NHL offseason & Coyotes rumors

[coyoteshockeyfan]

"They (Coyotes officials) said there was opportunity here," MacLean said Saturday. "They said come to camp in shape and earn a roster spot in camp. My fire burns to play in the NHL. Hopefully, my confidence from last year can keep on rolling. Last year was one of those years where everything I touched just happened to go in. It was amazing."

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0716yotesnb0716.html

The Coyotes signed Don MacLean, who was the MVP in the AHL last season. Thats an impressive accomplishment, but he has still been around the pro leagues for a long time (played 22 games for the Kings in 1997) and has never managed to stick in the NHL. He'll be given a chance to crack the opening night lineup in training camp, but I wouldnt be surprised if he is sent to our AHL affiliate San Antonio. SA really can use all the help they can get, and the Coyotes would benefit immensely from a stronger farm system.

As the roster stands right now, there is definately a spot up for grabs on the forward lines (although I do not think Barnett is done with the forwards yet, Id be shocked if there wasnt some sort of trade between now and training camp). Patrick Fischer was one of the best vets in the European leagues and he will also have a chance at securing a roster spot. Enver Lisin, our 2nd round pick in 2004, is coming over from Russia to play in North America. He brings a lot of offensive skill and top tier wheels, and also has a chance to make the roster. However, I think it is more likely Lisin starts the season in the AHL, adjusting to the North American game. Bill Thomas looked like he could hold his own in the NHL in his brief audition last season, I think he has the best shot out of all of these guys to begin the season with the Coyotes.

 

[Ryanwb]

Eric Lindros is set to sign with Dallas, big sigh of relief that he will not be playing for the Coyotes like rumored.

I was happy to read that as well.... we don't need scrambled egg head here

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Well, so much for re-signing Sanderson. He goes to where all ex-Coyotes go -- Philly.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Ugh...

 

[phillycard]

Well, so much for re-signing Sanderson. He goes to where all ex-Coyotes go -- Philly.

Can Sanderson play?? I only saw a few highlights but otherwise I was like

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Can Sanderson play?? I only saw a few highlights but otherwise I was like

Yeah, he can play. The contract he got ($1.5M a season for two years) seems about right. Even though he's getting up there in age (34 or 35 I think), he still has wheels and that's important in the new NHL. He is also a great player in the shootout. The Coyotes are certainly going to miss his goal scoring.

 

[phillycard]

Yeah, he can play. The contract he got ($1.5M a season for two years) seems about right. Even though he's getting up there in age (34 or 35 I think), he still has wheels and that's important in the new NHL. He is also a great player in the shootout. The Coyotes are certainly going to miss his goal scoring.

Yeah coyotes, I was impressed with the highlights. We need scoring in the worst way, with Primeau and Forsberg iffy.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

The Coyotes have signed defensemen Bryan Helmer and Travis Roche, both to two year contracts. Both of these signings are to give a solid veteran presence for our AHL affiliate in San Antionio. Both Roche (first team AHL all-star last season) and Helmer (second team AHL all-star last season) have excellent AHL credentials. Adding these two plus the AHL MVP in MacLean will be a huge boost for our farm team which has been terrible for years. I think that improving our AHL team should be one of our biggest priorities, as many NHL teams in recent years have proven that having a farm system built for success immensely helps your prospects develop.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

The Coyotes have also signed center Mike Zigomanis to a two year contract. He's another signing for San Antonio, he was over a point per game player last season in the AHL.

http://www.phoenixcoyotes.com/news/story_details.php?ID=5179

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Assistant Coach Barry Smith gets a one year contract extension, to the 2008-09 season. Good for Smith and the Coyotes, Smith will do great work with our defense, and is probably even the successor to Gretzky if Wayne decides to step away from coaching before the end of his contract.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=70252

 

[spikecop02]

any news on Scott Gomez? He would be a great fit here.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

any news on Scott Gomez? He would be a great fit here.

Still waiting to get the results from his arbitration hearing.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

The Panthers signed Ed Belfour today, so the Coyotes no longer have the oldest goalie in the league (although Belfour will probably back up Auld).

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Still waiting to get the results from his arbitration hearing.

I think the arbitrator said $5 million. I guess the Devils have 48 hours to decide what they want to do. If they don't accept, I think he becomes unrestricted.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

From azcentral.com:

Coyotes eye Devils' Gomez

Staff and wire reports
Jul. 26, 2006 12:00 AM

An arbitrator on Tuesday awarded New Jersey center Scott Gomez a $5 million salary for the 2006-07 season.

