NHL 2003/04 Free Agents

[Shell]

Unrestricted Free Agents

Goalies
Player 02-03 Salary 02-03 Team 03-04 Team Financial Terms
Brathwaite, Fred $1,155,000 STL CBJ 1-year, $500,000
Hackett, Jeff $3,600,000 BOS - -
Osgood, Chris $4,000,000 STL STL 1-year, $3,000,000
Potvin, Felix $3,550,000 LOS - -


Defensemen
Player 02-03 Salary 02-03 Team 03-04 Team Financial Terms
Albelin, Tommy $1,113,259 NJD - -
Baron, Murray $1,600,000 VAN - -
Cross, Cory $750,000 EDM - -
Daneyko, Ken $2,000,000 NJD - -
Desjardins, Eric $4,000,000 PHI - -
de Vries, Greg $1,375,000 COL - -
Haller, Kevin $1,700,000 NYI - -
Hatcher, Derian $4,200,000 DAL - -
Houlder, Bill $1,250,000 NSH - -
Housley, Phil $2,500,000 TOR - -
Hulse, Cale $1,210,000 NSH - -
Johansson, Calle $2,200,000 WAS - -
Klee, Ken $1,550,000 WAS - -
Kravchuk, Igor $600,000 FLA - -
Laukkanen, Janne $1,600,000 TAM - -
Leetch, Brian $9,680,000 NYR - -
Marchment, Bryan $3,000,000 COL - -
Mironov, Boris $3,300,000 NYR - -
Moran, Ian $750,000 BOS - -
Odelein, Lyle $2,500,000 DAL - -
Olausson, Fredrik $1,100,000 ANA - -
Pilon, Rich $1,400,000 STL - -
Pushor, Jamie $1,045,000 PIT - -
Rumble, Darren $400,000 TAM - -
Sweeney, Don $1,800,000 BOS - -
Wesley, Glen $2,500,000 TOR - -
Woolley, Jason $1,250,000 DET - -
Yushkevich, Dmitry $2,750,000 PHI - -


Wingers
Player 02-03 Salary 02-03 Team 03-04 Team Financial Terms
Andreychuk, Dave $850,000 TAM - -
Arvedson, Magnus $1,650,000 OTT - -
Berezin, Sergei $2,200,000 WAS - -
Berube, Craig $515,000 CGY - -
Brashear, Donald $1,500,000 PHI - -
Dahlen, Ulf $1,500,000 DAL - -
Fedorov, Sergei $2,000,000 DET - -
Gilchrist, Brent $575,000 NSH - -
Gilmour, Doug $2,225,000 TOR - -
Grimson, Stu $750,000 NAS - -
Grosek, Michal $650,000 BOS - -
Hull, Jody $400,000 OTT - -
Johnson, Craig $750,000 LOS - -
Kjellberg, Patric $1,100,000 ANA - -
Klatt, Trent $900,000 VAN - -
Kozlov, Slava $2,350,000 ATL - -
Lowry, Dave $925,000 CGY - -
Matteau, Stephane $600,000 FLA - -
May, Brad $1,200,000 VAN - -
McCarthy, Sandy $1,300,000 NYR - -
McKenzie, Jim $525,000 NJD - -
McCarty, Darren $1,950,000 DET - -
McEachern, Shawn $3,350,000 ATL - -
Odgers, Jeff $600,000 ATL - -
Odjick, Gino $750,000 MON - -
Pellerin, Scott $1,000,000 PHO - -
Podein, Shjon $1,350,000 STL - -
Ranheim, Paul $600,000 PHO - -
Ray, Rob $500,000 OTT - -
Robitaille, Luc $4,000,000 DET - -
Ronning, Cliff $1,850,000 MIN - -
Rucinsky, Martin $1,700,000 STL - -
Sacco, Joe $250,000 PHI - -
Selanne, Teemu $6,500,000 SAN - -
Simon, Chris $2,250,000 CHI - -
Thomas, Steve $1,000,000 ANA - -
Whitney, Ray $2,600,000 CBJ - -



Centers
Player 02-03 Salary 02-03 Team 03-04 Team Financial Terms
Cassels, Andrew $2,600,000 CBJ - -
Donato, Ted $450,000 NYR - -
Eastwood, Mike $950,000 CHI - -
Fedorov, Sergei $2,000,000 DET - -
Hrkac, Tony $800,000 ATL - -
Johnson, Greg $1,500,000 NAS - -
Lapointe, Claude $1,200,000 PHI - -
Larionov, Igor $1,500,000 DET - -
Lemieux, Mario $5,250,000 PIT - -
Manderville, Kent $600,000 PIT - -
Marchant, Todd $1,540,000 EDM - -
Muller, Kirk $800,000 DAL - -
Nieuwendyk, Joe $5,000,000 NJD - -
Nylander, Michael $1,800,000 WAS - -
Prospal, Vaclav $1,550,000 TAM - -
Rheaume, Pascal $575,000 NJD - -
Smolinski, Bryan $2,400,000 OTT - -
Turgeon, Pierre $6,000,000 DAL - -
Yzerman, Steve $8,000,000 DET - -

[Guyute]

very nice job shell :) I see you're as bored as me today. lol

quite a few possibitlities on that list... without spending a ton of money... if they could be signed for just one year.

[Shell]

Thanks, and LOL, yes, Friday's at work drag on forever and ever!!! Sure am glad not to see any Canes on that list though (well, except Wesley). Out of the list, who would you want most?

[Guyute]

out of all positions? hmm.

I'm not going to do the "who would you pick if money wasn't a concern" thing... because it is a concern. and there's no sense thinking about it (for me). Cuz someone like Desjardins would fill our need for a vet defensmen Very nicely... but at $4mil, it ain't happening.



I think D is our main need. in that respect, I'll pick 3 in the low-mid 2mil range which might be possible.
Wesley, Yushkevich, and Johansson

Dougie Gilmour had a wicked bad year, but I'd take him. but, I really think if we dabble in the FA market at all, it has to be for a Dman... possibly a strong backup goalie. I really don't know if DesRochers is ready to be a full-time backup or not. Hopefully JR is right in thinking he is.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

At defense and in goal are all I'm looking at right now:

Desjardins and Hatcher (like we'd pay that) or Johansson, Moran maybe.
Might even go for Daneyko...though I think he's a bit older than the rest isn't he?

And Jeff Hackett please.

[Turbulence]

I'd love to see Magnus Arvedson wearing the sightless eye...he'd fill our deficit of good left wingers nicely. And the price isn't horrible.

For D, realistically I see us pursuing someone like de Vries or maybe Johansson...someone in that price range. Otherwise I don't see anyone worth the money. Maybe Daneko or Albelin would be worth the money for one year...but they aren't exactly spring chickens.
I'm not too impressed by this list. Other than Johansson or de Vries, or maybe Yushkevich, nobody shows much promise in being worth the money. I say go with one of the trades that JR said was possibly an option...

[Shell]

Ilitch fears losing his free agents
June 12, 2003
BY NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

Owner Mike Ilitch has been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame for rebuilding the Red Wings. But his work isn't done.

"I still sleep with that legal pad right next to the phone," Ilitch said Wednesday.

The Wings were swept in the first round of the playoffs by Anaheim, losing millions in potential revenue, and face tough decisions in the weeks ahead, trying to remain an elite team without raising their $65-million payroll.

Three important players can become unrestricted free agents July 1 -- Sergei Fedorov, Darren McCarty and Steve Yzerman -- and Ilitch said he was "very concerned" the Wings wouldn't be able to re-sign all of them.

Ilitch confirmed Fedorov had turned down a five-year, $50-million offer during the season and hadn't accepted the current four-year, $40-million offer.

"I personally offered Sergei 50 a while back; he didn't blink," Ilitch said. "I offered him 40. He says he wants to stay, but now (general manager Ken Holland) and his agent are going back and forth."

The Wings have offered McCarty a three-year, $6-million deal, but he might be able to make more elsewhere. McCarty has said he is "willing to compromise" and doesn't want to "break the bank," but he has issues he wants to discuss with management.

"I'd hate to lose Darren," Ilitch said. "He's one of my favorite players."

As for Yzerman, the situation is stickier than some thought it would be. Yzerman is the most popular athlete in Detroit and one of the most respected leaders in hockey. But he's 38, hasn't produced at his former pace the last three seasons and had radical surgery on his right knee last year. Yzerman has said the Wings are concerned about his knee and he thinks settling on a contract will "take a little time."

"I know what Stevie's done for us; I know what Stevie stands for," Ilitch said. "We'll do everything in our power to get things worked out with him. I'm just going to let them go through the process. If I have to get involved, I will."

Ilitch declined to discuss the situation in detail.

"It's pretty sensitive," he said.

The Wings and Yzerman have agreed to do a one-year deal. The question is the money. Yzerman's salary was $8 million this season, and NHL sources have said the Wings don't want to guarantee him that much next season.

Analyst Darren Pang, a close friend of Yzerman's, wrote on ESPN's Web site Wednesday that Holland, Yzerman and Yzerman's lawyer, Larry Kelly, would meet today in Toronto. (Yzerman is expected to attend tonight's NHL Awards Show there. More on Page 2D.)

"The Wings will likely offer him a reduced salary with an incentive clause based on the number of games played," Pang wrote.

Holland declined to comment, saying only he planned to meet with Kelly before the draft, which is June 21-22. Senior vice president Jimmy Devellano said: "What needs to be determined is a salary and a structure that is fair for both sides."

"It's going to be a difficult period here," Ilitch said. "I hope we can get the right things done. If we don't get so and so, we're going to try to get X and Y to make the team just as good or better. You've seen how fast you can fall."

The Wings would be interested in signing Derian Hatcher if he becomes an unrestricted free agent and Fedorov leaves, an NHL source said. Hatcher, a Sterling Heights native, is Dallas' captain and a bruising defenseman.

But there are other options on the trade and free-agent markets, and the Wings apparently have several contingency plans.

[Shell]

Hatcher ready to deal with Stars
TSN.ca Staff
6/12/2003

Defenceman Derian Hatcher says he has yet to receive an offer from the Dallas Stars.

"Obviously, if they called tomorrow, we would be ready to sit down and have discussions," Hatcher tells the Dallas Morning News. "There have been discussions, but we just haven't gotten to the point where there has been an offer."

Stars general manager Doug Armstrong says he's aware of what Hatcher and his agent are seeking when it comes to a new deal. However, his priority is preparing for the upcoming draft later this month in Nashville.

"We're certainly not ruling anything out, and there are open lines of communication," said Armstrong.

Hatcher says he's prepared to look at other options when he becomes a free agent next month and there have been suggestions that the Detroit Red Wings will make a strong push to sign the Detroit-area native.

"I'm prepared to talk any day, but I also have to be prepared to see what else is out there."

[Shell]

De Vries slides closer to being a free agent
Avalanche still has not offered contract to key defenseman

By Rick Sadowski, Rocky Mountain News
June 12, 2003

The Colorado Avalanche has 19 days in which to make defenseman Greg de Vries a contract offer he can't refuse or risk losing him to unrestricted free agency.

As of Wednesday, the Avalanche had yet to make an offer of any kind to de Vries, who has improved in each of his five seasons with the team and is certain to draw plenty of interest from around the NHL once he enters the open market.

"I've had some dialogue with Colorado, but (there have been) no offers extended at all," Pat Morris, de Vries' agent, said Wednesday. "They're the one that's going to lose the player if he's not signed. Greg would like to stay in Colorado if he could, but at this point and time there are no offers."

The Avalanche doesn't comment on such matters.

De Vries scored six goals this past season and set career highs for assists (26) and points (32) while playing in all 82 games for the second season in a row. The 6-foot-2, 214-pounder averaged 22 minutes, 15 seconds of ice time - behind Rob Blake, Adam Foote and Derek Morris among Avalanche defensemen - and registered a plus-15 rating.

In the playoffs, de Vries played 22:10 a game (fourth among Avalanche defensemen, an average of 34 seconds behind Morris), scored two goals (tying him with Peter Forsberg and Milan Hejduk for second on the team) and recorded a plus-2 rating.

Even with a lockout looming after next season, when the collective bargaining agreement expires, de Vries figures to receive a nice pay raise from the $1.375 million he made this season, whether it's from the Avalanche or another NHL team.

"They have exclusive negotiating rights with him (through) the 30th," Morris said. "After that, they share that with 29 other teams. One would think that if they wanted to keep him they would make an offer, but they haven't done that to date."

De Vries, 30, will be an unrestricted free agent because he is a 10-year pro and makes less than the average NHL salary of about $1.6 million.

[Jeff O Rocks]

I don't know much about De Vries....would he be a good fit here? :roll:

[Shell]

Talks with Andreychuk and Prospal are in limbo
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published June 13, 2003

It is going to be difficult for the Lightning to sign captain Dave Andreychuk and points leader Vinny Prospal before they become unrestricted free agents.

General manager Jay Feaster said Thursday he and the players are "significantly apart" in negotiations, which if not wrapped up by July 1 likely will send both to the free market.

"I don't know if it is frustrating as it is what it is," he said. "Both players are in a unique situation."

Players can become unrestricted when their contracts run out and they are at least 31. Andreychuk is 39. Prospal, 28, can opt for unrestricted status because he is a 10-year pro (minors and NHL) and, at $1.55-million last season, made below the league-average salary.

"Offers have been rejected and counteroffers made," Feaster said. "But come July 1, if they're not done, there will be an answer in the market. Either the players will say those offers Jay made were really good. Or they will say Jay missed the boat and I'm going to get double what Jay offered at three times the term."

Neither Feaster nor Andreychuk's agent, Roland Thompson, would comment about money, and Prospal's agent, Rich Winter, could not be reached.

Andreychuk, who made $1.2-million last season plus bonuses, reportedly seeks about $2-million in a one-year deal. The Lightning is believed to be offering to match last season's total compensation. Tampa Bay reportedly offered Prospal $2.8-million. His price is unknown but it is believed he wants a five-year deal.

"I like Jay. He's a good man," Thompson said of Feaster. Still, he added, "We made a proposal that, in terms of what we believe Dave means to the team, we believe is way below market value."

Andreychuk had 20 goals last season, including a team-high 15 on the power play. But he was more important as a leader in the locker room. Prospal had 22 goals and a team-high 79 points.

"As far as where we are and what we're offering, I don't have a lot of room," Feaster said.

Feaster entered the offseason with 25 players to sign throughout the organization, including Brad Richards, Dan Boyle, John Grahame, Andre Roy, Fredrik Modin, Sheldon Keefe, Shane Willis and Brad Lukowich.

Team president Ron Campbell has said the NHL payroll will be about $33-million, $5-million more than last season.

"The bottom line is I have to get players signed and in and put a team out there," Feaster said. "I have to do it within the parameters that make sense as a hockey club and an organization. As much as you may want a player, and it doesn't matter who that player is, that doesn't mean I'm just going to throw money at the situation."

[nccanes]

Wow to that article Shell.

I'm really surprised that they can't sign these 2 guys. Dave A. isn't to the Bolts what Ronnie is to the Canes, but he's the closest thing. Captain, great leader, great guy, experienced, etc.

And Prospal is such a talent. It'll be interesting.

[1Irbegirlforever]

The Wings were swept in the first round of the playoffs by Anaheim, losing millions in potential revenue, and face tough decisions in the weeks ahead, trying to remain an elite team without raising their $65-million payroll.

Three important players can become unrestricted free agents July 1 -- Sergei Fedorov, Darren McCarty and Steve Yzerman -- and Ilitch said he was "very concerned" the Wings wouldn't be able to re-sign all of them.

Ilitch confirmed Fedorov had turned down a five-year, $50-million offer during the season and hadn't accepted the current four-year, $40-million offer.

"I personally offered Sergei 50 a while back; he didn't blink," Ilitch said. "I offered him 40. He says he wants to stay, but now (general manager Ken Holland) and his agent are going back and forth."

As for Yzerman, the situation is stickier than some thought it would be. Yzerman is the most popular athlete in Detroit and one of the most respected leaders in hockey. But he's 38, hasn't produced at his former pace the last three seasons and had radical surgery on his right knee last year. Yzerman has said the Wings are concerned about his knee and he thinks settling on a contract will "take a little time."

"It's going to be a difficult period here," Ilitch said. "I hope we can get the right things done. If we don't get so and so, we're going to try to get X and Y to make the team just as good or better. You've seen how fast you can fall."


Sounds like detroit is falling apart. Oh well, i do like yzerman so i hope this doesn't mean his career is soon over....

[nccanes]

Unrestricted Free Agents


Why was I thinking that Anson Carter was a free agent? Is he a restricted free agent?

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Unrestricted Free Agents


Why was I thinking that Anson Carter was a free agent? Is he a restricted free agent?

I thought he was a UFA too. I thought that was why Edmonton dealt him.

[Shell]

I'm pretty sure Anson is restricted but I'm not positive. I know he signed a 1 year contract last year so he's due.

RANGERS AND LEETCH STALLED IN PACT TALKS
By LARRY BROOKS , NY Post

June 18, 2003 -- There is no fixed deadline by which the Rangers must hire a head coach for next season, so a delay of a day or two - or perhaps even a week - before Glen Sather meets with Larry Robinson isn't critical to the process.

There is, however, a deadline of June 30 to be met for the Rangers to prevent Brian Leetch from attaining unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career. It would not be an understatement to suggest that the clock is ticking ... loudly.

[Shell]

How low will he go?
Hoglund faces big pay cut to stay
Leafs won't make qualifying offer

KEN CAMPBELL
SPORTS REPORTER

If the much-maligned Jonas Hoglund returns to the Maple Leafs for a fifth season in 2003-04, it will be at a hugely reduced salary.

The Leafs informed Hoglund's agent, Anton Thun, yesterday that they will not tender Hoglund a qualifying offer, which will make the left winger an unrestricted free agent July 1.

Had the Leafs wanted to retain the 30-year-old's rights, they would have had to offer him a salary of almost $1.7 million (all figures U.S.), which represents a 10-per-cent raise on his $1.54 million salary from last season.

But that doesn't necessarily mean Hoglund's days in Toronto are over. The Leafs could choose to offer Hoglund a drastically reduced salary. Sources have confirmed that the Leafs are interested in speaking with Thun, but Hoglund's chances of staying in Toronto depend largely on how much of a pay cut he's willing to take.

It is thought that Hoglund would face at least a $1 million salary cut and even then there are no guarantees. The Leafs will likely see what other players are available through trade or free agency before deciding whether they want Hoglund to return. With the depth the Leafs have at forward, Hoglund has essentially played his way to fourth-line status and will receive a salary commensurate with being a fringe player.

The Leafs likely would have made this move last year, but were forced to bring Hoglund back when they learned that Gary Roberts would miss most of the season after surgery on both shoulders.

In his four seasons with the Leafs, Hoglund has scored 78 goals and 184 points, second only to Mats Sundin in that time, but has scored just 13 goals in each of the past two seasons. He has also been criticized for his lack of impact in pressure situations and in the playoffs.

