"Bouwmeester ...

... Jay Bouwmeester" (cue music)

Handing out grades for the annual Free Agent Frenzy is difficult for two reasons: first, that we won't really have a true picture of success or failure of these moves for years; second, that there are still enough impact UFAs (and RFAs, if the good ‘ole boys decide to violate their own unwritten rules) on the market that can affect the grades.

So grain of salt, all things considered, yadda yadda ... enough has transpired in the last few days for us to award hasty evaluations about the acquisition or discarding of talent around the NHL.

Last year's report card dealt strictly with the first day; we've expanded it to late Friday afternoon and included some of the trade made during the Frenzy and signings made before it.

As you'll see, our initial evaluations of the moves made produced some high marks from unexpected places, and low marks from expected ones. Patience was rewarded; inactivity was sometimes the best activity.

So here are the grades; agree to disagree. Thanks again for reading this week. It was a blast.

Anaheim Ducks: Ended about 12 minutes of "OMG, HOME-PROVINCE BOY WANTS TO BE A CANUCK!" suspense by signing Scott Niedermayer to his inevitable one-year, $6 million contract. Also inked Erik Christensen to a one-year deal. Still have James Wisniewski (RFA) and Francois Beauchemin (UFA) unsigned (as of 4:30 p.m. EST) for a Pronger-less blue line. Are they going to acquire a second-line center or give someone like Andrew Ebbett the keys? GRADE: B-

Atlanta Thrashers: Don Waddell said he wanted to add a few special players. No one can argue that a 6-6 Kazakh who went from whipping boy in Toronto to a player New York GM Glen Sather said had a "snowball's chance in hell" of getting what he wanted on the UFA market is pretty darn special.

Waddell said that Ilya Kovalchuk was familiar with Nik Antropov ($16M, four years) after playing with him during the lockout; and really, isn't the freshest scouting report the one from when "Saw II" was in theaters?

We kid. Antropov is a dependable offensive player and an upgrade for the Thrash. Re-signing winger Chris Thorburn was also solid. But Atlanta's trade of Garnet Exelby and forward Colin Stuart to the Maple Leafs for Pavel Kubina and the rights to forward Tim Stapleton was aces. Atlanta's top four D-men are now Kubina, Zach Bogosian, Tobias Enstrom and Ron Hainsey. That's not shabby. GRADE: B+

Boston Bruins: The Bruins missed out on Marian Hossa (again), but it's not as if their cap situation was all that friendly for such a move. Mark Recchi was a nice deadline pickup and deserved a second year in Boston; and $1 million is about right. Snagging Steve Begin (one year, $850,000) and retaining Byron Bitz is good for depth. They lose Steve Montador; they'll survive. Now what the hell are they going to do with this Kessel fellow? GRADE: B

Buffalo Sabres: Suppose the big news through two days is that the Sabres are at zero in the free-agency plus/minus category. They lost defenseman Jaroslav Spacek to a big money deal with the Habs, but inked Montador (two years, $3.1M) to their own blue line. Even Steven. Normally by this time, the Sabres would have been spurned by every big name free agent, lost all their UFAs and had someone offer RFA Drew Stafford $25 million a year for 80 gajillion years. So good news, Buffalo: Disaster hasn't sunk in. Yet. GRADE: C

Carolina Hurricanes: See that thing over there? Five digits and a palm, smacking around two guys looking to leave town? Yeah, that's Jim Rutherford's pimp hand. It's strong.

The Carolina GM said both Erik Cole and Chad LaRose would test the market, and they did. Cole was the first one to come running back to Eric Staal for two years and $5.8 million, which is a pay cut from his previous deal.

After Rutherford told the media he had given up on re-signing LaRose ... well, look who decided the grass wasn't greener last night, to the tune of two years and $3.4 million?

Add that to getting Jussi Jokinen done (two years, $3.4 million) before the Frenzy, and it was a very good week for the Canes -- even with the lingering questions about UFA Dennis Seidenberg and RFAs Anton Babchuk and Tuomo Ruutu. GRADE: B+

Calgary Flames: This is a tough one, to be honest. There's no question that the marriage between Jay Bouwmeester and the Flames is a very good one. At five years and $33.4 million, J-Bo joins a team that now will have two outstanding pairings on the blue line to combat deep teams like the Red Wings and Blackhawks. He helps the power play, and is a rather perfect fit for what Brent Sutter likes to do as a coach. Jettisoning Jordan Leopold and Adrian Aucoin was cost-saving in relation to this move. (The Flames also signed Fredrik Sjostrom from the Rangers for two years and $1.5 million.)

However ...the loss of Mike Cammalleri is a key subtraction they've yet to address. He was a dynamic offensive player for the Flames last season, and a boon to Iginla. Say what you will about the Devils' style of play, but Sutter's system worked best with the kind of scorer Cammalleri was for the Flames. They need help on the wings, and good luck finding the cap space to get it. GRADE: B-

Chicago Blackhawks: We've said our piece on the Marian Hossa signing for 12 years and $62.8 million. They get a major pass for it in this report card because any quibbles about the deal are going to come down the line. Right now, from a hockey perspective, it's the move of the Frenzy.

It's also one of five moves Dale Tallon made in the last few days. It started with five years and $16.875 for center Dave Bolland. It continued with winger Tomas Kopecky following Hossa from Detroit to Chicago for two years and $2.4 million. Then came two-time Cup champion John Madden from the Devils in for one season at $2.75 million. The team upgraded the roles Martin Havlat and Sami Pahlsson played last season.

They wanted Nikolai Khabibulin back, but his deal with the Oilers was too rich to bring him back with Cristobal Huet still on the roster.

Goaltending, future cap considerations and Tallon's propensity to overpay aside, if the test is whether a team is closer to a Stanley Cup after its deadline moves, the answer for the Blackhawks is an unequivocal "yes." Conditions could change next summer; but for now, it's a solid GRADE: A-

Colorado Avalanche: Craig Anderson brings his unique talents (stopping 50 shots in a game, leering at Ice Girls) for two years and $3.6 million. If he turns out to be the backup quarterback who finally gets his chance and makes the Pro Bowl, the Avs are geniuses. If he turns out to be Scott Mitchell or Elvis Grbac ... well, there's always good 'ole Peter Budaj again.

More sands through the hourglass as Ian Laperriere leaves the fold for Philly and the team waits to reveal to the world what Joe Sakic intends to do (or not) do next season. Colorado signed pugilist David Koci (one year, $575,000), which is great news for Western Conference brawlers who enjoy winning fights.

Best of all for Colorado: Tyler Arnason, UFA, to the Rangers. Smiles from Denver to Durango. GRADE: C

Columbus Blue Jackets: While their contract debate with star Rick Nash escalated faster than the street fight in "Anchorman" (we hear Nash killed a man with a trident), the Jackets had a quietly effective Frenzy. Pahlsson at three years and $7.95 is terrific, even if he's lost a step. Mathieu Garon was also a quintessential mentor/competitor/insurance policy for Steve Mason between the pipes at two years and $2.4 million. Still have to add some forwards to the mix, but a strong start to the summer. GRADE: B+

Dallas Stars: Whatever Jere Lehtinen has left in the tank, the Stars get it for one year as a deep discount ($1.5 million, down from $4.1 million last season). Defenseman Karlis Skrastins was a solid defensive defenseman for the Panthers last year, and two years at $1.375 million isn't bad. As of Day 3 of the Frenzy, the Stars were still waiting on Sergei Zubov and whether or not they can sign Swedish goalie Jonas "THE MONSTER" Gustavsson to eventually replace Marty Turco's five-hole. GRADE: B-

Detroit Red Wings: There are going to be several ways to measure the loss of Marian Hossa, none the least being that the Red Wings won a Stanley Cup without him and lost one with him.

If the choice was Johan Franzen (re-signed back in April) or Hossa, then the Wings made the right choice for their roster with Holmstrom aging and Franzen's power game thriving. If a guy like Ville Leino (if re-signed as an RFA) can move onto Datsyuk's wing and produce, the loss of Hossa doesn't sting as badly. If Hossa didn't want to play ball for the cap hit Ken Holland wanted, then that's his choice. Time will tell if it was the right one for the player and his new team.

The Wings have the depth to overcome the defection of Tomas Kopecky to the Hawks. Jimmy Howard moves up for Ty Conklin, who left for St. Louis. Jiri Hudler (who was supposed to file for arbitration) is still unsettled. Mikael Samuelsson, however, fled to the Canucks; tough if expected loss there. But we'll give them GRADE: C for now, which can obviously rise to something like a GRADE: B- if they can take care of their own RFAs.

Edmonton Oilers: So what's the hockey philosophy at play for the Oilers? They wouldn't give Dwayne Roloson a second year, so he left for the Islanders. Yet they gave Nikolai Khabibulin four years (at $3.75 million per season on the cap) to take over between the pipes. The Bulin Wall is 36. No wonder it took a millisecond to decide to sign with Edmonton.

Along with re-signing Jason Strudwick for one year and $700,000, the Oilers were obviously embroiled in the Dany Heatley drama. They made an aggressive pitch, he put the kibosh on the deal. But the Oilers deserve credit for winning the derby and, now, for hanging in there to see if it all shakes out. GRADE: B-

Florida Panthers: For the second straight season, the Panthers lose a major piece of the team but add some interesting new pieces. Jay Bouwmeester wasn't coming back; nothing Florida would have done could have changed that other than relocating to Western Canada. So getting Jordan Leopold's rights and inking him to a $1.75 million one-year deal is at least some return.

The Scott Clemmensen (three years, $3.6 million) signing is interesting because it's a validation that Florida believes his numbers in New Jersey were his and rather than belonging to Brent Sutter's system. Yet one wonders if Craig Anderson blossoms in Colorado how this decision will look. The best move of the Frenzy for Florida was getting David Booth locked in for six years and $25.5 million, because he's a power forward on the rise and an asset they couldn't afford to lose. He said all the right things after signing, too. GRADE: B-

Los Angeles Kings: Overpaid a bit for defenseman Rob Scuderi from the Penguins (four years, $13.6 million), but that's what a team in Los Angeles has to do to land talent. He's famously nicknamed "The Piece," and GM Dean Lombardi sees him as a vital one on the blue line to play with either Drew Doughty or Jack Johnson (an RFA that Lombardi mentioned, so good news there). He also allows the Kings to let their young prospects percolate for a bit longer in the minors.

The Kings lost out on Hossa, and that was Hossa's decision. They still need a sniper up front, and there's been scuttlebutt that they're chasing a veteran goalie. GRADE: B

Minnesota Wild: Turning the page on Marian Gaborik felt right considering all the other regime changes in Minny, and getting a very good two-way player in Martin Havlat as a replacement was a coup (despite the obvious trait both players share: fragility). Six years is a little long for Havlat, but the $5 million cap hit is about right.

Added Greg Zanon from the Predators for three years at $1.93 million. Had a few UFAs (Marc-Andre Bergeron, Kurtis Foster, Martin Skoula) that hadn't decided their fates as of Friday afternoon. Good signing of Shane Hnidy (at $750,000 for one year) for a little blue line grit. Goalie Josh Harding remains an RFA and a curious decision for the Wild. GRADE: B+

Montreal Canadiens: Hey, turnabout is fair play -- the New Jersey Devils have been borrowing from the Canadiens for the last 20 years; it's about time the Habs built around former Cup winners for Jersey. How long until Jay Pandolfo and Sergei Brylin end up on the checking line?

First and foremost is the Scott Gomez trade, in which the Habs took on a massive contract ($7.357 million against the cap through 2014) and a player who struggled in the spotlight of Manhattan. But when he's motivated and find the right chemistry with a winger, Gomez is still a brilliant open-ice skater and playmaker.

They add Brian Gionta from the Devils for five years (too long) and $25 million; a winger with blazing speed, good line chemistry and diminishing offensive returns.

Those are the question marks. The big wins for the Habs were the additions of Mike Cammalleri from Calgary for five years and $30 million. A versatile player who is a power-play ace, Montreal outbid other suitors and landed one of the best names on the market. The combination of Jaroslav Spacek (three years, $11.5 million) and Hal Gill (two years, $4.5 million) bolsters the blue line and costs just $1.58 million against the cap more than keeping Komisarek.

Overall, some dramatic gambles by Bob Gainey along with some sound decisions. Still trying to figure out how "we're chasing a big center" turns into collecting hockey hobbits as free agents; then again, Montreal's always been obsessed with rings.

Best of all: It's a change of personnel and overall vibe for a team that needed it. They've gone in a different direction, both on the ice and off. Is it just throwing money at their problems, or does this get the Habs back on track? GRADE: B

Nashville Predators: Getting Steve Sullivan (two years, $7.5 million) and Joel Ward (two years, $3 million) back in the fold are two wins for Dave Poile, as the Predators allow some veteran talent to flee (Zanon) in order to make room for some young, cost-friendlier players. Are the Predators done? Hopefully not, because it would be a shame to hit the one-year anniversary of not replacing Alex Radulov's offense by still not replacing it. GRADE: B-

New Jersey Devils: Are the days of Lou Lamoriello overcompensating for the loss of primetime players over? Where were the panicky reactions to Madden and Gionta leaving, like the regrettable Dan McGillis mess and the still-awful Dainus Zubrus contract?

The Zen-like restraint from Louie Lams was symbolized by the signing of 6-2, 220-pound Finnish winger Ilkka Pikkarainen, an obscure 2002 draft pick by the Devils and the kind of player Lamoriello is famous for tracking down as a reinforcement. (It's also a name that leaves us at a loss on whether we should make the "Can I buy a vowel?" or "Can I have a consonant?" Wheel of Fortune joke.)

Now, the whole Zen thing goes out the window if Lamoriello overpays for a forward or two. But right now, it's been a good summer despite the relative inactivity; especially getting defenseman Johnny Oduya back in the fold for three years and $3.5 million. Recommended reading: This In Lou We Trust fan post about how the Devils might be cycling back for a Cup run. GRADE: C+

New York Islanders: The only thing not to like about the Dwayne Roloson signing is that it underscores what a creeping bust Rick DiPietro is. Otherwise, two years at a $2.5 million cap hit is very solid. Nothing else so far, though. GRADE: B+

New York Rangers: Shedding Gomez's cap hit for anything more than a bag of melted pucks would have earned them an 'A+', especially considering what Gainey sent back their way. But the Rangers obviously weren't done.

We thought our take on the Gaborik signing was in the minority until became clear that the majority of the New York media was behind the five-year, $37.5 million blockbuster. Gabby said he's healthy. If he remains that way for a good portion of this contract, it's a major win for the Rangers. He's an elite offensive talent.

Letting Antropov go was expected and fine. The Donald Brashear/Colton Orr flip-flop is a head scratcher. We thought Orr was a scrappy fit on this roster. Maybe the Rangers didn't want to hit four years. Maybe Torts likes Brashear better, Blair Betts mugging be damned. GRADE: A ... Eh, they actually signed Tyler Arnason. GRADE: A-

Ottawa Senators: Dany Heatley refuses a trade he requested. The Senators pay him $4 million. There's talk of filing a grievance. Oh, and Chris Neil was given a four-year, $8 million contract. As far as moments in Senators' history, this Frenzy is right up there with losing a Stanley Cup and any playoff series involving the Leafs. GRADE: D

Philadelphia Flyers: The Chris Pronger trade being their de facto Frenzy move, the Flyers nonetheless did some curious things this week. Losing Mike Knuble was preordained after Pronger's salary arrived; the Flyers have forwards in reserve, but none with that veteran grit. Does the Brian Boucher signing (two years, $925,000 per) underscore that Ray Emery's your starter for 2009-10? Ian Laperriere for three years and $3.5 is a great character move, but a little redundant. What is he there for? To teach Daniel Carcillo how to be Ian Laperriere?

Hey, at maybe they need someone to take care of the Rangers' new star ... GRADE: C

Phoenix Coyotes: Gary Bettman Bill Daly Jerry Moyes Jerry Reinsdorf Jim Balsillie Somebody made some decent moves for the Coyotes this summer. Adrian Aucoin is a solid addition to the blue line at one year and $2.25 million. Vernon Fiddler had a down year for the Predators, but could be a 30-point guy in the right situation; not bad for $2.2 million over two years. Jason LaBarbera at two years and $2.2 million was curious; no Al Montoya? LaBarbera had five minutes to make his decision. What is this, a game show? GRADE: C

Pittsburgh Penguins: Teams win the Cup, teams lose beloved players. Such is the hockey life cycle. Hal Gill and Rob Scuderi aren't easily replaced on that blue line, especially in Scuds' case. But the Penguins feel they have the kids in reserve to do it. Bringing back Bill Guerin (one year, $2 million) and Craig Adams (two years, $1.1 million) before the UFA bell was solid. Mike Rupp is a big banger with fleeting moments of offense, but at two years and $1.65 million he's a good depth player with experience.

Getting Ruslan Fedotenko in at one year, $1.8 million was outstanding. No searching for a winger to play with Evgeni Malkin (assuming Fedo's back in that role again). The Penguins save money on his cap hit, too. GRADE: B

San Jose Sharks: And Sharks fans wait for the big changes to begin ...

ESPN reported RFA Ryane Clowe signed a four-year contract with a cap hit north of $3.5 million per season. The Sharks re-signed defensemen Kent Huskins to a two-year, $3.4 million contract and Rob Blake to a one-year, $3.5 million deal. The changes were always going to come via trade if they come at all for San Jose. GRADE: C

St. Louis Blues: After having their names inexplicably linked to the Heatley Derby for a while, the Blues settled back into their steady building mode. They bought out Jay KcKee before the Frenzy and inked Ty Conklin (two years, $2.6 million) as a backup/competitor for goalie Chris Mason, who enters the final year of his deal. Unless the fates of Charles Linglet and Trent Whitfield keep you up at night, this wasn't going to be a very thrilling Frenzy for the Blues. At least not yet. GRADE: B-

Tampa Bay Lightning: Up is down, left is right, hamburgers eat people -- the Lightning are winners at the Frenzy.

Defenseman Mattias Ohlund wasn't returning to the Canucks, but his signing with the Bolts was an early day shocker on Wednesday. Not to say it didn't make sense: Big minutes, veteran presence, mentor to Victor Hedman. He signed for seven years and $26.25 million, with $4 million up front. In addition, they add defenseman (and noted creepy finger guy) Matt Walker for four years and $6.8 million and re-upped with Lukas Krajicek for another season. The Tampa Bay Lightning, with six NHL quality defensemen and Vincent Lecavalier? C'mon, the circus was just getting good ... GRADE: A-

Toronto Maple Leafs: Mike Komisarek presents a classic conundrum for Leafs fans like Pension Plan Puppets. See, on the one hand:

Knowing that Canadiens fans will have to bend themselves into pretzels to hate and demean a defenceman that they have lauded as being the lynchpin of their defence while having to find ways to like a former object of derision, Hal Gill, makes me laugh.

And yet here is a player Toronto loyalists have been calling overrated for years, and he's the foundation for Brian Burke's reconstruction of the franchise.

Five years and $22.5 million is a lot of dough for a defensive defenseman, and Komisarek had his struggles towards the end of the run in Montreal. But Burke's vision for the Leafs is clear, and Komi's clearly buying into it: "I was pumped to see Brian Burke's approach, his vision for the team, having a physical, aggressive team that's tough to play against."

(The notion that Habs fans can call a traitorous former player-turned-Leaf a "Komi" is all sorts of hilarious.)

The Leafs also inked RFA and noted Habs-lover Mikhail Grabovski to a three-year, $8.7-million deal; as well as Rangers bruiser Colton Orr to a four-year deal for $4 million, which is really easy math for a guy like Colton Orr to figure out.

The Kubina trade isn't an easy one stomach, because those false-starts at previous trade deadlines would have produced so much more. But Garnet Exelby from the Thrash certainly fits the Burke mold.

No, they didn't get the Sedins, and Mike Cammalleri is a Hab. But Brian Burke is well on his way to putting together his collection of goons, brawlers and about three or four skill players that worked so well in Anaheim -- while completely pissing off his division rivals along the way. Gotta love it.

But when is the team going to upgrade at forward? And when we find out the fates for Curtis Joseph, Olaf Kolzig and Martin Gerber!? GRADE: C+

Vancouver Canucks: They signed the Sedins. Five years, $30.5 million apiece, rather than the Zetterbergian deals they were searching for earlier. GM Mike Gillis worked his tail off, and it paid off. It's a win. Case closed.

Winger Mikael Samuelsson is a very nice pick-up from the Wings for three years and $7.5 million, but there's still work to do at some of the forward spots (oy, what to do about Sundin?) and on the blue line. Plus, that Roberto Luongo extension is still simmering.

Defenseman Aaron Rome was signed from Columbus as both a reminder that literally anyone can get a Stanley Cup ring and that empires aren't typically built in a day. GRADE: A-

Washington Capitals: Mike Knuble was exactly what the team lacked last season. He's their Billy Guerin-type North American tough winger who can scorer, adding some essential sandpaper to a too-passive lineup. Two years at $5.6 million for a guy who'll be 37 is certainly a commitment, but he's played 82 games in each of the last two seasons. Could actually make Ovechkin and Backstrom better, which is scary.

Donald Brashear was a great asset as a fighter, fan favorite and in the community. He'll be missed.

The Capitals still have some major needs to address on their second line and with upgrades on the blue line. Oh, and finding out if they claim Michael Nylander was abducted by aliens, whether it would wipe his salary from the cap. GRADE: B+

Since then, the TSN and NBC analyst has stated interest in entering the management sector, even interviewing for the Minnesota job before being eventually passed over for Chuck Fletcher.

With the Florida Panthers as the only NHL team without a GM, is it time that franchise moves in an alternative direction?

After having Bill Torrey, Rick Dudley, Mike Keenan, and Jacques Martin leading the team this decade to zero playoff appearances, it's obvious that retreads aren't making progress in South Florida. A year ago, Florida brought in a successful junior hockey coach Peter DeBoer (whom a source told me is very close to McGuire), and the Panthers improved, coming within a tiebreaker advantage of making the playoffs for the first time since the 1999-00 season.

They took a chance on an unproven guy at the professional ranks behind the bench -- why not at GM?

Since Jacques Martin bolted to coach the Montreal Canadiens, assistant GM Randy Sexton has been running the show while Bill Torrey, current Alternate Governor for the Panthers and legendary GM when the New York Islanders were winning Stanley Cup's in the 1980's, is leading the search party for a new GM. 

Donny from Litter Box Cats, isn't all too enamored with the prospect of the TSN analyst running the team:

Having been an ardent observer of McGuire during his first - and last - stint as a head coach (Hartford, 1993-94), I'm reluctant to throw my support his way. I don't personally dislike him, mind you, simply that he doesn't strike me as the man to take Florida to the next level. I'm aware of his years as a (successful) assistant coach, and no, he's not applying for an on-ice position, which is a very different animal. But he's never run anything.

Maybe he'll give a bang-up, take-no-prisoners interview with Bill Torrey and impress the bowtie off of him, but I'm wary of opening the door to guys who've been away from the nuts-and-bolts of the game - much less organizational aspect - for so long. Call it a Melrose Hangover, but if McGuire's qualifications are enough for consideration, why not kowtow to the lunatic-fringe wing of the fan base and hire Denis Potvin?

Casting McGuire in the same light as the Barry Melrose disaster in Tampa is a bit unfair, even if that stigma might have scared the Minnesota Wild a bit before they decided on Chuck Fletcher to replace Doug Risebrough as GM.

McGuire is ice level for the games he broadcasts and talks to players and coaches on a consistent basis. Melrose sat back in Bristol, Connecticut for 15 years watching hockey on a television.

Much like Jim Balsillie owning a National Hockey League franchise, eventually McGuire will land himself a management job. He has connections all over the NHL to make it happen and there's plenty of owners around the League who would be willing to have a fresh mind make the personnel decisions for their club.

If that day should come for the Florida Panthers, their combination of DeBoer and McGuire could be one that finally gets the team over the brick wall that's been in front of the franchise for a decade.

For the Red Wings, this is the fourth player they've lost in the Frenzy, along with forward Tomas Kopecky (Chicago Blackhawks), goalie Ty Conklin (St. Louis Blues) and perennial championship voodoo idol Marian Hossa (Blackhawks).

Fans and observers are naturally of the mindset that "hey, it's the Red Wings, they can fill the voids" and lord knows they're stocked with forwards (Justin Abdelkader, Ville Leino if he's re-signed) who will have expanded roles next season. But Samuelsson was a very good fit for their style and contributed some essential offense down the lineup.

This one will hurt a bit, even if his departure was expected due to financial constraints.

As for the Canucks, it's a nice move. He's a 40-point guy with size (6-2, 210) and oodles of the kind of postseason success that locker room needs. Forwards like him have gotten looks on the top two lines for the Canucks before, so his spot in the lineup's a bit of a mystery. But Samuelsson, who'll be 33 in December, has the versatility to pull off different roles. At the very least, a good depth move.

Now it's onto the blue line for Canucks GM Mike Gillis.

