There aren't many more class acts in the NHL than Scotty Niedermayer, so I see no reason why you would punch him unprovoked simply because of his style of play
His play I respect. His cheap shots and dooshbaggery when playing the Wings I do not. Anytime the two teams played he turned into Chris Pronger light. THAT is why he can get bent...
[color=indigo][color=#000000] Good move for Boston. Horton is a young 50-60 point guy who will immediately help a Bruins team that struggled to put the puck in the net. Most Bruin fans I know would have been happy to get a few cold beers for Wideman so his departure is a most welcomed one. So basically all it cost them was the #15 pick overall and a 3rd rounder next year and they'll still have this year's #2 overall to take Seguin (most likely). Boston is also shopping Tim Thomas. If they're able to free up his cap hit they should be in excellent shape for a deep run next year.
Hmm You think Seguin is going to Boston? I know Edmonton is looking at taking him over Hall. I mean both are really good. I just know reading my local newspaper that they were in talks to arrange a trade or some sort of transaction to make sure both teams get who they want, so let's just say things could get VERY interesting.
Whoa, that's a pretty huge contract! Plekanec is a great player and Montreal fans love him, but I can't help but think that's a long, expensive contract for a player who still has a lot to prove.
Perhaps.....but MTL doesnt have much going for them in terms of firepower so it makes sense in that regard.
Hmm You think Seguin is going to Boston? I know Edmonton is looking at taking him over Hall. I mean both are really good. I just know reading my local newspaper that they were in talks to arrange a trade or some sort of transaction to make sure both teams get who they want, so let's just say things could get VERY interesting.
Yes, I think Edmonton takes Hall unless they trade out. That's just what my gut tells me.
Yes, I think Edmonton takes Hall unless they trade out. That's just what my gut tells me.
I'm living in Edmonton right now and that's the general consensus. They want him here and have tremendous faith in him, especially playing with Eberle hopefully.
In other news, Byfuglien was shipped with Sopel for Marty Reasnor and a couple of picks. I'm actually pretty surprised at the value that the Hawks got for a cap dump. I think Byfuglien will be a decent fit in Atlanta (or as good as anyone can be, I suppose). He's not the franchise player to build around, but he's a player that demands attention.
I'm living in Edmonton right now and that's the general consensus. They want him here and have tremendous faith in him, especially playing with Eberle hopefully.
In other news, Byfuglien was shipped with Sopel for Marty Reasnor and a couple of picks. I'm actually pretty surprised at the value that the Hawks got for a cap dump. I think Byfuglien will be a decent fit in Atlanta (or as good as anyone can be, I suppose). He's not the franchise player to build around, but he's a player that demands attention.
Chicago also gave up Ben Eager in the deal but they got Atlanta's 1st rounder and their 2nd rounder. That's excellent value for what they had to give up. Still a long way for the Hawks to go though. They'll still need to move Versteeg and likely another player unless they can move Campbell. A lot of Hawk fans are outraged that Byfuglien was moved but in due time they'll realize how great a trade this was. Dear Hawk fans, TRUST THE BOWMANS!! All you have to do is look at the Detroit Red Wing teams of the mid to late 90's. They know what they're doing.
Well the Award Ceremony was tonight and the results were as follows:
Hart - Sedin
Vezina - Miller
Norris - Keith
Calder - Myers
Byng - St Louis
Selke - Datsyuk
Adams - Tippett
Lindsay - Ovechkin
I have 2 issues (well, really one issue and an observation). 1) Myers winning the Calder really has me scratching my head. He was a distant third in my mind. I found both Howard & Duchene to be superior. 2) St Louis winning the Byng made me chuckle. Now that's not to say that he didn't deserve it to some degree, but he finished as runner up the last 5 seasons (4 of which to Datsyuk). This just screams of "lets throw the guy a bone".
Chicago also gave up Ben Eager in the deal but they got Atlanta's 1st rounder and their 2nd rounder. That's excellent value for what they had to give up. Still a long way for the Hawks to go though. They'll still need to move Versteeg and likely another player unless they can move Campbell. A lot of Hawk fans are outraged that Byfuglien was moved but in due time they'll realize how great a trade this was. Dear Hawk fans, TRUST THE BOWMANS!! All you have to do is look at the Detroit Red Wing teams of the mid to late 90's. They know what they're doing.
Well the Award Ceremony was tonight and the results were as follows:
Hart - Sedin
Vezina - Miller
Norris - Keith
Calder - Myers
Byng - St Louis
Selke - Datsyuk
Adams - Tippett
Lindsay - Ovechkin
I have 2 issues (well, really one issue and an observation). 1) Myers winning the Calder really has me scratching my head. He was a distant third in my mind. I found both Howard & Duchene to be superior. 2) St Louis winning the Byng made me chuckle. Now that's not to say that he didn't deserve it to some degree, but he finished as runner up the last 5 seasons (4 of which to Datsyuk). This just screams of "lets throw the guy a bone".
As the obligatory hawks fan in this thread, I am shocked they traded Big Buff. He was my favorite player on the hawks. But I do have to say if he was going to be traded, what a trade.
Now the interesting thing is to see how well Buff performs during the regular season, because if he keeps up how well he did in the post he will be a dangerous force in Atlanta. Not to mention Soppel, who is a great penalty killer.
Overall I am happy with the deal if only I think it was a great deal for both sides, Hawks free up some cap, get a pretty good forward, and a first and second round draft pick. Thrashers because they get a potentially great big forward (I doubt Buff is going to fade during the regular season) and a great penalty killer... and we all know Atlanta could use all the help they can get).
Now if we can get a good deal on Huet and Versteeg, we should be pretty much set.
Also interesting to note, Patrick Sharp on Eric and Cathy in the morning on the radio said "He loves Chicago, and he will do what he has to to stay here." and "I don't see myself going anywhere." And this isn't the first time he has said stuff like this, so I know their has been talk of trading Sharp, but I just don't see it. He wants to stay and I don't think the hawks would get a worthwhile offer close to anything like they did with Buff.
As for the Norris award, go Keith. Those seven teeth were worth it!
I have to believe the Blackhawk brass will explore every possible avenue to keep Sharp in Chicago.
Some signings today to report. Marleau resigns with San Jose, 4 yrs 27.6 million and they also resign Joe Pavelski, 4 yrs, 16 million. In my opinion Marleau got about 1.5 million per year too much and Pavelski about 500 K too much. For a team with no goalie and major blueline issues I would have expected them to save every possible penny.
Bruins resign defenseman Boychuk to a 2 year, 3.75 million dollar deal. Good move by Boston. Got a top 4 defenseman for less than what some teams were rumored to be willing to offer.
Coyotes resign forward Wojtek Wolski to a 2 year, 7.6 million dollar deal. I have to hate him because he used to wear an Avs sweater but he deserves the money
In league wide news, the Cap increase was made official today, up 2.6 million from 56.8 to 59.4. They also approved the assessment of major penalties for shots to the head.
Well it looks like Montreal will be looking at Dan Ellis as Carey Price's wingman in goal. Not bad move by them to get Dustin Boyd and Ellis for Sergei Kostitsyn. Ellis is a servicable goalie who can bear the load if Price is on a cold streak.
Also, Leighton was re-signed for 2 years at $1.5/season. Not too shabby for a goalie that brought them to the finals and leaves them enough cap room to pursue another FA goalie or even deal Carter for a big name.
Well it looks like Montreal will be looking at Dan Ellis as Carey Price's wingman in goal. Not bad move by them to get Dustin Boyd and Ellis for Sergei Kostitsyn. Ellis is a servicable goalie who can bear the load if Price is on a cold streak.
Also, Leighton was re-signed for 2 years at $1.5/season. Not too shabby for a goalie that brought them to the finals and leaves them enough cap room to pursue another FA goalie or even deal Carter for a big name.
