Thrashers

By Nate

June 14, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

My biggest thing about the Q & A was the comment about finding a center. Waddell said “absolutely” when asked the question if the team had the money to sign a guy for $6 million a year. But then said it might be in the best interests of the team to sign 2 $3 million guys or 3 $2 million a year guys. I’ll never understand that logic. How is it better to have 2 or 3 mediocre players that maybe total 50 points combined than one great player that can get you 90 points and make the players around him better? We saw first hand what happend with that this year. Did the team miss Savard’s production? Yeah. Did Kovy miss Savard? A resounding yes. I understand Waddell wants depth because of injuries, but depth is in Chicago and mediocrity doesn’t win hockey games. Injuries happen and you just have to deal with them the best you can. Don’t fail to acquire greatness because of “what-ifs.”

By Craig Custance

June 14, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this

Nate — That’s an interesting argument. Do you try for the home run in free agency or build depth?

By ranallo10

June 14, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this

Nate, it’s the eggs in a basket argument. The team already has two players scoring between 80 and 100 points per season. Both players are not on the same line. To obtain a big/great name (i.e. a $6M player) for one line weakens the rest of your second line. But to obtain two above average/good names (i.e. two $3M players) or three average names (i.e. 3 $2M players) is spreading the production across the team. Ottawa had ONE big offensive line, with each player making $4+M. They lost to a team that had ONE big offensive player, and many above average players. They focused their money on defense and two-way players, instead of a single high scoring talent to bolster one line. One player is more easily shut down than two or three players.

Savard was missed, true, but he was extremely extremely expensive, and not really worth all the money he was asking for (and received from Boston). His production was missed, but he scored those 90 points while making less than $3M. If you can get that sort of production out of one of those two new $3M players, and then 40-50 points out of the other, you’re ahead of the production ANY $6M player can give your team.

Dainius Zubrus had 60 points making $1.85M last season. Maxim Afinogenov had 61 points (in 56 games) while making $3M last season. Combined, they had more points (121) for less money ($4.85M) on one team (eventually Buffalo after Zubrus got traded) than Savard did for Boston (96 points, $5M). Obviously those two are good players, and Zubrus was a bargain of sorts, but my point can be made for that example.

I know, I know, there are many players who make more or less money with more or less production…but the above example is what GMs HOPE for. And you never know, that $6M player could get injured…

The Thrashers don’t need three $6+M forwards. They could definitely use two more $3M forwards, or one forward and one defenseman.

By War Eagle

June 14, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

The one thing the Thrashers need is someone to get in front of the net. Thta is what I saw missing while attending 6 games this past season. They are around the perimeter waiting for the rebound but they need a screener or the goalie will stop it with his glove. Build through the minors-don’t pay for superstar free agents. That is how you blow your cash on 1-2 yr and out “stars”. Develop the minor team and bring them up. That way, you can have them around for a while. Just an opinion.

By Aaron

June 14, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

Yes, they will really need to find a winger who is going to crash the net and get rebounds. The only players who did that this past season were Tkachuk and Mellanby, but now they’re gone. Maybe if Kozlov is gone, give his money to a winger who will actually go to the crease.

By GaVaHokie

June 14, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this

Well, you have to consider that THIS summer those three $2 million players could land you the likes of Jeff O’Neill, Kyle Calder, Tyler Arnason, Radek Bonk, Richard Zednik, Yanic Perreault

…or two $3 million players could get you the likes of Bill Guerin, Keith Tkachuk, Petr Sykora, Viktor Kozlov, Alexei Yashin, Mike Comrie, Michael Handzus, Ladislav Nagy

… or one $6 million player gets you ONLY Daniel Briere, Scott Gomez or Chris Drury.

I like the two players at $3 million.

By GaVaHokie

June 14, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this

Excuse me… Viktor Kozlov only makes $865,000… that’s crazy. I thought for sure he was making more than that.

By icemansucks

June 14, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

Nagy and Hartnell are the most attractive available wingers and Zubrus along with Comrie seem to be the best fits at center for the price.

Aaron, if I’ve heard or read anything on Brett Sterling it’s that he likes to crash the net from the boards and score dirty goals. His 55 goals will likely not transfer up to the NHL, but if Brett chipped in 20-25 and 40 or 50 points, that would be a good ole fashioned, front of the net point producer.

