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While there are still a few decent free agent
catches left, the pickings are getting pretty
slim. Here's the recent signings, plus some rumours about the big fish still
out there.
Teemu Selanne – winger – re-signs with San Jose Sharks
In what has to be perceived as a bit of an eye-brow raiser, the San Jose
Sharks resigned
Teemu Selanne to a two year $13 million deal. There is no doubting the
Sharks success this past season – remember that they were one win away from
going to the NHL’s Final Four – but the signing of Selanne is a surprise
given the rumor that the Bruins had offered a similar term deal, but at $7.5
million per season. It’s been four years since Selanne scored 40+ goals, and
it’s been 2 since he’s climbed over the 30 mark. Granted, playing on a team
that needs him to score big goals and play defense was an adjustment, but
even at $6.5 million per season, that is a lot of money for a guy that looks
to us to be on the down side of his skills. Mind you, he did score 5 times
(8 points) in 12 playoff games, but we are still not convinced that he’ll
re-discover his scoring touch. Much depends on who he plays with and how
much ice-time he gets. If he continues to play with playoff performer
Patrick Marleau, Selanne will maintain his current stats. Draft him for
25 goals, and hope he finds his scoring touch again.
Fantasy Impact: 26 goals and 55 points, with a -7.
Scott Young – winger – signs with Dallas Stars
In a move that is sure to please him, as it will be re-uniting him with
former Blue
Pierre Turgeon, Young signed a 2 year deal with the Stars that ensures
he’ll play on one of the top two lines. Young has always been a goal scorer
and had 40 of them two years ago. He’ll be 35 when the season starts, but
still has great wheels and a very hard shot.
Fantasy Impact: He may end up moving back to left wing in Dallas –
either that or
Jason Arnott is going to have to (or get dealt, or Turgeon moved). If he
does, do not expect a huge season for Young, but he should return to 20+
goals and 45 points with a +11.
Rumor Mill
Tony Amonte remains the most significant F/A still hanging out there
right now. The Rangers and the Islanders are now said to be the front
runners, offering respective 5 year deals, from anywhere between $30 and $35
million, but that has meant some serious attempts to dump salary. The
Rangers are said to be looking to move
Petr Nedved to either Ottawa, Calgary, Phoenix, Vancouver or
Toronto….The Islanders are said to be trying to off-load
Roman Hamrlik on anyone willing to take him – Nashville, Florida and the
Washington Capitals are said to be interested….The Leafs had been rumored to
be pursuing Amonte, but reports had his agent requesting a 5 year deal worth
$32.5 million, which the Leafs thought was just too much for the speedy
right winger….Calgary is said to be taking offers for young d-man
Derek Morris. The Bruins had been rumored to be dangling
Sergei Samsonov, while the Leafs are reportedly offering a package of
Nikolai Antropov and one time Flame
Jonas Hoglund. Chicago is also said to be interested in Morris, but are
balking at trading rookie
Kyle Calder in return….Restricted F/A
Eric Brewer is also high on the Leafs trade list, but the price for the
emerging star would be more than the reported swap for Morris; expect
Brad Boyes and young defense prospect
Petr Svoboda to be included in any deal for Brewer….Theoren
Fleury remains unsigned as this article went to web, and will likely
remain unsigned for awhile. Phoenix, Chicago and the Leafs are reportedly
interested, with the ‘Yotes the early front runners given Fleury’s
relationship with owner
Wayne Gretzky.
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