Hello Hockey Fans. Things really have been slow lately. The biggest signing yesterday was the Isles signing Trent Hunter, who was an RFA. Today may not be any busier. No signings to announce yet, but I do have some rumours.
Roman Chechmanek will not play in the NHL this year. He will play for Karlovy Vary of the Czech league. John Leclair has narrowed his choices down to two. Toronto and Boston are the two teams Leclair wishes to play for. Toronto is badly in need of a left winger to play along Sundin. A line of Leclair - Sundin - Lindros would not be too bad. The Pens, Isles, Bruins, Coyotes, and Panthers are the teams apparently in the Curtis Leschyshyn hunt. GM of the flames Darryl Sutter has denied the fact that he has signed UFA Defenseman Roman Hamrlik. The rumour was that it will be announced Monday, so I guess we will know for sure tomorrow.
From The Toronto Sun : "The Flyers signed Forsberg for $5.7 million US a year. The Leafs signed Lindros, Allison, Jeff O'Neill and Alexander Khavanov for $5.7 million. In 20 words or less, who got the better deal?" Also, Al McInnis and Scott Stevens are still UFA's, anyone want to take a gamble? Some of the other names left in the UFA pool? : Selanne, Bondra, Green, Wesley, Marchment, Perreault, Joseph, Holzinger, Carter, Thomas, Bombardir, Odelein, Mironov, Quintal, Wooley, York, Irbe, Dunham and Leclair. Still lots of talent to go around, but with many teams close to their cap limit, it will be interesting to see how much these players take. It may come down to all of them playing where they want to play, for less money. Colorado and Detroit really need to start making some noise...
