Sports Garth McLennan sports @theotherpress.ca Naslund leaves Canucks amid free agent frenzy Garth McLennan sports editor Fi era of Vancouver Canucks history officially closed on July 3 as team captain and all time goals and points leader Markus Naslund signed a two- year, $8 million contract with the New York Rangers. The Rangers also announced that they were severing ties with their own captain, Jairomir Jagr, who is being courted by several Russian league teams. They also signed Ottawa Senators superstar defenseman Wade Reddan to a six-year, $39 million deal. As of publication deadline, Canucks’ general manager Mike Gillis had failed to land a prime time free agent, but he’s definitely in the hunt for one. On July 2, Gillis tendered a two-year, $20 million contract offer to Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin, the hulking 6’5, 231 pound center. Gillis certainly wasn’t the only one trying to get the Swedish superstar’s name on the dotted line. As many as nine other teams have also been vying for Sundin’s services. Aside from Sundin, Gillis was active on a lesser scale. He signed restricted free agent David Backes to a three year, $7.5 million offer sheet. However, the contract was quickly matched by Backes’ current team, the St. Louis Blues, so Backes will remain in Missouri. Gillis proceeded to ink tough guy Darcy Hordichuk, 27, to a three year contract, likely spelling the end of Jeff Cowan’s term in Vancouver. Hordichuk suited up for the Nashville Predators last season, where he collected three points in 45 games and amassed sixty penalty minutes, all from his 12 fights. The Canucks then signed centerman Ryan Johnson away from the St. Louis Blues. Johnson, 32, agreed to terms with Vancouver in the form of a two-year deal that will pay him a total of $2.3 million. Johnson was the NHL’s top shot blocker last season with a recorded 105 blocks. He is also considered to be a fantastic skater, and one of the league’s fastest. In ‘other NHL news, former Vancouver Giant star Gilbert Brule was shipped to the Edmonton Oilers from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Edmonton super-pest Raffi Torres. Edmonton also picked up power forward Eric Cole from the Carolina Hurricanes for defenseman Joni Pitkanen. The Chicago Blackhawks made one of free agency’s biggest splashes when they signed Brian Campbell, considered to be the best available free agent defenseman, to a monster eight year contract that will se him paid $56.8 million. Campbell, 29, had eight goals and 54 assists last season for 62 points. He split last year between the Buffalo Sabres and the San Jose Sharks. The NHL’s most hated man, Sean Avery, left the New York Rangers for the Dallas Stars, who gave him a four year deal worth $15.5 million. However, Dallas lost their leading point scorer from last season as Nicklas Hagman departed for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who gave the Finn $12-million over four years. Toronto also brought back former fan favourite Curtis Joseph to play back up goalie, giving him a one- year contract worth $700,000. The team that made the biggest impact was the Tampa Bay Lightning. After finishing last overall this past season, the Lightning have completely revamped their organization. They have gotten a new ownership group; drafted Steven Stamkos first overall, signed a number of players so far. First off, they extended franchise player Vincent Lecavilier’s contract by nine years, then they signed young power forward Ryan Malone to a seven year pact. Heading into free agency, Malone was widely considered to be the most prized forward of the crop. Tampa also locked up aging power forward Gary Roberts to a one year deal. The Lightning weren’t done there. They aquired the services of Radim Vrbata for the next three years, and then inked goaltender Olaf Kolzig to a one year contract. As well, at the time of this writing, Tampa is actively shopping their best defenseman, Dan Boyle. Rain delays can’t dampen Nadal’s performance By Luke Simcoe I. would seem that no amount of inclement weather, or any amount of talent on the other side of the net could deny Rafael Nadal his maiden Wimbledon championship on the lawns of the All-England Club this year. The 22-year old Spaniard and three-time Wimbledon runner-up fi- nally overcame Roger Federer 6-4,6- 4,6-7(7), 6-7(8), 9-7 in an absolutely epic 4 hour and 48 minute match— the longest final in the tournament’s history—that was marred by numer-* ous rain delays. In doing so, he not only prevented Federer’s bid for a sixth consecutive title, but became the first Spanish player to win the tournament since 1966, and the first player to win both the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year since Bjorn Borg accomplished the 14 feat in 1980. Many of the tennis world’s intel- ligentsia, including announcer John McEnroe, were quick to describe the match as one of the greatest ever, a ‘fact that Nadal reluctantly agreed with during his post-match interview. Rafa dominated the first two sets, breaking Federer three times, but the Swiss superstar held onto his serve over the next two sets, winning them both in fairly decisive tiebreaks. Despite his rally to even the match, Federer was unable to truly threaten Nadal’s serve, and at times it was frustrating to watch the world num- ber one stubbornly and futilely try to match wits with Nadal from the baseline; Rafa ultimately won 24 of the 38 points that lasted longer than ten shots. - In the end, Nadal was simply hungrier for the win. He saved 12 of 13 break points, chased down balls that would have eluded any other player on the tour, and when Feder- er’s forehand broke down late in the fifth, Rafa was there to capitalize. Nadal collapsed to the worn turf of the court after a forehand error from Federer on match point. Fight- ing back tears, Nadal slowly rose to his feet before scrambling into to his box to embrace his family. He then grabbed a Spanish flag and scaled an overhang in the stands to shake hands with members of Spain’s royal family. ‘ “Is impossible to explain what I felt in that moment,” he said after ac- cepting the golden trophy for the first time, and likely not the last.