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D Fraser signs 1-year, $500,000 deal with Devils
Defenseman Mark Fraser has agreed to a one-year, $500,000 contract with the New Jersey Devils.
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Manchester United routs MLS All-Stars
HOUSTON -- Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson thinks Major League Soccer has made dramatic progress in recent years.
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Thrashers sign F Eager
Ben Eager #55 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks on prior to a face-off against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Three of the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the Wachovia Center on June 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Diego Maradona says Carlos Bilardo 'betrayed' him
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Diego Maradona says he was lied to and betrayed by Argentina soccer officials who decided not to renew his contract as coach of the national team.
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Manchester City tops Club America in shootout
ATLANTA -- Shay Given blocked two penalty shootout kicks and Manchester City beat Club America 4-1 in the tiebreaker after the teams played to a 1-1 draw in the exhibition game Wednesday night.
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Plan Your New Hockey Season
The 2009-10 hockey season will be a tough act to follow. Not every NHL season can include a two-week break for a spectaclar and dramatic international tournament, or a team winning the Stanley Cup for the first time in 49 years. But there's plenty of days to circle on your calendar between now and next June, when the 2011 champions raise the Cup. From the first day of training camp, to the Ovechkin-versus-Crosby Winter Classic, to the start of next summer's free agent market, here's a look at the key dates on the 2010-11 hockey calendar. Photo: Rick Nash and the Blue Jackets play Dan Boyle and the Sharks in Stockholm to open the new NHL season. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images).Plan Your New Hockey Season originally appeared on About.com Hockey on Monday, July 26th, 2010 at 09:53:33.Permalink | Comment | Email this
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How Kovalchuk and the Devils Ran Afoul of the NHL
After watching several teams stuff millions of dollars through a gaping loophole in the salary cap, the NHL has had enough. So Ilya Kovalchuk and the New Jersey Devils have been singled out for punishment: the NHL has refused to approve the deal. As noted on Tuesday, Kovalchuk's 17-year, $102 million appeared to conform to the letter of the salary-cap law, if not the spirit. After all, the league had previously allowed other lengthy contracts, which saw players like Roberto Luongo and Marian Hossa signed up to keep playing past the age of 40. So why pick on Kovalchuk and the Devils? Darren Dreger at TSN.ca provides the relevant excerpt from the NHL collective bargaining agreement. It forbids any deal that ''is intended to or has the effect of defeating or Circumventing the provisions of this Agreement or the intention of the parties as reflected by the provisions of this Agreement...'' (italics mine). Without a technical violation to point to, the league presumably bases its objection on the intention of the CBA and the salary cap. A few past contracts might have looked dodgy, but this was the one that provoked the NHL to ''draw a line in the sand,'' as Eric Duhatschek puts it at GlobeSports.com. But intent is a nebulous concept. And who can say with absolute certainty that Kovalchuk won't play for another 17 years? It's been reported that the NHL Players' Association could file a grievance to uphold the contract. It's more likely that Kovalchuk's numbers will be rejigged to the NHL's liking, while every other team silently thanks the Devils for identifying how much they can get away with when they start shoving cash through the loophole. See also: Previous Story: The Kovalchuk Contract and the Salary Cap Loophole. The NHL Salary Cap Explained 2010 NHL Free Agents and Signings Photo: Kovalchuk at Tuesday's ill-fated contract celebration in Newark (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images).How Kovalchuk and the Devils Ran Afoul of the NHL originally appeared on About.com Hockey on Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 at 09:42:55.Permalink | Comment | Email this
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Ilya Kovalchuk and the NHL's Salary Cap Loophole
