Legwand departs for Grand Prairie

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

The Baffin Island Rovers will no longer have their longest-serving player in franchise history.  David Legwand, acquired days after the team’s expansion draft in RHL11, signed a contract with the Grand Prairie Stingers which is expected to pay him more than $2M per season.  “When we let David test free agency, we had a number in mind that we thought we could sign him for.  We were prepared to double his salary, and offered that.  That offer, surprisingly, was surpassed.  We exceeded our budget and made a second, higher offer.  That too was beaten.  We made a third attempt at nearly triple his previous salary, such was our desire to have him stay.  Grand Prairie eventually simply made an offer that he couldn’t refuse and we couldn’t realistically exceed.  I wish him all the best and thank him for his 6 seasons as a Rover.  I hope he finds the ice-time that he was seeking as a Stinger”.

Legwand leaves the franchise leader in games played with 393 regular season games, missing only three games in his six seasons with Baffin Island.  He scored 40 goals and 108 assists for 148 points during that time, much of which was spent on the third and fourth lines in the past four seasons.  The new longest-tenured Rover is now captain Olli Jokinen, who is the only Rover left with the team that played during their expansion year of RHL11.

Rovers retain Murray, sign four UFAs

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

Though he did test the free agent waters, Glen Murray didn’t want to play anywhere else.   This was confirmed Wednesday night as he and three other free agents inked deals with the Rovers on the first day of signings.  Murray, who has not missed a game for Baffin since being acquired late in RHL12, signed a two year contract worth more than $2.4M per season.  The deal includes a no-trade clause for this upcoming season, which was big for Murray and his family.  The contract is cheaper than his previous four year contract with the Rovers, but Murray said it was never about the money.  “I wanted to stay here, the team wanted me to stay here, and my family wants to stay here.  They offered me the security of the no-trade, and we agreed on an adequate number for salary.  I’m very excited about the next two years”.

With a need for forwards, the Rovers also signed three versatile centers to one year contracts.  Shawn Bates agreed to a deal which pays him $1.1M for this season, while ex-Rover Jamie Lundmark and former Mountie Jan Hrdina signed on at $387,000 for RHL17.  Lundmark started last season with the Rovers but was released at the trade deadline as a cost-saving measure, while the Rovers pursued Hrdina through trade talks that ultimately didn’t pan out.  Bates has spent the last four seasons in Yellowknife with the Penetrators, where he was a faceoff and corner presence, as well as an effective penalty killer.  He is expected to provide the same in Baffin Island.  “We’re excited about bring Shawn on board.  He’ll solidify our bottom 6 forward group and be a big presence on our PK.  Jamie and Jan both bring depth to the team, and there’s an excellent opportunity for at least one of them to see regular action”.

Rover Rookie Camp Concludes

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

With the excitement of the entry draft well in the rear-view mirror, the Rovers conducted their sixth rookie development camp this past week in Iqaluit. Twenty-three hopefuls in all took part, including all nine of the team’s RHL17 draft class. The on-ice drills focussed on the fundamentals, while equal treatment and importance was given to off-ice conditioning assignments. Here is a breakdown of highlights.

Forwards

The star of the show up front was second year Rover Chris Higgins. He was clearly a step ahead of everyone in terms of on-ice awareness and displayed a very high skill level, including a laser-quick release which will serve him well as he battles for a spot in main camp. Ryan Hollweg and Mike Glumac both blew away the competition in the weight room and displayed a dedication to off-ice training that may well see either earn a call-up to the big club should they not make the final roster. The kids also fared well with Evgeni Malkin and Claude Giroux making the biggest impressions in the skating drills. Travis Zajac excelled in the passing drills and Francois Bouchard scored five goals in the intrasquad games. Higgins appears to have the best shot to make the team, with Hollweg possibly seeing time on an energy line or as a call-up. Malkin could squeak into the lineup, but might be better served with a second season in the minors.

Defense

As expected, Dion Phaneuf was a man among boys on the blueline and is a virtual lock to make the Rovers top 4 this season. Zybnek Michalek displayed a tremendous amount of poise and looks ready to challenge for a roster spot. Christoph Schubert showed excellent physical conditioning and at least put his name out there for main camp. Marc-Edouard Vlasic’s skating and awareness stood out to the coaching staff, while newcomer Cory Murphy didn’t miss a beat nailing outlet pass after outlet pass. Phaneuf and Michalek are the best bets to make the roster, but Schubert has an outside shot. Vlasic is perhaps a year away with the others being longer-term projects.

Goaltenders

Ray Emery didn’t disappoint and showed everyone why management was ready to part ways with Martin Gerber. He displayed amazing calm and cat-like reflexes. Yann Danis may be caught in a numbers game with newcomer Andrew Raycroft now in the mix. Seemingly ready for backup duty, he may be forced to wait another year in the minors. Pekka Rinne continued to show his consistently solid game and is very much on track to eventually landing a pro job. However it was new draftee Jaroslav Halak was the talk of camp, wowing the coaches at every opportunity and proving virtually unbeatable in close and in shootouts. While it’s not in the cards this season, Halak will make the coaching staff’s decisions a lot harder for next year. Emery appears to have won the right to act as Chris Mason’s caddy for the year, with Danis capable of coming up in an injury emergency situation.

Synopsis

In Higgins, Phaneuf, and Emery, the Rovers appear to have three rookies that will make regular contributions. Outside shots Michalek, Schubert, Hollweg, Glumac, and Danis may have a chance to see at least some game action, if not as a regular, then as a call-up. Main training camp begins in two weeks at the Igloo.

Rovers extend offers to four, rebuffed on Pronger effort

Iqaluit, NU (CP)

Rover Report has learned that the team has extended contract offers to four of their own free agents in the opening days of free agency.  Forwards David Legwand, Kris Draper, Glen Murray, and Antti Laaksonen have all reportedly been made offers, although team officials will not comment on any ongoing negotiations.  Whether through retaining their own free agents or signing ones from other teams, the Rovers have holes to fill in their forward lines with only eight forwards currently under contract for the upcoming season.

The more interesting news coming out of free agency is the attempted play by the Rovers to bring back star defenseman Chris Pronger.  Pronger’s agent did confirm that the Rovers tendered a significant offer to the former Baffin blueliner, although it is believed that he is currently leaning towards re-signing with his other former team, the Edmonton Eagles, with whom he spent his first twelve RHL seasons.