Free Agency Thread

[newfy 695]

They will regret that in the long run.He's proven time and time again that he can't produce under pressure situations.

Meh playing in Atlanta he hasn't really been forced to play in pressure situations. 8 million isnt unheard of for a guy like him. The pens have 2 players making that much

[Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029]

I'm not saying he's a horrible player I'm just saying I don't think he's worth 8 mil.Jesusberg made a good point in pointing out that he really tried to carry New Jersey on his back,but he's got guys like Parise and Zajac who are highly skilled players as well.He's probably used to being sort of forced into carrying a team on his back from his Thrasher years,but he's got a sold team surrounding him in New Jersey.He needs to let everyone do their role,instead of trying to do everything.

[jollymania 162]

At least kovy will prob have more run-ins with avery

[miller76 463]

I see reports stating LA is out of the race for Gagne as well now.

[Travis 576]

Not sure if this has been posted or not, but I saw it on TSN today.

While the Detroit Red Wings continue to pursue unrestricted free agent Mike Modano, the NHL's All-Time leading scorer amongst American-born players has yet to make a decision on his future.

"They're selling it pretty hard," Modano told ESNPDallas.com. "Having a team like Detroit really interested in me is flattering. I could have some fun playing with some great players and a great organization. There's a lot of upside to it. But for me, I need to figure out in my head what I want to do."

A native of nearby Livonia, Michigan, the 40-year old Modano has spent his entire 20 year NHL career with the Stars organization, helping the team capture the lone Stanley Cup title in franchise history in 1999. He was informed by the Stars last week that he would not be offered a contract for the upcoming season, however Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk kept the door open to a possible return to the organization for Modano in an executive level.

Modano had 14 goals and 16 assists in 59 games with the Stars last season. In 1459 career games he has 557 and 802 assists.

"He's a local boy, a Hall of Famer, yeah, I'm interested," Detroit general manager Ken Holland told the Detroit Free Press last week. "We've had good success through the years in getting the most out of players that are nearing the end."

Per TSN

[Guest DatsyukianDeke13]

Not sure if this has been posted or not, but I saw it on TSN today.

Per TSN

I'm still not sure how I feel about Modano. Do we want him for one year at the cost of Ritola or Miller?

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

I'm still not sure how I feel about Modano. Do we want him for one year at the cost of Ritola or Miller?

Modano strengthens our 3rd line. Miller will likely be the odd man out because Ritola is going to be given every chance to succeed. Of course Modano may retire so all we can do is wait and see what happens.

[SwedeLundin77 460]

I'm still not sure how I feel about Modano. Do we want him for one year at the cost of Ritola or Miller?

I like Miller, but he is just too damn redundant on this team. You already have a large crop of your forwards being defensive minded. On the bottom six you have Eaves, Abdelkader, Helm, and Draper... 4 of your 6 bottom end players are all defensive minded first and foremost. You need to be able to roll some balance down there. I'd give Ritola a chance over keeping Miller. He is defensive, that's it, he's not overly gritty, or aggressive, and he can't put up a lot of points. You get a guy like Modano, let Miller walk. Then you see what Ritola can provide going into the preseason.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

I like Miller, but he is just too damn redundant on this team.

Agreed. Miller is essentially a left-handed Eaves, minus the rocket of a shot that Eaves possesses. He helped revamp the PK, so I'll give props there, but it'd be nice to add even more offensive depth to the team. If we can add Modano we have, perhaps, the deepest set of Top 9 forwards in the league.

[miller76 463]

Niemi has filed for arbitration.

source

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

I think I may fall over laughing if they lose Niemi.

[miller76 463]

I think I may fall over laughing if they lose Niemi.

me too. I hope that their only resort is Huet!

[Jesusberg 1,256]

I don't usually wish bad on other teams, but the Chi Town trolls have me annoyed still. Let's hope they have to ride Huet and the Wings take the Central crown back

[Original-Six 254]

At least kovy will prob have more run-ins with avery

Him and fatso can stick up for each other.

[wingsdiehard13 33]

Red Wings "pretty close" to signing Patrick Eaves, Drew Miller, and Derek Meech; not close to deals with Justin Abdelkader and Darren Helm.

Source

DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings are close to signing forwards Patrick Eaves and Drew Miller and defenseman Derek Meech, three of their restricted free agents, to one-year contracts.

“I’ve talked a lot with them the last two, three days and feel we’re pretty close,’’ Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said.

Eaves and Miller did not file for salary arbitration by Monday’s deadline. Meech filed for arbitration, but it appears he’ll have a contract well before his hearing.

