In addition to the Toronto and Colorado coaching vacancies, add San Jose to the list. The Sharks have fired Ron Wilson. The playoff failures caught up to him.
Full Version: NHL off-season moves
...for those teams whose offseason has already started, and for the other four eventually.
In addition to the Toronto and Colorado coaching vacancies, add San Jose to the list. The Sharks have fired Ron Wilson. The playoff failures caught up to him.
In addition to the Toronto and Colorado coaching vacancies, add San Jose to the list. The Sharks have fired Ron Wilson. The playoff failures caught up to him.
As I guessed they would. Will be looking to see who is on their list of replacements.
Bob Clarke says he'd be interested in the Toronto GM job.
"I would talk to (interim Maple Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher)," Clarke told the Fan 590. "Don't know if I could do better job than him if he wanted to continue doing it. I would listen though."
Clarke said he is not seeking a GM's position in the NHL but if he did want another shot Toronto would be the market to do it in.
QUOTE
"I would talk to (interim Maple Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher)," Clarke told the Fan 590. "Don't know if I could do better job than him if he wanted to continue doing it. I would listen though."
Clarke said he is not seeking a GM's position in the NHL but if he did want another shot Toronto would be the market to do it in.
Predators resigned coaching staff to two-year deals.
Predators resigned F Martin Erat to a team-record seven-year deal worth on average $4.5 mil/year.
Predators resigned F Martin Erat to a team-record seven-year deal worth on average $4.5 mil/year.
Tampa Bay fires head coach John Tortorella.
His replacement might be Barry Melrose, as a friend of his is leading a group trying to buy the Lightning. Gee, whatever would ESPN do without that hair on their screens?
His replacement might be Barry Melrose, as a friend of his is leading a group trying to buy the Lightning. Gee, whatever would ESPN do without that hair on their screens?
And it sure sounds like Ron Wilson is going to Toronto. TravelPat what do you think of that?
Dominik Hasek is expected to announce his retirement Monday.
Ron Wilson is reportedly near an agreement to become Toronto's head coach.
One of the Predators' new co-owners has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. And he's been accused of loan fraud. Oh, dear...
The Red Wings are wrecking the Stanley Cup.
Ron Wilson is reportedly near an agreement to become Toronto's head coach.
One of the Predators' new co-owners has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. And he's been accused of loan fraud. Oh, dear...
QUOTE
David Freeman, chairman of the Predators’ ownership group, said in a statement Friday evening the financial allegations against Del Biaggio won’t affect the operation of the team. He said the Predators are in talks with the league and their banking partners.
“It is my hope and anticipation that the club will be even stronger once this saga reaches its logical conclusion and Mr. Del Biaggio is no longer associated with the club,” he said.
Outside of his stake in the Predators, Del Biaggio is known for co-founding the investment firm Sand Hill Capital, which has given money to chip maker Broadcom Corp., juice company Odwalla Inc. and other companies, according to Sand Hill’s Web site.
Del Biaggio abruptly resigned May 26 from Sand Hill Capital. His financial troubles began emerging shortly thereafter: three banks sued him claiming $17 million in unpaid loans.
Modern Bank, a New York-based private bank, is trying to force Del Biaggio to repay $10 million he used to help buy his slice of the Predators. Heritage Bank of Commerce, a San Jose-based bank co-founded by Del Biaggio’s father, wants Del Biaggio to immediately repay a $4 million loan. And DGB Investments Inc., a San Jose-based investment firm, is suing Del Biaggio over an unpaid $3 million loan.
Those transactions and others are also being probed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Securities and Exchange Commission over allegations that Del Biaggio passed off brokerage accounts that weren’t his as loan collateral.
“It is my hope and anticipation that the club will be even stronger once this saga reaches its logical conclusion and Mr. Del Biaggio is no longer associated with the club,” he said.
Outside of his stake in the Predators, Del Biaggio is known for co-founding the investment firm Sand Hill Capital, which has given money to chip maker Broadcom Corp., juice company Odwalla Inc. and other companies, according to Sand Hill’s Web site.
Del Biaggio abruptly resigned May 26 from Sand Hill Capital. His financial troubles began emerging shortly thereafter: three banks sued him claiming $17 million in unpaid loans.
Modern Bank, a New York-based private bank, is trying to force Del Biaggio to repay $10 million he used to help buy his slice of the Predators. Heritage Bank of Commerce, a San Jose-based bank co-founded by Del Biaggio’s father, wants Del Biaggio to immediately repay a $4 million loan. And DGB Investments Inc., a San Jose-based investment firm, is suing Del Biaggio over an unpaid $3 million loan.
Those transactions and others are also being probed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Securities and Exchange Commission over allegations that Del Biaggio passed off brokerage accounts that weren’t his as loan collateral.
The Red Wings are wrecking the Stanley Cup.
Ron Wilson is on board as Leafs coach - a good choice.
http://www.thestar.com/Hockey/article/439695
And rumours are running rampant that Cliff Fletcher will stay on as interim general manager until Burke arrives from Anaheim. Either by somehow getting out of his last year of his Anaheim contract or next year if Anaheim doesn't let him go. Wilson and Burke are good friends and have a personal history that goes way back to when they were teammates on the Providence College Friars in the mid-70's.
http://www.thestar.com/article/436552
http://www.thestar.com/Hockey/article/439695
And rumours are running rampant that Cliff Fletcher will stay on as interim general manager until Burke arrives from Anaheim. Either by somehow getting out of his last year of his Anaheim contract or next year if Anaheim doesn't let him go. Wilson and Burke are good friends and have a personal history that goes way back to when they were teammates on the Providence College Friars in the mid-70's.
http://www.thestar.com/article/436552
It's always something... one of these years, we're going to have an offseason with no drama. But at least the fear of Boots taking the team to Kansas City are gone now...
After totally bungling and botching negotiations in what became a national drama, not only has CBC lost the rights to the theme song to Hockey Night in Canada, but they saw rival network CTV snatch up the rights.
It will be interesting to see how quickly Wilson can get the Leafs to the playoffs. He has a good record with the Sharks, but they never got farther than the 3rd round if memory serves, but still all eyes will be on Wilsons impact and how fast he can turn things around.
QUOTE(canmark @ Jun 10 2008, 04:44 AM) 
After totally bungling and botching negotiations in what became a national drama, not only has CBC lost the rights to the theme song to Hockey Night in Canada, but they saw rival network CTV snatch up the rights.
That tune has been around for 40 years and is instantly recognizable by most Canadians, even among the millions who rarely watch hockey. Now that CBC has dumped it, I'm glad TSN will pick it up. Whatever song wins the contest on CBC, I sure hope it's NOT The Good Old Hockey Game (Stompin' Tom Connors) or Big League (Tom Cochrane). Something without lyrics, please.
The Monday Night Football theme is probably the closest thing we have in the USA. I don't know that I'd care if it disappeared or changed networks...well, technically, it did since MNF went from ABC to ESPN.
QUOTE(Joe in Philly @ Jun 10 2008, 05:43 PM)
The Monday Night Football theme is probably the closest thing we have in the USA.
In fact, that's the tune that came to mind when I was thinking of a US equivalent. And then right away, Hank Williams Jr started singing in my head. Maybe the CBC should get him to do another version: "Are ya ready for some....hockey?" Nah, I don't think so
And Mike Babcock ain't going anywhere. Signs a 3 year contract extension yesterday. Congratulations Coach!
QUOTE(Marc @ Jun 10 2008, 05:31 PM)
That tune has been around for 40 years and is instantly recognizable by most Canadians, even among the millions who rarely watch hockey. Now that CBC has dumped it, I'm glad TSN will pick it up. Whatever song wins the contest on CBC, I sure hope it's NOT The Good Old Hockey Game (Stompin' Tom Connors) or Big League (Tom Cochrane). Something without lyrics, please.
