<%=siteName%>

Bruno Gervais, D
3 years, $2.2225 million
2007-08 Season (With NY Islanders)
GP  G  A   Pts PIM
60   0  13   13    34

With the signing of Gervais, the Islanders now have 7 defenceman under contract for next season. Gervais drew mostly positive reviews last season for his steady play with one of the weaker teams in the Eastern Conference. He hasn’t put up a lot of points at the NHL level, but he moves the puck very well and in time his offensive production is expected to increase. Injury problems have slowed down his career thus far so a full, healthy season would be a big step for Gervais at this point.

Mathieu Darche, LW
1 year, $575,000
2007-08 Season (With Tampa Bay)
GP G A Pts PIM
73  7  15  22  20

The McGill University alumnist set NHL career highs in virtually every offensive category with the last place Tampa Bay Lightning. He is a career journeyman and generally considered a reserve winger, but has put up solid numbers at every level of hockey. He might not play 73 games next season, but if he’s called upon he will be an adequate replacement for the Sabres.

Daniel Carcillo, LW
2 years, financial terms undisclosed
2007-08 Season (With Phoenix)
GP    G    A    Pts    PIM
57     13   11     24     324

Carcillo led the NHL in penalties by nearly 100 minutes last season, but suited up for only 57 games. That’s pretty much what you need to know about Carcillo. He does have some skill however and his 13 goals are proof. Some people believe he could become the next Sean Avery, which depending on the way you look at it could be a good or a bad thing. One thing is for sure: if he wants to stay in the NHL he needs to tone down some of the antics and not become a distraction for the team. One way to do that is to continue to put up points and cut down on minor penalties. Alongside the recently acquired Brian McGrattan, teams won’t mess with Gretzky’s crew next season, you can bet on that.

Dennis Wideman, D
4 years, $15.75 million
2007-08 Season (With Boston)
GP G A Pts PIM
81 13 23 36 70

The Bruins were headed to arbitration with the defenceman but agreed to a long term deal avoiding any grueling hearings. Wideman is a very mobile, puck moving defenceman who enjoyed a breakout season last year. 9 of his 13 goals came on the powerplay which of course is his specialty. He’s even more important on a team like the B’s that lacks much of a punch offensively. The nearly $4 million dollar cap hit per season is pretty heavy for a defenceman with one proven year of NHL experience, but that’s more we can say for the money being thrown around this summer to other blueliners. (You know what I’m talking about). This deal puts the Bruins over the cap for next season and they might need to do some maneuvering to get under it.

Joffrey Lupul, RW
4 year extension, $17 million
2007-08 Season (With Philadelphia)
GP G A Pts PIM
56 20 26 46 35

The Flyers lock up Lupul through 2013 with this deal. Lupul was having a terrific season before he was kept out of the lineup for significant stretchers with concussion and ankle problems. He more than likely would have surpassed his career high of 28 goals had he played the entire season. Despite the injuries, it was a nice bounce back season for the Alberta native who was coming off a terrible season in Edmonton. In 2006-07 he managed only 28 points and was a -29. He certainly didn’t help Oiler fans forget about Chris Pronger, the player he was traded for. If he’s healthy for the entire season, Lupul should score 30 goals for the first time in his career. Unfortunately for Oiler fans, it will be for the Flyers.

Jeff Taffe, LW
1 year, financial terms undisclosed
2007-08 Season (With Pittsburgh)
GP G A Pts PIM
45 5 7 12 8

With all of the departing Penguin forwards, Taffe migh have the opportunity to play a full season in Pittsburgh in the coming year. The former first round pick has never played more than 59 games in a single season in the NHL, but he might break that barrier this season as he projects to be part of the Penguins forward unit as either a 3rd or 4th line player who can play the wing or centre. He doesn’t have a ton of NHL level skill, but he has the size and plays a strong physical game to be effective in a depth role.

Jimmy Howard, G
3 year extension, financial terms undisclosed
2007-08 Season (With Detroit)
GP W L OTL GAA SV%
4 0 1 0 2.13 .926

After Dominik Hasek retired following the Red Wings 2008 Stanley Cup victory, it appeared as though Jimmy Howard would finally have a roster spot on the NHL club for a full season. But Ken Holland and co. elected to sign Pittsburgh saviour Ty Conklin to a one year deal to back up Chris Osgood instead. Howard will have to wait for his turn again as the Red Wings likely felt they wanted him to have another season in the AHL.

Stephane Veilleux, LW
1 year, $737,500
2007-08 Season (With Minnesota)
GP    G    A    Pts    PIM
77     11     7     18     61

Minnesota avoids arbitration by signing the Quebec native to a one year deal. Veilleux’s 11 goals last season were a career high, but he’s isn’t expected to bust out anywhere beyond that production. He’s a very reliable checking line winger with a lot of defensive ability. He kills penalties effectively. Veillieux is the prototypical player that the Wild have built their team around since they expanded in 2000.

Andre Roy, LW
Terms Undisclosed
2007-08 Season (With Tampa Bay)
GP G A  Pts PIM
63   4  3   7   108

According to our friends from The FAN 960 in Calgary, the Flames have signed the veteran enforcer to a contract. Roy is strictly an enforcer, nothing more. He’s racked up 1,086 PIM in 471 career NHL games. He replaces the departed Eric Godard as the team’s resident tough guy. It’s a minor move for a team that has been relatively quiet this off-season.

Ryan Miller, G
5 year extension, $31.25 million
2007-08 Season (With Buffalo)
GP W L OTL GAA SV%
76 36 27 10 2.64 .906

Sabres’ owner Tom Golisano has been accused (an rightfully so) for not opening up his pocket books in order to keep key parts of the puzzle around for the long run (i.e. Daniel Briere, Chris Drury and Brian Campbell). Many thought Miller would become a UFA following the upcoming season, but the team locks down an integral part of the franchise. You cannot win in this league without goaltending and Miller gives the Sabres a chance to win every night. It’s a departure for this club, but that’s a good thing in Buffalo.