| Day two
brought the insanity to a new level, as the top-tier UFAs began to fall.
Here's our take on the latest:
Curtis Joseph – goalie – signs with Detroit
Clearly
Curtis Joseph's singing with the Detroit Red Wings for less money than
what was offered by Toronto is going to grate on the Leafs all summer. CuJo
was their guy and they wanted him back no mistake. Rumored to have signed a
3 + 1 deal for a reported $8 million per season plus incentives, Joseph
doesn't even have to move his family from the greater Toronto area with
signing with Detroit. Its reported that Joseph's motivation was to sign with
a team that had the best chance to win the Stanley Cup. The Red Wings made a
big commitment to Joseph and this signing should provide Wings GM
Ken Holland the carrot to re-sign Chelios and attract another
replacement for defencemen
Steve Duchesne. For the Leafs fans, there is a little bit of solace
however. CuJo was clearly the best, and most expensive UFA on the market.
Not having to pay the almost $9 million per season they offered to CuJo,
means the Leafs will likely land one of either Richter, Belfour or Dafoe for
about $4-5 per season. A capable replacement for CuJo, that also leaves them
some $ to seek further help, particularly along their blue line.
Fantasy Impact: As a Wing, the biggest thing that may affect CuJo's
stats will be if ageless warrior
Chris Chelios resigns with the Wings. If yes, and the offensive
supporting cast returns, CuJo should nab an easy 35 - 38 wins and a .920
save %.
Bobby Holik – center – signs 5 year, $45 million with New York
Rangers
As hockey pundits, we are going on record as stating that Rangers GM
Glen Sather is a hypocrite. One trips over the irony of Sather –
in his former life as the GM of the budget conscious Edmonton Oilers –
as the leader of the "Stop the Insanity" calls from smaller markets
teams to any and all that would listen on the subject of the larger markets
teams desire and ability to shell out serious $ for UFAs. And then he signs
Bobby Holik to a 5 year deal, at $9 million per season (almost a 300%
increase). Granted, Holik is an excellent 2-way center, but he is generally
not perceived as a top flight #1 center, and in fact, he won't even be the
#1 guy on the Rangers. But, from a Fantasy point of view, Holik's signing
does provide the Rangers with some serious strength down the middle and
frees up the Big 'E' to focus on offense - as he'd like. In securing Holik,
and likely resigning
Mark Messier, the Rangers look deep down the middle. Holik's signing
also makes Sather's moving of the enigmatic
Petr Nedved a certainty. Odds are that Nedved may end up in Ottawa,
Toronto, back to Pittsburgh or even out west to L.A. or San Jose. Getting
assets back for Nedved will give Sather even more ammo as this off-season
progresses to make further deals. Holik's signing also ensures that, unlike
last year (until the Lindros deal), Sather makes a splash in the league's
media Mecca early. Holik's signing also allows Sather the opportunity to
dangle his "improving" team in front of other UFAs. For the New Jersey
Devils, they lose an important cog that will be hard to replace. Watch for
the Devils to pursue the much cheaper
Andrew Cassels or another big name UFA - most likely Selanne, Fleury or
even Amonte. They will need to do something.
Fantasy Impact: For Holik, he'll pot another 20 goals and 45-50
points this season. He may get more, if Lindros hits the DL at all this
coming season.
Ed Belfour – goalie – signs with Toronto
As we predicated, with Joseph headed to the Wings, it took no time to
turn to Plan "B" and replace CuJo between the pipes with "Eddie the Eagle".
A 2-year deal, that could become a 3-year one with incentives, Belfour
brings his competitive fire and a huge amount of baggage to play in the
hockey fishbowl that is Toronto. The Leafs shelled out $13.5 million for
Belfour - no bargain, that's for sure. But certainly less than what the
Leafs offered Joseph. The deal to land Belfour should allow the Leafs to
focus on getting some blue-line help.
