS PIM
2002-03 80 13 42 55 48
2003-04 80 14 56 70 70
2005-06 82 33 51 84 42
2006-07 72 13 47 60 42

As much as I'd love to see Gomez on my team, and as much as he might really enjoy playing for a coach who lets him roam around a bit, I don't think I'd want to spend $6mil+ per season for him. Apart from one crazy outlier of a season in 05-06, Gomez doesn't even break 14 goals per season, and hasn't shown the numbers to earn a premium salary. You'd have to be a real 'Gomer' to sign Gomez for that coin.

See also: What's Next in New Jersey?

Scott Gomez Set to Enjoy Freedom and Big Bucks originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 15:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thrashers Tell Tkachuk to Scram!

Jes Golbez — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 15:27:00 EST

Filed under: Atlanta, General NHL, Thrashers, Eastern, Fantasy Hockey, NHL Rumors

When the Atlanta Thrashers mortgaged a great deal of their future to acquire power forward Keith Tkachuk and his pasty white thighs, it was pretty much assumed that the deal was done simply to just make the playoffs and save GM Don Waddell's job.

Well, The Don's comments to the Atlanta Journal Constitution this morning certainly indicate that the deal was simply a rental all along.

Don Waddell confirmed what I suspected today, saying that the Thrashers won't be offering forward Keith Tkachuk a contract before the July 1st deadline.

After that the Thrashers lose exclusive negotiating rights to the big center who will be an unrestricted free agent. Even with that confirmation, Waddell said that he thought Tkachuk was a good fit in Atlanta and wasn't against doing some negotiating after July 1st.

In a previous entry, it was noted that the Thrashers made a very risky bet that didn't pay off, and shouldn't have been expected to.

For all of the assets the Thrashers dealt, they got FOUR total playoff games and 18 regular season games out of Keith Tkachuk. Yeesh!!!

So, should the Thrashers simply let Tkachuk go without so much as an offer or a 'Thank You' fruit basket?

Well, Tkachuk made $3.8mil last season and had 58 points in 79 games, which is somewhat pricey, but reasonable. He is 35, however, not known for being in great shape, and will only get slower as time goes on.

From a distance, it would appear smart not to offer Tkachuk a whole lot of money and watch him turn into a washed-up John LeClair clone.

Yes, the Thrashers paid a whole lot and got little in return, but no need to justify the investment with another expensive investment in a further contract offer, which come do even more damage to the Thrashers' franchise. Let some other team overpay Tkachuk and then have to deal him at the trading deadline.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Thrashers Tell Tkachuk to Scram! originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Fri, 01 Jun 2007 15:27:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lightning sign Holmqvist, But Still Have Goalie Issues

Jes Golbez — Mon, 21 May 2007 12:09:00 EST

Filed under: General NHL, Lightning, Eastern, Fantasy Hockey

The Tampa Bay Lightning managed to squeak into the playoffs, but were held back by their lack of quality goaltending.

After dealing for Marc Denis last off-season, the Bolts thought they had solved their goaltending problems. Why they thought a goalie that even COLUMBUS didn't want was going to help them, I have no idea.

Anyway, Denis faltered and was injured, so backup Johan Holmqvist managed to step in and provide the Bolts with a warm body for the majority of the season.

For his service, Holmqvist was rewarded with a one-year contract:

"As we said at the end of the season, Johan Holmqvist is one piece of the puzzle for us in net, and it was one of our top priorities this off-season to get him re-signed at a number that made sense for us," Lightning general manager Jay Feaster said in a statement.

"By signing a one-year deal, Johan has demonstrated that he intends to build on last year's performance and firmly establish himself - once and for all - as a legitimate No. 1 goalie in the NHL."

So, the Lightning think Holmqvist is a #1 goalie in the NHL, do they?

While Marc Denis had the worst SV% (88.3%) among qualified goaltenders, Holmqvist was not much better, with a 89.3SV%. This was 'good' for 6th worst in the NHL.

Yes, Holmqvist was better than Denis, but he wasn't very good at all. If the Lightning are going to put their eggs in Holmqvist's basket, they are not solving the real issue of poor goaltending that hurt them all season.

Not only are the Lightning pinning their hopes on a poor goaltender, but they are still stuck with Marc Denis and his contract that counts $2,867,000 towards the cap for each of the next two seasons.

The Lightning would have been better off saying "Thanks for the help, but we need somebody better."

