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Plea Deal Ahead For Kane? Blog: KK Hockey By Paul 08/18/09 at 11:40 AM ET | Comments (0) from Gene Warner of the Buffalo News, Hockey star Patrick Kane and his cousin are expected to avoid criminal charges in a plea deal being hammered out, after both men are expected to be indicted this week on misdemeanor criminal charges, law enforcement sources said Monday. Those sources also said the most likely plea deal would involve the Kanes either pleading guilty to a violation — maybe harassment or disorderly conduct — or being granted an adjournment that could have the charges later dropped. Neither of those scenarios likely would involve any jail time for the two cousins.

I think we need to send JoeBuddy's brother to the Lion's exhibition game today. I know Babcock is attending.

I attended the season ticket holder session last year on Saturday morning and did enjoy it. Left with Steve Yzerman's authograph. Draper was suppose to be there but Kopecky showed up instead. I had hoped they would have the Red Wings play the Tigers alumni like they did a few years ago. I enjoyed that. Unfortunately, the Tigers are playing at Comerica Park the weekend before training camp.

Summary from MLIVE: Great pick-up. Here's what I wrote about Eaves when the Carolina Hurricanes bought him out: July 25, MLive.com: I look at someone like the player the B's are buying out in Patrick Eaves, a 25-year-old who made $1.4 million last season and will receive a buyout of $933,333.34 spread out over the next four seasons (he had two years remaining on his contract), as someone that the Red Wings might take a stab at if he's willing to play for a highly discounted rate. The 5'11," 190-lb. winger came into the league as a highly-heralded prospect for the Ottawa Senators, but he topped out at 20 goals during his first season and 34 points in his second, with his speed, skill, and forechecking producing very little since his trade to Carolina. The Patrick Eaveses and Taylor Pyatts of the hockey world offer the kind of, "We'll sign you to an entry-level deal if you do well in camp, and then we'll see what you can do" punch that the Wings are looking for, with Dan Cleary serving as the best example of a player counted down and out of the NHL delivering on his promise, and Brent Sopel's decision to turn down a contract from the Wings to head to Chicago and fade into the background as a non-playing millstone as the worst result. I have no better guesses as to who the Wings might target than you do, but I can at least definitively state that the Wings will not trade a promising young prospect, nor a contributing player for a short-term fix. The Wings will go after a forward or two who is either willing to take a discount to play for Detroit and reestablish himself, or is plain old willing to sign a near-entry level deal ($550,000 to $750,000) because he's got to prove that he belongs in the NHL, period. The Sports Forecaster describes Eaves thusly: The Sports Forecaster: RW/LW Patrick Eaves Age: 25 Date of birth: May 01, 1984 Place of birth: Calgary, Alta., Canada Ht: 5-11 Wt: 190 Shoots: R Salary: $1,100,000 NHL Seasons: 4 Drafted by Ottawa in 2003 (1/29). ASSETS: Is an excellent skater and fore-checker. Anticipates plays well at both ends of the ice, and displays all-around ability. Owns intriguing scoring upside. FLAWS: Still needs more bulk in order to thrive at the NHL level. Could use more fine-tuning in all aspects of the game. CAREER POTENTIAL: Top six winger.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20..._free.html#more DETROIT -- Now that the Jiri Hudler arbitration case has been settled, the Detroit Red Wings can focus entirely on finding his replacement. General manager Ken Holland plans to continue talks with free agents this week. Former Red Wing Jason Williams remains in the mix, and has a one-year offer on the table from the club, but he currently is looking for a better deal, either in the NHL or KHL.

From MLIVE: The NHL has no problems with Red Wings' long-term contracts with Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen While the NHL is investigating the contracts of Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa and Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger because the contracts seem to stray into, "You can't possibly play until you're 42" territory, ESPN's Scott Burnside reports that the Red Wings are not under investigation for Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen's "lifetime" twelve-year and ten-year contracts, respectively: July 31, ESPN: For a number of years the NHL has been warning GMs that the league will be watching these kinds of front-loaded, long-term contracts -- a warning that was expressly made again at the general managers meetings in Florida in March -- to try to curb what agents and GMs acknowledge is a loophole in the current collective bargaining agreement. Although most people point to contracts tendered by the Detroit Red Wings earlier this year to top players like Henrik Zetterberg (12 years) and Johan Franzen (11 years) as other examples of what the league is trying to eradicate, it's believed the NHL has examined those deals and concluded they were negotiated within the spirit of the CBA. Still, numerous sources believe the NHL's investigation is nothing more than a chill tactic by the league to try to bring GMs to heel. These sources point out that both the Pronger and Hossa contracts were registered by the league which, they believe, suggests the contracts are compliant with the CBA. If the league does try to sanction either of these teams, watch for the NHLPA to involve itself as it will view such punitive action as a move by the league to limit players' rights.

You have made me very happy.

Pronger Contract Under Review Too Blog: KK Hockey By Paul 07/31/09 at 01:22 PM ET | Comments (0) from Craig Custance of the Sporting News, Marian Hossa’ contract isn’t the only one being scrutinized by the NHL. An NHL source told SportingNews.com that the league is investigating Philadelphia’s 7-year deal with Chris Pronger to see if it circumvented the CBA and salary cap. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the investigation of Pronger’s contract in an e-mail to SportingNews.com. Daly said Pronger’s contract was being investigated for the same reasons as Hossa’s deal.

From MLIVE: Sportsnet story about Jiri Hudler staying is inaccurate by Ansar Khan Friday July 31, 2009, 11:34 AM Disregard a bizarre report on Sportsnet.ca that claims Jiri Hudler is staying in Detroit after an arbiter awarded him a two-year deal worth $5 million. It'll probably be corrected or removed soon. Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said this morning that he hasn't yet received the arbiter's decision, but made it clear that this ship has sailed. Hudler is playing in Russia next season.

Yeah!!!!

From MLIVE: Jason Williams expects to mull offers from KHL before getting back to Red Wings Posted by George James Malik July 30, 2009 16:45PM Jason Williams spoke to the Columbus Dispatch's Aaron Portzline about the fact that the Detroit Red Wings have offered him a one-year contract, addressing the news as someone who had initially hoped that the Blue Jackets would retain him--and Portzline reveals that the interest from both sides appears lukewarm at present: July 30, Columbus Dispatch: It doesn't appear that a deal is imminent, and by that I mean in the next 24-48 hours. The Red Wings and Williams have been talking for two weeks now, and an offer is on the table. But the Wings may have to make a move to clear salary cap space before Williams is able to officially sign. "They're really the only NHL club that has shown any interest," Williams said.

From Abel to Yzerman - Remember this quote after Williams was (finally) sent to the press box in 2007? “He’s the coach, he makes the decisions. I don’t really like the way he did it. I just have to control what I can control.’’ How did he do it? “Just coming up and giving me a tap on the shin pads (after the pregame warm-ups), that’s how he normally does it, but he could have come to me before the game and said, “We’re going to probably sit you out tonight,’’ or something like that and explain it to me. It’s the way he wants to handle it, he’s going to control the situation how he wants to control it.’’

I'll help him pack for the KHL. I do not want this.

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/ Aaron Ward A Cane Again Blog: KK Hockey By Paul 07/24/09 at 11:31 AM ET | Comments (0) RALEIGH, NC—Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has acquired defenseman Aaron Ward from the Boston Bruins in exchange for forward Patrick Eaves and a fourth-round selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. “With this trade, our defense really takes shape,†said Rutherford. “Aaron played very well during his time in Carolina and had maintained that consistency with New York and Boston. We envision him complementing Joni Pitkanen well as a defensive pairing.†added 11:42am, via the Boston Bruins, The Boston Bruins have traded Aaron Ward to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a 2010 draft pick and Patrick Eaves. Eaves is on waivers.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=4341175 The Chicago Blackhawks have signed bruising winger Danny Bois to a one-year contract. The 26-year-old Bois ranked third on the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League with 149 penalty minutes. He also scored 12 goals in 66 regular-season games. Bois appeared in one game with the Ottawa Senators in the 2006-07 season.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...er_will_go.html Red Wings, Jiri Hudler will go to salary arbitration, club anticipates he will play in Russia next season by Ansar Khan Wednesday July 22, 2009, 3:20 PM Wings general manager Ken Holland said today that the club will head to salary arbitration with forward Jiri Hudler on July 20 in Toronto. Hudler's agent, Petr Svoboda, told Holland the 25-year-old left wing intends on playing in Russia next season. "They have no intention of negotiating a settlement, they want the case heard before an arbitrator,'' Holland said. The NHL apparently will not be able to prevent Hudler from playing for Moscow Dynamo. Hudler signed a two-year, $10 million (tax-free) deal with the Kontinental Hockey League club on July 8. The NHL has tried to void the deal, claiming Hudler is obligated to the Wings because he filed for salary arbitration on July 5. The salary arbitration hearing will determine Hudler's contract if and when he returns to the NHL. The Wings, whose last offer to Hudler was for five years at $15 million, will ask for a two-year deal. The arbitrator can side with the Wings or Hudler, or award any amount in between. Holland said it's highly unlikely the Wings exercise their "walk away" option and lose Hudler's NHL rights.

