Reports out of the Swedish newspaper Expressen state that Red Wings defenseman prospect Niklas Kronvall has signed a two-year contract with the club rumored to be worth $1.6 million and include a $500,000 signing bonus.
Today is the NHL deadline for signing European prospects so they may play in North America this season.
Kronvall, 22, is coming off a five-goal 18-point season with Djurgarden of the Swedish Elite League. The Red Wings' first selection in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft also helped represent Sweden in the 2003 IIHF World Championships in May.
With the likely departures of depth defensemen Jesse Wallin and Patrick Boileau this season, Kronvall could be brought in to provide depth -- though most of his time will likely be spent in Grand Rapids with the Red Wings' top AHL affiliate. Reports have stated that Kronvall's contract likely does not include a clause allowing Kronvall to return to Sweden if he does not make the NHL club.
If that is the case, Kronvall could be joining another Red Wings prospect signee, Jiri Hudler, in Grand Rapids next season.
A small defenseman by NHL standards at 5'11" and 180lbs., Kronvall has been likened by scouts to the New Jersey Devils' Brian Rafalski but with a physical edge.
und wenn im b-team nichts klappt und nix sich aufdrängt, dann werden die toilet-wings wieder ihren dicken geldbeutel auspacken und denen millionen in den rachen werfen, die gebraucht werden.. zwar mit mehr kopf als bei den verhassten rangers, aber gleiche schiene.. ------------------------------ GOD is busy .. can I help you ?!
Méschda Hoschbess holy a.k.a. Rosebud ...und nichts ist wie es scheint!!
Brawls. Blood. Mayhem. Philly style. You want it - we got it!
newcoming tough enforcers: --> Leafs-Fans können hier klicken!! Garrett Burnett HFD GP 62, G 6, A 1, P 7, Pim´s 346 Peter Vandermeer PHI GP 77, G 5, A 8, P 13, Pim´s 335 Sean McMorrow ROC GP 64, G 0, A 1, P 1, Pim´s 315 Darcy Verot SJN GP73, G 5, A 11, P 16, Pim´s 299
Und als weider die guten Nachrichten, welche die Prospects betreffen...
Grigorenko starts rehabilitation (7/10)
20-year old Red Wings prospect Igor Grigorenko, who suffered a near-fatal car accident in May, has begun training with free weights as part of his rehabilitation program.
"I really feel great, I want to get back to shape as soon as possible, but I am increasing weight sizes gradually," Grigorenko, who's broken leg is still held into place by a Illizarov device, told Sovetsky Sport.
"Rehab process goes well. Doctors still watch me, possibly I will be training along with the others in about 2 months."
Grigorenko to training camp? (7/15)
Rehabilitatiing prospect Igor Grigorenko may make the Red Wings' training camp in September after all, though only as a spectator so the Detroit front office can observe his progress in the rehab process.
"Depending on where he is at health-wise, he may come for a period of time as an observer," said Red Wings GM Ken Holland, who has been discussing the possibility with Grigorenko's agent, Mark Lapush.
One of the Wings' top prospects, 20-year old Grigorenko was severely injured in a car accident two months ago but has recovered enough to begin light weight training.
The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim have come to terms with free agent centre Sergei Fedorov on a five-year deal. ESPN is reporting the deal with worth over $40 million.
Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch personally offered Fedorov a five year, $50 million contract early last season, a deal that was rejected. Fedorov has since changed agents, but late last season rejected a four year deal that would have paid him a total of $40 million.
Detroit's last offer to Fedorov was made just before he became an unrestricted free agent, a four year contract worth $8 million per season.
Fedorov, who spent the first 13 years of his NHL career with the Red Wings, became an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He tallied 36 goals and 83 points in 80 games last season, his best totals since the 1995-96 season. In 908 career games, Fedorov has 400 goals and 554 assists.
Fedorov won the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player in 1994 and the Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward in 1994 and 1996. He also has three Stanley Cups with the Red Wings (1997, 1998, 2002).
Desperate for scoring after losing Paul Kariya and Adam Oates, the Ducks signed unrestricted free agent Vaclav Prospal to a five-year contract worth $17.5 million on Thursday.
Numerous sources are reporting this morning that unrestricted free agent center Sergei Fedorov has a agreed to a five-year, $40 million contract with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.
Mighty Ducks spokesperson Alex Gilchrist said that the first two years of Fedorov's contract are guaranteed with the final three at Fedorov's option.
"I would like to thank Sergei for his 13 years with the Detroit Red Wings and wish him well in the future," GM Ken Holland said in a statement. "We worked very hard over the past eight months to keep Sergei in Detroit, and we are disappointed he did not choose to remain a Red Wing, but in the end it was simply not meant to be."
The agreement, first reported by Gazeta.ru has been picked up by ESPN, CTV Sportsnet, and TSN. Word of the report spread after IMG Agent Gennady Ushakov informed Gazeta.ru of the deal less than 24 hours after Fedorov conducted an interview in Russia where he was quoted as saying that a "return to Detroit would be very difficult."
The move is also an about face for the Ducks, who have landed two of the top free agent centers available this offseason. The club signed Vinny Prospal just two days ago to a long-term deal.
