NHL: Player News and Rumors (Thread finished)

Naslund admits change is good
Sportsnet.ca
August 24, 2006

Vancouver Canucks' captain Markus Naslund may need a nametag when he meets his new teammates for the first time since the team's turbulent offseason began.

With 14 players from the underachieving squad of last season now residing in new area codes, Naslund is one of the few links to the glories and disappointments of the past five seasons. Naslund arrived back in Vancouver this week, and quickly dismissed the recent rumours of a Flyers trade which would see him play alongside countryman Peter Forsberg in exchange for the unsigned Simon Gagne.

"I like playing here and it's a special place. It's been tough not having the success we expected with a group that had the possibility of having success."

Perhaps the most glaring roster adjustment for Naslund will come in adapting to a a top line minus long-time friend Todd Bertuzzi. Bertuzzi was traded out of Vancouver to address the team's needs in net, which will be closely guarded by Roberto Luongo come October.

"It's definitely going to be neat," Naslund told the Vancouver Province. "I've heard guys talk about playing with superstars in the league and how much it means to the team. The confidence rubs off and I've been impressed with what I've seen in Roberto."

A new coaching strategy under former Manitoba Moose boss Alain Vigneault will also help ease Naslund's doubts about scoring without the aid of Bertuzzi. Vigneault has vowed to employ a high-tempo, puck-possession strategy while first emphasizing better play in the Canucks zone. Vigneault will of course be replacing the often-abrasive Marc Crawford, who was fired after the Canucks failed to make the post-season.

"I'm happy about starting over again and proving myself again and getting some revenge and that hunger back. It's going to be different for everyone and I think it's a fresh start, too."

The proving ground will start with the stat sheet, where Naslund posted a paltry 79 points and a minus-19 ranking last season, down from 104 and plus-6 in 2002-03.

Sportsnet's Dan Murphy will have a full report on the veteran Canucks and their fight to find an identity and succeed among the summer changes. Tune in to Sportsnetnews Thursday night at 6pm/PT for more on the team.
 

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Hockey Hearsay
August 24, 2006

Neely talked Chara into Beantown
Ever wonder what makes a player decide on a new team? Well, try a phone call from one of the game's best power forwards.

“I was happy to help. I was glad they asked me to make that call (to Chara),” Neely said. “I want nothing more than to see the Bruins win hockey games and ultimately a championship. I think the fans deserve that.”

According to the Boston Herald, The Bruins' newest ambassador felt the front office changes were sufficient enough to lend a hand in bringing in the much sought after free-agent defenceman.

“It’s one thing to say, ‘Hey, why don’t you come play for the team?’ But I had to feel comfortable that they were prepared and willing to show the players that they were going to turn things around,” Neely said. “Management, certainly in my view, has done that this offseason.”

The Bruins also made strides towards solidifying their future by signing young forward Patrice Bergeron to a five-year deal worth almost $24 million.

Tucker to retire as a Leaf?
Darcy Tucker and his agent have started preliminary talks with Leafs GM John Ferguson on a new contract.

As reported in the Toronto Sun, Tucker would like an extension before his contract expires at the end of the 2006-07 season.

However, Tucker does not want to cause a distraction similar to that of Bryan McCabe's deal and "if it's not done when the season starts, that's it, I'll concentrate on hockey and pick it up again at the end of the year."

At age 31, Tucker is coming off a career-high 28-goals and is the second-longest serving Maple Leafs forward in games played to Mats Sundin.
 

Svatos wants contract before camp
TheFourthPeriod.com
August 24, 2006

Avalanche winger Marek Svatos will reluctantly stay away from training camp unless he has a new contract, reports the Rocky Mountain News.

"This isn't what we wanted," Svatos told the News. "But I'm optimistic about it and, hopefully, by the time camp starts, I'm going to sign. This is where I want to play."

Svatos, 24, made the league minimum $450,000 last season and tied for the team lead in goals with 32, despite missing the final 20 games of the season to an injury.

Svatos' agent, Rich Evans, said he hasn't resumed contract talks since returning from vacation Monday, but told the paper: "I'm sure we'll be engaged in discussions over the next little while."

While the Avs consider Svatos to be one of the league's bright young stars, the News claims they're reluctant to give him a lucrative, long-term deal because of his history of shoulder problems.

"I spent pretty much all summer here working on my shoulders and everything else," Svatos said. "The trainers are putting lots of time on me. I just got on the ice this week, but it feels pretty good.

"(Injuries) are something I want to put behind me and not think about. It was frustrating last year because everything was going well. Unfortunately, I got hurt again. It's why, this summer, I tried to do everything I can to prevent those injuries."
 

Red Wings re-sign Johan Franzen
TSN.ca Staff
8/25/2006 1:48:16 PM

The Detroit Red wings have re-signed forward Johan Franzen to a three-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

''Johan had a very good rookie season in the NHL,'' said Red Wings general manager Ken Holland. ''He was a big part of our penalty killing, provided us with a physical presence and played very well in the playoffs. Moving into his second NHL season and beyond, we're hopeful he can gain some confidence and increase his contribution in the scoring department as well.''

The 26-year-old Franzen made his NHL debut in 2005-06 and led Detroit Rookies with 12 goals and 16 points in 80 games. He is the first Red Wings rookie to play in 80 games since Nicklas Lidstrom in 1991-92.

The native of Vetlanda, Sweden was drafted by the Red Wings in the third round (97th overall) in 2004.
 

Tucker should retire a Leaf. No other player in the league exemplifies the Maple Leafs like Darcy Tucker. I'm embarrassed the Habs drafted the idiot.
 

