It'll take until at least Christmas to know how the decisions made by all 30 teams will alter the playing field in the NHL for the 2011-12 season. But with the offseason news in quiet mode, there's no better time to look back at what has transpired and look ahead to what could be in store for next season.
NHL.com is here to take you on a tour of all six divisions, providing a breakdown of every team, including its additions, subtractions and up-and-comers.
Here is a look at the Northeast Division:
The Bruins look poised for a run at a repeat while the Sabres are spending to the cap for the first time. The Maple Leafs are hoping to build off a strong finish to the 2010-11 season and the Canadiens believe their depth is better now than it was last season. The Senators are in the early stages of their youth movement with the hope that having their top farm team win last season's AHL championship will benefit this season's NHL team.
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2011 NHL Offseason News
(Page 9 of 15)
2011 Offseason News
Offseason assessment: Northeast Division
Tuesday, 07.26.2011 / 3:00 PM / 2011 Offseason News
Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer
Four-time Cup winner Draper calls it a career
Tuesday, 07.26.2011 / 1:25 PM / 2011 Offseason News
Adam Kimelman - NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor
Taking the time to thank everyone from the general manager who brought him to Detroit to the chef who made his omelets every morning, Red Wings forward Kris Draper announced his retirement during a press conference Tuesday.
"I loved everything about the game and everything about the Red Wings and that's why I'm going to miss it so much," said Draper.
"I know how fortunate I am to play this game, to live my dream out. I had one dream and that was to play in the NHL. I never thought I was going to last this long, never thought I was going to be with the greatest organization in the world, the Detroit Red Wings."
"I loved everything about the game and everything about the Red Wings and that's why I'm going to miss it so much," said Draper.
"I know how fortunate I am to play this game, to live my dream out. I had one dream and that was to play in the NHL. I never thought I was going to last this long, never thought I was going to be with the greatest organization in the world, the Detroit Red Wings."
Reports: Yashin, Isles continue talks for potential deal
Tuesday, 07.26.2011 / 10:21 AM / 2011 Offseason News
NHL.com
The agent for Alexei Yashin says talks between his client and the New York Islanders are continuing.
According to the New York Post, the Islanders have engaged in negotiations to bring the 37-year-old center back to the franchise.
Yashin has been working out at the Islanders' training facility in Syosset, N.Y.
According to the New York Post, the Islanders have engaged in negotiations to bring the 37-year-old center back to the franchise.
Yashin has been working out at the Islanders' training facility in Syosset, N.Y.
Stamkos happy with contract, ready to move forward
Friday, 07.22.2011 / 2:06 PM / 2011 Offseason News
Dave Lozo - NHL.com Staff Writer
There were plenty of rumors about Steven Stamkos when the restricted free agent didn't sign a new contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning before July 1.
With negotiations lingering into mid-July, was that a sign he was looking to force his way out of Florida? Would he sign an offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers? Would he want to join the Toronto Maple Leafs, who play not far from his hometown of Markham, Ontario? Would another team, who would surely love to have a 21-year-old star with 96 goals the past two seasons, try to poach him from the Lightning?
While that made for great fodder for fans, Stamkos had no intention of playing anywhere except Tampa.
With negotiations lingering into mid-July, was that a sign he was looking to force his way out of Florida? Would he sign an offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers? Would he want to join the Toronto Maple Leafs, who play not far from his hometown of Markham, Ontario? Would another team, who would surely love to have a 21-year-old star with 96 goals the past two seasons, try to poach him from the Lightning?
While that made for great fodder for fans, Stamkos had no intention of playing anywhere except Tampa.
Canadiens add Cunneyworth, Ladouceur as assistants
Friday, 07.22.2011 / 11:42 AM / 2011 Offseason News
NHL.com
The Montreal Canadians named Randy Cunneyworth and Randy Ladouceur as assistants to coach Jacques Martin on Friday.
Cunneyworth and Ladouceur worked together with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League last season, helping them to 97 points in the regular season and a trip to the conference finals.
"We are very pleased to have both Randy Cunneyworth and Randy Ladouceur joining our coaching staff," Montreal General Manager Pierre Gauthier said in a statement released by the team. "This duo did a tremendous job in their first year with the Hamilton Bulldogs last season. Their experience, dedication and hard work will inevitably contribute to the development of our young players, which is a key factor to the success of our team. We have already started our preparation for the upcoming season and we welcome both Randy Cunneyworth and Randy Ladouceur as the newest members of our coaching staff."
Cunneyworth and Ladouceur worked together with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League last season, helping them to 97 points in the regular season and a trip to the conference finals.
"We are very pleased to have both Randy Cunneyworth and Randy Ladouceur joining our coaching staff," Montreal General Manager Pierre Gauthier said in a statement released by the team. "This duo did a tremendous job in their first year with the Hamilton Bulldogs last season. Their experience, dedication and hard work will inevitably contribute to the development of our young players, which is a key factor to the success of our team. We have already started our preparation for the upcoming season and we welcome both Randy Cunneyworth and Randy Ladouceur as the newest members of our coaching staff."
