Roblogg’s Panthers Portal

Tomorrows transfer deadline will be eagerly anticipated by hockey fans everywhere with a mixture of dread and hope. Some General Manager’s will be more active than others and some will want to get their deals done already. In fact, some have. Here are the deals made today:

Sean Avery claimed by NY Rangers on re-entry waivers

No surprises here. The New York Rangers are obviously desperate and need any help they can get. From a financial (rather than sporting) viewpoint, this is a good deal for the Rangers. They get a big nasty centerman that can help them in their playoff bid and only need to pay half the bill. Dallas will lovingly pick up the other half, seeing as he was claimed on re-entry waivers. Avery has a $ 3.8 million yearly wage and it runs for another 3 year’s after this season. Coach John Tortorella who said Avery “doesn’t belong in this league” will have to learn to love Sean the way GM Glen Sather does…

Meanwhile, another recent Rangers waiver claim, Mark Bell, is sent to Hartford in the AHL to make room for Sean’s princely salary.

Nicklas Backstrom locked up in Wild

After a season of speculation that the Minnesota Wild may have to trade their All Star goalie Nicklas Backstrom on the deadline, if he didn’t sign a new deal – a new deal was signed. It’s a four-year deal worth $ 24 million, which will keep the inspirational netminder locked up to the organization for the foreseeable future. Nicklas had always said he’d like to remain with Minnesota and the Wild clearly wanted him to stay too. This is a great deal for Minnesota’s GM Doug Risebrough and the franchise.

Calgary claim D Nycholat on waivers from Canucks

The Flames were looking for some added defensive depth and got it for free as they claimed Lawrence Nycholat on waivers from the Vancouver Canucks, TSN reports. Calgary GM Darryl Sutter said in a statement: "We were prepared to give up a draft pick to acquire a depth defenseman." Well he got what he wanted and got to keep the draft pick; sounds like a good deal to me!

High profile players placed on waivers

In an attempt to shed salary before the trade deadline, some high profile players have been placed on waivers by their respective teams, TSN reports. The four most notable are:

Miroslav Satan was placed on waivers by Pittsburgh. The Penguins had hoped he’d take a wing spot next to Crosby, but the $ 3.5 million winger didn’t get any chemistry going with Sidney – and now he’s on waivers…

Brendan Morrison was placed on waivers by Anaheim.The Ducks need the cap space because of players returning from injury and Brendan never really got going in Anaheim.

Gary Roberts was placed on waivers by Tampa Bay. The 42-year old veteran forward is expected to attract some attention from tams around the league, including Calgary; where Roberts won the Stanley Cup in 1989.

Martin Gerber was (again) placed on waivers by Ottawa in the hope that someone would take his wages from their hands. Whether anyone is willing to gamble on the out-of-form Swiss netminder this time around however; remains to be seen.

More waiver-claim-eligibles: Brenden Bell was also placed on waivers by Ottawa, Aaron Voros by the New York Rangers and Erik Reitz and Eric Perrin by the Thrashers. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks put Craig Adams on waivers, while Islanders did the same with Jon Sim.

Burrows signed to new Canucks deal

The Vancouver Canucks gritty winger Alex Burrows was signed to a new four-year deal. The 27-year old has managed to work himself up from the ‘energy’ lines up to the top lines and is now rewarded with an $ 8 million dollars worth 4-year deal. It had been rumored the Canucks would trade Burrows if no deal was signed, but now those fears are dispelled in Vancouver and some will sleep a bit sounder tonight.

With the transfer deadline looming just over the horizon, the rumor mill is gearing up for overdrive as March 4th is rapidly approaching. Panthers and its GM Jacques Martin were active last year; making a couple of deadline deals with Toronto for Wade Belak and Chad Kilger.

Not the best moves as things turned out (and that’s putting it mildly). However, the swap deal with Colorado was a stroke of brilliance; receiving Karlis Skrastins for Ruslan Salei.

Who will it be this year?

Florida are expected to be active again this trade deadline with Jay Bouwmeester’s contract still not having been renewed and Jacques expressing a real interest in getting a top six centerman on several occasions. So, it is fair to raise the question and although no one will say anything publicly; we can speculate a little and indeed look at those players that have been linked with the Cats by different sources.

