Needed: cheap offensive defensemen
by dr(d)evil on Jul 6, 2010 11:11 AM EDT
Email
PrintAs pleased as many Devils fans seem to be about the signings of Henrik Tallinder and Anton Volchenkov, the loss of Paul Martin has left the Devils with a terrible lack of offensive defensemen outside of Andy Greene. With the strong possibility that they sign Ilya Kovalchuk, the Devils not only lack the cap space to make any further free agent signings, but will have to clear space from their roster in the form of trades - most likely of Dainius Zubrus and Bryce Salvador, and perhaps more. It is virtually a given that the Devils will have to go with four forwards on the PP, with players like Arnott, Kovalchuk, and Rolston likely to play the point, but outside of Greene, which of the defensemen might be able to man the other point?
With that need in mind, I wanted to see what defensemen were out there who wouldn't break the bank, at least cap-wise. I used the CapGeek Bargain Hunter and sorted the results by PP ice time per game. Minimum requirements were as such - at least 30 GP last season, 1.50 min of PP ice time per game, salary less than 2.0 million, and age 25 and over. I figured that those players who are less than 25 playing 30+ games and getting significant PP ice time were very good young prospects, and that teams would be unwilling to trade them, particularly not for a salary dump. I also excluded the players who have been recently signed or re-signed in free agency this offseason.
The results were dismaying - perhaps my conditions were too stringent. There are not a lot of options out there, but they are listed below. I included their even strength ice time per game as an indicator of whether they were trusted by their coaches defensively enough to play at even strength.
| Name | Cap Hit (M) | Team | GP | G | A | PP time/gm | ES time/gm |
| Marc-Andre Bergeron | (ex-0.750) | FA (ex-MTL) | 60 | 13 | 21 | 2.97 | 11.9 |
| Chris Campoli | 0.633 | RFA - OTT | 67 | 4 | 14 | 2.03 | 15.21 |
| Mark Giordano | 0.892 | CGY | 82 | 11 | 19 | 2.68 | 16.26 |
| Ian White | 0.85 | RFA - CGY | 83 | 13 | 25 | 2.25 | 19.08 |
| Alexandre Picard | (ex-0.800) | FA (ex-CAR) | 54 | 5 | 11 | 1.57 | 15.17 |
| Paul Mara | (ex-1.675) | FA (ex-MTL) | 42 | 0 | 8 | 1.64 | 14.88 |
Out of these results, we can rule out Campoli and White - they are RFAs and they will get pay raises this summer, in addition to being valued highly by their organizations. Calgary has cap issues of their own and would be unlikely to trade Giordano and White anyway. Picard and Mara, though they meet the PP ice time criteria, hardly seem to be productive enough to really be considered offensive defensemen. It seems that the reality is that offensive defensemen get paid - a lot - and it's hard to find a good value. In fact, one of the best values in the league, who would have been in this table were he not already on the Devils, is Andy Greene, who will be due for a big payday next summer.
M.A. Bergeron is an interesting case. On the one hand, he has been very effective on the PP and cheap, too. On the other hand, there's a reason he's cheap - he's a defenseman who's not so good at defense, hence his PP specialist status and lack of even-strength ice time. Still, given the number of defensive defensemen the Devils have, along with a corps of great two-way forwards, might it be worth it to take a chance on him?
If you think the conditions of my search were too restrictive, please suggest better criteria. If there is another player whom I have missed, please let me know. I know that players like Kaberle, Souray, and Corvo have been discussed in the past, but frankly all of those guys are too expensive if the Devils do indeed sign Kovalchuk and aren't really appropriate for this discussion - we need to go cheap here.
All FanPosts and FanShots are the respective work of the author and not representative of the writers or other users of In Lou We Trust.
70 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Bergeron might be worth the risk since he could be paired with someone more defensively responsible to balance out.
Say, for example:
Volchenkov – Greene
Tallinder – Bergeron
White – Corrente
To "resign" is to voluntarily leave a position; retire. To "re-sign" is to sign again. When talking about free agents, please use the correct one.
None of the above for me. The one that I would have pushed for just re-signed (Colaiacovo). I dunno, this will be a tough one for us. After watching Bergeron in the Playoffs, he scares me. Yes, I agree he would be better in our system, and next to Tallinder as well, but…
Campoli filed for arbitration, same with White, so I agree with you, dr(d)evil, they will not be available.
Perhaps you can open the requirements a bit by lowering the age requirement. Better yet, sort the players by TTOI not just PP time, as we are very likely, like you said, to have 4 forwards on our PP at all times. I would venture that Greene would get the bulk of time, and Tallinder will get plenty as well.
What about someone like Jack Hillen or Bruno Gervais of the Islanders? How do their values compare to the guys on this list?
If the Devils sign Kovalchuk, and need to move out guys like Salvador and/or Zubrus, the Isles would be a logical target, and one of those young D could be the centerpiece of what Lou gets back.
The Islanders aren’t very likely to do the double favor of absorbing a salary the Devils badly need to dispose of and give the team a good player in return. I don’t think Gervais or Hillen is a viable option at all.
Personally, I think the answer to offensive defenseman has to come from within. Anssi Salmela has shown some potential in that area if he’s healthy…. and if he’s not, Alexander Urbom is quite possibly the guy Lou had in mind to fill the role. Lou said as much that Tallinder was brought in to mentor the Young Swedes, so I suppose this would make sense.
It’s not doing the Devils a favor if they can actually use the players NJ would be sending their way. The Isles need to take on salary to get to the cap floor, and Zubie and Salvador are still viable NHL players.
That they are. However, I doubt the Devils are the only team looking to dump salary, and it is something of a buyer’s market. A lot of reports out there say Philly wants to move salary. Calgary is in a crunch and still has to address their roster including Ian White. Boston and Chicago look like they might be in the same boat, based on CapGeek’s numbers.
I think Garth Snow is going to have a full menu of options to reach the salary floor, not just the Salvador/Zubrus Pu Pu Platter. Simon Gagne is out there, supposedly Marc Savard is as well. I bet the Islanders could really improve their team by taking someone on, and not just have to take a salary to make it there.
Unfortunately, I agree with acasser on this. It sucks, but there are a lot of teams looking to dump salary and teams like the Islanders will have their pick of good, useful players. I’m looking for under-the-radar possibilities, but the reality is that the Devils may end up having to park these guys in the minors, which really sucks for them and their careers.
Doubtful, as far as sucking for their careers. I’d guess any of the veteren Devils that get sent to the minors would have to clear waivers. Folks like Zubrus, Salvador, and even White and Langs, would quite likely get claimed by someone.
Go Jets
Go Devils
Like sports betting, sign up with centsports and do it for free
http://www.centsports.com/ref/200493
If some of these guys were in the last year of their deal, I could see the possibility of them being claimed on waivers. Considering Zubrus has three years left, while both Salvador and White have two years to go, I’m not sure any of them are legitimate possibilities for “put them on waivers and hope another team picks them up”. Teams aren’t too terribly likely to claim that kind of guy on the way down when you’re talking those kind of years and dollars…. they’re far more likely to hope they actually do get sent down, and then wait to pounce until re-entry waivers.
These guys do have trade value, but teams know the Devils will have to clear space, and that gives them the hammer. There’s no reason for any of them to make something resembling a hockey trade when they know the Devils are more desperate to move salary.
These guys do have trade value, but teams know the Devils will have to clear space, and that gives them the hammer. There’s no reason for any of them to make something resembling a hockey trade when they know the Devils are more desperate to move salary.
Technically, no. Kovy is still a maybe at this point. The Devils need to sign 4 or 5 players at up to $4.7M. If no offers come, Lou can withdraw his offer to Kovy and move on.
Go Jets
Go Devils
Like sports betting, sign up with centsports and do it for free
http://www.centsports.com/ref/200493
Not
A big fan of any of those guys. Bergeron is basically terrible lol. He can contribute on the PP but you can’t really hide him the rest of the game. He’s gonna have to be out there at a bad time eventually, maybe even in the playoffs. I say we go with what we have rather than waste money on a wild card like that. Souray would be great if we get him cheap.
by PariseLikeSundayMornin on Jul 6, 2010 12:50 PM EDT reply actions
How is Bergeron in any way terrible?
by undersuspicion426 on Jul 6, 2010 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Souray simply will not be cheap. You could acquire him for nothing, but that cap hit is huge. And the Oilers have already said there’s no way they’re eating half of his cap hit by putting him through re-entry waivers.
Im not so sure the Oilers will have the opportunity to choose now that Souray has cleared waivers. Unless they want $4.5MM actual money being paid for someone they consider an asset.
