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D-man Martin Frechette is also an invitee, a holdover from the rookie camp from earlier in the summer. What really disappoints me is that the Bulldogs coach, Don Lever, isn't even there, despite that fact that several of the players in this tourney will be with the Bulldogs at some point this season (either starting, or as callups from Cincy.) I sincerely hope this wasn't his decision to skip, but he's had some real oddball ones in the past, so nothing's beyond the realm of possibility.

Let me say that having seen Kostitsyn and followed him as the Bulldogs writer for HW, he is NOT ready for full-time NHL duty. He is still beyond inconsistent although his offensive skills are up to NHL standards. Let's not forget his contract as well; since he's on his ELC (Entry-Level Contract), his NHL salary is quite high for a rookie, just under $900 K, more than any of Plekanec, Higgins, or Perezhogin, to make comparisons. If the cap becomes an issue, he, along with Chipchura, also on an ELC, will be passed over for more cap-friendly options. This may also deter the Habs from signing Latendresse unless he's proven that he's more than ready, which is probably not going to happen just yet. That being said, Kostitsyn and Chipchura should see some NHL time (spot duty here and there) this season. In terms of some of the other guys, Grabovsky should play in Hamilton strictly for the first few months to help him become acclimated to the North American game, but if he plays well, could merit a late season callup. Ferland isn't all that talented, but he's a young big-bodied player that could always be used here and there. Then there's Lapierre. Everything needs a little fine-tuning, but I think he could be the best fit for the rookie spot, simply because of the role that rookie will play, which, as the roster looks now, will be 4th line/press box. His contract (league min) at the NHL level could also play an impact there. As for the D, let's be frank, there really isn't an NHL-ready d-man in the mix, but since someone has to fill Bouillon's spot for a while, it will likely be between Cote and Jancevski to take that spot. Benoit and Sanford are far from ready, Archer's hurt, and O'Byrne should see a little AHL time before being thrown into the mix. If it comes down to whoever stays up will be the #7, I'd give the nod to Jancevski, simply because Cote would benefit more from playing in Hamilton, Jancevski is strictly there for depth, and low-maintenance at that.

You got me thinking here, so I pulled up my copy of the CBA, and here's how I see it: - He's 24 years old - Was under contract before the lockout, 2 seasons not including this, not including the lockout. - Players 24 years and older must clear waivers if they've been under NHL contract, but here's the part I've never really been sure of: In the CBA, it states that said player (24 years old and 2 NHL contract years minimum) also has to play 60 NHL games to be eligible for waivers. In that case, Cote wouldn't have to clear. However, further down, it goes on to talk about numbers of professional games, and in that case, he would have to clear. It's all up for interpretation, and quite frankly, my head hurts too much to try to decipher it at the moment. If anyone's up for it, here's a link to the online CBA: http://www.nhl.com/nhlhq/cba/archive/cba/article13.html Scroll down to Article 13.4 to read that section, that's where the answer is.

Not entirely...yes, they upped the max salary an AHL'er can earn before having to pass through recall waivers, but Danis' age makes him have to clear waivers. The same is the case with Ferland, Milroy, and Cote.

The Bulldogs lineup currently looks as follows: Goalies: Jaroslav Halak, Yann Danis (if he clears waivers), Cedric Desjardins Defence: J-P Cote, Andre Benoit, James Sanford, Andrew Archer, Dan Jancevski, Jon Gleed, Alexandre Dulac-Lemelin Forwards: Corey Locke, Andrei Kostitsyn, Francis Lemieux, Maxim Lapierre, Duncan Milroy, Michael Lambert, Jonathan Ferland, Kyle Chipchura, Cory Urquhart, Gregory Stewart, Jimmy Bonneau, Matt D'Agostini, Mathieu Aubin, Mikhail Grabovsky, Eric Manlow, Ajay Baines Before everyone gets too optimistic about the Bulldogs, let me bring everyone down to earth here. Gone are: Winchester, Pouliot, Jacques, Syvret, Roy (to Edmonton), plus Dagenais, Aitken, Michaud, Ivanans, Vandermeer, Paul (for the most part, this is good...), Kostitsyn if he makes the Canadiens. Incoming are: Desjardins, Jancevski, Gleed, Dulac-Lemelin, Stewart, D'Agostini, Aubin, Grabovsky, Manlow, Baines. If you ask me, I prefer the crew that's departed (at least the first few) over some AHL has beens and mostly fringe prospects, and several of those (Desjardins, Gleed, D-L) aren't even Habs prospects. Yes, there are a couple of intriguing prospects, but not much more after that. Will Baines and Manlow help? Yes, but only a little, as the scoring they'll bring won't replaced the departed, which means, as it stands now, the Bulldogs are destined for mediocrity once more.

