Wings sign Ty Conklin
The Wings signing of Ty Conklin from Pittsburgh has put Jimmy Howard on notice that the backup job isn't going to be handed to him.
In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Conklin is the backup to Chris Osgood.
Let's face it, this guy is a decent goalie.
Conklin, 32, was 18-8-5 with a 2.51 goals-against average and .923 save percentage (which was second in the league, incidentally, to Osgood).
Howard seems destined for Grand Rapids.
Stuart re-signs with Wings
TSN in Canada is reporting the Wings and Brad Stuart have agreed on a four-year contract worth $15 million.
That averages to $3.75 million. He earned $3.5 million last season.
The feeling around the NHL was the Wings wanted to keep Stuart closer to the $3 million his defensive partner Niklas Kronwall is earning.
But, at the price Stuart signed for, I say it's a fair deal for both sides.
Stuart probably could have gotten a bit more on the open market.
But, he repeatedly said in the playoffs how much he enjoyed playing here.
This shouldn't impact the Wings' other free agent plans, much.
They're likely to take a run at Mats Sundin or Flint native Brian Rolston.
They also are seeking a third-string goalie and a replacement for Dallas Drake.
Maybe, Todd Bertuzzi?
Bertuzzi cut by Ducks
Did you notice where Todd Bertuzzi became available today? The Anaheim Ducks are waiving Big Bert after a sub-par season. Bertuzzi signed there for two years and $8 million total, but the Ducks have seen enough.
Bertuzzi, 33, only scored 13 goals and hasn't been the same player since the ugly incident before the lockout when he attacked Steve Moore.
But the Wings did like certain things about Bertuzzi (size, soft hands, seemed to blend in with his teammates) when he was here two seasons ago.
Would they be interested again, at the right price? Don't rule it out.Now, why did we have that lockout a few seasons ago? The NHL just announced that the salary cap has risen to $56.7 million. That's a $6.4 million increase over last season. The lower limit for teams will rise to $40.7 million - a pretty hefty amount for the likes of Nashville, Florida, Phoenix, Los Angeles, the Islanders, Washington, well, quite a few teams. When the lockout ended, the cap was $39 million. It's risen all four years now, to this $56.7 million number. The league is doing well, no doubt about it. Revenues are going way up, which is why the salary cap has been going up so dramatically. But, isn't this a little scary? Small-market teams couldn't spend this much money before the lockout. They won't be able to now, either.
Rookie development camp
One other thing....the rookie development camp will run July 7-11.
Lilja and Wings close to an agreement
The Wings are getting close to a contract agreement with Andreas Lilja. GM Ken Holland is hopeful of something being officially worked out this week. Lilja appeared to be an add man out late in the season. But he did a good job, specifically in the Finals against Pittsburgh, and the Wings like his experience, shot blocking ability, and size. Also, Brad Stuart is going to the doctor for tests on his shoulder Wednesday. Holland said Stuart began complaining about the injury just recently. Nothing appears close as far as an agreement with Stuart and the Wings.
Wings pick McCollum
The NHL Entry Draft has become like the NFL Draft. IT GOES ON FOREVER. Finally, the Wings have selected. They took Thomas McCollum, a goalie who played for Guelph in the Ontario League. McCollum could be the U.S. starting goalie in the world junior tournament next season. Jim Nill loves McCollum's size (6-1, 215) and athleticism. Scouts seem to love his glove, but worry about his consistency. As for other news out of the draft today: 1) I like Phoenix getting Olli Jokinen to the mix of young forwards it already has. The Coyotes gave up two developing young defensemen, but it was a fair price to pay for a player of Jokinen's stature. 2) Alex Tanguay never fit in with Calgary, it seemed. He may do better in Montreal. Getting Mike Cammalleri is fine, but the Flames still need more offense. 3) I'm not sure R.J. Umbarger really improves the Blue Jackets that much.
Stothers out in GR
In case you haven't heard Mike Stothers has been let go as coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins. Jim Paek has been retained as the assistant coach. The Griffins also have regained the rights to fire/hire their coaches from the Red Wings.
Larionov in the Hall of Fame
Igor Larionov has been named to the Hall of Fame. More to come momentarily.
Halfway through the NHL Awards Show
Early update from halfway through the Awards Show... Pavel Datsyuk missed previous NHL Award Shows but attended this one. Datsyuk joked Henrik Zetterberg - a fellow Selke Trophy finalist - got him free tickets to Thursday's show. "I showed up," Datsyuk said. Good thing, because Datsyuk won his first Selke Trophy, given to the best defensive forward in the league, and won his third consecutive Lady Byng (gentlemanly play). In the race for the Selke Datsyuk had 537 points (43 first place votes), outdistancing New Jersey's John Madden (447 points) and Zetterberg (425 points). Having Zetterberg as a teammate, said Datsyuk, pushed him to a good season. "We had a good year, a lot of fun," said Datsyuk, who added the Selke meant a little more to win than the Lady Byng. "The biggest for me was the Stanley Cup," Datsyuk said. Datsyuk won the Lady Byng with a staggering 984 points (75 first place votes). He became the first player since the Rangers' Frank Boucher between 1933-35 to win the award three consecutive years. Tampa's Martin St. Louis was second to Datsyuk with 261 points (2 first place votes). For allowing the league's fewest amount of goals, the Wings' Chris Osgood and Dominik Hasek won the Jennings Trophy. Only Hasek attended, as Osgood had spent the previous few days doing a media blitz in Los Angeles. "Ozzie is a little bit tired from sitting on television (shows) and the celebrations," Hasek joked on television. Hasek said "it's a real team trophy, you have to have everyone on the team playing well defensively, or you have no chance to win." Coach Mike Babcock (Jack Adams Trophy) and Chris Chelios (Masterton) were finalists, but didn't win.
