Minor free agents signings roundup

Around the league:

-The Capitals have re-signed RFA forward Eric Fehr to a one-year contract. The 22 year-old Fehr split last season between the Caps, where he played 23 games, recording 6 points, and the Hershey Bears of the AHL.
-The Lightning has signed UFA forward Zenon Konopka to a two-year deal. Konopka played 3 games with Columbus last season.
- The Blues have signed UFA defenseman Mike Weaver. Weaver recored 1 assist in 55 games with the Canucks last season.
- The Penguins have signed d-man Joey Mormina to a one-year contract. Mormina played for Albany (the Canes' affiliate) last season. He also played 1 game in the NHL.
- The Penguins have also re-signed forward Connor James to a one-year entry-level contract. The 26 year-old James played 13 games with the Pens in 2007-08 recording 1 goal.

Marleau as a plan B? Good or not?

The Sundin saga is still undecided and only a few teams are still in the race. Detroit and the Rangers are out, due to cap space, Toronto seems to be a little bit erased, only Montreal and Vancouver seems to keep pushing very hard to land Sundin. The Canucks are rumored offering Mats a 2 years/20 millions deal, while the Canadiens offer stand to 2 years/15 to 16 millions.

But, as a Habs fan, I am not sure we will have the big Swedish center in our lineup next year. This is why, I thought to some plan B, C or even D! In my opinion, as a plan B, we could land forward Jason Williams, he can be a good offensive talent who would play on our 3rd line and more important, he can play the point on the PP! We need someone to take Streit's place on the PP since he is gone. Plan C would of been landing Pavol Demitra, but he signed with the Canucks, I am glad he signed, I am not one of Pavol's fan. Not sure he would be a good fit with the Habs though...As for the plan D, it would be to resign Patrice Brisebois to a 1 year deal, he is cheap, and can be a decent PP quarterback. Well...this is what I think could happen if Sundin signs with Vancouver or Toronto...

I was quite shocked and surprised today, when I read on HockeyBuzz, that a rumor is going on that the Montreal Canadiens plan B, would be to land center Patrick Marleau. First, let's take an overall look at him. He is 28 ,plays Center or Left Wing, he is 6'2 tall, weights 220 and shoots left. He played 78 games this season, notching 19 goals and adding 29 assists for a grand total of 48 points. Marleau had a +/- rating of -19 and he was a point per game player in the last 2 seasons.

If we look at this, there is no doubt that Marleau would be the tallest and biggest center in our lineup. It is a good thing, because Koivu,Plekanec and Lapierre are not the most imposing guys in the league. His stats are decent this year, but compaired to the past seasons, he had a bad year. His +/- is just ugly, I don't know the guy a lot, but according to this stat, he is not a two way forward. So, the big question is, does Marleau can be a good player to land? If yes, at what price?

In my opinion, no. Even if many experts say that Montreal needs a big center, I doubt Marleau is the one we need. They guy started playing bad, since last year playoffs and played under the expectations this season, way under. We cannot say he is on the decline, he is only 28. But we can say that he need a change of scenary, does Montreal can be a good place for him? Maybe, but what is Marleau's value? The Sharks won't let him go for picks, and looking at the Canadiens roster, Chris Higgins might be the most tradeable. But it just doesn't make sense! Marleau would be 3rd line material on our team, Koivu and Plekanec are our top 2 centers, Andrei Kostitsyn and Alex Tanguay are our top 2 LW!

I hope this will only stay a rumor, Marleau is not essential to our club. Other teams need it, he can still show some good offensive things, but the Montreal Canadiens don't need Patrick Marleau.

NHL and Russia Reach A Deal

A temporary stalemate between the new Russian Hockey League (KHL) and the NHL was resolved in Switzerland today with league executives there with the IIHF there to make it offical. This deal as of now prevents any players from being tempted by big money offers from the new league, who has already grabbed away Jaromir Jagr and Ray Emery.

Clemmensen back in Jersey

After 1 year with the Leafs' AHL affililiate.
Goalie Scott Clemmensen is back with the Devils.
The 30 year-old goalie signed a one-year with
the team. He will likely play in Albany next year.

Demitra deal official, 'Nucks add Davison too

The Demitra deal is $8M over 2 years as we had reported earlier this week. As for Davison, the terms have yet to be announced as per the team policy. Davison suited up for San Jose and NYI last season. The 28 year-old defenseman played 34 games in 2007-08, recording a mere 2 points.

Kids Shine at Kings Prospects Camp

This week the LA Kings started their annual summer prospects camp at their training facility in El Sugundo. The Kings are loaded with good young talent that are hoping to turn this team into a playoff contender. Most of these kids are just that, kids learning to play at a professional level. But there are a few that are going to make a serious run to make the Kings roster. Lets take a look at a few of them.....

First, there is defenceman Drew Doughty. The Kings 2nd overall pick in this last years draft. He is known for having great intelligence and maturity on the ice. This week he has showcased how he is physically ready for NHL duty. His quickness, passing and shooting was by far better than his fellow prospects. His skating is so natural and smooth. In 3 season with the Guelph Storm he played in 190 games tallying 39 goals, 118 assists. Add to that 18 playoff games with 2 goals and 16 assists. Physically and mentally he is ready to guard the Kings blueline as he is expected to this next season.

