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Archive for July, 2011

Zach Parise Agrees to Terms; Top Fantasy Pick

Jul 31

Posted by EB in Fantasy, News | 5 Comments

The New Jersey Devils and winger Zach Parise have come to terms. After what seemed to be a a guaranteed arbitration hearing, both sides have agreed to a 1 year 6 million dollar contract.

The 26 year old Minnesota native was one of the hot topics of the off-season. Parise, who was a restricted free agent, had the possibility of becoming an unrestricted free agent if the bargaining between the two sides went sour. Had Parise become an unrestricted free agent, Parise could have been approached by other NHL team with contract offers. The talented young player would have definitely had his pick of the litter.

Parise is coming off of an injured 2010-2011 NHL season. He injured his knee during off-season training, opting to play through the pain. Unfortunately hockey is a rough sport, and to his disliking, Parise missed the majority of the season due to exploratory arthroscopic surgery.

The winger broke into the NHL in the 2005-2006 season with the devils and posted a respectable 32 points in 81 games played. Over the next 4 seasons, Parise totaled 303 points in 326 games. His high, only to this point in his career, was 45 goals and 49 assists totaling 94 points in 82 games played. Simply put, Parise is the real deal.

As noted earlier, the Devils and Parise have avoided arbitration and have agreed to a 1 year 6 million dollar contract. In looking at this, the length of the contract, I do not believe Parise will play with the Devils beyond the 2011-2012 season. For Parise, this means that the upcoming NHL season is a season where he needs to not only prove his worth, but play to a caliber that would warrant a big contract. For you as a fan and a fantasy player, this means Parise is going to be putting up big points, upwards of 90+ points. So who might he rival next year? Both Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and yes, Alexander Ovechkin will return to the mix of scoring leaders. Oh, one more guy would be a healthy Sidney Crosby.

Parise has one more year as a Devil and he’s jumping ship. If you are sitting in the third to seventh spot in your draft, Parise would be a good option to take.

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Off-Season Treadmill Training

Jul 29

Posted by EB in Soap Box | No Comments

With the off-season upon us, there is no better time than now to get into shape for the fall. If you are like me, and perhaps like most beer leaguers, dropping a few pounds and building up the strength and endurance is key. To help you reach your goals, here are a few tips while using the treadmill to train.

1. Start slow

Not everyone, actually most, cannot run like a gazelle. Start your training walking on an incline at a moderate pace. Most treadmills come with preset workout routines such as an incline/hill workout. No need to climb Mount Everest off the start, but make sure you’re pushing yourself.

2. Gradually work your way up to running

After you’ve built up some endurance it is time to take it to the next level. Begin with a jog and increase your speed by .5 increments. A decent pace to maintain is 5 mph which puts you at a 12 minute mile. After a week and a half throw in a minute or two here and there of a higher pace to grow those muscles to take on better speeds. Eventually your body will adjust and you can gradually increase your speed.

3. Interval training

Like I mentioned before, most treadmills come with preset workouts. The one you want to focus on the most is interval training, a faster speed for about 15 – 20 seconds followed by a slower speed at 45 – 60 seconds. This mimics a true hockey shift and will help with the explosive starts. Feel like kicking it up a notch, increase the incline for a real killer workout.

4. Farmers walk

Back when I was a kid, I walked up hill both ways. OK, maybe not so, but times were definitely tougher “back in the day”. This exercise was named after farmers who had to carry pales of water or heavy loads up hill back to their destination. For the exercise, put the treadmill at a moderate incline and a decent walking pace. Add two dumbbells in your hands and there you have it. Try that for 30 minutes and you are beat. Note: maintain proper posture while walking to avoid injury, even if it means going with lesser dumbbells.

A treadmill can burn up to 600 – 1,200 calories an hour. Sure the first time you lay a foot on one you probably are not going to go that long, but stick to it. Not only will you lose some pounds and better your heart, you should gain a stride or two on the ice.

