The Edmonton Oilers sign Dustin Penner to offer sheet: Kevin Lowe just won’t give up. The Edmonton Oilers announced they have signed Anaheim Ducks forward Dustin Penner to a five year offer sheet worth 21.25 million. The deal pays $4.25 million in each of the next five seasons, a huge raise over the league minimum $450,000 the 24-year-old Penner earned last season in the last year of his entry-level contract. The Anaheim Ducks have not commented but speculation is, they will match the offer sheet. If the Ducks walk away, they will receive a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round draft pics. Dustin Penner is a solid player but 4.25 million per season a bit high for a player who overachieved last season. Let’s just hope Marc Andre Fleury is signed before Kevin Lowe gives him a call next summer.
Local group closer to making Predators offer: Group of Nashville area investors are getting close to putting a deal together to buy the Nashville Predators from owner Craig Leipold, according to The Tennessean. The paper said an announcement could come next week, but no dollar figures were revealed. The group is headed by Nashville entrepreneur David Freeman
Former Kings GM set to join Stars: According to the LA Times, former GM and player Dave Taylor is leaving the LA Kings to join the Dallas Stars front office. The paper said Taylor, whose contract ran out June 30, would be hired in a front-office capacity with the Stars although a source told the Times nothing has been finalized. Taylor was drafted by the Kings in 1975, played 17 seasons for them and was GM for nine seasons until 2006.
Derek Roy ready to cash in: Buffalo Sabres forward Derek Roy will have his arbitration hearing this morning and is expected to cash in. Roy Roy scored 21 goals and added 42 assists in 06/07, was excellent on faceoffs and was plus 37. My prediction: 4 million
Latest Rumors: The Toronto Star is reporting the Toronto Maple Leafs have upped their offer to Mike Peca. Peca is seeking 2.5 million per season. Peca has also received offers from the NYI 1 yr – 2million and NY Rangers 1 yr 1.8 million. Sources believe defenseman Danny Markov will re-sign with the Red Wings but is still holding out for a 3 year deal worth 10 million. Markov was a plus 25 last season but many GM’s believe he was the beneficiary of the defensive system he played in. New York Rangers are interested in signing Josef Melichar.