Holland said he’s not close to signing his other two restricted free agents, forwards Darren Helm and Justin Abdelkader. They likely will be re-signed later this summer, possibly to long-term deals.

Holland said he hadn't spoken with the agents for forward Kirk Maltby and defenseman Andreas Lilja in a week or so. Both are exploring the market.

[Guest DatsyukianDeke13]

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=326655

According to a report, it appears that Ilya Kovalchuk is on the verge of re-signing with the New Jersey Devils.

The New York Post is reporting that the unrestricted free agent, who played the final 27 games of last season with the Devils, is going to sign a seven-year, $60 million contract with the team soon.

The Los Angeles Kings dropped out of the running for Kovalchuk on Sunday, while the New York Islanders indicated some interest in the Russian sniper but reportedly never made a formal offer.

Kovalchuk's agent, Jay Grossman, sent a Twitter message on Monday that stated "Ilya Kovalchuk looking to make decision on his future today".

Kovalchuk, 27, was the best forward available when free agency opened last Thursday. He scored 41 goals and 44 assists last year in a season split between the Devils and the Atlanta Thrashers. He was dealt to New Jersey on Feb. 4 along with Anssi Salmela and a 2nd-round draft pick in exchange for Niclas Bergfors, Johnny Oduya, Patrice Cormier, as well as New Jersey's first and second-round 2010 draft picks.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Meh, so much for the excitement.

[miller76 463]

I wish Kovalchuk would just go to the KHL already.

Every year there is a player, you just get tired of hearing their name. He is it this year for me. Last year it was Heatley, the year before it was Sundin or Hossa.

[newfy 695]

Agreed. Miller is essentially a left-handed Eaves, minus the rocket of a shot that Eaves possesses. He helped revamp the PK, so I'll give props there, but it'd be nice to add even more offensive depth to the team. If we can add Modano we have, perhaps, the deepest set of Top 9 forwards in the league.

Eaves is more physical, skates much faster and has more potential for offense down the road. Miller really is just an average 4th line type player, we're not used to seeing bottom 6 players fill a PK role because our stars used to play it, Miller is nothing special on the PK

[MacK_Attack 108]

Blues re-sign Jaroslav Halak to a 4-year deal worth $15 million.

[miller76 463]

Blues re-sign Jaroslav Halak to a 4-year deal worth $15 million.

I think thats a good deal for both sides. The Blues are over due for consistency in net.

[miller76 463]

Blues just resigned Cam Jannsen as well. One year deal. Via twitter 600,000 bucks

Edited July 6, 2010 by miller76

[miller76 463]

Shane O'Brien accepts qualifying offer, increasing salary cap pressure on the Canucks

[Majsheppard 203]

Agreed. Miller is essentially a left-handed Eaves, minus the rocket of a shot that Eaves possesses. He helped revamp the PK, so I'll give props there, but it'd be nice to add even more offensive depth to the team. If we can add Modano we have, perhaps, the deepest set of Top 9 forwards in the league.

I'd rather have Miller than Eaves because of what you spoke of on the PK. He is a bit redundant, unless of course we lose Maltby and Draper in the next two seasons... You know like if they retire or something.

I feel like Eaves is a good solid player as well which brings a bit more offense than Miller, but is no where near as hard a worker or defensively sound.

Bottom line is I respect Miller for helping us turn our year around last year and think he deserves a shot at being apart of this team. I doubt either Miller or Eaves are going to be long term parts of our team. I also get the feeling that Mursak would eventually replace Eaves role on the team.

No matter what happens there will be battles in camp for sure, and let us just hope that who ever loses their spot can be traded for a pick or something!

1year deal for Miller

[Jesusberg 1,256]

I feel like Eaves is a good solid player as well which brings a bit more offense than Miller, but is no where near as hard a worker or defensively sound.

Really? Because I think Eaves busted his ass off last year. He reminds me a Cleary, only to a lesser scale. I think with some security he could become a fixture on the 3rd/4th line for us in the future, but for now he'll likely sign for a year or two.

I also get the feeling that Mursak would eventually replace Eaves role on the team.

Mursak's style is nothing like Eaves'. Mursak is a goal scorer, and he's got blazing speed, almost comparable to Helm's. Mursak put up 24 goals last season with the Griffins, and if he can continue to adapt the physical aspects of the AHL he will continue to improve. The only think the two players have in common is that they're right handed.

No matter what happens there will be battles in camp for sure, and let us just hope that who ever loses their spot can be traded for a pick or something!

This I can agree with, but I also think that it will be difficult to get any kind of compensation for our leftovers. I think that one or two of Miller, Ritola and/or Meech could be move for possibly a late round pick.