NHL Offseason 2011

[pk500]

Man, Chicago must REALLY have wanted to jettison Campbell. I know his $7 million annual contract is an albatross and he's a limited defensive player, but dealing him to Florida for Rusty Olesz?

Hell, that's almost the same as losing Campbell to free agency. Olesz is an overrated, uninspired, cash-and-carry stiff.

Agree with everyone who is pleased the Jets' name returned to Winnipeg.

[pk500]

I'm pleased to see No. 94 returning to Edmonton.

Smytty has a fat contract, but sending Brule to L.A. will ease the cap hit. Plus Smytty will be an incredibly good influence on the kids in the room, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him among the Oil's top three scorers next season.

[XXXIV]

Man, Chicago must REALLY have wanted to jettison Campbell. I know his $7 million annual contract is an albatross and he's a limited defensive player, but dealing him to Florida for Rusty Olesz?

Hell, that's almost the same as losing Campbell to free agency. Olesz is an overrated, uninspired, cash-and-carry stiff.

Agree with everyone who is pleased the Jets' name returned to Winnipeg.

Looks like purely a cap move despite what Bowman says about being much better off in that way than last year.

Dont know what the Hawks Brower thing was all about. Dont think that that will be too popular either.

Habs extend Markov three years. I like as he was obviously missed last season, especially in the playoffs.

Add me to the list of those happy to see the Jets back.

[10spro]

I'm pleased to see No. 94 returning to Edmonton.

Smytty has a fat contract, but sending Brule to L.A. will ease the cap hit. Plus Smytty will be an incredibly good influence on the kids in the room, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him among the Oil's top three scorers next season.

Done deal after a couple of false starts, but it's C. Fraser and a 7th rounder going to LA, instead of Brule. There were rumors that the Flames were also interested in #94, but he blocked hard not to let it happen.

[pk500]

I'm pleased to see No. 94 returning to Edmonton.

Smytty has a fat contract, but sending Brule to L.A. will ease the cap hit. Plus Smytty will be an incredibly good influence on the kids in the room, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him among the Oil's top three scorers next season.

Done deal after a couple of false starts, but it's C. Fraser and a 7th rounder going to LA, instead of Brule. There were rumors that the Flames were also interested in #94, but he blocked hard not to let it happen.

He's loyal to the Oil -- my kind of dude!

Total salary dump by L.A., but Smytty will be a very positive influence and a solid scorer next season for the Oil.

[10spro]

The class of 11 HoF includes Eddie 'the Eagle' Belfour, Dougie Gilmour, J.Nieuwendyk and D-man Mark Howe. It's going to be hard for the likes of Pavel Bure and E. Lindros to even get nominated next year when you have guys like Joe Sakic waiting on the wings.

[XXXIV]

The class of 11 HoF includes Eddie 'the Eagle' Belfour, Dougie Gilmour, J.Nieuwendyk and D-man Mark Howe. It's going to be hard for the likes of Pavel Bure and E. Lindros to even get nominated next year when you have guys like Joe Sakic waiting on the wings.

Gratz to all of them especially Joe N. who is at the top of the class IMO...Though they might not be the biggest names, I saw them all play in my mid teens on up so I know exactly what they brought to the game.

[Diablo25]

Reports that the Flyers are interested in Stamkos (saw it on Naples blog too). He is restricted and it's obviously just talk but it is pretty interesting/exciting to me.

Just watched the intro of the new acquisitions to the media. I like what I heard from all of them but Schenn has me very excited. Holmgren compared him too, ironically, Mike Richards.

[pk500]

Reports that the Flyers are interested in Stamkos (saw it on Naples blog too). He is restricted and it's obviously just talk but it is pretty interesting/exciting to me.

I'm sure there are about 29 other teams interested in Stamkos, too. No way Tampa lets him go. He is the face and the long-term star of the franchise. Tampa would let LeCavalier or St. Louis free before Stamkos.

Then again, I always thought Gretzky would finish his career as an Oiler ...

[Diablo25]

Reports that the Flyers are interested in Stamkos (saw it on Naples blog too). He is restricted and it's obviously just talk but it is pretty interesting/exciting to me.

I'm sure there are about 29 other teams interested in Stamkos, too. No way Tampa lets him go. He is the face and the long-term star of the franchise. Tampa would let LeCavalier or St. Louis free before Stamkos.

Then again, I always thought Gretzky would finish his career as an Oiler ...

Yeah, the "report" also stated that Tampa would match any offer made. Still interesting.

[pk500]

Reports that the Flyers are interested in Stamkos (saw it on Naples blog too). He is restricted and it's obviously just talk but it is pretty interesting/exciting to me.

I'm sure there are about 29 other teams interested in Stamkos, too. No way Tampa lets him go. He is the face and the long-term star of the franchise. Tampa would let LeCavalier or St. Louis free before Stamkos.

Then again, I always thought Gretzky would finish his career as an Oiler ...

Yeah, the "report" also stated that Tampa would match any offer made. Still interesting.

Let me guess: The "report" came from blogger Eklund or Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. Both are master craftsmen of throwing baseless rumors on the wall and hoping they stick. Their success rate makes the Mendoza Line look worthy of Cooperstown.

[Naples39]

The Flyers going after Stamkos has been reported by several sources. Seems like madness to me, as are the rumors of the Flyers chasing B. Richards.

