Quick Hits Under The Shadow Of Free Agency
Some quick rumour updates entering the final stretch before the free agent spending spree begins.
Archive for June, 2009
Heatley to EDM? NO! Kaberle Interest Rises
It is being reported by TSN that Dany Heatley has refused to waive his NTC in a deal to the Edmonton Oilers for the speculated return of Andrew Cogliano, Ladislav Smid, and Dustin Penner. I’m not usually one to have an opinion, but that was somewhat classless, then again, he signed a NTC for a reason, so he could have this control.
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Gomez A Hab, Sedins Signed?
The Montreal Canadiens have acquired center Scott Gomez, Tom Pyatt, and Mike Busto from the New York Rangers in exchange for Chris Higgins, Doug Janik, Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Valentenko.
Also, reports out of Sweden suggest the Sedin Twins have each signed a 6 year $6M dollar/season contract. It was announced on CBC Radio and discussed on TSN but is considered to be a false report at this time. The Canucks offered them one last offer before going into free agency tomorrow, the Sedins (to the public knowledge) have yet to accept or decline the offer.
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Loose Ends: The Draft and the Silly Season
While he would never admit it, Ontario native Nazem Kadri must of felt a twinge of anger at how the biggest day in his life panned out. Treated like a high steak pawn at the 2009 draft where the dreams he worked so hard to achieve were to be realized, Kadri watched as a bitter Brian Burke failed to secure the vaunted trade northwards, then faced the ignominy of TSN analyst Darren Dreger questioning Burke about Brayden Schenn as he sat in silence, festooned in his Maple Leafs jersey. For sure it must have been disappointing and one can only hope he didn’t venture toward any Leafs related websites that night.
Your UFA Wish List
July 1st is tomorrow, folks. Where has the time gone? Not complaining, though, I couldn’t be happier as I prepare to bask in the excitement of the Free Agency Frenzy. Oh, and it’s also Canada Day, too.
Brian Burke, after failing to make his mark at the NHL Entry Draft, will presumably have big plans for tomorrow. He loves the limelight, after all, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he tries to steal the show. On the other hand, signing a variety of second-tier Unrestricted Free Agents would also be considered a successful, albeit conservative, approach.
So I ask you, what’s your UFA wish list? If you were Burke, who would you target?
Quick Hits: Moore, Jannik Hansen
The Ottawa Citizen‘s reporting “speculation” that Dominic Moore is interested in a return to the Maple Leafs this summer. Presumably, if Moore is interested then he’ll be ready to accept Burke’s terms that he walked away from at the deadline. However, since the deadline we’ve seen John Mitchell ably step into Moore’s former role as a third line center that can provide a solid two-way presence as well as some offensive impetus. It seems that the third line center role is Mitchell’s for the taking at the start of the season. There could be other options available in terms of availing a roster spot such as parting ways with Matt Stajan, who has been rumoured to be on Burke’s summer shopping block.
Rumoured Organizational List of Potential FA Targets
The feeling as the Leafs embark on this year’s unrestricted free agency period is that Brian Burke is not enamored with the ’09 free agent class and will neither overpay in salary or term. It appears Burke’s focused on acquiring his high-end talent through trade. In regards to the long-rumoured Mike Cammalleri signing, the word right now is that he’s not on the radar although this is certainly subject to change should circumstances change. More likely, if Burke can move Kaberle and/or Kubina and sign Jonas Gustavsson, the approach will be to strengthen from the goal out and thus most money will be allotted to high-end D rather than forwards at this time.
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Cammalleri or the Sedins?
Brian Burke has not publicly stated who he’ll be targeting on July 1st, but logic dictates his focus will be deadlocked on Unrestricted Free Agents Mike Cammalleri or the Sedins.
After many critics–fans and writers alike–expressed their discontent towards Burke’s inactivity at the NHL Entry Draft last weekend, you can bet Burke will be looking to make a big splash once July 1st comes swinging. While he managed to draft seven North American players at the draft, most of them at behemoth size, he failed to import more prospects and draft picks by not pulling the trigger on any deals.
Qualifying Deadline – Odds and Ends
Sportsnet is reporting that the Maple Leafs have extended a qualifying offer to goaltender Justin Pogge, thus making him a restricted free agent. The team now has the ability to match any offer sheet Pogge receives, or choose to decline to get draft picks as compensation.
Today’s 5pm qualiying deadline saw a few interesting young players hit the UFA market: D Steve Eminger, LW Dan Fristche, C Marcel Goc, RW Anthony Stewart. Eminger has a boatload of talent, while the three other names may make for intriguing bottom six forward possibilities.
Also of note, veterans LW Peter Schaefer and D Jay Mckee have been placed on waivers by their respective clubs with the anticipation that they will be bought out. Mckee, one of the league’s perennial top shot blockers, may be a good fit as a veteran leader in the locker room and steadying presence on the blueline should Kaberle and/or Kubina be shipped out during the offseason.
2009 NHL Draft – Leafs Review
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ first draft under the watchul eye of Brian Burke displayed a stark change in the team’s draft philosophy. The scouting staff searched for the type of players and attributes that would be able to fit into the mold of a tough, physical checking style of game that the Leafs hope to play several years down the road. As a result, we saw a lot more emphasis placed on size and toughness than skill and speed. Not surprisingly, all of Toronto’s seven selections were from the North American ranks, four of them from the Ontario Hockey League and three from American hockey programs. +Continue Reading