Update, July 21: The NHL has rejected the Kovalchuk contract ''on the grounds that it circumvents of the NHL salary cap.'' A reader writes: The Devils have officially lost it. 17 years for Kovalchuk? They're paying him until he's 44 years old. How many goals will he be scoring then? Most. Insane. Contract. Ever. - Lonnie, St. Paul, Minnesota That opinion of Ilya Kovalchuk's monster contract with the New Jersey Devils is echoed in countless messages and comments posted since the news broke on Monday. As Lonnie points out, Kovalchuk will be into middle age when the 17-year deal finally expires. His days as hockey's most productive scorer will be long over. But assuming he keeps scoring for another 8-to-10 years - he's the only player to top 40 goals in each of the last six seasons - the deal works brilliantly for both parties. It's all thanks to the machinations of the NHL salary cap: Calculating Ilya's Cap Hit. The contract pays $102 million over 17 years. A quick division (102 by 17) reveals a total of $6 million per season against the Devils' salary cap. That's how cap numbers are figured: it's the average annual value of a contract. How Ilya Gets his Money. Check the breakdown of the numbers and you'll see that most of the cash is paid out in the first half of the contract. By the time Kovalchuk turns 35, his pay begins a steady and swift decline. Remember, this has no bearing on his salary cap number. An Escape Clause for the Devils. If Ilya retires, the contract and the cap hit disappear. Poof. If the team wants to buy out his contract because he's old and useless, the buyout will be very cheap in salary cap terms, because the late years of the contract are at rock-bottom salary. An Escape Clause for Ilya. On paper, he owes the Devils six seasons at less than $1 million per if he plays into his late thirties and early forties. But having already collected the bulk of his $102 million, he could choose to retire to his Mediterranean villa or Aspen ski chalet and skip the bargain years. So Everyone Wins. Ilya gets the fat paycheck he wanted, averaging $10 million per year for the next eight years. But when you add the late, low-paying years into the overall value, he counts just $6 million per year against the Devils' salary cap. It's a loophole, and not a small one. By adding very cheap years to the end of a contract - with the unspoken understanding that the player could be gone by then - a team can minimize its cap hit while the superstar maximizes his pay. Canucks' goalie Roberto Luongo and Blackhawks' scorer Marian Hossa have signed similar deals. You can't blame a well-heeled team for taking advantage of every possible loophole. But this nudge-nudge-wink-wink numbers game has the look and feel of a dirty trick, wouldn't you say? Dirk Hoag at On the Forecheck has a good assessment of the not-so-healthy implications of what he calls ''sham contracts.'' See also: The NHL Salary Cap Explained 2010 NHL Free Agents and Signings (Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)Ilya Kovalchuk and the NHL's Salary Cap Loophole originally appeared on About.com Hockey on Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 at 10:13:05.Permalink | Comment | Email this
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Eager avoids arbitration, agrees to new deal with Atlanta
The Thrashers and recently acquired forward Ben Eager have agreed to terms on new deal, avoiding arbitration. Atlanta - Atlanta Thrashers - United States - Ben Eager - Law
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Thrashers sign Eager, avoid arbitration
Restricted free agent forward Ben Eager and the Atlanta Thrashers have avoided salary arbitration, agreeing to a deal on Wednesday, according to team general manager Rick Dudley.
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Panthers' GM Dale Tallon happy to trade pucks for pars
Tallon hopes his next four days are only spent hunting for birdies as he competes in the U.S. Senior Open at the Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, ...
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Atlanta Thrashers, Ben Eager avoid arbitration, agree to terms on contract
The Thrashers and recently acquired forward Ben Eager have agreed to terms on new deal, avoiding arbitration.
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Capitals acquire enforcer King from Blues for prospect
The Washington Capitals have acquired enforcer D.J. King from the St. Louis Blues for prospect Stefan Della Rovere. Washington Capitals - St. Louis Blues - National Hockey League - Hockey - Sport
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Ducks sign 1st-round pick Fowler to 3-year deal
The Anaheim Ducks have signed defenseman Cam Fowler to a three-year contract, likely putting the first-round draft pick on a fast track to the NHL. Anaheim Ducks - National Hockey League - Sports - Ice hockey - Draft
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Ducks sign first-round pick Fowler to three-year deal
The Anaheim Ducks have signed defenseman Cam Fowler to a three-year contract, likely putting the first-round draft pick on a fast track to the NHL. Anaheim Ducks - National Hockey League - Ice hockey - Sports - Hockey
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Senators hire Wamsley as coach for goaltenders
The Senators are bringing in Rick Wamsley as goaltending coach. Rick Wamsley - Sports - Hockey - Ottawa Senators - Ice Hockey
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Blue Jackets avoid arbitration with Anton Stralman
Columbus and defenseman Stralman have agreed on a one-year contract, just minutes before they were to go to arbitration on Wednesday morning ...
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Watch Now: Summer moves made by Habs, Leafs & Sens
Summer moves made by Habs, Leafs & Sens
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Devils sign defenseman Fraser to one-year contract
Defenseman Mark Fraser has agreed to a one-year, $500,000 contract with the New Jersey Devils. New Jersey Devils - Mark Fraser - National Hockey League - Sports - Hockey
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Defenceman Stralman stays with Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets and defenceman Anton Stralman have agreed on a one-year contract, just minutes before they were to go to arbitration on Wednesday morning.
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Blue Jackets re-sign Stralman
The Columbus Blue Jackets and defenseman Anton Stralman have agreed on a one-year contract, just minutes before they were to go to arbitration on Wednesday morning. Columbus Blue Jackets - Hockey - National Hockey League - Sports - Ice Hockey
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Jackets re-sign top-scoring defenseman Stralman
The Columbus Blue Jackets and defenseman Anton Stralman have agreed on a one-year contract, just minutes before they were to go to arbitration on Wednesday morning. Columbus Blue Jackets - National Hockey League - Sports - Hockey - Ice Hockey
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Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby thinks Heinz Field a 'great setup' for Winter Classic
Mike Knuble teed up a puck on a wooden platform a few inches above Heinz Field's green grass and lofted a perfectly placed wrist shot between the uprights.
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Tomas Fleischmann re-signs with Capitals for one year at $2.6M
The 26-year-old Fleischmann set career highs with 23 goals and 28 assists last season for the Presidents' Trophy winners, despite missing the ...
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Raymond avoids arbitration with Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks have avoided arbitration with Mason Raymond by signing the forward to a two-year, $5.1 million contract. Raymond will receive $2.5 million next season and $2.6 million in 2011-12. Vancouver Canucks - Mason Raymond - National Hockey League - Contract - Sports
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Isles keep 'core player' Moulson
New York Islanders left wing Matt Moulson has agreed to a one-year contract worth $2.45 million. The agreement was announced Tuesday by general manager Garth Snow and allowed the Islanders to avoid arbitration. Snow says Moulson played an ''integral'' role last season and is part of the team's ''young core of players.'' New York Islanders - Garth Snow - Matt Moulson - Sports - General manager
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Brule re-signs with Oilers
The Oilers have re-signed center Gilbert Brule. Brule, who had 17 goals and 20 assists in 65 games with the Oilers last season, agreed to terms Tuesday on a two-year contract. ''Gilbert made a big step last year in his development,'' general manager Steve Tambellini said in a statement. ''We are excited to have him here in Edmonton and look forward to his continued contribution to the team. Edmonton Oilers - Steve Tambellini - National Hockey League - General manager - Gilbert Brulé
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Ponikarovsky takes his game to L.A.
The Los Angeles Kings signed left wing Alexei Ponikarovsky to a one-year contract Tuesday after losing Alexander Frolov to the New York Rangers and falling short in their pursuit of Ilya Kovalchuk. The Kings gave a $3 million deal to Ponikarovsky, who scored 21 goals last season with Toronto and Pittsburgh, which acquired him in a trade last March 2. The longtime Maple Leafs forward from Ukraine has scored at least 20 goals in four of the past five seasons. ''I hope it's going to be a long-term relationship after one year,'' Ponikarovsky said. ''This was the first time I ever experienced the free agency process, and so it was both exciting and tough. I'm happy it's over, and that I know the team I'm going to be playing for next season. It's a young team playing great hockey. I've followed the team, how they play and where they are at, so I know it's going to be an exciting year.'' Los Angeles Kings - Toronto Maple Leafs - New York Rangers - Alexei Ponikarovsky - Ilya Kovalchuk
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Frolov headed to the Big Apple
The Rangers added offensive punch by agreeing to terms Tuesday with longtime Los Angeles Kings forward Alexander Frolov, who should provide a potent complement to Marian Gaborik on New York's top line. ''Alex is a highly skilled player who we feel will play a key role in improving our offense and play in all situations,'' Rangers general manager Glen Sather said in a statement. ''He is strong competitor and has the ability to play either wing position.'' Los Angeles Kings - Alexander Frolov - Glen Sather - New York City - Rangers F.C.
