Posts Tagged ‘Duncan Keith’

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Going rate for NHL offensive defencemen vs defensive defencemen

January 27th, 2010

Each summer, there are prized UFA defenceman every team wants to sign. Brian Campbell, Jay Bouwmeester, and Mattias Ohlund all made off with huge contracts in recent years as a result of this. (I nearly mentioned Wade Redden, but thought better of it. You’re welcome Rangers fans!).

Anton Volchenkov - Ottawa Senators

Shutdown defencemen like Anton Volchenkov are classy players.

The premium is certainly on offensive defencemen who can move pucks and change the pace of hockey games. Come July 1st, its a safe assumption a proven puck moving defenceman will command anywhere from $4.5 Million-$6.5 Million per season from a number of interested teams. But what about defensive minded defencemen?

There’s a growing debate about salary and term for defensive defencemen. What are they worth and how long should their contract be? With defencemen like Ottawa’s Anton Volchenkov, New Jersey’s Paul Martin, and Vancouver’s Willie Mitchell (among others) all in the final year of their respective contracts, it’ll be interesting to see the length and numbers behind their new contracts.

These players play as rugged as possible; the wear and tear can shorten careers and cause long term injuries. In addition to that, the NHL salary cap is forcing teams to get even more efficient with payrolls. Some teams don’t have room for “shutdown defencemen” like the players named above. It probably doesn’t help players like Dan Hamhuis, Nick Lidstrom, and Sergei Gonchar – far more offensive minded defencemen – are also without contracts for next season.

In order to figure out what the defensive defencemen are worth, let’s quickly look at what the league’s premium offensive defencemen currently earn (in terms of annual salary cap hit).

Nick Lidstrom – $7.45 Million
Dan Boyle – $6.667 Million
Duncan Keith – $5.538 Million (as of next season)
Mike Green – $5.25 Million
Sergei Gonchar – $5 Million
Chris Pronger – $4.921 Million
Shea Weber – $4.5 Million

That’s probably what most expected. Now let’s take a look at the annual cap hits of some of the league’s better shutdown defencemen.

Mike Komisarek – $4.5 Million
Brooks Orpik – $3.75 Million
Barret Jackman – $3.625
Chris Phillips – $3.5 Million
Willie Mitchell – $3.5 Million
Brandon Witt – $3 Million
Anton Volchenkov – $2.5 Million

Clearly, the top of the shutdown defencemen pay scale is equal to the lower end of the offensive defencemen pay scale. This is a good starting point in addressing what some UFA defensive defencemen should probably expect as salary going into free agency this summer (or signing contracts to avoid free agency). Where it gets interesting is length. Players want security and GM’s want to bring cap hits down with longer terms.

Let’s use Anton Volchenkov as an example. I don’t think many GM’s like the idea of giving him or a player like him a 6 year contract. Volchenkov is 28 years old and the 6 year deal he’s reported to be seeking (in the neighborhood of $4 Million per season – reportedly) brings him to 34 years old. Will a player who hits/blocks shots as much as he does make it to 34 years old in the NHL? In my opinion, defensive defencemen (I’m getting really sick of typing ‘defensive defencemen’) like Volchenkov and the others above should max out at 4 year contracts in length and average roughly $3 Million-$4 Million per season. It’s simply far too risky to give anything higher or longer.

What’s your take? It will be very interesting to see what some of these defensemen get for their new contracts.

Stay classy, defensive defencemen.

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Olympic concern?

January 19th, 2010

In 2006, the top 4 Western Conference teams all lost in the first round of the playoffs. Of course, 2006 was the last time NHL players took 2 weeks off to play in the Winter Olympics in Turin. Also, 2006 was the last time the Edmonton Oilers made the playoffs… and went to the Stanley Cup finals as one of the biggest underdogs in recent memory.

With the 2010 Vancouver Olympics less than 2 months away, NHL GM’s might be wondering what kind of effects the games will have on their star players and their chances to compete for the Stanley Cup. The potential for burnouts, demotivation, and injuries is very real. And any of those scenarios could have a crippling effect on the top 4 Western teams (as well as other powerhouse Eastern Conference teams like the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins).

