From Fluto Shinwaza of the Boston Globe:
Glen Murray, placed on unconditional waivers yesterday, was not claimed by any team prior to today's 12 p.m. deadline.
From Lowetide:
At 36 years old, Marius Czerkawski has decided to retire. The former Oiler (who is also connected to two teams Edmonton has often dealt with over the years, NYI and Boston) had been playing in Switzerland the last couple of seasons.
From Fluto Shinwaza of the Boston Globe:
"It was really, really difficult," said general manager Peter Chiarelli. "Muzz is a very good person. He meant a lot to the room. It's something where you have to make hard decisions in this new system. Being put on waivers, it means that if you get taken by somebody else, we're prepared to accept that, and that's not a very good thing to hear, especially for someone who's served the time he has with us. It was a hard decision.
"It's not written in stone that he'll be bought out, but it is a step toward that. It's unfortunate but it's part of the game."
From Fluto Shinwaza of the Boston Globe:
The Bruins have placed Glen Murray on unconditional waivers, the first step of the buyout process.
If Murray goes unclaimed and the Bruins complete the buyout, they will trim $2,766,667 from their 2008-09 cap hit, bringing their current number down to $55,469,999. They will carry Murray's remaining money of $1,383,333 on their 2009-10 payroll.
From Fluto Shinwaza of the Boston Globe:
An NHL source confirmed Sportsnet's report that Dennis Wideman has signed a new deal with the Bruins, avoiding the arbitration hearing scheduled for Aug. 1.
Wideman has signed a four-year extension, although the source couldn't confirm the amount of the defenseman's contract. GM Peter Chiarelli said there is no update on Wideman's contract.
From Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe:
No surprise, hockey also played a key role in determining Shawn's shift assignment that summer. So did fighting, then and now perhaps his No. 1 playing strength. The mill is a 24/7 operation, with many workers assigned three 12-hour shifts, followed by two days off, followed by three more 12-hour shifts. The young Thornton was eager to earn $21 an hour that summer, but not so eager to be left at the whim of the scheduler maker, who could choose between day and overnight shifts. Thornton much preferred a "straight days," Monday-Friday schedule, and was eager to sign on when his father presented him with that possibility. Only one hitch: He would have to fight for it.
"Not fight another guy at the mill," explained Thornton. "It was another player - Jeff Ware."
From Fluto Shinwaza of the Boston Globe:
GM Peter Chiarelli, on the other side of the continent on a fishing trip this week, is handling negotiations with Dennis Wideman. So the Bruins aren't expecting any agreement to take place -- if they can settle before arbitration -- until Chiarelli returns on Sunday.
From Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe:
"He's shopping it to his billionaire buddies," said one non-team source who deals on a regular basis with members of the Bruins' front office.
Not true. At least according to Charlie Jacobs, the family's point man on Causeway Street, and according to his father.
"I can say with great confidence that it's not on the market," said the junior Jacobs.
"My dad enjoys operating the team and having a say in what happens here, as do I."
From David Carrigg of the Vancouver Province:
Young NHL star Milan Lucic's prized Memorial Cup ring and several valuable tournament watches were stolen from his Vancouver home Thursday.
Milan's mom, Shezana, told The Province that thieves entered the family's East Vancouver home at noon by smashing in the back door.
From Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe:
Just three years ago, Colborne was tooling around as a skilled but averaged-sized high school player in Calgary. He was only 5-9 and about 150 pounds. At age 15, just as a growth spurt was about to trigger, he enrolled at Notre Dame in Wilcox, Saskatchewan, the hockey factory that churned out the likes of ex-Bruins Gord Kluzak and Lyndon Byers. (For the record, the mention of both names drew only what could be described as a polite stare and apologetic shrug from Colborne.)
Colborne played well at Notre Dame, but didn't dazzle to the point where he drew serious interest from the WHL. He went undrafted by "The Dub," and was left with only a couple of training camp invites. Enter Rybalka, who had been charting Colborne's progress since before Notre Dame, and by the fall of 2006, Colborne was officially a Camrose Kodiak...
