NHL Free Agent Season - Day 3

[Oreo]

Last night had a lot of big moves!

Pronger to the Oilers is the biggest in my opinion. The Blues lost Demitra too... they should be a bottom feeder unless they make some moves.

Unfortunately it looks like Naslund is staying in Vancouver. I was hoping to see him head east.

Carolina picked up Cory Stillman which was a big move. He was 7th or 8th in scoring last year. They should be in good shape but I think they need to be or fans will be scarce (and I'm speaking out of experience as a former season ticket holder).

I think the Flames picking up Amonte and McCarty isn't going to pan out. Wasted cap space in my opinion.


Here are Tuesday's transactions:
Atlanta Thrashers - Signed unrestricted free agent forward Bobby Holik.

Boston Bruins - Re-signed free agent winger Glen Murray. Signed free agent winger Shawn McEachern. Agreed to terms with centre Dave Scatchard.

Calgary Flames - Signed unrestricted free agent Tony Amonte. Signed unrestricted free agent Darren McCarty.

Carolina Hurricanes - Signed unrestricted free agent Cory Stillman.

Chicago Blackhawks - Signed unrestricted free agent defenceman Adrian Aucoin.

Detroit Red Wings - Re-signed unrestricted free agent Steve Yzerman.

Edmonton Oilers - Acquired defenseman Chris Pronger from the St. Louis Blues.

Florida Panthers - Signed free agents Martin Gelinas, Joel Kwiatkowski.

Los Angeles Kings - Signed winger Pavol Demitra. Signed free agent goaltender Jason LaBarbera.

Minnesota Wild - Signed left wing Roman Voloshenko.

Montreal Canadiens - Signed defenceman Francis Bouillon. Signed unrestricted free agent forward Peter Vandermeer.

Nashville Predators - Acquired defenseman Danny Markov from the Philadelphia Flyers for a 2006 third-round pick.

New York Islanders - Signed unrestricted free agent defenceman Alexei Zhitnik.

New York Rangers - Re-signed restricted free agent goaltender Kevin Weekes. Signed unrestricted free agent forward Martin Straka and unrestricted free agent defenceman Marek Malik.

Ottawa Senators - Re-signed unrestricted free agent Denis Hamel.

Philadelphia Flyers - Signed unrestricted free agent defencemen Derian Hatcher, Mike Rathje and Chris Therien. Signed free agent forward Jon Sim. Traded defenceman Danny Markov to Nashville for a 3rd round pick in 2006.

Phoenix Coyotes - Re-signed unrestricted free agent goaltender Brian Boucher.

St. Louis Blues - Signed free agent forward Trent Whitfield. Signed forward Jeff Hoggan. Signed forward Ryan Ramsay. Acquired defensemen Eric Brewer, Jeff Woywitka and Doug Lynch from the Edmonton Oilers.

[getmeouttahere]

1. Amonte is fading, McCarty is the wild card here...

Stillman has to be surrounded by lots of offense to be effective, so I don't see that one being a big deal, especially now that O'Neill is gone. Pronger is a great pickup for the Oil, but I hate to see Brewer leave. Happy to see Naslund stay in Vancouver, surprised as well.

As for the Blues being a bottom feeder, I'll remind everyone again that the Rangers tore up the free agent market over the last several years, but when was the last time they made the playoffs???

[Ravenseye]

4. Agreed on Stillman

He's a good player, but he needs things to work with. I'm not sure if there will be adequate pieces in Carolina for him. We'll see.

Nice to see Canadian teams getting and keeping free agents. Hopefully for the Oil Pronger stays healthy.

The problem with the Rangers was HOW they tore up the free agent market. If anyone came available they'd throw tons of money at them. Next thing you know they have a team made up of incompatible players all making at least 5 million a year. The best lines aren't necessarily made of only all-stars, and if they are it's because they're working together.

[getmeouttahere]

8. That's it, Ravenseye, compatability...

pieces of a puzzle, right?

The Kings said they were going to go fishing, and Demitra is a big fish. But then, they have had Palffy and Allison, so obviously it's a matter of staying healthy. I know this from experience as a Habs fan, losing as many man-games to injury as the Kings have in the last few seasons has to end sometime. If they are healthy, they could do some damage.

[Ravenseye]

10. They need to keep Palffy

They haven't made an offer on him yet have they? Is he a UFA?

The Kings have looked really good at points for the last couple of years, but while they picked up Demitra, they've lost Straka to the Rangers. Now if they lose Palffy to they have what? They seem to have swtiched so many players lately it's hard to track. Anson Carter, Martin Straka, etc. I think maybe the injuries are also the players they pick up, who seem to have histories of injuries.

I just dont' think Demitra is a big enough fish. If I were a GM and he were my first line Center I'd be looking for a better one. I always saw Demitra as a second line center, a scoring line, but not something to anchor the whole team. I know people disagree with me on this, I just dont' think he has it in him to be a real star, just a solid 25 goal scorer.

[getmeouttahere]

13. Right...plus, just like Stillman...

he needs to be surrounded by scorers. Of course, you could say that about a lot of players, I suppose. Maybe with more room on the ice these smaller, high scoring forwards will flourish again. Can't wait to find out!

[Ravenseye]

16. Yeah

I think you really need two componments, a playmaker and a shooter. Someone who is capable of drawing off a defender, and making a decent pass, and then someone who can accept that pass and has a knack for knocking it in. Just having one or the other is pointless, if the playmaker has nobody who can finish, and the finisher has noone who can get the puck to them.

Every so often though there is a player who can just elevate other players (ala Lemieux with Rob Brown) to being much better than they are and turn otherwise journeymen players into finishers.