Lightning sign Holmqvist, But Still Have Goalie Issues originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Mon, 21 May 2007 12:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Batty Belfour Wants More Bucks

Jes Golbez — Sat, 19 May 2007 12:06:00 EST

Filed under: General NHL, Panthers, Eastern, Fantasy Hockey, NHL Gossip, NHL Rumors

Ed Belfour, who managed to hold down the Florida Panthers #1 goaltending job at the age of 42, thinks he deserves a nice pay hike.

Florida Panthers goalie Ed Belfour said Friday that he wants more money. He would like to sign another one-year contract with the Panthers, but if it doesn't work out, Belfour, 42, is confident he can be a starter somewhere else in the NHL.

"I'm definitely a No 1 goalie," Belfour said. "I'm motivated to come back and be the No. 1 guy. I think my health is there."

Belfour believes he is worth considerably more now that he has proved his durability. He earned a base salary of $750,000 last season as part of an incentive-laden deal.

"My base was low because I had back surgery," Belfour said. "Throughout my career, my base was a lot higher. . . . I proved that I was durable and I'm not going to play for that kind of money this year, that's for sure."

Ahh, talk about living in the past. Of course he was worth more!! Eddie, you USED to be young, spry, and a great goaltending.

Now? Not so much ...

Yes, Belfour did better than Bald Alex Auld, putting up a 90.2SV% compared to Auld's cringe-inducing 88.8% mark. Yes, Belfour was a bargain at $750,000 for a 50+ game goaltender, but how does he think he'll get more elsewhere?

Fact: Belfour's SV% was still 31st among qualified goaltenders. Given that there are 30 NHL teams, Belfour is not going to be an improvement in many other places.

Fact: Belfour is 42, has a creaky back, and isn't getting any younger, more agile, or healthier.

Fact: Belfour is a belligerent drunk who parties way too often and gets himself in trouble with the police. Not many teams want to put up with the off-ice problems Eddie is bound to have.

If the Panthers aren't willing to give him a raise, Belfour will be very fortunate to get $750,000 and a position from any other NHL club. Whatever Belfour thinks of his self-worth, he'd be smart not to alienate himself from the Panthers, who might be the only club willing to give him a decent contract.

At least he didn't demand ONE BILLION DOLLARS!!! Although, that would have been much more interesting ...

Batty Belfour Wants More Bucks originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Sat, 19 May 2007 12:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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"Dubie" Finds a Home on the Island

Jes Golbez — Tue, 08 May 2007 15:23:00 EST

Filed under: General NHL, Islanders, Eastern, Fantasy Hockey

The New York Islanders had to count on minor-leaguer Wade Dubielewicz (a name that is hard for even us non-Polish Slavs to get right) to help save the day with four straight wins to make the playoffs. When Rick DiPietro suffered two concussions late this season, "Dubie" was there, when Mike Dunham was not.

Dubie was so impressive that he's earned himself a nice spot in the NHL with the Islanders next season.

Dubielewicz showed he could perform in confidence-inspiring fashion in the pressure of a playoff race to earn the backup job. In eight appearances for the Islanders, including three mop-up situations, Dubielewicz compiled a 4-1 record with a 2.06 goals-against average and a terrific .934 save percentage.

Switching to a backup role will be a big change for Dubielewicz, who played in the AHL All-Star game last season. Asked after the season if he could handle long periods of inactivity behind DiPietro, Dubielewicz said, "You have to be ready. I've always been very good at coming into games. It's going to be something new. If Ricky goes on these runs where he plays for six weeks straight, something you might see is me going to Bridgeport to play a couple of games to stay fresh.

With Rick DiPietro recovering from major hip surgery, it was important for the Islanders to get a backup goaltender who could shoulder a decent workload and provide solid goaltending.

Mike Dunham? Not only is he frequently injured, but he frequently sucks! In 19 games, Dunham had a woeful 3.74GAA, 4-10-3 record, and an 88.9 SV%!

Wade, 27, was never drafted, but has an impressive pre-NHL track record* and has been waiting for his chance to show his talents in the NHL.

*Dubielewicz won the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award as the top rookie in the AHL for 2004 and he was once an all-American goaltender for the University of Denver Pioneers.

"Dubie" Finds a Home on the Island originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Tue, 08 May 2007 15:23:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Humpty Dumpty DiPietro Has Major Hip Surgery

Jes Golbez — Fri, 04 May 2007 00:00:00 EST

Filed under: General NHL, Islanders, Eastern, Fantasy Hockey, NHL Injuries

As if Rick DiPietro didn't have enough problems trying to think straight after suffering two successive concussions, the prodigy with the 15-year contract is now recovering from major hip surgery.

