Moving on, Toronto fans should be overjoyed.  Brian McCabe is gone, and cap space has opened up!  McCabe was set to take a $5.75 million cap hit onto the Toronto, a team that is desperate to get its young guns going.  With McCabe gone and the possibility of Sundin leaving as well, a good $8 million will be freed up, though later than I’m sure Toronto wanted.  In the deal that sent McCabe to Florida, Toronto also gives up a 4th round pick in 2010, and in return get Mike Van Ryn.  Van Ryn missed plenty of time due to injury last season, only playing in 20 games.  He only had 2 points last season, but produced roughly 30 points the 2 seasons prior.  He also is a cap hit of $2.9 million, thus opening up nearly $3 million.  Toronto wins in this trade.  They desperately needed to open up space, and they made a good move.  Still, a smart move was made by Florida, who waited until September 1 because Toronto had to pay McCabe a $2 million bonus that he was still owed by that date.

Other tidbits to note:

-Chris Chelios is reported to be signing one more year with the Red Wings, thus extended the long running gag that the word “retire” does not exist in Chelios’ vocabulary.

-The Kings have signed Jarret Stoll to a four-year, $14.4 million contract!  Good signing!   Stoll was picked up in a deal that brough Matt Greene and Stoll to L.A. from Edmonton in exchange for Lubomir Visnovsky back in June.  

-The Bruins have signed Stephane Yelle to a one year, $750,000 contract.  Last season, Yelle put up 12 points in 74 games.

-The Thrashers have signed Zach Bogosian to a multi-year deal.  The rest of the deal is disclosed according to team policy.  Bogosian was drafted 3rd overall by Atlanta in this years draft.

-The Senators have signed Brad Isbister to a one-year deal.  It’s a two-way, so Isbister has the ability to be sent to the minors without clearing waivers.  Last season, Isbister put up 11 points in 55 games.

-Trevor Linden will have his number (16) retired by the Canucks this season.

-Marian Gaborik has mentioned that he liked it in Minnesota, but is willing to accept options from other teams, as he has yet to sign, and is unsure how he will fit in with the Wild.

“I like it here, I am willing to stay here, but I also know what my options are if we won’t agree on the terms.  I’m not saying I’m leaving. I’m not saying I’m staying. I’m saying I have one year left on my contract.”

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That’s all for now!  Enjoy the weekend.  Go watch some NFL, football season’s back!

Imagine Brett Favre meets Bizarro-world.

At the end of the NHL season, Colorado’s management told Joe Sakic to take his time choosing if returning to the Avalanche (or to the NHL/hockey at all) was an option.  This included if his time off to make a decision even went into training camp.  Everything was pretty much set up the total opposite of the Brett Favre situation; Management wants him to stick around, and is willing to give him anything he needs.  After all, he’s been the face of the team for so long now, they owe him that much, right?  Sakic finally made his decision on Wednesday by signing with the Avalanche for one more year, making this his 20th season, a deal that will cost the Avalanche $6 million.  Sakic, as you can guess, is worth every penny.  Sakic brings both a presence on the ice and in the locker room.  In 19 seasons, Sakic averages nearly 72 games per season, and has 623 goals and 1003 assists (1363 Games Played).  You can’t argue with a player that puts up a point per game.

Even at his age, playing in a league where young guns dominate, he still managed 40 points last season.  Why is this important?  In terms of veterans, there were 4 big names that come to mind.  Sakic is number one.  Number two, Jaromir Jagr, has signed in Russia, and let’s face it, the Rangers could never afford him, and he was offered good money to play in Russia.

The other two?  Shanahan and Sundin.  Shanahan has yet to sign with anyone, though he is supposedly willing to take offers from the Rangers, and the most buzz appears to be centered around his return to the St. Louis Blues.

As for Sundin?  I don’t think the world’s top scientists could figure out what he’s thinking right now.  Sundin’s situation is leaving a bad taste in hockey fans’ (specifically Maple Leafs fans) mouths.  Does he want to play or not?  NHL or No?  PICK SOMETHING ALREADY.  Players like this need to remember that they’re being paid to PLAY A SPORT, an occupation that many would kill for.

Back on topic, and to sum up, Sakic’s signing was a great move for the Aves and also for Sakic.  He remains with the same organization for 20 years now, where he has been the backbone of the team.