More Khabibulin Speculation?

[ASUCHRIS]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0725nhl0725.html

 

[Ollie]

There's speculation about Modano, Amonte and S.Burke too...

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=45098

If Mike Modano doesn't return to the Dallas Stars this season, the All-Star center told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Sunday he would consider suiting up for the Coyotes.Modano, who can become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career Aug. 1, has been skating this summer with good friend and ex-teammate Brett Hull, who signed with the Coyotes before the lockout.

Modano told the paper the idea of joining Hull, who was a member of the Stars from 1998-2001, is appealing.

“That's always been good, and I've always enjoyed playing with him," he said.

He added he is also intrigued by the possibility of playing under Wayne Gretzky, who reportedly will be Phoenix's next coach.

"That would be a great experience to be around Wayne all the time," he said. "That would be fun, and he’d be excited about it, I think."

Modano has played his entire career with the Stars organization and said they are his first choice. The Star-Telegram reports in today's editions Modano is likely seeking at least a three-year contract.

Dallas may not be willing to commit more than two years to the 35-year-old, and the paper reports, Modano, who made $9 million in 2003-04, will likely be offered a salary between $4 to $5 million to start, but the salary could de-escalate after the first season.

Modano's price tag may be too much for the Coyotes. Phoenix general manager Michael Barnett could not comment on the matter since teams cannot discuss other teams' free agents until Aug. 1.

Phoenix currently has more pressing priorities, namely coming to terms with its own free agents and addressing its goalie situation. The team has said re-signing defensemen Paul Mara and Derek Morris tops the list. The Coyotes have until Sunday to make qualifying offers to them, both restricted free agents.

Goaltender Brian Boucher is also a restricted free agent. If Phoenix decides not to bring him back, Brent Johnson, who the Coyotes have until Thursday to exercise a team option on, would be the only other goalie in the organization with NHL experience.

Former Coyote goaltender Sean Burke, who lives in the Valley, is reportedly interested in rejoining the team.

The Coyotes also might be interested in bringing back now-free agent Tony Amonte, whose contract was bought out Saturday by the Flyers, if the price is right, likely the $1 million to $2 million range, since he already has money in his pocket from the buyout.

 

[Desert Rat]

The Coyotes declined the option on Brent Johnson yesterday. They still have not tendered a qualifying offer to Brian Boucher and have until Sunday to do that. I am not sure if Zac Bierk is in the picture anymore.

David Leneveu is just about ready to make the jump to the NHL.

Khabibulin purchased a house for $4.15M in Paradise Valley a few weeks ago.

Gretzky has always spoken highly of Khabibulin. I wouldn't be surprised at all Nikolai becomes a this summer.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

The Coyotes declined the option on Brent Johnson yesterday. They still have not tendered a qualifying offer to Brian Boucher and have until Sunday to do that. I am not sure if Zac Bierk is in the picture anymore.

David Leneveu is just about ready to make the jump to the NHL.

Khabibulin purchased a house for $4.15M in Paradise Valley a few weeks ago.

Gretzky has always spoken highly of Khabibulin. I wouldn't be surprised at all Nikolai becomes a this summer.

There is almost no chance the Coyotes will resign Bierk. Im pretty surprised at them declining Johnson's option though.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

I love the idea of the Coyotes going after Modano. The guy brings a ton of veteran leadership and a winning attitude to the organization. Team him with Hull and some of the youngsters on the Coyote roster and you have a potential contender. With that said, I don't see it financially feasable to sign him, and think that this is all paper and mirrors for now.

As for Nik, I've heard he never wanted to leave Phoenix to begin with, but the management wasn't paying him what he felt he was worth. After winning a Stanley Cup (one that the Lightning couldn't have won without him IMO), his value would be higher than it was when he left. I say go for it. It's not often you get the chance to get back "the one that got away"

 

[Murf]

I agree, Khabibulin backed up by Leneveu (sorry, I've never been sold on Boucher) makes this team a playoff lock. I would LOVE it!

But I wouldn't put too much stock in Khabi buying a house here as evidence he is coming. Alot of players own houses here. And I'm sure Tampa Bay is going to fight to keep him.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

I agree, Khabibulin backed up by Leneveu (sorry, I've never been sold on Boucher) makes this team a playoff lock. I would LOVE it!

But I wouldn't put too much stock in Khabi buying a house here as evidence he is coming. Alot of players own houses here. And I'm sure Tampa Bay is going to fight to keep him.

TB only has 3 more days that they can exclusively negotiate with Khabi. Rumor has it that Chicago will offer Khabi close to the max, which is most likely too rich for the Yotes to compete with. However, the source of that rumor is Eklund, who is very, very prone to being completely wrong.

 

[Hordispack]

Are there any rumors of the C oyotes "going after" anyone under 100 years old??.

 

[Ollie]

Speculation continues
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0730coyoteside0730.html

[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The possibility that goalie Nikolai Khabibulin will return to the Coyotes gained momentum Friday thanks to comments made by Tampa Bay Lightning General Manager Jay Feaster in Ottawa the night before the NHL draft.

"I don't see us getting anything done," Feaster told the Canadian Press regarding a new deal with Khabibulin, an unrestricted free agent who helped lead Tampa Bay to the Stanley Cup in 2003-04. "We've made an offer, we've had some discussions with his agent, but certainly we're not close to getting a deal done yet . . . At this point in time, he'll probably test the waters Monday."

Khabibulin, who played for Winnipeg/Phoenix from 1994-99 and lives in Paradise Valley, can begin negotiating with other teams Monday. The Lightning paid him $4.4 million for the 2003-04 season, and he would have earned $6.5 million had an option been picked up for the 2004-05 season, which was wiped out by the lockout. [/font]

[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]With the new collective bargaining agreement's 24 percent rollback in salaries in place, the Lightning's offer to Khabibulin was most likely for about $4.9 million.

Coyotes General Manager Mike Barnetthas repeatedly declined comment on Khabibulin or any other unrestricted free agents.

Meanwhile, restricted free-agent goalie Brian Boucher is still waiting for the Coyotes to make him a $1.52 million qualifying offer.

If they don't by Sunday, Boucher can begin negotiating with other teams Monday.
Tom Laidlaw, Boucher's agent, said he expected to speak with Coyotes officials Friday, but did not.

The Coyotes likely will pass on making Boucher a qualifying offer but might attempt to re-sign him to a less lucrative deal once he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

They might try to use the same approach with backup goalie Brent Johnson, who became a free agent Thursday after the Coyotes declined to exercise their club option ($760,000) on him.

Also, the Coyotes did not sign 2003 draft picks Tyler Redenbach(forward) or Ryan Gibbons(right wing), thus losing their rights.

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