34 players file for arbitration

[guinevere]

Film at eleven :cool:

Anaheim -- Niclas Havelid, D
Atlanta -- Pasi Nurminen, G; Marc Savard, C
Boston -- Bryan Berard, D; Hal Gill, D; Brian Rolston, C
Buffalo -- Steve Begin, C; Eric Boulton, LW
Calgary -- Toni Lydman, D
Dallas -- Richard Matvichuk, D
Edmonton -- Ryan Smyth, LW
Florida -- Jaroslav Bednar, LW; Peter Worrell, LW
Los Angeles -- Maxim Kuznetsov, D
Minnesota -- Manny Fernandez, G; Antti Laaksonen, LW; Willie Mitchell, D
Nashville -- Kimmo Timonen, D
N.Y. Islanders -- Arron Asham, RW
N.Y. Rangers -- Anson Carter, RW; Tom Poti, D
Ottawa -- Josh Langfeld, RW
Phoenix -- Zac Bierk, G; Mike Johnson, RW; Daymond Langkow, C
Pittsburgh -- Dick Tarnstrom, D
St. Louis -- Pavol Demitra, C
Tampa Bay -- John Grahame, G; Cory Stillman, C
Vancouver -- Bryan Helmer, D
Washington -- Michael Nylander, C

Guin

[Shell]

Hopefully the arbitrator will tell Worrell that he is worth about a nickel ;)

[guinevere]

Now Shell..He's worth at least a dime but probably wants the nickel cause its bigger and he thinks its worth more.

:beatup:
Guin

[Stormbringer]

Hopefully the arbitrator will tell Worrell that he is worth about a nickel ;)

That reminds me...did Worrell ever serve his time in jail for that assault charge at the beginning of last season?

[lvscolencanes]

Now Shell..He's worth at least a dime but probably wants the nickel cause its bigger and he thinks its worth more.

:beatup:
Guin

http://smilies.sofrayt.com/1/c0/evillaughter.gif
That was great, I cant stand that dude!!

[Jeff O Rocks]

Hopefully the arbitrator will tell Worrell that he is worth about a nickel ;)

Maybe Jesse can tell him this for the arbitrator as he cowers on the ice like a "school girl"... :D :laugh:

[raleighcanesfan]

Anson Carter and Poti are interesting names on the list. I've heard a lot of talk about NYR wanting to move Poti. Maybe they'll try to move Carter too.

[puckin_A]

Ryan Smyth is a favorite of mine. WOuld love to have him here.

[guinevere]

Ryan Smyth is a favorite of mine. WOuld love to have him here.

And a left winger- a position in which we are sorely lacking. what do we have - Cole, Defauw, Bayda, Daniels? Who else is a left winger.
Guin

[nccanes]

Tampa Bay -- John Grahame, G; Cory Stillman, C


Well, Grahame is signed...

From the Lightning website:

The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed goaltender John Grahame to a multi-year contract, Executive Vice President & General Manager Jay Feaster announced today. In accordance with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed. Grahame, 27, had filed for salary arbitration, but opted to sign prior to the hearing.

" We are extremely pleased to have John Grahame back in the fold," Feaster said. "John is the ultimate competitor and his competitive spirit is contagious within our team. From the moment he joined the team he solidified our goaltending and gave us as solid a goaltending tandem as any team in the league. We know that he and Nik (Khabibulin) will continue to push each other to be the best they can be and that will only better our team."

Grahame, who split last season between Tampa Bay and Boston, posted a 6-5-4 record with a 2.23 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage in 17 appearances after the Lightning acquired him on January 13 for a 2004 fourth round draft pick. His four game winning streak - vs. Ottawa, at Dallas, at Philadelphia, and vs. Carolina -- from January 20 - 30 was one of the keys to Tampa Bay's division championship run. For the season, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound native of Denver, Colorado, compiled a 17-14-6 record with a 2.52 GAA, .909 save percentage, and three shutouts in 40 games with Tampa Bay and Boston. Grahame has appeared in 93 games over his four year NHL career, recording a 35-35-13 mark with a 2.67 GAA and .903 save percentage.

“I am as excited as I've ever been," Grahame said. "I look forward to getting back to Tampa for the start of training camp. I will do everything I can in working with my teammates to make the Lightning one of the league's top teams this season and for a long time to come."

