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SPORTS Wednesday 3 July 2019

Rangers, Panthers, Predators

winners early in free agency

By LARRY LAGE The Minnesota Wild took a tired goaltender Roberto
AP Hockey Writer big chance in 2012, signing Luongo and makes Florida
The New York Rangers, Flor- Zach Parise and Ryan Suter tough to beat each game
ida Panthers and Nashville to 13-year contracts. The he starts. He led the league
Predators came out ahead duo has not been able to with nine shutouts and his
on Day 1 of NHL free agen- help the franchise get past 37 victories with the Blue
cy, signing the best play- the second round. Jackets ranked second in
ers available to seven-year It is possible, though, for the NHL. The Russian has
contracts. a team to invest a lot in a given up fewer than 2 ½
If Artemi Panarin , Sergei player from another team goals per game over nine
Bobrovsky or Matt Duch- in free agency and have seasons.
ene can help their new it pay off with a title. The NASHVILLE PREDATORS
team win the Stanley Cup, Washington Capitals gave Nashville reached the 2017 This Feb. 7, 2019, file photo shows Columbus Blue Jackets left
it will go against a trend. Matt Niskanen a seven- Stanley Cup Final and has wing Artemi Panarin (9) in the third period of an NHL hockey
Teams that have made the year, $40.25 million con- taken a step back since, game against the Arizona Coyotes in Glendale, Ariz.
biggest splash by signing tract in 2014 and the defen- losing in the first round this Associated Press
stars from other teams in re- seman helped them hoist year after a second-round
cent summers haven't had the Cup four years later. exit. The Predators needed away from the Blue Jack- defenseman P.K. Subban
those major moves lead to A look at the teams that to give their power play a ets. They were able to sign to New Jersey. Duchene
winning the Stanley Cup. spent the most so far in boost even though it cost the 28-year-old Canadian had 31 goals and 39 assists
"The reality is, you want to 2019 to sign unrestricted them $56 million over seven center after freeing up cap last season with the Ottawa
get those guys on July 1, free agents — three from years to sign Matt Duchene space by trading All-Star Senators and Columbus.q
you've got to give them Columbus — away from
terms and you've got to other teams:
give them a lot of money," NEW YORK RANGERS Cavendish out of Tour, still
Detroit Red Wings general Desperate for a shot of tal-
manager Steve Yzerman ent and energy, New York
said. "I don't know if it's gave the 27-year-old Pan- stuck on 30 stage wins
the right way to go or the arin a contract that trails
wrong way. We've all done only Edmonton's Connor
it. McDavid in money per PARIS (AP) — Mark Caven-
"You can look back on the season. The dynamic for- dish won't get a chance
history of July 1 signings and ward signed a seven-year, this month to overhaul
I guess judge for yourself $81.5 million contract with Eddy Merckx's record of 34
whether you think they're a franchise that has missed stage victories at the Tour
good or bad." the playoffs in consecutive de France.
The Toronto Maple Leafs years for the first time in the The 34-year-old British
were hailed a year ago salary cap era. The Russian sprinter with 30 stage vic-
for signing superstar John had a career-high 87 points tories, second only to Mer-
Tavares and they ended last season in Columbus. He ckx, wasn't included on
up losing in the first round has scored at least 27 goals Tuesday on the eight-rider
of the playoffs for the third in each of his four NHL sea- squad for the race by his
straight year. Edmonton sons, including his first two team, Dimension Data.
and Buffalo, respectively, years with the Chicago Cavendish hasn't missed a
signed Milan Lucic and Blackhawks. Tour since his first in 2007.
Kyle Okposo to seven-year FLORIDA PANTHERS But he also hasn't won a
contracts in 2016 and both The franchise has missed stage since he took four in n this July 4, 2017 file photo, Britain's Mark Cavendish crosses the
franchises are still flounder- the playoffs three straight 2016 to overhaul Bernard finish line after he crashed during the sprint of the fourth stage
ing. "You have to try to sign years and 16 times in 18 Hinault on the list of stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 207.5 kilometers (129
free agents when the time seasons, creating a sense winners. Hinault won 28. miles) with start in Mondorf-les-Bains, Luxembourg, and finish in
Vittel, France.
is right in terms of the cap of urgency to win that can Cavendish, the dominant Associated Press
and cycle of the team," Oil- lead to lavish spending in sprinter of his generation,
ers general manager Ken free agency. Bobrovsky has been struggling to re- flammation. Kreuziger, who has four
Holland said. "If you think took advantage, signing a discover his speed since he Without Cavendish, the top-10 finishes at the Tour,
you're one or two pieces seven-year, $70 million con- was diagnosed in 2017 with headliners for Dimension and Edvald Boasson Ha-
away, you have to take a tract. The two-time Vezina the Epstein-Barr virus, which Data at the Tour that starts gen, who has three stage
chance." Trophy winner replaces re- can cause fatigue and in- on Saturday will be Roman wins.q