Fantasy Impact: 25 + wins with the Leafs, but watch his save %
though, as he'll struggle to keep above .900. Belfour will see lots more
rubber than he did as a Star. On the good side for the Leafs, no one will
work harder to make the Buds fans forget CuJo. Belfour is likely to come to
camp with a renewed edge and something to prove - and the Leafs hope he
maintains it.
Martin Gelinas – winger – signs with Calgary
After rejecting a one year contract extension with the Hurricanes,
Martin Gelinas wasted little time in signing a new deal with the Calgary
Flames. Gelinas brings his 13 goals and 29 points to the young Flames - and
will really help in the locker room. But, yet again GM Craig Buttons
attracts a guy that the Flames seem to have a lot of - speedy, small,
grinder that chips in a the odd goal. Only two seasons removed from a
23-goal season, Gelinas will enjoy the chance to play in a hockey first
market and bring a "never quit" work ethic to a young Flames team. Terms of
his deal were not disclosed.
Fantasy Impact: Likely to be patrolling the left side on the 2nd or
3rd line, paired with
Rob Niedermayer. He'll get a dozen goals and 25 points on the improving
Flames. If he sees 2nd line duty, he might flirt with 20 tallies.
Darius Kasparaitis – defenseman – signs with NY Rangers
His agent was rumored to be seeking a 10 year deal at first, then an 8 year
contract. Today, Kasparaitis settled for a 6 year deal worth $27 million –
or $4.5 million per season. Pretty good for a player that has bagged 14, 19,
15, 12 and 19 points respectively over the last 5 seasons. But Kasparaitis
is not in the league for his offense. He is a tenacious worker, a
devastating body checker and has the reputation of playing without the
benefit of the Marquis of Queensbury rulebook. That said, its been 4 years
since he’s significantly been on the + side of the +/- ledger, and he alone
won’t change the Rangers play without the puck. Rangers GM Glen Sather’s
hope is obviously to try and improve his teams’ defensive play with the
addition of “Kasper” and also
Bobby Holik. The spooky thing for the rest of the league is that the
Rangers are not done. They also have their eye one or two of Amonte, Guerin,
and Selanne. They also need to sign a goalie – either returning
Mike Richter or
Byron Dafoe. Or Sather could trade for one. One report has the Rangers
already dangling
Petr Nedved to the Senators for
Chris Phillips and
Jani Hurme.
Fantasy Impact: Unless your league counts hits, or somehow has a stat
for being one of the most hated players in the league, Kasparaitis brings
little to the fantasy table – save for maybe an improving +/-. That said,
some shmoe will take him much earlier than he should and that’s fine by us.
Chris Chelios (– defenseman – signs with Detroit
After saying it wouldn’t cost Detroit as much he could get on the open
market, Chelios didn’t exactly come cheap to the Wings – resigning with them
for 2 years at $6 million per. That said, there can’ be a happier guy in the
league than newest Red Wing
Curtis Joseph. Joseph’s chances of finally getting that elusive Stanley
Cup ring just got better with the return of the much heralded defensemen.
Chelios’ offensive output is not what it was when he was a prolific catalyst
from the point, bagging 50 points a season, but 35 points and his +/- alone
will ensure his value to his team, and to you the poolie.
Fantasy Impact: With CuJo in the fold, Chelios will score another 35
points and cruise to a +35 – at least.
Rumours:
Tony Amonte – Amonte is said to be sitting at his home mulling over 5
separate offers from the Stars, Rangers, Islanders, the Leafs and the
Sharks. If we were betting men – and aren’t we all – we’d narrow the field
to the Stars, Ranger and Islanders. Offers are rumored to be in the 4-5 year
range, and $6-$8 million per season. If Amonte or Guerin signs, expect the
rest of the big four wingers to follow suit (Selanne and Fleury).
Teemu Selanne – After rejecting a 4 year $24 million offer to stay
with San Jose, Selanne is now said to reviewing an offer from the Boston
Bruins of 4 years, $30 million – or $7.5 million per season. Consequently,
the Sharks are said to be focusing their efforts on the enigmatic
Theoren Fleury – who has always done well in the Shark Tank. |