At the time of writing this article, the top 4 Western Conference teams are the Blackhawks, Sharks, Avalanche, and Predators. Here’s a closer look at the players each team have participating at the Olympics:

  • Chicago Blackhawks – Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Marian Hossa, Tomas Kopecky
  • San Jose Sharks – Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski, Dan Boyle, Evgeni Nabokov, Doug Murray
  • Colorado Avalanche – Kyle Quincey, Paul Statsny, Jonas Holos, Ruslan Salei, Peter Budaj
  • Nashville Predators – Shea Weber, Ryan Suter,  Martin Erat, Patric Hornqvist, Marcel Goc, Alexander Sulzer

It makes you wonder if a Western Conference playoff team with less Olympic-bound players will squeak through each series like the Oilers did in 2006. Perhaps a team like the Calgary Flames (who only have 3 players going – Jarome Iginla, Olli Jokinen, and Miikka Kiprusoff), or even the Phoenix Coyotes (who also have 3 players going – Zbynek Michalek, Sami Lepisto, and Ilya Bryzgalov) could have a better odds in the 2010 Playoffs because of this…

I’m not saying this will or won’t happen. It’s purely speculation. And I’m not suggesting that was the only reason the 2006 Oilers got all the way to the Stanley Cup finals, but it could be a partial explanation why the top 4 Western teams were defeated by lower seeded teams that year. If anything, this probably blurs the line that much more between the top and lower seeds in the West.

With the Western Conference being as tight as it is, the same questions can be asked about Detroit, Los Angeles, and Vancouver. These teams are sending a number of players to the Olympics as well.

While fans can’t wait for the Olympics hockey to get started, I’m sure GM’s across the league are dreading it. Or perhaps they are dreading the impact following the games. At any rate, it will be fascinating to see the effects these Olympics will have on these legitimate Western Conference powerhouse teams. And for a team like Chicago who’s Cup window is small to start with, that’s just another hurdle to climb through in order to meet expectations.

Stay classy, Olympic Western Conference stars.

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Kovalchuk to Chicago? Don’t bet on it. Or against it.

January 11th, 2010

Burgundy here. I’d like to introduce Stayclassy’s newest writer, Harken! Please give Harken a warm welcome and enjoy his first article – it’s a good one! What would you do with the Kovalchuk issue?

–

First, let me apologize to Atlanta Thrasher fans. Discussing this possible trade is sort of like viewing the body of a deceased family member of theirs— before they’re quite dead.

And, that said, there is a good chance the Thrashers will re-sign Ilya Kovalchuk.

I am not particularly close to the situation in Atlanta. But what I hear tells me the workings of a new contract might be troublesome. And the trade deadline is less than 60 days from now.

That aside, if the Thrashers should decide to trade Kovalchuk before then, it doesn’t have to be to the detriment of the franchise.

In fact, there are a number of scenarios by which the Thrashers could solve a number of problems through such a deal.

One of those scenarios, perhaps the most obvious, is dealing Kovalchuk to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Let’s pause for a moment, waiting for the echoes of laughter (or outrage) to die down. And now let’s address the “conventional wisdom” point-by-point.

“Chicago can’t afford that.”

Yes, they can, as a rental, in return for some of the salaried players they will have to lose before next season.

“Why would Chicago need him? They’re stacked.”

The Blackhawks’ window for winning the Stanley Cup will perhaps never be better than it is this year— next year’s team will, by necessity, be missing 3-4 key players off the current roster. But there is also no guarantee they will win it this year. To that end, they could benefit, like all teams could, from what Kovalchuk brings at even strength. And the Hawks, in particular, could benefit from adding a right-handed point shot on the power play— of which there are few better than Kovalchuk.

“Why would Atlanta deal with them?”

The Blackhawks need to lose exactly what Atlanta needs to gain in such a deal. The Blackhawks have 5 players, each making $3-4 million per season, who are good, young players with recognizable, marketable names that Don Waddell could plug in to his lineup tomorrow and help build his entire team right away: Cam Barker, Kris Versteeg, Patrick Sharp, Dave Bolland and/or Dustin Byfuglien. Plus, the Blackhawks have two good, NHL-experienced prospects at Rockford in the AHL who could help a team like the Thrashers, goalie Corey Crawford and RW Jack Skille (a former top ten pick). On top of all that, Atlanta Assistant GM Rick Dudley was instrumental in acquiring or developing all these players in Chicago.

“The dollars can’t work. And Chicago needs more than a rental for all those players.”

Untrue, and true. The dollars can work (a lot of different ways) and the Blackhawks can (and will) get more than a rental for all the players they need to deal.

Of the four players mentioned, any two could be dealt for Kovalchuk in an even salary swap. Or, two of those players and one of the high-end prospects just mentioned could be dealt for Kovalchuk with Atlanta absorbing the overage on their cap, or in the minors.

If, say, the package sent to Atlanta included Patrick Sharp and Barker, the Blackhawks might also be able to ask the Thrashers to include a draft pick or two. Further, the Blackhawks would still need to deal 2-3 more players after concluding a Kovalchuk deal, but before the beginning of play next season. And those deals could net futures, like draft picks or prospects.

“Kovalchuk doesn’t fit their defense-first system. He’s not a ‘Bowman’ player.”

Nonsense. Did Patrick Kane fit Chicago’ system last year when his name and ‘backchecking’ could not be included in the same sentence? Does Kris Versteeg, the walking antithesis of smart puck decisions fit Chicago’s system? Plus, Kovalchuk has represented Russia many times in international tournaments. He can adjust to Chicago’s system, about as quickly as Joel Quenneville can say: “Kovy, if you want max ice time, you gotta be on your guy up and down the ice.”

“Chicago can wait ‘til after the season. Why mess with a good thing?”

That depends on how you look at it. It can also be argued that waiting until the offseason to pare roughly $15 million in gross salary, sign free agents and fill out a roster that is sure to have holes, is not just foolish, it’s insanity; it’s too much work to do in a very short period of time.

To wit, the Blackhawks’ playoffs will likely conclude sometime in late May or June, depending on how far they advance. Free agency starts July 1, with the contracts of Nik Hjalmarsson, Andrew Ladd and Antti Niemi to address. Thus, the Blackhawks could benefit tremendously from significantly less payroll, and more clarity on their situation, before that point.

Finally, as mentioned before, the Blackhawks are close, but they are not guaranteed to win the Cup for the first time in 48 years. Acquiring a world-class rental like Kovalchuk in exchange for good players— but good players who are really part of their depth and not the core of Hossa, Toews, Kane, Seabrook, Keith and Campbell— could be the thing that really puts them over the top. Because Kovalchuk also fills at least one gap the Blackhawks have.

There you have it. A perfectly implausible trade scenario, or a perfect storm of factors indicating Ilya Kovalchuk wearing the Indianhead in March.

You tell me.

–

Harken – who’s real name is John Jaeckel – is well known for his work on HockeyBuzz.com. Follow John on Twitter or become a fan of Stayclassy.net on Facebook.

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Canada’s Olympic team… Finally.

December 30th, 2009

As the title says, Canada announced their men’s hockey Olympic team, finally.

Steve Yzerman and Mike Babcock are classy men.

While a country like Canada will always have more amazing players than available positions, I’m pretty happy with the final roster. Many can and will say ‘he should have taken him over him’, but I feel this is a pretty solid set of players. That can’t be improved that much.

I’m also pretty happy that the television coverage has ended – TSN can make a half hour special on anything, so I’ve come to learn this holiday season. Anyways, here’s the final roster, barring any unforeseen injuries.

Goalies
Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, Marc-Andre Fleury

Defencemen
Dan Boyle, Chris Pronger (assistant captain),
Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook
Scott Niedermayer (captain), Drew Doughty
Shea Weber

Forwards
Rick Nash, Sidney Crosby (assistant captain), Jarome Iginla,
Brenden Morrow, Mike Richards, Patrice Bergeron
Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Eric Staal
Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley
Jonathan Toews

Of course, there will be debate as to who should of made the team and didn’t. Below is a list of notable omissions

Mike Green, Mike Fisher, Shane Doan, Marc Savard, Jeff Carter, Jay Bouwmeester, Stephane Robidas, Vincent Lecavalier, Dion Phaneuf, Patrick Sharp.

Anyone else I’m missing? What are your thoughts on Team Canada? Can Canada capture gold with this squad?

Stay classy, Steve Yzerman and Team Canada.

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Are Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews worth $6 Million each?

November 18th, 2009

Various reports have suggested the Chicago Blackhawks are close to resigning pending restricted free agents Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith. The rumoured cap hit for both Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews is around $6 Million per season (for 4-5 years) while Duncan Keith’s could be lower but on a longer term.

It has been speculated the signing (and subsequent raises) of these three stars will cripple Chicago’s ability to resign depth players or keep existing ones. Players like Andrew Ladd, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Patrick Sharp could be gone after this season. (These players are purely speculation on my part).

Are Kane and Toews worth it?

I’m as big a fan of the Blackhawks as anyone, but I have to ask the question: Are Kane and Toews worth $6 Million per season? If ever there was a time to question paying for potential, here it is. I get Toews is the captain and from all accounts a terrific leader. I agree Kane is an electrifying player. But $6 Million each on a team that has already overpaid for Cristobal Huet and Brian Campbell? Yikes.

