Avs re-sign Liles and Foote

From TSN:

Sources tell TSN that Liles and the Colorado Avalanche have agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth an average of slightly more than $4 million per year.

Liles was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday. The deal is likely to be formally announced Monday.It's also expected the Avalanche will announce then that they have also re-signed Foote.

Sources tell TSN Foote's deal is believed to be for two years and a total of $6 million, or $3 million per year.

Read more about the signings here.

Foote's deal is reasonable in both term and salary. The Avs really had no choice but to re-sign him after giving away a first round pick to secure his services at the deadline. That being said, he is still a solid stay-at-home defenseman, who is a strong voice in the dressing room.

As for Liles, his contract seems reasonable as well. Liles is just entering some of his prime years, so his four year deal is a perfect amount of time. Additionally, $4 million per season is about what defensemen of his skill-level are making.

Good work by Francois Giguere and Co.

Foote a shoe-in to re-sign with Avalanche?

From Adrian Dater of the Denver Post:

I talked to Adam Foote’s agent today, Rick Curran. I didn’t write a story about it for the print edition, because I don’t think it was too newsworthy, and because I think it’s a foregone conclusion Foote will be back. Curran said he and the Avs have had some talks already, but didn’t expect a deal until at least by or after next weeked’s draft in Ottawa.

Read the short entry from All Things Avs here.

Dater is close to the situation, so when he says he thinks it's a foregone conclusion that Foote re-signs, it most likely is.

A deal makes sense from both sides. Foote is still a very dependable defensive defenseman and the Avalanche could certainly use his leadership and defensive ability on their blue line.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

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6. The Vladimir Konstantinov trial begins today in Michigan.
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15. Terry Jones touts Steve Yzerman for the Team Canada job in 2010.
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17. In related news, Rick Nash has joined Team Canada.
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21. Everything you ever wanted to know about hockey hair.
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23. A look at Manitoba Moose forward Michael Grabner.
24. Dr. Larry Lauer explains the best psychological approach to a Game 7.
25. More Stanley Cup history from Greatest Hockey Legends.

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3. An interesting article from the National Post as to why Michael Nylander didn't sign in Edmonton.
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25. Kristian Huselius wins $1 million on a horse bet.

NHL Morning Papers: Playoff Teams (Wednesday Edition)

Here are the morning papers for the Western Conference playoff match ups:

Detroit versus Nashville:

• Mike Babcock has demonstrated terrific composure when under pressure, writes Michael Rosenberg. The return of Michigan native David Legwand has caused headaches for the Red Wings, writes Helene St. James. Nashville coach Barry Trotz likes tough hockey and that is why he saw no problems with Niklas Kronwall's hit on Radek Bonk in Game 3.
• John Glennon of the Tennessean is wondering how the Predators will react in Game 4 after their comeback victory on Monday night. The return of David Legwand has really given the Predators the scoring depth they lacked to end the season.

San Jose versus Calgary:

• You could see the relief on Joe Thornton's face after he scored arguably the biggest goal of his NHL career last night. Thornton saved the series for the Sharks last night, writes Mark Purdy. To reference Evgeni Nabokov's post-game comments on Sunday, the boys became men on Tuesday night.
• Calgary only mustered a measly ten shots on net last night, writes George Johnson. The intensity of last night's game was apparent from the outset, writes Scott Cruickshank. The remaining best-of-three series will be decided by which team's stars want it most, opines Eric Francis.

Minnesota versus Colorado:

• Don't count Michael Russo of the Star Tribune among those surprised by the Wild's letdown game last night. Jacques Lemaire did not hold back from blaming his defensemen for their poor play on Tuesday. Apparently controversial Denver Post columnist Mark Kiszla was forecasting the future for the Wild, writes Patrick Reusse.
• The Avalanche took control of yesterday's game early on, writes Adrian Dater. Woody Paige was not impressed with the Wild's pity violence to end Game 4. If the Avalanche want to win this series, they need more from Paul Stastny, opines Terry Frei.

Anaheim versus Dallas:

• With all the pressure squarely on their shoulders, the Ducks came out with a dominating first period in Dallas and went on to a 4-2 victory. You can't put a price on experience, writes Mark Whicker.
• The Stars came out with a very unimpressive performance in the first two periods last night, writes J.J. Taylor. Marty Turco put the onus on himself for not making some big saves early on. The Stars may have been able to pull off an impressive comeback had they been able to score on a four-minute power play in the third period.

The morning papers for teams that did not make the playoffs are soon to follow...

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com

NHL Morning Papers--Western Conference (Friday Edition)

Here are the Pacific Division morning papers:

• As if there was not enough bad blood between the two teams, the Sharks may be looking for revenge tonight in Anahiem for a hit that Chris Kunitz put on Jonathan Cheechoo last week.
• Joe Thornton earned his big salary last night with an impressive display of offense and defense, writes David Pollak. In injury news, Ryan Clowe is expected to return to the Sharks line up next week.
• Last night the Kings played about as complete of a game as they have in a while and recorded a 4-0 victory over the Coyotes, writes Dan Arritt.
• The Stars lost 3-2 in overtime at San Jose last night, but there were a lot of positives to take from Thursday's game, writes Mike Heika. In roster news, the Stars got Phillipe Boucher back in the team's line up last night.

**There were no Coyotes articles this morning**

Here are the Central Division morning papers:

• The Predators made two under-the-radar moves at the trade deadline and both moves have helped the team's playoff push, writes Jessica Hopp. Meanwhile, Dan Ellis is hoping he can avoid having IV fluids put into his body between periods.
• Here is a quick preview of the Blues/Wings game tonight courtesy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
• Expect Darren McCarty to play the same way he has always played when he starts his second tour of duty with the Wings tonight. Here is an injury update from Wings camp.
• The Blue Jackets are very much looking forward to taking on Jordin Tootoo and the Predators tonight, writes Tom Reed. Meantime, with the Jackets playing out the string, former Ducks prospect Clay Wilson is excited to be finally getting an opportunity at the NHL level. Here are the Jackets' projected lines for tonight's game versus Nashville.
• Chris Kuc makes a compelling argument for Patrick Sharp winning the Selke Trophy.

Here are the Northwest Division morning papers:

• The Wild's push for first place in the Northwest has seen the team receive production from unexpected sources, writes Kent Youngblood.
• Jim Vandermeer is making a lot of friends on the Flames bench with his willingness to do anything for the team. Recent healthy scratch Kristian Huselius does not know when he will be back in the team's line up.
• Canucks coach Alain Vigneault has issued a challenge to his team's veteran players and Ben Kuzma is looking forward to finding out whether Markus Naslund is up to the task.
• Dwayne Roloson gets the call in net tonight for the Oilers as they visit Denver. The Edmonton Journal tells Oilers fans which teams to hope for tonight.
• The Avalanche will be getting Adam Foote back in the line up tonight when they face the Oilers, writes Adrian Dater.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com

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