News and Notes From Around the NHL
No Olympics for Sundin, the Canadiens are Sold, and Players Re-Sign
Jun 21, 2009
While signings and trades have been few and far between since the Stanley Cup was awarded 10 days ago, there has been some noise in the early goings of the NHL offseason.
Sundin Says No to Vancouver 2010
There’s apparently no hemming and hawing for Mats Sundin this time. At least not on his decision to participate in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. In an interview with Swedish newspaper Expressen, Sundin says he won’t be there to help his country defend its title.
It was a decision he made after the 2006 Games in Torino, where the veteran center captained Sweden to a gold medal. Three years later, he hasn’t changed his mind; he went out on top, Sundin tells reporter Gunnar Nordström, and feels it’s time for the new generation to take center stage.
While he’s standing firm on his plans for two weeks in February 2010, the 38-year-old has yet to offer any hints as to his intentions for the 2009-10 season. He says he’ll think about what his future holds over the next few weeks and share his news in the coming months.
Molson Brothers, George Gillett Agree in Principle to Deal for Canadiens
When rumors first started swirling that George Gillett was looking to sell the Montreal Canadiens, the Habs’ owner denied it, explaining he was merely reviewing his assets. Then, as time passed, interested buyers popped up with the number of prospective owners growing by the day.
One of the last groups to express an interest was the Molson brothers, spearheaded by Geoff Molson. Confirmation of interest by potential bidders was all fans and media had to go on, with Gillett keeping mum on his intentions. All that speculation came to an end on June 20 when the Canadiens officially announced that Gillett and Molson had reached an agreement in principle.
The deal, which is subject to approval by the NHL’s Board of Governors before it can be finalized, marks the fourth time in franchise history that it has been in the hands of the Molson family. Senator Hartland Molson and brother Thomas bought the team in 1957 and would own it until 1964 when they sold it to their cousins, David, Bill, and Peter Molson. The trio would remain at the helm until 1971 when they sold it to the Bronfman brothers.
Seven years later, the club would return to the Molson clan when it was purchased by Molson Breweries; ownership would stay that way until Gillett arrived in 2001.
Tkachuk, Reinprecht and Prucha Sign
The Florida Panthers made a trade and a signing, neither involving Jay Bouwmeester. Instead, the Cats acquired center Steve Reinprecht from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for prospect Stefan Meyer, and promptly signed him to a three-year deal. A nine-year NHL veteran, Reinprecht recorded 41 points in 73 games in 2008-09, hitting the 40-point mark for a second consecutive season.
The Coyotes’ future in Phoenix may be up in the air but General Manager Don Maloney is still busy at work. After shipping Reinprecht to Florida, the club announced it had re-signed Petr Prucha to a two-year pact. Acquired from the New York Rangers at the 2009 trade deadline, Prucha picked up 10 points in 19 games with the Coyotes.
Rounding out a day of signings was the news that Keith Tkachuk had re-upped with the St. Louis Blues for another year. A member of the organization since the 2000-01 campaign – minus a 22-game stint, playoffs included, with the Thrashers in 2006-07 – he’s been a perfect fit over the last few years with a young Blues squad. He’s been able to contribute offensively as well, potting 52 goals over the last two seasons.
 |
