Hasek has not been signed yet
Well, it’s just over 13 hours until the start of the UFA period (July 1st at noon) and Dominik Hasek has still not signed a contract. I’m not incredibly worried because we know he wants to come back and where else would be play aside from Detroit? But I find it surprising that the two sides have not figured out a deal yet. Plus, Holland’s future decisions are impacted by Hasek’s hit to the salary cap this year.
“I’ve had a number of talks with (Hasek’s) agent (Ritch Winter),” Holland said. “I’m hopeful, cautiously optimistic, but until something’s signed you don’t have a deal.
“He appears to want to be in Detroit. We’re not that far apart, but we are apart.”
Holland told the Associated Press that he will continue talks with Dom’s agent tonight and tomorrow morning to hopefully complete the deal before the start of the UFA period.
“I don’t think there’s a significant divide, but there’s no deal so we continue to go back and forth,” Holland said Saturday night. “We’ve had a lot of conversations over the last few days and hopefully we’ll talk again tonight or in the morning before free agency begins at noon.”
“He’ll have a greater salary this year, but we’re still trying to figure out what’s fair to both sides and how to structure the deal,” Holland said. “I’m cautiously optimistic that we’ll work it out.”
What about the other three UFAs?
It appears that veteran defenseman Mathieu Schneider will be testing the market. I personally don’t think that bodes well for the Wings, but the guy is 38 so it’s understandable if he wants to get the best deal possible (and ideally from a competitive team).
“We would love to have him back, but I expect him to hit the market and I don’t blame him,” Holland said. “He’s 38 years old, so he doesn’t have a lot of chances to really take advantage of free agency.”
Assuming the Wings can’t re-sign Schneider before the start of the UFA period, I don’t believe Schneider will return for another year. That means, Holland would turn to Plan B (Danny Markov). I’d be okay with keeping Markov if we were able to sign a higher end forward (ie. Ryan Smyth), but our budget would be tight and Holland says that he doesn’t see himself signing new people in the first round.
“I don’t see us being a part of the first waves of signings,” Holland said. “I think it’s going to be crazy from everybody I’ve talked to, but we’re in a bit of a wait-and-see mode.
“We’ll talk to all of our guys at least one more time before noon and if I get a sense that they want to test the market, we’re going to be a little more aggressive than I planned to be. We’re not desperate, though, because we have a good nucleus in place, but we definitely need to add a defenseman or two.”
It has been rumored that Ryan Smyth could head to Detroit, but that is probably more wishful thinking than anything else. If Schneider is not re-signed, it definitely is a possibility but the Wings could not match the offer that the Islanders gave him. He’d have to take a cheaper salary, but be a key component in a top team.
Holland continues to talk to Todd Bertuzzi’s agent, Pat Morris, and has done so almost daily this week. It sounds like the two have agreed to the salary, but the length of the contract is causing the problems. The Wings want a shorter contract due to his lack of play since 2003-2004 (suspension, lockout, and then back surgery), but Bertuzzi wants to sign a longer contract. I was excited about getting Big Bert at the trade deadline, but I’m iffy right now. If we can keep him at an affordable price for a couple years, I’m down with that. But a long term contract? No thanks. Ansar Khan believes that Bertuzzi will be re-signed by the Red Wings.
“I’d like a shorter-term deal and he’d like a longer-term contract,” Holland said. “Hopefully, we’ll find common ground.”
I’d rather sign Slava Kozlov, who the Atlanta Thrashers are desperately trying to re-sign before tomorrow at noon. I’d even take Markov, Kozlov, and Bertuzzi, but I’m getting ahead of myself there.
With the NHL’s free agency season starting today at noon, the Thrashers’ level of participation hinges on one player: Slava Kozlov.
He was Atlanta’s second-leading scorer last season, finishing with 80 points while earning a relatively modest $2 million in the final year of his contract.
That number surely will be higher next season. The question is: Who will pay it?
“I’m hoping he’ll be back,” Atlanta Spirit co-owner Bruce Levenson said.
Levenson’s general manager, Don Waddell, is optimistic a deal can be worked out. But with Detroit, Dallas and Florida among the teams rumored to be interested in the veteran forward, the asking price might exceed what the Thrashers are willing to pay.
