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Atlantic Rising
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Remember back in the innocent pre-lockout days of the NHL when seemingly the only teams that ever signed free agents were the Flyers and Rangers? The Devils, Islanders and Penguins were pretty much left out in the cold watching their divisional rivals splurge cash on the likes of Pavel Bure and Tony Amonte. The Flyers would always seem to wash out in the playoffs while the Rangers failed to even make the postseason.
Well these days, the Rangers and Flyers are still the ones spending the most cash, but they're not the only ones.
It seems the overall depth of talent in the Atlantic Division has improved so far this offseason. Even when the Islanders seemingly had their roster gutted after the first day of free agency, they have found a way to spot competent replacements.
The Penguins haven't even made that much noise in terms of free agents, but they still managed to bring in a consistent 20-goal scorer in Petr Sykora and two-time All-Star in Darryl Sydor.
A quick look at the comings and goings this offseason to the Atlantic Division.
With the exception of the Devils, who never seem to rely on individual players, every team in the Atlantic Division has added at least one player who has been an All-Star.
EMPTY NETTER ASSISTS
Dave Molinari gives us some more information on Sidney Crosby's contract negotiations .
Winger Colby Armstrong is going to arbitration.
Will we see Angelo Esposito in a real Penguins jersey next season?
We wouldn't really mention this mind-numbing garbage from ESPN, but Sidney Crosby's involved. The "World-Wide Leader" is staging a "tournament" to determine the "ultimate sports star." "ESPN Research" (There's one to stick on your resume) determined Sidney Crosby is a seven seed out of a field of eight in the Billie Jean King (huh?) bracket. As a result he draws second-seeded Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter in the first round. How exactly are these two to compete you ask? Well you vote for them in what is basically a glorified popularity contest on July 11.
So we have Derek Jeter of the Yankees whose games are on the "WWL" about eight days a week. (Yes we said eight). And he's going against Sidney Crosby who plays a sport that had approximately 8:43 worth of highlights from the 2006-07 season on the "WWL." In a popularity contest. Yeah ...
Red Wings goaltender Dominik Hasek finally decides to come back for one more season at least.
The Canadiens re-signed blue-liner Mathieu Biron and signed Blues defenseman Jamie Rivers.
John Paddock will be the next head coach of the Ottawa Senators.
Devils defenseman Brad Lukowich goes back to Tampa Bay where he won the Stanley Cup in 2004.
The Ducks re-signed defenseman Maxim Kondratiev who they originally acquired in a trade for new Penguins winger Petr Sykora.
The Dallas Stars and Phoenix Coyotes are the only teams to not sign a free agent -- yet. Who will budge first?
The Toronto Globe and Mail has the entire list of players who elected salary arbitration.
Random YouTube find of the day: The 2006-07 Penguins on NHL 94:
First Published July 6, 2007 4:46 pm
