2007 NHL Off-Season Thread

[NickyL0885]

Well, now that the season is over, lets begin talk about Free Agency starting on July 1st. As an Islander fan, i'm estatic that Yashin was bought out. Frees up more cap room and the chance to keep both Blake and Smyth. Personaly, i'd let Blake walk and sign Smyth, Scott Gomez and the rumors of Daines Zubrus is not bad either. Thoughts?

[King Imp]

Keep your hands off my Gomez! :nono:

[Team_Ramrod]

ooooooo sorrrry, sorrrry.

There's a reason Smyth has already turned down 2 offers and hasn't bought a house on the Island while keeping his Edmonton home furnished and off the market.

My little guy is coming back home.

[TheGameHHH]

Gomez is as good as gone from NJ, trust me on that one.

[cougarjake13]

what free agent goaltenders are out there ???

[Tenbatsuzen]

I'm curious what the Rangers will do in the off-season. They've obviously got a good core, but they need that little something extra. They obviously aren't going to get a super-duper star, but they've got a great goalie, a good enforcer, Jagr, Shanny, etc... If anything, they need some good defensemen to help out Hank.

[El Mudo]

It's going to be a huge offseason for my Caps...


New uniforms, Nicholas Backstrom's coming to play, oodles and oodles and oodles and oodles of cap space, more than almost any other team, and a commitment to signing some good young veterans


I'm so excited to be a fan right now

[El Mudo]

Here's a list of NHL Free Agents (unrestricted) (http://proicehockey.about.com/od/nhlfreeagents/a/07nhlfreeagents.htm)


Hell...I'd take Briere or Drury here, although I'd much rather have Drury, and I think we have an excellent chance to re sign Zubrus, being as we weren't that far off in negotiations, and his wife still works here...or at least she did, and he was here for a long time

I don't think we can afford Sheldon Souray...but I think he will be the catch of the offseason...he's going to get a ridiculous amount of money


I wouldn't mind having Bryan Rafalski here either


Wow....look at the list of Wings:


#

Goaltender -
# Dominik Hasek
Defense -
# Chris Chelios
# Mathieu Schneider
# Danny Markov
Forward -
# Kirk Maltby
# Todd Bertuzzi
# Kyle Calder
# Tomas Holmstrom
# Robert Lang


If i were them, I'd start with Holmstrom and build around that


The only real decent goaltenders i'm seeing are Backstrom from Minnesota and Holmqvist from the 'Ning...Norrena is on there too, and he wasn't bad last year in Columbus

[Gvac]

I can't for the life of me figure out why the Wings would want Lang or Bertuzzi back.

They were the most useless bags of shit I have ever seen in the playoffs.

We tried to replace Shanahan with Bertuzzi and it was a disaster. He'll never be the great power forward that Brendan was, but it's an obvious need for Detroit.

Whatever goal scoring magic Lang once had, it has deserted him.

Of course I want to see Holmstrom back, and Maltby is still an excellent penalty killer. I wouldn't overpay for him, though.

We've got to get younger, so there's no way the Wings can re-sign Chelios, Schneider, and Hasek. Pick one and let the other two either retire or take a 1 year contract elsewhere.

[MHasegawa]

there is no way in hell Ryan Smyth is gonna sign with the isles, he's coming back home to complete the robbery. 2 draft picks, 2 prospects and our best player is coming back, Garth Snow is a moron.

[weekapaugjz]

what free agent goaltenders are out there ???

giguerre is the top unrestricted free agent goalie on the market. he will probably get a contract of 5+ mil a year. i can't think of any other top goalies off the top of my head.

[NickyL0885]

Keep your hands off my Gomez! :nono:

hahaha. There is no way the Devils can keep him. Everything I read about has Gomez going to the Isles. and Smitty aint going back to Edmonton. They couldnt agree before they traded him, what makes you think they will increase there offer? He said he wouldnt take a home town discount. Isles are the only team that will offer max money, everyone has said that. plus, he can be the captain here.

[weekapaugjz]

hahaha. There is no way the Devils can keep him. Everything I read about has Gomez going to the Isles. and Smitty aint going back to Edmonton. They couldnt agree before they traded him, what makes you think they will increase there offer? He said he wouldnt take a home town discount. Isles are the only team that will offer max money, everyone has said that. plus, he can be the captain here.

trust me, don't believe what you read in the papers...

[JesterOfSadness]

It's going to be a huge offseason for my Caps...


New uniforms, Nicholas Backstrom's coming to play, oodles and oodles and oodles and oodles of cap space, more than almost any other team, and a commitment to signing some good young veterans


I'm so excited to be a fan right now


New Uniforms? Have the decided on one yet, or are they still in the designing phase?

[spoon]

I've heard the Rangers are high on Gomez but really can't swing the asking price. As for Sheldon, the Avs could really use a tough D man but he isn't a spring chicken either. If they kept Blake last year, and they had the money, they'd easily have made the playoffs.

Anyone want Theodore for a bag of pucks and a stick bag? I'd love to move him not taking the hit, but it looks like that awful move will live with the Avs for another year. That being said, Colorado has a lot of room under the cap and I've heard Drury and Sheldon as the top names being thrown out there. However, I expect more mid-level moves like the signing of the Czech that led the Czech League in scoring last year, Jaroslav Hlinka. I've heard good things, but he has to adapt to the harder hitting NHL to prove his worth.

[spoon]

Oh and Backstrom reupped with Minn the other day.

[El Mudo]

New Uniforms? Have the decided on one yet, or are they still in the designing phase?



They're being unveiled June 22 at the Draft Party, which I still might go to if I can find someone to go with


there is no way in hell Ryan Smyth is gonna sign with the isles, he's coming back home to complete the robbery. 2 draft picks, 2 prospects and our best player is coming back, Garth Snow is a moron.


Its never a bad thing to deal prospects when you feel you have a chance to win....do the Islanders make the playoffs and push Buffalo without Smyth? I doubt it.

In that case...it was worth it...


Now, if you wanna deal Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips and Grady Sizemore for Bartolo Colon, like a certain guy named Minaya did....THEN we have a problem....

[flyersmanic]

I would like to remind everyone that the Flyers have 21 millon to spend this year. I think #48 and #23 will look good in orange and black.

[Gvac]

The Caps should bring back the classics

http://www.nhluniforms.com/1980s/Images/Capitals3.gif

[spoon]

Those are still ugly today, no go!

[Gvac]

Those are still ugly today, no go!

So you find red, white, and blue ugly, eh Spoon?

COMMIE!

[Gvac]

Spoon's favorite all-time jersey -

http://russianlegacy.com/catalog/images/jerseys/HJRS-001.jpg

[Fallon]

http://home.comcast.net/~bob80/New-4.BMP

[Gvac]

I knew it.

Where have you gone Senator McCarthy?

[spoon]

So you find red, white, and blue ugly, eh Spoon?

COMMIE!

Hey, I'm not the Russkinskaya Red Wing fan punk!

[Gvac]

Where have you been?

Hockeytown is under a new flag now!

http://www.faqs.org/docs/factbook/flags/sw-lgflag.gif

[spoon]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Super_League

[spoon]

I knew it.

Where have you gone Senator McCarthy?

Ask Mojo.

And that's y they can't win in the playoffs now with those soft swedes!

[El Mudo]

The Caps should bring back the classics

http://www.nhluniforms.com/1980s/Images/Capitals3.gif



Well the new unis will bring back the red, white and blue...


I thought they never should have changed from the old ones myself



I would like to remind everyone that the Flyers have 21 millon to spend this year. I think #48 and #23 will look good in orange and black.


Says here they only have 4 million (http://www.nhlnumbers.com/phi.html)

[spoon]

Read that a little closer Mudo, they seem to have around 14 million for the 07/08 season. You're going by the 06/07 stats. And if the NHL rasies the cap a few mil, they'll have even more room.

By that site, the Avs have ~ 15 million to work with before the increased cap is made and the Caps have ~ 24 million. Still, Washington had 14 million left to work with last year and made no moves to add some players so I highly doubt they go up to the cap limit. I'd expect them to take care of internal business first and make a move on support players and one big name D man.

Oh and if the Flyers go into dump money mode again like the previous poster stated with Briere and Drury and not establish an solid core first they'll continue this horrible cycle they're in. I could see Drury a little more, but Briere wouldn't help much at this point. That's like putting whip cream on dog shit when you need a bowl and ice cream instead first.

[spoon]

By the way, great find on that site.

[Kevin]

Here ya go my fellow hockey maniac friends (And Spoony) The 1st batch of many more to come!

ESPN INSIDER RUMOR MIL!
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Dominik Hasek
Red Wings Red Wings Hasek decision expected next week
Jun 8 - The Detroit Red Wings said Thursday that they expect to have an answer on Dominik Hasek's future some time next week.
"Once we know about Dom, it's like a domino effect," GM Ken Holland told The Detroit News. "But we need to know if Dom is going to play, for how much [salary], and then what are other free agents [are going to ask for]. We are in a salary-cap world."

Hasek, 42, made just $750,000 in base salary last season, but he gets an additional $450,000 for each playoff series the Wings win and another $200,000 for a Stanley Cup victory, according to the reports.

Hasek previously told the News that he and his family will discuss playing another season.


WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Mats Sundin
Maple Leafs Maple Leafs Sundin close to deal?
Jun 8 - After Mats Sundin received yet another confirmation that his hip problems weren't as bad as initially thought, the captain and the Leafs are coming close to a new deal.
Dr. Marc Philippon from the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo., confirmed that Sundin will not need surgery for a torn labrum in his hip.

With that news, both Sundin and the Leafs are closing in on a two-year deal reportedly worth $11 million. According to The Sports Network of Canada, both sides are still trying to work out the structure and actual dollar amount of the deal.

Sundin, 36, had 27 goals and 49 assists in 75 games this past season.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Jean-Sebastien Giguere
Ducks Giguere is Ducks' "top priority"
Jun 8 - The Ducks don't have long to celebrate their Stanley Cup win this week. Why? Because goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere is set to become an unrestricted free agent in less than a month.
Ducks GM Brian Burke said Thursday that the team's main goal is to re-sign Giguere, arguably the best goalie on the free-agent market.

"Our top priority now becomes to re-sign J.S. Giguere, to sit down with him and see if we can do something that makes sense," Burke was quoted as saying in the Orange County Register.

Giguere, 30, is set to hit the market July 1 and some teams will be looking to fill a need in net.

According to a previous report in the Los Angeles Times, the Ducks might have a problem paying Giguere. The Ducks' No. 1 goalie made $3.9M this season, but the team is set to pay Chris Pronger ($6.25 million) and Scott Niedermayer ($6.75M) big bucks, while a potential Teemu Selanne return to the team after a 48-goal season will cost Anaheim more money.

Dustin Penner and Travis Moen are also restricted free agents; they could get raises this offseason.

So, where does that leave Giguere? Roberto Luongo received a $6 million annual deal in Vancouver and some reports speculate Jiggy could command comparable numbers.


WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Ryan Smyth
Islanders Rangers?
Islanders
Maple Leafs?
Stars?
Oilers?
Avalanche? Latest on Smyth and the Isles
Jun 8 - Ryan Smyth's agent, Don Meehan, told New York-area newspapers Thursday that he and the Islanders had preliminary discussions about a new deal, but that Alexei Yashin's buyout would not have any more bearing on whether Captain Canada would stay with the team.
"The buyout is a consideration on a number of levels, but I don't think it's a critical or determining factor for Ryan," Meehan told The New York Post. "We have not yet had serious conversations with the Islanders, but Ryan will give the team every opportunity to sign him.

"He has not told me that he is committed to becoming a free agent on July 1. We expect to have conversations with the Islanders in the near future."

With Yashin out of town, many have speculated that Smyth would be a natural choice as the team's next captain.

Smyth, 31, was acquired from the Oilers on Feb. 27 for two prospects and a first-round pick.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Chris Chelios
Red Wings Red Wings Why stop now?
Jun 8 - Red Wings 45-year-old defenseman Chris Chelios still doesn't look as if he's ready for retirement.
According to local reports, the Wings and Chelios are close to signing a one-year deal.

"Nothing's signed, but we had a recent conversation and we're close," Wings general manager Ken Holland told reporters Thursday.

Holland added that if the team locks up Chelios, the Red Wings will look to shore up a few more defensemen and forwards, some from their own free-agent pool.

Chelios, G Dominik Hasek, D Mathieu Schneider, D Danny Markov, F Todd Bertuzzi, F Kyle Calder and C Robert Lang are all set to become unrestricted free agents July 1.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Michael Peca
Maple Leafs Maple Leafs? A return to the Island?
Jun 8 - With Alexei Yashin out of the picture, there are rumors swirling as to who might want to return to the Islanders given the Russian's buyout.
One of those players: Michael Peca.

The veteran forward and former Islander, whose rocky relationship with Yashin reportedly led to his trade to Edmonton during the 2005-06 season, could be interested in a return to Long Island, the New York Post reported Friday.

Peca, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, also played under current Isles coach Ted Nolan in Buffalo.

The possibility of Peca returning to New York all hinges on this week's talks with the Maple Leafs. In 2006-07, Peca played an injury-shortened season, posting 15 points in 35 games.

Friday, June 1
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Sheldon Souray
Canadiens Canadiens?
Kings?
Sharks? Souray mulling over Habs' offer
Jun 1 - After locking up 28-year-old defenseman Andrei Markov to a four-year, $23-million deal, the Canadiens have an offer out to another blue-liner, Sheldon Souray.
Montreal has made an offer to Souray, who is now mulling over whether to take that offer or test the market when he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

"We got the offer," Paul Theofanous, Souray's agent, told The Montreal Gazette. "It's May, late May, but it's still early, and we're just going to sit here and evaluate Sheldon's free-agent options over the next couple of weeks."

Souray had 26 goals and 38 assists this season, topping his 15 goals of 2003-04 and 27 assists of 2005-06.

Souray has said in the past that if the Canadiens make him a fair offer, he'd be willing to take less than market value to stay with Montreal.

If the Canadiens can't re-sign him, the Kings and Sharks are rumored to be leading contenders because Souray's daughter lives in California with his estranged wife.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Keith Tkachuk
Thrashers Tkachuk will hit market
Jun 1 - The Thrashers are letting Keith Tkachuk go ... for now.
According to a report from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, GM Don Waddell said the team will not offer Tkachuk a deal before the veteran forward becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1.

After that, the Thrashers lose negotiation rights, but Waddell said he wasn't against talking to Tkachuk after July 1.

I won't rule anything out, he told the newspaper.

The Thrashes acquired Tkachuk from the St. Louis Blues before this season's trade deadline in the hopes that it would help them make a deep playoffs run. Instead, the Thrashers were swept by the New York Rangers in the first round. Tkachuk was in the final season of his contract, which paid him $5.7 million.


Monday, May 21
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Daniel Briere
Sabres Canadiens?
Flyers? What next for Briere?
May 21 - As the Sabres made another early playoff exit, they now face some tough offseason questions.
Who will they keep: Daniel Briere or Chris Drury?

Early reports speculate that the 29-year-old Briere will be the one to leave Buffalo. The Toronto Star reported over the weekend that the forward will draw heavy interest from the Flyers and Canadiens.

Briere told reporters after Saturday's elimination game that he is "hoping" to be back with the Sabres. "But, at this point, the last of my worries is what will happen in the next few weeks."

Briere, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, had 32 goals and 63 assists this season.

[Kevin]

Monday, June 11
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Chris Drury
Sabres Sabres
Rangers?
Kings?
Sharks? No Philly for Drury?
Jun 11 - Everyone knows Chris Drury is one of this offseason's biggest free agents, but one team will likely not be in the running for the veteran forward.
According to a report in the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Flyers will not go after Drury because the price -- and fit into the roster -- isn't right.

The Inquirer speculated that the Flyers will turn their efforts toward soon-to-be free agent and longtime Devils veteran Scott Gomez.

If the Sabres don't re-sign him before July 1, Drury will hit the market. The Rangers and Sharks, among many others, are reportedly interested in the veteran.

Some have also speculated that the Kings could be a leading contender because Drury lives in Manhattan Beach, Calif., during the offseason, not far from Los Angeles D Rob Blake.

Reports previously indicated the Sabres will have to offer Drury $6M-$7M per season, about what he'd be offered on the open market.

[NewYawk]

Watch the RANGERS add one more offensive threat like Drury, and we'll be seeing 1994 all over again. POTVIN SUCKS

[Kevin]

Watch the RANGERS add one more offensive threat like Drury, and we'll be seeing 1994 all over again. POTVIN SUCKS

They gotta clear some cap for it.. Maybe buyout kasp and some others.. And prob not sign Nylander..

[Bossanova]

I read were the Preds will not be moved unless their lease is dropped. It still isnt promising for Nashville, but there is a chance

[weekapaugjz]

buffalo is having a press conference tomorrow morning about keeping both ruff and regier (GM). with both of these out of the way, hopefully they can get some signings like drury/briere/vanek/zubrus out of the way before UFA starts on July 1. maybe they will announce one of them has been signed tomorrow, but im not holding my breath.

[weekapaugjz]

I read were the Preds will not be moved unless their lease is dropped. It still isnt promising for Nashville, but there is a chance

i would love it if basilie moved a team to hamilton. its less than an hours drive there from buffalo. if they stayed in the west. conference, which im sure they will it would be sweet to drive up there for games against some of the western teams which buffalo never plays.

[Bossanova]

buffalo is having a press conference tomorrow morning about keeping both ruff and regier (GM). with both of these out of the way, hopefully they can get some signings like drury/briere/vanek/zubrus out of the way before UFA starts on July 1. maybe they will announce one of them has been signed tomorrow, but im not holding my breath.

Thats alot to bring back. I would be thrilled to keep just the first two, hope it works out for you. I know the Devs will not be resigning Gomez

[Bossanova]

i would love it if basilie moved a team to hamilton. its less than an hours drive there from buffalo. if they stayed in the west. conference, which im sure they will it would be sweet to drive up there for games against some of the western teams which buffalo never plays.

That would be friggin awesome. I miss watching the west teams come over for games

[weekapaugjz]

Thats alot to bring back. I would be thrilled to keep just the first two, hope it works out for you. I know the Devs will not be resigning Gomez

ive seen some articles in which people have crunched numbers to make it work out under the cap but would have to get rid of a player like kotalik. im worried that if the sabres don't sign vanek (RFA) before july 1, some team is going to offer him a hearty contract between 3-4 mil. he's 23 and scored 43 goals last year and looks like he will continue to get better. if they keep one of briere or drury, they should have enough money to possibly keep zubrus. he has said he likes the team and the city and would like to stay if they can work out a deal.

[weekapaugjz]

another thing. buffalo's owner has reported that they will most likely not meet the expected salary cap for next season and are prepared to spend 44-45 million in salaries.

[Bossanova]

ive seen some articles in which people have crunched numbers to make it work out under the cap but would have to get rid of a player like kotalik. im worried that if the sabres don't sign vanek (RFA) before july 1, some team is going to offer him a hearty contract between 3-4 mil. he's 23 and scored 43 goals last year and looks like he will continue to get better. if they keep one of briere or drury, they should have enough money to possibly keep zubrus. he has said he likes the team and the city and would like to stay if they can work out a deal.

I hope Drury stays. Im such a big fan and am tired of seeing him move around. This team is a good fit for him, and I know he is going to have money thrown at him. Not to mention I'm sick of buying jerseys for this fucks new teams

[weekapaugjz]

I hope Drury stays. Im such a big fan and am tired of seeing him move around. This team is a good fit for him, and I know he is going to have money thrown at him. Not to mention I'm sick of buying jerseys for this fucks new teams

if i had to pick between the two, in a very close call, i would take drury. i think he is a better all around player. rumors are that montreal is probably going to offer briere a huge contract if he gets to July. and briere with being a frenchy, it would be very difficult to pass that up.

[Bossanova]

if i had to pick between the two, in a very close call, i would take drury. i think he is a better all around player. rumors are that montreal is probably going to offer briere a huge contract if he gets to July. and briere with being a frenchy, it would be very difficult to pass that up.

Yeah, that would be tough for him to pass on. If you have to lose on to keep others, I would let Briere go. Not only is Drury better all around but he is going to always produce in the playoffs. Also an awesome captain

[Bossanova]

Awards were handed out tonight. Crosby wins the Hart

CALDER MEMORIAL TROPHY

• Award for outstanding rookie
Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
Jordan Staal, Pittsburgh Penguins
Paul Stastny, Colorado Avalanche

• WINNER: Evgeni Malkin.



FRANK J. SELKE TROPHY

• Award for outstanding defensive forward
Rod Brind'Amour, Carolina Hurricanes
Samuel Pahlsson, Anaheim Ducks
Jay Pandolfo, New Jersey Devils

• WINNER: Rod Brind'Amour.



HART MEMORIAL TROPHY

• Awarded to most valuable player to his team
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks

• WINNER: Sidney Crosby.



JACK ADAMS AWARD

• Award for outstanding coach
Lindy Ruff, Buffalo Sabres
Michel Therrien, Pittsburgh Penguins
Alain Vigneault, Vancouver Canucks

• WINNER: Alain Vigneault.



JAMES NORRIS MEMORIAL TROPHY

• Award for outstanding defenseman
Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim Ducks
Chris Pronger, Anaheim Ducks

• WINNER: Nicklas Lidstrom.



LADY BYNG MEMORIAL TROPHY

• Awarded to player that displays sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning

• WINNER: Pavel Datsyuk.



LESTER B. PEARSON AWARD

• Awarded to the most outstanding player as voted by fellow NHLPA members)
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning
Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks

• WINNER: Sidney Crosby.



VEZINA TROPHY

• Award for outstanding goaltender
(* -- For the first time since the inception of the NHL awards in 1983, there are more than three finalists in a category; There was a third-place tie in balloting for the Vezina, resulting in four finalists.)
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames
Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks

• WINNER: Martin Brodeur.

[El Mudo]

Oh my dear God......



http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/cp/sports/20070614/s061475a.jpg?size=l





HE'S BACK!!!! (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2904385)

[Justice4all]

VEZINA TROPHY

• Award for outstanding goaltender
(* -- For the first time since the inception of the NHL awards in 1983, there are more than three finalists in a category; There was a third-place tie in balloting for the Vezina, resulting in four finalists.)
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames
Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks

• WINNER: Martin Brodeur.

You know, Broduer is one of those players who you will be telling your grandkids about.
Just like Maurice Richard. Or Bobby Orr. And we have been blessed to see two of the finest goaltenders ever to play the sport in Martin Broduer and Patrick Roy.

As a Devils fan it makes me really proud. And lucky.

At this pace he will be the best ever. And odds are he will be the second Devils fan ever elected into the hall of fame.

Hats off to Sydney Crosby. He is going to be an outstanding player. We might be seeing the emergance of another Gretzky. Or Howe.

I hope hockey survives the purge that is on it's way.

I am looking foward to next year.


oh and Mdr? Your Sens made a great push to the finals. It was Anaheims year, that was without a doubt.


See you all next year fellas. I am looking foward to it. (But not looking foward to driving thru Newark to see my F*&^(ng team play)

[El Mudo]

You know, Broduer is one of those players who you will be telling your grandkids about.
Just like Maurice Richard. Or Bobby Orr. And we have been blessed to see two of the finest goaltenders ever to play the sport in Martin Broduer and Patrick Roy.