I agree with you Marc that I hope it is not the Stompin' Tom Connors tune that takes the place of what everybody is now calling 'The Hockey Theme'. Seems to me everybody always called it 'The Hockey Night In Canada Theme' until this week.
But more importantly with this move Hockey Night In Canada for the first time since 1967 will not be playing that song. And a certain new coach who left his country in 1967 has now returned to coach a certain team. A certain team that has not won a Stanley Cup since - that's right 1967!
You all know what that means - everything is falling into place - moves are being made to end the curse - The Leaf's will win the Stanley Cup!
The LA Kings fired coach Marc Crawford. Sigh...the Kings...reminds me of Adam. Where did he go and why? 
Trevor Linden retires, 20 years to the day he was drafted by the Canucks.
Trevor Linden retires, 20 years to the day he was drafted by the Canucks.
I also miss Adam. Have wondered for a long time. Its possible that something bad may have happened to him. Maybe a car accident or something. All you can do is speculate.....Towards the last posts when he was a regular on here for some reason I want to say he seemed a bit down. I don't recall if a relationship ended or what, something like that. I just got the feeling he had seen brighter days. It would be cool if he was still around and came back. One can hope.
QUOTE(hockeyTom @ Jun 11 2008, 06:16 PM)
Towards the last posts when he was a regular on here for some reason I want to say he seemed a bit down. I don't recall if a relationship ended or what, something like that.
I never got that sense. I know he had a long-term partner who passed away after an illness but he posted for quite some time since then.
Todd McLellan, a Detroit assistant, is now the Sharks' head coach. Considering that San Jose is trying to overcome playoff folds, hiring a first-time head coach is interesting.
Todd McLellan is a solid coach. He has been around championship teams from a head coach in the AHL to an assistant in the NHL. He knows what it takes to win and is used to doing it. 
More new coaches hired: Craig Hartsburg takes over in Ottawa and Peter DeBoer is the new coach in Florida, moving from the OHL Kitchener Rangers.
I am a bit surprised Florida chose the Kitchener Coach over my Coach Peters, but then, I really don't want him to go anywhere now that I think about it.... It will be interesting to see what he does in Miami......
It will be interesting to see what he does in Miami......
All signs continue to point towards Brian Burke ending up with the Leafs as yesterday the Leafs signed Al Coates as Director of Player Personnel. Like the recently signed coach Wilson - Coates has close ties to Burke. This from today's Toronto Star...
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Not only did Coates, a long-time hockey man, last work as a senior advisor to Burke with the Ducks, he also set the table for Burke's arrival there as Anaheim's general manager. Coates served as interim GM in Anaheim during an ownership transition until Burke was hired for the 2005-06 season.
***
***
Not only did Coates, a long-time hockey man, last work as a senior advisor to Burke with the Ducks, he also set the table for Burke's arrival there as Anaheim's general manager. Coates served as interim GM in Anaheim during an ownership transition until Burke was hired for the 2005-06 season.
***
Atlanta plucks John Anderson from it's affiliate in Chicago. Given the success he had at both Quad City (my old home area) and Chicago, I'm surprised he hadn't gotten a chance in the NHL before now.
Mats Sundin to the Canadiens? All over the media here in Toronto this afternoon that the Leafs have granted the Habs permission to speak to Mats Sundin who becomes an unrestricted free agent as of July 1.
Meanwhile, the NHL Draft is on, with some deals revolving around it as well. Tampa Bay, with the first pick, took forward Steven Stamkos of Sarnia in the Ontario Hockey League.
Calgary traded center Alex Tanguay to Montreal for the Canadiens’ first-round pick (25th) this year, and their second-round pick next year. The Flames also traded its first-round pick, No. 17, to Los Angeles for center Mike Cammalleri. The Kings then dealt that pick and the 28th selection to Anaheim for the Ducks’ first-rounder, No. 12 overall.