[Naples39]

A source close to the situation told the Daily News that the Flyers' brass spent yesterday afternoon crunching numbers and mulling over whether to send an offer sheet to Stamkos' agents.

The offer sheet, which would still allow Tampa Bay first right of refusal, would be expected to be a deal of around 13 or 14 years and north of $100 million, which would put Stamkos on the Flyers' payroll for a manageable cap hit if the Lightning chose to not match the deal.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/fly ... ts_up.html

Insanity.

[pk500]

What gives the Flyers the impression Stamkos wants to leave?

-- Tampa has better weather.
-- Tampa has less media pressure.
-- Tampa arguably is a better-run franchise, with the best young GM in the game, Steve Yzerman.
-- Tampa is a better team.

So, again, why would Stamkos want to leave Tampa?

[Naples39]

I don't know what Stamkos is thinking, but there is some perception he wants to go a hockey town. Also, TB is seriously strapped for real world cash, and Lecavalier's huge contract eats up a lot of their functional budget.

Also Yzerman may yet be a great GM, but let's see what he does with a few years in charge. Way too early to anoint him as a great GM. I would also completely disagree with the assertion TB is a better team, but we shall see.

Either way, I think the Flyers chasing him with a big contract is pretty dumb. Would hand-tie them on cap space and cost a bunch of assets. Not a good idea.

[toonarmy]

I wonder if Philly is doing this to drive up the price of Stamkos and eat away some money from Tampa? If I were a Philly fan I don't think I would be too thrilled at the prospect of locking Stamkos into such a long deal and give away so much. From Stamkos' point of view I would definitely be liking what Philly is doing. It's likely going to net him more money regardless of where he goes. Also, I can actually see him wanting to play in Philly over TB in the long term. Of course, the smart money is on Yzerman working something out with Stamkos to keep him in TB. While TB certainly has a solid team, the loss of Stamkos would be huge.

[Sully]

There were reports that TB lost somewhere between 20-25 million last year, and Yzerman has been trying to hammer out an extension with Stamkos and his agent for well over a month. I'm sure plenty of clubs are going to be willing to tender him an offer sheet with hopes of leaving Tampa no choice but to trade him or let him go if it cripples them financially. I know that's what the Flyers are thinking. It's a long shot, but it's something that has legs and worth keeping an eye on.

[pk500]

There were reports that TB lost somewhere between 20-25 million last year, and Yzerman has been trying to hammer out an extension with Stamkos and his agent for well over a month. I'm sure plenty of clubs are going to be willing to tender him an offer sheet with hopes of leaving Tampa no choice but to trade him or let him go if it cripples them financially. I know that's what the Flyers are thinking. It's a long shot, but it's something that has legs and worth keeping an eye on.

Remember that's exactly why Peter Puck dealt Gretzky: He needed money. But unlike the Bolts, the Oilers were profitable in the 80s due to their four Stanley Cups. But Pocklington's other business ventures were flops, and he was hurting for dough.

Bruce McNall offered $15 million and players, and he and Peter Puck played let's make a deal.

So you're right: These rumors deserve attention because financial need usually trumps every other factor in a sports business decision.

[XXXIV]

So you're right: These rumors deserve attention because financial need usually trumps every other factor in a sports business decision.

True this...

Unless you are the Dodgers and you dont mind filing for bankruptcy.

[toonarmy]

Since 2006-07 TB dropped in avg. attendance for 4 straight years (20,509 down to 15,497 in 2009-10). They rebounded this year to avg. over 17,000. Much of that has to do with the team having more success this season and being very competitive. Losing Stamkos I would think might result in avg. attendance being more like that in 09-10, especially if it does not make the playoffs as seen in the 3 seasons leading up to 10-11. TB is not a market like Toronto where the arena will sell out even when the team sucks, so I'm thinking they are going to do whatever it takes to keep Stamkos.

[Naples39]

FWIW, reports out of Philly are that the Flyers are prepared to offer Stamkos 12 years, $114 million (9.5/per) on Friday. I am not a fan of this at all.

On the other hand, TB's new owner is a very rich man and reports are that he will match anything.

[MizzouRah]

FWIW, reports out of Philly are that the Flyers are prepared to offer Stamkos 12 years, $114 million (9.5/per) on Friday. I am not a fan of this at all.

On the other hand, TB's new owner is a very rich man and reports are that he will match anything.

He needs to wear a Blues uniform!

[Feanor]

I don't really want the Flyers to pay that much for Stamkos, but it sure would be exciting to have him playing with Giroux.

I actually think the NHL needs to bring in a rule limiting contracts to 9 years or less (5 years for 35+ years old)... 13 year deals are kind of ridiculous and seem to violate the spirit of the salary cap even if they aren't against the rules.

[toonarmy]

Looks like the Pens withdrew their offer to Jagr, lol. Detroit is also not interested in Jagr any more. Montreal bound?

Also, interesting tweet a little while ago:

TSNBobMcKenzie Bob McKenzie
Hearing restricted free agent Steven Stamkos is not close to a new deal with TB so he's now eligible to receive offer sheets.

[toonarmy]

Jagr to the Flyers! Hahahaha! He'll need some bodyguards when the Flyers play in Pit.