Tomorrow @ BTJ
I’m currently up north with my family for the 4th of July holiday. I have internet connection and will be regularly checking it for updates about the Wings’ situation throughout the day. I will post information here pertaining to the Wings once I hear about it, but I may not be real quick on the draw.
For the most up to date information, be sure to check out these four websites:
TSN
Spector’s Hockey
The Globe on Hockey
Kukla’s Korner
New project
I recently upgraded my hosting account at Site5.com, which I love by the way, to work on a new project.
Why am I updating it? Well, I’ve wanted to create an all Yzerman website with photos, videos, audio, and articles (both old and new) for a long time. Despite taking summer classes, I still have more free time than usual and figured now would be the best time to do so. I hope to have it good to go by the time the 2007-2008 season begins. And I need to upgrade my account to have both BTJ and this Yzerman website on their own accounts, but under one monthly payment.
Posting will remain the same so no worries there. If anyone has any photos, audio, or video that they believe should be on this website, please send it in an email to behindthejersey@gmail.com with your name (so I can properly credit you). Thanks!
Crosby is not a “Male Athlete of the Year” nominee
ESPN recently opened its voting polls to the public for its award show, the ESPYS (think the Oscars, but for sports). Jes Golbez @ The Sidney Crosby Show points out that Crosby was not even nominated for “Male Athlete of the Year.”
Just take a wild guess who DIDN’T make the list of nominees for Best Male Athlete… Yeah, I am stunned right now. Can someone out there please tell me how you can win the awards for league MVP and top point scorer of the NHL, be voted the most outstanding player by your peers, and be named the youngest captain in NHL history - all in one season - yet NOT be a consideration for male athlete of the year?!
I’m not saying Sidney would be a shoo-in to win athlete of the year; I don’t know enough about any of the other nominees to make that claim. All I’m saying is I don’t understand how he wasn’t even a nominee, considering all he’s achieved this season. It is a slap in the face for the all of hockey. We all know the brass at ESPN and the brass at the NHL don’t exactly love each other, but for the ESPY Select Nominating Committee to snub an athlete as deserving as Sid is outrageous. Would ESPN do this to an athlete from the NBA, NFL, or MLB if circumstances were similar? Doubtful.
I wanted to examine the players who were nominated for the “Male Athlete of the Year” for Jes.
The nominees…
Roger Federer = Professional tennis player. Just won his 50th straight match on grass. Has been ranked #1 in the world since February 2004. Has won 3 Grand Slam tennis titles and 12 ATP titles. Also nominated for Best International Male Athlete and Best Male Tennis Player.
[My thoughts: Federer is a beast. Aside from his matches against Nadal, Federer consistently outplays his opponents and owns the grass courts. He has been consistently amazing for so long that he does deserve to be on this list.]
LeBron James = Professional NBA player for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Scored 48 points in Game #5 of the ECF vs. the Detroit Pistons. Team leader and got the team to the Finals for the first time in franchise history. Also nominated for Best Championship Performance, Best NBA Player, and Hummer Like Nothing Else award. Oh, he’s also co-hosting this year’s ESPYS.
[My thoughts: James is definitely the face of the NBA and hopes to reach Michael Jordan-like status. However, he wasn’t league MVP or even playoff MVP so while I think he is a great player, he should not win this award.]
Peyton Manning = Professional NFL player for the Indianapolis Colts. Was named Super Bowl MVP after leading his team to the 2007 Super Bowl title. Overcame his title as a playoff choker. Threw only 9 interceptions, completed 65% of his passes, and was second in the league for most yards thrown. Also nominated for Best Championship Performance and Best NFL Player.
[My thoughts: He should be on this list. He finally proved himself in the playoffs including a big win over the Patriots. He was named playoff MVP and won the Super Bowl title.]
Ladainian Tomlinson = Professional NFL player for the San Diego Chargers. Was named MVP for the 2007 regular season. Had the most rushing yards in the last season. Has the the record for most touchdowns in an NFL regular season. Also nominated for Best NFL Player, Best Record-Breaking Performance, and Hummer Like Nothing Else Award.
[My thoughts: I am not denying that Tomlinson is a great player. He no doubt deserves to be considered for the “Best NFL Player” award, but shouldn’t you only have one player per sport in the “Male Athlete of the Year” category? For that belief, I will only pick one NFL player to be in this category and Manning is a fantastic player and won the championship (and Super Bowl MVP) so I’m picking Manning.]
