The Official 2007 NHL Off-season Transactions Thread

Post by **batdad** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:55 pm

Zubrus is a good signing. He will play well with Elias. If Elias stays there...

Systemfel · Post by **Systemfel** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 12:57 am

batdad wrote:Zubrus is a good signing. He will play well with Elias. If Elias stays there...

Elias is signed until 2013 and I'm pretty sure he has a NTC. Besides, I doubt Lou is looking to trade him.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 1:12 am

Brad Stuart to the Kings. 1 year deal for $3.5M.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=212663&hubname=

And the Oilers have issued a statement about Nylander. Very interesting!

http://oilers.nhl.com/team/app/?service ... eid=327124

Post by **CatchUp** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 3:26 am

bruins72 wrote:Brad Stuart to the Kings. 1 year deal for $3.5M.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=212663&hubname=

And the Oilers have issued a statement about Nylander. Very interesting!

http://oilers.nhl.com/team/app/?service ... eid=327124

Dang! I was pulling for Stuart in Montreal.

Nice deal though - finally seems like a reasonable dollar value for what he brings.

and as for Nylander, it looks like K-Lowe is going to throw the book at him. Awesome.

I wonder when the league steps into this...

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 3:34 am

It sounds like Stuart's wife wanting to be on the West Coast had a big part in this. Stuart could've gotten more money and a longer contract otherwise.

I'm curious to see what happens with the Nylander/Edmonton situation. If the Oilers have something in writing as they claim, I would think they could claim breach of contract. If it's just a fax from Nylander's agent saying "Yeah, those numbers sound good to us", it's not going to hold up.

Post by **Shadd666** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 11:52 am

CatchUp wrote:Dang! I was pulling for Stuart in Montreal.

Boah, you have an overpaid Hamrlik instead

As for Nylander, according to Bettman's "strategy" for the league, he'll end in the biggest market of the two... Oilers... Capitals... Hmm

Both suck!

Anyhow, not cool to break an agreement this way... If the guy doesn't get cooler, maybe Mr. Lowe will send him Carlito

crosby87 · Post by **crosby87** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 1:29 pm

Surely he'll stay in Washington, if only so the Caps can have a centre for Ovechkin!

CrockerNHL · Post by **CrockerNHL** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 2:19 pm

In a case of Nylander, there might be a place for another "Lindros saga" there in the makings...or probably K.Lowe just needed a "cover" for his inability to land his man.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 4:22 pm

I don't understand what the Oiler's options are. I understand what happened, but what can they do? Is there a way for them to force Nylander to play for them? Then again, why would they want a player on their team that didn't want to play for them after all?

Post by **batdad** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:56 pm

Can't force Nylander to play for bthem. Even if they had a lawsuit the courts usually will not tie personal service in as a result. So no way the courts could force Nylander to Edmonton. Washington has nothing to do with this.

Look...Mike Gillis is a notorious prick of an agent...Pavel Bure, and a few others. Lowe is taking a crack at getting his ass decertified. GM's hate Gillis. Ask Burkey about him. This is all designed to have 29 (possibly 30, since McPhee and Burke are buddies) go after the NHLPA to decertify Gillis, and maybe the Oilers get some $ from him. Tis all.

Anyway, that proves the the massive rumours about Nylander going to Edmonton for 5.5 mill were correct. Edmonton journalists were reporting it everywhere,and it even appeared on this board.

Oh and Systemfel---There are rumours out there that Sweet Lou is looking at shaking up the Devils now that he has lost Scott Gomez, and BRian Rafalski. It has been said Elias would be willing to waive the NTC to get out of the trap and try something new as well..so who knows. If Wayne got dealt, me thinks Elias can get dealt.

Systemfel · Post by **Systemfel** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 6:56 pm

batdad wrote:Oh and Systemfel---There are rumours out there that Sweet Lou is looking at shaking up the Devils now that he has lost Scott Gomez, and BRian Rafalski. It has been said Elias would be willing to waive the NTC to get out of the trap and try something new as well..so who knows. If Wayne got dealt, me thinks Elias can get dealt.

If Elias doesn't like the trap, he could have signed that $7.5M a year contract offer he got from the Rangers last summer to spend some time playing with that Jagr guy.

And b) Lou just lost his No. 1 center and his No. 1 d-man, so it really wouldn't make sense to get rid of his No. 1 LW and captain.

Post by **CatchUp** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 7:05 pm

So after the Habs made another minor signing today, I'm finding myself running all over the net defending the moves from rabid Habs fans that wanted to see us land Smyth or Gomez, etc. While I am a Habs fan, I like to think I'm a realistic one. Deep down, I knew we weren't getting any of those top tier guys over the weekend. Why? Because we're not there yet. Plain and simple. The Habs are not at the point where one player would put them over the top and into immediate contention for the Cup. That's where the problem came in when trying to sign Smyth at least. In his post-signing presser he specifically mentioned that Montreal made a "huge pitch" - that indicates to me that they at least matched the Avs' money. So what made him choose Colorado? Sakic and the fact that they in are in a position to go deep in the playoffs now - if Theo doesn't loose any more hair.

Anyway, regardless of Gainey's ability to attract the top tier guys he has improved his team. 5 on 5 was the worst area for the Habs last season and Gainey's three signee's all address that issue.

Souray out, Hamrlik in - Not much needs to be said here. A definite upgrade. Hamrlik doesn't have Souray's shot but he has decent enough offensive ability and his D is solid. Unlike Sheldon "The Pylon" Souray.

Bonk out, Smolinski in - I never liked Bonk in Montreal so I'm glad to see him walk. Smolinski brings solid 5 on 5 play, can PK and PP. Smoke has more offense then Bonk and is equally defensively sound, so I'll call that an upgrade as well. I like the 1 year deal here too - if it doesn't work out - see ya!

