Zero
01-01-2006, 08:52 AM
Blues intercept Coyote-bound forward
By Jeremy Rutherford (jrutherford@<hidden>)
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Friday, Dec. 30 2005
Vladimir Orszagh finished a game with Lulea of the Swedish Elite League on
Thursday night and said his goodbyes. The former Nashville Predator, who
suffered a torn knee ligamentlast year at the World Championships, was headed
back to the NHL to play with the Phoenix Coyotes.
"I got an offer I couldn't refuse," Orszagh told reporters in Sweden. "This
morning, I (signed) a contract for two years. I was planning to stay with Lulea
the whole season, but the NHL is my goal."
But in order to sign with Phoenix, Orszagh first had to pass through NHL
waivers. And while on waivers, St. Louis general manager Larry Pleau saw a
player he couldn't refuse.
The Blues, who meet the Anaheim Mighty Ducks tonight at Savvis Center, claimed
Orszagh, a 5-foot-11, 193-pound forward. He's expected to join the club in the
next seven days, after following through with the immigration process.
Initially, it appeared as though the International Ice Hockey Federation would
fight Orszagh's transfer to the NHL.
In an e-mail from IIHF General Secretary Jan-Ake Edvinsson to Lulea President
Hans Chrunak on Thursday, Edvinsson says that Orszagh won't be eligible to play
in the NHL this season. An excerpt from the e-mail:
"This is to confirm that the agreement between the International Ice Hockey
Federation and NHL does not allow any transfers from IIHF to NHL at this time
of year," Edvinsson wrote. "Even if the IIHF club should agree to transfer, the
IIHF would not allow it since it would contradict to the basic principles in
the agreement between the IIHF and NHL. Please inform Mr. Orszagh that he can
be eligible to play for Phoenix in the NHL (in) 2006-07."
On Friday night, NHL vice president of media relations Frank Brown indicated
that the league is working to resolve the situation.
"We have been in contact with the IIHF on this matter and expect to reach an
accommodation that will allow Mr. Orszagh to play in the NHL this season,
effective immediately," Brown wrote in an e-mail.
Orszagh told Swedish media Friday night that he planned to join the Blues
Sunday.
He'll be back in the Central Division, where he played for three seasons with
the Nashville (2001-04). The 28-year-old scored 47 goals in that span, with at
least 15 goals in each of three seasons.
"I will probably have the same role as in Nashville, a spot on the second or
third line ... or maybe the fourth line," Orszagh said. "Anyway, I will work
hard for the team."
He will be one of four Blues players under contract for 2006- 07, along with
Barret Jackman, Bryce Salvador and Jamal Mayers. (The team has an option on
Keith Tkachuk).
"He's still a young guy," Pleau said. "He'll play in a lot of different
situations for us. He can play right or left wing. He's a very useful player, a
guy who can contribute over the next couple of years."
Orszagh appears to be past the knee injury that led Nashville to decline an
option on him this season. In 19 games with Lulea, he scored 13 points (8
goals, 5 assists) and was a plus-12.
The Blues will assume the contract Orszagh signed with Phoenix. The deal will
pay him $625,000 this season and $875,000 in 2006-07. He will count $750,000
against the salary cap each of the two seasons.
By Jeremy Rutherford (jrutherford@<hidden>)
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Friday, Dec. 30 2005
Vladimir Orszagh finished a game with Lulea of the Swedish Elite League on
Thursday night and said his goodbyes. The former Nashville Predator, who
suffered a torn knee ligamentlast year at the World Championships, was headed
back to the NHL to play with the Phoenix Coyotes.
"I got an offer I couldn't refuse," Orszagh told reporters in Sweden. "This
morning, I (signed) a contract for two years. I was planning to stay with Lulea
the whole season, but the NHL is my goal."
But in order to sign with Phoenix, Orszagh first had to pass through NHL
waivers. And while on waivers, St. Louis general manager Larry Pleau saw a
player he couldn't refuse.
The Blues, who meet the Anaheim Mighty Ducks tonight at Savvis Center, claimed
Orszagh, a 5-foot-11, 193-pound forward. He's expected to join the club in the
next seven days, after following through with the immigration process.
Initially, it appeared as though the International Ice Hockey Federation would
fight Orszagh's transfer to the NHL.
In an e-mail from IIHF General Secretary Jan-Ake Edvinsson to Lulea President
Hans Chrunak on Thursday, Edvinsson says that Orszagh won't be eligible to play
in the NHL this season. An excerpt from the e-mail:
"This is to confirm that the agreement between the International Ice Hockey
Federation and NHL does not allow any transfers from IIHF to NHL at this time
of year," Edvinsson wrote. "Even if the IIHF club should agree to transfer, the
IIHF would not allow it since it would contradict to the basic principles in
the agreement between the IIHF and NHL. Please inform Mr. Orszagh that he can
be eligible to play for Phoenix in the NHL (in) 2006-07."
On Friday night, NHL vice president of media relations Frank Brown indicated
that the league is working to resolve the situation.
"We have been in contact with the IIHF on this matter and expect to reach an
accommodation that will allow Mr. Orszagh to play in the NHL this season,
effective immediately," Brown wrote in an e-mail.
Orszagh told Swedish media Friday night that he planned to join the Blues
Sunday.
He'll be back in the Central Division, where he played for three seasons with
the Nashville (2001-04). The 28-year-old scored 47 goals in that span, with at
least 15 goals in each of three seasons.
"I will probably have the same role as in Nashville, a spot on the second or
third line ... or maybe the fourth line," Orszagh said. "Anyway, I will work
hard for the team."
He will be one of four Blues players under contract for 2006- 07, along with
Barret Jackman, Bryce Salvador and Jamal Mayers. (The team has an option on
Keith Tkachuk).
"He's still a young guy," Pleau said. "He'll play in a lot of different
situations for us. He can play right or left wing. He's a very useful player, a
guy who can contribute over the next couple of years."
Orszagh appears to be past the knee injury that led Nashville to decline an
option on him this season. In 19 games with Lulea, he scored 13 points (8
goals, 5 assists) and was a plus-12.
The Blues will assume the contract Orszagh signed with Phoenix. The deal will
pay him $625,000 this season and $875,000 in 2006-07. He will count $750,000
against the salary cap each of the two seasons.