June 24, 2008

 

The Flyers acquired Janne Niskala from the Preds for a seventh round pick. Niskala will beef up the Phantoms, but with Eminger already joining the team I don't see him cracking the roster.

 

The Lightning have waived Marc Denis for the purpose of a buyout. 

 

The Hurricanes have signed Tuomo Ruutu to a one-year deal. I think he'll bounce back a little with 55 points and some upside. Obviously, on a one-year deal, Ruutu wants the chance to earn a big contract.

 

The Leafs have waived Wellwood and Andrew Raycroft. Raycroft will be bought out.
 

 

To correct the below – because the Canes are unable to sign Hordichuk, they get a fifth round pick back from Nashville for 2010. Not so bad now. Thanks to Enapai in the forum.

 

Dave Shoalts of the Globe and Mail is reporting that the Leafs will not be offering Kyle Wellwood a contract. 

 

Now the Rangers have permission to talk to Mats Sundin. Whoever signs him, it would seem that the Leafs will get something for him after all. Good for them.

 

After trading a fifth-round pick for the guy – already a little high for an enforcer – the Hurricanes cannot sign Darcy Hordichuk and will lose him to free agency. If I'm them, i'm seeing if I can trade him for a sixth or seventh rounder before July 1 to save some face here. Hordichuk is giving up a good situation.

 

Carolina pick Zac Dalpe will not be in camp he will attend Ohio State this season.

 

TSN is reporting that the Kings may not be able to buy out Dan Cloutier's contract because he may not be fully recovered from knee and/or hip injuries.

 

Chicago has re-signed Andrew Ladd to a two-year extension. He is a dark horse for 55 points on the second line this year, but seems to be prone to injury.

 

Tyler Redenbach has signed to play in the Swiss League this season.

 

Marek Zidlicky's no-trade clause in his contract expires on June 30. So July 1 he can be traded and the Preds have a lot of young kids on the blue line champing at the bit.

 

It looks as if Jimmy Howard will not have a job handed to him. The Detroit News is reporting that Ken Holland plans to explore the free agent market and find a backup for Chris Osgood – or a starter for Grand Rapids. This goalie would compete with Howard for the backup job.

 

Islanders fans are reportedly upset with Garth Snow for not selecting Filatov but rather trading down and taking Josh Bailey. Snow maintains that Bailey is the player that he wanted all along. However, I think with their later picks (such as Kirill Petrov) that the Isles redeemed themselves, so take heart Isles fans.