Hockey Night In DSP

[10spro]

But the "under the radar" deal to me was Matty Norstrom going to Dallas. That makes the Stars a VERY dangerous team in the playoffs. Norstrom was a fine leader as the Kings' captain and is an excellent defenseman.

Put Norstrom with Zubov in front of Turco, and the Stars will be tough to penetrate. Plus you add Boucher, Sydor and Klemm, and Dallas might have the deepest talent pool on defense in the West, if not the NHL.

Don't forget that some of the Stars' offensive players -- Modano, Lindros, etc. -- injured earlier this season are starting to come back.

The Norstrom deal was pretty quiet on a day of biggies. But it could have the longest-reaching implications this spring. Take care, PK

Good analysis PK. The R. Smyth last minute thunder stole the show yesterday but DAL made one hell of a move by getting the Kings' captain.
He may not be as steady as N. Lidstrom (but then again, who is) but he's a top two D-man and will make Turco look even tougher. Then again the playoffs is where Marty still has to prove himself.

I also like D. Zubrus in BUF, once the team gets healthy, this is one scoring machine. And finally PIT gets tougher and S. Crosby will have more room to do his magic.

[pk500]

Everything in Buffalo hinges on Miller staying healthy. If he's hurt for more than a game or two in the playoffs, the Sabres are toast with Conklin in net.

Take care,
PK

[10spro]

Bottom feeders Philly & St. Louis will be doing just fine the next couple of years. The Flyers added top prospects in B. Coburn & R. Parent, a good forward in S. Upshaw and a 1st & 3rd rounder. Add that to a 1st pick this summer and a nice group of youngsters in their current rosters and S. Gagne will lead this team to respectability.

The Blues have two first rounders and a possible third if Tkachuck resigns with ATL (J. Davidson definitely milked them), a second & third rounder and the added prospects. Also E. Johnson should make his NHL debut next season and with veterans like Brewer & Weight, they'll be ready for some playoff action sooner rather than later.


CAL & MIN, both chasing VAN for 1st place played a three pointer game (screw them ) with CAL taking the extra point in a SO. No one wants to face the likes of DET, DAL, SJ, ANA or NAS during the playoffs in the 1st round, so finishing on top of the NW division is a must!

[tjung0831]

Bottom feeders Philly & St. Louis will be doing just fine the next couple of years. The Flyers added top prospects in B. Coburn & R. Parent, a good forward in S. Upshaw and a 1st & 3rd rounder. Add that to a 1st pick this summer and a nice group of youngsters in their current rosters and S. Gagne will lead this team to respectability.

The Blues have two first rounders and a possible third if Tkachuck resigns with ATL (J. Davidson definitely milked them), a second & third rounder and the added prospects. Also E. Johnson should make his NHL debut next season and with veterans like Brewer & Weight, they'll be ready for some playoff action sooner rather than later.


CAL & MIN, both chasing VAN for 1st place played a three pointer game (screw them ) with CAL taking the extra point in a SO. No one wants to face the likes of DET, DAL, SJ, ANA or NAS during the playoffs in the 1st round, so finishing on top of the NW division is a must!

We've got three 1st rounders in 2007, ours own, one from the Thrashers, and the one from San Jose via New Jersey. If Tkachuk resigns with Atlanta we also get their 2008 1st round pick.
The future is very bright in St. Louis.

[Feanor]

During the last Flyers game they showed that Gagne was fourth in the NHL in goals scored since the lockout, which is pretty impressive considering how many of those games were played without Forsberg, or with a half-healthy Forsberg.

Buccigross on ESPN kept saying the Flyers should trade Gagne in his columns, but I never understood why considering he's pretty young and doesn't have that big a salary.

[pk500]

Ron Wilson has confirmed this will be his top line in San Jose:

Cheechoo-Thornton-Guerin

Yowza.

Ted Nolan has confirmed this line on Long Island when Yashin gets healthy:

Smyth-Yashin-Jason Blake

More yowza.

Those are two powerhouse lines that stack up with any in the league.

Take care,
PK

[Sudz]

Bottom feeders Philly & St. Louis will be doing just fine the next couple of years. The Flyers added top prospects in B. Coburn & R. Parent, a good forward in S. Upshaw and a 1st & 3rd rounder. Add that to a 1st pick this summer and a nice group of youngsters in their current rosters and S. Gagne will lead this team to respectability.

The Blues have two first rounders and a possible third if Tkachuck resigns with ATL (J. Davidson definitely milked them), a second & third rounder and the added prospects. Also E. Johnson should make his NHL debut next season and with veterans like Brewer & Weight, they'll be ready for some playoff action sooner rather than later.


CAL & MIN, both chasing VAN for 1st place played a three pointer game (screw them ) with CAL taking the extra point in a SO. No one wants to face the likes of DET, DAL, SJ, ANA or NAS during the playoffs in the 1st round, so finishing on top of the NW division is a must!

We've got three 1st rounders in 2007, ours own, one from the Thrashers, and the one from San Jose via New Jersey. If Tkachuk resigns with Atlanta we also get their 2008 1st round pick.
The future is very bright in St. Louis.

john the big d***** davidson is in yr organization...the future is cloudy at best

[pk500]

Holy sh*t -- longtime columnist Terry Jones of the Edmonton Sun reported the gap between the Oilers and Smytty was just $100,000 per season:

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

That's terrible if true. Neither side could budge 100 grand, or split the difference at 50 grand?

UGH.

I know this sounds gay, but I honestly don't know if I'm ready to see Smytty tonight in another sweater. Not sure if I can watch the Isles-Blues. I was so disgusted Tuesday night that I only watched the first period of Oil's game against Phoenix. When it was painfully obvious that the players didn't give a sh*t about the game because of the shock of the Smytty deal, neither did I.

I'm back to caring tonight about the Oil, as always!

Take care,
PK

[Sudz]

100k?

that is f***in absurd. totally f***in absurd.they should have flipped a coin at that point.

and how about BOTH teams from the finals last year being OUT of the playoffs at this point.

[pk500]

More thoughts on the Smyth deal, as it's consuming me:

The Oil didn't get enough in return.

Nilsson is a borderline bust; he's 22 and still in the AHL. O'Marra is a Primeau-type without Primeau skill, at best. And this year's draft is acknowledged to be pretty weak, so that first-round pick, while still a first-rounder, isn't as valuable as it seems.

I would have been much happier if the Oil got an active roster player, the first-round pick and maybe a second- or third-rounder than the package they received.

Then again, maybe Lowe looks like a genius with essentially three first-rounders in his pocket if Smytty re-signs with Edmonton this July. Time will tell. It sounded to me from comments from Lowe, Smytty and Donnie Meehan that no bridges were burned. I think Smytty would return if the money was right. If some team throws $5.75 to $6 million at Smytty this summer, the Oil is screwed. But if his price remains in the $5.4-5.5 million range, there's a chance he could return, especially if Lowe moves some deadwood like Lupul, Winchester and Torres. I also think Markkanen can be moved at a decent price since good backup goalies are a premium, and Jeff Deslauriers is having a strong season in the AHL. Captain Jason Smith isn't a sacred cow, either. He's dealable.

Lowe's biggest mistake was the long-term, money deals last summer for Pisani, Horcoff and Hemsky. Smytty might not be worth $5.5 million per season, but he's worth a hell of a lot closer to that than Fernie, Horc and Hemmer are to the money values of their deals. Hemmer has NINE goals this season and is making $4 million. Horc has been mediocre at best and is making $3.6 million with 15 goals and -11. Smytty has 31 goals and makes $3.5 million. You do the math.

Fernie, Horc and Hemmer all cashed in after the Cup run when their value was at its peak, and all three are grossly overpaid.

As a 24-year Oilers' fan, I'm just so f*cking sick and tired of this constant "rebuilding." Last spring's Cup run gave me a wonderful taste I haven't had since the 80s and 1990, and I want more, and I want it now.

