Kukla's Korner

College Free Agent Spencer Foo Will Sign With Calgary

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

06/27/17 at 06:57 PM ET | Comments (1)

Calgary, AB - The Calgary Flames announced today that free agent right wing Spencer Foo of Union College (ECAC) has committed to the Calgary Flames. As per CBA regulations, the standard players’ contract will be finalized and made official on July 1st.

Foo, a native of Edmonton, Alberta, just completed his junior year at Union College where he put up 26 goals and 36 assists for 62 points in 38 games and was a finalist for the 2016-17 Hobey Baker Memorial Award. He topped the 100 career points mark this season and had a program-record 21-game point streak in addition to tying for the ECAC scoring title; while leading the league in assists (25), multi-point games (14) and plus-minus (+20).

Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames, | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: spencer+foo

Wanted By Detroit- A Defenseman

Blog: The Malik Report By Paul

06/27/17 at 04:18 PM ET | Comments (23)

What do you think?

 

 

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News Of The Day

Blog: The Malik Report By Paul

06/27/17 at 03:50 PM ET | Comments (3)

I have been trying to take it easy today, refreshing the batteries is the term I use and George is out.

With that, news of the day...

 

 

 

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Thoughts On Hockey

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

06/27/17 at 02:47 PM ET | Comments (1)

from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet,

- He’s staying low profile — and there is serious doubt he actually wants to leave San Jose — but there is a list of teams who want to peer inside Joe Thornton’s head. At the draft, there was a lot of talk it would take a three-year deal to lure him. Potential suitors include Columbus, Los Angeles, Montreal and the Rangers. I could see Toronto having interest, but I’m not certain. There was a time Detroit appealed to him, but it doesn’t seem right now for either side. It looks like San Jose is closing in on extensions for Martin Jones and Marc-Edouard Vlasic (both can be announced on Saturday), so we’re all waiting to see what is left for Thornton and/or Patrick Marleau. I’m really fascinated by the Blue Jackets, who are going all-in over the next two years and will try something big. Toronto is quieter about its intentions, but don’t forget that Mike Babcock has plenty of Team Canada history with both Marleau and Thornton.

- Goalie market: there is a lot of expectation of Ryan Miller to Anaheim for approximately $1 million, although I’m not sure if bonuses will be added to that. It makes a lot of sense. Winnipeg has Eric Comrie in the AHL, but the Jets are looking for a veteran to pair with Connor Hellebuyck — which indicates Brian Elliott or Steve Mason. Los Angeles appears ready to have Jack Campbell as Jonathan Quick’s backup. And I think Mike Condon’s received a few calls, as teams weren’t sure he’d be available.

- Low-key Matt Duchene possibility: Pittsburgh. The Penguins have circled around him before. Both Glen Sather and Phil Jackson (before he decided to ruin the Knicks) talked about adding new players to championship teams. You prevent a staleness, and if the newcomer is popular, the group rallies around them so they can win, too. Everyone’s frustrated: Colorado GM Joe Sakic, Duchene and agent Pat Brisson. Could Olli Maatta plus more pieces get the Penguins into this?

much more, a can't miss read...

Filed in: NHL Teams, | KK Hockey | Permalink
 

Dallas Stars Announce Buy Out Of Antti Niemi

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

06/27/17 at 12:15 PM ET | Comments (0)

FRISCO, Texas - Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today the club has bought out the final year of goaltender Antti Niemi's contract. Niemi had one year remaining at $4.5-million on his three-year contract with Dallas. As per the terms of a buyout, two-thirds of his salary will be spread out over the next two seasons with an annual salary cap hit of $1.5-million per year.

Niemi, 33, posted a 12-12-4 record with a 3.30 goals against average and an .892 save percentage for the Stars in 2016-17. Over two seasons with Dallas, he recorded a record of 37-25-11 with a 2.92 goals against average, a .900 save percentage and three shutouts.