Let’s look at the breakdown for Kane and Toews:

Patrick Kane – 20 years old, 2007-2008 Rookie of the Year

While Kane is one of the best young dynamic stars in the league, his best career year saw him produce 72 points. He’s on pace to set career highs in goals and points this season; probably around 80-85 points. Kane has a Calder Trophy to his name and one strong playoff run from last season, but I’d still say he’s relatively unproven in the NHL.

Jonathan Toews – 21 years old, team captain

Toews has been billed as the next Steve Yzerman or Joe Sakic. His stats aren’t quite as good as Kane’s, averaging slightly less points per game. He also missed some games to injuries in his first and third NHL seasons. I like some of the intangibles Toews brings – he’s always in good position and plays well defensively. Despite a good playoff run with Chicago last season, I’d have to say Toews is unproven in the NHL, too.

Both Kane and Toews are excellent players, don’t get me wrong. $6 Million each seems steep for players with less than three full years of experience. A small part of me was hoping they’d resign for less than ‘open market value’ to help the Hawks with their cap issues and allow room for other signings/resignings. If these contracts don’t cripple Chicago, it’s awfully close.

Payroll Nightmares

The Chicago Blackhawks already have $43 Million committed to 14 players next season. $12 Million for Kane and Toews (if rumored reports are accurate) put the Hawks payroll to $55 Million… this year’s NHL cap is $56.8 Million. The 2010-2011 cap expected to stay at$56.8 Million or potentially drop. And Duncan Keith’s contract still isn’t in the picture. Neither are a few other key Hawks. $2 Million or less doesn’t go too far in the NHL these days.

If you didn’t think the rumoured Kane and Toews contracts were crippling before, do you now?

Stay classy, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.

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Restricted Free Agency In November?

November 3rd, 2009
Jonathan Toews is one of 3 Chicago Blackhawks that are RFA's this summer.

Jonathan Toews is one of 3 Chicago Blackhawks that are RFA's this summer.

Unrestricted free agents (UFA’s) are the most hyped free agents in the NHL but are they the best free agents? Last week, we looked at unrestricted free agents in October and today, we’ll look at restricted free agents in November.

Since the lockout, things have changed and the league has become a younger league. Top draft picks used to require a few years of ‘seasoning’ because they could crack the NHL, and even then, it would take a few more years before they became impact players. Yet in today’s league, we have 18 year olds that flat-out dominate men in their 30’s. The emergence of young talent across the league makes restricted free agents (RFA) a better deal that UFA’s. Here are some of next summer’s top RFA’s:

Bobby Ryan – Anaheim Ducks

Value of Contract on September 1st, 2009: $765,000/season
Value of Contract on November 1st, 2009: $3.5 Million/season

Fantana’s Thoughts: Bobby Ryan exploded into the NHL last season, his first full year in the league, where he scored 31 times and was a finalist for the Calder Trophy. With the likelihood of retirement looming for Teemu Selanne, Ryan becomes an even more critical component of Anaheim’s future. $3.5 Million per season might seem pretty rich for a guy who will only have 2.5 years of NHL experience under his belt, but if stretched over 4 or 5 years, could look like a steal.

Ondrej Pavelec – Atlanta Thrashers

Value of Contract on September 1st, 2009: $850,000/season
Value of Contract on November 1st, 2009: $3 Million/season

Fantana’s Thoughts: After watching Pavelac steal the show against the Sens on Halloween (he made 50 saves!), I’m convinced he’ll be Atlanta’s future starting goalie. During the game, CBC’s Garry Galley said that Pavelac was a few years away from becoming a star goalie in the NHL but I think it’ll happen sooner than that. This year looks like his breakthrough season and keeping Pavelac around long-term could help Atlanta keep Kovalchuk in the fold too. The key in resigning Pavelac won’t so much be about money, but rather, giving him the starting goaltender position next season.

Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith – Chicago Blackhawks

Value of Toews Contract on September 1st, 2009: $850,000/season
Value of Kane’s Contract on September 1st, 2009: $875,000/season
Value of Keith’s Contract on September 1st, 2009: $1.9 Million/season

Value of All 3’s Contracts on November 1st, 2009: $4.5 Million/season

Fantana’s Thoughts: Chicago have a big problem and the clock is ticking. Three of their best players are RFA’s and they’re all due for big raises next year. Chicago’s best bet is to try and negotiate with all three together to keep the core of their team in tact. Having said that, I think it’s clear that something, rather someone or some people, have to give. Names like Patrick Sharp and Kris Versteeg come to mind. And if the Hawks are really lucky, they’ll find a team willing to take Brian Campbell, but don’t count on it.

Kyle Quincey – Colorado Avalanche

Value of Contract on September 1st, 2009: $550,000/season
Value of Contract on November 1st, 2009: $3 Million/season

Fantana’s Thoughts: Quincey broke out last year with L.A. and looked great quarter-backing their powerplay, scoring 38 points. He’s one of the reasons why Colorado are off to such a torrid start too, scoring 8 points and being +4. Comparable salaries are Marek Zidlicky in Minnesota ($3.5 Million) and Joe Corvo ($2.75 Million), though I think Quincey is better defensively than Corvo and Zidlicky.

Josh Harding – Minnesota Wild

Value of Contract on September 1st, 2009: $1.1 Million/season
Value of Contract on November 1st, 2009: $2.75 Million/season

Fantana’s Thoughts: Minnesota are off to a slow start and as usual, it’s their offense that’s letting them down. Well, that and all their injuries. Either way, you have to wonder how long they’re going to hold on to Josh Harding, who happens to be their best trading chip to acquire another forward. I think Harding will get $2.75 Million next season, but it won’t be in Minnesota. Like Pavelac, the most important aspect of the negotiation will be whether Harding’s a starter next year or not.

Marc Staal – New York Rangers

Value of Contract on September 1st, 2009: $765,000/season
Value of Contract on November 1st, 2009: $3.5 Million/season

Fantana’s Thoughts: Marc Staal is probably one of the most underrated defensemen in the league, though that may change with his next contract next year, especially since he’s on pace to have a career season. When you watch the Rangers play, Staal is their go-to guy when it comes to shutting down the opponent. The only problem is that New York will be tight against the cap next year, and they’ve got Dan Girardi and Vinny Prospal, among others to resign.

Braydon Coburn – Philadelphia Flyers

Value of Contract on September 1st, 2009: $1.4 Million/season
Value of Contract on November 1st, 2009: $3 Million/season

Fantana’s Thoughts: I’m still amazed Atlanta traded Coburn for Alexei Zhitnik! Having said that, Philadelphia may have to trade Coburn themselves as they’ve already got $46 Million committed for next year including only 3 defensemen and no starting goalie. Coburn’s easily worth $3 Million a year, especially if that can be stretched out to 4+ years. The only way the Flyers can keep him is by trading one of their forwards – Scott Hartnell is most likely to go but the Flyers would like to move Daniel Briere first.

Kris Letang – Pittsburgh Penguins

Value of Contract on September 1st, 2009: $625,000/season
Value of Contract on November 1st, 2009: $3 Million/season

Fantana’s Thoughts: If the NHL goes to the Olympics in 2014 in Russia, I think Letang will be on this team. He seems to get better with every month and he didn’t look out of place last year when Ryan Whitney and Sergei Gonchar went down with big injuries. His 33 points last year, plus the 13 points he scored in the playoffs make him a value part of Pittsburgh’s future. The problem is money, and I can’t see Pittsburgh going much higher than $3 Million a year so I expect Letang to resign in Steeltown for only 2 or 3 years.

Devin Setoguchi – San Jose Sharks

Value of Contract on September 1st, 2009: $765,000/season
Value of Contract on November 1st, 2009: $3.5 Million/season

Fantana’s Thoughts: Playing alongside guys like Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton will certainly help you score some goals. Just ask Setoguchi, who scored 31 goals last year for San Jose. He’s in the same boat as Bobby Ryan in terms of experience and goal scoring and I think they’ll wind up with similar-sized contracts. Expect both to point to Phil Kessel’s deal in Toronto as a comparable for dollars and term.

Jonas Gustavsson – Toronto Maple Leafs

Value of Contract on September 1st, 2009: $810,000/season
Value of Contract on November 1st, 2009: $2.75 Million/season

Jonas Gustavsson will be an RFA this summer.

Jonas Gustavsson will be an RFA this summer.

Fantana’s Thoughts: The Monster has finally arrived in Toronto, having played well on the team’s road trip this past week. Notably, he scored the Leafs’ only victory of the year against Anaheim. If Gustavsson continues his strong play, it’s very likely he’ll become Toronto’s starting goaltender next season. I’m sure that won’t stop the ‘J.S. Giguere to Toronto’ rumour though.

