Hawks Gain Cap Room, Thrashers Add Scoring Depth

That was a doozy of a trade that went down last night, right? In case you missed it, the Blackhawks shipped Dustin Byfuglien (1 year, $3 million cap hit), Brent Sopel (1 year, $2.3 million cap hit), Ben Eager (RFA, $1 million cap hit), and prospect Akim Aliu to Atlanta in exchange for a first round pick (originally the Devils pick, 24th overall), a second round pick (54th overall), Marty Reasoner (1 year, $1.15 million), Joey Crabb (UFA, $600,000) and prospect Jeremy Morin.

This deal was a necessary evil for both teams, and both teams came out winners here. For the Hawks, they gain much needed cap space, while gaining two additional picks in the top 55, a legit prospect in Morin (first round pick in 2009), and a cheap depth forward in Reasoner. Losing Byfuglien hurts, but the cap space created will help them fill out their roster needs. Sopel was a depth defenseman, and at $2.3 million, was expendable. The Hawks still need to clear some cap space, and many expect Kris Versteeg to be the next guy on his way out. The Hawks are reluctant to trade Patrick Sharp, citing depth at center as something they want to keep.

As for Atlanta, they still have their own first round pick (7th overall), so they were dealing from a strength there. They also picked up veteran leadership in Sopel, and some scoring depth to add to Nik Antropov, Evander Kane, and Rich Peverley. Of course, the Thrashers have about $30 million in cap space to work with this offseason, so they can very quickly add to any needs this team has (there are a bunch). The Thrashers may not be a legitimate Cup contender yet, but in a weak Southeast, these moves may help them sneak into the playoffs next season.

Division Rivals Making Moves, Rangers Stand Pat

With juregnno already adding his insight on the recent developments in the Atlantic Division, it is now my turn.

There has been a flurry of activity leading up to the draft, especially in the Atlantic Conference. First, the Flyers acquired the rights to Dan Hamhuis from Nashville in exchange for Ryan Parent, helping shore up their defense. Ironically, Parent was originally a Nashville first round pick in 2005. Hamhuis is coming off the final year of a four year, $8 million deal a contract that paid him $2.5 million last season. Assuming the Flyers sign Hamhuis, and re-sign restricted free agent Brayden Coburn, the Flyers will have one of the best defensive units in the NHL next season with Hamhuis, Coburn, Chris Pronger, Kimmo Timmonen, and Matt Carle.

With Hamhuis on the roster, many are speculating that Jeff Carter could be on his way out via trade. However, the Flyers have $8 million in cap space this year with 17 players under contract. Assuming the Flyers spend smartly on Hamhuis ($3.5 million is a rough estimate of market value), and leverage their RFA negotiating rights on Coburn, it appears they will be able to get all players under contract without trading Carter. As for 2011-2012, the Flyers have $21 million in cap space with 11 players under contract. Carter and Claude Giroux are their main free agents to sign that year (excluding an aging Simon Gagne). Again, it appears they will be just fine with cap space, which is bad news for the Rangers.

Meanwhile, the Devils re-acquired Jason Arnott in exchange for Matt Halischuk and a 2011 second round pick. Arnott is in the final year of a five year, $22.5 million contract, that will pay him $4.5 million (with equal cap hit) next season. Arnott gives the Devils some more depth at center in an attempt to provide Zach Parise with some support for one of the NHL’s least potent offenses.

The Rangers have been standing pat thus far this offseason, which comes as no surprise, as most of Glen Sather’s moves tend to come at or after the draft. While some will surely have issues with Sather standing pat as division rivals get stronger, personally, I have no problem with it. The Rangers are not a few moves away from contending for a Cup, like the Devils and Flyers. The Rangers need a few years to let prospects develop and to let contracts expire. Patience is the key here.

Salary cap information provided by CapGeek.

Major Moves Affecting Rangers

2 big moves that affect the Rangers  took place today. The Philadelphia Flyers have acquired Dan Hamhuis for Ryan Parent. If Hamhuis does not sign for the Flyers (here’s hoping) Nashville also give Philly a 7th. I dont see how the Flyers can sign him unless big ticket forwards are in play, out of Philly. A bold move by GM Paul Holmgren and although Hamhuis is a good player im not sure he addresses Phillys needs (goaltending, goaltending, goaltending).

In another move, Nashville have sent Jason Arnott back to New Jersey for prospect Matt Hallischuk and a 2nd round pick. Quite a price for a 35 year old but Arnott is durable, big, familar with New Jersey and did i mention big? Personally i dont like this from a Rangers perspective. Jersey just got tougher, deeper and simply better. Does this mean the Devils have given up bringing back Kovalchuk? You have to think so as no cap was moved to Nashville in the deal thus meaning Jersey simply took on $$$. It also tells me Jersey are going for it next year. Arnott doesnt represent the future and they give up a good pick (the 2nd is 2011) and Hallischuk was a good prospect who won WJC gold with Canada.

With Philly and Jersey active it will be interesting to see if the Rangers follow suit. The Atlantic just got harder.

Rangers Acquire Jyri Niemi

In the first trade between the Rangers and the Islanders in 37 years, the Rangers have picked up Jyri Niemi for a 2010 6th round pick. The 19-year old, 6’3 210 lb winger defenseman played for the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL last season, putting together a line of 8-21-29, with 67 PIMs and a +9 rating. Niemi was the Islanders 3rd round pick in 2008, and was not going to be signed by the Islanders. This appears to be a depth move by the Rangers, who are lacking forwards at the AHL level.

With this trade, the Rangers no longer hold picks in the third or sixth rounds of this draft.

Just an Idea

I have read in recent weeks that several centermen are available. Buffalo are likely to shop Tim Connolly and his 1 year @ 4.5m, Derek Roy is not satisfying the same management and has a nice contract at 4m/year over 3 years. Then there are names such as Jason Spezza, Vinny Lecavalier, Rusty Olesz, Patrick Sharp and even more that aren’t secure of their current locations for next year.

It got me thinking about potential additions to the Rangers, not through the draft. Barring an unexpected move into the top 3 the Rangers are not getting an NHL ready player in the draft so can the team get immediate help elsewhere?

Now, back to Tim Connolly the much injured, mercurial centreman. Dependant on the price I think he would be a very nice choice for the Rangers. A reasonable salary, decent age (28), no distinct commitment (1 year) and the pass first playmaking center that Gaborik and insert left wing here could benefit from. I wouldn’t consider any of the others bar Roy.

Connolly hasn’t had a line mate of Gaborik’s standard consistently. The lines in Buffalo are as consistent as they are in New York yet over the past 3 seasons Connolly has 152 points in 169 games, including 65 (48 assists) this year. His playoff performance this year left alot to be desired but does seem to be a scapegoat for Buffalo’s struggles. A chance for a team to obtain a player below his true value?

Health is the main concern but a change of scenery could see Connolly become the elite center he was once touted to be, could that change be in New York? If the price is right I’d give him a chance.

No Major Trades

With what can essentially be called two trade deadlines this year due to the Olympics, the Rangers did not make any major trades to improve the NHL club at this year’s deadline. The only significant move the Rangers will have made was the Olli Jokinen deal.

As for the minor trades the Rangers did make, they were Jordan Owens for Kris Newbury, and Miika Wiikman/7th rounder in 2011 for Anders Eriksson. Owens was signed to an NHL contract over the summer, but with the Pack in need of centers, the trade was made. Eriksson, 35, is a depth defenseman, and is probably going to be used to fill the depleted defensive corps at Hartford.

That’s it. Talking about anti-climactic.

The Depth Chart has been updated to reflect these moves.

Rangers Acquire Jody Shelley

Via Andrew Gross, the Rangers have acquired tough guy Jody Shelley from the Sharks. Bob McKenzie says they gave up a 6th round pick in 2011 to get him, but if they re-sign him after the season, it becomes a 5th rounder.

The 34-year-old Shelley’s not going to cure any scoring woes, but he essentially replaces the waived Donald Brashear. Unlike Brashear though, Shelley should actually be able to win a fight every once in a while. In 36 games this year, he has 78 PIM and 10 fighting majors.

It’s Official

I went to bed last night, so I wasn’t awake to get this post up when it happened. The trade is official. The Rangers have acquired Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust from Calgary in exchange for Ales Kotalik and Christopher Higgins.

In the end, Jokinen essentially replaces Higgins in the lineup, as Kotalik had been a healthy scratch for the previous eight of nine, and was going to be for the foreseeable future. The Rangers also get some much needed grit and fighting ability in the young Prust.

The Rangers don’t lost lose (me no speak englis) much in Kotalik, but Higgins’ departure will be felt more than people realize. Higgins did a lot more for the Rangers than what showed up on the scoreboard, but the final decision is that the Rangers need scoring, not gritty forwards.

In terms of salary, Prust is an RFA at the end of the year, and makes a minimal salary. Jokinen, making $5.25 million, is a UFA at the end of the year, and will likely not be re-signed. The Rangers shed Kotalik’s $3 million for the next two seasons. Higgins is a UFA.

Grade this trade as a win for Sather. He addressed two holes while dealing from spare parts. Well done.

Update 9:05am: Matchsticks and Gasoline (main Flames blog) is really pissed. When you think about it, they traded Matt Lombardi, Brandon Prust, James Vandermeer, and a 1st round pick for Ales Kotalik and Christopher Higgins. Ouch.

Update 9:30am: The Depth Chart has been updated to reflect the trade.

Rangers Acquire Olli Jokinen

The Rangers are in the process of finalizing a deal with the Calgary Flames, a deal that would see Olli Jokinen come to Broadway in exchange for Ales Kotalik and one of Christopher Higgins or Matt Gilroy. More details to come.

Update 10:22pm: Matt Gilroy will not be involved in the deal.

Update 10:25pm:The final deal will be Ales Kotalik and Christopher Higgins to Calgary for Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust.

Update 10:30pm: This is a fantastic trade. The best-case scenario for the Rangers in terms of buying at the deadline.

The Rangers have successfully filled two glaring holes in their lineup, they added a lot of toughness in Prust, who is a much better fighter than Aaron Voros, and added some much needed scoring in Jokinen. Going over to Calgary are two players that have fallen out of grace in NY. The loss of Higgins is going to be felt more than people realize, but the addition of Jokinen is definitely worth it.

In terms of salary cap, Jokinen is a UFA at the end of the season, so the Rangers will be clearing his $5.25 million cap hit. Brandon Prust is a RFA, but makes the league minimum. In terms of net value, the Rangers will be netting $3 million in cap space by dealing Kotalik.

This is a fantastic deal. I absolutely love it.

Update 11:30pm: Trade won’t be announced tonight, Calgary is holding up the deal. I would assume they want more for Jokinen.

Kotalik (To Be) Traded

Larry Brooks is reporting that Ales Kotalik has been traded. Details to come. will be traded.