The Devils have until Thursday to decide whether to retain Gomez at that price or pass, thus making him an unrestricted free agent.

New Jersey has three other restricted free agents still to sign, and its payroll is just over $40 million. The NHL salary cap for next season is $44 million. advertisement

The Coyotes are one of several teams interested in acquiring Gomez, 26, who notched a career-high 33 goals and 84 points last season.

New Jersey needs to trim payroll and may be willing to deal Gomez for a draft pick or two and/or possibly a low-cost backup goaltender.

Phoenix has three of the latter: David LeNeveu, Phil Sauve and Mike Morrison. None of their salaries for next season exceeds $600,000.

Coyotes forward Oleg Saprykin ($1.064 million) also is expendable.

Gomez was paid $2.204 million last season.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

I could go for a 26 year old 30 goal scoring center.

 

[spikecop02]

Gomez gets 5 million. This puts New Jersy over the cap.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=172350&hubname=

 

[boondockdrunk]

I am slowly starting to get this feeling that the Coyotes are going to just go to arbitration with Nagy then lose him after next year and possibly trade away Comrie either before or after his arb hearing.

 

[spikecop02]

speculation is Nagy is going to get 5mil, i think thats alot for him, he is very talented, but he has never stayed healthy.

 

[boondockdrunk]

Since there hasn't been much to talk about lately, I wish to get everyone's opinion on Bill Thomas.
Does he have a future with the team?
Where do you see him playing this season?
How productive of a year do you expect him to have?

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Since there hasn't been much to talk about lately, I wish to get everyone's opinion on Bill Thomas.
Does he have a future with the team?
Where do you see him playing this season?
How productive of a year do you expect him to have?

As of right now, Bill Thomas makes it with the big club to start the year unless a couple of rookies really impress in camp and steal a spot away from him. Coyotes management signed him to an $800k a year deal as an undrafted UFA which is close to the rookie max, so obviously they saw something they really liked in him. Next season he probably plays on the checking line at right wing. He showed good defense and checking ability in his brief time so I think he will be right at home in that role. He was a big time scorer in college and does posess the skills needed to put up some decent points in the NHL, so if he hones his scoring touch he could become a top six forward that is solid on both ends of the ice in a few years for Phoenix. Its a bit difficult to get a read on the guy since he only played a few games last season, but those are my thoughts.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Nagy awarded $3 million

David Vest
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 7, 2006

An arbiter on Monday awarded Coyotes left wing Ladislav Nagy a $3 million salary for the 2006-07 season.

The Coyotes immediately accepted the ruling, which is close to the figure they offered Nagy before his arbitration hearing last Friday.

"This means that (Nagy) will be in camp on time and ready to go,” General Manager Mike Barnett said. “He's a huge piece of our club. At some point we'd like to lock him up on a multi-year deal, but for now this one-year award will work for both sides."

The Coyotes paid Nagy $1.9 million last season, during which he notched 56 points in 51 games before undergoing season-ending knee surgery in February.

Once Nagy is signed, Phoenix's payroll will be around $41 million for this season. That's $3 million below the NHL per-team salary cap, but about $3 million above the team's self-imposed cap.

That likely means a player or two will be traded before camp.

Nagy was hoping for a salary ruling close to that of Buffalo center Daniel Briere, who posted Nagy-like stats last season and recently was awarded a $5 million salary by an arbiter.

But Nagy's injury history - he's missed 58 games the past two seasons - kept that from happening.

"We knew going in Ladislav's injuries would have an impact on the ruling," said Matt Keator, Nagy's agent. "Clearly they did. But he's an unrestricted free agent next year. We'll see where things go from there."

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

I'm shocked. Its astounding that Nagy only got $3M through arbitration. Arbitration by and large has resulted in ridiculous contracts this season. After this result, I fear that Nagy is going to leave the team and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. His agent certainly seems unhappy...

"We knew going in Ladislav's injuries would have an impact on the ruling," said Matt Keator, Nagy's agent. "Clearly they did. But he's an unrestricted free agent next year. We'll see where things go from there."

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Nagy officially re-signed by Coyotes

http://www.phoenixcoyotes.com/news/story_details.php?ID=5200

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Coyotes signed Ryan Flinn to a minor league deal today. Nothing exciting, just an enforcer for our AHL team in San Antonio.