Free agent day

11:24 am

Let’s start free agent day by catching up on this week’s trades leading up to free agency.

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning kicked things off with a trade involving Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts. The Bolts sent a draft pick to Pittsburgh in exchange for negotiation rights, and quickly got both forwards re-signed. Everyone saw the kind of rugged, hard-nosed play these two characters bring during the Pens run to the Stanley Cup Final, and they should help turn around a talented but direction-less Lightning squad.

Just two weeks ago on draft day I was very critical of the Bolts, but new ownership is making all the right moves right off the bat. This team should be able to get things turned around very quickly. In addition to Malone and Roberts, the Bolts also acquired the rights to negotiate with Brian Rolston from Minnesota. Though they were unable to come to terms with the former Wild captain, it was another very strong move that would have taken the leadership in the room to a whole new level.

Suddenly I find myself wondering what the hell the Penguins are trying to do.

Heading west, the Edmonton Oilers started to shake things up, trading Jarret Stoll and tough-as-nails defenseman Matt Greene to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Lubomir Visnovsky. I don’t much like this deal from the Edmonton perspective. Stoll is a good leader and good penalty killer, Greene is a developing defenseman with lots of upside, both with do very well with the Kings. As for Visnovsky, he is a pretty skilled defenseman, but he isn’t much of an upgrade over Joni Pitkanen. I’m not certain this deal makes the Oilers better.

The Oilers made two other deals while we were all napping, sending Pitkanen to Carolina in exchange for Erik Cole, and sending Raffi Torres to Columbus for Gilbert Brule. The Hurricanes seemingly wouldn’t know what to do with a puck-moving defenseman since I don’t remember the last time they had one, but Pitkanen should help them out. Going the other way, Cole is very Torres-like, but has shown more offensive ability in the past. If Cole can shake the injury problems that have dogged him since the lockout, he could become a force for the Oilers. Brule is a bit of an enigma. He has all the talent anyone could ask for, but the Jackets may have mis-handled him, and a fresh start could be what he needs. As for Torres, he’ll bring some much needed sandpaper to the Jackets.

If nothing else, the new-look Oilers will be interesting to watch next season.

11:49 am

Thankfully, the early part of the day is usually pretty tame. So far, we've seen Radim Vrbata leave the board, signing a three-year, $9 million deal with Tampa Bay and forcing me to amend my previous statement about the Bolts making all the right moves. If Vrbata reaches his offensive potential in the next three seasons, the deal becomes a steal. If he doesn't, it's not a back-breaker, but it's money that could have been used elsewhere.

Boston signed Blake Wheeler to an entry-level deal. If you're asking who Wheeler is, you're not alone. Wheeler was Phoenix's first-round selection at the 2004 draft, fifth overall. The Coyotes went way off the board to take the high schooler, who they were unable to sign. The big forward has loads of talent, but he's not expected to be NHL-ready any time this season.

After spending a half season in Calgary, Curtis Joseph is heading back to Toronto, which should make exactly four Maple Leafs fans happy. Joseph's very messy and very public split with the Leafs before the 2002-03 season was well documented, and it should be interesting to see what kind of reception he gets upon his return.

Staying with the Leafs, after putting Kyle Wellwood on waivers last week, Wellwood was picked up by the Vancouver Canucks, and has accepted a qualifying offer for this upcoming season. Wellwood is a strong penalty killer, and a very good faceoff man. The Canucks should be please with him.

12:06 pm

Marek Zidlicky's time in the Music City has come to an end. The Preds shipped the puck-moving defenseman to Minnesota for a pick and a prospect. Zidlicky was the Predators top scoring blue liner two of the last four seasons, and should help to boost the Wild's power play.

12:10 pm

Not finished, the Wild have signed Andrew Brunette. Terms of the deal weren't immediately available. Brunette played with the Wild from 2001 to 2004, scoring the series-winning goal to send them to the 2003 Western Conference Final. Brunette has flourished in three seasons in Colorado since then, and should bring some extra offense this time around in Minnesota.

12:34 pm

In less time than it took for me to make and eat a sandwich, the Canucks did something questionable. Sportsnet is reporting the Canucks have offered a two-year, $20 million deal to Mats Sundin. Thanks for pricing every other team out, jerks.

1:12 pm

After trading for Olli Jokinen at the draft, the Coyotes continue to rebuild by signing stud defenseman Kurt Sauer to a four-year deal. Sauer is a solid fourth defender that won't rack up big points, but he hits, blocks shots, and is the kind of guy it's hard to win without. The Yotes still need some depth on the blue line, but are putting together a very strong core.

