NHL: Player News and Rumors (Thread finished)
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Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
Senators re-sign forward Heerema
Sports Ticker
7/13/2006 9:06:01 PM
OTTAWA (Ticker) - Jeff Heerema is hoping the Ottawa Senators' losses will be his personal gain.
After failing to earn a shot with the Senators last season, Heerema signed a one-year contract with the team on Thursday. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Drafted 11th overall by Carolina in 1998, Heerema will attempt to win a forward position with the Senators following the departures of Martin Havlat and Bryan Smolinski, who were traded to the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday. The 26-year-old Ontario native spent the entire 2005-06 season with Binghamton of the American Hockey League, recording 27 goals and 47 assists in 77 games.
Heerema has appeared in 32 career contests with the Hurricanes and St. Louis Blues, collecting four goals and two assists.
The Senators on Thursday also signed right wing Bobby Robins and defensemen Neil Komadoski and Neil Petruic to one-year contracts.
Sports Ticker
7/13/2006 9:06:01 PM
OTTAWA (Ticker) - Jeff Heerema is hoping the Ottawa Senators' losses will be his personal gain.
After failing to earn a shot with the Senators last season, Heerema signed a one-year contract with the team on Thursday. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Drafted 11th overall by Carolina in 1998, Heerema will attempt to win a forward position with the Senators following the departures of Martin Havlat and Bryan Smolinski, who were traded to the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday. The 26-year-old Ontario native spent the entire 2005-06 season with Binghamton of the American Hockey League, recording 27 goals and 47 assists in 77 games.
Heerema has appeared in 32 career contests with the Hurricanes and St. Louis Blues, collecting four goals and two assists.
The Senators on Thursday also signed right wing Bobby Robins and defensemen Neil Komadoski and Neil Petruic to one-year contracts.
Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
Thrashers sign veteran forward Sim
Sports Ticker
7/13/2006 11:31:22 PM
ATLANTA (Ticker) - The Atlanta Thrashers added another forward Thursday, signing left wing Jon Sim to a contract. Terms were not disclosed.
Sim split last season between Philadelphia and Florida, collecting 17 goals and a career-high 32 points in 72 games. The 28-year-old began the campaign with the Flyers before being traded to the Panthers on January 23.
A third-round pick of Dallas in 1996, Sim has registered 35 goals and 33 assists in 230 career games with the Stars, Nashville Predators, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Flyers and Panthers. He was a member of Dallas' Stanley Cup championship team in 1999.
The Thrashers on Thursday also re-signed defenseman Mark Popovic and center Colin Stuart.
Popovic, 23, appeared in seven games with Atlanta last season after being acquired from Anaheim in August. A second-round pick of the Ducks in 2001, he made his NHL debut in 2003-04, when he played in one contest with the team.
Selected in the fifth round of the 2001 draft, Stuart posted career highs of 12 goals and 14 assists with Chicago of the American Hockey League in 2005-06. The 24-year-old is the older brother of Boston defenseman Mike Stuart, who made his NHL debut last campaign.
Sports Ticker
7/13/2006 11:31:22 PM
ATLANTA (Ticker) - The Atlanta Thrashers added another forward Thursday, signing left wing Jon Sim to a contract. Terms were not disclosed.
Sim split last season between Philadelphia and Florida, collecting 17 goals and a career-high 32 points in 72 games. The 28-year-old began the campaign with the Flyers before being traded to the Panthers on January 23.
A third-round pick of Dallas in 1996, Sim has registered 35 goals and 33 assists in 230 career games with the Stars, Nashville Predators, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Flyers and Panthers. He was a member of Dallas' Stanley Cup championship team in 1999.
The Thrashers on Thursday also re-signed defenseman Mark Popovic and center Colin Stuart.
Popovic, 23, appeared in seven games with Atlanta last season after being acquired from Anaheim in August. A second-round pick of the Ducks in 2001, he made his NHL debut in 2003-04, when he played in one contest with the team.
Selected in the fifth round of the 2001 draft, Stuart posted career highs of 12 goals and 14 assists with Chicago of the American Hockey League in 2005-06. The 24-year-old is the older brother of Boston defenseman Mike Stuart, who made his NHL debut last campaign.
Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
Oiler News!
