NHL Off Season Talk

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 11:28 pm

pk500 wrote:
tjung0831 wrote:I only have two requests... the Blues don't trade the #1 pick and they don't trade TJ Oshie. Anybody else the Oilers can have...ANYBODY.
Do you guys take any of the rumors about Carolina dealing with Pittsburgh to get the No. 2 pick to take Jordan Staal that seriously?

Take care,
PK

I think that rumor is just the Penguins leaking info trying to make the Blues think the Penguins have options and don't have to deal with the Blues for the #1 pick to get the other Johnson. Penguins want EJ bad as do quite a few teams. I don't think the Blues have any intentions of trading the pic right now unless somebody just totally knocks their socks off.
Kind of Ironic though about Pronger...Edmonton may be in the same situation as the Blues were last year and that might really hinder their return. If Pronger is serious, he can hold out to try and force a deal.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 8:13 am

It's pretty much official -- Pronger's agent confirmed that he wants out of Edmonton:

http://www.edmontonsun.com/Sports/Oiler ... 8-sun.html

I will grow to HATE this guy very, very quickly.

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 9:36 am

pk500 wrote:It's pretty much official -- Pronger's agent confirmed that he wants out of Edmonton:

http://www.edmontonsun.com/Sports/Oiler ... 8-sun.html

I will grow to HATE this guy very, very quickly.

Take care,
PK

I feel for all Oiler fans today, this is one gut wrenching kick in the nads for them for sure as well as the NHL. What's really messed up is i'm not sure the Oilers hold the cards in any deal now. His return might not fetch more than what the Oilers gave up to get him. I'm reading more and more that he wants to come back to St. Louis and as a fan, I feel like i've already moved on from Chris Pronger. I want the Blues to just rebuild so I would be pissed if they trade that #1 pick to get him which I don't think they will.
Both Chicago and Nashville might be close enough for Lauren Pronger to be happy but who knows. I can't stand the thought of Pronger wearing a Blackhawks jersey. I've got a feeling that whatever Lauren Pronger wants she gets. Apparently Lauren's family is very well off and Chris actually had to sign a prenuptial agreement before the marriage. WOW.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 12:39 pm

Well, if the Canucks sign R. Luongo for a long term deal, it'll be the best trade since getting rid of the Russian rocket P. Bure, a few years back. And it has to be at least in the area of five years because if D. Nonis is only able to sign him for one season, he becomes a UFA and the trade becomes lopsided.

We've been always looking for a quality goalie since the days of K. Maclean and like former GM B. Burke said: "Vancouver is a graveyard for goalkeepers". No more I dare to say.

Panthers will make the playoffs too with the trade, they become stronger and meaner just what M. Keenan likes in his teams and the possible combination of playmaker S. Weiss and T. Bertuzzi is something to look for.

A couple of hours away from the draft and with the big trade last night, teams are probably scrambling to get the best assets available, one rumour has EDM talking to PIT for their pick for C. Pronger, and something tells me that Flyers GM B. Clarke will have his nose sniffling around the EDM desk as well. They need to upgrade their D, big time. Whether they have enough assets for the Oilers is another matter.

With Luongo in VAN, I am sure someone will grab the likes of M.Gerber, S. Giguere and Nabokov at the end of the draft.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 1:05 pm

tjung0831 wrote:I feel like i've already moved on from Chris Pronger.

That makes two of us.

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 4:56 pm

Lots of rumors flying in St. Louis. Blues talking about also landing the 2nd overall pick from Pittsburgh for Brewer and picks 30 and 31. This would give the Blues the first two picks in the draft. This would be a dream scenario.
The other rumor involving the Blues is J.S. Giguere and the swap of some other pics and players in deal with the Ducks.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 5:29 pm

Look, I understand the importance of family for an athlete and it is nice to hear them be concerned about it. But if you want to be able to pick where you live, you're in the wrong business. Hang up the skates if there is only one place you want to live.

I'd really like to see the Wild try to move up to get one of the local products (Johnson or more realistically, Kessel).

There was a laughable article in today's Star Tribune about how the Wild chose to win early and lost out on top draft choices because of it. WTF? They had the one miracle run to the Conference Finals and didn't snif the playoffs before and haven't been close since. For a team that has made one good FA signing (Rolston) since their inception they sure like to think they've gone after the wins.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 9:32 am

I was surprised by the lack of big deals on draft day. Yeah, I guess one of the expected whoppers occurred the day before between Florida and Vancouver, but draft day was pretty quiet. I don't count Alex Tanguay for Jordan Leopold as a blockbuster!

Once again, I think the cap will cause the NHL to look more and more like the NFL. Teams aren't going to participate in as many trades in the past, instead going the free-agent route and playing capology.

Take care,
PK

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 11:53 am

The Wild made a move, trading the #17 pick and top prospect Patrick O'Sullivan for Pavol Demitra.

A very atypical move for this franchise. It looks like step #1 to resigning Marian Gaborik since he's good friends with Demitra and provides a very talented line-mate for him.

Airdog · Post by **Airdog** » Sun Jun 25, 2006 6:49 pm

Raycroft for Tuuka Rask kinda has me nervous.

Although he won the Calder trophy a couple of years ago, he had an awful year this season. I'm surprised that the Leafs are actually going to rely on him.

Rask is a terrific young goalie who was the best at his position at the World Junior Championships this year.

I guess the Leafs are really counting on Pogge to be their next generation starting goaltender.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 4:41 pm

Dave wrote:The Wild made a move, trading the #17 pick and top prospect Patrick O'Sullivan for Pavol Demitra.

A very atypical move for this franchise. It looks like step #1 to resigning Marian Gaborik since he's good friends with Demitra and provides a very talented line-mate for him.

They'll improve in the offensive category instantly and just like the Flames acquiring Tanguay, both teams needed more punch out of their 1st and second lines and those players will have an impact in their respective teams. This conference just keep getting tougher and tougher.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 4:55 pm

I read in the <i>Edmonton Sun</i> this morning that Lauren Pronger has a new nickname among townsfolk: Yoko.

CLASSIC! B*tch.

Take care,
PK

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 5:15 pm

Ya, and Prongs agent (I think in that same article) does the classic "well, if you knew the whole story, it wouldn't seem so bad, but I can't tell you the story because it's private' blah blah blah.....

We'll see what happens I guess!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 5:20 pm

P. Morris ( Pronger's agent) and C. Pronger have compiled a short list of cities that #44, and most importantly, #44's wife, would like to play in. That list is said to include: Miami, Toronto, and Ottawa, to name a few.

And I think FLO would be the perfect scenario for Pronger as M. Keenan has an abundance of young good players that would fit EDM like a glove: Steven Weiss, Jay Bouwmeister, Nathan Horton among them.

Iron Mike just molded Pronger into what he is today from the days both were in St Louis and they have an admiration for each other. If VAN can't sign Jovocop, Keenan may also be interested in another trade with the Canucks.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 5:26 pm

10spro wrote:And I think FLO would be the perfect scenario for Pronger as M. Keenan has an abundance of young good players that would fit EDM like a glove: Steven Weiss, Jay Bouwmeister, Nathan Horton among them.

Florida was rumored to have contacted Lowe at the draft about Pronger. Lowe's terms: Bouwmeister, Horton and Florida's first-round pick for Pronger.

Florida rejected quickly.

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:07 am

Well i'm hearing the only Canadian team that he'll accept a trade to is Toronto. There are some questions regarding if he has a no trade clause in his contract. Pronger has told people that he does...Kevin Lowe says he does not. They both could be right in a sense with the new CBA. According to the new CBA if Pronger does have a no trade clause it doesn't kick in until July 1st 2006. This could be why Lowe is stating that he doesn't have a no trade clause at least currently. If that's the case then Lowe will deal Pronger by Friday night. I'm still betting on him being a Blackhawk. I know the Blues offered a deal involving Barrett Jackman and others and were turned down.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 1:11 pm

The only way the Blues would have gotten Pronger back was if they traded their 1st pick in E. Jonhson. Toronto and Ottawa are in the hunt for his services too.

This week P. Roy will be inducted in the hall of fame among others.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 2:37 pm

10spro wrote:The only way the Blues would have gotten Pronger back was if they traded their 1st pick in E. Jonhson. Toronto and Ottawa are in the hunt for his services too.

This week P. Roy will be inducted in the hall of fame among others.

Andy Strickland says the Blues are still in the running for Pronger but they won't be giving up EJ...not a chance. According to Andy these are the teams in the running.
Toronto
Ottawa
NY Rangers
St. Louis
Chicago

LAking · Post by **LAking** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 6:04 pm

P. Morris ( Pronger's agent) and C. Pronger have compiled a short list of cities that #44, and most importantly, #44's wife, would like to play in. That list is said to include: Miami, Toronto, and Ottawa, to name a few.