Rick DiPietro had hip surgery this week, and the New York Islanders goalie is expected to be fully recovered in time for training camp in September.

DiPietro, sidelined by two concussions 12 days apart late in the regular season and the start of the playoffs, had arthroscopic surgery Monday in Vail, Colo., to repair a tear in his left hip.

Any time you sign a player to a long-term contract, a major injury is a big worry. When that player is your #1 goalie and you signed him to the most insane deal ever, you have to hope this hip problem doesn't become a constant thorn in Ricky's side. Hip problems doesn't always just go away, as any senior citizen will tell you.

DiPietro truly established himself as a premier net-minder this season, after struggling to find his groove after being rushed by the Islanders earlier in his career.

After putting up a pedestrian 90.0SV% in 2005-06, DiPietro improved that number drastically this season to a 91.9% figure, 6th best in the entire NHL. Consider that he was playing behind a rather poor defense, and Ricky has to be considered one of the more underrated (but not under-compensated) players in the league.

Humpty Dumpty DiPietro Has Major Hip Surgery originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Fri, 04 May 2007 00:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mats Sundin is Tragically Hip

Jes Golbez — Tue, 01 May 2007 11:15:00 EST

Filed under: General NHL, Maple Leafs, Eastern, Fantasy Hockey, NHL Injuries, NHL Rumors

Some bad news for Leafs fans as captain Mats Sundin may require surgery on his hip. Apparently, this is the same type of injury that put a huge damper on Alexander Mogilny's career ...

According to a report out of the Toronto Sun, sources in the medical community have told the newspaper Sundin requires immediate hip surgery. If the report is accurate, it would complicate his yet-to-be resolved contractual status with the team.

If this news is true, then it makes the decision to retain Mats Sundin a bit harder.

In the era when free agent contracts are an exercise in throwing the dice and going all-in with the chips, Mats Sundin has truly been the NHLs most consistent player.

Three things you can generally count on with Mats Sundin:

He'll play almost every game, every season. He rarely suffers a major injury.

He'll average about a point-a-game.

He'll give you great 2-way play and fight throw all of the obstacles thrown his way.

If Mats' hip wasn't a problem, then I don't understand how the Leafs could do anything but sign the guy to an extension on his current deal. Why pay big bucks to see if a guy like Todd Bertuzzi or Keith Tkachuk 'might' provide more offense? They likely won't, while Sundin provides a sure-fire return to any team who has him.

Mats Sundin is Tragically Hip originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Tue, 01 May 2007 11:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will Ryan Smyth End Up Back on the Island?

Jes Golbez — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: General NHL, Islanders, Oilers, Eastern, Western, Fantasy Hockey, NHL Rumors

When the New York Islanders gave up prospects Ryan O'Marra and Robert Nilsson (plus a first-round pick in 2007) to get Ryan Smyth from the Edmonton Oilers, they pretty much wanted him for his ability to score in the playoffs ... and even just to get them there! It was a hefty price to pay, but the Islanders will willing to make such an expensive short-term investment.

Since Smyth provided everything pretty much everything asked of him, the Isles surely don't want him just to leave, now that they gave up so much to get him.

Would Smyth want to go back? Can the Isles afford him?

Reading between the lines, I wouldn't expect Smyth to give the Isles any special discount.

[Smyth] told the New York Daily News that he's "not leaning one way or the other" about what he described as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" as an unrestricted free agent.

*KA-CHING* Doesn't this pretty much sound like someone who's got $$ in their eyes all of a sudden? Remember, he never wanted to leave Edmonton in the first place.

While Oilers expect Smyth to be so attached to Edmonton that he'll come crawling back, I don't expect Smyth (who was negotiating hard with the Oilers) to be any different than, say, Bobby Holik. He owes the Isles no loyalty, doesn't seem to be especially enamoured with the place (or Yashin), and was probably hurt by the trade from Edmonton that he just may want a fresh start.

If your NHL club wants Ryan Smyth, they better open up their wallets and get ready to pay big bucks. Heart and soul isn't cheap, you know.

Will Ryan Smyth End Up Back on the Island? originally appeared on Fantasy FanHouse on Mon, 23 Apr 2007 11:57:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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