Official NHL Discussion Thread

[Zebra 3]

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
Yeah me too the only other hockey I've had this year is junior hockey with the Sudbury Wolves unfortunately they only lasted to the 2nd round(at least they made the damn playoffs this year).

Go Canada Go at least winning this wil look better than that god damn World Cup Of Hockey trophy that TSN likes to get a shot of every now and then.
:confused: - WTF's wrong with the Word Cup.

[horrorfreak13]

I'm just talking about the trophy it looks so damn ugly

[outsyder]

67's take game 2 of the OHL Championship series 6-3!

1-1 series, and the 6's, with home ice advantage now, head back to the Civic Centre., where they are unbeaten in the playoffs this year.


It's about time the London Knights' fans were served a bit of humble pie.

[Zebra 3]

CBC.ca: Gretzky to coach Coyotes: report (http://www.cbc.ca/story/sports/national/2005/05/10/Sports/gretzky-coach050510.html)

[ToRontoRon]

Great game tonight in the Memorial Cup.

London was certainly the better team and deserved to win but...



Man do they like to dive.




And oh yeah, Fritsche really should have had a second goalie interference penalty.

Crosby was dynamite early on, but Prust did a great job pulling a Tikkanen on him from basically the second period on.

Overall, a very entertaining game.

[daddiefatsacks]

its been a while

glad to see you TorontoRon :)

[outsyder]

Sunday afternoon at 4:00 PM.

Ottawa and Kelowna. Should be an interesting game.

[TheAxeGrinder]

Oh gee, more interesting news on the lockout (as if anyone cares anymore):

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has a drop dead date in mind for the upcoming NHL season, according to a report by Sun Media.

A story in Saturday's Ottawa Sun cited league sources who said if a new CBA is not in place by mid June, the NHL may cancel next season and scrap negotiations altogether until the union accepts the league's terms.

The news comes amid reports that major sponsors have told the league they will take their money elsewhere if there is no labor agreement by June 15.

The league and the NHL Players' Association met for eight hours in New York on Friday, a day after sitting in a boardroom for 14 hours and word from within was that some progess was made.

Both sides have the weekend off before Bettman and NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow decide when talks will resume next week.

Still with the NHL:

Bloomberg Business News reports that Bain Capital LLC, one of America's most reputable companies and buyout firms, has increased its bid for the National Hockey League by at least $500 million to more than $4 billion.

Sources familiar with the proposal told Bloomberg that Bain and Game Plan LLC, a firm that arranges the sale of professional sports teams, made the new offer on Friday.

"We haven't given up, that's for sure," Game Plan chairman Bob Caporale told Bloomberg. Caporale declined to confirm that a revised offer was submitted to the league.

NHL spokesman Frank Brown told Bloomberg, "I will not confirm any aspect of what you're reporting."

The firm pitched NHL owners a proposal to buy the entire league for more than $3 billion US at a league board of governors' meeting in March. But top officials with several clubs characterized Bain's presentation as merely an interesting information session that barely lasted half an hour and won't be given much thought in the future.

The proposal would see all 30 teams run out of a central office, setting team payroll budgets before the season started and distributing revenues to each club.

[horrorfreak13]

I'd have to say the Memorial Cup the games have been exciting I think London should win it all but I'm cheering for Ottawa mostly for Bottachio in net 62 saves in the game against Kelowna.

[TheAxeGrinder]

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
I'd have to say the Memorial Cup the games have been exciting I think London should win it all but I'm cheering for Ottawa mostly for Bottachio in net 62 saves in the game against Kelowna.

I thought it was 66? Ah well, still a kickass performance.

The game tonight with Ottawa and Rimouski was awesome. If only more NHL games were like this...

[outsyder]

Originally posted by TheAxeGrinder
I thought it was 66? Ah well, still a kickass performance.

The game tonight with Ottawa and Rimouski was awesome. If only more NHL games were like this...




It was an awesome game. And if Ottawa would hit the net more often than not, they would have won. But they sure gave Crosby a hell of a ride.

Great, hard-hitting, fast paced game.

[ToRontoRon]

Originally posted by daddiefatsacks
its been a while

glad to see you TorontoRon :)


Yup, thought I'd crawl out of the hole I've been in this winter for the Memorial Cup.

Crosby: 2 games, 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points... Great stats for most, but just ordinary by his standards.


Go Oceanic! :D

[outsyder]

Originally posted by ToRontoRon
Crosby: 2 games, 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points... Great stats for most, but just ordinary by his standards.


Two other people have 4 points, and one has 5.


Apparently, lots of people are great.



Phaneuf>Crosby

[horrorfreak13]

I must say last night absolutely horrible refereeing. Colbert got away with a slash on Crosby and a high stick to Crosby's face and also Chris Hulit was hooked by 2 Oceanic players and there was no penalty.

The game was good but the officiating was just brutal in that game.

I know oganizers at this tournament are dying for a Rimouski-London final.

[dellamorte dellamore]

A buyout , i like the sound of that , need a fresh start anyway .

[ToRontoRon]

Originally posted by outsyder
Two other people have 4 points, and one has 5.


Apparently, lots of people are great.



Phaneuf>Crosby


4 points in 2 games are great stats. If it were the NHL, he'd be on pace for a 164 point season.

But I was just pointing out that Crosby has been very good, but hasn't been Super Man so far this Memorial Cup.

And btw,

Crosby>Phaneuf

Phaneuf is an awesome impact player, in fact he has the potential to become one of the greatest defencemen of all time, but if both players were available to be drafted, who would you take? I don't think it would be Phaneuf. As great as Dion is, it would be a no-brainer to take the kid from Cole Harbour to me.

[outsyder]

Originally posted by ToRontoRon
4 points in 2 games are great stats. If it were the NHL, he'd be on pace for a 164 point season.

But I was just pointing out that Crosby has been very good, but hasn't been Super Man so far this Memorial Cup.

And btw,

Crosby>Phaneuf

Phaneuf is an awesome impact player, in fact he has the potential to become one of the greatest defencemen of all time, but if both players were available to be drafted, who would you take? I don't think it would be Phaneuf. As great as Dion is, it would be a no-brainer to take the kid from Cole Harbour to me.


As good as Crosby is. I will still take Phaneuf. Phaneuf is an NHL poster boy for grit and hard hitting D. It's a bit difficult to compare them, seeing as they are in polar positions, but I think Phaneuf is much more capable of handling the extra attention he's sure to receive. Even Eric Lindros couldn't avoid Scott Stevens forever.

[ToRontoRon]

Originally posted by outsyder
As good as Crosby is. I will still take Phaneuf. Phaneuf is an NHL poster boy for grit and hard hitting D. It's a bit difficult to compare them, seeing as they are in polar positions, but I think Phaneuf is much more capable of handling the extra attention he's sure to receive. Even Eric Lindros couldn't avoid Scott Stevens forever.

Fair enough. It's tough to argue about this too much, because Phaneuf looks like one of the best defensive prospects in a long time, but being called "the best prospect since Mario Lemieux in 1985" is tough to ignore. Also, Gretzky said this kid could break some of his records... No chance in Hell, but certainly very high praise. What I think makes Crosby such a can't miss superstar is his lower body strength. He's not an overly big, strong kid, but he has a strong lower body and is tough to knock off the puck. He also obviously has great hands. That combination reminds me of Forsberg or Jagr. That's a crucial skill to have in the NHL.

On the other hand, Phaneuf is a physical monster on defence with some very good offensive skills too.

Both GREAT players that will be stars for many years to come.


Go Oceanic!

[TheAxeGrinder]

The only records I could forsee someone breaking of Wayne's would have to be the record for Most Assists By A Player In His First NHL Season (7), Most 3-Or-More Goal Games In A Career (50), Most 3 Goal Games In A Season (10) and the point streaks. Then again, with the way the game has evolved, it'd be a feat to at least approach one of those records.

Was it me, or did the Rimouski/Kelowna game look like the last Tampa/Calgary game in the Cup finals? Shit I miss the NHL...

[ToRontoRon]

Great game tonight Sid. 3 goals and 2 assists. B.S. scheduling has the Oceanic playing less than 24 hours later. This killed teams in the World Championship, and is simply not fair. Nonetheless...


GO OCEANIC!!!

[outsyder]

I'm proud of my 67's. If anyone predicted that they would finish third in the country six months ago, they would be laughed at. They finished 6th in the east, and fought their way past better teams. The 67's have also seen the emergence of a new star in Danny Battochio, who I believe will rocket up the scouting ranks after this year. They have some awesome young talent and next year, they should be back in top form, with most of their core returning, including Battochio.

They kept the games close, and would have done so today as well if not for a bullshit penalty call that saw their momentum come crashing down. But I still salute them nonetheless.

My hat goes off to you, fellas.


I'd like to see Rimouski win now, as London and the Hunters are a bunch of assholes and bandwagoners.

[ToRontoRon]

*yawn*

Two games in less than 24 hours + stupid penalty early in the game + very week goal allowed by goalie + playing one of the best teams ever, if not the best + being in their arena = no chance.

Great season Rimouski, and Ottawa and Kelowna too. But congrats to the London Knights. They were clearly the best team, and deserved to win.

I do hope that they change the scheduling next year so that there's an extra day off between the semi and the final, or at the very least don't have them play twice in less than 24 hours. It makes a huge difference. What is it now, 12 out of 13 of the past winners had the bye? No surprise. The World Championships also proved that this is a big disadvantage to teams. It wouldn't have changed the outcome this year, because London almost certainly would have won anyways, but we might have had a better game at least.

Up next in the hockey world, here's hoping those ping pong balls bounce the Leafs way in the draft. (Whenever the Hell that might be.) In fact, if the labour mess isn't resolved, the next thing might be the 2006 World Jrs. Go Canada Go!

[ToRontoRon]

It sounds like we might be getting close here, people.

[horrorfreak13]

Originally posted by ToRontoRon
It sounds like we might be getting close here, people.

It sounds like it but I'm not going to start jumping for joy once the deal is actually signed.

We were already jerked around from the media before and it's not happenening again.

[Indiana Sev]

SEA - FUCKIN' - BASS makes the hall.

[outsyder]

Originally posted by Indiana Sev
SEA - FUCKIN' - BASS makes the hall.



One of the few moves the NHL and NHLPA have done right this year.

[horrorfreak13]

Originally posted by Indiana Sev
SEA - FUCKIN' - BASS makes the hall.

It's great to see him get in and I guess Kharmalov is a good choice with trying to put in more members of that 1972 Russian team. I'm just a little disapointed that again Glenn Anderson and Dino Cicarelli get passed over again. :confused:

[Haddonfield]

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/cp/sports/20050608/s060831a.jpg

[daddiefatsacks]

it's almost baaaaaaaack :)

[Indiana Sev]

The players got duped. :D

I LOVE IT!! http://www.joblo.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

[outsyder]

Originally posted by Indiana Sev
The players got duped. :D

I LOVE IT!! http://www.joblo.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif


I hope they add in the clause in which every hockey fan in the world is entitled to line up and kick Goodenow and Bettman in the balls.

[ToRontoRon]

Originally posted by outsyder
I hope they add in the clause in which every hockey fan in the world is entitled to line up and kick Goodenow and Bettman in the balls.


Now THAT would bring the fans back. :D

[brodeurnumber1]

What they need do is a Fantasy draft. Now that would simply be fun to watch.

[daddiefatsacks]

It's BAAAAAAACK

[brodeurnumber1]

Here's what the draft system will be for the lottery on July 21st and the actual draft July 30th: http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/3758906

Seeing New Jersey win would be fun, but the NHL wants the Rangers to win, so they probably will.

[Mr. HokeyPokey]

Funny part is that it's back, but nobody want's to put them on TV. ABC has the Stanley Cup, as for that... nooonya

They should have just let it die, and stay in canada. It's going to be quite hard to get even a fraction of their fan base back.

[Indiana Sev]

Originally posted by daddiefatsacks
It's BAAAAAAACK

Doesn't this belong in the "Who Cares" thread? ;):D

[outsyder]

Originally posted by brodeurnumber1
Here's what the draft system will be for the lottery on July 21st and the actual draft July 30th: http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/3758906

Seeing New Jersey win would be fun, but the NHL wants the Rangers to win, so they probably will.


Fuck yeah! Crosby gets drafted in Ottawa! (Hopefully to said place as well;))

And homeboy Benoit Pouliot should have a great time going number two there as well.


Fuck man,

IT'S BACK!

[daddiefatsacks]

for some reason, i get this feeling Crosby will either land in Atlanta with Kovalchuk and Heatley....or Colombus with Nash....scary

[horrorfreak13]

Well it's about damn time a deal got done. As for the draft in a perfect world the league would like Crosby to go to the Rangers but could you imagine him in Columbus with Nash or in Atlanta with Kovalchuk and Heatley or even god forbid Phily with the verteran team they have and prospects Mike Richards and Jeff Carter.

I'm even wondering where Benoit Pouliot and Marc Staal are going to go both were great players for Sudbury last season.

Then come October things will be back the way it used to be. :cool:

[jaymckee74]

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
Well it's about damn time a deal got done. As for the draft in a perfect world the league would like Crosby to go to the Rangers but could you imagine him in Columbus with Nash or in Atlanta with Kovalchuk and Heatley or even god forbid Phily with the verteran team they have and prospects Mike Richards and Jeff Carter.

I'm even wondering where Benoit Pouliot and Marc Staal are going to go both were great players for Sudbury last season.

Then come October things will be back the way it used to be. :cool:
No..in a perfect world, Crosby would end up in Buffalo becuase that's where i want him dammit..but if he did end up int ATL with Heatley and Kovalchuk or in Columbus with Nash and Zherdev, it would be the greatest line in the history of the world

[ToRontoRon]

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
but could you imagine him in Columbus with Nash or in Atlanta with Kovalchuk and Heatley or even god forbid Phily with the verteran team they have and prospects Mike Richards and Jeff Carter.



Or how about in Toronto playing on a line with such great young stars as... Dammit, we need him!!! ;)

[Rated R]

What I'm worried about is that he'll land in a dead end spot like Phoenix, Washington or Nashville that is really without much help for him. Granted they each have good players, but I would love to see Crosby play on a team that has a semi-chance, not the super powers like Detroit or Colorado, but a middle of the road team that just needs an extra boost(Montreal...hey I can dream.)

[Indiana Sev]

I'm not too happy about all the changes they've got in store except for the smaller goaltending equipment. The NHL may be back but we won't be seeing the same hockey that we all grew up with.

Whatever.

As long as the Habs still suck, I'll be tuned in...

:D

[Rated R]

Originally posted by Indiana Sev

As long as the Habs still suck, I'll be tuned in...

:D



God I hate you Sev

[Mikey2Dope]

O'Neill's brother dies in car accident

VAUGHAN, Ont. (CP) - The brother of Carolina Hurricanes forward Jeff O'Neill was killed Thursday morning in a car crash north of Toronto, according to the Ontario Provincial Police.

"The fellow who was killed is Donny O'Neill - and his brother is Jeff O'Neill of the Carolina Hurricanes," said Sgt. Cam Wooley.

O'Neill was 33 and a resident of King City, north of Toronto.

The accident occurred at about 4:30 a.m. EDT on a ramp linking two major highways.

"Unfortunately, the driver was not wearing a seat belt and the vehicle rolled on to him (and) crushed him," said Wooley.

O'Neill was pronounced dead on the scene by the coroner.

Jeff O'Neill, a 29-year-old native of Richmond Hill, Ont., is in Toronto to attend NHL Players' Association meetings.

Credit: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=131001

Damn, I feel so bad for Jeff right now. :(

[Mikey2Dope]

In happier news, TSN's sources are saying that the NHLPA will indeed approve the offer today, and that there's a press conference at 4 Eastern Time / 1 Pacific to discuss the results of the vote.

YES!!! :D

[outsyder]

Tomorrow is the Sidney Crosby lottery!


With a consolation prize of Benoit Pouliot.;)


Got me riddled with anticipation.:)

[Indiana Sev]

Originally posted by outsyder
Tomorrow is the Sidney Crosby lottery!

I get the feeling the Bluejackets will get him.

[brodeurnumber1]

Two things, one if the Rangers win the lottery it's fixed. Two, Do the rule changes effect Overtime in the playoffs?

DAMN THE 23RD PICK.

[jaymckee74]

no..no shootout in the playoffs

[bob]

Sweetness....The Pittsburgh Penguins just got the rights to Crosby!!

After the Avvies they were my choice to win...I'm gonna love seeing him in that Penguins jersey...

[outsyder]

Ottawa goes 9th!

HA! The system works!:D

[Zebra 3]

Can't wait to see the Pens' powerplay with Sidney and Mario!

[bob]

Well, the first two victims of the buyout period are both from Philly...

According to tsn.ca, John LeClair and Tony Amonte have both been bought out by the Flyers...

[horrorfreak13]

It should be fun seeing Mario and Crosby next year. So the Leafs get 21st. It could be better but it's better than getting stuck in last. But did Florida ever get screwed or what 29th.

A huge sigh of releif happened when the Rangers got 16th.

The buyout period starts and covenient;y Owen Nolan has to have knee surgery during the buyout period which makes me ask if it was still injured why the fuck didn't he get the surgery months ago. He was cleared during the season. :rolleyes:

[outsyder]

Just learned the Sens cut a shitload of ticket prices and arranged a lot of special events. Season ticket holders even get a free autographed jersey.

And one more thing. I also learned the Sens have THREE pre-season games with the Pens. I'll give you guys a full report of Crosby's first few games.

[bob]

Please do, I'm pretty psyched to see if this kid can live up to the expectations...

The Avalanche just held a press conference, where they essentially announced they would not be buying out Joe Sakic or Rob Blake, which means that, in all likelihood, Milan Hejduk, Alex Tanguay, Adam Foote, or Peter Forsberg will not be returning.

There's also a rumor that Markus Naslund and Peter Forsberg are heavily suggesting they want to play on the same line, which really had me excited as to the possibility of Naslund being an Av, until I did the math:

2003 Art Ross + 2003 Art Ross runner-up + 2003 Rocket Richard + 2004 Art Ross runner-up + two Norris trophy caliber defenseman + 26 year-old playmaker = WAY too much money.

There's gonna be a heartbreaker in Denver pretty soon, I think. :(

[bob]

Assorted reports from around the league (all courtesy tsn.ca...)

-The Sens won't buy out anyone, even though they've got Bryan Smolinski and Greg DeVries on the books for 2.3 mil each. I think that's a poor choice, considering they have to resign Havlat, Hossa, and Spezza, and Smolinski and DeVries' glory years are behind them.

-Red Wings place Darren McCarty, Derian Hatcher, and Ray Whitney on waivers. I like seeing McCarty and Hatcher get screwed, but it was convenient for two players I hate to be on a team I hate...

-Phoenix buys out Brian Savage, and no one cares...

-Habs decline option on Patrice Brisebois...

-Islanders won't buy out Alexei Yashin...

[horrorfreak13]

Originally posted by bob
Islanders won't buy out Alexei Yashin...

:confused: I dont know about Milbury anymore. Seriously why not buy him out and the Islanders could get 5 players that are more talented than Yashin for the same amount.

[jaymckee74]

Originally posted by bob
There's also a rumor that Markus Naslund and Peter Forsberg are heavily suggesting they want to play on the same line, which really had me excited as to the possibility of Naslund being an Av, until I did the math:

Or they'll both go back to Sweden and play for MODO as Forsberg has repeatedly said he wants to

[Haddonfield]

The B's offered a 5 year contract to Thornton rumored to be worth 30 million. 6 mill a year seems like a good contract givin that he was awarded 6.5 in arbatration before the season went to hell. I expect the B's to throw a few more bucks his way and it gets done soon.

They also offered 3 year deals to Samsonov and Lapointe (why?) and PJ Axelsson. Plus a 4 year deal to Gonchar. (please let him sign it!!!) No idea on the money with those.

Looks like Boston is getting a jump on trying to keep the team together.

This is going to be an interesting month or so.

[brodeurnumber1]

Goodenow has offically resigned and I'm one very happy camper. I think Ted Saskin replaces him, but I could be wrong.

[bob]

Originally posted by jaymckee74
Or they'll both go back to Sweden and play for MODO as Forsberg has repeatedly said he wants to

That's what Forsberg did last year, and he found that he is treated no differently in the Swedish leagues. They still hack and pull at him all the time, because they know they can't stop him "fair and square". He had to sit out the entire playoffs with an injury because someone gave him a cheapshot. Personally, I don't think he'll go back to that, with or without Naslund.

As far as Yashin is concerned, the reason they didn't buy him out is that the buyouts begin to count against the salary cap after the first year. And as Yashin is signed until 2009 or something, they'd be paying him not to play for them for 3 years instead of one. Buying out contracts is really only feasible for 1 or 2 year contracts.

[ToRontoRon]

Well, the draft was today.

Crosby went # 1 overall. :eek:


I like what the Leafs did. We picked up a good goalie for the future in Tuukka Rask. Once about 15 picks or so were made, I was looking at the list of available players in my Hockey News, and was hoping that the Leafs would get a chance to take Rask, and they did. Awesome. And they also picked up O'Neill. What I like about the O'Neill pick up is that it may intice Roberts to stay in Toronto for less money to be with his buddy. Very shrewd of Ferguson I think.

One question:

After watching the Memorial Cup, how the Hell did Danny Syvret fall to # 81?!?!?

Great pick up for Edmonton if you ask me.



Go Leafs go!!!

[Draccoca]

Does anybody know if Trevor Kidd will be returning to the leafs? I sure as hell hope not the guy is a bum who is way past his prime. Tellly out performed him last season asn should be made a regular.

[bob]

In addition to Jeff O'Neill to the Leafs (NICE pickup, I do say...) here's some other news on player movement:

Flames send Mike Commodore to the Hurricanes for draft pick
Panthers send Darcy Hordichuk to Predators for draft pick
Stars buy out Pierre Turgeon
Panthers buy out Matheiu Biron
Avs buy out Chris Gratton
Wild buy out Matt Johnson
Blue Jackets buy out Scott LaChance and Andrew Cassels
Predators send Andrew Hutchinson to Hurricanes for draft pick
Flyers send Todd Fedoruk to Mighty Ducks for draft pick
Predators send Shane Hnidy to Thrashers for draft pick
Senators send Todd White to Wild for draft pick
Blackhawks send Travis Moen to Mighty Ducks for Michael Holmqvist


So, you know, basically a flood of blockbusters.

[ToRontoRon]

Originally posted by bob
In addition to Jeff O'Neill to the Leafs (NICE pickup, I do say...) here's some other news on player movement:

Flames send Mike Commodore to the Hurricanes for draft pick
Panthers send Darcy Hordichuk to Predators for draft pick
Stars buy out Pierre Turgeon
Panthers buy out Matheiu Biron
Avs buy out Chris Gratton
Wild buy out Matt Johnson
Blue Jackets buy out Scott LaChance and Andrew Cassels
Predators send Andrew Hutchinson to Hurricanes for draft pick
Flyers send Todd Fedoruk to Mighty Ducks for draft pick
Predators send Shane Hnidy to Thrashers for draft pick
Senators send Todd White to Wild for draft pick
Blackhawks send Travis Moen to Mighty Ducks for Michael Holmqvist


So, you know, basically a flood of blockbusters.


WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHAO... Hutchinson is now a member of the Canes?! :eek:


But in all seriousness, things should start heating up today. Very interesting to see where Forsberg and Naslund will end up. Will they be on the same team?

Also, I don't want to get Leaf fans' hopes up, but my brother in law works with Adam Foote's mom, and apparently it seems as though he's coming to the Leafs. :)

[bob]

The first major signings today, as Gary Roberts and Joe Nieuwendyk sign with...The Florida Panthers.

God, it is gonna be WEIRD seeing them in Panthers jerseys...I think it was a bad move by the Leafs not to resign either of these guys, but I guess you could probably get more production for the money...

And TorontoRon- Never, EVER count Pierre LaCroix out when it comes to resigning his own players...or anyone's players, really...

[horrorfreak13]

Well I seem to like the Rask pick from what I hear he's going to be good. Finland has been producing some good goalies lately.

Minnesota is getting a great player in Pouliot I thought he would go 2nd and I thought Marc Staal would go in the top 10 but he goes to the Rangers at #12. As long as they are both playing in Sudbury next year.

I like the O'Neil aquisition. Dosen't cost a lot and it allows the Leafs to make some other moves but their cap number isn't huge.

As for Florida signing Roberts and Niewendyk well it's unfortunate they are both gone we'll just see who ends up replacing him.

[jaymckee74]

Adam Foote signs with Columbus 3 years/$13.5mil

[ToRontoRon]

Originally posted by ToRontoRon
And they also picked up O'Neill. What I like about the O'Neill pick up is that it may intice Roberts to stay in Toronto for less money to be with his buddy. Very shrewd of Ferguson I think.




0 for 1.

