Day 3 Wrap Up.

The highlights of the previous 2 days include Rick Nash locked up in Columbus, Samuelsson finds himself a new home, Blackhawks under investigation and Ryan Smyth leaving Colorado.

Mmkay, Rick Nash and his glamorous 8 Year 62.4 million dollar deal. Now of course its logical to sign your homegrown superstars especially with a guy like Rick Nash just entering his prime, but the risks involved are huge. Even a megastar like Ovechkin who also signed a long term deal faces many factors such as injuries, team problems, crushing cap space and maybe he just won't produce as he did in previous years during his later years of his contract. eg. Naslund(which I know is unlikely but its still probable) One of the few positives I see with long term signings such as Rick Nash, Ovechkin and Zetterberg is the dedication of the team to the player in saying "hey, you're gonna be the face of our franchise for the next 10 years" There are several other positives but in reality a smart contract for you superstar wouldn't be any more than 5 or 6 years in term. Best of luck to Rick Nash though and we'll see how the future plays out.

I'll just quickly touch up on Samuelsson's signing. First off, loved his honesty during an interview wihle from Sweden "Obviously (the money) was the key, I shouldn't lie," ... "They have a good thing going, and I think my role can be a little different here -Mikael Samuelsson 7/3/09
Really, it was time for Samuelsson to spread his own "wings" and fly away. He was great for Detroit the past several seasons but his role with the Vancouver Canucks should be much greater than it was while in Motown. Perhaps he may play with the Sedins, perhaps not; there is no doubt however that he will make an impact with both his experience and his overall game in helping mentor the younger Canuck prospects. Overally, a moneyball signing from Gillis.
-Also, a line of Burrows-Kesler-Samuelsson would be a lethal shut down/offence line.

Will Tallon's blunder cost him and his club? Probably not. But realistically the Blackhawks are in Cap space trouble anyways after signing Hossa to the lucrative 12 Year Deal (boy they'll be screwed for the next...8 years once the first 4 years of decent play wear off) A tiny mistake from the Blackhawks but the Qualifying Offers will most likely pass through and guys like Versteeg and Barker will be retained. (although I have heard about teams talking about offersheets)

Now onto the Ryan Smyth Trade, wow. I really have no comment. Come out of the blue. I guess the Avalance are just turning to youth (which probably means no Joe Sakic) and are in full throttle of their re-building period. They gain a young defenceman entering his prime (Kyle Quincey) experience and mentorship in Tom Preissing and also a draft pick. You also need to know Ryan Smyth was going nowhere with the Avalanche. He wants a cup, he isn't getting in Colorado and he asks to leave (not publicly, or at least not after all the heat burning up Heatley)
Makes sense for the Kings as well, Ryan Smyth provides leadership, experience, a scoring punch and overally just a great hard working NHL veteran. This trade benefits both teams, and both teams are looking lethal (especially the Kings next season) with young sizzling guns ready to fire.

-NHLer
7/4/09

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One Game One Dream One Cup

Twist and Turn of Events

Boy oh boy, already theres been some major movement of players. Notables include Gomez to the Canadiens and the surprised signing of Jay Bouwmeester (as predicted but really, everyone expected him to test Free Agency) Another recent update I have recieved is about Mike Gillis's offer after flying to Sweden for a "serious discussion" with the Twins. The offer Gillis has left on the table is extremely tempting and is reported as a 5 Year Deal with extra bonuses and a slight increase from the previous 5.5m Cap Hit. Whether the Sedins take the deal before tomorrow is still a mystery, but chances are it's now or never.

Quick Edit/Update: There have been serious talks from several different teams inquiring about Cory Schneider from Mike Gillis. It's a safe bet that the Marblehead Native will be donning a new NHL team's jersey next season.

A matter of time.

Where will the Sedins land? How much will Bouwmeester get? With a matter of days before the Free Agent Frenzy begins; rumours and speculations are everywhere. Today, NHL'er goes through a quick list of all the major Free Agents and notable players on the Trading Block and where they will realistically land.


Free Agents:


Mats Sundin
Previous NHL Team: Vancouver Canucks
Most probable destinations:
1) Retirement
-Really, a great career and it'll surprise no one if he does choose to hang up his skates for good
2) Vancouver Canucks
-With the Sedins still uncertain and looking more and more as though they'll be testing Free Agency, Mike Gillis may want to lure the Big Swede back; this time though; for a full season
3) Los Angeles Kings


Joe Sakic
Previous NHL Team: Colorado Avalanche
Most probable destinations:
1) Retirement
-Much like Mats Sundin, Joe Sakic has had a tremondous career and especially with the recent injuries , shortened seasons and an AVs team re-building; its time for Burnaby Joe to call it quits
2) Colorado Avalance
-Its been the same Franchise throughout his entire career and its extremely unlikey for Joe to pull a Mats Sundin


Henrik + Daniel Sedin
Previous NHL Team: Vancouver Canucks
Most probable destinations:
1) Vancouver Canucks
-With children and families living in Vancouver, the Twins will find it a big nuisance to move out of the Best City on Earth; even if it means signing for a special discount.
2) Toronto Maple Leafs
-Hey Sedins! Remember the guy who went out of his way and through a complex series of trades managed to draft you? Yes Burke is back and Toronto needs a scoring line and why not the Twins? Burke has a whole lot of dough to blow.
3) Montreal Canadiens
-The Twins would love to stay in Canada and Gainey would love to have them. With over 20m in Cap Space and key Free Agents set to leave in Koivu and Kovalev, Gainey would sure love to have a legitimate scoring line.
4) Los Angeles Kings


Martin Havlat
Previous NHL Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Most probable destinations:
1) Chicago Blackhakws
-Havlat will in all likelihood re-sign with the Blackhawks especially after such a productice season
2) Montreal Canadiens
-Montreal has the cap space to blow and needs a Top 6 forward, high risk high reward


Marian Hossa
Previous NHL Team: Detroit Red Wings
Most probable destinations:
1) Carolina Hurricanes
2) New Jersey Devils
3) Detroit Red Wings
4) Vancouver Canucks


Marian Gaborik
Previous NHL Team: Minnesota Wild
Most probable destinations:
1) Vancouver Canucks
2) Minnesota Wild
3) Los Angeles Kings
4) Chicago Blackhawks


Jay Bouwmeester
Previous NHL Team: Florida Panthers
Most probable destinations:
1) Calgary Flames
-Jay will HAVE TO consider playing near his hometown, playing alongside Phaneuf and having a legitimate shot at the Stanley Cup. However, chances are Jay will take a dip in the Free Agent waters first
2) Vancouver Canucks
-With Mattias Ohlund gone and 23m in Cap Space, Mike Gillis may look at throwing a deal towards Bouwmeester long term and develop him along with Edler. Gillis also showed great interest at the Trade Deadline.
3) Dallas Stars
4) San Jose Sharks

Matthieu Schneider
Previous NHL Team: Montreal Canadiens
Most probable destinations:
1) Montreal Canadiens
2) New Jersey Devils
3) Minnesota Wild


Mattias Ohlund
Previous NHL Team: Vancouver Canucks
Most probable destinations:
1) Los Angeles Kings
2) New Jersey Devils
3) Montreal Canadiens