NHL: Player News and Rumors (Thread finished)

Yzerman announces retirement
TSN.ca Staff with CP files
7/3/2006 11:15:20 AM

Steve Yzerman announced his retirement today at a news conference in Detroit.

Yzerman had been Detroit's captain since 1986, making him the longest-serving captain in league history. He led the Wings to 15 consecutive playoff appearances and won three Stanley Cups with Detroit.

Yzerman, 41, had 14 goals and 20 assists in 61 games last year, but struggled with injuries.

With the Wings season on the line and time running out in what would be their final game of the 2006 playoffs, Detroit pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. Yzerman, the leader of the franchise for 20 years, was not on the ice as the Red Wings were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers.

"I'm going to do the best thing for me and the best thing for the team," Yzerman said shortly after the Red Wings' final loss.

"I don't want this to turn into a soap opera or an ordeal," he said.

Detroit coach Mike Babcock and general manager Ken Holland have said they would welcome Yzerman back for another season.

"Steve's been here a long, long time," Babcock said after Detroit was eliminated by Edmonton. "He's been the face of the franchise. ... We want him back, but we will understand if he doesn't come back."

Yzerman is a lock for the Hockey Hall of Fame with 692 goals, 1,063 assists and 1,755 in 1,514 NHL games. He also had 70 goals, 115 assists and 185 points in 196 career NHL playoff games.
 

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A standing ovation for Stevie Y. I've never been a Wings fan, but you can't help but respect both the ability integrity of that guy. He'll be missed, for sure.
 

Agamon said:
A standing ovation for Stevie Y. I've never been a Wings fan, but you can't help but respect both the ability integrity of that guy. He'll be missed, for sure.
Click to expand...

Yeah, same feeling exactly. Not a huge Wings fan, but Stevie Y really set the bar for how a NHL Captain should be have on and off the ice.
 

The Pronger deal wasn't too bad. I'm surprised though that it was Anaheim that got him. Prongs and Nieds? Yikes, there's a blueline.

I wonder what the condition of the picks are? Whether Lupul resigns before the season starts? Those are some nice picks, plus Smid is the Ducks' top prospect, after Bobby Ryan:

Name: Ladislav Smid
Position: D
Shoots: Left
Height: 6-2
Weight: 185 lbs
Birthdate: 1986-02-01
Hometown: Frydlant, Czech Republic
Acquired: Drafted 9th overall (1st round) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft

History
Ladislav Smid has played his entire career in the system of the HC Bili Tygri Liberec team. He got a regular spot on the defensive rotation of the senior team in 2003-2004 and once the team was out of playoff contention, Smid was loaned to the Beroun team from the Div I senior league to join their playoff run. Smid possesses lots of experience from the international stage, having played at two Under-18 WJCs in 2003 and 2004, as well as two Under-20 WJCs in 2004 and 2005.

Talent Analysis
Ladislav Smid posesses a nice frame, but at 6'3'', 209 lbs. he is a bit of a lanky defenseman. Smid still has to bulk up not to be called skinny. His strongest assets are his very smooth puckhandling and an ability to handle huge traffic well. He is an above-average stickhandler and is very adept at making accurate outlet passes with precise timing. His solid slap shots contribute to his offensive flair, Smid only needs to unleash it more frequently. On the defensive aspect of his game Smid is positionally quite sound and stays with his man, but he could use some improvement in his defensive zone coverage. He isn't a hard hitter, he relies more on his strong vision and reading of plays, which enables him to foresee what will happen. Smid doesn't play afraid and his play doesn't go south when he is physically challenged. Ladislav Smid's skating is decent for a big man like him. He made strides in his agility and first-step quickness to go along with an upgraded balance. Smid shows an adequate lateral movement and isn't easy to outskate, even if he still could work on this aspect of his game. Smid also needs to learn how to keep his game more simple and not to overhandle the puck, thus bringing himself into trouble sometimes.

Future
Previously, it was thought that Smid would be able to join the Ducks shortly after he came over from Europe, however, it appears he would be better served with some extra time getting acclimated to the North American game. Although Smid was never known for his physical play, it would benefit him greatly if he began to use his size more to his advantage.
 
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Penguins add Eaton, coach Savard
Canadian Press
7/3/2006 11:30:40 AM

PITTSBURGH (CP) - The Pittsburgh Penguins signed defenceman Mark Eaton to a two-year contract an named Andre Savard an assistant coach on Monday.

Eaton, a 29-year-old free agent, had four points in 69 games last season with the Nashville Predators and led his team with 170 blocked shots.

He will join Ray Shero, who was assistant general manager at Nashville for eight seasons before being hired last month as the Penguins' general manager.

Eaton has played in 313 games in parts of six seasons with Nashville and Philadelphia.

Savard joins Mike Yeo on head coach Michel Therrien's staff.

The 53-year-old has over 20 years of NHL experience in coaching, scouting and management, including spending the last three years as an assistant general manager with the Montreal Canadiens.

Savard was Montreal's GM from 2000 until 2003.

In 790 games as a player for Boston, Buffalo and Quebec, Savard recorded 211 goals and 271 assists for 482 points.
 

Well, there goes basically our top scout. Oboyoboy, what next? Koivu going to announce his retirement? :mad:

Funny, I read the headline and immediately thought, "Wow, good for Denis."
 

Agamon said:
The Pronger deal wasn't too bad. I'm surprised though that it was Anaheim that got him. Prongs and Nieds? Yikes, there's a blueline.

I wonder what the condition of the picks are? Whether Lupul resigns before the season starts? Those are some nice picks, plus Smid is the Ducks' top prospect, after Bobby Ryan:
Click to expand...
The picks are as follows...

Edmonton gets Anaheim’s first round draft choice in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, a conditional first round draft choice and their second round draft choice in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. The conditional 1st round draft pick depends how the Ducks do in the regular season and playoffs.

And while I was hoping for a second roster player, I'm fairly happy with the deal. Lupul is an Edmonton boy, while Smid has all the makings of an all-star defenceman. He's a Top 10 NHL Prospect, and I think he can step in and play in 2006-07.

And don't forget that the next few drafts are supposedly LOADED with talent. Either that or Kevin Lowe can trade away one of those 1st round picks for a solid vetern player like he did with Edmonton's 2006 1st round pick for Dwayne Roloson.

And now Edmonton has $6 Mil. of freed up Cap space to sign out restricted and unrestricted free agents. (Lupul is RFA, but I think he'll be thrilled to play in Edmonton, and it won't cost the team too much.)

Cheers!

KF72
 

From Sportsnet.ca

Hockey Hearsay: Eagle landing in Motown?
July 03, 2006

Is Ed Belfour planning on trading in the blue and white of the Leafs for the red and white of the WIngs?

According to the Toronto Sun, former Maple Leafs goaltender Ed Belfour is looking to sign with the Detroit Red Wings in a role that would see him backup starter Chris Osgood.

The paper quoted Belfour's agent Ron Salcer as saying that "Ed's plans are definitely to play goal again in the NHL. He's weighing his options, doing his therapy religiously (from spring back surgery) and making significant progress every day."

Asked if the Leafs' decision to terminate his contract last week would scare other teams away from the 41-year-old, Salcer retorted "it would be hard not to pay attention to Ed Belfour if he's available. He's come back from every kind of adversity."
 

WHAT??? Are the Wings stupid? All those goalies out there, and they want old man Belfour? Ah well, we're all better off if they just fail in the first round agin next season.

Anyone heard if Shanny is a Bruin yet? I like how they're gearing up the same way Pittsburgh did last season... :D The more I think about it, the more I'm happy Montreal is staying away from overpriced UFAs. A cheap 5th-6th d-man, and Latendresse and Kostytsin can come up and be this season's Higgins and Perezhogin. We need to worry about losing Souray, Markov and Rivet next season.
 

Rangers sign Aaron Ward
TSN.ca Staff
7/3/2006 3:54:45 PM

New York, NY -- New York Rangers have agreed to terms with free agent defenceman Aaron Ward.

The 6-2, 225-pounder appeared in 71 games with the Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes last season, registering a career-high 25 points. Ward also led the team and tied for 13th in the league with 164 blocked shots.

In 25 postseason contests, Ward notched five points, along with 18 penalty minutes, helping the Hurricanes capture the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history.

"Aaron is another proven winner joining our lineup, having won three Stanley Cup Championships", said Rangers general manager Glen Sather. “He brings leadership and experience to our team and adds a competitive edge to our defensive corps.”

A member of three Stanley Cup championship teams, Ward has skated in 552 career NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings and Carolina Hurricanes, registering 99 points and with 501 penalty minutes. He has also appeared in 78 career playoff games.

Ward was originally the Winnipeg Jets' first round choice, 5th overall, in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft.
 

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