Filed in: NHL Teams, Dallas Stars, | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: antti+niemi

Advice For The Detroit Red Wings

Blog: The Malik Report By Paul

06/27/17 at 08:24 AM ET | Comments (24)

from Jamie Samuelsen at the Detroit Free Press,

The Red Wings are out of contention right now for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is Holland and some misguided signings, trades and draft picks over the last five years. There would be an understandable inkling to try to fix this mess in a hurry and get the team back into the playoffs. Instead, he needs to follow Van Gundy’s philosophy and patiently, carefully try to reassemble the team.

more on the Wings with some Pistons talk too...

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Possible Landing Spots For Top UFAs

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

06/27/17 at 08:17 AM ET | Comments (5)

from Pete Jensen of NHL.com,

NHL.com takes a closer look at the top UFA wings expected to be available when the market opens Saturday:

Alexander Radulov, MTL

Radulov, who turns 31 on July 5, is the biggest prize among unrestricted free agent forwards. He is seeking a six-year contract with an average annual value of $7 million, TSN reported June 22.

His 54 points (18 goals, 36 assists) were second on the Montreal Canadiens this season, and he had an NHL career-high 16 power-play points in 76 regular-season games after returning to the NHL from the Kontinental Hockey League. He led Montreal with seven points (two goals, five assists) in six Stanley Cup Playoff games. He has scored at least 54 points in two of his three full NHL seasons; he had 58 (26 goals, 32 assists) in 81 games with the Nashville Predators in 2007-08.

Possible landing spots: Canadiens, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks

Thomas Vanek, FLA

Vanek quietly was one of the most productive players in the NHL when healthy this season. The 33-year-old had 48 points (17 goals, 31 assists) in 68 games with the Panthers and Detroit Red Wings. He was fifth in the League in 5-on-5 points per 60 minutes (2.61; minimum 750 minutes played) this season, according to stats.hockeyanalysis.com.

Vanek, who played his first eight NHL seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, has played for six teams over the past four seasons. He has 697 points (333 goals, 364 assists) in 885 NHL games and has a 14.3 shooting percentage in his career, second-highest among active players with at least 2,000 career shots behind Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins (14.7).

Possible landing spots: Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers

more UFAs....

Filed in: NHL Teams, | KK Hockey | Permalink
 

Evening Line- Damien Cox

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

06/26/17 at 09:05 PM ET | Comments (4)

... if Tavares were to become a Leaf by next season via the trade route, it would immediately vault them into the position of contender in the Eastern Conference. That would have to be tempting for the Brendan Shanahan regime. Let’s see first what Tavares does, or doesn’t do, next weekend.

-Damien Cox of the Toronto Star where you can read more on Tavares plus other topics...

Filed in: | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: john+tavares

Marc Methot Appears To Be Dallas Bound

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

06/26/17 at 08:04 PM ET | Comments (5)

Good move for the Stars.

 

added 8:29pm,

 

 

added 8:39pm, VGN release is below...

Continue Reading »

Filed in: | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: marc+methot, vegas+golden+knights

Ken Holland Making Calls

Blog: The Malik Report By Paul

06/26/17 at 05:01 PM ET | Comments (46)

from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,

General manager Ken Holland told the Free Press Monday afternoon that he, assistant general manager Ryan Martin and head coach Jeff Blashill “have been on the phone with lots of agents and players.”...

The Wings don’t have much money to spend on free agents – they are about $8 million below the $75 million salary cap ceiling, but have to resign the likes of Tomas Tatar, Andreas Athanasiou and Xavier Ouellet. Coming off a 25-goal season, and four straight 20-goal seasons, Tatar, 26 is going to get in the $5 million range (the Capitals just gave T.J. Oshie, who had 33 goals, eight years at an average of $5.75 million).

The Wings most of all could use help on defense. Someone like Trevor Daley maybe could be had for a year, or Dan Girardi – either one would add a little offense to the back end, and assuage some of the concern over Niklas Kronwall. He is playing on a bad knee, and there is doubt about how effective he can be.

There is interest in adding a forward, too, but it may have to be somebody who can be had for less than a million. 

more

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