Heatley Trade and Other News

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Dany Heatley is now a member of the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks got a pretty good deal too, though, which is a statement that makes sense if you've been following along. San Jose managed to send back a near-equal amount of salary (they got about $0.2 million more in Heatley), and they only had to give up Jonathan Cheechoo and Milan Michalek to get him. (SJ also gave up a 2010 2nd Rounder in exchange for a 5th Rounder.) Michalek and Cheechoo bring grit and determination to Ottawa, as well as offensive potential. Cheechoo certainly isn't the 50-goal scorer he once was (with emphasis on the once), but Michalek is a budding star. As for the Sharks, one thing is certain – they just became an even bigger threat to capture the Pacific, and maybe even the President’s Trophy again. Interestingly, the last team to win the President’s Trophy in back-to-back seasons also won the Stanley Cup the second time around. Can you name the team? [...]

NHL Recent Rundown:

The Vancouver Canucks found several replacements for Mattias Ohlund - they traded with San Jose for Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich, as well as signing UFA Mathieu Schneider. For the Sharks, who got back a couple minor leaguers, the deal was seen as little more than a salary dump. For the Canucks, however, the move makes their defence corps able to stand up to the re-tooled blueline of their biggest division rivals, the Calgary Flames. Vancouver also locked up star netminder Roberto Luongo, signing him to a 12-year deal worth $64 million.

The Tampa Bay Lightning signed Alex Tanguay to a one-year deal. With Tanguay on the left side of Vincent Lecavalier, and St. Louis on the right, the Lightning have an awesome first line - and they're all from Quebec.

Peter Forsberg was included on Team Sweden's 2010 Olympic roster invitation list. He plans to play this season for Modo of the Swedish Elite League, but a strong Olympic performance (and the ability to stay healthy) could mean an NHL comeback.

As the Pittsburgh Penguins await the construction of the new arena they'll be using in 2010-11, The Consol Energy Center, a couple of other teams are making pushes for new building as well. The New York Islanders are trying to get their Lighthouse project passed, and the ownership of the Edmonton Oilers have also announced plans to purchase land and build.

The Oilers also signed unrestricted free agent Mike Comrie to a one-year deal. Comrie, an underachiever last season for the New York Islanders, was traded at the deadline to the Ottawa Senators where he managed only seven points in 22 games. He's a touchy player - tons of scoring upside, but a genuine knack for inconsistency.

Eastern Conference rankings will be up by Tuesday, with the Western Conference following shortly thereafter.

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- Josh Lind

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Free Agents - Who's Left?

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With little more than two months remaining until the 2009/10 NHL season gets underway, and some big-name free agents still left unsigned, there is certainly room for change. Topping the list of unknowns is the ever-enigmatic Mats Sundin. Sundin spent most of last season deciding whether or not he wanted to return, and finally signed a pro-rated $8.6 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks, to score only 28 points in 41 games. Sundin’s play improved in the playoffs, where he managed 8 points in 8 games, but the Canucks were nevertheless eliminated [...]

Now Sundin is again undecided as to whether or not he will return. If a team picks him up, Sundin could be either a huge difference maker or a huge distraction during negotiations. This is a hard call, but if Sundin does return, I’m guessing he’ll only play half a season… not to mention he will most likely need to take a pay cut.

Next on the list are former Habs Alex Tanguay and Mathieu Schneider. Both had OK seasons with the Canadiens last year, but after bringing in many new players, neither looks to be a part of GM Bob Gainey’s current plans. Schneider is a capable offensive denfenceman who could change the dynamic of teams lacking on the blueline, while Tanguay, though he hasn’t reached the plateau yet, has the calibre of a 30-goal, 80-point scorer.

Players that may need to take a pay cut in order to get a deal done are Keith Tkachuk, Mike Comrie, Robert Lang, Maxim Afinogenov, and Miroslav Satan. All made in excess of $3 million last season. Few, if any, of them earned it. Among the more affordable free agents remaining are Petr Sykora, Jason Williams, and Todd Bertuzzi. Of his 13 NHL seasons, Sykora has scored 20+ goals eight times, and reached 30+ twice. Though aging, Sykora is still a dependable winger who could bring an immediate jump to any team’s depth chart. Jason Williams spent last season in Columbus, but rumours have him either going back to the team who drafted him, the Detroit Red Wings, or possibly signing in the KHL. The possibility of him staying in Columbus isn't excluded either, but looks unlikely. Todd Bertuzzi is a story in himself. A promising scorer in his rookie season, Bertuzzi struggled with injuries and inconsistency until playing some of his best hockey in Vancouver with Brendan Morrison and Markus Naslund. After an incident which saw Bertuzzi sucker punch Colorado centre Steve Moore in the back of the head, Bertuzzi never played another game as a Canuck. After playing with the Panthers, Red Wings, Ducks, and Flames, Bertuzzi is starting to regain his form and could be a good addition for a team in need of grit and secondary scoring.

As far as free-agent goaltenders are concerned, one name stands out in particular – Manny Fernandez. In 325 games, Fernandez has 143 wins, 15 of which were shutouts, a .912 save percentage, and goals against average of only 2.50. With Tim Thomas and youngster Tuukka Rask in Boston, Fernandez was not offered a new contract. The market for goalies isn’t strong at the moment, but look for a team like Atlanta, or even Detroit to pick him up.

In other free agent signings, the Boston Bruins bolstered their defence by adding Derek Morris (NYR), while Colby Armstrong (ATL), Denis Grebeshkov (EDM), Tomas Plekanec (MTL), Travis Zajac (NJ), and Tuomo Ruutu (CAR) all signed with their respective 2008/09 teams.

- Josh Lind

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