Colten Tuebert was also a 1st round selection, 13th overall in this years draft. A big punishing defenceman thats being compared to Chris Pronger. he does have potential to be a 2 way player but rumors are the Kings are going to groom him into a shutdown defenceman. Someone to play against other teams top lines. At prospects camp he has shown some good skill. Breakout passing was above average and his checking was above all other prospects. He is listed at 6'4 180lbs but looks to be around 200lbs and its all muscle. Look for him to be called up later in the season after some time in Manchester.

Goaltending has been a issue for the Kings for several seasons but things are looking up. They have a huge surplus of young goaltenders they have stocked up on since Dean Lombardi has taken over as GM. Jonathan Bernier Started the first 2 games of the Kings season last year before being sent down to his junior team. He now wants to show he can stay between the pipes all season as a King. In prospects camp he has showed off his talents. Quicker and more seasoned than his fellow prospect teammates, he looks ready to make a serious attempt at the #1 spot.

Overall, the kids are giving hope to the Kings loyals. Stay tuned, should be a young and exciting team to watch.

Jason Strudwick lands in Edmonton

The veteran defenseman just signed with the Oilers. The terms of the deal are still unknown, but we believe it is a one-year deal. The Edmonton native played for the Rangers last year recording 2 points in 52 games. He can also play as a winger.

Straka to Czech Republic is official

Straka will suit up for the HC Pilzen next season, the
team for which he played during the NHL lock-out.
He officially confirmed the June rumor that was posted
on the HC Pilzen's Website. Straka recored 41 points
last season with the NYR.

Columbus signs Filatov

The Blue Jackets have announced today that they signed their first pick in 2008 Nikita Filatov to an entry-level contract. The deal will lock the 18 year-old for 3 years. Filatov will try to make his mark during the next training camp in order to stay with the Jackets.

What a strange name!

After the Dallas Stars' AHL affiliate, the Iowa Stars relocated to Austin, TX, the Anaheim Ducks decided to move their AHL affiliate to DesMoines. They will be named the Iowa Chops. You can see their logo right here. The name frankly stinks!

Tough Times In the ATL

Greetings hockey bums.

I'm here to offer a little bit of Southern hockey perspective. You probably don't get much of that since the game does struggle to survive in most markets in the SouthEast. However I will tell you that the passionate fans of the Atlanta Thrashers live and die by the team, just like every fan of the Canadian and big market teams in the north.

It's hard work being a fan of the Atlanta Thrashers. We are the red-headed stepchild of the NHL, confirmed recently by the likes of Dan Boyle and the lack of free agents willing to sign on the dotted line. Poor ownership, questionable GM moves, and an obvious lack of direction for the team are just a basic overview of all that fans in Atlanta ponder.

Concerning the recent Free Agent blitz and offseason changes, here's a little positive, and a little negative perspective.

Negatives:

• No impact FAs are willing to come to Atlanta. I like Ron Hainsey, but he was clearly plan B to Brian Campbell. Who else have we lured to North Georgia...NADA.
• With no big name upgrades, how are we going to secure the services of one disgruntled hockey star Ilya Kovalchuk? My opinion is that he is already looking to his next stop...GMs around the league are too.
• Casual fans? Forget it. We lose Kovy, like Hossa, like Heatley, it spells the beginning of the end for the franchise.

Positives: OK folks, I'm a homer, but let me give you a real (positive) assessment of the team we are going to ice this Fall.

• Alexei Zhitnik is gone. Zhit was an absolute cancer on this team last year. He came to camp out of shape and played like it all year. When you count on a guy to be in your top pair and he ends up being benched late in the season, it puts a lot of pressure on guys that are not top 4 defenseman to achieve. They did not, and the team was one of the worst in the league in GA.
• Bobby Holik is gone. I have loved the type of game Holik plays for as long as I have watched him, but his time has passed. He was highly overpaid, and did nothing but set this team back leadership-wise with the captaincy. Nobody expected the guy to come in and score 20, but we did need consistent veteran leadership that he did not offer.
• Goaltending. Kari Lehtonen backed up by Moose Hedberg with Ondrej Pavelec waiting in the wings. Talented youth that will only get better, with a clubhouse leader in Moose.
• John Anderson. The guy is a winner. Recent success of guys like Bruce Beaudreau and John Stevens proves AHL coaches can win at the next level. I love this hire.
• Colby Armstrong and Eric Christensen. Crusher will get his chance to show his talent now, having spent his career 4th on the depth chart in Pittsburgh. Army is a young guy who will announce his presence with authority every night on the ice and in the lockerroom.
• An improved defense. Sophomore season for Toby Enstrom, solid veteran work from Nic Havelid, and another young puck mover in Ron Hainsey. Add in a the physical specimen Zach Bogosian (who apparently has a real chance to make the team), and we are going to be improved in our own end. Put Exelby back where he belongs, playing about 10 minutes a night crackin' skulls!
• Youth. Jordan LaVallee, Bryan Little, Colin Stuart, Boris Valabik, and maybe even Arturs Kulda all have a chance to make huge impacts for this team. This may be a tough year still, but I would rather see these guys toughin' it out every night than a bunch of overpaid vets mailing it in.

It's bad, but it's not THAT bad. Addition by subtraction, a new solid coaching philosophy, and infuse the youth. Waddell will make a trade or two in the next couple of weeks (Havlat?) to shore up the top 2 lines and we will be a mediocre team in '08-'09. We won't win the SE, but we won't be the worst team in the league either.

Keep it right here for the REAL DEAL goings on in the Southeast Division...don't settle for the ramblings of the national media types who like to spell DOOM for the South!

CM