-The Ottawa Senators resolved their need for experienced
blueline depth by signing former Philadelphia Flyer Jason Smith to a two-year
contract. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.
It was rumored Senators GM Bryan Murray was in the market
for a trade with Anaheim for Mathieu Schneider or San Jose for Kyle McLaren.
Smith’s signing negates the need for the latter and appear to indicate they’ll
re-sign Andrej Meszaros which would remove the need for Schneider
Smith was believed in talks with the Buffalo Sabres but
evidently he liked what the Sens had to offer. His gritty performance in this
spring’s playoffs, particularly against Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby, raise his
stock on the UFA market, and heading into this week was the best available
blueliner left on the market.
-Reports claim Pavol Demitra is either close to signing or
has signed a multi-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks.
That could raise complaints of tampering from some Minnesota
Wild fans given Demitra’s spring sojourn to Vancouver as the guest of former
Canucks captain Markus Naslund as well as the fact Mike Gillis, the Canucks new
general manager, is Demitra’s former agent.
The league already looked into that matter and found no
evidence of tampering. Gillis’ previous relationship with Demitra obviously has
some influence but the bottom line is the Canucks desperately need offensive
depth and are willing to consider taking on an aging, injury-prone forward.
-Speaking of the Canucks, they now have seven days to decide
if they’ll keep forward Steve Bernier.
The St. Louis Blues signed Bernier, who was acquired from
the Sabres last week by the Canucks, to a one-year contract offer sheet worth
$2.5 million.
Consider that a bit of revenge on the part of Blues
president John Davidson for Gillis’ attempt last week to sign forward David
Backes to a three-year, $7.5 million contract offer sheet, which the Blues
matched almost immediately.
Gillis will likely match this offer but like the Blues with
Backes will end up paying him more than desired.
**UPDATE** As expected the Canucks management announced they would match the Blues offer sheet for Bernier.
-Defenseman Paul Mara is returning to the NY Rangers, signing
a one-year, $1.95 million contract, a significant cut in pay from the $3
million he made last season with the Blueshirts.
Given that fact it’s a good bet he wasn’t attracting much
interest or offers of note from rival clubs on the UFA market.
The deadline for
Club-Elected Salary Arbitration notification is July 6, 2008 at 5 p.m.
ET. Hearings will be held in Toronto from
July 20 to August 4, 2008."
More significant is the fact that these players are now ineligible to receive offer sheets from rival teams.
Last summer the first offer sheets didn’t appear until
several days into the UFA market.
This year we’ve got one on opening day, as the Vancouver
Canucks have signed St. Louis Blues RFA forward David Backes to a three-year, $7.5
million offer sheet.
As per TSN the Blues now have a week to match the offer or
received the Canucks second round pick in the 2009 entry draft as compensation.
Canucks GM Mike Gillis promised to make some bold moves and this
one is certainly bold, although this move is a puzzling one.
Backes is a promising young forward whom the Blues hoped to
re-sign but in his first two NHL seasons he’s posted up 23 points in 49 games
and only 31 in 72 games last season.
The Canucks are hoping to bolster their offensive depth and
it’s understandable they’d want to bring in a younger forward with his best
years still ahead, but $2. 5 million per season is a steep raise and could put
significant pressure on Backes if the Blues match or not.
I’m not sure if Backes is a former client of Gillis when he
was still a player agent but if he is that’ll go a long way to further
explaining why the Canucks new GM is taking this risk.
**UPDATE!** The Blues wasted little time in announcing they would match the Canucks offer, meaning Backes will be staying in St. Louis. Swing and a miss for Gillis.
The St. Louis Blues have been the busiest team thus far in
the final 24 hours heading into the start of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
On Thursday night the Blues dealt veteran forward Jamal
Mayers to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a third round pick in this
year’s entry draft, and on Friday obtained goaltender Chris Mason from the
Nashville Predators for a fourth round pick (111th) overall , also
in this year’s draft.
The Mayers trade signals the continuation of the Blues rebuilding with youth, and by acquiring Mason they get an experienced backup for Manny
Legace who could challenge for the starting goalie role.
Moving Mayers also freed up $1.4 million per season, which
will alleviate the cost of Mason’s $3 million per season for the same
period.
These moves also have consequences for the Maple Leafs and Predators respectively.
The Mayers acquisition could signal the end of Darcy Tucker’s
tenure as a Maple Leaf. Mayers doesn’t have Tucker scoring touch but both play
a similar style of physical game, plus his $1.4 million per season salary is
more affordable than Tucker’s $3 million per.
If Tuckers bought out as has been oft-rumored the $1 million cap hit plus Mayer’s
salary for the next two seasons equates to around $600K in savings for the next two years.
Trading Mason to the Blues not only frees up $3 million
in cap space for the Predators but is also a likely signal that their anticipated re-signing of
impending UFA goalie Dan Ellis is imminent, probably for around the same as
Mason’s salary.