Let's get to the most important issue first: The celebrity Gary Bettman most resembled back in 1993:

The choices are, from the left, Kevin Spacey in "The Ref"; an older Dirk "Starbuck/Face from The A-Team" Benedict; and Stanley Tucci in "Big Night."

As for the interview, it was interesting to hear his initial thoughts on issues trying to make hockey a national, rather than a regional, sport; and his take on the fighting issue ("I think we need to put the issue to rest once and for all."). Marv's indignant question about changing the conference names warmed our traditionalist hearts as much as Bettman's answer -- "It's worth thinking about" -- and knowing grin chilled them.

Perhaps the most interesting answer, on what his most difficult task in taking the job was:

"We need a collective bargaining agreement real quick with our players. We have one more season -- this season -- left on it and my goal is to get a new one as quickly and as quietly and cooperatively as I can with the players."

Yeah, about that.

Kudos to VintageDetroit, which earlier posted some classic Norris Division playoff clips from "Hockey Night in Canada." We're quite jealous of your VHS collection.

The Free Agent Frenzy Chatter Box is a live blog where we feature 12 different Twitter feeds from various hockey people providing scoops, scuttlebutt and analysis as the news rolls in. We also dip in unannounced for live chats during the day. The insiders we're following today: Kevin Allen of USA Today; Craig Custance of The Sporting News; Chris Johnston of the Canadian Press; Dan Tencer of CHED Radio; Elliotte Friedman of CBC Sports; David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period; Paul Kukla of Kukla's Korner; Darren Dreger of TSN; and Michael Russo of the Star Tribune.

Notice how all of them are hyperlinked? If you're on Twitter, make sure you give them a follow. They've done outstanding work in the last week, weeding out the nonsense from the truth. Send'em a note and tell them how much you appreciate it. It's like tipping your waiter for journalists.

For comic relief, it's yours truly, Sean Leahy of Puck Daddy and the great Down Goes Brown. Not sure how today's going to roll with it being a holiday weekend in the U.S., but there could still be some news and chatter to filter through. Enjoy the chaos, such as it is, and thanks to reading.

(To the Twitter newbies -- "RT" means "re-tweet," as in something that's been quoted; "@______" is the quoted user.)

For example, the Minnesota Wild thought they had former Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu on the hook until the rest of the NHL realized that veteran centers that can anchor a scoring line aren't exactly in abundance in the UFA market.

So as Michael Russo of the Star Tribune reports, things went a little south on Day 2:

Fletcher said "negotiations are ongoing with Saku" Koivu, the decorated older brother of Wild center Mikko Koivu. But according to sources, the deal appeared to be heading south fast after the team felt Koivu-to-Minnesota was a lock Wednesday night.

"We've expressed some interest. I think a lot of teams have expressed interest," Fletcher said. "He's a great hockey player and there aren't a lot of centermen in the market place, so I'd be stunned if 10 or 15 teams haven't reached out to him by this point. ... I certainly sensed some interest [from Koivu], but there's a lot of good situations out there. Most teams in the league are thin at the center position."

Russo previously reported that the term of the contract was the sticking point. He also wrote that the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks were in play for Koivu's services. Andrew Gross of the Rangers Report gets the vibe that Koivu is looking harder at the Western Conference than the Lincoln Tunnel area.

In any case, Koivu's still in play and his stock appears to be on the rise; which is probably good news for the other pivots still out on the market that can get his sloppy ... er, his second choices.

First off, a bombshell: The Oklahoma City Blazers have informed the Central Hockey League that they are suspending operations just as the 2009-10 schedule is being complied. (The CHL also announced the New Mexico Scorpions will not play this season, either.)

The Blazers aren't just some minor league team in a non-traditional market: They led the CHL in average attendance last regular season by a wide margin, and have been an annual success story at the gate, playing in the city for 17 years.

From NewsOK.com, some method to the madness:

The Oklahoma City Blazers have suspended operations after failing to renew their lease with Oklahoma City to play in the Ford Center or Cox Center, a team official said Thursday. The decision comes as Oklahoma City officials have filed paperwork clearing the way to start negotiations with "a prospective AHL franchise afflilated with Express Sports," according to city documents.

The story claims the Blazers declined to renew their Ford Center lease after months of talks. The team has had an odd transition to the larger arena that houses the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder (R.I.P. Sonics), including some scheduling conflicts that sent them back to their old digs at the Cox Center.

But the real intrigue is the AHL angle, as all signs point to the Edmonton Oilers potentially moving their affiliate to Oklahoma City for the 2010-11 season. The Oilers visited OKC in 2008 to tour the city and its facilities.

As the NewsOK.com story reports, the Oilers own the dormant Edmonton Road Runners while their affiliation with the Springfield (Mass.) Falcons runs through 2010. It's complicated, but essentially the Oilers could "restart" the Road Runners in OKC while leaving a franchise in Springfield. The team has expressed a desire to have its AHL affiliate closer to Alberta.

The CHL is feeling shocked and betrayed by all of this, as one of the most successful minor league hockey towns in the U.S. will be without puck for a season; but clearly, the groundwork is there for a more major league to fill the void. Reading the comments on the story quoted above, some of the fans are jazzed about the upgrade.

The other OKC hockey news, which may be just as important: Former OKC Blazers player Robin Gomez was found "not guilty of assault causing bodily harm" for punching Chris Ferraro of the Las Vegas Wranglers during a game in 2008, according to the Victoria News. Ferraro claimed the incident, which happened when Gomez played for the Victoria Salmon Kings, was a sucker-punch; the judge ruled it was "within the scope of the game of hockey."

"I wouldn't mind looking at that. I wouldn't mind it because I would like to give our kids a cushion, but I don't want to go too far out (in terms of salary) and cut off my numbers to where I can't get the Hossa-type guys. At this time, I don't see a major thing out there. I wouldn't mind a good player to buy us some time, but I'm planning on the defense maturing as a group, and then spending my money up front. I don't see any blockbusters out there but you never know what you might stumble on later."

So does signing Pittsburgh Penguins UFA defenseman Rob Scuderi to four years at $3.4 million on the cap per season (via TSN) conform to that philosophy? Besides once again showing that when it comes to free agency, Lombardi has the patience of the knight who guarded the Holy Grail in "Indiana Jones"?

The LA Kings list seven defensemen on their roster: Team Canada invitee Drew Doughty; alternate captain Matt Greene; Sean O'Donnell; Kyle Quincey; Davis Drewiske; Peter Harrold; and RFA and Team USA camp invitee Jack Johnson. Not to mention Thomas Hickey, toiling with the AHL Manchester Monarchs. (NHL Numbers has Tom Priessing under contract for 2009-10; he's not listed on the Kings' official roster, but on the Monarchs'. His house was put on the market in June.)

Looking at the Kings' defense, Scuderi is certainly "a cushion." He averaged 19:10 TOI during the regular season, which ballooned to 20:30 in the Stanley Cup playoffs. He led the Penguins in TOI shorthanded (2:56) in the playoffs, too. He's a workhorse.

As for his contract, it'll be interested to see how it affects Johnson's negotiation. But more importantly, it'll be interesting to see how $3.4 million against the cap looks in a few years if Scuderi's incredible season was UFA-influenced. If the expectations are tempered for what is a complimentary player, then it could be a very nice signing.

"Complimentary player?" Sorry, we meant "The Piece." Penguins fans don't seem to begrudge Scuderi his right to move on for contractual reasons. Rob Rossi, who broke the signing, writes that Pittsburgh was offering five years and $10 million total.

After Hal Gill left for the Montreal Canadiens and Scuderi now leaves for the Kings, the Penguins need reinforcements for their Stanley Cup championship blue line. Luckily, that's where many of the franchise's better prospects play.

(We're much more interested in seeing who's on Malkin's wing after the summer.)

So thanks for the memories, Scuderi. OK, memory:

• The New York Rangers shot down Nik Antropov's demands for a long-term deal, but in the end he may have found a better fit. He goes to the Atlanta Thrashers for four years and $16 million, with GM Don Waddell saying (video) that Antropov will play on Ilya Kovalchuk's line next season: "He played with Ilya during the work stoppage. Ilya knows him well." (Then he has a good sense of his speed. Or lack thereof.)

Antropov had a base salary of $2.15 million last season between the Rangers and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Overall, pretty good couple of days for the Thrashers in re-signing Chris Thorburn (no terms) and acquiring defenseman Pavel Kubina from the Leafs. Waddell told the team's Web site that he felt the team didn't need to add a large number of new players but instead a few "special" ones. How one feels about a couple of former Leafs will probably dictate how one feels about that mission being accomplished.

• The big story on Day 2, however, is the lack of stories when it comes to two big-name defensive defensemen: Francois Beauchemin and Rob Scuderi.

Dave Pagnotta of TFP told us that "Anaheim, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Dallas and Buffalo" are among the teams in for Beauchemin; that was before the Dallas Stars added defenseman Karlis Skrastins from the Florida Panthers for $2.75 million over two years (per TSN, and more from Heika).

As for Scuderi, Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review had some interesting news as Pittsburgh Penguins fans wait it all out:

Add the Kings to a list of teams in the hunt for D Rob Scuderi. Minnesota and the Penguins also remain in the hunt, but I'm told the Kings are above $3 million annually on a long-term deal. That Scuderi hasn't accepted yet proves either: A) he is legitimately torn given the Penguins offer ($2 million annually at four or five years), of B) he, like other NHL players, can't make enough to head west.

Judging from the plight of the Los Angeles Kings during Day 1, perhaps it's the latter. Note that defenseman Adrian Aucoin signed with the Phoenix Coyotes for one year and $2.5 million (per TSN), just to get a sense of the market.

• Mark Recchi re-signed with the Boston Bruins for one year and $1 million. Joe Haggerty of WEEI points out the vital cap info: "[The signing] leaves the Bruins with roughly $4.3 million in cap space with the need to sign/or trade both RFAs Phil Kessel and Matt Hunwick." More moves on the way, one imagines.

• Finally, Michael Russo of the Star Tribune has been on the Saku Koivu watch for 48 hours, and put this on his Twitter feed: "Wild still trying hard on Koivu; problem I'm hearing is term and the desire of Koivu, 34, for a lot of it."

When the New York Rangers lost tough guy Colton Orr to the Toronto Maple Leafs, there was opening for someone who could provide sandpaper in the lineup and protect his teammates (now including the glass-like Marian Gaborik).

Enter Donald Brashear. Enter a player who became Public Enemy No. 1 in New York after his late hit on Blair Betts in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals last April, knocking the Rangers' best penalty killer out for the remainder of the playoffs with a broken orbital bone.

At the time, Rangers fans were calling for Brashear's banishment and expressed their disappointment in the NHL for allowing a repeat offender from continuing to be a "thug." Now, Rangers fans will have to come to grips with the fact that Brashear will be wearing their colors for the next two seasons. While there's plenty of utter disgust being expressed about the move, isn't it like Jerry Seinfeld said about how, at the end of the day, it's just really about rooting for the color of the team's laundry?

New York general manager Glen Sather doesn't seem concerned with the locker room accepting a guy who basically turned the tide in their first-round series this past season: "I think our players are excited to have him in the room. They know he's going to be the man. It's a tough job to do."

While Betts isn't expected to be back with the Rangers, it would be fun to see those two run into each other on the first day of training camp.

Now, almost 24 hours after Brashear joined the Rangers, the Blueshirt blogosphere is reacting.

Blueshirt Banter is ready to forgive and forget as long as it fills a hole in the roster:

I know most of you aren't thrilled with this, can't say I am either, but they need a tough guy with Pronger around. It's not like Brashear is going to get a whole lot of ice time anyway.

The Rivalry is on the fence about the decision:

In the past 3 years, Brashear has been suspended twice for actions he has done AGAINST the Rangers! He sucker-punched Aaron Ward (something we all wanted to do) and then tried to decapitate Blair Betts. One, I assume Betts won't be back. Two, it's a decent move from a hockey sense (he is more talented of a player than Orr) but I'm not sure I'll be able to root for Brashear, especially when he fights Orr in Toronto. Of course, I'll always root for the Rangers, but rooting for him will be very hard.

Finally, ScottyHockey might sum up how majority of Rangers Nation feels this afternoon:

All of the massive goodwill that Glen earned by dealing away the [Gomez] (Ed. Note: Apologies to the offended, as Scotty Hockey used a term here that's used on his blog regarding Gomez that could be taken as racially insensitive) is now gone as Sather has signed Donald Brashear.

Brashear is the worse kind of criminal in hockey and has no place on a NHL roster, much less ours.

....

I feel sick to my stomach. It is a good thing that the Rangers forced us to pay up front for our season tickets because I wouldn't have renewed.

That said, aren't these feelings temporary? After Brashear's first knockout of a Philadelphia Flyers player or huge hit on some New York Islanders guy, won't Rangers fans start forgetting about the hit on Betts and be back to banging the glass in his honor?

The aftermath of Marian Hossa's signing with the Chicago Blackhawks yesterday is more astonishing than the actual deal. Like, for example, how some believe Chicago Blackhawks management went from the smartest guys in the room to a collection of blithering, Milbury-esque dopes on free agent day; or, in Martin Havlat's case, disloyal insult artists.

First off, to state the obvious: Chicago GM Dale Tallon isn't infallible. Last summer's Brian Campbell contract ($7.14 million cap hit until 2016) has made one of the fastest defensemen in hockey immobile from a trade perspective. So there's no rubber stamping the Hossa deal just because the Blackhawks' braintrust, a.k.a. "The Men Who Saved Chicago Hockey," orchestrated it.

That said, this notion that Tallon rushed into the Marian Hossa deal with little consideration for next summer's trio of free agent headaches -- Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith are all up for restricted free agency -- is just preposterous. It's comical. It's armchair GM'ing at its worst. Yes, he'll have to work a little magic. But to claim he couldn't see the expiring contracts through the trees is just fantasy land analysis.

Coming up, the Hossa fallout, and some really startling news about Martin Havlat and from Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi.

First, on Hossa and the Blackhawks -- Take it away, the ever-dependable Alan Muir of Sports Illustrated:

Adding a player with Hossa's skill set for just $5.166 million per year (Ed. Note: TSN has it at $5.23 million) makes the Hawks a more formidable team over the short term. But the deal makes you wonder if Dale Tallon has completely lost sight of the team's future.

Don't get hung up on the duration. That's what keeps the cap hit reasonable. But even if the durable forward comes in at a decent value, this deal could come back and bite the Hawks hard next summer.

Remember, the contracts of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith all expire after next season, setting up Tallon for a troika of tough negotiations. Best case -- and I mean absolute pie-in-the-sky -- scenario: he gets the trio for something in the range of $15 million per year. Add that to about $36 million that's already committed to just nine players plus the likelihood that the $56.8 million salary cap will shrink significantly, and it looks like Tallon has painted himself into a very tight corner with this deal.

And yet he made the deal, saying this to the Chicago Tribune: "We took that into consideration ... The type of contract Marian has agreed to will not influence our core."

The core is the key. It's the best negotiating ploy Tallon has: Here are 5-7 outstanding hockey players who have a chance at the Stanley Cup; adjust your salary expectations accordingly. Despite initial blasts against this deal from Detroit Red Wings fans (cue Snapshots) and some bloggers, Tallon isn't signing Hossa to lose either Kane or Toews or Keith. That's insanity. Tallon made this Hossa deal knowing its implications financially, knowing its potential impact on the roster.

But more to the point: If the choice is Marian Hossa at $5.23 million on the cap for 12 years (*cough*notachance*cough*) or a fragile Martin Havlat at $5 million for six years (which is what the Minnesota Wild gave him), it's a no-brainer. Even if it means shedding someone like Dustin Byfuglien and his salary at some point. Tallon wanted the best, he got the best; and it wasn't at Campbell money.

The Hossa move is a shrewd investment, and elevates the franchise even higher than Tallon and Co. already have. From Commit 2 The Indian:

Now like Campbell, Hossa will probably be hammered at times for not living up to his huge contract by the fans and the press, but just like Campbell, I expect that the actual knowledgeable fans will appreciate that he was well worth the price paid, especially when you factor in that the Hawks didn't lose any talent in acquiring him. Both guys are veterans who have rare skill sets and make their biggest impact when it matters most. A lot of money, a lot of years, but the Hawks will be successful because of it.

Now, about Havlat, whose contract with the Wild includes a no-movement clause: We previously blogged about his bitter thoughts on leaving the Blackhawks. Today, his agent is revealing why his client was a little perturbed. From Allan Walsh's Twitter feed:

"Havlat received multi year offers from several teams...except Chicago. After 3 months of negotiating a long term contract, Chicago would not offer anything more than a 1 year deal. So much for taking care of the team MVP."

Disloyalty? Perhaps. It could be successfully argued that Havlat earned something longer with his effort this season. But what would have been fair? Three years at a high salary with a no-movement clause? The six-year deal the Wild offered him? It's hard to slam Tallon for putting the Blackhawks in an awkward situation against the cap next summer with the Hossa deal, yet argue that Havlat -- not nearly Hossa's equal, in numbers or durability -- should have been re-signed under any circumstances.

It's business. Wondering what sort of sympathy Hawks fans are having for Havlat on the day after? Second City Hockey had this:

Simply put, the Hawks acted as a business, which is exactly what they should do.  They gave the better player, the more durable player, the long-term deal they no longer felt they could trust to Marty.  Because this group under Rocky and McD has done its best to act in the classiest manner possible, I doubt this will ever get into a he-said-she-said slap fight.  The thought of Havlat rolling into the UC twice a year with a chip on his shoulder gives me nightmares, but the Hawks made the right decision.

Finally, Dean Lombardi continues to be one of the most candid general managers in sports when it comes to pulling back the curtain on negotiations. He spoke with Rich Hammond of Inside the Kings and spilled the beans on his team in the Hossa hunt:

Question: Can you go through the day, and talk about anything you might have been close to getting done?

LOMBARDI: "Obviously we went into this for wingers. Like I've said, it's one of the positives of being in our situation now, as opposed to three years ago, when we were looking for everything and signing seven guys. The No. 1 guy we targeted was Hossa. I got permission to talk to Hossa at the draft. There were three teams, us and two others. Detroit gave me permission, and we started the dialogue at that time. Detroit, if he got signed, they would get compensation. We met with his agent there, at that time, and he was interested in L.A. He said he thinks we could be the next Chicago. But he said, 'That's down the road,' and that's fair, that's realistic. He said it was important to go to a 100-point team. I said, 'I don't know if we can guarantee that, but you're the type of player we're prepared to commit to.' He was the one player we thought was a top player. I don't know that he's a 'mail carrier' type guy, but he's still a top player.

"That dialogue continued until July 1. He was throwing (contract) numbers out there, but it was very vague in terms of numbers. We talked again last night and I got the sense that this was probably going in a different direction. I said, `What would it take?' but we never really got an answer. I think he had his eye on something else already. We thought it was Boston. He told us this morning that it was probably unlikely that he would come here. It wasn't really the 12-year term that got us out of it. It never got to that point. Part of this is that you're frustrated, but the other part is that you want guys like that. I've always said you want guys who want to win first. And you look at Chicago, where they've come in the last seven drafts and where they're at. Chicago, it took six years; we're three years in. That's the process they went through, and then they broke through. We're hoping that if we break through like they did, we can compete (for players) at that level. We were prepared to talk about the cash and the 12 years."

Wow. Got all that?

Lombardi had plenty more to say about free agency, including the Kings sniffing around Mike Knuble and why they decided not to "roll the dice" on Havlat or Marian Gaborik. Incredible stuff.

But again, to reiterate: Lomdardi thought Hossa "was the one player we thought was a top player."

So while the rest of the hockey world screams to the heavens about how the Blackhawks can't afford Cam Barker anymore, Dale Tallon can rest assured that he landed the most coveted player on the market.

But he played better as the year wore on, and played very well for Team Canada in the 2009 world championships. Olympic hockey analyst Pierre McGuire thought his international experience might be enough to earn Stamkos a roster spot for Team Canada in the 2010 Winter Games; but then again:

"The age factor may be as it was for Crosby and Phaneuf when they weren't chosen to go to the 2006 Olympics. Age will be part of the equation but not all of it."

Stamkos is 19. Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty will be 20 when the Team Canada orientation camp opens in August. Doughty, drafted right behind Stamkos, was invited; Stamkos was not.

Some other interesting omissions at the Team Canada 'who will lose to the gold to the Russians?' orientation camp roster was revealed this morning:

Chris Osgood, Detroit Red Wings: A long-shot to make the cut, considering the caliber of the five goalies invited to the camp. But with Steve Yzerman as the executive director, one figured he might have an 'in.' His Canadian Red Wings teammates rallied behind him as a candidate when asked about it during the Stanley Cup finals.

Marc Savard, Boston Bruins: The competition at center is obviously steep, and neither he nor Brad Richards of the Dallas Stars received an invite. (Yet Andy McDonald did.) McGuire had him as a bubble player to make the team, so not getting a call for camp is a little surprising. 

Jason Spezza, Ottawa Senators: Good lord, how the mighty have fallen. Three world juniors appearances, two world championship appearances and a reserve on the Canadian team in the 2006 Games in Turin. Now, he doesn't even get a skate in the door.

Coming up, the full camp roster. Any other omissions catch your eyes? Brian Campbell? Ed Jovanovski? Marty Turco? Zack "Huggy Bear" Stortini (jokes)?

The skinny, from CTV:

The list of players includes 40 players with senior international experience, either at the Olympics, IIHF World Championship or World Cup of Hockey/Canada Cup, while 36 of the 46 players played for either the National Junior Team or National Men's Under-18 Team.

Players not invited to the orientation camp can still be considered for both the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and 2010 IIHF World Championship. Although the 2002 and 2006 Olympic teams were comprised entirely of players who had been invited to camp.

The roster, from Team Canada, for its orientation camp:

Goalies: Martin Brodeur; New Jersey Devils; Marc-André Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins; Roberto Luongo; Vancouver Canucks; Steve Mason; Columbus Blue Jackets; Cam Ward; Carolina Hurricanes.

Defense: François Beauchemin, Anaheim Ducks (for now); Jay Bouwmeester, Calgary Flames; Dan Boyle; San Jose Sharks; Brent Burns, Minnesota Wild; Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings; Mike Green, Washington Capitals; Dan Hamhuis, Nashville Predators; Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks; Scott Niedermayer; Anaheim Ducks; Dion Phaneuf; Calgary Flames; Chris Pronger; Philadelphia Flyers; Robyn Regehr; Calgary Flames; Stéphane Robidas, Dallas Stars; Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks; Marc Staal; New York Rangers; Shea Weber; Nashville Predators.

Forwards: Jeff Carter, Philadelphia Flyers; Dan Cleary, Detroit Red Wings; Sidney Crosby (who?) Pittsburgh Penguins; Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes; Simon Gagné; Philadelphia Flyers; Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks; Dany Heatley, Ottawa Senators; Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames; Vincent Lecavalier; Tampa Bay Lightning; Milan Lucic, Boston Bruins; Patrick Marleau; San Jose Sharks; Andy McDonald, St. Louis Blues; Brenden Morrow; Dallas Stars; Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets; Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks; Mike Richards; Philadelphia Flyers; Derek Roy, Buffalo Sabres; Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche; Patrick Sharp, Chicago Blackhawks; Ryan Smyth, Colorado Avalanche; Martin St. Louis; Tampa Bay Lightning; Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes; Jordan Staal, Pittsburgh Penguins; Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks; Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks.

The camp is scheduled for August 24-27 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary.

Yeah, good luck convincing Heatley to play in Alberta ...

The insiders we're following today: Kevin Allen of USA Today; Craig Custance of The Sporting News; Chris Johnston of the Canadian Press; Dan Tencer of CHED Radio; Elliotte Friedman of CBC Sports; David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period; Paul Kukla of Kukla's Korner; Darren Dreger of TSN; and Michael Russo of the Star Tribune.

(Want to take a moment to thank these guys for their outstanding work yesterday, attempting to nail down the truth instead of passing along 10,000 bits of B.S. until something hits.)

The comic relief: Yours truly, Sean Leahy and the great Down Goes Brown.

Just like yesterday, this won't be a traditional "live chat," but we'll be dropping in for unannounced live Q&A sessions throughout the day. This format worked well yesterday, to the point where our viewership was triple compared to what we got for any of the Stanley Cup Final live blogs. Thanks again for reading, and enjoy the chaos!

(To the Twitter newbies -- "RT" means "re-tweet," as in something that's been quoted; "@______" is the quoted user.)

As ESPN's Pierre LeBrun writes, the Senators are now forced to pay Heatley the $4 million bonus he's due next season; and that might change the dynamics of Heatley's trade demand:

"No decision tonight," a source in Heatley's camp told ESPN.com at 12:06 a.m. ET.

So what now? Senators GM Bryan Murray had said all along he wasn't interested in moving Heatley after having paid him the $4-million bonus that kicked in at midnight ET Wednesday night. Heatley met with Edmonton Oilers president Kevin Lowe and GM Steve Tambellini in his off-season home of Kelowna, B.C., earlier Wednesday night but the sales pitch didn't produce the immediate result.