The son of former NHL goaltender Ron Grahame (1977-78 - 1980-81, 50-43-15, 3.79 GAA), Grahame was drafted by Boston in the ninth round, 229th overall at the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. Grahame made his pro debut with Providence of the American Hockey League in 1997-98, and compiled a 67-60-9 record in 146 games during four seasons in the AHL. In 1998-99 he led the AHL in wins with 37, set an AHL record with a 19-game win streak and tied the AHL record for playoff wins with 15 while leading the Bruins to the Calder Cup championship. Prior to turning pro, he played three seasons at Lake Superior State University, posting a 56-24-9 record and 3.08 GAA and was named to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association All-Tournament Team in 1995-96.

[stewart123]

Cole, Defauw, Bayda, Daniels? Who else is a left winger.

Kurka. Boulerice played LW with Adams/Adams.

[Shell]

That reminds me...did Worrell ever serve his time in jail for that assault charge at the beginning of last season?

according to the denver post (http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~84~1522124,00.html) he did.. they had an article about him today and the last paragraph said:
Worrell recently served a 10-day jail sentence for a charge of driving under the influence. He also is under a one-year probation, and his driver's license has been suspended for five years.
Glad they didn't conveniently forget!

[Shell]

Demitra hearing is Friday
By DERRICK GOOLD Post-Dispatch
updated: 07/26/2003 10:22 PM

Pavol Demitra, dismayed by the arbitration process two years ago, is headed for another one Friday.

It was 2 a.m. at his restaurant in Slovakia and Pavol Demitra hardly could eat. He was certainly not as festive as his friends. All he could do was twiddle nervously with his cell phone. He had been warned it would ring.

It was August 2001 and Demitra's talent as a hockey player had just been dissected in an arbitration hearing. Demitra said reading the Blues' case for the arbitration was gut-wrenching: It was loaded with all the things he wasn't.

The cell phone finally rang with news that the decision doubled his salary. Demitra said he didn't want to go through arbitration again.

Again sure came quick.

Barring a late deal, Demitra and the Blues will have his contract settled in an arbitration hearing Friday in Toronto. It is possible that Demitra could get as much as a $2.5 million raise from last season's $3.975 million salary. Demitra is fresh from a career-high 93 points. He has been the pivot on the Blues' best line, the second-most productive in the NHL last season.

Eighteen of Keith Tkachuk's 31 goals last season came on Demitra assists. Demitra has led the Blues in scoring in each of the last two seasons.

Demitra's agent has not returned calls to discuss the case.

There are rules as to what can be used in arbitration. Stats are allowed. The financial situation of the franchise is not. Leadership qualities can be used. Newspaper clips or details from incomplete negotiations cannot be.

"Comparables" are key. "Comparables" are similar restricted free agents who have signed contracts. Digging into the past, a possible "comparable" is former Blues center Pierre Turgeon, who was awarded a $4.65 million contract in 1998. Inflation would boost that.

"But you have to be credible in your comparables," Blues general Larry Pleau said. "You have to be credible or it will work against you. ... What we have to do is find out what distinguishes Pavol from other players. You start going too far back and the (arbitrator) will fall asleep."

There are a few players comparable to Demitra. Foremost is New York Rangers winger Alexei Kovalev. At 30, Kovalev was 19th in the league with 77 points last season. Demitra ranked sixth. Kovalev opted not to go to arbitration and is reportedly close to a deal for $6.5 million this season. Should he sign before Demitra's arbitration, that might set the market.

The Blues could answer by showing how Kovalev plays 3 minutes more per game, how Kovalev is a power forward-type and how he kills penalties. Demitra, though a center, is limited. He doesn't win many faceoffs. He doesn't regularly do much beyond the points.

If Kovalev doesn't sign, other "comparables" include Ottawa's Daniel Alfredsson and Vancouver's Markus Naslund, who make $5.05 million and $5.225 million, respectively. Both are captains, while the Blues contend Demitra is not a leader. Naslund had 104 points, a level many believe Demitra should reach but hasn't.

The key to the Blues' case is this: Playoff performance. Demitra has 23 points in his last 32 playoff games. The phrase most often used is that he hasn't elevated his play in the postseason. His six points against Vancouver this spring were already disappointing before he busted his thumb.

All that will be detailed in a brief the Blues must deliver to Demitra's agent at least 48 hours before Friday's hearing. It will contain the same kind of piercing criticism as the one in 2001.

