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| Long-time goal fiend and future Hall of Fame inductee Jaromir Jagr remains unclear on his future in the NHL as he enters free agency at the age of 36, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Jagr met with officials from the New York Rangers on Tuesday, their season recently ended by the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Jagr left with no certain plans for the future. "I don't have 30 teams to choose from," said Jagr. "First, I am going to talk to the Rangers. That's the number one option for me." Jagr went on to speculate on his future, stating, "I don't think I would sign longer than two years, just because of my dad. He asked me to come home in two years. He's helping build a new arena there (the Czech Republic) and he wants me to be there." Jagr would have been due, by contract incentives, an additional season that would have automatically kicked in had he either reached 84 total points on the season or been awarded a major NHL award. He finished with 71 points, thus he is now a free agent and hopes to find an opportunity to continue his already-illustrious NHL career.
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| Dallas goalie Marty Turco has enjoyed a solid performance in the playoffs this season, but the pressure may just be starting. |
Our View: Turco is a combined 0-7-2 with a goals-against average of 3.17 at Joe Louis Arena this season, home of the Detroit Red Wings who are ready to face the Stars in the NHL Playoffs. In these playoffs, only Detroit goalie Chris Osgood has posted a better goals-against average, but the inability to find success on this ice this season is certainly a concern for Dallas fans looking forward.
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| The Sabres signed Nathan Gerbe to a three-year contract on Tuesday, the AP reports. The deal could be worth as much as $2.55 million. Gerbe, a Hobey Baker finalist, will forgo his senior season at Boston College. He led the nation with 68 points (35 goals, 33 assists) this past season. |
Our View: It'll be interesting to see how the 5-5 Gerbe does in his transition to the NHL. Fantasy owners in keeper leagues will want the impressive left wing to be on their cheatsheets.
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| Valtteri Filppula missed practice again on Tuesday, but he expects to skate Wednesday and still be ready to play Thursday in Game 1 against Dallas, according to the Detroit News. Filppula is recovering from an injury he suffered when he twisted his leg in the series-clinching game against Colorado last Thursday.
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Our View: If Flippula cannot go, then Kirk Maltby would likely be back in the lineup. Flippula contributed five points through 10 games in the playoffs, and would provide solid depth if he does play.
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| NBC hockey analyst Ed Olczyk said on Sunday that Jaromir Jagr had told him he wanted to play four more seasons in the NHL, according to the NY Times. Olczyk said, "Jagr would love to stay in New York. He told me that is his first choice, but he has some family issues back home in the Czech Republic." |
Our View: Jagr enjoyed another solid season as he racked up 25 goals and 46 assists over 82 games. He has plenty left in the tank, and he can still be a rock solid contributor if he remains in New York. Jagr ended the playoffs with five goals and 10 assists.
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| Stu Barnes remains sidelined due to concussion-like symptoms (sustained in Game 3 against the Sharks), and hasn't skated with the team since then, according to the Star-Telegram. But when asked if he would play in the upcoming series against Detroit, Barnes said, "Hopefully yes. We're going to have to see what happens this morning, check it out and go from there. Everyone come playoff time wants to be in there as much as possible."
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Our View: He didn't score a point over three games played in the series against the Sharks, and he only contributed 12 goals over 79 games in the regular season. The team will be fine if he ultimately cannot return against Detroit.
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| Mark Streit is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, according to The Montreal Gazette. He said, "I love Montreal and I'm hoping to stay here for three, four, five more seasons. I know I'll get offers, but I'm hoping to stay here. Montreal gave me a chance to play and I'm happy here. Anyone who knows me, knows that the most important thing for me is to be happy."
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Our View: He is eligible to become unrestricted free agent on July 1. And he's the top priority on GM Bob Gainey's must-do list. Streit has the versatility to be play defense or forward, and contributed 13 goals and 49 assists over 81 games this season.
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| Minnesota forward, and pending free agent, Pavol Demitra took a trip to Vancouver to check out the city, according to the Star Tribune. |
Our View: The 33-year old Demitra can become a free agent on July 1, and both he and the Wild appeared destined to part ways after the season. Canucks' GM Mike Gillis confirmed the visit to Vancouver. Demitra is coming off a poor offensive season by his standards, as he only scored 15 goals and 39 assists over 68 games.
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| There were rumors circulating that Roberto Luongo was displeased with the Canucks, but that is not the case, according to the Vancouver Sun. Team GM Mike Gillis said, "Luongo is completely devoted to the team, wants to be competitive, wants to be in the playoffs, wants to win, and he made absolutely clear to me that's his focus. The idea that he doesn't want to be here is the furthest thing from being accurate." |
Our View: Luongo was pulled from the Canucks' final regular season game after allowing three goals on just nine shots, and also allowed three or more goals in five of his last six games. If he was angry with the team, it could have just been out of frustration following a tough season.
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| If the Penguins don't have enough money to offer Marian Hossa, then the Rangers may target him, according to FanNation. Hossa is making $7 million this season. |
Our View: If the Rangers can lure him away, he would take a key piece away from the division rival Penguins. Hossa scored 29 goals and 37 assists over 72 games this season.
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