GatewayRedbirds.com

It doesn't look like a contract will be signed today, although I'm told that doesn't mean Keith Tkachuk is headed to free agency.

There's a little less than 48 hours remaining before the free-agent market opens Sunday at noon. So time is getting short, but there is plenty of time for the Blues and Tkachuk to agree on a deal.

I do not have any information regarding a no-trade clause being the hang-up in the deal.

My own speculation is that Tkachuk is wondering how much he will be offered in free agency from other teams, and if it's worth it to stay in St. Louis for what he's being offered . . . two years, $7 million.

Stay tuned.

JR

Mrs. Keith is telling Mr. Keith to stay right where he is.
We'll see who the boss is.

--B

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=8312

Productive dialogue is being made behind the scenes with keith Tkachuk. I expect an announcement to be made within the next few hours.



More to come,

Andy Strickland

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues President John Davidson announced today the team has signed left wing Paul Kariya.

“We are excited to announce we have signed a world class hockey player as well as a first class person,” said Davidson. “Paul gives us instant scoring up front as well as bringing an entertaining brand of hockey to the St. Louis Blues.”

Kariya, 32, spent his first nine seasons playing for the Anaheim Ducks, helping the Ducks reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003. Following the 2003 season, he played a season with the Colorado Avalanche before playing the last two seasons for the Nashville Predators.

The 5-10, 176-pound left wing is a seven-time NHL All-Star (1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003) and has recorded over 100 points in a season twice, and has scored 30-or-more goals seven times in his career. He has represented Team Canada at two Olympic Winter Games, winning a gold medal in 2002 and a silver medal in 1994. He was named to the NHL First All-Star Teams in 1996, 1997 and 1999, while being named to the second teams in 2000 and 2003. Kariya is a two-time Lady Byng Trophy winner (1996, 1997) given to the NHL player who has exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability. He also won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award in 1993 while with the University of Maine as the best collegiate hockey player.

The Vancouver, British Columbia native has amassed 866 career NHL points (366 goals, 500 assists) in 821 games. Kariya was originally Anaheim’s first choice, fourth overall, in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft.