Carolina one of the best during the frenzy

As most hockey fans get set for the kickoff of free agent season that begins at Noon EST on Friday, a few players and teams have been working hard in the days prior to get deals done and avoid the chaos. It would seem that this is working to the benefit of general managers trying to avoid those bidding wars which give Silly Season* its name (*see Ehrhoff, Christian).

Laich contract a good deal for Caps

After the Washington Capitals’ 2011 postseason came to a close, impending free agent Brooks Laich said some cryptic things about possibly returning to Washington. On exit day, Laich said that he had not spoken to his agent nor General Manager George McPhee regarding an extension, ending the conversation with, “Today I’m still signed as a Washington Capital.”

2011 Free Agent Frenzy predictions

We are just hours away from the flood gates opening to Frenzy 2011! Where will the Top 50 free agents sign in the next handful of days/weeks?

1. Brad Richards, C
Richards is obviously the biggest prize to be had in free agency. Everyone thinks he’s going to the Rangers… which means he won’t sign there, right? With there being so many suitors, he could land somewhere we’re not expecting.
Keep an eye on: Buffalo, Detroit, Montreal, NY Rangers, Tampa Bay, Toronto
Prediction: Toronto Maple Leafs (7 years, $56 million)

Video: Paul Kariya tribute

Paul Kariya, one of the more dynamic forwards in this generation of NHL players, hung up the skates and retired yesterday. He had his career shortened by concussions and took the last year off to contemplate his future. He ended his career with 989 points in 989 games, but could have played longer if it weren't for the injuries.

As a fan of the game, Kariya was always one of my favorite players to watch. I'll never forget when he was knocked out by Scott Stevens in the 2003 Cup final, then scored later in the period.

Here is a tribute I found of Kariya...

Market for defensemen changing quickly

Three weeks ago, here at RLD, Ryan took a look at the top defensemen in the NHL’s free agent pool this off-season. With the opening of free agent frenzy less than 48 hours away, the market for blueliners has changed considerably.

'Dirty Dozen' Free Agents: Tomas Vokoun

Stamkos is not going anywhere

A lot of the buzz on Twitter and internet message boards over the couple days has been the situation surrounding Steven Stamkos. The Lightning superstar is set to become a restricted free agent on Friday and contract talks are, reportedly, not going well. But does that mean Stamkos won’t stay in Tampa Bay? No.

Are more trades on the horizon?

Last week we saw the Philadelphia Flyers ship out Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. That was followed up by a slew of trades during the draft. Due to some recent re-signings, it looks like there could be more trades coming up with as bare as the free agent market is.

'Dirty Dozen' Free Agents: Brad Richards

Potential bargain free agents

Every summer teams go bargain hunting, especially those up against the cap. Here are some players that general managers may be able to sign for cheap, much less than their actual value.

Islanders headed on the right path

After how the New York Islanders did in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, it is safe to say that the organization is finally on the right track after several dismal seasons.

'Dirty Dozen' Free Agents: Simon Gagne

Will Jagr or Nabokov find NHL homes?

Now that NHL Free Agency is almost set to begin, teams will be looking for other pieces to help make their club better heading into the 2011-12 season.

Two players that might fit in with an NHL club this year come via the Kontinental Hockey League are Jaromir Jagr and Evgeni Nabokov. Out of the two, only one has drawn some interest while the other continues to be in limbo.

NHL Mapquest: What might the new divisions look like?

As if hockey fans didn’t have enough news to digest in the last week with the Board of Governors meetings, the NHL Awards and Entry Draft and the blockbuster trades from Philadelphia, word is getting out that the move of the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg has opened the door to some radical realignment discussions. Not only will the conferences be re-aligned, but the entire structure of six divisions is apparently going to be revamped as the NHL tries to re-insert some Old Time Hockey rivalries and accommodate teams (like Columbus and Detroit) whose revenues suffer when their divisional opponents are not in the same time zone.

The proposed solution? According to several reports that came out over the weekend, there is a study underway that looks at having just four divisions, guided primarily by geography, and permitting a playoff structure where the first round is strictly within each division. Word is that the vote will be on the agenda when the Governors meet in December and would take effect in the 2012-13 season.

Sounds great, doesn’t it? Overall, probably a step in the right direction. But there are a few problems that become apparent when you start to draw lines on the map.

'Dirty Dozen' Free Agents: Tomas Kaberle

Former teammates happy to see Grabner succeed

Michael Grabner was one of the better success stories of the 2010-11 season. After being traded from Vancouver to Florida in the summer, then picked up off waivers by the Islanders, Grabner found himself in Las Vegas this week as an unlikely Calder Trophy finalist.