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Report: Arbitrator could restructure Kovalchuk deal
When the NHL Players’ Association filed a grievance Monday to dispute the NHL’s rejection of Ilya Kovalchuk’s 17-year, $102 million contract with the New Jersey Devils, it ran the risk of having an arbitrator restructure the contract if he or she sides with the NHL in the matter. New Jersey Devils - Ilya Kovalchuk - National Hockey League - Contract - Sport
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Coyotes sign free-agent Bracken Kearns to 1-year contract
Bracken Kearns had 15 goals, 36 assists and 99 penalty minutes in 80 games last season for the AHL's Rockford IceHogs.
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New York Rangers, Alexander Frolov agree to deal
The New York Rangers and free-agent forward Alexander Frolov have agreed to terms on a deal, the team announced Tuesday.
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Phoenix Coyotes re-sign left wing Alexandre Picard to 1-year contract
Terms of the deal were not released Monday.
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Wings legend Yzerman strikes quickly as Lightning GM
Steve Yzerman has hit the ice running in Tampa Bay. From the draft to trades to signings, the Detroit icon is nailing his rookie season as Lightning GM, Wes Goldstein says. Steve Yzerman - Tampa Bay Lightning - National Hockey League - Sports - Hockey
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Former Phoenix Coyotes star Jeremy Roenick elected to U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
Throughout his 20-year NHL career, Jeremy Roenick - the third-highest goal scorer among American-born players - was a colorful and enigmatic character.
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With labor talks ahead, envelope-pushing Kovalchuk deal forced NHL to act
It wasn't unprecedented, but wherever the line was, it was crossed. Wes Goldstein says the blatant cap dodging in Ilya Kovalchuk's deal with the Devils forced the NHL to act. Ilya Kovalchuk - National Hockey League - New Jersey Devil - Salary cap - Contract
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Atlantic: Devils' loss of Kovalchuk might be division's gain
The Devils aren't sitting idle with the likely departure of superstar Ilya Kovalchuk. New Jersey strengthens its defense, which might be wise in such a stout division, Wes Goldstein says. New Jersey - Ilya Kovalchuk - New Jersey Devils - Sports - National Hockey League
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Pacific: Despite stagnant offseason, Sharks might still be tops
For everyone who was waiting for the Sharks to make a big splash in the offseason, sorry. And despite some losses, San Jose still has the core to win the Pacific but the Kings and Coyotes won't make it easy, says Wes Goldstein San Jose Sharks - Sport - San Jose California - National Hockey League - Hockey
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Southeast: New GMs figure to tighten division a bit
The Capitals remain the favorite to win the Southeast, but not quite like last season. New GMs Steve Yzerman (Tampa), Dale Tallon (Florida) and Rick Dudley (Atlanta) should make these teams better, Wes Goldstein says. Rick Dudley - Florida - National Hockey League - Atlanta - Tampa Florida
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Central: Blackhawks will have tough time retaining top spot
The Blackhawks are the champs, but due to salary cap issues they'll have a hard time staying on top. Look for the young St. Louis Blues team to be an improved team in the Central Division, Wes Goldstein says. St Louis Blues - Chicago Blackhawks - Central Division - Sports - Hockey
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The winners, losers, other awards after Day 1 of the signing period
Sizing up the first day of the free-agency signing period:
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Either-or: Trying to shed some light on the NHL's offseason debates
Mario Lemieux or Wayne Gretzky. Montreal Canadiens or Toronto Maple Leafs. Love the Detroit Red Wings or hate them. Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin. ...
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Yzerman will succeed as GM because he works to be the best
After his NHL-record 20-year career as Detroit Red Wings captain, Steve Yzerman once offered that he believed he was overrated as a leader.
