Free agent frenzy; Zucker's new deal; ending 'Lindros Trade Tree' (Puck Headlines)
Here are your Puck Headlines: A glorious collection of news and views collected from the greatest blogosphere in sports and the few, the proud, the mainstream hockey media. Have a link you want to submit? Email us at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com.
• That’s one heck of a moving crew for Marian Gaborik. Marian Hossa and Zdeno Chara moved pillows and futons because they’re veterans and neighbors in Slovakia. [Mgaborik12]
• With the Colorado Avalanche not offering Brandon Gormley a new deal, the incredible ‘Eric Lindros trade tree’ of the Avs and the Quebec Nordiques finally comes to a close. The initial trade happened in 1992! [Eurolanche]
• The Minnesota Wild have signed restricted free agent Jason Zucker to a two-year, $4-million total bridge deal. [Star Tribune]
• The Colorado Avalanche bought out defenseman Brad Stuart in order to give Nikita Zadorov and Chris Bigras more ice time this coming season. [Denver Post]
• The Vancouver Canucks shouldn’t feel too bad if they lose Milan Lucic to the Edmonton Oilers for a massive contract. [The Province]
• “Many feel [Steven Stamkos will] end up staying in Tampa Bay. You’d think he’d have signed at this point if that were the case, but most feel that he’ll give in due to their silver bullet; their tax benefit. But what if I told you that there’s a good chance that the benefit doesn’t actually exist?” [NHL Numbers]
• Big time free agents on the blueline are slim. A fancy stats look at the rest of the pool of defensemen that could find themselves in at least a bottom pairing role. [TSN]
• Intriguing list of 16 players who weren’t tendered qualifying offers by the teams that held their rights and are now free agents. [Dobber]
• “Restricted free agency in the NHL is a weird, middling, vague, and unpleasant realm of the CBA. Due to the League being run by a bunch of old white, back-slapping cronies, the top end of the RFA toolkit rarely ever gets used in trying to poach players that have drastically out performed their first and second contracts. It’s a bit underhanded, but it’s perfectly legal to do, and the it’s such a big deal when an offer sheet happens is because they are so rare.” [Committed Indian]
• The Anaheim Ducks didn’t extend a qualifying offer to Brandon Pirri but they should have. [Anaheim Calling]
• Why the Detroit Red Wings should consider Eric Staal as a Plan B in the hopes he is able to return to his once great form. [Winging It In Motown]
• Free agents the New York Rangers should target and those they should avoid. [Blue Seat Blogs]
• After deciding to move on from Alex Chiasson and Patrick Wiercioch, what is next for the Ottawa Senators? [The 6th Sens]
• Dmitri Kulikov wasn’t expecting to be traded from the Florida Panthers to the Buffalo Sabres; however, he’s excited for the potential of the Sabres to surprise some people. [Buffalo Hockey Beat]
• Looking at the potential blockbuster three-way trade at the draft between the Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers, and Calgary Flames that never was. [Flames Nation]
• How the expansion draft will impact the Nashville Predators and finding the silver lining in the two protection scenarios. [Predlines]
• Slowly yet surely the Danish national team is climbing the international ladder. With a core of strong NHLers, the team looks to qualify for their first Olympic games. [IIHF]
• Scouting the prospects at the second NWHL free agent camp held in Buffalo this past weekend. [Today’s Slapshot]
• After playing in the NHL for over a decade, Bryan Berard had his $3-million nest egg squandered by fraudulent investors. Now he’s hoping to guide younger players to be more conscientious with their cash. [Canadian Press]
• Check out the potentially loaded Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2017. [Greatest Hockey Legends]
• Someone isn’t happy that Eric Lindros got the HHoF invite before Mark Recchi. [Boston Globe]
• Former New York Rangers goaltender Mike Richter has concerns about CTE. He’ll ‘probably’ donate his brain to research. [New York Daily News]
• Arizona Coyotes first round draft pick Clayton Keller is being recruited by friends to join either Boston University (where he’s committed to) or the Windsor Spitfires (who retain his rights). [Buzzing the Net]
• Finally, let’s point and laugh at the NHLers in the best bloopers of the 2015-16 season.
– – – – – – –
Jen Neale is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter!
