This August has been a much quieter time for real NHL news
than in recent ones post-lockout, and for good reason: most NHL reporters were
either on vacation or covering the recent Summer Olympics in Beijing, while most
NHL general managers and their staff were vacationing or off on scouting
missions.
Of course idle hands are the devil’s work and some folks
(none of them accredited hockey reporters, by the way) have been busy filling
hockey cyberspace with lots of unsubstantiated trade and free agent rumors.
So since there isn’t really very much real hockey news to
comment on, here’s a look at some of the latest internet rumors going on:
- Washington Capitals forward Michael Nylander put his house
up for sale and could be traded to Vancouver.
Nylander has put his house up for sale, which can be a legitimate tip-off of an imminent move, but according to the
Washington Post that’s because he and his family are moving into a smaller one.
Nylander has a movement clause and isn’t planning on waiving it, nor have the
Capitals asked him to.
-The Montreal Canadiens are pursuing Chicago Blackhawks
center Robert Lang.
Canadiens GM Bob Gainey admits he has a “plan B” in place
should Mats Sundin opt to sign elsewhere, but it remains to be seen if that’s
pursuing another center or sticking with his current roster. The Lang rumor was
erroneously attributed to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, who’s been on vacation for much
of this summer.
-The Canadiens are interested in Toronto’s Bryan McCabe to
replace the offense lost when Mark Streit signed with the Islanders.
No, they’re not. Folks conveniently forget that the
Canadiens still have Andrei Markov and Roman Hamrlik on the point, and they’re certainly
not going to take on McCabe’s bloated $5.75 million per season salary.
-The Florida Panthers will trade Jay Bouwmeester before the
start of the upcoming season.
No, they won’t. Bouwmeester is on a one-year contract and in
all likelihood won’t be returning with the Panthers after this season but as
long as GM Jacques Martin believes he has a chance to convince Bouwmeester to
remain he won’t move the blueliner. If “Jay-Bo” is traded it’ll be in January
at the earliest, most likely by the February trade deadline.
-The Minnesota Wild are shopping or will shop Marian Gaborik
before the start of the season.
Same situation as Bouwmeester, although judging by recent
reports out of Minnesota it appears there’s a willingness on both the Wild and
the Gaborik camp to get a deal done.
-The NY Rangers will trade Scott Gomez to make room for Mats
Sundin.
Sorry, folks, but I just don’t see that happening. It makes
no sense to trade a 28-year-old playmaker entering the prime of his career and
in the midst of a long-term contract for a 37-year-old center who, as great as
he is, might only commit to one or two years of hockey. If Rangers GM Glen Sather does this, he has no
right being an NHL general manager.
-The Rangers will trade Gomez to Minnesota for Gaborik.
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.
Back in November I took a look at how the most expensive players of the NHL's Free Agent Class of 2007 were faring at the 20 game point of the season.
Now that we've recently passed the mid-season point of the 2007-08 NHL campaign, here's a look at how they're faring now:
Daniel Briere, Philadelphia Flyers - 2007-08 salary: $10 million. Salary cap hit: $6.5 million.
Previously on pace for: 41 goals, 61 assists, 102 points. Currently on pace for: 32 goals, 49 assists, 89 points.
Scott Gomez, New York Rangers – 2007-08 salary: $10 million. Salary cap hit: $7.357 million.
Previously on pace for: 14 goals, 44 assists, 58 points. Currently on pace for: 18 goals, 57 assists, 75 points.
Thomas Vanek, Buffalo Sabres – 2007-08 salary: $10 million. Salary cap hit: $7.143 million.
Previously on pace for: 21 goals, 36 assists, 57 points. Currently on pace for: 23 goals, 25 assists, 48 points.
Kimmo Timonen, Philadelphia Flyers – 2007-08 salary: $8 million. Salary cap hit: $6.33 million.
Previously on pace for: 10 goals, 38 assists, 48 points. -14 Currently on pace for : 12 goas, 33 assists, 45 points. -2
Ryan Smyth, Colorado Avalanche: - 2007-08 salary: $7.5 million. Salary cap hit: $6.25 million.
Previously on pace for: 21 goals, 28 assists, 50 points. Currently on pace for : 22 goals, 34 assists, 56 points (Currently injured & sidelined until late-February)
Chris Drury, New York Rangers – 2007-08 salary: $7.1 million. Salary cap hit: $7.05 million.
Previously on pace for: 17 goals, 34 assists, 51 points –3. Currently on pace for : 21 goals, 34 assists, 55 points, -21
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings: 2007-08 salary: $6.7 million. Salary cap hit. $6.7 million.
Previously on pace for: 24 goals, 65 assists, 89 points, +38. Currently on pace for: 30 goals, 66 assists, 96 points, +47
Previously on pace for: 12 goals, 43 assists, 55 points, +18 in 67 games. Currently on pace for: 10 goals, 28 assists, 38 points, +22 in 67 games.
Roman Hamrlik, Montreal Canadiens – 2007-08 salary: $5.5 million. Salary cap hit: $5.5 million.
Previously on pace for: 7 goals, 31 assists, 38 points. +24. Currently on pace for: 5 goals, 27 assists, 32 points, +11
Michael Nylander, Washington Capitals – 2007-08 salary: $5.5 million. Salary cap hit: $4.875 million.
Previously on pace for: 20 goals, 52 assists, 72 points, -43 Currently on pace for : sidelined indefinitely, 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.
Previously on pace for: 39 goals, 59 assists, 98 points, +23. Currently on pace for: 36 goals, 53 assists, 89 points, +20.
Scott Hartnell, Philadelphia Flyers – 2007-08 salary: $5.2 million. Salary cap hit: $4.2 million
Previously on pace for: 11 goals, 18 assists, 29 points, +7. Currently on pace for : 21 goals, 21 assists, 42 points, +16
It’s now well past the quarter mark of the NHL season, and time enough I think for a look at how this past summer’s top UFA players are faring thus far.
This analysis will cover those players earning $5 million or more for this season. The salary information courtesy of nhlnumbers.com. All statistics as of November 29th, 2007, and the “on pace for” stats courtesy of TSN.ca.
Daniel Briere, Philadelphia Flyers - 2007-08 salary: $10 million. Salary cap hit: $6.5 million. Stats: 12 goals, 18 assists, 30 points, -4. Tied for team scoring lead with Mike Richards. 8th overall in league scoring. On pace for: 41 goals, 61 assists, 102 points.
Analysis: If Briere can reach over 40 goals and 100 points as projected and remain among the team and league scoring leaders he’ll have been worth every penny to the Flyers, at least for this season. It remains to be seen over the following seven years if he’ll continue to be worth the annual cap hit.
Scott Gomez, New York Rangers – 2007-08 salary: $10 million. Salary cap hit: $7.357 million. Stats: 4 goals, 13 assists, 27 points, plus-minus of 0. Currently second-highest in team points race behind Jaromir Jagr. On pace for: 14 goals, 44 assists, 58 points.
Analysis: I was sure Gomez would flourish if allowed to play on a more offensive team, but this year’s Rangers are emulating the defensive styling of his former team, the New Jersey Devils, and his stats are suffering accordingly. Gomez is a good player but at this point, he’s grossly overpaid.
Thomas Vanek, Buffalo Sabres – 2007-08 salary: $10 million. Salary cap hit: $7.143 million. Stats: 6 goals, 10 assists, 16 points, -2. Third highest points this season amongst Sabres. On pace for: 21 goals, 36 assists, 57 points.
Analysis: The Sabres were forced last summer into matching the Edmonton Oilers’ offer sheet to retain Vanek’s services. Thus far, it’s not money well spent, but it must be remembered that Vanek is still young (23) and is likely feeling the pressure from earning as much as he presently does. As he matures and regains his high-scoring form he should be worth it, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a Sabres fan that believes it right now.
Kimmo Timonen, Philadelphia Flyers – 2007-08 salary: $8 million. Salary cap hit: $6.33 million. Stats: 3 goals, 11 assists, 14 points. –4. Flyers fifth-leading scorer, 13th amongst NHL defencemen in points. On pace for: 10 goals, 38 assists, 48 points. –14.
