NHL: Player News and Rumors (Thread finished)
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Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
Grier agrees to 3-year deal with Sharks
Associated Press
7/3/2006 4:23:35 PM
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Mike Grier agreed to a $5.3-million US, three-year contract with the San Jose Sharks, his agent said Monday.
Jay Fee said that the Buffalo Sabres, Grier's former team, also expressed interest in re-signing his client, but the veteran forward elected to go with the Sharks. The deal will pay Grier $1,775,000 a year, a boost over the $1.36 million he made with Buffalo last season before becoming an unrestricted free agent Saturday for the first time in his career.
A message left with the Sharks was not immediately returned.
A 10-year NHL veteran, Grier was a valuable defensive specialist and behind-the-scenes leader in helping a young Sabres team win a franchise-record 52 regular-season games and clinch the team's first playoff berth since 2001.
He finished with 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists) in 81 games last season - his lowest point total since registering 15 in 1997-98 with Edmonton. But he scored a career-high four game-winning goals while usually playing against an opposing team's top line.
Grier added three goals and five assists in 18 playoff games.
His addition bolsters the Sharks' depth at forward after centre Alyn McCauley and winger Scott Thornton both signed with Los Angeles.
Grier is the second player the Sabres have lost to free agency after stalwart defenceman Jay McKee signed with St. Louis on Saturday.
Buffalo acquired Grier in March 2004 in a deal with Washington. Grier spent his first six seasons with Edmonton, where he enjoyed his best season, scoring 20 goals and 24 assists in 1998-99.
In 693 career games, Grier has 112 goals and 155 assists for 267 points.
Associated Press
7/3/2006 4:23:35 PM
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Mike Grier agreed to a $5.3-million US, three-year contract with the San Jose Sharks, his agent said Monday.
Jay Fee said that the Buffalo Sabres, Grier's former team, also expressed interest in re-signing his client, but the veteran forward elected to go with the Sharks. The deal will pay Grier $1,775,000 a year, a boost over the $1.36 million he made with Buffalo last season before becoming an unrestricted free agent Saturday for the first time in his career.
A message left with the Sharks was not immediately returned.
A 10-year NHL veteran, Grier was a valuable defensive specialist and behind-the-scenes leader in helping a young Sabres team win a franchise-record 52 regular-season games and clinch the team's first playoff berth since 2001.
He finished with 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists) in 81 games last season - his lowest point total since registering 15 in 1997-98 with Edmonton. But he scored a career-high four game-winning goals while usually playing against an opposing team's top line.
Grier added three goals and five assists in 18 playoff games.
His addition bolsters the Sharks' depth at forward after centre Alyn McCauley and winger Scott Thornton both signed with Los Angeles.
Grier is the second player the Sabres have lost to free agency after stalwart defenceman Jay McKee signed with St. Louis on Saturday.
Buffalo acquired Grier in March 2004 in a deal with Washington. Grier spent his first six seasons with Edmonton, where he enjoyed his best season, scoring 20 goals and 24 assists in 1998-99.
In 693 career games, Grier has 112 goals and 155 assists for 267 points.
Lord Zardoz
Explorer
My unqualified thoughts on the Pronger Trade
I think that the trade does alot to guarantee Edmonton's mid to long term future. But I wonder how strong their current likely roster leaves them for the upcoming season.
Based only on what others have said so far, it seems like the defenseman they got in exchange for Pronger, while he will definitely have a good future, might not be that strong in the short term.
On the other hand, since Roloson was retained and Markkanen proved in against Carolina that he can step up when its needed, the Oilers should do much better in the upcomming season than they did last season. It just worries me that the Oilers dont seem to have any obvious 'big names' right now to complete the package.
I would love to see Edmonton do well next year, and at the least go far into the playoffs, if not the finals again. But I dont want to have to count on them limping in as the 8th seed twice in a row. It would be better for them to be a bit more assured of hitting the finals.
END COMMUNICATION
I think that the trade does alot to guarantee Edmonton's mid to long term future. But I wonder how strong their current likely roster leaves them for the upcoming season.
Based only on what others have said so far, it seems like the defenseman they got in exchange for Pronger, while he will definitely have a good future, might not be that strong in the short term.
On the other hand, since Roloson was retained and Markkanen proved in against Carolina that he can step up when its needed, the Oilers should do much better in the upcomming season than they did last season. It just worries me that the Oilers dont seem to have any obvious 'big names' right now to complete the package.
I would love to see Edmonton do well next year, and at the least go far into the playoffs, if not the finals again. But I dont want to have to count on them limping in as the 8th seed twice in a row. It would be better for them to be a bit more assured of hitting the finals.
END COMMUNICATION
Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
Senators re-sign Spezza
Canadian Press
7/3/2006 5:32:28 PM
OTTAWA (CP) - The Ottawa Senators re-signed restricted free agent forward Jason Spezza to a two-year contract on Monday.
The 23 year-old had 19 goals and 71 assists for a career-best 90 points last season, which placed him third on the team in scoring.
"We feel that he's a great asset to our organization," said Senators GM John Muckler. "We're happy to have him aboard."
Spezza was selected second overall by the Senators in the 2001 draft and has spent his entire career with the organization.
While playing for Binghamton of the AHL during the NHL lockout in 2004-05, Spezza led the league and scoring and was named MVP.
He carried that momentum into this season, in which he earned $1.1 million US.
Spezza says he was happy to get the contract negotiations over with quickly.
"I think it's great to have it done early," Spezza said. "It shows the confidence they have in me to get a deal done so soon."
In 179 games, he has 48 goals and 118 assists for 166 points.
Canadian Press
7/3/2006 5:32:28 PM
OTTAWA (CP) - The Ottawa Senators re-signed restricted free agent forward Jason Spezza to a two-year contract on Monday.
The 23 year-old had 19 goals and 71 assists for a career-best 90 points last season, which placed him third on the team in scoring.
"We feel that he's a great asset to our organization," said Senators GM John Muckler. "We're happy to have him aboard."
Spezza was selected second overall by the Senators in the 2001 draft and has spent his entire career with the organization.
While playing for Binghamton of the AHL during the NHL lockout in 2004-05, Spezza led the league and scoring and was named MVP.
He carried that momentum into this season, in which he earned $1.1 million US.
Spezza says he was happy to get the contract negotiations over with quickly.
"I think it's great to have it done early," Spezza said. "It shows the confidence they have in me to get a deal done so soon."
In 179 games, he has 48 goals and 118 assists for 166 points.
Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
Seriously, when it comes to those two players, I expect Recchi to return to Pittsburgh and for Wesley to either retire or stay in Carolina.Agamon said:The Rangers just need to sign Recchi and Wesley and they become Carolina Jr.
KF72
Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
Thrashers sign free agent Rucchin
TSN.ca Staff
7/3/2006 5:56:06 PM
The Atlanta Thrashers have signed unrestricted free agent center Steve Rucchin.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"Steve is a proven veteran with a versatile skill-set that will complement any combination of our wingers, said Thrashers general manager Don Waddell. "He possesses solid offensive skills, is strong on face-offs and brings additional character and leadership to our line-up."
Rucchin, 34, has recorded 468 points in 688 NHL games in 11 seasons with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and New York Rangers. He has recorded 50-or-more points in a season five times and has scored 20-or-more goals on three occasions. In 37 NHL playoff games with the Mighty Ducks and Rangers, he has recorded 17 points.
The 6-3, 215-pound center played in 72 games for the Rangers in 2005-06, his lone season with the team, recording 36 points.
Originally selected by Anaheim in the 1994 NHL Supplemental Draft, Rucchin spent 10 seasons with the Mighty Ducks, tallying 432 points in 616 games. The native of Thunder Bay, Ontario helped the Mighty Ducks reach the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals, scoring a team-high seven goals while adding three assists for 10 points in 21 playoff games.
Prior to his professional career, Rucchin played four seasons at the University of Western Ontario of the OUAA, recording 192 points in 140 games. He was named an OUAA All-Star his final three seasons and was Player of the Year and a First Team All-Canadian selection for his senior season.
TSN.ca Staff
7/3/2006 5:56:06 PM
The Atlanta Thrashers have signed unrestricted free agent center Steve Rucchin.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"Steve is a proven veteran with a versatile skill-set that will complement any combination of our wingers, said Thrashers general manager Don Waddell. "He possesses solid offensive skills, is strong on face-offs and brings additional character and leadership to our line-up."
Rucchin, 34, has recorded 468 points in 688 NHL games in 11 seasons with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and New York Rangers. He has recorded 50-or-more points in a season five times and has scored 20-or-more goals on three occasions. In 37 NHL playoff games with the Mighty Ducks and Rangers, he has recorded 17 points.
The 6-3, 215-pound center played in 72 games for the Rangers in 2005-06, his lone season with the team, recording 36 points.
Originally selected by Anaheim in the 1994 NHL Supplemental Draft, Rucchin spent 10 seasons with the Mighty Ducks, tallying 432 points in 616 games. The native of Thunder Bay, Ontario helped the Mighty Ducks reach the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals, scoring a team-high seven goals while adding three assists for 10 points in 21 playoff games.
Prior to his professional career, Rucchin played four seasons at the University of Western Ontario of the OUAA, recording 192 points in 140 games. He was named an OUAA All-Star his final three seasons and was Player of the Year and a First Team All-Canadian selection for his senior season.
Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
Teflon Billy said:
Well said.
Thanks for the memories, Stevie Y. He didn't play for my team, but he is a class act. He's a given to enter the Hall of Fame. (3 year wait, right?)
Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
From Sportsnet.ca
Hockey Hearsay: Wild need to sign Gaborik
July 03, 2006
If the Minnesota WIld are to reduce the $4 million gap between themselves and franchise player Marian Gaborik, it better happen sooner rather than later.
Signing Gaborik is the remaining piece in the Wild's offseason activity, which included a trade for veteran playmaker Pavol Demitra, one of Gaborik's closest friends, then on Saturday signed gritty winger Mark Parrish, and defensemen Keith Carney and Kim Johnsson.
According to the Pioneer Press, the two sides remain about $4 million apart on a long-term deal, with Gaborik seeking four-or-five-year deal worth about $6 million a season. Gaborik rejected the team's opening offer of $26 million over five years.
If Gaborik files for arbitration, he would be eligible for only a one-year deal that would carry him over to unrestricted free agency in 2007.
Hockey Hearsay: Wild need to sign Gaborik
July 03, 2006
If the Minnesota WIld are to reduce the $4 million gap between themselves and franchise player Marian Gaborik, it better happen sooner rather than later.
Signing Gaborik is the remaining piece in the Wild's offseason activity, which included a trade for veteran playmaker Pavol Demitra, one of Gaborik's closest friends, then on Saturday signed gritty winger Mark Parrish, and defensemen Keith Carney and Kim Johnsson.
According to the Pioneer Press, the two sides remain about $4 million apart on a long-term deal, with Gaborik seeking four-or-five-year deal worth about $6 million a season. Gaborik rejected the team's opening offer of $26 million over five years.
If Gaborik files for arbitration, he would be eligible for only a one-year deal that would carry him over to unrestricted free agency in 2007.
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