I read somewhere that they wanted to move because they couldn't get any privacy in Edmonton. They couldn't go out to dinner without being recognized. If that's the case than Toronto makes no sense at all. Do we have official comfirmation that Toronto or any of those cities are really what he would like?

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 7:59 pm

LAking wrote:
P. Morris ( Pronger's agent) and C. Pronger have compiled a short list of cities that #44, and most importantly, #44's wife, would like to play in. That list is said to include: Miami, Toronto, and Ottawa, to name a few.
I read somewhere that they wanted to move because they couldn't get any privacy in Edmonton. They couldn't go out to dinner without being recognized. If that's the case than Toronto makes no sense at all. Do we have official comfirmation that Toronto or any of those cities are really what he would like?

that's the magic question. I guess we'll find out when we find out if he has a no trade clause or not. The rumor was that Toronto is the only team he's willing to play for in Canada. My guess is that his wife is ok with that because she's spent her summers on the outskirts of Toronto since she's been hooked up with Chris. His parents aren't far from there and don't forget that he's a part owner of the OHL's Missisauga Ice Dogs.
I think there is more too it than just Lauren being unhappy. I'm sure that is the biggest reason but there is something else going on that we just don't know. Apparently she spent most of the season with their sons Jack and George in St. Louis. That might tend to weigh on any guys mind and regardless of weather he's a star athlete or not he's putting the thoughts of his wife first before his happiness. His hockey career will be over in 10 years but his wife and family will be with him the rest of his life.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:16 pm

LAking wrote:
P. Morris ( Pronger's agent) and C. Pronger have compiled a short list of cities that #44, and most importantly, #44's wife, would like to play in. That list is said to include: Miami, Toronto, and Ottawa, to name a few.
I read somewhere that they wanted to move because they couldn't get any privacy in Edmonton. They couldn't go out to dinner without being recognized. If that's the case than Toronto makes no sense at all. Do we have official comfirmation that Toronto or any of those cities are really what he would like?

The same would be the case in Ottawa, too. Hell, any Canadian city, for that matter.

If Prongs and Yoko want to be anonymous, then Miami would be the spot.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:09 pm

To no surprise BOS fired M. Sullivan, so that means C. Lewis or P. Quinn will be the next head coach.

Also does C.Pronger leaving town has anything to do with what coach C. MacTavish might do in his future with the club? EDM did not pick up the option on his contract as he becomes a free agent on Canada day.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:13 pm

10spro wrote:Also does C.Pronger leaving town has anything to do with what coach C. MacTavish might do in his future with the club? EDM did not pick up the option on his contract as he becomes a free agent on Canada day.

I believe club president Patrick LaForge in that I wouldn't read too much into that. In fact, not picking up the option might be the best thing that could have happened to MacT, as the Oil will need to pay him a lot more now after the great playoff run.

I would be stunned if MacT wasn't behind the Oil bench next season. The options on assistants Charlie Huddy, Billy Moores and Craig Simpson all were picked up, and I don't think that would have happened if MacT was leaving. He'd want to take that braintrust with him to a new club if he was leaving Edmonton.

More reports out of Canada tonight indicate the top suitors for Pronger are Florida, Toronto, the Rangers and Phoenix.

Kevin Lowe is really stuck here. He needs to get a deal done before Saturday, as there are a LOT of good free-agent defensemen available starting Saturday that only will cost a team money, not players. This is definitely the year of the UFA defenseman. Pronger still is the top defenseman available but will cost players because he's not a FA.

Will teams rather aim for a guy like Chara, Redden, Lidstrom, Blake or Jovo-cop instead of Pronger, knowing they won't have to give up existing stars or prospects to do it?

I think Lowe's thinning hair will be gone by the start of training camp!

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:52 pm

I see. I didn't know MacT's assistants were resigned. But MacT probably would have been fired if the Oilers didn't make the playoffs this year, since the deal had to be done before the playoffs started, the Oilers didn't get it done.

This will work out best for MacT as he will resign with the Oilers long term for a good chunk of $$$ (three more years?). Probably a mistake by Lowe not to lock him up before the playoffs but had they missed, he most certainly would be gone.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 11:13 pm

The grammar cop in me surfaces: There's a big difference between resign and re-sign, mate.

Take care,
PK