Speculation has Demitra getting a contract hovering around $6 million, more than Naslund's long-term deal and less than Kovalev's reported deal. It's the Blues' decision if it will be one or two years.


Stillman status

Former Blues winger Cory Stillman applied for arbitration with his new team, the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Stillman had a career-high 67 points last season while making $2.1 million. The Lightning has never gone to arbitration with a player and aren't likely to start with Stillman.

General manger Jay Feaster recently described him as a "$3-million forward."

[Shell]

Player arbitration begins Friday
TSN.ca Staff
7/30/2003

TORONTO (CP) - The NHL's two-week period for salary arbitration begins Friday with star scorer Pavol Demitra of the St. Louis Blues arguing his case but whether or not the 18 players scheduled for hearings actually come to Toronto remains to be seen.

Of the 34 restricted free agents who filed for salary arbitration by the July 15 deadline, 16 have already re-signed and avoided a trip to Toronto.

Goaltender Manny Fernandez of the Minnesota Wild, decenceman Dick Tarnstrom of the Pittsburgh Penguins and forward Jaroslav Bednar of the Florida Panthers re-signed Wednesday, joining Peter Worrell (Colorado), Aarron Asham (N.Y. Islanders), Maxim Kuznetsov (Los Angeles), Mark Smith (San Jose), Bryan Helmer (Phoenix), Josh Langfeld (Ottawa), Bryce Salvador (St. Louis), Zac Bierk (Phoenix), Hal Gill (Boston), Antti Laaksonen (Minnesota), Steve Begin (Buffalo), John Grahame (Tampa) and Andre Roy (Tampa) in a growing trend of players settling before their arbitration hearings.

Last year 40 players filed for salary arbitration but only 11 actually went through with the hearings. In 2001, 17 players came to Toronto out of the 44 who filed for arbitration.

``There's some pretty negative stories about going to arbitration because of what gets said from one side to another about the player,'' Predators general manager David Poile said Wednesday from Nashville. He has an Aug. 15 hearing set with star defenceman Kimmo Timonen.

``It's a situation where it's a business but a lot of times it gets taken a little personal,'' Poile added. ``I think all things being equal both the player and the club would rather avoid it. But it's a mechanism that gets it done.''

This year's headliner could be Demitra, who led the Blues in scoring last season with 93 points (36 goals) in 78 games, sixth overall in the NHL. He's looking for a raise on the $3.975 million US he made last year and could very well get as much as $7 million from an arbitrator.

The Edmonton Oilers will also have their hands full with Ryan Smyth, whose hearing is set for Aug. 14. The talented winger had 61 points (27 goals) and a plus-5 rating in 66 games last season while earning $3.025 million. Smyth, represented by Don Meehan, wants a raise from that but the penny-pinching Oilers don't think it's warranted.

``I don't think we're going to avoid (arbitration) in this case,'' Oilers GM Kevin Lowe said Wednesday from Edmonton. ``Because we thought he was being paid at a level that reflected his contribution to the team already.''

While history suggests a player of Smyth's calibre is in for a raise from the arbitrator, Lowe says it's not out of the question for the opposite to happen, meaning the Oilers will probably underline the number of injuries Smyth has suffered over the last few years.

``I'm tipping our hand a little bit but maybe we'll ask for less money than what he made last year,'' Lowe said.

Should Smyth get an award worth over $5 million, Lowe will have to decide whether or not to keep him.

``It's all hypothetical right now so I can't comment as to whether a big arbitration award would mean we would have to move him,'' Lowe said. ``But we might want to move him anyways, regardless of the award.''

Timonen has a strong case. The offensive defenceman was second in scoring on the Predators last season with 40 points (6-34) in 72 games while playing over 22 minutes a game. He's looking for a raise on the $1.4 million he made last season.

``We've talked to (Timonen and his agent) about signing more of a long-term contract,'' Poile said. ``But with them filing for arbitration we know we'll have Kimmo signed either way. We can either take a one-year arbitration award or a two-year award.

``At the end of the day I hope we can sit down and get this done (before arbitration).''

Other big names include centre Brian Rolston of the Boston Bruins, whose hearing is set for Aug. 6. He had 59 points (27 goals) and a plus-1 rating in 81 games last season while earning $2.2 million.

Richard Matvichuk's hearing is Aug. 12. The physical blue-liner had one goal, five assists, 58 penalty minutes and a plus-1 rating in 68 games last season while making $2.2 million.

The New York Rangers and skilled winger Anson Carter are headed for an Aug. 15 hearing. Carter had 26 goals and 34 assists in 79 games with Edmonton and New York last season but also had a minus-11 rating.

The fact that he will be handed at least $4 million from an arbitrator is precisely why the Oilers shipped Carter at the March trade deadline.

A look at the remaining cases with hearing date and 2002-03 salary:

Anaheim: Niclas Havelid, Aug. 7, $830,000.

Atlanta: Pasi Nurminen, Aug. 11, $630,000; Marc Savard, Aug. 15, $1.3 million.

Boston: Bryan Berard, Aug. 8, $850,000.

Buffalo: Eric Boulton, Friday, $400,000.

Calgary: Toni Lydman, Aug. 12, $715,000.

Minnesota: Willie Mitchell, Aug. 10, $600,000.

N.Y. Rangers: Tom Poti, Aug. 8, $1.8 million.

Phoenix: Mike Johnson, Aug. 9, $1.55 million; Daymond Langkow, Aug. 6, $2.25 million.

Tampa Bay: Cory Stillman, Aug. 13, $2.1 million.

Washington: Michael Nylander, Aug. 10, $1.8 million.

[Shell]

espn.com has a good list going of each player, what their salary was last year, and a summary paragraph about them, as well as the final resolution here:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/story?page=arbitrationscore

I had to giggle about the paragraph related to Anson:
The skinny: A late-season arrival from Edmonton, Carter's total points for the season ranked second on the Rangers and his goal total ranked third. One scout's take: "He played pretty well in Edmonton. I don't know if he's getting any better, but he'll probably get a raise. The way they're paying in New York, the trainer probably made more than him last year.''

[Shell]

Ducks ink Havelid to three-year deal
Canadian Press
8/6/2003

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Defenceman Nichlas Havelid agreed to terms of a three-year contract with the Western Conference champion Anaheim Mighty Ducks on Wednesday, one day before he was scheduled to have an arbitration hearing.

Havelid set career highs in several statistical categories last season when he had 11 goals and 22 assists in 82 games. Five of his goals were game-winners, ranking him third among all NHL defencemen.

Havelid has 18 goals and 41 assists in 231 career NHL games - all with the Ducks. He played in Sweden for eight years before being drafted by the Ducks.

[Shell]

Langkow awarded $2.7 million contract
TSN.ca Staff
8/8/2003

Phoenix Coyotes center Daymond Langkow has been awarded a one-year, $2.7 million contract by Arbitrator Margaret Brogan. Langkow, will receive $2.7 million for the 2003-04 season.

"Daymond is a quality hockey player and we are pleased to have him under contract for next season," said Coyotes Executive Vice President and General Manager Michael Barnett.

Last season, the 5-foot-11, 192-pound Langkow led the entire NHL in total face-offs taken (1,972) and led all Coyotes forwards in average ice time with 20:59 minutes per game.

He also led the team with a career high plus-20 rating and finished 4th on the team in goals (20), assists (32) and points (52).

The 26-year-old native of Edmonton, Alberta recorded his second consecutive 20-goal season and was one of only three Coyotes players to play in all 82 games. In addition, he led the Coyotes in short-handed goals (2) and points (2-1-3).

The Coyotes were 23-8-5-2 when he registered a point and had an 11-3-2-0 record when he scored a goal.

In eight NHL seasons with Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Phoenix, Langkow has played in 544 games, registering 115-187-302 and 334 PIM.

The Coyotes acquired Langkow from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a 2nd round draft choice in the 2002 Entry Draft and a 1st round draft choice in the 2003 Entry Draft on July 2, 2001. He was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning (1st choice, 5th overall) in the 1995 Entry Draft.

[nccanes]

8/9/2003

Mike Johnson won't have to go to his scheduled arbitration meeting on Saturday as the veteran forward signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix Coyotes worth $2.3 million.

Johnson made $1.5 million with the Coyotes last season.

He led the Coyotes in goals (23), assists (40) and points (63) last season and was tendered a qualifying offer of $1.705 million last month by the Coyotes.

[Shell]

Rolston gets 44% raise in arbitration
Sports Ticker
8/8/2003

TORONTO (Ticker) - Boston Bruins left wing Brian Rolston received a 44 percent raise Friday, when he was awarded a $3.175 million contract by an arbitrator.