Give me a good playmaker anyday above a sniper.

Yeah I hope to see some more wide open hockey, especially if they actually call obstruction like they're again claiming they will.

[getmeouttahere]

19. Geez, Rob Brown....

probably the best example ever of a player being elevated by another player.

With more room in the offensive zone (two feet is a big deal nowadays) it might not even matter if they don't call obstruction like they should, not to mention the even smaller neutral zone.

[Ravenseye]

24. It'll be interesting

The thing as a former point man that I'd be worried about is spacing. Getting used to a certain size, and knowing where the blue line is without looking, relative to the goal. NOw they move the goal back 2 feet, and the line back 2 feet so the point is now 4 feet further than before. Seems like nothing, but I'd have to stand on the ice to see if it would screw me up. I'm imagining we'll be seeing a bunch of offsides calls early in the season because of this.

So with the neutral zone shrinking by 4 feet, and the offensive zone by 4 feet, and allowing 2 line passes, hopefully it'll break the trap, but getting rid of obstruction would make a much bigger difference.

Just remeber a few years ago when they actually started calling it again for the first 20 games or so, and there were tons of power plays, and fast hockey, and good scoring...Then they stopped calling them again. I think it's key that they call it accurately from the rulebook.

[getmeouttahere]

28. I predict the trap will be a thing of the past....

and the best part is that teams who relied on it will either have to adapt or fall by the wayside.

[Ravenseye]

31. I hope so

Hockey was so much better before trap teams proved their effectiveness with Florida and New Jersey.

[getmeouttahere]

36. Agreed...

but you might remember that you never heard much discussion of the trap BEFORE they moved the nets forward, back in '91, and of course the game was still more 80's run & gun at that point.

Think about it...you know the league would never go to Olympic-size rinks, that takes away too many premium seats. So you gotta maximum the space on the ice, and what better way than to eliminate some of that space behind the net. Not much going on back there except a lot of clutching and grabbing. The funny thing is, they did it supposedly to help Gretzky in his "office" but by that time, his career was already on the decline.

[Ravenseye]

46. Could be coincidence though

Maybe you're right, but I always thought that the trap was the way that Lemaire was punishing the rest of us. Sort of an old school way to shut down a game. As you said, I thought the nets were moved specifically for Gretzky :)

The problem was that when they stopped really calling obstruction and the clutch and grab became standard it really was the first time that the trap could really succeed at the NHL level and it just spread. I blame the refs.

What I think would be good were if the NHL allowed rink sizes to be non-standard. Make a minimum, make a maximum, and let the teams and the arena builders work it out. Most new arenas would probably be about the same, but think about it...

Like in baseball when you know if you're playing at Fenway you want to start a certain type of pitcher, bring up a certain DH, etc...If you were going to play at Edmonton say, with a rink half again as big as international (like in the movie Mystery,Alaska) you'd rest some of your slower guys, and bring up some faster ones, etc. I think that'd be cool.

THe purists would freak though.

[getmeouttahere]

50. The purists might not freak, because...

what you're talking about is something the NHL had when you had buildings like Boston Garden, Chicago Stadium and the Aud in Buffalo. They were smaller rinks, and then combine that with the regular sized rinks and you had some variety, or as much as you can because a hockey rink has to be a little more standard than say, the outfield distances in baseball.

[Ravenseye]

52. Yeah watch an old video from the garden

it's like they're playing in my backyard the place was so tight.

Now they want people to call the Fleet Center the Garden again with it's new name. Sacriledge. That place sucks. Big. Open. Yuck.

That's why I'll miss the civic arena. If you haven't been to a game here it's just so distinctive. THe interior steel supports for the dome which you can see everywhere. It's like an open steel structure, which is then surronded by, but not touching, the dome. It's really beautifull inside. If you haven't been here you should make a trip sometime in the next year or two to see it, and crosby and lemieux, before it's gone.

[getmeouttahere]

55. Yes, one of the last great cathredals of hockey...

after all, the Penguins are "original 12" as I like to call it. I miss the Forum here in LA, so much more intimate. Hockey is a rumor from the upper regions of the Staples Center. One of the great things about the arenas in Canada is that they have a steeper pitch to the seating, so not only can you see over the person in front of you, but you are closer to the ice and you can feel it. And that's with the new buildings. Maple Leaf Gardens had those great end blue seats that were so steep, you felt like you were hanging from the wall!

[Oreo]

59. I was lucky enough to goto the Gardens in Toronto before it closed

That place was amazing... you were right on top of the players. Just knowing all that took place there was unreal.

[getmeouttahere]

62. It was indeed special....

and I wish I could have seen the Forum in Montreal before they closed it. I've been to the Bell Centre several times, and its ok for a new building, but its not the same.

Thankfully I have a lot of miles left on my Air Canada account (leftover from my previous career & business travel) so I can take some more free trips to the Mecca of hockey!!!

[Oreo]

64. You really should fly to Saint Paul

The Xcel Energy Center (The X) is the most amazing arena I've ever been to. It's what the Maple Leaf Gardens would be if they built it today.

[getmeouttahere]

68. For me, nowadays....

the buildings don't really mean much to me, because they don't have any history...but some of the teams do, and that's what counts now...also the crowd and how knowledgeable they are, that is big for me...so in that sense, St. Paul would be right up there with the Canadian cities, Detroit, Boston, maybe some of the "Original 12' teams

I just love true hockey cities, places where they really care about the game, talk about it, live and breath it

[jojo54]

2. Best acquisitions IMHO:

Detroit Red Wings - Re-signed unrestricted free agent Steve Yzerman.
Edmonton Oilers - Acquired defenseman Chris Pronger from the St. Louis Blues.
Los Angeles Kings - Signed winger Pavol Demitra.
Phoenix Coyotes - Re-signed unrestricted free agent goaltender Brian Boucher.
Philadelphia Flyers - Signed unrestricted free agent defencemen Derian Hatcher, Mike Rathje

Of course, I had to mention the Flyers. I'm getting giddy thinking of the upcoming season. And S.L. losing Demitra - big loss in my opinion, unless he wasn't gelling with the rest of the team.

[Ravenseye]

6. I've never been hot on Demitra

Don't get me wrong, he's a solid player but I think for a guy who has never broken 100 points, and is now probably only a 25 goal 50 point scorer they overpaid for him. "Only a 25 goal scorer." Ok maybe I'm being harsh. He just doesn't do it for me.

Agreed on all the rest, though I question the length of the contracts they gave Hatcher and Rathje. It'll tie them up till they retire, which is fine, but will they be worth the money in 5 years when they're closing on 38 years old? We'll see. Good for the next couple years at least I would imagine.

[Oreo]

12. You just like Boucher b/c he was with the Flyers

He's flukey but when he's on his game, he's awesome. That shutout run was amazing. He still has a chance to be great... how old is he?

Should be interesting with the smaller pads to see who was relying on them as opposed to their skills.

[getmeouttahere]

20. Garth Snow comes to mind!

Who else used ridiculously big pads?

[Oreo]

42. That's EXACTLY who I was thinking

He looks like the Stay-Puff marshmallow man

[getmeouttahere]

45. No doubt....

and then he had the nerve to get all uppity about it when someone questioned it.

[Ravenseye]

3. Alot of Interesting moves

It certainly appears that the defenseman is one of the highest valued commodities and makes me think that players like Rafalski and Niedermiers numbers have just shot up. I expcet them to go for over 5 million a year for Rafalski because of his speed, and probably league max for Niedermier.

I found the aquireing of Holik by Atlanta interesting. While I don't like Holik enough to pay him over 4 million a year, adding a solid 2 way center to their mix shows that Atlanta means to be serious.

The Rangers bringing in Straka might be a way to help keep Jagr happy. He's such a little whining crybaby, i'm glad he's gone from my Pens even though we got almost nothing for him. Straka is a great player though, and I think Rangers fans will like him. Imagine Nedved without the attitude.

The other two eyebrow raises for me were Philadelphia throwing a ton of money at Hatcher and Rathje, four and five year deals respectively. That's alot for some older guys who through their bodies around. I guess that's why they got them, but we'll see how it pays off in a few years.

The second was giving Pavol Demitra a 3 yaer 13.5 million deal. Another high one. I think probably we'll see some of the earlier high bids getting out of the way today. Players accepting offers that come in high to secure them knowing they won't get a better one. Teams and GM's trying to 'steal' players by just throwing contracts they aren'ttruly worth at them. Sort of like going into a house bidding war and immediatley bidding 10% more than the house is worth.

From here on I wouldn't be surprised if we start seeing slightly smaller numbers, or more reasonable ones. Of course the players out there who deserve the league max haven't gone yet. I'm sure that's just a matter of their incentive bonuses.

[getmeouttahere]

5. Who's getting NHL Center Ice this year?

It's going to be an exciting season. I wonder about the money going to big, but slow, defenseman. If the game opens up like we think it will, their kind could find themselves marginalized.

[Ravenseye]

7. I'm not allowed

'last' year I had it and my wife actually got really irritated. We were talking about it. I asked her why she wasn't into hockey so much anymore and she said "It's not that I don't like it it's just that last time it was ALWAYS on. Every night you'd be watching hockey, and then when you watched the Penguins games it was hard because they sucked."

So no more center ice. She'll still have to manage with me watching the Penguins, though I imagine this year will be easier for her to watch as well.

[getmeouttahere]

9. Sorry to hear that, but at least she's somewhat into hockey...

I had a girlfriend who was a huge hockey fan when I met her, but lost interest and then found it irritating that I still followed it so closely. I don't follow any other sport but hockey, at least not with any degree of regularity. So I allow myself that indulgence.

[Ravenseye]

11. My wife is drifting as the years go by

I'm hoping I can get her back into hockey this fall though. We're both huge Steelers and Pitt Panthers fans and watch those games, but I am one of those heathen Pittsburghers who considers the Penguins his number 1 team.

As long as my wife doesn't complain about my hockey watching though I'll be fine. SHe might be lost to me, but I'm working on my daughter.

[getmeouttahere]

17. Yes, it should be at least a little more fun...

for Pens fans this year.

I remember Mario being drafted like it was yesterday. I was just graduating from H.S. and I followed the Pens mostly because I like to root for underdogs (except for the Habs, of course). I was just watching one of my tapes of a Montreal-Quebec playoff game the other day and they introduced Mario before the game as the first-round draft pick. He looked so young!!!

[Oreo]

14. Does your wife know mine?

I'll stick to watching the Wild games I guess... most of them are televised. I heard USA or SPIKE might actually get some national games. Imagine Most Extreme Challenge being reempted for a hockey game :P They'd probably just be Rangers and Red Wings games though.

[Ravenseye]

18. I'll stick with FSN

Now that I'm living in Pittsburgh again I don't 'need' Center Ice to watch them, so I'll probably just watch them there. I'd be interested to see who other networks get to broadcast their hockey.

I"m going to miss Darren Pang and the rest of the ESPN crew for those games. Unbelievable that ESPN won't even broadcast any games. What kind of a country do we live in where sport fishing gets better ratings than either Hockey or Soccer.

Disgusting.

