Frozen Pucks

June 28, 2008 7:00am CDT

Niedermayer to play one more year for Ducks
Scott Niedermayer has decided to fulfill the final year of the original four year deal he signed with the Ducks. Unlike last season when he toyed with retiring for months and ended up only skating in 48 games (he scored 25 points), Niedermayer will apparently play from Day 1 teaming with Chris Pronger to form the most dominating defensive duos in the NHL. Though everyone seems to think he is ancient because of his graying bird and the fact that he almost retired last year, Niedermayer is only 34 years old, and happens to be almost three full years younger than Nicklas Lidstrom. Scott still possesses one of the most beautiful skating strides in the league, and given the talent around him, he is a clear cut #1 fantasy defensemen in 2008. Call Niedermayer's name with confidence on draft day, just make sure you enunciate Scott so that you don't get caught rostering his brother Rob.


Jagr to play in Russia?
Jaromir Jagr has said all along that he was willing to entertain offers to play outside of New York though the Rangers were his first choice, and according to a breaking story in the New York Post on Friday, Omsk of the Russian Super League has stepped up to the table and offered the star a three year deal reported to be worth $35 million. The story only speaks of a "reliable third party source" as the genesis of the report, so it remains to be seen if the offer is legit, and if it is what Jagr will do with it. One thing is for sure, Jagr clearly isn't the monster on skates that he once was as he is coming off his worst goal scoring season ever (25 tallies) and his lowest point total (71) since 1991-92, his second season in the NHL. However, he can still raise his game to a superstar level in brief spurts as we witnessed in the playoffs when he scored five goals and added 10 assists in just 10 games. Time will tell where Jagr ends up, but this corner doesn't think it will be playing for a team in Russia.


Malkin will not play in Russia
Speaking of Russia, it is clear now that Penguins star Evgeni Malkin will not play in Russia this year or any year in the foreseeable future leading to a massive sigh of relief for those who own Malkin in keeper leagues. Malkin is currently negotiating an extension with the Penguins and has even come out publicly, through his agent, to say that he will take less than market value in a long term deal if that enables the team to keep together a core of up-and-coming stars who want to "get theirs" at the bank. In an era of me-first athletes, you have to give Malkin a pat on the back for his willingness to buck that trend.


Lecavalier tied to Lightning forever?
The Bolts captain signed a 9-year, $77 million dollar deal to basically remain in Tampa the rest of his playing career. And what a career it has been so far with a Stanley Cup championship, a 52 goal, 108 point season in 2006-07, and an average of 92 points a season the past three years. He was also awarded the King Clancy Memorial trophy given to "the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community" this year after donating $3 million dollars to help build a center for pediatric blood disorders. As a result, owner Oren Koules wants to sign Vincent to a lifetime contract to remain with the club after his playing days, ala Steven Yzerman in Detroit. Before he rides off into the sunset maybe Lecavalier and new HC Barry Melrose can bring another Stanley Cup to Florida, especially now that they have future star Steve Stamkos, the #1 overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, to add to the fold.


Theodore to test free-agent market
Jose Theodore was a star in 2001-02 when he went 30-24-10 with a 2.11 GAA, a .931 save percentage and seven shutouts on his way to claiming both the Hart Trophy (MVP) and the Vezina (best goalie). Then, there was the revelation that his father was involved in business with some shady characters, a bout with a couple of odd injuries and the news that he was using Rogaine. He followed all that up with some uninspired play between the pipes, and presto! He was once the league's brightest rising star, but was then relegated to serving as the backup goalie in Colorado.

But 2007-08 finally brought a break from that downward spiral as Theodore took over for a struggling Peter Budaj and eventually claimed the starter's role in Colorado on his way to posting his best numbers since 2003-04 by going 28-21-3 with a 2.44 GAA and .910 save percentage marking him as a very solid second goaltender in fantasy circles. Of course, he now wants the big bucks, and apparently negotiations with the club have reached an impasse meaning that Theodore will almost assuredly test the free agent waters next week.


Forsberg unlikely to skate in '08-'09
We might finally have seen the last of Peter Forsberg on NHL ice. The weary warrior just can't stay healthy although he continues to be a dominating force when he can drag his body onto the ice (he scored 14 times in nine games last season and scored 55 points in 57 games the previous year). Unfortunately, he continues to have foot and ankle problems that have him doubting his ability to continue playing. Forsberg still may find a way to drag his broken down body onto the ice, but he simply cannot be counted on at all making the proposition of even drafting him in the coming season questionable.


Sharks retain Pavelski, qualify Clowe
While these two moves may not get the fires burning for the fantasy faithful, these are two skaters that really should be on your radar for the upcoming season as great mid- to late-round pickups.

Joe Pavelski scored 14 times in an abbreviated, 46 game, rookie season in 2006-07, so you might look at his 19 goals in 82 games this past season and think to yourself that this guy certainly didn't do anything to elevate his play. However, that would be incorrect. Though Pavelski's overall numbers seem merely average (19g-21a-40pts), it was the chemistry that he formed with linemate Patrick Marleau that really stood out. Down the stretch, when Pavelski was placed at center, with Marleau on his left wing, the duo was strong. Pavelski posted 15 points in his last 18 games while Marleau registered nine goals and 16 points in the same stretch. Pavelski then went on to tie for the Sharks playoff goal scoring lead (five) proving that he is a clutch performer. Pavelski isn't a sexy name, but he appears primed to take his game to the next level in '08.

Teammate Ryan Clowe is a dark horse candidate for a 30-goal, 100 PIM season in 2008-09. Clowe missed the majority of the regular season with a torn ACL, but he returned with a vengeance in the playoffs by scoring four times in the Sharks seven-game, first-round series with the Flames. In three part-time seasons with the Sharks, Clowe has scored 19 goals with 109 PIM in 91 games. Given his tenacity around the net and drive to take his game to the next level, he should be earmarked as a late round pick in all fantasy leagues next season.


And from the 'it's too weird not to be true' file…
Sean Avery still plans on continuing his career as one of the leagues most hated agitators, but that doesn't mean he also doesn't have plans off the ice, and no we don't mean his plans to continue to date famous ladies like Elisha Cuthbert and Mary-Kate Olsen. Avery apparently loves clothes, so much so in fact that he has sent a letter to Vogue magazine requesting an internship. Avery claims he has always loved clothes, and that he isn't homosexual, despite what people will say about this news. "Go right ahead [and call me gay]," Avery told E Online on June 23rd. "Just know that you may get your ass kicked by a very expensive pair of shoes - and that they'll probably match both my belt and my shirt."

Classic.