We better have a league again this season, I need to defend (or more likely, blow) my title. May as well set the league up Joel, go from there. For those who don't really know, Joel's been running the HW Fantasy Football league since, well, a year before HW came to life...It should stay that way IMO.

Jones officially signs, reportedly 3 years and 11 mil, Boogie Williams bought out and released, Slokar to sign within the next 48 hours. Approximately $2 mil in salary cap space remains, but likely will not be used in free agency (who's left that's any good and will sign for the veteran's minimum?)

A few points: Garbajosa, 3 years, $12 mil (same as Parker) Jones, 3 years, $11 mil Raps to sign F/C Uros Slokar and G/F P.J. Tucker in the coming days as well, 05 and 06 2nd rounders respectively. Salmons winds up with Sacramento. Ford, Calderon Peterson, Jones, Parker Parker, Graham Bosh, Bargnani, Garbajosa, Humphries Nesterovic, Slokar Out for the season: Sow, likely Alvin Williams That's what the lineup looks like at the moment.

Why is this good news for Als fans? Williams has been a complete bust for the Argos, the offence works better in a non-running game anyways, 5 receiver sets work best for them, even with Wynn/Crouch at QB. I watched the game last night, and noticed that as soon as Williams left, their offence improved, when Jeff Johnson was in the game. As far as I'm concerned, this helps the Argos, and that's not a good thing.

We can all hope the Jays get a good return, but realistically, it's not going to happen. The hope that the team can get Adam Kennedy for him is all but impossible now. Best case scenario I see is that the Jays get a minor league prospect (pitcher would be nice) and not have to eat any portion of Hillenbrand's contract. That way, J.P. has a little more $$ to work with, should he decide to go after someone near the deadline. I'd be stunned if the Jays got a proven MLB player straight up for Shea, happy, but stunned.

This is a stunner on a few levels, Montoya is with a strong team in F1 right now, hard to see him wanting to leave it. However, there is a history with Montoya and Ganassi Racing, the two were together for a while in the CART (now CCWS) series. I'm also surprised that Ganassi didn't go after a more proven driver, his 2 rookies for this year in Stremme and Sorenson have not panned out all that well, now they're going to another rookie to replace Mears, who's having a breakout season. I don't get it from their end. Expect Montoya to get some Busch races in before the end of the NBS season, Ganassi has said he'd like to get him into an NNC (Nextel Cup) race or 2 before year's end as well.

Can't say I like dealing away CV, however, this isn't something that stunned me to be honest. The Raptors, assuming the signing of Garbajosa goes through, will have him, along with Humphries and Bargnani at the 3, someone had to go. The Raps also needed a PG, Villaneuva was the one that'd get them the best one. Also to consider: There are very few talented PG's in free agency this year, and most the good ones (Terry/Cassell) have already re-upped with their old teams, so a trade needed to be made to fill the need. Assuming Ford will sign a long-term deal next season, the Raps will finally have a solid PG rotation, and that's a good thing.

Not surprised in the least with the pick, I too would have preferred Aldridge, but deep down, I think everyone knew it was going to be Bargnani. If anything, the Raps have their bigs set for the present and also the future, do not overlook that fact. I'm intrigued with PJ Tucker, an undersized 3 who'll see time on the court likely when Villaneuva/Bargnani are on, to help with the rebounding. No complaints with that pick, that's for sure. As for Portland, whoever's running that team now (it's not John Nash now) needs to be fired. Aldridge would've slipped, instead, it costs Khryapa and an extra 500 or so K on his contract. Roy for Foye...not sure about that, but again, because Roy went earlier, it'll cost more on the cap. And then buying Rodriguez from Phoenix, more idiocy...when they have Blake and Jack to go with Roy who'll play some PG, when is he going to play for them?

I apologize for the delay in getting it up, took a little longer than I hoped to put it together and get it ready. http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=1146

Bryan Colangelo has made his first risky move as GM, acquiring C Rasho Nesterovic and cash from San Antonio for PF Matt Bonner, SF Eric Williams, and a 2009 2nd round pick (not sure if it's the Raptors' one, or the one they got for Aaron Williams). Big risk here is Rasho's contract, 3 years and $23.5 million left, but it does open up a roster spot, quite possibly for either Ukic or Garbajosa, should he choose to sign with the Raps. The team, as expected, waived C Robert Whaley upon completion of this trade.

I wouldn't read a whole lot into that, Bargniani's still playing in the postseason, so he can't come work out for anyone, that's why Mitchell and Embry went over there. Morrison and Gay are having a head-to-head workout this week as well. I'm hoping they do take Aldridge though. In other news...Bosh is set to sign a 6 year, $84 million extension on July 12th.

3 weeks till draft day... In other news, Hoffa's gone! Traded to Utah for PF Kris Humphrey and F/C Robert Whaley. Raps really have a glutton of big men now, how will this affect the draft? My prediction? Not one bit. There are reports that Whaley will be waived for roster space, but there's still a glutton...