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Five for Fantasy: A peek into the future
The 2009-10 Fantasy season is in the books. But instead of reminiscing about the season that was, we figured a look toward the future would be more fitting. Michael Hurcomb tackles some potential Draft Day quandaries in his latest edition of Five for Fantasy.
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Five for Fantasy: Worth the Price?
Has Carey Price lost so much Fantasy appeal that he has slipped past Pascal Leclaire in the rankings? Michael Hurcomb addresses that debate as well as highlights some promising defensemen prospects in his latest Five for Fantasy.
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Week 24 Fantasy Hockey Planner
There are just two weeks left in the Fantasy Hockey season and championships will be decided as soon as Week 24. Our Michael Hurcomb discusses the latest news and Fantasy trends in his Planner and helps owners prepare for the stretch run.
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Axelsson Gives Bruins Shootout Win Over Senators
OTTAWA -- Blake Wheeler had two goals and an assist and Tim Thomas extended his winning streak against Ottawa to 11 games and the Boston Bruins scored four times in the first en route to a 4-1 win over the Senators on Tuesday night.
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Third Period Explosion Powers Pittsburgh
Sidney Crosby, center, tallies a goal and three assists while the Penguins overwhelm the Rangers in the third period with five goals leading Pittsburgh to a 6-2 win Wednesday.
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Ted Mouths Off: The better team won
It's been 15 years since we've witnessed a Stanley Cup final so exciting and as intense as the Penguins' seven-game triumph over the Red Wings. ...
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NHL Begins Looking Into Steroid Claim, Interviewing Capitals Front-Office Employees
The NHL has interviewed Washington Capitals front-office employees as well as members of the team's medical and training staffs in recent days as it investigates allegations made by a Florida man arrested last week on steroid charges.
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Ted Mouths Off: Stanley Cup staying in Detroit
Ted Montgomery breaks down the Stanley Cup Finals between the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins.
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Florida Man Claims to Have Sold Steroids to Capitals, Nats Players
A drug bust entangles the Washington Nationals and Capitals when a man found with $200,000 worth of steroids and other drugs in his central Florida house names those teams, and no others, when police inquire whether any professional athletes were among his clients.
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Capitals' Free-Agent Sergei Fedorov's Future Remains Unclear
Sergei Fedorov's future with the Washington Capitals remained as unclear as ever yesterday, hours after a published report in Russia said the veteran was close to signing a contract in the Kontinental Hockey League.
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Ted Mouths Off: Handicapping the conference finals
Ted Montgomery looks at the matchups in the conference finals for the Stanley Cup Playoffs and dissects some of the teams whose seasons ended ...
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Bruins renew ECHL affiliation
The Bruins have renewed their East Coast Hockey League affiliation with the Reading Royals. Last year was the first season Reading served as the team’s affiliate. Prospects including Matt Dalton, Rob Kwiet, and Yannick Riendeau spent parts of the 2009-10 season in Reading. The Bruins share the affiliation with Toronto. ECHL - Season - Sports - Hockey - Toronto
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Bruins, Wheeler wait
Now they wait. After wrapping up their arbitration hearing in Toronto yesterday, Blake Wheeler and the Bruins will await an award decision, which must be rendered by tomorrow afternoon (48 hours after the case’s conclusion). Blake Wheeler - Toronto - National Hockey League - Toronto Maple Leafs - Boston Bruins
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Wheeler clock running out
Yesterday, five minutes before his arbitration hearing was scheduled to begin, Canucks forward Mason Raymond agreed to a two-year, $5.1 million contract. Mason Raymond - Vancouver Canucks - National Hockey League - Sports - Hockey
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Leino says he will be ready for Flyers' training camp
Flyers forward Ville Leino said he will be on crutches for 2 more weeks following hip surgery, but expects to be ready for training camp.
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Arron Asham Still Wants to Play for Philadelphia Flyers
Arron Asham will make a decision on his playing future by the end of next week, according to Jason Hendricks .
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How important is Leino for the Flyers?
Flyers forward Ville Leino said he will be on crutches for 2 more weeks following hip surgery, but expects to be ready for training camp.
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