Analysis: Acquired by the Flyers from Nashville last June along with Scott Hartnell and re-signed. Timonen’s a good defenseman and what he’s on pace for in points is around what he’s been averaging since 2001-02. Is he worth $8 million this season or $6.33 million per season? No. Not when you consider that this season he’s earning more than great defencemen like Nicklas Lidstrom and Chris Pronger.
Ryan Smyth, Colorado Avalanche: - 2007-08 salary: $7.5 million. Salary cap hit: $6.25 million. Stats: 6 goals, 8 assists, 14 points. –8. Sixth leading point-getter for the Avs this season. On pace for: 21 goals, 28 assists, 50 points, -28.
Analysis: Smyth’s offensive production is on pace for his lowest totals since his injury-shortened performance in 2001-02. He does bring intangibles such as leadership, character and physicality, but that doesn't mean he should be earning more this season than Vincent Lecavalier and Jarome Iginla.
Chris Drury, New York Rangers – 2007-08 salary: $7.1 million. Salary cap hit: $7.05 million. Stats: 5 goals, 10 assists, 15 points. –1. Rangers fourth-leading scorer. On pace for: 17 goals, 34 assists, 51 points –3.
Analysis: Like Smyth, Drury brings many intangibles to his game and like Smyth he’s on pace for his lowest points productions since 2001-02. And like Smyth, he’s earning far more than his worth.
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings: 2007-08 salary: $6.7 million. Salary cap hit. $6.7 million. Stats: 7 goals, 19 assists, 26 points +11. Red Wings second-leading scorer. On pace for: 24 goals, 65 assists, 89 points, +38.
Analysis: The Wings re-signed Datsyuk in April, avoiding the summer rush, and thus far haven’t been disappointed in their investment. He and Henrik Zetterberg are two main reasons why the Red Wings remain among the league’s elite teams. I’d say he’s making fair market value.
Sheldon Souray, Edmonton Oilers: 2007-08 salary: $6.25 million. Salary cap hit: $5.4 million. Stats: 6 games play, two points. Sidelined by separated shoulder since October 17th. Return date unknown.
Analysis: The Oilers ponied up big bucks for the hard-shooting Souray to be their number one defenceman and anchor their power play. It remains to be seen if he’ll recapture the high-scoring form he had last season with the Montreal Canadiens and their high-scoring powerplay, and since he’s currently injured I cannot make an accurate assessment of his performance this season.
Paul Kariya, St. Louis Blues – 2007-08 salary: $6 million. Salary cap hit: $6 million. Stats: 7 goals, 17 assists 24 points, +4. Leads the Blues in points. On pace for: 26 goals, 63 assists, 89 points +15.
Analysis: One reason the Blues are such an improved team this season is the addition of Kariya, who provided some much-needed offensive punch. If he should reach 89 points it’ll be his highest single-season points production in nearly ten years. He still has to prove his worth as a postseason performer but players get paid for their regular season performances, and thus far Kariya’s earned his pay.
Brian Rafalski, Detroit Red Wings – 2007-08 salary: $6 million. Salary cap hit: $6 million. Stats: 3 goals, 17 assists, 20 points, +7. Fifth in teams points, and fourth in league poinnts lead for defencemen. On pace for: 10 goals, 58 assists, 68 points, +24
Analysis: If there’s one player the New Jersey Devils miss most this season, it’s Rafalski, who’s now become a key member of the Red Wings blueline corps. True, he’s once again playing in the shadow o####reat defenseman - this time Lidstrom - but Rafalski is one of the league’s top blueliners and worthy of his salary this season.
Andrei Markov, Montreal Canadiens – 2007-08 salary: $5.75 million. Salary cap hit: $5.75 million. Stats: 6 goals, 13 assists, 19 points –6. Canadiens third leading scorer, fifth amongst league defencemen. On pace for: 20 goals, 44 assists, 65 points, -20.
Analysis: Sheldon who? That’s what Canadiens fans are saying as Markov has finally stepped out of the shadows and into his own as one of the league’s best all-round defencemen. Don’t be fooled by the minus stat, as he’s been consistently on the plus side of the ledger most of his NHL career and could finish on the happy side of the ledger by season's end. Some critics scoffed at the Habs re-signing him for that much, but he’s obviously worth it.