His former teammates were happy to see him succeed in Long Island, while Grabner will try to build off his breakout campaign in 2011-12.

Winners from draft weekend

Who improved their system and/or NHL teams the most in Minnesota? Here are some winners from this weekend’s draft…

'Dirty Dozen' Free Agents: Dwayne Roloson

Saturday Faceoff: Biggest draft steal?

With the draft going on this weekend, Patrick and I debate who the league’s biggest draft steal, out of current NHL players, is.

Talent to be had in second round

After the first round of the NHL Entry Draft concluded, there were still plenty of talents be to taken. Among those are players that The Hockey News had ranked in the top 30, Alexander Khokhlachev, Brandon Saad, and Tomas Jurco.

Wild, Sharks swing blockbuster

The blockbuster trade of the night went down between the Sharks and Wild. Devin Setoguchi, who just re-signed yesterday with San Jose for three years, is headed to Minnesota in exchange for defenseman Brent Burns in a five-player deal.

Video: Edmonton selects Nugent-Hopkins first overall

With the first pick in tonight's NHL Entry Draft, the Edmonton Oilers selected Red Deer Rebels center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins...

Winnipeg gets it right

To no one's surprise, reports indicate the relocated NHL franchise in Winnipeg is going to be called the Winnipeg Jets. An official announcement is expected later today.

Things to watch on draft day

Tonight’s NHL Draft already got off to an interesting start after yesterday’s trades. Most notably, Columbus dealt the eighth overall pick to Philadelphia in a four-asset trade. What else should we watch out for tonight?

'Dirty Dozen' Free Agents: Brooks Laich

Draft memories recalled

I caught up with some current and former NHLers this week to get their thoughts on the NHL Draft. The question to all of them was: “What is one memory that stands out from your draft experience?”

Did Kings take next step with Richards acquisition?

Most of the attention on today’s deals were on the Philadelphia Flyers; and understandably so. However, the biggest winner could end up being Los Angeles, who acquired the center they’ve been missing in Mike Richards.

Flyers shake team landscape

We knew the Philadelphia Flyers would be active this summer – maybe not this much in such a short time span.

This afternoon the Flyers made three major transactions by trading Jeff Carter and Mike Richards in separate deals, while also coming to terms with goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov on a nine-year contract.

2011 RLD Mock Draft

1. Edmonton Oilers – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C
2010-11 team: Red Deer (WHL)
NHL comparison(s): Matt Duchene, Brad Richards
Nugent-Hopkins has been a sought-after prospect for years and would only add to the incredible offensive talent Edmonton is stockpiling. Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Nugent-Hopkins on one line is a scary thought.

'Dirty Dozen' Free Agents: Eric Brewer

'Dirty Dozen' Free Agents: Joni Pitkanen

Boston buzzing about its Bruins

What were you doing 39 years ago?

That was the last time the Boston Bruins lifted hockey’s Holy Grail. Mark Recchi, at four years old, was probably playing hockey in his driveway. The rest of the Bruins players were not even born yet. Heck, if you’re reading this, you may not be 39 years old.

Bruins bloggers Mark Marino, 33, and Tim Rosenthal, 25, also didn’t get to experience the B’s beating the Rangers for the Stanley Cup in 1972. They have followed the team their whole life and mentioned the atmosphere in the city right now is electric, one week after the Bruins won Game 7 in Vancouver.

Awards Roundup

Hart Trophy Results (total points)
1. Corey Perry (1,043)
2. Daniel Sedin (960)
3. Martin St. Louis (332)
4. Pekka Rinne (175)
5. Tim Thomas (171)
6. Jonathan Toews (107)
7. Carey Price (90)
8. Ryan Kesler (69)
9. Marc-Andre Fleury (58)
10. Henrik Sedin (57)

RLD Awards Predictions

Here are our staff’s predictions for tonight’s Awards.

Hart Trophy…
Bryan – Corey Perry
Chris – Corey Perry
While offensive performance seems to be the barometer for being recognized as a Hart finalist this year, it truly is about being the regular season MVP in all respects to their team. The Anaheim Ducks wouldn't have been the fourth seed in this year’s playoffs without the late season heroics of Corey Perry (30 points in the final 16 games).
Erika – Corey Perry
Perry's had his best season yet in the 2010-2011 campaign, reaching 50 goals for the first time. Add 48 assists, and Perry's 98 points were also a season-best for him. But Perry's not only a goal-scorer; he can act as an agitator, not to mention throw a couple hits. He does whatever it takes for his team, and that makes him my Hart favorite.
Patrick – Daniel Sedin
He was the man for the Canucks this season. He led the team in goals, assists, points, power play goals and had 10 game-winning goals. When his line was going, so were the rest of the Canucks.
Ryan – Corey Perry
Perry was a monster late in the year, carrying the Ducks to a playoff berth. He was also the lone player to score 50 goals this NHL season. Though Daniel Sedin had the award all but wrapped up with a month to go, Perry’s late charge will be enough to take home the MVP.

