The small but steady parade of veteran unrestricted free agent NHL players heading to Europe to continue their playing careers continues.
After recently rejecting offers from Swiss league teams in hopes of landing either an NHL or Russian Super League contract, winger Anson Carter signed with HC Lugano of the Swiss NLA for the 2007-08 season and is expected to join them this week.
The Boston Globe had reported this past weekend that Carter’s agent claimed his client had fully recovered from the concussion he suffered in pre-season that effectively ended his tryout with the Edmonton Oilers. It was thought Carter might still attract interest around the league based on his 33-goal performance in 2005-06 with the Vancouver Canucks but as this signing indicates no GM in the NHL is willing to gamble their valuable cap space on him.
It’s possible Carter might find his way back to the NHL before season’s end but he’d first have to have an “out” clause and would then have to pass through waivers, which would make him further unpalatable to potential NHL suitors.
If Carter can play well for HC Lugano this season it might pique interest in him in next summer’s UFA market. If not, he’d better get used to the Swiss lifestyle because that could be the only league he’ll be able to play in.
Another former NHL forward heading to Switzerland is faceoff specialist and poker enthusiast Travis Green, who signed with EV Zug on Monday.
Green’s best season statistically was 1995-96 with 70 points in 69 games but he was probably at his most valuable during the 2001-02 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a faceoff and penalty killing specialist.
Sadly, his career has been on a steady decline since then. He was bought out of his contract with the Boston Bruins in 2006 and saw only 31 games split between the Leafs and Anaheim Ducks last season. His NHL playing career is probably over at this point.
Reports from Switzerland also claim Lugano made a contract offer to Phoenix Coyotes netminder David Aebischer, who’s presently toiling in the minors having failed to secure a spot on the club’s regular tandem.
The Swiss-born Aebischer has apparently told Lugano he wants some time to think about the offer, hoping he’ll get a chance to get back into the NHL either with the Coyotes or another team.
Another goalie who received an offer from a European team is Montreal Canadiens netminder Jaroslav Halak, who like Aebischer is toiling in the minors after failing to secure a roster spot with the Habs.
Halak received a contract offer from an unnamed Russian Super League team and it was rumored Halak was using this contract offer as leverage with the Habs to force the club into trading him to another NHL team but this was denied by Halak’s agent.
Former Edmonton Oilers defenseman Daniel Tjarnqvist signed with RSL team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl after spending weeks entertaining offers from various European teams, as did former Maple Leafs forward Tony Salmelainen.
For those of you interested in Peter Forsberg’s future, I’ll be touching on that in an upcoming article.
The way some of the veterans are playing, and the way some of the rookies are playing it would be nicer if the vets went to europe and more teams brought up some rookies. Players like Gagner for edmonton are tearing it up (as much as an edmonton player can tear it up LOL) where some older players don't deserve the roster spot.
Once the wear and tear catches up with most of the NHL deep in the winter, some of these guys (especially Anson Carter) will get that desperate phone call to replace injured (and/or underperforming) regulars.
My feeling on Forsberg is that he's done. That foot of his has not really healed since he had it operated on a couple of seasons ago. He is risking permanent damage on that foot that would affect him later in life. He's had an amazing career with a couple of Stanley Cups so there is nothing really left for him to prove.
Question: Can someone explain the waivers process to me? I mustn't understand it, because I don't see why it would deter possible suitors.
If Anson Carter tears it up in the Swiss league and some team expresses interest in him, he'll have to pass waivers, but so what? If, say, Edmonton is interested in him and he has to pass through waivers, but, for instance, Phoenix picks him up off waivers, then it's not like Edmonton has lost anything, have they?
I agree with the first comment, and I've said as much previously. This is a good thing for the NHL, as it will convince some of these veterans to go to Europe and prove they are worthy of the NHL game rather than sticking around past their prime stealing time away from a youngster. If they are good enough, then eventually they will get that call to come back, and that's how it should be. This healthy competition is good for hockey, basically. Forsberg? It's becoming the equivalent of the Loch Ness Monster. Plenty of sightings and innuendo, but in the end just a couple of fuzzy facts.
danig: Carter having to pass through waivers makes him unpalatable to NHL teams. If the Oilers were interested in him and sign him to a contract, only to lose him to the Coyotes under your scenario, the Oilers aren't out any money but they don't get the player they wanted.
1) No big losses for the NHL in any of the players that are headed to the other side of the pond.
2) We doubt many NHL fans are clamoring to see Carter, Yashin, etc back in the NHL. There are probably a few over there who could add something, but all in all the big name star European players are still in the NHL
About the montreal goalie situation, I think Huet will be dealt and they habs will go with the tandem of Price and Halak. I honestly think that Price can handle the load and be the new "go to guy" for the habs....Huet is playing well and there are going to be some teams who are in the market for a big name goalie and willing to give up something for him. The canadians should part with Huet, get what they can for him (which will be a lot) and put faith in Price.
Another strong case last night why the sens should deal emery and go with Gerber
1) Ontario: Don't you think that would be just a tad o####amble for BG to make? Price may or may not be the next coming of Ken Dryden, but after only a handful of games its a bit premature to rest a franchise on the shoulders of a 20 year old goalie with 4 games of NHL experience.
Well what do you do??? Signing Huet to a big contract then having him, price and halak would be a waste of money. I'd start giving price a lot more playing time just to make sure, but huet is going to be a ufa and seasons end and if price and halak are going to take the reigns as the starting tandem, then they shouldn't let huet walk for nothing. A few people have agreed that huet is a good goalie, but he's missing something, its hard to explain but it seems that price has what huet is mising and might be enough to carry them over the top.
Spector: What's the deal with Jason Allison, he's missed 3 seasons of hockey now if i'm not mistaken. Is he playing in some southern regional league or is he just staying off the ice period. And why haven't offence starved teams taken a chance on him? What are his odds of heading to europe or calling it quits entirely.
p.s. You look like Scott Niedermayer in your picture, anyone else seein that?
With Allison it's a two-fold problem. First, he's considered too slow to effectively play the faster style, and second, it's believed he's seeking too much money.
The only resemblance I have with Niedermayer is the gray in our beards!
ya, well some people say I look like the next GM of the bruins.....lol. But as for allison, I don't understand why a team like the yotes doesn't take a chance on him. With all the youth they have and speed, he'd be a good assist man because he does have a good eye of whats going on....but if he's asking any more then a mill, I'd ink nidermyer...I mean Lyle
It just blows my mind that Allison could be asking for too much money. How much can he be worth right now? He can't even get himself a tryout! He may be getting older but who knows how slow he can be, if he's been working hard on his skating for the past 2-3 season then what could be holding him back. Have you heard of even a little interest in him from any north american based team. And if he keeps sitting seasons out does he get any benefits from being part of the players association, is he still part of the players association?
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.
