Peca back with the Jackets?

According to the Columbus Dispatch, the Blue Jackets resigned forward Michael Peca, to a two year deal. The deal could be announce tomorrow.

Avery a STAR? Okay for now . . .

I dislike the guy with a passion ... but I'm willing to give him a chance. The fact that he will be wearing green and white makes the past irrelevant, at least for now. We all know he can play the game well; he simply has to keep his mouth to a minimum. I think with Morrow in command and Hull's guidance from above, Avery can be an excellent addition to this team. This could very much be like Dennis Rodman going to the Chicago Bulls - with Michael Jordan in command - and winning more championships. No doubt Rodman was a phenomenal basketball player, but he was a loose cannon just the same. In fact, there was a history of bad blood between Rodman and Scottie Pippen (Jordan's right-hand man and, arguably, the second best player in the league). MJ, with his extraordinary leadership skills, was probably the only guy in the league capable of keeping Rodman focused and in the game. The result, of course, was three more rings! Avery is no Rodman and Brendan is certainly no Michael, but they are both capable of filling similar roles. Furthermore, I cannot wait to see Avery and Otter on the same line ... what a force! I'm still looking for one more piece to be added ... we still need another scoring winger.

GO STARS!!!

Bertuzzi A Flame

TSN reports the Calgary Flames have signed forward Todd Bertuzzi to a 1 year contract worth 1.95 million dollars.

Winter Classic

Reports are out that the 'Hawks and Wings will meet in a second straight "Winter Classic" on New Year's Day at Wrigley Field.

Great news for the NHL and hockey fans everywhere.

Flyers Agree To Deal with GM, Paul Holmgren

According to The Delco Times newspaper the Philadelphia Flyers have agreed to a new 3 year contract with General Manager Paul Holmgren. Holmgren has done a great job with the team and took them from last place in there conference to the Eastern Conference Final.

Jackets,Umberger Agree To Deal

The Columbus Blue Jackets have agreed on a 2 year deal with newly acquired forward RJ Umberger. Umberger who was acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers at the 2008 NHL Draft will not be a stranger to Columbus,Ohio as he played hockey with the OSU Buckeyes for 3 seasons. No Terms Available.

Stajan Remains A Leaf

According to Globe Sports the Toronto Maple Leafs will announce the re-signing of forward Matt Stajan to a New two-year contract. The deal is worth 3.5 million. Stajan was a Restricted Free Agent.

Nolan Enters The Wild

Owen Nolan has signed a new 2-year deal with the Minnesota Wild. the Contract is worth 5.5 million over the 2 years, in other words 2.75 million per season.This signing could mean the end of forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard who is a restricted free agent.

Bergenheim to arbitration, recap of offseason. Schneider talks?

First off i'd like to say I am a new blogger. I have never blogged in my life. My name is Ryan Pavlicek, and I am a die hard Islander fan. My name on Islandermania is Islander 39, so if I post something here and Islander 39 wrote the same thing I DID NOT COPY IT IS ME! hope all readers will welcome me nicely!

Back to the New York Islanders.

Islander player going to arbitration- Bergenheim is on his way to arbitration. This kid is something special, and hopefully we can sign him long term. If you remember the last time he was a RFA contract talks were messy.

RUMOR- Islanders in trade talks for Mathieu Schneider. Schneider scored 39 points last year in 64 games. Streit and Schneider on the PP sounds very nice.

A nice idea- Offer sheet for Nigel Dawes. The Rangers are pretty tied up in cap space, and a 2.6 million offer sheet is a second rounder, so that's a pretty good price for Dawes. Also maybe we would force the Rangers to use their very little cap space to keep Dawes at the garden. Plus signing Dawes may add fuel to the Ranger-Islander rivalry.

RECAP OF OFFSEASON- So to recap the offseason. So far this offseason we have drafted for the future and signed a couple of guys to help us now. I'm sure every fan is tired of hearing of the draft as it's been reviewed over and over so I will go right to free agency. Mr. Snow said he will kick some tires, and not make a splash, well he made a pretty big splash to the Islander world by signing defenseman Mark Streit. He is a PP QB type of d-man. The islanders brought him in to help the putrid PP. He may not be the best in his own zone, but we are filling a need. We also signed an older veteran Doug Weight. There were complaints, but honestly I think we got him for the right price. He is buddies with Billy Guerin, and can dish the puck very well. I expect to him to be a first liner for us. He will also help the PP with his skillful passes. Garth Snow signed only 2 guys, but these 2 guys do fill needs.

Islanders free agents still unsigned- Josef Vasicek, and Bryan Berard. It seems unlikely that either of them will be signed by the Islanders

DEPARTURES- Dubie- Russia, Miro- Pittsburgh, Tank- Pittsburgh. I don't like that we did not re-sign dubie as now we have Joey Macdonald as our backup. Miro and Tank leaving doesn't bother me.

OVERALL- I like the entire offseason, including the draft. I would like the Islanders to sign another scorer, but as of now I grade the offseason a B+

Kovalev Wants Extension And Wants It Now

According to TheInsiderOnPittsburghSports.com Montreal Canadiens forward Alexei Kovalev Wants an extension before training camp begins. Sources tell TIOPS that hes seeking an extension of about 3 years.

Our habs blogger will more than likely have More On This later tonight.

15 players to salary arbitration

Fifteen players decided to go through salary arbitration. The big names are Panthers Jay Bouwmeester, Ottawa Antoine Vermette, Minnesota Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Detroit Valtteri Filppula, Colorado Marek Svatos and Rangers Dan Fritsche. The nine other players are Washington Brooks Laich and Shaone Morrissonn, other Minnesota Stephane Veilleux , Boston Dennis Wideman, San Jose Marcel Goc , Caroline Chad Larose, Islanders Sean Bergenheim, St.Louis Jay McClement and Nashville Ville Koistinen.