Sundin Remains Undecided

The Mats Sundin camp has informed both the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs that Sundin has still yet to decide on his playing future. In fact its probable that both teams wont even know when free agency begins on Tuesday. It is said that his decision could come in the next 2 days,2 weeks or maybe even 2 months. I have still yet to hear from the Habs "Camp" or Leafs "Camp" on how they feel about his no-decision.

Liles Scratched Off Of Potential UFA List

Tsn is reporting that the Colorado Avalanche have resigned Defenceman John-Michael Liles to a 4 year contract worth just over 4 million dollars per year. The team will likely hold a press conference Monday and are also expected to announce the resigning of D-man Adam Foote to a 2-year deal worth 6 million(3 million dollars per year).

My Take:Great Job by the Avs getting these guys locked up before the free agency period begins on Tuesday!

Your Home For Free Agency 2008!

Hockeybums is proud to announce that there will be a new website for HOCKEYBUMS FREE AGENCY COVERAGE!!! With this site we hope to give you the most in-depth coverage of every team from around the league. We have analysts for ALMOST every team in the NHL here is the link:

nhlfreeagency.hockeybums.i8.com

note:the site is not completely finished as of now there are still some small changes and additions that must be made.

Scotty

Flyers Sign Eminger

Tsn is reporting that the Philadelphia Flyers have signed d-man Steve Eminger. They acquired Eminger on the first day of the NHL draft with a 3rd round pick that saw the Capitals get the Flyers 1st round pick in that deal.

Malone and Roberts Close To Signing(edit:DONE)

According to Sportsnet the Tampa Bay Lightning are very close to signing new acquisitions Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts. The Malone deal would be worth 30 million on a long term deal probably about 6 years and the Roberts deal would be one-year that could end up being worth 2 million.

edit:Im hearing its official.

Malone contract:7 years, 31.5 million

News From Kevin Paul dumont of Boston.com

Bruins forward Dennis Wideman has filed for salary arbitration.

Theres a NEW rumor and it involves the Boston Bruins and the Anaheim Ducks. The deal would have D-man Mathieu Schneider headed to the Bruins and forward Glen Murray going to the Ducks.
My Take: Well if the bruins want to free up cap space to sign Hossa this is an awful move because Schneider is scheduled to make 5.25 million dollars this year. This also is not the greatest move for the Ducks,Even though they add a bit of scoring they kind of wanted to free up more cash and in my opinion this is not the greatest way to do that.

Dubielewicz To Russia

TSN is reporting that goaltender Wade Dubielewicz is headed to Russia. Sources tell TSN that "Dubie" has signed on with Ak-Bars Kazan of the Russian Continental Hockey League. TSN has also learned that the contract will be worth WAY more than the 500,000 dollar offer that the New York Islanders made.

Waiver Wire

The Atlanta Thrashers have placed veteran D-man Alexei Zhitnik on waivers, Zhitnik was acquired by Atlanta at the 2006-07 NHL trade deadline in exchange for Braydon Coburn.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have placed forward Duvie Westcott on waivers.

Lightning Trade For Rights To Malone and Roberts

Sources tell TSN that the Tampa Bay Lightning have traded a 4th round pick in next years draft in exchange for the exclusive rights to Gary Roberts and the exclusive rights to forward Ryan Malone. Both Roberts and Malone are scheduled to be UFA's on Tuesday if the Lightning fail to sign them.

Report From Day #3 At Sabres Rookie Camp

Here post this.
Report from Day #3

Good crowd, stands were about 3/4 full.

I spent most of my time on the main rink which had:

Gerbe - Zagrapan - Gogulla
Kennedy - Hunter - Allard
Van Guilder - Schutz - Orpik
Vatri - Scarsella - Lagace

Brennan - Crawford
Butler - Weber
Schiestel - Kostka
Funk - Biega

I spent the last 40 minutes at the other rink and the vast majority of the players looked very gassed. Not sure what drill they were running but the look like they just got done with a bag skate. It was 4 on 4, then 3 on 3 and finished with 2 on 2 so they were doing a lot of skating in open ice. Players from that rink will have a * next to gassed if they looked tired. On rink 2:

Tropp - Byron - Stafford
Ennis - Cepis - Whitmore
Adam - Irwin - Kaleta

Sekera - Myers
MacKenzie - Card
Southorn - Persson
Gragnani - Generous

On to the report, at least what I noticed

GERBE -
GENERAL NOTES - Just sick skills. First step speed is off the charts, top end is nice too. Any defender not paying attention was lost after the first step. Very fast hands. If there was a loose puck in the crease area he snapped it up before anyone.
SPECIFIC PLAYS - 1 on 1 in the crease with Weber right on him, roofed the puck in a blink. PP type drill. Top corner one timer, sweet shot. Next play one timer pass to him, faked the shot and made a nice pass to the middle, shot saved and then Gerbe put home the rebound low stick side. Scored numerous goals on the drills. Had one highlight play where he one timed one of the post and it came back in the air towards him, he kicked it in out of mid air, top corner. Lucky, but sweet. Had no trouble with size 1 on 1. Some trouble when traffic got real heavy. Took off on the wing and blew by the defender, made nice pass to Zagrapan who put it in. Nice heads up and selfless play. There was another drill where I saw a player in gray but couldn't see who it was, made several notes and was quite impressed, then he skated away and I saw [GERBE]. The kid has talent alright.

ZAGRAPAN - Decent faceoffs. Seemed tired on several plays. When he wanted to skate he did so well. Seemed to have some chemistry with Gerbe. Had some strong forechecks, but weak back checking. Seemed tentative in the corners, and pushed off the puck, at times easily. Nice hands.

Gogulla - Was impressed. Very nice hands. Made that note 'nice hands' then added x2, x3, x4, x5. He has a goal scorers touch around the net (Vanek like).

Hunter - Nice speed

Kennedy - Smooth skater, shifty. Wore 19 and reminded me of 19.

Shutz - Very competitive. Worked hard and never gave up on plays.

Sekera - Silky smooth, calm and in control of the play at all times. Looks like a pro.

Myers - Looked gassed* at times. When he did kick it in gear he showed excellent skating ability and nice speed. If a player was anywhere near him with the puck he would shut the play down.

Ennis - Very fast (sorry didn't see that rink much)

Gragani - nice stick work. Competitive.

Biega - Looked very good. Stuck with Gerbe on a few plays and would not let him loose. Played big.

Irwin - Have no idea who he is, but he impressed me. Very competitive, and solid all around play. Several times on the 3 on 3s he took over the play. Always right place and right time. Roofed a goal. Battled well.

Weber - Man among boys in terms of attitude. Very confident and in control. Gave off a big dog vibe.

Butler - Very nice. Blocked shots regularly and well. Handled Gerbe on a few plays.

Brennan - Him and Zagrapan are similar in that both obviously have the skills and show it on numerous plays. But consistency is a big problem for both. At times they seem very tentative and unsure, then the next play it 'clicks' and they look very sharp.
Compliments of Niagara Mike

Todd(Sabres Blogger)

Prospal Resigned

According to Sportsnet The Lightning have resigned forward Vaclav Prospal to a 4 year contract worth about 3.5 million for every year that he plays.