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

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:04 am

pk500 wrote:That's an insane deal for Malone. Absolute madness. He's no scoring 30 goals per year next season, let alone at age 35 or 36.

Is Tampa Bay using a different salary cap than the rest of the NHL? How the hell can it afford Vinny, Marty St. L, Dan Boyle, Malone and Rolston? Stamkos is on a rookie deal, so he's cheap for the next two or three years.

Take care,
PK

They are shopping Boyle...

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:08 am

tjung0831 wrote:Oilers send Stoll and and Matt Greene to Los Angeles for Lubomir Visnovsky....hmmm not sure about that trade from an Oilers standpoint.

It's odd, on the surface.

The Oilers need a top-six forward, preferably a scorer. And isn't the Oil paying (overpaying is more like it) Souray $5 million per season as the leader of the power play?

This deal signifies one certainty: Pitkanen's days in Edmonton are over. No offer will be made to him. He's gone. That's probably was why this deal was done. Still, Visnovsky is 31. He's in that range where the body can start breaking down, but he played all 82 games last season.

But the Oil also needs more toughness, so dealing Greene hurts. But Greenie is a poor man's Derian Hatcher. A slow, stay-at-home guy who would have flourished in the clutch-and-grab NHL. His lack of speed and agility was very evident in the fast-paced Northwest Division.

Of course, I'm REALLY bummed because my favorite Oiler, Stollie, is gone. But he must be stoked, because his girlfriend, model Rachel Hunter, lives in L.A. They own a house together in Hermosa Beach. Plus it was common knowledge among Oilers' fans that Stollie was on the block. Kevin Lowe didn't give him a strong public vote of confidence after the season.

Stollie is at a crossroads in his career. He had a horrible season last year after missing the last 25 games of the 2006-07 season with post-concussion syndrome. So either the guy will bounce back this year in L.A., or his career will be over soon.

I really hope he bounces back even though he's no longer in an Oilers' sweater. He's a quality guy, really decent, and he's good for 20 goals, 40 assists, 55-58 percent in the faceoff circle and excellent on the penalty kill when healthy.

If Stollie doesn't recover, this deal is a winner for the Oilers. Visnovsky for Matt Greene? I'd make that deal any day. But if Stollie recovers, then it's a much more balanced deal and could be a winner for the Kings, especially since Greenie and Stollie are both younger than 27.

This better be only the first of a few deals by Edmonton GM Kevin Lowe. The Oil needs a scorer desperately.

Lord, the opening of free agency is fun, isn't it?

Take care,
PK

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:24 am

tjung0831 wrote:
pk500 wrote:That's an insane deal for Malone. Absolute madness. He's no scoring 30 goals per year next season, let alone at age 35 or 36.

Is Tampa Bay using a different salary cap than the rest of the NHL? How the hell can it afford Vinny, Marty St. L, Dan Boyle, Malone and Rolston? Stamkos is on a rookie deal, so he's cheap for the next two or three years.

Take care,
PK
They are shopping Boyle...

Really? They just signed him to a big extension in February. If they wanted to trade him the deadline was the time to do so.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:56 am

Naples39 wrote:
10spro wrote:At least it's looking good on paper, but they have yet to address their main problem: In between the Pipes.
Not a big Mike Smith fan? I'm sure TB is thinking he's their man and not looking further.

He's supposed to be. I don't think he did very well after the trade though.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:13 am

Naples39 wrote:
tjung0831 wrote:
pk500 wrote:That's an insane deal for Malone. Absolute madness. He's no scoring 30 goals per year next season, let alone at age 35 or 36.

Is Tampa Bay using a different salary cap than the rest of the NHL? How the hell can it afford Vinny, Marty St. L, Dan Boyle, Malone and Rolston? Stamkos is on a rookie deal, so he's cheap for the next two or three years.

Take care,
PK
They are shopping Boyle...
Really? They just signed him to a big extension in February. If they wanted to trade him the deadline was the time to do so.

Different ownership group now. I'm sure there are plenty of teams that would love to have Dan Boyle's offense on their blueline.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:32 am

I would love a guy like D. Boyle for the Canucks but the priority is on offense and the big fish out there is M. Hossa.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:09 pm

two words for Tampa...

Rob Brown

two more words...

Warren Young....

and why get rid of RICHARDS then overspend on Malone?

fools fools fools

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:58 pm

Sudz wrote:two words for Tampa...