[getmeouttahere]

22. Hockey Night in Canada!

Center Ice is worth the price just for that!

ESPN couldn't carry HNIC's jockstrap when it comes to hockey coverage!

[Ravenseye]

23. I hate hockey night in canada

just kidding. sortof. The commentators, not the broadcast announcers the ones in the studio, annoy me. I find them irritating in the same way I find Fox News irritating. I think they're incredibly biased.

There's also an ignorance when you take 'national' analysts or sports writers. There's just too much for them to know and remember. WE only have to remember one team, they've gotta know em all, so I don't blame them. They're going to do their best, but any 'national' analysis (even on ESPN - aside from DArren Pang who I like) tends to be pretty bad.

Like when some have talked about how horrible the Pens were in the last season, simply because they finished dead last. What they never mention is that they barely finished in last, when they were something like 30 games back at one point. During the last quarter of the season they had the best power play in the league, and the second best record. Sure they sucked at first, but they finally started to gell in Olcyk's system, and were playing as a great team. That's the kind of thing they dont' say on HNIC or ESPN. They just talk about how bad the team is overall, etc.

That's just an example, but i'm sure EVERYONE has an example of national announcers and analysts just NOT getting it.

I'll stick to my local coverage. You can't beat Mike Lange, cause he'll SPANK YOU LIKE A RENTED MULE!

[getmeouttahere]

25. Locals are ok, unless you live in L.A.

or someplace where hockey is very much a 4th class citizen (or less). You think the national studio guys don't have a clue, check out this McDonald idiot out here. He's a wannabe if there ever was one.

Mike Lange KILLS me! I can never remember any of his great one-liners, but they always slay me.

[Ravenseye]

27. She wants to sell my monkey!!!

that's probably my favorite.

Yeah I'm unfamiliar with L.A. hockey announcers. I imagine it's pretty bad.

oh another favorite mike lange..

"Get in the fast lane Grandma, this bingo game's about to roll!"

[getmeouttahere]

30. Bob Miller is excellent....

and a Hall of Fame play-by-play man, but the Fox commentators and studio people not only don't have a clue about hockey, but often lead with other sports in the middle of an intermission report!!! That's the biggest reason why I like HNIC, TSN, etc. Hockey comes first, all the time!

[Ravenseye]

32. They do that on FSN as well

Like in the intermission of a Pens game they'll have a Steelers story first. I don't mind that though because they're FSN-Pittsburgh not a dedicated hockey program and I follow all the sports in town also so it doesn't bother me :) but I get what you're saying.

I do go to TSN online for hockey news though.

[PunkPop]

35. Tell me about it!

Are they still going to have NHL Tonight or does that get tossed with coverage of the actual games themselves?

Always enjoyed Barry Melrose and John Buccigross.

[Ravenseye]

38. I'm assuming NHL Tonight is Toast

I like John Buccigross, but Barry Melrose is a clown. I laugh at him, but I don't like him much, ya know?

I have to think that since theyr'e not covering hockey it's gone. I doubt we'll even see much on Sports Center, or if we do it'll be about as much coverage as Hockey gets on PTI.

PTI = Worst Sports Show Ever

[getmeouttahere]

44. Wow, gotta wonder....

I have to admit, Melrose was great, even if I couldn't stand the rest of the ESPN lineup.

[Oreo]

47. Check out this sweet pic

This is my son, Melrose and Levy taken at the All Star practice here in Minnesota a few years ago. Nice suit Barry!



and I might as well throw in this one of my son and Dany Heatly (before the crash) who we met at our hotel in Madison, WI soon after his amazing all-star performance.

[getmeouttahere]

53. These are cool!

poor Dany Heatley...what he must go through every day, losing a friend like that

[PunkPop]

54. Cool!

I named my first son after Blake Sloan. People think I'm crazy for naming my kid after some NHL wannabee/4th liner but when he played for Dallas during the Stanley Cup season I fucking loved to watch him.

The guy seemed to be on a mission everytime he hit the ice. Wasn't always clear what that mission was, but loved to watch him fly around the rink anyway.

[Ravenseye]

56. Awesome

Barry looks drunk :)

I should do that with my daughter, go down to Neville Island during training camp and get some pics.

[Oreo]

58. I have another one with him and Patrick Ramsey

Mike Peluso who was an enforcer for the Devils lives in my neighborhood and walks by my house everyday. I should get one with him.... I'm sure he'd think I was a dork. Don't want to push him too far so he changes his route!

[getmeouttahere]

21. That's why I need Center Ice...

I want a chance to see everybody, not just the big U.S. markets

[Ravenseye]

26. True

It was interesting to watch games that you wouldn't normally see, like even games like Columbus v. Nashville. I mean watching a game like that barely feels like the NHL they get so little coverage unless you live there. It was definately intersting to watch gamesl ike that...

Though my favorite part of the Center Ice package was late games. I'm still up, Wife is asleep, nothing on Tv...ah cool, Dallas at Vancouver...I'll watch for a bit.

[getmeouttahere]

29. Now you're talking!

take advantage of living in the east

fortunately my schedule allows me to get home in time to see the 7pm eastern games (4pm Pacific) this time around. No more taping Habs games!

[Ravenseye]

33. Stupid Time Zones!

That's one thing I couldn't stand about living out West. My parents are in Nevada and it was just weird going to watch a Steelers game at a Casino and having breakfast.

4pm hockey? Well I guess there would be worse things. At least you can watch the games right? I hate taping games. I'm a flip to the back of the book kind of guy.