Rolston, whose case was heard Wednesday in Toronto, earned $2.2 million last season. He was third in scoring for the Bruins, collecting 27 goals and 32 assists in 81 games.

In line to become a Group III unrestricted free agent after the 2003-04 campaign, Rolston was second in the NHL last season with five shorthanded goals. He added two assists in Boston's five-game loss to New Jersey in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

Selected 11th overall by New Jersey in the 1991 draft, Rolston has appeared in 654 NHL games with the Devils, Colorado and Boston, totaling 171 goals and 384 points.

[nccanes]

Interesting.....


Report: Bruins may let Berard walk
TSN.ca Staff with files
8/10/2003

The Boston Globe reports that veteran defenceman Bryan Berard accepted the Bruins' offer of $2.51 million for the 2003-2004 season in a brief arbitration hearing Friday in Toronto, but general manager Mike O'Connell told the paper it's highly likely the club will not accept that price and instead risk losing him as an unrestricted free agent.

The move would be done in attempt to get Berard back at a reduced salary.

"We like Bryan, and we like him on our team, but not at that price," O'Connell told the Globe.

According to Berard's agent, Tom Laidlaw, O'Connell told him that the Bruins could exercise their walk-away privilege, and his client is fully prepared to play for another NHL team.

"I can't speak for the Bruins, and that's not my place," Laidlaw told the paper. "Mike made Bryan a two-year offer prior to arbitration - at figures well above the $1 million he made last year, but well below $2.51 million - and he reminded us again (Friday) that they could walk away from $2.51 million."

It will be only the second time in NHL history that a player has been rendered a free agent via arbitration. The only other time was in 1998, when the Bruins opted not to pay Dmitri Khristich $2.8 million. Khristich ended up signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In the arbitration brief he submitted, Berard requested $3 million for next season, more than three times his base salary from last year.

By the rules of salary arbitration, the Bruins have the right to match any offer Berard receives that is less than 80 percent of the final arbitration figure. By offering $2.51 million, the Bruins could figure to keep Berard as long as they don't have to pay him more than $2,008,000 (80 percent of $2.51 milion).

"Again, Mike's not saying what he's going to do," said Laidlaw. "But before we left Toronto on Friday, Mike asked us, if we did get an offer closer to the $2.51 million, would we give the Bruins the right to match. And our answer was no. He made it sound like they're ready to walk."

"If we lose him - and again we don't want to lose him - we believe there will be other defencemen available and we'll look somewhere else," said O'Connell. "The market is shifting and we think something around $2 million is fair for Bryan."

If Boston's two-year offer to Berard was for, say, $1.5 million and $1.75 million (not far off, according to Laidlaw), then middle ground could be somewhere between that average (approximately $1.6 million) and the $2.51 million the Bruins carried into arbitration.

"Looking at it that way," said Laidlaw, "then it doesn't seem we're far off. But now it's up to the Bruins to decide if they want him at their figure, or if they're willing to risk allowing the market to set Bryan's price, and maybe for another team."

[Shell]

Thrashers re-sign Nurminen
Canadian Press
8/11/2003

ATLANTA (CP) - The Atlanta Thrashers re-signed restricted free agent goaltender Pasi Nurminen on Monday, avoiding an arbitration hearing scheduled for later that day.

"Pasi provided us with a steady presence in net last season, and we look for him to continue to be a key contributor for us in the future," Thrashers GM Don Waddell said in a release. "He will strengthen our group of goaltenders and help us be more successful."

Nurminen, 27, posted a 21-19-5 record last season, setting the Thrashers record for wins and goals-against average (2.88). He also led the club with a .906 save percentage in 52 games.

The five-foot-10, 210-pound Nurminen has posted a 23-24-5 record with a 2.98 goals-against average in 61 career games in two seasons with the Thrashers.

Nurminen split the 2001-02 season between Atlanta and Chicago, helping the Wolves capture the 2002 Calder Cup and earning playoff MVP honours.

He was selected by Atlanta in the sixth round, 189th overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

[Shell]

Bruins reject Berard's arbitration award
Canadian Press
8/12/2003

BOSTON (CP) - The Boston Bruins have walked away from an arbitrator's salary award for Bryan Berard, making the defenceman only the second player in NHL history to become a free agent via arbitration.

The Bruins said Tuesday that they will not accept the $2.51-million US salary given to Berard after an abitration hearing Friday.

Berard, 26, made $850,000 this past season, when he scored 10 goals and added 28 assists in his best statistical season since his 1997-98 campaign with the New York Islanders.

The only other player to be made a free agent through arbitration was Dmitri Khristich, whom the Bruins refused to pay $2.8 million in 1998. Khristich went on to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Boston has accepted the arbitration award for a one-year contract with high-scoring centre Brian Rolston, who was awarded a $3.175 million US one-year salary last week.

Rolston, 30, had 27 goals and 32 assists last year for the Bruins.

The Bruins retain the right to match another team's offer for Berard, if that offer is less than 80 per cent of the arbitration award. If the offer is above the 80 per cent figure, Berard is an unrestricted free agent with no compensation due the Bruins by the signing team.

Bruins GM Mike O'Connell has indicated to Boston reporters that he would consider signing Berard at a lower price.

The Ottawa Senators made Berard the first overall pick in the 1995 entry draft, though he was later traded to the Islanders in exchange for defenceman Wade Redden.

He played three seasons for New York before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where his career nearly ended after he was struck in the eye by a high stick from Ottawa forward Marian Hossa. After sitting out the entire 2000-2001 season, he returned to the NHL with the New York Rangers before signing with the Bruins last summer as a free agent.

Also Tuesday, the Bruins announced the signing of unrestricted free agent forward Sandy McCarthy to a one-year contract.

McCarthy, 31, enters his 11th NHL season - with his sixth NHL team.

The Toronto-born enforcer had six goals, nine assists and 81 penalty minutes last season with the Rangers.

[Shell]

Poti awarded 2-year, $5.9M deal
TSN.ca Staff
8/12/2003

New York Rangers defenceman Tom Poti was awarded a two-year deal worth close to $6 million by an arbitrator on Tuesday.

Poti, who made $1.8 million last season, will make $2.8 million in the upcoming season and $3.1 million in the following campaign.

The Rangers asked for a two-year contract from the arbitrator and they must now decide whether to pay the blueliner what amounts to a 56% increase in salary.

In 80 games last season, Poti scored 11 goals and added 37 assists for 48 points while compiling a plus/minus rating of -7.

[Shell]

Lightning ink Stillman, avoid hearing
TSN.ca Staff
8/13/2003

TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Lightning have avoided an arbitration hearing today by agreeing to terms with free agent left wing Cory Stillman on a one-year contract.

Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

"We are extremely pleased to have Cory under contract and we look forward to having him join our hockey club this season," general manager Jay Feaster said. "Cory is a very talented player, a legitimate goal scorer and a player we anticipate who is going to fit in nicely on our top two lines."

Stillman, 29, was acquired from the St. Louis Blues for the Lightning's second round choice (#62) at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft in Nashville on June 21. The 6-foot, 197-pound native of Peterborough, Ontario ranked third on the Blues in scoring last season with 24 goals and 67 points in 79 games, and has tallied 159 goals, 195 assists and 354 points in 564 NHL games with Calgary and St. Louis. He has scored 20+ goals in each of his last five full seasons and his 159 career goals scored rank higher than anyone on the Lightning team with the exception of Dave Andreychuk.

Stillman played junior hockey with Windsor and Peterborough of the Ontario Hockey League, recording 85 goals and 271 points in 178 games. He was chosen sixth overall by Calgary at the 1992 NHL Draft, and recorded 164 points in 142 games with Saint John of the American Hockey League before earning a regular spot in Calgary in 1995-96.

This agreement means the Lightning have two restricted free agents remaining to be signed - forward Brad Richards and defenseman Dan Boyle. Free agents who already re-signed with the Lightning include Dmitry Afanasenkov, Dave Andreychuk, Martin Cibak, Ben Clymer, John Grahame, Sheldon Keefe, Janne Laukkanen, Brad Lukowich, Fredrik Modin, Andre Roy, Darren Rumble, Tim Taylor and Shane Willis.

[Shell]

Stars eye a new deal for Turco
TSN.ca Staff
8/14/2003

Now that Richard Matvichuk's arbitration hearing has come and gone, the Dallas Stars say they can turn their full attention towards signing goaltender Marty Turco to a new deal.

"We knew they had a lot of things going on," Turco tells the Dallas Morning News. "I'm still optimistic I'll be in camp."

Dallas general manager Doug Armstrong says its his goal to have Turco signed, sealed and delivered in time for training camp September 11.