TSN's Bob McKenzie has a terrific column on the Heatley situation this morning, including this prognostication:

Sources close to the Senators say the decision on how to proceed now will ultimately fall to team owner Eugene Melnyk, who won't be happy having had to invest $4 million in a player who doesn't want to play on his team. Or that Heatley demanded a trade and then when he was offered one, he turned it down.

There are some practical ways to offset the $4 million. For example, if the Oilers were inclined to do it, the Senators could send additional players to Edmonton whose salaries come close to equaling $4 million. Jason Smith and Christoph Schubert, for example, are scheduled to make almost $3.5 million between them this season. If the Senators were inclined to include them and the Oilers were amenable to taking them, there are ways around the thorny financial issue.

If the Oilers are amenable, of course. The question's been asked all night, so might as well ask it again: Why would Edmonton care to force the issue for a player kicking and screaming about wanting to play somewhere else? Yet clearly they're still interested.

Darren Dreger of TSN reported that Heatley thought the New York Rangers and San Jose Sharks were vying for him before the Senators selected the Oilers. Was Heatley delusional, or was there actual interest from the Sharks? We think Heatley, the Senators and the Sharks are a rather perfect fit. Can it happen? Or is it between Edmonton or a very awkward future in Ottawa?

(NOTE: Don't forget about Puck Daddy's 2009 Free Agent Frenzy Chatter Box)

Martin Havlat has agreed to be the historically fragile offensive talent to replace another historically fragile offensive talent for the Minnesota Wild, signing a six-year, $30 million contract this evening according to the Star Tribune. 

Havlat leaves the Chicago Blackhawks after three seasons, his best (and healthiest) coming in 2008-09 with 77 points in 81 games to help lead the Hawks to the Western Conference finals. He had 15 points in 16 playoff games as well.

Sniff, sniff ... anyone else smell smoke? That's the bridge to Chicago that Havlat might be igniting soon, according to his official Twitter feed. The following appeared after the Wild signing:

"Excited to be in Minny where I was welcomed and appreciated by management. The real story about what happened in Chicago to come out."

And later:

"There's something to be said for loyalty and honor."

Well, that didn't come off too bitter. The Blackhawk's long-term commitment to Marian Hossa likely spelled the end for Havlat in the Windy City. And at 6-foot-1, he obviously was over the height requirement to be signed by the Montreal Canadiens.

As for Minnesota, they're getting a quality two-way player coming off a massively successful contract year. He led the Blackhawks with 2.89 points per 60 minutes in 81 games -- that's killer. Hard to imagine how he'll hit those numbers again in Minnesota, but 60-65 points and the ability to make his linemates better makes this a good hockey move.

Financially ... well, the cap hit's about right considering how Marian Gaborik reset the market earlier in the day after leaving the Wild for the New York Rangers. It's actually a lower hit than he had on his last deal with Chicago ($6 million). But for all the puckheads screaming about how five years for Gaborik is too long for someone that F-R-A-G-I-L-E ... how's six years for Marty Havlat treatin' you?

Michael Russo of the Star Tribune also writes that Saku Koivu is sleeping on an offer from the Wild tonight. Well, not literally ... staples and paper cuts. He'd never get to sleep.

There are two ways to look at the New York Rangers' decision to sign Marian Gaborik this evening in one of the most significant moves of the Free Agent Frenzy.

1. That the Rangers have, in the last 24 hours, turned Scott Gomez and his seemingly untradeable contract into Marian Gaborik, Christopher Higgins and Ryan McDonagh. In Gaborik, they have a player whose flashes of creativity under the conservative weight of Jacques Lemaire hockey have been tantalizing; one that is two seasons removed from 42 goals and 83 points. They've signed the most purely talented winger the franchise has seen since Jaromir Jagr.

2. Or, that the Rangers have committed $7.5 million annually against the cap for the next five years to a player whose fragility and nagging injuries have become synonymous with his talent. They've invested in a stock that's either boom or bust.

Right now, we're all goofing on the Rangers for breaking the bank and wondering what John Tortorella's profanity-filled reaction will be when Gaborik's misses his 10th straight game with a wonky groin. Which is ignoring the genius of this move by Sather.

For all the taunting of Gaborik's stability, he's only played less than 65 games in a season twice.

Granted, they're sandwiched around that 42-goal effort; but if he can, at a minimum, give the Rangers 65 games of great offensive hockey and then be healthy for the playoffs ... well, one assumes they'll be good enough to make the postseason cut. Especially if his numbers thrive in a new system, with new talent around him.

The Sedins weren't coming to New York. Dany Heatley would have been the safer choice, but he wasn't an option; especially if Brandon Dubinsky had to go the other way. But Gaborik is a better choice than Havlat or Kovalev or any other winger. This is how Sather and Tortorella wanted to build the team -- get a star on the wing rather than a waste of money in the middle. Gaborik was, outside of Hossa, the best option on the open market.

Forget the money -- it's the Rangers. This is what they're supposed to do, and there's always long-term injured reserve for cap relief if things go badly. Besides, they've basically cleared the salaries of Gomez and Markus Naslund and turned them into Gaborik, with money left over. There's no quibbling with that tradeoff.

The gamble is the years, not only because of Gaborik's health but because any multi-year, high-dollar deal in New York City can sour in the span of a few negative tabloid newspaper covers and scathing callers on WFAN. Ask Scotty Gomez about that.

That's the gamble. Sather's taken it. And one gets the sense Gaborik has waiting his entire career to make it pay off.

A few other signings ...

• The Columbus Blue Jackets had a very good day, getting Samuel Pahlsson as their checking center for $7.95 million over three years and Mathieu Garon for $2.4 million over two years. The BeeJays used to have zippy up the middle; now, their centers might go four-deep next year for the first time in franchise history.

• Quote of the Night from Down Goes Brown after Chris Neil inked a new deal with the Ottawa Senators: "$8M for Neil sounds about right. I'm assuming it's a 20-year deal?" Ha! Four years, $8 million for the pest. Neil, not the other pest that's making $1.3 million next season.

• End of an era in New Jersey: The great checking duo of Madden and Pandolfo has been broken up, as John Madden signs a one-year, $2.75 million deal with the Chicago Blackhawks. That's a fantastic deal for the Hawks; he fits their style perfectly, he's still got something in the tank and he's gone before the Hossa-created cap hell of next summer.

• Finally, the New Jersey Devils lose Brian Gionta to a 5-year, $25 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens, who will presumably reunite him with Scott Gomez. It's only a $1 million raise on his cap hit; wonder if the years were the issue for the Devils and other suitors. Bob Gainey appears to be creating a team that's quick, offensive and isn't tall enough to ride most roller coasters.

(NOTE: Don't forget about Puck Daddy's 2009 Free Agent Frenzy Chatter Box)

Brian Burke and the Toronto Maple Leafs finally made their move, and it was a huge one.

The Leafs snag the best defensive defenseman on the market in Mike Komisarek from the Montreal Canadiens. He gets five years and $22.5 million, for a $4.5 million average cap hit.

Toronto set itself up by earlier sending defenseman Pavel Kubina to the Atlanta Thrashers. The Leafs get Colin Stuart and defenseman Garnet Exelby from the Thrash; Atlanta grabs the rights to forward Tim Stapleton, an RFA. That opened up a bit of cap space for Burke; it also made Kubina look like a big dummy for that no-trade clause malarkey last year.

Is Komisarek a significant upgrade over Kubina? Can he be counted on as a cornerstone in a rebuilding process? It remains to be seen. One question we can answer: Can Leafs/Boston Bruins games get anymore interesting? Hell yes.

What a wonderful bit of escalation in the Habs/Leafs war. Montreal throwing around money like they're M.C. Hammer and undersized centers are their posse. The Leafs signing away arguably their biggest name free agent, after the Habs may have outbid Toronto for another vital unrestricted free agent in Michael Cammalleri.

Cammalleri had been linked to the Leafs for months. If you polled the hockey smarties before Free Agent Frenzy day, his signing with Toronto would have been one of the most expected moves of the day. (Polar opposite: Brashear to the Rangers.) Yet here is Cammalleri, the newest member of the Montreal Canadiens at five years, $30 million.

Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey said he coveted a big center. Guess stacking Cammalleri and Scott Gomez qualifies, right?

Cammalleri is an interesting player in the sense that he can player wing or center -- so either Gomez's partner in crime or his No. 2 -- and he's also a proven power-play specialist. His new cap hit ($6 million) is much higher than his previous hit ($3.350 million) for the Calgary Flames. That's not the concern, through; the Habs have a ton of space to work with. The concern is that he's a player who needs to play with talent that makes him better, rather than the other way around.

Still, it's an impressive coup for Gainey, considering the alleged competition for his services.

Finally, TSN reports two Nashville Predators moves: Vernon Fiddler goes to the Phoenix Coyotes for $2.2 million and two years. Greg Zanon goes to the Minnesota Wild for three years and $5.2 million.

After losing Dwayne Roloson to the New York Islanders, the Edmonton Oilers needed a goalie and found the biggest name on the market: Nikolai Khabibulin, signed for $15 million over four years for a $3.75 million annual cap hit (Via TSN).

That's quite a market correction for the Bulin Wall, as his cap hit last season with the Chicago Blackhawks was the gargantuan $6.75 million number that made him immovable.

Lowetide's immediate take:

I think we should prepare ourselves for a trade that sends dollars away later tonight. No immediate word about whether or not this kills the Heatley deal.

He's a veteran NHL goaltender, and this would be considered an overpay.

Khabibulin's birthday: Jan 13, 1973. Roloson's birthday: Oct 12, 1969. Hey, they're paying for youth!

Was this a desperation move or was Khabibulin Plan B after losing Roloson? Sure, you're locked into a guy who is going to turn 37 next season for the next four years. But Roloson's cap hit was $3.667; is this really overpayment?

Bottom line is that Edmonton has gone from the city where the TSN boys said no one wanted to play to the city that might end the night with Nikolai Khabibulin and Dany Heatley. Money (and talent going back to Ottawa) talks.

Other signings of note since the last update ...

• New Jersey Devils part-time savior Scott Clemmensen heads to the Florida Panthers for three years and $3.6 million. Doesn't get a chance to be a starter, but Craig Anderson had 27 starts last year. Good spot for him. So who backs up Brodeur next season?

• GM Bob Gainey continues to endear himself to the Montreal Canadiens fans, signing Jaroslav Spacek to a 3-year, $11.5 million deal from the Buffalo Sabres (some said overpayment; Kevin Allen likes it) and the USS Hal Gill for two years, $4.5 million from the Pittsburgh Penguins (TSN). Gill as the Komisarek replacement?

• Erik Cole remains with the Carolina Hurricanes, which is expected because he's shown he doesn't want to play anywhere else. Two-year deal with a pay cut, worth $2.9 million against the cap.

• Winger Mike Rupp goes to the Pittsburgh Penguins from the New Jersey Devils for two years and $825,000. OK as a depth signing; but if that's supposed to be a Fedotenko replacement, adjust expectations accordingly, Pittsburgh.

• Finally, Ian Laperriere goes from the Colorado Avalanche to the Philadelphia Flyers for three years, and $3.5 million per season (TSN). Three years? Too much. But a character guy, without question; and 19 points with 163 penalty minutes basically qualified him as a Flyer anyway. Lappy's happy. He and Scott Hartnell might have something to discuss:

MVP of the offseason for the Washington Capitals? That would be Chris Pronger.

Not giving up the package the Anaheim Ducks were seeking for Pronger -- which included one of the elite young goalies, an elite prospect, a roster player and a top pick -- might be looked back upon as a key "non-move" on their path to a championship.

Then, as Pronger's contract was added to the Philadelphia Flyers' roster, Mike Knuble was shaken loose as a UFA and ends up with the Washington Capitals for a two-year, $5.8-million contract.

Let us join the chorus of saying this was a great signing. He's a bigger Chris Clark with better results, about four years older and with a $140,000 higher cap hit. Or he's their Bill Guerin, to put it in Pittsburgh Penguins terms: The no-nonsense, veteran (37 next season) North American player who will get dirty in the crease and stir it up on the ice. The Flyers loved him as a teammate. Not the second line center fans have been screaming they need, but a very important addition in building a winner.

• Meanwhile, Capitals enforcer Donald Brashear goes to the New York Rangers (two years, $2.8 million) in one of the most bat-crap crazy, unforeseen moves of the day. Like with Fedorov, Washington was a better sports town with him in it. Rangers fans will learn to like him, too, once they get finished cleaning up pieces of Blair Betts from the Garden ice.

• Scott Niedermayer ends a bit of drama with a one-year contract worth $6 million (per TSN) with the Anaheim Ducks. He had a $6.75 million cap hit last season. The Canucks and Devils were mentioned as "kicking the tires" on Niedermayer, but it would have been public relations suicide for the Ducks to have made the Pronger deal and then lose Niedermayer, too.

• Finally, the Columbus Blue Jackets have made their offer to Rick Nash, who hits free agency next summer. Have to love the timing, as Nash watches the Marian Hossa deal and the Sedins' deals go down. 

Dwayne Roloson joins the Islanders, and if that doesn't speak volumes about their concerns about DiPietro's heath then nothing does. Roloson, on TSN, explained his motivation for leaving the Edmonton Oilers:

"I wanted to try and get a two-year deal, and it was one of the teams that offered a two-year deal," he said. "That's it. That's why."

Quite an endorsement.

Roloson leaving is somehow being portrayed as a "black mark" on the city of Edmonton, like he's Pronger's wife or something. Whatever. The real issue is that the Oilers' goaltender right now is Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers and the UFA pickings are slim.

Michael Russo of the Star Tribune has mentioned Josh Harding of the Minnesota Wild, an RFA, as an option. It might be time to speak of him as the only option for the Oil. Unless they're interested in Cristobal Huet or (gulp) Jose Theodore.

Also, Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Kopecky goes to Scotty Bowman  the Chicago Blackhawks for two years and $2.4 million. The Buffalo Sabres also made a signing, getting defenseman Steve Montador for a two-year deal at $1.55 million per season.

Marian Hossa's career judgment is probably on the level of Dana Carvey leaving SNL for the movies right now, but let's give him the benefit of the doubt on this blockbuster deal with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Hossa signed today for $62.8 million over 12 years. That's a $5.233 million cap hit per season. (New figures via LeBrun.)

Hossa gets north of $5 million, which was something he wasn't going to get from the Detroit Red Wings. He gets the job security he surrendered for a second-place finish last season for the Stanley Cup. Sure, he left millions (and championship bling) on the table for his decisions last summer; but he came within a win of the Cup, and now he's going to play with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane for the next decade in an organization that's quickly been re-established as elite.

Yes, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith are all up for restricted free agency next summer. The Blackhawks have some magic to work. Maybe they can keep giving Brian Campbell dirty looks until he leaves for the KHL. (Not to say Campbell's signing was a mistake; but the amount, right now, is certainly regrettable.) 

The "chuckling" in the headline is coming from teams looking at the Blackhawks' salary structure. Rob Rossi's reaction from a random Penguins player could be the norm. Fans are calling Hossa greedy, too.

Chicago's decision here can be debated; ask Tampa about a top-heavy salary structure under the cap. Even if, as Darren Dreger reported, the Hossa deal is "heavily front loaded" with $53 million for the first seven years. Sure would be shame if he lost his will to play after seven years, huh?

Hossa's decision can't be debated, unless you're a bitter Detroit fan or a still-bitter Pittsburgh Penguins fan. It's a good spot for him.

Although does this guy have a fetish for uncomfortable situations or what?

A few other signing thoughts ...

• Ty Conklin to the St. Louis Blues for two years and $2.6 million. Start planning the parade. For the conference championship, of course. [TSN]

• Florida Panthers goalie Craig Anderson heads to the Colorado Avalanche for a two-year, $3.6 million deal. Smart move by the Avalanche, assuming the guy who could stop anywhere from 35-50 shots a night can do it with a tougher workload. When Peter Budaj is your other option, it's a gamble worth taking for that level cap hit. Of the goalies available, tough to criticize this one. 

• Blackhawks D-man Matt Walker, 4-years and $6.8 million for the Tampa Bay Lightning, via TSN. Another smart decision for the Bolts on their blue-line. What a difference a year makes, huh?

• David Booth was an essential move for the Florida Panthers, and he signed a six-year, $25.5 million deal with a $4.25 million cap hit annually. The deal makes him the highest paid forward on the team.

• The New Jersey Devils keep Andy Greene as an RFA on a two-year deal.

• Finally, Colton Orr getting a 4-year contract in any League is a little comical But at $1 million per year from the Toronto Maple Leafs, it's a nice deal for a less-insane Hollweg. Any player that can ignite this sort of thing would appear to be on Brian Burke's Valentine list:

Yes, seven years for a player who will be 33 years old by next season. It's the way of the world today.

But the Lightning have Mattias Ohlund, a No. 1 pairing defenseman, at a $3.75 million cap hit (per TSN); and based on their behavior last summer ($4.5 million per season for Ryan Malone!) it's safe to say they've learned something about this process.

Besides, Ohlund as top draft pick Victor Hedman's mentor is a stroke of brilliance. The Capitals are a team that's done the mentor/countryman thing well; good to see the Lightning following that trend.

Lightning Strikes calls it a good deal, and we agree. Your Tampa Bay defensive corps: Victor Hedman, Mattias Ohlund, Andrej Meszaros, Paul Ranger and Lukas Krajicek, with another spot open. If Mike Smith returns to form between the pipes, that's not a bad defense. Insane as it may sound, could we be talking about a reversal of fortunes for the Tampa Bay circus next season?

If so, will Koules and Barrie skip down the street holding hands again?

The brothers have signed a pair of five-year contacts, averaging $6.1 million a season.

Daniel and Henrik entered the league as the second and third overall selections by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. Playing side by side for the Canucks, the duo has amassed 288 goals, 634 assists, and 922 points in 1,288 games combined, but were unable to lead Vancouver into the Stanley Cup Final.

The SedBros each had a cap hit of $3.575 million on their previous deal.

There's no question that their special circumstances as the Tomax and Xamot of the NHL hindered their negotiating stance from the get-go. Henrik alone could have commanded about a million more annually as one of the top playmaking centers on the market. But is he any good without Daniel? Is Daniel any good without Henrik? This two-man show clouds the true talent; which is why we never saw "Lou Costello meets Frankenstein," which is a shame.

Did their initial demand for long-term, Henrik Zetterberg-esque contracts scare off some interest? The cap hit on the 12-year plan was $5.25 million, but clearly the length of the deal wasn't something the Canucks were going to commit to. Going less than $1 million above that figure and keeping the contract to five years is an absolute win for GM Mike Gillis.

The Scott Gomez trade felt like a reactionary one from the Montreal Canadiens yesterday, and perhaps this Sedins news is why. Their re-signing only affects a few teams -- Vancouver being one of them, and a good-day to you Mattias Ohlund -- but their salaries could certainly factor into future contracts like the one the Columbus Blue Jackets want Rick Nash to sign this summer.

Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke's day just got a little less predictable, eh?

When the overwhelming majority is in complete agreement, our cynicism kicks in.

No movie deserves "A-pluses" across the board. No restaurant is immune to a bad meal, not matter how many stars it's received. No hockey trade should be given the near-universal stamp of approval that last night's stunning Scott Gomez deal between the New York Rangers and the Montreal Canadiens has; in the sense that Glen Sather is a salary-shedding genius and Bob Gainey is the type of guy who offers a cashier $10,000 for a box of Tic-Tacs and then says, "Keep the change."

The trade saw the Montreal Canadiens acquire Scott Gomez, winger Tom Pyatt and defenseman Mike Busto from the Rangers in exchange for winger Chris Higgins and defensemen Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Valentenko. By this morning, a few bits of common knowledge had been established:

• Gomez was a free-agent bust with the Rangers, and Montreal just took on a huge contract for a guy who may or may not be the No. 1 center they've been looking for.

• The Canadiens were fleeced, and the Rangers can now go on a shopping spree.

• Based on his inclusion in the trade back to the Rangers, Ryan McDonagh is being chatted up as the amalgamation of Brian Leetch and Jesus Christ.

We're always going to be "wait and see" on a deal like this, not only to find out if a change of scenery ignites Gomez's game -- he's an elite playmaker, but that doesn't make him an elite center -- but also to see how the Rangers cope with his loss from a fiscal and personnel perspective.

But as you'll see in the following reactions from Rangers and Canadiens writers, the majority rules: Montreal got hosed.

Scotty Hockey represents the overwhelmingly joyful Rangers fan contingent:

While I won't take back all of the bad things I have ever said about Glen Sather (Wade Redden is still a Ranger), this definitely lightens my outlook. And for him to get back a return - any return - for Gomez is just stupefying. So this is why he is in the Hall of Fame. Wow.

No more smiling after losses. No more attacks aborted by a moronic offsides. No more skating into triple coverage to dump the puck five feet away and run for the bench. No more Scott Gomez.

Oh, happy day! And all it took was Michael Busto and Tom Pyatt? Two of Tom Renney's prospects who had no future in the Ranger organization - Jess from Prospect Park held just short of calling Pyatt a bust just the other day.

But wait! It gets better! We get the capable Chris Higgins, bluechip blueliners Ryan McDonagh and Doug Janik, some Russian Pavel Valentenko and roughly six million dollars in cap space. Folly, thy name be Bob. How Gainey could make this trade is beyond me. But I love it.

Larry Brooks of the NY Post doesn't pull punches, calling Gomez out of condition and a bust for the Rangers:

Gomez underachieved for Tom Renney and was unable to regain even a semblance of the dynamic game he'd owned as a Devil after John Tortorella took command on Feb. 23. His game had deteriorated beyond repair. He surely was one of the players Tortorella had in mind when citing a handful of Rangers as being out of condition.

His game was gone, his smile was gone, and he was going. The Rangers had been dangling Gomez for months. They needed to clear cap space. They needed to move forward without Gomez.

"If you perform up to expectations, play hard every day, game in and game out and be productive, there's a chance you'll never be traded," Sather said yesterday afternoon after announcing that Gomez had been traded.

Gomez' heart was in the right place two summers ago. But his eyes exceeded his commitment. New York was too big for him.

Hockey Rodent, one of the best Rangers bloggers on the Web, explains why Gomez failed:

Gomez was a second- or third-line center making marquée dough. In a salary-capped league, this made his presence detrimental to the mission.

The final attribute I had issues with was his competitiveness - lack thereof. I'd often remark how he appeared to be going through the motions. His personality was too easy-going. If ever I'd characterize someone as a mercenary, it was Gomez, who never behaved as a warrior in MSG. The opposite was true. He came across a spoiled professional who'd punch in and punch out and do as little as necessary to shape the outcome of a game while on duty.

And then there are the Habs fans and writers. Robert from Eyes On The Prize is "angered, utter disbelief, total incomprehension, absolutely mystified" about the Gomez deal, and explains his angst in relation to the treatment of Saku Koivu:

So it begs, why were the Canadiens so rabid in landing Gomez? Yes, Gomez is a center capable of distributing la rondelle between his wingers - it hardly makes him unique, especially at his cost.

Over the past five seasons, Gomez has racked up 194 assists with the New Jersey Devils and the Rangers. In that same time span, Saku Koivu has assisted on 172 goals with the Canadiens. Over four seasons Gomez has scored a whopping 7 goals more than Saku Koivu. That's almost 2 goals per season more than Saku.

Don't purchase a calculator!

The quick math, is an additional 7 goals and 22 assists at a cost of 2M more per season for a player who is four years younger and on the books for five more seasons. In a PPG ratio, Gomez is slighty superior, with 272 points in 312 games, compared to Koivu's 243 in 295 games.

Factoring in that Koivu is the second longest tenured Habs captain, despite being four years older, and I truly fail to see where Gomez is an upgrade.

Canadiens blogger Dennis Kane wants to take a wait-and-see attitude, despite some obvious pessimism:

It also seems sad that the Habs gave up on McDonagh, who was expected to amount to something in Montreal. Maybe he wasn't developing the way they thought, or maybe Gainey just really likes Gomez and decided to pay a hefty price.

If this is all the movement Gainey makes, there's going to be a lot of disappointed Habs fans who understand as much as the brass that the Canadiens aren't about to set the world on fire with the existing team as is.

Maybe this will all work out. Gomez will shine as a Canadien, and Gainey will end up looking like Sam Pollock. It's going to be a wait-and-see.

But if it's pessimism you want, The H Stands For Habs brings it with a post titled "Ugh."

Maybe somewhere, there's good in this trade. Maybe Gomez's presence will help attract a good UFA or two to Montreal. Despite his numbers, when you hear his name you think of a good player, and it's always fun to play with good players. Maybe Gainey means to send Higgins an offer sheet in New York and steal him back. But honestly, I'm having a really hard time finding the good here.

I think this is a really bad trade and I think the fans in Montreal will make Scott Gomez' life miserable when he puts up 60 points while making eight million bucks this year. If he's still a Hab three years from now, I'll be surprised. I won't be surprised, however, to see Chris Higgins' next hat trick scored against the visitors from Montreal. That's always the way it seems to go, isn't it?

Below is a live blog where we're going to feature 12 different Twitter feeds from various hockey people on Free Agent Frenzy Day 2009 (a.k.a. "Canada" Day. What hubris!). In theory, what we'll end up with is a place where breaking news and rumors can be easily located; and, at the end of the day, one big chronicle of all the chatter and near-misses that make today such a blast.

The insiders we're following: Kevin Allen of USA Today; Craig Custance of The Sporting News; Chris Johnston of the Canadian Press; Dan Tencer of CHED Radio; Elliotte Friedman of CBC Sports; David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period; Paul Kukla of Kukla's Korner; Darren Dreger of TSN; Michael Russo of the Star Tribune; Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

The comic relief: Yours truly, Sean Leahy and the great Down Goes Brown.

For clarity's sake: This isn't a live chat; we're postponing our usual Wednesday fun because there's just too much stuff going on for our usual guests. This is just another way to bring some breaking news to the site ... if it isn't an epic fail. Enjoy the chaos!

(To the Twitter newbies -- "RT" means "re-tweet," as in something that's been quoted; "@______" is the quoted user.)

When news was floating around that the Sedins were close to inking back with the Canucks, we delayed this ranking. Taking Daniel Sedin out of the equation does affect the rest of the wingers, albeit minimally because he's obviously a package deal. If the Sedins are re-signed before noon, then add Steve Sullivan of the Nashville Predators to the list.

It's an intriguing list because there are some real risk/reward situations here. Marian Gaborik, in particular, could be the signing of the year if he can stay healthy; yet there's a better chance that the new "G.I. Joe" flick wins Best Picture than that happening, based on Gabby's track record.

Here's a glance at the top wingers, as the Frenzy nears ...

First off, a player that Red Wings fans are starting to believe won't be back.

1. Marian Hossa

Current Team: Detroit Red Wings
Current Cap Hit: $7.450 million

The Good: One of the best snipers in hockey, having gone over 30 goals in seven of the last eight years and over 40 three times in that span. Had 71 points in 74 games for the Detroit Red Wings this season.

The Bad: While there were mitigating circumstances, the knock on Hossa as an inconsistent playoff performer (15 points in 23 games) is alive and kicking.

The Ugly: Never allow him to pick out the beer mugs. No good with Cup selection.

2. Marian Gaborik

Current Team: Minnesota Wild
Current Cap Hit: $6.333 million

The Good: Simply put, one of the most dynamic offensive players in hockey, and one that's been quietly begging to leave the shackles of a defensive system. Gaborik has scored 123 goals in his last 207 games.

The Bad: Those 207 games are over the course of four seasons, because he's more fragile than an eggshell with low self-esteem.

The Ugly: Might have the crazy idea that he's worth a long-term contract despite being in and out of action more than Matt Damon.

3. Martin Havlat

Current Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Current Cap Hit: $6.000 million

The Good: Finally played 81 games for the first time in his career, and proved to be a vital offensive weapon for the Blackhawks to the tune of 29 goals and 77 points, both career highs. Had 15 points in 16 playoff games. 

The Bad: Like Gaborik, his previous few years were less "season ticket" and more "partial plan" thanks to injuries. 

The Ugly: Still picking tiny pieces of Niklas Kronwall out of his face.

4. Daniel Sedin

Current Team: Vancouver Canucks
Current Cap Hit: $3.575 million

The Good: Above-average goal-scorer who plays nearly every night (never below 79 games since 2001). One of the top players in the NHL at even-strength offense, ranking with names like Ovechkin and Malkin.

The Bad: As we said with his brother in the centers section, he's a package deal.

The Ugly: Henrik's better. (Clap, clap, clap clap clap.)

5. Alexei Kovalev

Current Team: Montreal Canadiens
Current Cap Hit: $4.500 million

The Good: Coming off a wretched season ... but it was Montreal, so who isn't? Tough to say that his 84 points in 82 games one year earlier was an aberration. Under the right conditions, Kovalev remains a player who can create instant offense for a team.

The Bad: Not questioning what's going on in that 'ole Russian noodle, but he did get sent home by the Habs to clear his mind last year.

The Ugly: "Kovalev" could be safely used as a clue for "enigma" in Super Password.

6. Alex Tanguay

Current Team: Montreal Canadiens
Current Cap Hit: $5.250 million

The Good: When he's on his game, one of the best left-wingers in the NHL and an undeniable top-line player in the 80-point range.

The Bad: A top line player, but one that might need top-line talent to post big numbers instead of making others better.

The Ugly: After suffering through the reign of Iron Mike Keenan, Tanguay came to Montreal for an injury-filled suck-fest that saw him tally the smallest point total of his career (41).

7. Brian Gionta

Current Team: New Jersey Devils
Current Cap Hit: $4.000 million

The Good: Blazing fast winger can create plenty of offensive on the rush. His 60 points last season for the Devils was his career second-best.

The Bad: His best offensive season -- 2005-06, when he scored 48 goals -- appears to be a total and utter fluke with each passing season.

The Ugly: Not saying he's small, but once fought a spider with a sewing needle twice his size.

8. Mike Knuble

Current Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Current Cap Hit: $2.800 million

The Good: Durable, gritty, supremely underrated winger who can put the puck in the net and be sturdy complementary player on the top line. Scoring 26 power-play goals in the last two years isn't shabby, either. 

The Bad: That $2.8 million figure seems about right for this grunt. Anything more, and you have to start wondering what return you need to feel good about the investment.

The Ugly: This weekend, hits 37. (In a row?)

9. Chris Neil

Current Team: Ottawa Senators
Current Cap Hit: $1.100 million

The Good: Perhaps the best agitator/pot-stirrer/pain in the backside on the UFA market. Honestly, when one qualifies for a gallery called Notable Pests of the NHL, one must be doing something right. Or wrong.  

The Bad: Rejected a $1.8 million bid from the Ottawa Senators; how much does a player whose numbers have plummeted think he's worth?

The Ugly: Had the nerve to try and destroy our boy Milan Lucic. Jerk.

10. Chad LaRose

Current Team: Carolina Hurricanes
Current Cap Hit: $875,000

The Good: Had his best offensive season last year (19 goals, 31 points) and worked his ass off in the postseason to the tune of 11 points in 18 games. Impressed pretty much everyone who saw him. A bit of a darkhorse in a talented field of wingers, but at 27 he's entering prime time.

The Bad: He'll come cheaper than teammate Erik Cole, but does that necessarily mean he'll be a better investment?

The Ugly: Pretty much has to hate technology after that playoff screw job. It's miracle if he still uses a toaster oven.

All cap figures from NHL Numbers.

Previously on Puck Daddy:

The top 10 defensemen

The top 10 centers

The top 10 goalies

Dany Heatley was this close to becoming a member of the Edmonton Oilers. As was reported last night on TSN and Sportsnet, the Oilers and Ottawa Senators had a deal in place that would have sent Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner and Ladislav Smid to Ottawa in exchange for Heatley, as long as he approved the deal. Just after midnight Eastern time, TSN's Bob McKenzie put the kibosh on the trade reporting that Heatley had rejected the deal saying, "For now, and quite possibly forever, the deal is dead."

An added twist to this story is the much-discussed $4 million bonus that Heatley is due today. As McKenzie reported, the NHL said that the money can be transferred to a new team as long as the deal is completed by midnight tonight, otherwise the Senators are on the hook for it. This allows Ottawa general manager Bryan Murray another day to find a team to Heatley's liking and one willing to not only take on his salary, but pay the $4 million bonus. Murray has said that if the Senators do indeed wind up paying that bonus, Heatley isn't going to be dealt.

When the New York Rangers dumped Scott Gomez and his large salary to Montreal earlier this evening, alarm bells went off everywhere and rumors began to surface that that a Heatley-to-New York deal was imminent. Rangers GM Glen Sather had dumped significant salary from the team's cap and even stated in his post-trade conference call that three teams had spoken with him since the news broke. All signs pointed to Heatley shopping for apartments in New York City, but as of now, he remains property of the Ottawa Senators. Sather and Murray now have more time to work out a deal if New York is truly interested.

UPDATE: Sportsnet reports that the deal is "on hold" and Bob McKenzie has updated his report with this:

"Heatley was asked to waive his no-movement clause by the Senators but he didn't oblige. Which is not the same thing as an outright or unequivocal rejection.

...

No one should suggest Heatley is prepared to waive his no-movement clause to go to Edmonton any more than it should be suggested he absolutely won't."

This thing is getting complicated quickly. Stay tuned.

Just hours before he was set to become an unrestricted free agent, Jay Bouwmeester has signed a 5-year, $6.6 million a year deal with the Calgary Flames. Calgary general manager Darryl Sutter took advantage of his acquisition of J-Bo's rights on Draft Day and added a nice piece to the Flames blue line.

From the official release:

“Jay is one of the most complete defenseman in the game, and we are very pleased to have reached an agreement that will make him an important component of the Calgary Flames success,” said Sutter. “We identified Jay as the priority player where we were going to focus our money. We wanted an opportunity a few days in advance of the deadline, and that’s why we made the move we did this past weekend.”

“I am happy to have this deal done as Calgary was a team I was very interested in playing for. I was encouraged by the commitment Calgary showed by acquiring me prior to July 1,” said Bouwmeester. “I am familiar with some of the players and believe we have a strong club that is poised to make the next step in becoming a championship club. I look forward to contributing to that success.”

Calgary now has approximately $35 million wrapped up between Bouwmeester, Jarome Iginla, Daymond Langkow, Dion Phaneuf, Robyn Regehr, and Miikka Kiprusoff through at least the 2011-12 season (Olli Jokinen's contract is up after next season). Is there another move coming for Sutter and the Flames?

The first news was that Christopher Higgins, a Long Island native, was being traded from the Montreal Canadiens to the New York Rangers (via Kevin Allen of USA Today on Twitter).

Then came the bombshell: Scott Gomez, signed through 2014 with a $7.357 million cap hit annually, was finally jettisoned from Broadway, according to TSN. The full trade:

The Montreal Canadiens have acquired centre Scott Gomez, winger Tom Pyatt and defenceman Mike Busto from the New York Rangers in exchange for winger Chris Higgins and defensemen Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Valentenko from the Montreal Canadiens.

Amazing.

Amazing that Glen Sather found a taker for Gomez and that contract, which just today was named one of the worst free-agent signings in recent memory by Sports Illustrated. Amazing that this salary dump opens up so many avenues for John Tortorella and the Rangers this summer, from Dany Heatley to Martin St. Louis (if the Lightning would ever surrender him). Wednesday could be a shopping spree for the Blueshirts.

(UPDATE: Rangers Report claims Heatley's headed to the Rangers tonight.)

Amazing that a player like Ryan McDonagh would come back the other way, too. Isn't that the kind of player the salary dumper usually gives up to sweeten the pot?

Amazing that the Habs, in their desperate search for a No. 1 center, would bring this salary onto their payroll. Sure, they've got oodles of cap room; but the Sedins are out there and so are Mike Komisarek and Alex Tanguay and Saku Koivu. (And, if not now then maybe one day, Lecavalier.) This eats up a chunk.

From Bob Gainey:

"We are extremely pleased to have acquired an impact centreman in Scott Gomez. He is an outstanding playmaker and an excellent skater. Having won the Stanley Cup twice with the New Jersey Devils, he brings to tour team a lot of playoff experience. Scott is an elite player who will certainly contribute to the success of our team for years to come."

Gomez is an elite player, for sure; but he's also a gamble. Gomez was an ill-fit with the Rangers, never finding chemistry with his wingers (not even with Jagr, compared to Michael Nylander) and never looking comfortable in Tom Renney's system before his firing. He's a dynamic open-ice skater and creative with the puck, and we always thought Gomez could be a 85-90 point man in the right offensive-oriented system.

Except now the Canadiens have traded for him to play in Jacques Martin's system. Like we said: Amazing.

Four Habs Fans nails it, as usual: "Finally, the overpaid undersized center we've been dreaming of."

Many National Hockey League general managers are of the belief that you should build a team from the goal out and, to use a football motto, defense wins championships.

As we've seen many times before, it doesn't take six superstar blue-liners to hoist the Stanley Cup. A mix of some offensive flair with defensive-minded bodies along with a touch of brave souls willing to give up the body to block shots is a blueprint that wins championships.

This year's free agent defenseman class features players that fall into each of those categories, with most looking for a significant raise in salary.

Here's a look at who we see as the Top 10 UFA defensemen, pending buyouts and re-signings. No Niedermayer, because he's coming back as a Duck.

1. Jay Bouwmeester

Current Team: Calgary Flames (for now)
Current Cap Hit: $4.875 million

The Good: Durable, smooth skating defenseman brings an offensive flair to the table. Still just 25-years old and already one of the top offensive blue liners in the league. Could his desire to play in a more passionate hockey environment see him improve even more?

The Bad: Flames General Manager Darryl Sutter has about $12 million in cap space to sign Bouwmeester and fill out the remaining roster. Would J-Bo be willing to take less now that he has a chance to play in a hockey mad city like Calgary?

The Ugly: Good luck Calgary (or whoever he lands with) media trying to pry an interesting quote out of him.

2. Mattias Ohlund

Current Team: Vancouver Canucks
Current Cap Hit: $3.5 million

The Good: Veteran puck-moving defenseman would be a bonus for any team. He can still provide offense and showed a bit more toughness breaking 100 minutes in penalties in 2008-09.

The Bad: His average time-on-ice has decreased every season since 2003-04 from 25 minutes to 21 this past season.

The Ugly: Coming off a year where he had his lowest goal and point totals after playing a full season.

3. Mike Komisarek

Current Team: Montreal Canadiens
Current Cap Hit: $1.7 million

The Good: Bruising blue-liner and excellent shot blocker. With the star power in the Eastern Conference, teams need a shut down defenseman and Komisarek can be that guy if you're willing to open the wallet.

The Bad: If you're a GM, do you pay a defenseman with 12 career goals $5-million a year for just defense? That's Ron Hainsey money!

The Ugly: Might want to look at a Western Conference team to stay away from Milan Lucic.

4. Francois Beauchemin

Current Team: Anaheim Ducks
Current Cap Hit: $1.65 million

The Good: Sold minute-muncher that played well after returning from a serious ACL injury this past season.

The Bad: Scott Niedermayer's return could spell the end for his former defensive partner in Anaheim.

The Ugly: Beauchemin blossomed as soon as he landed in Anaheim. Was his coming out a product of the Ducks system? We'll see soon enough.

5. Marc-Andre Bergeron

Current Team: Minnesota Wild
Current Cap Hit: $1.16 million

The Good: His big shot can be an aid to any power play. Was the Wild's second leading scorer with defense and added seven goals with the man advantage.

The Bad: His small frame (5-10, 197 lbs.) causes problems when trying to slow down larger forwards.

The Ugly: Is there a reason he's on his fourth team in seven seasons?

6. Rob Scuderi

Current Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Current Cap Hit: $713,000

The Good: Made himself plenty of money with his performance in the Stanley Cup Finals. One of the more underrated players in the league.

The Bad: Could Scuderi be another in the long line of "contract year wonders"?

The Ugly: If you're a Penguins fan hoping Scuds get re-signed, there'll be a pit in your stomach if some GM out there throws a Jeff Finger-type contract out at him, thereby putting the Leafs defenseman further ahead of Wyshynski on The Hockey News' Top 100 People of Power and Influence list.

7. Jordan Leopold

Current Team: Florida Panthers
Current Cap Hit: $1.5 million

The Good: If Florida can sign him, Leopold played with Keith Ballard at the University of Minnesota. Instant chemistry on the blue line, which is always key.

The Bad: Battled injuries before playing a full season in 2008-09. If healthy, can be a solid presence on any defense corps.

The Ugly: Part of the Hobey Baker curse. Offensive machine in college; not so much in the NHL.

8. Hal Gill

Current Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Current Cap Hit: $2.075 million

The Good: Good shot blocker and crease clearer. Teams love big defensemen and Gill brings that size, even if he doesn't play like it.

The Bad: He may be 6-7, 250 lbs., but he isn't as physical a presence as you think and might possibly skate like a duck.

The Ugly: If he wins another Stanley Cup, there's a good chance he breaks out the porn-stache while celebrating.

9. Paul Mara

Current Team: New York Rangers
Current Cap Hit: $1.95 million

The Good: Character guy that would likely be staying in the Big Apple if Wade Redden's salary was able to be moved.

The Bad: Offensive numbers are way down since he left Phoenix, but he's had his only two "plus" seasons with the Rangers.

The Ugly: If free agency fails, he always has a backup career as Zach Galifianakis' body double in "The Hangover" sequel.

10. Sergei Zubov

Current Team: Dallas Stars
Current Cap Hit: $5.35 million

The Good: Despite being 38-years old, Zubov, if healthy, is an asset. In 16 seasons, he's only scored less than seven goals five times.

The Bad: With a new GM, change is coming to the Stars and that could mean the end of Zubov's days in Dallas.

The Ugly: He's coming off a season where he had two hip surgeries and he'll have to take a significant paycut if he wants to stay in the NHL next season.

All cap figures from NHLNumbers.com.

The timing of the campaign is a pretty convenient for Florida, as it temporarily distracts from the impending signing of standout defenseman Jay Bouwmeester in another NHL city; after his rights were traded to the Calgary Flames at the NHL Draft. But Yormark said this Rosenhaus campaign has been planned for "months," and that the official multimedia launch for the movement next week is timed to be right after July 4 and roughly 14 weeks from opening night.

"Normally, we would do our new business push right after the season," said Yormark. "We decided to hold off on that because we didn't want to come out too early; especially since we're going to be investing significant dollars into our ad campaign. We felt July was a better time for us."

We asked him how marketing a team without Jay Bouwmeester compares with marketing a team without Olli Jokinen, as the Panthers did after trading him to the Phoenix Coyotes last summer. Yormark brought the conversation back to the new campaign and why losing Bouwmeester was the player's decision:

"This [marketing campaign] had nothing to do with Jay. To be quite frank with you, as far as we were concerned, Jay made a decision a long time ago that he probably didn't want to re-sign with the Florida Panthers. I'll tell you personally that if Jay Bouwmeester doesn't want to be part of the Panthers organization, then it's probably better that he goes elsewhere.

"I've very confident in Randy Sexton, our assistant general manager, and [coach] Peter DeBoer and our entire hockey operations department that we will do whatever we need to do in order to make sure that the absence of Jay is minimized as much as possible."

TSN reported this morning that the Flames were expected to present a formal offer to Bouwmeester today.

As for the Panthers ... look, Jordan Leopold isn't Bouwmeester. Just like Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton weren't Olli Jokinen, and Todd Bertuzzi wasn't Roberto Luongo. At some point, the Panthers need to become the team that acquires a gate attraction rather than the one waving goodbye at the airport. This Drew Rosenhaus thing is a very clever way to communicate that tickets are more affordable at Panthers games; but it's beyond time to give fans something worth watching again.

In other news: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Komisarek will test free agency, via Max Hockey.

According to Dirk Hoag at On The Forecheck, Nashville GM David Poile was on WNSR 560-AM in Nashville to discuss the free-agent frenzy. When asked about Sullivan's contract, he said the forward is seeking a deal in excess of two years. Which, evidently, was news to Sullivan; from On The Forecheck:

The messages begin with "WOW! WOW! WOW!", followed by @Manny1974 (who appears to be a friend) asking whether Sully is really asking for more than 2 years, and his reply is that he's just hoping he heard Poile wrong.

Obviously Sullivan was listening to the interview, and was surprised by what he heard. Did a bomb just get dropped that pretty much wraps up Sully's days in Nashville? Let's hope not, but between this and some other tweets that I've seen out there ("Looks like @sully26 will finish where it all started"), it doesn't look like Steve Sullivan will be a Nashville Predator this fall. Granted, those are unverified, unofficial statements, but it looks like the people around Sully are preparing to help him move, and hope that it's closer to his hometown of Timmins, Ontario.

Either way, it was interesting to see an athlete respond to an interview like this in real-time, as fans were listening and discussing. It just goes to show how Twitter is rewriting the rules these days.

Indeed. But as usual, the devil's in the details: Did Sullivan just discover a miscommunication with Predators management? Is he aghast that Poile let slip contract details the day before free agency starts?

Twitter's an interesting and useful way to deliver news at a rapid rate; but other than a quick voyeuristic glimpse into Steve Sullivan's off-season radio listening, there are more questions than answers in his 44 (or so) characters.

• Your USA Hockey orientation camp invitees. No Keith Tkachuk or Bill Guerin or Rick DiPietro, but a player can make the team without going to camp:

Goaltenders: Ryan Miller, Jonathan Quick, Tim Thomas

Defensemen: Tom Gilbert, Tim Gleason, Ron Hainsey, Erik Johnson, Jack Johnson, Mike Komisarek, Paul Martin, Brooks Orpik, Brian Rafalski, Rob Scuderi, Ryan Suter, Ryan Whitney

Forwards: David Backes, David Booth, Dustin Brown, Dustin Byfuglien, Ryan Callahan, Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler, Phil Kessel, Jamie Langenbrunner, Ryan Malone, Mike Modano, Kyle Okposo, T.J. Oshie, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, Bobby Ryan, Paul Stastny.

• Interesting piece post-NHL Draft that looks at the prospects from "non-traditional" U.S. markets and the decline of Russian prospects; wondering if Gary Bettman's "Southern Strategy" is actually paying off in fresh talent playing hockey. [On Goal Analysis]

• And this is why we all wanted John Tortorella to coach the New York Rangers: "I just think we're soft. I'm not trying to insult anyone physically but I think we're soft thinkers. I think we need to grow in what we need to do in preparation and practice habits." [NorthJersey.com]

• Marian Hossa and the take-it-or-leave-it offer from Detroit. [Snapshots]

• The wooing of Jay Bouwmeester continues, as the soon-to-be-former Florida Panthers defenseman gets calls from Jarome Iginla and Robyn Regehr, as well as some negotiating from Darryl Sutter of the Calgary Flames. [Sun Media]

• Is anyone else sort of fascinated by what, if anything, the Phoenix Coyotes are going to do in the next week or so? What's the budget? Who makes the deals? Do the potential new owners have any say? [Five For Howling]

• Free agent goalie Jonas "The Monster" Gustavsson is delaying his decision until after the July 1 free-agent frenzy starts. So a Swedish hockey player has delaying making a decision. Water still wet. Pope, Catholic. All of it. [Sportsnet]

• Please go read Down Goes Brown's outtakes of "Brian Burke" mic'd up by TSN if you haven't already. And if you have, read it again; seriously, how many times have you seen "Airplane!" and still laughed, right? [DGB]

• Is someone makes a run at Phil Kessel as an RFA, what might the Boston Bruins receive as compensation? [Bruins Blog]

• Is one year and $3 million enough to keep Dwayne Roloson in Edmonton? [Sportsnet]

• Bob McKenzie reports that the St. Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings appear to have pulled out of the Dany Heatley sweepstakes, leaving the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks as the lone suitors. Heatley on the Sharks is actually a pretty dynamic idea if the money can be worked out going the other way. [TSN]

• The Detroit Red Wings' backup plan in case Jimmy Howard doesn't work out as Chris Osgood's No. 2 or co-No. 1. So-long ConkBlock then? [Snapshots]

• What Chris Pronger can teach Mike Richards as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers. Like how to lose the captaincy to a more well-respected teammate? [Philly.com]

• Mike Zigomanis done with the Pittsburgh Penguins; vows to continue fight against The Watchmen. [Post Gazette]

• We may run a Photo Expo on the NHL Draft later today, time permitting. But this shot of Youppi! on the Draft floor after the event, taking photos with arena workers and media, can't wait.

• Alex Kovalev and Mike Komisarek both have offers from the Montreal Canadiens, but Saku Koivu has been told to wait for his until the team figures out its trade options. Cue Vincent Lecavalier trade rumors, Round 10 billion. [Habs Eyes on the Prize]

• Nik Antropov will not be returning to the New York Rangers. Hell, at 6-6, maybe the Knicks can use him. [Puck Central]

• Qualifying offers from the Rangers. [Zipay]

• Johnny Oduya gets $3.5 million (or $3.4 million) per season in a three-year deal with the New Jersey Devils, making him the second-highest paid defenseman behind Paul Martin. Incidentally, Pat Hickey's assessment that Oduya is "a stay-at-home type" ranks somewhere between baffling and comical. [Kevin Allen]

• Don't know how many old white dudes who look like Jacques Lemaire are roaming the streets of Newark, NJ, but one may have visited the Prudential Center this week. [Fire & Ice]

• Malkin To The Kings' orgy of rumors and scuttlebutt. [Sun Media]

• Goofy slideshow fun: The 10 Most Tortured Hockey Franchises in Recent Memory. [Bleacher Report]

• The Colorado Avalanche haven't exactly been communicative during the free-agency frenzy, and Mile High Hockey ain't happy: "Not all of your fan base is a bunch of blubbering morons complaining about Joe Sakic's career +/- numbers. I speak from experience when I say that you have a lot of intelligent, knowledgeable fans out there and they want to know about stuff like this." [MHH]

• NCAA: Bowling Green head coach Scott Paluch has stepped down from his position to become the regional manager for USA Hockey's new American Development Model. Is Tyra involved, too? [CHN]

• The NHL Network will simulcast TSN's coverage of the Free-Agent Frenzy. Versus will have fishing, maybe an infomercial or two. [NHL]

• Michael Farber's list of recent free-agent busts. The 2007 binge on centers ... holy smokes. [SI]

• On Frozen Blog's video coverage from the Hershey Bears arena. Solid. [OFB]

• Finally, YouTube gold: Norris Division final, 1987, Hockey Night in Canada. Amazing stuff, if only for a spry, game show host-like Ron MacLean:

"I have been hired by the fans of the NHL's Florida Panthers to negotiate lower season ticket prices. I will keep you posted on the outcome."

