July 23, 2013
Dobber Sports
2013-07-23
Sean Monahan has signed his ELC with the Flames. That must be the easiest contract to give in hockey. A first round pick? Okay, here’s the max. Done. Makes me wonder why it takes three weeks sometimes, as it did here. Anyway, I have Monahan in my Fantasy Guide playing nine games. But he has a very real chance of sticking beyond that. His fantasy value went up a lot just by being drafted by this team because there is so much opportunity.
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Antti Miettinen has signed to play next year in the Swiss League. Now 33, he’s probably done with the NHL for good. His best season was 2008-09 when he had 44 points or perhaps it was 2009-10 when he scored 20 goals. But what he was best known for was his streaks. It was enough to tease us into thinking that 60 points was in the cards. But no.
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Colby Robak has signed a two-year deal with the Panthers. I have him finally sticking full-time this year and tallying 23 points in 73 games. He has some upside, as he posted 108 points in his final 136 games for Brandon of the WHL, which is one of the better two-year totals for defensemen in that league. He also had 39 points in 73 games for San Antonio in 2011-12. It’s hard to believe he’s only 23. It seems like I had him on the cusp for years.
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David Rundbladhas signed a two-year contract with the Coyotes. They say “per club policy terms of the deal were not disclosed”. Then they went onto give the terms of the deal with other players. So unable to dig up if his contract is one-way or two-way. My guess? Two-way this year, one-way next year. Regardless, he won’t be going to the KHL for two years, if ever. I have him playing half a season in the NHL this year.
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The Leafs signed Carl Gunnarsson. Three years. Avoids arbitration. He’s a little fragile, but has 40-point potential. My projection for this year – 72 games, 28 points. #FantasyGuide
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And still with young, unproven defensemen with a little upside – Patrick Wiercioch has signed a three-year deal with the Sens. Granted, the Sens lost Gonchar. But they ‘gained’ Cowen and Corvo. So my projection for him is 23 points in 68 games.
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Bryan Little has signed a five-year deal worth an eye-popping $23.5 million. Coming off his most productive season – but his points pro-rate to 55 over an 82-game schedule. So six years in the NHL and his best year is the 55 points…and he gets nearly $25 million over five years? Yes he gives up several UFA seasons, but I’d sign him for two years at something more reasonable and see what happens.
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Luke Adam signed a two-way deal. He’s not ready for the NHL. At all. But I have him playing half a season for Buffalo in the Guide…because the Sabres still haven’t joined the free agency fray. They need wingers right now, so Adam gets on almost by default.
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Other contract signings:
Nicolas Deschamps signed with the Caps
Brandon McMillan, a two-way contract with Phoenix
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Still nothing official on the Jagr front, but the rumor out of Europe is that the deal with the Devils is done and it will be for one year.
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Here are the 47 players invited to Team Canada’s camp. Notable omissions include Jason Spezza, Jamie Benn, Justin Schultz, Cam Ward and James Reimer. But I agree that it’s time to move on from other omissions such as Jarome Iginla and Martin Brodeur.
Unexpected invites, the potential Rob Zamuners – Marc Methot and Chris Kunitz. The latter was obviously a Top 5 NHL scorer last year because of his own talent, without any help from anyone.
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Here are 35 players invited to Russia’s pre-Olympic camp.
And the 48 invited to Team USA’s…
And Sweden’s list… and I’m assuming that Daniel Alfredsson is automatic? Because he’s not on the list.
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Okay, back to work on the Fantasy Guide. It’s out in nine days, you know
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Funny stuff from Jay and Dan:
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Sean Monahan highlights: