Official NHL Off-Season 2014 Thread

[philou21]

Kesler has been traded to Anaheim for Bonino, Sbisa and the first rounder of this year.

I don't know what to think about what this gives to Vcr. Bonino seems a good player but that's about it. Sbisa is alright as well. The first rounder is good for Vcr though since they need to rebuild.

For Anaheim though, I think it's a pretty good deal. If we look at the line-up they had before that deal, it's even better now. I just hope for them that the change of air will be good for Ryan. If not, Vcr will have the advantage.

Patrick Sharp could be on the market as well.

[Peter_Doherty]

LOL Nucks just gave a 3rd rounder for Dorsett... DORSETT.... im over the moon here.

Think Benning did what he could with Kesler, Kesler kinda tied his hands with his NMC only allowing Benning to talk to 2 teams basically...

[Manimal]

Darren Dreger is also a very good follow for updates/rumors. There's also a French speaker from Quebec who works for Quebec's French-speaking equivalent of TSN -- RDS I think it is -- who does a pretty good job, though for the life of now me I cant remember his name. Especially when it comes to things relating to teams like MTL, TOR, and OTT for obvious reasons.
I was a slower adopter of Twitter but man...

His name is Renaud Lavoie and he tweets in both french and english

I love Twitter, too. I'm following over 200 guys from around the world.

[philou21]

Darren Dreger is also a very good follow for updates/rumors. There's also a French speaker from Quebec who works for Quebec's French-speaking equivalent of TSN -- RDS I think it is -- who does a pretty good job, though for the life of now me I cant remember his name. Especially when it comes to things relating to teams like MTL, TOR, and OTT for obvious reasons.
I was a slower adopter of Twitter but man...

His name is Renaud Lavoie and he tweets in both french and english

I love Twitter, too. I'm following over 200 guys from around the world.

Renaud Lavoie doesn't work for RDS anymore. He moved to a new sport channel called TVA Sports (still QC). He got there for the $$$ and he doesn't have that much of a high reputation here. Most of the time at the end of his rumors he says that it's quoted from this or that guy so yeah....most of the time he takes the rumors from TSN and translate them in french.

[philou21]

Ribeiro buy out by the Yotes.

[jesterx7769]

Watching the beginning of the NHL draft could Oilers have worse luck at #1 overall picks? On one hand I want to rip on them for having 3 straight #1's and still sucking. However there wasn't a #1 stud in those classes, no Crosby/Malkin/Stamkos/Tavares/McDavid/Eichel. Instead they got a small center who is kind of coming around, a winger who is doing well but not outstanding, and attitude problem russian.

At the same time though it's easy to look back and see who they should have drafted instead over the years.

[philou21]

Pens traded Neal to the Predators. Wow, wasn't expecting Pitts to get rid of him.

[Peter_Doherty]

At a first glance it looks like Preds robbed them blind but im leaning towards Pens in this trade. I think Neal will be found out without Malkin and Hörnqvist is a really good player who has never had a real center, he might score a boatload next season. Add a depth forward and saving some cap space and you have a really good trade for Pens.

[philou21]

Yeah that's what I'm thinking. Hornqvist could be good with Crosby/Malkin. I also heard that Neal can have some behavior issues from time to time.

[Peter_Doherty]

Yeah that's what I'm thinking. Hornqvist could be good with Crosby/Malkin. I also heard that Neal can have some behavior issues from time to time.

Hörnqvist has been a solid goalscorer in a defensive Nashville without ever having a good center, now he gets to play with Crosby or Malkin... I think he might explode in the goal scoring, and even if he doesnt explode he adds some good two way play and doesn't take atleast 1 stupid penalty per game like Neal.

[jesterx7769]

I immediately thought Pen's won the trade. I've said before Neal is overrated, getting $5m a year to score power play goals with Crosby/Malkin.

The Pens basically get someone they can slot into Neal's spot in Hornqvist to save a little money. However its super weird to have a draft day trade not involving a pick

[philou21]

Jovanovski and Ehrhoff have been buy out by their teams.

[philou21]

Briere's adventure with MTL didn't last long. He got traded to Colorado for Parenteau and a fifth. I think it's a good trade for the Avs. I never liked the way Therrien used Briere this season and I think he could've done a better job. Before playing in MTL he had 1 pts per playoffs games played and now he's 116 pts in 124 games. That doesn't mean anything but still tells something IMO. I think Briere could've been more usefull in the playoffs for MTL with a decent ice time. I don't know what it will looks like for him in Colo but I think his experience will be good for the young guns and he could play alongside Duchene.

For MTL I don't think it's a good trade at first glance. I never really liked Parenteau and thought he was overrated simply because Tavares helped him put up more points than he should've done. I also heard here that he is not that fast on his skates so.....If they didn't had a place for Briere I don't see where they have a place for Parenteau in the line-up. I doubt P-A will be happy on the third line with an ice time of 10-12 min per game. Anyway, maybe Bergevin have something else in mind, maybe another trade that could clear some space for Parenteau or something like that.

[philou21]

Seems like the Habs also had a trade involving Gorges going to Toronto but he used his non-trade close because he doesn't want to go to the Leafs LOL

I would be sad to see him go but I think his salary is a little too high if Bergevin have something in mind.

[Peter_Doherty]

DAL trades Alec Chiasson, Alex Guptill, Nicholas Paul and 2nd round pick in 2015 to OTT for Jason Spezza and Ludvig Karlsson. #TSN

So basically it's Chiasson + 2nd rounder + average prospect for Spezza. I like Chiasson but this trade might make Dallas contenders. Weird decision by Ottawa to trade before Stastny signed a deal, would probably have gotten much better offers after Stastny was off the market.

[watts555]

DAL trades Alec Chiasson, Alex Guptill, Nicholas Paul and 2nd round pick in 2015 to OTT for Jason Spezza and Ludvig Karlsson. #TSN

So basically it's Chiasson + 2nd rounder + average prospect for Spezza. I like Chiasson but this trade might make Dallas contenders. Weird decision by Ottawa to trade before Stastny signed a deal, would probably have gotten much better offers after Stastny was off the market.

that being said, Spezza has one year left on his contract and he is injury prone.... I don't know anything about the prospects, but Chiasson is on the upswing and a 2nd rounder. Mind you, I think they could have gotten more, but he didn't want to be there and Murray wanted to make a move.

[Primis]

Jim Nill is a cold-blooded killer as a GM. So glad DET isn't in the West anymore. DAL in the next year or two is going to emerge as a power at this rate. God help everyone if Nill lands a major UFA piece today too.

Bruce Garrioch says OTT isn't done trading. Sounds like a firesale to me.

[Peter_Doherty]

DAL trades Alec Chiasson, Alex Guptill, Nicholas Paul and 2nd round pick in 2015 to OTT for Jason Spezza and Ludvig Karlsson. #TSN

So basically it's Chiasson + 2nd rounder + average prospect for Spezza. I like Chiasson but this trade might make Dallas contenders. Weird decision by Ottawa to trade before Stastny signed a deal, would probably have gotten much better offers after Stastny was off the market.

that being said, Spezza has one year left on his contract and he is injury prone.... I don't know anything about the prospects, but Chiasson is on the upswing and a 2nd rounder. Mind you, I think they could have gotten more, but he didn't want to be there and Murray wanted to make a move.

Big possibility that they have an oral agreement with Spezza about adding another year to the contract, not sure about that though. The prospects are decent at best from both sides, 2nd rounder might be good but i'm sure they could have gotten a better offer if they waited. They might have the hots for Chiasson like i do though, think he's really good actually.

Edit: Bob just tweeted this; "There is no contract extension as part of Spezza's trade to DAL. He is one year away from UFA. #TSN #FAF" That evens the trade out a bit, still think they should have held out until Stastny signed somewhere.

[philou21]

Good deal for Dallas. With Seguin and Benn already there it sure helps them alot.

Habs will not resign Gionta.

Yotes not resigning Vrbata.

[dave1927p]

yeah it was a nice trade for Dallas, not so much for Ottawa but their hands were tied I guess.

So I hope the leafs sign Boyle but the asking prices from these guys are ridiculous in the way of terms. The best moves made on Free agency are none. Only second tier guys are making it into free agency these days and end up getting top tier money for way too long. Teams have to build through the draft in a long term plan and only add the odd additional piece in free agency but sadly the Leafs have not figured this out.

I feel sorry for whatever team will sign mike cammalleri. Even stasny, he's a good player but I doubt he's worth whatever he signs for. No hometown discounts here like the old days.

[philou21]

I really hope Stastny is able to stay in Colorado. Last time I heard they were still talking so, fingers crossed.

Cammalleri is overrated. I never really like him when he was in MTL. Always blames the team instead of himself.


Habs signed Maholtra for 1 year 850 000. Good deal I think. Will bring some experience and I guess he the replacement of Gionta on the third line.

Edmonton signed Benoit Pouliot for 5 years worth 20 millions dollars!!! That's just ridiculous for that player.

[philou21]

Habs finally been able to trade Gorges. He goes to Buffalo for a second round pick! Nice deal by Bergevin I think.

I think Ehrhoff signed with Pitts. 1 year 4 millions.

Dammit Stastny goes to St. Louis!!!! 4 years worth 28 millions though. I'm not sure I would've liked the Avs to sign him at 7 millions per year. Anyway the futur still looks bright without him.

[Peter_Doherty]

Personally i think it's mental by Habs to force Gorges out, i can't see a logical reason for it.

[philou21]

Cost too much IMO. Gorges was a great 5-6 d-men and was blocking shots by the ton. But if Bergevin have something else in mind and need cap space (for Subban probably) Gorges was the one that needed to go at almost 4 millions per year. For a second pick it's a pretty good deal I think.

[philou21]

Cammalleri goes to NJ for 5 years worth 25 millions.

Michalek stays with Ottawa.

Seems like Mason Raymond goes to Calgary.