Capitals sign Mike Green to 4 year deal

From TSN:

The Washington Capitals have agreed to terms with restricted free agent defenceman Mike Green.

Sources tell TSN it's a four year deal with an average annual salary of $5.25 million.

"Mike has developed into an impact defenceman in the short time since we drafted him, and he will be a key part of our team moving forward," said Capitals vice president and general manager George McPhee. "We look forward to his further contributions as we continue to improve the hockey club."

Read the entire story here.

Green has played all of one NHL season so far in his career, so $5.25 per season isn't cheap by any means. That being said, Green possesses tremendous puck skills, is a good skater and is a terrific point man on the power play. The Capitals are paying him based much more on expected future performance than they are on past performance and there really isn't anything wrong with that. Additionally, by signing Green before he became a RFA, the Caps avoided any possible offer sheets from other teams.

Mike Green's contract situation

From JP at Japers' Rink:

Which brings us back to Green. If Meehan is telling Larry Brooks that the Caps are low-balling Mike Green, it could mean one of two things: it could mean that the Caps are offering a deal that's way below Meehan's assessment of market value or it could mean that the Caps are offering a deal that's way below what Meehan is willing to accept for reasons detailed above. If it's the former, perhaps there's hope that the two sides can reach some middle ground (though I personally wrestle with what legitimate market value for a 22-year-old with Green's upside is, and I imagine I'm not alone). If it's the latter, however, and there's nothing that fits within the Caps salary structure that they could offer and have Meehan accept, there's little point in continuing negotiations at this point.

Read the entire entry here.

I think cooler heads will prevail in Green's case and the two sides will come to a reasonable agreement. Green was certainly impressive last season, but that was his first season in the NHL and he can't ask for the moon after just one year. As for an offer sheet, as JP points out, the Caps would match any offer sheet he received, so what would be the sense in going to the effort of signing him to a contract if you were another team? I guess to boost Washington's cap, but most teams would prefer to avoid the controversy that goes along with that.

Fantasy Watch: Scouring the Waiver Wire

D Mike Green, Washington Capitals
After struggling to put up points earlier in the season, Green has come alive this past month scoring 15 points in his last 16 games. He is currently Washington's top defensive scorer with 24 points and has been one of the Capitals most explosive scorers overall. With point scoring defenseman so hard to find, Green has vaulted himself into an elite category with other stars such as Dion Phaneuf and Chris Pronger. Already with five multi point games since December, Green has eclipsed his career high in points and should break the 40 point barrier.
Fantasy Take: Green may be claimed in most leagues, but if he is still around pick him up immediately. His 15 points over the last month were more than any other defenseman not named Lidstrom, and as Washington's top defenseman, Green should continue to get his chances.

F Daniel Cleary, Detroit Red Wings
Since scoring only one goal in the first month of the season, Cleary has increased his output tremendously, totaling 14 goals and 24 points over the past three months. Although he is still very inconsistent, Cleary tends to go on extended hot streaks which can be beneficial to your fantasy squad. With 13 points in the last month alone, Cleary has vaulted himself into a reliable fantasy option in most leagues.
Fantasy Take: It's advised to pick up Cleary sooner than later as his hot streaks only last so long before he falls back to mediocrity.

F Martin Hanzal, Phoenix Coyotes
Drafted in the first round in 2005, Hanzal is currently enjoying a steady rookie campaign scoring four goals and 22 points. Although he is not quite a goal scorer, Hanzal has given Phoenix a reliable centerman who's always looking for assists. Enjoying his best month as a pro in December, Hanzal scored one goal and added three helpers lifting Phoenix over the Devils 4-1. With a steady goaltender in net and several impact rookies on the squad, Phoenix will be looking to make a run for the playoffs over the last half of the season.
Fantasy Take: Hanzal is a good play in deeper leagues for those in need of a third center. With two points in his last three games, expect Hanzal to post around 40 points this season.

D Pavel Kubina, Toronto Maple Leafs
Since coming to Toronto, Kubina has been a bit of a dissapointment, never once playing more than 70 games. Already sidelined earlier in the season, Kubina is finally healthy and making an impact. With four points over his last three games including two powerplay assists, Kubina has filled the void vacated by Bryan McCabe. With McCabe still sidelined with a broken hand, look for Kubina to continue contribute offensively, especially on the power-play.
Fantasy Take: Kubina is still inconsistent, but will continue to get his shot on the power-play giving him ample opportunities to put up points. Only play Kubina as a low level option for defenseman.



For Illegal Curve, I'm Jonny Remis

Morning Musings

There will not be a preamble today because I am running a little late. The usual format will return tomorrow morning.