NHL challenge awaits Oilers' Jan Hejda
Oiler News
Jul. 14, 2006 at 12:38 AM MDT
It was quite obvious Jan Hejda would be headed to Western Canada when the Edmonton Oilers announced they traded for him and the Buffalo Sabres got a seventh-round pick in next year’s draft. The only thing that remained was to dot the i’s and cross the t’s and wait for a fax from Edmonton so Hejda had a piece of paper to sign.
“It was relatively fast, we had our first contact about a week ago,” Hejda told the Czech hockey association’s official site, hokej.cz on Tuesday.
The 2005 world champion became an NHL commodity in 2003, when the Sabres selected him. But Buffalo’s offer wasn’t to Hejda’s liking, so, he continued to play in the RussianSuperleague’s CSKA Moscow and, later, at Khimik.
The Sabres’ interest this season wasn’t much, either, the defenceman told hokej.cz. “Actually, there was no negotiation,” Hejda said. “They said the club went quite deep into the playoffs, and they would rather re-sign players they had on their roster.”
Hejda’s agent Larry Kelly started looking elsewhere. “It looked promising with Nashville,” Hejda said. “It looked as if we were close to agreeing. But, eventually, it fell through, and right at that moment, Edmonton appeared on the scene. It was quite fast, we had an agreement within a week of the first contact.”
While it’s not unusual that contract negotiations can get tense, it wasn’t the case for Hejda. “Sure, I did feel some nervousness. But we had an agreement on the substantial parts right away and all that was left were details,” Hejda told hokej.cz.
As soon as there was a verbal agreement, the Oilers went ahead and traded for Hejda’s playing rights.
With the news that the trade had happened, everything was clear. “If there was no agreement, the trade would have been useless,” Hejda said.
The Oilers are looking for a replacement for Chris Pronger and Jaroslav Spacek. With Dick Tarnstrom also likely gone, that opens a promising perspective for Hejda.
Because of his age (Hejda is 28), the new CBA stipulates that he could only sign a one-year, two-way contract. “The length of the deal doesn’t bother me at all, the fact it’s two-way does a bit,” he said.
Still, Hejda decided to pursue his dream. While finances are quite important, he said he was willing to risk it. “Sure, it can happen they could send me to the farm,” Hejda said.
“I’ve got to keep that in mind. But I had no choice. I want to play in the NHL, and this was one of my last chances. Who knows what happens in a year or two."
Hejda said he wanted to know what he was going to do in the upcoming season by the end of this week. “I made it my deadline,” he said. “If it didn’t work out in the NHL, I would have stayed in Europe.”
His first choice would have been his Alma Mater, Slavia Prague. In fact, as soon as he’s got the news that the deal was done, Hejda called Slavia’s GM and head coach Vladimir Ruzicka to ask him about the Oilers – after all, that’s where Ruzicka started his NHL career in the 1989-1990 season.
There were more offers on his table, Hejda told hokej.cz. “Beside Slavia, there was another Czech club, and there was something in Sweden.”
Thus far, Hejda has played only in the Czech Republic and Russia.
“I talked to Frankie Musil about Edmonton, he told me a lot about it. I haven’t had a chance to talk to other Czech players who’d been there yet.”
Meanwhile, he’s practicing as hard as he can. “Slavia has got team vacation right now, so, I have to practice alone. I would have rather skated with them. It’s better when there are more people in the gym or on the ice,” Hejda said.
NHL challenge awaits Oilers' Jan Hejda
Oiler News
Jul. 14, 2006 at 12:38 AM MDT
It was quite obvious Jan Hejda would be headed to Western Canada when the Edmonton Oilers announced they traded for him and the Buffalo Sabres got a seventh-round pick in next year’s draft. The only thing that remained was to dot the i’s and cross the t’s and wait for a fax from Edmonton so Hejda had a piece of paper to sign.
“It was relatively fast, we had our first contact about a week ago,” Hejda told the Czech hockey association’s official site, hokej.cz on Tuesday.
The 2005 world champion became an NHL commodity in 2003, when the Sabres selected him. But Buffalo’s offer wasn’t to Hejda’s liking, so, he continued to play in the RussianSuperleague’s CSKA Moscow and, later, at Khimik.