Phoenix acquired Florida Panthers captain Olli Jokinen for defensemen Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton and the 49th pick in this year’s draft.
Columbus acquired Flyers forward R.J. Umberger and Philadelphia’s fourth-round pick (118th), for the Blue Jackets’ second of two first-round picks (No. 19) and their third-rounder (No. 67). The Flyers then traded their own first-round pick (No. 27) to Washington for defenseman Steve Eminger and pick no. 84 (3rd-round).
Nashville has worked out terms of a multi-year deal with goalie Dan Ellis, and traded goalie Chris Mason to St. Louis for a 4th-round pick.
Not draft-related, but Ottawa has placed goalie Ray Emery on waivers. If a team doesn't claim him, they'll buy him out. Just a little too late, considering what he was up to this past season...
Calgary traded center Alex Tanguay to Montreal for the Canadiens’ first-round pick (25th) this year, and their second-round pick next year. The Flames also traded its first-round pick, No. 17, to Los Angeles for center Mike Cammalleri. The Kings then dealt that pick and the 28th selection to Anaheim for the Ducks’ first-rounder, No. 12 overall.
Phoenix acquired Florida Panthers captain Olli Jokinen for defensemen Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton and the 49th pick in this year’s draft.
Columbus acquired Flyers forward R.J. Umberger and Philadelphia’s fourth-round pick (118th), for the Blue Jackets’ second of two first-round picks (No. 19) and their third-rounder (No. 67). The Flyers then traded their own first-round pick (No. 27) to Washington for defenseman Steve Eminger and pick no. 84 (3rd-round).
Nashville has worked out terms of a multi-year deal with goalie Dan Ellis, and traded goalie Chris Mason to St. Louis for a 4th-round pick.
Not draft-related, but Ottawa has placed goalie Ray Emery on waivers. If a team doesn't claim him, they'll buy him out. Just a little too late, considering what he was up to this past season...
QUOTE
n Philly' date='Jun 20 2008, 11:06 PM' post='362195']
Nashville has worked out terms of a multi-year deal with goalie Dan Ellis, and traded goalie Chris Mason to St. Louis for a 4th-round pick.
Nashville has worked out terms of a multi-year deal with goalie Dan Ellis, and traded goalie Chris Mason to St. Louis for a 4th-round pick.
Very good move. Mason just doesn't cut it as a start... we've got Rinne just waiting to bust onto the NHL scene.. and Ellis, well, he showed what he can do in the postseason.
Panthers traded Oli to Phoenix, which means they will have NO ONE that can put the puck in the net next year....
Guess who the new Coach of Tampa Bay is???? If you said Barry Melrose, your right....he hasn't coached in some time has he?
QUOTE(hockeyTom @ Jun 23 2008, 03:56 PM)
Guess who the new Coach of Tampa Bay is???? If you said Barry Melrose, your right....he hasn't coached in some time has he?
I hope he's better at coaching than he is at predicting winners!
The salary cap for the 2008-09 season is $56.7 million, up over $6 million from last year. The minimum is $40.7 million.
The Flyers have started spending some of that by signing Jeff Carter for 3 years, $15 million.
Anaheim has waived Todd Bertuzzi and Toronto has waived Andrew Raycroft; both will have the final year of their contract bought out. Wasn't Raycroft supposed to be a future star in goal when he first arrived in the league?
The Flyers have started spending some of that by signing Jeff Carter for 3 years, $15 million.
Anaheim has waived Todd Bertuzzi and Toronto has waived Andrew Raycroft; both will have the final year of their contract bought out. Wasn't Raycroft supposed to be a future star in goal when he first arrived in the league?
Free agency begins tomorrow at 12:01. Not 12:01 am, 12:01 pm. Noon instead of midnight. I guess they didn't want teams faxing offers to agents in the middle of the night.
