News and Rumours
September 29, 2000
In San Jose, Steve Shields played
poorly in his first game action since the second round of the 99/00
playoffs. It was painfully obvious that his performance was a direct
result of of having had only two practices.
Craig Hartsburg is planning on treating his
last two exhibition games like regular season affairs. Look for a first
hand glimpse of the coaches vision for the 2000/01 Ducks.
Looks like Blake Sloan is going to
make the Stars roster. While many on the outside don't see this as much of
a surprise, coach Ken Hitchcock had considered him a bubble player since
the start of camp.
With the "week-to-week" injury
status of Stephane Fiset, the LA Kings needed someone to backup Jamie
Storr...enter Steve Passmore. He's had an excellent camp and
should fit in nicely until Fiset returns.
Looks like there may be light at the end of
the tunnel in the negotiations between the unsigned Kimmo Timonen
and the Predators. Don't go making any plans for him to be your top d-man
picked in your draft, but look for him to slip. If he does, he could be a
very good sleeper.
Steve Yzerman suffered an
undetermined leg injury in last night's game. We'll watch this very
carefully and report back.
Looks like the Sergei Gonchar saga
in Washington could be coming to a close. Word on the street is that he's
close to a new contract. This would be fantastic news for Gonchar owners
who have been sitting on pins and needles all summer. Things are getting
ugly in the Simon case. Talk is that he could sit the season.
Word out of south Florida has management
extremely impressed with Peter Worrell's hands. No, he hasn't been
pounding too many fellow pugilists into submission, he's been scoring.
Keep an eye on this guy...he may be worth a late round pick.
Looks like Kip Miller is going to
make the Penguins roster. He was signed less than two weeks ago but has
made a real impression in camp. Now here's a gem for you Janne
Laukennen owners. Coach Ivan Hlnka likes the idea of making sure
Laukennen is on the ice whenever Jaromir Jagr's out there. Look to
get him cheap and laugh all the way to the bank if this happens all
year.
Don't look for Andreas Dackell in
the Sens lineup anytime soon. The contract negotiations have turned into a
war of words. This could be a long one.
September 28, 2000
Look for the Coyotes to pick up a player in
the waiver draft tomorrow. They have three questionable players on their
protected list who could be exposed without much risk of being selected
- Alex Andreyev, Justin Hocking, and Dan Focht.
Who is this Bryce Salvador kid on
the Blues? People have been asking that question since the team protected
him in this summer's expansion draft. Well, the young blueliner has opened
some eyes in camp and with injuries to Todd Reirden and Marc
Bergevin he's all but guaranteed himself a spot on the opening day
roster. Honestly, we don't think that he will be much of a fantasy hockey
value in the short term. He'll likely be bumped to 7th or 8th d-man once
the other guys get healthy.
September 22, 2000
Looks like Blackhawks coach Alpo Suhonen is
looking for a reason to keep center Mark Bell with the team. He is
looking for more icetime for him to showcase his abilities.
Bill Guerin a penalty killer? It
looks like he could to get that chance this season for the Oilers. And if
it means more icetime I'm sure he won't complain. This can only enhance
his fantasy value.
The Thrashers, are interested in unrestricted
free-agent goalie Mikhail Shtalenkov. But it looks like Shtalenkov
is more interested in getting a shot as a starter in Pittsburgh, which is missing
unsigned restricted free agent starter J.S. Aubin.
September 21, 2000
Anaheim Coach Craig Hartsburg is testing
out something new on the Ducks' power play, moving winger Marty McInnis to the right point spot
that hasn't really been filled since defenseman Fredrik Olausson retired at the end of last season.
Other forwards that we might see there include Paul Kariya and German
Titov.
Marty Turco is following a great
line of excellent back-ups that have passed through the Dallas Stars
system. The 25 year-old is the 3rd goalie in 3 years to see duty alongside
Ed Belfour. Turco hasn't been
handed the job. In fact the team brought in Rick Tabaracci to push
the young netminder. Through the first half of camp it seems clear that
the Stars have nothing to worry about. Turco will be just fine.
Sergei Fedorov looks to be back on
his game. His speed is back and most importantly his motivation seems to
be back. If he keeps his head in the game this guy could be a real sleeper
in your league. He will almost certainly be undervalued do to poor
performances since his contract dispute.
September 20, 2000
David Legwand is back skating, but
he likely won't see any action for the Predators in the next few days.
Legwand suffered a deep knee bruise on September 12th.
