Second Blue Seat Fantasy Hockey League / New Kovy Contract

Well, the first fantasy hockey league filled up very quickly, so posted Mike created a second league. You can sign up by clicking here. I’m going to ask that if you signed up for the first league, that you do not sign up for the second league to ensure that everyone who wants to play can do so.

Also, in case you missed it, the NHL is currently reviewing another Ilya Kovalchuk contract submitted by the New Jersey Devils. This contract is a 15 year, $100 million contract, with a cap hit of $6,666,667 per year. I would assume this includes a no trade clause (not a no movement clause), but this hasn’t been made public yet.

One last thing, Paul Kariya will not be playing this year due to post-concussion syndrome. It looks like that hit by Scott Stevens in the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals is still having lingering affects.

Versus Has 11 Ranger Games

Versus has released their television schedule for the upcoming season, and the Rangers appear to be their biggest ratings getter, as the Blueshirts will be broadcast on Versus 11 times. The following games are on Versus:

10/18 vs. Colorado
11/9 vs. Washington
11/17 vs. Boston
12/15 at Pittsburgh
1/24 at Washington
2/1 vs. Pittsburgh
2/7 at Detroit
3/1 vs. Buffalo
3/30 at Buffalo
4/4 vs. Boston
4/7 vs. Atlanta

It looks like Versus is trying to capitalize on what looks to be a big race for the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, with the Rangers playing both Boston and Atlanta on Versus, which will surely be playoff caliber games. Other teams on Versus regularly include Washington (11), Chicago (11), Detroit (11), Pittsburgh (10), and Philadelphia (9).

NHL Adjusts Tiebreaker Rules

Regardless of your personal feelings towards the shootout, it looks like it will be here to stay. It isn’t the best way to end a hockey game after 65 grueling minutes, but it is very fun to watch. We will never see continuous OT in the regular season, although I think that would draw more fans than the shootout because of “this shot can end the game” feeling every 30 seconds. However, the NHL is taking steps to reduce the influence the shootout has on the standings.

Over the weekend, the NHL ruled to adjust the rules for tiebreakers. Originally, the first tiebreaker was number of wins. This has now been changed to number of regulation/OT wins. The second tiebreaker will be overall wins. This gives more incentive for teams to win in regulation/OT, which should make the last 10 minutes before the shootout much more exciting. This doesn’t address the bigger issue of the three point games, but this is at least a step in the right direction.

What this does do, however, is make it more difficult for the casual fan to follow the standings. This will either add another column in the already crowded W/L records (W-Reg/OT W-L-OTL), or it will be available online somewhere. It is an interesting situation though, as this decision is clearly designed for the best interest of the NHL, but it actually may deter some casual fans from becoming hardcore fans. Regardless, this is definitely a step in the right direction.

On a more humorous note, for those following NHL players on Twitter, Cam Janssen of St. Louis and Krys Barch of Dallas have scheduled a fight via Twitter for their October 16th game. I wonder how soon before there’s a “Cam Janssen” rule, in which you cannot schedule fights via social media. I give it 10 hours after their October 16 fight.

NHL Tinkering With Rules

During this year’s NHL Research and Development camp, the NHL will be testing out roughly a dozen proposed rule changes. Of the proposed rule changes, some are designed to increase action, others are designed to increase player safety. Some are good ideas, and some are just stupid. Let’s break it down:

The Good:

• Hybrid icing: Icing will be called instantly when the puck crosses the goal line, unless there is a race for the puck. If the attacker is the clear winner of the race for the puck, then no icing is called. If the defender is the clear winner, icing will be called before touch up. This is a good compromise for both sides of the argument, as it still keeps the race for the puck as an integral part of the game, without endangering player safety.
• Verification goal line: This adds another goal line behind the current goal line, presumably to give goal judges a clearly defined line of when the puck will officially cross the initial goal line. This should lead to less lengthy replays, and hopefully less missed goals.
• Wider blue lines: I like this because it should lead to less offsides, less whistles, and hopefully a continued flow of the game. For some reason, the NHL seems to think that fans want more goals. Sure, that’s nice, but less whistles and more flow is better.

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BREAKING: Kovalchuk Contract Ruled Invalid

In relatively stunning news (to me at least), the independent arbitrator has ruled in favor of the NHL, deeming that the Ilya Kovalchuk contract was a blatant attempt to circumvent the CBA and the salary cap. The complex 17 year $102 million deal, which was heavily front-loaded, was initially ruled as invalid by the NHL on July 20. After a grievance was filed by the NHLPA, an independent arbitrator was brought in, and ruled in favor of the NHL. Kovalchuk will remain a free agent, as the Devils will either have to rework the deal, or the Kovalchuk camp will have to field other offers.

With the current CBA ending soon, you can expect this to be an extremely hot topic for both sides. Between this and the rumor of owners wanting a much lower ($48 million) salary cap, the next set of negotiations are going to be heated to say the least.

BREAKING: NHL Rejects Kovalchuk Deal

Various sources, via Twitter, are reporting that the NHL has rejected the 17 year, $102 million deal that Ilya Kovalchuk has signed with the New Jersey Devils for blatant salary cap circumvention. The deal would have paid Kovalchuk $92 million within the first 10 years of the deal, with the rest of the contract paid out to bring the salary cap hit down. More details later.

Kovalchuk Stays in Jersey, Gagne Dealt to TB?

In relatively unsurprising news, Ilya Kovalchuk has decided to remain a New Jersey Devil. Kovalchuk, probably the most prominent free agent in the history of the NHL, announced that he will be returning to Jersey after a prolonged process that included a near-signing with the Devils, and several near signings with the Los Angeles Kings. In the end, a deal rumored to be 17 years and over $100 million was “enough” to keep Kovalchuk in America’s Armpit. Many will call the process dramatic and LeBron-esque, but this was far from it. Kovalchuk never commanded the spotlight like the others. The sick thing is that Kovalchuk will still be a Devil when I turn 40. I’m 26 now. That is incredibly disturbing. Update: The deal is $102 million over 17 years, broken down to $10 million for the first 8 years, and $7.5 million for the next 2 years. The remaining $7 million is distributed over 7 years.

Update 1:45pm: Lyle Richardson (Spector’s Hockey) is reporting, via Hockeybuzz (Eklund), that Simon Gagne has been dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning. More later.

Update 2:20pm: Gagne has indeed been traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Names rumored to be coming back include goalie Mike Smith, and prospects Dana Tyrell and Ty Wishart. Not saying this is a 3-for-1 swap, just saying those are names being tossed around.

Update 2:35pm: Gagne to TB for Matt Walker and a 4th round pick. Walker is a 30 year old defenseman with just 4 NHL goals in his entire career, but does have 444 PIMs to go with it. This was a clear salary dump for the Flyers, as Walker is a $1.7 million cap hit (albeit for three more years), compared to Gagne’s $5.25 million for this season. This was an absolute steal by new Tampa GM Steve Yzerman, who has had a terrific offseason thus far.

Girardi Files for Arbitration, Sad Day in Hockey

Rangers defenceman Dan Girardi has filed for arbitration. What will he get?

The Rangers havent always had great experiences when their players reached arbitration. Sean Avery was involved in a messy affair in arbitration while the Rangers let mecurial winger Zherdev go to free agency after being disappointed by his pay award. Girardi had a very up and down season and is seen by many Rangers fans as a player whose development has stalled. The young defenceman is also a player many Rangers fans are quick to include in trade proposals. Thouh Girardi remain a solid player with upside and is a core member of the Rangers blueline.  

So if Girardi carries the same standing with Rangers brass as he does with many fans what would happen if the Rangers are again on the wrong end of the arbitration decision? time will tell. The D-man made 1.6m last season. Anything more than 2.5 (in my humble opinion) would be too much.

Finally, a sad day in hockey. Legendary bruiser Bob Probert has passed away. RIP Bob, and our condolensces to his family. Probert was feared throughout his career for his toughness but many people dont realise what a solid player he was. The former red Wing and Blackhawk had a 29 goal season and another 20 season while eclisping 40 points 4 times. Fighters of his type – with genuine scoring ability to match their fists – dont exist anymore.

Free Agency, Day Three

It’s Fourth of July weekend, so I simply will not be around, and I’m assuming Jeremy won’t be either. However, for the Brit jurgenno, this may be a weekend of mourning, so he may be around to update on any big news (I kid with jurgenno, Brits are OK in my book, minus the extra U’s in words).

Late last night, news broke of the Islanders offering Ilya Kovalchuk 10 years, $100 million. Not sure if that’s true or not, but considering the Islanders are still paying Alexei Yashin and Rick DiPietro, I really don’t know what Charles Wang is thinking.

Also, Sheldon Souray cleared waivers. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone traded for him though, as teams need to move salary to take on Souray’s contract.

Use this as your open thread for the day. Maybe I’ll chime in later, but I don’t think Senor Patron will leave me in any shape to do so. Play nice.

Free Agency, Day Two

Just because July 1 has come and gone, doesn’t mean that free agency is over. Ilya Kovalchuk is still out there, as is Matt Lombardi, Lee Stempniak, and a few other mid-tier players. One guy that was taken off the UFA list today was Pavel Kubina, who signed a two-year deal with TB for $7.7 million ($4.2 million and $3.5 million). I’ll update this post throughout the day with signings that take place. Let’s hope the Rangers avoid any big(ger) contracts.

Also, ex-Ranger Jason Strudwick signed with Edmonton for a one year deal.

Update 1:05pm: After a lunch break, some activity in the NHL. Sheldon Souray was waived by Edmonton. He is due $4.5 million in salary for each of the next two years, but is a $5.4 million cap hit. The Oilers have no intentions of calling him up via re-entry waivers, they want to lose the entire salary.

Also, Chris Higgins has found a home with Florida at $1.6 million for this season.

Update 1:12pm: BREAKING RANGERS NEWS: Rangers are negotiating with the Twitter Fail Whale. Rumors are that the Rangers are looking to sign the whale, to solve scoring woes, to a contract of about $6.5 million per year for 5 years.

Update 2:05pm: Mark Eaton to the Islanders for 2 years, $2.5 million per.

Update 2:30pm: Islanders are busy today, closing in on Milan Jurcina and ex-Ranger P.A. Parenteau. Both are one year deals. Jurcina gets $1 million, Parenteau $600,000.

Update 3:10pm: Wow, the Islanders really are busy. They are closing in on Alex Frolov.

Update 3:50pm: Nothing on Frolov, but the Isles make their 4th signing of the day, inking Zenon Konopka. If you just asked yourself who Zenon Konopka is, you’re not alone.

Update: 4:00pm: Nikolai Kulemin gets his extension with Toronto, two years – $2.35 million. Al Montoya re-upps with Phoenix. Holy first round bust Batman!

Update: 4:30pm: Brandon Prust resigns with the Rangers. Details yet to be announced. 800k per for 2 years. Solid move.

Update: 4:45pm: Matthew Lombardi signs with Nashville for 3 years @ 3.5m per. 2 things here; 3.5m is a fair price and Nashville SPEND money? wow.