[getmeouttahere]

37. Oh, I'd much rather watch Monday Night Football...

at 6pm, instead of 9pm...and it is nice to be able to watch an east coast game and a west coast game, if I want to, and still go to bed at a decent hour LOL

[Ravenseye]

41. LOL ok touche'

Yeah, but I generally only care about East Coast games, and West Coast ones, I'll watch just out of interest. Plus this year the Pens aren't even travelling west so I dont' have to worry about any late games.

If the games were on here from 4-7 and then 7-10 and I had Center Ice, I think my wife would leave me. :)

Bah, decent hour? What's the point of watching west coast playoff hockey if you're not up till 1 in the morning when they go into overtime! HARDCORE BABY!

[getmeouttahere]

48. Too funny...

you are indeed hardcore!

Bring on the shinny, Baby!!!

[Ravenseye]

51. You happy to get Kovy back?

bastard. I hoped he'd come back home to the Pens. He's an awesome player.

[getmeouttahere]

61. I think he's definitely worth keeping...

and if Gainey signs him, he must be...Gainey is in the top 5, easily, of GMS in this league.

[Ravenseye]

15. D - Martin Skoula : 2 year deal with the Dallas Stars

Coming from Anaheim.

[Ravenseye]

34. D - Sergei Gonchar - 5 years 25 Million to Penguins

Sergei Gonchar agreed to a 5 year 25 million dollar deal to quarterback the Penguins power play. woo hoo!

[getmeouttahere]

43. Sounds like an awful lot...

wasn't he with Boston before this? The Habs neutralized him nicely in the playoffs.

[Ravenseye]

49. Yeah Capitals traded him to Boston

He's not the best defensive player, he's definately an offensive defenseman point shooter. He's been really good in the past and is just coming into his prime.

like the rest of the deals, I think it's too much for him, and too long, but we'll see. All these contracts are too mcuh in my opinion but Gonchar is definatley one of the best point men out there. We'll see, if it's a more open style like we're hoping it could be ar eally good pick up, but it also signals that the Penguins are probably going for a run and gun style, so it should be interesting to watch.

[getmeouttahere]

57. Well, run & gun would be good....

they are certainly assembling the team for it!

[Baclava]

75. Pens will have a run and gun team?

I think it's a good signing...
He will take a ton of pressure off Mario and Sid as he is a top threat to carry the puck in as well as a +++ PP of Crosby, Recchi, and Lemieux...

Now....a first rate goaltender and toughen up the D with a stud stay-at-home defensman.

Yeah - I want everything...and I want it now!

[Ravenseye]

77. How do you think Orpik will be this year?

I'm not too worried about the D, though one more vet would be great.

Tarnstrom - Jackman
Gonchar - Orpik

that's two decent pairings I think...

It's going to be tough for the Pens this year, but I think in ac ouple more years, get Whitney on board, and Fleury some more experience it's going to be one of the most solid D-teams in the league, with Crosby in front of them. I'm looking forward to it.

[getmeouttahere]

85. Where's the D???

Tarnstrom, Gonchar? Offensive defensemen with no grit, from what I've seen

Maybe Jackman, need to see more of Orpik

I need to get the Hockey News and some annuals to better assess these guys

[Ravenseye]

94. It's there

Tarnstrom and Jackman really gelled in pittsburgh. Tarnstrom is an Offensive one, Jackman really blossomed, Orpik is big strong and hits hard, Plus a number of other younger ones coming up. Gonchar is the only big name, but you'll be hearing more about the pittsburgh defense in the next few years with those names, plus Whitney.

[Baclava]

96. I'm pretty certain Craig's going to make the right acquisitions.

I wouldn't mind Ron Francis for faceoffs and defensive play, plus to help teach the young guys. Khabibulin would be an interesting pick for the same reason.

I like Roman Hamrlik but I believe we need more Ulf types back there on defense. We're good with offensive defensemen with Tarnstrom and Jacman if they're being retained.

Scott Stevens probably has 4 more years in him and he's tough. Just not fresh in the legs.

[getmeouttahere]

104. Wouldn't count on 4 years out of Stevens...

giving out punishment can take its toll too...I don't think he's going to play until he's 44 like Tim Horton or something

[getmeouttahere]

83. Well, it looks like the Flyers....

cornered the market on stay at home stud defensemen, at least so far

[Ravenseye]

39. Iginla stays with Flames, Naslund stays with Canucks (nt)

[getmeouttahere]

60. This makes me happy!

The Canadian teams keep their stars!

[Ravenseye]

40. Kovalev resigns with Montreal

Saw it on MSG site.

[getmeouttahere]

63. Gainey is starting to make his moves...

I think he's holding back a little, seeing what the market looks like while everybody is going crazy...I noticed NJ/Lamoriello haven't done much yet either.

[Ravenseye]

65. Names Still On The Market

Looking over the Unrestricted Free Agency list there are still a few big names out there. Lots of good talent, but here's some names that stand out to me who are probably hearing contract offers.

Tie Domi, Brian Leetch, Alexander Mogilny, Ron Francis, Dave Andreychuk, Nikolai Khabibulin, Mario Lemieux (j/k), Sean Burke, Alexei Zhamnov, Peter Bondra, Mike Dunham, Pavel Bure, Jan Hlavac, Eric Lindros, Mark Messier, Dan Blackburn, Roman Hamrlik, Marius Czerkawski, Scott Niedermayer, Brian Rafalski, Scott Stevens, Jan Hrdina, Patrice Brisebois, Martin Lapointe, Jiri Slegr...bunch more of decent players out there. Those are just the ones that jumped out at me.

[Oreo]

67. Francis and Bure are done

Bure retired and I think Ronnie Franchise is likely to do the same. Sounds like he'll wind up with the Canes staff.