Johnson out, KOSTOPOULOS in - I always hated Johnson too - mostly because I'll always see him in a Laffs jersey. I haven't seen or heard much about KOSTOPOULOS - but he's old, has never broken 22 points in the NHL, and has a totally sweet name. I'm not sure his name and basically AHL experience are worth $900,000/yr but we'll see I guess.

All in all, I'd say we're marginally better than last year. Trades anyone?

Post by **batdad** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 7:20 pm

Totally agree with your assessment there CatchUp. But Hamrlik? Cost way toooooooo much money....crazy.

Oh and for those who are still thinking Elias is absolutely not going anywhere, and that Lou has no intention of moving him. Not saying it is going to happen, saying it is possible, and appears Lou is thinking about it in several different sources.

1. Read today's Vancouver Province Tony Gallagher article..tis online

2. Read Eklund who has the Nucks/Devils discussing a deal for Elias as well. Ew,,, now I know Elias ain't going anywhere. Goof even discusses a move of Brodeur. Spector even mentions a move for Elias as possible, though not for the rumoured Morrison/Cooke package. Ohlund instead (also highly unlikely since in this case both Ohly and Elias have NTC's)

3. Read NJ board at HF which has Lou thinking about a major shakeup. IN a couple of threads....

Post by **getzlaf15** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 10:50 pm

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=212856&hubname=nhl

Guerin to the Islanders, still rubbish though, sorry isles fans, but DiPietro may as well be in net for an AHL team, they need some more signings like Guerin.

$4.5 million a year, a lot of money, but they have plenty to spend.

Post by **batdad** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 10:52 pm

Guerin is a fishstick...Good...I hate the Isles cause they are stupid. And I hate Guerin cause he only cares about himself, not his team or teammates. Perfect match. Wish Wang had signed him to 10 years though.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 10:55 pm

Hmmm... I'm not so sure I would've signed him to that kind of deal. $4.5M per year for 2 years. He'll be 38 when his contract is up. He was great in the regular season but disappeared in the playoffs. Was he running out of steam? What about next summer? What does the free agent market look like then? They might wish they had that $4.5M then.

Post by **getzlaf15** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:19 am

Hasek resigns with the Red Wings

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=212899&hubname=

and Comrie to the Islanders, only 1 year for $3.375 Million

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=212877&hubname=

Post by **batdad** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 4:50 pm

Comrie wants to prove he can be a #1 center and hit it big in contract $ next year. Good luck Mike...Have not proven it so far, why would that change in Long Island? Bah...him and Guerin can have each other. Whiner. But those two just gave me a reason to cheer for the Rangers for the first time in 100 years. Oh wait, no not the Rangers...ick. Go Devils. Nope. Go....oh rubbish....running out of Atlantic Division options.

jackknife77 · Post by **jackknife77** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 5:04 pm

Oilers offered a 50 millions contract for 7 years to tomas vanek! Sabres in BIG trouble..

Post by **batdad** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 5:11 pm

Ah...Edmonton...must now overpay to get an RFA to town Idjits in Edmonton. Don't worry Vanek won't sign it...oh wait, not married is he?

Not really big trouble for Buffalo they have $...plus they dont' really care that much about Vanek. They have alot of talent at the wing position that is young still.

Vanek to Oil??

and if that $ value is right...Buffalo better let him go...4 FIRST ROUND PICKS> including possibly the one that lands them John Tavares. Cause the Oilers...they suck.

Kevin Lowe is on crack and should be fired.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 5:38 pm

The Sabres matched it. He's staying in Buffalo. His agent should thank Lowe for negotiating Vanek's deal with Buffalo.

Post by **batdad** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 5:43 pm

Yeah not surprised the Sabres matched it too much. BUt I would have thought hard about letting him go for those 4 firsts.

Systemfel · Post by **Systemfel** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 5:47 pm

Yeah, not a very bright move by Lowe, there was no way the Sabres weren't gonna match a Vanek offer after losing both captains in free agency.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:26 pm

The only reason I can think of that Lowe would try it is maybe he figured that Buffalo was coming apart at the seems. They had lost their top 2 guys and one of their deadline acquisitions (Zubrus) also left. Maybe he figured the Buffalo front office would take the picks and put them towards rebuilding?

Vanek is good but I don't know if he's a player I would give up 4 first round picks for.

Post by **CatchUp** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:49 pm

bruins72 wrote:The only reason I can think of that Lowe would try it is maybe he figured that Buffalo was coming apart at the seems. They had lost their top 2 guys and one of their deadline acquisitions (Zubrus) also left. Maybe he figured the Buffalo front office would take the picks and put them towards rebuilding?

Vanek is good but I don't know if he's a player I would give up 4 first round picks for.

I don't know about that...

I think this isn't Lowe's major move. Of course he knew Buffalo would match for Vanek - they just lost Briere and Drury. Lowe knew they had the cap space to accept the offer on Vanek and that the negative fan reaction in BUF would be huge if they lost their 3 best players in less than a week. Honestly, I think Lowe did this because he wants to step on toes now that he feels he's been screwed in the Nylander deal.

The NHL didn't step up and do anything to prevent The Caps from signing Nylander - the Oil had a deal in place and the Caps matched and there he goes. Personally, I don't think that's right. If the Oil had a verbal agreement with him they should expect that will come to fruition, without another team essentially stealing him out from under their noses.

The offer sheet is certainly not a popular weapon in the GMs arsenal. I sure the Sabres are bent at having to pay 7+ mil for a 23 year old kid. But that's what Lowe wants - he wants the other GMs to know that the gloves are off.