The Detroit Red Wings, who just so happen to be the reigning Central Division Champions for the past eight seasons, might find it very tough to nine-peat this season.
The Red Wings are still considered by many to be the top team in the Central Division in 2009-10. With Pavel Datsyuk playing some of the smartest hockey in the league, Henrik Zetterberg putting pucks in the net more often than not and Nicklas Lidstrom stonewalling forwards more than his goaltender, the Red Wings will put yet another powerful product on the ice. But in order to retain these all-stars, the Red Wings have had to see their depth take a nosedive.
The Red Wings have had a very inactive off-season, which is not a big surprise to the rest of the league. GM Ken Holland did everything he could to keep his offensive firepower in tact throughout last season, signing Zetterberg to a 12-year, $73 million contract and workhorse Johan Franzen to a 11-year, $43.5 million deal. Both deals face a relatively large cap hit with Zetterberg's hit being around $6 million and Franzen being about $3.95 million. When adding in the large contracts of Datsyuk, Lidstrom and Rafalski, the team could simply not hold on to their unrestricted free-agents.
Jeff Ponder's NHL Hockey fan blog archive for 08/2009
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August 2009
August 04, 2009
August 11, 2009
Jeff Ponder
J.S. Giguere is a Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Stanley Cup Champion and a 4-time 30-game winner. There is no way any team would want to dump a guy with these credentials, right? Think again.
The Ducks have had some unbelievable years with Giguere manning the pipes. Giguere made his first strong impression on the NHL when he stole the playoff spotlight in 2003, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the best player in the playoffs while playing for the losing team in the Finals. Giguere rolled on after that mark, being a large contributor to the Ducks' Stanley Cup Championship in 2007. But a mediocre season in 2008-09 saw 27-year old Jonas Hiller steal the Orange County spotlight.
Hiller flew out of the gates in 2008 and took the starting job in Anaheim before Giguere could even get in any groove. The Swiss goalie racked up a 2.39 GAA with an impressive .919 save percentage in 46 games played. He then was named the starter for the Ducks in the playoffs, and was lights out in the first round. Hiller and the eighth-seeded Ducks upset the first overall San Jose Sharks, then took the Semi-Final Series with Detroit to 7 games, losing in Detroit. In the 13 total games played, Jonas accumulated a .943 save percentage, which was still tops in the league as Pittsburgh skated around with the Stanley Cup.
The Ducks have had some unbelievable years with Giguere manning the pipes. Giguere made his first strong impression on the NHL when he stole the playoff spotlight in 2003, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the best player in the playoffs while playing for the losing team in the Finals. Giguere rolled on after that mark, being a large contributor to the Ducks' Stanley Cup Championship in 2007. But a mediocre season in 2008-09 saw 27-year old Jonas Hiller steal the Orange County spotlight.
Hiller flew out of the gates in 2008 and took the starting job in Anaheim before Giguere could even get in any groove. The Swiss goalie racked up a 2.39 GAA with an impressive .919 save percentage in 46 games played. He then was named the starter for the Ducks in the playoffs, and was lights out in the first round. Hiller and the eighth-seeded Ducks upset the first overall San Jose Sharks, then took the Semi-Final Series with Detroit to 7 games, losing in Detroit. In the 13 total games played, Jonas accumulated a .943 save percentage, which was still tops in the league as Pittsburgh skated around with the Stanley Cup.
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August 22, 2009
Jeff Ponder
After a grueling summer of NHL media not knowing the full synopsis of the Dany Heatley saga, the man in the spotlight finally spoke.
The German-born right winger informed the Canadian media for the first time since asking for a trade in Kelowna, British Columbia about his situation. Dany stated that his desires of leaving Ottawa have not changed.
"When I signed in Ottawa two years ago, I felt it was to be an integral part of the team," Heatley said. "Over the last two years and more recently over the past year, I feel my role was diminished. This past season, it diminished a lot more.”
Dany went on to say that this is a “straight hockey decision” and he did not have any harsh feelings toward the city of Ottawa. I am sure that will help GM Bryan Murray sleep at night.
The German-born right winger informed the Canadian media for the first time since asking for a trade in Kelowna, British Columbia about his situation. Dany stated that his desires of leaving Ottawa have not changed.
"When I signed in Ottawa two years ago, I felt it was to be an integral part of the team," Heatley said. "Over the last two years and more recently over the past year, I feel my role was diminished. This past season, it diminished a lot more.”
Dany went on to say that this is a “straight hockey decision” and he did not have any harsh feelings toward the city of Ottawa. I am sure that will help GM Bryan Murray sleep at night.
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August 30, 2009
Jeff Ponder
Vancouver signs Mathieu Schneider to a 1-Year, $1.55 million contract
The Canucks found the replacement for Mattias Ohlund that they were looking for.
After watching Ohlund sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 1st, the Canucks felt a gaping hole in their defensive corps. Even at the age of 40, Schneider can still play the game. He only accumulated nine goals in 67 games last season splitting time between the Thrashers and Canadiens, Schneider is still a key for a successful power-play. 6 of his 9 goals last season came with the man advantage, while also amassing 12 power-play assists. The 20-season veteran will be a nice addition to an already impressive Canuck power-play unit.
Considering Schneider's age and the length of the contract, this deal makes perfect sense for the Canucks. They filled the hole that Ohlund left on the blue line for the upcoming season. This is a good short-term fix that will help Roberto Luongo sleep easier at night.
The Canucks found the replacement for Mattias Ohlund that they were looking for.
After watching Ohlund sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 1st, the Canucks felt a gaping hole in their defensive corps. Even at the age of 40, Schneider can still play the game. He only accumulated nine goals in 67 games last season splitting time between the Thrashers and Canadiens, Schneider is still a key for a successful power-play. 6 of his 9 goals last season came with the man advantage, while also amassing 12 power-play assists. The 20-season veteran will be a nice addition to an already impressive Canuck power-play unit.
Considering Schneider's age and the length of the contract, this deal makes perfect sense for the Canucks. They filled the hole that Ohlund left on the blue line for the upcoming season. This is a good short-term fix that will help Roberto Luongo sleep easier at night.
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