If nothing else the Minnesota Wild are good
for humorous anecdotes. A survey on the Twin Cities Star-Tribune site
asked readers which Wild player they would choose for their Fantasy Hockey
team. And the #1 answer? You guessed it...no-one. "Sorry, won't be
picking any Wild this season" garnered 37% of the vote followed
closely by Sergei Krivokrasov at 33%. Pavel Patera (10%), Brian
Bonin (10%) and Darby Hendrickson (9%) made up the
remainder.
LA King checking forward Marko Tuomainen
is in camp without a contract. He's working his tail off to pick up some
work and for all intents and purposes he may have just earned himself a
job. Look for Tuomainen to sign within the next week.
September 19, 2000
Rostislav Klesla update - since we
first wrote about him on our Columbus team
page we have to admit we may have been wrong about the 18 year old. We
may not have heaped enough praise on him. Is he guaranteed to make the
team? We would still say no. But after his performance against Nashville
on Sunday, he's sure not packing his bags for junior. We'll continue to
keep an eye on him.
Martin Biron must feel like Rodney
Dangerfield. He saved the Sabres bacon last year when Dominek Hasek
was hurt but he doesn't "get no respect." With Biron still an
unsigned free agent, it looks like his bargaining position may have just
weakened. You see Hasek is healthy and prospect Mika Noronen (who
had an outstanding season in the AHL last year) could easily fill in as
replacement for unsigned Biron. In other Sabres news, JP Dumont is impressing at camp.
They've shifted him to LW to try and improve his shot at making the team.
The team is still short on the left side because of the spot left open by Dixon
Ward.
Shayne Willis has a real chance to make team-
as well forwards Byron Ritchie, Craig MacDonald, Ian
MacNeil and prospects Josef Vasicek and Jaroslav
Svoboda are fighting hard. David Tanabe has almost guaranteed
himself a job with his play this pre-season. As well Niclas Wallin,
Mike Rucinski and Nikos Tselios are making a real push for
consideration.
September 18, 2000
Norm Maracle got sent down for one
reason - he's out of shape. With so many healthy goalies in camp, there
was no need to keep him around. That leaves Milan Hnlicka, Scott
Fankhouser and Scott Langkow fighting for the backup job.
Jay Henderson is looking good for
the Bruins and will have a shot at a 4th line spot as will perennial
prospect Cameron Mann. Mann is quickly running out of chances. He's
talented but just can't seem to stick.
September 16, 2000
Josef Marha came into camp lighter
than he's ever been during his NHL career. He's fighting for a job and has
said that scoring is his focus...if he squeezes onto the 2nd line out of
training camp look for a drastic improvement in stats. Speaking of weight,
Boris Mironov came into camp 10 pounds less than he did last year
after his contract dispute. But he's still over his ideal playing weight
and Hawks coach Alpo Suhonen still isn't happy. In other Blackhawks news,
those of you lucky enough to have Valeri Zelepukin in your keeper
leagues (you are probably a rare breed) will be very happy at what you're
seeing this pre-season. Zelepukin is playing on the 1st line with Alexi
Zhamnov and Tony Amonte. While we emphasize in our tips not to
put too much stock in this, it could be an unexpected bonus.
September 15, 2000
Have Nikolai Khabibulin and Robert
Reichel tucked away on your team's reserve list? Be prepared to dust
them off and get them ready for action. Looks like Bobby Smith won't be
around very long as GM of the Phoenix Coyotes after he and current team
owner Richard Burke banned soon-to-be part owner Wayne Gretzky from the
Yotes locker room after last night's game. The reason Khabibulin and
Reichel aren't signed is as much their horrible relationship with Smith as
it is about the money. Having him out of the way should grease the wheels
for their return. Stay tuned. Still with Phoenix...Claude Lemieux
really must want to play for Gretzky. Can you think of any other reason
why he hasn't even looked at any other team, even though he may not
receive a contract offer from the Coyotes until after the sale of the team
is complete (which could be mid October)? That doesn't really matter,
Lemieux will be a fine addition to the squad when he does sign and would
likely fill the spot left when Dallas Drake signed with St. Louis this
summer.
September 14, 2000
Anson Carter a Ranger? Rumor on the
wire yesterday and today has the Bruins considering an offer of Mike
York from the Rangers for Anson Carter. Don't get us wrong, York could
be a great addition to the Bruins, but Anson Carter was really starting to
come into his own. Injuries hampered part of last year, but when he did
play he was amazing. It's hard to believe that this deal would happen from
a Rangers perspective though...unless they are going to move Peter Nedved.
As it stands the Rangers have two very solid lines and Carter is
definitely not a 3rd liner.
Word out of Calgary has
d-man Toni Lydman as a lock to make the team. Oleg Saprykin at 19 is still a
longshot, but had a good night and could stick with similar efforts over
the next week or two.
