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One of the last big fish gets landed – on the biggest beach of all – the
desert!
Tony Amonte (rw) – signs with Phoenix Coyotes: We have just one word –
wow! Terms of the deal were not disclosed but it’s believed that Amonte
signed a 4 year deal worth $24 million plus incentives. What the ‘Yotes get
is the best UFA still left in this years’ crop and a guy that can only help
a team that finished – surprisingly – in the playoffs and is on the rise.
Amonte has been the #1 guy for the Hawks for years and now he goes to a
young, very well coached team for less money than he was offered in Chicago
(an indication how much he wanted out of the three ringed Wirtz circus).
Amonte’s signing gives the ‘Yotes a marquis player to market as they begin
construction of their new arena and certainly creates an increasing sense of
expectation for the Coyotes come this season.
Fantasy Impact: Amonte has been the definitive right wing sniper for the
last ten years. He has reached either the 30+ goal plateau 5 times and 40+
goals 3 times. Last year, he fell off to 27 tallies, but we think that was
due to the contract situation with the Hawks and not an indication that he
is slowing down. Unlike fellow US Olympians, and former Coyote players,
Jeremy Roenick and
Keith Tkachuk, Amonte brings the on-ice, quiet leadership that can only
make Phoenix a better hockey team. He’ll play either with
Daniel Briere or
Daymond Langkow (barring another F/A signing) and that can only mean
more points for those guys as well. He’ll be first PP and will kill
penalties too. Watch for a 35 goal, 65 point, +5 season in the desert this
year.
Brent Gilchrist (lw/rw) – signs with Nashville Predators: Trying to
replace the loss of veteran leadership in the dressing room, the Preds went
out and nabbed
Brent Gilchrist, formerly with the Dallas Stars. A consummate
professional, the once decent two way player is now a strict defence-first
kind of guy who also kills penalties. Gilchrist does bring vaunted playoff
experience to the Preds and has a tendency to increase his stock in the
playoffs.
Fantasy Impact: He’s likely on the fourth line, creating havoc and
being a good leader. Expect 5 goals and 10 points in 60 games this year.
Clarke Wilm (c/lw/rw) – signs with the Nashville Predators: Wilm is
younger, scrappier and a bit-less-skilled-offensively, version of
Brent Gilchrist. As solid two way player, with a defence first
conscious, Wilm is a good penalty killer and will be used in that role in
Nashville. He has good energy, and reminds many scouts of a young and
healthy Pred
Scott Walker. If Wilm blossoms into a Walker like project, the Predators
will have won the lottery.
Fantasy Impact: 7 goals and 17 points.
Tie Domi (lw) – resigns with Toronto Maple Leafs: After weighing offers
for three other teams,
Tie Domi re-signed with the Maple Leafs (3 years, $6million). Domi is a
decent skater, north to south, with rock hard hands and little touch around
the next.
Fantasy Impact: Might play beside Sundin for stretches to give the Captain
some space. If he does, he’ll reach 8 goals and 20 points, and his PIMs
should go up as well. Beware, if he begins to think he’s a scorer, he’ll sit
- be careful.
Donald Brashear (lw) – resigns with Philadephia Flyers. Similar to
Domi’s deal, but a four year $8 million dollar signing, Brashear brings the
title as the league’s heavyweight champ back to the Flyers.
Fantasy Impact: Should reach 10 goals and 28 points, with 200 PIMs.
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