The Oilers don’t have to send Souray down, either. They can leave him on the active roster and try to pass him through waivers again at a later date. They can also try and trade him now that he has cleared waivers, maybe pick up someone else’s problem contract in return.
True. I just think he would have to be traded at this point if they expect not to lose that $4.5MM for nothing.
Most likely, yes. But the Oilers don’t actually have to do anything at this stage — they can simply wait until the beginning of the season, and then decide to play the waiver game again (at which point I believe he does have to be sent down) or do something else entirely.
Edmonton will be able to get something done and move Souray. They’ve got enough cap space to do another team a favor, and taking Souray might be the price for that “favor”. I’ve seen rumours out there, but without the recollection of where I’ve seen anything specific, I won’t cite it here.
Hi all. Avs fan here. It seems that you good folks are in need of an offensive defensemen. Well look no farther than here my friends, cuz in Colorado, that’s all we really have stocked up. Could I interest you in a Kyle Cumiskey? The kids 23, has a cap hit of 600,000 and one of the fastest skater you’ve ever seen. Youtube him. We call him Roadrunner. Seriously thought, we are stocked up on young puck moving dmen, so if the team really does need one a trade is something to think about.
Good... bad... I'm the guy with the gun.
Screw the Wings.
Sounds good to me, but what will the Avs being doing to complete the roster on the back end? Will Salei be re-signed, is Shattenkirk expected to make the team next season? I do not know anything of the Avs prospects other than Shattenkirk being a really high draft pick. Can you enlighten us?
Thanks for the info
Something like this:
Quincy – Hannan
Foote – Cumiskey
Wilson – Liles
If Cummers is traded, Shattenkirk or Holos will be the first call up. Not sure either will make the team right of the bat as both need a little bit of adjusting to North American professional hockey.
Salei. No. Very much no. Salei lost a LOT of his edge this past year. He spent most of it injured. He recovered about a week before the Olympics (played in just 1 game pre-olympics and 14 total for the year). He could be signed by the Devils pretty cheap I would guess, but if I were you I’d stay away. I loved old Salei, he was a beast, he’s just lost to much.
After Shatty, there is Chouinard, Cohen, Elliott, Barrie, Holos and Gaunce. With the exception of Gaunce (and maybe Holos), they are ALL “puck moving” defensemen (even Shatty) so we are a bit overstocked. Elliott is supposed to be Rafalski reincarnated. Barrie was the defensemen of the year in the WHL. Chouinard is willing awards with our MHH ladies cuz of his “smile.” He’s also pretty good. Holos plays for Norway in all international contests and is a minute muncher. I’m guessing Shatty and Gaunce are untouchable, but for the right price you could most likely have any of the others (J.M. Liles included).
Good... bad... I'm the guy with the gun.
Screw the Wings.
Well, Liles would be entirely too expensive for the Devils at $4.2MM, although he would be exactly we need. Salei wouldnt garner much interest as he seems too slow of foot.
Cumiskey makes a lot of sense, if the Avs consider one of those prospects ready for next season. Otherwise, Bryce Salvador could head over to Denver, but I see Zubrus being much more valuable to Colorado and their young group of rookies as a mentor and power forward than Bryce Salvador when they have Adam Foote and Scott Hannan, not exactly the fleetest of foot defenders.
Cumiskey for Zubrus, solves New Jersey’s problems for sure, would it be enough for Colorado to get DZ back in compensation?
Reading a bit about Zuby, it says in a nice way that he’s sometimes lazy, is that true? Otherwise, if he can play left wing, you might have something there… we did trade out leading point getter for Peter Mueller.
Good... bad... I'm the guy with the gun.
Screw the Wings.
I believe Zubrus can play pretty much anywhere up front. He’s not really a center, although you can use him there — he’s been better on the wing.
I don’t know that it is “lazy”, per se. More that he’s always had high expectations and a ton of potential, but his numbers show he’s never really played up to them entirely. He was a high draft pick, and he’s bounced around a lot, but he only has two 20-goal seasons to his credit. He also was brought in somewhat as the “replacement” for Scott Gomez after the latter bolted for Our Hated Rivals, and that’s not really a role he’s cut out for.
He’s a good energy guy, and he’s good on the boards and solid in front of the net. Not sure he’s worth his cap hit, but who in this league is anymore?
Our head coach maybe able to do something with him. The cap hit is not important right now (we need salary just to hit the cap floor) and we are desperate for a 1st or 2nd line LW. we were kinda hoping we’d take a run at a certain LW sniper that may or may not be off the market right now . Also we have a bit of a logjam on defense so this would work out pretty well for both of us.
Good... bad... I'm the guy with the gun.
Screw the Wings.
Our head coach maybe able to do something with him.
Famous last words, carved on the headstone of many a head coach, in many a sport.
I think a change of conferences could also do it. He has never played for western teams. Maybe the different style would help him out.
Isn’t the Devils a defense first team? We’re more of a run and gun type team. Think Blackhawks without the talent.
Good... bad... I'm the guy with the gun.
Screw the Wings.
I would disagree wouldn;t say the Avs are without talent you have Stastny, Mueller if he stays, Duchene, Cumiskey, Shattenkirk, Jones, Stewart. i would have to argue thats a very talented team. The main weakness i see with them is spending to much time in their own end, not sure of the reason if its due to a low regard for defense or a weak defense.
Sacco traded Wolski when he wouldn’t work hard in our system (he was our points leader at the time too), he benched Liles when he felt that he should be playing with more passion, and he was able to turn Peter “4th line” Mueller from a 17pts in 54 games to a 20 pts in 15 games player. That being said, your starting to scare me now….
Good... bad... I'm the guy with the gun.
Screw the Wings.
Maybe over the course of the long season there might be times where he seems to be giving less than 100%, but in the playoffs, he was arguably one of top three players who played the hardest and did the most (along with Brodeur and Kovalchuk)
Go Jets
Go Devils
Like sports betting, sign up with centsports and do it for free
http://www.centsports.com/ref/200493
You’ll find a lot of Zubrus supporters among the fans here. The guy has skill which has never really quite translated into points, but he is a good complementary player who does good work along the boards, plays the cycle effectively, drives the net hard, and stands up for his teammates. I personally don’t think he’s that far off from being worth the money that he’s paid, but he hasn’t put up the points that I had hoped when he was brought here.
I think the question of effort is misguided. I think people have looked at his size and his pretty good hands and thought he should be able to score at will, but he has always disappointed in that regard. My guess is that he doesn’t have the knack for being at the right place at the right time as good scorers do, among other offensive instincts. He can keep up with skilled players but won’t be the offensive engine of any line.
We love Zubie, and I think a trip out west would do him a solid. I think his production issues have been systemic and he would flourish in CO. And I’m a big fan of getting him out of conference so I didn’t have to see him during the season.
Oh, and please send that young Cumiskey guy. Sounds like a perfect fit to me. Fast. Cheap. D. Done deal.
Someone get this guy Lou’s redphone no.
I have seen Cummers play he is fast as heck. You should try and find that ot winner he got last season on youtube or something. As far as skating goes hes a Scott Niedermayer in his prime. The one thing of concern perhaps is his defense but if he came NJ that problem perhaps would be worked out. I mean look we made Mottau into a serviceable dman no reason couldn’t do the same with Cumiskey or better for that matter.
Also,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXDgTGjK3rU skip to 1:28. Cummers is number 10.
Good... bad... I'm the guy with the gun.
Screw the Wings.
Count me among the interested, but would the Avs really be interested in Zubrus? He would bring grit, size, and a strong defensive presence to their young group of forwards but he’s hardly a hot commodity. I don’t think the Avs would be much interested in Salvador – they already have Hannan, Liles, Quincey, Foote, Ryan Wilson, as well as the aforementioned crop of top D prospects.
A true gritty, in your face, don’t mess with me defensemen would be great. Something were are very much missing. No one really has any snarl (other then Foote). We tend to get pushed around a lot.
Good... bad... I'm the guy with the gun.
Screw the Wings.
I thought Hannan was signed for that purpose? I’ve only seen Ryan Wilson play once but he laid a pretty good hit on a pretty crafty and aware player in Patrik Elias who got a concussion for his trouble.
I would say the “don’t mess with me” defenseman on the Devils would be Colin White, who still has some snarl but hasn’t been quite the same since his eye injury. Salvador is more of a positional defenseman who hits. His thing is more about blocking shots than making a big hit or punishing players in front of the net.
True. Hannan was. And to be fair, he has played well for us. He is more of a shutdown positional type, very little… edge if you will. He rarely hit people, he is just always, “in their way.” Ryan Wilson was a throw in picked up in a Leo-prone deal with the Flames a couple years back and has been a pleasant surprise. He seems to be the only defensemen who is willing to hit people, but he is also injury prone. Two concussions last year (I know, no sympathy for Devils fans when it comes to concussions and Ryan Wilson) has turned him from amazing steal to big question mark. I envy you for getting the A-train…
Good... bad... I'm the guy with the gun.
Screw the Wings.
So let me propose a few trade scenarios for you, let me know if you would accept the deal. One of them is a little ridiculous and involves a third team.
(1) Devils sign Kovalchuk, need to dump some salary while getting more mobile on defense. Cumiskey for White or Salvador, straight up. Devils trade Zubrus to another team.
(2) Devils sign Kovalchuk and need to dump some more salary. Cumiskey and another D prospect ready to fight for a spot (say, Elliott or Cohen) for Zubrus and one of either White or Salvador. Devils trade the remaining defenseman to another team.
(3) Devils don’t sign Kovalchuk, will likely keep Zubrus but try to get more mobile on defense, cap hit this year not much of an issue. Vancouver needs to unload defensemen as well. A monster three-way trade involving the Avs, Canucks, and Devils such that:
- Vancouver gives up Kevin Bieksa, Shane O’Brien, and Andrew Alberts, and receive Zubrus and one of the Avs’ defense prospects. (They gain 3 mil in cap space this year, a 2nd/3rd line forward, and a defensive prospect)
- Colorado gives up Cumiskey and a defensive prospect (again, say Elliott or Cohen), and receives O’Brien as well as either White or Salvador (They get veteran stay-at-home Dmen in exchange for young, offensive Dmen, although O’Brien is only 26)
- NJ gives up Zubrus and either White or Salvador but receive Bieksa, Cumiskey, and Alberts.
Cumiskey is playing for the Avs not the Nucks.
Piece by piece we are slowly turning into the 2000 Devils team, anyone up for the A-Line: The Sequel?
by RolliePollieKovy on Jul 7, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not for moving White anywhere not to mention he has a ntc. Then i wouldn’t wanna play Colorado especially if the went with Foote, White as a pairing. I think also that White is better suited to be a capt or alternate captain for us. Now because we have Tallinder i think that makes Salvador expendable. Not only that if we keep both Salvador and White one of them probably goes to 3rd pairing i think they to good for that.
I have no problem with Salvador and White on the third pairing other than the fact that we have a glut of defensive defensemen and no puck-movers on the blue line. To get a decent puck-mover back, I would be willing to part with either of them. Obviously there’s more sentimentality with White, and I don’t really think Lou will move him unless absolutely necessary due to cap issues. White may have a NTC but the Devils can always tell him to accept a trade or get sent to the minors. It sucks, but it’s a real possibility.
White could be a leader on a young Avalanche team, but on the Devils he’s just one of many players with veteran experience and leadership qualities. If they sign Kovalchuk, the Devils will have four past captains on the team – Langenbrunner, Elias, Arnott, and Kovalchuk. There is Parise, the future captain. Zubrus has worn the A. Brodeur provides leadership. I would guess that Volchenkov and Tallinder may have worn the A for their prior teams.
The salary cap might dictate just that.
Go Jets
Go Devils
Like sports betting, sign up with centsports and do it for free
http://www.centsports.com/ref/200493
Salmela is likely to miss the first part of the season after knee surgery. The report from Gulitti can be found here.
The Devils have plenty of forwards who can man the point, if they’re looking to play four or five forwards out there. Kovalchuk is comfortable back there, Zajac and Langenbrunner and Arnott all have that heavy shot teams often stick back there as well. Since we’re stuck with Rolston, he’s proven to have some utility back there as well. Even better, Arnott and Kovy are both right-handed shots (which I believe is sorely lacking on the Devils D-Line in general).
Considering the lack of offensive talent on the Devils blue line (besides being offensive to watch on offense), four or five forwards makes sense for the team. The team is responsible enough defensively, especially among the high-end forwards (Elias, Parise, Zajac to name three in particular) that they could get away with it where other teams might not be able to. Risky, in that you’ll give up more chances to the other team’s penalty killers, but it is something to think about.