The Dallas Stars have wasted little time since being
eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs in getting a jump on preparing for
next season.
Co-general managers Brett Hull and Les Jackson and head
coach Dave Tippett have been re-signed to three-year contract extensions and
long-time Stars forward Mike Modano announced his intention to return for
another season in 2008-09.
This week they’ve made their first significant roster move,
re-signing young defenseman Trevor Daley to a three-year, $6.9 million contract
extension, which will count as $2.3 million per season against their cap.
"At just 24 years of age, Trevor continues to grow as a
hockey player and we are looking for his game to improve over the next three
years," said Co-General Manager Les Jackson. "He is a valuable member
of our hockey club and is a key part to our strong nucleus of younger players."
The Globe and Mail’s James Mirtle summed up Daley’s
performance this past season: “A good contract for a player who quietly logged
20 minutes a night over 82 games this season.”
Daley made significant strides this past season with the
Stars, in part due to injuries suffered by veterans like Sergei Zubov, Mattias
Norstrom and Phillipe Boucher. He rose to the challenge, posting 5 goals and 24
points.
He has a bright future with the Stars and should continue to
provide a strong physical presence on their blueline.
Meanwhile, in St. Louis they’ll have to find another backup
goaltender for Manny Legace, as reports out of Europe claim Hannu Toivonen has
signed with a team in his native Finland.
It’s possible Toivonen may have signed this contract as
insurance in case he fails to land a better deal with the Blues as a restricted
free agent or if cut loose by the club as an unrestricted free agent this
summer, but given the lack of progress of his NHL career to date, odds are he’s
decided to return home.
Toivonen made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins in
2005-06, posting a 9-5-4 record with a 2.63 goals-against average and a .914
save percentage until a high ankle sprain sidelined him for the rest of the
season.
That sparkling performance had him in line to compete for
the starting goalie job with the Bruins heading into the 2006-07 season, but he
struggled through a 3-9-1 record with a lofty 4.23 goals-against average and a
.875 save percentage, and was demoted to the minors for most of the season.
He re-signed a one-year contract with the Bruins last April
but the club dealt him to the Blues last summer.
The change of venue did little to help Toivonen improve,
with a 6-10-5 record in 22 games, a 3.44 GAA and a save percentage of .878.
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 St. Louis Blues were unable to land scoring depth at this year’s NHL trade deadline but they’ve ensured one of their current scorers won’t be leaving anytime soon.
On Saturday the Blues announced the re-signing of winger Brad Boyes to a four-year, $16 million contract extension, which will count as $4 million per season against their salary cap starting next season.
This move comes roughly a week after the Blues re-signed defenseman Barret Jackman to a four-year extension. Like Jackman, Boyes is considered an essential part of the Blues future as they continue to rebuild toward playoff contention.
It’s obvious why the Blues re-upped Boyes, as he’s the club’s leading goal-scorer this season, with 32 as of this writing and on pace for 41goals and 60 points at season’s end, which would be career-best in goals thus far and second-best single season point total.
Given the lack of scoring depth beyond Boyes, Keith Tkachuk and Paul Kariya on the Blues forward lines, management had to move quickly to sign Boyes to prevent him receiving an offer sheet from a rival club this summer when he would’ve been a restricted free agent.
$4 million per season might seem expensive but it was necessary, otherwise he would’ve received that much if not more from a potential rival team this summer.
Boyes recovered from his struggles in his sophomore performance in 2006-07 to become a legitimate scoring threat for the Blues this season. Given his youth (25) his best years should still be ahead of him, making this signing well worth it, particularly if he can approach or exceed the 40-goal mark each season.
This signing also pushes the Blues payroll to around $37 million committed to 13 players for next season. Considering the rest of the free agents they’ll attempt to re-sign will be affordable to retain, management should have enough money available this summer to go shopping for more scoring depth.
Don’t dismiss that possibility, for despite the Blues being in the midst of a rebuilding program, the city of St. Louis has proven a popular destination for some UFAs in previous years (Doug Weight, Keith Tkachuk and Paul Kariya) and should prove enticing again this summer to a UFA scorer.
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.
The first trade of the 2008 NHL trade deadline saw the St. Louis Blues dealt defenseman Bryce Salvador to the New Jersey Devils for tough guy winger Cam Janssen.
Salvador is eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer, and with the Blues re-signing Barret Jackman last night, and the depth of the Blues defense corps, he became expendable.
The Devils were seeking experienced depth for their blueline corps and Salvador should address that need. He’s a good defensive blueliner, responsible in his own zone and at 6-2, 222 he has good size as well, plus has several years of playoff experiences with the Blues in the pre-lockout era.
Janssen made a name for himself as a physical winger unafraid to drop the gloves, but also garnered a reputation for blindside hits, the most notable occurred last season against Toronto’s Tomas Kaberle.
He’s missed all of this season thus far due to a shoulder injury and is only just now returning to action. If healthy he should provide the Blues with a shot of aggressive grit, although he must learn not to take bad penalties.
Strike a potential blueline target off the list of deadline trade bait.
The St. Louis Blues today announced the re-signing of defenseman Barret Jackman to a four-year, $14.4 million contract extension, which breaks down to a cap hit of $3.6 million per season against the Blues cap starting next season.
Jackman, a former Calder Trophy winner as NHL rookie of the year, was eligible for unrestricted free agent status this summer, giving rise over the past month to speculation he might be shopped by the trade deadline.
It was originally believed Jackman was seeking upwards of $5 million per season on his new contract but recently it was reported he’d come down in price and it’s believed his new contract may come in between $3-$3.5 million per season.
Jackman has at times struggled with expectations and injuries since his impressive rookie debut in 2002-03, but he is a very capable defensive blueliner and at nearly 27 years old should continue to improve and remain a valuable member of a rebuilding Blues team.
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
The Anaheim Ducks have finally made their much-anticipated salary dump to free up payroll space for the return of Scott Niedermayer, and the move didn't involved a defenseman.
Instead Ducks general manager Brian Burke shipped center Andy McDonald to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for center Doug Weight. The Ducks also received Czech prospect Michal Birner and a seventh round pick in 2008.
McDonald's salary for this season is $3.33 million for this season and $3.33 million for next. Weight's salary for this season is slightly more expensive ($3.5 million) but he's an unrestricted agent next season thus freeing up the "tagging space" required for next season by the Ducks with Niedermayer's return.
It's obvious that Burke wouldn't have made this trade if not for payroll reasons. McDonald has been struggling this season, acutely feeling the absence of former linemate Teemu Selanne. After two seasons of 85 and 78 points respectively with "the Finnish Flash" on his wing, McDonald this season is on course for a paltry 10 goals and 40 points.
As bad as things have been for McDonald this season, Weight has not had it much better with the Blues. After posting up 59 points last season in 82 games for the rebuilding Blues, Weight has only 11 points and is on pace for only 31 points this season, his lowest total since his rookie debut with the New York Rangers back in 1991-92.
McDonald is only 30 and with new linemates in St. Louis might be able to regain his scoring touch. It remains to be seen however if the 36-year-old Weight can rediscover his on a struggling Ducks team.
This swap might not do much to bolster the Ducks offensive depth at center but it ensures Burke didn't have to break up his blueline corps, which was already deep with Chris Pronger, Mathieu Schneider, Francois Beauchemin and Sean O'Donnell. A returning Niedermayer makes this perhaps the best group of defensemen on one team in the NHL.
The fear of the offer sheet has once again resulted in another potential restricted free agent being re-signed well before the summer of 2008.
This time it's center Mike Richards, who today has reportedly re-signed a contract extension with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Reportedly Richards' new contract is for twelve years and $69 million, breaking down to a cap hit of $5.75 million per season, with a "no-trade" clause that begins in the 2011-12 season. It's the second-longest contract in the NHL, behind the fifteen-year deal of the NY Islanders' Rick DiPietro.
It's not surprising that Holmgren made this move. Richards is enjoying a breakout season, leading the Flyers in goals, assists and points, but he's also perhaps their best defensive forward, with a+10 rating and is the only player on the team to score shorthanded this season, having done it three times.
Flyers GM Paul Holmgren had earlier stated his intent to re-sign his key RFAs like Richards, including forwards Jeff Carter and RJ Umberber, and we can likely expect more re-signing by Holmgren as the season progresses.
He obviously has no intention of allowing contract negotiations with his best RFAs to drag into next summer when those players could become potential offer sheet targets.
A number of talented young players are eligible for restricted free agent status next summer, including Washington's Alexander Ovechkin, Calgary's Dion Phaneuf, Florida's Jay Bouwmeester, Nashville's Shea Weber, Ottawa's Andrej Meszaros and St. Louis' Brad Boyes
But that list has been slowly but steadily shrinking, and most if not all of the aforementioned will likely re-sign with their current teams well before July 1, 2008.
**UPDATE** James Mirtle has a very interesting take on this signing on his blog, specifically the dangers lurking behind such lengthy contracts, citing Jose Theodore, Jim Carey and Sergei Samsonov to make the case. Even NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman privately doesn't believe they're a good idea under this CBA as it offers no opportunity for re-negotiation.
I concur with Mirtle and Bettman on this. While I understand the rationale behind these contracts, the length is fraught with peril, and if the player signed to that deal ends up a spent force midway through, it's a lot of precious cap space per season tied up in one player. Even demoting said player to the minors or buying them out is still a costly experienced for a team, even if it doesn't count against their cap space.
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.
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.