http://myespn.go.com/s/conversations/show/story/4347228 Hossa injured; surgery not ruled outBy Roman Modrowski ESPNChicago.com Wednesday, July 22, 2009 The Chicago Blackhawks are monitoring an injury to the right shoulder of prized free-agent acquisition Marian Hossa, and surgery has not been ruled out. It's not certain when the injury occured, but a Hawks spokesman said the team was aware of the injury before signing Hossa to a 12-year, $62.8 million deal on July 1. Hossa is rehabbing the shoulder, and the team spokesman said it has not been determined if surgery is needed, and that the decision is up to Hossa and a doctor.

Ken Holland still wants to re-sign Jiri Hudler before arbitration date Posted by George James Malik July 22, 2009 06:01AM Red Wings GM Ken Holland wants to keep Detroit's record in terms of avoiding arbitration hearings with its players on a 14-year roll (the Wings haven't had to head to Toronto since Ray Sheppard's 1995 hearing), but the Free Press's George Sipple reports that Holland's keeping his expectations low regarding the probability of Jiri Hudler actually playing for the Wings during the 2009-2010 season: July 22, Detroit Free Press: Wings general manager Ken Holland said he spoke to the agent for restricted free agent Jiri Hudler last week and was hoping to talk to him again in the next couple of days. Hudler elected for arbitration, and the sides have a hearing scheduled for July 30 in Toronto. The Wings will ask for a two-year award. Hudler signed a two-year deal with Moscow Dynamo of the Kontinental Hockey League for what amounts to $10 million tax-free. The Wings would like to work out a deal with Hudler before going to arbitration, but they won't offer him anything close to his Dynamo deal. Because he signed with the Dynamo after filing for NHL arbitration, the Wings believe Hudler intends to play in Russia next season. He does, and the NHL's battle with the KHL over Hudler's rights won't end if/when the Red Wings re-sign him.

Tickets may be ordered via fax now. http://redwingstrainingcamp.com/

The league will release its 2009-10 regular season schedule sometime next week, most likely Wednesday.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?...e=lebrun_pierre Speaking of the KHL, Czech forward Jiri Hudler is expected be playing there this upcoming season. That's a loss the Wings were not expecting this offseason. The restricted free agent, who had filed for NHL salary arbitration, agreed to a two-year deal with Moscow Dynamo. Reports indicate it is worth anywhere from $3 million to $5 million a year, tax free, although you never really know for sure. A KHL spokesman confirmed to ESPN.com this afternoon that the contract was filed and registered with the Russian league. "I was told by Petr Svoboda [Hudler's agent, who hasn't returned our calls] that it's for significant dollars," Wings GM Ken Holland told ESPN.com on Thursday. "The last time I spoke to Petr was on Monday. I gave him a number and I said, 'You can choose a three-year term, a four-year term or a five-year term.' I think Petr thought the offer was fair." But not as much money as what Dynamo obviously offered. To say the Wings were totally surprised is not accurate. Holland said he had heard in talks with Svoboda that Russia was a possibility. "My experience is that the Swedes and the Finns aren't nearly as interested or pursued to go play in the Russian league as the Russians and the Czechs are," Holland said. "We've had Czech and Russian players, and the agent will often tell me there are opportunities in the Russian league. Every time Petr Svoboda and I talked about a contract for Jiri, I also heard that. "So am I surprised? I mean, I hear it in every negotiation. Alexander Radulov [Nashville] went over to play in Russia. We had Danny Markov we tried to sign and he went to play in the Russian league. So it's not like this is the first time it's happened. Nothing surprises me." Holland said the Wings will proceed with the arbitrating hearing anyway. "And he's going to have a contract that he's going to have to honor when he comes back," said Holland. "If he ever does come back." Losing Marian Hossa, Mikael Samuelsson and Tomas Kopecky was not unforeseen even though the Wings did their best to keep them. But Hudler was looked at as a guy who could step up and fill the void of those departures along with youngsters such as Darren Helm, Ville Leino and Justin Abdelkader. But Hudler's offensive talent is way above those guys. The Wings will scour what's left in free agency. "Well, I'm going to work the phones," said Holland. "I've talked to a few agents. There's some players that we do have some interest in." But don't expect a high-end, big-money splash. The Wings don't have much cap space left. They were willing to trade a player in order to accommodate a new $3 million-a-year contract for Hudler, but now they'd rather sign a forward on the cheap. "In both Hudler and Hossa's cases, given their age and their stature, we were prepared to sign them and then move players," Holland said. "I don't know that I'm prepared to sign someone on the open market to a one-year deal and then have to move some players. I don't know if we'd be any further ahead in the game. ... So we'll look at the open market, it's been picked over pretty good right now." My take is a player like Alex Tanguay, still on the market, would appear out of Detroit's reach. But what about former Wings forward Robert Lang? He might be had for cheap given that he's recovering from a serious Achilles' heel injury.

Koivu A Duck Blog: KK Hockey By Paul 07/08/09 at 01:33 PM ET | Comments (0) via Dan Wood of Ducks Blog, The Ducks are set to announce shortly the signing of unrestricted free-agent center Saku Koivu to a one-year, $3.25 million contract.

Update from MLIVE: Update on the Jiri Hudler situation: Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said Wednesday evening that Hudler's North American agent, Petr Svoboda, told him the 25-year-old forward has signed a two-year deal to play for Moscow Dynamo of the Russian Kontinental League and will not return to Detroit. "(Svoboda) confirmed to me that Hudler has signed (with Dynamo) and is planning to play in the Russian league,'' Holland said. "I'm going forward, planning that he's not going to be in a Red Wings uniform.''

From MLIVE: Hudler did tell CTK that he informed Mike Babcock and several teammates of his decision, but he also stated that he still wants his North American agent, Petr Svoboda, to take the Wings to arbitration. Whether there's an "out clause," he's doing this as a negotiating ploy, or whether Hudler's really gone remains to be seen. The Russian press will gush like a teenage girl over a Jonas Brother about this over the next few days, but somewhere along the way, the truth will come out. I can at least say that this came as a surprise to the Wings--but only Steve Yzerman and capologist Ryan Martin were in the stands at prospect camp today. Jim Nill and Ken Holland were absent.

Hudler On Why He Signed With Dynamo Moscow Blog: KK Hockey By Paul 07/08/09 at 01:54 PM ET | Comments (1) Thanks to a KK friend Roman for the translation of Hudler’s press conference… In Detroit there is wasn’t place for me and I didn’t want to go to another club. So i didn’t ask for a trade. Then came Dynamo with their offer. I started thinking about it and decided to go to Russia. It was tough but this is not a question of life or death. It is only hockey. The KHL is good league. I should be one of the key players so it could help me in my career. I don’t think I will close the door to NHL. I am young and there are still 13 years until the end of my career. I want my career to be more colorful. Hudler did say it is the most lucrative contract of his career and in two years he could return to the NHL. He also said many people will question the move and he thought about it too before deciding to sign with Dynamo Moscow. On a side note, Dynamo contacted him two years ago about joining them and he said he could not leave Detroit without winning the Stanley Cup. note: you can follow this story in a previous KK post from this morning.