NHL Off Season Talk

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 7:26 pm

WooHoo...Simon Gagne signed to a 5 year extension!!! Great news with camp opening next week.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2583628

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:17 am

DiPietro signs a 15-year deal...

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=177223&hubname=nhl

-G7

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:29 am

Does owner C. Wang or G. Snow know what they are doing in his rookie year as GM?

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 2:46 pm

15 years? I thought with Mad Mike gone this stuff would end. Has DiPietro ever definitively shown himself to be that good? Seems to me the best part of his resume is still his draft pick number...

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 5:05 pm

Completely insane, unless I'm missing something. What's wrong with 5 years or 6 or 7?

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 5:10 pm

Flyers sign Vancouver's Ryan Kesler to an offer sheet...

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=177269&hubname=

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:15 pm

Sully wrote:Flyers sign Vancouver's Ryan Kesler to an offer sheet...

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=177269&hubname=

Didn't see that one coming, though the opposite can be said for this story;
http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=177302&hubname=nhl

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:29 pm

I've been expecting that for a while. I hope that Montreal POS has a career ending injury sometime this season. It would only be fair, even if Primeau's head wasn't in great shape even before he was visciously elbowed in the chin right in front of the ref who never even called a penalty.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:56 pm

Sully wrote:Flyers sign Vancouver's Ryan Kesler to an offer sheet...

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=177269&hubname=

A 2nd round pick is a steal for Kesler! I am not sure I would pay 1.9 Million for him at this point in his career, but would give up a 2nd pick in a blink for him. I guess B.Clarke likes the young blood from Vancouver just as when he signed Umberger when he was at a dead end with management.

Clarke just puzzles me. He said he wouldn't offer S. Gagne for 5 million who scored 40 plus golas last season and now offers double of the the Nucks was offering Kesler with no good numbers to show for that money.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 1:31 am

GameSeven wrote:DiPietro signs a 15-year deal...

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=177223&hubname=nhl

-G7

What does it tell you when Di Pietro himself says in his press conference that "15 years is a long time". This Wang owner, I tell you, he may have the money but not the brains. First he signs his back up goalie to be the new GM, thank goodness N.Smith is no longer there. Di Pietro is now what 25, 26? Does he seriously think he will play up to the age of 40? And with a new CBA in less than the ridicoulus 15 years contract he signed, how are you ever going to trade this guy when things go wrong?

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 9:00 am

Keith Primeau is going to retire.

post-concussion syndrome.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 10:06 am

The offering sheet to restrited agents is not new, what's bothersome here, is the amount of money that it's being offered to Kesler, a guy that's yet to prove himself. Obviosuly Clarke was going to take it from the pot that K. primeau leaves open with his retirement. But didn't the NHL just get rid of the old CBA where people were getting paid ridicoulus money? GM D. Nonis was just going to offer Kesler no more than $900.000 tops.

Hers' a quote from a TSN article that nails my sentiment.

''I thought the DiPietro deal was the height of stupidity but this Kesler deal tops it,'' said one NHL GM. ''Does Clarkie actually think Vancouver isn't going to match? Every team will match. You have to. You have to protect your assets no matter what. All this is going to do is drive up the cost to do business. This is going to be ridiculously inflationary, even in the cap system we have. It's crazy.''

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 12:42 pm

I certainly understand 10s sentiment, and 1.9 is outlandishly high for Kesler, but I certainly don't think it's dumber than the DiPietro deal. 1 year, 1.9 million for an unproven up-and-comer, or 15 years, 67.5 million for a guy who in multiple seasons has shown nothing but mediocrity? I'll take the former.

It was just a matter of time before someone tried an RFA under the new CBA, and only time will tell what comes of this. For history's sake, Clarke was also an early player with RFAs last time around with the Gratton deal, and it backfired.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 12:06 am

Just put yourself in S. Gagne's shoes. One of the brightest stars that Philly can rely on, B. Clarke stalls all negotiations and plays hardball all summer long, in fact says publicly that he wouldn't pay five million plus for his services, and now he's about ready to pay 2 million for a guy that has scored only 10 goals last season.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 9:13 am

I dodn't see any problem with offer sheets now there's a salary cap. No team is going to go over the cap because of one. Comparing it to the 15 year contract is laughable.

And Gagne won't be worried in the slightest because he's getting $26.25 million over five years, which is perfectly fair.

It's because Primeau has only just decided to retire that Clarke has some extra money to spend, but there's not many players to try and sign this close to the start of the regular season.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 10:42 am

Feanor wrote: And Gagne won't be worried in the slightest because he's getting $26.25 million over five years, which is perfectly fair. It's because Primeau has only just decided to retire that Clarke has some extra money to spend, but there's not many players to try and sign this close to the start of the regular season.

You miss the point. No one is saying that Gagne is not worth what he's got, in fact he was firm all along and was ready to sit during training camp if he didn't get at least 5 million per. B. Clarke played tough with him all summer long and all of the sudden offers 2 million per for a youngster that's yet to prove himself and scored only 10 goals last season.

Not many players left to sign?

Why not tender an offer to A. Carter who just got signed for only $2.5 I think and scored 30 plus goals.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 2:05 pm

10s,

I don't expect to convince you with this, but I still don't think Gagne will be terribly concerned. Clarke played it tough, but never improperly so, and Gagne got the contract he wanted. The team offering 1.9 to a rookie doesn't change any of that. The fact that it is a one year deal is very relevant, because that is the club's commitment to the player, and 26.25 and 1.9 are so far apart that it hardly is worth even mentioning.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 2:31 pm

Naples, you're right, I am not convinced. The original offer Clarke had for S. Gagne was 3.5 to 4 million per. I know it's all part of bargaining but about a week ago when the contract was agreed among both parties, Clarke even went on saying that Gagne would sit if he didn't accept his offer.

But this week he goes on and offers almost 2 million to a guy that's yet to prove himself. Again, it's not the offering that I question here because it's part of the CBA, but the amount of money being offered. If I were GM D. Nonis I would take the 2nd rounder and build from there. Interesting note:

http://www.tsn.ca/tsn_talent/columnists/bob_mckenzie/

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 2:45 pm

10spro wrote:Naples, you're right, I am not convinced. The original offer Clarke had for S. Gagne was 3.5 to 4 million per. I know it's all part of bargaining but about a week ago when the contract was agreed among both parties, Clarke even went on saying that Gagne would sit if he didn't accept his offer.

But this week he goes on and offers almost 2 million to a guy that's yet to prove himself. Again, it's not the offering that I question here because it's part of the CBA, but the amount of money being offered. If I were GM D. Nonis I would take the 2nd rounder and build from there. Interesting note:

http://www.tsn.ca/tsn_talent/columnists/bob_mckenzie/

The original offer of 3.5 to 4 million per is a thing of the past. That's what the Flyers came to the table with, which is expected from any club heading into long term negotiations with a player. They never took a firm stance with that offer. The hang-up over the past month or two was the length of the contract. The Flyers were willing to give Gags the 5 million he wanted, but they wanted him to sign for 4 or 5 years, instead of 3. Gagne wanted more money since he was going to be signing a longer contract. In the end, both sides are happy.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 5:52 pm

Storm in a teacup. I don't miss the point - there is no point because as Naples pointed out there's no comparison between a $26.25 million contract and $1.9 million contract. Gagne's probably out buying a new Lamborghini right now

If $1.9 million is too much for Kessler then Vancouver can let Philly sign him - but maybe they see the same potential in the kid that the Flyers do.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:18 am

You guys want to talk about ugly new jerseys. Well, I saw highlights of the BUF-TOR game and the new colors for the Sabres make them look like the old Penguins. Who made those Jerseys?

PK, I know it's early but Oilers won their 1st preseason game and Rollie looked sharp while T. Bertuzzi injured his ribs.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:51 am

10spro wrote:PK, I know it's early but Oilers won their 1st preseason game and Rollie looked sharp while T. Bertuzzi injured his ribs.

Second preseason game, my man. The Oil blanked Phoenix, 5-0, over the weekend as No. 3 goalie Devan Dubnyk had a shutout. My boy Jarret Stoll had two goals, and big wing Alexei Mikhnov had three points. I've read good reports about Mikhnov all summer, and maybe they're right!

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 11:03 am

pk500 wrote:
10spro wrote:PK, I know it's early but Oilers won their 1st preseason game and Rollie looked sharp while T. Bertuzzi injured his ribs.
Second preseason game, my man. The Oil blanked Phoenix, 5-0, over the weekend as No. 3 goalie Devan Dubnyk had a shutout. My boy Jarret Stoll had two goals, and big wing Alexei Mikhnov had three points. I've read good reports about Mikhnov all summer, and maybe they're right!

Take care,
PK

What about Robbie Schremp? Is he going to be a fulltimer this year?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 11:29 am

tjung0831 wrote:What about Robbie Schremp? Is he going to be a fulltimer this year?

Hard to tell. Schremp came to camp in great shape but still needs to work on his skating and defense, Oilers VP of Hockey Operations Kevin Prendergast said during rookie camp. Schremp still needs to prove that he's mature enough to handle the mental demands of playing in the NHL, as he has had issues there in the past. Kind of a punk.

But Schremp has a ton of offensive skill, so it will be hard to send him to the AHL. Still, there are few teams with as much offensive depth this season than the Oil, so Schremp will need to make a big impression in camp to stick. He had an assist in the 2-1 victory over Florida last night, so that will help.

The Oil also is big on Pouliot, who plays center like Schremp. Zach Stortini also is making waves at center with his fists, as he could be the heir apparent to the departed Laraque as the Oilers' tough guy. So Schremp has some competition.

And will the Oil play Sykora at center or on the wing? That also could affect Schremp's destination this season.

I think Schremp will stick initially, as either a fourth-line center or someone who dresses to play on the power play. How long he lasts is another question. It all depends on how he plays in camp.

The kid is talented, no doubt, but everytime I hear Prendergast or Lowe talk about him on Oilers' podcasts, I get the feeling that they still think the kid is a bit lazy and needs to grow up as a professional. That's why I think Schremp will get a taste of the NHL to start the season, and then the Oil will send him to the AHL to get some humility and work on the weak spots of his game.

Take care,
PK

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 1:42 pm

You know I love the direction the Sabres were going in reverting to gold and blue (the black and reds were way too trendy and never seemed right), but something went horribly wrong with those new jerseys. Pretty awful.