Winnipeg names Vincent as assistant coach
Friday, 07.22.2011 / 11:26 AM / 2011 Offseason News
Emily Kaplan - NHL.com Staff Writer
When Pascal Vincent got a call asking if he'd like to interview with the Winnipeg Jets for an assistant coaching vacancy, the 39-year-old was more than surprised.
He didn't know new coach Claude Noel and he didn't know General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. In fact, Vincent's only connection to the Winnipeg organization was that he coached current Jets goaltender Ondrej Pavelec for two years in the QMHL.
"In this business, like in every business I guess, it's people you know," Vincent said in a conference call Friday afternoon. "I know a lot of people in the NHL but I didn't know Claude, didn't know Mr. Cheveldayoff, didn't know anyone, actually. So that's why I was quite surprised. But it's a small world at the same time and those people were looking for a young, dynamic coach."
He didn't know new coach Claude Noel and he didn't know General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. In fact, Vincent's only connection to the Winnipeg organization was that he coached current Jets goaltender Ondrej Pavelec for two years in the QMHL.
"In this business, like in every business I guess, it's people you know," Vincent said in a conference call Friday afternoon. "I know a lot of people in the NHL but I didn't know Claude, didn't know Mr. Cheveldayoff, didn't know anyone, actually. So that's why I was quite surprised. But it's a small world at the same time and those people were looking for a young, dynamic coach."
Citing travel, Emrick leaves Devils, joins NBC
Thursday, 07.21.2011 / 3:42 PM / 2011 Offseason News
NHL.com
Play-by-play Mike "Doc" Emrick has left the New Jersey Devils and MSG to join NBC and Versus on an exclusive basis.
Emrick, considered one of the sports best play-by-play men, has spent more than two decades with both MSG and the New Jersey Devils.
He cited a lightened workload in announcing his decision Thursdsay.
Emrick, considered one of the sports best play-by-play men, has spent more than two decades with both MSG and the New Jersey Devils.
He cited a lightened workload in announcing his decision Thursdsay.
Bruins sign pair of 2010 second-round picks
Wednesday, 07.20.2011 / 6:43 PM / 2011 Offseason News
NHL.com
The Boston Bruins signed both of their second-round picks in the 2010 Entry Draft, forwards Jared Knight and Ryan Spooner, to entry-level contracts.
Knight had 25 goals and 70 points in 68 games for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League last season. He also played three games for the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League and had two assists.
Spooner collected 35 goals 81 points in 64 OHL games split between the Peterborough Petes and Kingston Frontenacs. He also appeared in three games for Providence and had 2 goals and an assist.
Knight had 25 goals and 70 points in 68 games for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League last season. He also played three games for the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League and had two assists.
Spooner collected 35 goals 81 points in 64 OHL games split between the Peterborough Petes and Kingston Frontenacs. He also appeared in three games for Providence and had 2 goals and an assist.
Report: Blackhawks cut ties with defenseman Campoli
Wednesday, 07.20.2011 / 6:07 PM / 2011 Offseason News
NHL.com
The Chicago Blackhawks have allowed defenseman Chris Campoli, scheduled for an arbitration hearing Aug. 3, to become an unrestricted free agent, according to a report by James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail.
Chicago acquired Campoli from the Ottawa Senators before the trade deadline last season, and he had 1 goal and seven points in 19 games for the Blackhawks. He finished the season with 4 goals and 21 points in 77 games including his time with the Senators.
The Blackhawks have added defesemen Steve Montador, Sean O’Donnell and Sami Lepisto this offseason, while also trading Brian Campbell to the Florida Panthers. When Lepisto signed to give Chicago eight defensemen under contract, general manager Stan Bowman told reporters Campoli wasn’t expected to be back with the club.
Chicago acquired Campoli from the Ottawa Senators before the trade deadline last season, and he had 1 goal and seven points in 19 games for the Blackhawks. He finished the season with 4 goals and 21 points in 77 games including his time with the Senators.
The Blackhawks have added defesemen Steve Montador, Sean O’Donnell and Sami Lepisto this offseason, while also trading Brian Campbell to the Florida Panthers. When Lepisto signed to give Chicago eight defensemen under contract, general manager Stan Bowman told reporters Campoli wasn’t expected to be back with the club.
Ducks sign Bell to one-year contract
Wednesday, 07.20.2011 / 5:13 PM / 2011 Offseason News
NHL.com
Mark Bell is getting another chance in the NHL, agreeing to a one-year contract Wednesday with the Anaheim Ducks. Terms were not disclosed.
Bell is a former first-round draft pick of the Blackhawks (No. 8 in 1998) who put together consecutive seasons of 20-plus goals early in his career. He hasn't played in the NHL since 2007-08, spending the past two seasons in the Swiss National League.
In 445 regular-season games for Chicago, San Jose and Toronto, Bell has 87 goals and 182 points.
Bell is a former first-round draft pick of the Blackhawks (No. 8 in 1998) who put together consecutive seasons of 20-plus goals early in his career. He hasn't played in the NHL since 2007-08, spending the past two seasons in the Swiss National League.
In 445 regular-season games for Chicago, San Jose and Toronto, Bell has 87 goals and 182 points.
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