'Dirty Dozen' Free Agents: Christian Ehrhoff

'Dirty Dozen' Free Agents: Alex Tanguay

NHL becoming a young man's game

We all know that there are many great veterans currently playing in the National Hockey League whether it is Nicklas Lidstrom, Teemu Selanne, Dwayne Roloson and many more.

With that said, however, the NHL has become a young man's game and with good reason. The rule changes, the speed, and even the equipment have led to this shift, which is exactly why the NHL Entry Draft has become so important.

Preds get warranted recognition at Awards

Over the last handful of years, the Nashville Predators have grown to be really good, on a national level, at flying under the radar. Things have changed a bit, though. With the help of playoff success and facing Vancouver in the second round, outsiders now know what the Predators are all about – they’re more than just a low-budget club that can’t compete with the top teams.

It also doesn’t hurt that they possess four nominees at this week’s Awards.

Datsyuk seeks sixth straight award win

Wednesday in Las Vegas, Pavel Datsyuk has a chance to add another trophy to his mantle, which would continue his award streak since the lockout. No other player in the NHL has even been nominated for an award for six consecutive seasons.

Datsyuk is up for the Selke Trophy (given to the forward who excels in defensive play), an award he has won three straight years. Though Ryan Kesler is considered the favorite, it would not be shocking to see Datsyuk win it for the fourth time in a row.

'Dirty Dozen' Free Agents: Andrei Markov

'Dirty Dozen' Free Agents: Jussi Jokinen

2011 Draft look-ahead

Giving Chiarelli much-deserved credit

While a lot of credit has to be given to the play of Boston Bruins players such as Tim Thomas, Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Brad Marchand, Mark Recchi and many others for the Stanley Cup victory, general manager Peter Chiarelli deserves a lot of credit as well.

Northwest Division Off-season Outlook

Calgary Flames

Roster Outlook…
UFA:
Anton Babchuk
Fredrik Modin (retired)
Brendan Morrison
Henrik Karlsson
Adam Pardy
Steve Staios
Alex Tanguay
RFA:
Brendan Mikkelson

Who should grace the NHL 12 cover?

Wednesday’s NHL Awards show in Las Vegas won’t only feature the announcements of who will win the Hart and Norris Trophies, among others. EA Sports and the NHL announced last week that the cover player for NHL 12 will be revealed during the Awards show.

With the announcement looming, who should be next year’s cover-boy for the NHL’s most popular video game?

Original Six franchises finding Cup success

Looking at the last three out of four Stanley Cup Champions, there is one theme that prevails - the success of three "Original Six" franchises.

Making a Case: Hart Trophy

Leading up to the Awards show on June 22nd, we will be making a case for each nominee for the major awards as to why they should take home the hardware. Today, we continue with the Hart, given to the top MVP.

Video: Memorable moments in Bruins’ Cup run

Every champion has those specific moments that stand out more than others on their path to the Stanley Cup. Between the overtime thrillers and trio of Game 7’s, the Boston Bruins had their fair share of memorable moments this spring.

Top 5 teams to watch this summer

The on-ice action is over until September, which means it’s time for teams to make some moves over the next few weeks. Here are some teams you need to keep an eye on this off-season…

Northeast Division Off-season Outlook

Boston Bruins

Roster Outlook…

UFA:
Shane Hnidy
Tomas Kaberle
Mark Recchi
Michael Ryder
RFA:
Brad Marchand

Salary Committed…
$52.2 million (18 under contract)
Off-season Needs…
Top-nine winger
Top-four defenseman
Possible Trade Bait…
None

Saturday Faceoff: Did the Bruins win or Canucks lose?

Despite it taking seven games, Boston dominated in almost every head-to-head statistical category. With that said, a lot of the attention is on what Canucks didn’t do, rather than it being on the Bruins’ great play.

Patrick and I debate whether the Bruins won this series, or if the Canucks lost it.

Top 5 postseason breakout players

Here are five players that unexpectedly broke out and took their game to the next level in these playoffs…