NHL offseason thread (free agency, draft, camp, etc.)

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:20 pm

pk500 wrote: Atta boy!

With Stamkos a lock as the No. 1 pick, the most exciting part of this year's draft will be any deals that take place around it.

Take care,
PK

Yea, there are rumours flying around of a few teams willing to deal, including the Sens. Lots of good D men in this draft, including a few local boys. If I see anyone Oiler related around I'll try and get my jersey signed, but I think by that point, everyone will be hunkered down in Scotiabank place already! Most likely have all the prospects in one area too.

But ya, I'm just as excited to see if any deals are made, as I've heard rumours of Cheechoo and Marleau being tossed around, along with Erik Cole, the well known Ryan Malone Saga, and even a whsiper of one around town that Spezza could be shipped off, but I doubt that very much.... (though I'd love to see it!)

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:30 pm

Yeah, I've read where Columbus is close to landing Malone and that San Jose is shopping Marleau hard, with Cheechoo also available.

The most interesting saga to me is Jagr and the Rangers. Jagr has said he wants to stay in New York, but Sather hasn't even talked with him. And management from a Czech team is coming to the U.S. this week to talk with Jagr about a move there.

I still think Jagr has mileage left. He was better than heralded signings Drury and Gomez for most of this year for the Rangers.

The Draft is fun, but the two most enjoyable non-game days of the year for me are the trading deadline in February and July 1, when free agents can be signed. Plenty of attractive UFA's out there this year.

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:36 pm

There is a rumor floating in St. Louis about a a Blues and Sens deal...Jay McKee and a draft pick for Ray Emery and Sens prospect Ilya Zubov. Just a rumor at this point.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:00 pm

Oh, dear, Tim: Your Blues do NOT want Emery. He's such a "me, ME" dude that he belongs in the NFL or NBA, not the NHL. He is bad actor to have in any dressing room.

Take care,
PK

Gangrel · Post by **Gangrel** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:08 pm

Nonononon... Ray is a class guy, just misunderstood! The Sens would hattttteeeee to part with him........... St Louis is getting a good goalie!

*flashes honest smile*

(I hope he bought it)

Here's a telling story (amongst MANY Razor stories in town)

Last year, the Sens brought in Eli Wilson to be Ray's full time goalie coach. He used to help Ray in the summers, and apparently were quite buddy buddy.

Then around the mid point of the past season, a columnist in the paper noticed that Eli had stopped referring to Ray as a "friend", and stopped palling around with him, and insisting he was only his "coach" now....

Makes you wonder if some of the "outside the rink" rumours are true of Ray's "lifestyle"..... or if he's just an a$$?

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:08 pm

I think they'll be more trades this year at the draft than last season. Lots of teams willing to trade for LA's second pick.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 10:41 am

Penguins offer Malkin to the Kings for the No. 2 overall pick in the draft and Mike Cammalleri?

http://www.ottawasun.com/Sports/Hockey/ ... 6-sun.html

Realize that Bruce Garrioch reported this, and Garrioch never met a rumor that he didn't think was print-worthy. He's the biggest rumor-monger in the hockey press.

Take care,
PK

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 10:46 am

pk500 wrote:Penguins offer Malkin to the Kings for the No. 2 overall pick in the draft and Mike Cammalleri?

http://www.ottawasun.com/Sports/Hockey/ ... 6-sun.html

Realize that Bruce Garrioch reported this, and Garrioch never met a rumor that he didn't think was print-worthy. He's the biggest rumor-monger in the hockey press.

Take care,
PK

Seems incredible to me the Pens would trade Malkin. Maybe they were disappointed with his finals disappearing act, or other things like him being slow to learn english?

Other rumors say the Pens have made a huge offer to Hossa. Kinda crazy that they'd choose Hossa over Malkin. Malkin has more talent and is younger.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 10:52 am

pk500 wrote:Penguins offer Malkin to the Kings for the No. 2 overall pick in the draft and Mike Cammalleri?

That would be assanine. I hope they do it.

