One of the greatest careers in NHL history has come to an
end.
Jaromir Jagr, former captain of the New York Rangers, has
announced he’s decided to accept a two-year contract from Avangard Omsk of
Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League.
He’d hoped to re-sign with the Rangers but apparently no
real contract talks took place between himself and Rangers management.
Jagr has at times been a considered a moody, petulant
self-centered prima donna by his critics, but there is no denying he ranks
among the greatest forwards in NHL history.
He won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1999, the Art Ross
as the leading point scorer five times, won the Pearson award three times, was
a seven time first team all star, played on two Stanley Cup championships with
the Pittsburgh Penguins and won an Olympic gold medal as part of the 1998 Czech
Republic Men’s hockey team.
Jagr also holds 12 NHL records, including most assists by a
rookie in the Stanley Cup finals (5), most regular season assists (87) and points
(149) by a right wing, and 8 Rangers team records, all set in 2005-06,
including most regular season goals (54), points (123), power play goals (24),
shots (368) and tied with Mark Messier and Don Murdoch for most game winning
goals with 9.
He finishes his NHL career with 646 goals, 953 assists and
1599 points in the regular season, and 77 goal and 181 points in 169 playoff
games.
His was a Hall of Fame career and he should be a first
ballot selection.
Some might feel cheated that Jagr will finish his playing
career in Russia rather than the NHL, but NHL fans got to see him at his very
best for most of his 17 NHL seasons, and that’s what he should be remembered
for.
New York Rangers GM Glen Sather continues to add veteran
depth to his roster via this summer’s UFA market, adding forward Markus Naslund
and defenseman Dmitri Kalinin.
Details are still pending on the Kalinin signing but Naslund
has been signed to a one-year, $4.5 two-year, $8 million contract.
Naslund’s been considered a fading force in his final years
with the Vancouver Canucks but it’s possible he could bounce back if he weren’t
facing pressure to carry the offensive load.
This move might also be seen as possible enticement for Mats
Sundin to sign with the Rangers although these signings likely means less room
for the kind of money he’s been attracting in the UFA market.
Kalinin struggled at times in his final two seasons in
Buffalo occasionally earning a place in
head coach Lindy Ruff’s doghouse. It was rumored earlier this spring he might
sign with a Russian team .
If Kalinin can rebound with a fresh start in New York he
could be a solid addition to the Rangers blueline, but if not he could replace
the departed Marek Malik as the favorite target of the MSG boo-birds.
**UPDATE** GM Glen Sather stated during a media conference call announcing this trade that Jaromir Jagr won't be back with the Rangers.
Kalinin's contract is a one-year deal, financial terms are still unavailable.
Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson continues to overhaul
his roster, today swapping two forwards for two defensemen.
Howson dealt Nikolai Zherdev and Dan Fritsche to the NY
Rangers for blueliners Christian Backman and Fedor Tyutin.
The deal ends the Blue Jackets long saga with the enigmatic
Zherdev, the fourth overall pick in the 2003 entry draft, as he was as
maddening with his inconsistency as he was dazzling with his skills.
This move certainly bolsters the depth of the Jackets
defense corps but still doesn’t address their need for a top-two blueliner.
Backman, whom the Rangers acquired from St. Louis at the trade deadline,
was disappointing in his short tenure in New York and the Blueshirts signing of
Wade Redden meant his days were numbered there. Tyutin had been re-signed to a
four-year contract extension by the Rangers last season and was thought to have
a career in New York.
The Rangers had been linked to Zherdev and Fritsche in trade
speculation mid-way through last season and at one point it was thought a deal
between the two sides was imminent before it apparently fell through.
Zherdev is a good offensive winger when he’s motivated to
play and Fritsche will provide depth to the Rangers checking lines.
With Zherdev now on the Rangers roster one wonders how long
winger Petr Prucha will remain a Blueshirt, as he was unable to land a
permanent spot on the Blueshirts top two lines this past season and was once named
as a potential return to the Jackets in those trade rumors last season.
