NHL offseason & Coyotes rumors

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Here is a thread where you can catch up on as well as post the latest rumors pertaining to the Coyotes. Unrestricted free agency starts July 1st (tomorrow), and there are a lot of whispers that the Coyotes plan to be very active in the next few days.

Here is one that links Marc Savard to Phoenix:

"Obviously, Toronto, if there's interest would be up there on my list tomorrow - to be closer to the kids," he said. "They're definitely one of my top choices, if everything works out in every aspect."
Other possibilities are teams that Savard has ties with the New York Rangers — who drafted him and might be looking to upgrade at center — the Phoenix Coyotes, who have money to spend, are looking to make a splash and are coached by Savard's former linemate, Wayne Gretzky; and Calgary, the team that traded him here.
"Tomorrow's the day where hopefully we see who's really interested," he said. "Phoenix would be a great place. Calgary would be great. I have a good buddy out there [Jarome] Iginla, they have a great team. We were roommates for three years. There are a lot of good teams."

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/thrashers/stories/0701savard.html

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Zdeno Chara is apparently close to signing with the LA Kings. I knew the Coyotes didnt have the cash to sign him, but I really, really hoped he would not sign with a team in the Pacific division. He is not the guy you want to line up against 8 times a year.

 

[spikecop02]

Chara to Boston

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=170211&hubname=nhl


Zdeno Chara's days with Ottawa Senators are over, as the giant defenceman signed a five-year deal with the Boston Bruins worth $7.5 million US a season.
The contract includes a no-trade clause. Chara elected to test the market as an unrestricted free agent after rejecting the Senators' last contract offer on Friday. The Senators locked up defenceman Wade Redden with a two-year $13 million US deal just a day earlier.
Chara enjoyed a career year in 2005-2006, posting career highs in goals (16) and points (43). In 2003-04, he was a First-Team All Star scoring 41 points and was a Norris Trophy finalist.
More to follow.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0701coyotes0701.html

Phoenix wants to add a top-line center, a top-six forward and a top-four defenseman via unrestricted free agency.


Excellent news...wonder who is on our list....If we actually follow through on this, and pick up a few "elite" players, we could put together a pretty good group next year.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0701coyotes0701.html

Phoenix wants to add a top-line center, a top-six forward and a top-four defenseman via unrestricted free agency.


Excellent news...wonder who is on our list....If we actually follow through on this, and pick up a few "elite" players, we could put together a pretty good group next year.

Considering that article states that the Coyotes are expected to have a payroll in the mid $30M range, and we just paid out the nose for our top-four defenseman, I dont know if we are going to have the funds left to get our top-six forward, unfortunately.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Marc Savard gets $4M a year for 5 years from the Bruins, so he can be scratched off our targets list. Seems like quite a good deal for a 28 year old who was 9th in points last season.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=170214&hubname=nhl

 

[boondockdrunk]

Considering that article states that the Coyotes are expected to have a payroll in the mid $30M range, and we just paid out the nose for our top-four defenseman, I dont know if we are going to have the funds left to get our top-six forward, unfortunately.

Perhaps the top six forward is Nagy? I would not mind at all if the Coyotes resigned Nagy and Comrie to play on the line with Johnson. When together, that line worked very well.

Marc Savard gets $4M a year for 5 years from the Bruins, so he can be scratched off our targets list. Seems like quite a good deal for a 28 year old who was 9th in points last season.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=170214&hubname=nhl

I would have really liked to pick up Savard for this amount per season. I think that this contract was a real steal for the Bruins.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Perhaps the top six forward is Nagy? I would not mind at all if the Coyotes resigned Nagy and Comrie to play on the line with Johnson. When together, that line worked very well.

It doesnt seem to be that Barnett was talking about our RFAs when he stated that, but both Comrie and Nagy are certain to be resigned.

I would have really liked to pick up Savard for this amount per season. I think that this contract was a real steal for the Bruins.

Me too, on paper it looks like one of the best bargains today. His stats are certainly inflated because he played with Kovalchuk and Hossa in Atlanta, but for the Bruins to come out with Savard at just $4M in this crazy market is impressive.

 

[boondockdrunk]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0701coyotes0701.html

Phoenix wants to add a top-line center, a top-six forward and a top-four defenseman via unrestricted free agency.


Excellent news...wonder who is on our list....If we actually follow through on this, and pick up a few "elite" players, we could put together a pretty good group next year.

I was really surprised that this article listed Alyn McCauley as one of the 'elite' talents that we might be going after. Pardon my ignorance, but I do not think he is an elite talent. Also, Dan Hinote was an interesting name to be mentioned as possibly being traded to us.

A player who I would really like for us to pick up is Martin Havlat. He would give us two really good, young Left Wingers (Nagy being the other). The asking price might be too high, but if we are able to package a some minor leaguers (defensemen to replace Chara?) that would be a great addition to the team.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Ottawa signs Gerber, and LA gives Rob Blake $6M a year for two years at age 36.

 

[Scott MS]

LA gives Rob Blake $6M a year for two years at age 36.

I saw that . . . exactly why the Jovo signing seems good, given the pricing at this moment.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

I was really surprised that this article listed Alyn McCauley as one of the 'elite' talents that we might be going after. Pardon my ignorance, but I do not think he is an elite talent. Also, Dan Hinote was an interesting name to be mentioned as possibly being traded to us.

Theres been some confusion as to whether or not Dan Hinote is a free agent. Some places have listed him as one and some have not, however, he is on the NHL.com UFA list so I guess that one trumps all the others. If he is in fact an unrestricted free agent, Id love to see him signed to bolster the defensive ability of our bottom forward lines.

http://www.nhl.com/features/insider/freelist06.html

 

[boondockdrunk]

A guy who we might want to take a look at is Eric Dazze. He is a big forward who can put the puck in the net and is pretty good defensively if I remember correctly.

Has great size and a fantastic shot from the slot area. Is hard to move from in front of the net and skates well for a big man. Can produce from either wing position.

However, he has had some back problems the last few years, so we could take a risk and get him for cheap (made $2.28 million last year). While that is a plus, we would have to make sure that he is healthy or atleast worth the risk that would be taken. There are some who think he is going to retire and that is a huge concern. Still, check if he is healthy enough to produce and if he isn't then don't sign him. Go with the doctor's opinion and no one else's.

 

[boondockdrunk]

A trade that I am really hoping for occurs between the Coyotes and the Devils. They have used up around $39 million of their cap so far and still have players to sign who can command a ton of cash (Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta). While I would love Gionta on this team, Gomez might be a more solid move. Hopefully we can help NJ out by trading some draft picks or young players for one of these guys. In the past, Gomez rumors have been linked to Phoenix.

Edit: Nevermind, apparently Gionta just signed an offer sheet with Philly. I think it would cost NJ 4-5 million a year to retain him.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Edit: Nevermind, apparently Gionta just signed an offer sheet with Philly. I think it would cost NJ 4-5 million a year to retain him.

Where did you see that? I cant believe Philly is willing to give NJ such hefty draft pick compensation for swooping in on Gionta (a RFA).

 

[boondockdrunk]

Where did you see that? I cant believe Philly is willing to give NJ such hefty draft pick compensation for swooping in on Gionta (a RFA).

I heard it rumored on the Philly message board on ESPN. They were saying that it was announced on the radio. However, now I cannot find any information on it.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

I heard it rumored on the Philly message board on ESPN. They were saying that it was announced on the radio. However, now I cannot find any information on it.

Philly is nuts if they think Gionta is worth a first, second, AND third round pick, plus between $4M and $5M a year, which is the draft compensation NJ will be owed for the Flyers doing such.

 

[spikecop02]

How much would it be to get Scott Gomez?

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Chris Pronger has been traded to Anaheim for Lupul, Smid, and picks.

http://www.edmontonoilers.com/news/index.php?id=662

Welcome to the toughest division in hockey. Pronger paired with Neidermeyer is the best one-two defensive punch in the entire league, and this was the team that completely ragdolled Phoenix in seven out of eight games last season. Anaheim was really the one team that made it so clear just how soft the Coyotes were, and I dont think Phoenix has done enough to change that.

Anaheim paid a high price to get Pronger, but I think it makes them the favorite at this point for the division title and a legit contender in the west. San Jose is still a very strong team with Thornton and Cheechoo, they certainly should be in the race. Even though Dallas has lost some guys and hasnt done much of anything this offseason, they cant be counted out. Every year people say this is the year Dallas slips, but they never do. I do not think the Kings are very good on paper, but still have made a few good moves and could surprise. It was already a very fierce division, and Anaheim just made it stronger. A lot could change between now and the time the season starts, but the way things stand right now, the Yotes are going to have a tough time hanging on.

 

[howlincoyote2k1]

Well...at least we can't finish worse in the division this year than last year, right?

We are so screwed. Seeing as we're still without someone who is proven to be able to put pucks in the net, I don't think 06-07 is gonna be that promising year we had hoped it would be.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

The Hockey News put Phoenix on its Free Agent winners list (although I think they wrote it a bit early). Nitpick: Jovanovski just turned 30, as opposed to being close to 32 like they said.

Phoenix Sure, it was just one signing. But what a signing it was. We speak, of course, of defenseman Ed Jovanovski, lured (somewhat) east by a five-year, $32.5 million contract. The soon-to-be 32-year-old has played just one full 82-game season in his 10-year NHL career, but his veteran presence can’t help but make the Coyotes’ blueline (which includes Derek Morris, Nick Boynton and Keith Ballard, none of whom are older than 27) one of the elite units in the Western Conference. If GM Mike Barnett can deal for veteran scoring help on the wings, look out.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/en/news/news.asp?idNews=21458

 

[Kel Varnsen]

I missed that Nashville signed Arnott.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Barnett says Coyotes arent done yet

The Coyotes have already made a splash in the free-agent market, and General Manager Mike Barnett said they're not done revamping the roster.

"We're not satisfied with the lineup at this point," he said.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0703yotesnb0704.html

 

[howlincoyote2k1]

I think our best bet right now would be Anson Carter. He had a really good year last year playing with the Sedin twins After that, however, we really can't sign any more players. We *need* to focus on our RFAs.

 

[spikecop02]

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=69033

Europe an option for Nagy