Official NHL 2013 Off-Season Thread

[philou21]

Lecavalier with the Flyers for 5 years. No surprise here, he's the tye of guy for that team.

[philou21]

Komisarek buy out by the Leafs.

[Primis]

I don't think Thomas will settle for Islanders. He'll become an UFA soon.

No, he owes them a contractual year if they say so. You don't just get to go home and sit on your behind if you have a contract and have it run out.

Now the Isles might let him out of it I guess (IIRC they have that option) but, they have the right to trigger another year on it form what I understand and... would be stupid not to if he's making noises about coming back. Because even if he doesn't want to play for the NYI they could flip him to someone else.

[Primis]

Lecavalier with the Flyers for 5 years. No surprise here, he's the tye of guy for that team.

God. How do Philly fans live with the entire roster turning over every two years or so...

[B. Stinson]

God. How do Philly fans live with the entire roster turning over every two years or so...

It's actually fairly relaxing . For example, the draft is completely stress-free, as anyone we pick will be traded away in a couple years anyway.

More seriously, though, it's rough. Personally, I've lost all confidence at this point.

[bruins72]

I don't think Thomas will settle for Islanders. He'll become an UFA soon.

No, he owes them a contractual year if they say so. You don't just get to go home and sit on your behind if you have a contract and have it run out.

Now the Isles might let him out of it I guess (IIRC they have that option) but, they have the right to trigger another year on it form what I understand and... would be stupid not to if he's making noises about coming back. Because even if he doesn't want to play for the NYI they could flip him to someone else.

The Islanders have already said that they won't enforce that last year of his contract.

[Primis]

So.... some serious, serious news and scuttlebutt coming out of DET for ya'll. After some serious soaking in of everything going on, here it is:


1.) DET will not buy out Bertuzzi or Samuelsson. DET wants to buy out Samuelsson but he's claiming an injury which would make him ineligile. DET doesn't believe him (nor does anyone else), but is trying not to rock the boat because it'd probably require a legal mess to resolve and that's not really DET's way of doing things. DET values at least the perception of player loyalty above all else (including remaining competitive). And DET drafting Tyler Bertuzzi was all the signal we needed to know Todd isn't going anywhere yet.

2.) DET is not going to sign a notable free agent. Holland doesn't have the "stomach" for it (see what I did, I quoted one body part when I really mean another?). DET was never seriously in the running for Lecavalier, and won't be for Horton, Clarkson, etc because Holland is balking already at the asking prices. Ken has still not figured out how free agency works in the cap era, and his supposed-successor (Cap Guy Ryan Martin) hasn't either (which is really bad for a Cap Guy). DET is apparently low-balling free agents pretty badly if you believe some rumors...

3.) DET is about to lose some scouts, and the words "serious shake-up" have been used. One doesn't need to stretch to guess this probably means new Stars GM Jim Nill is "raiding the cupboard" of DET's scouting. This may in fact even involve super-scout Hakan Andersson. No details but.... some scouts are gone, likely to DAL. Possibly more than even just scouts.

4.) DET, contrary to reports, apparently *did* qualify G Thomas McCollum with an offer to retain his rights and is also not cutting ties with Swede winger Dick Axelsson either, yet again giving him "one more year" to see if he can grow a heart and stop being lazy I guess. While some are fine with McCollum, nobody has an explanation why Axelsson (who was in Grand Rapids at one point and abruptly bolted back to Sweden because it required effort for him in North America) even remains on their radar.

5.) DET plans to not only retain Bertuzzi and Samuelsson (and Tootoo I guess), they're also attempting to re-sign Dan Cleary (whose legs may as well be broken) 3 years for $3m per, and probably not going to re-sign either Filppula or Brunner because both want too much (DET reportedly balking at $2.5m for Brunner, which is infuriating fans upon seeing that Dan Cleary number and well below the $3m we'd expected he'd ask for).

6.) DET has waived D Carlo Colaiacovo with intent to buy him out . One of only 2 defensive d-men on the roster. So instead they'll be left with basically a bunch of young offensive d-men. What could possibly go wrong?

7.) DET is reportedly still pursuing Iginla and Stephen Weiss, but it's unlikely they'll end up with either. To be honest, a lot of people think this is all just Holland "going through the motions" to appear to be busy but in fact he's too scared to make any move that has the least bit of appearance of being bold.

8.) There then will basically be no changes in DET from last year's team, good or bad. Same team that yes, nearly eliminated CHI, but also same team that maybe shouldn't have even been in the playoffs to begin with.

9.) Mike Babcock is probably unhappy, and may be seriously butting heads with Holland behind the scenes. Offseason after offseason he talks publicly about needing to add some scoring to the forward corps, and it never happens, and every offseason he publicly gets a little more blunt and cranky about it. There are growing rumors Babcock might leave for a job elsewhere and is frustrated with this regime's inability to provide him with the tools he wants/needs on the roster. Griffins coach Jeff Blashill is also probably loyal to Babcock (to the point where Blashill has even started to talk and sound like Babcock) so who knows there?


For those of you delighting in the idea of DET finally crashing and burning, you may finally get your chance. DET's young guys are quite good still make no mistake, but with no way to supplement and complement them it's likely going to be a waste, and Ken Holland is probably at the end of his run as his moves just get worse and worse, compounding on one another. Unless a sweet deal falls into his lap, he can't make one happen to save his life.

You guys elsewhere might get bits and pieces of this news, but this is the whole picture right now. It's a complete mess. It's been building for a while. Fans have been openly questioning both Holland's ability and confidence for a couple years now and it's grown and grown into a din. There was hope Holland might finally make a single good and solid move this offseason to solidify the team and to indicate fans might be wrong, but with the other moves even internally he's making most fans have lost hope. The only UFA he'll likely sign will be a Nathan Paetsch-type with NHL experience they can store in Grand Rapids for emergencies.

[nino33]

Looks like the Coyotes are staying in Phoenix http://sports.ca.msn.com/top-stories/gl ... ls-coyotes

[philou21]

Yeah they'll stay for how long now? That soap opera isn't over I tell you. Back for more in a couple of years!

@Primis, nice post. I haven't heard anything about all of that on TV or the internet. Samuelsson really acts like a total douche.

[CeeBee]

Arizona Coyotes..... 5 year max or until QC's new arena is ready. Mind you Florida could beat them to Quebec so maybe it's the Seattle Totems when the new arena is ready there.

[Primis]

Arizona Coyotes..... 5 year max or until QC's new arena is ready. Mind you Florida could beat them to Quebec so maybe it's the Seattle Totems when the new arena is ready there.

OK the thing to keep in mind here with all of this: The conferences are already unbalanced 16-14.

A West team is *not* moving East to make it 17-13. And while they could pull a Winnipeg and play in the wrong conference for a year or so with it still 16-14, I don't see longer than that and the league is not going to move Columbus or Detroit *back* west without a huge problem on their hands and possible litigation at this stage of the game (DET was in the East originally, got moved West, now back East, not going West again in near future without a huge fight).

More likely if PHX moves, they go to Seattle, Kansas City, or Houston, and stay in the West. If Quebec wants a team, they're going to have to contend with the league's desire to move an East team West first because otherwise I forsee possible legal problems with making the playoffs being tougher in the East long-term. When they realigned, I bet you they gave the East teams a guarantee that in the near future a team will be moved West in order to get them to consent it.

[philou21]

Read a rumor about Philly contacting Thomas. Who's surprised? Anyone? That's what I thought.

[Lazion]

Read a rumor about Philly contacting Thomas. Who's surprised? Anyone? That's what I thought.

Actually I really like to see this happen. Sign Thomas with cheap contract for 1-2 years, re-sign Gagne and trade Coburn or Meszaros for younger dmen and team is ready.. too bad that this is not what's in Holmgren's mind. I'm fine with that tho.

Kind of late, but as for Flyers rumours this article sums everything up
http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/6/ ... nhl-satire

[philou21]

http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/6/ ... nhl-satire

Nice find haha

Toronto will kick out Grabovski. Elias signed a three years deal and there's a good rumor about Seguin been traded to Dallas. Seems like Eriksson could be in the deal as well.

[philou21]

Big trade here! Seguin, Peverley and Button (?) for Eriksson, Joe Morrow, Riley Smith and Matt Fraser. Would have never guessed the Bruins would trade Seguin. Any thoughts Bruins fans here why they traded him?? Toronto fans are freaking out right now haha

[philou21]

Daniel Brière signed a 2 years deal worth 8 millions with MTL. LOL I'm not sure what Bergevin got on his mind with this one but this is funny. With this new small guy he needs to trade for 4-5 bigger ones now.

[Primis]

Would have never guessed the Bruins would trade Seguin. Any thoughts Bruins fans here why they traded him?? Toronto fans are freaking out right now haha

Attitude/maturity issues or questions.

[batdad]

Ballard to Minnesota. LOL.

Thomas it has been known for some time will be a Free Agent tomorrow. So...not sure where some got the idea he is still an Islander...(I know late to B72 party here...been busy dude).

Thomas is UFA July 5


Schneider to New Jersey...poor kid...still will only get 1/2 a season of games unless Brodeur gets injured. At least another year of being a tutee. Yeah I said it...too tee.

