Ice Scoopz: Friday Early Morning

Here's a few signings to catch up on from yesterday plus a few rumors to start the morning off.

*-> The Philadelphia Flyers have added even more defensive depth today by adding Dan Jancevski to their organization. The much traveled defenseman played for Dallas's affiliates last season. The deal is a 1 year deal and on a 2 way clause.

*-> The Islanders have resigned struggling prospect Robbie Schremp to a 1 year 1 way contract. Schremp looks to improve on his career high of 25 points this season.

*-> The Toronto Maple Leafs have added much need depth to their organization by adding forwards Joey Crabb, Mike Zigomanis and defenseman Danny Richmond to the farm. all are 1 year deals on 2 way contracts.

*-> The Minnesota wild continues to resign their goaltenders. Yesterday they re upped Anton Khudobin to a 1 year 2 ways contract.

*-> The Minnesota Wild have also secured their franchise forward Mikko Koivu for the next 7 years. The Finnish centerman resigned with the wild for a massive 47.25$MIL deal which translates to 6.75$MIL per season. a great move for the wild as Koivu plays the exact definaition of Wild hockey.

*-> Blair Jones has resigned with the Tampa Bay Lightning for another year.

*-> Gregory Campbell who was acquired in the Nathen Horton deal was resigned by the Boston Bruins to a 2 year deal.

*-> The Dallas Stars have signed veteran Brad Lukowich to a 1 year deal.

Some KHL signings...

*-> Manny Legace has taken off to the KHL after the NHL goalie market dried up. Legace will most likely start for Dinamo Riga next season on a 1 year contract.

*-> Pavol Demitra has indeed signed with Yaroslav of the KHL. Demitra has signed a 1 year deal ending his NHL career....for now, terms were not yet disclosed.

*-> Goaltender Steven Valiquette has also signed in the "K". Valliquette will lace up for CSKA Moscow.

On to the rumors....

*-> It's being reported the Ilya Kovalchuk war is currently being won by the Los Angeles Kings still. The Kings are still pushing hard for the Russian snipers services but some are saying Kovalchuk's loyalty to the New Jersey Devils is slowing down the progress being made. Kovalchuk feels personally responsible for New Jerseys situation and would like to help them out for trading away several key prospects and their 1st round draft pick for him and only giving them a short playoff run its being reported. Kovalchuk is also being drawn to the bright lights of Hollywood where his wife who is a singer could further her career as well. Kovalchuk's Russian agent still maintains he's fielding KHL offers that shadow the NHL teams offers and it could still be a possibility for Ilya to return home, He also noted however he believes the NHL is still 1st in his heart. Several other NHL teams have inquired about Kovalchuk but no major offers yet. The Islanders have reportedly touched base with Kovalchuk but yet no official offer has been made. The Nashville Predators have also inquired it's being said but Kovalchuk has no desire in heading to Nashville. It's still pretty wide open and if the right offer came from the Devils, or an outside team the door could be wide open. Kovalchuk is rumored to be seeking a 6 year deal worth max dollars. Los Angeles have met the length but wont give him top dollar due to the main reasoning they have a young crop of players due big contracts and do not wish to end up in the Hawks situation years down the road. hopefully this ends soon.

*-> While speaking on the end of the Kovalchuk debate this brings me to my next series of rumors. While the hockey world is still waiting for the signing of Ilya many side deals and signings are being held up by the ordeal. Simon Gagne is one of those players being tied up by Kovalchuk. The Los Angeles Kings have already shown big time interest in Gagne and he originally waived his no trade clause to head to LA it was once reported. LA has fielded the best offer so far for Gagne but he's still considered Plan B for the Kings. The Flyers have shopped him to several other teams including the Tampa Bay Lightning who could force the Kings to make a move soon otherwise they may miss out on the second option. Yzerman has tremendous respect for Gagne, Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis also could be major factors in this one.

*-> Alexander Frolov is another player waiting for the dominos to drop. Frolov a former King hasn't given up on the Kings quite yet. Call this one plan C. Frolov has also had talks with the New York Rangers as well. The Rangers offer is rumored to be really low however. Frolov has also pulled in several KHL offers. CSKA Moscow have put forth the biggest offer and it's expected St. Petersberg will turn their attention to Frolov if they are unable to land the big fish. The Montreal Canadiens showed interest at the start of free agency but now are focused on the Carey Price signing which is more expensive than they originally thought.

*-> Another casualty of this war is Tomas Kaberle and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs want total attention for this one as they need a bidding war to start for their franchise defenseman in order to get the best possible deal. Los Angeles before this fiasco started was one of the teams bidding for Kabby. One of the few Western Conference teams to add to that. Right now the Buffalo Sabres are hot for Kaberle but the Leafs are reluctant to deal him to a division rival. The Washington Capitals also have shown mild interest. Another Western team is the Columbus Blue Jackets but they haven't put forth a suitable offer for the Leafs so far. Burke is a smart man and he knows to wait this one out. It's almost certain that the Leafs will trade Kaberle especially after bringing in Brett Lebda this summer.

*-> When the dominoes begin to fall the rest of the avaliable attractive free agents should start going as well. There still are several worth while free agents out there and while the market is dried up for now several of them should find homes once this is all said an done with. Paul Kariya is one of those attractive free agents still out there. Kariya has his heart set on playing still and is listening to offers. It's rumored theres a big chance he could still return to the St. Louis Blues. They have been speaking but the Blues aren't too concerned about losing Kariya quite yet as they've been looking at the available right wingers on the market and trade options. Kariya has also spoken to the Pittsburgh Penguins and loves the idea of playing for a contender again. the only downside is the Penguins would expect Kariya to take a major discount contract to fit him in. The New York Rangers are also interested but once again are also interested in a reduced rate as per salary cap reasons. another long shot rumors is being reunighted with his friend and former linemate Teemu in Anaheim.

*-> The Calgary Flames are reportedly still trying to land Marc Savard from the Boston Bruins. The Bruins are still undecided on what their plans are for Savard and would rather not send him to any of his prefered teams as they are division rivals. The Senators have had mild interest and recently reports have had them interested in Savard and Wheeler in a packaged deal but from what I hear it's just Wheeler at the momment.

Well thats it for now more news and rumors soon!