When the free-agent carousel started spinning on Friday, most goalies maintained their backup roles on different teams. But a select few – Mike Smith, Jose Theodore and Semyon Varlamov – were given a new chance to let freedom ring as starters. This is a perfect theme for today, since I’m celebrating Independence Day here in the USA.
Last two days! "LIKE" Dobber Sports on Facebook, and win yourself a pair of Oakley's! On July 6 I'll draw a name from one of the likes, and send them a pair. We are also giving away two free copies of Tales from the Boston Bruins Locker Room, by Kerry Keene. Oops, I was just [...]
San Jose has traded the underperforming Dany Heatley to Minnesota in exchange for Martin Havlat. Heatley has three more seasons at a cap hit of $7.5 million, while Havlat has four more at a cap hit of $5 million, saving San Jose $2.5 million per season (math can be fun).
Small prospects need not apply.
Picking fantasy prospects is risky enough without drafting undersized players. Undersized means any player 5’10 and under, who doesn’t have the frame to reach at least 190 pounds. These criteria would still encourage you to draft stocky players like Derek Roy, Marc Savard, Kimmo Timmonen, Mark Recchi and Brian Rafalski who all reached at least 190 pounds in the NHL.
The Leafs get: Cody Franson and Matthew Lombardi. Franson is a young and skilled puck moving defenseman who scored eight goals last season with the Predators. Lombardi is currently injured, and has been since October of 2010 (concussion-related issues). It is unclear whether he will ever return to the NHL - as for now he sits on the LTIR (long-term injured reserve).
Some interesting depth UFAs left: Tomas Kaberle – the Bruins are reportedly trying to bring him back. Surprised how far he has fallen – playing in the playoffs as Boston’s sixth defenseman didn’t help his stock all that much. A number of teams out there could still use a puck mover. Perhaps he [...]
The New York Islanders organization has been re-building for what seems like decades, but since the hiring of GM Garth Snow in July of 2006, the team has really fine-tuned their strategy and stuck with it. The plan is to stockpile young talent, build around said young talent, and not overly commit to veterans with high salaries. Even with the oft-ridiculed Rick DiPietro contract, the Isles still have almost $27 million in cap space and that’s with nine forwards, six defensemen, and three goaltenders under contract. They do have a few notable RFA’s left to sign and one of them is the ninth overall selection of the 2008 draft, Josh Bailey.
The Red Wings get: Detroit has signed offensive defenseman Ian White to a very respectable two-year deal worth approximately $2.8 million per season.
The Leafs get: An injury prone but skilled center capable of playing in a top six role. Connolly was signed to a two-year contract worth about $4.5 million per season. After missing out on Richards, the Leafs went after their second choice. Cap space is only important if you need it, and over the next two years the Leafs needed to add a veteran center more than they needed the $4.5 million in cap space.
The Capitals get: An elite starting goaltender with a lot to prove. Tomas Vokoun had to settle for a measly one-year, $1.5 million contract, a far cry from the $5 million he has made each of the past few seasons in Florida. Did Philadelphia jump the gun on Bryzgalov?