4 Forwards
I fully expect the Devils to have 4 forwards on the PP at all times. That being said, Id rather not go with 5 forwards on the ice at any one time (outside of goalie pulls). Greene being the 1st choice, Tallinder 2nd, and when Salmela returns, Anssi 3rd. I agree the forwards you have listed are fully capable of handling a point on the PP, but I wouldnt want two.
Arnott 1st, Rolston 2nd. I think the Devils would be best served with an umbrella PP, Greene at the top.
No Kovy on the Point?
I think Kovalchuk belongs on the point, even above Arnott or Rolston. He’s got the hardest shot on the team, and I think his presence back there would keep teams focused on him and maybe open up some down-low room for Parise and Elias to work. Also, Kovy can sit for two minutes at the point if the coach is inclined to let him do so — I don’t have a particular problem with that facet of his play.
I might put Rolston as my 2nd point guy insofar as forwards, if only because that’s one way to try and maximize his value since we’re apparantly stuck with him. He can do a reasonable job on the third line and spotted on the PP…. not enough to justify his contract, but I’ll take what I can get out of him and count it as a blessing.
No, I don’t think Kovy is the best choice for the point. First off, as hard as he can shoot the puck, his strength is really his wrister, not his slapshot. At the point, he tends to rely too much on his slapshot, and tends to gamble too often with the puck and get burned. Also, he doesn’t skate as hard when he’s at the point, but I’d rather he skate hard for 1:15 than coast for the full 2:00 of the PP.
Like Skuba7, I would like to see Greene at the top of an umbrella power play. Kovy or Arnott would be to Greene’s left, near the half boards and able to step in from the boards to fire the puck as well as see their passing options. Elias or Rolston would be their counterpart to Greene’s right, which is the side that Greene can make a better forehand pass to for a one-timer. Zajac or Langenbrunner would manage the down-low game from the left corner while Parise and Clarkson are in front of the net. The problem is, who can step in for Greene to be a good puck distributor? Maybe Salmela, maybe Urbom, but neither would be as good as Greene. Eckford would be a longer shot.
Tallinder spent less than 14 minutes all last season on the PP, averaging 0:10 per game. Unless he shows something in camp, there might be a better choice.
Go Jets
Go Devils
Like sports betting, sign up with centsports and do it for free
http://www.centsports.com/ref/200493
Off subject.
Thanks for letting me come over and throw some ideas at you. In Lou We Trust has gets an A+ in class.
Good... bad... I'm the guy with the gun.
Screw the Wings.
We respect all that come over that respect us
by Skuba7 on Jul 6, 2010 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Jersey Represent!
Good... bad... I'm the guy with the gun.
Screw the Wings.
by i2strange97 on Jul 6, 2010 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This is basically the truth.
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog
Trade with Carolina?
So with Joe Corvo re-signing in Carolina and after reading about it in Puck Daddy, how about a trade with Carolina to help with our offensive defenseman situation? They boast a defensive lineup of Corvo, Pitkanen, Babchuk (yep, he’s back), Tim Gleason, Jamie McBain, Bobby Sanguinetti, Casey Borer and Jay Harrison.
Aside from Gleason and maybe Harrison, none of those guys would be considered Defensive Defenseman.
A trade with Salvador or even Whitey involved would have to pique the interest of the Hurricanes, would it not?
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on In Lou We Trust
Related FanShots on In Lou We Trust
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Devils try to even series with Rangers; watch the ‘Sandley Cup’ get built (Playoff Puck Previews)
- Sean Avery: Not in NHL playoffs, getting a handle on semi-nude modeling (PHOTO)
- No lion: KCBS angers Bailey, LA Kings mascot, after confusion with Slamson, Sacramento Kings mascot
- Ratings down for conference finals; Ted Nugent backs David Booth; NHL 13 teaser (Puck Headlines)
- Chris Chelios and Eddie Vedder form karaoke super-band, sing ‘The Weight’ in Chicago bar (VIDEO)
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Frattin scores twice, including winner as Marlies defeat Barons 5-3 in Game 3
- Buffalo Sabres give defenceman Alexander Sulzer a one-year deal to dodge free agency
- Sabres sign defenseman Sulzer for one year
- Devils make lineup change for Game 4 vs. Rangers; Jacob Jacobson in, Petr Sykora out
- Josefson replaces Sykora in Devils' lineup Monday
