NHL News


SUNDSTROM'S BRIEF STAY IN TAMPA ENDS AS HE IS SENT TO SJ FOR 4 PLAYERS
Nicklas Sundstrom, who although being a strong defensive forward, has been a bust offensively, has suddenly become one of the hottest trading commodities on the market. Sundstrom, just over one month after being shipped by the Rangers to Tampa on draft day, was traded by the Lightning along with the 3rd rounder in the 2000 draft they received from the Rangers to the San Jose Sharks for promising young defenseman Andrei Zyuzin, veteran blueliner Bill Houlder, injury-prone forward Shawn Burr, and young winger Steven Guolla. Zyuzin is a very highly-touted prospect, but caused a great stir when he went missing for a week in March. He has since requested trades every day from the Sharks, who finally dealt him. Houlder, a journeyman defenseman for most of his career, had a breakout season for the Sharks last year. He joins Petr Svoboda as the veteran d-man on this club. Burr has been injured the last few seasons, and is only a good defensive forward at best. Guolla is an up and coming talent who could eventually pair with Vincent Lecavlier.

RANFORD RETURNS TO OLD STOMPING GROUNDS BY SIGNING WITH OILERS; BODGER SIGNS WITH CANUCKS
Bill Ranford, who was with the Oilers for several years in the '80's and '90's, has signed back with his former team to back up Tommy Salo. Ranford spent last year with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Detroit Red Wings. He was released by the Wings in June, and took the opportunity to return to Edmonton. In other free agent news Doug Bodger, most recently of the L.A. Kings, has signed a one year deal with the Vancouver Canucks.

THRASHERS CONTINUE TO ADD VETERANS THROUGH FREE AGENCY AS THEY SIGN FERRARO
The Atlanta Thrashers, looking for some more veteran leadership and a possible boost on the offensive side of the puck have signed veteran center Ray Ferraro to a 2 year deal. Ferraro, who spent last year with the Kings, although injured, has been a 20 goal scorer earlier on in his career. Atlanta is hoping he can return to his earlier form of a 20 goal scorer, which would greatly help their defensive minded team.

BLACKHAWKS REBUILDING PROJECT CONTINUES AS THEY SIGN WENDEL CLARK
Wendel Clark, one of the few big name free agents left on the market, signed a deal with the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks. The Hawks, who are looking to build on last year's disappointing season, have re-teamed Clark with former Maple Leaf teammate Doug Gilmour. Clark should be a big boost for the weak Chicago offense, and should take some of the scoring burden off Tony Amonte's shoulders.

ISLANDERS RESIGN FELIX "THE CAT" POTVIN TO 1 YEAR DEAL; ALSO INK HRKAC
The New York Islanders finally won the bidding war with goaltender Felix "The Cat" Potvin that had raged on for a few months. Potvin was seeking around $3.5 million a season from the Isles, but the team did not budge from its original price pf $2.7 million. Finally, Potvin, realizing he couldn't get a better deal, settled for a 1 year deal, making the same salary as he did last year. Potvin will be in goal this year while the Islanders take one more year to groom the world's top prospect, Roberto Luongo. In other free agent news for the Islanders, they signed former Dallas Star and Edmonton Oiler forward Tony Hrkac to a free agent deal. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

THE DOMINATOR, DOMINIK HASEK, TO RETIRE AFTER '99-'00 SEASON
In a surprising move, the best goalie in the NHL right now, Dominik Hasek, has announced his retirement, effective after this upcoming season. Hasek, arguably one of the best netminders ever to play the game, became the only goalie to win back to back Hart Trophies (league's most valuable player award) in consecutive years ('97-'98). Hasek has also won five Vezina trophies (best goaltender), three in the last 3 years. He has won a gold medal in the Olympics with the Czech Republic and led the Buffalo Sabres to the Stanley Cup Finals last season, only to be beaten by a controversial goal by Brett Hull in the series' 6th game. Hasek cited his reasons for retiring because he wanted his children (Michael, 9, and Dominika, 4) to grow up in the Czech Republic and learn more about their Czech heritage. We will miss you, Dominator!!!

