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Archive for September, 2010

Mikael Samuelsson Prepared For Modified Schedule

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

The numerous shuttles have not gone unnoticed by the players, who usually look pretty closely at the schedule early, then go through most of the season without even knowing half the time who the next opponent is. At that point, once they get into the cadence of playing, all they want to know is when the next bus or flight is leaving.

“I looked at it and yeah, I noticed it was really different from last year,” says veteran forward Mikael Samuelsson, who — turning 34 in December — might notice the frequency of trips more than some of the younger guys. “But you know with us players, there’s nothing we can do about it no matter what we say or do. It’s what we live with and it can’t be changed. You have to accept it no matter what it says in any year. You just try to keep yourself in the best possible shape to play the games as they come.”

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Johan Hedberg ready to make Devils debut against Flyers

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

Every goaltender who signs with the Devils as a backup believes he will be the one who finally cuts Martin Brodeur’s workload and keeps the future Hall of Famer fresh for the playoffs.

Johan Hedberg is no different. But when he is asked how many games he expects toplay this season if Brodeur remains healthy, Hedberg cannot answser.

“I have no idea what the numbers will be,” he said. “I just want to come in and prove to them that they can use me as much as they need to. Whenever they feel they want to give Marty a rest, I can be very reliable for them.

“I want to play. I’ve always wanted to play. I realize what kind of situation we’re in. I wouldn’t say we’re competing for the No. 1 job. That’s not the case. But it’s a long season and you never know what’s going to happen. So you always have to be ready for whatever situation you’re going to be in.”

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Ilya Kovalchuk Aside, Devils Landed Another Key Free Agent, Anton Volchenkov

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

Ilya Kovalchuk wasn’t the only free agent the Devils pursued with tenacity this summer.

They needed to rebuild their defense corps and wasted no time getting Anton Volchenkov and Henrik Tallinder, locking up both veterans on the first day of free agency.

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Jay Grossman on SB Nation’s Rink Side Radio With Joe Fortunto

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

This week (September 20, 2010) Joe & Rink Side Radio are joined by special guest President and Player Agent Jay Grossman of PuckAgency, LLC.

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Anton Babchuk Enters Camp Lean And Mean, Brings Physicality To Team

Monday, September 20th, 2010

Maurice had specific praise for defenseman Anton Babchuk, who appeared leaner from his first day in town and backed that up with his performance on the ice. Along with fellow blue-liner Tim Gleason, he was responsible for a few big hits that are seldom seen from veteran players this early in camp.

“He was one of the guys that brought a certain physicality and definitely an intensity,” said Maurice of Babchuk, who spent last season playing in Russia. “He’s worked hard, because he was in good shape and was able to drive right through that practice and close the gap.

“I think we all remember the last two and a half months of his regular season when he was here that he and (Joni) Pitkanen made a great pair and played against the other team’s best, and that was the best hockey I had seen,” Maurice continued. “Watching him in practice today, he looks even more powerful than he was then and more confident.”

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Shirokov knows score this time

Monday, September 20th, 2010

Sergei Shirokov has an iPad, dry sense of humour and better command of the English language.

If his game matches the grasp of technology and delivery of one-liners, then the Russian winger might upstage the show he put on one year ago.

Shirokov led the Vancouver Canucks in preseason scoring but was a deer in the headlights in the quicker pace of the regular season.

Dispatched to the Manitoba Moose after just three pointless outings, the point of the exercise was to get Shirokov’s game to a place where he would be as responsible without the puck as potentially dangerous with it.

And along the way, acclimatizing to the North American lifestyle would put him in a better position to stick with the Canucks this season. So far, so good.

“I’m excited about this year,” Shirokov said Sunday, knowing that a second-line spot with Ryan Kesler and Mason Raymond is dangling like a carrot. “I think it is a little bit easier because last year I never know guys in camp or how hard the practice and this year I know what I need to do on the ice. I now know a lot of new words and I like to joke sometimes. And I know how to play hockey here because they play the same system in Manitoba.”

Despite bouts of inconsistency with the Moose, the 24-year-old Moscow native amassed 22 goals and 45 points in 76 games — finishing third in AHL rookie goals and ninth in points — and his speed and strength seem suited for the NHL. But it’s up to Shirokov and he knows it.

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Contract rejection didn’t tempt Ilya Kovalchuk to sign with another NHL team

Friday, September 17th, 2010

There was never any chance that Ilya Kovalchuk would negotiate with another NHL team after his initial 17-year, $102 million contract with the Devils was rejected by the league and an arbitrator declared him an unrestricted free agent again.

But there was the thought of playing in Russia’s Kontinetal Hockey League.

“I told Lou (Lamoriello) right away the only team I want to play for in the NHL was New Jersey,” said Kovalchuk, who arrived in New Jersey Thursday night and took his physical today along with the team’s veterans.

“They’re the only team we were talking to after that. I told my agent it’s not going to be fair to anybody the way Mr. Vanderbeek and Lou treated me. It wouldn’t be fair if I talked to someone else and we found a way.”

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Nashville Predators Goalie Pekka Rinne finds peace in contract, starting job

Friday, September 17th, 2010

There’s a bit of a difference with Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne going into training camp this year. He’s a bit more joyful, more relaxed.

There are no distractions. He doesn’t have Dan Ellis nipping at his heels for the No. 1 goalie spot. An Olympic decision does not loom, and he has the security of a new two-year contract.

For the first time, Rinne will begin the season as Nashville’s unquestioned starting goaltender. The hope is that without disturbances, he will flash the form he showed at the end of last season, when he led the Predators into the playoffs and almost past the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Predators open camp today with physicals and off-ice testing. Practices start Saturday.

“You feel like this is your team,” Rinne said. “I’ve spent two years here. That brings the feeling that people want me to play here and I want to stay here. It’s a different situation than last year.”

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Agents Grossman, Pulver Discuss Ilya Kovalchuk Deal on OTR

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

NHL player agent Ian Pulver, speaking on Off The Record with Michael Landsberg on Wednesday, disagreed that Ilya Kovalchuk‘s original 17-year, $102 million contract should have been rejected by the NHL.

“In the collective agreement there is no limit or term in the length of a contract,” said Pulver, who represents Mike Cammalleri among other players. “If there was no bad faith dealing, and there was no bad faith dealing here, then I think (Kovalchuk’s agent) Jay Grossman was following the rules that were put before him”.

Pulver and Grossman appeared on OTR and discussed the deal that was rejected and which cost the New Jersey Devils a $3 million fine from the NHL and the loss of two draft picks for circumventing the salary cap.

“The NHL won the arbitration, so clearly from that standpoint it gave them a platform,” said Grossman.

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