Let’s begin with the two contracts contingent on retirement decisions, Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermayer, both of whom have said they will make their decisions known to the club before the draft.

Teemu Selanne – (right wing, unrestricted) – Being taken out by two injuries and playing in only 54 games was not what Selanne had in mind for 2009-10 and this may influence his decision on whether or not to retire.  Despite missing 28 games, Teemu still notched 27 goals and putting him at a tie for 2^nd place (with Corey Perry 82 games played) behind only Bobby Ryan who had 35 goals in 81 games (for the Ducks).  He also managed 21 assists and scored his 600^th career goal. With numbers like this, I think he’s proved that he can still play at the NHL level. I think we will see Selanne for one more year.

Teemu took a salary cut from $3.25 mil on 2008-09 to $2.0 mil for this past season. I would like to see him come back for the same amount in 2010-11, he’s definitely worth it.

Video: Teemu Selanne\’s 600th Career Goal

Scott Niedermayer – (defense, unrestricted) – As much as I would like to see Niedermayer heading up the Ducks’ defense for 2010-11, I think we may have seen his last game. I am really hoping that this isn’t the case.

Although he does have a big cap hit of $6.75 mil (bonuses included), he is well worth the investment for another season. His presence on and off the ice is something that will be sorely missed by the team when he finally decides to hang up his skates.

Aaron Ward – (defense, unrestricted) – The two questions that need to be answered with Ward are, “Will he want to play another season?” and, “Will he take a pay cut?” At the age of 37, this may have the last we’ll see of him in the NHL. Do the Ducks want to give him the $2.5 mil he garnered last season? I don’t think so. I would be looking to offer $3 mil for two years. Yes, he is a veteran d-man, but at his age, can we even be sure he would be back for the 2^nd year of the contract (if this were to be the case).

Bobby Ryan – (right wing, restricted) – Ryan has made known that he is potentially looking for a deal that would take him to unrestricted free agency, which is something a 4-year deal would do. If this were to be the case, I would think something along the lines of $4.25 mil to $5.0 mil over the 4 year period (we’re probably looking at the $5.0 mil side)would be an acceptable sum for both parties.

Saku Koivu – (center, unrestricted) – Koivu re-signing in Anaheim next season may hinge on the return of the Finnish Flash.  But, with the purchase of a house in Orange County, it’s looking like Saku wants to stay in Southern California. I don’t see much, if any, of a raise coming for him, his $3.25 salary seems to be just right. If Murray could get him for $5.75 mil to $6 mil for a two year period, all the better, Koivu may take a pay cut to stay with his countryman. The Koivu, Jason Blake, Selanne line really started to click during the final stretch of the season, if they can continue with this chemistry, that line will be a force to be reckoned with.

Kyle Chipchura – (center, restricted) – Despite the misleading -12, Chipchura proved to be a physical force in the front which is something the Ducks have been lacking. I was extremely impressed with the way he performed for Anaheim and at $500K for 2009-10, they guy was a huge bargain. In my opinion, Chipchura is a must re-sign and if Murray can do it for between $800K and $1.0 mil, he is a bargain.

Sheldon Brookbank – (defense, unrestricted) – I would think a $250K to $300K addition to Brookbank’s $500,000 a year would be enough to have him re-sign with Anaheim. I am looking at him to pick up a lot more ice time for 2010-11 as well as to become a permanent part of the penalty kill unit. If Niedermayer does return, one more season with him should really help Sheldon grow into a strong, reliable player who can head up the Ducks’ defensive unit.

Brendan Mikkleson – (defense, restricted) – In my opinion, Mikkelson is shaping up to be a good, solid addition to the Ducks’ defense.  But, for more than $750K, I would have to say let him walk. He spent of his season in the minors and will be fighting for a roster spot with the likes of Brett Festerling, and Brookbank, both of whom look to be strong for the upcoming season.

Kyle Calder – (left wing, unrestricted) – Calder is gone. I don’t see the Ducks re-signing him for any price. He just never seemed to find a spot to fit in for us and even at only $500K, is it going to be worth having someone who will spend the majority of the season in the AHL?

James Wisniewski – (defense, restricted) – Ducks General Manager, Bob Murray has said that he will extend a qualifying offer to Wiz, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he will sign with the team. Wisniewski collected $2.75 mil for the 2009-10 season and it’s looking like he wants quite a bit more to stay in Anaheim. While he is one of the team’s better d-men and I would like to see him stay, I wouldn’t want to give him more than $3.5 to $4.0 mil over 4 years.  Wiz is arbitration eligible so this could prove to be where it goes if he and the team cannot come to an agreement.

