Hockey Blog 7/4/08

It’s been awhile since I’ve last been on, but I’m back and ready to blog. Starting in the fall, I am going to try to start a weekly hockey blog, so today I’m going to give you a little preview and discuss some of the big hockey news since the conclusion of the playoffs and the draft.

Jagr heading to Russia

It was announced today, that Jaromir Jagr is leaving the United States to go play in Europe, Russia to be more specific.

The 36 year Czech signed a “letter of intent” to play for Omsk of the Continental Hockey League, the team he played for during the 2004-05 lockout.

Jagr began his NHL career as the sidekick to Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early nineties, winning two Stanley Cups with the squad.

In 2001, he signed a huge contract with the Washington Capitals, but the team didn’t go anywhere, even when Jagr was named captain.

Most recently, Jagr has been the Captain of the New York Rangers, where he has spent the last three and a half seasons. Last season he played all 82 games for the Rangers and posted 25 goals, and 46 assists for the New York team.

Jagr’s move has not been the only one involving an NHL player jumping over to Russia. After the Stanley Cup finals, it was rumored that Pittsburgh star, Evgeni Malkin was going to go back to his home country, but Malkin will

be playing in the NHL next season.

Sharks add more “D”

Also today, the San Jose Sharks traded former Denver Pioneer and Hobie Baker winner, Matt Carle, and Ty Wishart to Tampa Bay for Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich. The Lightning will also get a pair of draft picks in the deal.

The trade gives the Sharks another top Defenseman with scoring ability, while Tampa Bay get’s two great young talents.

The Sharks added more size earlier in the week on defense when they added the 38 year old Rob Blake. Blake, who is known for his monster slap-shots from the point, and bone crunching hip-checks, should give San Jose more punch and scoring ability from the blue line. Don’t let Blake’s old age fool you, he still one of the top Defenseman in the league with nine goals and 22 points last season.

Hossa to Detroit

When you think the Red Wings couldn’t get any older, they prove you wrong every time. This time, the defending Champions signed Marian Hossa. Just a few weeks ago, the 29 year old was playing against the Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals with the Penguins, but now he will wear the Red and White sweater next season.

Hossa’s decision to stay in Pittsburgh or head to Detroit was a tough one, but Marian felt that he would have a better chance of winning the cup in Hockey town.

“I could get more money somewhere else, but I was looking for the best chance to win the Stanley Cup,” Hossa said.

Rangers get two in hopes for more success

The New York Rangers are again throwing money everywhere, however it looks like players they are getting will be worth it. They signed five-time All-Star Markus Naslund to a two year deal, and Dmitri Kalinin to a one year one. Naslund had been the Captain of the Canucks for many years while Kalinin was with the Sabres last season.

Pens keeping core intact.

The Eastern Conference Champion, Pittsburgh Penguins are making sure not to ruin their young talent, and have re-signed Evgeni Malkin and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury to long-term deals.
The team also re-signed Brooks Orpik, who was one of the main components to the Penguins success in the playoffs.

Though the team lost Hossa to Detroit, they have still found success in free agency, nabbing Miroslav Satan and Ruslan Fedotenko away from the Islanders. Satan had 16 goals last season while Fedotenko tallied 33 points in the 07-08 season.

The Penguins hope to sign center Jordan Staal to a long-term deal as well, before he becomes a restricted free agent next summer.

So far, teams have been on a spending spree, one especially the Colorado Avalanche. I’m going to go more in depth on the Avs off-season progress, and what the team still needs to do, to get back to Championship form. Happy Independence Day!!!!