tOfficial NHL Free Agency Thread

PRStoetzer · 06-30-2009, 11:51 PM

Free agency officially begins at noon tomorrow.

Big news already today. Scott Gomez has been traded to Montreal and Dany Heatley is on his way to Edmonton if he agrees to waive his no-trade clause. Marian Hossa has rejected the Red Wings final offer. The Sedin twins may be close to re-signing in Vancouver.

More Wings specific news:

UFAs Darren McCarty, Chris Chelios, Ty Conklin, and Aaron Downey will not be offered contracts.

Ken Holland will meet with Mikael Samuelsson's agent tomorrow morning, but he is expected to test free agency. Tomas Kopecky will also test free agency and is not expected to return to the Red Wings.

Tek Jansen · 07-01-2009, 12:16 AM

We know the Wings will not re-sign Hossa, McCarty, nor Downey.

J-Bo signed with Calgary, 5 years, $6.6 mil/year.

Heatley was traded to Edmonton for Andrew Cogliano (UM-AA), Dustin Penner, and Ladislav Smid.

And Scott Gomez was traded with Tom Pyatt (Saginaw) and somebody else to Montreal for Chris Higgins, Ryan McDonagh, and some other guy.

Less than 44 minutes away from UFAs opening up!

P Rob · 07-01-2009, 12:20 AM

why didnt the wings offer cocklin a contracT? he was decent.

Fishtacos · 07-01-2009, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P Rob

why didnt the wings offer cocklin a contracT? he was decent.

Probably because they figured Jimmy was good enough. If They gave Ty a contract, and Jimmy ended up becoming their starting goalie, they'd be paying Ty starting goalie money to be a reserve.

Tek Jansen · 07-01-2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P Rob

why didnt the wings offer cocklin a contracT? he was decent.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishtacos

Probably because they figured Jimmy was good enough. If They gave Ty a contract, and Jimmy ended up becoming their starting goalie, they'd be paying Ty starting goalie money to be a reserve.

Howard is out of AHL options, he has to be up in the NHL this year. Conklin would muddle the situation and add unneeded salary.

As there is already a logjam in net with Ozzie/Howard and Larsson/McCollum/Pearce, adding another goalie wouldn't help.

Thankfully, just in time, the Toledo Walleye (formerly Storm, as some might recall) are starting this year as the ECHL (or AA for baseballers) affiliate.

Howard is probably not good enough. He has been inconsistent in his opportunities in the NHL. He needs to translate some of his AHL game up.

Ozzie will probably play more games this year, in the 55-65 range.

Tek Jansen · 07-01-2009, 01:06 AM

Rumors are that the Heatley trade is dead:

Off The Posts

Quote:

Heatley has killed the deal

Has killed the deal.
He will play in Ottawa next season.
He will not go to Edmonton!

See Their Team Is WEAAAK! · 07-01-2009, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tek Jansen

Rumors are that the Heatley trade is dead:

Off The Posts

Unfortunate choice of words.

Tek Jansen · 07-01-2009, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by See Their Team Is WEAAAK!

Unfortunate choice of words.

I really hope you're not trying to make a Dan Snyder joke here.

Tek Jansen · 07-01-2009, 01:14 AM

McKenzie: Heatley rejects deal to Oilers

Quote:

Now, it gets interesting.

Dany Heatley did not waive his no-movement clause before midnight eastern to facilitate an agreed-upon trade between the Ottawa Senators and Edmonton Oilers that would have sent Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner and Ladislav Smid to Ottawa.

For now, and quite possibly forever, the deal is dead.

It gets interesting because while Heatley could change his mind at some point, the Senators are now responsible for a $4 million signing bonus payment that is due to Heatley on July 1. That is expected to greatly change the dynamic of any trade talks involving Heatley.

In other words, the price just went up if the Sens hope to recoup the money in the form of unloading contracts they don't want. Cash cannot change hands in an NHL transaction and the CBA does not allow the transfer of cash payments already made.

pjkgreen · 07-01-2009, 01:45 AM

Wonder if the Wings are just sitting on the sidelines this year. They can sign not sign Hulder, collect the draft picks and sign Sammy for a team friendly deal. Hell, if they don't sign either one of those guys it's not the end of the world but I would like to see the Wings at least sign Sammy.

PRStoetzer · 07-01-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjkgreen

Wonder if the Wings are just sitting on the sidelines this year. They can sign not sign Hulder, collect the draft picks and sign Sammy for a team friendly deal. Hell, if they don't sign either one of those guys it's not the end of the world but I would like to see the Wings at least sign Sammy.

I'd rather have Hudler. We'll see how much a team is willing to offer him.