The Sabres’ interest this season wasn’t much, either, the defenceman told hokej.cz. “Actually, there was no negotiation,” Hejda said. “They said the club went quite deep into the playoffs, and they would rather re-sign players they had on their roster.”
Hejda’s agent Larry Kelly started looking elsewhere. “It looked promising with Nashville,” Hejda said. “It looked as if we were close to agreeing. But, eventually, it fell through, and right at that moment, Edmonton appeared on the scene. It was quite fast, we had an agreement within a week of the first contact.”
While it’s not unusual that contract negotiations can get tense, it wasn’t the case for Hejda. “Sure, I did feel some nervousness. But we had an agreement on the substantial parts right away and all that was left were details,” Hejda told hokej.cz.
As soon as there was a verbal agreement, the Oilers went ahead and traded for Hejda’s playing rights.
With the news that the trade had happened, everything was clear. “If there was no agreement, the trade would have been useless,” Hejda said.
The Oilers are looking for a replacement for Chris Pronger and Jaroslav Spacek. With Dick Tarnstrom also likely gone, that opens a promising perspective for Hejda.
Because of his age (Hejda is 28), the new CBA stipulates that he could only sign a one-year, two-way contract. “The length of the deal doesn’t bother me at all, the fact it’s two-way does a bit,” he said.
Still, Hejda decided to pursue his dream. While finances are quite important, he said he was willing to risk it. “Sure, it can happen they could send me to the farm,” Hejda said.
“I’ve got to keep that in mind. But I had no choice. I want to play in the NHL, and this was one of my last chances. Who knows what happens in a year or two."
Hejda said he wanted to know what he was going to do in the upcoming season by the end of this week. “I made it my deadline,” he said. “If it didn’t work out in the NHL, I would have stayed in Europe.”
His first choice would have been his Alma Mater, Slavia Prague. In fact, as soon as he’s got the news that the deal was done, Hejda called Slavia’s GM and head coach Vladimir Ruzicka to ask him about the Oilers – after all, that’s where Ruzicka started his NHL career in the 1989-1990 season.
There were more offers on his table, Hejda told hokej.cz. “Beside Slavia, there was another Czech club, and there was something in Sweden.”
Thus far, Hejda has played only in the Czech Republic and Russia.
“I talked to Frankie Musil about Edmonton, he told me a lot about it. I haven’t had a chance to talk to other Czech players who’d been there yet.”
Meanwhile, he’s practicing as hard as he can. “Slavia has got team vacation right now, so, I have to practice alone. I would have rather skated with them. It’s better when there are more people in the gym or on the ice,” Hejda said.
Teflon Billy said:Man...since Pronger packed his bags the Oilers are getting annihilated by free agency.
No kidding. I really thought Lowe would be able to hold the team together considering their playoff succes. Every report I heard was that Samsonov wanted to stay in Edmonton.
I think Samsonov leaving the Oilers is a huge career mistake for him. Playing in media friendly Edmonton, on a young and exciting team may have made him a superstar. You watch, this guy is going to be a bust in Montreal.
Agamon said:
I guess I agree with this.
I just can't stand Lindros. From the crap he pulled when drafted by Quebec, then the stuff in Philly (i.e. Brind'amour's wife), to the garbage with his parents, and some personal stories I know envolving a mutual friend. He's such an arrogant jerk, who has always believed he's bigger then the game.
Agamon
Adventurer
devilbat said:
I'll watch. Every single game on RDS (I like being a Habs fan). He's playing with his buddy Kovy. I think he'll do fine (knock on wood).
I believe Montreal has a team this season that is a lot like Buffalo's last season (sans the whiney goaltenders). This is a good thing, I think.
Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
Flyers re-sign Joni Pitkanen for one year
Canadian Press
7/14/2006 1:49:29 PM
The Philadelphia Flyers have re-signed top-four defenceman Joni Pitkanen to a one-year contract. The 22-year-old Finn had a career-high 46 points (13-33) and 78 penalty minutes in 58 games last season while leading the team in ice time (23:42).
"Joni Pitkanen is a player who made great strides in his development last season and we feel can one day be one of the top defencemen in the league," Flyers GM Bob Clarke said in a statement. "His importance to the team is along the same lines as Jeff Carter, Mike Richards and R.J. Umberger and it is a priority for us to make sure that our younger players remain in the organization."
