Sport Chit Chat

The Anaheim Ducks have signed center Brendan Morrison to a 1 year, $2.75 million deal. TSN reported that: “Last week, Morrison turned down a one-year, $1.9 million offer from the Vancouver Canucks, the team he has spent the past eight seasons with.” Apparently as many as 10 teams were trying to sign him. Morrison has been plagued with 4 injuries over the past 2 seasons. He scored 9 goals and 16 assists in 39 games last season. Morrison was never really a great scorer, however he does have a great passing touch.

I believe it’s a good deal for the Ducks. Morrison provides veteran leadership and he’s also a great passer. If he can stay healthy, expect him to rack up at least 50 points next season. Morrison has potential to make beautiful things happen with Ryan Getzlaf if he gets the chance to play with him. He should help some of Anaheim’s young players reach their scoring potential. I’m loving these 1 year deals for veterans who can make an immediate impact.

It looks like Morrison will be taking charge of the team’s second line, as they desperately need a second line center to get the team going. It’s somewhat of a risk because of the big question mark as to whether or not Morrison can stay healthy. He also doesn’t have too much to work with, but maybe we’ll see Morrison create a star in Anaheim. Another big problem with the Ducks is their limited cap room, this means they probably won’t be able to make another big sign unless a trade is made first. If Teemu Selanne played one more season with the Ducks, him and Morrison would make a great pair for their second line. Despite the risks involved Morrison should help Anaheim with their scoring. However, if Selanne doesn’t come back (he most likely won’t), they will desperately need another scorer.

The Calgary Flames signed forward Todd Bertuzzi to a 1 year, $1.95 million contract. Last season with the ducks, Bertuzzi scored just 14 goals and 26 assists in 68 games. He’s been moved around tons over the past couple seasons, and has never been the same. Bertuzzi hasn’t come close to his 2002-03 season totals, as a result the Anaheim Ducks decided to buy him out after last year’s underachieving season. Calgary decided to take a chance on the big power forward, and why not for just under $2 million for one season.

Although some Calgary fans may not like Todd Bertuzzi because of his goonish past, they’ll just have to learn to love him. “One fan upon hearing the news lamented, ‘what?! that’s sick.’” I believe that he can really help the team for that price, they really have nothing to lose. He has potential to help Jarome Iginla with scoring, as well as provide a toughness edge in the playoffs.

Calgary may be the right place for Bertuzzi. If he can connect while with his linemates, he may provide just what Calgary needs for that extra push in the playoffs; scoring and toughness. Many fans have some interesting reactions to this signing, but these people have to look at all the other recent signings in the NHL and put this into perspective; $2 million is not a lot of money with the rising salary cap. The flames took a chance on him, and it may very well workout well for them.

Rafael Nadal has finally beat Roger Federer at Wimbledon. He took the crown in an exciting 5 set match scored 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-7 (8-10), 9-7. This was their 3rd final in a row at Wimbledon, and Federer had held the title for the past 5 years. After Nadal won his fourth French open in a row, he finally won a Grand Slam that wasn’t on clay.

Here’s a set by set overview.

The lefty dethrones the king. Could this be the end of Federer’s ridiculously dominate reign over the world of tennis? Only time will tell.

Markus Naslund signed a 2 year deal worth $8 million with the New York Rangers. He’ll be 36 next year, he probably won’t get more than last season’s 25 goals. Naslund does provide veteran leadership, but they probably could’ve gotten a younger, more productive player for that money. It’s just not what the Rangers need at this point. They’ve lost basically all their scoring power, and Naslund won’t be enough. The deal isn’t bad, but I don’t believe it’s the right move for Naslund or the Rangers at this point.

Check out the Rangers report. For a farewell to Jagr.

The Rangers probably could’ve had Jagr for the same amount, but they took Naslund instead.

After losing Marian Hossa, the Penguin General Manager Ray Shero made some key signings in the past couple days.

The Penguins Signed defenseman Mark Eaton to a 2 year deal worth $4 million, as well as blue liner Brooks Orpik to a 6 year deal worth $22.5 million. This solidifies their core of big, tough, hard hitting defenseman. Orpik played a key role in the Pens playoff run last season, leading the team in hits and blocked shots.

Shero signed Eric Godard to a 3 year, $2.25 million contract. This guy is possibly the worst offensive player in the league, but his job is to be the Pens new enforcer. He’ll pretty much replace Laroque and save them a bit of money, while playing 2 minutes a game.

In the efforts of replacing Marian Hossa, Pittsburgh signed forward Miroslav Satan for 1 year at $3.5 million, and forward Ruslan Fedotenko for 1 year at $2.5 million. Satan is coming off a slow season and both players are getting older, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they both score at least 20 goals next season. These signings are key; they replace Hossa with two veteran forwards to help out Crosby and Malkin with scoring power. There’s also no danger since they’re only 1 year deals.

Lastly, the Penguins resign Marc-André Fleury for the next 7 years at $5 million a year. Fleury proved that he can step up and steal the show in last years playoffs. Pittsburgh has now locked up their trio of superstars in Fleury, Crosby, and Malkin for years to come.

It’s been a busy off season for the Pittsburgh Penguins, don’t be surprised if they pickup exactly where they left off last season.

Malkin will earn $43.5 million for 5 years after his original contract runs out. The MVP finalist scored 47 goals last year, as well as finishing 2nd to Ovechkin with 106 points. Not to mention his 10 goal, 12 assist performance in the playoffs. This was only his 2nd season in the NHL.
After Pittsburgh’s captain, Sidney Crosby, was scratched for most of the season, Malkin lead his team to finish 2nd in the conference. This is the same deal that Crosby got from the Penguins.
Smart move by the Penguins, they now have Malkin locked up for the next 6 years. They needed to do anything they had to do to keep Malkin and that’s exactly what they did.

The 31 year old Wade Redden signed a 6 year deal worth $6.5 million a year with the New York Rangers. When a team signs an expensive 6 year deal they should be looking to the future, more specifically, how will Redden help the team in the playoffs?
In his last 2 seasons with the Senators Wade played 144 games, scoring just 13 goals and 61 assists. I wouldn’t expect him to score more than 10 goals in any of the next 6 seasons. Redden’s upside has always been his ability to help out on offense, but he’s definitely losing his touch. On a team packed full of superstars he has had a combined +/- of 12 in the past 2 seasons, after that stat was consistently over 20 in the previous 5 seasons.
His total career playoff stats of 94 games played with 12 goals and 33 assists is hardly impressive considering his offensive abilities. While he only played one season with his +/- into the negatives, his playoff total is -13. On top of that Redden is greatly lacking a big, hard hitting presence on the ice. A good skating and passing defenseman past his prime, who lacks toughness is not going to help the Rangers in the playoffs.
This was a terrible move, I’d even go as far as calling it absurd considering all the talent the Rangers are letting go.