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Khabibulin to Serve Jail Time in DUI Case

Jul 28

Posted by Eddie in News | 1 Comment

No one wants to spend time in jail, but Edmonton goalie Nikokai Khabibulin will spend 30 days between jail and house arrest after not continuing to appeal his DUI charge in Arizona earlier this week. The DUI occurred February 8, 2010 when he was caught driving 70 mph in a 45 mph zone near his Phoenix area home. When he was pulled over, Khabibulin was arrested after a field sobriety test showed his blood-alcohol level at .164, more than double the legal limit in Arizona. He was in Phoenix while recovering from an injury he suffered while in Edmonton.

Khabibulin, 38, played for Phoenix from 1996-99. He signed a four-year, $15 million deal with Edmonton in 2009. He was originally sentenced last August but decided to appeal. He withdrew the appeal after realizing the court process would linger into Edmonton’s training camp and potentially the regular season, preventing him from being in two different cities and countries at the same time. He wanted to get the situation behind him and focus on training camp and the upcoming season.

In a statement, he said “Despite assurances by legal counsel regarding the strength of my appeals case, I have decided to withdraw my appeal and proceed with sentencing. Once completed, I eagerly anticipate a timely return to Edmonton for training camp, where I will strive to be the best player, teammate and citizen possible.”

He will not spend the entire 30-day sentence behind bars, Khabibulin will serve the first 15 days of his sentence in jail with work release and the other half of his sentence under house arrest. He will have to wear an ankle monitor and is subject to random alcohol testing.

The Oilers open preseason action with split-squad games September 20. One half of the team will take on Minnesota at home while the other half will travel to Saskatoon, SK to play Chicago.

 

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Gary Bettman’s salary $7.5 million during 2009-10

Jul 27

Posted by Chris in News | 1 Comment

According to recent tax documents in a published report by SportsBusiness Journal, Gary Bettman, the often chided NHL Commissioner, earned $7.5 million during the 2009-10 fiscal year that ended June 30, 2010. This marked a four percent increase in pay from the previous year.

It also puts Bettman on par with Marion Gaborik, Ilya Kovalchuk, Roberto Luongo and Zdeno Chara – NHL superstars who all earned $7.5 million during the 2009-10 season. In fact, only 12 NHL players earned more that season than Bettman.

Bettman’s base salary consisted of $5,787,524 while other compensation, deferred compensation and benefits accounted for the remaining salary.

The tax documents also show that Bettman’s salary has doubled since the 2004-05 lockout while total revenue generated by the NHL, NHL Enterprises and members clubs rose from $2.1 billion to $2.9 billion during the same time frame.

Bettman, who is often the target of fan scorn and is audibly booed at major appearances (such as the Stanley Cup Finals where he presents the trophy to the captain of the winning team), still makes only a fraction of what Commissioners of other major sports league make annually. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig makes $18.35 million annually while NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell makes $10.9 million.

Share your thoughts! Does Bettman deserve to make a salary equivelent to some of the league’s top talent?

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Bauer Vapor XR4 Roller Hockey Skates

Jul 26

Posted by Matt in Gear | 1 Comment

The  Bauer Vapor XR4 roller hockey skates will fall in the middle of the new skate line. This skate will still offer great features and materials to more advanced recreational and competitive players, but will also help your wallet out if you need to get great value out of a lower price point skate.

You will probably notice immediately that the Bauer Vapor XR4 roller hockey skate sticks with the same color scheme that you see on the Vapor XR5. It contains a lot of greys, along with black and red, but the boot will be a lighter shade of grey than what is featured on its big brother. When it comes to components on this skate, I don’t think you will be disappointed. The quarter package will feature a sublimated woven nylon with new molded X-rib pattern. Inside the boot you’ll notice the hydrophobic microfiber liner as well as the anatomic 2-piece white felt tongue. Beneath the boot of the Vapor XR4, you’re going to find a 6000 series aluminum detonator hi-lo vanguard chassis. Labeda Millenium X-Soft wheels will come stock, and so will abec 9 bearings. These skates will, of course, be thermoformable as well.

The new Bauer Vapor XR4 inline skate will come in both senior and junior sizes, full and half, but will only be available in an R width. If you’re looking to pick up a pair of XR4 skates, you can head over to InlineWarehouse to pre-order a pair today. The skates will begin to ship on September 15th, and senior sizes will be retailing for $249.99.

Check out other gear from the 2012 Bauer Roller Hockey line-up:
Bauer Vapor APXR skates
Bauer Vapor XR5 skates

Take a look at the new Bauer Vapor XR4 skates below and let us know what you think!

 

Bauer Vapor XR4 Roller Hockey Skates

Bauer Vapor XR4 Roller Hockey Skates

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Red Wings forward Kris Draper announces retirement

Jul 26

Posted by Chris in News | No Comments

After 17 years with the Detroit Red Wings, grinder Kris Draper announced his retirement from the National Hockey League this afternoon at a press conference at Joe Louis Arena.

“This is the most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make because I love the game of hockey, and I love being a Red Wing,” Draper said during the news conference. ”I consider myself one of the luckiest athletes of all time to be able to play with this organization for 17 years.”

Originally drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in 1989, Draper spent several seasons bouncing around Winnipeg’s minor league system before he was finally traded to the Red Wings in 1993 for only a dollar. That single dollar may have been one of the best monetary transactions the Red Wings made as Draper became a pivotal role player for the Red Wings during the 1990’s and 2000’s, especially as a center on Detroit’s famed “Grind Line” with former teammates Kirk Maltby and Darren McCarty. Draper helped the team win four Stanley Cup championships during his tenure.

“I think the best way to put it is,” said senior vice president Jim Devellano, “it was a dollar well spent.”

Draper also represented his home country of Canada several times during his NHL career, winning gold medals at multiple international tournaments, including two World Championships (1990, 1991) and the World Championships (2003). Draper also played for Team Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics, but the team failed to garner a medal that year.

Perhaps what Draper will be most remembered for, however, is his involvement in the exhilarating rivalry between the Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche throughout the mid-to-late 90’s. The rivalry began when Claude Lemieux sent Draper face-first into the boards with a hit from behind during Game 6 of the 1996 Western Conference Finals at Colorado, resulting in numerous facial injuries to Draper. The Avalanche went on to win the series, and the Stanley Cup, but the hit sparked one of the league’s most vicious rivalries that culminated the following season in a massive brawl between the two clubs and caused several seasons of bitterness. The rivalry managed to strengthen the bonds of Red Wings teammates during those years as they went on to win back-to-back championships in 1996-97 and 1997-98.

Later in his career, while still an effective grinder and face-off player, Draper became a mentor to young up-and-coming talent like Justin Abdelkader and Darren Helm, the latter of which shows many similarities to Draper with his ability to cause turnovers with his speed.

With so many players clamoring for roster spots, however, the Red Wings simply couldn’t afford to keep Draper on another season and risk losing valuable young talent. Draper stated earlier this summer that he wished to play another season, but he expressed his disinterest in signing a two-way contract or playing for another team.

The Red Wings stated during the press conference that Draper will take an unspecified position within the organization, much like former teammates Kirk Maltby and the recently retired Chris Osgood.

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Islanders confirm interest in Alexei Yashin

Jul 22

Posted by Chris in News | No Comments

There appears to be some truth to the rumors that Alexei Yashin is considering a return to the NHL after spending the last four seasons playing abroad.

New York Islanders general manager Garth Snow confirmed today that he has had talks with Yashin’s agent, Mark Gandler, about the possibility of Yashin returning to the Islanders.

“I’ve had discussions with both Mark and Alexei,” Snow told Newsday on Friday. “I’d rather keep those conversations private, but Alexei has been skating at our practice rink in Syosset and he looks great. I’ve been on record saying I’d explore all options and any player that would improve our team and help us make that step.”

Yashin spent five seasons with the Islanders before being bought out of his contract at the conclusion of the 2006-07 season. He played in the KHL for the next four seasons.

Yashin’s agent also confirmed the contract negotiations and admitted that the Islanders have offered his client an NHL contract.

“At this time we are negotiating with the Islanders and are seriously considering their offer,” he told the Russian news site Sovietsky Sport. He also stated that the Islanders are the only team showing interest in his client.

At this point, this could all be a ploy by Yashin’s agent to start a bidding war either between rival NHL clubs or between NHL and KHL clubs to drive up the price for Yashin. And even if Yashin signs with the Islanders it will likely be for more than he deserves because the Islanders are currently $9 million below the $48.3 million salary cap floor – which is probably why Yashin is seriously considering the offer.

But at 37-years-old, it’s tough to determine how effective Yashin will be in the NHL after spending four seasons away. In 52 games last season with St. Petersburg SKA, Yashin only managed 15 goals 18 assists in a league largely viewed as having less talented players than the NHL. Could Yashin actually benefit from playing with talented young players such as John Tavares, Kyle Okposo, Michael Grabner and Matt Moulson? More so, will those budding young stars benefit from playing alongside the likes of Alexei Yashin?

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Rangers sign Dubinsky to four-year, $16.8 million deal

Jul 21

Posted by Chris in News | No Comments

The New York Rangers avoided salary arbitration with one of their best young talents by agreeing to terms with Brandon Dubinsky on a four-year deal worth a reported $16.8 million, more than doubling the $2 million he earned last season.

The 25-year-old center emerged as a pivotal part of New York’s success as he had a career year with 24 goals and 30 assists in 77 games for the Rangers, a team that experienced several injuries throughout the season but pulled it together for a playoff berth. 

With Brad Richards on board for next season, Dubinsky will likely slot in as the team’s second line center and give the Rangers a fierce looking top-six that displays a mix of good, young talent along with proven veterans like Richards and Marion Gaborik.

By avoiding salary arbitration with Dubinsky, the Rangers currently have 20 players under contract for next season with roughly $6.4 million available in cap space. Some of that will go toward forward Ryan Callahan, a restricted free agent who is also scheduled to go to salary arbitration. It’s likely that Callahan will get a very similar deal to Dubinsky.

The Rangers will then look to shore up their blue line as they only have five defenseman under contract next season. Some of the best defensive free agents still available include Bryan McCabe, who played for the Rangers last season, Scott Hannan, Craig Rivet and Brent Sopel. However, many of those players would need to take a pay cut to fit under New York’s salary cap. It’s likely that New York could look to fill the void with up-and-comers from their farm system or less expensive free agent talent.

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Ty Conklin and Red Wings Reunite for One Season

Jul 21

Posted by Eddie in News | No Comments

Reunited and it feels so good. The Detroit Red Wings solidified their goaltending situation after the retirement of veteran Chris Osgood with the free-agent signing of Ty Conklin. The deal is for one year and Conklin will receive a salary of $750,000. This will be Conklin’s second stint in Detroit, as he backed up Osgood in the 2008-09, going 25-11-2 with a .909 save percentage and 2.51 goals-against average.

Ty Conklin (in hat) celebrates a victory with the recently-retired Chris Osgood in 2009. Conklin signed a one-year deal to return to Detroit yesterday.

That season, Conklin and the Red Wings reached the Stanley Cup final for the second-straight season when they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Strangely, Conklin played for the Penguins in 2007-08 when they lost to the Red Wings in the championship series. Conklin spent the last-two seasons in St. Louis where he backed up Jaroslav Halak last season. The Red Wings are pleased with the signing, as he is a solid backup and could give the Red Wings fan base more confidence between the pipes over Osgood, who has been injured often in the last two seasons.

Conklin has also played for the Penguins, Blue Jackets, Sabres and Oilers. He has won 91 games in 200 caps, including 16 shutouts. He has a 2.64 GAA and .908 save percentage for his career.

Osgood’s fate was virtually sealed ten days ago when the team re-signed Joey MacDonald to a two-year contract. GM Ken Holland couldn’t take the risk of having Osgood, 38 years old, had sports hernia surgery in January, back this season if they wanted to look towards the future and to get younger in goal. MacDonald, 31 years old, understands his role as the No. 3 goalie and will begin the season in Grand Rapids with the AHL Griffins. He will be the first goalie recalled to the big club should anything happen to 27-year-old Jimmy Howard or 35-year-old Conklin. The team is secure at the goalie position until 2013 when Howard and MacDonald become UFA’s. Should the team not bring back Conklin next summer, expect 21-year-old Thomas McCollum to move to the No. 3 role for 2012-13. McCollum made one appearance in the Red Wings last season.

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