[ToRontoRon]

Originally posted by ToRontoRon

Also, I don't want to get Leaf fans' hopes up, but my brother in law works with Adam Foote's mom, and apparently it seems as though he's coming to the Leafs. :)


0 for 2.

So much for my sources. I guess I'll leave that kind of stuff to Bob MacKenzie. lol

[chiefxcel]

Originally posted by ToRontoRon
Also, I don't want to get Leaf fans' hopes up, but my brother in law works with Adam Foote's mom, and apparently it seems as though he's coming to the Leafs. :)

So much for that.

[horrorfreak13]

According to TSN.ca Bobby Clarke will have a multiplayer announcement today. The Flyers are targeting Derian Hatcher, Mike Rathje, Brian Rafalski and Adrian Aucoin.

Oh crap Phily is going to have an awesome team this year.

[chiefxcel]

philly has signed mike rathje and darian hatcher.. adding two great defensemen to a team that already has johnsson, therien and pitkanen is huge.. probably the best defensive core in the league now.. to go along with roenick, primeau, gagne, knuble, kapanen, handzus, richards, carter, and of course esche.. philly has to be considered the best team in the league at this point

[chiefxcel]

another top defenseman off the market.. adrian aucoin is now a blackhawk, signing a 4 year deal worth $16 million

aucoin, foote, hatcher, rathje gone already..

[chiefxcel]

bad news as Russia rejects IIHF-NHL transfer deal

GENEVA (AP) - The Russian hockey federation's refusal to sign the player transfer agreement between the NHL and the sport's international governing body could jeopardize the NHL's participation at the Olympics, according to the International Ice Hockey Federation.

The Russians - the only European federation to reject the deal between the International Ice Hockey Federation and the NHL - didn't sign because their clubs unanimously rejected it at a meeting Monday.

IIHF president Rene Fasel is planning an emergency trip to Moscow to persuade the Russian federation to sign. It is unclear if the NHL would ratify a deal that doesn't include the Russian federation.

"If the agreement doesn't happen, if Rene Fasel can't persuade them to change their minds, we will have a chaotic situation on the transfer market," IIHF spokesman Szymon Szemberg told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

"Everything between the IIHF and the NHL in the collective bargaining agreement would be void," Szemberg added. "There would be no NHL participation at the Olympics, at the world championships or a possible World Cup. There would be no transfer agreement."

[bob]

Columbus just got themselves a steal...I've been watching Foote for 9 years, and he's easily the most underrated defenseman in the league.

So long, Footer. We'll miss you.:(


And there goes the idea of signing Aucoin or Rathje as a replacement.

[jaymckee74]

Leafs sign Jason Allison $1.5-$2 mil...no news on length yet....great pick up...arguably the best passer in the league and can put up some huge numbers if he stays healthy

also holik goes to Atlanta 3 years 4.5 mil....still a little overpriced but if he gets time with heatley and/or kovalchuk he should rack up the points

[outsyder]

Originally posted by jaymckee74
Leafs sign Jason Allison 2 years $1.5-$2 mil


Might as well flush it down the crapper.

[jaymckee74]

Originally posted by outsyder
Might as well flush it down the crapper.

well they're already wasting money by making offered to antropov, belak and berg, and paying tucker 1.6 mil..so another 1.5 isnt going to hurt..plus im almost certain they'd play him with a tougher guy for protection

Glen Murray and Shawn McEachern sign with Boston..Murray 4 years, McEachern 2

[bob]

I'm pretty pleased with the signings so far. It hurts to lose Foote, but it's nice to see the distribution of players around the league...one signing makes a team look a whole lot deeper (Foote in Columbus, Holik in Atlanta). It's gonna be a great season.

I'm just waiting patiently to see what happens with Forsberg and Naslund. Not signing Foote gives us an extra 3 mil, so anything's possible, I guess...

But I really think it's unlikely Naslund would join the Avs after last season.

[jaymckee74]

Kings sign Pavol Demitra 3 years $13.5 mil...one of the quietest scorers in the league..consistantly puts up 75-80 points a year

[chiefxcel]

nice pickups by some teams today.. holik will help out a great deal in atlanta, and demitra the same in LA.. allison's a huge risk because he's played 26 of 164 games in the past 2 seasons.. also florida just signed martin gelinas, nice addition

[jaymckee74]

Amonte to the Flames...$1.8 mil..no word on length...descent pick up...a shadow of his former self but still has some wheels...should be a nice linemate for Iginla

[outsyder]

Well, it seems the CBA is doing exactly what it said it would. All the teams that seem to be signing like mad are the ones that have small payrolls.

I just hope Muckler can sign a LW/C that's decent enough to fill the hole Ottawa has there.

[bob]

Calgary also signed Darren McCarty. I hate that fucker. Calgary just got less cool.

The Rangers re-sign Kevin Weekes, and sign Martin Straka and Marek Malik. Solid, if unspectacular, pickups.

Panthers sign Joel Kwiatkowski. oooooooh

Bruins sign Dave Scatchard for four years...

Islanders get Alexei Zhitnik for four years...

Carolina signs Cory Stillman for three years...

I think the coup of the offseason so far is Demitra in L.A. He's a great player, way underrated.

[outsyder]

Straka to the Rangers.

Demitra is a great player, but I wouldnt say he's an underrated jewel. He's getting over $4 million per year in LA. A good deal yes, but not low enough to call it a steal.

[jaymckee74]

Martin Lapointe to Ottawa..4 years 2.1mil
Modano has reportedly resigned with Dalls for 5 years...but apparently Boston a made a final push and upped the ante..so we'll see how this turns out..if the Dallas deal is true, hopefully for them he had and off year last year...WHAT A GREAT TIME TO BE A FAN!!

[outsyder]

Originally posted by jaymckee74
Martin Lapointe to Ottawa..4 years 2.1mil


That's not comfirmed. But if it is, FUCK.:mad:

[jaymckee74]

i dont know...dont think it's all that bad...he's still overpaid...but the knock on ottawa has always been their toughness...at least they didn't just sit by and pretend it wasnt a problem

[outsyder]

PRONGER IS AN OILER!


Traded for Eric Brewer, Doug Lynch and Jeff Woywitka. A 5-year deal with Edmonton apparently.


And apparently, Paul Kariya is a Shark.

[daddiefatsacks]

this is just bonkers, pronger to edmonton?

way to go oil

[chiefxcel]

pronger an oiler, that's awesome.. good pickups by calgary getting amonte and mccarty.. martin lapointe's a good start for ottawa, they need grit and toughness and he'd be great on a line with mike fisher... canadian teams did very well today, hope they do more damage

[horrorfreak13]

Originally posted by jaymckee74
Martin Lapointe to Ottawa..4 years 2.1mil
Modano has reportedly resigned with Dalls for 5 years...but apparently Boston a made a final push and upped the ante..so we'll see how this turns out..if the Dallas deal is true, hopefully for them he had and off year last year...WHAT A GREAT TIME TO BE A FAN!!

2.1 million to score what 10 goals yeah just what Ottawa needs another floater.

Sportsnet is reporting that the Pittspurgh Penguins have signed Sergei Gonchar to a 5 year $25 million contract and Jerome Iginla has signed a 3 year $21 million contract with the Calgary Flames

Anyway should the Leafs get Allison I think it's a great move especially at that price should it happen.

But also Edmonton really got an awesome player in Chris Pronger and sre they gave up 2 good young players for him but it's a good price to pay for Pronger.

[jaymckee74]

OILERS GOT RIPPED OFF BIG TIME....this deal makes no sense from an Edmonton point of view..Brewer is turning into a premier d-man and is essentially the same style d-man as Pronger..only Pronger put up more points which was helped by the fact he plays on a better team..PLUS they give up two surefire top 4 d-man in Lynch and Woywitka..it's not as if Pronger puts them over the top..they still have no goalie...Lowe's gonna regret this

[chiefxcel]

naslund re-signs with vancouver, $18 million for 3 years.. great news for canuck fans.. apparently he turned down an offer from toronto to stay with vancouver.. so toronto misses out on another top player and instead they get allison a guy who hasn't played hockey in 3 years and has serious injury problems and apparently they're close to signing lindros who's always injured and whose game is steadily declining.. good job

alexei kovalev re-signs with montreal, great news for the habs as well..

gonchar going to pittsburgh, I love that signing.. he's an amazing fit for pittsburgh and just imagine a power play consisting of lemieux, crosby, malkin, gonchar, and tarnstrom.. yikes

also scott neidermayer is expected to decide today where he'll play next season and he's narrowed it down to new jersey, calgary, vancouver, detroit and pittsburgh.. but pittsburgh just signed gonchar so I don't think they'll sign another high priced defenseman.. vancouver doesn't have much money left after signing naslund and same goes for calgary after signing iginla so I think it'll be new jersey or detroit

[jaymckee74]

Zhamnov to Chicago
Leetch to Boston
Lindros to Nashville or Toronto by friday
Rafalski to possibly Columbus, back to NJ or a couple other teams

[chiefxcel]

blackhawks getting close to signing khabibulin but there are a few other teams in the mix still

[bob]

Well, there goes the whole Naslund/Forsberg tandem idea. I doubt Peter Forsberg will be centering a pass to Todd Bertuzzi anytime soon...

Edmonton way overpaid for Pronger. But then again, if I'm St. Louis, and I've got to deal one of three overpaid stars, why not Tkachuk or Weight? Pronger's more valuable than Doug Weight...

Pittsburgh signing Gonchar is amazing...that team is going to be so...damn...good.

Martin Lapointe is a bad pickup...you could get a rookie at 450K to give you the exact same performance. The Sens need some help...resigning Havlat was a good move, but it ain't enough.

The blockbuster jaw-dropping move I had hoped Pierre Lacroix would pull seems pretty moot right now. Foote's gone, Naslund's gone...it would seem we should just resign Forsberg and be happy. But there's no telling...

Does anyone else think it's kind of silly for Khabibulin to demand the absolute maximum salary? It seems everyone is taking pay cuts, and he wants a raise...strange to me.

[outsyder]

Originally posted by bob
Martin Lapointe is a bad pickup...you could get a rookie at 450K to give you the exact same performance. The Sens need some help...resigning Havlat was a good move, but it ain't enough.


It's been reported for over a day, yet still hasn't been confirmed, so I hope it's not true.

[chiefxcel]

I'd give the bulin wall $6 million tops.. he's a very good goalie, but he's not worth the max and I hope he doesn't get it..

since forsberg can't possibly play with naslund, I hope he goes to pittsburgh.. they do have the money (aftre re-signing their restricted free agents they'll still be about $17-18 million under the cap to fill 6-7 roster spots).. could you imagine lemieux, forsberg, and crosby on the same line?

[chiefxcel]

montreal strikes again signing matt dandenault to a 4 year deal worth $7 million.. dandenault was a solid defender for detroit and won 3 stanley cups so this is a nice little signing by the habs.. they could still use some more help on defense and maybe add a gritty forward, but montreal's looking pretty solid right now..

[chiefxcel]

modano has rejected dallas's latest offer, and it's looking more and more likely that he'll go to boston or chicago.. also vancouver has dealt brent sopel to the islanders in exchange for a conditional draft pick.. bad deal by the canucks, sopel is a solid defenseman who should excel under the new rule changes

[horrorfreak13]

Well after watching Canucks' GM Dave Nonis comments it looks like it just going to be minor signings for the team which takes them out of the Nedermeyer sweepstakes. For me I really think it's either Calgary or New Jersey is where Nedermeyer will play this year.

Columbus has signed Bryan Berard to a 2 year $4.5 million contract and Boston has signed Brian Leetch to a 1 year deal not sure how much. Good pick up for the Bruins.

BTW from what I heard the reason that Adam Foote choose Columbus is because GM Doug McLean sold him on how he was building his team with Nash, Zherdev, and Brule.

It also looks like Modano could go to Boston which a lot of rumors had him going on Tuesday.

[ToRontoRon]

I just want to stick up for Martin Lapointe a bit. Sure he's not a prolific scorer, but he still has talent to put up better numbers than he's been doing, and he does a lot of other little things right. Good physical player and solid defensively. In the new NHL, $2.1 million/year sounds about right to me for him.

And here's hoping the Allison rumors are true. On the Fan I heard it would be the minimum, $450K. That can't possibly be right, can it? Sure he's had major injury problems, but before those injuries he was one of the best playmakers in the League. In fact he was a dark horse candidate to make Team Canada for a few of the best vs. best tournaments. (I forget which ones.)

If the Leafs get Allison for $450K, (and assuming he stays healthy), I'd be shocked if he doesn't lead the NHL this year in points/$.

