Soo...Roy got his 4m a year, now what?

Well, at least I am right once in awhile. The Sabres and Derek Roy agreed to a contract nearly identical to the one the Panthers gave Nathan Horton. It averages out to 4m per year for 6 years. Nor really a surprise especially since the Dustin Penner fiasco in Edmonton.

So this leaves us with the Sabres and whats next. The only unsigned player of note is Nathan Paetsch who is pending arbitration. It would seem Paetsch is ready for prime time. So that leaves the Sabres with two obvious marketable commodities on defense in Jaro Spacek and Dmitri Kalinin. The Sabres seem to have a large hole at center after Connolly, Roy and Gaustad. Do they swing a deal, do they give Clarke Macarthur and Marek Zagrapan first shot? Could they take a preemptive strike and move a guy like Brian Campbell for a big name center?

My guess is the Sabres use the depth in their system to pick up a veteran centerman who can fill that third line role for the team. I am thinking someone along the lines of a Steve Reinprecht of Phoenix or Jeff Halpern of Dallas. Both games translate well to Buffalo and Lindy Ruff's various styles and both are defensively reliable.

Lets see, maybe a blind squirrel can find an acorn again ;)

Walker, Rivet and Horton off the market, Emery to have surgery...

The Florida Panthers have re-signed restricted free-agent forward Nathan Horton.

The deal will pay out a total of $24 million to the 22-year old over 6 seasons.

The signing, per TSN, officially ends all speculation that Horton will be dealt at tomorrow's NHL Entry Draft in Columbus.

Horton had a spectacular season at such a young age, ammasing 31 goals and putting up 31 assists while appearing in all 82 games.

A star on the rise, Horton's season was awesome on the scoresheet, but some off-ice rumours a few months before the deadline, which consisted of Horton's unhappiness in the Sunshine State and his desire to be dealt to a contender, prompted speculation he would be dealt at the trade deadline (didn't happen) or at the draft.

-Craig Rivet really like the weather in Western California, and he's going to be there for another 4 seasons.

The Sharks officially signed their hard-hitting defenceman to a 4-year $14 million contract, a potential UFA, Rivet fit in well with the Sharks and broke out in the playoffs as the team's leading defenceman.

Rivet was traded to San Jose on the eve of the trade deadline, in exchange for Josh Gorges and the Shark's 1st round draft choice (23rd overall)

-The Hurricanes also re-signed forward Scott Walker to a 3-year $7.5 million contract, yesterday.

That comes out to about $2.5 million per season.

The 33-year old was eligible for UFA status on July 1st; he had a decent season in Carolina, but nothing compared to his old Nashville days, scoring 21 goals and adding 31 helpers in 81 games.

"Keeping Scott in Carolina was one of our top priorities this off-season," Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said in a statement. "He brings skill and grit to our forward lines and he has become one of our team's leaders on and off the ice."

"It was one of the best experiences that I had in renegotiating. I felt really wanted," Walker said. "I like my role, but I also like the way the team is set up for the future, and I think we have a chance to win."

-And to top this transaction segment off, goaltender Ray Emery will undergo surgery for his wrist, which he hurt in November and re-aggravated in the playoffs.

He is not expected to miss the beginning of the regular-season, TSN says he will be out 2-3 months.

Emery, a restricted free-agent, made 925K last year and will likely seek a substantial raise from new Sens GM Bryan Murray, Emery's agent was quoted on TSN's Off the Record with Michael Landsberg that his client might receive an offer sheet soon, and that many teams would be interested in doing so, especially 2-3 teams that he obviously didn't name.

--BBR

Ruff and Regier Agree to New Deals

Multiple news outlets in Buffalo and Canada are reporting that the Sabres have reached agreements on newcontracts with General Manager Darcy Regier and Head Coach Lindy Ruff. More news to follow as details become clearer.

Prospect Note:

- The Sabres signed Defense prospect Marc-Andre Gragnani on the last day prior to the deadline for signing 2005 draftees. Gragnani, who was drafted 87th overall that year is thought of as a highly skilled offensive defenseman with very good powerplay skills. The Sabres declined to sign Branislav Fabry and Phillipe Gogulla who were also at their signing deadline.

Leafs sign Sundin

TSN reports that Sundin has signed a one year $5.5 million deal with a no-trade clause. An announcement is expected later on today.
I just want to say I love what TSN lists as his flaws:
" While strong on his skates, he's not overly physical considering his size. Is starting to show signs of decay, and becoming more prone to injury with time."

Just thought it was funny.

I am glad that they reached a deal though. I like Sundin even though he is a Leaf, he is a great player and is their "heart and soul" and all the Leaf fans seem to adore him...so good for them.

Wings should part ways with Dominik Hasek...

I have nothing against Dominik Hasek.

He is a terrific goalie...but, I think this crusade of his has gone too far.

How much longer will his body take this? He's 42 years old and still playing 50+ games a year!