The Fourth Period has assembled a Top 25 of available players and teams interested in their services. Let’s look at those players being linked with the Panthers and those that aren’t but probably ought to be…

Panthers to be linked with a trade deadline exit

Jay Bouwmeester (Cap Hit = $4.8 million), TFP Rank #3

Well of course his name is here! It’s been speculated since day one of the season that he’s unhappy and won’t sign an extension to his contract with the Cats. Whatever the truth is to these rumors he’s ranked at #3 overall by TFP and no less than 9 teams have been linked with an interest in his services: Montreal, Toronto, Boston, Ottawa, Edmonton, Dallas, Washington, New Jersey and Philadelphia.

The list of admirers is long, but his greatest aficionado is perhaps Florida Head Coach Pete DeBoer, who’d love to keep Bo, but admits it is a question for the General Manager to resolve and not him. As long as there is a ray of hope that he might sign a new deal however, Jay won’t be going anywhere.

If there is no such hope on the other hand, Jacques Martin will certainly look at whatever offers come in and see if any of them blows him away or not. It would have to be significant offer for him to give up a player of Bouwmeester’s caliber; especially when the Panthers are battling it out for a first playoff appearance in 9 years!

Apart from Jay though, no other Panthers have been linked recently with a trade. If Martin pulls the trigger on a Bo deal, it may be a blockbuster kind that would require other players nevertheless to accompany him out of the door; but so far there’s no news on this front – apart from the obvious and various Bo-links.

Players to have been linked with the Panthers

Milan Hejduk, Colorado (Cap Hit = $3.9 million), TFP Rank #13

Together with fierce playoff rivals Buffalo and Pittsburgh, Florida have been credited with an interest with the 32-year old right wing sniper. A proven goalscorer with silky hands, Hejduk would be a first line player with almost any team. For him to be available however the Avs must first fall out of playoff contention and – considering how tight the Western Conference is – that is certainly no certainty. He also has a no-trade clause and must accept any trade he is involved in.

Overall, whilst there is no questioning Hejduk’s obvious talent, this one seems to have a few too many “ifs” surrounding it, to sound like a feasible Panther catch. Also, we should be more interested in a quality centerman than another winger. Horton is who we’d like to use on that first line right wing and if Hejduk were to arrive it would mean Horton would have to stay in the center – and I’m not sure that is in Florida’s best interest.

It is hard to see us being involved in more than one non-Bo-related blockbuster move. So, this rumor doesn’t sound all too hot, although things could yet happen to change that equation (injuries, trades etc).

Jordan Staal, Pittsburgh (Cap Hit = $2.2 million), TFP Rank #16

Although the Penguins recently signed the 20-year old centerman to a new 4-year $16 million deal to extend his current contract, the rumors of Pittsburgh shopping him haven’t dissipated. In fact the contract extension, while upping his market value considerably, is only likely to make teams even more interested in the young stud forward.

He’s been playing well of late, but with both Malkin and Crosby in the same team he only ranks as No.3 center in the Penguins dressing room. He’d likely be given more responsibility on a different roster and Pittsburgh is more in need of wingers than centermen. They are believed to be shopping Ryan Whitney, but if that doesn’t field the right offers then Staal could indeed be available.

For the Panthers this seems like a near perfect fit! In a long-term perspective that is…

He is a young, talented and driven centerman – that could be a star player for us in the future. His new 4-year contract extension would also justify us giving up a considerable asset in acquiring him. The negative part is that we are unlikely to have what the Penguins would want in return for him – a first line winger. Unless of course Jacques Martin would be willing to give up a player such as Nathan Horton that is…

Also, while we remain in a gridlock playoff race with Pittsburgh we’d have to think long and hard before making a trade with them – the last thing we’d want to do is to give the Penguins an extra edge over us in that race!

Scottie Upshall, Philadelphia (Cap Hit = $1.225), TFP Rank #18

The Flyers are reportedly looking to bolster their blueline and would be willing to deal away a forward in order to accomplish that. Scottie is one of those players linked with a trade and the winger could slot in to a top six forward compartment; playing either on the left or the right wing depending on where he’s needed. Apart from Florida, Atlanta has also been linked with Upshall.

Again, a winger is not top priority for Florida, but if a player of Upshall’s quality is available Jacques may very well consider a move. Only problem is that we’d have to give up a top quality defenseman in return and if we indeed must part with Jay Bouwmeester; we’d be loathed to lose another top blueliner in addition to him.

Unless of course Philadelphia is serious in pursuing Jay at the deadline; Upshall could then be part of a major package deal for Bo. Question is if the Flyers are really willing to give up all the assets it’s likely to be required to get their hands on one of the league’s elite defensemen? Right now this seems like a long shot, but we’ll see closer to the deadline if that changes or not.

These are the major players so far to have been mentioned with Florida in the same breath as the trade deadline. However, earlier in the year the Panthers were at times linked with other players; for example Vermette of Ottawa and new names are sure to surface as we move closer to that March 4th date. Here follows a couple of names we are not currently linked with, but could become connected to later on – as the Cats would probably be interested in them, or at least should be, if they become available for a reasonable offer…

Player that could get linked with the Panthers down the line

Keith Tkachuk, St. Louis (Cap Hit = $4 million), TFP Rank #8

While a deal for the 36-year old Blues veteran would be both spectacular and unexpected, he does fit the bill of a class-act experienced first line centerman that Florida definitely will need if they are hoping to advance in a potential playoff. Boston, Montreal and Chicago however seem like more probable destinations if St. Louis miss the playoffs and look to deal the veteran.

Keith has a no-trade clause and doesn’t want to move, although reports claim he’d be willing waive that clause if the destination were a Stanley Cup contender. Hence why the other mentioned teams are more likely destinations than the Panthers – or Carolina and Pittsburgh for that matter, who have also been touted as being interested.

This seems like a no go for the Cats at present time I’m afraid.

Jason Spezza, Ottawa (Cap Hit = $7 million), TFP Rank #12

With the Senators hitting rock bottom, a shake-up of the team will be expected; with established players leaving at the trade deadline. Spezza is one of those players being continuously linked with a move. Columbus is apparently very interested and so is Edmonton. However, it remains uncertain as to whether the Ottawa owner Melnyk really wants to part with his star centerman.

Panthers should also be interested as he is a very talented and proven centerman that could slot in to our first line very well. The drawback is the considerable size of his contract which would leave us few alternatives as to who to give up to Ottawa in return. The Senators have expressed much interest in Bouwmeester over the season, but since their continued woes on the ice firmly cemented them in the lower echelons of the league – such talk has begun to die out for obvious reasons. They need talents and picks, not a player whose contract is set to expire this summer.

Again, this sounds like a no-go, but if Jacques is creative in orchestrating a blockbuster move involving several players, it isn’t an impossibility, but remains unlikely for the time being.

Doug Weight, NY Islanders (Cap Hit = $1.75 million), TFP Rank #21

The veteran 38-year old centerman is available according to several reports. With the Islanders firmly in tracks for that No.1 pick in the drafts, they are willing to offload some players; Weight currently being one of them rumored to be offered to playoff contending teams. Columbus, Buffalo and Phoenix are rumored to be interested in taking on his contract.

I’m surprised that Florida’s hat doesn’t seem to be in that pile at the moment. He looks like a good match for us with his experience in that center position. It could be a player the Panthers GM Jacques Martin might want to take a closer look at. We could afford to add him to our salary cap without having to give up any talent; a pick for the upcoming draft would probably suffice. He may be getting old and a bit slow on the skates, but he could definitely fill an important role with the Cats and provide some veteran presence, amid the heart of our forward lines, for a concerted playoff-push this spring.

F Dan Fritsche swaps the big apple for the Wild, while D Erik Reitz goes in the opposite direction.

It had been speculated that Rangers wanted to trade forward Dan Fritsche for a defenseman and The Fourth Period reports that a trade between the New York club and Minnesota Wild has taken place.

Fritsche had been on the trading block for a while according to reports and now the New Yorker’s have found a willing trade partner in Minnesota. Dan, 22 years of age, has played 13 games in a Rangers uniform this season, scoring one goal and providing 3 assists. He was acquired in the summer from the Columbus Blue Jackets along with Nikolai Zherdev – while Fedor Tyutin and Christian Bäckman headed in the opposite direction.

Erik Reitz, 26 years of age, will now ply his trade in New York after having played 31 games with Minnesota this season; getting a goal and an assist, whilst spending 41 minutes in the penalty box – while still wearing the Wild jersey.

It is a logical trade and a likely win-win deal for both clubs. Reason for this is that the Rangers have expressed a need to bolster their defensive ranks, while Minnesota need to crank up their goal scoring exploits. Fritsche may be one for the future, while Reitz is likely to get his chance without delay, but Dan can chip in now too if Wild deems it necessary. Minnesota GM Doug Risebrough has already expressed his delight at acquiring a player he believes to be very determined and hard to play against.

It remains to be seen how the trade pans out, but so far it seems like a logical deal for both clubs, with the potential to work in both franchises’ best interest.

After almost a year of negotiations, Detroit is set to unveil a massive 12-year extension to 28 year-old Henrik Zetterberg’s contract with the Red Wings. A press conference is scheduled for 2 pm ET, when the formal announcement is expected to be made to the press.

According to several media outlets, the two parties have agreed on a 12-year deal; worth an estimated $73 million. This will set his new contract at around $6 million per annum against the salary cap. Henrik’s current contract was due to expire this summer, but he always made it clear his intention was to stay with the reigning Stanley Cup champions. Now that wish has been granted for the foreseeable future and Detroit can continue to enjoy Z’s inspirational performances on the ice.

To have locked up a player of Zetterberg’s ability “for a mere” $6 million annually will be seen as a major accomplishment for the organization. If they didn’t already have a firm foundation under their feet, the Red Wings can now look forward with some confidence to the clubs future and also have some space to negotiate new contracts with Marian Hossa, Johan Franzen and Mikael Samuelsson – all of which can become UFA’s at the season’s end if no new contracts are agreed to.

This contract extension is a testament to an organization run in exemplary fashion and the loyalty they command from their best players. The Florida Panthers, and all other teams essentially, have a lot to learn from Detroit – it is no coincidence they are perennial Stanley Cup contenders. And by the way, how are those negotiations with Jay Bouwmeester going, Jacques?

Henrik Zetterberg was a 7th(!) round draft pick in 1999 (210th overall) and has scored 169 goals and 206 assists for 375 points in 400 games. This year he has 17 goals and 26 assists for 43 points in 45 games for the Detroit Red Wings. Last year he was instrumental in carrying his club to a memorable Stanley Cup triumph and was later voted the MVP of the playoffs; receiving the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Surprisingly Henrik wasn’t seen as great prospect at the 1999 draft; although he was skilled it was believed his small stature would prevent him from being anything other than a fourth-line winger. However, Zetterberg had other thoughts and with sheer determination he was able to work his way up from the Swedish Second Division (Allsvenskan) with his beloved Timrå; helping the club reach the Elite League (Elitserien) and later the Swedish playoffs. He quickly became coveted as the most promising and talented player in Sweden. Fellow countryman Mats Sundin even compared Henrik to Peter Forsberg.

Having had great success in the Swedish League, receiving the accolade of being the best player in the Elite League in 2001/2, and making impressions both with the Junior and Swedish National Team; Henrik signed for the Red Wings in May 2002. He credits fellow Detroit players and countrymen Tomas Holmström and Nicklas Lidström for helping him settle in the area and in the competitive National Hockey League.

Born in Njurunda Sweden, it looks likely Zetterberg will finish his professional NHL career in Detroit. And with him signed for long term, the Red Wings has further set the foundations for immediate and future success. It will be a tough task for anyone to tilt the reigning champions now.