Take care,
PK

[10spro]

If indeed the difference between both parties was 100K's, then what Tie Domi (out of all people) said on TSN is correct. D. Tucker who just signed an extension with the Leafs wanted to stay in TO and in today's market value he took a bit less to be in Ontario. But he knows he can stay with the organization for the next four years.

Smyth had tears during his aiport farewell yesterday but if staying in EDM was that crucial, was 100.000 worth fighting? K. Lowe, I am sure was hoping for a home discount from Smytti but I guess the player wanted market value.

If the NYI go far in the playoffs, G. Snow was quoted as having intentions to sign him long term. The soap opera continues...

[pk500]

This makes me sick to my stomach:

http://www.newyorkislanders.com/team/player.asp?id=157

Take care,
PK

[pk500]

Just f*ck me with the biggest wrench you can find. That picture hurts, but not as much as the first shot of Smytty with his arms in the air celebrating his first goal as an Islander will inflict pain.



Take care,
PK

[Gangrel]

Something doesn't smell right. I've been reading some things on the Oilers message board, and some are claiming that they've heard this deal is just the "first step" in a bigger plan, like maybe trading the pick and others this summer for an "impact player".

At first I didn't think that Smytty would come back, but after watching the news conference, I'm not so sure.

Rumour has it that Meehan was the issue in the negotiations, and that the Oilers simply got tired of him.

I didn't know this, but Meehan was fired by Ovechkin, Malkin, and a few other big names in the past year or so.....

Something doesn't smell right.

[XXXIV]

The Oilers seem to have made this type of thing a franchise trademark.

Gretzky...Messier...

[pk500]

Two games without Smytty, zero goals for the Oil.

The hockey gods don't lie.

Take care,
PK

[Feanor]

Scottie Upshall scored a terrific breakaway goal with 10 seconds left in OT to give the Flyers a 4-3 win over Boston last night. Looks like the Forsberg trade is paying off already.

VIDEO LINK

[pk500]

Something doesn't smell right. I've been reading some things on the Oilers message board, and some are claiming that they've heard this deal is just the "first step" in a bigger plan, like maybe trading the pick and others this summer for an "impact player".

At first I didn't think that Smytty would come back, but after watching the news conference, I'm not so sure.

Rumour has it that Meehan was the issue in the negotiations, and that the Oilers simply got tired of him.

I didn't know this, but Meehan was fired by Ovechkin, Malkin, and a few other big names in the past year or so.....

Something doesn't smell right.

I'm sure Meehan told Smyth: "Don't worry, Ryan, even if they don't give us $5.5 million, there's no way they'll trade you. Won't happen. We'll continue to negotiate for the rest of the year up to July 1." And Smyth believed him.

It's debatable who's to blame for not budging the $100,000 needed to seal this deal. But Meehan SERIOUSLY underestimated the will of Kevin Lowe to trade Smyth, and he screwed up royally on that call. After all, this is the organization that traded Gretzky, so no one is untouchable after that.

I'm sure Meehan didn't call Smytty at 12:40 p.m. (MST) Tuesday with the Oilers' last offer and say: "Ryan, this is it. It's this offer or you'll be traded." I'm sure Meehan said, "Ryan, this is the last offer of the day. What do you say?" And I'm sure Meehan urged Smyth not to take the deal, especially since Calgary paid Tanguay $5.25 million. And Ryan Smyth is worth a HELL of a lot more than Alex F*cking Tanguay.

There's no way Lowe, who keeps his cards notoriously close to the vest during negotiations, told Meehan that Smytty would be traded if he didn't accept the Oil's last offer. Especially since Lowe had the deal with Garth Snow in his pocket for a few days before the trading deadline, just in case this scenario unfolded.

Again, blame can be apportioned to both sides for failing to compromise. But I think Meehan got schooled and Smytty got blindsided by the trade.

Take care,
PK

[pk500]

Some nice goals in this goals of February highlight reel ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIWkAPNaNDQ

Take care,
PK

[Naples39]

Scottie Upshall scored a terrific breakaway goal with 10 seconds left in OT to give the Flyers a 4-3 win over Boston last night. Looks like the Forsberg trade is paying off already.

VIDEO LINK

I missed the game last night because I was at DC United game, but saw highlights and stats. I noticed the 'new-look' Flyers had 55 (55!) shots last night, setting a team record for SOG in a road game. Did the team look as promising that suggests?

It's also very nice to see the team get goals from 4 different players, the oldest one being 24 years old.

[Feanor]

They looked promising on attack with the Gagne line flying around, but they were a bit dodgy on defense. The first two Boston goals by Mowers were due to pretty poor defensive play.

[10spro]

D. Meehan has a history of being a hard a$$ bargainer. Whether he told Smytty that K. Lowe would eventually blink first it's very possible but at the same time if you want to stay in the city that you dreamed to play for and had the Great one, Mess and CO as your idol, then you have to compromise too. I don't think it was 100K's the ultimate difference but somewhere in between 300 to 500 K's.

The BOG told K. Lowe what they would liked to do with the team and Lowe stuck to the plan. That's the beauty of today's economics in the NHL.
There's hope for you OIL fans:

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/stor ... ed&k=38014

[10spro]

Canucks turned on the power switch in the third period and got by those pesky Yotes. The current trend to play soft vs weaker teams is a bit alarming to me. With CAL & MIN breathing right behind our neck, VAN can't afford to lose points with teams below .500.

But they woke up in time and it's on top again. Then again we all know how competitive the NW division is (sadly EDM threw in the towel) and it's going to be a race to the end.

Speaking of pesky teams, Minny looks like a team possessed with M. Gaborik. They've been hot despite injuries to both their top two goalies and they keep moving up.

[pk500]

The BOG told K. Lowe what they would liked to do with the team and Lowe stuck to the plan. That's the beauty of today's economics in the NHL.

I think principle played a big part, too. Smytty took "hometown discounts" on his prior contracts to help the Oilers in the pre-cap days, and I think he and Meehan finally wanted to get fair market value.

And with Ales "Hey, I've scored nine goals this season -- whoopee!" Hemsky making $4.1 million this year and Alex Tanguay being paid $5.25 million, Smytty knew he was worth at least $5.5 million.

What bothers me is that Lowe's initial offer was below $5 million per season. The Oil jumped considerably to $5.4 million per season at the 11th hour, a sign of compromise and good faith. And Meehan and Smytty didn't budge.

Damn, I'm ready to put this behind me and focus on the trainwreck that is the rest of the Oilers' season and the offseason. I'm already scouring Web sites for the lowdown on UFA's who could come to Edmonton and who the Oil could deal for with its three first-round picks and bushel basket of prospects in the system.

Oh, and please trade Lupul and Winchester the day after the Stanley Cup Playoffs end. Torres and Matt Greene also need to be serious trade bait, too. Cut Petr Nedved about 45 seconds after Bettman hands the winning team's captain the Stanley Cup. Sykora also might need to go if his asking price is too high. He has been total sh*t since New Year's.

Yes, it has come to that. Ugh. After the 5-0 loss last night to Minnesota, the Oilers' season is over. Eleven points back with 20 games to go -- dream on. I'll still watch every game, but it's hard to take.

I only hope that MacT puts Jarret Stoll as the first-line center when he returns from concussion. Why MacT continues to insist Shawn Horcoff is a first-line NHL center is beyond me. Stollie is the best overall player on the Oilers now that Smytty is gone.

I'm VERY impressed with Marc Pouliot in his second stint with the Oil. The kid is a player with really good instincts. He sucked during his first recall in November and December. I don't know what happened in Wilkes-Barre after he went back down, but the kid is a different player now. A real, bonafide NHL forward.

Enough babbling. I could talk about the Oil and the NHL all day and half the night ...

Take care,
PK

[Sudz]

i see the hurricanes play the pens tonight.

stall v stall.


the younger ones is winning the battle this year.