DALE HUNTER...PLEASE TAKE A SEAT
Dale Hunter, mostly known for his career as a Washington Capital, is set to announce his retirement Thursday. Hunter, who was traded late last season to Colorado, spent 12 out of the 19 seasons of his career with Washington. He finished his career with 323 goals and 697 assists for 1,020 points and 3,565 penalty minutes in 1,407 games. We will miss you, Dale.

CAPITALS SIGN FORMER ISLANDER SACCO, RESIGN EAGLES
The Washington Capitals looking to bolster their defense from the forward position did so in 2 ways when they signed defensive specialist, formerly of the Islanders, Joe Sacco and resigned 4th line centerman Mike Eagles. Sacco is primarily a defensive forward and penalty killer with not much offensive skill at all. He has scored 79 goals in 9 years in the league, less than 9 a season. He netted only 3 goals last year for the Islanders.

RANGERS GRAB TORTORELLA TO BE ASSISTANT COACH
John Tortorella, who was an assitant coach for 4 years under John Muckler in Buffalo, rejoined Muckler as an assistant coach for the New York Rangers. The Rangers had been busy all off-season, but needed one more hole to fill when former assistant Craig MacTavish went back to Edmonton to be an assistant there. Tortorella was passed over for the Coyotes head coaching vacancy after being an assistant coach there for several years.

BRUINS SIGN FORMER DEVIL ANDREYCHUK
The Boston Bruins, looking for some veteran help along the wings to help along Sergei Samsonov, Cameron Mann, and Joe Thornton, have inked veteran winger Dave Andreychuk to a 1 year contract. Andreychuk is 36 and player last year with the New Jersey Devils. He has also spent time with the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs during his long, illustrious career.

CANUCKS SIGN SEDIN TWINS, HENRIK AND DANIEL
The Canucks looking to start the major restructuring of the floundering franchise took a big step towards that goal by signing the #2 and #3 picks in this year's draft Henrik and Daniel Sedin to multi-year contracts. Terms of the deals were not disclosed. The Sedins will likely return home to play for MoDo of the Swedish Elite League before coming to the NHL, possibly in 2000-2001.

LEAFS RESIGN YOUNGSTERS McCAULEY, JOHNSON
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed two vital parts to their future when they inked young center Alyn McCauley and young winger Mike Johnson. Both have had good seasons in their first 2 years in the NHL, and have tremendous potential.

STARS TELL VERBEEK, LUDWIG TO FIND NEW HOMES FOR '99-'00 SEASON
The Dallas Stars have told veteran forward Pat Verbeek, a key component to last year's Stanley Cup Champs, and defenseman Craig Ludwig, that they will not be asked back for next season. This statement likely comes because of the Stars' inflated payroll, which cannot afford to pay Verbeek the hefty short-term contract that he is looking for. Ludwig became expendable when the Stars acquired young blueliner Jamie Pushor from the Thrashers.

THRASHERS SIGN TAMER AND EMERSON TO JOIN EXPANSION CORPS
The Atlanta Thrashers added some more toughness to their squad by signing restricted free agent blueliner Chris Tamer. Tamer was selected in the expansion draft from the New York Rangers organization. He was originally acquired by the Blueshirts in the Petr Nedved trade with Pittsburgh. In other Thrasher free agent news, the club signed veteran winger Nelson Emerson, most recently of the Ottawa Senators. Emerson was dealt twice last year. He opened up the season in Carolina, but was traded in midseason to Chicago, where he thrived. He was then dealt at the trading deadline to Ottawa to help boost their playoff run. The plan backfired as Ottawa fell in the first round. Emerson immediately becomes the most proven goal scorer on this squad.

LEGACE INKS DEAL WITH WINGS TO BACKUP OSGOOD
Manny Legace, who made a name for himself in L.A. after all the Kings' other goalies went down, signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Red Wings. Legace was signed to replace Bill Ranford and Norm Maracle. Maracle was selected by Atlanta in the expansion draft and Ranford was given his outright release. Legace had a good season filling in for Stephane Fiset and Jamie Storr in Los Angeles. Detroit hopes he can duplicate that role while backing up Osgood.

