One Timers, June 29th - Pavel Bure gets the cold shoulder

Pavel Bure got snubbed, yet again, by the Hockey Hall of Fame Election Committee. (PicasaWeb)

⊳ Congratulations to Ed Belfour, Mark Howe, Joe Niewendyk, and Doug Gilmour for all being selected into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Snubbed yet again were most notably Pavel Bure, the Russian scoring machine, and Eric Lindros. Oh, and Mr. 16th all time in regular season points, Adam Oates. 

⊳ Christian Ehrhoff must have not been all too pleased when he received the news that he had his free agent rights traded to the New York Islanders for a 4th round pick. The Islanders might be able to offer Ehrhoff as much as he wants due to their high cap space. But, mere weeks after coming a win away from winning the Stanley Cup, does Ehrhoff want to sign with a rebuilding team? I'd think he doesn't. Detroit has to fill the hole left by Brian Rafalski... does Ehrhoff fit the bill?

⊳ Brooks Laich has signed a new 6-year deal with the Capitals, finally cashing after making about $2 million last season. Laich will now make an average of $4.5 million a season for the next 6 years, including a (somewhat ridiculous, in my mind) $6.5 million salary next season. Laich expressed that he never wanted to leave, though he didn't say until after he signed. Smart man.

⊳ The Carolina Hurricanes managed to keep on of their top free agents, big minute Finnish offensive defenseman Joni Pitkanen, keeping him for 3 seasons at a cap hit of $4.5 million a season.

⊳ Steven Stamkos and Drew Doughty both were not taken to team arbitration to protect their rights like fellow star RFAs Shea Weber and Zach Parise. The question now is, who will offer either one (especially Stamkos) a league-maximum 10+ year deal? To me, it is a win win situation for whatever team does it (assuming it isn't the Capitals); either Tampa Bay screws their salary cap situation with a long, league-max deal, or some other team does the same to themselves instead. Either way, nobody except fans of other teams are going to be happy. And I love that.
⊳ On the subject of crazy offer sheets, the Flyers have reportedly offered $115 million over 12 years to Stamkos. Not quite league max but still the highest cap hit in the league. (More of that later).

⊳ Chris Drury is getting bought out by the Rangers, even though he is technically injured. Apparently, Drury chose to waive the injury exemption that prevents him from being bought out. Classy move by a classy guy. Hopefully some team signs him.

⊳ Reports are that Semyon Varlamov has indeed chosen the KHL... but that the KHL team that drafted him won't trade his KHL rights... and he's coming to train in DC?!

⊳ Dwayne Roloson is coming back to Tampa Bay. Is age going to catch up with him? Also... Olie Kolzig is 6 months younger than Roloson. Capitals fans weep. 


Check back later for articles on Stamkos and Varlamov. That's it for now!