But the Red Wings seriously have to think long and hard about this, Hasek was great yet again last season, no doubt, but, look at it this way:

JS Giguere or Dominik Hasek?

Besides Hasek, the Wings don't have a great goalie system, in terms of depth, in their organisation.

They've got the young Jimmy Howard down in Grand Rapids, but I just don't feel he's quite ready for the Show yet, they've also got the likes of Chris Osgood backing up the 42-year old Hasek.

And how old is Osgood, you ask?

Chris Osgood is 34 years old.

When, I ask, when will the Wings finally break out of this "love", out of this "amore" they have for golden oldies?

We saw that with Brendan Shanahan, whom they grudgingly let walk to the Rangers via free-agency last season, with Brett Hull, who went on to play for the Coyotes and realized that it was over for him!

They should, instead of giving Hasek a contract worth around $2-3 million, invest in a goalie like Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who's an impending free-agent and will likely bid adieu to Brian Burke come July 1st.

''Me and my family have to make the decision,'' the six-time Vezina Trophy winner and two-time NHL MVP said shortly after Detroit's season ended.

Oh, and they forgot 1-time Stanley Cup Champion, back in 2001-2002, when the Wings took the Hurricanes out in 5.

Hasek also needs to consider retirement, he earned $1,75 million last season (incentives included) and don't you really think he has enough money, don't you think he can go home to the Czech Republic, with his family, his money and his pride still intact?
He finished the season with a spotty 38-11-6 record, a 2.05 goals-against average, and a .913 save percentage.

Exactly, what clause in his contract or in his mentality guarantees that he will be that good ever again?

And don't you think, Dom, that 15 years in the NHL, a Stanley Cup, a plethora of awards, a 362 career wins, 63 playoff win and a goals-against average hovering under 2.20, and a terrific potential final great season good enough to leave behind?

Or will he return, put up paltry numbers, and leave without his pride and get a tribute like this one?

The Wings need to get younger, otherwise, they'll just emphasize the fact that they're the image of the old old NHL, and Dominik Hasek needs to think about his life more than anything else.
He can still play, and the Red Wings are seriously willing to pay, but do they really have to?

JS Giguere is expected to hit the open market, then tell me Ken Holland, would you have regretted signing Hasek sometime next week, rather than having waited and saved money to hunt down Giguere?

It all comes down to Hasek, he's supposed to make a decision by the end of the week, and I'm hoping he makes the right one.

Here's to hoping doesn't get ugly or get me burned too bad :)

--BBR

Markov: c'est fait! The $23 million man...

Markov: C'est fait! That was RDS.ca's title of the article they have on Andrei Markov.
The $23 million man, Markov now top-paid player in team's history: The Gazette's intruiging yet FANTASTIC TITLE.

Wait, I have to be unprofessional for a second:
YEEEESSSSS!!!!!!!
YEEEESSSSS!!!!!!!
YEEEESSSSS!!!!!!!
YEEEESSSSS!!!!!!!

Phew, glad I got that out!

Just a single day after my first part to my "Which Hab...only one Hab...$$$$$ Hab" series, featuring ANDREI MARKOV and the MONTREAL CANADIENS, the Canadiens did well and signed the 28-year old Russian to a 5-year $23 million contract.

Markov is now the team's top-paid player in team history, surpassing Saku Koivu's $4,75 million annual mark, and Alex Kovalev's $4,5 million mark.

Markov, get this, will make more than 3 times more money than he made last season with the Canadiens.

He will receive an average of $5.75 million per season, Brian McCabe type numbers, a hefty raise from his 2007 $1.5 million salary.

The priority now remains Sheldon Souray according to GM Bob Gainey, with the cap going up and salary being cleared, thinks that the Habs have enough room to retain Souray as well:
"The question is whether he thinks we have enough", said Gainey.

Gainey also indicated to the press yesterday that the Habs will begin talks with Souray shortly and hope to get a deal done before July 1st.

Look for today's SOURAY vs GAINEY battle, and Souray will be a Hab for 5 more seasons tomorrow as well.

Habs Inside/Out
Current Habs History and Opinion

--BBR

7 Years...

7 Years!

7 Years is a long time.

I was 15 years old when I had my second International Tournament (Soccer) in Denmark.
We went by bus (plane was too expensive), it was a 15 hour drive from Holland, where I live, to Denmark.

So what do you do?

You watch movies!
The bus driver decided to show “7 years in Tibet”.
For the people who don’t know the movie: “Brad Pitt goes to Tibet for 7 Years!”.

I’ll be honest with you, I don’t remember much about the movie, but I do remember one thing; it was a loooooong movie.
Sitting in the bus I had the feeling that I just saw a movie that lasted 7 years. T

The point I am trying to make - Pavel Datsyuk just signed a 7-year deal worth $46.9-million, that pretty much guarantees he will finish his NHL career with the Red Wings.

