Ryan Caldwell with the Phoenix Coyotes
Kevin Doell with the Atlanta Thrashers
Connor James with the Pittsburgh Penguins
Gabe Gauthier with the LA KingsThe NHL free agent signing period is just underway. Former DUers with 20007-08 NHL experience who are unrestricted free agents are Ryan Caldwell, Connor James and Kevin Doell. Gabe Gauthier is a restricted free agent who was given a qualifying offer by the Kings. Goalie Wade Dubielewicz has already signed with in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League with Ak-Bars Kazan. Adam Berkhoel, Mark Rycroft, Brett Skinner and Glenn Fisher are also free agents but they didn't log any time in the NHL last season. It is believed that Glenn Fisher has agreed to an AHL contract with the Edmonton organization. Below are the links to the TSN site to follow the signings and the official NHL free agent list.
Official NHL Free Agent List
13 comments:
It will be interesting to see if Peter Mannino gets picked up by anyone. I had heard that the Wild and the Islanders expressed an interest in him
Thomas is likely going to sign with another team other than the Capitals. Look for him to sign with an east coast team such as the Bruins, Rangers, or Maple Leafs or Ducks (Dineen) by September. As for Manno, i actually believe the rumors about him pursuing another career, as I also heard the same thing from multiple people who are quite close to him.
Hard to believe Mannino wouldn't garner more interest from NHL clubs, unless he is indeed finished palying hockey.
pesimistic fan you should check your "close sources" a bit better mannino signed a one year deal with the islanders according to my "close sources' and no the capitals did no offer thomas and will see who might offer him a contract
anon 1:48. I never said it was a fact he was quitting, so if he did sign that would be great for him. The Islanders make sense because they lack goaltending depth now that Dubie is gone. With the only goaltenders behind DiPietro being Joey MacDonald and Mike Morrison realistically. Thomas on the other hand is yet to sign with Washington so it will be interesting to see if he decides to keep playing and if so with who.
Thomas' potential as a pro seems far lower than Mannino's. Every organization needs goaltending depth. Mannino has proven himself to be an elite goaltender at the NCAA level. Thomas, on the other hand, is limited offensively, is an average skater, and not a punishing hitter. While I wish him well, I think he'll be lucky to make an AHL team.
In my opinion Thomas is a great skater and was forced to put whatever offensive talent he has on the back burner for 4 years skating with Carle, Skinner, Butler, etc. Somebody had to stay back. Just saw where D-man Brooks Orpik signed a 6 year/$22.5 million deal with the Pens and has averaged less than 10 points per year his entire career. A real stay at home guy. Lucia called Thomas one of the "elite" D-men in the WCHA this past season. Matt Carle (Hobey Baker winner) was a healthy scratch for a good chunk of February and part of March with the Sharks, Skinner continues to struggle to get out of the AHL and Caldwell is rapidly approaching career minor league status. All big points guys at DU. My guess is that if Thomas plays his cards right he may have the best opportunity for an extended NHL career of the entire group. He is also the hardest hitter of any DU D-man I have seen over the past 5 years, maybe longer. You don't lead the team in +/- playing against the other team's best players every game by accident. Would love to re-visit this in two years to see who is where...
Anon 5:20 -
"You don't lead the team in +/- playing against the other team's best players every game by accident."
I couldn't agree with this statement more and was something I don't think Thomas got nearly enough credit for.
Yann Danis was signed yesterday by the Islanders to be the #1 goalie in Bridgeport. That makes Danis and Morrison as the two goalies in Bridgeport. If Mannino were to sign with the The Isles he would probably play in the ECHL for them unless he could unseat Morrison as the #2 in Bridgeport.
Brett Skinner signs with Islanders, no word on the "close source" Mannino signing. I highly doubt that to be a fact.
http://islanders.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=367758
It's official, Peter Mannino has signed with the Isles. Looks like Anon 1:48 wins.
Although, that picture of Manno is very suspicious ;-)
anon 1:48, nice work. I wont doubt any of your info in the future. Lets go Rangers though!
Great job Anon 1:48 on breaking the Mannino news well before anyone else.
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