Curious because the Florida Panthers do in fact have tickets of above-average price, according to the 2008-09 Fan Cost Index (.pdf). Curious because Rosenhaus taking on what amounts to a class-action movement on behalf of hockey fans is about as random as it gets.

Fans starting buzzing. The Miami Herald picked it up. Then came the official announcement this morning:

Rosenhaus Sports announced today that sports super agent Drew Rosenhaus has been hired by fans of the Florida Panthers to renegotiate season ticket pricing for the 2009-10 NHL season.

"As a longtime Panthers fan and a person who believes in giving sports fans the value and the atmosphere they deserve, I am absolutely thrilled to represent the Cats faithful at the bargaining table," Rosenhaus said. "That said, this a unique situation for me to represent the fans as opposed to professional athletes. But as a passionate Cats follower, I've got my finger on the pulse of the BankAtlantic Center faithful.

"Also, if I can offer a word of advice for head coach Pete DeBoer, president Michael Yormark and the rest of the Panthers front office, ‘be prepared to go low on cost and high on value, and don't get too comfortable because I'll be knocking on your door in the next 48 hours.'"

"We felt we needed the very best agent in professional sports to represent us in these negotiations," said Florida Panthers advisory board member and season ticket holder Nat Levine. "We understand that negotiating season ticket prices may be a first in the industry, but there is simply no option we won't explore to make sure every South Florida sports fan has the opportunity to experience the excitement of Florida Panthers hockey."

Did the tone strike you as a little light? Does the fact that the press release was sent over by KCBS Marketing tip you off about anything?

It should: Drew Rosenhaus and the Florida Panthers have pulled off an ingenious bit of viral marketing today.

(UPDATE: Interview with Drew Rosenhaus later in the story.)

Matt Sacco, director of public relations for the Panthers, said that this is part of the team's new marketing campaign for the off-season.

"Drew is working with us, and the premise of the marketing campaign is that he has been hired by Panthers fans to renegotiate season-ticket pricing with the club," he said. "He was here yesterday to film two TV commercials and a couple of radio spots, and be involved in a couple of print ads. The campaign is launching next Tuesday, but we're starting it now virally."

Hence the Tweet, and hence the press release. Future plans include footage of the intense negotiations on YouTube.

What will the result of these negotiations be for Panthers fans? The team is mum. But, logically, why would Drew Rosenhaus would involved in an ad campaign that has him losing to the Panthers and ticket prices going up, you know?

Rosenhaus has only NFL clients, so there's no conflict of interest. Sacco said the plans started being considered a month or so ago, with Rosenhaus's commercial on ESPN (video) being a selling point. (Not to mention his Oscar-worthy performance with the Burger King.)

We've got calls into Rosenhaus and may hear from Panthers COO Michael Yormark later. We'll update if we do. In any event, kudos to both parties for a very inventive bit of viral marketing to kick off the summer. More than a few Rosenhaus watchers and hockey fans were duped this morning.

UPDATE: Spoke to Rosenhaus earlier this afternoon about the marketing campaign with the Panthers. "I wish I could take the credit for it," he said.

The Panthers reached out to Rosenhaus Sports partner Robert Bailey and pitched the idea for the campaign.

"It sounded like it wouldn't take too much of my time, and we were able to work it around my schedule," Rosenhaus said. "I was happy to play along, and shed a little light on the fact that agents and teams can sometimes work together for a good cause."

He said the proceeds he's receiving for the gig are going to the Diabetes Research Foundation, and the team is also providing Panthers tickets to his clients.

Rosenhaus said there's no conflict of interest, because he's not a registered hockey agent; but he did clear the gig with the National Football League Players' Association.

This obviously isn't his first foray into commercials or film work, as we mentioned above. He's also been featured in "Jerry Maguire," "Any Given Sunday" and "Arli$$" on HBO.

"I know there are critics [of] my high profile, but in each case these were not things where I went and sought them out. People come to me, they're good ideas; in the case of the Burger King, the proceeds went to my client, Terrell Owens. There was no financial compensation for the ESPN thing. I loved the 'This Is SportsCenter' commercials," he said. "They've all been no-brainers."

As for his hockey credentials, Rosenhaus said he's a fan.

"I work out with a number of professional hockey players who work out down here in South Florida. I'm a big Panthers fan. I like the team president, Michael Yormark; I think he's been an impressive sports executive," he said. "The truth is that they're doing a terrific job of lower season tickets, opening up free parking and giving fans access to the players. I think it's awesome."

The best centers available at the Frenzy this week sadly aren't unrestricted free agents. They have names like Lecavalier and Gomez and Marleau. They cost a lot of money, and will cost talent going back the other way. But comparing them to most of the free-agent centers on the UFA market is like comparing the grosses for the new "Transformers" explosion-gasm with those for the new Larry-David-as-Woody-Allen flick. In the sense that there is no comparison.

The problem with this summer's crop of pivots isn't just its depth; it's the details. Joe Sakic proved he had something left in the tank last season, though not much; but it's the Colorado Avalanche or daily rounds of golf and afternoon naps for him.

Henrik Sedin is one of the best free agents available at any position, yet he's a package deal. And if anyone can figure whether Mats Sundin is a sound investment, and at what cost, they're a better man than Mike Gillis.

The UFA centers are a collection of question marks, former stars, checking centers and Michael Cammalleri.

The UFA centers, excluding Sakic because we don't consider him available.

1. Henrik Sedin

Current Team: Vancouver Canucks
Current Cap Hit: $3.575 million

The Good: Outstanding offensive talent, with 22 goals and 82 points this season. He's creative on the puck, and one of the better set-up men in the Game. Above-average on faceoffs as well. 

The Bad: You have to sign his twin brother Daniel, too.

The Ugly: He and his brother are looking for contracts in the neighborhood of 12 years and $63 million apiece. If you laugh in the face of one of the Sedins, does the other one sulk?

2. Michael Cammalleri

Current Team: Calgary Flames
Current Cap Hit: $3.350 million

The Good: Career highs in points (82) and goals (39) with the Flames last season, and his reputation as a dynamic power-play scorer was upheld with 34 points with the man advantage. Can play center or wing. Forever endeared himself to potential suitor Brian Burke with one of the best cheap shots of the postseason on Martin Havlat.

The Bad: That career-year (in a walk season) came while playing with Jarome Iginla, conditions that won't be recreated on another roster. 

The Ugly: Will probably command over $5.5 million per season, and a bidding war could push it even higher than that. That's a high price to pay for Cammalleri, no matter how well the marinara sauce clings to the breading.

3. Saku Koivu

Current Team: Montreal Canadiens
Current Cap Hit: $4.750 million

The Good: His numbers weren't stellar for a Canadiens team that was a centennial suck-fest for most of the campaign, but the captain showed he could still be a dangerous offensive player in bursts. Koivu remains one of the best players in hockey in the faceoff circle. 

The Bad: At 35 years old this November, Koivu's numbers are declining and Habs GM Bob Gainey isn't exactly camping outside his door with a bouquet of daisies in order to bring him back next season. 

The Ugly: If you're penciling Koivu into your team's lineup, just crumple up the paper and toss it in the circular file. One assumes that if he's not a Hab, he'll join brother Mikko Koivu with the Minnesota Wild -- a team that could use another quality center. He'll have a happy existence in Minnesota ... unless local leaders start criticizing his attempt at a Midwestern accent.

4. Nik Antropov 

Current Team: New York Rangers
Current Cap Hit: $1.973 million (total)

The Good: C'mon, admit it -- you thought Antropov might be a huge bust for the Rangers after the picked him up at the deadline. But he had 13 points in 18 games before a relatively quiet postseason. He'll always attract some interest as a towering 6-6, 230-pound forward, before attracting ridicule and scorn for failing to play that big at times.

The Bad: His agent thinks Antropov is worth $5 million per season, a figure which Rangers GM Glen Sather believes Antropov has a "snowball's chance in hell" of getting.

The Ugly: Voted "Most Likely To Become an Enigmatic Forward Whose True Value Will Always Be Debated" in the Ust-Kamenogorsk High School yearbook.

5. Robert Lang

Current Team: Montreal Canadiens
Current Cap Hit: $4 million

The Good: Before an injury ended his season, Lang was having an outstanding year -- 39 points in 50 games. The Habs never really recovered from his loss. Or the fact that the majority of their roster was made up of immature party boys and mob associates.

The Bad: Yeah, about that injury -- it was a torn left Achilles tendon, and Lang will be 39 in December.

The Ugly: All that said, Lang may still fancy himself as a $4 million a year player. In this economy?

6. Mats Sundin

Current Team: Vancouver Canucks
Current Cap Hit: $5.363 million

The Good: Yeah, him again. After signing a one-year, prorated $8.6 million free-agent deal with the Canucks, Sundin had 28 points in 41 games and eight points in eight playoff games. But because he didn't cure any lepers along the way, he was seen as an unmitigated disaster on the brink of inevitable retirement.

The Bad: Sundin's 41-game stint wasn't close to a star performance. Yet Vancouver GM Mike Gillis said he'd like to bring back Sundin. And if he's bluffing, Sundin would know, right?

The Ugly: Not exactly known for prompt decision-making.

7. Dominic Moore

Current Team: Buffalo Sabres
Current Cap Hit: $900,000

The Good: There was this strange moment at the trade deadline last season when Dominic Moore, who most casual fans wouldn't know from Roger Moore, became one of the hottest names in play. Let's see ... 41 points in 63 games ... not bad. Versatile player ... OK.

Oh, right: That guy ...

The Bad: Wasn't exactly an atomic hot wing after being traded to the Sabres. As Die By The Blade opines:

His entire time in Buffalo was bad.  The most glaring stat was his low point total.  He had 12 goals and 29 assists in 63 games with the Leafs but managed only one goal and three assists in 18 games with the Sabres.

While managing a plus three turnover ratio in Toronto, he was a minus six with the Sabres.  His production dropped in almost every category after joining the Sabres.

The Ugly: It's been long rumored that Moore is seeking a major raise to north of $3 million per season. Whether his putrid stretch in Buffalo has affected that number remains to be seen; but obviously buyers should beware.

8. Sami Pahlsson

Current Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Current Cap Hit: $1.400 million

The Good: After a disastrous opening to his season with the Anaheim Ducks (and a curious case of mononucleosis), Pahlsson went to Chicago and rediscovered his checking game; playing well for the Hawks. Can be a very valuable depth player.

The Bad: Like John Madden (see below), a once-dominant checking center that's getting a little older and into a bit of decline.

The Ugly: Clearly doesn't understand the dangers of sharing water bottles or kissing strangers, what with that mono thing and all.

9. Mike Comrie

Current Team: Ottawa Senators
Current Cap Hit: $4 million

The Good: Well ... er, uh ... his celebrity girlfriend looks great in a bikini?

It wasn't a strong campaign for Comrie, as he had 27 points in 63 games had flat-out flopped for the Senators after coming over from the Islanders. Injuries slowed him, and he's been a 20-goal scorer in the past. But last season stunk like what Draper's kid left in the Cup in the Summer of '08. 

The Bad: Comrie's only 28, but he's nearly earned Chris Gratton-esque journeyman status. If he can find his game, he could be a solid No. 2 pivot for a team. If he can find his game.

The Ugly: Bryan Murray isn't close to re-signing Comrie because he isn't willing to take a 50-percent pay cut on his $4 million salary. Doesn't Murray know Hilary comes as part of the package?

10. John Madden

Current Team: New Jersey Devils
Current Cap Hit: $2.939 million

The Good: Took a huge step back from his outstanding 2007-08 season of 20 goals and 43 points, but remains one of the most tenacious checking centers in the NHL and a dependable penalty killers.

The Bad: His offensive decline is significant; without partner in crime Jay Pandolfo, is there any chance he can be as effective? His salary would have to come way down to justify his signing. Someone like Manny Malhotra could come cheaper and, potentially, have greater impact.

The Ugly: Players who appear on the cover of his video games are cursed and he refuses to travel by air ... oh, wait. Never mind.

Great Thing About Rob Blake Being Re-Signed, Part 2: The San Jose Sharks retain the services of a defenseman that played well for them in the regular season (45 points in 73 games, plus-15) and into the postseason (4 points in 6 games, including a huge opening goal in Game 3 against the Anaheim Ducks). The Sharks are also getting Blake at $3.5 million for one season, as the 39-year-old defenseman takes about a $1.5 million pay cut.

This summer is a grand chemistry experiment for GM Doug Wilson: Which parts make the Sharks flimsy in the postseason, and which parts are essential to their foundation of success? Blake is rightfully seen as essential; forward Marcel Goc, despite being a cult fan icon, was not and wasn't tendered a qualifying offer. (Someone asked the other day for a good source for following the qualifying offers; we'd suggest NHL.com or the TSN master-list.)

By all accounts, the Sharks were very, very active behind the scenes at the NHL Draft. The remaking of this team is in its infancy, but it's refreshing to see Wilson getting aggressive early.

The other interesting news this morning comes from Twitter. Yes, we know there's an institutional bias against this form of communication as a journalistic venture. But last weekend was the first Twitter-covered NHL Draft, and more news was broken there than on a television or in a newspaper. So this is the first Twitter-covered Free Agent Frenzy, and news will be broken there, too. It's the new digital sandbox, and we all need to learn how to play in it -- even if we suspect some kids relieved themselves near the Tonka trucks.

(Both Leahy and Wyshynski are on Twitter; please to be following if you aren't already.)

From Kevin Allen of USA Today on Twitter comes this news on the Sedin Twins:

From my poking about on Komisarek, I have the sense that the Habs believe they will land Sedins if the twins don't re-sign in Vancouver.

Obviously, the Habs have the cap space. They also have something that may be just as important in signing Henrik and Daniel Sedin: The willingness to remake their roster around the two standouts, casting aside several UFAs in an attempt to get younger and better.

That said: The Vancouver Canucks are relentlessly pursuing the Sedins, and TSN's Darren Dreger reports that they are mulling an offer to remain with the team.

The first is that he was a winger that worked well with Sidney Crosby, and ask Pascal Dupuis if that's necessarily easy to find. The second is that he earned the new deal by helping to transform that Penguins locker room upon his arrival at the deadline from the New York Islanders.

The third is that the fans chanted "one more year" at the Stanley Cup parade; which is, of course, the ultimate factor in any decision for a general manager.

But as Rob Rossi of the Tribune-Review points out, the signings of Guerin and fourth-line forward Craig Adams leave the Penguins with $51,218,000 committed for 17 players next season, with the cap at $56.8 million. They made a trio of qualifying offers on Monday, too.

Winger Ruslan Fedotenko and defensemen Rob Scuderi and Hal Gill can test the UFA market beginning on Wednesday. It was going to be difficult to sign Scuderi in the first place; now, his return to the Penguins would appear to be contingent on the money he receives from other suitors and his desire to cut the team that drafted him a break.

What's the market? Well, he's a different kind of defenseman, buy Johnny Oduya is reportedly close to re-signing with the New Jersey Devils for $3 million per season, according to the Star Ledger. (The Devils, meanwhile, seem to have Brian Gionta's re-signing a bit down their list of priorities.)

Does Scuderi have to come under $3 million for the Penguins to re-sign him? We'd say so. Will it happen? It would probably take a hometown discount. But that's not something out of the question when the "hometown" is a championship team returning nearly intact. Scuderi's been candid about it not "being about the money," but we'll find out soon if he's sincere about it.

Meanwhile, the team that Pittsburgh topped for the Cup has made its pitch to its most prized free agent: The Detroit Red Wings are offering Marian Hossa a long-term deal that translates around a $4 million cap hit yearly, according to the Detroit Free Press. From the Freep:

Unless Hossa signs a long-term contract with a cap number around $4 million, he'll hit the open market Wednesday. Free agents can sign contracts with new teams starting at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

"I'm willing to move a player or two if the cap number makes sense for us," Holland said Monday night. "Other teams can offer a lot more money. ... We've made our decisions. I'm very comfortable with the core of our team. We've put our best foot forward with Marian. They know it. Marian and (agent) Ritch Winter have to look at all their options."

Translation: Holland's hoping he wants the years with Zetterberg and Datsyuk instead of the cash-grab he surrendered when he signed with Detroit last summer. Otherwise, Marian Hossa is an ex-Wing come free agency.

• Andy Strickland of HockeyBuzz reported earlier today that defenseman Jay McKee has been placed on waivers for the purposes of being bought out by the St. Louis Blues, with one year left on his 4-year, $16-million contract he signed as a free agent. St. Louis Game Time summed it up like this:

"Sad to say that the Blues valued his $1.3 million cap hit this year and next compared to his contribution this season in the final year of his deal."

• TSN reported on two other players placed on unconditional waivers, potentially en route to a buyout, are Exiled-in-Providence winger Peter Schaefer of the Boston Bruins, who was set to make $2.1 million next season; and winger Brett McLean of the Florida Panthers, who would have made $1.7 million. Haggs at WEEI explains the Schaefer scenario:

Contract buyouts come at two-thirds the cost to the club, with the team gaining the ability to spread out the cost of the buyout over twice the amount of time remaining on the contract (eg. with one year left on the contract for each of these players, the cost against the team's cap is spread out over the next two seasons). For Schaefer, that means a contract buyout would add a total of $700,000 to Boston's cap hit for the next seasons.

One expects Schaefer to draw some interest at a lower cost. As for McLean ... well, Pittsburgh's an obvious option if Sidney Crosby needs a high-priced punching bag (jokes).

• In case you missed it, via the Daily Herald: Dave Bolland of the Chicago Blackhawks, who had an outstanding postseason, inked a five-year deal before RFA status with that pays $3.375 million per season, according to TSN and the Daily Herald. He made $887,000 last season. He can probably buy that pool table now. Assuming he wanted one. Not for nothing, but Dave Bolland now has a higher cap hit than Dustin Byfuglien if TSN's numbers are on point.

• Finally, two other signings of note: The Pittsburgh Penguins ink Craig Adams -- he of the enormously important Game 7 goal against Washington -- to a two-year deal before reaching UFA status. The Carolina Hurricanes also signed pending RFA winger Jussi Jokinen to a two-year deal. He will receive $1.5 million next season and $1.9 million in the 2010-11 season, along with his monthly allotment of Devils fans' tears.

Back in March you flagged an Islanders fan for a Jersey Foul of "incredible hubris and total indignation to the Hockey Gods" for prematurely sporting a John Tavares jersey.

It should now be obvious that this fan had psychic ability on a par with Dionne Warwick.  In the next edition of Jersey Fouls, I think it's only fair that you acknowledge his Kreskin-like abilities.

We won't wait for the next edition of Jersey Fouls later this week. That's because the fan in question, Barry, also emailed us after the Isles drafted John Tavares:

Guess instead of a moron I'm a visionary!  :)

The gloating, we can take. The emoticon was over the line ...

To be fair, Islanders blog Lighthouse Hockey also had its issues with the premature fashion acceptance of John Tavares as the No. 1 pick. All we can do now is acknowledge our hastiness, bow down to Barry the Islanders Fan and hope he can find it within the kindness of his heart to provide either of us with Mega Millions numbers.

Meanwhile, here's a short interview we did at Bell Centre in Montreal with Roger Farina, a former NHL Fan of the Year, that covered his feelings on Tavares before he was selected first overall. Yes, he did in fact have nameplates for all three possibilities ready to roll. We met some really great Islanders bloggers in Montreal, too; they all seem pretty darn happy with Tavares.

The Colorado Avalanche are looking for a starting goaltender, or at least one that will get the majority of the starts with Peter Budaj filling in the blanks. Like the Dallas Stars and the Toronto Maple Leafs, they're flirting with Jonas "The Monster" Gustavsson before the Free Agent Frenzy begins this week.

If it's not the Swedish netminder, Adrian Dater of the Denver Post predicts the other possibilities for the Avs:

My money is on Marty Biron or Ty Conklin being the next Avs' starting goalie, with Boods as the backup. We'll see.

Yeah, that's about where we are with the goalie free-agent crop in 2009: Bidding for Europeans that have never been in the NHL, hoping that big-name keepers like J-S Giguere are dealt or settling for the mismatched sock drawer of unrestricted free agent goalies that should hit the market this week.

What's at play with this group is a combination of salary and experience; and both for some of the bigger names at play. The contract figures for some of these keepers might have to come down based on their age; in other cases, goalies that will come cheaper simply are untested in pressure situations. Is a leap of faith worth a few million saved?

Here's a look at who we see as the Top 10 UFA goalies, pending buyouts and re-signings:

1. Nikolai Khabibulin

Current Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Current Cap Hit: $6.750 million

The Good: The best starting goalie in the mix, based on his regular season performance (2.33 GAA) and in the postseason (2.93), where he obviously brings a ton of experience and a little Stanley Cup bling.

The Bad: Being the stud of the free-agent goalie class means commanding a pretty decent price tag, though it's hard to imagine an NHL team signing him for that cap hit at age 36. Especially since teams seeking his services are pretty limited.

The Ugly: Hasn't started 60 regular season games since 2003, so he'd need a sturdy backup. The Bulin Wall has also been linked with the KHL on several occasions, and there's virtually no chance an NHL team would enter into (or win) that bidding war if he wants to leave.

2. Dwayne Roloson

Current Team: Edmonton Oilers
Current Cap Hit: $3.667 million

The Good: For a short-term run at the playoffs (or a Cup), Roloson's one of the best competitors in the UFA crop. His play down the stretch for the Oilers was phenomenal when you consider they were giving away more shots than the Red Cross for the last two months of the season.

The Bad: Not for nothing, but the guy sure does know how to play some outstanding hockey when entering a contract year. So a one-year deal would be perfect.

The Ugly: If Curtis Joseph is considered ancient, Roloson's primeval at age 39. Not to say he isn't a fine wine, but that expecting 62 regular season starts next season might be a stretch.

3. Martin Biron

Current Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Current Cap Hit: $3.500 million

The Good: You can count the number of free-agent goalies who aren't over the hill, can be a primary starter and have decent numbers in the playoffs on one finger this year. Because Biron's it. Battled and eventually won the goalie job in Philly this season ...

The Bad:  ... but it was still a battle. Biron's blazing inconsistency at the start of the season opened the door for Antero Niittymaki, and there were a few moments in which is looked like neither of them wanted the gig.

The Ugly: Has absolutely no respect for the Hockey Gods. At all.

4. Craig Anderson

Current Team: Florida Panthers
Current Cap Hit: $550,000

The Good: Relatively young (27) and by far one of the least expensive options available. Wants his shot at a starting job, and his numbers over the last two seasons with the Panthers are fantastic when you consider the volume of quality shots he faced on some nights.

The Bad: He also started exactly 40 games in the last two season, which is the problem. He's a leap of faith, in the sense that Biron was for the Flyers when they acquired him. Can his acrobatic, incredible play stretch over 50-60 games for another team?

The Ugly: Well-documented Ice Girls fetish seriously limits his potential destinations, which is a shame because he'd do well with the New York Islanders otherwise.

5. Manny Fernandez

Current Team: Boston Bruins
Current Cap Hit: $4.333 million

The Good: Since the chances that Fernandez will earn that salary should he remain in the NHL are somewhere between slim and none, the Jennings Trophy co-winner is an intriguing option for a team that could use a backup with a decade's-worth of experience. He started 27 games for the Bruins last season, who no longer need his services with Tuukka Rask of Tatooine ready to play.

The Bad: He excelled under Jacques Lemaire in Minnesota and excelled under Claude Julien in Boston. The styles of those coaches have something in common. (Hint: It rhymes with "crap.")

The Ugly: His bum back had him thinking retirement earlier this season. Which doesn't exactly instill confidence in investors, we imagine.

6. Ty Conklin

Current Team: Detroit Red Wings
Current Cap Hit: $750,000

The Good: Outplayed Chris Osgood in the regular season with a stellar 2.51 GAA and a .909 save percentage. That's after his sterling effort in relief of Marc-Andre Fleury one year earlier with the Pittsburgh Penguins, as ConkBlock salvaged the Pens' season with an 18-8 record. Clearly an option for the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers or Washington Capitals if they value winning the Winter Classic, as Conklin is 3-0 in NHL outdoor games.

The Bad: Clearly not an option for any team that wants to win the Stanley Cup, as Conklin's teams are 0-for-3 (as any Red Wings fan can now tell you).