According to Datsyuk, he signed with the Wings rather than explore unrestricted free agency because, "it's a good hockey town, good tradition (and a) good organization. They help me a lot. I'm very appreciative to play in Detroit."
It’s the biggest an longest contract the Detroit Red Wings organization ever gave to a player in their history.
I don’t think I have to explain that Detroit had some great, great players over the past 15 years.
Still, they have never given such huge contract to a player (not even the “Captain”).

So I asked myself the question: Why him?

Pavel Datyuk (Павел Дацюк, Pavel Dacjuk)!
Born on July 20th, 1978 in Sverdlovsk, USSR (now Yekaterinburg, Russia). Datsyuk grew up in Yekaterinburg and was never considered an elite player because of his size.
He was 5 ft 8 in (173 m), 145 lb (66 kg) at the time.
He stayed with local teams throughout his youth, and was passed over in the 1996 and 1997 NHL Entry Drafts. He was finally picked in 1998 NHL Entry Draft, in the sixth round as 171st overall, by the Detroit Red Wings.
He was the Wings' 8th choice in that draft and while they liked his skills, they were not certain he would ever grow enough and become strong enough to play in the NHL.
As it turns out, he did grow and gain the necessary strength and the Wings decided to bring him to North America.

He arrived in Detroit for the 2001-2002 NHL season.

Datsyuk can amaze people with his 1on1 moves and his ability to make goalies look silly.
He now has back to back 87 points seasons but hasn’t produced in the playoffs. A lot of people were not “high” on Pavel because of his playoff history.

A case can be made here:

Datsyuk only has 3 goals in 42 playoff games, that’s not what you are looking for if you are Detroit.
You don’t have to be an expert to notice that, that isn’t much.
The Red Wings are taking a big gamble with this seven year deal.
However, the Red Wings organization didn’t see it like that, ‘specially Steve Yzerman.

Yzerman (Dutch for Iron Man - ironic isn’t it) was the biggest reason that Detroit signed Datsyuk to a seven year deal. Ilitch said Yzerman repeatedly said “we’ve got to sign him, we’ve got to sign him.”
“Steve has taken a special interest in Pavel,” Ilitch said, “and that made me feel good.” Yzerman, who played with Datsyuk for four seasons, explained why he felt it was important to secure Datsyuk.

He said: “if he leaves this summer, we’re going to try and replace him, we’re going to have to go out on the market and we’re probably going to spend more on a player that we don’t like as much as Pave.

With these UFA agents coming at younger age, you really have to be certain and really know your player and if you believe in him, tie him up! We believe in Pavel.” It’s great to hear that Steve believes in Pavel but before I see him do something in the postseason, I don’t!

Things have changed in Hockeytown. Yzerman and Shanahan aren’t here anymore. Now the kids have to take over. Well, they’re not kids anymore, are they! Datsyuk 28, Henrik Zetterberg 26 and Nicklas Kronwall 26 are the future of the organization. Kronwall signed a five year deal (worth 15 million) and Zetterberg is UFA after 2 seasons and will ask for the same kind of money as Datsyuk. This season Datsyuk stepped up after Zetterberg went down with a back injury late in the season, leading the Red Wings offensively AND defensively. He showed everyone after a slow start of the season (Zetterberg also had a slow start) that he can be a #1 center for the Red Wings.
He needs to be a #1 center for the kind of money he is going to get!
Red Wings fans are spoiled fans. We are used to watching Sergei Federov flying all over the ice. Sergei is the benchmark for Pavel and maybe that’s not fair.

The good news is that Detroit has a #1 center for the next seven years. Did I say that he had signed for seven years? Yeah, I believe I did! He showed that he can be the ‘go to’ guy during the regular season. Now he has to prove it during the playoffs (of course he needs some help other than Zetterberg!).

Do I believe in the little guy?
Yes I do!
And hopefully Wings fans are going believe too. Very soon!


Alex Meulenbroeks

Datsyuk signs 7-year pact with Detroit...

Pavel Datsyuk will be a Red Wing for a long time.
How long you ask?

Oh, just seven years.

According to TSN, At 1:00 PM today, Red Wings GM Ken Holland announced the deal, which will pay the young Russian star $6-7 million anually, for a total of $46.9 million in that span.

He's making $3.9 million this season and it's paying off; the 28-year old forward has 27 goals and 60 assists to lead the Wings this season and is poised for greatness in the years to come.

He would have been a highly-sought player on the free-agent market, but instead, he decided to remain in Hockeytown for the next 7 seasons.

"Pavel really wanted to commit here for his career,"general manager Ken Holland said of the longest contract extension in team history."In the end we felt very comfortable with a long-term commitment to Pavel."

"Everyone in the organization wanted him to stay with us," said team owner Mike Ilitch.

I hope for the sake of Ken Holland, that he'll live up to this money.
If anything, he's certainly going to come close to living up to that.

Nevertheless, the 2006 Lady Byng Memorial recipient is happy.

"This contract was extremely important to me," Datsyuk said. "Especially since I have been a Red Wing since 2001."