The New York Islanders are still trying to sort out some details before signing defenseman Bryan Berard but in the meantime general manager Garth Snow re-signed two of his players who were eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency.
On October 5th the Isles re-signed defenseman Radek Martinek to a three-year contract extension that’ll commence next season. Two days later, the club re-signed checker Richard Park to a two-year extension.
Newsday reports Park’s new deal is worth $1.5 million or $750K per season. Martinek’s is worth $4.5 million or $1.5 million per season.
Martinek has been injury-prone throughout his NHL career (he’s yet to play a full season) but he’s proven himself to be a poised blueliner with decent offensive skills.
Park isn’t a big forward but he’s an energetic checker and the Isles appreciate his experience and character.
As for Berard, it’s believed he’ll sign with the Islanders as early as October 8th once defenseman Freddy Meyer has cleared waivers and reports to their minor league affiliate, and could be in the lineup for the Isles matchup against arch-rival NY Rangers on Wednesday.
After being cut loose by the Carolina Hurricanes this summer and failing to stick with the St. Louis Blues as a training camp invitee, David Tanabe is returning to the Hurricanes.
On October 6th Tanabe agreed to a two-year, two-way contact with the Hurricanes, paying him $600K this season at the NHL level and $100K if he’s demoted to the minors. The deal also pays him $900K at the NHL level in 2008-09.
Tanabe was once one of the Hurricanes most prized prospects, but he’s failed to match the numbers of his sophomore season in 2000-01 (7 goals, 29 points in 74 games, 2 goals in six playoff games). He was dealt to the Phoenix Coyotes in the summer of 2003 and to the Boston Bruins in November 2005.
The Hurricanes signed him in August 2006 as an unrestricted free agent but was unable to reach an agreement with the club after the 2006-07 season and wound up again as an unrestricted free agent.
It’s not surprising that he’s back with the Hurricanes for another go-around, as there is legitimate concern over the club’s blueline depth, particularly with the aging Glen Wesley and battered veterans Bret Hedican and Frantisek Kaberle.
Tanabe should see plenty of ice time with the ‘Canes this season.
Tanabe had to do something and this was good for both him and the canes. I watched him practice with the Blues when he was in town at camp and if he stays healthy he will make an impact for the canes. Plus it is a win win for the club and tanabe
This is totally off topic, but it's something that I'd hope you'd mention with your trade rumors, since you mentioned several goalies. With Emery out Gerber has done a good job backstopping the Senators so far. Good enough that you'd either have to think
1. That other teams gotta be interested in Gerber
2. That Emery will have to fight for the #1 spot when he gets back.
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