Ryan Kesler – Vancouver Canucks

Value of Contract on September 1st, 2009: $1.75/season
Value of Contract on November 1st, 2009: $4.5 Million/season

Fantana’s Thoughts: Ryan Kesler is the straw that stirs the drink for the Canucks and Vancouver can’t afford to let him go. Dave Nonis will get him resigned, but I hear Kesler doesn’t want to take a ‘hometown discount’. Regardless, it’s hard to place a value on Kesler and consequently, Vancouver have no choice but to pay Kesler market value.

Nicklas Backstrom – Washington Capitals

Value of Contract on September 1st, 2009: $850,000/season
Value of Contract on November 1st, 2009: $5 Million/season

Fantana’s Thoughts: Backstrom is one of the elite playmakers in the NHL and I’d be shocked if Washington didn’t resign him. I’d also be surprised if he didn’t want to stay to play with guys like Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green. Based on Backstrom’s point-per-game average over his 2 season career thus far, I’m expecting Washington to sign him to a long-term deal, somewhere in the 5-8 year neighbourhood.

Alexander Semin – Washington Capitals

Value of Contract on September 1st, 2009: $5 Million/season
Value of Contract on November 1st, 2009: $6 Million/season

Fantana’s Thoughts: Apparently contract negotiations have already begun and they aren’t going very smoothly. There’s still plenty of time to get a deal done, but Semin has a reputation for tough bargaining – he did go and play in Russia rather than reporting to the Caps AHL team during the lockout season and it wouldn’t be a big surprise if he defected to Russia again. I’m sure the KHL will offer him a lot of money. If it comes down to it, I think Washington would keep Backstrom over Semin.

Your Reporter in the Field,

Fantana

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Will Steve Yzerman make the hard decisions for Team Canada?

July 29th, 2009

I’m not sure if this is news or not, but earlier this week, it was noted that there would be no long shots for the mens Canadian Olympic hockey team, when the games hit Vancouver in 2010.

Translation: if you weren’t asked to the 46-man orientation camp later this summer, you have better shot at getting on Megan Fox than you do getting on Team Canada.

OK – This isn’t really news.  And I guess its a 45-man roster, now that Joe Sakic has announced his retirement.  And not that it helps much – deep down, I think everyone knows their favorite players not on that list stand little chance of making the squad, but that doesn’t mean we have to like it.

I’m disappointed.  I’m tired of seeing “seniority placements” in Canadian Olympic teams.  That was the biggest problem with the 2006 Torino team.  Part of the reason Yzerman was brought in to build this hockey team was to add a fresh feel with younger talent who would make the team better for that tournament and that tournament alone.  I always thought one of Yzermans’s underlying mandates was to pick the best team without worrying who’d be offended.  As a proud Canadian, I want Canada to win and I don’t care who has to be on and off the team for that to happen.

So if Robyn Regehr has a slow start to the 2009-2010 NHL season, should he really be on the team?  Should he really take the place of Shea Weber, Duncan Keith or Brent Seabrook even if he has a strong start to the year?  It’s time for change and it’s not like any of the three guys I just mentioned lack international hockey experience.

There will always be guys that are locks to make the team.  But that should be because they have consistently shown they can play at world class levels throughout their careers.  So when I see names like Ryan Smyth and Joe Thornton on the orientation roster, I have to wonder why.  They are great players that I’d love to see on my team any day – but honestly, are they the best players for Team Canada come February 2010?

I’d rather see some of these guys replaced with younger and faster upcoming talent.  These are the guys I’d consider seniority placements.  First thing’s first: replace Smyth with Brendan Morrow – an absolute must if Morrow is healthy.  Next, there are atleast 4 centerman that are more effective than Joe Thornton (Vinny Lecavalier, Ryan Getzlaf, Eric Staal,  Mike Richards) and I’m assuming the younger guys won’t make the squad and Sidney Crosby will be playing left wing.  And Marc Savard and Jason Spezza are considered ‘long shots’ since being omitted from Yzerman’s orientation list.

As far as defence goes,  Regehr, Chris Pronger and Dion Phaneuf shouldn’t make the team.  Not when you have players like Weber, Scott Neidermayer, Dan Boyle, Duncan Keith, Brent Burns, Jay Bouwmeester and Drew Doughty who right now, are stronger hockey players for the kind of up-tempo/fast moving style Canada wants to play.

For goaltenders, despite Martin Brodeur being the all time most winning goalie in the NHL ever, I’d like to see Roberto Luongo named as the started.  Despite his career achievements, Brodeur’s season last year wasn’t good and ended horribly in the Devils disasterous collapse against the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the playoffs.  I still think Marc-Andre Fleury should  be the third goaltender on the roster.

Please, Steve Yzerman, don’t just pick the team based on who’s been on it before.  Let’s see the very best of what Canada can offer at that very moment.  Not the best of what once was.

Stay classy, Team Canada.

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Chicago Blackhawks Sharp Armageddon next summer

July 21st, 2009

If you’ve been following the Chicago Blackhawks at all, you know they are about to hit a massive NHL salary cap problem. Like that massive asteroid from the movie Armageddon. Note to Barry Bonds, Alex Rodrigues and Manny Ramirez: I said asteroid, not a steroid… cheaters.

Anyways, with the asteroid, you know it’s coming but don’t know what to do. And I don’t think the Blackhawks staff anyone like Bruce Willis who can heroically save the day by sacrificing just one person. Unless Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman has a background in asteroid drilling I’m not aware of…

And since you’ve been following the Hawks well documented salary cap troubles, you are probably aware the Hawks will have to free up significant cap space this season if they hope to resign Duncan Keith, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane next summer.

The easy name out there is Patrick Sharp, who’s annual cap hit is $3.9 Million until the conclusion of the 2012 NHL season. According to the rumor mill, he’s going to Ottawa, Montreal, blah blah blah. Sure – Any team would love to have Sharp. A $3.9 Million cap hit is pretty reasonable considering the kind of player Sharp is and the kind of intangibles he brings.

I’m a pretty big Hawks fan. I’m a fan of their talent, their history and the way they built this team (patience, proper drafting and building slowly). I think it’s unfair to claim Sharp as an expendable piece of the Hawks system.

Did you know Dustin Byfuglien makes $3 Million a season too? His contract is just as long as Patrick Sharp’s.

Ask yourself who’s a more important contributor to the Chicago Blackhawks. Now ask yourself if Sharp is worth the additional $900,000.

I believe Sharp’s a big reason some of Chicago’s younger stars were able to fit in so well and so quickly. He’s a character player with skills and experience players like Toews, Kane and Kris Versteeg can continue to learn from. Sharp is part of the Hawks leadership group and was even mentioned as potential candidate (low probability) for Canada’s 2010 Men’s Olympic hockey team in Vancouver.  I can’t remember, but was Byfuglien ever rumored to be Olympic-bound?

I’m not saying the solution to Chicago’s salary cap problems are easy. There are some tough decisions that have to be made and sooner than later. I realize decisions will likely include more than one or two roster players. The reality is if Kane, Toews and Keith are all resigned, their combined ‘at market value’ could cost around ¼ of the NHL salary cap per year.

All that said,  I think Sharp is a guy who the Hawks should keep. There are other pieces that are far more expendable in my books than Patrick Sharp. Regardless, it’s clear multiple players will be sitting on the Hawks asteroid when it comes time to make sacrifices… or decisions.

Stay classy, Patrick Sharp.

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NHL clubs trending well, a royal bolt of chief decision making

July 13th, 2009

This is the time in the year when every NHL organization is gearing up to start the regular season.  All you hear, see and read is the end goal.  “We want to win the Stanley Cup”.  (Really glad to hear that.)  For some teams, it’s a foregone conclusion they won’t be playing hockey next May.  And for other clubs, it’s a legitimate statement fans believe.

The impact a summer of rebuilding, retooling or simply tweaking has never been as critical to an upcoming season’s success.  Judging by today’s rosters and the moves we’ve seen (or in some cases, not seen), I believe some teams are stronger, while others are weaker and it starts with key decision making from GMs and front offices.  Today, let’s talk about team’s who’ve drastically improved their rosters since ending the season last year.

Los Angeles Kings
I like the Kings and the patience they’ve showed assembling their young core group.  I like that they went out and got Ryan Smyth last week.  The price was high and giving up a Powerplay quarterback like Kyle Quincey is tough, but with their defensive depth and the need for gritty/skilled/experienced forwards, the deal makes sense.  Smyth is a good player on a solid team.  I don’t think he’s a first line guy, but think he’s very effective within a team of stars.  The young Kings kids will learn from him and I feel Smyth will be rejuvinated with the Kings after playing the last few years with the Colorado Avalanche and New York Islanders.  The Kings remind me a bit of last season’s Blackhawks, but aren’t quite as solid, yet.  Although I believe Los Angeles will make the playoffs this year, I don’t think they’ll see the Conference Finals in the 09-10 season.