In an odd twist, the Washington Capitals have signed Jose Theodore to a two-year deal with $9 million. Should the Caps also re-sign Cristobal Huet, the pair would team up again as they did in Montreal in 2005-06. Smart money, though, says Huet will be allowed to sign elsewhere. Theodore started to round back into form in Colorado, but is still nowhere near the Hart Trophy level of 2001-02. It's a bold move by the Caps, but they still need to draft a develop a goalie some day.

Not to be outdone, Theodore's former employer, the Colorado Avalanche have signed former Maple Leaf Andrew Raycroft. He is coming off an absolutely abysmal season in Toronto, but is just one season removed from setting a Maple Leafs record with 37 wins in 2006-07. With expectations at an all-time low, Raycroft can't be any worse in Colorado than he was in Toronto.

1:24 pm

Recapping small trades from earlier, Rene Bourque to Calgary and Denis Gauthier to LA.

Detroit signs Ty Conklin. "Can't beat 'em, join 'em" was apparently Conklin's thought process there. Conklin had a spectacular run last season with Pittsburgh before relinquishing the starting job to incumbent Marc-Andre Fleury for the post-season run. One more piece of Pittsburgh's puzzle has flown the coop, while Detroit picks up a rock-solid backup goalie that has shown he can carry a team if necessary.

Tough guy Todd Fedoruk goes to Phoenix.

1:30 pm

Let the Finger Era begin in Toronto. The Leafs signed Jeff Finger to a very reasonable (snicker) four-year deal worth $3.5 millian a year (snicker). Finger is a steady young defenseman, but I can't help but wonder how 24 points in 94 NHL games is worth $14 million. Well done, Cliff.

1:44 pm

Tampa Bay continues to rebuild in the Penguins' image, signing Adam Hall to a dirt-cheap three-year, $1.8 million deal. I love this signing. There's nothing quite like basically taking the defending conference champion's third line.

1:54 pm

Tough guys Eric Godard and Aaron Voros sign with Pittsburgh and the Rangers, respectively. Corey Stillman heads back to the Southeast division signing with Florida-- not too sure what the Panthers see in Stillman. He's well past his prime. And the Chicago Blackhawks made their firt foray into the market signing Cristobal Huet. No terms available just yet, but here's hoping they were a little more reserved with the Huet signing than the ill-fated Nik Khabibulin signing before the lockout. Huet worked wonders with the young defenses he played behind in Montreal and Washington, and he should be a big-time steadying influence in Chicago. He's an almost perfect fit for the Hawks.

2:23 pm

I've been waiting a long time for this: Darcy Tucker is no longer a Maple Leaf! Tucker to Colorado for a fairly reasonable $4.5 million over two years. This is a guy that's approached 30 goals several times, is hard-as-nails in the corners, works magic on the power play (mostly by banging home garbage goals), and is an absolute terror to play against. We've had our run-ins in the past, but basically all of my loathing for Tucker stemmed from the jersey he wore. Fans in Denver are going to love this guy.

Olaf Kolzig is off to Tampa Bay for one year. I like this move. They're getting him on the cheap ($1.5 million plus bonuses), and he'll help lessen the load for Mike Smith, who's never played a full season. Another great move by the Bolts.

2:35 pm

Don't call it an upgrade. Alex Auld to Ottawa. Auld has been a fine goalie everywhere he's been, but he's never been able to take the next step and become a true number one. I don't see any way Auld is the guy to give Ottawa a Stanley Cup parade.

3:33 pm

Patrick Lalime: still in the National Hockey League. Two years, $2 million, Buffalo.

3:48 pm

TSN is reporting Brian Campbell to Chicago is a done deal for eight years, $7.1 million a year. The move puts the Hawks over the cap, and Campbell rounds out a very strong young defense corps that includes Cam Barker, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and James Wisniewski all 25 and under, and a Brent Sopel leading the way phyisically. Again, Huet is probably the perfect goalie for this team, and Campbell is perfect for the power play, giving Barker and Seabrook some time and room to develop their defensive skills. That they're over the cap is of concern, and makes the Windy City a place to keep an eye on for the next few days.

4:16 pm

Reporting the Jeff Finger deal, Cory Woron from TSN's Sportscentre could barely contain his laughter. I'm with Pierre McGuire on the Mike Commodore deal. Five years and $18-plus million is just ridiculous. This guy had one good year BEFORE the lockout. Ossi Vaananen: still in the NHL. Philadelphia locks Vaananen up for one year and $1 million.

