Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Concentrated Juice: Rumor, Fact , Speculation and UFA Pre-Labor Day wrap up:

A few UFAs of interest are still standing in the face off circle waiting for a contract to drop, just weeks before camp starts. With the Labor Day holiday fast approaching we will either see a flurry of activity trying to get something done before holiday or things are about to get very very quiet… So far this is the latest on some remaining greats:

Shanahan: St. Louis Management has been highly vocal this month about throwing their hat into the Shanahan Ring. They probably would like to be able to market a “Homecoming” when seasons tickets go on sale. Shanny states he is still talking to the Rangers, but the Rangers have no Cap room for Brendan (they are about $1.5 MM below) and they still make noise about Mats.

Chelios: Well Well Well…. He’s not signed with the Wings, though he’s got an offer, and here is what he had to say when he took the Cup to Chicago, to the Chicago Tribune August 24th:

“I found a new home in Detroit, but Chicago is always going to be home. My parents still live here, and I intend on coming back home here some day and spending the rest of my days here, whether it’s as a player or somehow being involved with the Blackhawks.”

OK, so this is mildly irritating, but I doubt he’s going anywhere this year…Still, why not free up the space and bring DMac back into the fold on Cheli’s One-way?

McCarty: Darren has had an offer since June: a two-way contract from the wings, for about $650,000-$700,000. He wants a one way contract, and wants to come back to the Wings and has said so publicly as late as July 25th, then last week news broke that he is quietly shopping himself. HOWEVER… Yesterday in a radio interview with WXYT radio he said; “trying to work something out to definitely come back, and Detroit’s extended me an offer, which I’m definitely grateful for, so, hopefully I’ll be back, after last year, be back at Joe Louis, and try and defend our championship.”

Chelios’ comment makes me more certain that D-Mac is holding out to see what Cheli does. Maybe Chicago is trying to see if they have room for him….I said it earlier this summer, Darren is waiting to see what Cheli does, I am more convinced of that than ever now.

Nagy: Former Kings Forward Ladislav Nagy signed a two-year, $5.6 million contract with Cherepovets of the Kontinental League. I think this is a big hit for LA. Nagy was a leader and a presence out there last year. They are really hurting for leaders. Not sure he’s worth $5.6 MM in the NHL, but hey go to Russia- the living arrangements, will make you realize you are earning every last penny…

Berard: Flyers signed him to a tryout contract…here comes camp!

Sundin: pick your favorite “interested” team and check the web, they are all still talking about him. Philly, Rangers, Leafs, Habs, Calgary, Jack Rabbit Slim’s diner over 30 beer league… Oh who cares- sure doesn’t seem like he does. Boy. I really never thought I’d say that…

Originally posted on Tuesday August 26, 2008 @ 01:57 PM EDT at http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/blogs/19803
Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved. No use or reproduction without the express written permission of the author

No comments: