Former Rats/Devils Souray and Commodore face contract buyouts

According to TSN, former Albany River Rats and New Jersey Devils defenseman Sheldon Souray has been placed on unconditional waivers with the intention of having his contract bought out by the NHL's Edmonton Oilers. From TSN:

The Edmonton Oilers have placed veteran defenceman Sheldon Souray on unconditional waivers with the purpose of being bought out.

The 35-year-old defenceman spent the entire 2010-11 season with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League after clearing waivers and being sent down by the Oilers prior to the season.

Appearing in 37 games for the Oilers during the 2009-10 season, Souray scored four goals and added nine assists.

Signed for his offensive skills from the point, the Elk Point, AB native was only able to account for 30 goals during his three seasons in Edmonton after coming off a 26-goal season for the Canadiens in his final year in Montreal.

Souray was drafted by the Devils 71st overall in the third round of the 1994 draft and spent parts of 4 seasons with the Albany River Rats, appearing in 89 games between 1994-95 and 1997-98. His time with the Devils organization came to an end during the 1999-2000 season when he was traded to the Montreal Canadians, along with former Rats defenseman Josh Dewolf and a second round pick, for defenseman Vladimir Malakhov.

Meanwhile, former River Rats and Devils defenseman Mike Commodore also faces a contract buyout from his team, the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets. The Jackets were expected to put him on waivers today in anticipation of the buyout, according to Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch:

The Blue Jackets followed through today on a move that's been pending since, oh, December. Defenseman Mike Commodore will be placed on waivers at noon today. If he clears on Friday, the club will buy out the remaining two years on his contract.

Commodore didn't seem to play that poorly last season - at least no worse than some other Jackets defenders -- but he ran afoul of the Blue Jackets coaching staff around Christmas and never played in Columbus again after Dec. 27. He spent the rest of the season with minor-league Springfield, playing in only 11 games.

The Jackets will pay Commodore $1,141,667 in each of the next four seasons. That's two-third of his remaining money, spread over two seasons for each remaining year. He's free to sign with any club as of Friday.

Commodore was also drafted by the Devils (second round pick in 1999), and appeared in 55 games for the Rats over 2 seasons between 2000 and 2002. He was part of the 2002 trade that also saw former River Rats Petr Sykora and Jean-Francois Damphousse head to Anaheim (along with Igor Pohanka) in exchange for Jeff Friesen, Oleg Tverdovsky and former Rats forward Maxim Balmochnykh.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.

Devils release six home dates for 2011-12 season

From the Albany Devils:

The Albany Devils announced today the team’s six guaranteed home dates for the upcoming 2011-12 season. The announcement was made by Albany General Manager Chris Lamoriello. The dates are listed below with times and opponents to be determined.

• Saturday, October 8 (Home Opener)
• Saturday, November 5
• Sunday, December 4
• Saturday, December 17
• Friday, December 30
• Monday, January 16

Season tickets for the 2011-12 season are on sale now by calling (518) 4-DEVILS or by logging onto thealbanydevils.com. The American Hockey League will release the remaining schedule and opponents in August.

So there you have it. The Albany Devils home opener is set for Saturday, October 8th against a team that's yet to be determined. I will post the team's full schedule once it becomes available.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.  

Several Devils and former Rats could find new homes this off-season

With the NHL’s free agency period set to begin on Friday, July 1^st at noon, many players that have suited up for the Albany River Rats or Albany Devils may be on the move as early as tomorrow. Some are unrestricted free agents (UFAs), meaning each will be free to negotiate and sign with any team once free agency begins. Others are restricted free agents (RFAs), meaning that player can only sign with the team that owns his rights until the start of free agency. At that time, RFAs can also be signed to an offer sheet by other NHL clubs, but their current team will have the right to match the offer or let that player go in exchange for compensation.

Below I have compiled a few lists detailing former Albany River Rats and Albany Devils that will have UFA or RFA status during free agency, baring any signings prior to its start. (All players are UFAs unless otherwise noted.)

Report: Predators wont re-sign Steve Sullivan

Former Albany River Rats and New Jersey Devils forward Steve Sullivan will not be re-signed by the NHL's Nashville Predators, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun:

Steve Sullivan was informed last week by Predators GM David Poile that his services won't be retained in Nashville. But, it's an amicable split.

"It's time to move on," Sullivan told ESPN.com Tuesday. "It'll be interesting to see what happens once the market opens."

Sullivan, who turns 37 on July 6, had 22 points (10-22) in 44 games last season. The Timmins Tornado professes to feel 100 percent healthy.

"Absolutely," Sullivan said. "The injuries I had this year -- sports hernia and an MCL -- they're injuries a 25-year-old could have easily had as well. They're not chronic injuries, they're just part of the game. Those have healed very well. I'm back to 100 percent. And I haven't had a single issue with my back since I came back."

Sullivan missed close to two calendar years with a career-threatening back injury but made a terrific comeback during the 2008-09 season and hasn't had a back issue since.

He's worth a look for an NHL team needing a power-play boost.

Devils qualify nine players

The New Jersey Devils have announced that they've sent qualifying offers to nine of their restricted free agents.

From the Devils official website:

New Jersey presented qualifying offers to the following players today: Matt Corrente, Mark Fraser, Jeff Frazee, Maxim Noreau, Nathan Perkovich, Matt Taormina, Alexander Vasyunov, Steve Zalewski, Vladimir Zharkov.

The moves keep the above listed players as restricted free agents, meaning the Devils will have the right to match contract offers presented to the players by other teams during free agency. According to Tom Gulitti the players have to wait until July 1st before they can accept their offers, or they can hold out to negotiate a different contract.

Some interesting notes on the list of players qualified by the Devils: Zach Parise was not qualified because the team has already filed for team elected arbitration, meaning there was no need to qualify him. Also missing from the list of qualified players is defenseman Anssi Salmela, making him an unrestricted free agent come July 1st (the start of free agency).

Vasyunov headed to KHL confirmed, Corrente receives qualifying offer from Devils

Fire & Ice's Tom Gulitti has confirmation from Alexander Vasyunov's agent that the left winger has signed a contract to play in the Kontinental Hockey League next season.

From Fire & Ice:

Agent Mark Gandler confirmed to me this afternnoon that left wing Alexander Vasyunov signed a one-year contract to play for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the KHL next season. Sovetsky Sport in Russia first reported that Vasyunov was headed back to the KHL last week.

Gandler said he informed Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello of Vasyunov’s decision today.

Vasyunov, 23, is scheduled to become a restricted free agent in the NHL at noon on Friday. Gandler said the Devils did make the necessary two-way qualifying offer for Vasyunov to maintain his NHL rights.

Vasyunov appeared in 50 games for Albany last season, registering 8 goals and 17 assists for 25 points, while earning himself 11 penalty minutes and a minus-3. He recorded 5 points in 18 games with New Jersey, as well.

Tom Gulitti is also reporting that restricted free agent defenseman Matthew Corrente has received a qualifying offer from the Devils prior to today's 5 PM deadline.

Defenseman Matt Corrente’s agent, Mark Guy, comfirmed that his client also received his qualifying offer.  Guy said Corrente’s right shoulder is 100 percent and he’s working out normally to get ready for next season. Corrente missed the final 39 games of thhe 2010-11 season because of his injury.

The list of restricted free agents for the Devils also includes former Albany River Rats forward Zach Parise, as well as Vladimir Zharkov, Anssi Salmela, Matt Taormina, Mark Fraser, Maxim Noreau, Jeff Frazee, Steve Zalewski, and Nathan Perkovic.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.   

Devils select D Adam Larsson, 5 others at 2011 NHL Entry Draft

The New Jersey Devils got their man on Friday when they selected Swedish Defenseman Adam Larsson with the fourth overall pick at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Considered by many to be the most NHL-ready defenseman available, Larsson will have to decide between signing with the Devils or finishing his contract with Skelleftea in the Swedish Elite League.

Tom Gulitti of Fire & Ice has more on Larsson and how the Devils came to select the prized prospect:

As expected, the Edmonton Oilers took Red Deer Rebels center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Colorado took Kitchener Rangers left wing Gabriel Landeskog with the second pick and Florida selected Saint John center Jonathan Huberdeau third overall. That left Larsson, who played the last two seasons for Skelleftea in the Swedish Elite League, to the Devils. The Devils can use his two-way skill on the blue line.

If indeed Larsson signs with the Devils he'll be given an opportunity to make the NHL squad for the 2011-12 season. There's no question that the Devils would love to add a player like Larsson to their lineup, especially with only four healthy NHL defensemen under contract for next season.

Other Devils picks of the day include center Blake Coleman (3rd round, 75th overall), forward Reid Boucher (4th round, 99th overall), left winger Blake Pietila (5th round, 129), defenseman Reece Scarlett (6th round, 159th overall), and defenseman Patrick Daly (7th round, 189th overall). Tom Gulitti has more on all of the draft picks, with highlights below:

Report: AHL BOG approves sale of Amerks to Buffalo

According to the American Hockey League's website, the AHL Board of Governors has approved the transfer of the Rochester Americans to the Buffalo Sabres. The move will result in the Amerks once again becoming the top affiliate of the Sabres, who had been developing their prospects with the Portland Pirates since 2008. No word yet on a new NHL partner for the Pirates, who you may recall were rumored to be moving operations to Albany before the Devils stepped in as major players last off-season.