The Ugly: Outstanding numbers with Stanley Cup finalists are nice and all, but is the Conklin/Budaj two-headed monster scaring anyone? Besides Avalanche fans?

7. Scott Clemmensen

Current Team: New Jersey Devils
Current Cap Hit: $331,000

The Good: The hidden MVP of the New Jersey Devils' regular season, Clemmer finished with a 2.39 GAA and a .917 save percentage in 39 starts before some bum named Brodeur took his gig.

The Bad: You know the routine -- was Clemmensen a product of the Devils' system or was he an effective starter? We saw enough of him to say this: If the Devils carried Clemmensen for two periods, he'd carry them for one. How you can monetize that skill, we have no idea.

The Ugly: Still a goalie teetering on the line between the AHL and the NHL. But he believes that rather than getting a foot in the door, he now has his whole body. Which means it just hurts more when it's slammed.

8. Antero Niittymaki

Current Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Current Cap Hit: $1.225 million

The Good: The cap hit might decrease. The bottom line for Niittymaki is that he's a dependable backup who hasn't been able to win an NHL job despite getting his chances.

The Bad: He'd like to start, but it's hard to see a situation in which Niittymaki is competing for a job rather than coming in as a clear No. 2.

The Ugly: If your fans are spelling challenged ... well, at least it's not Wade Dubielewicz.

9. Brent Johnson

Current Team: Washington Capitals
Current Cap Hit: $ 812,000

The Good: Basically stole the starting goaltender's job from Jose Theodore in Washington well before Simeon Varlamov actually did. Put together an impressive run of efforts until ...

The Bad: ... nagging injuries, including a nagging hip soreness, derailed his season. But his agent said he's in negotiations with the Capitals to return.

The Ugly: Hasn't started more than 30 games since 2003, and he has teased like this before. But he could be a very solid backup somewhere.

10. Martin Gerber

Current Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Current Cap Hit: $3.7 million

The Good: Once upon a time, not so long ago, Martin Gerber was a dependable backup/quasi-starter in the NHL that was fairly coveted. Then he signed with the Ottawa Senators, it all went to hell, and he ended up as an emergency goalie for the Toronto Maple Leafs after getting waived.

The Bad: At 35, the deterioration of his skills is a real concern. This would be the same boat that fellow UFAs Manny Legace and Olaf Kolzig find themselves in. At the very least, Gerber played well in spots for the Leafs last season. Although he refusal to embrace his Darth Gerber mask remains an affront.

The Ugly: When Manny Legace, Olaf Kolzig and Martin Gerber are all mentioned in the No. 10 spot and it's 2009, you know what kind of free agent crop we're dealing with here.

All cap figures from NHLNumbers.com.

• Dan Wood of Ducks Blog writes a rather compelling defense of Chris Pronger both as a player and an individual: "Booed mercilessly in nearly every NHL arena except his own, Pronger is perhaps the league's most misunderstood individual." We'd agree that Pronger isn't "nothing but evil" as Wood writes as a devil's advocate. We will say that he's an Ulf-level cheap shot artist, and that behavior has tarnished what otherwise could be (should be?) a Hall of Fame career. [Ducks Blog]

• Mikael Samuelsson, Tomas Kopecky, Ty Conklin and Marian Hossa: Soon-to-be former Detroit Red Wings? [Snapshots]

• Gotta love the negotiating prowess of New York Rangers GM Glen Sather, who said this about Nik Antropov's agent seeking a long-term deal at $5 million per season: "There's a snowball's chance in hell that's going to happen. It's ridiculous. I hate to criticize an agent, but let's have a little bit of reality here." [NY Post]

• Our content partners at SB Nation unleash the awesome power of their fully armed and operational battle station with a catchall Free Agent Frenzy blog. Bookmark it, Dan-o. [SB Nation]

• NHL.com, meanwhile, attempts a ranking of the top 50 free agents heading into this week's frenzy. We're pretty sure Rob Scuderi of the Pittsburgh Penguins might garner a tad more interest than Jordan Leopold. [NHL.com]

• Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk is "disappointed" that Dany Heatley has requested a trade. And if there's anyone who knows about disappointment ... [Sun Media]

• Why it's time for Joe Sakic to say goodbye to the NHL. [Denver Post]

• "Fanarchy" on Versus was pimped hard during the network's Stanley Cup coverage. To the surprise of exactly no one, there's a backlash now that it's on the air. From First Cuts: "Sports bloggers of the blogosphere: This is not progress. Rather than having your voice taken seriously, you're being sold as mouthbreathing knuckledraggers when you're paired next to stuff like this. The show is actually the opposite of progress when it comes to giving fans a voice." [First Cuts]

• Wondering where the 2010 NHL Draft should be held, as it's never visited places like Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia and Washington. The Bell Centre fans were vocal; can you imagine the draft in Philly or NYC? Maybe that's why it's never been there ... [From The Rink]

• SI's Allan Muir offers his winners and losers for the 2009 NHL Draft. All due respect, but after seeing his mock draft, how much of this analysis can we really depend on? Evander Kane dropping to the Leafs? That's bizonkers. [SI]

• Long, detailed look at the recent rulings and news in the Phoenix Coyotes' plight. [Sharkspage]

• Honestly, we could look at these train-wreck rookie glamour shots all day. "Now, Rangers draftee Scott Stajcer ... what we want you to do is squat in the goal like Jorge Posada and give us a look that says 'you better not be hitting on my sister, dude' ..." We have a Photo Expedition of the Draft later today. [Getty]

• Great job by Japers' Rink in tabulating over 16,000 votes on Washington Capitals players for final ratings on their 2008-09 seasons. Donald Brashear is thanking his lucky stars for Chris Clark and Michael Nylander. [Japers]

• What we learned about the St. Louis Blues during the NHL Draft. They're a very interesting team to watch this summer, because the Blues are poised to contend and that could lead to hasty veteran additions. Also, because golf carts have attacked their defensemen on at least one occasion. [St. Louis Game Time]

• New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello shoots down Internet reports that Johnny Oduya has re-signed for over $3 million per season. For the record, every person we discussed the Devils with at the Draft claimed that Jacques Lemaire will be their next coach. [Fire & Ice]

• USA Hockey today named New York Rangers head coach John Tortorella and New York Islanders head coach Scott Gordon as assistant coaches to Ron Wilson for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Wow, congrats to Gordon; that's a hell of an honor. [NHL]

• The notion of Jay Bouwmeester getting his traded to the Calgary Flames and then signing with the Edmonton Oilers is all kinds of awesome. [Sun Media]

• With his former GM and former goalie coach Francois Allaire already there, does the fact that Jean-Sebastian Giguere would accept a trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs mean his hefty price tag could be headed there? [Sun Media]

• The full Brian Burke media scrum from the NHL Draft, including what to do with the goaltending situation. [PPP]

• Finally, Sarah Spain interviews Carrie Milbank. In other news, a mass suicide of hockey bloggers with smiles on their faces was recently reported ...

The Pittsburgh Penguins star and lady-friend Oksana Kondakova were photographed last week in Miami, challenging the weight restrictions for pool furniture. Based on the Penguins' uniforms, both sported what appears to be their third-swimwear.

They also enjoyed some beach fun, and the photo evidence can be viewed on Lainey Gossip (PG-13 images/language warning; H/T Hockey For The Ladies, Big League Screw and Splash News). As you'll see in the photos, Oksana's bikini (possible NSFW) is a mere suggestion. Yikes ... is there a chance she had a single eye-to-eye conversation with a heterosexual male while on vacation?

No word if Malkin actually uses a Terrible Towel at the beach, despite the photographic evidence. Or if he's made food porn with Oksana yet, as he has with other alleged companions.  

Speaking of porn, Tampa Bay Lightning No. 1 draft choice Victor Hedman may just be awesome. In a Q&A with the St. Petersburg Times, Hedman was asked:

What's the last book you read?

[Hedman:] I don't want to say. The last one was Jenna Jameson, How to ... Make Love Like a Porn Star. I read The Dirt about Motley Crue.

Naturally, Joe Bolts Fan says what's better left unsaid: "The kid's got a helluva porn star name and he may just aspire to be one."

Honestly, we're more excited about his reading "The Dirt" by Motley Crue. We've had players who party like rock stars in the NHL before; we've yet to have one that partied like Nikki Sixx. Let's just hope he doesn't end up looking like Vince Neil or Mick Mars.

Which is to say they aren't the Sedin Twins' team, a fact that's being underlined by the immobility of their contract negotiations with the team.

TSN's Darren Dreger reports that "Henrik and Daniel Sedin are in for a significant raise, but they're likely going to have to leave Vancouver to collect it." From TSN, in conversation with agent J.P. Barry:

Barry says there has been no progress in contract discussions, including a meeting this week in Montreal with Canucks general manager Mike Gillis that failed to encourage a counter offer to keep the Sedins in Vancouver. On the open market, the brothers will command upwards of $7 million and will draw interest from a number of teams, including Toronto, Montreal, Minnesota and Los Angeles.

Over the past three years, the Sedins have averaged 80 points per season.

Their plight is a fascinating one, because it reveals everything from how teams wish to build for the future to the economic constraints in the NHL to the fact that two of the League's top players are basically an inseparable package deal.

They could be Toronto Maple Leafs. They could play for the Minnesota Wild. But unless conditions change dramatically for them in negotiations, it's hard to imagine the Sedins as Vancouver Canucks any longer.

(UPDATE: ESPN's Pierre LeBrun has an interesting and somewhat hilarious update, as both the Sedins' agent and the Canucks' GM are in Sweden.)

Mark Spector's take on Sportsnet.ca:

If the twins wish to move on, then they have every right to do so. But if it is true what they say - that they truly want to remain in Vancouver - the let's hope the brothers don't forget that agent J.P. Barry works for them, not the other way around.

There has to be shorter term deals on the table. If not, you can take that as a sign the Sedins want out of Vancouver. Duel 12-year, $62 million deals? A GM would have to be out of his mind to take that on. It would be an anchor on the Canucks franchise long, long after Gillis had moved on.

The dual 12-year, $62 million contracts for Daniel and Henrik Sedin are difficult to justify, even with their incredible output in the NHL. The bottom line is that a team will be committing that money to two players who have to play on the same line to succeed.

This isn't the Tampa Bay Lightning committing to Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis, or the Detroit Red Wings paying long years and big dollars to Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk. The Sedins have proven time and time again that they work best as linemates, leaving the offensive lineup fiscally top-heavy for any team that signs them. But hey, they're twins; the producers of "Full House" couldn't fire Ashley to keep Mary-Kate either, right?

Can Vancouver's offense handle their leaving? Upon hearing about the stagnant talks, Nucks Misconduct wrote the following:

Vancouver had nothing positive on the Sedins. In fact, it's looking quite strong that they may hit July 1st as independent contractors available to the highest bidder. And, if they do, they will leave two deep holes in the forward ranks and fundamentally change Vancouver's offensive strategy for the first time in about five or six seasons. Gillis is playing hardball and now runs the risk of damaging any goodwill between the two sides. Part of me honestly still feels he'll cave. But if Gillis lets them walk, it'll be a fierce debate as to if he did the right thing or not. And, if they do leave, how Gillis replaces them is an entirely separate debate.

True, and replacing them would seem to be an impossible task given the UFA market. Marian Gaborik instead of either Henrik and Daniel Sedin is great on paper; a little worse when he's on the IR for the third consecutive month.

The great Tom Benjamin of Canucks Corner likes Gabby as part of the replacement for the Sedins, but one still gets the vibe that he's the lesser of two evils; the second evil being the commitment to an elephantine deal for two players Benjamin doesn't believe warrant the sort of cap hit-avoiding long-term contract others have gotten:

I don't see what the statistical data has to do with anything. The Sedins are about to become free agents - after July 1st, they are worth whatever an NHL team is prepared to pay them. Emphasis on the word them. The ballpark here is not between $5 MM and $7 MM. It is between $10 MM and $14 MM. Gillis thinks - and I agree with him - that the pair should come a lot cheaper than individual players of similar quality. The Canucks are being asked to commit $126 MM and I think that's way too much.

I don't like these long term deals to lessen the cap hit and I'm happy Gillis doesn't like them either. I expect that the next few years will be difficult ones for the league and the teams that maintain flexibility are the ones that will do best in that environment.

Benjamin wonders if anyone will take on the deal the Sedins are floating, and it's a valid point: If Dany Heatley's five years and an average salary cap hit of $7.5 million is getting NHL executives to admit that "nobody wants him" from the Ottawa Senators, what hope do the Sedins have?

(OK, their hope is actually named Brian Burke, and he failed to do anything of significance at the Draft besides smirking as the Bell Centre crowd booed the Leafs and chanted '67' ...)

As both sides leak to the media, the chatter between the Canucks and the Sedins will continue. It'll be interesting to see if the money or the years are the first detail to change when the talks heat up this week.

 

Hello, this is a feature that aims to recap the weekend's events and boils those events down to one admittedly superficial fact or stupid opinion about each team. Feel free to complain about it.

Remember a couple years ago when the Islanders announced that Garth Snow, the guy that had been their backup goalie just 15 minutes before, would be their general manager?

Oh how we all laughed and laughed. "HIM?" we scoffed. "Garth Snow? The guy went to MAINE for God's sake! How smart could he be?" And, quickly, he gave us an impetus for more laughter than we knew what to do with, floating Rick DiPietro a 15-year contract that probably even had DiPi snickering under his breath as he put ink to paper.

And then of course something funny happened: he started making prudent decisions. He signed Viktor Kozlov to a one-year deal for less than a million dollars (he scored 25 goals and 51 points that year), offloaded some terrible contracts and traded for Ryan Smyth to help push the Isles into the playoffs. For this, Sports Illustrated named him the 2006-07 NHL Executive of the Year and everyone out in Nassau was very pleased with themselves.

And, of course, the Islanders collapsed right back into crumminess, finishing with an average of 70 points over the last two seasons, and we all resumed our joyous, self-satisfied laughter.

But then ole' Garth pulled six fast ones this weekend, and everything I've read since then says we should be in awe of him right now. So why not?

(Coming up: Why the Bouwmeester/Flames thing isn't a big deal; a look inside Chris Pronger's plan to get suspended for the entirety of the 2009-10 season; Stan Fischler owes someone an apology; the debate over the Red Wings' obscure Scandinavian seventh-round pick rages: Future Hall of Famer or merely a six-time Norris winner?; and how Matt Duchene honed his sniper skills by bulls-eyeing womp rats in his T-16 back home.)

Snow took John Tavares first overall, which is all well and good; and it was certainly the right decision from a marketing standpoint -- with not much separating Tavares and Matt Duchene talent-wise, Tavares seemed more likely to sell a couple jerseys and season tickets, at least.

But then he turned a No. 26 pick and a second, two thirds, a fourth and a seventh (believe me they had like 50 picks so it's no big deal) into the No. 12 pick and select Calvin de Hann. They selected three players in the first 31 picks and very quietly have taken 20 players in the last two drafts.

The Islanders, by the way, are going to have a lot of cap room come Wednesday. With Garth Snow being as smart as he is, he just might sign Marian Hossa, Jay Bouwmeester and Marian Gaborik.

Yeah, that's it.

What We Learned

(A little bit of a different setup this week.  Instead of just some regular ol' news about the various teams around the NHL, here's an assessment of their drafts. By me. You're sure to love it.)

Anaheim Ducks: Winners, obviously. They had two first-round picks (Peter Holland and Kyle Palmieri), and the only round in which they didn't pick was the seventh; so, who cares? The loss of Chris Pronger obviously hurts them for next season, but the return -- Joffrey Lupul, whom TSN called "Jeffrey" more than a few times, along with Luca Sbisa, Philly's first rounder (used on Palmieri) and a first-round pick in 2010 -- will soften the blow more than a little.

Atlanta Thrashers: Winners, I guess. Evander Kane is going to be a legit hockey player, maybe even this season, and three picks in the first 45 is good too. I mean, they were never going to improve that much in the draft (unlesstheytradedKovalchuk cough cough) so you can't look down on this weekend too much.

Boston Bruins: Losers. Know what type of player always works out well? High-scoring wings from the QMJHL with 19- and 20-year old kids centering them, which is what Boston got in Jordan Caron at No. 25. Y'know, all those massively successful guys like... huh, I can't think of anyone. They also failed to move Phil Kessel, which will not help Peter Chiarelli once Wednesday rolls around.

Buffalo Sabres: Winners, if only because I love the Zack Kassian pick at 13. Buffalo was often wanting for someone like Kassian who can park himself at the goalmouth and both take and dish out abuse without picking up a season-ending injury (read: Derek Roy). Like the Thrashers, the Sabres were largely immobile as far as being able to help their club for next season, so you just take the best available player; and if he fits your needs, awesome.

Calgary Flames: Losers, but barely. The Jay Bouwmeester trade sounds good in theory (and certainly I was excited when I heard the news on Saturday morning), but in actual practice this is giving up something with tangible value to you for three days of simply telling the guy how great you are. And in order to do that, you also have to trade a defenseman. And, if you actually do sign Bouwmeester, you're going to have just about half your cap space tied up in him, Jarome Iginla, Dion Phaneuf, Olli Jokinen and Miikka Kiprusoff.

J-Bo's gonna test the market anyway, and Darryl Sutter might end up with nothing but some bigger holes to fill. I did like the Tim Erixon pick though, yessir, as well as the fact that Sutter seems to be done drafting grinders and is actually attempting to stock the farm with skill players. Or maybe this is just me getting Homer Simpson Australian Beer Syndrome ("It's kinda worth it... I guess.")

Carolina Hurricanes: Losers. Again, I am not enamored of selecting QMJHL players in the first round -- no offense to Sid Crosby, I guess -- especially when a kid like Carter Ashton is still on the board. They drafted Philippe Paradis for his size and postseason pedigree (a whopping 12 points in 21 playoff games in the absurdly high-scorin' Q). He was also projected to be a late-second to early-third-round pick. But hey, he's just massive 6-foot-1 so golly gee, let's get this kid signed up.

I did, however, like their pick of Brian Dumoulin in the second round. He's going to defenseman factory Boston College, which has turned out NHL d-men like Andrew Alberts, Peter Harrold, Brooks Orpik and Rob Scuderi in recent years.

Chicago Blackhawks: Winners, I suppose. Dylan Olsen is a perfectly fine player at No. 28 because what're ya gonna do when you get that low? But you want to hear a hilarious little story? Their second-round pick intentionally avoided playing in the OHL so he could get noticed by dominating a lesser league (and to his credit he put up 50 points in 40 games in the OPJHL) and building a bit on his 5-8, 160-pound frame. It worked for now, but we'll see where that gets him in terms of making the NHL.

Colorado Avalanche: Winners, since Matt Duchene was their man from the giddy-up. They met with him twice, he grew up cheering for them, and all that fun stuff, so that's all both parties were looking for. He (likely) provides immediate help in some capacity at an NHL, and also he is a "big Star Wars fan." If you want to write your own joke about Duchene's tauntaun freezing before he makes it to the first marker, here's some space to do it: ____________________.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Winners, because they seem to really love the John Moore pick. Big kid, good skater, and dropped more than they thought he would, which required them to trade up after already trading down. There's still no indication whether Moore will go to Colorado College or Kitchener, though. It'd probably be better for his development to get some Major Junior games under his belt though.

Dallas Stars: Losers. Why not try acquiring a goalie instead of reaching for yet another soft, fast kid?

Detroit Red Wings: Winners. They will always be winners in the draft. It's preternatural, really. Trading down and still getting Landon Ferraro is pretty nice, considering who his dad is and how sons of former NHLers are typically not bad, at the very least. And look, they took a Swede in the seventh round. How many career points for the kid, you think? An even 1,000? A future captain at least.

Edmonton Oilers: Winners. As a Flames fan, I was more than a little upset to see Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson fall to them. He got good size, blazing speed, and a hell of a shot. And he instantly becomes the best prospect in the Oilers system to boot. Yeah, great.

Florida Panthers: Losers. Dmitry Kulikov was an underwhelming pick that also has a preexisting contract with a KHL team. He could be a steal, but he also could be not worth the headache. Then on top of that, they only wrangled a third-round pick (ooooo Josh Birkholz!) and the rights to Jordan Leopold for J-Bo. Spin it all you want, that's a terrible return for a guy that should've been a ghost at the deadline.

Los Angeles Kings: Winners. Brayden Schenn is a great, great pick. However, the fans that had the misfortune of listening to Dean Lombardi just go on and on and on at the draft are very much losers.

Minnesota Wild: Losers. I am almost 100 percent certain that the Team of 18,000 also holds some sort of front office position, because their decision to draft Nick Leddy (MR. HOCKEY!!!!!!!) is puzzling under the best of circumstances and a disaster for everyone but the PR department at worst. Meanwhile, if drafting someone whose birth certificate says "MN" on it was really their prerogative, then they let another better Minnesotan -- and one that would fill a position of need -- in Jordan Schroeder drop to a division rival. Because the kid who scored 40 points as an underage rookie in the WCHA last year apparently can't "generate legitimate offense." Nonsense. Utter nonsense. But that Kyle Brodziak pick-up should turn it all around for them.

Montreal Canadiens: Winners, for now at least. What a wonderful honeymoon local boy Louis LeBlanc and the Habs are having right now. No mention of the fact that he's going to an inferior college league from a developmental point of view (Chris Higgins is the only first-round pick out of the ECAC to even make it to the NHL since, like, the invention of the sport). Or that he will undoubtedly be booed and have his desire to play for the Habs questioned at every turn in two years' time. Best of luck, Lou. You're gonna need it.

Nashville Predators: Losers. I was just saying the other day, "Y'know what the Preds need? More defensemen." And they duly chose two defensemen within the first 42 picks, including Ryan Ellis who is very small, even for a high school hockey player. Maybe they'll convert him to a center or something. It's not that Ellis is a bad player, far from it, but with all the forward talent still on the board, why pick a project with no size that plays a position in which you are already incredibly deep and young?

New Jersey Devils: Winners. Jacob Josefson is, by all accounts, the long-term replacement for John Madden. Good two-way center, not a ton of offense, great hockey sense and a bit of offensive upside to boot. This is the prototypical Lou Lamoriello pick.

New York Islanders: As discussed above, winners. They made the right move (not that you or I or anyone else couldn't have done it) for the franchise hockey-wise as well as cash-wise.

According to Dey, more than $79,000 in ticket plans (not including renewals) were sold in the first hour after the pick, along with $15,000 worth of Tavares merchandise.

The de Hann pick was an odd one, sure, but how you gonna be mad at the Isles, draftin' John Tavares and whatnot? Good for them.

New York Rangers: Winners? Chris Kreider was a bit of a stretch. I saw him play for Phillips Andover this year, and the kid, who's like 6-2,190, was playing against 16-year-olds. He was so fast and skilled no one could hit him or catch up to him, so it was tough to judge how the kid will react with people that are actually capable of playing at a comparable skill level put the body on him (though my buddy Mike at the Warrior Rink Rat heard through the grapevine that the Rangers were sending someone to watch him play at least once a week). Then they got an alright, youngish, fourth-line NHL center in Brian Boyle via trade and drafted Ray Bourque's other, (presumably) less stupid kid. Lots of projects but all of them could work out just fine.

Ottawa Senators: Losers. Jared Cowen is a good pick (not that they didn't want someone else instead) but the Sens HAD to trade Dany Heatley and couldn't get it done. Also, the above clip made Bryan Murray run to the bathroom sobbing.

Philadelphia Flyers: Winners. Who needs two first-round picks when you have Chris Pronger? By the way, given both the reputations of both the team and player involved, how long into his first shift in a Flyers uniform will he be pick up a match penalty and get suspended? I'm putting the over-under on 20 seconds.

Phoenix Coyotes: Losers. They love their European players, I understand, and Oliver Ekman-Larson is a good one. But they took Jim Vandermeer's absurd contract off the Flames' hands and I'm not really sure why. It might have to do with how bad they feel about saddling Calgary with Olli Jokinen, a noted dressing-room cancer and destroyer of playoff hopes.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Losers, if only because Simon Despres looks like if David Gest and Uncle Rico had a frightening child.

Maybe he'll chuck Lucille II over them mountains.

San Jose Sharks: Winners? Losers? Who even knows? They drafted some kid from Alaska. And it was a reach. Why even go to Montreal if you're just going to mail it in?

St. Louis Blues: Losers. It made me laugh hysterically that David Rundblad's comparable player, according to TSN, was Mike Green.‘Course that's because he says he "often hits the net." Might want to mention his goal total last season. It was "zero."

Tampa Bay Lightning: Winners. They couldn't have gone wrong with Viktor Hedman. He's legit. Then they moved up to get Carter Ashton at No. 29. Then they drafted a kid whose name perfectly captures the ownership situation down in Tampa right now: Richard Panik.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Winners. Yeah it's tough to move into the Top 3, and I understand that you didn't want to give up Luke Schenn. Can't move down, either. So you pick Nazem Kadri? The occasionally lazy kid who was slipping in a lot of mock drafts? I dunno about that pick, but the rest of the draft was real good in terms of adding Burke-type sandpaper guys that will do nothing but irritate people. Their second-round pick openly admits to admiring Sean Avery. That must be a good thing.

Vancouver Canucks: Winners. I can't believe Jordan Schroeder fell to them, but I also can't believe what a rockhead he is (apparently he tested very low at the combine as far as noggin-smarts, which contributed to his precipitous drop). Watch as he struggles to put on a jersey.

Washington Capitals: Losers (sorry, Mr. Wyshynski). They didn't seem to address any of their pressing needs via trade or anything, and instead drafted a Swedish center in the first round for the third time in four years. Sure this one's a little meaner than the last two, but still. You struck pay dirt with Backstrom. Why keep digging there? Don't you need defensemen?

Play of the Weekend

Poor America. Gorgeous goal on the counterattack though.

(And I promise that's the last soccer highlight or mention. Don't bother complaining about it.)

Gold Star Award

The Vancouver Province's Tony Gallagher wrote maybe the greatest opinion piece in the history of hockey journalism yesterday, implying that the Canucks have been held down far too long by the lamentable salary cap because Calgary was able to trade Vandermeer for Brandon Prust.

... By extension in Bettman's world, Vancouver Canuck fans therefore have helped finance a competitive disadvantage to their own team.

The money they pay in tickets to buy Canuck tickets has gone a goodly long way to help the Flames get better and thereby better able to beat the Canucks on the ice if they're able to sign Bouwmeester, a defenceman with some offensive ability and outstanding mobility.

...

But in this league, the CBA prevents the Canucks from spending more and outbidding smaller markets like Calgary for players they deem to be better. So when your money as a fan is being used by loser teams to beat your own, which is financially prevented from putting a better team in front of you, as a paying customer you probably have the right to ask why.

I mean, that's beautiful stuff right there.

Minus of the Weekend

No contest this weekend: It goes to Stan Fischler, and everyone else who questioned Brent Sutter's intentions about not coaching in New Jersey any more. Fischler was throwing around words like "dirty, double-crossing rat" and a liar in this low-rent crybaby post. Turns out he owes Sutter an apology which I'm sure he'll never man up and actually deliver. To wit:

Of all the business and family ties that drew Calgary Flames head coach Brent Sutter back to Alberta, one of the most vital is a woman named Grace.

Grace Sutter, the matriarch of the family of six rough-and-tumble brothers who made it to the National Hockey League--Brent, Brian, Darryl, Duane, Rich and Ron--and one other, Gary. Grace Sutter, the woman who invited every kid in Viking to the family farm this week to celebrate the end of the school year.

Grace Sutter, the woman who quietly battled breast cancer last year away from the public eye.

So there's that, you scumbags.

Next week's game thing I'm totally going to watch on Center Ice if I'm home

Wednesday will be the free agency showcase showdown. Watch with bated breath as your team tries to bid for Marian Hossa and fails to sign him.

Event that should replace the shootout and would be just as relevant to hockey skill

Letting Richard Nixon win.

Thing of the Week

Roger Ebert's review of the ‘I'm-sure-it's-atrocious' "Transformers 2" made me happier than anything all week.

Perfect HFBoards trade proposal of the week

This actually may be a literally perfect trade proposal from user "eric71."

Owners should give Pittsburgh its Net Profits from the past 20 years and we should do a roster swap. I dont wanna wait another 5 years to be contenders.

To Pittsburgh:

TML 2009 Roster

All Net Profits from 1989-2009

To Toronto:

Pens 2009 Roster

So awesome.

Signoff

Toodles.

The Two-Line Pass publishes hockey awesomeness every day. Please do check it out. Or you can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter if you so desire.

From Matheson:

Reliable sources say the Los Angeles Kings, who are looking for a marquee player and have lots of salary cap room, will come hardest after the unrestricted free agent. They could play Hossa with Anze Kopitar.

While Hossa re-signing with Detroit could spell the end for a number of Red Wings in order to make room for his salary, the Kings are ready to spend this summer and have more than enough room to satisfy him.

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland met with Hossa's agent, Ritch Winter, during the NHL Draft over the weekend, saying he laid out Detroit's cap situation and how a deal would have to work if he is to return to HockeyTown:

"I've sat with Ritch here and told him to what cap level we're prepared to go. The only way we can make it work is to offer a long-term deal. I would say to you they were hoping to do better. At the same time, they understand the challenges we've got and understand that probably in order to be where they want to be we can't get there.

After speaking with Winter, Holland said he wasn't optimistic about a new deal. Team sources close to Ansar Khan of MLive.com said that Winter is looking for a $6 million a year deal, a number that is too rich for Detroit's blood without Holland having to shed salary.

One early casualty from the Red Wings cap situation is goaltender Ty Conklin who will not be back and become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Jimmy Howard will be given the full-time back up role behind Chris Osgood.

This begs the question: should Philadelphia Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren have waited to look for a new goaltender until he learned about Conklin's fate? Doesn't he know ConkBlock is 2-0 in Winter Classic's?

Holmgren said bluntly: "I'm not trying to send any messages here. Pittsburgh's the Stanley Cup champions and that's a heck of an accomplishment. There's a lot of good teams in our conference, as well as the Western Conference. We're trying to win, and adding Chris Pronger helps us."

So while the Flyers weren't sending a message to the Penguins in particular, they are sending a message to the rest of the Eastern Conference with this trade: They believe they are putting together a championship-caliber puzzle for next season, and that they added perhaps the most vital new piece this weekend.

We hadn't dedicated a standalone post to this trade, so to clarify my take on the Pronger deal, which saw the defenseman and prospect Ryan Dingle to Philadelphia for forward Joffrey Lupul, defenseman Luca Sbisa, first-round picks in 2009 and 2010 and a conditional third-round pick in 2010 or 2011:

The price tag is enormous. Ask any GM or scout or agent at the draft, and they'd tell you the same thing. But there's a difference between the price being "too high" and being one that isn't worth paying. The Flyers paid the price, and it's a risk worth taking.

It's true that Pronger is an aging star (he'll be 35 in October) in decline. It's true that he's got only one year left on his deal, and there are no promises that he'll be a Flyer in 2011.

But acquiring Pronger gives the Flyers something that the Detroit Red Wings and the Ducks themselves proved vital to success in the postseason: Two stellar defensive pairings.

Pronger and whatever D-man he's pairing with will be one; Braydon Coburn and the vastly underappreciated Kimmo Timonen is the other. In a conference that has some elite teams with multiple lines of offensive weaponry -- the Penguins as the obvious example -- having that defensive talent to match is essential.

Pronger will make a very good power play even better. He's also a player that, despite his obvious discretions in the past, endears himself to teammates for exacting revenge on opponents with physical play ... and the occasional cheap shot along the way. (Gotta love Pronger acknowledging he basically plays "Flyers hockey.")

The risk isn't giving up a slew of draft picks and a top-flight defensive prospect for potentially one year of Pronger; the Flyers are stacked to the point where those picks will be low, and a player like Sbisa is the kind of asset you surrender when you're going for the Cup.

No, the risk is that the Philadelphia Flyers are once again doing exactly as they did in the 1990s. They're loaded at forward with players like Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Danny Briere (health be damned and if he's still around). They're now stacked on the blue line with the addition of Pronger. Yet they're going to make a run with, for the moment, inferior goaltending. Lindros used to have night terrors about this scenario, and yet it appears to be playing out again.

That said: The Pronger trade is an aggressive move that, frankly, could pay off in the short term better than Jay Bouwmeester would have in the long term.

Here's some of the Philly faithful on this trade starting with Broad Street Hockey, which published five "talking points" about the move:

Action Over Inaction - In 2008, the Flyers were knocked out of the playoffs by the Penguins in five games and made relatively few off-season moves.  In 2009, the Flyers were knocked out of the playoffs by the Penguins in six games and have already made huge waves by before free agency even begins by acquiring Chris Pronger and Ray Emery.  Whether you agree with the trade or not, the lack of complacency is apparent.  The dissatisfaction Paul Holmgren and the rest of the Flyers staff have with last season's result is obvious, despite the fact that the team was a three goal cushion away from pushing the eventual champions to a Game 7. Some may call the reaction it reassuring urgency and commitment to improving, while others may see it as hasty scrambling that reeks of desperation.  Or perhaps both.

The 700 Level had a great analysis after the deal, with Matt P. generally endorsing the trade:

Regardless of your thoughts on what the Flyers gave up, it's hard to argue that their defense isn't significantly improved, both in terms of size and skill. They also added years to their cumulative playoff experience. When considering any potential points loss in trading away Lupul's 25 and 25, remember that Giroux will get more ice time with better players, and Pronger adds a ton of points to a blue line that often lacked offensive punch. Overall, we're ready to give Homer the benefit of the doubt on the deal, and we're excited to see Pronger in a Flyers uniform. Defensive players of his caliber are very hard to come by, and before judging heavily, remember that there are probably still moves to come.

Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer played devil's advocate:

But the move was risky on several fronts.

A boatload of young talent was traded. Moreover, Pronger is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $6.25 million. There are no assurances that he will stay beyond this season, though Holmgren is eager to negotiate an extension, and Pronger's agent, Pat Morris, is optimistic that a long-term deal can get done.

The trade also leaves the Flyers with precious little salary-cap space. They are about $5 million under the new $56.8 million cap - and still have to add a backup goalie, a right winger (they want to re-sign Mike Knuble, who has drawn interest from the Penguins), and perhaps another defenseman and a fourth-line center adept at winning face-offs.

Finally, Ryan from Flyers Goal Scored By couldn't believe his eyes:

I'm still all like "really?" Will I look back on this screen shot above and think "that's when the Flyers made that move that won them the Cup?"

That the question can be asked shows what an impact this gamble is already having.

As the Pittsburgh Penguins made the 30th pick and Ferraro's name was left unsaid, the son of former NHL standout Ray Ferraro saw a grueling night end with his fate as a professional undetermined until Saturday morning.

"It's something I wouldn't wish on anyone," said Ferraro, a center with Red Deer of the WHL.

"Coming in, you're expecting to go, and then I sat there for almost five hours. You're stressing out. As much as you're trying to look calm in case a TV camera pops on you, I was sweating and I was nervous," he said.

"Today, I'm as happy as can be."

Ferraro was taken with the 32nd pick in the draft by the Detroit Red Wings, becoming one of several "legacies" selected on Saturday's Rounds 2-7.

They included defenseman Philip Samuelsson, son of Ulf, was taken at No. 61; Raymond Bourque's son, Ryan, was selected by the New York Rangers at No. 80 (we have video of his media scrum after the jump); Tyson Barrie, son of Tampa Bay Lightning co-owner and former pro Len Barrie, went at No. 64 to the Colorado Avalanche; and Marcus Foligno, son of former Sabres Mike Foligno, at No. 104 to the Buffalo Sabres. That's after Carter Ashton (son of Brent Ashton) and Tim Erixon (son of Jan) went in the first round.

It's a tense but ultimately exhilarating process for these veteran players. Even a tough guy like Ulf Samuelsson was on pins and needles as his son waited for the call.

"I was starting to get [nervous]," said Samuelsson, currently an assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes. 

He said Friday night's first round wasn't too stressful, because he knew that Phillip would likely be chosen in the later rounds on Saturday. "Yesterday, we just kind of enjoyed it. Watched the other families sweat a little bit," he said.

One of those families was the Ferraro's, and Samuelsson sympathized with father Ray later on Friday night.

"I had a long talk with him last night," said Samuelsson. "He didn't sleep well. It's hard."

But on Saturday, Ferraro didn't have to wait long to see his son taken by the Red Wings.

"I don't even know how it feels. It's so surreal right now," said Landon Ferraro, who went from using Detroit in video games against his brothers during the Stanley Cup Finals to being the team's first pick in the draft.

"I've put on this jersey before. But it's never had an NHL logo and it's never come from the actual team. It's a pretty weird feeling," he said.

When asked what the Winged Wheel signified for him, Ferraro took a long look at his fresh new sweater.

"I think of my dad's last game," he said. "He was in St. Louis when Detroit won in '02. They beat'em in Game 5 in Detroit, and it was the only time I've been to Joe Louis Arena."

Ryan Bourque spent more time in an arena in Boston than in an arena in New York growing up, and the 18-year-old center said the thought of the Boston Bruins selecting him at No. 86 crossed his mind before the Rangers snagged him at No. 80.

Here is Ray Bourque's son, talking about the adventure of the draft, how his brother Chris's experience influenced him and becoming a New York Ranger.

Ferraro said that, in the end, the advice of father who used to play in the NHL isn't

"It's the same as everyone's parents give: Just try to enjoy it."

MONTREAL -- Randy Sexton, acting general manager of the Florida Panthers, held court after the 2009 NHL Draft was completed and revealed the backstory of the Jay Bouwmeester trade to the Calgary Flames this morning. 

The Panthers had been working on the trade for several days, and yesterday's trade of Chris Pronger to the Philadelphia Flyers seemed to have altered their plans in several ways. Two keys for the trade, which saw the negotiating rights to Bouwmeester go to Calgary for the rights to Jordan Leopold and a third-round pick (67th overall), which the Panthers used to draft right winger Josh Birkholz.

1. Sexton said that an unconditional third-round pick was "the best anyone's gotten for a player that was going to go UFA," so that plus a free-agent player is a win for the Panthers ...

2. ... Especially since the Pronger trade put the Panthers is a very weak negotiating position with other teams; not only because the Flyers were one of Jay Bouwmeester's suitors, but because the trade reset the market. 

Coming up, Sexton's take on the trade and the rest of the trades that didn't happen at this draft.

Sexton spoke about the Bouwmeester trade, and how it went down:

"For our organization, it's a critical day, right? When it became apparent that we couldn't sign Jay, we wanted to get something of value. We worked very hard over the last two weeks to put together a deal. Things were moving quite well. Yesterday, everything got blogged down. (Ed. Note: Actual quote, and hilarious.) Teams were in on every deal. They were in on Lecavalier. They were in on Hossa. (Ed. Note: Huh?) They were in on Pronger and all of it. We were well along the way with three teams but they were in these other deals.

"When the Flyers did their deal for Pronger, it kind of knocked them out of the box. We went back last night, we regrouped, put together another game plan, came in today, talked to three or four teams and Darryl and I shook on a deal at 9 or 9:30."

Was there ever a chance the Panthers were going to sign Bouwmeester?

"We agreed after the season to take two or three weeks, try to decompress after the season. I chatted a couple of times with his agent, and at that point it was clear that they wanted the opportunity to exercise his free agency rights. About 18 months ago, they gave us a list of teams that they were interested in. Calgary was right at the very top. He's an Alberta boy. Darryl's an aggressive guy. He's clever. He's creative. I think he'll find a way to get it done."

Sexton said that when the team "agreed we weren't going to trade him," that list of teams was "stuck in the bottom drawer."

Is the package from the Flames what the Panthers were hoping for?

"We felt all along there was no free looks. We wanted to have something of value for the quality player he is. We tried hard to get a second round pick but no one was willing to pony up. We settled on a third and we had a deal with several teams on a third. What varied was the different amount of compensation if he signed. When everything went sideways last night, we had to adjust. You have to have more than one horse in the race to leverage out something."

"We like Leopold too. We're going to try and sign him. We think he's a mobile, puck-moving guy and a good replacement for Jay."

Things changed for the Panthers when Philly made its Pronger trade.

"When Philly did the Pronger deal, it adjusted two things: It adjusted a key player for us, and it adjusted values. All the other teams were at lower values. That's why you didn't see a lot of guys move. Bryan [Murray] felt strongly that Heatley's a quality player, but the offers he was getting didn't meet what he felt. The Pronger deal set a certain expectation about the value that should be derived."

In retrospect, would this trade have been better at the deadline?

"It's always easy to look in the rearview mirror. We were a long way down the road at the trade deadline, but we didn't feel we had the value required to trade Jay. What's more, we were right in the thick of the playoff race. Our coaches, our players and our fans wanted us to keep him. We thought it was important for the franchise to make the playoffs. Unfortunately, we lose in the second tie-breacker and we lose Bouw. That's life."

Leopold played with Keith Ballard at the University of Minnesota. Sexton said he needs to sell Leopold on the merits of South Florida. He's a red-blooded male. Shouldn't be too hard.

From the Panthers on Twitter: "Leopold just said he was open to anything and him and Ballard actually played golf on Wednesday and joked about playing on the same team.

Selanne's decision came one day after defenseman Scott Niedermayer informed the Ducks that he will play another NHL season, though he stands to become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday and still must reach terms on a new contract.

The return of Selanne, along with center Ryan Getzlaf and wingers Corey Perry, Bobby Ryan and newly obtained Joffrey Lupul, gives the Ducks five established top-six forwards for next season. The Ducks re-acquired Lupul in a Friday trade that sent veteran defenseman Chris Pronger to the Philadelphia Flyers.

So Niedermayer and Selanne will both attempt to play a full season of NHL hockey together for the first time since 2006-07. No more veteran vacation shenanigans. It's good to see.

As Ducks Blog points out, Anaheim has had a terrific couple of days. Niedermayer and Selanne back; Lupul ready to contribute on a top scoring line; and the addition of Luca Sbisa in the Pronger deal to bolster the blue line in case they lose Francois Beauchemin to free agency.

Two points of interest on the Pronger trade. First, GM Bob Murray is claiming that he would have moved Pronger even if Niedermayer decided not to return. Stu Hackel of the New York Times had a good piece on Pronger, including this assessment of what he brings to the Philadelphia Flyers:

He acquired a key piece that may have turned a good team into a contender and perhaps - depending on a few other factors, such as how well Ray Emery plays in goal - a very strong team into a Cup favorite.

The question, as the headline on Hackel's piece asks: Will Pronger Change East Balance of Power?

Bouwmeester moves for fellow pending UFA defenseman Jordan Leopold and the Flames' third-round pick, which is less than what the Panthers were asking for and less than what they would have gotten had Jacques Martin traded Bouwmeester at the deadline. But that's in the rearview, much like Martin is now.

Alberta guy goes to Alberta. It works. It's a great move for Calgary, too, assuming they don't blow out their salary cap situation to sign the guy. Like the Pronger deal for the Flyers, the Bouwmeester deal gives the Flames to elite defensemen on two different pairings.

George Richards of the Miami Herald has previously reported that Calgary was a good dance partner for the Panthers because they were one of the team with a legitimate shot at signing Bouwmeester. But he's also reported that the Jay-Bouw camp isn't looking to make a decision until he hits the open market.

Months and months of rumors and speculation regarding what New York Islanders general manager Garth Snow was going to do with the No. 1 overall pick ended at approximately 7:17 p.m. EST last night. Even as late as an hour before the draft there were rumors that the Islanders were prepared to take Brampton Battalion center Matt Duchene over John Tavares, the popular pick among fans. Once Snow stepped to the podium at the Bell Centre, the 10,000-plus Islanders fans sitting inside Nassau Coliseum at the team's draft party held their breath simultaneously and were soon rewarded:

As commenter "Costa T" pointed out on Thursday, had the Islanders chosen either Duchene or Victor Hedman, fans at Nassau Coliseum would have burned the barn down and thereby sped up the whole "need for an arena" process that owner Charles Wang is currently fighting for.

After the jump, we revisit a couple of our Islanders roundtable participants to see their reactions after the Tavares pick.

Greg Logan of Newsday believes that Tavares can be the Islanders Sidney Crosby in terms of generating revenue for a team that's lost plenty of money in the past decade:

In the end, however, the Islanders gave the fans the man they wanted and gave themselves a giant boost at the box office. Having lost close to $300 million since he bought the team nine years ago, owner Charles Wang obviously would like to begin recouping his losses. The Tavares selection also could help his plans for the Lighthouse Project.

Dominik from Lighthouse Hockey believes this is the moment that cements the fact that the Islanders are heading in the right direction.

This is the moment fans have been anticipating -- depending on their perspective and degree of fatalism -- since April's lottery, or December's swoon, or October's Rick DiPietro injury, or last summer's commitment -- finally -- to the rebuild. This is the moment, everyone outside of Short Island Smurf (Rags) fans could agree, Islanders fans deserve. It's been a while since good news like this -- outside of the lottery itself. Amen.

Chris Botta of Islanders Point Blank, who's been banging the Tavares drum for the longest time, says that while Tavares is a great first move, it's what Snow does from this point on with the roster that's key.

Now on to finding a dozen more players over the next year for the rebuild. The Islanders kept this a secret for a few weeks. For their next trick, they will attempt to assemble a team that can win a playoff round and then reach that consistent contender goal.

With Tavares, they are a lot closer. The celebration in Islanders Country begins.

It didn't take long for the Islanders to begin taking advantage of their marketing opportunities with their new face of the franchise. Fans in attendance at their draft party will be given the opportunity to meet Tavares sometime next week if they purchased a season ticket last night. Also, during the Islanders rookie camp in July, fans can Blackberry message questions and comments to Tavares for one hour. 

No word yet on how many "TAVARES" jerseys or season tickets were sold since Garth Snow made the announcement, but you can sure that interest among the Islanders fan base is at a level the franchise has not seen in many, many years.

MONTREAL -- Standing in front of a massive New York Islanders logo inside Bell Centre, 2009 NHL Draft No. 1 pick John Tavares acknowledged that the next phase of his career involves more than just what happens on the ice.

He's now both an attraction and an ambassador for the franchise. "You want to be involved with the community and the fans and interact with them," he said.

Then again, there's another surefire way to reinvigorate the Islanders' fan base. "I think the main thing is you've got to win," he said. "That's the biggest thing to attract attention is to bring a winning product on the ice, and obviously that's the first step is getting a club that can compete for a playoff spot and make the playoffs."

Charles Wang shares that vision. The New York Islanders owner isn't about to sell Tavares as a savior -- even if his celebrity and success could mean everything from a return to on-ice glory to a new arena for the franchise.

We spoke with Wang about taking Tavares and how the fans and media will view him as a No. 1 pick playing for the Islanders.

Here's Charles Wang:

Q. What does it mean to your team to get a player like Tavares?

WANG: "The most important thing is that people must realize that he's another block in this building process. This is not a kid who is going to come in and be a superstar all of a sudden. It takes time. Even if he came up and played on the very first line, and played 20-some minutes, which is one third of the game ... this is not like basketball, or getting a starting pitcher in baseball. This is truly a team oriented sport. If you look at the talent we have, all of that coming together, we think we're in the right direction."

Q. Does that mean you won't be marketing him as a savior of the organization?

"No. I don't think anybody could. I don't think it's realistic to think of him as a savior. We have a great goalie who's coming back. We have great defense people."

Q. How do you think the New York media will treat him?

"I hope they treat him with patience. I hope that they have good expectations of him. And I think he will produce and he will show them what kind of player he is."

Q. Do you think they'll root for him at first?

"I don't know if they'll root for him. They'll record what he's doing. The New York media is a tough media. But if you do well, they reward you. If you do poorly, they get on your case. They're probably harsher than other areas.

Q. Finally, what was your feeling seeing all of those Islanders fans inside Nassau Coliseum at the draft party tonight?

"Ten thousand one hundred eighteen fans were there. Unbelievable. If those two guys didn't leave early, we would have had 10,120, but they walked out. (Laughing.) It's a testament and an endorsement of what we're trying to do. Don't forget: It was pouring rain out there. And still 10,000 people came."

MONTREAL -- There are probably reasons why the NHL Draft is important besides creepy photos of rookies, but we're just not sure what they are.

In any event, the first round of the Draft commences tonight beginning at 7 p.m. EST, and we'll be at Bell Centre to watch the carnage. We'll be Twittering away with random thoughts, rumors and general goofy fun, so be sure to also follow the Tweets.

This post will serve as the "live blog," as we'll have news, analysis, interviews and coverage from all over the draft updated throughout the night, followed by a wrap-up post at the end of the evening.

In lieu of a live chat, feel free to use the comments section to discuss the happenings, ask us anything or curse the day your general manager was born.

The New York Islanders pick first; the Pittsburgh Penguins pick 30th; in between, it's going to be a hell of a night. Thanks for reading.

7:01 p.m. - Met a New York Islanders fan outside in a John Tavares jersey and asked him, "OK, so what if it's not Tavares?"

His answer: "I can change a 91 to a 4 for Hedman." Well, hope that works out.

One bit of news already: Scott Niedermayer of the Anaheim Ducks tells TSN that he'll be back for another season. Chris Pronger elbows wall, locates suitcase. If this Pronger to the Philadelphia Flyers chatter reported by Anthony Sanfilippo happens, it will basically be the Hockey Gods' gift to bloggers.

UPDATE: TSN is reporting that Pronger has been traded. To the Flyers. Thank you, gods. Package is Lukas Sbisa, Joffrey Lupul and two first-round picks. Second time Lupul's been traded for Pronger.

• • •

7:27 p.m. - Islanders GM Garth Snow had a moment of hesitation before announcing John Tavares as the No. 1 pick in the draft that indicates the Islanders have enjoyed the constant speculation and prognostication that's surrounded this pick. Wonder how much of the Duchene talk they floated themselves.