J-S Giguere, Anaheim Ducks – 2007-08 salary: $5.5 million. Salary cap hit: $6 million. Stats: 8-6-2, 2.50 GAA, .906 SP. On pace for: 26-20-7, 2.50 GAA, .906 SP.
Analysis: Giguere’s had a slow start thus far, missing pre-season and the start of this season recovering from off-season sport hernia surgery. Still, he’s been rounding back into form as he gets healthier, and when healthy he’s proven to be among the game’s top goalies, as well as perhaps among the most under-rated despite his impressive resume.
Mathieu Schneider, Anaheim Ducks – 2007-08 salary: $5.5 million. Salary cap hit. $5.625 millon. Stats: 2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points, +3 in only 11 games played On pace for: 12 goals, 43 assists, 55 points, +18 in 67 games.
Analysis: When healthy the 38-year-old Schneider appears to be a good addition to the Ducks defence corps, but this season the problem has been his health, as he’s already missed half of the Ducks games thus far this season to injury. Still, if he can finally shake off that injury bug he could prove well worth his salary, although he won’t make Ducks fans forget Scott Niedermayer.
Roman Hamrlik, Montreal Canadiens – 2007-08 salary: $5.5 million. Salary cap hit: $5.5 million. Stats: 2 goals, 9 assists, 11 points, +7. On pace for: 7 goals, 31 assists, 38 points. +24.
Analysis: Eyebrows were raised when the Canadiens paid so much for Hamrlik, but he’s one of those all-round blueliners whose worth is more than just point production. The Habs did pay a bit too much for his services, but he wanted to play in Montreal, and his overall skills and experience have proven invaluable to the Canadiens this season. Right now, I doubt Habs fans are complaining.
Michael Nylander, Washington Capitals – 2007-08 salary: $5.5 million. Salary cap hit: $4.875 million. Stats: 6 goals, 16 assists, 22 points, -13, currently second in Capitals scoring. On pace for: 20 goals, 52 assists, 72 points, -43
Analysis: At this pace Nylander appears on his way to similar numbers he posted with the Rangers, although he’ll have to pick up his performance to get close to last season’s 89 points. Still, if he can keep this up he’ll be well worth his salary as one of the few bright spots for the Capitals this season.
Mats Sundin, Toronto Maple Leafs – 2007-08 salary: $5.5 million. Salary cap hit: $5.5 million. Stats: 12 goals, 18 assists, 30 points, +7. Leads the Leafs in scoring and is 8th in the league in points. On pace for: 39 goals, 59 assists, 98 points, +23.
Analysis: Re-signed by the Leafs last summer. Leafs fans and media can find plenty to complain about this season but the one thing they all agree on is Sundin thus far is on his way toward his second-best season in his career. He’s certainly earned his salary thus far, but some critics are stumping for the Leafs to move him now while his value is high rather than risk a potential late-season drop-off in production that could affect a return. Problem is, Sundin has a “no-trade” clause and has not stated a willingness to waive it.
Scott Hartnell, Philadelphia Flyers – 2007-08 salary: $5.2 million. Salary cap hit: $4.2 million Stats: 3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points, +2 On pace for: 11 goals, 18 assists, 29 points, +7.
Analysis: Acquired by the Flyers from the Predators along with Kimmo Timonen and re-signed. Thus far the only thing Hartnell’s been notable for is delivering a questionable hit recently on a Boston Bruins defenseman. True, he’s only 25 and the Flyers paid for potential based on his two 20+goal seasons in Nashville, but so far he’s yet to play up to that potential and earn those big bucks. The Flyers are on the hook for five more seasons after this one at an average cap hit of $4.2 million, so they’ll be counting on him to reach that potential over that time.
Almost one month into the NHL’s 2007-08 season there’s been some interesting surprises.
Who would’ve believed:
Mike Cammalleri of the LA Kings would be the league’s leading goalscorer? As of this writing he leads all scorers with ten goals. He’s an emerging talent and could be poised to become a big star. Right now, he’s outshining teammates Anze Kopitar and Alex Frolov, as well as more big name “snipers” like Vincent Lecavalier, Dany Heatley, and Alexander Ovechkin.