Ogie Ogilthorpe · 07-01-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRStoetzer

I'd rather have Hudler. We'll see how much a team is willing to offer him.

QFT. Hudler is younger and just getting to the prime of his career. I would like to see the wings go a little younger (Abs, Helm, Leino). I know the wings like to develop their talent slowly, but it's exciting to see what the young guys can do with a full season with the parent club.

WLCViking37 · 07-01-2009, 11:41 AM

Babcock said Abdelkader will still be in the AHL next year. Which makes sense; because then he might be able to develop into a top 6 instead of being a top class third liner.

Leino still needs to be signed because him and Hudler are RFA's. However, he is unproven at the NHL level; so don't expect any offer sheets for him. Hudler though might get one and as much as I like Hudler. I would give him up for some draft picks especially a 1st and 3rd.

The lineup as of right now looks like this...
Datsyuk - Zetterbeg - Holmstrom
Cleary - Filpula - Franzen
xxxx - Helm - xxxx
Maltby - Draper - xxxx

Lidstrom - Rafalski
Kronwall - Stuart
Lebda- Ericsson
Meech (Lilja is close to be put on the LITR)

Osgood
Howard

Look at that, the wings should look to re-sign Hudler and Leino to fill two of those forward spots. Then I would look to sign Chris Neil or Ian Lapierre for the 4th line spot. Or possibly look to sign a top 6 forward to move Holmstrom down to the 4th line.

WallyST19 · 07-01-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tek Jansen

We know the Wings will not re-sign Hossa, McCarty, nor Downey.

I wouldn't count the Wings/Hossa as dead. He may test the market to see if a team like the Oilers or Wild offer ridiculous money, but many of the experts are still thinking he signs with the Wings.

HockeyBuzz.com - Eklund - Are You Ready? Some Predictions for Today...
Countdown to free agency: Latest buzz from ESPN.com - ESPN

Quote:

Still not sure what's happening with Marian Hossa. Wings GM Ken Holland was busy on the phone when I checked in this morning and I got this note from Hossa's agent Rich Winter: "Marian is a very private person. He will not discuss his business with other than those he is dealing with, as I have indicated."

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjkgreen

Wonder if the Wings are just sitting on the sidelines this year.

Correct for the most part:
General manager Ken Holland: Detroit Red Wings won't be big players in free-agent market - ESPN

Quote:

The Detroit Red Wings general manager says the team won't be a big player when free agency opens on Wednesday.

GM Ken Holland said Tuesday that the Red Wings did most of their shopping during the season by extending the contracts of center Henrik Zetterberg and right winger Johan Franzen.

WallyST19 · 07-01-2009, 12:18 PM

Sedin twins just signed with the Canucks for five years, averaging $6.1 million a season.
TSN

Oj · 07-01-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WallyST19

Sedin twins just signed with the Canucks for five years, averaging $6.1 million a season.
TSN

Damn - was hoping the Wild would pick them up.

bbshanny · 07-01-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WallyST19

Sedin twins just signed with the Canucks for five years, averaging $6.1 million a season.
TSN

I just got a laugh of ESPN announcing this... They made sure to report that the twins signed separate contracts.

PRStoetzer · 07-01-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbshanny

I just got a laugh of ESPN announcing this... They made sure to report that the twins signed separate contracts.

Some might see the $6.1 million number and think they each signed for $3.05 million a year.

PRStoetzer · 07-01-2009, 12:56 PM

Eklund says Heatley will accept the deal to Edmonton. Of course, he's Eklund, so who knows.

WallyST19 · 07-01-2009, 01:06 PM

For anybody who wants to follow directly, TSN has the most up to the minute complete list of any site (at least that I've found):

2009 Sortable NHL Free Agent Tracker

WallyST19 · 07-01-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRStoetzer

Eklund says Heatley will accept the deal to Edmonton. Of course, he's Eklund, so who knows.

Yeah, its Eklund. For someone who prides himself on being in the know, he sure misses the boat more often than not. I look at him for rumors, and then go to credible sources. He really is entertaining for some fantasy concepts, though.

Wait, this just in from Ek: Sharks are making a serious push to sign Gordie Howe. He reportedly has been offered an average of $5.2 million a year, with the first 3 years paying $23.2 million each, and a total deal length of 40 years to spread it out for cap considerations. They feel it will add the leadership and playoff experience they need to get them over the postseason hump. More to follow. (e3), (e4)

WallyST19 · 07-01-2009, 01:25 PM

TSN has confirmed Mattias Ohlund signing with Tampa Bay. It's seven years, and average of $3.75 million per year.

Hope he likes obscurity. I've been to a few games there and watch them on TV (pretty much only option here in Jax). Not a good hockey city.