By Buzilla Baby Blues

June 14, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

Did Bonk and Hossa play on the same line in Ottawa?

By NASCARfan

June 14, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

So here’s the question guys: what center do you want us to get? I agree with Nate whole-heartedly. We need a great center to play with either Hossa or Kovy (most likely Kovy, as Hossa can make his own shot better than Kovy seemed to be able to do last year). This is where I’m sick of Don Waddell. This is the kind of thinking that makes you not make the playoffs for the first 7 years of your team’s existence. Don Waddell is a play not to lose kind of guy. I guarantee you that making the moves to get Zhitnik and Tkachuck made him puke because they were so counter to his play not to lose way of thinking. He made those moves to save his own butt, pure and simple. They worked to get us there, but here is talking about once again reverting to his crappy decision making once again. He thinks he’s bought himself time. But if this team doesn’t make the playoffs this year, I don’t see how even the complete and utter idiots that comprise our crappy ownership group can not fire this guy. Then again, these are the same morons who refuse to fire Billy Knight. We’re talking about geniuses like Bernie Bulls—t Mullin, who is the best spin doctor / excuse maker on the face of the planet.

We need a great center. The problem is, who’s it gonna be and will Don Waddell have the balls to sign him?

By ranallo10

June 14, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

Billy Knight doesn’t deserve to be mentioned on this blog…watch out what you say about him though, or Terrence Moore will come on to tell us we’re all racist.

By Thrashers27

June 14, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

If that’s all the more KT is gonna cost after free agency starts, then I say we bring him back and pick up Yashin. Again I say, we should do our best to snatch up Marcel Hossa and play him on a line with his brother. Those two have to have incredible chemistry! Not to mention, Marcel really seemed to come into his own during the post season.

By ranallo10

June 14, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

Yeah, but the uniform would look weird…they’d have to put their full name or else it’d be “Marc Hossa” and “Mari Hossa”.

How well would “Mari Hossa” go over in Tampa Bay or Carolina???

By Nate

June 14, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

Ranallo10 - You are talking about diamonds in the rough. And don’t you think those guys will get a bigger payday when their free-agency hits? Of course they will. Finding guys that produce like that for that kind of money are EXTREMELY hard to come by.

Craig - You go for the homerun. After seven seasons, the depth should already be within the system.

By Tim

June 14, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

I there is a player I would like to sigh for 6M$, it wouldn’t be on a centerman but on a first class defencement. Yes, having a big name in the center will help you qualify for the playoff easilier, but it won’t help you win a championship, and this is true in every pro sport. Anaheim didnt win because they have a big name offense, it’s because of Pronger and Niedermayer.

By ranallo10

June 14, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

How many homeruns did Anaheim have? I believe they won The Cup for their first time, 13 years into their existance (probably had at least one “5 year plan” during that span), with one player over 80 points for the season. Atlanta had two, and Kovalchuk surprisingly wasn’t one of them.

GaVaHokie named enough “diamonds” that would easily help this team. Kovalchuk and Hossa are enough “homerun” players for this team, now they need supporting characters.

The “homerun” players don’t fit into a salary cap era on a small market team. So, if you want to see Drury or Briere in Atlanta, tell 4000 of your closest friends to buy season tickets, and private boxes.

By GaVaHokie

June 14, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

Buzz… it was either Bonk or Smolinski, but yes, I’m sure they had some playing time together. Bonk had 44 points and Smolinski had 46 points in 04-05 playing with Hossa and Alfreddson… no Atlanta Center had over 30 points this season… getting two guys like Bonk and Smolinski even make a huge upgrade… I’ll even throw Josef Stumpel out there with 57 points.

By GaVaHokie

June 14, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this

In summary, the only thing better than a $6 million home run is a $3 million home run… there are plenty of guys out there for $3 million that can come in here and light the roof on fire.

My two leading candidates… Yashin and O’Neil.

By GaVaHokie

June 14, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

Worth noting… look at Yashin and Hossa’s point production the last time they played together.

http://hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000542001.html

By ranallo10

June 14, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this

I’d rather a disappointing or injury filled season from one $3M player than from one $6M player.

And as Tim said, for this team one $6M player for this team would be most useful as a defenseman.

