NHL

Iginla, Naslund re-sign; Forsberg goes to Philly

By wire services
Published August 4, 2005

Day 3 of the free agent season was highlighted by the signings of three superstars.

The Flyers signed Peter Forsberg 13 years after trading him. And Jarome Iginla, tied for first in goals in 2003-04 with 41, and Markus Naslund, who had 35, re-signed with the Flames and Canucks, respectively.

Forsberg, the league MVP and leading scorer with 106 points in 2002-03, received a two-year deal worth $10.7-million (about $6-million this season). It came one day after Philadelphia signed defensemen Derian Hatcher (four years, $14-million), Mike Rathje (five years, $17.5-million) and Chris Therien (one year, $500,000).

"Peter Forsberg is one of the best players in the game," general manager Bob Clarke said in a statement. "We signed him knowing that he puts us over the cap, and we will have to trade some guys now."

Philadelphia previously bought out forwards John LeClair and Tony Amonte. Now it appears it will trade forward Jeremy Roenick, set to make $4.94-million. Roenick said he was expecting a trade, though the Flyers said there was none to announce.

Forsberg was drafted sixth overall in 1991 by the Flyers, but his rights were traded a year later in a package to Quebec for Eric Lindros. Since then, Forsberg has been a seven-time All-Star and, after moving to Colorado, led the Avalanche to two Stanley Cups. In only 39 games in 2003-04, he had 18 goals and 37 assists.

The Canucks re-signed Naslund for three years and $18-million. There was talk that Naslund and Forsberg, a boyhood friend, sought to play together. But the lure of staying in Vancouver was enough.

"It was really the only choice for me and my family," he said. "We've had the best years of our lives here, and I'm very happy to hopefully retire as a Canuck."

Iginla signed a three-year, $21-million deal. It capped a fruitful two days for the Flames, who late Tuesday signed Amonte to a two-year, $3.7-million deal and former Red Wing Darren McCarty to a two-year, $1.6-million deal.

"When they're free agents, (players) look at where they can have a legitimate chance to win," Iginla said. "And I believe this is the place."

The Blues traded four-time All-Star defenseman and captain Chris Pronger to the Oilers late Tuesday for defenseman Eric Brewer and minor-league defensemen Doug Lynch and Jeff Woywitka.

Pronger, 30, won the Hart and Norris trophies in 1999-00. St. Louis made him a qualifying offer of $7.2-million for one year. But he signed the long-term deal, five years at $6.25-million per season, he sought with Edmonton.

Brewer, 26, is considered one of the top young defensemen. In 2003-04, he had seven goals and 18 assists.

AVALANCHE: Center Pierre Turgeon and defenseman Patrice Brisebois signed. Turgeon, a 17-year veteran with 495 goals, got $2.5-million over two years. He had 15 goals and 25 assists in 2003-04, but Dallas bought him out instead of paying his salary of about $2.53-million. Brisebois, who had four goals and 27 assists and was plus-17 for Montreal in 2003-04, signed for two years and $4.5-million.

BLUE JACKETS: Defenseman Bryan Berard signed a two-year deal worth $2.2-million per season. He had 13 goals and 34 assists for Chicago in 2003-04.

BRUINS: Brian Leetch, 37, the ex-Norris Trophy winner who was raised in Connecticut and played at Boston College, signed a one-year, $4-million deal. In 2003-04, he had 15 goals and 36 assists.

CANADIENS: Forward Alexei Kovalev re-signed for four years and $4.5-million per season. Kovalev, who scored 44 goals in 2000-01, had 14 and 31 assists for the Rangers and Canadiens in 2003-04.

ISLANDERS: Center Michael Peca was traded to Edmonton for left wing Mike York shortly after left wing Miroslav Satan signed a three-year deal. Acquired in 2001, Peca helped end a streak of missing the playoffs at seven seasons. But he is due $3.99-million this season. York, 27, had 16 goals and 26 assists in 2003-04. Since 1998-99, Satan, 30, has 194 goals, ninth best in the NHL. In 2003-04, he had 29 goals and 28 assists.

PENGUINS: Sergei Gonchar, the top goal-scoring defenseman during the past six seasons, signed for five years and $25-million. Gonchar has 148 goals and 277 assists in 669 games. Despite having a career-low 11 goals in 2003-04, he led defensemen with 47 assists.

STARS: Soon after backing out of a deal, Mike Modano re-signed for five years and $17.25-million. He holds the team records for points (1,106), games (1,101) and goals (458) and led Dallas to three Cup finals, winning in 1999.

WILD: Goalie Manny Fernandez accepted a one-year, $1.672-million qualifying offer and will split time with Dwayne Roloson for a fifth season.

[Last modified August 4, 2005, 01:06:05]