NHL Off Season Talk

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 2:16 am

It was a super finish to a great season, unless you're an EDM fan. Having said that, the new rules have brought back a lot of fans back to this exciting game. I can't wait already for October to come and with the announcement that next season the cap will rise to $44 million per team let the signings begin with the frenzy rich list of UFA's.

Go Canucks GO!

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 8:41 am

Don't forget the Draft on June 24, either. It will be televised on OLN in the States this year!

And if you look at the proverbial "big picture," this was a pretty damn good season for the Oil. The new CBA and rules put them back on the hockey map, and the run through the playoffs, springing upsets in the first three rounds, was glorious.

That said, I can't bring myself to read my NHL RSS feeds this morning, and if I see another shot of the 'Canes with the Cup, even as deserving as they are, I'm going to be sick to my stomach. Last night still sucks.

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:13 am

The Blues will be active in the Free Agent market. Pisani has done himself a world of good. He will be highly sought after and he's the first person I hope my Blues go after. JD has seen enough of Pisani in the playoffs that I hope it's his first recomendation. The Oilers are going to have to pay top dollar to keep Pisani now. Are they willing to do that?
There are lots of rumors flying around right now so it could be an interesting saturday. There are trades to be made, with the biggest name possibly being moved Robert Luongo.
I'll start off the draft...

With the first pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, the St. Louis Blues select Erik Johnson.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:19 am

tjung0831 wrote:The Oilers are going to have to pay top dollar to keep Pisani now. Are they willing to do that?

Yes.

tjung0831 wrote:With the first pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, the St. Louis Blues select Erik Johnson.

That would be a very wise choice. Hey, Tim, when will JD's hiring be announced?

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:23 am

Yeah, R. Luongo will me moved for sure, he wants to go to arbitration again this year and you get this sense that iron Mike Keenan is fed up with the guy.

Remember the deal B. McCabe was supposed to sign a 5 year deal with the Leafs some 2 months ago worth 5 million a year? Well, I don't think the Leafs ever held a press conference to confirm the deal, rumours are that McCabe may not want to stay in TO that long and personally I don't think he's worth 5 million per.

Regarding F.Pisani, I am sure Oils will try their best to keep his services (remember the cap went up 5 million) while they won't keep Roloson for sure.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:30 am

pk500 wrote:
tjung0831 wrote:The Oilers are going to have to pay top dollar to keep Pisani now. Are they willing to do that?
Yes.

tjung0831 wrote:With the first pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, the St. Louis Blues select Erik Johnson.
That would be a very wise choice. Hey, Tim, when will JD's hiring be announced?

Take care,
PK

They were supposed to announce everything this thursday but i just heard on the radio that everything related to the sale of the team will now not happen until after the draft. Apparently the board of govenors won't be approving the sale to Dave Checketts until sometime next week...maybe. Trust me this is getting old and worrisome as well. This deal has been trying to get worked out for six months now. The Blues Local beat writer Andy Strickland is on record as saying that JD has been offered a 5 year $10mil deal to be the new President of the Blues and has accepted the deal.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:35 am

tjung0831 wrote:With the first pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, the St. Louis Blues select Erik Johnson.

Say the Blues select Johnson, and then he decides to play for the University of Minnesota. Do the Blues still own the rights to him? I'm a bit hazy on how the draft works.

Thanks.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:39 am

they own his rights.

many kids get drafter and stay in school..or juniors.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:45 am

Reminder for U.S. viewers:

NHL Awards Show: 8-10 p.m. (EDT) Thursday, June 22, OLN

NHL Draft: 6-9 p.m. (EDT) Saturday, June 24, OLN

My DVR is set for both. And I continue to firmly shove every bit of criticism I had for OLN's coverage of the NHL firmly up my ass. When is the last time the NHL Draft and Awards Show have been on U.S. TV? ESPN2 in the late 90s, maybe?

Fantastic. Thanks, OLN!

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:50 am

pk500 wrote:Reminder for U.S. viewers:

NHL Awards Show: 8-10 p.m. (EDT) Thursday, June 22, OLN

NHL Draft: 6-9 p.m. (EDT) Saturday, June 24, OLN

My DVR is set for both. And I continue to firmly shove every bit of criticism I had for OLN's coverage of the NHL firmly up my ass. When is the last time the NHL Draft and Awards Show have been on U.S. TV? ESPN2 in the late 90s, maybe?

Fantastic. Thanks, OLN!

Take care,
PK

The draft and awards show have been on ESPN2 for the past several years. They just use the TSN feed. I watch the Awards every year.
The draft itself has been on ESPN or ESPN2 every year since 1991.
I haven't missed a draft in 15 years!

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:00 am

No sh*t? Where have I been? Probably working the United States Grand Prix, at least the last two years.

Wait -- I did watch the draft last year due to Crosby-mania. I remember that distinctly.

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:13 am

pk500 wrote:No sh*t? Where have I been? Probably working the United States Grand Prix, at least the last two years.

Wait -- I did watch the draft last year due to Crosby-mania. I remember that distinctly.

Take care,
PK

Usually the draft has pretty much been clockwork on either the 3rd or 4th saturday in June...11am CST time every year. I always have that saturday reserved. The wife and kids are own their own for a few hours.
The best part about the draft is just waiting and hoping for trades to be announced.
I can't wait for Saturday evening!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:32 am

This is what I think will happen on Saturday. Top Three picks.

After the departure of C. Pronger the Blues will draft E. Johnson first and build a blueliner around him.

