TORONTO – While the National Hockey League is back at work, gearing up for a new season, the broadcast outlets are already in full competitive mode.
Today Rogers Sportsnet issued a press release outlining the sheer number of player deal news it says it has been first to break.
“The news that Scott Niedermayer signed with the Anaheim Might y Ducks is just the latest in a long list of free-agent signings and trades reported first by sportsnetnews and sportsnet.ca,” crows the release.
“Our hockey reporters had an absolutely brilliant week,” said Scott Morrison, Sportsnet’s director of news and hockey.
Darren Dreger, Sportsnet’s senior hockey editor, along with analyst Nick Kypreos and sportsnetnews beat reporters Dan Murphy (Vancouver), Rogers Millions (Calgary), Gene Principe (Edmonton), Louis Jean (Montreal) and Ian Mendes (Ottawa) have all been instrumental in delivering several key transactions first to NHL fans, says the release, which had a list of player deals Sportsnetnews had first:
Monday, August 1
* Gary Roberts and Joe Nieuwendyk sign with Florida Panthers
* Adam Foote signs with Columbus Blue Jackets
Tuesday, August 2
* Derian Hatcher, Mike Rathje, Chris Therien and Jon Sim sign with Philadelphia Flyers
* Bobby Holik signs with Atlanta Thrashers
* Martin Gelinas signs with Florida Panthers
* Pavol Demitra signs with Los Angeles Kings
* Glen Murray re-signs with Boston Bruins
Wednesday, August 3
* Jarome Iginla re-signs with Calgary Flames
* Chris Pronger acquired by Edmonton Oilers via trade with St. Louis Blues
* Sergei Gonchar signs with Pittsburgh Penguins
* Mathieu Schneider signs with Detroit Red Wings
* Martin Rucinsky signs with New York Rangers
Thursday, August 4
* Scott Niedermayer signs with Anaheim Mighty Ducks