Tiger Woods = Professional golfer. Ranked #1 in the world. Won the 2006 PGA Championship and British Open. Won 8 tournaments (5 straight) in 15 starts. Also nominated for Best Golfer.
[My thoughts: I don’t any sports fan questions why Woods is on this list as his name trancends all of sport. He has had a great year despite losing his father to cancer in May 2006 (the two of them were very close).]
My conclusion…
I know that the NHL is not considered a “major” sport anymore, but golf and tennis aren’t major sports either. I also realize that there was no MLB player nominated. However, Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby had such an amazing season that I feel it’s wrong for ESPN to not even nominate him in this category.
He led the league in points during the regular season and he is the youngest player to ever do so. His team went from one of the bottom teams in the NHL the year before he was drafted to making the playoffs. He was named MVP by journalists and by his peers. He’s the youngest captain in the history of the NHL and the leader of his team. Plus, he’s the face of the NHL and probably the leading endorser. All at the age of 19. Amazing.
Larionov is not in HHOF 2007 class
Former Red Wings player Igor Larvionov will not be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a member of the 2007 class. This class was a very tough one to get into as only four players can be picked every year. While I believe Larionov is definitely a worthy inductee, I do not have a problem with any of the four inductees being chosen over him. How can you really argue against Mark Messier, Scott Stevens, Ron Francis, and Al MacInnis?
There were an unusually high number of prominent ex-players eligible for first-time nomination in 2007, largely because of the NHL lockout, which coincided with the end of the line for dozens of ex-players and in effect, created a double cohort. Under Hall Of Fame guidelines, only four players can be inducted in any calendar season. Among the others eligible for the first time, who will spill into consideration for next year’s class are Adam Oates, No. 15 on the all-time scoring list and sixth all-time in assists; Claude Lemieux, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, plus Igor Larionov, one of the most decorated international players of his generation.
Congrats to the four player inductees!
Leipold turns down Balsillie’s offer
What in the world?
I haven’t written much about all of the Nashville Predators drama because I don’t have enough time to keep up with it all. However, today’s news dictated that I say something.
According to the National Post, Leipold informed Balsillie earlier this week that he would not accept his $238-million US offer for the NHL club. Instead, Leipold is preparing to sell the franchise to California businessman William DelBiaggio, who is expected to move the team to Kansas City instead.
DelBiaggio’s bid is reportedly $50-million US less than what Balsillie was offering for the club.
Balsillie’s deal to purchase the Predators was set to close on June 30.
“We are currently free to explore any and all options regarding the sale of the Nashville Predators,” Gerry Helper, Nashville’s senior vice-president of communications and development, said in a statement. “However, until and unless there is a binding agreement in place, we do not plan to comment on the status of Predators ownership.”
What in the world?
Yes, I think Balsillie probably went about things in the wrong way when it came to purchasing and then relocating the Predators. However, it is completely ridiculous that current Preds’ owner Craig Leipold would turn down Balsillie’s offer for $238 million for a $190 million offer by DelBiaggio.
I could completely understand if Leipold changed his mind and either (1) decided to keep the team himself, (2) sell it to someone who intends to keep the team in Nashville, or (3) sell it to someone willing to offer more money. However, DeBiaggio wants to relocate the team to Kansas City. How is KC any better than Nashville? Why must the NHL insist on forming/relocating teams to markets that won’t work as well as let’s say a team in southern Ontario? I just don’t understand.
My weekend at the NHL Draft
I went down to Columbus this past weekend for the 2007 NHL Draft with a good friend of mine. We got down to Columbus around 3pm on Friday afternoon and left around noon on Saturday. Here’s a brief run down of the fun things we did or saw including photographs after the jump…
We first got in line for the half hour long Rick Nash autograph signing. The guy in line behind us got interviewed by the local TV station and gave some really insightful quotes (note the sarcasm). It was a free autograph signing and he signed the same photo for each person. It was the first time I’ve gone to a really free signing - no signing fee and a free photo. Nice!
Yellowcard owns Avs fan at concert
As many of you know, I went down to Columbus for the draft this year as a fan. Before the start of the first round on Friday, I attended a free Yellowcard concert right outside the arena. Near the beginning of the concert, the lead singer made it known that bassist, Ryan Mendez, was a Detroit Red Wings fan.
Toward the later half of the concert, a Colorado Avalanche fan made his way through the crowd holding a sign reading “RED WINGS SUCK” with a bunch of photographs glued on. After seeing that sign, the lead singer tells Ryan to look at that sign. Ryan, who hadn’t said a word all concert, steps up to the microphone and says something like this…
Hey “Red Wings Sucks” guy, how did your Avs do in the playoffs? 2nd round? Oh, that’s right. They didn’t even make the playoffs.
The entire crowd that had booed Red Wings fans at the start of the concert goes “Ohhh” much to the dismay of this Avs fan. To say that was entertaining would be an understatement. I liked Yellowcard before this weekend, but man, I like them even more now.
Before the draft weekend, the Columbus Blue Jackets posted an interview with the bassist and here’s the excerpt pertaining to Wings’ fans.
Jonathan, meet Yzerman.
I met a family from Quebec at the NHL Draft and the young boy, Jonathan, shared with me some of his hockey experiences for an article I’m writing for Michigan Hockey. They gave me a URL to his personal webpage where I literally saw him in hundreds of hockey photos with players like Sidney Crosby and JS Giguere. I was blown away that such a young boy could already have met so many players! While at the draft, he added a few more photos to his collection with Brett Hull, Bob Hartley, and Steve Yzerman. Yep, I’m a bit jealous.
Speaking of fan photos with Yzerman, I’m working on a project and would really appreciate it if any of you could send in fan photos of Yzerman to this email address. Thanks!
Red Wings’ free agency update
We are a week away from July 1st, the start of the free agency period, and their are six UFAs and one RFA to think about.
The Red Wings have told two UFA players, Robert Lang and Kyle Calder, that they will not be offered a contract for the next season, but there are still four other UFAs who the Wings are talking with. GM Ken Holland believes that the Wings won’t be able to sign all four players due to their salary demands. One or two of the four players will probably be playing for another team next season.
“In most cases they like Detroit and want to be back,” Holland said. “Maybe by the end of the week we’ll move on somebody. I was hoping we could move on more than one, but it might be tough. You have to look at what’s gone on around the league the last couple of weeks with salaries, and that’s kind of everybody’s expectations.”
Goaltender Dominik Hasek will return to the Wings, but it’s a matter of the two sides agreeing on a price. Apparently, Hasek wants more money than Holland anticipated. I’m sure Holland was prepared to give him a raise, but Hasek must be asking more than that. I am actually surprised because it seemed like Hasek cared more about winning (and getting a reasonable salary) than he did making a ton of money.
I think most fans would agree that after Hasek, re-signing veteran defenseman Mathieu Schneider is the most important step this offseason. We saw how we missed his offensive prowess on the power play during the postseason when he was out with a broken wrist. Unfortunately with the recent signings and a possible Scott Niedermayer retirement, Schneider could demand a lot of money this summer.
As for Schneider and Markov, the six-year, $37.8 million contract Timonen received from the Flyers has turned the marketplace around.
“They like Detroit and they want to be back, but you have certain salary expectations,” Holland said. “We had hoped to move on more than one (potential free agent) but it may be tough. We’ll get somebody signed, one or two players, but I don’t know which one or two.”
Holland said the Wings have prospects ready to fill certain spots on the roster.
Wings select Rufenach in final round
The Wings’ final pick came in the second round (#208 overall). They selected defenseman Bryan Rufenach who played for Lindsay in the OPJRA (Tier II) last season. In his 31 games played, he notched 32 points (11 goals and 21 assists) and had 28 PIM.
A standout defenseman for the Lindsay Muskies, Rufenach (5-11, 184) was named Rookie of the Year in the East Division, leading the team in scoring with 11 goals and 21 assists in 31 games. Rufenach will attend Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York in the fall.
On the school’s Web site, Clarkson coach George Roll called Rufenach, “the kind of offensive-defenseman that we have been trying to get here for quite some time. He will be a young defenseman in the ECAC, but in time he should be very good. Brian will provide a spark to our power play and we look for him to join the rush offensively.”