NHL Tidbits and Updates: September 4, 2008

Jim — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:52:37 +0000

So will someone please tell the NHL and Russian Leagues that the Cold War is over? Earlier this week, Alex Radulov was suspended by his NHL team, the Nashville Predators. Without pay. Why? He signed a deal with a Russian team with ONE YEAR LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT. At the time, there was no transfer agreement between the NHL and Russia, so Radulov thought he could sneak over to Russia and bail out his contract. The issue of player transfers between the NHL and Russia has been a touchy subject, and earlier this season they came to an agreement. Radulov sneaked over by signing with a Russian club days before the agreement was signed. Both sides didn’t seem to want to make a move, as like I said it was a touchy subject, and let Radulov do his thing. The Predators gave him until September 1 to announce his decision, and he did no such thing. So, I’d expect to never see Radulov in the NHL again. I don’t know if he could come back considering he still hasn’t completed his last season, but you never know. Regardless, Radulov won’t be around this season.

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!

Bleeping Idiots » Mike Van Ryn

NHL Tidbits and Updates: September 4, 2008