Pitkanen, Philadelphia's first choice, fourth overall in the 2002 NHL entry draft, won the Barry Ashbee Trophy as the Flyers' most outstanding defenceman last season and the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy as the most improved player.
Canadian Press
7/14/2006 1:49:29 PM
The Philadelphia Flyers have re-signed top-four defenceman Joni Pitkanen to a one-year contract. The 22-year-old Finn had a career-high 46 points (13-33) and 78 penalty minutes in 58 games last season while leading the team in ice time (23:42).
"Joni Pitkanen is a player who made great strides in his development last season and we feel can one day be one of the top defencemen in the league," Flyers GM Bob Clarke said in a statement. "His importance to the team is along the same lines as Jeff Carter, Mike Richards and R.J. Umberger and it is a priority for us to make sure that our younger players remain in the organization."
Pitkanen, Philadelphia's first choice, fourth overall in the 2002 NHL entry draft, won the Barry Ashbee Trophy as the Flyers' most outstanding defenceman last season and the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy as the most improved player.
Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
Capitals sign enforcer Brashear
TSN.ca Staff
7/14/2006 2:14:21 PM
The Washington Capitals have signed free agent left wing Donald Brashear.
Brashear, 34, appeared in 270 games for the Philadelphia Flyers during the past four seasons, posting 66 points and 648 penalty minutes.
He has led the Flyers in penalty minutes in each of the past three seasons. In 2002-03 Brashear was named the winner of the Flyers' Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy as the team's most improved player in a vote of his teammates.
A 6-foot-2, 235-pound native of Bedford, Ind., Brashear has appeared in 769 NHL games for the Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks and Philadelphia Flyers during 12 seasons, recording 75 goals and 104 assists for 179 points, while posting 2,165 penalty minutes.
He has led his respective teams in penalty minutes a total of eight times, including a league-leading 372 penalty minutes in 1997-98.
TSN.ca Staff
7/14/2006 2:14:21 PM
The Washington Capitals have signed free agent left wing Donald Brashear.
Brashear, 34, appeared in 270 games for the Philadelphia Flyers during the past four seasons, posting 66 points and 648 penalty minutes.
He has led the Flyers in penalty minutes in each of the past three seasons. In 2002-03 Brashear was named the winner of the Flyers' Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy as the team's most improved player in a vote of his teammates.
A 6-foot-2, 235-pound native of Bedford, Ind., Brashear has appeared in 769 NHL games for the Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks and Philadelphia Flyers during 12 seasons, recording 75 goals and 104 assists for 179 points, while posting 2,165 penalty minutes.
He has led his respective teams in penalty minutes a total of eight times, including a league-leading 372 penalty minutes in 1997-98.
Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
Maple Leafs sign first-round pick Tlusty
TSN.ca Staff
7/14/2006 2:14:36 PM
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed their first pick from the 2006 Entry Draft, Jiri Tlusty to a three year entry level contract.
In keeping with club policy, financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
The native of Slany, Czech Republic spent last season with HC Rabat Kladno of the Czech Republic Extraleague recording 10 points with 51 penalty minutes in 44 games. He also played four games for the Czech Republic team at the 2006 World Junior Hockey Championship in Vancouver.
That same year he captained the Czech Under-18 World Championship team registering seven points with eight penalty minutes in seven games and was named to the tournament All-Star team.
Tlusty has spent the past five seasons with HC Rabat Kladno beginning with their Under-18 team during the 2001-02 season as a 14 year old.
TSN.ca Staff
7/14/2006 2:14:36 PM
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed their first pick from the 2006 Entry Draft, Jiri Tlusty to a three year entry level contract.
In keeping with club policy, financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
The native of Slany, Czech Republic spent last season with HC Rabat Kladno of the Czech Republic Extraleague recording 10 points with 51 penalty minutes in 44 games. He also played four games for the Czech Republic team at the 2006 World Junior Hockey Championship in Vancouver.
That same year he captained the Czech Under-18 World Championship team registering seven points with eight penalty minutes in seven games and was named to the tournament All-Star team.
Tlusty has spent the past five seasons with HC Rabat Kladno beginning with their Under-18 team during the 2001-02 season as a 14 year old.