Official NHL Off-Season Thread 2011

[racicot]

Quite frankly, I think it's a bad deal for the flyers. I also think that it was the owner pushing this on Holmgren, rather than his decision.

Mike Richards and Jeff Carter were the heart and soul of a team that made it to the Stanley Cup finals last year, and now they are gone. This team was built to win now, all they needed was a reliable goaltender (maybe Howard, Crawford, Halak level players), but now they have shipped out their captain and a leading goal producer and in return they have received very little immediate impact players. Wayne Simmonds is great. Decent third line skills with a great attitude and a big heart. Voracek, well, he scares me a little, but we will see how he develops. We saw how the last young Columbus prospect continued to rubbish out when he went to Philly (albeit a little older) in Zherdev. This year's draft is questionable at best, especially beyond #6 and really the draft is a rubbish shoot anyway.

Plus, Schenn scares me a little too. People just assume that if they are tearing up right now as a youngster, then they are a lock to be successful in the NHL. People just don't understand that unless you're a top 2 pick, you're really not guaranteed anything. Sure, Benoit Pouliot looked awesome at the WJHC for Canada and for Rimouski in the Q, but it didn't really mean much; he's a third liner in Montreal and would likely not crack the lineup on a team with a legitimate front 12. Look at Angelo Esposito, that guy took a drastic turn for the worse in the last 3-4 years after looking pretty good at the Juniors (I know he got cut the year before, but still). Plus, Schenn's performance in the WHL playoffs leaves a little to be desired. He was traded to the Blades to give an already great team a playoff boost, then he gets swept at the hands of Kootenay. Even when Schenn was with the Kings, I didn't think he looked that great. I know that he was still young, but look at what Skinner was able to do last season (even though he had more minutes and better linemates). Plus, I know he scored a ton of points in the WJHC, but I thought he looked absolutely terrible at some points, especially in the round robin. He would turn over the puck SO much.

In other news, Setoguchi just signed a 3-year, 9 million contract. Seems a little too steep for an inconsistent performer like Devin, but sometimes he does show flashes of awesomeness.

And the Markov deal....AWFUL. Just way too much for a guy in his 30's that can no longer be relied upon to play even half of a season, let alone the playoffs. 5.75 for Markov, 7.1 for Gomez, 6 for Gionta and 5mil for Cammy handcuff this team way too much. They will have a really hard time finding money to sign what they need.

[philou21]

I can admit when I'm beaten, I'm not a Bruins fan. You win this one Danny.

[batdad]

Racicot just rewrote everything I said on page 2. Outstanding editing job!!

[racicot]

Racicot just rewrote everything I said on page 2. Outstanding editing job!!

Alright, apparently he seems to think that if I say anything remotely close to what he said, it must be because he is an almighty source of hockey knowledge who I can only hope to be someday. I must not have an original thought. I must spend my days reading batdad's posts then restating them so that I can feel smart and included in these conversations. Don't want to sound like I'm "uppity" about things, but this is the second time he has mentioned this today.

Don't want to get off topic, but if Batdad thinks that I just like to repeat him, then he might need to check his ego at the door.

The ONLY comparisons that can be drawn between the two is that I mentioned that Voracek was questionable and that Schenn crapped out in the WHL playoffs. You had no mention of him playing for the Kings or of his WHJC trip. Your last three paragraphs discussed Bryz, LA and Columbus situation, which I did not discuss at all. In fact, the more I read, the more I notice that our posts aren't alike at all.

Oh and I talked about Seto and Markov, which you had not discussed. Also, we both mentioned players with Z names (you said Zhamnov, I said Zherdev, excuse me). I'll have to copyright Z's so I can have exclusive rights

[racicot]

Also, Brewer just re-signed with Tampa. A four-year deal worth about 16 million. http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369866

[batdad]

Dude you are taking me way too seriously. Jeez.

[racicot]

Dude you are taking me way too seriously. Jeez.

Meh, I know your type, you try to get reactions out of people. You're a knowledgeable hockey guy, and probably hilarious to have a drink with, but you also like to see how you can push people's buttons, have a little bit of fun with people on the forums and then play it off as though you never cared. That's fine. I get it. Next time you try to take a playful stab at someone, make sure you can at least justify it. Otherwise it's just lame. If you think that post is close enough to make a joke at, then you're delusional.


EDIT: Ryan Smyth rumored to be going to the Flames according to TSN

[philou21]

The Flames? darn I read not so long ago that he would like to go back to EDM and now he wants to go with the rival team.

[Danny]

I can admit when I'm beaten, I'm not a Bruins fan. You win this one Danny.

Bruins are never beaten. Outcheated, yes, beaten, never.

I must spend my days reading batdad's posts

That's a disturbing thought

[philou21]

Wow am I the only one really surprise by the Burns trade? I wasn't execting the Wild to get rid of him, now they got noboby who can take his place at all.

Ryan Smyth transaction was supposed to work but it seems that Brule failed a physic exam so the transaction has been cancelled.

[Jypfan92]

Sabres acquire Regehr, Kotalik and 2nd round pick (2012) from Flames for Chris Butler and Paul Byron.

[philou21]

Ottawa acquired Filatov from CLB for only a third round pick. Seems like the Jackets thrown the towel on him. He was a high gamble back when he was drafted.

[batdad]

Blackhawks win cup. They got rid of $7 million. Watch out for them next season. In particular watch out for what they do JUly 1. Ladd return? Brad Richards? What dman they going to get. Chicago has placed itself in an awesome position for another run. They were real close even this year. Just really tired. Watch out.

[Jypfan92]

It's quite sure that Brad Richards goes to Tampa. For him, it's not about money if he can play in Tampa, he loves the team and he will play with Stamkos. They would be tough pair..

Btw, did you notice how many regens Oilers drafted? David Musil, Dillon Simpson, Keegan Love, Brody Sutter.

[Manimal]

It's quite sure that Brad Richards goes to Tampa. For him, it's not about money if he can play in Tampa, he loves the team and he will play with Stamkos. They would be tough pair..

Btw, did you notice how many regens Oilers drafted? David Musil, Dillon Simpson, Keegan Love, Brody Sutter.

I think Richards comes to New York.

Lowe and Sutter were drafted by the Hurricanes not the Oilers.
Some other 'NHL sons' were also drafted
Vladislav Namestnikov, Dillon Donnelly, Adam Lowry, Alexander Ruuttu, Michael St. Croix and Sean Couturier

[Jypfan92]

Oh, I read just news where said Oilers drafted sons...

Smyth traded to Oilers for 7th round pick 2012 and Colin Fraser.

[batdad]

Colin Fraser to be bought out by LA, just like with Brule.

Mike Richards is bound for one of three places, none of which are likely TB. Other teams will have too much money for him to turn down. Florida may offer him close to the max. Because they can. Toronto is in the running, and if they get him...playoff team and Burke is a hero. Finally the Rangers will move heaven and earth to get him. This does not even take into consideration the craziness in Philadelphia. Nor does it take into consideration that the Blackhawks actually have money.

To think Richards is going back to TB after the way that he was treated there (I know different owner) is purely wishful thinking from a guy who I had no idea was a TB fan. TB does not have enough cap space to make an offer that even compares to what Toronto, FLorida or anyone else can offer.

He may go back to the state that Tampa Bay is in...but it won't be as a Lightning. I have heard the Lightning and Richards mentioned exactly TWO times. By the same guy here..who lives in Finland. No media guys here to my knowledge have even had that cross their minds. Except maybe Eklund. But he probably has Richards as at least an E2 to every team in the league, except Dallas..who has an E4. Ugh.

[JakeTheSnake]

Ottawa acquired Filatov from CLB for only a third round pick. Seems like the Jackets thrown the towel on him. He was a high gamble back when he was drafted.

This is a good move for both teams IMO, not much risk for either team. It was pretty clear at this point that he wasn't going to work out for the Jackets, too much baggage. For the Sens, this is a good deal. The team is so young and weak at this point that with his skillset he's bound to get a chance to run for a top six position and oodles of time on the PP. Hopefully he'll fit in and be able to get all out of this second chance he's been given.