The agent for Glen Wesley, meanwhile, said he intends to continue negotiations with Leaf brass at the NHL draft this weekend in Nashville, Tenn. Rick Curran said he spoke recently with assistant GM Mike Penny, but has yet to hear from GM Pat Quinn concerning the contract proposal he sent last week.

"Not much has been said, but I'll see them at the draft," Curran said. "They know where I am. We still have plenty of time (before Wesley becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1) and this is not something that has to be complicated. It's up to them."

Long-time executive Bill Watters, meanwhile, has essentially been frozen out of all hockey matters and is awaiting his fate at his summer home in Orillia. Richard Peddie, president of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, said last night an announcement regarding the Leaf management situation would be made "sometime next week."

MLSE's new board, which takes over July 1, is still negotiating with Quinn about dropping the GM portfolio and whether he will continue to make $2 million a year for essentially doing just one job. They are also negotiating the moving of president Ken Dryden out of the hockey department and into more of a public relations role that will likely see his $500,000 (Cdn.) salary be chopped in half.

Sources maintain the Leafs will announce this week that the front office has been reconfigured with Quinn as coach, Dryden moved and Watters fired, and that the search for a new GM has begun.

Steve Tambellini, director of player personnel for the Vancouver Canucks, remains the leading candidate.

[Shell]

Capitals Keep Rights To Nylander for Year
By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 17, 2003; Page D04

The Washington Capitals retained the rights to center Michael Nylander for at least one more season by virtue of a ruling made between the NHL and the NHL Players Association, erasing their fears that they would lose the playmaker without compensation as an unrestricted free agent.

Nylander, 30, would have become an unrestricted free agent July 1 had his salary for last season -- $1.8 million -- been less than the league average salary for that season, given his age (under 31) and tenure in the NHL (10 or more years). The computation of the average salary is complicated and requires lengthy negotiations between the NHL and NHLPA, and a figure of slightly more than $1.79 million was agreed upon late Friday and faxed to all general managers of NHL clubs.

Washington is trying to trim payroll and was unlikely to retain Nylander had he been free to accept offers on the open market.

"He's a good player and we're very pleased that the decision [on the average salary] went this way," McPhee said.

Nylander is eligible to file for arbitration -- players have until July 15 to do so -- and he most likely will end up signing a one- or two-year deal; the collective bargaining agreement expires in September 2004 and the parameters of free agency are expected to change, perhaps dramatically, when a new deal is completed.

McPhee usually begins negotiations with restricted free agents in August and that group includes Nylander, Mike Grier, Jason Doig, Trent Whitfield, Josh Green, Rick Berry, J.F. Fortin, Alex Henry and Stephen Peat. Ivan Ciernik and Joel Kwiatkowski would become restricted free agents if their contract options are not exercised this month, and sources said the Capitals will announce that they have picked up 2003-04 contract options for Peter Bondra and Jeff Halpern shortly after the NHL draft, which will take place this weekend in Nashville.

[Shell]

Lightning re-sign Andreychuk
Sports Ticker
6/26/2003

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) - Dave Andreychuk enjoyed the Tampa Bay Lightning's success in 2002-03 so much, he decided to return for another season.

The Lightning re-signed Andreychuk on Thursday, preventing their captain from becoming an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Completing his 21st NHL season, which saw the Lightning capture their first division title, Andreychuk recorded 20 goals, including 15 on the power play, and 14 assists in 72 games. The 39-year-old added three goals and three assists in 11 playoff contests.

"Obviously, I am very happy to get this done and I am very happy to be part of a team that's on the rise," Andreychuk said. "We had a great run this past season and I certainly intend on being part of a team that goes into the playoffs again in 2003-04. The future is bright."

Signed by Tampa Bay in July 2001, Andreychuk is the NHL's all-time power-play goal leader with 260. He recorded his 600th career tally on November 23, becoming just the 14th player to reach the plateau.

Andreychuk, whose 613 goals are 11th on the all-time list, has posted 18 20-goal seasons, trailing only Gordie Howe (22) and Ron Francis (20). In 1,515 career games with Buffalo, Toronto, New Jersey, Boston, Colorado and the Lightning, he has amassed 668 assists and 1,281 points.

"Dave Andreychuk is a true warrior," Tampa Bay general manager Jay Feaster said. "He is the heart and soul of our team, he leads us by example and by the sheer force of his will.

"The things he continues to accomplish on the ice are amazing, and he epitomizes what it means to be a Tampa Bay Lightning player. In many ways, this is clearly one of the most critical contract signings of the summer for this organization."

[Shell]

Canucks, Leafs won't qualify all restricted free agents ahead of deadline
PIERRE LEBRUN
Canadian Press
Thursday, June 26, 2003

(CP) - It's decision time for NHL general managers ahead of next week's free agency deadline.

This year may be different than most. Teams have until Monday at midnight to submit qualifying offers to their respective restricted free agents and already the Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs have made noises that they won't do so for all of their players.

Restricted free agents who don't get qualifying offers suddenly become unrestricted July 1 no matter what their age and that's why it's rarely been done under the current collective bargaining agreement. Teams traditionally don't want to lose a young asset without getting anything in return.

But things may be changing this year as NHL clubs tighten their purse strings any way they can ahead of the anticipated September 2004 labour battle.

Canucks GM Brian Burke says he will not qualify Trevor Letowski, whose qualifying offer would have cost Vancouver $825,000 US. That means the 26-year-old winger - who had 11 goals and 14 assists in 78 games last season - will become unrestricted next Tuesday and can sign with any team in the league with no compensation going Vancouver's way.

The Leafs have also indicated they won't retain forward Jonas Hoglund (13 goals, 19 assists last season), whose qualifying offer would have been $1.69 million.

A look at restricted free agents on the six Canadian teams and the amount of their potential qualifying offers. Players who earned less than the NHL average salary of $1.79 million last season get a 10 per cent hike in their qualifying offers. Keep in mind that players have the right to reject their qualifying offers and negotiate a more lucrative deal this summer.

Canucks

Outside of Letowski, there's: Bryan Allen, D, $1.05 million; Artem Chubarov, F, $847,000; Dan Cloutier, G, $1.24 million; Mats Lindgren, F, $275,000; Petr Skudra, G, $605,000; Marek Malik, D, $1.21 million; Jarkko Ruutu, F, $467,500; Sami Salo, D, $968,000; Daniel and Henrik Sedin, F, $1.13 million.

Analysis: Skudra is off to play in Russia next season so he's already forgotten. Otherwise, Burke says he'll qualify everyone else after Letowski. Allen's retaining price may seem a little steep for a guy who bounced between Manitoba and Vancouver last year but he may see a more important role next season if Murray Baron leaves via unrestricted free agency.

Leafs

Outside of Hoglund, there's: Nik Antropov, F, $726,000; Wade Belak, D, $847,000; Paul Healey, F, $727,500; Ric Jackman, D, $715,000; Bryan McCabe, D, $2.85 million; Alexei Ponikarovsky, F, $577,500.

Analysis: The Leafs are leaning towards also taking a pass on Healey.

"We're not sure about Healey yet," Leafs assistant GM Mike Penny said Thursday. "We'll make a decision probably tomorrow."

Canadiens

Gordie Dwyer, F, $532,400; Chad Kilger, F, $1.24 million; Saku Koivu, F, $3.3 million; Andre Markov, D, $770,000; Mike Ribeiro, F, $847,000.

Analysis: The guy on the bubble here could be Kilger, whose qualifying price is a little high for a guy who watched some games from the press box last season.

Oilers

Mike Comrie, F, $1.13 million; Shawn Horcoff, F, $632,500; Brad Isbister, F, $1.8 million; Georges Laraque, F, $1.1 million; Jussi Markkanen, G, $508,750; Ethan Moreau, F, $1.6 million; Fernando Pisani, F, $484,000; Marty Reasoner, F, $935,000; Jason Smith, D, $2.3 million; Ryan Smyth, F, $3.025 million.

Analysis: If Oilers GM Kevin Lowe uses Vancouver's barometer, Moreau could be in trouble after scoring 14 goals and 17 assists last year, numbers similar to Letowski. Lowe's biggest hurdle will be to re-sign Comrie, Smith and Smyth later in the summer.

Flames

Steve Begin, D, $412,500; Mike Commodore, D, $847,000; Chris Drury, F, $2.5 million; Toni Lydman, D, $786,500; Scott Nichol, F, $440,000; Blake Sloan, F, $495,000; Stephane Yelle, F, $1.32 million.

Analysis: New GM Darryl Sutter is working towards getting Yelle under contract soon after already re-signing restricted free agents Robyn Regehr and Oleg Saprykin among others. Forward Dean McAmmond will also need to be qualified as a restricted free agent if he decides by Monday not to activate his player option for next year at $1.6 million. His qualifying offer would be $1.54 million.

Senators

Martin Havlat, F, $1.06 million; Josh Langfeld, F, $467,500; Martin Prusek, G, $495,000; Wade Redden, D, $3 million.

Analysis: All four are automatic candidates for qualifying offers but both Havlat and Redden will surely reject them and attempt to negotiate more lucrative deals later this summer.

[Shell]

Ducks ask captain Kariya to take pay cut

Will Kariya and the Ducks work everything out for a happy, Disney-like ending?

(posted Jun. 25, 10:56PM EDT)
The Anaheim Mighty Ducks are asking captain Paul Kariya to take a pay cut for the upcoming 2003-04 season, Sportsnet has learned.

Kariya, who earned $10 million US during the 2002-03 season (tops on the Ducks), is slated to become a restricted free agent on July 1st. However, the Ducks have exclusive rights to re-sign their captain prior to July 1st and are trying to do so at a reduced rate (terms not disclosed).

If Kariya does not agree to a pay cut, then the Ducks will have until June 30th (11:59 p.m. ET) to make a qualifying offer to the left winger. The Ducks would be obligated to offer Kariya at least a one-year deal and must match the $10 million he made last season. If the Ducks do not make Kariya a qualifying offer by the deadline, then Kariya would become an unrestricted free agent.

Should Kariya not accept a pay cut and the Ducks make Kariya a qualifying offer, then he would become a restricted free agent on July 1st. Under those circumstances, if a team makes an offer for Kariya's services, the Ducks would have the right to match the deal, otherwise they would be compensated with five first-round picks.

If Kariya does agree to a pay cut, then just like a Disney movie, everyone lives happily ever after.

Kariya's agent, Donald Baizley could not be reached for comment.

Kariya has played his entire nine-year career with the Ducks after being drafted fourth overall in the 1993 NHL entry draft. He was a vital part in leading the Ducks -- during their 10th year in the league -- to the Stanley Cup Final in this year's playoffs, before bowing out to the New Jersey Devils in seven games.

The Ducks captain finished with 81 points (25 goals, 56 assists) in 82 games this season. Kariya then added 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 21 playoff games during Anaheim's run to the Stanley Cup finals.

[Jeff O Rocks]

Things must be bad to ask their long-time Captain and one of the main reasons they made it to the SCF..to take a pay cut and risk losing him!! :eek2: If he takes the cut and stays with them out of loyalty, other players can learn a serious lesson from him!! coughfederovcough!! :roll:

I hope they can work it out..now I can't imagine the Ducks without him.

[Shell]

Oilers say you're free to go
Club Lowe-balls Marchant, cuts Cleary loose

By ROBIN BROWNLEE, EDMONTON SUN

Todd Marchant wanted the opportunity to shop his services to the highest bidder. Today, he has it.

But, while Marchant has many fond memories of a distinguished decade with the Edmonton Oilers, a tenure that ended at midnight last night, he was considerably less nostalgic about the final days before his foray into unrestricted free agency.

Namely, the contract proposal he received from GM Kevin Lowe late last week - a standard 10% qualifying offer that was for one-year at $1.68 million US.

One year? For 10%? That's an offer, in Marchant's assessment, that said: "Thanks for the decade, and don't let the door hit you on the backside on the way out of town."

Don't worry. He won't.

'THAT'S FINE'

"If that's what they want to call an offer then, yes, they made me an offer," Marchant said yesterday. "That tells me they don't want me, and that's fine.

"My agent and I haven't had any contact with Kevin or the Oilers other than having an envelope arrive in the mail first class telling me they were offering a 10% bump."

When Marchant, 29, and agent Lewis Gross took Lowe's offer of $1.54 million US last July, they did so knowing the pact would make Marchant an unrestricted free agent as a 10-year pro making under the NHL average salary. It's an out-clause under the current collective bargaining agreement with the NHLPA The Sun first told you about July 17.

It was a calculated move by Marchant. It's a move, after a season in which Marchant had career highs of 20-40-60, that makes him one of the more attractive free agents this summer.

So, what, exactly, is the Little Guy unhappy about?

"The Oilers were holding a full house with the ace of spades and they threw the ace of spades away," Marchant said.

"That's the way I look at it. They had all of the cards last summer and they didn't throw the hand down.

"Instead, they decided to discard a 10-year player who filled an important role on their team. That's fine. They're going in a certain direction and so are we."

Marchant will command in excess of $5 million for two years, with the New York Rangers, Buffalo and Philadelphia the teams likeliest to come calling. So, what's not to like?

"People always question loyalty in professional sports and it's always blamed on the players," Marchant said. "Players don't show loyalty. Players don't do this, they don't do that.

"I've shown loyalty, and look where it got me. I never complained about a contract. My first contract was five years. I took what I was given. Now, I've used a system that's in place for a reason. Now, this is the way you get treated."

Lowe, who has depth at centre in Mike Comrie, Jarret Stoll, Marty Reasoner and Shawn Horcoff, wasn't willing to engage in a bidding war to keep Marchant this summer when he could've locked him up for two years for $4 million US last July, but chose not to.

TIME WILL TELL, SAYS LOWE

"Reality is, there's only so much money," said Lowe, resisting the urge to get into a slanging match. "Time will tell, but we feel we have enough good people to make up for him at a lesser price."

So, Marchant will get his pay day. That said, it shouldn't be lost in the ill will of this clumsy parting of ways that the Little Guy had a pretty good run here.

"My family and I have loved Edmonton," Marchant said. "We're certainly going to miss it. The people there have been very gracious to us. My three children were born there.

"It's home to us, more so than Buffalo is now, but the writing is obviously on the wall that it's time for us to move on."

Obtained from the Rangers for Craig MacTavish March 21, 1994, Marchant will cash in with 343 points in 679 career regular-season games as an Oiler in the books.

He made his mark, of course, in the 1997 playoffs when his overtime winner in Game 7 beat Dallas. It was his finest moment and one he could not recapture as the Oilers bowed to the Stars in six games this spring.

"I have no regrets about playing in Edmonton," Marchant said. "I will not let this episode leave a bad taste in my mouth. I'm grateful for the opportunity I got in Edmonton. Let's leave it at that."

BUCKY COMING HOME?

The Phoenix Coyotes aren't picking up their option on former Oiler captain Kelly Buchberger, who was offered the job of coach of development by Lowe last summer. The decision opens the door for his return as a member of the Oilers coaching staff.

- The Oilers officially let Daniel Cleary go yesterday.

[Shell]

Talks on Prospal deal fail
The Lightning points leader "made the decision he's going to pursue his options," agent Rich Winter says.
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published July 1, 2003

Left wing Vinny Prospal won't officially become an unrestricted free agent until later this week or early next week, when agent Rich Winter said he will file the papers.

But that is just a technicality.

The Lightning's points leader will test the market this summer, as he and the team could not come to an agreement Monday on a new contract. The free-agency period began at midnight.

"Vinny made the decision he's going to pursue his options," Winter said. "That doesn't close the door on Tampa. We're going to keep the dialogue open."

"If the situation happens and I have to go play somewhere else, it's reality," Prospal said from his native Czech Republic. "I'll take it as a business."

Tampa Bay has offered Prospal $2.5-million a season in a five-year deal. It is believed Prospal wants $3.5-million. Over the life of the contract, that is a $5-million difference.

General manager Jay Feaster said, "The club has made what it feels is a significant offer."

Said Winter: "That the Lightning made him a contract offer for five years, Vinny is pleased they have that much faith in his character. On the other hand, he was hopeful the numbers would be along the lines of what we evaluated in the market."

Who will drive the market? League scuttlebutt says the Red Wings and Rangers could be interested. Detroit will have a huge hole to fill if superstar Sergei Fedorov is lost to free agency. The Lightning will have a huge hole to fill if it loses Prospal.

Feaster has done well attempting to engineer a soft landing by trading for 20-goal scorer Cory Stillman and signing Finnish star Eero Somervuori. But Prospal not only supplied points (he had a career-best 79 on 22 goals, 57 assists), his enthusiasm was contagious.

He led the team with 17 game-winning points (four goals, 13 assists) and was third in the league with 37 even-strength assists. And there is no denying the effect he had on center Vinny Lecavalier, who had a career-high 33 goals.

"This Vinny Prospal situation is a very dangerous situation for our hockey club," coach John Tortorella said. "He not only put up big numbers, but his numbers were from big plays. There were no soft numbers there. It took us three years to find a wing to play with the other Vinny, and that is an important part of our hockey club."

Most players must wait until age 31 to become unrestricted. Prospal is getting the chance at 28 because of the Group V provision of the collective-bargaining agreement, which gives the option to 10-year pros (NHL and minor leagues) who make less than the league average salary. Prospal made $1.55-million last season. The league average was $1.79-million.

Prospal could still re-sign with the Lightning. The impasse is a result of dueling market evaluations. So the market will be the arbiter.

"We just have to watch and see who's right," Winter said. "Our perception that there are other offers out there may not materialize, in which case we're taking a risk. If, in fact, they do, Jay's taking the risk."

Winter said he believes his client is making "a prudent decision to pursue (free agency). ... This is a unique experience that doesn't come to many people, and certainly doesn't come to many people who lead their team in scoring at this age."

Winter said he will give the Lightning a chance to match any offers, "and Jay said he won't be spending the money he's committed to Vinny without talking to us first."

Feaster, who was general manager of AHL Hershey in 1993 when Prospal joined the team, said it will be a conversation between friends.

"I've known Vinny Prospal since he was 18 years old," Fester said. "I like Vinny Prospal the person and Vinny Prospal the player. That we have made him a five-year offer shows that respect. ... I don't want to lose him, but I'm not prepared to write a blank check."

[crazy4canes]

I'm getting the impression it's not a good year to be a free agent. :eek2:

[Kat]

Here is the official NHL list: http://www.nhl.com/onthefly/news/2003/07/145888.html

-Kat

[Turbulence]

Good find, Kat.
One possibility that I had never considered was Ray Whitney to fill in our hole at LW...He is the captain of Columbus, but I don't know if he has any particular attachment to the Jackets, so I guess he isn't expected to sign with them. He or Arvedson would look good in red and white...

[Shell]

Surprised stars search for work as NHL opens up

It is unlikely the Ducks superstar will re-sign with Anaheim as a free agent as he was very disappointed with the offers presented to him by Ducks management.

(posted Jun. 30, 9:30PM EDT)
There were no blockbuster signings in the early going of the NHL's free-agency period Tuesday but the phones were ringing in the offices of the agents for superstar forwards Sergei Fedorov and Paul Kariya. | Fedorov done in Detroit | Wings pick up Hasek's option | Free agent list

NHL free agency news and notes

Both players are unrestricted free agents for the first time in their careers and there's a fair chance both will leave the only team they've ever played for.

“Last night and this morning I've had a few discussions with other teams,” Fedorov's agent Pat Brisson said Tuesday from Los Angeles. “I expect many teams to be interested but really five or six teams to be able to do something.”

Talks with the Detroit Red Wings continued as late as Monday but both sides weren't able to iron out a deal before the midnight deadline. Now the 33-year-old centre is up for grabs to any contending team willing to pay upwards of $10 million US a year.

“Sergei and I talked about it this morning, it may take two days, it may take two months,” said Brisson, who works for IMG. “And we're willing to be patient and do the right deal for both parties. We don't want to something quick because the environment is important.

“He's been in Detroit for 13 years and won three Cups there. He wants to be in a position where he can win again.”

Kariya, 28, became unrestricted after the Anaheim Mighty Ducks decided his $10-million qualifying offer was just too much. Restricted free agents who don't get qualified by June 30 become unrestricted regardless of their age.

“The Ducks have made a decision they think they had to make,” Kariya's agent Don Baizley said Tuesday from Winnipeg. “That creates choices for Paul and now he has to think about what he's going to do in light of that.”

This year's unrestricted class officially went on the market Tuesday, highlighted by Kariya, Fedorov and fellow forwards Teemu Selanne, Joe Nieuwendyk, Adam Oates, Todd Marchant and Ray Whitney as well as defencemen Derian Hatcher, Brian Leetch, Greg De Vries, Bryan Marchment and Glen Wesley.

But there was no flurry of big signings as in past years. Teams have vowed to be more careful with their cash ahead of the looming labour war in September 2004.

The Philadelphia Flyers dipped into the free-agent market, however, signing unrestricted free agent Jeff Hackett to a two-year, $6-million deal. Flyers GM Bob Clarke needed to find a No. 1 goalie after trading Roman Cechmanek to the Los Angeles Kings last month.

“Our scouting staff, our coaching staff, our whole organization feels that Jeff Hackett will give us the solid and steady goaltending that we will need to take a run at the Stanley Cup,” Clarke told reporters.

The name of Andrew Cassels appeared on the NHL's free-agent list Tuesday but in fact he agreed to a new contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night. It's a two-year deal plus a player option for a third year paying him a base salary of $3.05 million a season with a $175,000 signing bonus.

Other late signings Monday night included winger Darren McCarty (four years, $8.75 million) and defenceman Jason Woolley (two years, $1.8 million) with the Detroit Red Wings and Predators leading scorer Andreas Johansson with Nashville.

The San Jose Sharks acquired centre Mark Messier from the New York Rangers late Monday in exchange for future considerations. Messier, 42, would have otherwise become an unrestricted free agent.

The big question now is where Kariya will end up. He led the Ducks with 81 points in 82 games last season. It may sound crazy but what about the Vancouver Canucks? Would Kariya be willing to return home for about $6 million a year and could Canucks GM Brian Burke justify the signing by hoping it would be a marketing bonanza?

That's all conjecture at this point but there phone calls from unidentified teams Tuesday.

“Of course there's interest, I don't want to pretend there's not interest,” Baizley said. “But I'm not going to get into how many teams are interested or what's going on.

“We have to sit down and think about this whole process.”<

The Kariya camp wasn't exactly caught blind-sided. Ducks GM Bryan Murray said Monday night that he had discussed this possibility with Kariya on several occasions.

“There was certainly a buzz about i, sure,” Baizley said.

“The team has the right not to make a qualifying offer. Now we're just going to have to look at our options.”

It's doubtful Kariya will be able to get $10 million on the open market, not in today's new NHL. But even more critical will be the term. How many years will he be able to get? A three-year contract would bring him to 31 years old, the next time he would automatically qualify for unrestricted free agency.

Brisson said length of contract was not an issue with the Red Wings. That leads to speculation that Wings GM Ken Holland may have changed the offer he made after the playoffs which was $40 million over four years.

“Sergei Fedorov has been extremely flexible in trying to work out a new deal with Detroit,” Brisson said. “But we're not so sure what happened on their end in the last three weeks. We understand the environment, we understand the market, however he's still an extremely important asset.

“He's probably the best unrestricted free agent that hockey has ever had.”

It's believed the Wings have shifted their focus to landing Hatcher, a Norris Trophy finalist, instead of bringing back Fedorov. There may not be enough money for both since Hatcher's asking price is around $7.5 million a year.

Brisson, meanwhile, doesn't see Kariya's surprising addition to the unrestricted class as a factor.

“I don't think so. I think they're two totally different players,” Brisson said. “Sergei is a centreman who carries the puck, plays as well defensively as offensively, and was the leading scorer of the Wings this past year.

“Paul is a different player. He's more a finisher in my opinion. I don't think it's going to affect any one of them that both are on the market.”

[talkingcanes]

“He's probably the best unrestricted free agent that hockey has ever had.”


:sick:

[nccanes]

This "tracker" from TSN seems to be a good one. It lists the 02-03 salary and team, and (when complete) the 03-04 salary and team.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature.asp?fid=6805

This link goes to the goaltenders and defensemen, but you can toggle to the centers/wingers with the link at the top of the page.

[Kat]

That is kick-ass, Eileen! Thanks! I will be *very* interested to see how many people wind up having to sign for less than what they made in 2002-2003.

-Kat

[Jeff O Rocks]

Wish we could afford Paul K.....great player and leader....with Ronnie, Paul and Brindy leading the team, we couldn't lose!! :roll:

[guinevere]

Thats a great link but I have a couple of questions. Am I reading it right or does it look like Oleg Tverdovsky played for us last year with a salary of 3,600,000. I don't remember seeing him on the ice but then the year was a blur. And if he was making that , what is he a possible but De Vries was not? I"m just so confused.....http://fool.exler.ru/sm/obm.gif

Guin

[Shell]

LOL, that is weird Jen.. I didn't even notice that.. he was with NJ last year so maybe that is actually a hint of what is to come.. I usually hear him referred to as an offensive defenseman so I am sure JR is probably lusting after him ;) That was his real salary though so he is pricey.

[nccanes]

Thats a great link but I have a couple of questions. Am I reading it right or does it look like Oleg Tverdovsky played for us last year with a salary of 3,600,000. I don't remember seeing him on the ice but then the year was a blur. And if he was making that , what is he a possible but De Vries was not? I"m just so confused.....http://fool.exler.ru/sm/obm.gif

Guin

LOL Guin. Can't you keep our players straight? First you don't know the Lowell Jersey and now Tverdovsky? Geez. And I thought you watched the games - and that the Tshirt launcher was just extra fun! ;) :evil:

[nccanes]

From TSN:

Red Wings courting Hatcher?
TSN.ca Staff
7/2/2003

(TSN.ca) - These are quiet days on the NHL free agent front, but the Detroit Red Wings are apparently making a strong push to sign free agent defenceman Derian Hatcher.

NHL sources have told TSN that the Wings have offered the Dallas captain a 4 year deal worth $5.5 million per season, and that they may be prepared to go higher.

Just how much of a market there is for Hatcher is unclear. "I think the Red Wings are bidding against themselves," said one G.M. contacted by TSN.

Hatcher made $4.2 million last year before becoming an unrestricted free agent this summer. He was a finalist last season in voting for the Norris trophy as the NHL's top defenceman.

While Dallas is still believed to be Hatcher's preferred destination, Detroit would interest the 31 year old, who grew up not far away in Sterling, Michigan.

The Stars broke off negotiations with Hatcher last week, unwilling to offer the 12-year veteran the long term deal he's been seeking.

It's also believed that Edmonton Oiler veteran Todd Marchant is close to signing a free agent deal, most likely with the New York Rangers who are believed to be offering a contract worth close to $3 million per season.

Marchant was drafted by the Rangers in 1993, and played for Glen Sather when Sather was the G.M. of the Oilers.

Even if Hatcher and Marchant do sign new deals soon, it's been a very quiet free agent season thus far. Through Tuesday and Wednesday, only two unrestricted free agents had changed teams (Jeff Hackett from Boston to Philadelphia and Scott Nichol from Calgary to Chicago).

That's a far cry from last year, when eight players (Adam Oates, Robert Lang, Bobby Holik, Darius Kasparaitis, Martin Gelinas, Philippe Boucher, Curtis Joseph and Ed Belfour) changed teams on the first two days of free agency.

The first two days of July 2001 also saw eight players (Jeremy Roenick, Pierre Turgeon, Martin Lapointe, Sean O'Donnell, Jon Klemm, Bob Boughner, Donald Audette, and Jason Marshall) signed as unrestricted free agents.

[Shell]

Rangers dismiss Marchant offer
TSN.ca Staff
7/3/2003

The New York Rangers appear to be out of the Todd Marchant free agent sweepstakes.

New York Newsday quotes NHL sources who say Marchant asked the Rangers for a six year deal worth $24-million. He earned $1.54-million last season with the Edmonton Oilers.

The Rangers quickly dismissed the offer and Marchant has now turned his sights on Columbus. He visited the city on Tuesday with his family and a decision could come as early as Thursday.

The Sabres have also been mentioned as a possible suitor for Marchant, who is a Buffalo native.