I would love to see Lindros as a Leaf too. I know, I know, the concussions, the concussions... But still. If he plays a non-physical game until the playoffs, and if he's learned to keep his head up, he can be huge for the Leafs next April/May/...June? Hey, a guy can dream, can't he? :D

[brodeurnumber1]

Originally posted by ToRontoRon


I would love to see Lindros as a Leaf too. I know, I know, the concussions, the concussions... But still. If he plays a non-physical game until the playoffs, and if he's learned to keep his head up, he can be huge for the Leafs next April/May/...June? Hey, a guy can dream, can't he? :D

If Scott Stevens remains a Devil, I don't see Lindros being healthy for too long......:) .

[jaymckee74]

Forsberg's a Flyer again
Cujo to Pittsburgh

[Rated R]

Michael Peca is now an Oiler in exchange for Mike York...I like this one for Edmonton.

Also, Miroslav Satan has signed with the Isles.

[chiefxcel]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

FORSBERG A FLYER! As one of my all-time favourite players, it's great to see him sign with a team I like. Although the Flyers will have to create some cap room, they have definitely improved themselves again today and I can already imagine a line of Forsberg, Primeau, and Gagne dominating anybody who gets in their way.

Philadelphia is the definite favourite to win the cup at this point. I don't see any team in the east who can possibly beat this team if they're healthy.

[chiefxcel]

I doubt it'll be Gagne out, he's a promising young talent and only 25 years old.. him and Forsberg together would be too sweet.. I think they'll dump JR.. which is fine because they'll still have forsberg, gagne, primeau, handzus, kapanen, knuble, richards, carter, hatcher, pitkanen, rathje, johnsson, therien, and esche

[jaymckee74]

Gagne could be on his way out

[bob]

Wow...in all honesty, I'm shocked that Forsberg signed with Philly. I love that guy to death, I was really hoping to see him back in an Avs uniform.:(

I guess after a while you just need a change of scenery to keep up the enthusiasm, but damn. I can't believe LaCroix didn't get Foote or Forsberg. It'll be interesting to see who we sign now...

Go Philly. If the Avs can't win it this year, I want to see Forsberg with the Cup. But that's a pretty big if.;)

[outsyder]

Originally posted by bob
Go Philly. If the Avs can't win it this year, I want to see Forsberg with the Cup. But that's a pretty big if.;)

We'll still find a way to beat them.:D

Besides. They DID lose Recchi, Amonte, and LeClair. And they WILL have to trade someone else, because they''re over the cap.

Forsberg will help, but he can't do it alone.

[brodeurnumber1]

Originally posted by outsyder
We'll still find a way to beat them.:D

Besides. They DID lose Recchi, Amonte, and LeClair.

You say that like it's a bad thing. They're all old and past their primes. Then again, Forsberg got hurt in Sweden so ya never know with him. But New Jersey always finds a way to get farther then Ottawa, remember that.

[ToRontoRon]

Originally posted by brodeurnumber1
If Scott Stevens remains a Devil, I don't see Lindros being healthy for too long......:) .

Maybe the Leafs could just sit out the Big E when Toronto plays New Jersey. It's only four games. Then I'll just have to pray that the Leafs don't play the Devils in the playoffs. ;)



And FORSBERG IS A FLYER!!!! WHOA!

They're over the Cap so they'll have to make a move, but they look like the early favourites to me.

[chiefxcel]

Neidermayer is now only considering going to one of the following three teams: New Jersey, San Jose and Anaheim. Anaheim would be very interesting because he'd get to play with his bro, and San Jose would be interesting as well and they desperately need to replace Rathje.

Colorado signs Patrice Brisebois to a two year deal.. Brisebois is a solid all-around defenseman with tons of experience and still has a couple good years left in him.. this makes the loss of Foote a bit easier to swallow.. Colorado also signs Pierre Turgeon to a two year deal.. nice little pickup by the Avs but they have barely any cap room left now

[jaymckee74]

Roenick's not a King yet...still possibility of working a three way deal with Phoenix

[chiefxcel]

modano re-signs with dallas.. 5 years 17.5 million

[outsyder]

Originally posted by brodeurnumber1
But New Jersey always finds a way to get farther then Ottawa, remember that.



1998.

[chiefxcel]

new jersey won't be able to get very far if they don't re-sign niedermayer and rafalski.. and the trap won't be effective under the new rule changes.. their reign is just about done.. philly, tampa and ottawa currently sit at the top of the east and jersey won't be able to touch them in the new NHL

[jaymckee74]

you've forgotten the X factor in all of that...Philly has Esche, Ottawa has Hasek, Tampa has well Graham as of right now...and Jersey has Brodeur...advantage Jersey

[bob]

Originally posted by jaymckee74
you've forgotten the X factor in all of that...Philly has Esche, Ottawa has Hasek, Tampa has well Graham as of right now...and Jersey has Brodeur...advantage Jersey

Agreed. When Brodeur's on his game, it's not gonna matter how big the offensive zone is. Brodeur can just flip his "I'm gonna own this team" switch, and the game will be over, or a 0-0 tie. But the thing is to see if Brodeur can be that good...

Signing Brisebois was a great move by the Avs, he'll be a very able replacement for Foote. Not as much grit, but a better two-way player.

As for Turgeon, that's a riskier pickup. It'll be interesting to see how much they gave him...because he's right on the fence of being over-the-hill. I have a feeling LaCroix isn't finished wheeling and dealing yet, but I don't think Tanguay or Hejduk are going anywhere.

[jaymckee74]

Niedermayer to Anaheim
ZHAMNOV to boston is a done deal

[chiefxcel]

the neidermayer brothers on the same team, good job by anaheim if that's true

[brodeurnumber1]

Originally posted by outsyder
1998.

You know what I meant.

Looks like Modano doesn't know how to figure out anything and he stays with Dallas. And if it is true Neidermayer is signing with Anaheim, then I'll throw some things and cry.

[chiefxcel]

Scott Niedermayer has signed a four year deal worth $26.9 million with Anaheim. Niedermayer turned down a deal from Jersey that was better than this one. Horrible news for Jersey fans. Looking forward to seeing the Niedermayer brothers on the ice at the same time.

Martin Lapointe has signed with Chicago, not Ottawa, to a three year deal worth $7.2 million.

Buffalo has signed Teppo Numminen.

[jaymckee74]

WHAT THE HELL IS REGIER DOING??!?! all this time i've been wishing he would do something and THIS is what he does...i dont understand this..i'm severely dissappointed

[chiefxcel]

Jaroslav Spacek signs a one year deal worth $2.25 million with Chicago, overpaying two players already today.

[brodeurnumber1]

Originally posted by chiefxcel
Scott Niedermayer has signed a four year deal worth $26.9 million with Anaheim. Niedermayer turned down a deal from Jersey that was better than this one. Horrible news for Jersey fans. Looking forward to seeing the Niedermayer brothers on the ice at the same time.


:(

Well, that puts the Devils focus on Rafalski. If he's let go, well, I'll cry even more.

[chiefxcel]

Jeremy Roenick and a 3rd round pick in 2006 have been traded to the LA Kings for future considerations. So basically they replaced Roenick with Forsberg, a definite upgrade.

Calgary has signed Daymond Langkow to a multi-year deal. Langkow basically replaces Craig Conroy.

Pittsburgh has signed enforcer Andre Roy, terms not disclosed yet. Important signing for Pittsburgh because they're going to need some tough guys to protect their finesse players.

Devils made a big splash after losing Niedermayer, by re-signing Brian Rafalski to a one year deal worth $3.1 million and then signing Vladimir Malakhov and Dan McGillis. Now their defense is pretty much taken care of but they need some forwards now. New Jersey has put themselves back up to the top of the East along with Philly, Tampa, and Ottawa.

[bob]

Pittsburgh signs Andre Roy...that somehow made a headline at TSN...

The Devils move quickly, they sign Brian Rafalski, Vladimir Malakhov, and Dan McGillis.

Even with two extremely painful losses for an Avs fan (Philly fans are going to see the best season of their life next year...Forsberg is that entertaining), this offseason has been a ton of fun. Every day, four name players are on the move. It's been great.

I got the full details on the Avs not getting Forsberg, and it really makes sense: We insulted him. We offered him 1.5 mil the first year and 3 mil the second year. That's over 7 million less than he'll earn in Philly. When it's a mil a season, you can call that greed. When it's 3.5 mil a season...that's just being smart.

If Avs fans boo Foote or Forsberg next season, I'm going to be so pissed off. But they never boo Chris Drury, so maybe that's a good sign.

[chiefxcel]

Philly will be one of the most exciting teams to watch next year for sure. Forsberg will be a great fit there, and fans of the other East teams are going to absolutely hate him, especially in the playoffs.

Doubt the fans in Colorado will boo him because of what he's done for the franchise, made them a contender pretty much every year and had some amazing playoff performances. Same deal with Foote. Colorado's a bit screwed now, but atleast they won the stanley cup in 96 and 01.

[horrorfreak13]

Well after all that I like Phily's team right now but I think you'll see another player gone from Phily they have Forsberg, Primeau, Handzus, and the 2 young kids Richards and Carter who are both very good young players so unless 1 of the 2 dosen't make the team which I can't see I think Handzus is gone. Plus the Flyers cap number is just over $36 million so they don't have a lot of flexibility left.

Good job by Anaheim picking up both the Neidermayers. Anaheim is looking like they are going to have a good team this year.

I was watching TSN and they showed a clip from Pierre Lecroix and he said in order to keep Forsberg he would have had to move Hejduk and Tanguay and replace Tanguay with a player that makes around $1 million or less.

I think the Devils had no choice but to resign Rafalski and even thought they got McGillis and Malakhov their defense has taken a dive.

And Chicago gets Lapointe. Crap I was so looking forward to him 4 goals a year for Ottawa. What did he get with Boston in his 3 years there 20.

[chiefxcel]

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
I was watching TSN and they showed a clip from Pierre Lecroix and he said in order to keep Forsberg he would have had to move Hejduk and Tanguay and replace Tanguay with a player that makes around $1 million or less.

Moving both Hejduk and Tanguay, that'd be a horrible idea. Sure Forsberg is one of the top players in the world, but he might not have that many years left in him and has had health problems the last few years. Hejduk's 29 and Tanguay's 25 so they're both younger and less injury prone and they're both point per gamers as well so I can't blame Lacroix on this one.

[horrorfreak13]

Oleg Tverdovski has signed a 3 year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes.

And Peter Forsberg said that Chicago offerred more money a 2 year $12 million contract. In the end it's rather fitting Forsberg is in Colorado since he was drafted by them in 1991 and was 1 of like 10 players traded for Eric Lindros.

[chiefxcel]

Columbus has signed Martin Prusek to a one year deal. Denis and Prusek is a pretty solid pair of goaltenders and Ottawa's stupid for letting this guy go because now they don't really have a backup plan if Hasek doesn't work out. Glass isn't quite ready yet, Emery doesn't really have it, and Guard is coming off a horrible season in the ECHL.

[outsyder]

Originally posted by chiefxcel
Columbus has signed Martin Prusek to a one year deal. Denis and Prusek is a pretty solid pair of goaltenders and Ottawa's stupid for letting this guy go because now they don't really have a backup plan if Hasek doesn't work out. Glass isn't quite ready yet, Emery doesn't really have it, and Guard is coming off a horrible season in the ECHL.


Big fucking mistake in my opinion. Despite the fact he had a wonky back, Prusek could be a showstopper when he was needed.

[Draccoca]

Woohoo Domi is staying with the leafs with a very modest salary 1.25mil a year.

[bankholdup]

Is it just me or is it absolutely bizarre to see these players going to different teams? Ah well, where the Bruins fans at?!?! HADDONFIELD!!! Let's see Samsonov (my personal fav. on the team, though I miss Allison) and Thornton back with Boston. And very nice picking up Brian Leetch.

I might have to start following the Rangers as well, since I'll be moving to NY in less than a month. Maybe get to a Rangers/Bruins matchup. What do they have going for them?

[chiefxcel]

Paul Kariya is likely headed to LA, San Jose, Edmonton or Chicago. Kariya can easily get back to the player he was in the late 90s under the new system. Any team who adds him is adding a potential 40-50 goal scorer.

[chiefxcel]

Vancouver re-signs Brendan Morrison to a three year deal.

Ottawa defenseman Anton Volchenkov will not be playing for Ottawa next year but for Lada Togliatti in the Russian Elite League. Huge loss for the Sens because Volchenkov was heading towards a breakout year. Volchenkov has said that the chances of him returning to the NHL are close to none.