From Fluto Shinwaza of the Boston Globe:
Bergeron has been symptom-free all summer and has been working out six times a week, mimicking the workouts he has gone through during previous offseasons.
"It does feel like routine," Bergeron said. "I've been working out like this every summer since I've been playing pro. The only thing that's different is that I started a little bit earlier."
The Bruins are hoping a healthy Bergeron can play behind Marc Savard as the No. 2 center, serving as a two-way pivot (possible linemates include Marco Sturm and Chuck Kobasew) who can produce offense and skate against top opposing forwards.
From Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe:
Something else has to happen, specifically along the blue line, if the Bruins are going to return to the playoffs next spring. Even with Dennis Wideman plugged back into the equation - and his pending arbitration case makes that a question - the defensive corps needs an upgrade or two, specifically to enhance the transition game, a body or two to deliver the ever-elusive first quick pass out of the zone.
From Fluto Shinwaza of the Boston Globe:
Once he locked in Michael Ryder to a three-year, $12 million contract on the first day of free agency, Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli acknowledged his days as a buyer this summer might be finished.
Such is reality when you're up against the salary cap.
The Bruins have 23 players under contract for a cap hit of $54.3 million. That number will be tweaked by the start of the 2008-09 season when bubble players get assigned to Providence (possibilities include Petteri Nokelainen and Vladimir Sobotka), youngsters like Matt Lashoff and Matt Hunwick challenge for NHL duty, Chiarelli deals a player or two, or buyouts take place if Dennis Wideman's contract is settled via arbitration.
From the Boston Globe:
Here's a short take from one Eastern Conference scout on the Bruins' latest pickup, highlighting the X-factor of Claude Julien:
"A one-dimensional player that if he's not scoring, he doesn't do anything else. He started the year in a slump, and on a team that plays up-tempo, he became not a [Guy] Carbonneau guy because suspect work ethic and skating issues were magnified with lack of scoring. They will put him with [Marc] Savard, and with his release and the prior relationship with Julien, it has a chance."
From the Boston Globe:
Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli said Wednesday he's is thinking of moving some high-priced contracts in order to pursue high-profile player.
Among the free agents he's considering is Marian Hossa, a highly skilled goal-scorer who helped the Pittsburgh Penguins reach the Stanley Cup finals this spring.
From Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe:
Could the Bruins already be talking contract with superstar winger Marian Hossa?
Asked that question last night, Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli offered little in the way of candor.
"Very good question," he responded in a terse e-mail. "But can't comment. Cheers."
1. Darren Dreger wonders if we have seen the last of Hasek.
2. Bob Mckenzie points out that Ray Emery must go, regardless of whether the Sens' poor showing was his fault.
3. Sam McCaig looks at Danny Briere's hot start to the playoffs.
4. Spezza for Luongo?
5. Memorial Cup 1927.
6. Steve Rucchin considers retirement.
7. Canada finished the Preliminaries with a 6-0 defeat of Slovakia.
8. Larry Brooks writes about an interesting clause in Jaromir Jagr's contract.
9. Judd Zulgad calls out the Wild's annoucers as homers.
10. Evegeny Artyukhin may return to the Lightning.
11. The Rangers will attempt to address anti-gay slurs by its fans.
12. Brantford and Bentley advance to the semi-finals at the Allan Cup.
13. Robert Esche will tend goal for the United States at the World Championships.
14. Check out the video of the Top 10 Shootout goals. I'm not so sure Zach Parise's goal at #10 deserves to be on this list. Thoughts?