From theahl.com:

American Hockey League President and CEO David Andrews announced today that the league’s Board of Governors has unanimously approved the sale of the Rochester Americans franchise from Arrow Express Sports to the Buffalo Sabres.

The Sabres will return to Rochester as the Americans’ National Hockey League affiliate beginning with the 2011-12 season.

“We are pleased to welcome Terry Pegula and the Buffalo Sabres as owners in the American Hockey League,” said Andrews. “The Rochester Americans and Buffalo Sabres have a rich history together, and reuniting these two outstanding franchises is great news for hockey fans in western New York.” 

Read the full story here.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.   

Devils hold 4th overall pick in 2011 NHL Entry Draft

The New Jersey Devils hold the fourth overall pick in Friday's NHL entry draft in Minnesota, and, barring any draft-day trades, will have their lowest pick in the draft since the organization selected Scott Niedermayer third overall in 1991.

As winners of the NHL's draft lottery back in April, New Jersey moved up from having the No. 8 pick to No. 4 (no team can move more than four draft slots by winning the lottery). The Edmonton Oilers, who finished 30th overall in 2010-11, hold the first pick in the draft.

With the No. 4 pick, the Devils will have the opportunity to select one of several promising players in the draft. Many media outlets are predicting that the Oilers plan to take Forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins first overall, leaving Colorado (No 2.), Florida (No. 3) and the Devils to choose from top-ranked prospects Center Ryan Strome, Forward Jonathan Huberdeau, Center Sean Couturier, Left Winger Gabriel Langeskog, Defenseman Adam Larsson, and Defenseman Dougie Hamilton, to name just a few. (Click on each player's name to view Tom Gulitti's profile of that player.) For those of you curious about the complete draft order, you can find it on the NHL's website.

So who will the Devils select? That of course depends on what the three teams ahead of them do, but only time will tell. One thing that appears certain is the Devils' first round selection will be given a long, hard look in training camp this year, and with the organization's track record of letting players mature in the minors we may see their first round selection skating on Albany ice someday down the road.

No matter who is selected, I'll be sure to post a player profile on this site after the draft.

The NHL Entry Draft is scheduled for Friday, June 24th at 7 PM and will be televised on Versus, or you hardcore fans can make your way down to New Jersey for the Devils' official draft party.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.   

NJ re-signs defenseman Leach

From Bill Cain's H-E-doublehockeysticks blog...

The New Jersey Devils announced Wednesday they had re-signed veteran defenseman Jay Leach, an Altamont native who came to the Albany Devils from the Worcester Sharks in the second half of last season.

Leach played 16 games with the Albany Devils, accumulating a goal, three assists and a plus-4 rating. In 50 games with Worcester, he had a goal, four assists and a minus-4 rating.

He was recalled to New Jersey for NHL duty March 26 and finished out the season with the parent club, playing seven games.

Read the full story here.


Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.  

Report: Vasyunov headed back to KHL

From Tom Gulitti's Fire & Ice blog...

According to a report today in Sovetsky Sport in Russia, Devils left wing Alexander Vasyunov is headed back to the Kontinental Hockey League to play for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.

Lokomotiv general manager Sergei Begishevo told Sovetsky Sport that Vasyunov called the team himself and said he wanted to return. Begishevo said he did not know the reason why Vasyunov wanted to come back.

When I asked Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello Tuesday about Vasyunov, he said he was unaware of Vasyunov possibly returning to Russia.

Read the full story here.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.   

Hell on Skates Launches

Greetings, hockey fans!

It is with great pleasure that I announce the launch of "Hell on Skates," a blog covering news, notes, and quotes related to the AHL's Albany Devils. As a long time fan of hockey in the Albany area, I hope to make this blog a place where fellow fans can find news, interviews, and editorials about the Devils, as well as professional hockey in New York's Capital Region.

This blog will contain links to news outlets covering the Albany Devils, such as the Times Union (Pete Dougherty's Hockey Spoken Here), The Daily Gazette (Bill Cain's H-E-doublehockeysticks), and NorthJersey.com (Tom Gulitti's Fire & Ice), to name a few. I also intend to create some original content, including editorials regarding the state of pro hockey in our community and exclusive interviews with people involved in the Devils organization.

For those of you wondering if this is an official blog of the Albany Devils, I can assure you it is not. While I have a good relationship with the front office in Albany, I am not an employee of the team, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way. My goal in maintaining this blog is simply to promote AHL hockey in Albany by exposing people to news and notes on the Devils, while reminding fans of our area's rich hockey history.

Thanks for visiting, and please check back soon!