Eagles ink three on the backend

Edmonton addressed some of its depth issues on defense in its first set of signings of the RHL17 auction.

Craig Rivet (2yr - $2.94M)
Rivet brings a solid, veteran presence to the blueline and will compete for a spot in the top two pairings entering camp.

GM says: "We like the fact that Craig will never hurt us when he is on the ice. He can log plenty of minutes and he has a zero injury rating. He'll be a good influence on some of our younger players."

Dustin Byfuglien (1 yr - $500k)
Byfuglien is strictly a depth defenseman for RHL17, but does some upside. The towering defenseman brings a physical presence to the backend, and has some offensive talent.

GM says: "We love this signing. Dustin is only 22 and he has put up some nice numbers in the AHL last year (63gp 16-28-44). With this being his first year in the league, he reverts to RFA after this season."

Daniel Tjarnqvist (1 yr - $606k)
Another depth defenseman, Tjarnqvist enters his 5th year as an Eagle.

GM says: "Considering the price of UFA defensemen, Daniel gives us some more versatility on the backend at good value. He's proven he can hold his own when called upon."

Top 10 under 25 - RHL17 edition

Note: ratings based on future potential, not immediate impact.
View the RHL16 edition

1. Jack Johnson (+1)
The Eagles wanted Johnson so much they traded up to select him right after Sidney Crosby in the RHL16 draft. Offensively gifted and tough as nails, JMFJ (John mothafuckin Johnson) brings it all to the table like so few others.

06-07 stats: LA Kings - 5gp 0g 0a 0pt; University of Michigan - 38gp 16g 23a 29pt
acquired: RHL16 draft, 2nd overall
arrival: RHL20
projection: all star defenseman

2. Alexander Radulov (+2)
Considering his draft position (14 overall), Radulov continues to pick up momentum and prove that he should have been a top 3 pick. With the exodus of talent in Nashville, expect him to be one of their go-to guys this season. He is perhaps the most pure goal scorer the Eagles have ever had the privledge to develop.

06-07 stats: Nashville Predators - 64gp 18g 19a 37pt
arrival: RHL18
acquired: RHL15 draft, 14th overall
projection: all star winger

3. Jeff Carter (-1)
Athough his goal total dropped during his sophmore campaign in Philly (23 to 14), his did miss a quarter of the season with an injury. His PPG average increased and he valuable gained experience in a variety of situations, eating up 19 min/g in ice (up from 12). Penciled in at the Eagles #3 centre for RHL17, expect Carter to be challenging for that #1 spot soon.

06-07 stats: Philly Flyers - 62gp 14g 23a 37pt
arrival: now
acquired: RHL13 trade with AVI
projection: first line centre

4. Kyle Okposo (NR)
Okposo enters the list at #4. Team scouts love his mix of power, finesse and nose for the net. Just watch 'the goal' on Youtube. While he is still is a few years from wearing the Eagle uniform, he will no doubt become a household name in Edmonton when he does arrive.

06-07 stats: Minnesota - 33gp 17g 20a 37pt
arrival: RHL21
acquired: RHL17 draft, 7th overall
projection: first line power winger

5. Guilliame Latendresse (+3)
'Guy', 'Guy', 'Guy'... not only did he stick as an 19 year old French Canadian playing for Montreal, he seemed to thrive on the attention and ended with a fairly successful rookie campaign. Loves to make the big hit as much as score the goal, the 6'2 230lbs Latendresse can impose his will on the opposition.

06-07 stats: Montreal Canadiens - 80gp 16g 13a 29pt
arrival: RHL18
acquired: RHL16 draft, 13th overall
projection: first line power winger

6. Andrew Ladd (-1)
Another stud in the Eagles stable of 6-foot something 200+ lbs wingers, Ladd landed a full-time job in Carolina this year and was playing on the top line by season's end. While not getting nearly the same attention in RHL circles as his RHL15 draft cousin Radulov, Ladd still has termendous upside for all the same reasons that had him go 6th overall.

06-07 stats: Carolina Hurricanes - 65gp 11g 10a 21pts
arrival: RHL18
acquired: RHL15 draft, 6th overall
projection: first line power winger

7. Devin Setoguchi (+2)
A first round pick flying under the radar, Setoguchi continues to work towards playing in the RHL. While not considered a power forward like many of the other Eagle forward prospects, he makes up for it in his speed, agility and two-way play. One source close to the WHL said Setoguchi was the best player in the league in the 2nd half of the season.