This is simply hilarious. As recently as a month ago, McCabe said he wanted a 5 year deal worth 5 million per season. What do the Leafs do? They give him MORE. Not only that, but the deal includes a unique no-movement clause. This not only incorporates the standard no-trade clause, but also prohibits him from being waived. So now, they've given him more than he wanted, and if he doesn't pan out, they can't even waive the guy. JFJ has struck again folks.

And more info becomes available...first off, he's a 29 year old, so he's no inexperienced guy. Unfortunately, this doesn't justify the alleged contract he's signed with Toronto, 3 years at 12 million, AAAAAH! (Break down: Y1: 3, Y2: 4, Y3: 5) http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/305/nba...llo/654345.html If this is true, a lot of cap space went down the drain.

He's mainly a 4, plays the odd bit at the 5 so I've read. At 6'8, he's not going to be the saviour in the middle. Bit of versatility, has a decent outside game, likely a 10th or 11th guy on the bench though, simply because of whose going to be around ahead of him. This likely means Gherardini wasn't able to get Slokar out of his deal with Benetton, because if he could, the team would have no need for Garbajosa. We should keep in mind that this is not official, I don't consider a Spanish radio station and a website that cites said station to be completely reputable.

As was already mentioned, I wrote the article 2 years ago, I'm not going to update it now for Beauchemin or anyone else, it's a 2004 article; back then, he was a bust. I will be preparing special draft articles for this year in the coming weeks in case anyone's wondering.

Personally, I'd like to see them trade down as well, to between 3-5, still get one of the better guys, and get a more proven player as well. Getting a PG (Duhon or Knight seem to be logical names) should be a priority if they go that way, then there's less of a rush to bring Ukic over, especially since he's a year away from having a contract opt-out. No real need for Morrison, Villaneuva currently holds down the 3-spot, and Graham's plenty capable of playing that role as well. I'm not sold Bargnani can play the 5, all the clips I've seen of him show him as a perimeter oriented player, which immediately makes him a prime choice based on the current team the Raptors have. Aldridge...if I had to pick now, I'd take him, as his game is more suited to the North American game in the middle. If he were to bulk up to around 250, he could handle it I think. Huge wildcard here is Tiago Splitter, if he enters this year, there's a real chance he could go #1, a true C.

This should not be a surprise to anyone. Siarhei Kostitsyn is first off, a 2nd liner, on what's primarily a 1-line team. (Yes, their 2nd line isn't bad, not great though, and after that, yikes.) I've seen Kostitsyn in person, vs Ryan Hamilton no less, and if I had a choice between the 2 right now, it'd be Hamilton in a heartbeat. The game I saw with Kostitsyn, he was AWFUL. Weak on the puck, doesn't backcheck, and coughs up the puck far too often. That being said, he was a rookie (who probably had an off-game, so he will improve, but he's not All-Star calibre in the O, not even close, yet. Meanwhile, Hamilton plays in all situations, and does well in all of them, that's why he scored 46 goals and immediately signed with Minnesota when the Colts were eliminated from the playoffs. Also, 4 players from the Knights were voted in, I'm sure there's technically no max, but being realistic, having 5 players out of 18 from the same team...not happening. Furthermore, he wasn't even rookie of the year, and the rookie of the year isn't on the list either (John Tavares.) Nor was he invited to the All-Star game, which should say enough there. Then of course, there's the players like Ryan, Stewart, Smolenak, as well as Peter Tsimikalis who had an amazing year in Oshawa, and Justin Donati who was top-5 in scoring (no thanks to his twin brother either...) Like I said, certainly wasn't a surprise to me that he wasn't named, heck, D'Agostini deserved to be there ahead of Siarhei. Next season though, if he steps up as a front liner who'll see plenty more quality defenders then compared to this season, he'd be a legit candidate to make the final All-Star teams.

An interesting little stat that I looked up: Aebischer's lifetime record vs Ottawa is 0-2, with a 3.05 GAA and .912 SV%. This would rule out any potential argument that Aebischer has had Ottawa's number in the past. All this being said, I agree with the decision to put him in net tonight, Ottawa is a potential 1st round opponent, and the less they get to face Huet, the better. Also, Huet's started 6 straight, time to give him a rest, and make sure he's fully ready for a huge game vs Jersey on Saturday night.

Steve Gainey is nothing more than an adequate minor league player, a lot like Gavin Morgan last season with the Bulldogs, oddly enough, Gainey signed him away from Dallas. I think that had the Habs opted to sign him, even if it was just to play for the Dogs, I think fans and media alike would've hounded Bob about it, "putting himself over the team." There would've been a lot of pressure for Steve Gainey to prove himself in Montreal, and quite honestly, he wouldn't have been able to do it. As it stands now, Steve is still looking for his first NHL goal, I think it was much safer to stay away from him overall.