*Salaries courtesey of CapGeek.com

Although these are not the type of moves expected following the holiday roster freeze, two GMs made some minor roster decisions today.  The Anaheim Ducks placed forward Kyle Calder on waivers while the Nasville Predators did the same with Dave Scatchard.

Calder skated to the left of Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf on the top line however he turned in a sub-par performance.  The 32-year-old Calder produced only two assists in 14 games for the Ducks while posting a minus-seven rating.

Scatchard going on waiver may be a surprise to some  but with the recent callup and play of rookie Nick Spaling, the veteran became redundant.  This move also frees up cap space for the team, albeit not a lot but every dollar counts in this economy.

In 16 games, Scatchard posted five points and a plus-three.  The 33-year-old  averaged a little under 11 minutes of ice time per game.

It makes one ponder what is in store down the line considering both GMs essentially freed up roster spots. Will it be the kids getting the call ups or will these moves precede trade dominos beginning to fall?

We hope you enjoyed our latest feature here at the NHL Hot Stove.  You can help NHLHS stay alive by visiting our sponsors to the left.

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Anthony Curatolo
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Matthew Pouliot’s series on Circling the Bases, I have decided restore the rosters for every NHL team. Like Pouliot, I have established some ground rules for my selections.

1. Each team contains players they originally drafted or signed before any other NHL team. This includes players drafted and not signed, as well as European free agents coming over at an older age.
2. I have chosen to leave retired players off the list, and lean toward players in the AHL rather than those deported (KHL, SEL, DEL, etc.).

Essentially I am choosing the best available players for a team to succeed in the current NHL season. All 30 teams will be covered, with grades assigned to forwards, defense and goaltending. After all 30 articles are written, they will be ranked in order. This series’ intent is to reward or shame NHL scouts.

Due to excellent drafting over the last couple of years, the Blackhawks have restocked the cupboard nicely.  The core established on their current roster is mostly homegrown with players with free agent signings filling out a few spots.  Both their forwards and defensive units feature high end talent as well as solid depth.

The lineup for the Chicago Blackhawks is as follows.

Forwards:

The forward core is clearly the strength of the team. Bearing a strong similarity to their current lineup, the Hawks forward drafting has been excellent over the years.

Rene Bourque – Jonathan Toews – Patrick Kane

Tuomo Ruutu – Dave Bolland – Daniel Cleary

Dustin Byfuglien – Ethan Moreau – Troy Brouwer

Adam Burish – Dean McAmmond – Michael Blunden

Extras: Bryan Bickell, Jack Skille, Kyle Calder

For the most part, this is a solid NHL lineup.  Moreau plays a similar, albeit less effective role as John Madden while Cleary and Ruutu are solid second liners.  The one glaring weakness is a legitimate first line LW, whereas the current team has productive wingers Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp and Kris Versteeg.  Although no longer with the organization, Blunden plays a regular fourth line with the Blue Jackets as has McAmmond with the Devils.

Grade: A-

Defense:

As you could guess with most of their defenders homegrown, the defensive core is strong.  Another testament to  just how good the scouting in Chicago is.

Duncan Keith – Brent Seabrook

James Wisniewski – Cam Barker

Niklas Hjalmarsson – Kent Huskins

Pretty similar blue line to the team’s current construction.  The powerplay quarterback will need to be by committee as there is no Brian Campbell.  Wisniewski is a solid top four defender and as has been all year for the Ducks while Huskins plays a solid bottom pair with a very good Sharks team.  Still no glaring holes in this lineup.

Grade: A-

Goaltenders:

In my old age I forgot Craig Anderson was originally a Calgary draft choice and therefore not illegible to be on this Hawks team.  Their goalie drafting and development is certainly their weakness.

Antii Niemi

Michael Leighton

Extra: Corey Crawford

Niemi is only entering his first year as a backup while Crawford has very limited NHL experience.  At the point of this writing, the Blackhawks have failed to develop a legitimate NHL starter.

Grade: D-

Hope you enjoyed the this last edition of Restoring the Roster.  You can help NHLHS stay alive by visiting our sponsors to the left.

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-Alexander Monaghan
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