Luongo--Canucks have sent the owner, the GM and the new head coach to Florida to speak with him. Think he is happy? I think not. But...in the end he will play here. And no..he will not get dealt. Maybe bought out next year, but not traded. Contract is untradeable with the punishments for cap hits when dude retires, and the ridiculousness of it under the new system. But such is life for GM MG.

Draft--Steal steal steal....where is the steal of the draft? My heart says Nicolas Petan to Winterpeg. My brain says whoever Detoilet drafted in the 5th round.

Canucks...good on Horvat, bad on Shinkaruk. He is a space cadet. Good kid, but a space cadet. But Vancouver drafting someone from the WHL? Wow. First time in awhile.

Rangers-AV--GOing to be a real good team with AV at the reigns
Canucks-Torts--Uh oh. Not going to be a good decision. First Canuck Veteran in trouble with the man? If there was a pool...my money is on a bit longer shot than the obvious of Alex Edler, the twins or Burrows.. I bet KEVIN BIEKSA.

Jets--As far as I am concerned these guys had an amazing draft1

Morrissey is an awesome piece of business. Moves the puck,s kates very well and should be a top PP performer for them for years to come. Kid is all kinds of smart and sees the ice well.
Petan is going to be a playmaker...he is a good skater and extremely smart.
Comrie is going to be a stud goalie.


I do not know the other guys well, but these three alone....could be great finds!

Well done Winterpeg.

Seguin to Dallas...Eriksson to Boston. Good moves by both clubs. Matt Fraser has the most goals of any AHL player when you add in the last two seasons. Kid never stops working. Decent deal for both teams if Tyler figures it out.

Bolland to Laffs--LOL. Third line centre now. Not that good, but for mid level picks, okay deal.

What else? Hmm....Rangers put Asham on waivers today...Torts like him or not? Size, grit, mean....hmmm.... Can see him being the type of guy Tortorella would want.

Oilers--LOL...thought they were going to make a bunch of trades at the draft...Guess not.

[archibalduk]

I remember a few years ago when Seguin joined the Bruins, he was hyped as an NHL superstar in the making. He's been a decent player but, as many others have said, his immaturity and alleged partying is going to affect how far he goes in the NHL. Good luck to him, but I can't say I'm all that sad to see him go considering Eriksson will likely be a more reliable/predictable player for the Bruins.

Rangers-AV--GOing to be a real good team with AV at the reigns

I thought you hated Vigneault! I found the Rags an entertaining team to watch prior to this season (but it was pretty painful to watch them in 12/13); it's just a shame they've been so darn inconsistent. A fresh start is what they need, but it won't be the same without Torts' displays of anger from the bench. Maybe I'll shift from being a secret Rags fan to being a secret Canucks fan!

[Manimal]

I thought you hated Vigneault! I found the Rags an entertaining team to watch prior to this season (but it was pretty painful to watch them in 12/13); it's just a shame they've been so darn inconsistent. A fresh start is what they need, but it won't be the same without Torts' displays of anger from the bench. Maybe I'll shift from being a secret Rags fan to being a secret Canucks fan!

All the Rangers game I watched this year were pretty boring. No offensive idea, whatsoever. I think it is a good coaching exchange for the Rangers.
And you will always be a closet-Ranger fan! Just like Batdad and his purple kitten avatar

[Lazion]

Read a rumor about Philly contacting Thomas. Who's surprised? Anyone? That's what I thought.

Actually I really like to see this happen. Sign Thomas with cheap contract for 1-2 years..

Not Thomas, but Emery is heading back to Philadelphia with $1,65M 1 year contract.. I hope that he stays healthy. Good job Holmgren

[bruins72]

There's been a lot of stories (who know which ones are true?) about Seguin's partying being a big problem. I guess he was partying during the Toronto series so much that he should up in the same clothes 3 days straight. I've also heard about the B's hiring a guard to stand outside his room and make sure he didn't leave after that.

[philou21]

Well some GMs have fallen on their heads before noon today. Yzerman signed Filppula for 5 years worth 25 millions dollars?!? Did I missed something about him been a superstar? Also, Clowe to New-Jersey for the same contract, 5 years 24,25 millions. He scored 3 freaking goals last season and he worth 4.8 per season? Omg.....

[philou21]

Bobby Ryan traded to Ottawa for Silfverberg, their 2011 first choice, a kid named Noesen and their first rounder of 2014. Nice addition to Ottawa!

[Peter_Doherty]

Bobby Ryan traded to Ottawa for Silfverberg, their 2011 first choice, a kid named Noesen and their first rounder of 2014. Nice addition to Ottawa!

Good trade for both teams, i give the edge short term to Ottawa but long term i give the edge to Anaheim, but overall a good trade.