Tampa Bay Lightning
Talk about two summers of difference for the Lightning.  Last summer looked like random UFA spending without a plan.  This summer they plugged roster holes in a seemingly calculated way.  After selecting Victor Hedman 2nd overall at this summer’s NHL Entry Draft,  Tampa Bay signed Mattias Ohlund to a 7 year deal.  Nice – the Lightning get an experienced NHL defenceman at a good price and someone who happens to speak the native Ikea tongue of Hedman.  Also, signing Kurtis Foster is a great depth signing.  Having 3 stronger defenceman will help Andrej Meszaros feel more comfortable, especially on the powerplay where they need him most.  I strongly believe Hedman to be a better fit in Tampa than Tavares would have been.  The Lightning needed quality defenceman more than offense (Vinny Lecavalier, Steven Stampkos and Marty St. Louis) and got it.  Especially when you consider the firepower of other Eastern Conference stars like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jason Spezza, Alex Ovechkin and others.  Good job, Tampa.  Within the next three years, I see a deep playoff run for the Lightning.

Chicago Blackhawks
Despite scaring the living crap out of revived Blackhawks fans, everything is calm in the Windy City.  Getting both Cam Barker and Kris Versteeg under contract for the next three years was a good move and secures depth for the Hawks.  Adding a player at the caliber of Marian Hossa isn’t a bad thing, for the immediate future.  Unlike the Lightning and Kings, the Hawks are on my list for the moves they didn’t make – signing any other players they probably didn’t need.  The reality is they need all the cap room they can get for impending contract renewals for Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Andrew Ladd, Duncan Keith and more.  I believe this is the year Chicago finally dethrones the Detroit Red Wings from the Central Division dominance… assuming new GM Stan Bowman doesn’t screw up next year’s RFA contracts.

(** All major hockey outlets are reporting this morning the Hawks have shuffled their front office and have replaced GM Dale Tallon with Scottie Bowman’s son, Stan Bowman.  Tallon is now the Senior advisor of hockey operations for the Blackhawks. **)

Stay classy, Kings, Lightning and Hawks.

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5 random UFA day thoughts

July 1st, 2009

Since there’s no shortage of great blogs that document and detail July 1st’s unrestricted free agent activities, I thought I’d assemble a list of 5 thoughts that I bet no one has thought of… yet.

New Colors
Whenever players  switch teams via trades, signings, etc… I always wonder what they’ll look like in new jerseys and colors.  That’s basically the first thing I think of, prior to how rosters will change and various other implications.  So you can imagine my disappointment when the player’s new team has very similar colors… like Dwayne Roloson leaving the Edmonton Oilers for the New York Islanders.

Long Term Deals
Like many others, I’m not a fan of the long term contracts that are becoming more prevalent in today’s NHL.  Not because of the financial irresponsibility General Managers show, or because most of these big names players make more money in an intermission than I do in a year.  I like seeing new and fresh teams.  These long deals lock players up for far too long and make them nearly untradeable.  Seeing Johan Franzen play as a Detroit Red Wing for the next 12 years is going to get pretty stale, pretty fast.  Maybe that’s why I enjoy dynasty modes on video games.

Salary Caps
It’s no secret the demand for professional salary-cap-ologists is growing at an alarming rate.  I’ve read that Colleges and Universities are starting to build professional degree programs to accomodate said demand.  But really, I’d like to see teams issue a quick Excel spreadsheet that clearly outlines how they can afford Marian Hossa for 12 years/$62 Million with existing salary commitments and estimates for upcoming signings next season (Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, etc…).  That Salary Cap degree wasn’t serious, by the way.

Brashear & Betts
The New York Rangers lost Colton Orr to the Toronto Maple Leafs and replaced him with Donald Brashear.  I guess that means Rangers GM Glen Sather won’t be resigning Blair Betts… unless he forgot when Brashear nearly decapitated Betts in the Washington Capitals/Rangers playoff series in April?  Could make for a pretty awkward dressing room moment…

Take Jay’s Picture
Watching the Jay Bouwmeester press conference with Darryl Sutter, as Jay-Bo puts on the Flames jersey for the first time was kind-of cool.  Except when Jay puts on the jersey – with the jersey not even over his head – the media are taking pictures like crazy.  Honestly, who’s going to use the photo of Bouwmeester with a jersey covering three-quarters of his face?

Bet you hadn’t had these thoughts, right?

Stay classy, UFA day.

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