15. Rand Simon notes that offer sheets will be a little less risky this summer.
16. Bryan Murray says Ray Emery is not coming back.
17. You stay classy Boston.
18. Brent Sutter talks like my grandma.
19. Mike Rupp miked up.
20. An in-depth look at Ryan Clowe.
21. Tom Cavanagh (he was on Scrubs) blogs for the NHL.
22. A look at draft eligible prospect, Mikkel Boedker.
23. Remember Sami (What's) Kapanen?
24. The ECHL Update.
25. Jim Kelley with his thoughts on Joe Thornton, the Wings' goaltending, and more.
Here are the national morning papers:
Here are the Atlantic Division morning papers:
Here are the Northeast Division morning papers:
Here are the Southeast Division morning papers:
The Western Conference morning papers are soon to follow...
For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.
Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com
1. In other suspension news, Hurricanes forward Craig Adams has received a 2-game break for hitting Alex Steen on the head with his stick.
2. No links available yet, but Minnesota radio stations are reporting that Kyle Okposo will leave the Gophers and join the Islanders following the World Junior tournament. Link now available.
3. Todd Bertuzzi felt like he was "expected" to fight the night he injured Steve Moore.
4. A look around the SJHL, with a focus on the Weyburn Red Wings.
5. Spector lays out the recent trade rumours.
6. A Q and A with IIHF President Rene Fasel.
7. Mike Brophy thinks (wishes?) that the NHL will never abandon the Instigator Rule.
8. Blogger David Staples offers up some good reading. Its Oiler heaving, but interesting all the same.
9. Canada's women's team has invited 21 chicks to its tryout camp.
10. Sean Avery paints his nails black and may be involved with Mary-Kate Olson.
11. A tourney that could only happen in Toronto, with players divided up by race in the name of multi-culturalism.
12. SI writer Alan Muir is taking the new Euro Super-league seriously.
13. Peter Schaefer is happy to be in Boston, and Milan Lucic has earned the nickname Gino.
14. The NHL continues its slide back to a clutch and grab league.
15. A collection of some funny (and some really stupid) hockey stories. (H/T Kukla)
16. Wednesday's Water Cooler Notes.
17. Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau uses movies to motivate his players.
18. Winkler Flyers forward Jared MacIntosh is now a published author.
19. An interesting look at the Asian Ice Hockey League.
20. A story on Trevor Smith of the Utah Grizzlies.
21. Fanhouse reacts to the Mike Brophy article on the Instigator Rule.
22. The NHL's Hot List.
23. A look at 10 Players exceeding expectations this season.
24. A profile on Lyon Messier of the Lincoln Stars.
25. Bruins rookie Vladamir Sobotka is getting noticed for his feistiness.
For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior.
1. A Q and A with Martin Brodeur.
2. Patrice Brisebois says the Nichol suspension was warranted.
3. A profile on Jordan Eberle of the Regina Pats.
4. The Philadelphia Flyers have recalled Steve Downie. They must be a little short on suspensions this week.
5. A recent spate of healthy scratches due to disciplinary problems have led some to speculate that the Pats have a dressing room problem.
6. Trevor Linden no longer fits into the Canucks' plans.
7. Eric Duhatschek notes that the size of goaltender's equipment is of issue.
8. The Central Division is back from the brink of mediocrity.
9. In case you missed it, check out this excellent piece on how Canadian teams draft.
10. A round up of all things CHL at Taking Note.
11. The Weekly Release from the USHL.
12. The Penguins have placed Mark Recchi on waivers.
13. Observations from Stan Fischler.
14. Al Strachan feels the NHL has gone back to its pre-lockout product.
15. Mike Ilitch and Charles Dolan top the list of wealthiest NHL owners.
16. The Junior Report from NHL.com.
17. Erik Cole has changed his style of play since his neck injury.
18. The Thrashers' Tobias Enstrom has been named the NHL's Rookie of the Month.
19. Details of the story of Chris Mason's rise to the starter's position in Nashville.
20. The Power Rankings from Sports Illustrated.
21. SI looks at the junior aged talent in the USA.
22. Claude Julien's strategy of coaching to the Bruins' strengths have brought early success.
23. Sam Gagner, Shootout Specialist.
24. The door remains open for Sam Gagner and David Perron to play for Team Canada.
25. Hockey News looks at the Hot Prospects.
For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior
