GetItNext Hockey - The Red Line - All Hockey All The Time

Mats Sundin To Sign With Toronto Maple Leafs

Alright people, I just don't think Mats Sundin is going to the Vancouver Canucks, i just don't see it happening.  I know all the latest rumors suggest that he will sign with the Nucks but I just don't think so.  I think based on the teams left with enough cap room, Mats is going to decide to re-sign with the Maple Leafs in the end.  His agent is pushing him hard to go elsewhere, but I think Mats will return and end his career as a Leaf. 

Toronto Maple Leafs Fans Given The Finger!

Alright I know, this is not news and I'm sure the blog title is not creative but I couldn't resist.  By now I'm sure that everyone knows that the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Jeff Finger for $14 million bucks.  Alot of dough for a finger if you ask me, but a lot saner than the NY Rangers signing Wade Redden to that idiotic long term deal.  Also I highly doubt Jeff will be flipping the Maple Leafs "the bird" which is something the Stars might be receiving from Sean Avery.

Bertuzzi Flames Out - Signs One Year Deal with Calgary

Todd Bertuzzi has signed a 1 year contract with the Calgary Flames.  Looks like the deal will be just shy of 2 million bucks, probably some incentives built in.  Apparently Jerome Iginla was big supporter and pushed hard to get Dirty Bert on the team.

I wish the Calgary Flames luck with this headcase reclamation project, buyer beware.  Just ask the Ducks who waived this pile of trash.  Or call down to Florida and see how happy they were with Bert, or the Red Wings who gave up on him after 8 games.   Going to be long cold season in Calgary.

Kevin Lowe Calls Burke a Moron and Much More

Edmonton Oilers GM Kevin Lowe has finally fired back at Brian Burke, picking July 4th as the day to light off the fireworks.  As you all know Burkie is still pissed about Lowe offering Dustin Penner a $21.25 million dollar RFA contract last year.  Burke recently started ranting about how much money he had to pay Corey Perry .  I guess KLowe couldn't take it anymore and fired back with his own verbal assault.  Here are some of the best quotes from Lowe's interview with Edmonton Team 1260:

He's a moron, first of all.

Secondly, he really believes that any news for the NHL is good news.

Thirdly, he loves the limelight and I don't think anyone in hockey will dispute that.

Lastly, he's in a pathetic hockey market where they can't get on any page of the newspaper let alone the front page of the sports, so any of this stuff carries on.

This guy is an absolute media junkie and I guess he's achieving what he wants because he gets his name in the headlines. But the reality is, I hate the fact that my name is linked to his.

He's an underachieving wanna-be in terms of success in the NHL. He won a Stanley Cup? Great. I've won six Stanley Cups, you want to count rings? Who cares, it's just a little pathetic that he carries on.

He's all bluff and loud and Mac T (head coach Craig MacTavish) said it best - he's like the Wizard of Oz, you pull the curtains away and there's not much substance.

Here's a fact - he left (former Canucks GM) Dave Nonis nothing in Vancouver," he explained. "Nothing. He destroyed that team. If it wasn't for Nonis' incredible deals - to con Mike Keenan to get Roberto Luongo in Vancouver - that team was taking a nose dive two years ago.

Siberia or Edmonton, Jaromir Jagr Chooses Siberia

After the New York Rangers turned their back on Jaromir Jagr he was still left with several choices in the NHL.  One of the teams that was pursuing him the hardest was Kevin Lowe and the Edmonton Oiler$.  Having turned the NHL salary structure upside down 1 year ago, Kevin Lowe struck out again.  I would have thought in this case Edmonton geographically had the upper hand but apparently not.  Jagr turned down the Oilers offer, decided to walk away from the NHL and is instead heading to Siberia to play for Omsk.  Jags is said to have signed a 2 year deal worth 25 million.

Dan Boyle Is a Shark

Dan Boyle has waived his no trade and has been traded to the San Jose Sharks from the Tampa Bay Lightning.  San Jose is rumored to be sending Matt Carle, Brad Lukowich, a 1st round pick and 4th rounder as per tsn.ca.  Looks like the Sharks are loading up for a run at the Cup.  They'll need luck as the road to the Cup in West will be through Detroit next year.

Dan Boyle career stats

Matt Carle career stats

Jaromir Jagr Signs Russian Contract with Omsk

Well folks, its finally official.  Here is an exerpt: On July 4th the Genaral Manager of HK Avangard Anatoli Bardin has concluded a contract with a 2+1 scheme with one of the best forwards of the NHL Jaromir Jagr.

This signing comes on the heels of the NY Rangers turning their back on him Jagr.  It also comes as no surprise and I even blogged about Jagr signing with Omsk back in May, Jaromir Jagr retires from NHL.  I guess this closes the chapter on one of the greatest talents ever to lace up the skates in the NHL.  As for Sather, I don't think Slats handled the last couple of days correctly.  I'll have more later on my thoughts on the state of the Rangers.

Good luck Jags I hope you are happy over there.  I for one thought you should have returned to Pittsburgh Penguins and lit the league up for one more year.  How good would Jagr and Crosby have been on a line?