Signing proven veterans to bolster teams hopeful of contending for the Stanley Cup trophy is not a new tactic, but a proven one. This season has already seen a triplet of spectacular returns to the National Hockey League:

The most talked about was of course ex Toronto captain Mats Sundin who, after a much protracted search for a new home, finally settled on Vancouver. With Sundin’s established leadership and skill, the Canucks can look forward to some interesting times come the spring. In addition to this big name signing they also added some depth to the goalie department by acquiring Jason LaBarbera from the Los Angeles Kings. He will add some competition to the spot while Roberto Luongo remains out and could fill in case of future emergencies or simply when Luongo needs a break between the pipes. These signings should help keep Vancouver fresh this spring, and with perhaps another signing or two, they could be true contenders this season.

The most sensational return however, was by 43 year old Claude Lemieux. The four time Stanley Cup, and Conn Smythe, winner – signed a deal with San Jose Sharks and will begin playing with their AHL affiliate Worcester Sharks. This to get him in trim after a five year absence from Hockey. He will bring a considerable wealth of experience when called in to action for San Jose – come the playoffs. He is expected to be called up after the March 4 deadline, when rosters can swell to 23.

“I didn’t go into this thinking I’d be on the top line or dominate or lead the team in playoff scoring, but I still think I can bring a lot as a role player,” Lemieux recently told the Edmonton Journal.

Undoubtedly he will bring valuable experience to the table, but will he still have the legs to keep up with opponents, or has perhaps time passed him by? Only time will tell.

The latest veteran to make a return to the league was Brendan Shanahan. Originally he had hoped to get a spot with his beloved Rangers, after his contract expired at the backend of last campaign, but finally had to give up as the New Yorkers couldn’t find any space or cap money for him. After taking his time it was finally the New Jersey Devils that came away with his signature. The 40-year old is expected to bring home a contract worth $ 1.5 million, earning just under half of that sum. General Manager Lou Lamoriello of the Devils said yesterday; that a contract would be worked out “in the next couple of days.” As the above mentioned veteran players, he’ll bring a wealth of experience to his new club. Certainly his arrival will be a real boost for the Jersey hopeful.

However, question is if the team won’t need more reinforcements, than merely an ageing Shanahan; if they want to be seen as legitimate contenders…

Well, there you go! A final twist to the saga; Sundin opted to go against the bookies and select Vancouver as his next Hockey destination. The Canucks will surely be delighted and suddenly see themselves thrown into the playoff picture as an outsider with a real chance of contending for Lord Stanley. Expectations will surely skyrocket…

They have made an excellent acquisition and Sundin should fit well in to the fold. Especially considering there are already several fellow Swedes starring in Vancouver.

Maybe his stellar career will also have one final twist. Having never won the Stanley Cup surely this must be his greatest challenge yet…

Ever since becoming a free agent in July, a long lasting saga has been unfolding at the fringes of the NHL. Firstly the question was “would Mats Sundin retire or keep on playing?” Time dragged on during the summer and no answer was forthcoming. Finally toward the autumn he set his sights on a comeback. Working out in Los Angeles, getting back in to shape, the rumor mill soon started to pick up speed.

Vancouver Canucks were quick out the gate, offering a reported $ 10 million salary and a two year deal. With the shortlist shrinking down from ten teams, only two now remain: Vancouver and NY Rangers. While the Rangers are an attractive offer for any veteran Hockey player; their salary offer is “only” reported to be between $ 5-6 million. They also need to free up some space under the salary cap. Perhaps moving several players in fact; Petr Prucha and Dan Fritsche may not be enough to get the Rangers back in under the salary cap. While Vancouver would seem like the more comfortable offer and is a pleasant city on the Canadian Pacific, they still come up short of the Big Apple when it comes to City drawing power.

Indeed, according to the Fourthperiod.com reports indicate that Sundin would prefer the New York Rangers. With a deal seeming imminent, the Rangers would be forced to set in motion their planned roster moves. Whilst roster moves may stir up some emotions – on the bright side they end up with an experienced leader and goal scorer; someone who could be invaluable for the Rangers in a potential playoff. Sundin’s agent J.P. Barry indicated on NHL.com that Mats might be ready to report for training by the 27th and is fully fit to do so.

There is still time for further twists and turns in this tale, but for now the NY Rangers seem to be in the driver’s seat and soon enough the NHL will have another star back ready to do battle. Winning a first Stanley Cup, or at least having a fighting chance, must be motivation enough for Mats to give it another try at least.