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Fantasy Updates
 Hudler shockingly leaves NHL
Jiri Hudler, LW DET
News: Jiri Hudler's days in Detroit are over -- at least for now. Hudler's contract with Dynamo Moscow was filed Thursday with the Continental Hockey League (KHL), according to a league spokesman, meaning he will play next season in the same league as former star Sergei Fedorov. "It's a testament to the perception that players have of the KHL as a viable option, from both a competitive and a career growth standpoint -- not to mention from a financial standpoint," said Shawn McBride, the KHL's North American spokesman. Hudler's two-year deal could be worth up to $5 million per season, according to the Detroit Free Press. Hudler made $1.15 million with the Red Wings last season and he reportedly turned down a Red Wings offer of $3 million for up to five years. Hudler, 25, and his agent, Petr Svoboda, did not return messages left Thursday. Neither did Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, who told the Detroit News this week that the team would go through arbitration with Hudler in order to retain his rights should Hudler return to the NHL. Hudler, a restricted free agent, filed for salary arbitration with the NHL on Sunday.
Analysis: Hudler's deal comes roughly a year after Nashville Predators forward Alexander Radulov bolted from the last year of his contract for a deal with then-KHL champion Salavat Yulayev Ufa. Radulov's deal raised hackles in the NHL but no formal agreement has been hammered out between the two leagues to handle players who wish to sign between them. "There's been a gentleman's agreement in place to not pursue situations like Radulov but this is a different situation," McBride said. "As a result of there not being a formal transfer agreement there are not bylaws or any binding legal parameters that have been outlined." NHL spokesman Frank Brown wrote in an e-mail that the NHL believes Hudler "remains contractually obligated to the Detroit Red Wings." Like the Radulov situation, this could drag on with no resolution in sight. As of now, however, Hudler is not going to play in the NHL in 2009-10 and should be removed from your Draft Day plans. Hudler had a breakout season in 2008-09 with a career-high 23 goals, 34 assists and 57 points. He would have been a low-end Fantasy flier.
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 Hedman already under contract
Victor Hedman, D TB
News: The Tampa Bay Lightning signed defenseman Victor Hedman to a standard, three-year rookie contract on Thursday. Hedman was the second overall pick in June's entry draft. He was rated as the top European player and one of the top two players overall available in the draft by NHL Central Scouting. Tampa Bay general manager Brian Lawton said in a statement that the team was happy to get Hedman signed so that the rookie could focus on his development.
Analysis: Hedman spent the 2008-09 season with MoDo of the Swedish Elite League. He had seven goals and 21 points in 43 games. Hedman not might be a physical defender, but he uses his 6-6 frame to his advantage. He has great stick work and has a unique combination of size and speed. Hedman is good at moving the puck up ice and also has a hard slap shot. Tampa Bay really needs some help on their blue line, so it won't be a surprise to see Hedman in uniform in 2009-10. Still, it's very tough for a rookie defenseman to experience great offensive success in his first season. Hedman will merely be a late-round Fantasy flier in deeper formats and a must-have in long-term keeper leagues.
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Rangers add another forward in Kotalik
Ales Kotalik, LW EDM
News: The Rangers continued their offseason frenzy Thursday by signing free-agent forward Ales Kotalik. Terms of the deal were not released. Kotalik's signing comes days after the Rangers have already inked Marian Gaborik, Brian Boyle, Christopher Higgins, Tyler Arnason and Donald Brashear to contracts.
Analysis: The Rangers have been one of the few teams that have been extremely active in the offseason. Getting a player like Kotalik should help in the offensive makeover, especially on the power play. Kotalik has a heavy shot and has been a power-play specialist for years. He split the 2008-09 season between Buffalo and Edmonton. He had 20 goals (nine power play) and 43 points in 75 games. Kotalik has just one 60-point season in his career and is usually good for about 30-40. He remains more of a low-end Fantasy flier Draft Day.
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Parse re-signs with the Kings
Scott Parse, RW LA
News: The Kings signed forward Scott Parse to a one-year contract Thursday. Financial terms of the deal were not released.
Analysis: Parse had 39 points (15 goals) in 74 games with Manchester of the AHL last season. He has yet to make his NHL debut and has dropped all the way down to the ECHL at one point. Parse is merely organizational depth and can be ignored in Fantasy.
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Grantham ready for pro career
Ryley Grantham, C CGY
News: The Flames signed free-agent forwards Carsen Germyn and Ryley Grantham to contracts Thursday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Analysis: The 6-4, 210-pound Grantham was a sixth-round selection in the 2008 NHL draft. He split the 2008-09 season between Moose Jaw and Kelowna of the WHL (juniors). He helped Kelowna pick up the WHL championship. Grantham is pretty much a checking-line forward and will likely have to report to the AHL to begin his career. Ignore him in Fantasy.
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Flames keep Germyn in organization
Carsen Germyn, RW CGY
News: The Flames signed free-agent forwards Carsen Germyn and Ryley Grantham to contracts Thursday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Analysis: Germyn was first in assists (47) and second in scoring (60 points) with Quad City Flames (AHL) last season. He last appeared in the NHL in 2006-07 with the Flames and has made just four appearances in his career, with no points. Germyn is just organizational depth and can be ignored in Fantasy.
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Petiot signs on with Chicago
Richard Petiot, D TB
News: The Blackhawks signed defenseman Richard Petiot to a one-year deal Thursday. Financial terms of the contract were not released.
Analysis: Petiot finally returned to the NHL in 2008-09 after coming to Tampa Bay in a trade deadline deal with the Maple Leafs. Petiot had three assists and 21 penalty minutes in 11 games late in the season. The Blackhawks are stacked along the blue line, so Petiot might have to spend a ton of time in the minors. He has little to no Fantasy value until further notice.
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Carolina bring in defender Harrison
Jay Harrison, D TOR
News: The Hurricanes signed defenseman Jay Harrison to a one-year, two-way contract Thursday. "Jay is a big defenseman who has been a depth player in the Toronto system since turning professional," assistant GM Jason Karmanos said. "His size and experience should allow him to compete for a roster spot with the Hurricanes next season."
Analysis: Harrison split the 2008-09 season between Zug of the Swiss National League and the Toronto Maple Leafs. He had six goals and 15 points in 41 games with Zug and one assist in seven games with Toronto. Harrison doesn't have great offensive skills and has a better track record of racking up penalty minutes. If he makes the Hurricanes, Harrison will pretty much just be a flier in leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
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Ellis renews with Sabres for a year
Matt Ellis, LW BUF
News: The Sabres re-signed forward Matt Ellis to a one-year deal Thursday. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Analysis: Ellis had a career-high seven goals and 12 points in 45 games with the Sabres in 2008-09. He has pretty much just bounced around as a lower-line forward and has little to no Fantasy appeal.
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Boynton heads to West Coast
Nick Boynton, D FLA
News: The Ducks signed free agent defenseman Nick Boynton to a one-year deal Thursday. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Analysis: The 30-year-old Boynton will be in his 10th NHL season in 2009-10, having played 505 career NHL games with Boston, Phoenix and Florida. He spent last season with the Panthers, scoring 21 points (five goals) with 91 penalty minutes and a plus-7 rating in 68 games. However, Boynton got into coach Peter DeBoer's doghouse late in the season and didn't see a ton of PT down the stretch. He gets a fresh start with Anaheim but still remains more of a low-end Fantasy defenseman. He also has value in Fantasy leagues that reward heavily for PIM.
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Sakic steps away after 20 years
Joe Sakic, C COL
News: Longtime Colorado Avalanche captain Joe Sakic is officially retiring after 20 seasons and two Stanley Cup titles. The 40-year-old Sakic has been the face of the franchise since the team moved to Denver in 1995. He will formally announce his retirement plans at a 3 p.m. EDT news conference on Thursday. Known for his lethal wrist shot and precision passing, Sakic leaves the game among the NHL's career scoring leaders. He's eighth in points (1,641), 11th in assists (1,016) and 14th in goals (625). Sakic's No. 19 sweater will also be retired, getting raised to the Pepsi Center rafters during a ceremony at the season opener, which is not yet scheduled. It will be just the third sweater retired in the 14-year history of the Avalanche, joining Patrick Roy (33) and Ray Bourque (77). The organization also retired four sweaters when they were the Quebec Nordiques. "It is appropriate and deserving that we launch the season by honoring Joe's accomplishments," Avalanche president Pierre Lacroix said in a statement. "We can't put into words what he meant to this franchise and to our hockey fans."
Analysis: Sakic was regarded as a quiet superstar, known for his clutch scoring -- tallying an NHL-record eight overtime goals in the playoffs -- and his class. He captured the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship in 2001, showing his true character by handing the Stanley Cup over to Bourque after winning the title and letting the longtime defenseman skate it around the ice. Over the last two years Sakic has been riddled with injuries. He missed most of the 2008-09 season with an aching back that required surgery to repair a herniated disk. He also damaged three fingers on his left hand in a snow-blower accident. Sakic tried to make his way back onto the ice before the end of the season, but his body didn't cooperate. He departs with an impressive resume. Sakic wore the captain's "C" for 16 straight seasons, making him the second-longest serving captain in league history. He guided the team to Stanley Cup titles in 1996 and 2001, won league MVP honors in 2001, was a 13-time All-Star and led Team Canada to an Olympic gold medal in 2002. "After having the privilege of playing for 20 years, I'm leaving the game of hockey with nothing but great memories and a sense of accomplishment," Sakic said. "The game has given me more than I ever dreamed of, and for that I am truly grateful."
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Koivu flees Montreal for Anaheim
Saku Koivu, C MON
News: Saku Koivu has left the Montreal Canadiens after 13 seasons to join the Anaheim Ducks. The two-time All-Star center, who turns 35 in November, signed a one-year deal Wednesday. Koivu was Montreal's captain for nearly 10 years, tying Jean Beliveau for longest-serving in the team's 100-year history. He had 191 goals, 450 assists and 623 penalty minutes with the Canadiens, the only team Koivu has played for during his NHL career. "Saku Koivu's character and leadership qualities are unquestioned," Ducks general manager Bob Murray said. "He is a skilled playmaker and we are thrilled to add him to our team."
Analysis: Koivu reached the 600-point milestone with a goal against Florida in October. He had 16 goals and 34 assists in 65 games last season. He has recorded 40 or more assists in five of the last six seasons and surpassed 50 points in the last six consecutive seasons. "I'm very excited to join the Ducks this coming season," said Koivu, who helped Finland win an Olympic silver medal in 2006. "I'm also looking forward to a full season with Teemu Selanne as a teammate." It's very interesting that Koivu wants to head to Anaheim since he will be at best a second-line center behind Ryan Getzlaf. It seems playing with Selanne was a big draw. The Ducks have enough talented wingers to keep Koivu active on the ice, but with Getzlaf ahead of him on the depth chart, 40 assists could be a stretch. Consider Koivu more of a No. 4 or No. 5 Fantasy forward Draft Day.
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'The Monster' chasing Toskala
Jonas Gustavsson, G TOR
News: The Maple Leafs have landed "The Monster." Toronto has nabbed coveted Swedish free agent goalie Jonas Gustavsson with a one-year contract on Tuesday. The 24-year-old netminder, nicknamed "The Monster," was also heavily pursued by Dallas, San Jose and Colorado. "Jonas is considered by many to be the best goaltender not playing in the NHL today," Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke said in a statement. "He has a unique combination of size and agility and we're excited to add a player with his potential to our roster." The 6-foot-3 Gustavsson, expected to be the backup to Maple Leafs starting goalie Vesa Toskala, led Farjestads in the Swedish Elite League last season to a championship after allowing just 14 goals in 13 playoff games with five shutouts. "He's not coming in trying to unseat a guy who has been here a long time, has a long-term contract and has had a lot of success," Burke said. "That being said, we were very frank with Jonas that we feel Vesa is going to have a big-time, bounce-back year now that he's healthy. Don't think you're going to walk in here and knock this kid out of the net. You're going to have to do something to do that."
Analysis: Toskala played in 53 games last season with Toronto, going 22-17. He posted a 3.26 goals-against average with one shutout and .891 save percentage. But he underwent season-ending hip surgery in March and missed Toronto's final 18 regular-season games. Toskala is entering the final year of his contract with the Leafs and is slated to earn $4 million. At worst, Burke figures that Gustavsson will play behind Toskala and serve as a solid insurance policy should he get hurt again. "He's a butterfly goaltender that also has superb athletic ability and can make athletic saves," Burke said. Gustavsson registered four shutouts with a league-leading 1.96 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage in 42 games for Farjestads in 2008-09. Gustavsson also played for Sweden at the world championship, posting a 3-2 record with a 2.83 GAA and a .914 save percentage in helping his team to the bronze medal. Toskala still remains a low-end No. 2 Fantasy goalie Draft Day, but his owners might want to grab Gustavsson as an handcuff option. Gustavsson definitely has sleeper potential heading into 2009-10. Continue to treat the Maple Leafs TG as a low-end Fantasy option until Toronto turns around their fortunes.
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Dallas trades for goalie Auld
Alex Auld, G OTT
News: The Dallas Stars have filled their big need for a backup goalie, getting Alex Auld from the Ottawa Senators. The Senators had a logjam at the position, so they were willing to give up Auld for merely a sixth-round pick in 2010. The selection actually belongs to San Jose, having been acquired for Dallas' seventh-rounder at this year's draft. The Stars didn't pursue any veteran NHL free-agent goalies because they were in the sweepstakes for coveted Swedish free agent Jonas Gustavsson. Gustavsson chose Toronto on Tuesday, and new Dallas general manager Joe Nieuwendyk went to Plan B on Wednesday. "Alex is a proven NHL veteran with a track record of success in this league," Nieuwendyk said. "He has size and ability, and we expect him to be an excellent goaltender for us."
Analysis: The 6-foot-4, 223-pound goalie has played in 183 NHL games in his career with Vancouver, Florida, Phoenix, Boston and Ottawa. He has a 74-75-25 career mark with six shutouts, a .905 save percentage and a 2.76 goals-against average. Auld was 16-18-7 with a 2.47 GAA, .911 save percentage and one shutout in 43 games for the Senators last season. Auld will help ease the load on Marty Turco, who played 74 games last year, including a franchise-record 32 straight. The Stars are hoping that using Turco less will help keep him fresh. New Dallas coach Marc Crawford certainly knows what he's getting, having coached Auld for several seasons in Vancouver. Auld broke into the NHL under Crawford in 2001-02 and played in four playoff games over the next two seasons. He was the club's MVP in 2005-06. Consider Auld a No. 3 Fantasy goalie or handcuff option for Turco owners Draft Day. The Stars TG is more of a No. 2 option.
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Stars give Fistric three-year deal
Mark Fistric, D DAL
News: The Stars re-signed defenseman Mark Fistric to a three-year, $3 million contract Wednesday. "Mark made some great strides with his game last season, both here in Dallas as well as with the Manitoba Moose," general manager Joe Nieuwendyk. "He is a big, physical presence with a great deal of potential, and he'll be counted upon to solidify our blue line for the next three seasons."
Analysis: Fistric has totaled no goals and six assists in 73 games with the Stars in his career. He had four assists in 36 games last season. The 2004 first-round pick has had a slow maturation to the NHL, but he was never touted as a top offensive prospect so he has little to no Fantasy appeal.
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Bickell, Hawks finalize contract
Bryan Bickell, LW CHI
News: The Blackhawks agreed to terms with forward Bryan Bickell on a one-year contract Wednesday.
Analysis: Bickell has not appeared in the NHL since 2007-08. He spent all of 2008-09 with Rockford of the AHL. The 2004 second-round pick totaled six goals and 14 points in 42 games. He is merely organizational depth and can be ignored in Fantasy.
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