A few thoughts:
- Just wanted to point out that the MTL/NSH trade was for negotiating rights until noon tomorrow. After that, Ellis & Boyd are free to do as they please. This was more of a "lets get Kostitsyn as far away from here as possible" move. Signing either Boyd or Ellis would make it a worthwhile though.
- 1.55 for a backup goalie is a little steep. Leighton's gaping 5 hole is too much of an issue to keep him as a #1 (let's remember this was a guy that didnt even have a job until late in the season). I think this was a knee-jerk reaction to the MTL trade as Ellis was the most likely candidate for Philly's goaltending vacancy. This just screams "safety net", which, may or may not be a bad thing depending on your point of view. Philly's hope is probably to land a starting goalie in the 2-3 million dollar a year range (Noon tomorrow probably cant get here soon enough for Flyer fan) and then ship Boucher off for something, keeping Leighton as the #2.
News:
- 21 year veteran Rod Brind'Amour announced his retirement today. Mike Modano & Teemu Selanne are expected to be next.
- Ducks send C Logan MacMillan to Calgary for RW Jason Jaffray. Conditional 7th rounders were also a part of the deal.
- Devils resign 26 yr old RW David Clarkson to a new 3 year, 8 million dollar deal
-Columbus acquires LW Ethan Moreau off waivers from Edmonton
- Edmonton also swapped D James Vandermeer for Coyote C Patrick O'Sullivan
- Leafs D Mike Van Ryan will miss the upcoming season still recovering from Knee realignment last October
-For anyone curious to this years RFA compensations:
$1,020,348 or below: No compensation
$1,020,348 to $1,545,981: A third-round draft choice
$1,545,981 to $3,091,963: A second round draft choice
$3,091,963 to $4,637,944: A first-round choice and a third-rounder
$4,637,944 to $6,183,925: A first- a second- and a third-rounder
$6,183,925 to $7,729,907: Two First-round choices, a second-rounder and a third-rounder
Over $7,729,907: Four first-rounders
*EDIT* Blackhawks unload Kirs Versteeg (as expected) along with Bill Sweatt to Toronto for Viktor Stalberg, Chris DiDomenico and Philippe Paradis
Free Agency is 3 wks old and no one's said anything so I thought I'd chime in on this:
NHL rejects Kovalchuk deal
Cant say Im surprised. The deal was way too outrageously obvious. It will be interesting to see how it plays out since there has been some precedence set but to a lesser extent.
I am a huge Devils fan. Starting from that standpoint, you would think that i would be furious right now. In fact, I have mixed feelings about this whole thing:
- $102 million for 17 years? Absolutely crazy. This guy better deliver the goods for 10+ years and we better get 2+ cups or it seems like a waste.
- This monster contract also ties up a lot of cap room, preventing us from possibly re-signing future key pieces for the team.
- Despite the first 2 points, I am still very annoyed with Buttman and the NHL. Why veto this contract, yet let the farce contracts of Pronger, Luongo, Zetterberg, etc. stand? It seems like bias against the Devils here.
There is a lot of talk about possible outcomes over this, anything from the Devils just walking away from the whole thing to a long drawn out battle between the players' union and the NHL. I think the sensible thing to do here would be for the Devils and Kovulchuk just sit down and come up with a more reasonable deal (less years, less money) rather than waste time and money in the courts. Here's hoping for some sanity in this.
I am a huge Devils fan. Starting from that standpoint, you would think that i would be furious right now. In fact, I have mixed feelings about this whole thing:
- $102 million for 17 years? Absolutely crazy. This guy better deliver the goods for 10+ years and we better get 2+ cups or it seems like a waste.
Scoring is something that's been missing for some time now. Granted the system had a lot to do with it but with the coaching change you can expect 40 a year from Kovy.
- Despite the first 2 points, I am still very annoyed with Buttman and the NHL. Why veto this contract, yet let the farce contracts of Pronger, Luongo, Zetterberg, etc. stand? It seems like bias against the Devils here.
Not a bias at all. It's the ridiculousness of the contracts last 6 years that got it flagged. Kovy would likely be making less than league minimum his last 5 years. If NJ had given him 11 per instead of 11.5 years 3-7 and added that 2.5 million over the last 6 years then I dont think the league says a word, despite the fact that it runs until he's 44 and he'd probably get bought out @ 38 to the tune of 190K per year over 12 years. To compare it to the Zetterberg, Hossa, Luongo, or Pronger deals is unfair.
There is a lot of talk about possible outcomes over this, anything from the Devils just walking away from the whole thing to a long drawn out battle between the players' union and the NHL. I think the sensible thing to do here would be for the Devils and Kovulchuk just sit down and come up with a more reasonable deal (less years, less money) rather than waste time and money in the courts. Here's hoping for some sanity in this.
A restructuring is certainly possible. There hve been reports that the NJ brass expect this to get tossed and perhaps they were just using it as a delay tactic to continue negotiations and keep other interested parties from making a better offer. That said, if the NHLPA, NJ, & Kovalchuk fight this deal, they'll win and the contract will stand. There is precedent (thought not on this obvious of a scale) and there's really no way for the league to prove the deal goes against the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The biggest issue (as you stated) will be how long it takes to sort this out. Jersey may very well be better served to just eat another 500K per year in cap room and make sure Kovy is on the ice for game 1 of the season.
Well yesterday I got back from the Blackhawks convention over the weekend, which was fun. There were a lot of new players there and there were probably 30-40 former Blackhawks there like Tony Esposito and Bobby Hull, which was great.
Anyways its confirmed that Niemi won't be back next season, but will be replaced by Marty Turco. While I am not happy Niemi is gone, I think Turco is a great replacement for him. Now the question is who is going to pick Niemi up.
Let me preface this by saying I DESPISE Marty Turco. One of the dirtiest players in the league in my opinion. That said, as a Wings fan I'm more than happy to see him 6 times a year. 8-16-5 lifetime vs Detroit with ONE career win @ Joe Louis Arena. The most shocking part of this move to me was taking a 1.3 million dollar deal when Philly offered him 2.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
His play I respect. His cheap shots and dooshbaggery when playing the Wings I do not. Anytime the two teams played he turned into Chris Pronger light. THAT is why he can get bent...
Hmm You think Seguin is going to Boston? I know Edmonton is looking at taking him over Hall. I mean both are really good. I just know reading my local newspaper that they were in talks to arrange a trade or some sort of transaction to make sure both teams get who they want, so let's just say things could get VERY interesting.
Come join us in the MTGSalvation chat ||| My trade thread. ||| My Personal Modern Blog: The Fetchlands
Perhaps.....but MTL doesnt have much going for them in terms of firepower so it makes sense in that regard.
Yes, I think Edmonton takes Hall unless they trade out. That's just what my gut tells me.
I'm living in Edmonton right now and that's the general consensus. They want him here and have tremendous faith in him, especially playing with Eberle hopefully.
In other news, Byfuglien was shipped with Sopel for Marty Reasnor and a couple of picks. I'm actually pretty surprised at the value that the Hawks got for a cap dump. I think Byfuglien will be a decent fit in Atlanta (or as good as anyone can be, I suppose). He's not the franchise player to build around, but he's a player that demands attention.
[Left Play Designs][Coffeehouse][DeviantArt]
Winner MTGS Weekly Sig/Banner Contest
Weeks: 37/85/87/94/135/159/160/226
Chicago also gave up Ben Eager in the deal but they got Atlanta's 1st rounder and their 2nd rounder. That's excellent value for what they had to give up. Still a long way for the Hawks to go though. They'll still need to move Versteeg and likely another player unless they can move Campbell. A lot of Hawk fans are outraged that Byfuglien was moved but in due time they'll realize how great a trade this was. Dear Hawk fans, TRUST THE BOWMANS!! All you have to do is look at the Detroit Red Wing teams of the mid to late 90's. They know what they're doing.
Well the Award Ceremony was tonight and the results were as follows:
Hart - Sedin
Vezina - Miller
Norris - Keith
Calder - Myers
Byng - St Louis
Selke - Datsyuk
Adams - Tippett
Lindsay - Ovechkin
I have 2 issues (well, really one issue and an observation). 1) Myers winning the Calder really has me scratching my head. He was a distant third in my mind. I found both Howard & Duchene to be superior. 2) St Louis winning the Byng made me chuckle. Now that's not to say that he didn't deserve it to some degree, but he finished as runner up the last 5 seasons (4 of which to Datsyuk). This just screams of "lets throw the guy a bone".
As the obligatory hawks fan in this thread, I am shocked they traded Big Buff. He was my favorite player on the hawks. But I do have to say if he was going to be traded, what a trade.
Now the interesting thing is to see how well Buff performs during the regular season, because if he keeps up how well he did in the post he will be a dangerous force in Atlanta. Not to mention Soppel, who is a great penalty killer.
Overall I am happy with the deal if only I think it was a great deal for both sides, Hawks free up some cap, get a pretty good forward, and a first and second round draft pick. Thrashers because they get a potentially great big forward (I doubt Buff is going to fade during the regular season) and a great penalty killer... and we all know Atlanta could use all the help they can get).
Now if we can get a good deal on Huet and Versteeg, we should be pretty much set.
Also interesting to note, Patrick Sharp on Eric and Cathy in the morning on the radio said "He loves Chicago, and he will do what he has to to stay here." and "I don't see myself going anywhere." And this isn't the first time he has said stuff like this, so I know their has been talk of trading Sharp, but I just don't see it. He wants to stay and I don't think the hawks would get a worthwhile offer close to anything like they did with Buff.
As for the Norris award, go Keith. Those seven teeth were worth it!
Some signings today to report. Marleau resigns with San Jose, 4 yrs 27.6 million and they also resign Joe Pavelski, 4 yrs, 16 million. In my opinion Marleau got about 1.5 million per year too much and Pavelski about 500 K too much. For a team with no goalie and major blueline issues I would have expected them to save every possible penny.
Bruins resign defenseman Boychuk to a 2 year, 3.75 million dollar deal. Good move by Boston. Got a top 4 defenseman for less than what some teams were rumored to be willing to offer.
Coyotes resign forward Wojtek Wolski to a 2 year, 7.6 million dollar deal. I have to hate him because he used to wear an Avs sweater but he deserves the money
In league wide news, the Cap increase was made official today, up 2.6 million from 56.8 to 59.4. They also approved the assessment of major penalties for shots to the head.
Also, Leighton was re-signed for 2 years at $1.5/season. Not too shabby for a goalie that brought them to the finals and leaves them enough cap room to pursue another FA goalie or even deal Carter for a big name.
[Left Play Designs][Coffeehouse][DeviantArt]
Winner MTGS Weekly Sig/Banner Contest
Weeks: 37/85/87/94/135/159/160/226
A few thoughts:
- Just wanted to point out that the MTL/NSH trade was for negotiating rights until noon tomorrow. After that, Ellis & Boyd are free to do as they please. This was more of a "lets get Kostitsyn as far away from here as possible" move. Signing either Boyd or Ellis would make it a worthwhile though.
- 1.55 for a backup goalie is a little steep. Leighton's gaping 5 hole is too much of an issue to keep him as a #1 (let's remember this was a guy that didnt even have a job until late in the season). I think this was a knee-jerk reaction to the MTL trade as Ellis was the most likely candidate for Philly's goaltending vacancy. This just screams "safety net", which, may or may not be a bad thing depending on your point of view. Philly's hope is probably to land a starting goalie in the 2-3 million dollar a year range (Noon tomorrow probably cant get here soon enough for Flyer fan) and then ship Boucher off for something, keeping Leighton as the #2.
News:
- 21 year veteran Rod Brind'Amour announced his retirement today. Mike Modano & Teemu Selanne are expected to be next.
- Ducks send C Logan MacMillan to Calgary for RW Jason Jaffray. Conditional 7th rounders were also a part of the deal.
- Devils resign 26 yr old RW David Clarkson to a new 3 year, 8 million dollar deal
-Columbus acquires LW Ethan Moreau off waivers from Edmonton
- Edmonton also swapped D James Vandermeer for Coyote C Patrick O'Sullivan
- Leafs D Mike Van Ryan will miss the upcoming season still recovering from Knee realignment last October
-For anyone curious to this years RFA compensations:
$1,020,348 or below: No compensation
$1,020,348 to $1,545,981: A third-round draft choice
$1,545,981 to $3,091,963: A second round draft choice
$3,091,963 to $4,637,944: A first-round choice and a third-rounder
$4,637,944 to $6,183,925: A first- a second- and a third-rounder
$6,183,925 to $7,729,907: Two First-round choices, a second-rounder and a third-rounder
Over $7,729,907: Four first-rounders
*EDIT* Blackhawks unload Kirs Versteeg (as expected) along with Bill Sweatt to Toronto for Viktor Stalberg, Chris DiDomenico and Philippe Paradis
NHL rejects Kovalchuk deal
Cant say Im surprised. The deal was way too outrageously obvious. It will be interesting to see how it plays out since there has been some precedence set but to a lesser extent.
- $102 million for 17 years? Absolutely crazy. This guy better deliver the goods for 10+ years and we better get 2+ cups or it seems like a waste.
- This monster contract also ties up a lot of cap room, preventing us from possibly re-signing future key pieces for the team.
- Despite the first 2 points, I am still very annoyed with Buttman and the NHL. Why veto this contract, yet let the farce contracts of Pronger, Luongo, Zetterberg, etc. stand? It seems like bias against the Devils here.
There is a lot of talk about possible outcomes over this, anything from the Devils just walking away from the whole thing to a long drawn out battle between the players' union and the NHL. I think the sensible thing to do here would be for the Devils and Kovulchuk just sit down and come up with a more reasonable deal (less years, less money) rather than waste time and money in the courts. Here's hoping for some sanity in this.
Scoring is something that's been missing for some time now. Granted the system had a lot to do with it but with the coaching change you can expect 40 a year from Kovy.
Quite the opposite. The deal as is allows NJ room to sign their future free agents like Parise. They saved 2.21 million a year in cap hit.
Not a bias at all. It's the ridiculousness of the contracts last 6 years that got it flagged. Kovy would likely be making less than league minimum his last 5 years. If NJ had given him 11 per instead of 11.5 years 3-7 and added that 2.5 million over the last 6 years then I dont think the league says a word, despite the fact that it runs until he's 44 and he'd probably get bought out @ 38 to the tune of 190K per year over 12 years. To compare it to the Zetterberg, Hossa, Luongo, or Pronger deals is unfair.
A restructuring is certainly possible. There hve been reports that the NJ brass expect this to get tossed and perhaps they were just using it as a delay tactic to continue negotiations and keep other interested parties from making a better offer. That said, if the NHLPA, NJ, & Kovalchuk fight this deal, they'll win and the contract will stand. There is precedent (thought not on this obvious of a scale) and there's really no way for the league to prove the deal goes against the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The biggest issue (as you stated) will be how long it takes to sort this out. Jersey may very well be better served to just eat another 500K per year in cap room and make sure Kovy is on the ice for game 1 of the season.
Anyways its confirmed that Niemi won't be back next season, but will be replaced by Marty Turco. While I am not happy Niemi is gone, I think Turco is a great replacement for him. Now the question is who is going to pick Niemi up.