Hockey Hall selections delayed
Normally, NHL entry draft weekend marks the unofficial end of one hockey season and the July 1 opening of the free agency market signals the beginning of the next, but this year, the timing is a little different and there is one more main event remaining on the calendar — Hall Of Fame selections.
Because the NHL season stretched so long, the HHOF selection committee meetings, originally scheduled for last Wednesday in Toronto, had to be postponed a week. The reason: Four members of the committee had a conflicting commitment (to the NHL board of governors meetings in New York), so to ensure there was a quorum, the Hall postponed its get-together until this coming Wednesday.
The list of eligible players for the HHOF class of 2006 begins with Patrick Roy, whose 551 career regular-season wins is the most in NHL history and almost 100 victories ahead of the current second-place man, Ed Belfour. Roy also won four Stanley Cups and was selected the Conn Smythe trophy winner (as playoff MVP) a record three times.
Two of Roy's contemporaries, Mike Richter and Tom Barrasso, are also eligible for selection this year for the first time. Among forwards who have also met the criteria for selection (players must have been retired for three seasons to get consideration) are Doug Gilmour and Pavel Bure. Statistically, the most prominent defenceman that falls into that category is Phil Housley.
The Hall of Fame selection committee also has the right to consider any candidate that has been passed over in previous years.
To comment, click here, or email me at eduhatschek@globeandmail.ca
Updated Monday, June 26 at 11:45 a.m.
How did Calgary do it?
How did the Calgary Flames manage to pry Alex Tanguay loose from a divisional rival? According to general manager Darryl Sutter, he and his counterpart, Francois Giguere, have been negotiating the terms of the deal for more than a week; the only thing they needed to settle on were the draft choices involved in the transaction. Calgary gave up its second-rounder in this year's draft and a conditional pick in 2007. Presumably, that pick will change hands only if the Flames can sign Tanguay to a long-term contract extension. Like so many players in the NHL right now, Tanguay is a restricted free agent one year removed from unrestricted free agency, so the risk — from Calgary's perspective — is that he walks away after one year in the organization. In order to address his team's need for scoring, Sutter thought it was a gamble worth taking. Tanguay can play centre, but Sutter projects him as a left winger in the Flames' scheme of things. "He's a very consistent player," said Sutter. "He's played with and behind a lot of top players. For his age, to have accomplished what he has from a team and individual standpoint, it's a good move for us." Of surrendering Jordan Leopold in the deal, Sutter said: "To get a top player, you have to give up something." Sutter has not entered any contract negotiations with the Tanguay camp. "You're not allowed. To be honest, the deal was finalized only five minutes before it was announced." Calgary selected a goaltender, Leland Irving, from the Everett Silvertips of the WHL with its first-round pick. Sutter called Irving the best player available and said he didn't think he'd be available at Calgary's pick, after Los Angeles grabbed Jonathan Bernier with the 11th overall choice and Tampa took Riku Helenius 15th overall. "I've seen him play lots. He's a top young goalie in the world."
To comment, click here, or email me at eduhatschek@globeandmail.ca
Updated Saturday, June 24 at 9:30 p.m.
Raycroft to Toronto for Rask
True to their word, the Maple Leafs went out and traded for a new No. 1 goaltender today, taking advantage of the Boston Bruins' goaltending surplus to acquire Andrew Raycroft, the 2004 Calder Trophy. In exchange, the Leafs gave up Tuukka Rask, the 21st selection in the 2005 entry draft.