SIMON TO REPORTEDLY RESIGN WITH CAPS
Chris Simon, the Capitals bruiser and tough guy, has reportedly agreed to return to the team for another season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Now Washington doesn't have to pursue another bruiser such as Tony Twist.

FLYERS RESIGN JONES TO 3 YEAR DEAL
The Philadelphia Flyers resigned scrappy forward Keith Jones to a 3 year deal. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Jones had a tremendous year for Philly, scoring 18 goals and gathering 31 assists while playing on the "Legion of Doom" line. He thrived after coming over from Colorado in an early season trade. Jones was a restricted free agent.

ULF DAHLEN RETURNS TO NHL AFTER SIGNING WITH CAPS
Ulf Dahlen, a NHL veteran winger, returned to the league by signing with the Washington Capitals. Dahlen has spent 10 years in the NHL with the Rangers, Stars, Sharks, and Blackhawks. He has spent the last 2 seasons in Sweden playing for Jonkoping. The Caps hope that Dahlen will bring some experience and depth to their frequently depleted squad.

SENS RE-SIGN PROSPAL TO MULTI-YEAR DEAL
In a lesser move the Ottawa Senators re-signed promising young center Vaclav "Vinny" Prospal to a multiyear contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Prospal missed a lot of the season with injury, but still managed to tally 10 goals and 26 assists.

CAPS ACQUIRE BILLINGTON TO BACKUP "GODZILLA" KOLZIG, 'LANCHE SIGN GUSAROV
The Colorado Avalanche kept sending their players away from Denver when they shipped long time, and serviceable backup goalie Craig Billington to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Future Considerations. Billington will take over the job that was held down by Rick Tabaracci last year. Tabaracci is a unrestricted free agent. The Avalanche likely made this trade because they have highly touted goaltender Marc Denis ready to come up and backup Patrick Roy this year. It also saves them some money, which they used to resign free agent d-man Alexei Gusarov. The Avs also signed Swedish prospects Samuel Pahlsson and Sanny Lindstrom.

RANGERS CONTINUE TO SPEND MOOLAH ON AVALANCHE PLAYERS BY SIGNING LEFEBVRE
In their 6th free agent signing of the summer, and their third from the Colorado Avalanche, the Rangers have inked veteran defenseman Sylvain Lefebvre to a 4 year, $10 million deal. Lefebvre joins his former teammates Theo Fleury and Valeri Kamensky in their cross-country exodus over the Rocky Mountains and into the Big Apple. Lefebvre, along with newly-signed Stephane Quintal, are expected to fill in for the recently retired Jeff Beukeboom. This signing almost ends all speculation that the Rangers will bring back Ulf Samuelsson, who was getting offers from Dallas before they acquired younger Jamie Pushor. The most likely destination right now for Samuelsson appears to be where he is currently stationed: Atlanta.

RANGERS' BEUKEBOOM RETIRES DUE TO CONCUSSIONS
The Rangers Jeff Beukeboom, who was plagued by concussions last year, has decided to retire. Beukeboom has played in the NHL for 15 years with Edmonton and the Rangers. To replace him the Rangers signed Stephane Quintal. There are also whispers that the Rangers will pursue the player they traded at the deadline last season, Ulf Samuelsson of the Atlanta Thrashers.

COYOTES SIGN GILL FROM WINGS, RESIGN SULLIVAN
The Coyotes looking to boost their defensive corps after trading Oleg Tverdovsky on draft day, have signed veteran Todd Gill, 33, who played last year for the Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues to a 2 year contract. Gill is joining his 5th team. He was previously with Toronto, San Jose, St. Louis, and Detroit. He is entering his 16th year in the league. The 'Yotes also resigned defensive specialist Mike Sullivan to two year deal as well.

THRASHERS MAKE TWO DEALS, SIGN KARLSSON
The Atlanta Thrashers made two trades to acquire good, young forwards. In their first trade they dealt the first pick of their expansion draft, Jamie Pushor, to the Stanley Cup champion Dallas Stars for promising winger Jason Botterill. Botterill was highly coveted by the Rangers last year, but the Rangers weren't willing to ante up Adam Graves to get him. This is a good trade for the Thrashers brass. In the other trade the Thrashers acquired fast, young forward Martin Prochazka (PRO - has - kah) from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 6th round pick in 2001. The Thrashers are quietly putting together a good blend of both strong and fast and young and old players for their first season. They also signed Andreas Karlsson, whom they acquired on Expansion Draft day from Calgary.

RANGERS CONTINUE TO SPEND, SIGNING JAN HLAVAC AND FORMER BRUIN TIM TAYLOR
The New York Rangers, who have already shelled out over $49 million in free agent money have gotten yet another free agent to sign on the dotted line. Free agent checking line center Tim Taylor, long rumored to end up in New York, fills the Rangers need for a 4th line center that they desperately needed last year after Mike Eastwood was traded the year before. Taylor had spent two seasons in Beantown after coming over from Detroit in 1996-97. The deal was reported as a multi-year deal worth $1.4 million a season. The Rangers also threw some money the way of talented Czech winger Jan Hlavac, who was obtained from Calgary on draft day. Hlavac was originally drafted by the Islanders in '95. He had 33 goals in 49 games last year in the Czech Republic's league.

THRASHERS FINALLY NAME FRASER FIRST HEAD COACH
After a heated battle between former Edmonton coach Ron Low and Orlando Solar Bears (IHL) coach Curt Fraser for the inaugural coaching duties of the Atlanta Thrashers, Fraser has come out on top. The reason: Fraser has some ties with GM Don Waddell back in their days in Detroit. Fraser is the second straight coach to be promoted from the minors to take a job in the NHL. He will lead the Thrashers into their first season this year.

LIGHTNING KEEP CHANGING AS DEMERS FIRED; JERSEY NEXT?
Rick Dudley continued his reshaping of the Tampa Bay Lightning, the NHL's worst franchise over the last few years. Since being named GM over a month ago, Dudley has acquired key parts such as Dan Cloutier, Nicklas Sundstrom, Andreas Johansson, and 4 extra picks in the early rounds in next year's Entry Draft. However, Dudley felt the players weren't the only thing impeding Tampa's success. So Dudley fired coach/GM Jacques Demers, who had taken the Tampa job only 1 and 1/2 years ago. Demers made a plethora of trades during his "reign" in Tampa, none of which have seemed to help the team yet. His reshaping never worked out and as a result he is now gone. Replacing him as coach is Steve Ludzik ,who was coaching the Detroit Vipers, Tampa's farm system. Rumors also persist that the Lightning's traditional black, blue, silver, and white jerseys will go in favor of a more fierce representation of the stormy feature.

YZERMAN GETS EXTENSION FROM DETROIT, TURGEON RE-UPS WITH ST. LOUIS
The Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman has agreed to a new 3 year contract extension to stay with the team through the 2003-2004 season after which Yzerman will probably retire. Yzerman has been in the NHL for 16 years, all with the Wings. So the Wings showed their loyalty to him by signing him to this new deal. In other big free agent news, Pierre Turgeon has turned away all speculation and has signed a new 2 year contract with the St. Louis Blues. Many had rumored Turgeon to be heading to either Ottawa or Phoenix, but St. Louis decided he was too valuable to let slip away. It may have also been because the Blues realized that there were not many centers of Turgeon's caliber in this year's free agent crop, so they would've had trouble replacing him adequately. In other minor free agent news the Buffalo Sabres have reacquired former defenseman Doug Houda. Houda returns to upstate New York after tours with the Islanders, Ducks, and Red Wings.

FLORIDA SIGNS BLUELINER PITLICK TO MULTIYEAR CONTRACT
After much speculation that the defensive minded Lance Pitlick would land with either the Nashville Predators or the Montreal Canadiens, Pitlick ended up going South and signing with the Florida Panthers, who can use Pitlick to replace the traded Gord Murphy. Pitlick is a big upgrade because a) he is younger and b) because he is faster and more skilled than Murphy. Murphy was dealt to the Atlanta Thrashers in a package for goalie Trevor Kidd. Pitlick signed a 3 year deal worth $5.1 million to play in the Sunshine State.

RANGERS INK McLEAN TO FILL BACKUP GOALTENDER SPOT
The offseason spending spree of the New York Rangers just keeps going on. After trading highly-touted backup goalie Dan Cloutier to Tampa in a draft day deal that brought the Blueshirts Pavel Brendl, the Rangers were left without a proven backup. The most likely choice would have been rookie Johan Holmqvist, who will eventually take over for Mike Richter. However, the Rangers figured as long as they're spending money, why not go out a spend some more on a veteran backup. So they did that with veteran Kirk McLean (33), who spent last season with the Florida Panthers. McLean is currently going into his 13th year in the league, making him the second 13 year veteran to sign as a backup (Ken Wregget) in a week. Terms of the deal were undisclosed, although it is widely speculated that it is a multi-year deal.

CANUCKS BOOST FORWARDS CORPS BY SIGNING CASSELS
The Vancouver Canucks, in a long rumored deal, have signed free agent center Andrew Cassels to 3 year deal worth $7.5 million. The Canucks are slowly trying to ease back into contention and after their drafting of the Sedin Twins they presumably wanted to get someone besides Mark Messier to help tutor the young swedes. Cassels also adds another helpful dimension to the Canuck's offense: passing. Guys like Alexander Mogilny, Bill Muckhalt, and Daniel Sedin should up their goal scoring totals while getting tape to tape passes from Cassels.

ISLES NEARING NEW STADIUM DEAL
According to several sources, the New York Islanders are almost ready to complete a long awaited deal that would have them moving into a new arena in the year 2003. The Islanders have cited the incapability of Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum to effectively house a NHL franchise since the beginning of last season when they claimed the scoreboard was unsafe to play under. There are still a few sticking points, but for the most part the Islander's owners are finally taking a step in the right direction. The owners have all but agreed to finance the whole project ($200-300 million) as long as Nassau County a) gives the team all revenues and profits from the new stadium (i.e. parking, vending stands, ticket sales, etc.) and b) helps them buy out of their existing lease with SMG (Spectators Management Group). SMG has a lease on the Coliseum until 2015 and that is way too long for the Isles to wait. SMG already turned down a $15 million buyout offer by the Islanders and the team is hoping that Nassau County will ante up some more money to help them escape the lease. Stay Tuned for more information.

WREGGET TO DETROIT, ANDRUSAK SIGNS WITH TORONTO, B'S RESIGN TALLAS
In some minor moves the Detroit Red Wings adressed the vacancy in their backup goaltending spot by signing veteran goalie Ken Wregget. The Wings are Wregget's fifth team in 13 years. He has previously played for Toronto, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and most recently Calgary. Wregget fills the void left by Bill Ranford (released) and Norm Maracle (selected in Expansion Draft). In other minor moves the Toronto Maple Leafs signed former Penguins blueliner Greg Andrusak. Andrusak, who was drafted in '88, finally started to get regualr playing time in the NHL last year at the beginning of April. The Bruins re-inked youngster Robbie Tallas, hoping that he can eventually fill in for "Lord" Byron Dafoe.

FLEURY SIGNS WITH RANGERS
In a long anticipated deal the New York Rangers, who have missed the playoffs the last 2 seasons, made a bold and desperate move by inking the top free agent of this year's crop, Theoren Fleury, to what is reported to be a 3 year deal worth $21 million. That ranks the feisty Fleury as one of the highest paid in the game. This greatly increases the Rangers depth at forward and could ensure them a trip back to the post-season in the new millenium. In other minor free agent news the Toronto Maple Leafs resigned Gary Valk and then inked former Montreal Canadien Jonas Hoglund to contracts. Also former Oiler rookie goaltender Steve Passmore, who became expendable after the acquisition of Tommy Salo, signed a contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.

ISLES SIGN DEFENSEMAN JAMIE HEWARD AND FORWARD CHRIS FERRARO
The Islanders, in an extremely rare occurence, spent some money. Albeit not that much, but the Islanders ended up with 2 more young players to complement their core of pre-schoolers. The Islanders hope that Heward's hard shot and speed can contribute to Special Teams, while Ferraro can be a playmaker on the top 2 lines. This is another positive step in the rebuilding on Long Island.

KAMENSKY AND QUINTAL SIGN WITH RANGERS; FLEURY TO COME NEXT?
Today, the New York Rangers greatly strengthened the core of their team by inking key free agents Valeri Kamensky and Stephan Quintal to seperate deals. The Rangers made these moves on the part of desperation after missing the playoffs for the second straight year. Meanwhile, rumors persist that the Blueshirts will make a huge offer to prized free agent Theoren Fleury. Fleury, however, has said that he is skeptical about playing on the East Coast, which could open the door for the L.A. Kings and San Jose Sharks to negotiate a smaller deal that would keep Fleury on the West Coast.

ZAMUNER GOES TO SENATORS AS PART OF DUDLEY COMPENSATION
The Ottawa Senators acquired Tampa Bay captain and one of the best pure penalty killers, Rob Zamuner, in compensation for losing their GM Rick Dudley to the Lightning. Dudley became GM of Tampa a couple of weeks ago and their was quarreling over whether Ottawa would get Darcy Tucker or Rob Zamuner. In the end it was Zamuner, who is the older of the 2. Ottawa's Andreas Johansson was then sent to Tampa Bay in this "deal", along with a second round draft pick within the next 3 years (Tampa Bay decides), 3 consecutive pre-season games in Ottawa (?), and financial compensation. In my opinion, what is the point of trading the preseason games? I feel that Tampa comes out better, because besides only giving up Zamuner to get a quality GM, they get a great, young player in Johansson and some draft picks.

THRASHERS MAKE MYRIAD OF TRADES AT CONCLUSION OF EXPANSION DRAFT
According to www.atlantathrashers.com, the Atlanta Thrashers have made 8 additional moves following the expansion draft. The trades are as follows: The Thrashers acquired veteran Gord Murphy, and youngsters Herbert Vasilyev and Daniel Tjarnqvist along with Ottawa's sixth round draft pick (acquired by Florida) in exchange for goaltender Trevor Kidd. This trade comes as no surprise after the Thrashers announced they would trade a few of their 4 goaltenders. It appears that the goalie tandem for Atlanta will be Damian Rhodes and Norm Maracle. The Thrashers then replaced Kidd with youngster Scott Langkow, who was acquired from Phoenix for future considerations. The Thrashers then acquired the following 4 players all for future considerations: Detroit's Ulf Samuelsson, New Jersey's Sergei Vshedkevich, Calgary's Andreas Karlsson, and Buffalo's Dean Sylvester. The Thrashers then traded their selection from Boston, Peter Ferraro, back to the B's for top prospect Randy Robitaille. The Thrashers completed the day by acquiring Vancouver's 4th and 9th round picks in this year's entry draft, also for future considerations.

BRUNETTE JOINS RHODES, BECOMING THRASHERS FIRST FORWARD
Today, right before the roster freeze for the expansion draft, the Atlanta Thrashers acquired former Washington Capital, Andrew Brunette, for a conditional pick in next year's draft. Brunette now has a chance to accomplish an extraordinary feat. Last year he scored the first goal in Predator's history. Now this year he'll have a chance to do the same for the Thrashers.

PALFFY IS NOW KING OF LA
As expected, Islander winger Ziggy Palffy was dealt to the LA Kings. Palffy, along with center Brian Smolinski, goalie Marcel Cousineau and a fourth-round draft pick, was traded to the LA Kings for center Olli Jokinen, left wing Josh Green, defenseman Mathieu Biron and Los Angeles' first-round draft pick, the eighth selection overall.

TUREK TURNING BLUE
In lesser news, the Stanley Cup Champion Dallas Stars dealt backup goaltender Roman Turek off to the St. Blues in exchange for a third round entry draft pick.

DEVILS SIGN RAFALSKI
The New Jersey Devils signed the best player not in the draft, 26 year old Brian Rafalski. Rafalski, who went to the University of Wisconsin, was the 4th best in the Finnish Elite league last year with 53 points (19 goals 34 assists).

RHETT WARRENER, PLEASE TAKE A SEAT
In tonights must win game for Buffalo, Rhett Warrener will not be playing due to an injured ankle. This will mean that Buffalo will have to bring up someone from the minors...not a good sign.

OTTAWA SWINGS A PAIR OF DEALS AS THRASHERS ACQUIRE RHODES
The Ottawa Senators, in a long rumored deal, have dealt 1/2 of their effective goaltending tandem, Damian Rhodes, to the expansion Atlanta Thrashers for Future Considerations. Rhodes is the second player that Atlanta has picked up in the last few days, but is probably the first player to go to the Thrashers that will actually play in the NHL next year. In another move, in order to address their backup goaltender issue, Ottawa dealt former Islander and Bruin forward Ted Donato and the rights to prospect Antti-Jussi Niemi to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks for former Pittsburgh goalie Patrick Lalime.

VANCOUVER SIGNS MICHAUD
The Vancouver Canucks signed goalie Alfie Michaud. Michaud, the MVP of last years final four, helped lead the Maine Black Bears to an NCAA championship. Terms of the contract were not released.

PALFFY DEAL OFF
According to ESPN.com, the bidding for Islanders star winger Zigmund Palffy has reopened. Reports say that although the league would approve the Islander-Ranger deal, the Islanders are not ready to do the deal because they do not have guarantees from Cablevision (owner of the Rangers) that all their games will be shown on TV next year. THey also want help from Cablevision to fund a new arena. However, on the other hand the Kings package was refuted by the league office because, according to Gary Bettman, the Islanders need to acquire some players for Palffy who could help them in the immediate future and are bonafide NHL players.

ZEHR SIGNED BY BRUINS
The Islanders (br)ass has struck again. This time they have released promising prospect Jeff Zehr, who was the 31st overall pick in the 1997 draft. The Bruins immediately snatched him up. Zehr is big and has good hands and could be a nice fit for the B's. Rumors persist that the Islanders have also released their 6th round pick in '97, Jarrett Smith.

BOISVERT BECOMES FIRST THRASHER
The Atlanta Thrashers have signed the first player in the new era of Atlanta hockey. The signee is Ohio State center Hugo Boisvert, who has just completed his junior season. Boisvert, although unknown to many outside the Ohio Valley region, has plenty of potential according to the Thrashers.

LOWE NAMED OILERS COACH
The Edmonton Oilers have named Kevin Lowe head coach only weeks after Ron Low stepped down. This will now take away speculation of Lowe's coaching of the expanision Atlanta Thrashers.

DEVILS DUMP VETS
On July 1, 1999, Devils veterans Bobby Carpenter and David Andreychuk become free agents and were recently told by GM Lou Lamoriello that they would not be offered new contracts.

HOLMGREN NAMED ASSISTANT GM OF PHILLY
Paul Holmgren has been named assistant general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers and Barry Hanrahan assistant to the president GM Bob Clarke said Monday.

WAYNE GRETZKY INTO HALL OF FAME
Come November 20, 1999, the greatest hockey player of all time, Wayne Gretzky, will be inducted into the NHL Hall Of Fame in Toronto.

BOBBY FRANCIS HOWLING
Bobby Francis, a Boston Bruins assistant, will be the next coach of the Phoenix Coyotes, according to media reports. The Coyotes declined Monday to comment on the reports, but confirmed that Phoenix assistant John Tortorella, considered the front-runner, would not be offered the job.

ANDY MURRAY NAMED HEAD COACH OF KINGS
Andy Murray, a former NHL assistant coach, was named the new coach of the LA Kings. Murray will have the honor of coaching the Kings in their inaugaral season of the new Staples Center.