On to the morning papers:

• Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail looks at the ups and downs of the Chicago Blackhawks franchise under the ownership of Bill Wirtz.
• Stephen Brunt of the Globe and Mail has a very interesting piece on the aftermath of the Steve Downie hit on Dean McAmmond.
• As Dave Shoalts explains, if the Leafs do not receive hall of fame type goaltending they will have difficulty succeeding in 2007/08.
• Damien Cox wonders when the NHL will finally take preventative action against headshots in this morning's Toronto Star.
• Vesa Toskala was not impressive in the Leafs' 7-2 loss to the Sabres on Wednesday night writes Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star.
• Neil Stevens of the the Canadian Press examines the Leafs' roster and the expectations the team is putting on itself this season.
• Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette tells us Kyle Chipchura's take on Steve Downie the hockey player. Meanwhile at Habs' camp, coach Guy Carbonneau has some tough decisions to make regarding who will make his starting defense.
• In Calgary, Stephane Yelle has changed his number to 7 in deference to Owen Nolan.
• The Flames have some lingering injury problems, however, the team believes everyone will be ready to suit up for the first regular season game against Philadelphia next week.
• Improved puck-moving skills from the Oilers' defensive corps should lead to a much improved transition game in Edmonton this season.
• Craig MacTavish may be Sean Horcoff's biggest fan, and as Dan Barnes writes, the gritty center has returned to his spot on the Oilers' number one line.
• Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal explains why the Oilers demoted 2004 first round selection Robbie Schremp.
• Dustin Penner better get used to taking Sheldon Souray's shots off his feet if he plans to park himself in front of the opposition's net every night.
• Andrew Cogliano has impressed at Oilers' camp and the Toronto native is a good bet to be centering one the four lines in Edmonton this season; Derer Van Diest of the Edmonton Sun has the story.
• As Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen writes, Dean McAmmond has been released from the hospital, but there is a very long road to recovery ahead of him. McAmmond's agent Steve Bartlett is not sure "when or if" his client will play again and warns that if the NHL doesn't put a stop to these types of head-shots, some player will get hit and not be able to get up.
• Today could be d-day in the Senators' negotiations with Dany Heatley writes Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.
• The Canucks were defeated by the Sharks 4-3 in a shootout on Wednesday night; Gordon McIntyre has the recap in this morning's Vancouver Province.
• Mike Green looks much improved in all aspects of the game writes Tarik El-Bashir in this morning's Washington Post.
• Karri Ramo's performance at Bolts' camp is giving John Tortorella something to think about when he makes his final roster cuts later this week.
• Coming off an injury that ended his 2006/07 season, Dan Hinote is looking forward to returning to the lineup and giving Blues' fans something to cheer about this season.
• Devon Setoguchi continued his terrific pre-season last night with two goals in the Sharks' 4-3 shootout victory over the Canucks.
• Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette gives readers an inside look at the Penguins' three-day stint at West Point.
• Coach Wayne Gretzky is trying to get his two rookies, Peter Mueller and Martin Hanzal, as much experience as he can before the regular season begins next week.
• Injuries are rampant at Flyers' camp as Scottie Upshall will be out of the Flyers' lineup for 4-6 weeks, Joffrey Lupul will be out at least two weeks and R.J. Umberger will miss the next 7-10 days.
• Greg Logan previews who the Islanders' starting six defensemen will be in this morning's New York Newsday.
• As Brett Cyrgalis reports, Jaromir Jagr and Scott Gomez have been split up at Rangers' camp. Jagr skated yesterday on a line with Martin Straka and Chris Drury.
• The Devils defeated the Islanders 6-1 on Wedesday night.
• Coach Brent Sutter is impressed with Dainius Zubrus's commitment thus far at Devils' camp.
• The Predators still have just under 3,000 tickets available for their home opener next week. (Writer's note: Hockey in Nashville, gotta love it!)
• Off the ice the Predators may be struggling, but on the ice, the team has more forward depth than many realize. John Glennon of the Tennessean examines the possible forward lines for the Preds heading into the season.
• As Michael Russo of the Star Tribune writes, the team's second line of Belanger-Rolston-Bouchard has demonstrated great chemistry for the Wild this pre-season. Meanwhile, concern about the team's powerplay seems to have dissipated as the Wild have scored 11 powerplay goals this pre-season.
• The Kings defeated Swedish champions Farjestad BK 4-3 on Wednesday and, once again, Anze Kopitar was the hero. The sophomore scored the game-winner with only 46 seconds remaining.
• Coach Jacques Martin has grown sick of the Panthers' lazy penalties writes Steve Gorton of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
• Kirk Maltby wants to contribute in more aspects of the game than he has the past few seasons writes George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press. The Free Press also conducted an interview with Wings' defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom.
• Stars' forward Stu Barnes is expected to dress for his first pre-season game tonight versus the Coyotes. Barnes had been out of action because of a shoulder injury.
• Ole-Kristian Tollefsen is trying to dispel the notion that Norway is the most peaceful nation on earth writes Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch.
• Terry Frei of the Denver Post has the story of veteran Jaroslav Hlinka ,who appears to be on the cusp of securing a roster spot with the Avalanche.
• Bob Verdi of the Chicago Tribune chronicles the life of Bill Wirtz.
• It appears that Wirtz's son will take over ownership of the team writes Chris Kuc in this morning's Tribune.
• The Hurricanes have been very impressed with the play of youngsters Brett Carson and Carey Borer at camp thus far writes Lorenzo Perez of the News Observer.
• The amount of injuries at Sabres' camp concerns coach Lindy Ruff writes Tim Graham of the Buffalo News.
• Bryan Little scored his first NHL goal on Wednesday night and is opening eyes at Thrashers' camp writes Craig Custance of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
• Newest Duck Mark Mowers had quite an adventure getting overseas after getting traded on Monday afternoon.
• Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe explains the purpose behind the Bruins' hiring of Craig Ramsay this off-season.
• Matt Lashoff, the Bruins' first round pick from 2005, was disappointed to be sent down to Providence on Tuesday.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.