TSN is also reporting Brian Rolston is about to sign in New Jersey for $20 million over four years. I have to say here, Rolston is number one on my board. Of all the guys already signed, he's the one that can make the most impact with his new club. He's scored at least 19 goals in each of the last seven seasons, including four seasons of 31 goals or more.

4:56 pm

In the ho-hum category we have Patrick Rissmiller to the Rangers, Glen Metropolit to Philadelphia and Darcy Hordichuk to Vancouver.

The Maple Leafs have added forward Niklas Hagman to the fold, paying him just slightly less than they'll pay Jeff Finger: $12 million. Hagman's at least got a few years' experience, having played 481 NHL games, but to suggest his 80 goals in that time is worth $3 million a year is ridiculous. Way to go, Cliff.

The Rangers have signed Michael Rozsival to a four-year deal worth $20 million. Roazsival was one of the top defensemen available, and the Rangers need to be ecstatic to be keeping him in the fold.

5:05 pm

Per Facebook, my buddy Darell is reporting the Oilers have signed Marian Hossa.

5:26 pm

Bobby Holik signs a one-year deal to go back to New Jersey. Frankly, he should never have left. Holik is well past his prime now, but he's still a great leader and can put up serviceable offensive numbers. He'll be welcomed back into the swamp with open arms and does make the Devils a better club.

5:40 pm

Six years and $39 million for Wade Redden from the Rangers. OMFG! Redden's skills have been slipping very quickly in the last couple of years, to the point the Ottawa Senators had been trying like hell to move him in a trade. Terrible deal for the Rangers. Six months from now, they will be kicking themselves for this move.

Shuffling the deck

Three big trades at the NHL Entry Draft sent shockwaves through the league, shockwaves that will still be felt around the league as free agent season kicks off next week.

In the first move, the Calgary Flames acquired Mike Cammalleri from the L.A. Kings. Cammalleri is a smallish forward with outstanding skill. He is a more complete player than Alex Tanguay was for Calgary, and still has room to improve. The most surprising part of the move is that L.A. was willing to part with him. I can’t say I have any idea where Cammalleri fits in the Flames lineup, but obviously they’re hoping he clicks with captain Jarome Iginla to create a real scoring threat. The fact remains though, that Cammalleri can’t make up for a woeful defense corps that can’t bail out their goalie when Miikka Kiprusoff is having an off night.

With Cammalleri wrapped up, the Flames shipped the disgruntled Tanguay to Montreal—finally. Tanguay-to-Montreal rumours started at the beginning of last season with a Tanguay-for-Alex Kovalev swap that nearly everyone thought would come to fruition. Later, at the trading deadline, the rumour was Tanguay-for-Michael Ryder, before finally becoming Tanguay-for-picks. It should be interesting to see how Tanguay reacts to the Montreal media, since he wilted under the media here in Calgary. If he can handle the pressure, he should be a great fit on a line with Saku Koivu. Sadly, the acquisition of Tanguay almost certainly means Ryder’s days in Montreal are done.

The last big trade involved the Phoenix Coyotes. Yes, you read that right. Phoenix made their first big splash in ages, shipping a pair of young defensemen to Florida for Olli Jokinen. The former Panthers captain has missed just one game in the last five seasons, and is among the post-lockout scoring leaders with 251 points. He gives the Coyotes the kind of offensive threat they haven’t had since a young Keith Tkachuk called the desert home. Added to a mix of youngsters like Daniel Carcillo, Peter Mueller and Kyle Turris, it’s easy to see the Coyotes are no longer content to be in the club. The Coyotes are going to be 2008-09’s favourite darkhorse pick.

From the Florida side, they lost their captain, but gained two very steady, young defensemen. Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton are very reliable defenders, and both have a lot of potential waiting to be tapped. The concern is that Cats had 12 defensemen under contract at the end of the draft. The best I can figure is they’ll bring all 12 to training camp to get a good look at all of them, then make a move early in the season to try to get a forward. Or, they’re going to play two forwards and three d to try to give Tomas Vokoun some help.

Later, in smaller deals, the Flyers sent R.J. Umberger to Columbus for picks, and picked up Steve Eminger from Washington for picks. Eminger is a good depth move by the Flyers. During their improbable playoff run, their lack of blue line depth was exposed. As for the Jackets, on paper they’re completely out of excuses. If they still can’t make the playoffs this year (whether top pick Nikita Filatov comes over or not), look for GM Scott Howson to make big moves at the end of 08-09.

Conscription may suck, but the draft is great

There’s just something about draft day. I can’t really explain it, but it’s just an exciting event. I love watching the players’ reactions when they’re called to the podium, and it’s always fun to read all the posturing, and of course, the wheeling and dealing.

The 2008 NHL Entry Draft is almost certain to go down in infamy. Between Steven Stamkos’ potential, the overall depth of the draft pool, and significant trades dramatically altering the NHL landscape, this draft had it all.

We all know about Stamkos by now, and we all knew he was going to be selected first overall. I am not a fan at all of the way the Lightning organization is run, and I have no faith at all in their ability to foster the growth in Stamkos the hockey world is hoping to see. Time and again we’ve seen it in sports: a young player with great potential ends up in a bad situation, and the potential is lost.

Now, this is in no way intended to question Stamkos’ abilities. Having watched him a little, and having read about him, he seems to have the focus and the drive, and all the unquantifiables you want in a first-overall selection. This is entirely a damnation of the Lightning. Hell, they don’t even have a coach for this kid yet.

Moving along, because the draft was too exciting this year to focus on just Tampa Bay, at some point Nicklas Lidstrom is going to hit the back nine. It just has to happen. And when that time comes, the four young men selected after Stamkos will likely be ready to battle one another for a decade’s worth of Norris Trophies.

There is no questioning the potential for greatness Drew Doughty, Zach Bogosian, Alex Pietrangelo and Luke Schenn have. In a year without a clear-cut number one, the posturing to get at these four guys would have been incredible. Each is a “spice-to-taste” kind of player. They all bring different styles and different development needs, but there’s almost no doubt all four players will be stars for a long time.

By adding Doughty to a mix that already included Tom Preissing and Jack Johnson, and strong veterans like Rob Blake and Jon Klemm, the Kings will be looking to take enormous steps forward in the next few seasons. In Doughty and Johnson, the Kings may have the best young defensive pairing in the league. More on L.A. in a minute.

The Atlanta Thrashers hope by adding Bogosian they can begin to make up for a big mistake at the 2007 trading deadline. That mistake, of course, was dealing away Braydon Coburn only to watch him finally blossom with the Philadelphia Flyers this past season. Bogosian is seen by some as a project, but after watching Coburn languish in the minors before eventually giving up on him, it’s hard to imagine Atlanta makes the same mistake with Bogosian. Alongside their young core of Tobias Enstrom, Garnet Exelby, Steve McCarthy, Bogosian should be a good fit, and could be the missing piece they need to make a leap (either Bogosian or an experienced defense coach).

In St. Louis, they have an issue with the idea of Doughty and Johnson being the best young defensive duo in the league. The Blues selected Alex Pietrangelo to team with Erik Johnson, and give the Kings’ pair a run. Pietrangelo draws many comparisons to Doughty, but plays with less flash, and absolutely has all the tools.

Making their best move since trading for Mats Sundin, the Toronto Maple Leafs made a deal with the Islanders to move up and grabbed Luke Schenn with the number five pick. Schenn in a physical force and an absolute terror to play against. He hit everything that came into the Canadian end during the World Juniors, and should transition very easily into the pro ranks.

Chicago may have the steal of the draft in Kyle Beach. Off-ice issues hurt Beach’s stock, otherwise many regard him as the most talented player in the draft. In Chicago, with the Wirtz’s new direction, and with strong leaders like Dave Tallon and Dennis Savard, Beach should be in very good hands.

Not content to draft just their powerplay quarterback of the future, the Kings also went for their shot-blocking, PIM-leading, penalty-killing leader of the future, selecting Colten Teubert with their second pick of the first round. Teubert doesn’t project in the same class the other four do, but he’s the kind of guy you can’t win without.

Ottawa went way off the board with the 15^th pick, selecting Erik Karlsson of Frolunda. The tiny Swede debuted on ISS’s rankings in May, and shot up teams’ draft boards like a draft day version of Fabian Brunnstrom. It says here Ray Emery will be back with Ottawa before Karlsson makes any kind of impact.

Speaking of off the board, hello Boston! The Bruins swung for the fences drafting Joe Colborne out of the Alberta Junior League. He was by far the league’s most talented player this season, and has appeared on most draft lists as a second rounder, or very late in the first round. At 6’5” Colborne could team with Milan Lucic in an imposing lineup.

In the end, International Scouting Services and the NHL’s Central Scouting nearly picked all 30 first rounders correctly, and nearly did so in the correct order. This draft appears to be rife with talent, and looking back in three, five, 10 or 20 years’ time, should be very fun.

Stay tuned for thoughts on the major draft-day trades.

Title image stolen from this brilliant John Buccigross column

Well what do you believe in?

Fathers Day, minor-league baseball, and the 20^th anniversary of Bull Durham’s release. Add it all up, and it can be a bit much for any man—but particularly this one.

On Sunday afternoon I ventured to Foothills Stadium to take in my first Calgary Vipers game, and if I may borrow from MasterCard; Ticket to the game: $7, Spolumbo’s sausage and a Big Rock: $7, New Vipers hat: $13, Sunny afternoon at the ballyard: priceless.

The game itself was an 11-run blowout that started poorly for the home side. The Vipers were behind 2-0 after the top of the first inning—despite not giving up a hit. But the bats came to life in a big way in the bottom of the second inning, when the Vipers hit three solo home runs to tie the game, and they never looked back.

The Vipers took the lead for good in the third inning, and a sixth-inning grand slam assured the fans would all go home happy. And for what it’s worth, it was the first time I’ve ever seen a grand slam live.

But the point of all this is the movie. I would have been 17 or so the first time my father sat me down, and basically forced me to watch it. At the time, being too cool for everything, I thought the movie was pretty hokey.

Then it happened. The speech. Right there at the 53 second mark. Maybe you were expecting this speech. Either way, I don’t know many ballplayers that can’t recite both.

In the eight-or-so years since that night, I’ve watched the movie at least 100 times. Every time it’s better than the last, and every time I laugh my ass off. Whether it’s Nuke LaLoosh absolutely destroying Try A Little Tenderness, or Crash Davis teaching LaLoosh the cliches, or Jimmy and Millie’s improbable romance, or Jose’s cursed glove. It gets me every time.

So to my dad: Happy Fathers Day, and thanks for teaching me about this movie.

Musings from the world of sport

That didn't take very long... First things first, I need to address this: That was mortifying, and Lord Stanley of Preston is surely spinning in his grave. If the 10 years between lockouts wasn't enough proof NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman needs to be fired, that video is. That said, there's a guy that came out of the audience wearing a Gerard Gallant jersey, and that lends this spot some credibility. Gallant amassed 1603 penalty minutes playing in 563 games for the Detroit Red Wings between 1984 and 1993 (plus an extra 178 PIM in 58 playoff games), earning a reputation as one of the league's premiere hard-asses. And, in news that would make the heaviest science fiction heavyweights proud, the World Anti-Doping Association (headed by one of the world's premiere douche bags, the hilariously-named Dick Pound) has announced they intend to stay in front of any attempts by athletes to use genetic doping as a way to enhance their performances at international competition. I won't even try to explain it, but gene doping sure sounds like it beats the hell out of old-fashioned, tried-and-true methods like steroids, greenies (amphetamines routinely used by baseball players in the past), blood doping and over-the-counter medicine. Dear WADA: try using the two sports-free days of the year to announce your ridiculous plans and to throw around baseless accusations. Before you assholes reared your ugly mugs, the month of June was quite pleased to roll along with dreams of a horse-racing triple crown winner, Tiger's assault on golf's majors, a spectacular Stanley Cup Final that showed off the best hockey since the 2002 Olympics, a dream NBA Finals match-up between Boston and Los Angeles, Manny Ramirez joining baseball's 500 home run club and Ken Griffey Jr becoming just the sixth member of the 600 home run club, and a little thing called Euro 2008. Sure, there's a lot of bad in the sports world (Cedric Benson, Tim Donaghy, and the above clip from Leno), but most sports fans couldn't care less about the bad things. We turn to sports for entertainment, and if the morons that watched the debut of Celebrity Circus, or The Hills or Big Brother are allowed to ignore the bad, we sports fans should also be allowed some ignorance. Because in the end, scandals come and go, and serve as footnotes for decades, but over time, all 16, 003 people that saw Griffey's home run Monday night will tell the tale again and again. Just the way moments like The Shot Heard 'Round the World, Paul Henderson's goal, Bobby Orr's goal, Dwight Clark's The Catch, Wiliey Mays' The Catch, Joe Carter and Bill Mazeroski, and even Babe Ruth's Called Shot which has never been proven to have happened, all live on from generation to generation, proving simultaneously that dreams can come true, and the impossible is possible. Lastly, for what it's worth, The Hockey Theme is just a song. Anyone that watched Hockey Night in Canada for the song, and not the hockey should probably be shot.