Mike Richards is bound for one of three places, none of which are likely TB. Other teams will have too much money for him to turn down. Florida may offer him close to the max. Because they can. Toronto is in the running, and if they get him...playoff team and Burke is a hero. Finally the Rangers will move heaven and earth to get him. This does not even take into consideration the craziness in Philadelphia. Nor does it take into consideration that the Blackhawks actually have money

You're of course talking about Brad (not Mike). Where do you think he'll end up? Is Toronto the frontrunner at this point or do you think the Rangers will get him? The Rangers will probably have to move a lot salary around to fit him in if they can't buy out Drury.

[racicot]

Sorry if this is off-topic a bit, but capgeek.com has a great buyout calculator. It shows the cap hit and salary requirements if the player were to be bought out today.

Check out Bobby Lou's buyout...ugly.

http://www.capgeek.com/buyout_calculato ... uyout_d=27

[y2jericho]

Why would any team acquire a player with the intent to buy them out??? Should have just taken the 7th rounder for Smyth. Why take on a buy-out for no reason?

[racicot]

Why would any team acquire a player with the intent to buy them out??? Should have just taken the 7th rounder for Smyth. Why take on a buy-out for no reason?

Nobody wants to do that, however, I think Edmonton said "if you want to give us a 6.25 million liability, you'd better be prepared to take a teeny bit of cap space in return". Edmonton wanted to give them a bigger cap hit (in Gilbert Brule) but he was hurt, meaning he couldn't be bought out. Basically, Edmonton was planning on buying out fraser, but to sweeten the deal, LA decided to accept that burden.

[Manimal]

Why would any team acquire a player with the intent to buy them out??? Should have just taken the 7th rounder for Smyth. Why take on a buy-out for no reason?

Nobody wants to do that, however, I think Edmonton said "if you want to give us a 6.25 million liability, you'd better be prepared to take a teeny bit of cap space in return". Edmonton wanted to give them a bigger cap hit (in Gilbert Brule) but he was hurt, meaning he couldn't be bought out. Basically, Edmonton was planning on buying out fraser, but to sweeten the deal, LA decided to accept that burden.

It could also be because of the reserve list. That is why Philly included Rob Bordson and Matt Clackson in the Richards and Bryzgalov deals

[racicot]

Good point Manimal. That pesky reserve list is always a problem in EHM.

[philou21]

It seems that Bieska signed with the Nucks, no details though.

Kirk Muller is now the new head-coach of Milwaukee. Mtl has lost again a good coach and the only one who was speaking to the players too!

[batdad]

5 years 23 mill for Bieksa. IN comparison to what he would get on the open market, a decent deal for the Canucks. Normally I would not say this, but really the only dmen of consequence out there on the UFA market are Joni Pitkanen and Christian Erhoff. So...if that is all that is there, BIeksa would have at worst been the third best dman on the market, and would have commanded upwards of $5mill.

Yeah, Brad Richards. I would say that the front runners are Toronto, NY Rangers and Florida (just because of cap space). However...I heard something today from a source of mine, who is somehwat attached to the NHL>

The Philadelphia Flyers may be preparing an offer sheet for a young stud centre again. Much as they did a few years back to Vancouver. However...this one would be of much more signiificance than Kesler. Philly is apparently going to offer $10 million per, for 10 seasons...to one Mr. Steven Stamkos. If that is the case...and Tampa lets him go...then and ONLY then will Tampa be in the Brad Richards sweepstakes. MY guess though is that Tampa will figure out a way to match and stay out of the Richards movement. I believe this story has now been told on the radio by another friend of my source here in Vancouver (Doug Maclean knows my friend from hockey circles, I know him because we are buds)

Mike Gillis also said today he expects to sign Erhoff before July 1. Want a bet for 4.6 mill/year? Probably not as long a deal though.

Salo will not get done prior to July 1, but he will be back in Vancouver unless he decides to retire. Will be back once Gillis knows the hit on his other Dmen.

Really have a look at the UFA's for July 1. What a horrid year. WHen you have to hype Erhoff, Bieska, Ptikannen and Brooks Laich....you know there is not much excitement out there. A Stamkos offer sheet would make for a heck of a day though.