March 2007 - Hockey Wiretap
Devils Still In The Market For Markov
The NHL's regular season began in England yesterday, the Devils completed their preseason last night, and yet, there's still a prize free-agent defenseman out there New Jersey could afford, use, and reportedly has discussed.
Danny Markov was one of the top three unrestricted defensemen July 1, and he's still looking for a contract with a contender. Markov and Colin White are different sorts of defensemen, but the Devils are likely to be without White (eye) for some time, and even when he returns, any team would be improved by a mobile all-around backliner of Markov's quality.
The Devils figure to have a cap liability of some $48.7 million toward the limit of $50.3 million when their season opens Thursday in Tampa, Fla., and could use their old savior, the Long-Term Injury exemption, to exceed the limit, with Jamie Langenbrunner's $2.8 million, White's $3 million and Cam Janssen's 600G all likely listable.
Teenage Goalie Bernier Makes Claim On Kings' Starting Job
Teenage goalie Jonathan Bernier wasn't even listed on the Los Angeles Kings' main preseason roster, but he may have earned himself a regular starting job Saturday.
Bernier made 26 saves and staved off a late rally attempt from Anaheim as the Kings beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Ducks 4-1 in the NHL's regular season opener.
"I don't think you could've expected a better game from a 19-year-old goaltender," Kings coach Marc Crawford said. "There was a lot of pressure tonight, and he looked like a really solid, solid goaltender. Not very many pucks bounced off of him, and he made a couple of great saves."
Canadian Player Dies In Italian League Game
The game between Asiago and Pontebba on Saturday was postponed because of the death of Darcy Robinson after an Italian hockey league game.
The Asiago defenseman dropped to the ice during a game against Renon on Thursday night and died later at a hospital, the team said. Three other games in the nine-team Italian hockey league were suspended that night.
The 26-year-old Robinson fell to the ice without being hit at 3:25 of the first period.
MSG Sues NHL For Website, Promotional Control
Madison Square Garden was back in court yesterday - this time as a plaintiff. And the NHL was the defendant.
Unable to resolve a two-year-long dispute over Web site control and other promotional ventures, Madison Square Garden sued the NHL in U.S. District Court in Manhattan. The timing of the suit coincided with the first day on which the NHL planned to fine the Garden $100,000 per day unless it relinquished complete control of the Rangers Web site, among other things.
The Garden asked that a judge order the NHL to stop acting as "an illegal cartel" by monopolizing promotion of its teams. MSG is among the most fiercely independent ownership entities in sports and has repeatedly clashed with the NHL and NBA over such issues in recent years.
Ellis Named Nashville's No.2 Goalie
In the eyes of Predators Coach Barry Trotz, goalie Dan Ellis was just a touch more consistent and better overall during training camp than prospect Pekka Rinne.
That's why Ellis won the right to begin the season as goaltender Chris Mason's backup.
Ellis had a 0-1-1 record in the preseason with a goals-against average of 0.66 and a save percentage of .976. Rinne's numbers: 1-0, 2.65 and .925.
"It was the hardest decision I had to make in camp,'' Trotz said of keeping Ellis on the NHL roster.
Blackhawks Agree To Terms With Sopel On One-Year Deal
Brent Sopel was hoping to win a job with the Red Wings. Instead, he now is a member of the Blackhawks.
Sopel, who had been in training camp with the Red Wings, on Friday agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Blackhawks.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Flames Reportedly Sign Mark Smith
According to a report by TSN of Canada on Friday night, Mark Smith has signed a contract with the Flames.
An unrestricted free agent after six seasons with San Jose, the center was invited to training camp by the Rangers but was released on Wednesday.
Predators Send Niskala, Rinne To AHL Milwaukee
Nashville Predators Executive Vice President/General Manager David Poile announced following today?s practice that the club has reassigned forwards defenseman Janne Niskala and goaltender Pekka Rinne to the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League.
A total of 16 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders remain in Predators camp, which wraps up Oct. 3, the day before the regular-season opener against Colorado.
MSG Sues NHL, Says League Has Monopolized Promotion
Madison Square Garden sued the NHL on Friday, saying the league has monopolized promotion of its teams.
According to the lawsuit, the NHL has claimed it will fine MSG, which owns the Rangers, $100,000 per day if it does not give the NHL complete control over the team's Web site and other promotions.
MSG said it had no choice but to bring the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan because the fines were scheduled to begin Friday.
Blue Jackets Send Popperle To AHL Syracuse, Reduce Roster To 33
The Columbus Blue Jackets reduced their active training camp roster to 33 players as goaltender Tomas Popperle was assigned to the American Hockey League?s Syracuse Crunch, General Manager Scott Howson announced today.
Popperle, Columbus? fifth pick, 131st overall in the 2005 Entry Draft, appeared in two games with the Blue Jackets last season, sporting a 1.35 goals-against average and .939 save percentage in two relief appearances. He went 25-19-4 with a 2.86 GAA and .905 SV% in 49 games with the Crunch in 2006-07.
NHL Suspends Downie For 20 Games
Steve Downie has been suspended for 20 games due to his hit on Dean McAmmond on Thursday.
Ducks, Kings Set To Face Off In London
The defending Stanley Cup champion Ducks will open the 2007 NHL season against the Kings in London on Saturday.
Upshall, Umberger OK After Surgeries; Lupul Has Sprained Wrist
Everything went as expected with the Flyers first set of surgeries for the season.
Former Penguins' Prospect Robinson Dies In Italian League Game
Darcy Robinson passed away Thursday while playing for Asiago of the Italian Ice Hockey Federation.
Video Game Simulation: Sharks Win Stanley Cup This Season
According to a simulation by EA Sports the Sharks defeat the Penguins in six games in the final.
McAmmond Released From Hospital After Suffering Concussion
The Senators released a statement Wednesday saying there were no fractures and that Dean McAmmond was scheduled to see the club's training staff for treatment.
Flyers' Upshall Could Miss Six Weeks
Flyers forward Scottie Upshall could miss up to six weeks with a broken wrist.