Devils have eyes for Shattenkirk
COMMENT Jersey expected to be one of top suitors
Kevin Shattenkirk’s ties to the New York City area — he’s from New Rochelle and played kids’ hockey in a Devils’ sponsored program — might be calling him home come Saturday’s opening of free agent shopping.
The Devils and Buffalo Sabres seem to come up the most as people plot the most likely destination for July 1’s marquee player, but the Rangers still have some cap space after getting Brendan Smith to stay and, as always, covet name players.
But Jersey general manager Ray Shero is looking to make his own splash after his team has spent the last five seasons out of the playoffs — the club’s longest such stretch since the 1980s. It needs Shattenkirk’s offence.
Karl Alzner, another defenceman of note, is looking at a couple of Canadian teams, possibly Montreal and Winnipeg. “Upwards or close to 10 teams” have phoned agent J.P. Barry during the allotted UFA contact period this week, the latter told nhl.com.
Rangers def e nceman Dan Girardi is said to favour Tampa Bay as his next address.
NO RUSHIN’ KOVALCHUK
Is Ilya Kovalchuk serious about coming back to the NHL or was he using the notion to get contract leverage at home?
Several media outlets report the 34- year- old is now re- thinking a return to North America and staying in the KHL. It stemmed from reports of a Thursday meeting that SKA St. Petersburg scheduled with its star. Kovalchuk had 32 goals and 78 points in 60 games during his fourth full season there after ditching the Devils. It was anticipated the KHL club would offer him many perks to stay put.
If Kovalchuk did pick the NHL, at least he could plan his life for this coming season around a schedule. As of now, the 2017-18 KHL schedule has not been released because of a dispute with Moscow Dynamo about alleged shoddy financing and failing to pay its players which could lead to some quitting or seeking their release, thus paralyzing the franchise.
UNION DO’S AND DON’TS
This is not shaping up as a quiet summer inside the NHL Players’ Association.
TSN reports that three prominent agents — Ritch Winter, Kurt Overhardt and Anton Thun — have been pushing hard for more transparency from executive director Donald Fehr and union leadership. The agents are on to hot button issues such as hits to player salaries via escrow, World Cup revenue distribution, other details from the league on hockey related revenue and the league’s decision to halt Olympic participation. The three agents have been advocating for longtime player Chris Chelios to be appointed ombudsman, a position that exists in the PA structure, but is currently unfilled.
There was a reported conference call May 1 where clients of the three agents numbering about 20 raised the aforementioned concerns. Chelios was with the agents, but not on the call. The fallout from that discussion reached this week’s annual PA meeting in Toronto, where high ranking union leadership denounced the attacks.
Pro- Fehr agents agree there is some resentment to how escrow has bit into pay cheques, but say no players have yet come out publicly against the boss. In fact, Fehr’s had a relative period of stability compared to his predecessors. The union can name Chelios or anyone it wants as ombudsman, but it has to be by the book, a formal vote of the 31 team representatives.
As for players not getting access to CBA related information about HRR, the union cites confidentiality rules with the league regarding a mass release of documents, though the records can be examined privately by individuals.
“Any and all information is available to the players,” NHLPA spokesman John Weatherdon told Postmedia.
ICE CHIPS
Scott Hartnell joined the free agent ranks on Thursday when the Blue Jackets bought out the last two years of the forward’s contract. The 35- year- old scored 64 goals for the Jackets the past three seasons, though just 13 last year. He’ll get two thirds of the US$ 7.5 million owed to him ... Winger Kris Versteeg is staying in Calgary, agreeing to a one- year $ 1.75 million deal on Thursday ... Steve Mason’s agent told philly.com the goalie will not be coming back to the Flyers next season ... The Blues have re-signed forward Magnus Paajarvi to a one- year deal ... Ryan McGill, head coach of the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack, is j oining Gerard Gallant’s staff in Las Vegas.