As a Devils fan it makes me really proud. And lucky.

At this pace he will be the best ever. And odds are he will be the second Devils fan ever elected into the hall of fame.

Hats off to Sydney Crosby. He is going to be an outstanding player. We might be seeing the emergance of another Gretzky. Or Howe.

I hope hockey survives the purge that is on it's way.

I am looking foward to next year.


oh and Mdr? Your Sens made a great push to the finals. It was Anaheims year, that was without a doubt.


See you all next year fellas. I am looking foward to it. (But not looking foward to driving thru Newark to see my F*&^(ng team play)


Oh he's a definite hall of famer, but there's NO WAY he'll EVER be better than this guy



http://cdn.nhl.com/photos/r/roy_mtl_170.jpg

[Kevin]

Oh he's a definite hall of famer, but there's NO WAY he'll EVER be better than this guy



http://cdn.nhl.com/photos/r/roy_mtl_170.jpg

He can't hear you with all his Stanley Cup rings clogging up his ears..

[El Mudo]

He can't hear you with all his Stanley Cup rings clogging up his ears..




See? not only the greatest goaltender ever, but also the greatest put down quote ever...you can't top that

[ralphbxny]

See? not only the greatest goaltender ever, but also the greatest put down quote ever...you can't top that


A double threat of sorts!!

How long till training camp!!!! God October seems so far off! I cant wait for the Rangers to break my heart again!!!

[Kevin]

Thursday, June 14
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Martin Gerber
Senators Coyotes?
Lightning?
Blues?
Bruins? So long, Gerber?
Jun 14 - It appears the Martin Gerber experiment in Ottawa is coming to an end.
According to a report in the Ottawa Sun, Sens GM John Muckler is looking into dealing Gerber and the $7.4 million remaining on the final two years of his contract.

Riding Ray Emery in net all the way to the Cup finals, Muckler and the Senators hope to deal Gerber to free up cap room to sign Emery to a new deal. Emery is set to become a restricted free agent this summer.

Emery took over as Ottawa's starter early this season after Gerber struggled. Gerber had a 15-9-3 record and a 2.78 goals-against average in 29 games.

It won't be easy to move a $7.4 million deal, but there are teams that need goaltending. And with Jean-Sebastien Giguere likely staying in Anaheim, the free-agent goalie pool will be small.

The Sun reported that the Coyotes, Blues, Bruins and Lightning, all clamoring for help in net, could be interested in Gerber.

Gerber likely wouldn't mind a fresh start.

"I know [the Senators] were making those calls in February. I haven't spoken with them recently," Gerber's agent, Gilles Lupien, told The Sun on Wednesday. "I know [Gerber] really likes the city. He kept telling me that about five times throughout the year. But he's not playing and when you're a goaltender, you want to play."

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Sorry Spoony..
Jose Theodore
Avalanche Avalanche? Theodore could return to Avs
Jun 14 - Jose Theodore's agent expects the netminder to return to the Colorado Avalanche next season despite spending most of 2006-07 as Peter Budaj's backup.
"Yes, I do," Don Meehan told The Rocky Mountain News on Wednesday. "His confidence is good. He'll be ready. He's going to work hard this summer. He'll be positive; he'll be back."

Theodore went 13-15-1 last season with a 3.26 goals-against average and .891 saves percentage.

A few weeks back, there were rumblings of a potential buyout, but even Avalanche GM Francois Giguere indicated he was open to bringing back Theodore.

Theodore has one year and $6M remaining on his contract and his salary-cap charge will be $5.3 million next season if he returns. A buyout would come with a $4M hit over two seasons.

Since winning the Hart and Vezina Trophies with Montreal in 2001-02, Theodore has posted a 84-92-18 record.

[Kevin]

See? not only the greatest goaltender ever, but also the greatest put down quote ever...you can't top that

One of my all time Fav lines..

[spoon]

You know, Broduer is one of those players who you will be telling your grandkids about.
Just like Maurice Richard. Or Bobby Orr. And we have been blessed to see two of the finest goaltenders ever to play the sport in Martin Broduer and Patrick Roy.

As a Devils fan it makes me really proud. And lucky.

At this pace he will be the best ever. And odds are he will be the second Devils fan ever elected into the hall of fame.

Hats off to Sydney Crosby. He is going to be an outstanding player. We might be seeing the emergance of another Gretzky. Or Howe.

I hope hockey survives the purge that is on it's way.

I am looking foward to next year.


oh and Mdr? Your Sens made a great push to the finals. It was Anaheims year, that was without a doubt.


See you all next year fellas. I am looking foward to it. (But not looking foward to driving thru Newark to see my F*&^(ng team play)

Wait, best ever now bc he won another vezina trophy. Sorry Justice but he's not a "Devil's fan" and there are goalies out there that can be put in that "best ever" argument, some with more cups, some with more awards, others with both and others without a system based on d only in front of them. I'll give him the tag when he keeps it up and wins in another era as other great goalies have done. Trust me I think he's great and a HOFer, but throwing out great as biased as you are without your argument is ludicrious.

http://www.tradebit.com/usr/djmixtapez/pub/9001/Ludacris-The-Def.A.Nition.jpg

[spoon]

See? not only the greatest goaltender ever, but also the greatest put down quote ever...you can't top that

The best thing is that he went on to win another cup that year. Best that is for me and any other Av fan. Sorry Chicago. At least you've turned it around since then. Oh wait, your team is one of the worst in the league since then. Great owner I say!

[El Mudo]

Thursday, June 14
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Martin Gerber
Senators Coyotes?
Lightning?
Blues?
Bruins? So long, Gerber?
Jun 14 - It appears the Martin Gerber experiment in Ottawa is coming to an end.
According to a report in the Ottawa Sun, Sens GM John Muckler is looking into dealing Gerber and the $7.4 million remaining on the final two years of his contract.

Riding Ray Emery in net all the way to the Cup finals, Muckler and the Senators hope to deal Gerber to free up cap room to sign Emery to a new deal. Emery is set to become a restricted free agent this summer.

Emery took over as Ottawa's starter early this season after Gerber struggled. Gerber had a 15-9-3 record and a 2.78 goals-against average in 29 games.

It won't be easy to move a $7.4 million deal, but there are teams that need goaltending. And with Jean-Sebastien Giguere likely staying in Anaheim, the free-agent goalie pool will be small.

The Sun reported that the Coyotes, Blues, Bruins and Lightning, all clamoring for help in net, could be interested in Gerber.

Gerber likely wouldn't mind a fresh start.

"I know [the Senators] were making those calls in February. I haven't spoken with them recently," Gerber's agent, Gilles Lupien, told The Sun on Wednesday. "I know [Gerber] really likes the city. He kept telling me that about five times throughout the year. But he's not playing and when you're a goaltender, you want to play."

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Sorry Spoony..
Jose Theodore
Avalanche Avalanche? Theodore could return to Avs
Jun 14 - Jose Theodore's agent expects the netminder to return to the Colorado Avalanche next season despite spending most of 2006-07 as Peter Budaj's backup.
"Yes, I do," Don Meehan told The Rocky Mountain News on Wednesday. "His confidence is good. He'll be ready. He's going to work hard this summer. He'll be positive; he'll be back."

Theodore went 13-15-1 last season with a 3.26 goals-against average and .891 saves percentage.

A few weeks back, there were rumblings of a potential buyout, but even Avalanche GM Francois Giguere indicated he was open to bringing back Theodore.

Theodore has one year and $6M remaining on his contract and his salary-cap charge will be $5.3 million next season if he returns. A buyout would come with a $4M hit over two seasons.

Since winning the Hart and Vezina Trophies with Montreal in 2001-02, Theodore has posted a 84-92-18 record.



If Ottawa can find someone dumb enough to take Gerber and his massive contract, I will be stunned...but then again, this is the same league where Iron Mike Keenan is once again gainfully employed


Gerber's play last year had all the consistency of a jar of strained peas....he was TERRIBLE...they went to Emery out of desperation, and luckily for them, he made the Leap. I don't understand why Ottawa would have given him such a huge contract anyway...its not like he set the world on fire when he was with Carolina....they were BEGGING him to take over for Cam Ward in the playoffs that year they won the Cup, but he couldn't do any better than Ward did

I think the Blues are better of with Curtis "Fred" Sanford...the Ning have Holmqvist (have they re signed him yet?) who was really good for them last year, and although Tim Thomas stinks, and Curtis Joseph is old, at this point Gerber is not really much of an upgrade over either of them

[El Mudo]

First Round Mock (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/draft2007/news/story?id=2908675)


I think that reports on the Caps' back end as "questionable at best" are not only unfair, theyre untrue...we've not only had injuries, but we've trotted kids out there the last couple years. How is drafting one more kid going to make much of a difference?


I really am looking forward to seeing the Toews/Kane combination someday in Chicago....and its going to be really cool if Boston drafts another guy named Esposito

[epitaph]

Gomez... as any other nj devil fan i bleed black and red. But is say "see ya" to gomez. yes, he is talented. yes, he is charismatic. yes, he is going to command 7m. no, he is not worth it. as sad as it is to say, my devils are approaching the "rebuilding years". And we need to start. take 1/3 of gomez salary and lock up parise for a couple of years. he is the future of this team. With the rest of gomez salary, the devils could sign-up rafalski for the rest of his career plus some UFA like mike york or jason ward... players who will thrive in the devils system.

if gomez was a real devil, he would take the lead from elias and brodeur. Gomez is not. He'll have a great season somewhere else. hopefully on the west coast.

Rangers suck.

[Fallon]

B's changed their logo a little.

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070622/capt.46460c25c49a4c079c329b5a42aa624e.bruins_logo_ launch_hockey_mack102.jpg
http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070622/capt.dbf5fcac53454568ac2bf94cb07f1d39.bruins_logo_ launch_hockey_mack103.jpg

Why use you're money on free agents, just by a lambo.
http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070622/capt.f7e1dc597ae4469585050ff4ac380227.bruins_logo_ launch_hockey_mack101.jpg

[El Mudo]

Our new home uniforms!!


http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2007/06/21/PH2007062102117.jpg




Still waiting till I get a better look before I make judgment...like what I see so far...not really digging that shoulder patch

[MHasegawa]

i thought the league was going back to home whites next season

[El Mudo]

Post says thats the home jersey

[JesterOfSadness]

Our new home uniforms!!


http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2007/06/21/PH2007062102117.jpg



You know...those don't look that bad. The shoulder patch is interesting, though I guess they had to include an eagle somewhere.

[El Mudo]

I think its just trying to be too many things at the same time....Its an Eagle, a W and the Capital dome.....i would have gone with something cooler...maybe just a capital dome thing like the last logo

[JesterOfSadness]

My eyes are going bad, but is that supposed to be a dark blue color on the trim and letters or is that black?

[weekapaugjz]

maple leafs acquired vesa toskala and mark bell from the sharks for some draft picks.

linky: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2913137

so i guess this is the end for andrew raycroft there? he was terrible for the leafs, but i loved it cause i fucking hate the leafs.

[JesterOfSadness]

maple leafs acquired vesa toskala and mark bell from the sharks for some draft picks.

linky: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2913137

so i guess this is the end for andrew raycroft there? he was terrible for the leafs, but i loved it cause i fucking hate the leafs.

God damnit.

Well..good luck in Toronto Tosky..I still prefer you than that shitface Nabokov.

[spaganeech]

No offence to all you hockey fans south of the border but Ryan Smyth is a true Alberta boy. He wants nothing to do with the Islanders and your wacky GM and owner.

Oilers rule!!!!

[MHasegawa]

thats number 4 in the oiler fan club here, welcome aboard

[El Mudo]

My eyes are going bad, but is that supposed to be a dark blue color on the trim and letters or is that black?




Dark blue

[Landblast]

if anyones interested the live stream of the uveiling is here Washington Capitals (http://capitals.nhl.com/index2.html) starts in about couple of min. goto WATCH THE UNIFORM UNVEILING LIVE

[Kevin]

Did My Rangers get as big of a steal in this draft in Charapanov, that they are saying?

[J.Clints]

Predators deal Vokoun to Florida
Predators Press Release

June 22, 2007

Nashville Predators Executive Vice President/General Manager David Poile announced Friday that the club has acquired a first-round selection in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, a second-round selection in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft (No. 58) and a conditional second-round selection in either 2007 or 2008 from the Florida Panthers for goaltender Tomas Vokoun.

“We saw Chris Mason emerge as a No. 1 goaltender in 2006-07 and with full confidence in Chris and Pekka Rinne, we felt as if we could make this move,” said Poile. “Mason won 24 games for us this past season, starting 21 in a row at one point, and finished with the second-highest save percentage [.925] in the NHL.

[Fallon]

I kinda like it. Better than the garbage they've been wearing the last 10 years.

http://cdn.nhl.com/capitals/images/upload/2007/06/jersey_order_button.jpg
http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070623/capt.2baa39e4d670433fb9055d8dee435be6.capitals_new _jerseys_hockey_vakw103.jpg

[weekapaugjz]

I kinda like it. Better than the garbage they've been wearing the last 10 years.

http://cdn.nhl.com/capitals/images/upload/2007/06/jersey_order_button.jpg
http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070623/capt.2baa39e4d670433fb9055d8dee435be6.capitals_new _jerseys_hockey_vakw103.jpg

i like those a lot, espcially the white one.

[weekapaugjz]

so the buffalo native, patrick kane goes number one in the draft. im glad he went to chigaco cause i would have been pissed as shit if he would have ended up in philly.

[El Mudo]

Did My Rangers get as big of a steal in this draft in Charapanov, that they are saying?



A lot of people feel he has top 5 talent, but there's also the fact that he apparently has a ten cent head, and there's no agreement in place to get Russian players out of Russia, so if they want to get him out, they might have to smuggle him out Malkin-style (its going to be a few years before he comes over)

[El Mudo]

i like those a lot, espcially the white one.



Not bad....could use more stripes on the socks

[weekapaugjz]

sabres pick up a jersey boy with their fisrt pick. t.j. brennan out of willingboro, nj. seems like there are a lot of u.s. born players being taken in this years draft.

[Kevin]

sabres pick up a jersey boy with their fisrt pick. t.j. brennan out of willingboro, nj. seems like there are a lot of u.s. born players being taken in this years draft.

Its people being sheep.. THE DUCKS WON WITH MOSTLY NORTH AMERICAN PLAYERS,, SO WE HAVE TO DO THAT TOO.. Its just stupid.. Pick fucking tallent.. Especialy with the crap shoot that this draft is. Just because one team does something.. Does not mean its right..

[El Mudo]

Here's a blurb from TSN on Alexei Cherapanov


Aside from Pat Kane, no draft eligible player played the game at as high a level this season as Russian forward Alexei Cherepanov. He set a goal scoring record for an 18-year old in the Russian SuperLeague and, next to Kane, he was regarded as the most dynamic presence at the World Junior Championship. The lack of a transfer agreement with Russia was a worry for many teams, as was a poor work ethic. He is tremendously inconsistent, maddeningly frustrating and a player who only turns it on when he feels like it.

[Kevin]

Here's a blurb from TSN on Alexei Cherapanov

Well he has broken Russian records for players his age.. He has more points at 29 than when Ovechkin, Malkin, Kovlechuk.. were his age.. So if he does put it together.. He could be one of the all time biggest steals ever.. He has speed a shot.. can handle the puck.. He is some talent.. He will probably play 1 more year in Russia before he gets smuggled here.. But picking a goalie with a 2nd round pick is a head scratcher.. You have Henrich.. Then Montoya.. even the other guy is serviceable.. Why you would pick another goalie, is beyond me.. But i guess You could always get something for goalies..

[weekapaugjz]

Its people being sheep.. THE DUCKS WON WITH MOSTLY NORTH AMERICAN PLAYERS,, SO WE HAVE TO DO THAT TOO.. Its just stupid.. Pick fucking tallent.. Especialy with the crap shoot that this draft is. Just because one team does something.. Does not mean its right..

i don't see it as that at all. its just showing how usa hockey is becoming much stronger at developing prospects for the nhl.

[Kevin]

i don't see it as that at all. its just showing how usa hockey is becoming much stronger at developing prospects for the nhl.

Yea but some of these guys taken were Rated much lower by scouting people, then the spot that they were taken.. I just think people try to follow trends wayyyy to much..

Hey i hope thats the case.. It just means that USA hockey will become a force in international play, in years to come.. But when i see the actual rankings of these guys, to the spots that they are being taken.. It just does not make any sense..

[JesterOfSadness]

I wonder if the Rangers will ever decide on trading Montoya away. I really can't see him sticking around in the minors forever unless Lundy gets traded/hurt/signed elsewhere.

Did they really expect Lundy to be that good?

[weekapaugjz]

Yea but some of these guys taken were Rated much lower by scouting people, then the spot that they were taken.. I just think with people try to follow trends wayyyy to much..

each team evaluates players completely different, and draft which player will fit their system best, and sometimes that's not the high rated players. i do somewhat agree about teams following trends, but that happens in all sports.

[Kevin]

I wonder if the Rangers will ever decide on trading Montoya away. I really can't see him sticking around in the minors forever unless Lundy gets traded/hurt/signed elsewhere.

Did they really expect Lundy to be that good?

I could understand why they picked Montoya when they did.. henry came out of nowhere.. But picking this guy (although he was ranked as the 3rd best Goalie in the draft) with a 2nd rounder.. Is a bit puzzling... This team needs young Position players.. Maybe they will use either one at the deadline as bait.. I don't know.. But right now, i am miffed..

[JesterOfSadness]

Didn't they get Montoya around the time of their goalie drought? After Richter they had Herbert, Dunham, and Weekes(They might have had others, but these stick out)

[Kevin]

Didn't they get Montoya around the time of their goalie drought? After Richter they had Herbert, Dunham, and Weekes(They might have had others, but these stick out)

Yea.. It was the same year Ovechkin got drafted.. In fact.. They stupidly won the last game of the year.. It left them a point out of the top 5 lotto position.. But yea.. Henry was in the system.. But he was something like a 7th round pick.. So he really came out of no where..

[Kevin]

Saturday, June 23
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Scott Gomez
Devils Rangers?
Oilers?
Flyers? Talks heat up for Gomez
Jun 23 - League sources told The Toronto Sun that the Oilers and Flyers have made calls to Devils GM Lou Lamoriello about acquiring the negotiating rights to center Scott Gomez.
Gomez, one of the top players set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, has told the Devils he wants to test the market.

The New York Rangers might also be coming into play for Gomez, who has reportedly been skating with Brendan Shanahan, who has made it known to Blueshirts management he wants to return to the Big Apple.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Edmonton was trying to acquire the negotiating rights to Gomez before the market opens in the hope that the Oilers could then trade those rights to Philly for defenseman Joni Pitkanen.

Nothing materialized before the end of Saturday's draft.

Gomez had four goals and 10 assists in the playoffs for the Devils, who were ousted by the Sens in the second round.


WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Michael Nylander
Rangers Flyers?
Rangers Flyers interested in Nylander
Jun 23 - Well, the Flyers believe it's always good to have a Plan B.
Multiple reports out of the NHL draft indicated that Philadelphia is putting out feelers for Michael Nylander as a contingency plan in case the Flyers can't land Scott Gomez, Chris Drury or Daniel Briere.

At the same time, the Rangers are reaching out to try and keep the forward in the Big Apple. The New York Daily News reported Saturday that Rangers coach Tom Renney may contact Nylander before July 1, while Nylander's new agent, Mike Gillis, had brief talks with GM Glen Sather in Columbus.

The Rangers were in limbo after Nylander fired his previous agent, Paul Theofanous, after the rep "independently agreed" to re-up Nylander's deal.

Nylander led the Rangers in goals (six), points (13) and plus-minus (plus-9) in the playoffs after he notched a career-high 26 goals and 83 points in the regular season.

Nylander made $2.026M this season, but the Post had expected him to get a raise in the neighborhood of Martin Straka's new contract ($3.3M for one year).

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Buffalo Chris Drury?
Daniel Briere? Still no offers for Drury, Briere
Jun 23 - While much of the trade rumor talk at this weekend's NHL draft centered around what other teams were interested in Chris Drury and Daniel Briere, the Sabres were mum on their talks with the star forwards.
But sources told The Buffalo News that the team has yet to make an offer to either of its co-captains, who are both set to become unrestricted free agents July 1.

The closer Buffalo gets to the opening of free agency (and beyond), the more difficult it's going to be to keep Drury and/or Briere in town as most NHL teams will be making a bid for them.

"[The difficulty] certainly increases because you're in competition with the whole marketplace," GM Darcy Regier told the newspaper. "I don't think it totally eliminates us from signing the player, but it certainly makes it more difficult. It changes the dynamic and opens everything up."

[El Mudo]

Well he has broken Russian records for players his age.. He has more points at 29 than when Ovechkin, Malkin, Kovlechuk.. were his age.. So if he does put it together.. He could be one of the all time biggest steals ever.. He has speed a shot.. can handle the puck.. He is some talent.. He will probably play 1 more year in Russia before he gets smuggled here.. But picking a goalie with a 2nd round pick is a head scratcher.. You have Henrich.. Then Montoya.. even the other guy is serviceable.. Why you would pick another goalie, is beyond me.. But i guess You could always get something for goalies..




They said the exact same things about Alexandre Volchkov...who had the exact same upside, and the exact same head issues

[Kevin]

They said the exact same things about Alexandre Volchkov...who had the exact same upside, and the exact same head issues

Time will tell.. Maybe playing in NY will get him focused and motivated.. Plus he has a huge chip on his shoulders.. Maybe that will get him focused.. Time will tell though..

[cougarjake13]

anyone gonna watch the draft ????/

[Fallon]

anyone gonna watch the draft ????/

Draft happened this weekend.

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/c7/fullj.getty-74860263rb077_2007_nhl_entr_1_54_32_pm.jpg

[cougarjake13]

who'd the rangers get ????

[Fallon]

who'd the rangers get ????

Alexei Cherepanov. He's dreamy...

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/b8/fullj.getty-74860263rb096_2007_nhl_entr_11_24_37_pm.jpg

[Kevin]

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Jarome Iginla
Flames Flames? Flames trying to lock up Iggy
Jun 26 - As Jarome Iginla enters the last season of his current contract, the Flames are talking to his agent about an extention.
According to a report from Sun Media, Iginla's agent, Don Meehan said he is talking to Flames GM Darryl Sutter about locking up the veteran forward for at least one more season. That would prevent the Flames captain from becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer.

"Well, we're talking with Darryl," Meehan told Sun Media. "And I think we're going to talk a little bit more after the July 1st deadline, which is the focus, I think, of everybody's activity in the league."

Iginla has said he'd like to stay in Calgary over the long haul, but would still be open to a short-term deal with the Flames if that's the direction the team wanted to take.

Iginla, who ironically turns 30 on July 1, had 39 goals and 55 assists in 70 games last season for Calgary.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Scotty Bowman Maple Leafs? Bowman turns down Leafs
Jun 26 - Well, the Maple Leafs can scratch Scotty Bowman off their coaching wish list.
According to a report from The Toronto Sun, Bowman turned down a three-year offer with the club because he apparently did not want to work for CEO Richard Peddie.