Zigmund Palffy has narrowed his choice of teams to sign with down to four: LA, Detroit, Toronto, and Florida.

[chiefxcel]

Sean Burke leaning toward signing with Pittsburgh but so is Cujo so the Pens have to pick one.. I'd go with Burke.

[chiefxcel]

Nikolai Khabibulin has signed a 4 year deal worth $27 million with the Chicago Blackhawks. Huge pickup for Chicago, and a HORRIBLE loss for Tampa.

Chicago's looking pretty good right now.

forwards:
- eric daze (38 goals in his last full season)
- tuomo ruutu (23 goals last season)
- tyler arnason (22 goals last season)
- kyle calder (21 goals last season)
- mark bell (21 goals last season)
- matt barnaby (16 goals last season)
- martin lapointe (15 goals last season)

that's seven 15+ goal scorers, and considering that ruutu, arnason, calder, and bell are all 26 years old or younger, this team is loaded at forward.

defensively, they have a good top 4 (aucoin, spacek, cullimore, seabrook) but need more depth, and if they address that, they're definite playoff contenders this season.

[Rated R]

What's the latest news on Teemu Selanne? I haven't heard anything on where he's going. I hope Montreal has sights on him or at least one more big time playmaker, it may put them over the edge! But I doubt they'll add another substantial name.

[outsyder]

Originally posted by Draccoca
Woohoo Domi is staying with the leafs with a very modest salary 1.25mil a year.


Modest?

For a guy that just falls down and punches people, you got ripped off.

[chiefxcel]

Originally posted by Rated R
What's the latest news on Teemu Selanne? I haven't heard anything on where he's going. I hope Montreal has sights on him or at least one more big time playmaker, it may put them over the edge! But I doubt they'll add another substantial name.

nothing on selanne so far.. but as for montreal, they still have to re-sign markov, komisarek, ribeiro, ryder, bulis, dagenais, marcel hossa, koivu, and theodore... so I look for them to spend most of their remaining cap room ($21.7 million) on those guys.. but they should have enough money left over to add another player in the $2-3 million per year range.. but even if they don't add anybody new, they'll still be one of the funnest teams to watch under the new system and with theodore in net they can do some serious damage in the east.. ryder, kovalev, dagenais, zednik, koivu, ribeiro, bonk.. they're stacked at forward, and adding selanne or kariya would be huge.. an interesting note, vinny lecavalier has said he's anxious to become a UFA next season, and that the team first on his list is montreal.. khabibulin leaving tampa may ruin tampa's chances of re-signing vinny, so habs should save up for this guy..

[chiefxcel]

Edmonton has signed Igor Ulanov and Jussi Markkanen. Ulanov's a beast when healthy, and Markkanen's a solid backup goalie and is also a good plan B in case Conklin doesn't work out.

Edmonton's D is stacked, with Pronger, Smith, Staois, Ulanov, Cross, Bergeron and Semenov.

[bob]

Yeah, Chicago's looking like they've got their best team since their run in '96...they'll be a tough team to beat.

And really, I disagree with the sentiment that Colorado is "screwed". What team puts out a better front line than Joe Sakic, Alex Tanguay, and Milan Hejduk? Losing Forsberg and Foote hurts, but we're still one of the elite teams in the league.

[chiefxcel]

screwed financially that is, with $31.79 committed to next year when hejduk signs, leaving only $7.21 million to spend on 8 more players to fill their 23 man roster.. they still have the goalie and the defense, but not enough forward depth.. best first line in hockey, but they don't have all that much scoring beyond that.. but they're obviously a playoff team and I won't be surprised to see hejduk, tanguay, and sakic all have 100 point seasons.

[brodeurnumber1]

Originally posted by outsyder
Modest?

For a guy that just falls down and punches people, you got ripped off.

That one I have to agree with. And with Khabibulin gone from Tampa Bay, that puts Tampa Bay way back in the dust, but makes Chicago look brilliant(although they did overpay for Khabby).

[bob]

Kariya signs with Predators (!) for 4.5 mil a season. I did not see that coming...

And the Avs, in a bizarre "let bygones be bygones" move, sign Brad May, who Steve Moore sued after the Todd Bertuzzi incident last year.

And chiefxcel, I will agree that the Avs, at least this year, are gonna have a feast or famine 3rd and 4th line. They all have scoring ability, but there's no guy on the 3rd or 4th line who you can pencil in for more than 10-15 goals at most.

[brodeurnumber1]

Wow, Kariya is a Predator? Now that is a weird site to see.

[outsyder]

Allison is a Leaf for $1.5 million.


Again, they got ripped off.:D

[chiefxcel]

Originally posted by outsyder
Allison is a Leaf for $1.5 million.


Again, they got ripped off.:D

It'll go from 1.5 million to 4.5 million if he plays how he did in the 2000-2001 season because of performance bonuses in the contract, and those count against the cap.

[outsyder]

Originally posted by chiefxcel
It'll go from 1.5 million to 4.5 million if he plays how he did in the early 2000s because of performance bonuses in the contract, and those count against the cap.

So they pay $1.5 mil for an insurance liability to play badly, and $4.5 if he is an insurance liability that plays relatively well?

Yikes.

[chiefxcel]

The Leafs can only have $36 million in base salaries committed for this upcoming season because of Allison's bonuses, which means the Leafs will have only $10.3 million (after the Nolan buy-out) to fill 13 roster spots. This makes it much harder for them to make any other big signings.

[chiefxcel]

top forwards available:

Teemu Selanne
Valeri Bure
Ray Whitney
Anson Carter
Zigmund Palffy
Yanic Perreault
Mariusz Czerkawski
Eric Lindros
Peter Bondra
John LeClair
Alexander Mogilny

top goalies available:

Curtis Joseph
Sean Burke
Roman Cechmanek

top defensemen available:

Roman Hamrlik
Marcus Ragnarsson

running out of players here..

[ToRontoRon]

Originally posted by outsyder
So they pay $1.5 mil for an insurance liability to play badly, and $4.5 if he is an insurance liability that plays relatively well?

Yikes.

You're right, $1.5 mil for a guy who was 5th in overall scoring less than five years ago is a complete jip. Why take such an ENORMOUS risk for that? We tried bringing a guy back who had sat out for at least a year with a serious neck injury in Gary Roberts, and of course, that turned out horribly. What did he ever do for Toronto, eh outsyder? :D


In all seriousness, this is a GREAT move by the Leafs.

If he's healthy, we have a bargain and a future star for many years to come because I'm sure he'd want to resign with us after this season. If he isn't healthy, we let him go at the end of the year and have more cap space for next season. This guy's talent is definately worth the gamble of a measly $1.5 mil for one year.

I don't know how anyone can see this as a bad move? Very low risk, with a potentially huge reward. Great job JFJ.

Speaking of risk/reward, time to go after the Big E! If we get Lindros too, and Allison, Lindros, and Belfour all stay healthy, (admittedly a very big if), we're Cup contenders again. Sure, the pieces would all have to fall into place, but it would give us a chance. If one or more of these guys don't stay healthy, we could start over next Summer, no harm, no foul since JFJ is sticking to one year deals when he can.

That's why I don't mind losing Roberts. He was asking for two years, and considering he almost always seems to be bothered by a nagging groin now due to his age, I wouldn't commit to that either.

People are knocking the Leafs this offseason, but Allison and O'Neill for $3 million sounds pretty good to me. (Yes, it will be more than $3 mil if Allison hits the bonuses, but if he hits them, we don't mind paying.)

[brodeurnumber1]

Hedberg signed with the Stars for sort of useful info of the day. He's my third favorite goalie behind Brodeur/Brent Johnson though.

[outsyder]

Originally posted by ToRontoRon
You're right, $1.5 mil for a guy who was 5th in overall scoring less than five years ago is a complete jip. Why take such an ENORMOUS risk for that? We tried bringing a guy back who had sat out for at least a year with a serious neck injury in Gary Roberts, and of course, that turned out horribly. What did he ever do for Toronto, eh outsyder? :D


A neck injury?

Concussions are a lot more than that, my friend. Just ask Eric "damaged goods" Lindros, or did the leafs already sign him yet?

You know who was a good player 5 years ago? Pavel Bure. But he MUST still be good, right?;)

[Rated R]

Now now outsyder and TorontoRon, this seems more like I hate Toronto/Ottawa talk than Jason Allison. I'll normally be the first to slam Toronto, being the Habs fan that I am, but I think picking up Jason Allison for $1.5 mil is huge! He's been a great player in the past, and he's had enough time to heal up now that he should be ready to go. This could prove to be the smartest move the Leafs have made since Roberts, or the worst since Niewendyk if the health woes continue.

I also tend to disagree about the concussion versus neck injury debate, mainly because they both can be career ending and are both extremely serious. Multiple incidents of either can damage your whole life, so no, one isn't worse than the other...not by a whole lot anyway.

[ToRontoRon]

Originally posted by outsyder
A neck injury?

Concussions are a lot more than that, my friend. Just ask Eric "damaged goods" Lindros, or did the leafs already sign him yet?

You know who was a good player 5 years ago? Pavel Bure. But he MUST still be good, right?;)


lol, good point about Bure.

I could be wrong, but I think that Allison has only had one concussion. Although if I remember right, it was a very severe one. A guy like Roenick is still playing and he's had at least half a dozen. No one questions whether or not he'll be ready to play again.

Allison's major problems stemmed from some sort of neck injury that was causing him to experience whiplash a great deal.

I will admit it's a gamble that he'll stay healthy, but at 1.5 mil, it's a gamble well worth taking, imo.

Also, I read this in the Toronto Star today:

"Because of Allison's injury history, and a clause in the new collective bargaining agreement, up to $2.9 million of his incentives won't count against the Leafs' salary cap."

This would indicate that even if Allison hit's all of his incentives, his salary against the cap vaults all the way from $1.5 mil to $1.6 mil. The move is looking even better.

[ToRontoRon]

Originally posted by Rated R
Now now outsyder and TorontoRon, this seems more like I hate Toronto/Ottawa talk than Jason Allison.

I hate Toronto/Ottawa talk?

outsyder and I?

Noooooooooo. I don't think we've ever argued about that before.



;)

[chiefxcel]

Weird system. What happens is, when a player has played 400 or more games in the NHL and has been injured for 100 or more days in the prior season, his performance bonuses for the upcoming season will not count against the upcoming year's cap but the following year's cap. So whatever Allison gains in bonuses is tacked on to next year's cap instead of this year's. So say he earns $2 million of his bonuses, the leafs cap number would go from $39 million to $37 million next year. The deal itself looks fairly better now thanks to that clause. The same thing can be done for Lindros, but the leafs would risk having a very low cap number for next year. So it would be in their best interest to instead sign somebody like Valeri Bure, John LeClair, Ray Whitney, Yanic Perreault, or Teemu Selanne instead of Lindros.

[bob]

Milan Hejduk re-signed with the Avs today for five years, good deal if I do say so myself...

And the little minutiae in this CBA is so crazy...I seriously dare anyone to read the entire thing...your eyes will melt out of your head.

And why go after Lindros when Palffy is still available? I don't think anyone's gonna get Lindros for a bargain price...

[brodeurnumber1]

And the Penguins continue the barage by signing Palffy. Interesting.

[arto_j]

Selänne said yesterday he'd like to play with Koivu in Montreal. That'd be cool.

[chiefxcel]

Pittsburgh is so stacked at forward now, what a great pickup. Adding a perennial 30-40 goal scorer and a point per gamer in Ziggy Palffy to a forward group that already includes Crosby, Malkin, Lemieux, Recchi, Malone, Fata, Surovy, Morozov and Pirjeta should make Pittsburgh the funnest team to watch this year. If they get more help at goalie and defense, they can seriously be cup contenders.

They now have about $15.5 million in salary committed to this year but still have to re-sign Lemieux, Malone, Kraft, Melichar, Tarnstrom, Strbak, Orpik and Koltsov. After they do that, they should have $10-11 million left to work on their goaltending and defense.

Pittsburgh's two scoring lines:

Recchi/Crosby/Lemieux
Palffy/Malkin/Malone

Wow.

[chiefxcel]

Originally posted by arto_j
Selänne said yesterday he'd like to play with Koivu in Montreal. That'd be cool.

Habs have the money, so they should strongly consider taking a chance on him. Although he was horrible last year, I think he can easily get back to the player he used to be thanks to the new system. He doesn't have 452 career goals in the NHL for nothing. Imagine a line of Kovalev, Koivu, and Selanne.

[jaymckee74]

Selanne is all but signed in St. Louis
Belfour is being shopped..Detroit and Boston

[chiefxcel]

Good idea shopping Belfour, he's not getting any younger.