Rob Brown

two more words...

Warren Young....

and why get rid of RICHARDS then overspend on Malone?

fools fools fools

Hahahahahaha!

Somebody forgot to remind Oren Koules that there's a difference between Hollywood and the NHL. It's called the salary cap.

Big rumors coming out of Edmonton that Lowe may pull the trigger today on a deal involving Joni Pitkanen so the Oil will get something in return instead of losing Pitkanen tomorrow as a UFA. Makes sense, as there's no way the Oil can afford Souray, Visnovsky and Pitkanen on D.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:02 pm

Panthers re-sign Rostilav Olesz to a six-year, $18.75-million deal. Dude had 26 points in 56 games last year.

I know you're thinking the same thing as me: $3.1 million per year for WHO?

The NHL is heading down the road of financial ruin again with obscene deals going to nobodies and stiffs like this.

Take care,
PK

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:11 pm

pk500 wrote:Panthers re-sign Rostilav Olesz to a six-year, $18.75-million deal. Dude had 26 points in 56 games last year.

I know you're thinking the same thing as me: $3.1 million per year for WHO?

The NHL is heading down the road of financial ruin again with obscene deals going to nobodies and stiffs like this.

Take care,
PK

Disagree. With a salary cap tied directly to revenues, the NHL has a greater degree of cost certainty than any other major sports league in the world. Under the current system, it's simply impossible for a few free spenders to ruin it for everybody as in the 90s in just about every American sport, because then salary growth was faster than revenue growth. Now, salary growth is tied inexorably to revenue growth, which is an ideal financial state. At worst, this current system creates a great deal of parity in that no team can get too much talent on their roster.

The cap this year, as computed by league revenue, is $56.7m. Is it really that outlandish to say that a reliable veteran 3rd liner is worth roughly 7% of your team salary budget? Also, chances are, by the end of this deal this reliable 3rd liner will be signed for 3 or 4% of your salary budget. Not a bad deal for a team at all.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:28 pm

Naples39 wrote:Disagree. With a salary cap tied directly to revenues, the NHL has a greater degree of cost certainty than any other major sports league in the world. Under the current system, it's simply impossible for a few free spenders to ruin it for everybody as in the 90s in just about every American sport, because then salary growth was faster than revenue growth. Now, salary growth is tied inexorably to revenue growth, which is an ideal financial state. At worst, this current system creates a great deal of parity in that no team can get too much talent on their roster.

But the kicker is that the NHL generates much more of its gross revenue from ticket sales than any other professional sports league since its U.S. television package and corporate, league-wide advertising support are piss-poor compared to the NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAA or NASCAR.

So the only way owners can generate more revenue is to increase ticket prices, which already are high. And that isn't going to work well in a failing American economy, where people and companies are cutting luxuries such as hockey tickets left and right.

Just look at Detroit. The Motor City area felt the effects of America's sputtering economy earlier than the rest of the country since there's so much manufacturing up there, and the Red Wings suffered at the gate this year. There were a lot of empty seats this year in "Hockeytown," so many that Detroit doesn't merit that title anymore. But who can blame those folks? Food, gas and insurance or hockey tickets?

The soaring Canadian dollar is creating a mirage of extra revenue for the NHL. But when 24 of your 30 teams are based on and in a flailing currency and economy, those cracks can be filled by the high-flying loonie for only so long.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 2:10 pm

John-Michael Liles re-signs with Colorado for four years, $4.2 million per year.

I have no problem with that deal. Liles is a proven commodity that is increasingly rare in the NHL -- a good puck-moving defenseman. He's not in Campbell's category, but Campbell is going to get $7 million per season.

Take care,
PK

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:44 pm

You're right PK, in that my post assumes relatively stable revenue growth over the next few years.

Also, I was wrong about Olesz. He's a 22 year old who was the number 7 pick in 04. Apparently the Panthers believe he's ready for a breakout season and are paying him 2nd line money.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:02 am

Washington re-signed defenseman Mike Green to a four-year deal worth $5.25 million per season.

Excellent deal for Washington, considering Redden will get between $6-7 million per season, and Colorado just paid Liles $4 million per season.

Green is as good and younger than Redden, and he's much better than Liles. He's one of the top young D men in the game.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:29 am

Live free agency tracker to follow all the frenzied fun starting at noon (ET) today!

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=11353

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:46 am

Oilers send Raffi Torres to Columbus for Gilbert Brule.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:00 pm

tjung0831 wrote:Oilers send Raffi Torres to Columbus for Gilbert Brule.

Brule just couldn't get it going in Ohio as he was often playing on a third line, second at best. I watched this kid play when he was in the juniors playing for the Vancouver Giants, and with the youth they have in EDM, this kid will shine witht the rest. Not a big kid, but lots of skill and speed.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:13 pm

Oilers trade Pitkanen to Carolina for Erik Cole

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:15 pm

tjung0831 wrote:Oilers send Raffi Torres to Columbus for Gilbert Brule.

I don't get it. Are the Oilers trying to become "The Smurfs?" In the last two days, they have tossed:

-- Stoll: Not a hitter but willing to grind in corners and block shots.
-- Greene: A big hitter who will drop the mitts with anyone.
-- Torres: A human wrecking ball.

I don't think there's any question that as of 12:12 p.m. (ET) July 1, the Oilers are the softest team in the league.

Maybe management got sick of Torres' lackadaisical attitude and enigmatic play. He would take two nights off and then play his balls off the next game. Rinse, wash, repeat. Plus his knee might be more damaged that us civilians think.

Still, Raffi Torres is an NHL player. Columbus sent Brule down here to Syracuse midway through last season and then for the AHL playoffs.

This is not the big splash I expected on Daryl Katz's first day as Oilers' owner. But the day is still young.

TSN is calling this a salary dump of sorts, as Raffi is making $2.57 million per season over the next two years. Brule is making $765,000 per season.

Maybe this is creating cap room for the Oil to make a strong run at someone like Hossa. Wishful thinking, probably!

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:18 pm

Just announced: Oilers get Erik Cole from Carolina for Joni Pitkanen.

ME LIKEY! Oil now has two solid power wingers who are capable of 25 to 30 goals a year in Penner and Cole.

Take care,
PK

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:22 pm

tjung0831 wrote:Oilers trade Pitkanen to Carolina for Erik Cole

Long rumored trade. I thought Oilers could get more for Pitkanen. I like Cole's game but he is damaged goods after that neck injury a while back.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:25 pm

The Oilers are looking pretty good to me Paul. Torres isn't all that and Brule is someone that you still don't know what you have...it could be a homerun type of deal. Brule could thrive in Edmonton. Lowe is changing the style of the team...Skill wins in the current NHL. If I was an Oilers fan...i'd be pretty happy with what they are doing.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:28 pm

One nice thing about Lowe's wheeling and dealing is that a significant core of this team, including Visnovsky, are signed for the next three or four years.

The Oil needs to sign Horcoff to a new deal, but nearly every other top player is locked in for the next two to four years.

I still would like a pure sniper and a goon. Stortini drops the gloves with anyone, but he doesn't scare anyone. A team with this much skill, speed and small stature needs a guy who can deliver the message that his team won't be pushed around. Stortini can't fulfill that role.

Brian McGrattan is available, hopefully on the cheap!

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:31 pm

pk500 wrote:One nice thing about Lowe's wheeling and dealing is that a significant core of this team, including Visnovsky, are signed for the next three or four years.

The Oil needs to sign Horcoff to a new deal, but nearly every other top player is locked in for the next two to four years.

I still would like a pure sniper and a goon. Stortini drops the gloves with anyone, but he doesn't scare anyone. A team with this much skill, speed and small stature needs a guy who can deliver the message that his team won't be pushed around. Stortini can't fulfill that role.

Brian McGrattan is available, hopefully on the cheap!

Take care,
PK

McGratton was traded to the Coyotes I believe.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:33 pm

Naples39 wrote:
tjung0831 wrote:Oilers trade Pitkanen to Carolina for Erik Cole
Long rumored trade. I thought Oilers could get more for Pitkanen. I like Cole's game but he is damaged goods after that neck injury a while back.

I'm not so sure about that. Cole scored 30 in 60 in 2005-06, but that was a damn good Carolina team that won the Cup.

He's still scored 29 and 22 in the two seasons since his neck injury. That's still solid production.

I shed few tears. There were a number of times last winter where I wanted to pull an Elvis and shoot out my TV while watching Pitkanen play pin the tail on the donkey or patty-cake in his end. The guy is a serious defensive liability, although he is silky-smooth moving the puck from his end.

Take care,
PK