Don't forget Miro Satan. Leclair is another... if he can stay healthy.
Oh yeah... Selanne and Kariya and that Forsberg guy.

Then there are the over the hill guys like Chelios. And the washed up guys like CuJo. Man he coulda been a contender! Too bad he's batshitcrazy!

Is anybody else as sick as I am hearing people hoping for Satan to go to the Devils. OK...we get it... please stop!

Here's my favorite all time hockey picture (in the photoshopped category)


CLOUTIER! CLOUTIER! CLOUTIER! YOU SUCK!!!

[getmeouttahere]

70. Man, Bro, you sound like a repuke with that picture....

you know, sore winners...if I recall correctly, the Wild beat Vancouver

Why is Cujo batshit crazy?

[Oreo]

73. I'd have to say the Wild's biggest rival is the Nucks

It was a sweet victory over the evil Canucks. I can have a little fun with my brothers north of the border and still despise the right.
Bertuzzi is probably the most hated man in the city as far as hockey is concerned. We'll see what this season brings!

I've always loved CuJo seeing as he came out of the University of Wisconsin. The injuries and the way he got screwed over by Detroit with Hasek and Legace put him back to the position of having to prove himself all over again. I hope someday he can regain what he once had.... I just don't think it'll happen.

And to answer your question... what netminder isn't crazy? ;) To me, Cujo is one of the crazier ones. I'll never forget the time he went after the ref and "accidentally" fell and knocked him down.

[getmeouttahere]

80. Yeah, now that you mention it....

Hextall is easily one of the craziest fucks to ever lace 'em up!

Yes, you can have fun with our Canadian buddies and you must always despise the right!

[Oreo]

87. You don't have to worry about that

My hatred for the right flows deep through my veins. It's so intense that it would keep me from being a Jedi.

Ed Belfour is an interesting fellow too. He definitely takes the cake for nutty goaltenders.

[PunkPop]

91. Oh man, those were good times.

Eddie getting busted at a downtown hotel.

Eddie taking too much 'cold medicine' before a Stanley Cup game.

Eddie leaving the team in Boston and taking a flight home.

Look at him. He looks so happy there.

[getmeouttahere]

100. Well, he's certainly been solid in TO

maybe it's age!

[PunkPop]

101. Could be.

Could be he doesn't have Ken Hitchcock fucking with his head.

[Ravenseye]

71. Forsberg who?

never heard of him ;) Didn't I mention Satan? I think I skipped some teams there from the list I had :)

[getmeouttahere]

69. I've heard Mogilny wants to stay in TO

I think a lot of teams are just sitting back and waiting it out a little longer...see how the market plays out...and frankly, a lot of the guys on that list are just too old or overrated to invest much in them

[Baclava]

66. The Leafs do nothing?

Some things never change.

[getmeouttahere]

72. Well, there are several teams that have done nothing...

now if you're saying the Leafs are the only big market team that have done nothing, then maybe...

[Oreo]

74. Agreed

The people on the Wild boards are having coronaries because we've only gotten Nazarov.

Risebrough said from the start he wasn't going to do much if anything with the free agent market.

Other teams that haven't made moves besides the Devils and Leafs...
Buffalo
Tampa Bay
Capitals (surprising to me... I thought they'd be in for some big names)
Ducks
Avs
Wings (Yzerman was either going to retire or go back to the Wings)
San Jose

There's still a long way to go with just free agents. Who knows what kind of trades could happen after all of this. Also one thing that could happen is RFA's being snatched from teams that run up their cap and can't sign them.

[Ravenseye]

76. I'm waiting to see who else Pittsburgh signs

They said they were aiming for around 31-32 million and as far as I can tell they still have money to spend.

[Baclava]

78. I love the Gonchar move...keep it going.

When I heard Mario was going to go out and sign some players - I was afraid he was just going to fall back on guys like Kovy, Straka, Hrdina - stuff that we've tried before.

[getmeouttahere]

82. Remember, cohesiveness, filling roles...

is what's important. The Rangers didn't have it. Gonchar didn't give Boston what they were looking for, at least not when it counted in the playoffs.

[Telly Savalas]

84. Exactly.

Getting a few big names is nice, but the real winners here will be the teams that are smart with the lower priced players they get to fill up the roster. That said, the Leafs lack of activity is making me nervous. Rumour does have them going after Jason Allison though:

http://www.640toronto.com/news/toronto_sports.cfm?cat=7428109912&rem=15030&red=80110923aPBIny&wids=410&gi=1&gm=toronto_sports.cfm

[getmeouttahere]

86. Hope he's healthy...

cuz that would be a good move if he is.

yes, in this new economic world, it will be the same thing when it comes to role players and 3rd/4th liners...you still have to trade well and draft well in hockey...this isn't baseball

[Telly Savalas]

99. The wisdom of an Allison signing depends on how much they pay him

They don't have the cap room to being throwing tons of money at the guy. Rumours are also that they're looking to sign Lindros. Again, this might be a good move if they get him for $1.5 million or so, but if they spend $4 million a year for Concussion Boy, I'll be pissed.

[getmeouttahere]

105. No more than 3 mil for Allison...

and that is the right figure for Lindros

[Baclava]

103. Pens had the biggest spending gap available under the cap...

The talent pool was drained...we need to fill it back up!

[getmeouttahere]

106. Here's a question...

how much is Mario going to play this season?

Can you Pens fans be objective about this?

[Ravenseye]

110. 60 Games Without Major Injury

I think he'll sit out some back to backs, and here and there to rest. I'd say unless he gets injuried about 60 games.

If I had to pick an exact number to put money on I'd pick probably 55 games. No way he plays more than 70.

[getmeouttahere]

114. It seems to me that 60 games would be enough....

any more than that and the Pens could have continuity problems. That is assuming, of course, that they play better with Mario.

[Baclava]

120. "Can you Pens fans be objective about this?"

Hell no.

As long as his back holds out...

[getmeouttahere]

81. I thought the Capitals owner said...

he wasn't going to spend on FA's...does that sound right?

Tampa is going to have a tough time keeping it all together.

[Oreo]

90. You're right

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/23/AR2005072300876.html

That plan can be summed up in two words: young and inexpensive.

Majority owner Ted Leonsis said the Capitals' 2005-06 payroll will fall somewhere between the salary cap minimum of $21.5 million and $25 million.

"This first year we're going to see what we have," Leonsis said. "The key element in this new system is to have the ability to act at the right time right player. Unlike the NBA, this is hard cap. And unlike the NFL, all of our contracts are guaranteed.

[Oreo]

79. Modano rejected Dallas' offer!

They offered him a little over $3 million?? Wow... that's kind of a slap in the face when Holik just got 4.25
There's no way he's staying now.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=132327
Mike Modano's agent says his client has rejected the latest contract offer from the Dallas Stars.

"I informed the Stars of Mike's decision a few minutes ago," Brian Lawton told TSN.

While it is still possible that Modano will return to Dallas, that possibility now seems remote, despite reports Tuesday night that we would be returning to the franchise.

Lawton would not say which teams are still in the running for Modano's services, but NHL sources tell TSN that Boston and Chicago both have four year deals on the table worth in excess of $20 million.

The Stars had offered Modano a five year deal worth $17.5 million.


http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/080405dnsponewmodano.3a2692bd.html

Free-agent Mike Modano will not accept the Stars' five-year, $17.75 million contract offer, his agent said Wednesday afternoon.
"It's just far too much of a hometown discount,’’ said Brian Lawton, Modano’s Minnesota-based agent. "Mike knew there was going to be a difference between offers, but not as much as $9 million, and that’s what it could turn out to be.’’

When asked if a deal could still get done with the Stars, Lawton said, "It’s possible, but not likely.’’ The Stars have called a 4 p.m. news conference to discuss the situation.

Lawton said several teams have multiple-year offers on the table for Modano, and that the market took a huge swing upward Wednesday.
"Teams are giving term, five years is not out of the question at all,’’ Lawton said. "I mean, the market changed.’’

[PunkPop]

88. I think I'm going to be sick.

[Oreo]

92. Sorry Punk... doesn't look good.

If they lose Mo I'm sure they'll try to replace him with somebody else.

[naturalselection]

95. Ya, I know

but Hicks is offering Mo less than what Zubie got. And I think that Mo's agent told Mo to hold out. That he could get more from Boston.

It's just far too much of a hometown discount,'' agent Brian Lawton told The Dallas Morning News. "Mike knew there was going to be a difference between offers, but not as much a $9 million, and that's what it could turn out to be.''
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2123609
:cry:

[PunkPop]

98. Hey NS. I hear you. You can't blame Modano.

Like Oreo said, it's a slap in the face.

Fucking Hicks. Modano is an elite player and Hicks is trying to sign him for 3.5 mil a year when even the leaner/meaner NHL marketplace says he's worth more. It's an insult really.

[Oreo]

89. Habs signed Dandenault too

I hadn't seen this anywhere else.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/03/AR2005080301523.html

MONTREAL -- The Canadiens re-signed forward Alexei Kovalev and inked former Detroit forward-defenseman Mathieu Dandenault to four-year contracts on Wednesday.

Kovalev will earn $4.5 million a season while Dandenault will make $1.7 million in 2005-06, $1.7 million in 2006-07, $1.75 million in 2007-08 and $1.75 million in 2008-09.


Kovalev, one of the top forwards available on the unrestricted free agent market, had other offers _ including one from Pittsburgh _ but decided to return to Montreal, where he had 10 points in 11 playoff games in 2003-04 after being traded from the New York Rangers.

Dandenault had spent his entire NHL with the Red Wings, winning three Stanley Cup titles in nine years in Detroit.

[getmeouttahere]

97. I'll take Dandy...

always nice to have someone who's been on 3 Cup Winners!

[Oreo]

93. More signings... they're coming in quick

Leetch signed with Boston
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=132328&hubName=nhl

Berard signed with Columbus
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=132329&hubName=nhl

Sounds like The Blackhawks may get Khabibulin

[Telly Savalas]

102. Small markets signing big names = team building or reaching cap minimum?

One idea I've seen thrown out is that some big name free agent signings by small market teams aren't so much an attempt to build a team to fight with the big teams, but rather an acknowledgement that they need to get their payroll up to league minimum so what what better way to do it than to get a marquee guy that might help sell tickets. (e.g. Holik in Atlanta or Foote in Columbus) Obviously it's too soon to tell who's serious about putting together a winning team, but there might be something to this idea.

[getmeouttahere]

108. There is definitely something to that...

although I can't believe that the folks who aren't already buying tickets in Atlanta or Columbus would know enough to know who those guys are (Holik, Foote)

[Ravenseye]

111. Agreed

Names will sell tickets in certain locations. They're still selling season ticket packages here in Pittsburgh because of the Crosby signing. No word yet on how many, but i'm starting to get worried that it'll be tough to just make a game day decision to go and get F level seats. 3000 new season ticket plans in the first day after they signed him.

Atlanta? I don't know. Holik isn't enough of a name to sell tickets, and if they're not happy with Kovalchuk then they have problems.

Atlanta might get good in the next few years, might even make a run for the cup, maybe even win it. Then the next year the arena will be just as empty.

