The Anaheim Ducks waived Todd Bertuzzi today and if he clears waivers then the Ducks will buy out the remainder of his contract. Todd Bertuzzi signed a 2 year, $8 million deal last year with the Ducks and put up 40 points in 68 games. If a team picks up on waivers they will be responsible for half of Bertuzzi’s salary making him an attractive and affordable option for many teams.
Vincent Lecavalier and the Tampa Bay Lightning have agreed upon a new contract that will see Lecavalier earning $77 million over the next 9 years, which is about $8.55 million a season. The contract will also include a no-trade clause, and since Lecavalier is 28 years old, the contract will end when he is 37 years old. Just in time to sign a final contract to end his career.
Lecavalier is worth the money and is the franchise leader in every offensive category. He has won one Stanley Cup with the Lightning, but was one of the few bright spots during a lousy season last year. With a new coach this year and not a lot of help aside from St. Louis and Prospal (Stamkos is unreliable at this point) and a new coach, the Lightning seem destined to have another weak season next year. The contract is expected to be announced on July 1st.
Mats Sundin is shopping his services around, although it is believed that he wants to stay somewhere in Eastern Canada. The three teams believed to be in talks with Sundin are the Montreal Canadians, the Ottawa Senators, and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Early word is that the Canadians are offering more money over a 2 year deal than the Maple Leafs are willing to pay. It will be interesting to see who gets Sundin and if that team ends overpaying for Sundin’s services. Keep up to date with the Mats Sundin contract sweepstakes by subscribing to the Ultimate Hockey Warrior.
Barry Melrose will be officially named the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning in a news conference tomorrow afternoon. Barry Melrose hasn’t coached since the lockout season in 94-95 when he coached for the LA Kings. Melrose has been an analyst for ESPN over the last number of years and must be happy that he is inheriting a team with so much upside.
Even though the Lightning finished dead last in the 07-08 season, the team still has a number of talented players, including Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, and 1st overall draft pick Steven Stamkos.
Alex Tanguay has been traded by the Flames to the Montreal Canadians for the 25th pick in the draft. This deal comes just after Cammalleri was traded to the Flames by the Kings in a 3 way deal.
The Florida Panthers have just traded Olli Jokinen to the Phoenix Coyotes for Keith Ballard, Nick Boynton and the Coyote’s 2nd round pick. The Panthers didn’t get a great return out of this trade in my opinion. Ballard may be a decent NHL defenseman, but Nick Boynton is terrible. Jokinen rumors can now be put to rest as he makes his new home in the desert playing for Wayne Gretzky.
First big deal on draft day sends Mike Cammaleri to the Flames who trade their 1st round pick, 17th overall to the Kings. The Kings then trade the 17th pick and the 28th pick to the Ducks for the Duck’s 12th pick.
I will be providing updates on the 2008 NHL Entry Draft from Ottawa. This year’s draft pool is deep with talent, and most of the talent this year comes from top-end defenseman and smaller speedy forwards. A number of trade rumors are flying around on draft day, so any trades that go down will be documented here as well. Trades so far, Cammalleri traded to the Flames for the 17th pick, Kings trade 17th and 28th pick for Ducks 12th. Jokinen trade to Coyotes for Boynton, Ballard and 2nd round pick. Maple Leafs trade the 7th overall pick and conditional picks to the New York Islanders for the 5th overall pick. RJ Umberger was traded to the Blue Jackets with a 4th round pick, the Flyers received the Jackets 19th overall pick and a 3rd round pick. The Canadians traded for Tanguay and sent the Flames the 25th overall pick.
1. Tampa Bay Lightning – Steve Stamkos, Forward, Sarnia Sting
2. Los Angeles Kings – Drew Doughty, defense, Guelph Storm
3. Atlanta Thrashers – Zach Bogosian, defense, Peterborough Petes
4. St. Louis Blues – Alex Pietrangelo, defense, Niagara Ice Dogs
5. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Islanders) – Luke Schenn, defense, Kelowna Rockets
6. Columbus Blue Jackets – Nikita Filatov, forward, CSKA Moscow
7. Nashville Predators (from Islanders) – Colin Wilson, forward, Boston University
8. Phoenix Coyotes –Mikkel Boedker, foward, Kitchener Rangers
9. New York Islanders (from Predators) – Josh Bailey, forward, Windsor Spitfires
10. Vancouver Canucks – Cody Hodgson, forward, Brampton Battalion
11. Chicago Blackhawks – Kyle Beach, forward, Everett Silver Tips
12. Buffalo Sabres (from Sabres) – Tyler Myers, defense, Kelowna Rockers
13. Los Angeles Kings– Colten Teubert, defense, Regina Pats
14. Carolina Hurricanes– Zac Boychuk, forward, Lethbridge Hurricanes
15. Ottawa Senators (from Predators) – Erik Karlsson, forward, Vastra Frolunda
16. Boston Bruins– Joe Colborne, forward, Camrose
17. Anaheim Ducks (from Kings after Flames Trade) – Jake Gardiner, defense, Minnetonka
18. Nashville Predators (from Senators) – Chet Pickard, goalie, Tri-City Americans
19. Philadelphia Flyers (from Blue Jackets) – Luca Sbisa, defense, Lethbridge Hurricanes
20. New York Rangers – Michael Del Zotto, defense, Oshawa Generals
21. Washington Capitals (from Devils) – Anton Gustafsson, forward, Frolunda
22. Edmonton Oilers – Jordan Eberle, forward, Regina Pats
23. Minnesota Wild (from Devils) – Tyler Cuma, defense, Ottawa 67’s
24. New Jersey Devils (from Wild) – Mattias Tedenby, forward, HV-71
25. Calgary Flames (from Canadians) – Greg Nemiscz, forward, Windsor Spitfires
26. Buffalo Sabres – Tyler Ennis, forward, Medicine Hat Tigers
27. Philadelphia Flyers – John Carlson, defense, Indiana (USHL)
28. Phoenix Coyotes (from Ducks) – Viktor Tikhonov, forward, Cherepovets
29. Atlanta Thrashers – Daultan Leveille, forward, St. Catherines
30. Detroit Red Wings – Thomas McCollum, goalie, Guelph Storm