[chiefxcel]

Rick Nash has re-signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets signing a five year deal worth $27 million.

[chiefxcel]

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed Ray Whitney to a two year deal worth $3 million. Another top forward gone.

[chiefxcel]

The Colorado Avalanche have signed Andrew Brunette to a two year deal, terms undisclosed. Great pickup by the Avs, Brunette's not only a fellow Sudburian (along with Bertuzzi, Cheechoo, and Savage), but he's one of the most underrated players in the league with great passing skills who did a lot with very little in Minnesota.

[bob]

Ha, I hope Detroit signs Belfour...it would show off their idiocy. Any sensible club would make Legace starter. He's been the best backup in the league for 2 or 3 years, they'd save money, and he's arguably more consistent than anyone available.

[outsyder]

Can't wait to get the hockey pool up and running.

You're all going down this year, ya hear me?:p

[brodeurnumber1]

Originally posted by bob
Ha, I hope Detroit signs Belfour...it would show off their idiocy. Any sensible club would make Legace starter. He's been the best backup in the league for 2 or 3 years, they'd save money, and he's arguably more consistent than anyone available.

I agree. While there not my favorite team exactly(although my hometown team), they need to start Legace. When I read they were looking for a starting goalie all I could do was roll my eyes.

In other news, Chris Osgood is still avaliable. YAY.

[bob]

Originally posted by chiefxcel
The Colorado Avalanche have signed Andrew Brunette to a two year deal, terms undisclosed. Great pickup by the Avs, Brunette's not only a fellow Sudburian (along with Bertuzzi, Cheechoo, and Savage), but he's one of the most underrated players in the league with great passing skills who did a lot with very little in Minnesota.

I haven't heard this anywhere, but if it's true, I'm psyched. Andrew Brunette is a great, great player. He's the one that beat us, incidentally, in the game 7 against Minnesota a couple of years back. I gotta say, I'm happy with the moves Colorado has made to make up for the loss of Forsberg and Foote.

[chiefxcel]

Originally posted by bob
I haven't heard this anywhere, but if it's true, I'm psyched. Andrew Brunette is a great, great player. He's the one that beat us, incidentally, in the game 7 against Minnesota a couple of years back. I gotta say, I'm happy with the moves Colorado has made to make up for the loss of Forsberg and Foote.

Yep it's true, Pierre Lacroix has made it official and it's a two-year deal worth $1.6 million. What a bargain.

"What you see with Andrew is a clear record of consistency and durability. His addition gives us greater depth at the forward positions," said Avalanche President and General Manager Pierre Lacroix. "He has demonstrated the ability to score goals and make plays at every level he’s been and we feel he has the skills and the ability to excel in this new era of the NHL."

I agree with Pierre, and if he gets paired with any of Colorado's snipers, he can rack up a ton of assists and a good amount of goals as well. Many people have suggested that Colorado is screwed in terms of personnel but after looking at their updated roster, they're looking like a solid team. Adding Brunette will give Colorado two solid scoring lines now.

I think their 2 scoring lines should be Hejduk/Sakic/Konowalchuk and Brunette/Turgeon/Tanguay. That'd be better than stacking the first line with their top 3. Also Marek Svatos could compete for a spot on one of those lines. Their third line looks like it'll be a pain to play against, with Laaksonen and Laperriere, two annoying and very solid defensive players.

[chiefxcel]

Wayne Gretzky has agreed to coach the Phoenix Coyotes this year. Good for Wayne, and I hope he succeeds like he always does.

[bob]

Originally posted by chiefxcel
Wayne Gretzky has agreed to coach the Phoenix Coyotes this year. Good for Wayne, and I hope he succeeds like he always does.

We'll see what Gretzky can do with a mediocre team in Phoenix...they've gotta improve...it's literally impossible to fail with Gretzky as coach, isn't it?

And I agree that these signings have helped out the Avs. They're getting tons of shit on the TSN talkback boards for losing Forsberg and Foote, but honestly:

Konowalchuk/Sakic/Hejduk
Tanguay/Turgeon/Brunette
Laaksonen/Laperriere/Svatos
May/McClean/Hinote

Blake/Liles
Brisebois/Vaananen
Skrastins/Boughner

Aebischer

I can't see how people think this is an 8 seed. Most of the talent this offseason has gone to the eastern conference, only Chicago and Columbus have gotten significantly better in the West.

[outsyder]

It's baaaaack . . . . .



http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hnic/instigator/gfx/2003-2004/done%20deal.jpg

:D

[bob]

Something I didn't know: Roenick actually waived his no-trade clause to get traded from the Flyers, he respected that they had a better chance with Forsberg. Now, despite his much-publicized stuff in the press, that's a decent guy.

[horrorfreak13]

Ok for starters I like the Allison signing for $1.5 million for a guy who was one of the top scorers in the league a few years ago that's not that bad.

While Detroit now has a goalie as they have signed Chris Osgood to a 1 year $900, 000 contract.

And for Colorado's lines.

Konowalchuk/Sakic/Hejduk
Tanguay/Turgeon/Brunette
Laaksonen/Laperriere/Svatos
May/McClean/Hinote

Blake/Liles
Brisebois/Vaananen
Skrastins/Boughner

Aebischer

That's not a bad lineup. What about their backup Sauve they had him last year or last time there was an NHL season isn't he a restricted free agent or did they not qualify him?

BTW is Washington still in the league I haven't heard anything they have done except signing Ovechkin.

[horrorfreak13]

Bertuzzi is back in the NHL

NEW YORK (CP) - The NHL has reinstated Todd Bertuzzi.

The Vancouver Canucks star, who was suspended indefinitely by the NHL on March 8, 2004, for attacking Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Moore, is "immediately eligible" to return to the ice, the NHL announced Monday.

Bertuzzi was suspended for the remaining 13 regular-season games of the 2003-04 season and the playoffs, which lasted only seven games for Vancouver after the Canucks lost to Calgary in the first round. But Bertuzzi's suspension also cost him a chance for play for Canada in the September 2004 World Cup of Hockey and the May 2005 IIHF world hockey championship. The IIHF respected the NHL's suspension and wouldn't let him play in Europe during the lockout.

The suspension also cost Bertuzzi $501,926.39 US in salary.

"A total suspension of approximately seventeen calendar months from the date of the incident is the appropriate sanction to impose in this case given the nature and severity of the act in question and the overall totality of circumstances," commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement Monday.

"Subject to the continuing terms of the conditional discharge in Mr. Bertuzzi's criminal case and the`probationary period' which this decision imposes, Mr. Bertuzzi is immediately eligible for reinstatement for play in the NHL."

Well I'm glad he playing again it was thought his suspension was going to go longer about 10-20 games this year. I'm wondering if Bertuzzi will still play the exact same style as he used to.

[outsyder]

Bertuzzi losing his mean streak?

Does this look like the face of a reformed man?

http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/topstory/news/bertuzzi_back.jpg

:D

[Draccoca]

This is real fair, Bertuzzi is allowed to play while the injury he inflicted on Moore is stopping Moore from playing.

This fucker should not be allowed to be hockey at all, he should not be allowed to even wear skates. He crossed the line and shouldn't be playing.

[outsyder]

Originally posted by Draccoca
This is real fair, Bertuzzi is allowed to play while the injury he inflicted on Moore is stopping Moore from playing.

This fucker should not be allowed to be hockey at all, he should not be allowed to even wear skates. He crossed the line and shouldn't be playing.


Moore's training right now, actually.

[Indiana Sev]

Originally posted by outsyder
Moore's training right now, actually.

Fuck Bertuzzi!

He shouldn't be allowed to play unless Moore gets a contract to play in the NHL again. I hope Moore has some buddies in the league who are ready to go at that big ape when he least expects it. I'd love to see that!

Once again...fuck Bertuzzi!

[Indiana Sev]

Oh, I almost forgot...

I hope somebody gives a vicious cheapshot to that moron Markus Naslund too. He deserves it almost as much as Bertuzzi does for those idiotic comments he made a few months after the incident.

I'd like to see that even more than I'd like to see Bertuzzi get wrecked.

[Indiana Sev]

Um, while I'm at it...

Fuck the entire Canucks organization this year!

Letting Burke go was easily one of the stupidest moves the team has made in ages. I used to like this team but after all the shenanigans from the last season I'm going to look forward to (hopefully) seeing them sink to the bottom of their division this year.

The first match-up with the Ducks this year should be a memorable one.

[ToRontoRon]

Remind me to stay on your good side Sev. ;)



I for one believe Bertuzzi should be reinstated. He was not allowed to play pro hockey for a full year because of the incident. Sure, it was a cheap shot, but it was a pretty incredible fluke that his neck was broken as a result of it. One full year, plus the entire playoffs of '04 is pretty stiff.

But I hate the idea that he should stay out as long as Moore is out. First of all, Moore has been cleared by the doctors to play, but that's beside the point. Second, it establishes a precedent that a mediocre player could be told by the team to fake an injury if hit by a star on the other team in a series. It's Boston vs. Tampa Bay in the playoffs, Game 1, Vaclav Prospal is giving a tonne of cheap shots to Joe Thornton, Thornton responds by elbowing Prospal in the head. Prospal goes down like he's been shot. He has a mild concussion. The type that keeps a guy out for 1-2 games, but low and behold, it lasts for 7 games. Coincidence? I think not. Therefore Thornton is out 6 playoff games, (plus possibly one more if he's initially thrown out) when he only deserved 1-2 games max, if that. It just opens up a huge can of worms. Just keep it the way it is and measure the intent, viciousness, and only to a certain degree the consequence of the action.

Bertuzzi made a stupid mistake, but lets let him move on with his life. To quote the infinitly wise Lenny, "that's why pencils have erasers." Here's hoping he's playing hockey in Italy this upcoming February.

And as long as they aren't facing the Blue and White... Go Canucks!

[bob]

horrorfreak- The Avs qualified Sauve, but talk is that the new "goalie of the future" is Peter Budaj, so he might be the back-up this season...

As for Bertuzzi, I'm a diehard Avs fan, so I obviously don't like it. The thing is, while Moore can play, Bertuzzi may have still ended his career. Moore was a career minor leaguer who made it to the majors, and was doing great (he had a goal in that game before Bertuzzi hit him), but he lost a valuable year and a half of playing time that could have made him an everyday player on a team. As of now, he's an unsigned free agent who, even after training, has a long way to go before he plays in the big leagues again. I know that wasn't Bertuzzi's intent, but this is more than a "mistake". It's a crime.

[jaymckee74]

so here's a massive rumor...the Canadiens and Panthers are talking about swapping Jose Theodore for Roberto Luongo, but that the sticking point is Panthers GM Mike Keenan wants Habs forward Michael Ryder as part of the deal.

that would be a HUGE deal...however i can't see it coming to fruition as i think florida is giving up too much..dont get me wrong, theodore is a great goalie..but luongo is a franchise player and a potential hall of famer..as for ryder, i'll be curious to see how he does this year and make sure lsat year wasnt just a fluke a la Ken Hodge Jr.

[bob]

I don't see that deal happening...doesn't make sense for Florida at all...

[outsyder]

Sauve to Calgary.

[chiefxcel]

Sean Burke has signed a 2 year deal worth $3 million with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Great pickup by the Pens, they desperately needed a veteran goaltender to lighten the load of Marc-Andre Fleury and also teach him some things.

[ToRontoRon]

Originally posted by chiefxcel
Sean Burke has signed a 2 year deal worth $3 million with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Great pickup by the Pens, they desperately needed a veteran goaltender to lighten the load of Marc-Andre Fleury and also teach him some things.

Yup, very good pickup.

You HAVE to be impressed with the Pens this summer. (Although luck did play a part.)

[chiefxcel]

This is interesting, Rogers Sportsnet had reported earlier today that Sean Burke had signed a 2 year deal worth $3 million with the Pittsburgh Penguins. That was my source, but it turns out Sean Burke has signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Sportsnet made a huge huge mistake. But anyway, great pickup for Tampa Bay after losing the Bulin wall, but they're going to have a really tough time repeating without him. My guess now is that Pittsburgh will sign Curtis Joseph.

Apparently Burke was just about to sign with Pittsburgh but at the last minute (literally) changed his mind and decided to go with Tampa, so that's how Sportsnet made the error.

[ToRontoRon]

Okay... Well... Pittsburgh has still had a good summer.


Methinks CuJo will end up a Penguin.

[Mikey2Dope]

Originally posted by Indiana Sev
Oh, I almost forgot...