It was Tavares, it had to be Tavares and the Islanders fans have a right to be happy. At least until Tampa Bay wins their next Cup with Victor Hedman.

Hedman's choice with the second pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning was obvious. He'll no doubt look forward to being paired with 60,000 defensemen over the next three years.

But a hearty boo for Bettman; he should have orchestrated a unity hug between the Lightning brass on stage.

• • •

8:18 p.m. EST - The reactions to the Leafs and Brian Burke in this building are hilarious. Burke's face is shown on the Jumbotron, there's a huge boo, he looks up and smirks. Fabulous interplay between these fans bases and their teams. And one hell of a "sixty-seven!" chant.

The Phoenix Coyotes taking forward defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson with the No. 6 pick set some strange things in motion. (Ekman-Larsson, by the way, is a great skater the people of Hamilton are going to ... oh, nevermind.) The Leafs selected Nazem Kadri, a center that quite frankly many people had pegged as a player who'd drop down the draft board in the first round. So Brian Burke doesn't get Tavares, doesn't get Brayden Schenn (who went to the Los Angeles Kings with the No. 5 pick) and ends up with Kadri. Stunning.

Kadri, by the way, shared a laugh with Bettman as the crowd jeered the Leafs contingent while he was putting on his sweater.

The Schenn pick for the Kings is that kind of pick you look back on when a young team becomes a champion.

Matt Duchene went to the Colorado Avalance at No.3, and Evander Kane went at No. 4 to the Atlanta Thrashers. Neither was a surprise, obviously. Well, Duchene might have been a surprise to NY Newsday.

Duchene had no idea where he was going to fall until Tavares was selected. He also said that he checked team Web sites periodically to see where the winds were blowing.

Hedman's press conference was short and uneventful, because no one had the stones to really pepper him with questions about Koules and Barrie.

Tavares took forever to get to the mic after his post-No. 1 pick interviews, but was enthusiastic and compelling when he spoke to the media.

He's got the "restore the glory of the Islanders" stuff down, and the NY press will eat that up.

But Johnny - stop slipping and calling them the "Long Island Islanders." Doesn't really make your case for wanting to be there.

The Dallas Stars just selected Scott Glennie at No. 8. Oh, and we're hearing major moves for the San Jose Sharks are being mulled.

• • •

8:51 p.m. - Try not to giggle: Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said he traded for Chris Pronger in part because he liked "his character and his willingness as a leader."

Of course, Pronger is usually a popular guy with his teammates, because he has a willingness to use his size to exact revenge on opponents with cheap shots behind the play. Every team needs that guy, right?

Holmgren said he didn't get any assurances from Pronger's agent that there would be a contract extension coming, as Pronger has a year left before unrestricted free agency.

The conventional wisdom is that the addition of Pronger's salary means the end of Mike Knubel in Philly, but Holmgren didn't agree: "We've been talking to Mike all along. We'd like to sign Mike and we think Mike would like to come back to the Flyers."

The full trade, by the way: Pronger and forward Ryan Dingle to the Philadelphia Flyers for defenceman Luca Sbisa, forward Joffrey Lupul, two first-round picks and a conditional third-round pick in 2010 or 2011. The condition on that pick has to do with whether or not the Flyers win the Stanley Cup, Holmgren said.

Big (6-6) defensive defenseman Jacob Cowen goes to the goes to the Ottawa Senators at No. 9; the epically named Magnus Svensson-Paajarvigoes to Edmonton at No. 10, and remember that pick if he finds a scoring touch. Defenseman Ryan Ellis goes to the Nashville Predators. Is there ever a point at which you don't keep adding good young defensemen if you're the Nashville Predators?

• • •

GM Dean Lombardi of the Los Angeles Kings, on his team's motivation for taking Brayden Schenn:

"That was the main reason we took him, knowing that it would totally piss off Burkie. It was worth it. Everybody thought there was a line after the first three and the first five. We were going to be pretty happy with whoever was there."

They should be happy with Schenn, who isn't Tavares or Duchene but who is the kind of center that you need to build a winner. He's a gritty two-way forward. Really solid choice.

I asked Schenn, a native of Saskatoon, what if anything he knew about Los Angeles.

"There are a lot of movie stars?" he said. (I didn't add hookers and homeless, but I should have.)

"I don't know. They have a lot of big names there. They have the Lakers. And the Kings."

So does Schenn join that collection of stars?

"There are lot bigger names walking around than Brayden Schenn. So no."

With that, I then asked Ryan Ellis, a Freelton, Ontario native, what if anything he knew about his new city of Nashville.

"I don't know a whole lot. It's big for country music, I know that," he said. "My coach played there for a bit, so he was telling me a little bit about the town."

(That coach would be Bob Boughner, coach of the inspirational story of the hockey year in Windsor.)

Ellis aid he's really looking forward to meeting, and playing with, Shea Weber. "If we ever quarterback the power play together one day, that would be very exciting."

Dmitry Kulikov and his very attractive female seat mate was drafted by the Florida Panthers, and it's a solid choice at No. 14.

The following picks: Center Peter Holland to the Anaheim Ducks; defenseman Nick Leddy to the Minnesota Wild (poor Jordan Schroeder of the University of Minnesota is your first-round dropper); Swedish defenseman David Runblad to the St. Louis Blues at 17; and Louis Leblanc to the Montreal Canadiens at 18. He's a scrappy forward, and one who already got his first "Loo-eee" chant from the crowd. Awesome.

• • •

Bit of a stunner, the New Jersey Devils snagging Jacob Josefson at No. 20. In the sense that he isn't, as far as we can tell, from New England.

The New York Rangers selected Chris Kreider at No. 19, and my buddy Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News thinks he's a good skater but says it's tough to determine if he's a sniper. And Kennedy smarter than me, so there you go.

The Columbus Blue Jackets traded up to select John Moore, a defenseman from Chicago (USHL), and it's a nice little pick.

Roberto Luongo made the pick for the Vancouver Canucks at No. 22, and thankfully, the Jordan Schroeder watch is over.

• • •

Jordan Schroeder of the University of Minnesota had the bad fortune of being the Big Dropper in the first round. Some thought he was a top 10 pick; he ended up tumbling to the Vancouver Canucks at No. 22.

So what was it like sitting at Bell Centre, watching his stock fall?

"I was definitely nervous until I got picked," he said.

Schroeder said he was watching picks fly by, occasionally convinced that one of the teams was going to select him. Like, for example, when the New Jersey Devils were on the board at pick No. 20 after moving up.

"When they traded up, I had a pretty good feeling," he said. "But it didn't work out. You gotta move on, and I'm happy in Vancouver."

The first round ended with a huge cheer from the partisan Montreal crowd for the selection of Simon Despres, a defenseman from Saint John, by the Pittsburgh Penguins at No. 30. Oh, sorry: Leahy demands we call them The Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. That won't get old.

Check out the full draft list at NHL.com. The Calgary Flames getting Tim Erixon at No. 23 was solid. The Washington Capitals drafted a Swedish center for a change. (/snark).

Overall, a fairly predictable night, outside of the Pronger deal. (And The 700 Level has a big-time breakdown of the Pronger deal.) After Tavares went first overall, the first round went down pretty much as planned.

I asked Tampa Bay GM Brian Lawton how many contingency plans he had depending on what the Islanders did.

"Yeah, you know what?" he said with a laugh. "Things kind of went the way we expected, to be honest with you. We had a number of different plans. We looked at everything. We honestly looked at moving the pick, and it's something we would have done if it made us better not only in the short term but in the long term."

Round 2 on Saturday. Thanks for reading.

MONTREAL -- At this point, it doesn't matter if John Tavares goes first, second or third in tonight's NHL Draft. It doesn't matter if he's a member of the New York Islanders or the Tampa Bay Lightning or the Colorado Avalanche or the Toronto Maple Leafs next season.

What matters is that after years of hype, years of expectations, years of hearing his name placed next to the word "derby" in discussions of his pro career, John Tavares will finally stop being the great unknown and become some franchise's newest star.

Make no mistake: He's the only star in the draft. Victor Hedman might become one. Matt Duchene, whose name is being screamed around here as a potential first overall pick, might become one, too. Hell, Evander Kane could blossom into one of the best power forwards in hockey for whoever selects him in the top five.

But Tavares is a star now, without a single game having been played as a pro. And he knows it.

This isn't to say he's a man of swaggering conceit; some have reservations about his attitude off the ice, but that's conjecture. What's clear about Tavares is his self-identity; that he understands how he got here and what got him here.

Take his personality, which is at times drier than a bag of sand under a heat lamp.

Should he go to New York, the media's going to want to treat him like "Long Island's Crosby," which might make other players modulate their persona a little bit. But Tavares said he doesn't see the need.

"I try to be who I am. Even though I'm a pretty shy guy, a guy who's pretty focused on what I want to do. If I try to change that ... that's not why I'm here in this position today," he said.

He's had to deal with the media spotlight for the last four years, and it only intensified when Brian Burke publicly stated his desire to build a franchise around Tavares in Toronto.

"A few of my buddies would like to see me go there," Tavares said. "It's a little bit of shock. But it's also nice recognition when somebody wants you that badly."

There's recognition, and then there's scrutiny, and Tavares has also received plenty of the latter as the draft approached. E.J. McGuire, the esteemed director of Central Scouting, said that there is more intense and unfair examination of young players now than every before.

"Yeah, and I'm guilty of it," he said. "I'm watching John Tavares for four years and I'm thinking, 'Gee, it didn't look like he came back all the way.' But I'm not in the dressing room. I should put my coach's hat on and slap myself in the face because the coach [is saying one thing] and I'm writing that he didn't back-check there. Too much scrutiny."

In the end, Tavares's fate tonight depends less on what's said about his personality and his game than on what the teams at the top feel they need to win. It's something of which he's aware: This feeling of having his future based more on team philosophy than a "may the best player win" concept.

"Me and Victor [Hedman] are definitely two types of different players. So whatever the team feels is going to help them move forward, that's what it comes down to," he said.

If he goes No. 1, it's a story. If he doesn't go No. 1, it's a bigger story, and one that carries over into his career: Can the former teenage phenom prove the teams that didn't select him wrong? Can a player whose star shone before he ever laced the skates in the NHL live up to those expectations?

Whatever the storyline, John Tavares gives the NHL yet another compelling character in a League bursting with marketable young talent.

And for Tarares, finally joining the NHL is, in his words, "a dream."

The Toronto Maple Leafs could find a way to select (or luck into drafting) Brayden Schenn, the Brandon Wheat Kings center considered one of the top five forwards in the talent pool, allowing him to he and brother Luke Schenn to play on the same NHL squad.

Then again, things could get nutty if the New York Islanders pass on John Tavares; to the point where neither Schenn could be playing for the Leafs next season.

Toronto Star writer Damien Cox sees this as the scenario in front of GM Brian Burke: That Luke Schenn could be a way to pry one of the top three picks away for Tavares. Then again:

But let's say Burke won't deal Schenn and Tampa's not interested in a deal with Toronto. Then position B for Burke has to be the double Schenn. There are those who see Brayden Schenn as a Mike Richards-type player, and this would be an acquisition that would surely grab the attention of the city after last season in which Burke was personally offended by the way many simply yawned as the Leafs once again missed post-season play.

The Leafs currently hold the seventh overall pick, and most mock drafts have Brayden Schenn as the fourth forward selected in the first round, behind Tavares, Matt Duchene, and Evander Kane. USA Today had Schenn going fifth overall to the Los Angeles Kings. So, in theory, the Leafs are going to have to come to Schenn rather than have him drop down.

In speaking to Brayden Schenn yesterday, the potential to join his brother is paramount in his thoughts.

"It's hard not to be in the back of your mind [because of] where I'm ranked and where the Leafs are picking. I'm certainly in their range," he said.

It's also clear from talking to him that, in our opinion, the guy wants to be a Leaf. Sure, he was the usual diplomatic prospect paying lip service to the other suitors, but one can tell in talking to him where he's like to start his NHL career.

"The fan base the Leafs have around there, it's almost like Canada's team. For me, obviously that'd be nice," he said. "But obviously there are 29 other teams out there and I'd be just as happy going to any one of them."

Now it's up to Brian Burke to see if Brayden Schenn goes to the one or the other 29.

• Kevin Paul Dupont reports on this morning's blockbuster rumor that the Boston Bruins proposed sending Phil Kessel to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Tomas Kaberle and the No. 7 pick. Turns out the No. 7 pick wasn't in play, and that the Bruins may have been trying to blow the Leafs away with an offer before Kaberle's value increases post-Jay Bouwmeester signing somewhere. [Boston Globe, with good commentary from Lowetide as well]

• What's that you say? You'd like to read some NHL Mock Drafts for 2009? Here's what the National Post, Edmonton Journal, USA Today, Pierre McGuire and Craig Button, The Program and Craig Custance. Lots of love for Victor Hedman as the top choice in these.

• B.D. Gallof's mocked draft. If you're a fan of his Photoshop contest work on Puck Daddy, this is your Christmas morning. [Islanders Independent]

• Cycle Like The Sedins has been running an epic blogger-based draft preview that's just terrific. In-depth, detailed and with some great writing. [Cycle Like The Sedins]

• TSN has a live blog rolling all day for the draft, and says that top prospects Nazem Kadri and Landon Ferraro "will also be tweeting in the blog." Seeing as how some feel Kadri could be this year's first-round dropper, that could be a show. [TSN]

• Tampa Bay Lightning GM Brian Lawton hedges a bit on the team keeping its No. 2 overall pick: "It's starting to get very interesting now. ...People would be shocked at the quality of names." Then again, the Bolts are currently trying to figure out who goes up to the podium for the pick. Is it Oren's day or Len's day with the kids? [Joe Bolts Fan]

• After reports yesterday that his client had agreed to a new contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks, Roberto Luongo's agent says everybody just needs to take a chill pill about the goalie's future with the team. Oh, and that John Buccigross shouldn't get into the rumors business. [Province]

• The Detroit Red Wings decline to renew their lease for Joe Louis Arena. [Y! Sports, and more from Snapshots]

• Man falls from the roof of the Hockeytown bar in Detroit, and Deadspin has an eyewitness account. [Deadspin, and not for the squeamish]

• A little NCAA news, as a report suggests that "Bemidji State and Nebraska-Omaha will be officially welcomed into the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Friday afternoon." Go Beavers! [Bemidji Pioneer]

• Meanwhile, it appears the Washington Capitals have set the bar for future editions of the Frozen Four. [Tribune]

• Scott Niedermayer of the Anaheim Ducks is expected to decide his future at some point today, which would be nice considering the Ducks can't do jack or squat until he does. [Dreger]

• Speaking of the Ducks, via the Toronto Sun: "Some scuttlebutt in the lobby of the official NHL hotel last night speculated that perhaps Anaheim, Burke's previous club, might move veteran Chris Pronger in a package for Kaberle. For the time being, take that for what it's worth -- a rumour that lacks teeth." Please hockey gods ... [Sun Media]

• The 10 Biggest Transactions in Ottawa Senators History. No. 10 is, no joke, "Randy Cunneyworth signs as a free agent." [Another Senators Blog]

• Adrian Dater of the Denver Post is killing it at the draft. Here's all the Colorado Avalanche news and scuttlebutt in a handy roundup. [Mile High Hockey]

• Now that the Phoenix Coyotes look like they'll be staying in the desert next season, why they should go all out and build a winner. [Bleacher Report]

• Do the Chicago Blackhawks only want to go one year with Martin Havlat? [Daily Herald]

• The good folks at the Joe Sports Fan podcast had me on for their roundtable segment, and I decided to baffle them with a tribute to the Atari 2600 video game Yar's Revenge. [Joe Sports Fan]

• Finally, a classic moment that Bangin Panger sent over, and frankly one that we had forgotten about: Mika Noronen cleans the glass for the goal judge after a blown call. Killer.

Is that too much to ask for when it comes to Heatley, one of the League's top offensive players but one that also has five years left on his new deal with an annual cap hit of $7.5 million?

So far, yes. The Senators are refusing to allow the market to set the price, telling the Ottawa Citizen that teams have inquired about Heatley but none have offered a legitimate package yet.

Now, this could easily be a case in which Ottawa's using a media megaphone to juice the offers as the NHL Draft (and a potential trade frenzy) arrives. Or it could be an indication that Heatley's contract, in this economy, is a non-starter when combined with the asking price from Ottawa.

So as incredible as it may seem, Heatley could still be a Senator next season.

According to the Citizen:

That could lead to the possibility of Heatley having to play for the Senators next season, however unpleasant that may be for both sides.

Assistant general manager Tim Murray, speaking in place of Bryan on Thursday, acknowledged that's a distinct possibility. "We're not giving him away because he has made the demand to be traded," he said. "It has to be a good hockey deal or it won't get done.

"And then we just assume on Sept. 14 or 15 he'll show up at training camp, and be part of our team and go forward, and (be) a big part of our team, obviously."

Uh, wow. That won't be too awkward. Especially for Coach Cory Clouston, who has been cited as one of the reasons Heatley wants out. He told the Ottawa Sun that "for myself to be painted as the scapegoat, that's fine. I believe we did what was right for the team."

He also met with Heatley after the season, according to the Sun:

"I talked to Dany once and it was a pretty decent conversation. There wasn't any animosity between the two of us, which I think is a positive thing. Since then, I haven't spoken to him," said Clouston. "The one area (he wanted to see more) was just consistency. When Dany is moving his feet and playing his game, he's one of the best players in the NHL."

If we had to guess where Heatley could end up, two teams come to mind: The Edmonton Oilers and the New York Rangers.

Larry Brooks explains the Rangers' plight:

Though GM Glen Sather has backed himself into a corner with the cap that will remain within a couple of hundred thousand dollars of last year's $56.7M following the NHLPA's vote to trigger a five-percent bump to counteract a decline in revenue, the Blueshirts could absorb Heatley's contract by moving Michal Rozsival ($5M cap hit) and not qualifying Nik Zherdev ($3.25M). Qualifying offers are due by 5 p.m. Monday.

Again, the Senators would have to swallow some salary, and reluctance to do so may be part of the issue right now.

As for Edmonton, it's just a hunch. Kevin Lowe is saying the usual "you don't mortgage the future" stuff, but we just can't get that pitch to Marian Hossa last summer out of our heads. It's clear adding an elite player is something management intends to do. The question is one of price and commitment to Heatley's contract against their cap.

Where do you see Heatley next season? And what's a fair asking price from Ottawa?

Here are John Tavares, Victor Hedman, Evander Kane, Scott Glennie, Jared Cowen and Matt Duchene on the best and worst sweaters. And to think: We were just starting to like that Duchene kid ...

Plenty of draft coverage today, and other goodies. Make sure you're following us on Twitter for the latest developments and random musings.

Trade scuttlebutt of the morning: Phil Kessel to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Tomas Kaberle and Toronto's No. 7 pick in the draft? The Boston Bruins would be doing quite well for themselves there should that go down ...

First, on the Winter Classic/Outdoor Game front, the Canadian Press reported the potential for three different games played outdoors next season:

"We are looking at a couple potential additional special events beyond the NBC Winter Classic game," said NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly. "(It's something) that we all collectively think will be very good for the game. We think that they won't dilute the product that we've created."

There are a number of logistical issues still to be worked out. The Habs are hoping to host their game in November or December to coincide with the end of their centennial celebrations while the Boston Bruins will play theirs at Fenway Park in the traditional Winter Classic spot on New Year's Day.

Even though there has been some discussion that a game at Calgary's McMahon Stadium might be played as a New Year's doubleheader, there's also the possibility it will be held at another time - perhaps to coincide with CBC's annual Hockey Day in Canada.

Bob McKenzie of TSN reported that the McMahon Stadium game won't happen on New Year's Day, and that "sources say that event is possibly a game at Montreal's Olympic Stadium to celebrate the Canadiens' 100th anniversary." We had a report last September that the Montreal Canadiens would play a game in front of 70,000-plus at Stade Olympique on Dec. 4, 2009. Totally premature, but in the end perhaps that's what ends up happening.

Scott Burnside of ESPN has more, saying the committee didn't vote either way and that the second Classic game is "in limbo." Two outdoor games (potentially) on three different days ... still overkill?

The other big news from the competition committee was the rejection of the "staged fighting" misconduct penalty for players who drop the gloves after the faceoff. The NHLPA rejected it, and now the NHL competition committee has done the same. From the CP, from NHL VP Colin Campbell:

"It's dead as far as implementing it," said Campbell. "The managers may want to talk about it and discuss it again in September. If we do want to change it or implement a rule then we have to go back through the competition committee."

Blogger George James Malik sums up this decision, and inactivity on issues like head shots and goalie equipment, with this headline: "Competition committee does absolutely nothing to improve the game."

• You can't walk three feet in this joint without hearing someone mention Jay Bouwmeester's name. Barring something completely unforeseen, the Florida Panthers defenseman's UFA negotiating rights will be traded and various sources have teams like the Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres reportedly in the mix.

Tim Panaccio of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia breaks some news today that the Flyers don't believe they're going to land his negotiating rights:

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said Thursday he doesn't think the club will return to Philadelphia with the rights to any top free agent defenseman, which also includes Montreal's Mike Komisarek and Anaheim's Francois Beauchemin.

"Not really," Holmgren said of getting a rights deal done. "Right now you might be better off with scenarios of a players we've looked into, it's a lot for an unknown [on whether you can sign them]. We've done this in the past with Nashville.

"We had a clear picture going in [then] and probably more cap space, too," he added, laughing. "Right now, it's Thursday and I'd just as soon wait on those guys until July 1."

Two NHL executives here say Bouwmeester has told Florida Panther officials he would prefer playing out west. Although he has not eliminated the Flyers, the Canucks now seem to have the inside track.

• Interesting. But as Panaccio writes, there's a bit of difference for the mild-mannered Jay-Bouw between Western Canada and the city that will torch him on sports talk radio if he doesn't perform. More from Clockwork Orange and Black.

• As an offshoot of the Bouwmeester stuff, Darren Dreger of TSN reports that someone has blown away the Toronto Maple Leafs with a trade offer for Tomas Kaberle, whom TSN says the Leafs were looking to move later in the summer. Any guesses?

• Dreger also writes that "the San Jose Sharks are in discussions with a couple of teams, with Sharks forward Ryane Clowe the centre of trade talks." He's an RFA, but still: Of all the people to begin remaking the team with, it's Clowe that goes?

• Draft stars John Tavares and Victor Hedman have their endorsement deals. Reebok-CCM told us today that Tavares will endorse CCM, while Hedman will join Sidney Crosby at Reebok.

Neither player knows where the New York Islanders are leaning; at least that's what they claim. I asked Tavares if he knew, and he said he didn't; I then asked if he could reveal who won't be drafting him on Friday, and he said "the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins." So there you go.

• The Dany Heatley talk is all over the map, with the Ottawa Citizen reporting on his fit with the Minnesota Wild (possible), the New York Rangers (sure) and the St. Louis Blues (citing their need for a gate attraction ... and Dany Heatley is one?).

But the real news from today's Heatley Watch was made on Twitter of all places. Daryl Evans, a Los Angeles Kings broadcaster, tweeted "just spoke with Hexy about what OTT is asking for in exchange for Heatley. He said '1 or 2 players and our fifth pick.'"

This sparked a massive post over at Silver Sevens about what the Ottawa Senators could get back from the Kings, who are in fact a pretty damn good fit for Heatley.

Here's the thing: While Kings assistant GM Ron "Hexy" Hextall hasn't ruled out a trade for Heater, he was quite critical of the player at a Kings fan forum earlier in June (video) in which he said:

"I don't like saying anything bad about players, but I'm going to spell it out to you as nicely as I can. He was in Atlanta, he had an unfortunate accident there and he asked to be traded. Alright, given the circumstances, there was a young man killed ... I can live with that.

"He goes to Ottawa, he's on a pretty good team, they go to the finals. Signs a big contract and bang, now all of a sudden he need to be traded again. Not only do I want to be traded, I have a no-trade clause, I wanna pick where I'm gonna go. Well, there's some issues there. He had problems with his coach in Atlanta. My understanding is that he problems with Craig Hartsburg at the start of last year in Ottawa. And he had problems with a guy who got hired halfway through the year, Cory Clouston. So all of a sudden now three coaches he's had a problem with. That raises huge red flags for us."

In fairness, Hextall never said Heatley was a bad fit for the Kings, but cautioned that the asking price would be "huge." And Michael Russo of the Star Tribune writes tonight that the Kings' offer for Heatley is, in fact, pretty huge if that's what it is. OK, not so much writes as "Tweets."

• Finally, it was always going to be the Washington Capitals or the KHL for Sergei Fedorov next season, and today it became official that he's going to play with his slightly less talented brother Fedor with Metallurg Magnitogorsk.

His agent told TSN it's fulfilling a lifelong dream of his father's to see his boys play on the same team. It's also the team that would pay him $3.8 million in each of the next two seasons, which the Washington Capitals would have been insane to match. So long to a true professional; D.C. was a better sports town with you in it.