Imagine Crosby, Malkin and Staal , what a trio. Pitts will pick J. Staal.

CHI need to bring their franchise back to the glory days. Maybe P. Kessel will provide some excitement back to the windy city?

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 12:27 pm

10spro wrote:This is what I think will happen on Saturday. Top Three picks.

After the departure of C. Pronger the Blues will draft E. Johnson first and build a blueliner around him.

Imagine Crosby, Malkin and Staal , what a trio. Pitts will pick J. Staal.

CHI need to bring their franchise back to the glory days. Maybe P. Kessel will provide some excitement back to the windy city?

I think the Penguins pick Phil Kessel. He could put up points playing on Crosby's line as early as next year and the Penguins need a winger.
The Blues are high enough on Jordan Staal that I think if they got the right deal they would trade the #1 pick. Remember we need a lot of help so the Blues would be foolish not to explore their options. With that being said it will be hard for them to pass on Johnson. There are even some rumors that the Blues would like to package some of there other picks(3 of the top 31) and possibly a player to move up and get another top 10 pick. They are also extremely high on a player named Kyle Okposo who figures to go in the top 10.
I like Kessel though and whoever gets him is going to get a helluva player down the line.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 12:33 pm

Canucks to reportedly name Alain Vigneault as their head coach at a news conference this afternoon. He did a good job with Manitoba in the AHL this season.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 12:35 pm

Kyle Okposo is 5'10 only but definetely in the top 10. He's a playmaker and a good scorer, he would fit well in a BlueJacket or Coyotes uniform.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 12:36 pm

pk500 wrote:Canucks to reportedly name Alain Vigneault as their head coach at a news conference this afternoon. He did a good job with Manitoba in the AHL this season.

Take care,
PK

Thanks, I was wondering about this one, we couldn't go to the draft without a coach.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 1:04 pm

10spro wrote:
pk500 wrote:Canucks to reportedly name Alain Vigneault as their head coach at a news conference this afternoon. He did a good job with Manitoba in the AHL this season.

Take care,
PK
Thanks, I was wondering about this one, we couldn't go to the draft without a coach.

By the way Jordan Staal was interviewed on the radio here yesterday and was asked point blank if he could pick where he wanted to play.. what team would he pick. Well of course he woudn't bite but then they sort of rephrased it and asked him who his favorite team is and he mentioned that he's a Canucks fan.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 1:32 pm

tjung0831 wrote:
10spro wrote:
pk500 wrote:Canucks to reportedly name Alain Vigneault as their head coach at a news conference this afternoon. He did a good job with Manitoba in the AHL this season.

Take care,
PK
Thanks, I was wondering about this one, we couldn't go to the draft without a coach.
By the way Jordan Staal was interviewed on the radio here yesterday and was asked point blank if he could pick where he wanted to play.. what team would he pick. Well of course he woudn't bite but then they sort of rephrased it and asked him who his favorite team is and he mentioned that he's a Canucks fan.

That would be nice Tim but Canucks pick 14th overall and it'll be tough for him to land here, unless a trade is made.
Talking about trades, R. Luongo would look mighty good in a Canucks uniform while T. Bertuzzi may go the other way. All rumours now...

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 1:40 pm

tjung0831 wrote:
10spro wrote:
pk500 wrote:Canucks to reportedly name Alain Vigneault as their head coach at a news conference this afternoon. He did a good job with Manitoba in the AHL this season.

Take care,
PK
Thanks, I was wondering about this one, we couldn't go to the draft without a coach.
By the way Jordan Staal was interviewed on the radio here yesterday and was asked point blank if he could pick where he wanted to play.. what team would he pick. Well of course he woudn't bite but then they sort of rephrased it and asked him who his favorite team is and he mentioned that he's a Canucks fan.

rumor was that the hurricanes were trying to get a higher spot in the draft to draft him

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 1:57 pm

Sudz wrote:
tjung0831 wrote:
10spro wrote: Thanks, I was wondering about this one, we couldn't go to the draft without a coach.
By the way Jordan Staal was interviewed on the radio here yesterday and was asked point blank if he could pick where he wanted to play.. what team would he pick. Well of course he woudn't bite but then they sort of rephrased it and asked him who his favorite team is and he mentioned that he's a Canucks fan.
rumor was that the hurricanes were trying to get a higher spot in the draft to draft him

Yeah I saw that rumor too. Possibly offering Pittsburgh Jack Johnson for the #2 pick. That could very well be Pitt leaking those rumors to make the Blues think that Pitt has options and doesn't really need to trade up to get the #1 pick. It's all head games right now....gotta love head games!

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 2:05 pm

Joe Sakic resigned with Colorado today. That takes one big UFA off the market.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 2:25 pm

wonder if we will see many deals on draft day?

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 2:42 pm

Sudz wrote:wonder if we will see many deals on draft day?

Possibly. Now that every team knows what the salary cap is for next season, they are all probably scrambling to see which player fits or not in their paybooks. Remember, now all teams know what it takes to win in the new NHL, size is not that important anymore, although it's always helpful but speed and skills are mandatory.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 3:01 pm

The Oil has no first-round picks in the draft due to the Roloson deal. Still, I think the trade-off is worth it, especially when you look at the list of players the Oil has drafted in the second round recently: Stoll, Winchester, Greene.

I'm confident that Kevin Lowe, Kevin Prendergast and Scott Howson will do their homework and get a quality player in the second round.

And don't forget where Fernando Pisani was drafted by the Oil -- in the eighth round!

Take care,
PK