I hope somebody gives a vicious cheapshot to that moron Markus Naslund too. He deserves it almost as much as Bertuzzi does for those idiotic comments he made a few months after the incident.

I'd like to see that even more than I'd like to see Bertuzzi get wrecked.

What did Naslund say? I don't ever remember him saying anything controversial about this.

[arto_j]

Selänne will apparantly decide by the end of the week with Anaheim topping his list.

[daddiefatsacks]

Thibault traded to Pittsburgh

[chiefxcel]

notable happenings today:

- Columbus has signed Jan Hrdina to a one year deal
- Roman Turek has retired from the NHL
- Boston has offered Joe Thornton a five year deal worth $32.5 million
- Vancouver has re-signed the Sedin twins to one year deals
- Philadelphia has re-signed Robert Esche to a two year deal
- Ottawa has re-signed Martin Havlat to a one year deal
- Ottawa has re-signed Mike Fisher to a three year deal

[Haddonfield]

Originally posted by chiefxcel
notable happenings today:

- Columbus has signed Jan Hrdina to a one year deal
- Roman Turek has retired from the NHL
- Boston has offered Joe Thornton a five year deal worth $32.5 million
- Vancouver has re-signed the Sedin twins to one year deals
- Philadelphia has re-signed Robert Esche to a two year deal
- Ottawa has re-signed Martin Havlat to a one year deal
- Ottawa has re-signed Mike Fisher to a three year deal

Some interesting things in there.

Philly made a solid move with Esche. Have to think that if the cap was 6 mill more, they would have bagged The Wall and then become the Number One Cup Finalist. Damn, they have the parts. Going to be interesting to watch there towering D.

Ottawa signed some good guys.

Thornton gets 6.5 for 5 years. This will be the true test to see if Joe wants to stay in Beantown. Its a very fair offer. He can now take less money for one seaon, and get the same amount with another team after the season. The Bruins cant be faulted here. There first offer was good, then deemed low by how the market fixed up. So they did the right thing. Sign Joe....SIGN IT!!!!!!! Its over 30 mill in your bank account!!!!!

In other B's news, Sammy signed his Q offer. Just under 2.7 mill is a steal for this kid. Now the team cant talk about a long term deal till Jan 06...holding my breathe on this one...and Axelsson also took the one year deal. Another scary loss if it happens.

[chiefxcel]

Calgary has re-signed Andrew Ference, terms undisclosed. Ference was a key component in Calgary's playoff run last year and is part of a stacked defense that includes Robyn Regehr, Jordan Leopold, Rhett Warrener, Toni Lydman, Dion Phaneuf, and Ference himself.

[Haddonfield]

Bruins and Thornton agree to a three year deal.

Cool - :cool:

[ToRontoRon]

The Big E!!! :)



Eric Lindros
Jason Allison
Jeff O'Neill

Combined salary of $4.55 million.

JFJ sure can smell a bargain.

[Indiana Sev]

Do teams that lose in overtime/shoot-out still get a point?

If they don't, that'd be one of the best changes they've made so far...

[bob]

Lindros and Allison both have histories of rather serious injuries, so I'm wary to announce Fergie as a genius just yet, but we'll see how they hold up...no doubt O'Neill was a steal, though...


Sev- I think they still get points. And I'm actually for that. Hockey is a team game, and if a team skates to a 1-1 tie with another team, they shouldn't go home without a point because the other team has more pure firepower...

[Indiana Sev]

Originally posted by bob
Sev- I think they still get points. And I'm actually for that. Hockey is a team game, and if a team skates to a 1-1 tie with another team, they shouldn't go home without a point because the other team has more pure firepower...

I disagree completely.

I will never comprehend the idea of a team getting a point with a LOSS!!!

Baseball, football and basketball are all team games as well and you don't see them getting extra points when they go into extra innings or overtime, do you? I actually started taking hockey less seriously when they implemented this idiotic rule.

Still a good game, but a horrible rule. It's almost like getting a ribbon for participation. Fuck that!

[Haddonfield]

As far as I knew, the OTL point has been removed. Including a shootout. The standings will be strait W/L and thats it.

[chiefxcel]

The OTL rule is still in effect, teams who make it to overtime and lose still gain a point. Standings will read W-L-OTL.

"The new shootout rule guarantees a winner each game; ties have been eliminated. If a game remains tied after the five-minute, four-on-four overtime period, the teams will engage in a shootout, in which three skaters aside take alternating penalty shots against the opposing goaltender. If still tied after three shots per team, 'sudden-death' shots will be taken to reach a decision.

The League will award two points to a team that wins in regulation, overtime or the shootout; one point to a team that loses in overtime or the shootout; and no points to a team that loses in regulation."

[horrorfreak13]

Well Marian Hossa and the Sens are way apart in talks the Sens are offerring a 3 year $11 million deal while Hossa is looking for about the same money as Jerone Iginla and while his offensive numbers season wise are close to Iginla's there's a big difference between Hossa and Iginla and that's leadership and grit.

Hossa and his agent are completely out of their damn minds if he thinks he's getting $7 million from Ottawa he's probably worth $5-5.5 million a year tops.

I hope the Leafs can get Anson Carter if they can't that's fine I'm happy with the Leafs roster as they have more depth at centre than any other team and only 2 of their forwards Tucker and Domi and less than 6 feet tall this will be a big team so in this case to the rest of the media who have been bashing John Furgeson FUCK OFF!!! The season hasn't even started for nor has training camp and they already proclaiming the Leafs will have a tough time making the playoffs and the Sens Cup favourites when they have a goalie who hasn't played in 3 years.

[ToRontoRon]

Originally posted by Indiana Sev
I disagree completely.

I will never comprehend the idea of a team getting a point with a LOSS!!!

Baseball, football and basketball are all team games as well and you don't see them getting extra points when they go into extra innings or overtime, do you? I actually started taking hockey less seriously when they implemented this idiotic rule.

Still a good game, but a horrible rule. It's almost like getting a ribbon for participation. Fuck that!



Agreed.

I think I hate it even more than you, Sev.

When the rule was first implemented, I wrote up a thesis with around 15 points on why I hated that damn rule so much and sent it to The Hockey News. Shortly after writing that, Bob MacKenzie, (who was with THN at the time), became one of the first to really criticize the rule on the air.

Coincidence?...



Yeah, probably. But I like to think not. ;)

[chiefxcel]

notable happenings the last 2 days:

- LA Kings sign Alexander Frolov to a 5 year deal, and Valeri Bure to a 1 year deal
- Ottawa signs Jason Spezza, Antoine Vermette, and Chris Neil to 1 year deals, and Anton Volchenkov to a 2 year deal
- Toronto signs Nik Antropov and Clarke Wilm to one year deals
- Montreal signs Jan Bulis, Mike Ribeiro, and Mike Komisarek to one year deals
- Carolina signs Erik Cole to a one year deal
- Calgary signs Miikka Kiprusoff to a three year deal, Rhett Warrener to a four year deal, and Steve Reinprecht to a one year deal
- Chicago signs Tyler Arnason to a one year deal
- Florida signs Kristian Huselius to a one year deal
- Colorado signs Marek Svatos and Dan Hinote to one year deals
- Anaheim signs Mike Leclerc to a one year deal
- NY Islanders sign Brad Lukowich to a two year deal
- San Jose signs Kyle McLaren to a three year deal
- Phoenix signs Derek Morris to a one year deal

[chiefxcel]

With regards to the OTL rule, I used to hate it, but it makes a bit more sense under the new system. Shootouts are not the right way to decide who is a better team. Nothing hurts more than playing a very solid game and then losing just because the other team has better 1-on-1 players. Hockey's a team game, not an individual game. But under the system, losing by a shootout won't piss you off so much because atleast you'll get 1 point. The best overtime system is the NBA's. They play continuous 5 minute overtimes until there's a winner. The NHL should adopt that system and play continuous 4-on-4 5 minute overtimes with the loser getting nothing.

[chiefxcel]

Florida signs Chris Gratton to a one year deal.

my early playoff picks looking at the current rosters.. no particular order

east:

- philadelphia
- new jersey
- pittsburgh
- ottawa
- montreal
- boston
- tampa bay
- atlanta

west:

- calgary
- edmonton
- colorado
- detroit
- columbus
- san jose
- nashville
- vancouver

stanley cup: philadelphia

[outsyder]

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
Well Marian Hossa and the Sens are way apart in talks the Sens are offerring a 3 year $11 million deal while Hossa is looking for about the same money as Jerone Iginla and while his offensive numbers season wise are close to Iginla's there's a big difference between Hossa and Iginla and that's leadership and grit.

Hossa and his agent are completely out of their damn minds if he thinks he's getting $7 million from Ottawa he's probably worth $5-5.5 million a year tops.

I hope the Leafs can get Anson Carter if they can't that's fine I'm happy with the Leafs roster as they have more depth at centre than any other team and only 2 of their forwards Tucker and Domi and less than 6 feet tall this will be a big team so in this case to the rest of the media who have been bashing John Furgeson FUCK OFF!!! The season hasn't even started for nor has training camp and they already proclaiming the Leafs will have a tough time making the playoffs and the Sens Cup favourites when they have a goalie who hasn't played in 3 years.


Muckler low-balled him. There's no way he's getting 7mil either. It will probably be closer to 5 million. Hence arbitration. Hossa was just trying to get a lot out of the deal, but no one's falling for it.

And thanks for the news, chief. Spezza, Vermette and Volchenkov are some really great young players. Good to know they'll be back.

[chiefxcel]

Originally posted by outsyder
Muckler low-balled him. There's no way he's getting 7mil either. It will probably be closer to 5 million. Hence arbitration. Hossa was just trying to get a lot out of the deal, but no one's falling for it.

And thanks for the news, chief. Spezza, Vermette and Volchenkov are some really great young players. Good to know they'll be back.

Glad to see Volchenkov changed his mind, because he's headed toward a big year. I guess he was just waiting for Muckler to make the right offer. Spezza should have a solid year, and Vermette's style of play fits the new NHL perfectly. Now they just have to get Hossa's deal done, fill their roster out, and then they're ready to roll. Under the new system, Sens will be a very very exciting team to watch.

[horrorfreak13]

Well looks like were fucked for NHLers going to the olympics

[B]Russia, Czech Rep refuse to sign deal[B]

GENEVA (AP) - The Czech and Russian ice hockey federations have refused to sign the proposed player transfer agreement between the NHL and the sport's world governing body as the Monday deadline for a deal expired, according to the International Ice Hockey Federation.

''We really don't know about the ramifications of those two countries saying no to the proposed deal,'' IIHF spokesman Szymon Szemberg told The Associated Press.

The IIHF and NHL are still in talks to decide their next course of action.

With their clubs opposing the deal, both national federations declined to sign, pushing for a better accord. Czech clubs say the minimum amount of compensation the NHL pays to European federations to sign players is too low. The Russian clubs would like to deal directly with NHL teams in determining player compensation.

The other five federations - Sweden, Finland, Germany, Slovakia and Switzerland - have said they would sign the new proposed deal.

While the Russian federation simply refused to sign the agreement, the Czechs had come up with their own counterproposal for the NHL.

In it, they wanted to raise the minimum compensation for any draft pick from $150,000 to $300,000 US.

In addition, they resisted the one-time compensation fee paid to federations for players. The Czechs agree this should apply to players under 23 but ''we cannot agree (in the case of) a player who leaves for the NHL with the basic compensation at the age of 18, then coming back and growing up into a top player (then) going back to the NHL free,'' said Stanislav Sulc, director of the Association of professional ice hockey clubs.

The Czechs also want half of any compensation to be paid immediately and agree with the compensation being lowered by 20 per cent in case the player played in junior hockey overseas.

The NHL had had already said it would not consider any counterproposals.

It is unsure what course of action the NHL and IIHF will take next.

One theory is that they will proceed with a player transfer agreement with the five countries who are willing to sign it, but exclude Russia and the Czech Republic.

The two bodies had until 5 a.m. ET Monday to give a ''final reply'' to the deal offered by the NHL.

The previous NHL-IIHF agreement, which expired, covered player transfers, as well as NHL players' participation in Olympic, world championship and World Cup tournaments.

In the proposed five-year player transfer plan, the NHL would pay $12.5 million annually to a fund managed by the IIHF - a $3.5-million increase from the previous deal.

The IIHF would distribute the money among the national federations and clubs that lose players to the NHL based on a formula devised by the IIHF and the national federations.

A player picked first in the NHL draft is worth $900,000 with each successive pick down to 30th decreasing by $20,000. Later draft picks are valued at $150,000 each.

So this means were screwed for NHLers at olympics or what? :confused:

[bob]

John LeClair signs with the Penguins, giving them an insane first two lines even if Malkin doesn't get back from Russia.

Ziggy Palffy
Jocelyn Thibault
Sergei Gonchar
John LeClair
Andre Roy
Mark Recchi*
Sidney Crosby

Safe to say they had a good offseason, no?

*He was signed last year, but hasn't skated yet...

[chasingbanky]

RANGERS MAKE A SIGNING!!!!!!


Oh wait it's just Tom Poti.... :o



F you Glen Sather.

[bankholdup]

IMPORTANT!!!

Anybody know when tickets for games go on sale? I know some are, but I'm trying to find out when Rangers tickets do, so I can see them host the Bruins on the 20th of November (so someone can get them for me as a late birthday present). Anybody know when they'll be available on ticketmaster?

[outsyder]

Originally posted by bankholdup
IMPORTANT!!!

Anybody know when tickets for games go on sale? I know some are, but I'm trying to find out when Rangers tickets do, so I can see them host the Bruins on the 20th of November (so someone can get them for me as a late birthday present). Anybody know when they'll be available on ticketmaster?


Should be around the middle of september when individual tickets go on sale.

[horrorfreak13]

Well if the Sens resign Hossa it may end up costing them.

From Foxsports.com According to the Ottawa Sun, the Senators could be forced to part with All-Star defenseman Wade Redden in order to free up required cap space to re-sign other key players, like forward Marian Hossa and defenseman Zdeno Chara.

If the Sens are forced to move Redden there will be considerable interest in his services from around the league, and if it's a cost-costing trade, Senators fans shouldn't expect a comparable player in return.

If you ask me I rather keep Redden than Hossa. Doin't get wrong Hossa is a talented and great player but come playoff time I'll take Redden over Hossa.

Looks like all that crap TSN and Sportsnet and every other Canadian station saying the new system would be great for Ottawa where really it looks like it could hurt Ottawa.

[outsyder]

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
Well if the Sens resign Hossa it may end up costing them.

From Foxsports.com According to the Ottawa Sun, the Senators could be forced to part with All-Star defenseman Wade Redden in order to free up required cap space to re-sign other key players, like forward Marian Hossa and defenseman Zdeno Chara.

If the Sens are forced to move Redden there will be considerable interest in his services from around the league, and if it's a cost-costing trade, Senators fans shouldn't expect a comparable player in return.

If you ask me I rather keep Redden than Hossa. Doin't get wrong Hossa is a talented and great player but come playoff time I'll take Redden over Hossa.

Looks like all that crap TSN and Sportsnet and every other Canadian station saying the new system would be great for Ottawa where really it looks like it could hurt Ottawa.


That whole thing is all bullshit. Hossa will NOT get $7 million a year. He most likely wont get 6. And even if through some miracle the arbitrator did award him a large amount, the Sens wouldn't trade Redden, of all people. Getting rid of Smolinski would be the first option. He makes $2.25 million per year, which would probably cover any extra cost Hossa might receive.

[bob]

Vinny Lecavalier signed a 4-year deal four about 6.8 mil a year today with the Lightning...bad news, Canadiens fans...

[ToRontoRon]

Originally posted by bob
Vinny Lecavalier signed a 4-year deal four about 6.8 mil a year today with the Lightning...bad news, Canadiens fans...


But good news, Habs haters. :)

[chiefxcel]

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
So this means were screwed for NHLers at olympics or what? :confused:

Just Russia, but for the other 11 countries competing, NHL players will be allowed to participate. They're not going to let Russia ruin the world hockey tournaments, thank god.

Also in case anyone's been wondering what the pools are for the Turin olympics, here they are...

Pool A:

Canada
Czech Republic
Finland
Germany
Italy
Switzerland

Pool B:

Sweden
Russia
USA
Slovakia
Latvia
Kazakhstan

Canada's schedule is:

Feb 15 - Italy
Feb 16 - Germany
Feb 18 - Switzerland
Feb 19 - Finland
Feb 21 - Czech Republic

[chiefxcel]

New Jersey has signed Alexander Mogilny to a two year deal worth $7 million.

Vancouver has signed Ansen Carter to a one year deal worth $1 million.

Also Phoenix is very close to signing Curtis Joseph so look for that to be official tomorrow.

[bob]

Well, the Avs signed Curtis Lesyschsenshcchhcenen today, completing their offseason task of getting REALLY FUCKING OLD.

They better not be paying him much...he's a solid D-man, but he has almost zilch offensively and he rarely comes up with big plays...at least this might spell Bob Boughner getting traded...

[brodeurnumber1]

Originally posted by chiefxcel
New Jersey has signed Alexander Mogilny to a two year deal worth $7 million.

Vancouver has signed Ansen Carter to a one year deal worth $1 million.

Also Phoenix is very close to signing Curtis Joseph so look for that to be official tomorrow.

Anson Carter can definetly be a nice addition in the right place. Good move by Vancouver. Nice to see New Jersey bring back Mogilny also. He is past his prime, but he still can make a difference on a team that needs a bit more offense.

So far the winner of the offseason is easily Pittsburgh. The loser I have to say is the Lightning. You can't just let Khabibulin go. Burke is pretty good, but he isn't nearly as good as the Bulin Wall.

[bob]

Well, Vancouver resigned Dan Cloutier today, which (unless they trade him) is a stupid move. Cloutier's not a big game goaltender. Mark my words: Vancouver will never win it all with Cloutier as their starter.

[Draccoca]

Well Toronto just signed Jean-Sebastien Aubin to a 2 year contract, Now I'm wondering what will happen to Telly in all of this. He was a great goaltender in the 2003 - 2004 season in the 10 games he played for Toronto and was even better for St. John in the AHL.

[outsyder]

The Yahoo Hockey League is back!

http://www.joblo.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=93596


Sign up now, only 20 spots available. All the info is in the Fantasy Hockey thread.

[horrorfreak13]

Originally posted by Draccoca
Well Toronto just signed Jean-Sebastien Aubin to a 2 year contract, Now I'm wondering what will happen to Telly in all of this. He was a great goaltender in the 2003 - 2004 season in the 10 games he played for Toronto and was even better for St. John in the AHL.

Both Tellquist and the contract Aubin signed are 2 way contracts so they both will probably compete for the #2 spot behind Belfour.

[outsyder]

Ottawa Re-Signed Marian Hossa for $18 million for 3 years. 5 now, 6 next year, and 7 the year after.


BUT!!!!

5:30 PM, there will be an Atlanta press conference, and there is a HUGE rumour going around:

Hossa + Top 4 Dman (probably DeVries) for Dany Heatley.


I think I'm hyperventilating, and for the wrong reasons.

[horrorfreak13]

Originally posted by outsyder
Ottawa Re-Signed Marian Hossa for $18 million for 3 years. 5 now, 6 next year, and 7 the year after.


BUT!!!!

5:30 PM, there will be an Atlanta press conference, and there is a HUGE rumour going around:

Hossa + Top 4 Dman (probably DeVries) for Dany Heatley.


I think I'm hyperventilating, and for the wrong reasons.

What? Hossa and another player for Heatley. I don't understand why Atlanta would do something like this.

It's a good move for Ottawa but Fuck!.

[daddiefatsacks]

actually i believe its Hossa and a NEW CAR for Heatley

ouch!

[outsyder]

Originally posted by daddiefatsacks
actually i believe its Hossa and a NEW CAR for Heatley

ouch!


I'd rather have a Car playing D than DeVries.

Well, it looks like the official trade is

TO OTTAWA: Dany Heatley, 1st round draft pick.
TO ATLANTA: Marian Hossa, Greg DeVries


and I've also heard Heatley has signed a LONG-term deal with the sens.

Best salary dump EVAR.

[Indiana Sev]

Ottawa is going to smoke the Leafs this year! Horrible trade for the Thrashers...

[bob]

According to TSN, there's no draft pick involved, just Heatley for Hossa and DeVries. Also, apparently Heatley requested the trade to start fresh somewhere else...needed the proverbial "change of scenery".

Ottawa definitely made out in this one, but Atlanta doesn't look too bad, if you ask me. Hossa, while he has very little physical game, has the purest shot you'll find in the Eastern Conference, and DeVries is solid, if over-the-hill. It's definitely not a move I would make, but it's not like Atlanta got completely worked or anything.

Also...

Teemu Selanne signs in Anaheim. 1 yr, $1 million

Anaheim trades Steve Rucchin to NY Rangers for an AHL player and a conditional 2007 pick.

[outsyder]

Originally posted by bob
According to TSN, there's no draft pick involved, just Heatley for Hossa and DeVries. Also, apparently Heatley requested the trade to start fresh somewhere else...needed the proverbial "change of scenery".


I heard a lot of things. Before it was made official, I heard about a draft pick involved. The deal was kind of a salary dump, and also a way of keeping the window of opportunity open longer. I think Hossa's demands for more money will go out to the rest of the sens as a message: If you put yourself over the team, you're on the trading block.

[chiefxcel]

What a great salary dump by Ottawa. de Vries was getting paid way too much for a 5th defenseman ($2.28 million), so this makes a lot of sense. While Hossa is one of the most talented players in the league, he doesn't have enough grit and toughness and $6 million a year is $1 million too much for him. Still, Atlanta is a better team after this trade. Hossa and Kovalchuk will likely be on the same line, and that's insane.

Ottawa is also a better team, getting one of the best young NHL prospects who happens to have just what they need: size, grit, toughness. However, Heatley has struggled lately due in large part to the personal problems he's been going through, so he'll have to rise above those problems if we wants to play how he did in 02-03 where he put up 41 goals and 48 assists. He'll be playing with the right players to get his game back together, just imagine a line of Heatley/Spezza/Havlat. Ottawa goes from having almost no remaining cap room to now having about $5 million in free space which will help them add to their roster and re-sign some key players before they become UFAs next season.

[leafboy]

:D What a joke of a trade by the Sens. They just set themselves back dramatically. I don't know what Muckler was on when he cut this deal but whatever it is I want some of it! Trade away your best player and an amazing defensemen for an overrated injury prone Dany Heatley. Before this trade I already knew the Sens weren't making the playoffs but now I think they might even be in the cellar!! I am counting the days until opening night where the Leafs will once again pounce on the Senators on their way to glory!

Seriously guys, this is the year for the Leafs. I can feel it in my veins. After what JFJ pulled this offseason on paper I can't find another team that could even compete with us. Philly fans are bragging about Forsberg?? Wow, congratulations!!! For that amount of money Philly paid an injury prone past his prime player we got a former MVP in Eric Lindros, 2 possible all stars in Jeff O'Neil and Jason Allison and an elite defensemen in Alexander Khavanov. On top of that we picked up a goalie who almost won the Cup for the Ducks singlehandly in Jean Sebastien Aubin.

To conclude I would just like to say get your party supplies ready because in June the Stanley Cup is coming home after 39 long years!

[outsyder]

Originally posted by leafboy
:D What a joke of a trade by the Sens. They just set themselves back dramatically. I don't know what Muckler was on when he cut this deal but whatever it is I want some of it! Trade away your best player and an amazing defensemen for an overrated injury prone Dany Heatley. Before this trade I already knew the Sens weren't making the playoffs but now I think they might even be in the cellar!! I am counting the days until opening night where the Leafs will once again pounce on the Senators on their way to glory!

Seriously guys, this is the year for the Leafs. I can feel it in my veins. After what JFJ pulled this offseason on paper I can't find another team that could even compete with us. Philly fans are bragging about Forsberg?? Wow, congratulations!!! For that amount of money Philly paid an injury prone past his prime player we got a former MVP in Eric Lindros, 2 possible all stars in Jeff O'Neil and Jason Allison and an elite defensemen in Alexander Khavanov. On top of that we picked up a goalie who almost won the Cup for the Ducks singlehandly in Jean Sebastien Aubin.

To conclude I would just like to say get your party supplies ready because in June the Stanley Cup is coming home after 39 long years!

http://kun.co.ro/putsch/ch-laugh.gif

Thanks. I needed that. :D

And that was J.S. GIGUERE.

Better luck next time.

[Rated R]

So...Peter Forsberg is past his prime and injury prone while Eric Lindros not only isn't, but is a potential MVP this season? Sorry, ain't gonna happen. As for Jason Allison...I like that pick up but he is still a huge risk and Jeff O'Neill has never been a premier player, he only gets props for his size. Forsberg is better than all three of those players and will push the Flyers over the top and to be perfectly honest with everyone, I think the Leafs look even shakier than the last season, this is a team in trouble.