[getmeouttahere]

113. Great analysis...

of my original query. Do you think a lot of those season packages with the Pens are in the F Level? With the cost of tickets, I would think most season pkgs these days would be lower level corporate purchases.

[Ravenseye]

122. Actually

Personally I prefer E and F section seats where you can view the game the way it's played, end to end. If someone wants to pay a hundred bucks to sit against the glass, more power too them. I'd rather see the game unfold naturally.

Full season ticket plans for F level are 645 bucks compared to 2580 for a/b level in the middle or along the glass. 20 game plans for F level are 360 bucks.

There are a ton of regular joe hockey fans here in Pittsburgh. Attendance has been down the past couple years, but that doesn't mean we dont' care abotu hockey. It's hard to get yourself to go to a game when your team has lost 10 straight, ya know? It's just depressing sometimes.

I would imagine there have been across the board different season tickets sold, but mostly probably C-E levels along with corporates. Something liek Crosby makes it a good corporate draw for people.

"Hey joe welcome to town, want to go to the penguins game tonight and see this new kid Crosby?"

Anyway, yeah that's happening, but I bet not as much as regular seats.

[getmeouttahere]

125. Seems to me when the team has lost 10 straight...

that is the time they need support the most. If it's your team, it's your team, through thick and thin. Plus, I would just want to see hockey. This is coming from someone who grew up an Oakland A's fan and saw some pretty lousy teams in the late 70's, and, you can look it up, they had some unbelievably bad attendance in the late 70's. I went to one game where attendance was something like 1,500...in a 50,000 seat stadium.

Anyway, I hope you can make it to a few games this year.

[Ravenseye]

126. Well it's all persepctive

They were one of the worst teams in the history of the NHL at the start of the last season. Record losing streaks, etc. They'd lose 10, win one, lose 6, win one, lose 8, win one. That bad.

Yeah they deserved support and they got over 10k a night usually. That's not too bad.

The problem is the walk up business. People want to support the team, but when tickets are expensive it's hard to just say, hey lets go to the game today. People still would, and fork over tons of money for the family, but it's gonna reduce.

Hey I hear you. Prices just aren't the same as in the seventies. hell in the late 80's I remeber going to Pirates games for a buck in the upper deck. People made fun of them for not having sell outs, but they were in an 80K stadium. They'd say "they didn't sell out, they're not a good baseball town" but they'd sell 50k tickets routinely when they were good.

People like winners. If a team is losing, and it costs you ten bucks to take your family to the game, you're gonna go. If it costs you as a fan 10 bucks to just you go to the game, yhou're probably going to go.

If it costs you 140 bucks to take your family to a game? Lots of people who'd love to go just can't afford that.

[Baclava]

119. Dammit - my winning Pens team included Malkin...

News on Malkin isn't sounding too hot...


http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/penguinslive/s_359752.html


The Penguins may have a tough time getting 2004 No. 2 overall draft pick Evgeni Malkin to the NHL, after all.

Earlier reports indicated a new transfer agreement between the NHL and the International Ice Hockey Federation was in place. But the process hit a snag when the Russian teams voted unanimously Monday to not sign the deal.

[Oreo]

107. Satan signed with the Isles

Wow... looks like Mad Mike is busy today!


http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=132333&hubName=nhl

The New York Islanders have found a sniper to play with Alexei Yashin, signing free agent forward Miroslav Satan to a three-year deal.

Satan became an unrestricted free agent when the Buffalo Sabres opted not to give him a qualifying offer.

In 2003-04 with the Sabres, the enigmatic Satan scored 29 goals and 28 assists for 57 points. In nine NHL season, the 29-year-old has 259 goals and 260 assists for 519 points in 704 games


Remember this thing?? UGH!

[getmeouttahere]

109. Oh no, Fishsticks!

the operative word here is "enigmatic"

[inthebrain]

112. Don't remind me

That was embarassing.

Me thinks the Islanders just handed the Bruins the the Eastern conference today. Allowing Dave Scatchard to walk is going to come back and bite them in the ass. It also makes the Bruins a very solid team at center.

I'm glad the Isles at least picked up a little size on Defense though.

Losing Scatchard still sucks dogshit though.

[getmeouttahere]

115. I can never quite figure out the Isles...

I think it's Milbury. Any thoughts?

[inthebrain]

116. I dont know what he's thinking

I think allowing Scatch to walk was a bruising mistake. He now moves the Bruins that much closer to winning a cup. I think facing a one- two punch of Scatchard and Thornton is going to make for some long nights for a lot of teams.

Peca for York is the biggest screwball deal of the day.

Just doing the math in my head, it doesnt make much sense. Sure Satan is a nice signing but losing that much depth a center is painfull.

Sopel and Zhitnek gives them size a D. But given the overhaul of the forward corps and defensive corp, they are going to have a lot of miscues in the ealry going. Especially when you consider Dipietro drives some D men nuts.

Chemistry is going to be theme of the day early on in the season. Teams are gong to win and lose by it as their timing isn't going to be there after a year off.

[MrSlayer]

117. Flyers sign Peter the Great!

I just posted this in yesterday's thread but I'm rather happy I get to see my favorite player live more than once a year now.

[Oreo]

118. amazing

The biggest wrong in Philly hockey history was just righted

[getmeouttahere]

121. The Flyers were pretty heavy....

into the FA market even before this (Roenick, Amonte, etc) but there have been no Cup celebrations there either.

[Baclava]

123. Modano signed with the Stars...

The bus is leaving....here go the big-name forwards...

[Telly Savalas]

124. Holy shit! Forsberg to Phily.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=132338&hubName=nhl

On edit: Oops, missed Slayer's post on this.