Tampa Bay, under Barry Melrose and the new ownership, has gotten busy. They made a deal with Pittsburgh to obtain the rights to Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts, and one with Minnesota for the rights to Brian Rolston, so the Lightning have exclusive negotiating rights with these players until noon tomorrow.
Tampa Bay, under Barry Melrose and the new ownership, has gotten busy. They made a deal with Pittsburgh to obtain the rights to Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts, and one with Minnesota for the rights to Brian Rolston, so the Lightning have exclusive negotiating rights with these players until noon tomorrow.
The pool of available FA defensemen shrunk as Colorado kept John-Michael Liles, and extended the stay of the Adam Foote comeback tour.
The Blackhawks signing D Brian Campbell was a huge pickup for a team on the upswing....looking for good things from the Hawks next season!
Campbell signed for a lot of money. There's some talk that he's not worth it because he doesn't work on his game enough. He's more interested in his off-ice hobbies. And when it came to the playoffs last year, he certainly didn't help San Jose much.
It was interesting that Marian Hossa signed with Detroit for just 1 year. He apparently had bigger money offers but wants to win the Cup. Pittsburgh's lost some players but they did sign Malkin to an extension. You'd think Hossa would want to keep playing on a line with Crosby and/or Malkin but I guess he feels his better shot at the Cup is with the team that beat the Crosby/Malkin team.
Some of the salaries being paid seem inflated. Some of these guys just aren't worth the money they're getting. I keep wondering if there will be a point where we'll be at a crossroads again -- if league revenues don't keep increasing and the salary cap levels out, the players who are then free agents won't be able to sign big deals, and what does the union do then? Try to get rid of the salary cap, no doubt.
It was interesting that Marian Hossa signed with Detroit for just 1 year. He apparently had bigger money offers but wants to win the Cup. Pittsburgh's lost some players but they did sign Malkin to an extension. You'd think Hossa would want to keep playing on a line with Crosby and/or Malkin but I guess he feels his better shot at the Cup is with the team that beat the Crosby/Malkin team.
Some of the salaries being paid seem inflated. Some of these guys just aren't worth the money they're getting. I keep wondering if there will be a point where we'll be at a crossroads again -- if league revenues don't keep increasing and the salary cap levels out, the players who are then free agents won't be able to sign big deals, and what does the union do then? Try to get rid of the salary cap, no doubt.
The signing of Todd Bertuzzi to the Flames came as an unpleasant surprise to many fans here in Calgary. I guess to soften the impact and persuade us this is a good move, management cleverly used a far more respected player, Jarome Iginla, to do most of the talking to the media on the subject. The way Iggy went on about this, you'd think him and Bertuzzi were best buds from way back.
And speaking of former Canucks, the times they are a changin' in Vancouver with the departure of several long-serving veterans. I'll miss Markus Naslund, who is off to the Rangers after 12 seasons with the Canucks as well as Brendan Morrison (8 years) who has signed with the Ducks; and of course Trevor Linden (19 years) has retired.
And speaking of former Canucks, the times they are a changin' in Vancouver with the departure of several long-serving veterans. I'll miss Markus Naslund, who is off to the Rangers after 12 seasons with the Canucks as well as Brendan Morrison (8 years) who has signed with the Ducks; and of course Trevor Linden (19 years) has retired.
Vincent Lecavalier choses to remain as a member of the Lightning for a very long time. He just signed an 11-year, $US 85M contract extension. With all the off-season transactions including the acquisitions of RW Ryan Malone and veterans such as Mark Recchi and Gary Roberts, I think this makes the Lightning the favorites in a weak Southeast Division. It's still too early to make such predictions, but this sends a message to the rest of the league that they're ready to pick up and play again.
Does Tampa Bay plan to play defense at all in the upcoming season?
Don't know but thats where Melrose is going...
QUOTE(Joe in Philly @ Jul 13 2008, 04:27 PM)
Does Tampa Bay plan to play defense at all in the upcoming season?