Chicago Blackhawks rookie forward Patrick Kane would lead all rookies in assists and points? He’s a promising young talent but heading into this season most pre-season analyses expected others, including teammate Jonathan Toews, would rank higher in rookie points than the diminutive Kane. Thus far, he’s putting me in mind of another small rookie player, his head coach Denis Savard, who had 75 points in 76 games back in 1980-81.
Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo would have such terrible starts? Last season, Brodeur and Luongo were the undisputed goaltending masters of the NHL, dominating in nearly every statistical category, most notably wins, where Luongo matched the old record of 47 and Brodeur broke it with 48. Thus far this season, not only are they missing from the league’s top ten statistical rankings for goalies, they’re not even in the top twenty in some categories. Both should round back into form as the season progresses but it is unusual not to see them amongst the league leaders.
Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin aren’t among the top ten offensive players? They’re considered the twin pillars upon which the league hopes to rebuild its shattered reputation following the 2004-05 lockout, yet neither are off to rip-roaring starts. However, don’t expect them to be out of that listing for long.
Martin Gerber would lay claim to the job of Ottawa Senators starting goalie? It was a foregone conclusion this summer; Ray Emery was the starter, Gerber was an overpriced backup the Sens were hoping to dump at some point. But with Emery slow to recover from off-season wrist surgery, Gerber has stood tall between the pipes, earning his $3.7 million per season and making it tough for Emery to get back into the lineup. It’s a goaltending dilemma but one that should only benefit the Sens.
Scott Gomez and Chris Drury wouldn’t be a good fit with Jaromir Jagr? Few raised that suggestion during the off-season when the Rangers landed these two. Indeed, the only guy I recall saying it was “Cabbie” on The Score. Turns out he was profound, as neither have meshed well with the talented but enigmatic Jagr.
If anyone wants to add to this list please feel free to do so.
That's not a misprint, folks, the New York Rangers have signed Scott Gomez AND Chris Drury.
Gomez has signed a seven-year, $51.5 million contract, whilst Drury signed for five years, $35.25 millon. Suffice to say, the Rangers have scored the biggest coup of the 2007 UFA market in landing two of the top free agents on the market. .
Rangers GM Glen Sather was long believed interested in Gomez, who previously spent his NHL career playing across the Hudson River for the New Jersey Devils, one of the Blueshirts’ biggest rivals.
That interest increased significantly when Rangers center Michael Nylander fired his agent and announced his intention of testing the UFA market.
Gomez benefited form his years with the Devils, blossoming into a solid two-way performer, but it’s been long believed that his playmaking skills could be put to better use on a team that plays a more offensive style.
He’ll get the opportunity to put that to the test with the Rangers, particularly with Jaromir Jagr, whose line Gomez is most likely to center.
Signing Gomez was news enough, but landing Drury as well makes the Rangers perhaps the biggest winners of this summer’s UFA signing frenzy.
Drury was long rumored headed to either the LA Kings or San Jose Sharks, but the NY Post’s Larry Brooks and NY Daily News’ John Dellapina claimed prior to July 1st that playing for the Rangers was an intriguing prospect for the former Sabres co-captain.
He won’t post up the potentially big numbers that Gomez may be capable of, but he’s cemented a reputation as one of the best clutch players in the NHL. The Rangers got to see that first hand in this year’s playoffs, when his last-second goal in Game Five of the Rangers-Buffalo Sabres series changed the direction of that series in favor of the Sabres.
Now, Drury will bring that clutch play and experience to the Rangers second line, where potential linemates could include Brendan Shanahan, Sean Avery or Petr Prucha. All should benefit from his presence.
In signing Gomez and Drury to such lengthy contracts, the Rangers have locked up two players that along with goaltender Henrik Lundqvist could provide the core around which this club will build in the future.
Jagr, Shanahan, and Martin Straka won’t be with the Blueshirts for much longer. They’re getting long in the tooth and will move on to other clubs or retirement in a year or two. The Rangers needed core forwards to take their place.
WFAN in New York and Kukla's Korner reported earlier today the New York Rangers have signed former New Jersey Devils center Scott Gomez. It has been confirmed by ESPN that he's signed a seven-year deal, financial terms to follow.
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.
