The biggest gun among unrestricted free agents was dealt just as the deadline approached, but the ultimate price sure appears to be a relative bargain. Numbers Game looks into the Canadiens securing the services of Thomas Vanek in a trade with the New York Islanders. The Canadiens Get: LW Thomas Vanek and a conditional fifth-round pick. Vanek, 30, was considered the prize of the pending unrestricted free agent class as the deadline approached. Hes scored 271 goals in 645 games since coming into the league in 2005-2006. Since his second year in the league, Vanek ranks fourth with 246 goals and hes done it with all sorts of different linemates between his time in Buffalo and, for much of this season, with John Tavares and Kyle Okposo on the top line for the New York Islanders. Vanek isnt a great possession player, some years better than others, but is so skilled and plays in an offensive role that his on-ice shooting percentage is among the best in the league over the past five seasons. In Montreal, Vanek should give the Canadiens offence a jolt, as Max Pacioretty, with 29 goals, is the only Hab with more than Vaneks 21 goals this season. Adding Vanek will give the Canadiens offence more depth and its conceivable that a finisher like Vanek can continue to produce while also elevating the production of his new linemates. A spot alongside Tomas Plekanec and Alex Galchenyuk might be a decent fit to start. An unrestricted free agent in the summer, Vanek brings a cap hit of more than $7.1-million. There have been several rumours this season about Vaneks desire to end up in Minnesota, and that may be where he goes as a free agent, but Vanek also acknowledged that a winning team sure helps in the decision-making process. If Vanek can play a significant role in the Canadiens playoff push, then perhaps Montreal will be a destination that he considers as a long-term home, but that expectation had better come with the understanding that Vanek is going to command a massive contract as an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Islanders Get: RW Sebastian Collberg and a conditional second-round pick. Collberg just turned 20 a couple of weeks ago and was a second-round pick in 2012. Hes a skilled forward with good speed who has 18 points in 75 Swedish Elite League games over the past two seasons with Frolunda HC. Hes put up a dozen points in 13 games at the past two World Junior Hockey Championships. Its hard to project a young forward getting limited ice time in Sweden to a big role right away in the NHL, so Collberg probably needs time in the AHL, which ought to be fine for the Islanders, who have quite a few young forwards coming through the pipeline. One of those young forwards, Anders Lee, the 23-year-old rookie pro out of Notre Dame, could see quite a bit of action in a scoring role down the stretch. Lee has four goals and six points in six NHL games (this year and last) and, with Vanek gone, there is room for Lee to show that he should be a part of the plans for next seasons team. The conditional picks are based on whether or not the Canadiens make the playoffs. If they hold their current playoff spot, then the Canadiens swap their second-rounder for the Islanders fifth-round pick. If the Canadiens fall out and miss the playoffs, then the deal will just be Collberg for the rental of Vanek. All told, the price doesnt seem to be nearly enough a return for the Islanders, who were out of the race early enough that everyone knew they were going to deal Vanek, but somehow appeared to overplay their hand because even if Collberg is a good prospect, that doesnt seem to match the price paid for lesser players. As a result of that incongruous fit between the Islanders asking price and what the market was ultimately willing to pay, it sure appears to have provided an opening for Montreal GM Marc Bergevin to take advantage and upgrade his team at a very reasonable price. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at
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https://www.cheapwarriors.com/1199o-alec-burks-jersey-warriors.html . Ryan Callahan trade talks caught a lot of people off guard. Details are now emerging about why the Rangers would consider such a move. Darren Dreger: He wants a lot of money. Its been widely reported that Callahan is looking for a seven-year term around $6 million per year. That is not accurate. Im told that it is more than $6.
Nate Thurmond Jersey . Catch all the action on TSN2 and TSN GO at 9pm et/6pm pt. San Antonio took the series lead Monday night with a 122-105 home victory in Game 1. The Spurs used a balanced scoring attack and clamped down defensively late in the third quarter to claim the win.
Jason Richardson Jersey .K. Subban has picked the right time of the year to go on an offensive tear.Sky Sports News HQs Alex Hammond looks ahead to this weekends action and hopes the in-form Charlie Appleby can strike again. What was your highlight from Newmarkets July Meeting and how did you rate Limatos victory in the big one?I think Limato was my highlight, not least because I tipped and backed him. Henry Candys horses have been hitting the crossbar recently, but despite his lack of numerical success this season, he is still the man for the big occasion and I was confident that Limato could win on his drop back to sprinting. I think the horse is probably versatile regarding trip though and a step back up to a mile, or even a drop to five furlongs wouldnt put me off supporting him in the future. He doesnt actually look like a typical sprinter as hes small and lean, but he has a serious engine and it was a top-class performance. He does show signs of some temperament, illustrated to some extent by the way he drifted across the track, but if they can keep a lid on him the world is his oyster on his favoured fast ground.Did anything go in your notebook from last weekends high-class action at Newmarket, York and Ascot?It was tough to keep across all the racing, but I was impressed by the winning performance of Dabyah in the opening race of Newmarkets card on Saturday. John Gosdens filly was sent off favourite to win this seven-furlong maiden fillies event on her debut and she won easily under Frankie Dettori.This is a race that historically is worth noting as some smart fillies have contested it in the past and this filly should be no exception. She will be targeted at better races now and shes a 25/1 shot with Sky Bet for next years 1000 Guineas. It will be interesting to watch her progress.Boyntons win in a decent Superlative Stakes at the same track was also smart. The win took him to two wins from two and he is now 25/1 with Sky Bet for next years 2000 Guineas. Thats a long way off though and the National Stakes in Ireland was named by trainer Charlie Appleby as a possible target next. His debut win at Goodwood has worked out well.The horse he beat that day was the Richard Hannon-trained Muthawatheb who subsequently beat Tis Marvellous at Newbury. That horse has gone on to win his maiden in some style at Windsor to add further depth to the form. He has a slightly awkward way of running, but at the moment hes displaying plenty of ability and with the Godolphin team hitting their stride (particularly Applebys yard) hes one to keep on the right side of.Is there a way to get Ribblesdale star Even Song beaten in Saturdays Darley Irish Oaks? How do you rate the chances of the supplemented Newmarket pair, Ajman Princess and Architecture?Its good to see Hugo Palmer and Roger Varian add the two fillies to Saturdays race to take on the hot favourite and it was interesting to hear Varian say his filly (Ajman Princess) has improved tons since her second place in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot. She was beaten a length and a half by Even Song that day and it was her first run outside maiden company, so it was pleasing to see her hold her own in better company. She also wore a hood for the first time that day and given any improvement she should be more of a threat to the hot favourite. At 6/1 with Sky Bet, she is considerably a more attractive betting proposition than the short-priced favourite and it might be worth taking a chance on her this weekend.Architecture is also currently a 6/1 shot but the Oaks runner up needs to bounce back from a disappointing effort in the Ribblesdale. She was a little on her toes before the Royal Ascot race and ran below-par, but if you can ignore that latest effort she would be well fancied to given Even Song a run for her money. Hugo Palmer felt the race wasnt run to suit at Ascot and it may have come too soon after her excellent effort in the Oaks.Mick Channons Harlequeen is 14s and has her first run since her superb third place in the Oaks at Epsom. Im just slightly concerned that 12 furlongs stretches her a bit as her stamina appeared to be running out at Epsom, but at the price she could be one for each-way punters once again.Another to note on that score is Hugo Palmers other runner, We Are Ninety. She wasnt unfancied in the Ribblesdale by those in the know and actually ran better than Architecture in finishing sixth. Shes a solid yardstick and at 25/1 could be a fun each-way investment.So, to answer the question, Im not sure if anything can beat Even Song, but aat the price I wouldnt touch her with a bargepole.dddddddddddd So, Ill be backing Ajman Princess to win with a small each-way investment on We Are Ninety as that price looks too good to miss!Anything else this weekend stand out as a possible bet?Well, I do enjoy my jumps racing and Market Rasen stages some valuable action this weekend. The day is always well supported and therefore provides us with some cracking betting opportunities.The Betfred Summer Plate is the feature, its a Listed handicap chase and conditions look perfect in the run up to this 2m 5f contest with the ground described as good.Its wide-open, but there does look an opportunity to find some each-way value. If Ballynagour runs then there will be a chunk of the field out of the handicap and that would include one of the JP McManus-owned runners, Easy Street, who is joint-favourite with the David Pipe trained top-weight at 7/1. Easy Street unseated his rider at this track last time out when sent off the well-backed favourite. That was his only blip in three starts over fences with this novice winning his first two over the larger obstacles. It wouldnt be ideal to run almost half a stone wrong at the weights, so maybe Jonjo ONeill will claim off him [ie use a conditional rider] if the top weight stands his ground.Theinval is one to consider off his current mark for Nicky Henderson. He got off the mark over fences in a beginners chase at Uttoxeter in May and he is well handicapped over fences in comparison to his hurdle rating. Hes an 8/1 shot.Jonjo ONeills 2014 winner Its A Gimme is one to keep on the right side of despite that being his last visit to a winners enclosure. He ran in the race last year without making an impression, but has dropped further down the weights and is now only 6lb higher than for his win two years ago.He returned to action at Uttoxeter last month with a promising display, looking in need of the run, and that should have helped knocked some of the rust off prior to his run on Saturday.Dan and Harry Skelton team up with Long House Hall who has just had the three starts over fences. He ran an encouraging race at Uttoxeter last time out, staying on well having been given plenty to do. He remains off the same mark (143) and this years Coral Cup runner-up shows all the signs of transferring his hurdles ability to fences.Hes one of the shorter horses in the market at 8/1, but I cant leave him off my shortlist with his improving profile. Its going to be a red hot contest with declarations on Friday. Ive already backed Long House Hall and Its A Gimme, so I just hope both stand their ground!Are you expecting The Tin Man to return to form at Newbury on Saturday after his Royal Ascot flop? Is there anything else in the Hackwood Stakes field that might make him work?I hope we see him run a better race at Newbury on Saturday, but as youll see in a moment, I wont be cheering him home. He ran way below-par in the Diamond Jubilee and although the ground was expected to suit it could have just been a bit too soft. James Fanshawe has said this horse prefers some cut in the ground (as the family tend to do), so that has to leave a question mark over the suitability of conditions on Saturday which at the time of writing were being described as good to firm. Having said that, he has won on good to firm and the weather has been a touch unsettled in the run up to the meeting.Ive already highlighted the excellent form of the Charlie Appleby stable and he saddles Charming Thought in the race. He has had a month to get over his reappearance run, which was his first since October 2014, so hopefully that should negate any possible bounce.He won the Middle Park on his final start as a two-year-old and then missed the entire Classic campaign before returning to action in a Listed race at Salisbury a month ago. He ran a promising race without being asked too tough a question to finish in fourth and it looked like a perfect re-introduction to action after such a long layoff.There is no Group One penalty to carry for this son of Oasis Dream as runners in this race are only penalised for victories after October 2015, so he has plenty going for him. Ive already backed him at 7/1 with Sky Bet and I hope my money isnt misplaced! Also See: Live results service Full racecards Get Sky Sports £10 completely free bet! ' ' '