Their defense wasn't that bad, Joe. On the penalty kill, they ranked 7th in power play goals against and also scored 7 short-handed goals; which is in the middle of the pack. They've also added two rugged forwards in Gary Roberts and Adam Hall. Plus, Dan Boyle and Paul Ranger are still around.
On the other hand, their goaltending was atrocious. I don't know how much help Kolzig will be, but I can't see it being any worse than it was last year.
We've still got a lot of off-season left. Let's see if the Lightning front office will address their defense.
They traded Boyle, who was their best defenseman. They couldn't fit his big contract (signed just last year, I think) into the salary cap, especially after their other off-season signings.
And they retained Lecavilier I read today, was it a 4 or 5 year contract. He ain't going no where!
Ted Nolan is out as Islanders coach after two years. Nolan and GM Garth Snow both cited "philosophical differences" in the mutual parting of ways.
QUOTE(hockeyTom @ Jul 14 2008, 11:52 AM)
And they retained Lecavilier I read today, was it a 4 or 5 year contract. He ain't going no where!
The Lightning retained Lecavalier for 11 years, Tom. Didn't you read my post?
Joe, you're right. The Lightning traded Boyle to the Sharks for Matt Carle and Ty Wishart.
Still, I don't think their defense will be so awful. It looks like Carle has some promise; he won the Hobey Baker Award in 2006. With the new additions of Roberts, Hall, Malone, et al. , I can see them taking the division if their goaltending holds up. Let's see what happens...
The L.A. Times reports that Flyers' assistant coach (and formerly their head coach) Terry Murray is close to becoming the Kings' new head coach.
QUOTE(Joe in Philly @ Jul 14 2008, 01:25 PM)
Ted Nolan is out as Islanders coach after two years. Nolan and GM Garth Snow both cited "philosophical differences" in the mutual parting of ways.
Nolan and the GM not getting along....how unusual.
The Islanders remain the Islanders......
The Flyers put out their 2008-09 schedule today, so I assume other teams are doing so as well, if they haven't already.
Right after the New Year they have back-to-back games at Anaheim and Los Angeles. If Adam were here I'd be very excited about that.
Right after the New Year they have back-to-back games at Anaheim and Los Angeles. If Adam were here I'd be very excited about that.
Yes, all teams have released their schedules for next season. I'm glad to see that every team will play each other at least once, no more of this 'rotating division' nonsense which resulted in the three western Canadian teams not meeting up with the three eastern Canadian teams at all last year. In fact, Calgary, Edmonton & Vancouver will each play Ottawa, Montreal & Toronto TWICE this season, although I'm not sure if that will be a regular feature every year. However, they will face the US teams in that division, ie Boston and Buffalo only once. Similarly, the three eastern Canada teams will each play Colorado and Minnesota just once. All of this means a reduction in the number of divisional games from 32 to 24, which is fine with me.
It's nice to see Stockholm and Prague included as host cities for regular season games this fall, considering the large number of Swedish and Czech players in the NHL. That makes a lot more sense than London last year. Off the top of my head, I can't think of a single British-born player.
It's nice to see Stockholm and Prague included as host cities for regular season games this fall, considering the large number of Swedish and Czech players in the NHL. That makes a lot more sense than London last year. Off the top of my head, I can't think of a single British-born player.
I assume there's some sort of rotation where some East-West matchups will feature one game and others two.
The Flyers this year play San Jose, LA and Colorado twice, and the other West teams once each.
The Flyers this year play San Jose, LA and Colorado twice, and the other West teams once each.
The Penguins extend Michel Therrien's tenure as head coach, giving him a three-year extension through the 2010-11 season. I think this is a smart move, as there was speculation that Ray Shero planned to let him go if the Pens didn't win the Stanley Cup, since Therrien was a Craig Patrick hire. The contract also includes increased compensation for the upcoming season.
Maybe the team can help him out by winning the Cup next year?
Maybe the team can help him out by winning the Cup next year?
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