We’ll be trying a new feature on BB this season to keep you
abreast of the latest developments around the National Hockey League.
Here’s a look at what’s making headlines today:
- The Columbus Blue Jackets re-signed
forward R.J. Umberger to a five-year, $23 million deal. The Blue Jackets continue to lock up
important assets and now have their young nucleus of Umberger, Rick Nash, Jeff
Carter, Fedor Tyutin and James Wisniewski all signed through the 2016-2017
season. Top prospect Ryan Johansen will
be added to the mix shortly as well, so Columbus is clearly trending up. Umberger’s cap hit will be $4.6 million, or
$300k more than Brandon Dubinsky’s cap hit. Umberger, 29, had 57 points last year while Dubinsky had 54, but
Umberger has posted two consecutive 55+ point seasons. Umberger was once Rangers’ property, but the
two sides never came to a contract agreement. He was set
to be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
- The Winnipeg Jets made their official debut last night before
a raucous crowd of over 15,000. Mark
Scheifele, the seventh-overall pick in the 2011 draft, stole the show with a
four-point night. Jets’ fans are
understandably jacked up for the season, but their club may be in for a long
year. However they do have some young
talent and Scheifele, who was originally thought to be a few years away, could
make a big impact much sooner than anticipated.
- The Philadelphia Flyers walloped the Toronto Maple Leafs
last night 4-0. We all know that Philly’s
lineup will be dramatically different this season, but will they be that much
worse? Sean Couturier, the eighth-overall
pick in the 2011 draft, netted a goal and an assist and was promptly signed
to an entry-level deal by the Flyers today. Couturier, originally expected to be a top-three pick in the draft,
could turn out to be a gem for the Flyers. Philadelphia has some tight competition for just a few forward spots,
but Comcast Sportsnet’s Tim Panaccio expects prospect Matt Read to make the
club, possibly
at the expense of Andreas Nodl. Wayne Simmonds, acquired in the Mike Richards deal, scored once on the
power play and nearly converted a shorthanded breakaway for Philly.
- The NHL’s Board of Governors met
yesterday to discuss realignment, among other things. Nothing’s been decided yet, but we will
likely see some new Eastern Conference opponents next season.
- Dustin Byfuglien was charged
with four counts of intoxicated boating for an incident on Lake Minnetonka
three weeks ago.
Click
here for our full Summer 2011 Archive >
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