Marchant was originally drafted by the Rangers in 1993 before being traded to the Oilers in exchange for Craig MacTavish in 1994.

He set career highs last season with 20 goals and 60 points in 77 games.

[nccanes]

Marchment wants Leaf deal
But Toronto shows little interest

Team looking at other defencemen


KEN CAMPBELL
SPORTS REPORTER
TORONTO STAR

Rugged defenceman Bryan Marchment wants desperately to finish his career with the Maple Leafs, but it's doubtful he'll get his wish.

Marchment's agent, Rick Curran, who also represents Glen Wesley, said his client is currently in Toronto and is willing to make serious concessions if it means he can play here.

"Bryan Marchment came home from San Jose and Colorado to try and play for the Toronto Maple Leafs," Curran told The Score. "He is willing to accept a one- or two-year contract, whatever is necessary to be a Toronto Maple Leaf."

The Leafs are believed to have very little interest in the 34-year-old Marchment, who split the season between the San Jose Sharks and the Colorado Avalanche last season. He made $3 million (all figures U.S.) last year, but will likely have to take a significant pay cut this season.

Curran said he spoke with GM-coach Pat Quinn about Marchment July 1 "and he seemed to be quite receptive." However, when asked about Marchment yesterday, assistant GM Mike Penny seemed less than enthused. As was the case with Bill Watters in the past, Penny has assumed much of the responsibility for dealing with free agents.

"I have no comment on that," a rather perturbed Penny said.

The Leafs are believed to be interested in a number of other defencemen with Wesley foremost in their plans. But the fact is that Wesley will not come to Toronto unless he gets a three-year deal and the Leafs are believed to want him for only one or two.

The Leafs made little headway on the free-agent front yesterday, largely because Penny was making his way to Hilton Head, S.C., for the American Hockey League meetings and Quinn was travelling to Vancouver.

Penny said the team still has "lots of oars in the water." The Leafs are also interested in defenceman Oleg Tverdovsky and could sign him to a one-year deal worth just under $3 million.

[Jeff O Rocks]

What is the deadline for all free agent activities?? Resticted and Un?? :roll:

[Shell]

Bummer..

Demitra chooses arbitration
By Derrick Goold Post-Dispatch
updated: 07/15/2003 06:54 AM

Blues center Pavol Demitra has applied to have his contract settled in arbitration, and defenseman Bryce Salvador and goaltender Brent Johnson also are expected to file for arbitration before today's deadline.

Blues general manager Larry Pleau has discussed contracts with the agents for Demitra, Salvador and Johnson, speaking to each representative in the past couple of days.

Certain restricted free agents are eligible to have contracts decided in arbitration hearings, which are held from August 1 to 15.
Contracts can be negotiated and agreed to after a player has applied for arbitration up to the actual decision.

Demitra, the Blues' leading scorer the past three seasons, will be expensive. The Blues center made $3.975 million last season, in which he scored 90 points, and is perhaps hitting his prime as a player.

He could command anywhere between $5.5 million and $7 million. He has few arbitration weaknesses. One Blues player said that Demitra deserves to be the highest-paid forward on the team.

[Guyute]

Getting Pavol here was a pipedream (mine for sure). but yeah, bummer that the dream is done. hehe.

definitely one of my fave players in the league since jumping into the scene. kid is awesome.

[Shell]

Cleary agrees to terms with Coyotes
TSN.ca Staff
7/15/2003

Dan Cleary, who has spent the past five seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, confirmed Monday to the Arizona Republic that he has agreed to a two-year contract with the Phoenix Coyotes.

The deal is reportedly worth about $1 million.

Cleary, 24, became an unrestricted free agent July 1 after the Oilers decided to buy him out of his $1.1 million contract. He received one-third of that salary upon his release and will get about $500,000 this season with the Coyotes.

His career-best season came in 2000-01, when he had 14 goals and 21 assists.

[Shell]

Canucks re-sign Cloutier, Malik
Canadian Press
7/15/2003

VANCOUVER (CP) - The Vancouver Canucks re-signed goaltender Dan Cloutier to a one-year NHL contract Tuesday, avoiding the need to go to salary arbitration.

"We are pleased to have Dan under contract for another year," said Canucks general manager Brian Burke said in a release.

"Dan has been a very important part of our team's growth over the last few seasons and we believe he will continue to take strides and have another strong season again this year."

The Canucks also announced the signing of defenceman Marek Malik to a two-year deal.

Cloutier, 27, played in 57 games with Vancouver last year, recording a career high 33 wins, with 16 losses, seven ties, two shutouts and a 2.42 goals-against average.

His performance was criticized during the playoffs, especially when the Canucks blew a 3-1 series lead and were eliminated from the second round by the Minnesota Wild.

Cloutier, a six-foot-one, 195-pound native of Mont-Laurier, Que., was acquired by Vancouver on Feb. 7, 2001, from Tampa Bay in exchange for Adrian Aucoin and a second round draft pick.

In 245 career regular season games, Cloutier has posted a 90-110-27 record with 10 shutouts and a 2.74 GAA.

He also played in 22 playoff games over the last three seasons with Vancouver, posting a 9-12 record and 3.43 GAA. Cloutier was originally drafted by the New York Rangers, 26th overall, in the 1994 entry draft.

Malik, 28, recorded 18 points (7-11-18) in 69 regular-season games with Vancouver. He also recorded two assists in 10 games with Carolina before being traded to Vancouver with Darren Langdon on Nov. 1, 2002.

Malik played in all 14 of Vancouver's playoff games last season recording one goal, one assist and 10 penalty minutes.

The six-foot-five, 235-pound native of Ostrava, Czech Republic, has played 386 career NHL games, notching 24 goals, 71 assists and 343 penalty minutes.

He was selected 72nd overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1993 draft.

[raleighcanesfan]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=avalanchemoves&prov=st&type=lgns

[SouthernHockeyChick]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=avalanchemoves&prov=st&type=lgns

"We expect Bates and Karlis to be strong contributors to our team this season," Colorado assistant general manager Greg Sherman said. "Both are young NHL veterans who add depth to our lineup with their gritty and determined style of play."



Yep. Like I've said before, their GM always seems to have a grip on what Bates' value to and role in the organization is.

[raleighcanesfan]

Wish our's would take a hint from them.

I really think Bates' style would help this team. )-:

[Shell]

Maple Leafs re-sign McCabe
TSN.ca Staff with files
8/22/2003

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced that they have re-signed restricted free agent defenceman Bryan McCabe to a one year contract. In keeping with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

McCabe, 28, played 75 games for Toronto last season collecting 24 points (six goals, 18 assists) with 135 penalty minutes. He finished first on the team in shorthanded assists (3-tie), third in average ice time (23:38), third in penalty minutes, fourth in shorthanded points (3) and fifth in shots (149).

During the 2001-02 season, McCabe set career highs in games played (82-tie), goals (17), assists (26) and points (43) while ranking second among NHL defencemen in goals (tie) and 13th in points. He also led the club in hits (250) and blocked shots (122). In the playoffs he ranked second among NHL defencemen in goals (5-tie) and fifth in points (10-tie).

The native of St. Catharines, Ontario has played eight NHL seasons with the New York Islanders, Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs. In 633 career NHL games he has collected 217 points (60 goals, 157 assists) with 1176 penalty minutes.

[Shell]

Free agency 2003:
Last chance to cash in?
August 21, 2003

What's wrong with these guys?

For nearly two months, a number of quality veteran players have hung around the free-agent market. They're unrestricted, open to all takers, but taken by no one.

It's time to take a look at a few of them, in no particular order.

Ken Klee, defenseman
Last season: Capitals

A dependable, stay-at-home guy, Klee won't hurt any defense. He hits, he adapts, he was plus-22 last season. He also doesn't score, which puts him lower on wish lists than, say, Oleg Tverdovsky. But a team looking for a veteran to shore up a young defense corps, this is the guy. No wonder his name keeps coming up in regard to the Lightning. If Klee is looking for a fat contract to finish his career, he needs to adjust his thinking. His $1.5 million is about tops for a journeyman. Case in point: Jeff Finley of the Blues, who is a bit older and had fewer points last season, but will make $1.4 million.

Bryan Berard, defenseman
Last season: Bruins

So the Bruins don't want to pay him $2.51 million and are hoping someone will do their dirty work for them by signing him to a lesser offer so they can retain him. The sad thing is, that's probably how Berard will wind up playing this season -- with the team that dumped his arbitration award in favor of a lesser salary. Berard deserves better. He was a talented young defenseman before nearly losing an eye. Now, he's more talented than most other available free-agent defensemen and still young at 26. The weak point in his game is his own-zone play. But he had 38 points, tops for a scoring-challenged defense corps. With Jonathan Girard out for the foreseeable future, the Bruins would be wise to patch up their differences with Berard.

Magnus Arvedson, left winger
Last season: Senators

There are plenty of suitors for Arvedson's services, and he appears to be picking and choosing among them. After making $1.65 million last season for the cash-starved Senators, Arvedson reportedly wants a three-year, $7.5 million deal. That would put in on par with the league's current undisputed heavyweight champion defensive winger, the Stars' Jere Lehtinen. Arvedson should accept about a half-million less per season, because he won't rival Lehtinen as a scorer. Arvedson will max out at 15-17; Lehtinen is good for 25 or so. Still, reports say close to a dozen teams have approached him, four have made offers and a one-year deal is still on the table from the Leafs.

Adam Oates, center
Last season: Mighty Ducks

Never one to temper his salary demands, Oates wants at least the $3.5 million he got last season as the Ducks' No. 1 playmaker. If he doesn't get what he wants, Oates says he'll retire. Too bad, because the guy has plenty to offer a team in need of a third-line center and power-play set-up guy. If the Wings don't get Igor Larionov back, they would be wise to harvest Oates.

Joe Nieuwendyk, center
Last season: Devils

Nieuwendyk's health continues to scare off teams, and he's making way too much for most payrolls. His value on the market was badly damaged by missing the Stanley Cup finals. But teams in need of a faceoff specialist and postseason performer should be lining up for this guy. Sure he's 36, but a one-year deal from a team with one last kick at the Cup before the NHL enters its brave new world would be reasonable.

Oleg Tverdovsky, defenseman
Last season: Devils

Cast off by the Devils -- did he every really fit? -- Tverdovsky can still tantalize with his talent. At 27, he's a talented offensive defenseman with his best years ahead of him. The Devils hoped to harness him and improve his defensive play. If they couldn't, who can? Who cares? Sign him, let his play an offensive role and hope he has an epiphany the way Sandis Ozolinsh did with the Ducks.

Martin Rucinsky, winger
Last season: Blues

Plug him into a third-line role as a supporting scorer, and Rucinsky will be fine. The Blues could use him back, but they've maxxed out their payroll. With his blend of skill and speed, Rucinsky can be effective in a support role. Suitors will want to talk him into taking $1.5 million, tops.

Dmitry Yushkevich, defenseman
Last season: Flyers

Yushkevich soaked up Philly like a sponge, and he played well as a tough, steady defenseman with the Flyers. That black mark by his name indicates he didn't play well with others -- he was with the Panthers and Kings before winding up with the Flyers. Without the scoring touch he showed earlier in his career, he's not worth more than $2 million. But with a strong team he will be a good fit in the four, five or six slot.

Lyle Odelein, defenseman
Last season: Stars

Anybody want a lumberjack? Odelein's key asset is his toughness, and can still move the puck. He could be a Larry Murphy or Jamie Macoun type for a team looking for a depth defender. Odelein will need to fill a leadership role and play a stay-at-home game as a fifth or sixth defenseman.

Slim pickin's
goaltender

Felix Potvin figures to be the best of a low-quality lot, with Jamie Storr maybe the only guy otherwise of interest. Teams looking for goaltending help are best advised to pursue trades or promote from within.

[Shell]

Habs sign Koivu to new two year deal
TSN.ca Staff
9/5/2003

TSN.CA - The Montreal Canadiens have signed captain Saku Koivu to a two-year contract that will reportedly pay him $4.25 million in the first year and $4.5 million the next.

"We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Saku for the next two years," said general manager Bob Gainey. "Saku is extremely committed to the success of the Montreal Canadiens' organization. He showed a great deal of perseverance and leadership since joining the Canadiens eight years ago. All our players are now under contract for next season, and we can now concentrate on the opening of training camp."

Koivu, 28, led the team in scoring last season with 71 points in 82 games (21 goals, 50 assists), and set personal highs in all offensive categories. He is one of only three players to play all 82 regular season games with the team last season, leading the team with five game-winning goals.

Koivu will begin his ninth season with the Canadiens. He played in a total of 429 regular season games in the NHL, recording 106 goals and 237 assists for a total of 343 points, and 290 penalty minutes.

In 2001-02, after making a remarkable return to hockey following a battle against non-Hodgin lymphoma cancer, Koivu was named the recipient of the Bill Masterton Trophy, awarded to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. He was selected the 27th Captain in Canadiens history on September 30, 1999.

[Shell]

Panthers sign Hoglund
TSN.ca Staff
9/4/2003

The Florida Panthers have signed unrestricted free agent Jonas Hoglund to a one year contract.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Hoglund spent the last four seasons with Toronto after signing as a free agent with the Maple Leafs in 1999.

Hoglund had 13 goals and 32 points with the Leafs last year, the fourth straight year his point totals declined with the team. His best season came in 1999 when he notched a career high 29 goals and 56 points.

[Shell]

Gaborik, Havlat, among unsigned players
Canadian Press
9/11/2003

A star-studded group of restricted free agents remains unsigned as NHL training camps open this week and no one is feeling the pain more than the Minnesota Wild.

Star winger Marian Gaborik and last year's surprise Pascal Dupuis - the top two scorers for the Wild last season - are without contracts and appear set to miss the start of camp Friday.

They're among a who's who of restricted free agents still without deals, including Mike Comrie of the Edmonton Oilers, Martin Havlat of the Ottawa Senators, Marty Turco of the Dallas Stars, Nick Boynton of the Boston Bruins and Miro Satan and Jay McKee of the Buffalo Sabres.

The only leverage these Group 2 free agents have is to withhold their services and hope the team caves in under the pressure of possibly starting the season without them.

And that's just what Gaborik may end up doing.

"The key question with Marian Gaborik is determining what his value is to the Minnesota Wild franchise," his agent Allan Walsh said from Beverly Hills, Calif. "For example, when Paul Kariya was coming off his first three years in the NHL, he had to hold out 40 games and then signed a two-year deal at $5.5 million US and $8.5 million. That was huge money back then - it was a record-setting contract.

"Now, I'm just using that as an example. It's not reflective or has anything to do with Marian at all. But I'm just saying that sometimes it takes a period of time to determine for both sides what the player's value is to an individual franchise."

Gaborik, who's only 21, led the Wild with 65 points including 30 goals in 81 games last season while earning $1.075 million - the last year of his entry-level contract. Walsh feels Gaborik is a more important cog in the Wild outfit than Brad Richards is to the Tampa Bay Lightning and he recently signed a three-year, $9.25-million deal.

"We're not issuing ultimatums and we don't want things to degenerate into something that gets ugly," said Walsh. "I have all the respect in the world for (GM) Doug Risebrough.

"We just need to determine what Marian's value is to the Minnesota Wild."

Walsh, as it turns out, also happens to represent Dupuis, who tied for second on the Wild with 48 points including 20 goals and a plus-17 rating in 80 games - all while earning a paltry $350,000.

"You look at similar players and see what they received," Walsh said. "Kristian Huselius just signed a two-year deal with Florida and he's had comparable performances."

Huselius, who had 43 points last season, will earn $900,000 this season and $1.6 million in 2004-05. The NHL's average salary is $1.79 million. And like Dupuis, Huselius is entering his third NHL season.

Walsh may need his phone surgically removed from his ear. He also represents Havlat, the 22-year-old Czech dynamo who had 24 goals, 35 assists and a plus-20 rating in 67 games last season while earning $960,000.

And while the Sens, under new ownership, opened the vault to re-sign star defenceman Wade Redden to a three-year, $14.1-million deal earlier this summer, they're playing hardball with Havlat. He remains in the Czech Republic with Ottawa's camp opening Saturday.

"It is somewhat surprising that they're taking the stance they are taking right now," Walsh said.

The two sides were way apart in early discussions, with the Senators reportedly offering around $1 million a season and the Havlat camp looking for $3 million. After a complete break, talks have resumed.

"We had discussions with Senators' management yesterday and I expect we'll talk again today," Walsh said.

Turco is the lone starting goalie that remains unsigned. He may benefit from Anaheim re-signing fellow young star J.S. Giguere on Wednesday to a four-year deal worth about $20 million.

"With Giguere signing it just really solidified our position as far as where he should be placed in the market," Turco's agent Kurt Overhardt said Thursday from Denver. "It's not rocket science. You have 30 starting goalies in the league, you figure out who the Group 2s are, and the elite ones."

The numbers speak volumes for Turco. The 28-year-old led all NHL starters last year with a 1.73 goals-against average and .932 save percentage. He's looking for something just under Giguere's deal which averages out at $5 million a year.

"It's been frustrating from the standpoint that we're on the eve of training camp and the effort from the club . . . they just haven't got moving on this," Overhardt said.

Comrie, meanwhile, has indicated he'll show up when the Oilers open camp Friday, deal or no deal. Oilers GM Kevin Lowe and Comrie's agent Ritch Winter were on the phone again Thursday.

"There's really no comment, I'm working on it, that's what I'm doing right now," Winter said from Edmonton.

Satan, meanwhile, has threatened to temporarily play in his native Slovakia. Sabres GM Darcy Regier said Thursday he is concerned Satan might get hurt.

"He could cover himself with insurance in the event of an injury, but in our case we would suffer the loss," Regier told reporters in Buffalo.

The Sabres open camp Friday in St. Catharines, Ont. Satan had 26 goals and a career-high 75 points last season while earning $3.55 million.

[Guyute]

Turco rejects Stars' $12 million offer

TSN.ca Staff
9/11/2003

Dallas Stars goaltender Marty Turco has rejected the teams latest offer and it appears there will be no quick resolution to the current stalemate.

General manager Doug Armstrong said the Stars offered Turco a three year deal worth $12-million which owner Tom Hicks indicated was the club's final offer.

The offer is an improvement over the one-year, $3.5-million offer originally submitted to Turco. The netminder is said to be seeking a multi-year deal worth $4.5-million a season.

Turco's rejection came moments after Anaheim re-signed goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere to a new four year contract which will pay him an average of $5-million a season.

"We feel as an organization we tried to step up, and he's going to go a different direction," Armstrong tells the Dallas Morning News. "We've made him an offer that goes above and beyond what he's accomplished."

"It's unfortunate that Marty has chosen this path for his career, but so be it."

Turco's agent, Kurt Overhardt, says he will continue to try and get a deal done with the Stars, who are set to open training camp Thursday.

Ron Tugnutt becomes the Stars top netminder in Turco's absence and Armstrong says he will explore all options before making any final decisions about their goaltending situation.

[MoBigRed]

Blasted Stars. How they expect Turco to keep himself fed on $4 million/year is beyond me. Serves them right.

[Shell]

Oilers lock out Comrie until deal done
Canadian Press
9/12/2003

EDMONTON (CP) - Mike Comrie won't be playing for the Edmonton Oilers anytime soon, said General Manager Kevin Lowe as his club opened training camp Friday.

Lowe said the Edmonton-born first-line centre has been locked out of camp after failing to negotiate a new deal with his team and he wasn't expecting the situation to change in the near future.

Comrie, who weighed in and took his medical Thursday, had told reporters he was planning to come to camp without a contract, but the Oilers told him otherwise.

``Many teams take this approach,'' Lowe told reporters after watching about 65 veterans and rookies scrimmage in the southeastern suburb of Sherwood Park. ``If you have a guy in and all of a sudden he's out, it's more disruptive than if a guy comes halfway through camp or at the start of the year.''

It was apparent that Lowe wasn't optimistic having Comrie in camp would lead to a quick deal.

``I suppose we're at an impasse and it always becomes a waiting game. . . . At this point I wouldn't expect to see him back in the near future.''

Lowe said having Comrie playing with his linemates would disrupt the team if he left when the season started.

``It's strictly hockey reasons - to make it easier for the coaches,'' he explained. ``When and if he is signed we will welcome him back with open arms.''

Comrie, who signed a bonus laden deal two years ago that ended up paying him $3.5 million U.S. last season, has balked at signing a new contract at 10 per cent over his base salary of about $1 million U.S.

Lowe said he didn't regret giving Comrie, son a Brick Warehouse magnate Bill Comrie, the rich deal he wanted at the time because he had leverage. If the Oilers hadn't signed him after he dropped out of college hockey and began playing junior, he could have become an unrestricted free agent.

But this time the Oilers have all the leverage. Comrie, a 20-goal scorer who finished tied with Mike York for fourth place in points on the club last year, can't go anywhere else.

The dimunitive five-foot nine centre, who turned 23 Thursday, is also coming off a disappointing sophomore season and an ineffective performance in last year's playoffs.

Hampered by a broken thumb, he was unable to regain the scoring prowess that had earned him the job as the top-line centre when team captain Doug Weight took the free agent route to St. Louis.

Lowe criticized Comrie and several of his teammates publicly after the Oilers were knocked out of the playoffs last year by Dallas in six games, but he refused to dump on him Friday.

``Mike has played extremely well. He has performed very well for us,'' he said. ``He was able to step in at a young age and put some big numbers up and I think he was paid accordingly.''

He refused to comment on unconfirmed reports that Comrie had asked for a trade, but he said he isn't trying to move him.

``I haven't pursued trading Mike,'' he said. ``It will take some time before that happens.''

But Lowe, who played defence for the Oilers and later the New York Rangers, took offence to comparisons of Comrie's situation to his own holdout after he became an unrestricted free agent.

`I played 13 years in the NHL,'' he said. ``I won five Stanley Cups. So don't ever compare any player's situation to mine.''

Oilers coach Craig MacTavish put wingers Ryan Smyth and Mike York in the centre spot Friday, suggesting he isn't waiting for Comrie.

``We have to make a team with the guys we have here in training camp and it's nothing more complex than that,'' he said.

Teammate Georges Laraque said he was confident Comrie will be back.

``I couldn't imagine playing a season without Mike,'' he said. ``We're building something here.''

He noted the Oilers are working hard to create a team with a local flavour, bringing in Alberta players like Smyth, Jason Chimera, Fernando Pisani, Brad Isbister, Scott Ferguson and Cory Cross to play.

Trading Comrie would be a move in the opposite direction, he pointed out.

Smyth, who won a gold medal with Comrie and four other Edmonton teammates at the World Hockey Championships after the Oilers season ended last spring, said he felt great empathy for his absent linemate.

``I know it's tough. I have been through it. He's in a hard place. He is like he is on an island by himself. It's an awful feeling.''

``Something has to come out of this and better sooner than later. I am sure he would like to be back here now.''

NOTES - The Oilers brought Dr. Blair St.Martin to camp. The former University of Golden Bears captain, who earned praise from coach MacTavish for his hard-nosed hockey Friday, can beat them up and then stitch them up. The third-year intern was in two fights in his morning scrimmage before heading off to the University of Alberta Hospital to work. He said that if he doesn't make the Oilers he will be back on the blueline for the Golden Bears this season.

[Shell]

Stars lock up Turco
TSN.ca Staff
9/18/2003

The Dallas Stars have locked up their No. 1 netminder from last season, signing Marty Turco to a three-year contract worth $12 million.

Turco will earn $3.5 million this season, $4 million next season and $4.5 million for the 2005-2006 campaign.

He also gets playoff bonuses that would see him earn an additional $500,000 US if the Stars reach the Stanley Cup Final.

"We're very excited to get Marty signed and under contract," Stars general manager Doug Armstrong said in a statement. "I'd like to thank Marty for his patience in this process.

"We look forward to sharing success on the ice over the next three years."

Turco - who reports to training camp on Friday - rejected the team's latest offer last week and it appeared that there would be no quick resolution to the stalemate between the two parties.

The offer was an improvement over the one-year, $3.5 million offer originally submitted to Turco. The netminder was said to be seeking a multi-year deal worth $4.5-million a season.

"I'm very happy to get this new contract completed," said Turco. "I would like to thank Mr. Hicks and the entire Dallas Stars organization for believing in me. I am excited about the upcoming season and our chances of competing for the Stanley Cup."

The restricted free agent earned $850,000 US last season.

Turco is coming off a year which saw him record the lowest goals against average since World War II, 1.72, and lead the league in save percentage at .932.

[Shell]

Klee still remains unsigned
After a career year and a tango with the Leafs, top defenceman sits on the sidelines
By PIERRE LeBRUN
Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - Page S11

As a capable stay-at-home defenceman coming off a career year, Ken Klee entered the free-agent market on July 1 a coveted player.

But the unrestricted free agent remains unsigned three weeks from the opening of the NHL's regular season. "It's just a reflection of the marketplace," Klee's agent, Anton Thun, said yesterday from his Mississauga office.

The marketplace hasn't been kind to a number of free agents this summer as NHL owners tightened their purse strings ahead of the looming labour war next fall.

Unrestricted free agents such as Steve Yzerman, Paul Kariya, Teemu Selanne, Joe Nieuwendyk, Bryan Marchment and Magnus Arvedson all took pay cuts in signing their new deals.

Even Derian Hatcher's blockbuster deal with Detroit, $30-million (all figures U.S.) over five years, was less than the $7-million a season many had predicted for him.

At least those players are in camp right now. Klee is at home in Morrison, Colo., working out and waiting for the phone to ring.

The six-foot, 210-pound American blueliner was a career-best plus-22 in Washington last season, tops on the Capitals.

He also put up 17 points and 89 penalty minutes in 70 games while earning $1.55-million.

He's a physical force in front of the net and makes good decisions with the puck. Considering defence is the most sought-after commodity these days in the NHL, it is somewhat surprising to see Klee is still without a job.

"At this point in time we haven't found a proposal that has satisfied Ken's interest in both term and dollars," Thun said.

"Obviously we'd like an extended term and there were a few players who got three- and four-year deals earlier this summer. That would be the optimum -- but at this point in time that's not probably a reality."

Klee isn't willing to settle for a one-year deal despite his situation.

"We're still looking at a minimum two-year deal," Thun said. "Ken has a young family and would like to settle into a community where he would feel comfortable for a few years."

The Maple Leafs were thought to be close on a deal a few weeks back but negotiations fell through. The Leafs, who lost Robert Svehla and Glen Wesley from last season, have indicated they'll go with a few young faces for now and see how it works out.

"I can't speak for the Leafs," Thun said. "They showed interest in the past but we'll just have to see what that situation entails over time. We're touching base with a number of teams. It's more than two," Thun added.

The Carolina Hurricanes were also in the mix early on but then lost interest.

"We've moved on," Carolina GM Jim Rutherford said yesterday from Estero, Fla. "At the point that we were interested in him we had not made the deal for Bob Boughner and we did not have Danny Markov signed. But we've got those guys done and now we don't have interest [in Klee]."

The New York Rangers may show interest because of the injuries to Brian Leetch and Vladimir Malakhov. Either way, Thun doesn't think Klee will remain unsigned long into the regular season.

"We don't expect he will," Thun said. "And hopefully it won't last even into October. I know from the different conversations I've had that there is interest. I think it's just a matter of time."

[Shell]

Maple Leafs sign defenceman Klee
Canadian Press
9/27/2003

TORONTO (CP) - The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed unrestricted free agent defenceman Ken Klee to a one-year contract.

The 32-year-old from Indianapolis had one goal, 16 assists and 89 penalty minutes for the Washington Capitals last season and earned a $1.55 million US salary. He had two penalty minutes in six playoff games.

He ranked second on the team in average ice time at 23 minutes per game and had best plus-minus rating at plus-22.

The six-foot, 210-pound, stay-at-home blue-liner has played 570 career NHL games for Washington, collecting 43 goals, 68 assists and 608 penalty minutes.

He was drafted 177th overall by Washington in the 1990 NHL entry draft.

[opuntia]

B’s ink Boynton to 2-year deal
TheFourthPeriod.com

The Boston Bruins ended their impasse with restricted free agent Nick Boynton on Tuesday, agreeing on a two-year contract with the defenseman.

I have a soft spot for Nicky B, as I had him as the last D-man on my fantasy team last year :)