Nothing new on the Kimmo
Timmonen front in Nashville. Timmonen is still in Europe awaiting
word, but he's sticking to his demands. Look for this to be a long
one.
September 13, 2000
Buyer beware. The Boston Globe is reporting
that Byron Dafoe is going to have to do a lot this season to keep
his right knee in shape. Fluid has already started to build up and he will
have to wear a brace while in net. That doesn't bode well for owners. He
may be fine now, but it may only take one awkward twist or a goalmouth
pile-up to....well you get the picture.
Remember the name Dmitiri Kalinin.
If you can pick him up and hide him somewhere, do it. He's only 20 years
old but Sabres brass absolutely love him. He has a shot at making the
squad this season as a seventh d-man, but look for him to spend a decent
amount of time in Rochester as well. Is he Paul Coffey? No. But he should
be a solid overall d-man, with a great +/-, some points, and his nasty
streak should get him some PIMs.
Rookie, and 1999 first rounder, Derek
Shvidki has a chance at making the Panthers. Team management isn't
making any commitments but they will definitely be watching him in the
pre-season...as will we.
For the teams still in need of goaltending
(definitely Pittsburgh, maybe Ottawa, San Jose and Philadelphia) the list
is getting shorter. Garth Snow, Mikhail Shtalenkov, Mark Fitzpatrick,
and Tom Barrasso are the only real veterans out there. For the
Penguins they have to decide what to do now. If signing Serge Aubin
isn't a top priority they have to get Garth Snow into camp right away. For
the other three teams they need solid backups (in the case of San Jose
they also need someone to fill in until Steve Shields and Evgeny Nabakov
sign). None of these guys are worth multi-million dollar salaries, but all
think they deserve a shot at a number one job. One of them will likely get
that shot in a Penguins uniform.
September 12, 2000
There's a goaltending battle going on in
Dallas. No, Eddie Belfour isn't mixing it up with the police again. It's a
fight for the backup job between rookie Marty Turco and veteran Rick
Tabaracci. While "Tabby" was brought in to make Turco work for a
job that had been more or less handed to the rookie, he is doing his
darndest to make the coaches think twice. Keep an eye out here. You don't
want to draft the wrong guy because the backup job in Dallas can provide
some pretty choice stats in your league.
Trouble brewing in the land of the Devil. Patrick
Elias who missed the first few weeks of last season due to contract
negotiations thinks he's underpaid. Last October he signed a 3 year,
$1.675 million deal that will pay him considerably less than what was
doled out to John Madden and Brian Rafalski this past
summer. He just wants what's fair. Take a long look at this situation. It
will be two years before his contract is up and if he sulks, it could be a
long 24 months for his fantasy owners. In other Devils news, coach Larry
Robinson confirmed that once Jason Arnott signs the Arnott, Elias,
and Sykora line will be back together. A plus if any of them are on your
team.
The Internet chat rooms and message boards
are rife with speculation about who will be the lucky guy to play with the
Sedins when the Canuck season opens this October. Well, despite the
best efforts of fans to push for a Swedish Connection, it looks like Trent
Klatt has the upper hand. Considering the Sedins, barring any
pre-season miracles, will start the season on the 3rd line this makes
sense. It reduces the pressure placed on the twins and provides them with
a veteran to show them the ropes. If the aclimatization to the North
American game goes quicker than planned look for the Sedins to pick up a
more skilled linemate - our choice would be Bertuzzi over Naslund.
September 11, 2000
In Anaheim it looks like GM Pierre Gauthier
is playing hardball with Oleg Tverdovsky. He still hasn't reported
to camp and it doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon. Although, we
aren't likely going to know much seeing that Gauthier has also imposed a
news blackout on the talks.
Patrik Stefan is in the best shape
of his career. He's dropped his body fat and added about 10 pounds of
muscle. Will that translate into a better season on the ice? Hard to tell,
but it certainly can't hurt. Playing this summer with Jaromir Jagr's all
star team of Czech players didn't hurt either. Watch this kid
closely out of camp. He feels he has something to prove. In other Thrasher
news Tomi Kallio is having a very good camp. It was already
expected he would make the team, but this may push his fantasy value up
even higher.
September 10, 2000
Ouch! That's what the Avalanche and some
fantasy owners are saying after learning that Peter Forsberg could
miss training camp workouts for a few days and the first game of the
pre-season. He sprained his ankle playing soccer while in Sweden. We'll watch this
situation carefully and report back if anything happens.
