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| Terms of Lecavalier contract released | Saturday 7/12, 8:44 PM CT |
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Updating an earlier report, we have received the official terms of the deal signed by center Vincent Lecavalier , according to Sports Ticker.
Our View: According to a report by TSN of Canada on Saturday, Lecavalier signed an 11-year contract extension worth $85 million with the Lightning, keeping him with the team through the 2019-20 season. According to the report, the 28-year-old Lecavalier will make $10 million per season over the first six years under the terms of the new deal, which goes into effect in 2009-10. His salary will dip over the duration of the deal, going from $8.5 million in 2016-17 all the way down to $1 million in the final campaign, in order to protect the Lightning from salary cap restrictions and the potential retirement of the center. |
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| Radulov could cause battle between NHL, KHL | Saturday 7/12, 5:24 PM CT |
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Nashville forward Alexander Radulov , recently signed by the up-and-coming rival league in Russia (the Continental Hockey League), is still expected to honor his contract and skate for the Predators next season, according to the Tennessean.
Our View: On Friday, Radulov's NHL agent, Jay Grossman, confirmed reports out of Russia that the young forward signed a three-year deal worth $13 million tax-free and does not plan to return to Nashville for the 2008-09 season. Throwing the move in question, however, is the fact that it came within hours of the NHL and the International Ice Hockey Federation reaching an agreement not to plunder players under contract in other leagues. According to an e-mail to The Tennessean from IIHF Communications Director Szymon Szemberg, that agreement should extend to the 22-year-old Radulov, who is entering the final season of his three-year entry deal with the Predators that provides $984,200 in compensation this season. On Friday afternoon, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the league would be in contact with the KHL — the league is know by its Russian initials — to see whether the reports were true and to gauge the KHL's position on Radulov's eligibility to play there. Daly went on to add that if this becomes a battle, the Predators will have the option to seek legal recourse to enforce the contract. We'll keep you posted on this intriguing situation. |
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| Norstrom turns down Kings | Saturday 7/12, 10:25 AM CT |
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The Kings covet a veteran defenseman and contacted Mattias Norstrom about the possibility of returning, but he turned them down, according to the LA Daily News.
Our View: Norstrom is finished and is pleased with the way his career ended in Dallas. He is preparing for life after hockey, and the Kings must continue their search for a veteran blue-liner. |
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| Havlat recovering favorably | Saturday 7/12, 10:19 AM CT |
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Martin Havlat is recovering favorably from his latest shoulder surgery, according to the Chicago Tribune. Coach Denis Savard said, "He'll be here for the convention (July 18-20 at the Hilton Chicago). It would be so good for him to be healthy. He's a game-breaker. He has that ability. But for him to be that game-breaker player he needs to be healthy. If he plays like he can when he's healthy, I'll be a great coach."
Our View: He was limited to 35 games last season, but made an impact with 17 assists and 10 goals, two of them game-winners. He could challenge 25 goals over a full campaign, but only averages 36 games played over his last three seasons. |
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| Pouliot slated as fourth center | Saturday 7/12, 10:14 AM CT |
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Benoit Pouliot has been slated as the fourth center for the Wild, according to the Star Tribune. GM Doug Risebrough said, "The fourth spot is Pouliot's. I feel it's more prudent right now just to give Pouliot an opportunity and see what he can do."
Our View: He was the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft, and racked up two goals and one assist over 11 appearances with Minnesota last season. He is worth keeping tabs on in larger leagues for next season. |
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| Hamill will likely start in AHL | Saturday 7/12, 8:19 AM CT |
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Zach Hamill will likely start next season in the AHL, according to the Boston Globe. He was the eighth-overall pick in the 2007 draft and has looked good so far in the off-season, but the Bruins are deep at center with Marc Savard, Patrice Bergeron, and Krejci, and Hamill looks to start this season with Providence.
Our View: If Hamill continues on his development curve, he could challenge for a big league role in 2009-10, which is the final season of Savard's four-year contract.
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| Montador remains in Anaheim | Saturday 7/12, 7:10 AM CT |
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Defenseman Steve Montador has re-signed a one-year deal with the Ducks, according to TSN. Financial terms were not announced.
Our View: Montador contributed eight goals and 15 assists (23 points) over 73 games in 2007-08, to go along with 73 penalty minutes. He will only hold fantasy value in leagues that award points for penalty minutes next season. |
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