Niedermayer set to retire

ANAHEIM-- According to TSN.ca, Ducks' captain Scott Nidermayer is set to announce that he is retiring from professional hockey.

Niedermayer won his 4th Stanley Cup this post-season, his 1st with the Ducks, since joining them on August 4th, 2005.

He won the Conn Smyth trophy for his excellent play and leadership during these playoffs.

The 14-year NHL veteran has accumulated 132 points over his last past 2 seasons, more precisely in a period of 161 games.

He spent the previous 12 seasons of his career with the New Jerseys Devils.

Update 1: According to TSN.ca, the Canadian defenseman will not announce his retirement tonight, even though he told people close to him he would.

Rangers add Gomez, Drury

NEW YORK-- The Rangers added two pieces to an already half-completed puzzle on Saturday, as they signed veteran centers Chris Drury and Scott Gomez.

Both centers will command an average salary over the US$7 million mark.

Drury and Gomez were the most sought after centers after Daniel Briere had been taken off the market.

Gomez will maintain an average salary of US$7.3 million, while Drury's will be around US$7.05 million.

Both Drury and Gomez had no desire to return to their 06/07 clubs, who took their signings for granted. They also wanted a chance to win, and a shot at a more important role.

Drury and Gomez will not have to leave the state of New York to join their new club, since they previously played in Buffalo and New Jersey, two suburbs of the Big Apple.

The Rangers are now a serious cup contender, they possess 3 of the best players in the NHL, and one of the 5 best goalies in the league.

7/1/07 UFA SIGNINGS

Colorado Avalanche sign F Ryan Smyth:
5 years at US$31.25 million (Front-loaded)


St. Louis Blues sign LW Paul Kariya:
3 years at US$18 million (US$6 million per season)


New York Islanders sign RW Jon Sim:
3 years


Colorado Avalanche signs D Scott Hannan:
4 years at US$18 million (US$4.5 million per season)


Pittsburgh Penguins sign G Dany Sabourin:
2 years at US$1.025 million (US$0.5125 thousand per year)


Washington Capitals sign C Viktor Kozlov:
2 years at US$5 million (US$2.5 million annually)


Note: Kozlov will be Ovechkin's centerman next season

New York Rangers sign C Chris Drury:
5 years at US$35.25 million (US$7.05 per season)


New York Rangers sign C Scott Gomez:
7 years at US$51.5 million (US$7.35 million per season)


Toronto Maple Leafs sign LW Jason Blake:
4 years at US$20 million (US$5 million per season)


Tampa Bay Lightning sign RW Michel Ouellet:
2 years at US$2.5 million (US$1.2/US$1.3)


Note: Ouellet will likely replace Ruslan Fedotenko in the Bolts' lineup.

Florida Panthers sign RW Radek Dvorak:
2 years


Boston Bruins sign RW Shawn Thornton:
Multi-year contract


Chicago Blackhawks sign C Yanic Perreault:
1 year at US$1.5 million


Note: Michal Handzus' return to the 'Hawks now seems questionable.

Detroit Red Wings sign D Brian Rafalski:
5 years at US$ 30 million (US$6 million per season)


Calgary Flames sign D Cory Sarich:
5 years at US$18 million (US$ 3.6 per season)


Note: Roman Hamrlik will not re-sign with the Flames.

Anaheim Ducks sign D Mathieu Schneider:
2 years at US$ 11.25 million (US$5.5/US$5.75)


Note: Scott Niedermayer seems to be on the verge of retirement.

Philadelphia Flyers sign C Daniel Briere:
8 years at US$52 million (1st year: US$10 million)


Florida Panthers sign LW Richard Zednik:
2 years at US$3.25 million (US$1.5/US$1.75)


Washington Capitals sign D Tom Poti:
4 years at US$14 million (US$3.5 million per season)


Atlanta Thrashers sign C Todd White:
4 years at US$9.5 million (US$2.375 million per season)

Flyers-Oilers Swap 4 Players

To Edmonton:

LW Geoff Sanderson
D Joni Pitkanen
2009 3rd Round Pick

To Philadelphia:

LW Joffrey Lupul
D Jason Smith

Continuing their frenzy of trades which have for purpose of transforming them into a cup contender, the Philadelphia Flyers acquired veteran defenseman Jason Smith, the Oilers' ex-captain who could be a top candidate for the same slot with the Flyers. They also add young but "struggling" forward Joffrey Lupul. Adding those important pieces to their lineup wasn't priceless, as the Pensylvanian club had to rid themselves of young but "falling" star Joni Pitkanen, a puck-moving defenseman around whom the Oilers will base their franchise from now on forth and veteran winger Geoff Sanderson, who also joins Kevin Lowe's team.

Winner: Draw

Briere gets offer from Canadiens

MONTREAL- According to TSN's Darren Dreger, the Montreal Canadiens have offered star forward Daniel Briere a contract.

The offer is worth US$42 million over a period of 7 years, an average salary of US$7 million per season.

Briere has also been tendered contract offers by 8 other teams, but has "narrowed his list down" to 5 teams, including the Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings.

Briere is currently in Los Angeles, California.

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.

WWIB Top 10 UFAs

10. Dominik Hasek (42): 38-11-6, 2.05 GAA, .913 SV%
9. Tom Preissing (28): 80 GP, 7-31-38
8. Paul Kariya (32): 82 GP, 24-52-76
7. Scott Hannan (28): 79 GP, 4-20-24
6. Peter Forsberg (33): 57 GP, 11-29-40
5. Brian Rafalski (33): 82 GP, 8-47-55
4. Scott Gomez (27): 72 GP, 13-47-60
3 Ryan Smyth (31): 71 GP, 31-22-53
2. Daniel Briere (29): 81 GP, 32-63-95
1. Chris Drury (30): 77 GP, 37-32-69