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

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:59 pm

tjung0831 wrote:The Blues have matched the Canucks offer to David Backes....

So Kevin Lowe still is Dr. Evil ...

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:46 pm

Wow, lots of signings after dinner. From Mirtle's blog:

# Wade Redden signs with the Rangers on another big-time deal: $39-million over six years ($6.5-million cap hit). There were apparently three teams in the running for him up until the end: New York, Dallas and San Jose
# The Devils also bring back Bobby Holik on a one-year, $2.5-million deal, six years after losing him to the Rangers on an insane contract. New Jersey gets a lot stronger down the middle with both Holik and Rolston, but both are getting up there and Rolston's deal in particular, because he's over 35, could be a problem if his production declines
# I took a bit of a dinner break and there were a whole slew of new deals, courtesy of TSN:
- Toronto signed Niklas Hagman to a four-year contract at $12-million
- The Rangers re-signed Michal Rozsival to a four-year deal at $20-million and Patrick Rissmiller to an undisclosed deal
- Vancouver Canucks signed Darcy Hordichuk to a two-year deal
- Philadelphia signed Nate Raduns to a one-year deal and Glen Metropolit to a two-year deal
- New Jersey signed Brian Rolston to a four-year deal at $20-million
# Philadelphia has signed Finnish defenceman Ossi Vaananen out of the Swedish league for one year at $1-million. Vaananen played in the NHL prior to last season with Phoenix and Colorado
# Columbus gets on the board, signing Mike Commodore to a five-year, $18.75-million deal. The Blue Jackets still need a puck-moving defender, but this is a decent pickup

Hossa and Sundin are still the big fish out there. Many rumors about Sundin today, but strangely quiet on the Hossa front.

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:23 pm

Canucks sign former Blue Ryan Johnson..he won't score many points but he's a damn good player and you could argue that next to Boyes last season, he was the Blues MVP...

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:42 pm

Yay for the Flyers signing another big, slow physical defensemen, even if this one is european.

The Flyers roster is screaming for a 2nd pair defensemen who skates well and play on the 2nd PP unit. I guess with prices where they are they just can't afford it. A little depressing when your team's two main signings were both out of the NHL in the last 2 years.

Ron Hainsey is still out there though. May be the best defensemen left.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:19 pm

Looks like S. Avery will be new Star

.

M. Hossa finally decides to go for the Wings. 7.4 for a year. Not bad.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:28 pm

10spro wrote:Looks like S. Avery will be new Star .

M. Hossa finally decides to go for the Wings. 7.4 for a year. Not bad.

I don't get the one-year Hossa deal. Edmonton had $72 million on the table for him -- $9 million per year for eight years. And other teams had multi-year deals at $8 million per.

And he goes for one year at $7.4 million?

It's one thing to go to the defending Cup champions in hopes to get your name on the mug for the first time. That's admirable.

But what if Hossa slumps next season, which is possible with the array of offensive talent in Detroit, and scores "only" 25 to 30 goals? His market value will drop considerably, and he won't get the kind of money he was being offered by other teams.

Still, this is a great move for Detroit. The addition of Hossa, Conklin as a backup goalie and re-signing Stuart makes the Wings a strong, strong favorite to repeat next season. Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Rafalski, Holmstrom, Franzen, Osgood and now Hossa on one roster -- that's almost criminal. The Wings have no weaknesses.

Plus Detroit is a good fit for Hossa. From everything I've read, he's much more of a follower than a leader. Not a vocal guy, and not a guy who wants to be counted on as the most potent offensive force on the team. He had Kovalchuk to do that in Atlanta and Alfredsson to carry that mantle in Ottawa. Now he has Zetterberg and Datsyuk to carry the heavy weight in Detroit while he "quietly" pops in 40 or more goals.

Ugh!

So, in front of whom does the Oil thrust Daryl Katz's millions now? Sundin never has been in the equation but may now. Jagr, perhaps?

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:38 pm

Glencross signs with F*CKING Calgary.

Will the Oil have anyone on their roster who will even attempt to throw a check next season other than Moreau, Souray, Staios and Stortini? I know Detroit won the Cup without a goon, but hell, at least the Wings had a few guys who could hit.

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:07 pm

pk500 wrote:
10spro wrote:Looks like S. Avery will be new Star .

M. Hossa finally decides to go for the Wings. 7.4 for a year. Not bad.
I don't get the one-year Hossa deal. Edmonton had $72 million on the table for him -- $9 million per year for eight years. And other teams had multi-year deals at $8 million per.

And he goes for one year at $7.4 million?

It's one thing to go to the defending Cup champions in hopes to get your name on the mug for the first time. That's admirable.

But what if Hossa slumps next season, which is possible with the array of offensive talent in Detroit, and scores "only" 25 to 30 goals? His market value will drop considerably, and he won't get the kind of money he was being offered by other teams.

Still, this is a great move for Detroit. The addition of Hossa, Conklin as a backup goalie and re-signing Stuart makes the Wings a strong, strong favorite to repeat next season. Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Rafalski, Holmstrom, Franzen, Osgood and now Hossa on one roster -- that's almost criminal. The Wings have no weaknesses.

Plus Detroit is a good fit for Hossa. From everything I've read, he's much more of a follower than a leader. Not a vocal guy, and not a guy who wants to be counted on as the most potent offensive force on the team. He had Kovalchuk to do that in Atlanta and Alfredsson to carry that mantle in Ottawa. Now he has Zetterberg and Datsyuk to carry the heavy weight in Detroit while he "quietly" pops in 40 or more goals.

Ugh!

So, in front of whom does the Oil thrust Daryl Katz's millions now? Sundin never has been in the equation but may now. Jagr, perhaps?

Take care,
PK

It's my understanding that there is a deal under the table and that Hossa will sign long term with the Wings after next season. I assume it's somehow a cap related decision.

Tim

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:09 pm

Interesting, Tim. Thanks.

Then again, if Hossa scores 70 next season, can you imagine the kind of cash the Leafs or Rangers would throw at him July 1, 2009?

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:36 pm

pk500 wrote:Interesting, Tim. Thanks.

Then again, if Hossa scores 70 next season, can you imagine the kind of cash the Leafs or Rangers would throw at him July 1, 2009?

Take care,
PK

Well my Blues should be in the running for the John Tavares sweepstakes. I know that Hedman is the #1 ranked prospect right now but I imagine that Tavares will rebound and take the #1 spot over by the midseason rankings. Regardless...with the additions of TJ Oshie and Patrik Berglund i'm excited with the youth movement and wish the season was starting tomorrow. I've been waiting for Oshie to don the Bluenote for three years.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:40 pm

Also GM Ken Holland was insistent that no one earn more money than six-time Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom in his team.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:28 pm

10spro wrote:Also GM Ken Holland was insistent that no one earn more money than six-time Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom in his team.

As it should be. Not that this needed any verification, but the last two days further cemented Ken Holland's reputation as the best general manager in the NHL -- by a mile.

Take care,
PK

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:55 pm

I should be extremely happy the Pens have locked up Malkin, Fluery, and Orpik long term to go with Crosby, Gonchar, and Whitney. Throw in Staal and that is a heck of a nucleus. Why does this offseason seem like such a downer then? Malone, Roberts, Rutuu, Laraque, etc. are expendable given the cap but Hossa signing within ballpark of what the Pens were offering (and not even allowing them to compete on a one-year deal) is a kick in the balls.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 4:20 pm

Hossa is the only one about whom you should be bummed, Leebo.

Malone is an overrated and now overpaid plumber, Roberts is 93 years old and at the end of the line, pests like Ruutu are available, such as Matt Cooke, and Big Georgie is getting a bit overpriced for his limited skills. Plus someone in here made the apt point that Detroit won the Cup without a goon.

Still, it would have been very nice for the Pens if Hossa stayed on for another year.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 4:34 pm

At the same time Hossa's decision to just sign for a year is a huge gamble for himself. He may break a leg what not and all that money that he could have earned is gone. EDM had apparently a nice long term package that would have paid him way more than what DET offered. But it works for both parties, DET will have to come up with big numbers in 09-10 to afford the likes of Zeterberg and Datsyuk, so Hossa's one year term works just fine for the Wings. Marian is taking a big chance though.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 5:52 pm

I will really miss Nazzy as he heads to Broadway. A quality guy, he's got all kind of records in Vancouver. His numbers have been in decline since Bertuzzi left town but with the possibility of Sundin coming over I was hoping that he would resign. If Mats doesn't play anymore, (and I have my reservations about the Swede) I think Canucks better start a rebuilding process as help for our anemic offense seems to dwindle everyday. If so, let's start the J. Tavares sweepstakes. I am bummed.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 7:56 pm

Is there now no chance at all that Sundin will go back to Toronto? If that's the case, then I think his refusal to be traded at the deadline looks even worse.

vader29 · Post by **vader29** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:09 pm

I like the signings of Satan and Fedotenko to one year deals for the Pens, Satan has always played well against us so it will be nice to have him here playing on a line with Crosby or Malkin.

Rumor is that Jagr may sign with the Pens also if they can clear some cap space with a possible trade of Daryl Sydor.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 10:10 pm

vader29 wrote:Rumor is that Jagr may sign with the Pens also if they can clear some cap space with a possible trade of Daryl Sydor.

Are you sure that's a good move for the Pens' dressing room? One of the knocks on Jagr during his career -- other than his early years with Mario -- is that he must be THE MAN on any team he plays. He must be the top guy, the center of attention.

That's simply not going to happen in a dressing room that features Crosby and Malkin. It's one of the reasons Jagr became disenchanted this season in New York, as Rangers' management treated Drury and Gomez like the guys who were going to lead them to the promised pucks' land upon their arrival last summer and during their respective slow starts during the season. Meanwhile, Jagr became sort of a forgotten man, and he sulked.

Can Jagr live as a talented member of the supporting cast in Pittsburgh? Maybe Mario can coddle him, but I have my doubts.

Take care,
PK

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:17 am

Jagr to Russia. Good.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08186/894842-100.stm

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:22 am

Leebo33 wrote:Jagr to Russia. Good.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08186/894842-100.stm

Which only further reinforces my point that Jagr's ego refuses to let him play any kind of a supporting role, even if he could win a Cup.

Too bad. I wouldn't have minded him for two years in Edmonton, playing with his good Czech buddy Hemsky. Plus he would have been the man in Edmonton.

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 3:29 pm

Vancouver acquires Steve Bernier from the Sabres for a 2nd and 3rd rounder. Interesting the Sabres would let Bernier go..

Tim

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 2:39 pm

www.puckhogblog.com

my new blog.

and jagr is gone. sad. he can still play. bet hew scores 2pts per game in russia.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 2:41 pm

who would take sydor?

i see a buyout coming....

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:18 pm

Pens signed their Jarkko Ruutu replacement today, Matt Cooke.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=242603& ... lines_main

Solid signing. Cookie is a Ruutu clone -- a pest, annoying, mouthy guy who hustles every shift.

Take care,
PK