Zherdev on the block?
TheFourthPeriod.com
August 25, 2006

If the Blue Jackets and restricted free agent winger Nikolai Zherdev cannot break through their current contract stalemate, Columbus could opt to trade him, suggests the Toronto Sun.

According to the paper, the Jackets could decide to deal the 21-year-old for a young forward and a first-round draft pick.

Zherdev is apparently looking for a one-year pact worth between $1 million and $2 million, or a long-term deal of three or more years.

While reports suggest he could be dealt to an Eastern Conference team, Jackets GM Doug MacLean shot down one rumor that claimed Zherdev could be shipped to the Leafs for center Matt Stajan and a pick.

"I've not had one conversation about trading Nikolai Zherdev," MacLean told the Columbus Dispatch. "That (rumor) is totally, absolutely false. On my father's grave, I would swear that."

According to the Dispatch, the Blue Jackets have made their most tempting offer of a two-year deal worth $3.5 million.
 

Report: Kaigorodov free to join Senators
TSN.ca Staff
8/26/2006 11:00:17 AM

Russian prospect Alexei Kaigorodov will join the Ottawa Senators for training camp.

According to a report in the Ottawa Sun, the Senators have come to an agreement with Kaigorodov's Russian club Metallurg Magnitogorsk that will allow him to stay in North America if he makes the team. If he doesn't make the NHL roster he will return to Russia rather than play for the Binghamton Senators of the AHL.

''He will go to Ottawa, but if he can't make the team, he will return,'' said Metallurg general director Gennady Velichkin. ''He was loyal for the organization for all this time and stayed with us when asked, so we decided to meet his wishes.''

In 50 games with Metallurg Magnitogorsk last year, Kaigorodov scored nine goals and dished out 23 assists. In 11 playoff games he was held to just one assist.
 

From Sportsnet.ca!

Hockey Hearsay

Hitchcock pleased with Primeau
August 26, 2006
Most hockey pundits have closed the book on Keith Primeau's career, but Flyers' coach Ken Hitchcock is not one of them.

Hitchcock, who watched Primeau skate in Voorhees, Camden County, saw no reason why the captain cannot be back with the team when camp opens in September.

"Primeau has been flying on the ice," Hitchcock said yesterday. "I've been watching him. He looks like a man ready to play."

The 34-year-old center has not played since Oct. 28 at Carolina because of post-concussion syndrome. He had been hit with a flagrant elbow to the head three days earlier in Montreal by Alexander Perezhogin. There was hope he would be back for the Flyers' playoff run in 2006, but headaches kept him away.

Primeau aside, Hitchcock also told reporters there is no truth to the rumour that Simon Gange will be traded, Gagne is currently unsigned, and the team hope to follow the Bruins example and get the young centre to agree to a deal similar to what Patrice BErgeron received in Boston.

"I talked to him 10 days ago, and we expect him," Hitchcock said. "There are a number of players like him... who could be unrestricted in a year or so who have not signed. After this year, Simon would be unrestricted. Like Patrice Bergeron, the Bruins wanted to get him signed through unrestricted free agency and they did that."

Traded stars on ice
August 26, 2006
For a brief moment the Florida Panthers must have thought they'd won the player lottery as both Todd Bertuzzi and Roberto Luongo worked out together on the ice in Florida.

Traded for each other at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, the duo skated as teammates during scrimmages.

"It's kind of weird being back out here with him because, really, it seems like everything is the same," team captain Olli Jokinen told the Miami Herald. Jokinen organized the offseason workouts that brought Luongo and Bertuzzi together.

Luongo -- who now is back in his native Montreal -- admitted it was a bit surreal to take his familiar spot in net, to put on his old yellow and white pads as well as his Florida-themed mask. It also was strange to work alongside old friends and teammates such as Jokinen, Joe Nieuwendyk, Stephen Weiss and Nathan Horton.

Luongo remains bitter towards the Panthers for portraying him as the bad guy in trade, saying he told the team he would sign if a number of concessions were met.

"I really don't know what happened in those final hours," he said. "You never know what can happen in the future and I don't want to burn any bridges. I feel bad because of what happened, but that's part of the business and things happen. . . . I was portrayed as a greedy player. People who know me know that's not how I am. I basically agreed to the deal. And that's hard to take."

Leafs to invite only the elite
August 25, 2006
The Maple Leafs aren't going to bother with the fringe players this year at training camp, preferring to go with players that have an actual shot at making the team.

When camp opens in September, the Buds will invite 50-odd players; 15-20 fewer players than they usually invite, reports the Toronto Sun.

"One of the main benefits is that we'll have players making hard, NHL passes right away," Maurice told the Sun. "Nothing against the kids, but some don't have the physical maturity for some of the work. You don't want to have to slow down."

Defenceman Jay Harrison is glad there will be a more condensed camp, but said that doesn't make it an easier route to earning a full-time position.

"It all means the tempo will be hot about 30 seconds after we pick up our sticks."
 

Wings still eyeing Carter, Dumont
TheFourthPeriod.com
August 26, 2006

The Red Wings are still interested in free agents Anson Carter and J.P. Dumont, but won't sign either unless they drop their demands, reports the Detroit Free Press.

The Wings have about $2.6 million left to spend, but apparently want to hang on to that to allow for trade-deadline flexibility.

According to the paper, bonuses from last year limit the Wings' salary cap to $43.6 million.

"We're comfortable going to camp with where we're at," Wings GM Ken Holland told the Free Press. "We feel comfortable we can compete for a playoff spot and have money available at trade deadline."

Carter is believed to be asking for around $3 million a year on a multi-year deal, while Dumont is supposedly looking for around $2.75 million.

Meanwhile, the Detroit News hints the Wings could also be looking at wingers Peter Bondra and Radek Dvorak.
 


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