Turco, who posted the lowest goals against average since World War II last season, is certain to receive a big raise from the $850,000 he made last year. While he would not get into specific figures, Turco says he expects the new salary to be somewhere between last year's figure and $6-million.

[Shell]

not sure if anyone is reading these, but just in case ;)

Carter's arbitration hearing postponed
TSN.ca Staff
8/15/2003

New York Rangers forward Anson Carter has had his salary arbitration hearing in Toronto postponed until next week.

The NHLPA said Carter was in Toronto and would have been able to attend the hearing, but the arbitrator was unable to fly into Toronto from New York due to the power outages.

He earned $2.4 million US last season when he put up 26 goals and 34 assists in 79 games with Edmonton and New York along with a minus-11 rating. The Oilers dealt him to the Rangers at the March trade deadline because they felt they wouldn't be able to afford what an arbitrator is likely to grant him, probably over $4 million.

Carter also filed for arbitration last year but was able to agree to a one-year deal with Oilers GM Kevin Lowe and avoid his hearing.

[Jeff O Rocks]

Thanks Shell! :spin:

[nccanes]

I am Shell!! :kiss: :D

[Shell]

cool, just checkin.. was starting to feel like an ass when I had like 10 posts in a row LOL :D

[nccanes]

cool, just checkin.. was starting to feel like an ass when I had like 10 posts in a row LOL :D

:laugh:


I've just been busier lately and haven't made comments. For example, in the Lightning post about Stillman, I meant to comment that the Lightning fans seem to think that there was "6 mil left" for the final three players. I'm sure they'll get them signed, but they are getting nervous. With 2.75 to Stillman, I guess that's 3.25 left for the other two. Have to say that historically, Tampa Bay is much better at staying on budget (which is about 33-34 mil I think) - I have no problem with the Canes budget stretching. ;)

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Carter, Rangers settle prior to hearing

TSN.ca Staff
8/18/2003

For the second year in a row, Anson Carter has avoided salary arbitration.

After having his initial hearing postponed last week by the massive power failure which hit Ontario, Carter and the New York Rangers were able to come to terms on a new deal over the weekend.

Sources confirm to TSN that Carter has agreed to a one year deal worth $2.8-million plus bonuses.

Last year, Carter avoided arbitration with the Edmonton Oilers by agreeing to a $2.4-million contract.

Carter scored 25 goals and 55 points in 68 games with Edmonton Oilers before being dealt to the New York Rangers at the trade deadline, along with Ales Pisa, for Radek Dvorak and Cory Cross. He managed just one goal and five points in 11 games for the Rangers, who missed the playoffs.

[Shell]

Boyle Returns To Lightning
By ERIK ERLENDSSON. Tampa Tribune
Published: Aug 20, 2003

The Lightning resigned restricted free-agent defenseman Dan Boyle to a two-year deal today worth $5.05 million.
Boyle is scheduled to make $2.3 million this season and $2.75 million next season, with incentives that could add an additional $400,000 each year.

Boyle, 27, is coming off a career season in which he set career highs with 13 goals, 40 assists, 53 points and was a plus-9, all which led Tampa Bay defensemen. He also led the Lightning in average ice time of 24:30.

In 11 playoff games, Boyle was tied for the team lead with seven assists.

"Dan Boyle has been an extremely important part of our team's offensive production since the time he arrived in Tampa,'' Lightning general manager Jay Feaster said. "His ability to carry the puck out of the zone, make tape-to-tape passes to our forwards and to see the ice so well really helps our transition game. While he's very valuable to us as a quarterback on the power play, we are even more excited about the progress Dan has made in his overall defensive play.''

"Now that he has the security of a multi-year deal, we expect him to continue to make strides as a true, two-way player on our blueline and to build on last season's success.''

Boyle was undrafted out of Miami (Ohio) University in 1998 despite an All-American career and a finalist for the Hobey Baker award as the top collegiate player. After three seasons with the Florida Panthers, he fell out of favor with Panthers coach Mike Keenan and was acquired for a fifth-round pick on Jan. 7, 2002.

In 118 games with Tampa Bay, Boyle has 18 goals and 55 assists. Under John Tortorella and Craig Ramsay, Boyle has turned his career around by improving his play in the defensive zone and in return has been given liberties to create offense.

Boyle's signing leaves Brad Richards as the lone remaining restricted free agent. With training camp three weeks away, Feaster can turn his sole attention to signing one of cornerstones of the franchise.