Sharks sign Thornton to extension

SAN JOSE-- The Sharks re-signed their star forward Joe Thornton to a contract extension, today. The deal is worth an estimated US$21.6 million over a span of 3 seasons.

The 27-year old was scheduled to become an unrestricted free-agent next offseason.

Thornton was acquired by the Sharks on November 30th 2005, for foward Wayne Primeau and defenseman Brad Stuart, who were sent packing to Boston.

The 6 foot-4 forward had an immediate impact on the Californian club, as he, with the help of forward Jonathan Cheechoo, lead them to the playoffs.

The Canadian olympian scored 20 goals and added 70 assists in 58 games with the Sharks. Most of his assists were on forward Jonathan Cheechoo's goals, who won the 2005-06 Maurice Richard Trophy, shooting a puck which reached 56 times the back of the opposition's net.

Due to his fantastic first season with the Sharks, Thornton won the Hart Memorial Trophy, given to the player judged the most indispensable to his team's success.

Thornton continued his success during his second campaign with the Sharks, accumulating 114 points (22 G/92 A) in 82 games.

He once again lead San Jose to the Stanley Cup Finals, and to their second conference semi-final loss.

Rumor Central

ANA- Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail reports that Ducks' GM Brian Burke has received many offers for goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, but none of them seemed to have "knocked his socks off", or even convinced him to trade the Russian netminder.

BUF- Tim Graham of the Buffalo News suggests that neither Chris Drury or Daniel Briere are interested in re-signing with the Sabres until after they have "offered" their services to the other 29 clubs of the NHL.

PIT- According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and Dave Molinary, Penguins GM Ray Shero will not offer contracts to forwards Nils Ekman and Ronald Petrovicky and defensemen Eric Cairns and Joel Kwiatkowski, all of whom are UFAs and set to go on the market July 1st. Shero will not retain the following players because of the re-signing of veterans Gary Roberts and Mark Recchi to one-year contracts, which has limited the Penguins' budget this offseason. The Penguins are also negotiating with defenseman Ryan Whitney, a RFA, on a long-term contract.

SJ- Many sources indicate that with the riddance of Vesa Toskala and Mark Bell, the San Jose Sharks will try agressively to sign veteran center Chris Drury. They also say that if they deem necessary to those negotations to deal captain Patrick Marleau, they will do it without a flinch.

6 teams will "modernize" their Jerseys

According to Tarik El-Bashir, a Capitals beatwriter for the Washington Post:

"Six other teams -- Boston, Columbus, Ottawa, San Jose, Tampa Bay and Vancouver-- also will make changes to their uniforms as the NHL switches to a new form-fitting uniform designed by Reebok. The Capitals' overhaul is among the most extensive because both the logo and colors are completely different."

Here are the Jerseys I have leads on, note that they are all designed by RBK (view pictures at the end of the article):

1) Vancouver Canucks: The Canucks will be making a drastic change to their jerseys, even though the colours will "practically" remain the same.

Their logo, as well, will change, turning into a blue, green and white pilot inside a dark blue triangle.

Verdict: This was a perfect change for the Canucks, as they add a brand new and more coherent logo to their front. Very nice jersey!

2) Boston Bruins: This shouldn't be called a "change" due to the fact that the Bruins are only adding a white stripe to their vintage jersey.

Verdict: Even though only adding a single element to their jersey, the Bruins' new jerseys are quite nice and modern at the same time. Very good choice!

3) Columbus Blue Jackets: Columbus' new jersey is a blend between their alternate jersey last season and their regular ones.

Their new home jersey is exactly the same as last year's alternate, but with a new feel and texture, while their away one is the exact same pattern as their new home jersey, but in a different colour, white.

Verdict: Finally moving on from their inaugural jerseys, the Blue Jackets will wear much more appealing jerseys next season. Very good move!

Jerseys:

1) Vancouver Canucks
2) Boston Bruins

3) Columbus Blue Jackets

Note: Every new jersey will be adding the "NHL" Logo to their collar.

Goaltending's a Priority!

Florida acquires Tomas Vokoun:

Acquiring Tomas Vokoun was a key move for the Panthers and a big step towards turning them into a respectable hockey team.

The Cats got what they wanted in Vokoun, a legitimate no. 1 goalie that is.

Even though the Czech netminder sustained a severe injury to his thumb last season, which caused the emergence of Chris Mason as the Predators’ new starting ‘keeper, the Panthers have nothing to worry about, due to the fact that, since coming back from this aforementioned injury, Tomas Vokoun, proved that he was still the goalie he was during the 2005-06 season, when he lead Nashville to their 1st playoff birth.

The 30-year old netminder maintained a solid 27-12-4 record with the Preds, while giving up an average of 2.40 goals a game, and stopping 92% of the shots he faced.

With the acquisition of Vokoun, the status of Ed Belfour seems unclear, and seems to indicate that the veteran is unlikely to be re-signed.

So long, "hovering" eagle.

Toronto acquires Toskala and Bell:

Late June 2006--The Toronto Maple Leafs acquire goaltender Andrew Raycroft from the Boston Bruins for goaltending prospect Tuukka Rask. “Finally a great goalie in T.O., he is our savior” chanted Maple Leafs fans.

Late June 2007--After an unsuccessful season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Andrew Raycroft was practically “booed” out of town by the crowds at the ACC.

The 2003-04 Calder Trophy winner had a second disappointing season in a row, even though setting a new record for wins in a season by a Maple Leaf netminder, with 37.

Raycroft was mostly hurt by the ending frame of his 2006-07 season, especially in a game against Montreal where he allowed 4 goals in the first 28 minutes of Toronto’s most crucial game of the 2006-07 season. Even though Toronto won the game, they did not make the postseason for a 2nd straight year.

Toskala, used to being a “tandem” goalie at best, excelled at his role during the 2006-07 season, compiling a record of 26-10-1 with a 2.35 GAA and .908 SV%.

He will resume his role in Toronto, as Maple Leafs’ GM John Ferguson Jr. announced, despite Andrew Raycroft’s disappointing season, that the 2 goalies will be “platooning”, at least for the 1st part of the 2007-08 season.

While Toskala adds certainty and confidence to the goalie’s role, Mark Bell adds size and grit to the winger’s role in T.O..

He too, coming off a horrid season (21 Pts in 71 G), was a mere “throw-in” in this trade, but it doesn’t mean that he will be useless to Toronto for next season’s run to the playoffs.

Expect a very talented defensive line for the Maple Leafs if they retain Michael Peca, and assign Mark Bell to his line.