Pesky forward Sean Avery is taking his act to the Lone Star
State.
The Dallas Stars signed Avery to a four-year, $16 million
contract, worth $4 million per season against the Stars cap.
Stars co-GM Brett Hull was apparently instrumental in
bringing Avery to Dallas, as the two used to be roommates when they played for
the Detroit Red Wings earlier in the decade.
Avery is a very good physical forward with a decent scoring
touch whose abrasive style should be a good fit with the Stars in the short
term, but his act tends to wear thin after a couple of seasons so it’ll be
interesting to see how things work out for him in Dallas.
Once upon a time, in the bad old days before the salary cap,
the NY Rangers had a reputation for making expensive, questionable signings of
older unrestricted free agents.
After spending the first three years under a salary cap
spending wisely (more or less), Rangers GM Glen Sather has returned to his team’s
old free-spending ways on aging talent, signing Wade Redden to a six year
contract worth $6.5 million per season.
That’s right, Redden, whose last two seasons in Ottawa
merely highlighted he was a defenseman in decline, will not only earn the same
salary per season as he did under his old contract, he’ll keep earning it…for
the next…six….years!
I’m sorry, no offense, Rangers fans, but your front office
has taken a collective leave of its senses.
And they’re apparently still in the hunt for Marian Hossa
and Mats Sundin and haven’t ruled out re-signing Jaromir Jagr, but as TSN’s Bob
McKenzie noted, they’ll have to dump some salary because they have about $8-$9
million in available cap space, which won’t leave enough to land one of those
aforementioned big fish and still have enough cap room to flesh out the roster.
They were in good shape before taking on Redden, heck, I
could’ve even understood their signing him for two years at that salary, but not at
six years. They’ve saddled themselves with a declining asset that could prove
to be a cap headache down the road.
Of course, in the words of Dennis Miller (when he used to be funny), that’s just my
opinion, I could be wrong. For your sake, Rangers fans, I sure hope so.
The NY Rangers were believed in the market for Brian
Campbell but with him now signed with Chicago they’ve returned to a former
Blueshirt.
It’s been announced the Rangers have re-signed Michal
Roszival to a four-year, $20 million contract, meaning he’ll make $5 million
per season against their salary cap.
Rozsival had a terrific 2006-07 campaign but appeared to
struggle in the second half of last season and in the playoffs, earning the
wrath of disgruntled Rangers fans until it was disclosed he was playing through
injury during that time.
When healthy Rozsival is a good puck-moving defenseman, and
given the Rangers are looking to commit big dollars to an impact UFA forward
like Sundin, Hossa or Jaromir Jagr, they needed to bring in someone who not
only fit into their cap but also into their system.
For two teams traditionally known for making big waves in
the UFA pool, the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers have been very quiet thus
far.
The Flyers of course have limited cap space this summer and
are only seeking affordable signings, preferably on their blueline.
GM Paul Holmgren appears to find such an affordable d-man in
Ossi Vaananen, who spent last season playing in Sweden after failing to land a
contract in last summer’s UFA market.
Holmgren wanted a puck-moving defenseman but that’ s not
Vaananen’s game, as he plays a more physical “stay-at-home” style, which should
make him a welcome addition for the Flyers but still leaves Holmgren seeking an
affordable offensive blueliner.
The Rangers are believed in the market for some of this
summer’s big UFA fish like Mats Sundin and Marian Hossa but have kicked off
July 1st with two minor signings, adding checking line forwards
Patrick Rissmiller and Aaron Voros.
The Swedish paper Aftonbladet reports veteran NHL defenseman
Mattias Norstrom has decided to retire effective immediately.
Norstrom began his NHL career with the NY Rangers in 1993-94
but would play the bulk of his fourteen NHL seasons with the Los Angeles Kings,
where he would eventually become team captain and earned a reputation as one of
the top defensive blueliners in the game.
He took over the captaincy of the Kings in 2001 after Rob
Blake was traded to Colorado, a role he would hold until he was dealt to the
Dallas Stars at the February 2007 trade deadline.
The 35-year-old Norstrom’s physical style began to take its
toll on him this season, when he appeared in 66 games with the Stars, the first
time he played less than 73 games in a season since the 1995-96 season, when he
played 36 split between the Rangers and Kings.
His final playoff run however was a memorable one, appearing
in all 18 of the Stars games and notching five points, including two goals,
accounting for all but two of his career 7 playoff points.
It was thought that his strong performance in this spring’s
playoffs might entice him back for another season with the Stars, who’ll now
have to find a replacement for Norstrom either within their organization or via
trade or free agency.
Grim news today out of New York as Rangers bad boy forward Sean Avery was rushed to a Manhattan hospital this morning unconscious and not breathing after what the New York Daily News called cardiac arrest hours after his team lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Three of their Eastern Conference Semi-Final game.
TSN reports Avery suffered a lacerated spleen and is out for the rest of the playoffs but is expected to make a full recovery.
Regardless of what Avery's critics (of which I am one) may think of his on-ice actions and off-ice comments here's hoping that Avery does indeed make a full recovery and returns to action next season.
**UPDATE** Reports of Avery rushed to hospital unconscious and not breathing were not true, according to a Rangers spokesman.
"The spokesman said Avery went to St. Vincent's Medical Center in Lower
Manahattan after the game with a team doctor in a town car. He walked
into the hospital and was not on a stretcher, the spokesman said."
Regardless, best wishes to Avery for a speedy recovery.
NY Rangers forward Sean Avery has been making a name for himself as one of the league’s most pesky players (and arguably the most disliked) and now his name will likely be enshrined for posterity for a rule change.
During Sunday’s playoff game between Avery’s Rangers and the New Jersey Devils, he created a stir by planting himself in front of Devils goalie Martin Brodeur during a power-play, facing Brodeur and waving his stick in the netminder’s face.
The tactic screened Brodeur, who after the game said that he couldn’t see the puck or the play developing in front of him because of Avery’s antics.
It failed to result in a goal, although Avery would score moments later on the same powerplay. You can check out Avery’s little gambit in more detail here.
Commentators were stunned by Avery’s actions, most saying they’d never seen anything like this before in their lives. Brodeur obviously wasn’t pleased with it, the game referee warned Avery and the Rangers bench that it could result in a penalty if he did it again, and even Avery’s teammate Chris Drury shouted at him during the play to keep his stick down.
Avery’s stick wind-milling action failed to draw a penalty at the time because there wasn’t anything in the NHL rulebook saying you couldn’t do what he did.
Screening a goalie is a common practice during a game, but players doing so aren’t facing the goalie and waving their stick in his face. Their backs are almost always turned to the netminder, facing the play as they look for the incoming shot, not only to prevent the goalie seeing the puck and create a scoring chance, but also to avoid injury themselves by getting hit from behind with the puck.
It didn’t take long for the NHL to react. Effective Monday, the league issues the following:
"National Hockey League Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell today issued the following advisory on the interpretation of Rule 75 - Unsportsmanlike Conduct: "An unsportsmanlike conduct minor penalty (Rule 75) will be interpreted and applied, effective immediately, to a situation when an offensive player positions himself facing the opposition goaltender and engages in actions such as waving his arms or stick in front of the goaltender's face, for the purpose of improperly interfering with and/or distracting the goaltender as opposed to positioning himself to try to make a play."
Now some may argue as to why there was such an uproar over Avery’s actions and question the league cracking down on it.
Regardless of the interference implication or the unsportsmanlike conduct, what Avery did was dangerous, to Brodeur, an opponent or teammate, even to himself.
Avery couldn’t see the play developing behind him, has no idea where the puck is nor does he know where the position of his teammates or opposing players are around him, as he was mainly focused on Brodeur.
With his back to the player and waving his stick around in that manner, he risked injuring Brodeur despite the netminder’s protective equipment, and could’ve clipped a teammate or an opponent in the face or head with his stick.
Avery was also putting himself in danger of being struck from behind with an incoming shot, which could’ve seriously injured him if it struck him in the head or back of the neck, despite the helmet he wore.
It’s good to see the NHL jump on this quickly, and obviously they had the blessing of the NHLPA implement this rule change so quickly. No one wants to see this become an established practice throughout the playoffs by waiting to change this rule in the off-season, especially if it were to result in a game-or-series winning goal.
Can you imagine the uproar if Avery or another player were to pull the same stunt resulting in a Stanley Cup winning goal? It would dwarf that of Brett Hull’s controversial “foot in the crease” goal from the 1999 Cup Finals, which was an embarrassment the league front office has no wish to repeat.
If Avery harbored hopes of his name going down in NHL history, he got his wish. This will forever be known as "the Sean Avery rule".
As promised here is my Eastern Conference Quarter-finals preview and predictions.
Again, I'd love to read your comments, and if you disagree with me that's fine, but please, don't take it personally if I didn't pick your team to win or if in your opinion I haven't given them a chance. Remember, they're just one person's opinion. If I'm right, fine, if not, no big whoop.
Montreal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins: Canadiens swept the season series 8-0, enroute to locking up top spot in their division and the conference, whilst the Bruins battled injury and inconsistency to scrape into the post-season. The Bruins will try to use a physical, disciplined defensive style to shut down the Canadiens speed and to generate traffic in front of the Montreal goal. They’ll look to goalie Tim Thomas and captain Zdeno Chara to lead the way but that might not be enough to blunt the Canadiens offensive attack and league-leading power-play, led by Alex Kovalev's line. Habs rookie Carey Price is starting his first NHL playoffs but his unflappable demeanor and sound goaltending style will make it tough for the Bruins to score. Both teams have been bit by the injury bug of late but the Canadiens are the healthier of the two. The Bruins will battle the Canadiens hard and could win a game or two but appear to lack the offensive punch and defensive ability to contain the Habs. CANADIENS IN FIVE.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators: The Sens won the season series 3-0-1 but have been in free-fall since mid-January whilst the Penguins have overcome injuries to key players to finish second overall in the Conference. The Senators have far more playoff experience than the Penguins, but they're a team wracked by dissension, shaky goaltending, inconsistent defense and with key forwards Daniel Alfredsson, Mike Fisher and Chris Kelly sidelined by injury. The Penguins lost to the Sens in five games last season but they’re a year older, wiser, healthier and better this time around. Their offensive attack, led by Evgeni Malkin and captain Sidney Crosby, could prove too much this time around for a floundering Ottawa team to shut down. PENGUINS IN FIVE.
Washington Capitals vs Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers took the season series 2-1-1, but struggled down the stretch whilst the Capitals were one of the NHL’s hottest team’s over the same period, catapulting them to the Southeast Division title. For the Flyers, their role is simple: shut down the Alexander Ovechkin line and generate traffic in front of Caps goalie Cristobal Huet, and they’ve got a good chance to defeat Washington. Easier said than done, as the Capitals head into this series riding a wave of momentum, spurred by Ovechkin’s amazing play, Huet’s goaltending, the coaching of Bruce Boudreau and the overall improvement of their roster. The Flyers possess more experience than the Capitals, but there are concerns about Martin Biron’s goaltending, their defensive depth and overall health. The Flyers also haven’t played the Capitals since early February and could find this club far different from the one they faced earlier in the season. CAPITALS IN SIX.
New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers. The Rangers won the season series 7-0-1 but it’s the Devils who’ll have home-ice advantage in this match-up. The last time these two met in the playoffs the Devils swept the Rangers in four, but the Rangers are a healthier, more defensively sound club this time around, and can rely on strong goaltending from Henrik Lundqvist. The Devils will again use their grinding, physical defensive style to try to wear down the Rangers, but their lack of offense could make it difficult to cash in on scoring opportunities. Ultimately the Devils hopes will rest on goalie Martin Brodeur, who had another strong performance this season and must carry that over into the post-season for the Devils to have a chance. This series should be a close one but in the end the Rangers offensive depth and improved defensive game should see them through. RANGERS IN SEVEN.
With the NHL season almost over, here’s a look at how the top free agents of 2007 (based on salaries of $5 million or more per season) have fared in the first season of their current contracts.
Oh, and for those nitpickers wondering why I’m doing this now (and my review of my season preview last Friday) given the handful of games remaining, it’s because I’m preparing to cover the upcoming playoffs and won’t have the time to do this at season’s end.
Anyway, stats are as of March 31, 2008,along with their projections in November 2007 and January 2008. The regular season ends on April 6, 2008. I’ll leave it up to you, the readers, to decide if they’re worth the money they’re getting.
Enjoy!
Daniel Briere, Philadelphia Flyers - 2007-08 salary: $10 million. Salary cap hit: $6.5 million.
November 2007: on pace for: 41 goals, 61 assists, 102 points. January 2008: on pace for: 32 goals, 49 assists, 89 points. March 31, 2008: 78 GP, 31 goals, 40 assists, 71 points, -23
Scott Gomez, New York Rangers – 2007-08 salary: $10 million. Salary cap hit: $7.357 million.
November 2007: on pace for: 14 goals, 44 assists, 58 points. January 2008: on pace for: 18 goals, 57 assists, 75 points. March 31, 2008: 77 GP, 16 goals, 53 assists, 69 points, +5.
Thomas Vanek, Buffalo Sabres – 2007-08 salary: $10 million. Salary cap hit: $7.143 million.
November 2007: on pace for: 21 goals, 36 assists, 57 points. January 2008: on pace for: 23 goals, 25 assists, 48 points. March 31, 2008: 79 GP, 32 goals, 28 assists, 60 points, -5
Kimmo Timonen, Philadelphia Flyers – 2007-08 salary: $8 million. Salary cap hit: $6.33 million.
November 2007: on pace for: 10 goals, 38 assists, 48 points. -14 January 2008: on pace for: 12 goals, 33 assists, 45 points. –2 March 31, 2008: 77 GP, 8 goals, 36 assists, 44 points, -3
Ryan Smyth, Colorado Avalanche: - 2007-08 salary: $7.5 million. Salary cap hit: $6.25 million.
November 2007: on pace for: 21 goals, 28 assists, 50 points. January 2008: on pace for: 22 goals, 34 assists, 56 points (sidelined until late-February) March 31, 2008: 53 GP, 14 goals, 23 assists, 37 points, -3
Chris Drury, New York Rangers – 2007-08 salary: $7.1 million. Salary cap hit: $7.05 million.
November 2007: on pace for: 17 goals, 34 assists, 51 points –3. January 2008: on pace for: 21 goals, 34 assists, 55 points, -21 March 31, 2008: 78 GP, 23 goals, 31 assists, 54 points, -4
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings: 2007-08 salary: $6.7 million. Salary cap hit. $6.7 million.
November 2007: on pace for: 24 goals, 65 assists, 89 points, +38. January 2008: on pace for: 30 goals, 66 assists, 96 points, +47 March 31, 2008: 79 GP, 31 goals, 53 assists, 94 points, +41.
November 2007: on pace for: 26-20-7, 2.50 GAA, .906 SP. January 2008: on pace for: 34-19-7, 2.33 GAA, .915 SP March 31, 2008: 34-17-6, 2.10 GAA, .923 SP
November 2007: on pace for: 12 goals, 43 assists, 55 points, +18 in 67 games. January 2008: on pace for: 10 goals, 28 assists, 38 points, +22 in 67 games. March 31, 2008: 63 GP, 12 goals, 27 assists, 39 points, +20.
Roman Hamrlik, Montreal Canadiens – 2007-08 salary: $5.5 million. Salary cap hit: $5.5 million.
November 2007:on pace for: 7 goals, 31 assists, 38 points. +24. January 2008: on pace for: 5 goals, 27 assists, 32 points, +11 March 31, 2008: 74 GP, 5 goals, 20 assistss, 25 points, +7
Michael Nylander, Washington Capitals – 2007-08 salary: $5.5 million. Salary cap hit: $4.875 million.
November 2007: on pace for: 20 goals, 52 assists, 72 points, -43 January 2008: sidelined for the season, was on pace for 21 goals, 50 assists, 71 points.
Mats Sundin, Toronto Maple Leafs – 2007-08 salary: $5.5 million. Salary cap hit: $5.5 million.
November 2007: on pace for: 39 goals, 59 assists, 98 points, +23. January 2008: on pace for: 36 goals, 53 assists, 89 points, +20. March 31, 2008: 74 GP, 32 goals, 46 assists, 78 points, +17.
Scott Hartnell, Philadelphia Flyers – 2007-08 salary: $5.2 million. Salary cap hit: $4.2 million
November 2007: on pace for: 11 goals, 18 assists, 29 points, +7. January 2008: on pace for: 21 goals, 21 assists, 42 points, 0 March 31, 2008: 77 GP, 23 goals, 18 assists, 41 points.
The New York Rangers were seeking an experienced blueliner heading into this year’s trade deadline and found him in St. Louis.
The Blues shipped Christian Backman to the Rangers in exchange for a fourth round pick in 2008.
He'd been considered a possible trade candidate this season to make room for younger defensemen the Blues had been rotating in and out of their lineup this season.
Backman brings some decent size to the Rangers blueline (6-4, 206) which he uses to play a physical defensive game. Unfortunately that style has led to injuries for much of his career, including a recent foot injury that sidelined him for ten games.
If Backman can stay healthy he should be a good defensive depth acquisition for the Rangers. With Marek Malik unlikely to return after this season they could use Backman as a potential replacement, as he’s signed through next season albeit at $3.4 million.
Phoenix Coyotes GM Don Maloney stated before the deadline he would not be a deadline seller, and held true to his word, looking to bolster his roster both for now and the future.
He also decided to deal with his former employer, the New York Rangers, where he used to work as an assistant to GM Glen Sather.
The Coyotes shipped winger Fredrik Sjostrom, goaltender David Leneveu and winger Josh Gratton to the Rangers in exchange for goalie Al Montoya and winger Marcel Hossa.
Hossa has some decent offensive skills but has spent his NHL career in Montreal and New York bouncing between the scoring lines and the checking lines, along with stops to farm clubs during his NHL career. Perhaps the pressure of playing in the shadow of his more talented and famous older brother Marian Hossa has affected Marcel’s development.
He’ll get an opportunity to prove himself with a young, promising Coyotes team that has surprised many observers by battling for a playoff berth this season.
Montoya could be perhaps a key addition in the future for the Coyotes. A former first round pick of the Rangers who backstopped Team USA to gold in the 2004 World Junior Hockey Championships, Montoya has struggled to crack the Rangers lineup. With Henrik Lundqvist signed long-term with the Rangers he wasn’t likely to get an opportunity to prove himself with the Rangers.
It won’t be easy for him with the Coyotes, however, as they’ve committed to Ilya Bryzgalov, who’s perhaps the biggest reason for the ‘Yotes improvement this season. He’ll have to battle Mikael Tellqvist in training camp this fall for the backup role, but if he can get his foot in the door with the Coyotes, it could be the opportunity he needs to establish himself as an NHL goalie.
As for the Rangers, they’re getting an upgrade over the inconsistent Hossa in Sjostrom, who’s proven himself a reliable checker who can play either wing, giving the Rangers some flexibility. LeNeveu was once projected a future number one goalie for the Coyotes but at this point he appears a career minor league, as does Gratton.
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.
