News and Notes

September 18, 2008   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

With training camps finally underway, there have been some teams making news. Just to rehash.

Canadiens Acquire Lang: The Montreal Canadiens acquired veteran pivot Robert Lang last Friday from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a 2010 second round pick. The 37 year-old Czech has played with six different teams (LA, Bos, Pit, Wsh, Det, Chi) totaling 234 goals and 401 assists for 635 points in 875 career NHL games.

After spending two seasons with Detroit, he played with Chicago last season amassing 54 points (21-33-54) in 76 games including seven power play goals, three deciding markers along with a solid plus-nine rating and 50 penalty minutes. Lang will be on his fourth Original Six team in 2008-09.

Analysis: The Habs certainly didn’t overpay though a second round pick is about right for the kind of production Lang should provide. He proved last season he’s still got something left and might be reunited with former Pens’ linemate Alex Kovalev, where they enjoyed their best success. This is a good move for Montreal because they already boast captain Saku Koivu and Tomas Plekanec as their top two centers. Lang gives them even more depth up front which should supply even more balance to one of the better lineups in the East.

The Habs also re-signed veteran blueliner Patrice Brisebois to a one-year deal. He had 11 points in 43 contests last season.

Flyers’ Niittymaki Out 4-6 Weeks, Name Richards 17th Captain: The Philadelphia Flyers will be without backup goalie Antero Niittymaki for four to six weeks due to left hip surgery according to the club’s website.

Last season, the 28 year-old Finn got into 28 games posting a 12-9-2 record with a 2.91 GAA, .901 save percentage along with one shutout. The former 1998 Flyers’ sixth round pick has spent parts of four seasons with the club getting into 129 games (114 starts) going 47-53-17 with a 3.08 GAA, .898 save percentage and three career shutouts.

In other team related news, the Flyers tabbed Mike Richards their new captain. The 23 year-old former 2003 first round pick (24th overall) had a breakout 2007-08 playing 73 games while setting career highs in goals (28), assists (47), points (75- led club), plus/minus (14), PIM (76), PPG (8), SHG (5- tied 3rd NHL) and GWG (6). He was rewarded with the Bobby Clarke Award as Team MVP last season.

The Kenora, Ontario native becomes the 17th captain in Flyer history replacing Jason Smith, who bolted for Ottawa this past offseason. Richards also had 14 points (7-7-14), a power play goal and two shorthanded in 17 playoff games helping lead them to their first Conference Final in four years.

In 211 career regular season contests, Richards has tallied 49 goals along with 92 helpers for 141 points. That includes an impressive 12 SHG along with 10 PPG and 10 GW.

Analysis: A no-brainer here for the Flyers as Richards epitomizes the kind of rock solid fearless leader the club wants. There’s nothing he can’t do. He can play any situation and is extremely dangerous shorthanded as noted above. He’s also willing to drop the gloves making him one of the most complete hockey players in the game. Think Jarome Iginla but in a smaller body with less finishing ability as I don’t see him ever scoring 50 goals. But he certainly is capable of putting up a lot of points.

As for Niittymaki, the Flyers will make due with starter Martin Biron carrying the load for the first month.

Williams Out 4-6 Months: The Carolina Hurricanes suffered a big blow losing top right wing Justin Williams possibly four to six months due to a torn Achilles’ tendon on Wednesday.

The 26 year-old has run into a string of bad luck since his 205 consecutive games played streak ended when he tore an ACL in his left knee last December. Though he returned for one game, it kept him out an extended period allowing him to play only in 37 games registering nine goals and 21 assists for 30 points in 2007-08.

Now, with his second serious injury in less than a year, Williams has another long rehab ahead just to get back. The Canes will also be without captain Rod Brind’Amour until probably the beginning of the regular season after he underwent surgery to remove cartilage from his left knee this past Tuesday.

Analysis: This is obviously a blow to the Canes’ playoff chances this season after narrowly missing the past two Springs. Williams is one of their best players and was being counted on even more up front after Jim Rutherford traded away Erik Cole to Edmonton for defenseman Joni Pitkanen. They still have Ray Whitney and Eric Staal, whose longterm deal has to be reworked due to a no-trade clause. But losing a valuable player like Williams means someone has to step up which could mean extra ice-time for ex-Sen Patrick Eaves acquired with Joe Corvo at last year’s deadline for Cory Stillman and Mike Commodore.

They also have vets Matt Cullen, Sergei Samsonov, Scott Walker along with Tuomo Ruutu up front. So, they should be alright. I wonder though if this means Jeff O’Neill makes the club in his return tryout.

I’ve always been a fan of Peter Laviolette and he managed to keep his team afloat despite injuries last season until a magnificent run by the Capitals overtook them for the Southeast. We’ll see how good a coach he really is.

Devils Swap Prospects With Coyotes: In case you missed it, the New Jersey Devils made a minor trade last Friday with the Phoenix Coyotes swapping D prospect Sean Zimmerman for LW Kevin Cormier. Cormier is one year older than Zimmerman, who was the Devils’ former sixth rounder in 2005 a year following the ‘Yotes selection of the now 22 year-old.

Last season, Cormier had three goals and two assists while racking up 104 PIM in 23 games with the Arizona Sundogs of the Central Hockey League. Meanwhile, the 21 year-old Zimmerman notched six helpers with 47 PIM in 66 contests with AHL affiliate Lowell in 2008-08.

Analysis: Not much doing here. Just looks like a minor deal of two players a year apart who were both taken in the same round.

More news later.