jujudrum2

I'm chatting with these guys right now. One from Hendricks Hockey and another from Hockeybums. Good guys and very knowledgable. I encourage You to visit each site often.

Red Wave, i don't doubt the fact that this info came from a well connected source, but my better judgement tells me that a Shanahan signing would not be Holland's top priority (though he may inquire out of respect for Brendan), with regard to an late FA aquisition, after cap space has been cleared. Further, the fact of the matter is that any additional FA signing for the parent club, should be considered as being unlikely. With regard to a Drake-like role, you failed to boldface the key portion of my point, in that the criteria for this type of signing, would be a end of the line veteran "who has yet to win the Stanley Cup". I offered this suggestion due to this type of player being signed in previous cup winning seasons, to motivate the rest of team to be at their very best. It gives the team an extra sense of purpose. In any case, though out of respect for Brendan, i will stop short of saying No Chance in Hell, i just think the chance of this happening is exceedingly slim.

I heard about this as well, though i don't believe that there is anything to it. Shanny is still a decent player, but not exactly the best fit for the Red Wings, even if there were cap space available to sign him. If the Red Wings are looking to add anything (which isn't necessarily a given), it would be a player to replace Drake's role, in the mold of a grizzled vet who is at the end of the line, and yet to win the Stanley Cup. However, any such acquisition would likely be tabled until after the existing payroll is reduced via either trade or waivers. Granted, Hossa & Conklin haven't won the Cup, but i don't see them as creating the same degree of motivation that Drake did, as neither player is seen as being at the end of their respective careers.

It is my belief that all of this is a smokescreen, as if it were true, i can't believe that the Sundin camp (or either team) would allow such info to become public, considering that either the Rangers or Flyers would have to reduce payroll via trade, to make this signing happen. Nothing like compromising a possible new team's ability to make a payroll-reducing deal, by telegraphing your intentions. Further, it would be ill-advised for either one of these teams to part with younger players to create cap space for a 38 year old player (the Rangers should know better), not to mention that Sundin would be nuts to sign with either team, if he is indeed serious about winning the Stanley Cup. Finally, this saga will end prior to the opening of camps, and unless Sundin retires or returns to the Leafs (i don't think that he will) i have a hunch that He will end up signing with a club that isn't visible on the radar at this time.

Interesting Mack_Attack, as that being the case, i'm curious as to why Holland would move on this now, rather than waiting until next spring. Not sure where or when i read it, but i thought that with any extension signed before December 31st, the final year of the previous contract became part of the new contract, on a cost average basis. In that case, any player due for a salary reduction would be extended in the fall, where a player who would be due for a raise (Cleary for example), would be tabled until the new year, as to not impact the current year's cap number. But if that isn't accurate, maybe what i read was speculation, before the details of the current CBA became known.

Since this extension was obviously signed prior to December 31st, am i correct in assuming that this year's salary (from the previous contract) becomes part of the new contract, thus lowering this season's cap number by a few hundred thousand dollars? If so, a shrewd move by Holland, as the more cap room he can clear, the more improvements he can make prior to playoff time.