In other Av news there is an open audition
for the entire 4th line in Colorado. While Chris Dingman and Scott
Parker will be fighting it out for one spot, young guys Dan Hinote,
Brad Larsen, Brian Willsie, and Ville Niemenen will be doing
their best to make an impression on Bob Hartey and his coaching
staff.
Seems that Blues pest Tyson Nash has
inspired a renaissance in the super pest category. Every team is looking
for fast, aggressive, and pesky players to pick up 3rd or 4th line duty
and do their best to throw the opposition off their game. The latest
entrant into this character is PJ Stock, a free agent signee of the
Montreal Canadiens. The Habs are looking for stock to stir things up...and
from the looks of his first scrimmage with the team, he's going to do just
that. If you're in a league that uses PIMs, he may be a decent
pickup...watch how his camp goes.
September 9, 2000
Looks like Jonus Hoglund not ready
to just hand over the coveted job of Mats Sundin's left winger to
newcomer Gary Roberts. The Leafs have a glut of left wingers
although Sergei Berezin has played right winger and Shayne
Corson has played center. It's a nice problem for Pat Burns to have.
But it should make for some interesting battles. Watch this situation
closely before heading to your draft. Check back on the Leafs Team page
for updates to the team's lines as exhibition games start.
Looks like the Red Wings are playing
hardball with Kris Draper. Draper rejected the Wings qualifying
offer in July in the hopes of getting a multi-year pact. Now that he
realizes that's not what the Wings want he said he's prepared to sign for
a one year deal for the qualifying money. Problem is the Wings have said
"No thanks." Draper likely isn't a top priority for your
fantasy team, but regardless, it looks like this could be a long one.
Things look to be getting desperate in the
Phoenix nets. After weeks of speculation that Wayne Gretzky had convinced
unsigned goalie Nikolai Khabibulin to sign with the team, there are
rumblings that the team is prepared to make an offer to unrestricted free
agent Sean Burke. Burke spent the last part of the 99/00 season
with the Coyotes, but it was thought that he and the team had parted ways
once his contract ended. Guess not. Burke had a shot at a few #1 jobs
including Pittsburgh and Ottawa so this seems a bit strange. If he signs
in Phoenix he has to know that he will only be a placeholder for
Khabibulin. Watch this situation carefully. Update: You won't
have to watch for long...Burke signed a 1 year
deal this afternoon.
September 8, 2000
Neither Scott Neidermayer nor Jason
Arnott reported for their physicals yesterday. We'll be watching
this situation closely. If they miss a significant amount of camp we will
likely have to downgrade their projections for the 00/01 season.
In Islander-land, they are still without a
number of key free agents:
- Zdeno Chara is off by about a
million bucks person season (over the 4 years Milbury wants to lock
him up for).
- Brad Isbister is said to be
extremely disappointed with the offers received from the Isles - this
could be a long, long wait
September 7, 2000
Word out of Chicago has the Blackhawks and Tony
Amonte's new agent ready to talk turkey on a contract extension. If
nothing happens before the end of camp this could be a major distraction
for Amonte...and those who have him in their leagues wouldn't want that.
The bar has been set with the Leclair arbitration settlement and goes up
from there. Stay tuned.
In Denver, Patrick Roy has decided
he wants to stick around a little longer. Originally it was thought that
this year may be his last. Although Roy confirmed that he's having too
much fun and will just keep playing. That's great for Roy owners. He's
still a great goalie and will continue to produce. You don't think it had
anything to do with the Avs trading his protege Marc Denis do you?
Just remember, you heard it here first (ok,
well maybe not first, but pretty darn close). Expect BIG things out of
former Sabre and current Blue Jacket Jean-Luc Grand Pierre. Most in
the hockey world are stunned that the Sabres let the big guy go. Don't get
us wrong, he's not going to be Bobby Orr, but if he works hard and
continues to develop he could be a Dan McGillis. He's super fast and has a
booming slapshot. Take our advice. Pick him up and stash him away.
September 5, 2000
Alexi Yashin loses his appeal to become a
restricted free agent <more>
Doug Weight is close to re-upping with the
Oilers for another year <more>
September 3, 2000
Mike Richter could be out of the Rangers
lineup for a while. <more>
September 1, 2000
News out of Vancouver has the Canucks close
to resigning Brendan Morrison, but the news isn't as promising for Donald
Brashear. Look for something to get done before the end of camp though as
Brashear likes it in Vancouver and he knows that it's the best situation
for him. Keep an eye on Mike Brown who will be at the Canucks North
American training camp in Vancouver. If Brashear doesn't sign this guy
will likely step in. Brown, who came to the Canucks in the Bure deal, is a
tough customer who has some skill.
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