Sorry I still can't get over the Pens sweeping the Hawks for the cup.

As a lifelong Blackhawks fan I was overjoyed when the Hawks announced that longtime announcer Pat Foley was coming back after a 2-year hiatus. A booth of Foley and Olcheck will be refreshing next year. I know some of you don't think Olcheck is a very good color commentator but I really like him when he does the Hawks games.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 10:53 am

Naples:

Good point about the Malkin-Hossa situation. Something is fishy here. There appears to be something beneath the surface about Malkin that the Pens don't like.

Then again, this is a Bruce Garrioch report ...

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 11:20 am

I've heard of a lot of interest for LA's second pick, but to trade Malkin away? I thought a week ago they were going to sign him for seven years at 9 million per making him even richer than Crosby. We'll find out this weekend.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 11:32 am

But then again how long can R. Shero keep the likes of Staal, Crosby, Letang, Fleury and #71 together with the cap closing on them every year?

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:32 pm

There was a report last night on sportsnet.ca that the Flyers signed carter to a 3yr deal at $5m per. No denial or confirmation from the Flyers yet, which makes you wonder. I personally think $5m is a bit high for a deal that short---the Flyers should only pay that much if they can lock him for a while, and if Carter is looking forward to a UFA offer in a few years he has to accept fewer dollars now.

Probably just some pre-draft craziness. I really have my fingers crossed to see at least one big deal tonight (Flyers or any other team).

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:10 pm

I would love to have a guy like J. Carter on my team. I don't think 5 million per is a lot for a guy with a lot more upside potential. In fact I think if he doesn't end up signing in PHI, I wouldn't be surprised if he was offered more for his services.

What I find intriguing is that he rather stay in a team where he's playing in a third line behind the two centers that are ahead of him: Briere and Richards. He would be playing in a first line or second easily for the Canucks. Shouln't he be entertaining that idea instead?

Now will Sundin be finally moved?

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:59 pm

Thrashers hire long time Chicago Wolves coach John Anderson as their new head coach. Anderson led the Wolves to 4 titles in 11 years (2 Calder Cups in the AHL and 2 Turner Cups in the IHL.) It's nice to see him get a shot at the NHL level. He should feel at home since the Wolves have been the Thrashers primary minor league team for several years now. Congrats John!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 7:32 pm

Trades are happening. When does the season start?

M. Cammalleri to the Flames and A. Tanguay to the Habs. Flames had to clear some Cap space so the move makes sense good pick up for both teams. Alex is going to have a great time in his hometown. LA is going to have a long rebuilding process, would A. Kopitar be available too?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:08 pm

What the hell is Dean Lombardi doing in L.A.? This deal essentially was Mike Cammalleri and a pick for the No. 12 pick in the draft.

What a steal for Calgary. F*cking Calgary, I should say. I'd love to have some of the dope that Lombardi is smoking in L.A.

I think the Tanguay deal is a good dump for Calgary. Tanguay is soft, and the media pressure of playing near his hometown will crush him. The only hope for Habs' fans is that Tanguay may flourish with the speedier Habs than with the defense-first Flames. But I doubt it.

Plus Tanguay could be a one-year rental, as his vastly overpriced $5.25-million per year contract expires after next season. Another dumb deal by Bob Gainey, who defined stupidity at the deadline last season by trading Huet for a second-round pick.

I like the Jokinen deal for Phoenix. Jokinen is a stud. Yes, Phoenix gave up a very solid young defenseman in Ballard and another defenseman in Boynton, but this is a deep draft for defensemen. Plus Phoenix could be active in free agency to lure a top defenseman to the desert. Brian Campbell from San Jose, perhaps?

Phoenix is going to be a definite playoff contender in the West next season.

The Umberger trade is solid for Columbus. The Jackets are getting a solid second-line guy for not a large price tag.

Oh, news flash: Steve Stamkos went first to Tampa.

Take care,
PK

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:19 pm

Sad to see Umberger go. But it didn't sound like he could fit under the salary cap if the Flyers wanted to keep Carter more than him, which they obviously do.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:34 am

I love what LA is doing...they knew they weren't going to be able to keep Cammalleri so they deal him for 1st round pick. They had multiple picks this year, they have a ton of pics next year and they have a very bright future.
Johnson, Doughty, Hickey and Tuebert on the Blueline.
Kopitar, Brown, Frolov, O'Sullivan, Boyle, Tukkonen, Purcell and Lewis up front and Bernier in goal....that ain't to shabby.

Tim

LAking · Post by **LAking** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 11:01 am

10spro wrote:Trades are happening. When does the season start?

M. Cammalleri to the Flames and A. Tanguay to the Habs. Flames had to clear some Cap space so the move makes sense good pick up for both teams. Alex is going to have a great time in his hometown. LA is going to have a long rebuilding process, would A. Kopitar be available too?

Why the f*** would Kopitar be available if it's a rebuilding process? They are already 2 years into the rebuild. Kopitar is probably the most talented young forward they have. He's capable of controlling the flow of a game on any given shift.

LAking · Post by **LAking** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 11:18 am

pk500 wrote:What the hell is Dean Lombardi doing in L.A.? This deal essentially was Mike Cammalleri and a pick for the No. 12 pick in the draft.

What a steal for Calgary. F*cking Calgary, I should say. I'd love to have some of the dope that Lombardi is smoking in L.A.
PK

Here's why Cammy was traded; he wasn't going to resign with the Kings after this year. During his arbitration last year he was asking for 5 to 6 million a year! After a single good year he thought he deserved veteran type money. This lowered his trade value significantly. Oh and not to mention he had only 19 goals last year, and when you're only asset is scoring goals, that's pretty bad.

I like Cammy, he's got a nice one timer and can pick the corners, but he's VERY one dimensional. He doesn't play defense at all, he gets knocked down easily, and tries to do too much with the puck resulting in many turnovers just inside the blue line. I'm sure he'll have a better year than last but he's never going to be a real star player.

For the Kings it was easy. They have had pretty bad defense the last two years. Cammy was not helping the cause. Of course he's not the only one, but still. The team is still rebuilding. Why not trade him and a late first round pick for a #12 pick and get yet another very talented young defenseman before Cammy just leaves town for nothing. It's a no brainer if you ask me.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 12:01 pm

Good background, King. Appreciate it!

Take care,
PK

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 12:07 pm

Feanor wrote:Sad to see Umberger go. But it didn't sound like he could fit under the salary cap if the Flyers wanted to keep Carter more than him, which they obviously do.

Agreed. I really liked Umberger but it probably needed to be done. He played over his head in the playoffs but he'll be missed.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 12:21 pm

pk500 wrote:Phoenix is going to be a definite playoff contender in the West next season.

After every offseason I think the same thing...only to be crushed after 2 months of the season.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 12:59 pm

The Kings essentially trade Cammalleri to move up from #28 to #12. That seems like questionable value to me, but if it makes sense to Kings fans who watch Cammalleri more who am I to argue.

I always liked RJ as a Flyer, but the writing was on the wall. The Flyers have a glut of young forwards, and with RJ due for a raise yet never firmly cementing a spot beyond utilityman, the writing was on the wall. RJ plays a good all-around game, but he needed to score consistently (20+ goals) to stick around in Philly. RJ and a 4th for 3rd and mid-1st rounder seems like a good return, as the Flyers got significantly more for Umberger than the Kings did for Cammalleri.

The Eminger trade is far less promising, and still baffles me. Although the Flyers didn't technically 'give up' a 1st rounder for him, but rather traded down 2 rounds, why would they acquire a guy who was a healthy scratch most of last season for a below-average WSH defense?? I know he was a former 1st rounder, but in 5 years he has yet to prove he can even hang in the league, let alone be a difference maker. Wouldn't surprise me if Eminger doesn't even break the top-6 on the Flyers, which is a dreadful return for trading a 1st round pick.

Fun day though. Most eventful draft in memory.