[Duncan's Teeth is a round-up of the seven most interesting and intriguing hockey links of the day. Named in honour of Duncan Keith and the late seven teeth he lost on that fateful day of Sunday, May 23rd, 2010. May the chicklets rest in peace.]
Ilya Kovalchuk signs a 17-year, $102 million mega deal with the New Jersey Devils that will potentially see him play hockey until the ripe old age of 44. His contract represents a reasonable $6 million annual cap hit, and while I don't mind the details of the signing, I don't think Kovalchuk is the key to another Cup in Jersey. The Devils are investing a lot in a player who can score goals, but who has had minimal playoff success and questionable defensive tendencies. It would be different if Kovalchuk was 22 years old, but he's 27, in the midst of his so-called "prime" and not getting any younger. [NJ.com]Edit: The Kovalchuk deal has been REJECTED by the NHL for "salary cap circumvention." Darren Dreger tweeted that "Kovy's deal was rejected because the NHL doesn't believe either the player or the Devils expected he would be playing near end of deal."
The longtime Philadelphia Flyer Simon Gagne is traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defenceman Matt Walker and a fourth-round draft pick in 2011. I feel the popular choice for a dark horse next season will be Tampa Bay - they're still fairly thin on the blueline, but Lecavalier, Gagne, Stamkos, and Downie should make for a potent offence (and imagine if Brett Connolly manages to impress in training camp!) [CBC] Latest rumour surrounding Kevin Bieksa: headed to Montreal in exchange for a "significant" forward prospect? [Hockey Buzz] The importance of the number 17 for Ilya Kovalchuk, and his quirky, Crosby 87-like obsession with it. [NJ.com] The worst commercial I have ever seen sadly involves hockey. Thanks to Puck Daddy for the link. [YouTube] Jason Spezza apparently still loves being in Ottawa. [TSN] Lastly (and most importantly), here is a cat playing hockey. This counts as news in the off-season. [Photo: NHL Talk]
6 comments: on "Duncan's Teeth - Kovalchuk deal rejected, Bieksa to the Habs, and a Cat Playing Hockey"
If you ever post an eklund rumor again, I will kill you.
Love,
Taylor <3 hahaha!
According to team 1040: Bieksa to Atlanta for Ladd barring arbitration hearing. Ladd's hearing isn't until the 29th.
Tampa's biggest issue, beyond a weak defence, is a lack of capable role players. Yzerman still has a lot of time to fill in the gaps. Given that they are in a weaker conference (Carolina and Florida in rebuild mode, Atlanta's weirdness) they have a good shot at getting enough points to sneak in.
Have you seen the Russian bears playing hockey? It's kind of terrifying.
Hadn't heard about Bieksa for Ladd, but that doesn't surprise me as the Canucks were interested in Ladd when he was still a Chicago Blackhawk. The Hawks didn't like the idea of trading to a rival though. I like Ladd a lot, but I don't see room for him on the top two lines, and I don't like the idea of him in a lesser role...I think he's too talented a player. I guess the trade will be half-dependent on the Raymond hearing on Monday - Dave Pratt (ew, but still) thinks Mason could fetch $4 mill.
I haven't seen the Russian bears playing hockey, but it sounds exciting. Not as exciting as Sadie the cat saving pucks like a champ, though ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nah3nMStXV4
Ladd has essentially become a 3rd liner. Has all the tools but can't stay healthy or put it together for long periods of time. Excellent playoff performer and two Stanley Cups so I'd love to have him.
Clarke MacArthur was awarded 2.4 mil after a terrible season where he was traded. He's pretty much the closest comparable to Raymond. Kulemin and Stafford (both at 2.35) are others. I don't think Raymond has the stats to get 4 mil but 2.5-3.5 is realistic. 3 or under would be fantastic.
I'm so confused and slightly disturbed - that video is obviously fake, but people are taking it seriously ("animal cruelty!!"), which has me doubting myself...that isn't REAL...right...
I'm not quite sure what you mean by "can't stay healthy," as he's played all 82 games for the past two seasons, and put up decent numbers. Nonetheless, I see what you mean by saying he's essentially a 3rd liner...he's hard-nosed, a penalty killer, and a grinder...but has an abnormal talent for scoring goals that usually isn't characteristic for 3rd line players.
I have no idea if it is real or not. I get very confused when I watch. I think it's pretty old too. The Russians have an odd history with circuses. Bears are pretty smart, the Polish army had a bear that was trained to carry ammunition.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wojtek_%28soldier_bear%29
You're right on being healthy the last two seasons. Before that he kept getting hurt. Hadn't realized he got over those issues.Ladd has that excellent shot but the rest of his game is based around grinding it out. He was drafted as a powerforward and those guys tend to take a while to develop.
If he does end up on the Canucks he'll get his time in the top-6. Lines get shuffled, guys struggle, etc.
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