Bowman reportedly met with Peddie and other Leafs officials either over the phone or in person. His vision for the team included making serious changes in the Leafs' front office and coaching staff. The Sun reported that Bowman "balked" when asked if he would bring back GM John Ferguson.

Bowman will stay on as a consulant for the Red Wings. Meanwhile, John Muckler's name as surfaced as another candidate for the Leafs.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Carolina Joni Pitkanen?
Niclas Wallin? Hurricanes shop for defenseman
Jun 26 - The reports continue to indicate that the Hurricanes are looking for a defenseman to bolster their lineup.
According to the News & Observer, GM Jim Rutherford said Carolina is trying to swap defensemen, and the deal is being delayed while a player decides whether to waive his no-trade clause. That player is rumored to be Niclas Wallin.

"I don't want to get into names and specifics," Rutherford told the newspaper. "If it doesn't [happen] in the next couple days, then the deal we were working on would probably go away. We'd just move on to free agency."

The newspaper speculated that Wallin, Mike Commodore, Tim Gleason and Dennis Seidenberg would be players likely involved in a deal for a defenseman. Out of that group, only Wallin has a no-trade clause.

There were rumors during draft weekend that the Oilers were interested in pulling off a three-way deal with the Flyers and Hurricanes. Reports had it that the Philly would send Pitkanen to the Canes, Carolina would ship Erik Cole to Edmonton and Raffi Torres would go to the Flyers.


WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Brian Rafalski
Devils Devils Rafalski wants to stay in Jersey
Jun 26 - Devils defenseman Brian Rafalski isn't as eager as teammate Scott Gomez to explore free agency.
His agent reiterated Monday that Rafalski wants to stay in New Jersey.

"Brian wants to stay, so we're going to do whatever we can to make it work," Bill Zito told The Bergen Record.

Zito also told the newspaper that he had a solid meeting with Devils GM Lou Lamoriello at the NHL draft.

Late in the regular season, the Edmonton Journal reported the Oilers "probably will make a run at" Rafalski if he didn't re-sign before July 1.

Rafalski, 32, made $4.2M last season.


WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Alex Auld
Panthers Auld won't be back
Jun 26 - Alex Auld is the latest casualty of the Tomas Vokoun trade.
The Panthers did not give the goaltender a qualifying offer, deciding to go with a netminder pairing of Vokoun and Craig Anderson.

The Panthers acquired Vokoun from the Predators in a trade a day before the NHL draft.

Panthers GM/coach Jacques Martin said Auld (a $1.5M qualifying offer) was too pricey for the team's cap since it just took on Vokoun's $5.7 million annual salary.

"With the acquisition of Tomas Vokoun, we didn't feel we could spend that kind of money on goaltending," Martin was quoted as saying in the Sun-Sentinel. "There was almost a million-dollar difference between [Auld] and Anderson. We're looking for our backup to play 15 to 20 games."

Auld, 26, who was acquired in Roberto Luongo trade last June. He went 7-13-5 with a 3.34 goals-against average and .888 save percentage in 2006-07.

Monday, June 25
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Alexei Yashin Yashin to play in Europe?
Jun 25 - Not even a few weeks after the Islanders bought out Alexei Yashin's contract, there is now speculation about where the veteran forward will land next.
While teams like the Wild Canadiens, Oilers, Capitals, Flyers, Devils and Senators have all been reportedly interested in Yashin, it may all be a moot point.

According to a report from The New York Post, Yashin may opt to play in Europe next season if he doesn't receive a lucrative offer from an NHL club.

Yashin finished with 119 goals and 171 assists in 346 games with the Islanders but struggled the past two seasons as captain after Michael Peca was traded to Edmonton in 2005 following the NHL lockout. He had 18 goals and 32 assists this season, when he missed 24 games with a sprained right knee. He was scoreless in the Islanders' five-game playoff loss in the first round to the Sabres.

New York signed him to a 10-year contract worth $87.5 million, and the four years left were worth $26.45 million. The Islanders bought Yashin out by paying two-thirds of the remaining amount ($17.63 million) over the next eight years for a salary-cap hit of about $2.2 million per season.

[HBox]

As much as I'd hate to lose either of them the Devils can more afford to lose Gomez than Rafalski. Their defensemen are bad as it is. They can't afford to lose their best one. They are deeper up front.

[weekapaugjz]

everyday that is closer to july 1, is a day closer for the sabres losing both drury and briere. to my knowledge, the sabres have yet to offer a contract to either. im starting to get a real bad feeling about this whole situation.

[El Mudo]

I would love to have Brian Rafalski here...pair him up with Eminger, Pothier and Jurcina, and then have Erskine and Schultz for size/toughness, and youre talking about a REALLY good Defensive unit...and that's not even mentioning Mike Green or Karl Alzner yet (Alzner will probably be a few years though)

[weekapaugjz]

wow. what a fucking list of great players. messier was one of the top five players in nhl history. francis always a great character guy and leader and an outstanding playmaker. macinnis probably has the hardest slap shot of all time and was a great player. and stevens, a gritty defenseman who would murder people coming across the middle (remember lindros?)

• Mark Messier -- trails only Wayne Gretzky on NHL's points list; four-time All-Star; two-time Hart Trophy winner

• Ron Francis -- two-time Stanley Cup winner; fourth on the points list; trails only Gretzky on all-time assists list; three-time Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner

• Al MacInnis -- third all-time in points by defensemen; Stanley Cup winner; four-time All-Star

• Scott Stevens -- won three Cups with the Devils; Conn Smythe winner; two-time All-Star

also some guy in management and scouting.

[Justice4all]

wow. what a fucking list of great players. messier was one of the top five players in nhl history. francis always a great character guy and leader and an outstanding playmaker. macinnis probably has the hardest slap shot of all time and was a great player. and stevens, a gritty defenseman who would murder people coming across the middle (remember lindros?)

• Mark Messier -- trails only Wayne Gretzky on NHL's points list; four-time All-Star; two-time Hart Trophy winner

• Ron Francis -- two-time Stanley Cup winner; fourth on the points list; trails only Gretzky on all-time assists list; three-time Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner

• Al MacInnis -- third all-time in points by defensemen; Stanley Cup winner; four-time All-Star

• Scott Stevens -- won three Cups with the Devils; Conn Smythe winner; two-time All-Star

also some guy in management and scouting.


I could not be happier to see Messier and Stevens get into the hall of fame. I know Messier screwed us Devils fans over in 1994 but he played and won a well deserved Stanley Cup that year. What an honor it was to watch him play hockey.
Truly one of the best.

And as a Devils fan it tickles my heart to see Scott Stevens be the first NJ Devil enter the National Hockey League Hall of Fame. God damn I am really proud.

Odds are Broduer will be the second one to enter as a Devil. But that won't be for several more years at least.

And take a peek at who was passed over to let these guys in.
"Igor Larionov, the former Russian great who excelled on both sides of the ocean, didn't make it. Adam Oates and Claude Lemieux were other first-year eligibles who were passed over, while Glenn Anderson, Doug Gilmour, Kevin Lowe, Steve Larmer and Pavel Bure were again left out again."- S.I..com

Wow, an impressive group to be overlooked. But you really can't argue with Stevens, Messier, MacInnis and Francis. They are all no-brainer 1st ballots.

[weekapaugjz]

briere turned down a deal from buffalo today. it was 5 year $25 million. the sabres have to be fucking retarded to offer him a deal like that when he is going to command a lot more on the open market. so it doesn't look like briere is going to stay in buffalo. hopefully the contract they offer drury is as asinine as this.

[Team_Ramrod]

I thinkg the offer to Briere was an effort to appease the fan base. If they would have just let him go without any effort it would look really bad. It was probably an effort to make Briere look bad by turning them down... On the flipside, anyone who knows the game and the business behind it will realize that an offer like that just killed any chance of him resigning as he probably took it as an insult.

Not a bad insult, I wish someone insulted me by only offering 5 mill per year.

Only 2 more days....

Oilers need to resign Smyth, bring in Souray or Rafalski to have that PP presence as well as get back that outlet pass from the Defensive zone that they lost with the departure of Pronger. They will need to replace Markkanen, someone Like Thibault or J.S. Aubin would suffice but it should be someone who needs a couple more years to solidify themselves as a number one goalie to replace Roloson when he gets too old... They do have Dubnyk in the minors but he'll most likely sign elsewhere as they aren't giving him any real chances. But going off recent Free agent gaffs, they'll probably resign Conklin.

If they can resign Smyth, Sykora,Peterson and winchester. Ink a legitimate nuber one D man and an energy player like Neimenen they will make some noise next year.

Unfortunately, 90% of the players will resign and it's been difficult to lure high profile free agents to Edmonton.

[ralphbxny]

Whats the day count on Training camp opening....I miss my puck!!!

[weekapaugjz]

well, the salary cap has gone up to $50.3 million. what is the point the salary cap if its going to go up by 6 million every year? first season after the lockout was at $39 million. if it keeps going up like this, the same problems about small market teams not being able to compete are going to keep coming up.

link:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=212226&hubname=nhl

[Fallon]

Bruins traded for Manny Fernandez. Glad they got their Goalie situation settled.

[weekapaugjz]

Bruins traded for Manny Fernandez. Glad they got their Goalie situation settled.

i miss hanu toivenen...he was the best at giving up five goals a game

[El Mudo]

Bruins traded for Manny Fernandez. Glad they got their Goalie situation settled.




Yeah......now they can deal with his head-caseness and massive contract



Tim Thomas will beat him out by November

[cougarjake13]

Yeah......now they can deal with his head-caseness and massive contract



Tim Thomas will beat him out by November

he's playing hockey now ????


http://www.espn.go.com/photo/2006/0531/nba_g_timthomas_268.jpg

[weekapaugjz]

fuck this shit. briere signs with philly. i loved briere while he was here, but he can go suck a cock in philly.

linky:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=212425&hubname=nhl

[J.Clints]

Kansas city Predators? (http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070629/SPORTS02/706290410/1028)

[cougarjake13]

Kansas city Predators? (http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070629/SPORTS02/706290410/1028)

what balls on basille to start collecting season tix money for a hamilton team that doesnt exist yet

[El Mudo]

Things are really happening now...



-Rafalski signs with Detroit for 5 and 30 (dammit!!!! I wanted him here!!!)


-My Caps sign Tom Poti for 4 and 14 (I wanted Rafalski....but I guess he was the second best affordable option out there...theyre not going to pay Souray megabucks and he wants to be out west anyway)

-Michel Ouellet signs with Tampa


-Yanic Perrault signs with Chicago (great pickup for them...the ultimate role player, another guy I would have liked to have had here, and we could have ended up trading him to Toronto at some point)

-Oilers brought back Dick Tarnstrom



I'm STUNNED by the Briere deal....absolutely stunned....EIGHT YEARS? EIGHT? and they can't move him? Absolutely INSANE

[Tenbatsuzen]

ESPN reporting Gomez to the Rangers. If true, NICE.

[Tenbatsuzen]

With all the Flyers' wheeling and dealing, I'm not sure if they are building team chemistry or following the Rangers recipe for disaster of high-prices signings in the late 90's-early 2000's.

[El Mudo]

Speaking of the Flyers, they just swung a deal with the Oilers



Pitkanen, Geoff Sanderson and a third to Edmonton for Jason Smith and Joffrey Lupul

[El Mudo]

Nothing on Gomez to the Rangers yet on TSN (its an EJ Hradek story) but I assume it'll be on there soon

[El Mudo]

Flyers should have worn a gun and a mask in that Oiler deal

[El Mudo]

Brian Burke believes Scott Niedermayer will be retiring (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=212422&hubname=nhl)

[Tenbatsuzen]

Brian Burke believes Scott Niedermayer will be retiring (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=212422&hubname=nhl)

What more can he do? He's done about everything you can possibly do in a career.

[spoon]

Fucking wings lose a D and then move on yet another free agent upgrade to take his place. I can't believe they got fucking Rafalski to replace Schneider seemingly ten minutes later. And I really can't stand Philly and their Ranger-like rebuilding process. They're just idiotic and deserve to lose for years although the Oiler trade was nice even losing Pitkanen.

The only Avs news comes in losing Brett McLean to the Panthers. Still waiting on a nice move to solidify the D as all the other teams keep adding depth.

[spoon]

What more can he do? He's done about everything you can possibly do in a career.

So should Tom Brady retire too? And he can go for back to back championships as his team is still stacked and growing stronger by the minute (Schneider on D). He's still a top notch D man (top 10 or better depending on what you need), with great leadership and plenty left in the tank. He should continue if you ask me.

[El Mudo]

Leafs sign Jason Blake

[El Mudo]

And TSN is on the Gomez deal now...my dad was big time on the "Scott Gomez to DC" bandwagon

[Kevin]

And TSN is on the Gomez deal now...my dad was big time on the "Scott Gomez to DC" bandwagon

Yep (http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=212475&hubname=)

[Kevin]

HOLY SHIT!! Tsn is reporting Rangers sign Drury too!!!!

WOW!!

[TheGameHHH]

Gomez, you little fucking trader!!!!!!! Now i have to hope he goes the way of Bobby Holik.

[El Mudo]

HOLY SHIT!! Tsn is reporting Rangers sign Drury too!!!!

WOW!!



Goddammit

[El Mudo]

OK....now i'm on the conspiracy bandwagon


It just seems awful shady to me the Lig happened to increase teh salary cap right before the FA period

[spoon]

Gomez, you little fucking trader!!!!!!! Now i have to hope he goes the way of Bobby Holik.

Are you saying he's the GM?

[TheGameHHH]

Are you saying he's the GM?

im not sure im following you here

[weekapaugjz]

HOLY SHIT!! Tsn is reporting Rangers sign Drury too!!!!

WOW!!

MOTHERFUCKER!!!

[TheGameHHH]

hopefully this backfires on the Rangers again, like that year or two they signed every stud possible and the team just never meshed.........but i hate to say it, the Rangers look fucking nasty.

[El Mudo]

So do the Flyers now too....Lupul, Smith, Briere, plus Biron in net

[weekapaugjz]

i couldn't be more pissed with buffalo management right now. letting both of the team captains go. FUCK, FUCK, FUCK, etc.

[spoon]

im not sure im following you here

traitor not trader, that's all

[El Mudo]

Caps sign Viktor Kozlov....



Like the idea of having a big center, but still wish we could have added Drury or Briere...this sucks

[weekapaugjz]

sabres better spend some money on keeping zubrus.

[TheGameHHH]

traitor not trader, that's all

ahhhhh, you are so wise..........that was kind of dumb on my part

[weekapaugjz]

Like the idea of having a big center, but still wish we could have added Drury or Briere...this sucks

tell me about it...

[spoon]

I'll be the first to first to type it, Buffalo is done and this thread is going to much less used for the next season. All you Saber fans are in for a tough transition. Almost overnight.

[TheGameHHH]

sabres better spend some money on keeping zubrus.

i really thought with the salary cap increase the devils would use some of that money to really make a push to try and keep Gomez. im so confused by Lou sometimes, he honestly doesnt give a fuck what anybody thinks.....he just goes by his own rules and whatever he wants to do he does. its frustrating to watch as a fan sometimes.

[spoon]

Devils now much weaker.
Sabers now much weaker.
Canadians about to lose Souray and get weaker.
Can the Flyers rebound with these moves? Jason Smith isn't really that good either Mudo, sorry.
Rangers are monsters in the East now and will be in it with the Ning, Sens and some others.

[El Mudo]

Well...theyve still got some good pieces like Tomas Vanek, Derek Roy, Pominville and Stafford and Ryan Miller is one of the best in the Lig


I don't think there'll be that big of a drop off...they still got a pretty good team up there

[Tenbatsuzen]

So should Tom Brady retire too?

No, he's got child support to pay. Win the Super Bowl on Sunday/drive off in Hyundai

[Tenbatsuzen]

I have to wonder, with Gomez and drury signed, if the Rangers are intent on keeping Shanny.

Outside of Shanny, the Rangers obviously need to keep Hank. Not sure about Avery - depends if he's pissed off the rest of the lockerroom. What about Prucha?

[weekapaugjz]

Well...theyve still got some good pieces like Tomas Vanek, Derek Roy, Pominville and Stafford and Ryan Miller is one of the best in the Lig


I don't think there'll be that big of a drop off...they still got a pretty good team up there

yeah, but a lot more pressure is going to be put on guys like vanek, pominville, and afinogenov. i hope they can deal with that.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Devils now much weaker.
Sabers now much weaker.
Canadians about to lose Souray and get weaker.
Can the Flyers rebound with these moves? Jason Smith isn't really that good either Mudo, sorry.
Rangers are monsters in the East now and will be in it with the Ning, Sens and some others.

Rangers cannot be classified as "monsters" until Lundqvist is locked up.

[weekapaugjz]

I have to wonder, with Gomez and drury signed, if the Rangers are intent on keeping Shanny.

Outside of Shanny, the Rangers obviously need to keep Hank. Not sure about Avery - depends if he's pissed off the rest of the lockerroom. What about Prucha?

well, with two contracts like that, there is sure going to be a few ham-n-eggers on the roster, that should still be in the ahl.

[spoon]

Well...theyve still got some good pieces like Tomas Vanek, Derek Roy, Pominville and Stafford and Ryan Miller is one of the best in the Lig


I don't think there'll be that big of a drop off...they still got a pretty good team up there

Sure, as role/support players in line with Drury and Bri, not as the heart. Also, these two were the leadership of the team so I say there is no fucking way they are at the top of the east this year. 2007 was their last shot at the cup for a few years. Miller to the Rangers in 09!

This just in, the Rangers just signed all remaining free agents. Free agent period over.

[TheGameHHH]

Rangers cannot be classified as "monsters" until Lundqvist is locked up.

i disagree, locking him up will make them bigger monsters though. but with the talent on that team now, i could probably play goalie for them and they'd go to the finals.

[spoon]

i disagree, locking him up will make them bigger monsters though. but with the talent on that team now, i could probably play goalie for them and they'd go to the finals.

Easy on the final pick. Sure they're looking strong, but the NHL playoffs are the toughest in all sports. It's never easy and injuries are key in hockey as well.

[Tenbatsuzen]

i disagree, locking him up will make them bigger monsters though. but with the talent on that team now, i could probably play goalie for them and they'd go to the finals.

Hot goalies win playoff series, not being "monsters" on paper. I've been a ranger fan long enough to realize that no matter how much talent is on the team, if you have no goalie, things can suck in a hurry. I deal with the Mike Dunham era, all right?

[Kevin]

Rangers cannot be classified as "monsters" until Lundqvist is locked up.

You honestly think that they did all this without leaving room to sign their Franchise goalie?? I highly doubt that.. It would be useless to sign them then..

[El Mudo]

Sure, as role/support players in line with Drury and Bri, not as the heart. Also, these two were the leadership of the team so I say there is no fucking way they are at the top of the east this year. 2007 was their last shot at the cup for a few years. Miller to the Rangers in 09!

This just in, the Rangers just signed all remaining free agents. Free agent period over.



I wasn't going that far and saying they were going to be at the top of the east...but their team is not really all that bad


I've already got Florida pegged as my ultimate sleeper team...remember, they came thisclose to making the playoffs last year with a much inferior team

[Tenbatsuzen]

You honestly think that they did all this without leaving room to sign their Franchise goalie?? I highly doubt that.. It would be useless to sign them then..

uh..

IT'S GLEN FUCKING SATHER!!!!

[spoon]

The Colorado Avalanche have signed D Scott Hannan to a four-year deal worth $18 million.

[cougarjake13]

i know gomez is good and young but i still have a bad taste in my mouth from the last devil to cross the river

[El Mudo]

Islanders sign Jon Sim...notable because he's my generation's Randy Cunneyworth...he doesn't score against anyone but the Caps

[TheGameHHH]

i know gomez is good and young but i still have a bad taste in my mouth from the last devil to cross the river

yea, i said it on the last page......as a devils fan thats all i can hope for but deep down inside i can't help but being pissed because in my opinion you guys got a real gem. he's a points machine.

[Tenbatsuzen]

i know gomez is good and young but i still have a bad taste in my mouth from the last devil to cross the river

Well, by "former Devil" becoming a Ranger, that would also include Shanny. But Holik is just a failure, so it wasn't just us, he's been stinking up the joint wherever he goes.

And you can't hate the drury signing.

[El Mudo]

Scott Niedermayer is announcing his retirement officially...

[Havenostaples]

The devils really have to sure up the lineup now. There are way too many holes right now. I'm not liking this

[spoon]

Love the signing and is the type D player they need. He's the Foote / Stevens D-man that the Avs haven't had in years since Foote left. Also, he's a leader on the blueline which we lacked since Blake went back to the coast last year.

D so far for the Avs:

Clark, Liles, Skrastins, Hannan, Leopold, Finger, Sauer, Cumiskey.

[spoon]

Well, by "former Devil" becoming a Ranger, that would also include Shanny. But Holik is just a failure, so it wasn't just us, he's been stinking up the joint wherever he goes.

And you can't hate the drury signing.

I'm an Avs fan and hate the Rangers so yes, I CAN Hate the Drury signing.

[El Mudo]

So I guess all we're waiting on now are Zubie and Ryan Smyth....

[spoon]

So I guess all we're waiting on now are Zubie and Ryan Smyth....

Not really, Smyth is good as gone. He'll be back in Edmonton next year after that salary free up move with Philly. And I am still interested in a bunch of other guys like Souray, Forsberg, a ton of group 2 free agents (can be signed by any team but will have to pay compensation in terms of draft picks based on salary), Selanne, Hamrlik, Stuart, Carter, Kariya, Shanahan and many more.

[Justice4all]

Gomez, you little fucking trader!!!!!!! Now i have to hope he goes the way of Bobby Holik.

FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK! Now TWO solid players gone, the Devils better have some magic up their sleves if they want to even GET into the playoffs anytime soon.


I'm with you game.

[Kevin]

The Rangers hope that line will feature veteran Brendan Shanahan on one of the wings. Shanahan, who signed with New York after a long tenure in Detroit, is a unrestricted free agent now, but both the team and the player have made it clear that a deal is still possible.

The Rangers also have two very important restricted free agents on their radar. Starting goalie Henrik Lundqvist and pesky forward Steve Avery, obtained in-season last year and so important to New York's late-season run, need to be signed. Other teams could make offers for these two players, but the Rangers have the right to match any offer.

Sather said that he still plans to sign both players, despite Sunday's spending spree.

"We still have other people we have to sign so we have to be careful, but we think we have things calculated out and we're in a good position," Sather said. "We think we can keep everyone we have right now."

Both of the players signed Sunday are capable of being the No. 1 center on the Rangers as they are presently constructed.

[Tenbatsuzen]

I'm an Avs fan and hate the Rangers so yes, I CAN Hate the Drury signing.

Two words, Joe Fucking Sakic.

[weekapaugjz]

rangers fans, you guys are going to love watching drury play on a nightly basis. he is an amazing playmaker and plays 100% the entire game. i am really upset that he's gone, but of any team in the east, im glad he went to new york. im still bitter about briere going to philly. i fucking hate the flyers.

[weekapaugjz]

Not really, Smyth is good as gone. He'll be back in Edmonton next year after that salary free up move with Philly.

oh, really?

ryan smyth signs with the avs. i like it. im glad the islanders gave up a shitload for him and can't even sign him. oh the genius of garth snow.

linky:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2922952

[Tenbatsuzen]

ryan smyth signs with the avs. i like it. im glad the islanders gave up a shitload for him and can't even sign him. oh the genius of garth snow.

linky:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2922952

Good, now spoon can shush for a bit.

[weekapaugjz]

Good, now spoon can shush for a bit.

no, we're never going to hear the end of it. ryan smyth this, ryan smyth that. i can picture it now...

[El Mudo]

Dammit! :flush:

[HBox]

:furious:

[Tenbatsuzen]

:furious:

http://img471.imageshack.us/img471/9571/knockedoutrq7.jpg

[Tenbatsuzen]

btw, this is why Ann Liguori fucking sucks. The Rangers made two huge signings, and they're talking about the Knicks.

[HBox]

At least the Devs resigned Johnny Oduya. We get to watch him fumble around with the puck in his own end for another 82 games.

They sure as shit better sign Parise and Paul Martin long term.

Oh my GOD. Paul Martin is their best defenseman now. I'm hyperventilating here.

:wallbash:

[Tenbatsuzen]

At least the Devs resigned Johnny Oduya. We get to watch him fumble around with the puck in his own end for another 82 games.

They sure as shit better sign Parise and Paul Martin long term.

Oh my GOD. Paul Martin is their best defenseman now. I'm hyperventilating here.

:wallbash:

On the bright side, you'll be able to sign Nylander! Enjoy the ice capades.

[HBox]

On the bright side, you'll be able to sign Nylander! Enjoy the ice capades.

Don't get crazy yet. Remember the last time the Rangers went crazy signing everybody?

[TheGameHHH]

At least the Devs resigned Johnny Oduya. We get to watch him fumble around with the puck in his own end for another 82 games.

They sure as shit better sign Parise and Paul Martin long term.

Oh my GOD. Paul Martin is their best defenseman now. I'm hyperventilating here.

:wallbash:

seriously, i wanna jump off a bridge

[Kevin]

TSN said that even with these 2 signings, the Rangers are still 12mil under the cap.. They can still sigh Shanny Henry and Avery.. Plus they are working on getting Cherapanov out of Russia for the up coming year.. If this happens.. This will be some fucking team..

[HBox]

seriously, i wanna jump off a bridge

At least we'll have a fancy new building to watch it in.

In the middle of Newark.

[Kevin]

Don't get crazy yet. Remember the last time the Rangers went crazy signing everybody?

That was when they sucked.. If you remember.. They were pretty damn good without these guys.. They have the coaching.. And plus Drury is a winner and a leader.. And Gomez has also won 2 cups.. So this is much different than before.. They actually have a system and players in place..

[HBox]

That was when they sucked.. If you remember.. They were pretty damn good without these guys.. They have the coaching.. And plus Drury is a winner and a leader.. And Gomez has also won 2 cups.. So this is much different than before.. They actually have a system and players in place..

That's what they said last time.

[Kevin]

That's what they said last time.

Who's them?? Back then they were awful.. And would try to sign guys to get out of holes.. This time they are actualy building from what they have.. They never had a system in place.

[HBox]

Who's them?? Back then they were awful.. And would try to sign guys to get out of holes.. This time they are actualy building from what they have.. They never had a system in place.

They said that last time too.

I'm putting together what I call a "Theo Fleury" welcome basket for Gomez and Drury.

[Landblast]

Caps sign Viktor Kozlov....


he should help our embarrassing shoot-out percentage.

[Kevin]

They said that last time too.

I'm putting together what I call a "Theo Fleury" welcome basket for Gomez and Drury.

Sour grapes..



Also remember that Staal is coming up also.. He is supposed to be a top defenseman.. We stole him when he dropped to 12 the year he was drafted too.. We actually traded from 16 to 12 to get him..

[Kevin]

seriously, i wanna jump off a bridge

Maybe the Yankees will smarten up and Fire Torre soon..

[spoon]

The Rangers hope that line will feature veteran Brendan Shanahan on one of the wings. Shanahan, who signed with New York after a long tenure in Detroit, is a unrestricted free agent now, but both the team and the player have made it clear that a deal is still possible.

The Rangers also have two very important restricted free agents on their radar. Starting goalie Henrik Lundqvist and pesky forward Steve Avery, obtained in-season last year and so important to New York's late-season run, need to be signed. Other teams could make offers for these two players, but the Rangers have the right to match any offer.

Sather said that he still plans to sign both players, despite Sunday's spending spree.

"We still have other people we have to sign so we have to be careful, but we think we have things calculated out and we're in a good position," Sather said. "We think we can keep everyone we have right now."

Both of the players signed Sunday are capable of being the No. 1 center on the Rangers as they are presently constructed.

I love the Drury signing (yet hate it bc it's with the Rangers of course), and can't hate on the Gomez move either. However, if they don't land Shanahan it will hurt. He gave them a grit they truly needed and can't be filled with Avery. Over a full season Avery will wear your team and players down bc he's an asshole of the finest level. Using him as a playoff rental is perfect for this douche as it worked out last year. While Shannie is a true warrior/leader who can even keep the superstar offensive players in line with the coaches strategies and his loss would hurt badly. Drury can help in this department too, but Shanahan is a key cog in the Ranger machine here.

[spoon]

Two words, Joe Fucking Sakic.

What, you mean that dirty front-loaded contract offer sheet you gave him in the midst of financial ruin for the company that owned the Avs at the time? Didn't the Rangers steal away enough franchise players back in the pre-strike NHL!? Thank God for the movie "Air Force One" with Harrison Ford! That movie alone (no shit) made enough money at that very instance that allowed the Avs to match that dirty contract offer sheet and keep our boy! Hence some of my disdain for the Rangers and Sather himself. Get a haircut you grey-haired hippie!

[spoon]

Oh and the Penguins are burning the midnight oil with me tonight signing Sydor and Sykora both to 2-year deals after 1 am! Nice moves to add some vet depth to the young lineup. Now if only my last name began with Sy I could get one of those Pitt contracts....

[spoon]

oh, really?

ryan smyth signs with the avs. i like it. im glad the islanders gave up a shitload for him and can't even sign him. oh the genius of garth snow.

linky:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2922952

And I've never been so happy to be wrong. I knew they were always interested in him since he was on the block, but it was a long shot that I never would have banked on. Being a Northwest Division hockey fan I've seen my share of him on a yearly basis and had nothing but respect for his play, effort and the way he led his team. He killed the Avs every year and I have to assume he wanted to stay in the Western Conference after his possible opponent's teams (to the Islanders) made big moves and he is great friends with Joe Sakic. It's obvious now to me that the Avs are making a push to contend once more for Sakic before he retires and I hope they make it happen. Surprised you with that one right!

[spoon]

btw, this is why Ann Liguori fucking sucks. The Rangers made two huge signings, and they're talking about the Knicks.

Oh she sucks for many other reasons beyond that too. I listened to her on the way back from softball yesterday and couldn't fucking keep the station on longer then 2 minutes even though I just wanted to hear the upcoming flash. She's horrible and rarely talks pure sports. Last I heard she was talking about helping someone down from a podium after an interview and how she likes to interview people...blah blah blah blah! Holy fuck shut up! Then she comes back and talks about her love for jingles on the fan comercials. She makes Kevin look like he knows sports!

[spoon]

TSN said that even with these 2 signings, the Rangers are still 12mil under the cap.. They can still sigh Shanny Henry and Avery.. Plus they are working on getting Cherapanov out of Russia for the up coming year.. If this happens.. This will be some fucking team..

Stop with the Cherapanov shit already. Do you realize that every fucking organization has a kid or five like this in their system? And what percentage even makes the NHL let alone play on the first or second line? You speak of him as if he's the next Ovechkin or something out of Russia. You really should be his fucking agent. "I don't want to hear it!"

[spoon]

Kariya to the Blues for 3 years. Things are looking very bleak for that Nashville franchise as it'll be tough to add free agents to this team now. Look for Forsberg to move on soon too. I don't blame people for wanting out right now. Sorry Clint and our other Pred fans. I wonder if my preds jersey will be worth something when they leave. Probably the same value as my Winnipeg Jets or Hartford Whalers sweaters!

[Gwen]

http://nyrangers.com/pressbox/pressreleases.asp?id=2953

Looks like the Rangers signed Scott Gomez and Chris Drury. I have to admit, when I first heard the Gomez news, both Andrew and I groaned and were a little disgusted. I'm sure later in the season I'll come to love him, it's just that whole he comes from the Devil's thing. Drury though, is a pretty sweet get so I'm excited about that. Now I just wait for the other shoe to drop to find out who among our free agents we'll lose.

[Tenbatsuzen]

What, you mean that dirty front-loaded contract offer sheet you gave him in the midst of financial ruin for the company that owned the Avs at the time? Didn't the Rangers steal away enough franchise players back in the pre-strike NHL!? Thank God for the movie "Air Force One" with Harrison Ford! That movie alone (no shit) made enough money at that very instance that allowed the Avs to match that dirty contract offer sheet and keep our boy! Hence some of my disdain for the Rangers and Sather himself. Get a haircut you grey-haired hippie!

You can't use your typical Yankees-style argument with the Sakic thing. Sakic not coming to the Rangers is what set off all those FA signings, NOT in the midst of it. What other "franchise players" did they steal? Lindros? Try again.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Kariya to the Blues for 3 years. Things are looking very bleak for that Nashville franchise as it'll be tough to add free agents to this team now. Look for Forsberg to move on soon too. I don't blame people for wanting out right now. Sorry Clint and our other Pred fans. I wonder if my preds jersey will be worth something when they leave. Probably the same value as my Winnipeg Jets or Hartford Whalers sweaters!

Which is the bigger 1-2 punch signing - Gomez and Drury to the Rangers or Kariya and Tkachuk to the Blues?

Gomez and Drury are still young, there's plenty of upside, IMHO.

As for the preds jerseys... the Jets and Whalers jerseys had some class, some nostalgic value. The Preds jerseys? Not so much.

[El Mudo]

Man oh man...

Sydor just signed with Pittsburgh...jeez...the rich get richer


How loaded is the East now? The Rangers, Flyers, Penguins, the Ning (still have LeCavalier and St. Louis), Caps have improved, Buffalo still has a good team, Ottawa has pretty much everyone coming back, Toronto has improved...

What a great season its going to be...

[Tenbatsuzen]

Man oh man...

Sydor just signed with Pittsburgh...jeez...the rich get richer


How loaded is the East now? The Rangers, Flyers, Penguins, the Ning (still have LeCavalier and St. Louis), Caps have improved, Buffalo still has a good team, Ottawa has pretty much everyone coming back, Toronto has improved...

What a great season its going to be...

Just on the basis of the new uniform alone the Caps have improved.

Toronto... eh. With everyone else just reloading, it's hard to say how much Toronto will improve against everyone else. It's like someone upgrading from Hyundai to a Mustang and finding out everyone else has Vipers, Vettes, and McLarens.

[Tenbatsuzen]

The weird thing is, considering how consistent the Devils have been, even with them losing players, they can still build talent around Brodeur.

[El Mudo]

Just on the basis of the new uniform alone the Caps have improved.

Toronto... eh. With everyone else just reloading, it's hard to say how much Toronto will improve against everyone else. It's like someone upgrading from Hyundai to a Mustang and finding out everyone else has Vipers, Vettes, and McLarens.



I like the additions of Blake and Toskala...but I don't like committing to Antropov long term...


The Devils will be in contention simply because of that damn system they play...I think they will make the playoffs, but be out quickly

[Kevin]

I like the additions of Blake and Toskala...but I don't like committing to Antropov long term...


The Devils will be in contention simply because of that damn system they play...I think they will make the playoffs, but be out quickly

As long as Marty is playing and is playing well.. The Devils will continue to make the playoffs every year.. Won't go that far because the playoffs in a whole different ball game.. But they will be there..

[pittphantoms]

Man oh man...

Sydor just signed with Pittsburgh...jeez...the rich get richer


How loaded is the East now? The Rangers, Flyers, Penguins, the Ning (still have LeCavalier and St. Louis), Caps have improved, Buffalo still has a good team, Ottawa has pretty much everyone coming back, Toronto has improved...

What a great season its going to be...

We got Sykora too... which filled our main needs - a scoring winger and a quality second line defenseman...

[Kevin]

What, you mean that dirty front-loaded contract offer sheet you gave him in the midst of financial ruin for the company that owned the Avs at the time? Didn't the Rangers steal away enough franchise players back in the pre-strike NHL!? Thank God for the movie "Air Force One" with Harrison Ford! That movie alone (no shit) made enough money at that very instance that allowed the Avs to match that dirty contract offer sheet and keep our boy! Hence some of my disdain for the Rangers and Sather himself. Get a haircut you grey-haired hippie!

You sure that was Sather?? this happened in 97 98 right?? It was the Year Messier left.. I don't think Sather has been here that long.. Or at least don't remember him.. I think he came in around 2000.. I could be wrong..

[Kevin]

Rangers set to name Sather president/GM
Chicago Sun-Times, Jun 1, 2000

Sakic was 97.. So who is the one that does not know about sports Spoony!!!

[Kevin]

TSN was saying how idiotic Buff played the Brier thing.. They knew when they dealt Biron to Philly, that he was Brier's best friend.. And they still low balled him with an offer.. And as soon as Gomez, and Brier signed.. Drury wanted to sign here, seeing that buff will not be as good, and he will have a good shot at winning here..

[NickyL0885]

Im still on Suicide watch, as im sure the rest of Long Island is. How in the FUCK can we lose everyone and all we got to show for it is JOHN FUCKING SIM!!!!!!!

[Tenbatsuzen]

Im still on Suicide watch, as im sure the rest of Long Island is. How in the FUCK can we lose everyone and all we got to show for it is JOHN FUCKING SIM!!!!!!!

You should be on suicide watch just because you're in Long Island.

[NickyL0885]

This is our lineup as of now:

Hunter-Sillinger-Hilbert
Satan-Park-Sim
Tambellini-Bates-Bergenheim



Witt-Martinek
Gervais-Campoli
Bergeron-Meyer


DiPietro
Dubie




Yikes.....ok...its not HORRIBLE. i mean...if we sign Zubrus, Guiren and perhaps......Comrie...we should be good. Bring up Neilson and Nokelainen. The D isnt bad. Meyer can get better, Martinek is gotta stop breaking like glass.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

Not Bad for the Rangers. I will learn to Like Gomez, if he Plays Well. He better not Holik (Stink) up the Garden. As far as Drury, that Bastard was the turning point of our Season, with that 3rd period Goal with 7 secs left in Game 5. But I dont hold grudges with Players, We will enjoy his Speed and ability.

:king:

[TheGameHHH]

http://nyrangers.com/pressbox/pressreleases.asp?id=2953

Looks like the Rangers signed Scott Gomez and Chris Drury. I have to admit, when I first heard the Gomez news, both Andrew and I groaned and were a little disgusted. I'm sure later in the season I'll come to love him, it's just that whole he comes from the Devil's thing. Drury though, is a pretty sweet get so I'm excited about that. Now I just wait for the other shoe to drop to find out who among our free agents we'll lose.

and boy did i appreciate you're 7:15am text message......as if i didnt fall asleep disgusted enough i have to be awoken with a reminder of the horrid events of the day before. you have no idea how lucky you are to watch Gomez play, he's a special talent and im pissed he's gone.

[lleeder]

I can't wait to watch a starless AHL team next year. At least I have the Yankees to enjoy right now :wallbash:

[Kevin]

I can't wait to watch a starless AHL team next year. At least I have the Yankees to enjoy right now :wallbash:

I miss living George..

[El Mudo]

TSN was saying how idiotic Buff played the Brier thing.. They knew when they dealt Biron to Philly, that he was Brier's best friend.. And they still low balled him with an offer.. And as soon as Gomez, and Brier signed.. Drury wanted to sign here, seeing that buff will not be as good, and he will have a good shot at winning here..


Well..Buffalo still has to sign Vanek this year, AND this is the last year of Ryan Miller's contract...I dont blame them for not signing Briere to that RIDICULOUS deal that Philly signed him too, but I think they at least could have made a better offer to Drury...thats really what I see as their only fault (plus, next year's FA crop is supposed to be WAYYY better than this year's, i believe it includes among others, Heatly and Spezza)


Remember, its still early, and a LOT of teams need to meet the salary cap FLOOR, which is 34 million...I believe Nashville still has something like 8 million to spend just to get to the floor, and I believe the Isles are well short of the floor too


Also, on Home Ice 204, they were saying the Islanders actually offered Ryan Smyth MORE money than the Avalanche did, but Smyth turned them down...so you really can't blame Isles management for not re signing him

[Kevin]

WFAN just reported that NYlander just signd with the Caps.. good player.. Works hard. Had a good year last yr 26g 57 ass.. And had a great playoff.. Good signing..

[Tenbatsuzen]

and boy did i appreciate you're 7:15am text message......as if i didnt fall asleep disgusted enough i have to be awoken with a reminder of the horrid events of the day before. you have no idea how lucky you are to watch Gomez play, he's a special talent and im pissed he's gone.

I got one at 7:14. she loves me more!

[Tenbatsuzen]

Not Bad for the Rangers. I will learn to Like Gomez, if he Plays Well. He better not Holik (Stink) up the Garden. As far as Drury, that Bastard was the turning point of our Season, with that 3rd period Goal with 7 secs left in Game 5. But I dont hold grudges with Players, We will enjoy his Speed and ability.

:king:

uhhhhhhh....

Not every free agent signing is gonna be like Bobby Holik! Come on!

[Kevin]

Well..Buffalo still has to sign Vanek this year, AND this is the last year of Ryan Miller's contract...I dont blame them for not signing Briere to that RIDICULOUS deal that Philly signed him too, but I think they at least could have made a better offer to Drury...thats really what I see as their only fault (plus, next year's FA crop is supposed to be WAYYY better than this year's, i believe it includes among others, Heatly and Spezza)


Remember, its still early, and a LOT of teams need to meet the salary cap FLOOR, which is 34 million...I believe Nashville still has something like 8 million to spend just to get to the floor, and I believe the Isles are well short of the floor too


Also, on Home Ice 204, they were saying the Islanders actually offered Ryan Smyth MORE money than the Avalanche did, but Smyth turned them down...so you really can't blame Isles management for not re signing him

They could have made them both better offer than 5 years 25mil.. They had to know that they will get more when they hit FA..

[El Mudo]

I love the move of signing Nylander...love it, love it, love it


We went into the FA period needing, a puck moving D man and a PP QB (got it with Poti) and depth up the middle (addressed with Kozlov and Nylander)


Didn't make any big splash, but these are solid, solid moves, and I LOVE our team. Now you can throw Nylander between Alexander Mikhailovich Ovechkin and Captain Chris Clark, and throw Kozlov with Semin and Eric Fehr, then you STILL got Backstrom and Jake Klepis at center, then Gordon, Sutherby, Bradley, Pettinger, Brashear, Clymer to fill out the third/fourth lines....and a really good young D corps (Morrisonn, Eminger, Pothier, Poti, Erskine, Schultz, Jurcina)


I LOVE what we have here now....i couldn't be more excited for next season to start

[El Mudo]

Robert Lang to Chicago....Roman Hamrlik to Montreal

[King Hippos Bandaid]

uhhhhhhh....

Not every free agent signing is gonna be like Bobby Holik! Come on!


I was talking Being Good on the Devils than traded to the Rangers and stink it up as a Ranger, Holik and Bruce Driver are good examples of this.

Who was the last Devil to play good after becoming a Ranger

:king:

[lleeder]

I was talking Being Good on the Devils than traded to the Rangers and stink it up as a Ranger, Holik and Bruce Driver are good examples of this.

Who was the last Devil to play good after becoming a Ranger

:king:

This guy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brendan_Shanahan)

[El Mudo]

I was talking Being Good on the Devils than traded to the Rangers and stink it up as a Ranger, Holik and Bruce Driver are good examples of this.

Who was the last Devil to play good after becoming a Ranger

:king:


Bruce Driver

[King Hippos Bandaid]

This guy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brendan_Shanahan)

true, was thinking of directly coming from the Devils to the Rangers. Not a Devil in 1988-1991

:king:

[lleeder]

Only spoiled Ranger fans could complain that they signed the wrong guy. Islander fans don't even have a complete line to route for.

[cougarjake13]

....Roman Hamrlik to Montreal

damn he's still around ???

[El Mudo]

Three good pickups by the Kings....Ladislav Nagy, Michal Handzus and Tom Preissing, who is a REALLY good defenseman

[El Mudo]

damn he's still around ???



He actually played VERY well last year in Cal Gary....


I assume he was loathe to come back due to the hiring of Iron Mike Keenan

[El Mudo]

Anaheim signs Todd Bertuzzi



Preds sign Radek Bonk and Greg De Vries

[Gwen]

Ortmeyer has gone to Nashville. He was my favorite Ranger. There was just something hokey and loveable about him. Godspeed, Jed.

Now that Blake is on the Leafs I can't root for them anymore, so maybe I'll follow the Stars a lil closer as my second team.

[cougarjake13]

Anaheim signs Todd Bertuzzi



Preds sign Radek Bonk and Greg De Vries

did bertuzzi play last year

[El Mudo]

Ortmeyer has gone to Nashville. He was my favorite Ranger. There was just something hokey and loveable about him. Godspeed, Jed.

Now that Blake is on the Leafs I can't root for them anymore, so maybe I'll follow the Stars a lil closer as my second team.



We need a team down here in DC that could use some more female fans :tongue:

[El Mudo]

did bertuzzi play last year



Yes...he was dealt by Florida to Detroit at the deadline

[TheGameHHH]

Ortmeyer has gone to Nashville. He was my favorite Ranger. There was just something hokey and loveable about him. Godspeed, Jed.

Now that Blake is on the Leafs I can't root for them anymore, so maybe I'll follow the Stars a lil closer as my second team.

typical rangers fan, picking a second team in anticipation of your team sucking so bad you need to jump ship.

[El Mudo]

Cal Gary signs the Fightin' Irishman...Owen Nolan

[Kevin]

Cal Gary signs the Fightin' Irishman...Owen Nolan

Jesus.. He is still playing?? He was old back in the mid-late 90's when he was always rumored to come to the Rangers

[cougarjake13]

Jesus.. He is still playing?? He was old back in the mid-late 90's when he was always rumored to come to the Rangers

i thought he was dead

[El Mudo]

Atlanta signs my old buddy Ken Klee


Cal Gary extends Robyn Regher for five years

[Kevin]

i thought he was dead

You sure you didn't mistake him for the Yankees?? Because.. It might have just been the Yankees..

[Kevin]

How the fuck is he only 35??? Does he have a Dominican birth certificate??

[El Mudo]

How the fuck is he only 35??? Does he have a Dominican birth certificate??



Well....he was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland


But i think he was drafted at like 17 or 18, so thats why

[lleeder]

Did the Islanders get anyone yet? Is Kirk Muller available?

[Kevin]

Yea 90 when he was 18.. Jagr was 91.. and i don't feel the same for him.. Maybe because Jagr is so good and Nolan is more gritty..

[El Mudo]

Did the Islanders get anyone yet? Is Kirk Muller available?



Not as far as I can see Lleeder....tsn.ca has a live free agent tracker, thats where i'm getting most of my info from