Havlat’s market value on the rise
The Chicago Blackhawks and talented forward Martin Havlat came very close to reaching long-term extension prior to the playoffs with a base salary in the range of $4.6 million per season. Havlat has expressed an interest in re-signing with the Hawks long-term and it is still likely that the Hawks, Havlat strike a deal before July 1 but the Hawks may regret not finding a way to lock Havlat up before the playoffs began. NHL sources tell me Allan Walsh the agent for Martin Havlat is seeking at least $5 million per season for his client with some agents around the league believe Havlat could get $5.5 million per season on the open market, despite serious health concerns around the
First Round Predictions
First Round Predictions 1. Boston vs 8. Montreal There’s a reason these two teams are far apart in the standings. The Bruins are the most complete team in the Eastern Conference, and won 5-of-6 games against the Canadiens this season. It’s going to be a quick series — Bruins in 4 2. Washington vs 7. New York Very intriguing series. Will Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals take the next step like Sidney Crosby and the Penguins did last year in their 2nd playoff appearance? Despite New York struggling to score goals, they have the #1 penalty kill in the league and Henrik Lundqvist can steal this series. I am not a believer in Jose Theodore Washington is the better team
Havlat to continue contract negotiations
General manager Dale Tallon is scheduled to meet with Martin Havlat’s agent Allan Walsh next week to continue negotiations for a possible long-term extensions reports the Chicago Tribune. League sources indicate the Hawks have offered Havlat a
The Latest NHL Buzz
Pressure on agents not to set the market before July 1 With the uncertainty of the salary for next season and beyond, there continues to be significant pressure on agents who represent mid-tier free agents. The top tier players like Marian Hossa and Jay Bouwmeester are going to get their money. The wild cards are players like Martin Havlat, Eric Cole and Petr Sykora. Agent Allan Walsh represents two key wingers set to hit the open market in Martin Havlat and Petr Sykora. It is believed agents around the league don’t want to see Havlat settling for anything under
The Latest Penguins Buzz
Malkin’s blast lifts Penguins to 5-4 win Evgeni Malkin scored on the power play at 1:36 of overtime to give the Penguins a 5-4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night. The win moved the Penguins (68 pts) within one point of the #8 seed in the Eastern Conference. Analysis & Insight Chris Kunitz appeared in his first game in a Penguins uniform. Kunitz recorded 1 goal & 1 assist, playing a total of 18:36, including 4:20 on the power play. Kunitz also led the Penguins in hits with 4. Kunitz was physical and aggressive. Kunitz showed good chemistry with Jordan Staal. The Penguins gave up four goals again but Marc Andre made 41 saves on 45 shots. In
Trade Watch
If the Penguins want Colby Armstrong it is going to cost them puck moving defenseman Alex Goligoski according to a league source. Contrary to other reports, the Thrashers are not actively shopping Armstrong and they remain very high on him. Armstrong has 13 goals on the year, has been a great locker room presence and is averaging between 15-17 minutes of ice time per game. The Thrashers have received quite a few inquires about Armstrong including from the Penguins, Wild, Rangers, Kings, and Flames. As I’ve been mentioning for a while, the Thrashers are actively shopping former Penguins forward Eric Christensen. Columbus, Montreal, New York Islanders and the Phoenix Coyotes are four teams to express interest. The trade deadline always
The Latest on Tampa Bay, Gaborik, Havlat and the Rangers
The Phoenix Coyotes are not the only NHL team in financial trouble. It has been widely speculated that the Tampa Bay Lightning‚Äôs current ownership group of Oren Koules and Len Barrie could lose their team. The Ottawa Sun reports, the belief is there’s a $10- million US payment due to Palace Sports and Entertainment in January as part of the sale. Former owner Bill Davidson could take the team back, and the paper suggests Jay Feaster would be back as GM. As reported on here following the BOG Meetings, the Lightning are exploring the trade market for Marty St.Louis and Mark Recchi. It is expected that the Lightning will ask Marty St. Louis to waive his no trade clause but
The Latest Penguins Buzz; Sunday’s Rumor Mill
Pascal Dupuis a healthy scratch Saturday night has gone 14 games without a goal. His days of playing on the top two lines needs to end but the coaching staff likes his defensive zone play which keeps getting him minutes on the first or second line. As expected the Penguins re-assigned Janne Pesonen to WBS following last night’s game. Here‚Äôs what I‚Äôm hearing that the Penguins blueline will be when Ryan Whitney is healthy. Orpik, Letang, Whitney, Boucher, Gill, Scuderi. (7th Goligoski and 8th Eaton). I still think Alex Goligoski will be AHL bound when the Penguins blueline is healthy if he is not moved for a top 6 forward. A early target date for Whitney is believed to be
Penguins fall to Sabres 4-3
Post Game Thoughts The Penguins couldn’t hold on to a 3-2 lead going into the third period. The Penguins were outshot 10-3 in the third period and failed to put away the game early in the third when they began the period with a 5 on 3 power play for 53 seconds. The Penguins power play which ranks dead last on the road burned them tonight. The Penguins were 0-7 on the night. The Sabres were very aggressive on the penalty kill. John Curry played very well making 28 saves on 32 shots. He did what he needed to do for the Penguins to win tonight. It was good to see him perform well tonight. Sidney Crosby (2 goals) and
Around the NHL
Senators need to keep Jason Speeza: The Ottawa Senators have been very in trade discussions regarding numerous players and they need to decide what thety want to do with Jason Speeza. The Senators have always had some question marks but in the past they could always count on Spezza, Heatley and Alfredsson to carry them offensively. While the three have combined for 55 points this season, Jason Speeza only has 7 goals and 9 assists this season. There is speculation that the Senators may explore the possibility of moving Speeza but it might not be the smartest decision. They need to continue to build around Heatley and Spezza. Heatley would be a totally different player without playing with a dynamic