06-07 stats: Prince George Cougars - 55gp 36g 29a 65pt
arrival: RHL21
acquired: RHL16 draft, 12th overall
projection: first line winger

8. Petr Budaj (+5)
The highest riser in this year's rankings, Budaj has worked his way from a long shot prospect to an NHL starting goaltender, bumping a former Hart trophy winner in the process. His hockey idol is former Eagle Patrick Roy, who will be coaching him in his RHL rookie season. A nice late-round surprise for the Eagles.

06-07 stats: Colorado Avalanche - 31-16-6 2.68gaa 905%
arrival: now
acquired: RHL14 trade with MOU
projection: starting goaltender

9. Matt Stajan (+3)
Another big riser, the 23 year old Stajan has the most experience of the bunch with three NHL and two RHL seasons under his belt. On the right tragectory as he continues to improve his point totals, minutes and consistency every season.

06-07 season: Toronto Maple Leafs - 82gp 10g 29a 39pt
arrival: now
acquired: RHL13 trade with AVI
projection: second line centre

10. Clark MacArthur (NR)
Another first rounder from the class of RHL15, the consistent MacArthur is known for his leadership and clutch play. Possessing a solid set of skills with no glaring weaknesses, he impressed during a cup of tea in Buffalo and in Rochester.

06-07 stats: Buffalo Sabres - 19gp 3g 4a 7pts; Rochester Americans - 51gp 21g 42a 63pt
arrival: RHL20
acquired: RHL15 draft, 23rd
overall projection: second line winger

Just missing the cut
11. Ryan Potulny
12. Alexandre Picard
13. Dan Girardi
14. David Backes
15. Corey Crawford

Graduated (25 years old)
Cammalleri (#6)
Ehrhoff (#7)
Vermette (#10)

Eagles throw big money at former captain

On the heels of the Eagles splash into the free agent auction on day 1, the team dropped another bombshell today by submitting a record-setting $5.2M offersheet to its former captain Chris Pronger.

"Chris was always on our radar," said GM Bourdeau. "We wanted to see how the market would play out for the big-name defensemen... it became obvious on day 1 where things were going, so after consulting with the owners, we made the pitch. Now we wait and see if it is enough."

Pronger nor his agent could be reached for comment.

Hours after the bid was made public, numerous sport stores in Edmonton were displaying Pronger jerseys in the window--a sight that hasn't been seen in Eagle country since RHL12.

Career stats as an Eagle (RHL1-12)

GP 693

G 105

A 300

PT 405

PIM 1467

+/- +229

Eagles drop $11M+ in bids on day 1

Eagle braintrust followed through on its promise to be aggressive in the free agent auction by offering $11.75M to 6 players hours after the RHL17 feeding frenzy opened.

"Why not cut to the chase in the auction?" offered GM Bourdeau in a press conference discussing the bids. "There's no point dinking around with low ball offers on quality players. Any bid we make is a serious one to players we want on our team. Now we sit back and see what happens."

Eagles Ryan Smyth ($3M) and Mark Parrish ($1.3M) seem to be targets of the team, which chose not to meet either player's demand during the season. Upgrading the team's defense also looks to be a priority, as both Wade Redden and Rob Blake received $3M bids, with Michael Rozsival getting $850k. Checking winger Ethan Moreau was offered $600k.

When asked whether these bids right off the bat were a challenge to the RHL's other GMs, Bourdeau responded with, "The way our auction is built, any bid is a challenge to the rest of the league to go a step above or get out of the game. Everyone knows what they are looking for and what they are willing to pay for a certain player. "

It's true: Okposo sighting in Edmonton

Kyle Okposo, the Eagles number one draft pick in RHL17, met the city and media for the first time today. Not to be confused with the Ogopogo, a 'mythical' creature inhabiting Lake Okanagan next door in British Columbia, Okposo is the real deal--and is ready to prove it.

Selected 7th overall, the U of Minnesota freshman standout offers a package of raw skill, finishing talent, determination and physicality that have Eagle scouts blushing.

We're very happy to have Kyle on board," said GM Bourdeau. "When we realized we couldn't crack the top 4-5 and get a shot at one of the bigger names, the 7th pick was going to come down to Kyle, Mueller and Brassard. When Mueller went thet CAP at 6th, we knew we had our man."

Eagle fans will have to wait though to see the budding power forward, as Okposo has committed to return to UofM in the fall. Circle RHL21 as the earliest date for Okposo to begin his RHL career.

We're fine with Kyle's decision to go back to school," said Bourdeau. "We are a patient team, and always look to draft the best player available regardless of how soon he'll hit the RHL."

Rookie camp opens - Eagle rumour mill churns

-Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, AB
A stone's throw away from the UNESCO world heritage site in southern Alberta, Edmonton Eagle rookie camp opened on Tuesday with the smell of hope and sweat mingling together as dozens of team prospects look to crack the big-league squad for RHL17.

While competition will be fierce over the next 10 days, the absence of one of the team's future stars overshadowed the first day of fitness evaluations and workouts. Jeff Carter, penciled in as the team's third line centre this season, was nowhere to be seen.

GM and coach Chris Bourdeau was not available for comment, but newly hired assistant coach and Eagle alumni Patrick Roy had this to say when asked about Carter's whereabouts:

"I can't comment specificaly on why Jeff isn't here, but I will say there's a lot happening right now what with the RHL17 preseason finally underway."

All other rookies reported and were put through the paces on day 1. Defenseman Jack Johnson scored highest on the fitness tests, with Kevin Bieksa and Andrew Ladd right behind.

17 for 17

As it stands before the dispersal and expansion draft, Heading into the Eagles' 17th season in the RHL, the squad currently has 17 players under contract for a total of $18.6M. Add a couple of RFAs the team will most likely resign, that number grows to 19. Let's break down the team by position.

Centre
Arnott C 107 30000 17:15 38/8 49/15/7/28 444 4430 1003
Comrie C 94 33000 16:00 32/7 63/9/6/13 444 3230 0003
Bell C 91 33000 17:30 22/8 64/18/10/7 433 4430 0003 *RFA
Vermette C 90 33300 12:30 34/8 53/9/6/31 453 3220 0004
J.Carter C 74 30300 12:00 24/6 83/6/4/6 443 3320 0002
Fiddler C 60 30000 13:45 35/4 30/30/18/21 332 3220 0003

Centre is the deepest position on the squad. The group is a good mix of veterans (Arnott, Comrie) and up-and-comers (Vermette, Carter). There's also a nice balance of speed and grit to handle a variety of situations. With all but Arnott having flexiblity to play other positions, expect a couple of to end up on the wing.

LW
Stajan LW 84 33300 11:30 36/11 33/37/15/14 333 3220 0002

After letting Smyth go to the auction, Stajan is the only natural LW under contract. But Bell, Comrie and Vermette can all play as needed. Still, this is a big hole to fill. Expect the team to target at least one 1st or 2nd line LW thru the auction or a trade.

RW
Satan RW 99 03300 19:15 28/7 85/6/4/4 444 3220 0002
Cammalleri RW 83 33300 16:45 25/6 68/6/4/21 443 3220 0003
Samuelsson RW 68 03300 13:30 25/6 88/3/2/6 333 3320 0000

Finesse is the name of the game on the right side, as the squad will probably be comfortable with these three end up filling out the top 3 lines. Could use a depth RW, something easily attainable through the auction.

Defense
Mara LD 85 00033 21:30 19/3 58/11/9/15 444 0333
M.Bergeron LD 83 00033 21:15 21/4 41/21/15/22 443 0323
Ehrhoff LD 65 00033 17:45 8/3 62/19/9/9 433 0322
D.Tjarnqvist LD 65 00033 19:45 11/3 30/33/16/20 333 0322 *RFA
Boynton RD 71 00033 20:45 11/3 53/23/13/10 333 0433
R.Jackman RD 57 00022 17:15 12/3 83/7/6/3 334 0322

At this point, defense looks to be the Achilles heel for the Eagles in RHL17. Expect it to be a focus during the auction and in trades. While they should be able to hold their own offensively with Mara, Bergeron and Jackman, it's a soft group with no real shut-down players who can go up against the other team's best. On the team's wishlist is a true #1 who can be leaned on to anchor the group.

Goal
Vokoun G 131 6/48/3/42 91.94 4 4 2 61
Budaj G 89 8/41/3/47 90.05 4 4 2 34
Theodore G 85 8/36/3/52 88.17 4 4 3 43

The team's glaring weakness for RHL17 turned into one of its strengths after the acquitition of Vokoun. He is expected to be one of the league's best, and should help mitigate a mediocre defense. He is backed up by capable rookie Budaj and verteran Theodore. Three's a crowd in nets, so expect someone to move before the season begins.

On the bubble
Nokelainen C 44 33000 7:45 15/3 59/14/14/12 332 3330 0002
Ladd LW 57 02000 11:15 28/4 60/11/10/18 333 3330 0000
Shishkanov RW 50 00200 8:30 23/3 78/9/8/4 442 2220 0000
Bieksa RD 46 00003 16:00 0/0 46/15/13/35 332 0332 0000

Four other prospects could crack the big league squad, the feeling is they need more time in the minors. While Nokelainen and Shishkanov are long term projects, Ladd and Bieksa will be around for RHL18.