NHL: Free Agency, Trade, Injury, and Rookie News!

I'll be posting the full list of transactions for Wednesday around 10pm MST (I like to make sure I don't miss anything big) but I figured I'd post this tidbit about the Blackhawks. - KF72


Blackhawks sign defenceman Todd Simpson

TSN.ca Staff

8/23/2005 5:00:56 PM

The Chicago Blackhawks announced Tuesday that the team has signed free agent defenceman Todd Simpson to a one-year contract.

"Todd's a veteran defenseman who brings extreme toughness," said Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon. "He'll help our young kids, he's a character guy and tremendous in the locker room. Todd's a tough player, he's a heavyweight."

Simpson, 32, 6'3" and 218 pound defenseman has appeared in 529 career NHL regular season games recording 14 goals and 60 assists for 74 points and 1,227 penalty minutes while skating for the Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers, Phoenix Coyotes, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the Ottawa Senators. Simpson has also appeared in nine career Stanley Cup playoff games recording 2 assists and 10 penalty minutes.

Simpson split the 2003-04 season between the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the Ottawa Senators appearing in a total of 62 games while registering four goals, four assists for eight points and 152 penalty minutes.

Simpson played in Denmark last season skating for the Herning Blue Fox. He appeared in seven games recording two goals and three assists for five points and 35 penalty minutes. Simpson also played in 16 playoff games recording three goals and five assists for eight points and 82 penalty minutes.
 

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More "Ducks" News! Copied from www.sportsnet.ca

Chistov chooses home over Ducks

August 21 @ 9:05 PM

Despite a handful of impact free-agent signings, Anaheim forward Stanislav Chistov has decided to hone his skills at home in Russia, with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Russian Super League. According to sources, the deal is for one-year. Chistov has struggled with expectations since joining the NHL, but plans to return in the future.
 

The Ducks are cleaning house...

Mighty Ducks trade Mike Leclerc to Coyotes

5:56 PM EDT, 08/23/2005

Copied from www.NHL.com

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - The Anaheim Mighty Ducks have traded left wing Mike Leclerc to the Phoenix Coyotes for a conditional pick in the 2007 NHL draft.

The 28-year-old Leclerc had one goal and three assists while playing in 10 games for the Mighty Ducks in the 2003-2004 season. He missed the first 55 and final 17 games of that season after arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

Leclerc has 54 goals and 78 assists in 291 career games for Anaheim over the team's last eight seasons. The Ducks drafted him in the third round in 1995.
 

Interesting signing by Washington...

Capitals sign C Petr Sykora

6:16 PM EDT, 08/23/2005

Copied from www.NHL.com

WASHINGTON (AP) - Czech center Petr Sykora signed a one-year contract with the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old Sykora played briefly in the NHL with Nashville during the 1998-99 season and has spent the last six seasons playing in the Czech Republic Extraleague. He had 25 goals and 10 assists for Pardubice last season, tying the team lead in goals.

Sykora's older brother, Michal, played in the NHL from 1993-01 with San Jose, Chicago, Tampa Bay and Philadelphia.
 

Last bit of news for today...

No response from Luongo

Sportsnet.ca -- Florida Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo has failed to respond to a team-imposed deadline of 5 p.m. ET Tuesday on a four-year deal believed to worth as much as $16-million, Sportsnet has learned.

The Panthers made the offer late last week and gave Luongo and his representation the weekend to consider the deal in an effort to avoid Wednesday morning's arbitration hearing.

So, unless there is a sudden change of heart, the club-elected arbitration appears to be the next move. Sources tell Sportsnet Luongo will argue a case for just over $4 million for one year in an arbitration reward.
 

I guess i haven't seen enough of Heatley. Is he so good that he is worth Hossa and a defenseman?
Click to expand...

Yes, yes he is. IMHO, Ottawa got the best of this deal. Not to mention Heatley gets to leave the memories of the accident behind him in Atlanta.

The Anaheim Mighty Ducks have traded left wing Mike Leclerc to the Phoenix Coyotes for a conditional pick in the 2007 NHL draft.
Click to expand...

Great pick up for the Coyotes. LeClerc is a solid third liner, who plays both ends of the ice.

Despite a handful of impact free-agent signings, Anaheim forward Stanislav Chistov has decided to hone his skills at home in Russia
Click to expand...

I expect to see much more of this as we go along. Native Russians will discover they can make more money playing at home, then being a third liner or worse in the NHL. Then they have to decide which is more important, quality of life or money?
 

Transactions for Tuesday, August 23rd

Boston Bruins - Signed defenceman Jay Leach and forwards Eric Nickulas and Garret Stroshein.

Chicago Blackhawks - Signed unrestricted free agent defenceman Todd Simpson.

Los Angeles Kings - Signed forward Lauri Tukonen to an entry-level contract.

Nashville Predators - Signed goaltender Pekka Rinne.

New York Islanders - Signed centre Petteri Nokelainen to entry-level contract.

New York Rangers - Acquired centre Steve Rucchin from the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for Trevor Gillies and a conditional pick in the 2007 draft.

Ottawa Senators - Re-signed restricted free agent forward Marian Hossa to a multi-year deal, traded Hossa and defenceman Greg de Vries to Atlanta Thrashers for forward Dany Heatley.

Phoenix Coyotes - Acquired forward Mike LeClerc from Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for conditional draft pick.

Tampa Bay Lightning - Signed forwards John Toffey and Marek Kvapil to multi-year contracts.

Vancouver Canucks - Signed forward Josh Green.

Washington Capitals - Signed forward Petr Sykora.
 

Current salary totals for the Canadian teams!

Montreal Canadiens
$23,968,000 US
19 Players
5 Salaries Undisclosed (M. Hossa, M. Komisarek, T. Plekanec, J. Aitken, P. Vandermeer)

Ottawa Senators
$29,870,094 US
21 Players
7 Salaries Undisclosed (D. Hamel, R. Emery, A. Vermette, A. Volchenkov, S. Martins, T. Malec, P. Eaves)

Toronto Maple Leafs
$39,177,600 US ($177,600 US over)
21 Players
1 Salary in Dispute (O. Nolan)

Calgary Flames
$34,637,000 US
25 Players
4 Salaries Undisclosed (L. Loyns, C. Kobasew, M. Lombardi, P. Sauve, E. Nystrom)

Edmonton Oilers
$28,662,340 US
20 Players

Vancouver Canucks
$33,915,774 US
22 Players
1 Salary Undisclosed (M. Ohlund)
 

Highest and Lowest

Highest

New Jersey Devils
$43,748,929 US ($4,748,929 US over)
21 Players

Lowest

Florida Panthers
$15,489,718 US
19 Players
3 Salaries Undisclosed (S. Weiss, R. Olesz, J.-M. Pelletier)
 

Belfast Giants Sign Olympic Gold Medallist - Theo Fleury

Date: 23 August 2005

Belfast Giants Coach, Ed Courtenay today rejoiced as the work permit for NHL superstar, Theo Fleury was approved. "This is the biggest ever signing for the Belfast Giants and indeed for the Elite League. Fleury has a Gold Olympic medal from the last Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and he has also won The Stanley Cup with Calgary Flames in 1989. Having scored over 1,000 points in as many NHL games we know Theo will be a huge boost for the sport of Ice Hockey in UK. I am really looking forward to coaching Theo and I know with the lineup that I have already signed, we will be strong opposition for all teams in this years League."

Courtenay added, "I understand from our General Manager, John Elliott that Theo will be the only current Olympic Gold medallist in any sport to be playing and training in Northern Ireland. This is something that I hope all sporting fans will warm to by coming to support the Belfast Giants. Fleury is an international ice hockey legend and he will bring a new dimension to the sport of Ice Hockey here in Belfast."

The arrival of Theo Fleury at the Belfast Giants has been brought about by his friendship with new investor Jim Yaworski, who has mentored him through a tough patch in his career overcoming alcoholism and Chrohn's disease. Yaworski commented that "Theo is an outstandingly talented hockey player who just loves to play. I have asked him to come to Belfast to play for the Giants and become a hero in a new town. Theo knows what I need of him and he is looking forward to working with Ed and John and playing with the team."

Fleury had to await the decision of UK work permits to give the go ahead for his arrival as he did not meet the specific criteria laid down by the work permit office. However, with letters of support for his application from Elite League and also the Ice Hockey Players Association, the final paperwork has been issued and the green light given.

Fleury has some other commitments which mean that unfortunately he will only be arriving in Belfast in mid October. Coach Courtenay, who is himself expected to arrive in Belfast later this week, explained. "Fleury won't be with us until October, and I'll be announcing a temporary signing from the East Coast Hockey League to start with the team for our first match on the 9th September against the Newcastle Vipers. Belfast Giants first games always attract huge crowds then Fleury will arrive on time to give the team a boost, just as we settle into home games and road trips. I've no concerns about his gelling with the team. They are all talented professionals and I'm confident we'll make a smooth transition. Fleury brings my roster to 10 and I hope to soon announce the remaining 3 ITC places and possible local players."
 

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