Fedorov leaves with Wings with 400 goals and 554 assists in his NHL career. Along with the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP in 1994 he earned Selke Trophies as the Top Defensive Forward in 1994 and 1996 and helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup in 1997, 1998 and 2002.
Red Wings winger Darren McCarty, who opted not to test the market as an unrestricted free agent, said the loss of Fedorov will leave a huge hole in the lineup.
"He's one of the most talented guys in the league," he said Saturday. "You're going to lose that player, that ability to change the game by himself."
"I think he just felt he needed a new start ... get out in L.A., which is more his speed," he said. "It wasn't about money so much, it had to be about (job) security." Letsgowings
Na herzlichen Glückwunsch, Sergei. Heb deine Ringe gut auf, die nächsten 5 Jahre wirst du keinen neuen mehr bekommen..... Aber bitte, wenn du meinst....
Return to Hockeytown
Patriotism is a pernicious, psychopathic form of idiocy. -George Bernard Shaw-
Numerous news outlets are reporting this morning that the Red Wings are close to re-signing captain Steve Yzerman to a one-year contract.
The deal will be reportedly worth a base salary of $6 million with incentive clauses increasing the final total to $8 million -- the same amount Yzerman earned in 2002-03.
"They're pretty close on all the points," one source told Booth Newspapers. "They just need to put it in print. It's a structure that's good for both sides. Steve is happy and the Wings are happy."
Yzerman will play in his 21st season - and likely his last - with the Red Wings this fall.
So, mit dem perfekten Yzerman-Deal kann man jetzt mal ein erstes Fazit ziehen:
Red Wings Offseason Personnel Movement Acquired/Retained » • C Steve Yzerman (re-signed) - 1 year, $6M • D Mathieu Dandenault (re-signed) - 1 year, $1.45M • D Nicklas Kronvall (prospect) - 2 years, $1.85M • C Jiri Hudler (prospect) - 3 years, $2.5M • D Derian Hatcher (free agency) - 5 years, $30M • R Darren McCarty (re-signed) - 4 years, $8.75M • D Jason Woolley (re-signed) - 2 years, $1.8M • C Pavel Datsyuk (re-signed) - 1 year, $1.5M, 2nd-year option
Departed » • C Sergei Fedorov (free agency) - Signed/w Anaheim, 5Y, $40M • D Dmitri Bykov (free agency) - Signed/w Ak Bars Kazan
Remaining Free Agents »
Restricted • B. Devereaux L • S. Roest C • J. Williams C Unrestricted • I. Larionov C • P. Boileau D • J. Wallin D
Das sieht doch schon ganz gut aus. Jetzt noch einen guten Deal für Joseph raushandeln, und dann kann die Schlacht um die Western-Conference gegen die Avs beginnen...
Weight wär nicht schlecht, allerdings Demitra wäre auch ein guter Move. Das Problem ist, das die Blues eigentlich ihre Goalies schon haben. Bleiben die Rangers. Hmmmm.... aber Lindros, lieber nicht. Wenn der auf Pre-season-Eis in Traverse City wie üblich seinen Blick nach unten richtet und Derian Hatcher zufällig seinen Weg kreuzt, dann fällt er tot um. Wahrscheinlich fällt er schon nach nem Zweikampf gegen Datsyuk tot um... Vielleicht hilft ein 3-way-deal. Hoffentlich findet Holland ne adäquate Lösung, ich denke mal, nachdem Fedorov jetzt definitiv weg ist, wird er seine Anstrengungen verstärken.
Kommt Zeit - kommt Rat
Return to Hockeytown
Patriotism is a pernicious, psychopathic form of idiocy. -George Bernard Shaw-
Red Wings goaltender Dominik Hasek may face charges of bodily harm in his native Czech Republic after investigators there determined that enough evidence existed to charge the netminder for the May 18th incident.
During an inline hockey game in Hasek's hometown of Pardubice Hasek, skating as a defenseman for Bonfire Strada, collided with Martin Sila of SK Pardubice. After taking the hit, eyewitness accounts state that Hasek cross-checked Sila in the back, knocking him down, then sat on him while striking him with his stick in the back of his neck.
Those eyewitness accounts, along with medical records documenting the extent of Sila's injuries, have led to the state prosecutor receiving a copy of the police report. The prosecutor will then decide whether or not formal charges of causing bodily harm are placed.
If convicted, Hasek could face up to eight years in prison.
Hasek's representative, Roman Hozak, told the Associated Press on Friday that his client would like the matter settled as soon as possible.
...geil, die Vorstellung allein, dass Detroit CuJo wegtradet, unn de Hasek dann net kommt, weil er im Bullesje hockt, und se dann mit Legacy als No. 1 in die Saison gehen, ruft schon ein verdammt breites Grinsen bei mir ins Gesicht.
Méschda Hoschbess holy a.k.a. Rosebud ...und nichts ist wie es scheint!!
Brawls. Blood. Mayhem. Philly style. You want it - we got it!
newcoming tough enforcers: --> Leafs-Fans können hier klicken!! Garrett Burnett HFD GP 62, G 6, A 1, P 7, Pim´s 346 - Peter Vandermeer PHI GP 77, G 5, A 8, P 13, Pim´s 335 Sean McMorrow ROC GP 64, G 0, A 1, P 1, Pim´s 315 - Darcy Verot SJN GP73, G 5, A 11, P 16, Pim´s 299