By Brendan

June 14, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this

Here it comes. I go with “depth.” I’d rather have 3 guys at $2.0 million. That is, provided I’ve already got Kovy and Hossa. I need something other than one line, or components of a line, for the other team to “shut down.” I want my 3rd line to BEAT their 3rd line. I want my 4th line to BEAT their 4th line. The whole equals the sum of its parts. If ya feel what I’m saying.

If by getting some $2 million a year guy, like a Belanger ($1.5M actually,) you bolster your 3rd or 4th line with some production and speed, it makes you a better overall club.

In short, NOWWWW who do they “focus on” to shut us down? Is it just Hossa? Or Hossa and Kovy? Go ahead. Double-team them. Triple-team them. My $2.0 million guy is going to be open and score. Two million a year type players do have “some value” in this league. Look what Jon Sim brought to the table ($610,000)? He scored nearly 20 goals. Belanger, who now looks like a longshot to return, is someone who could net 20 goals if he played a whole year with Hoss or Kovy.

If DW went after Briere, he better hope that he doesn’t get hurt. And that his regular season production doesn’t trail off when a physcial team like Anaheim or Ottawa or the Rangers bangs his frame all around the rink. Now, Briere’s a skilled guy. He’s your regular season guy to get you to the playoffs. But then the other team’s grinders hit ‘em and shut ‘em down in the playoffs. It takes depth to win. Anaheim was NOT just Niedermayer and Pronger.

Yes, that’s a BIG PART of it. How could it not be, when two of the three best blueliners in the game play on the same team? But if that were ALL that the Ducks had, it wouldn’t have been enough. Pronger got suspended, TWICE, and the Ducks won BOTH games. Why? They had depth on defense, like Beauchemin. And others. Okay, don’t say DiPenta. I wasn’t going to! Chill!! He barely played.

The Ducks had MacDonald, Penner, the other Niedermayer, Selanne, Getzlaf, not to mention two stellar goalies, in Bryzgalov and Giguere. That’s depth. And they drafted a few of those guys. Actually, Ottawa’s Coach did, Bryan Murray. Getzlaf and Penner were his, I believe.

I hear what Nate is saying. Great players make the players around them better. But it’s risky and it’s easier to shut down, come playoff time. It’d be far better to have four lines that can all produce, and force the other team’s coach to figure out how he’s going to shut down your 3rd and 4th lines, who keep killing his 3rd and 4th lines. He can’t play his “checking line” for 40 minutes.

Someone is going to say, “You mean you rather NOT have Briere than have him?” Such a question is missing the point. If you must go down that route, ask the question this way, “Would you rather have Briere or Hossa?” “Would you rather have Kovalchuk or Drury?”

Imagine if you had eleven 20-goal scorers, all making $2 million apiece. What that means is, only one (1) guy out of your four lines isn’t a 20-goal scorer. How do you shut such a team down? They have a “balanced attack.” Everybody’s pretty good. Everybody’s got speed. They only eat $22 million of your $44 million cap. That’s 220 goals. Your blueline chips in another 20 among the six to seven of them. Now you’re at 240 for the year. Plus that other guy nets 10 goals. You’re at 250 for the year. Plus whatever production you might get out of “call ups.” Maybe 10 more, over the course of a season. That’s 260 goals.

The “old” blueprint for a Stanley Cup Champion was scoring 250 or more goals while surrendering less than 200. Any team doing that … had a fairly good chance at going deep in the playoffs. These aren’t hard and fast rules, mind you. But they’re “generally true” for a reason. We haven’t had enough “sampling” of the new NHL to have a new blueprint. Carolina gave up 260 goals in 2006, yet still managed to win the Cup.

By Nate

June 14, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this

Yeah, and how far did the “bargain” players carry the team this year? Swept in the first round, that’s right. And since when is Atlanta (the 8th largest city in the U.S.) a small market?

By Brendan

June 14, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this

Atlanta is probably a “medium-sized” market. But the hockey interest pales in comparison to college sports for the entertainment dollar competition. Atlanta’s hockey fans tend to be hardcore. It’s a very loyal group. But it’s a small percentage of the metropolitan-area’s population.

HNIC would jump in at this moment of a debate to argue that “Winnipeg’s hockey crazy population is 3X that of Atlanta’s ‘hardcore’ fan base.” I don’t know if that’s true. Maybe it is. But they also have to cough up the money when the SQUEEZE is on. For a market like Toronto, that’s no problem. They can charge WHATEVER they JOLLY WELL WANT. The fans and corporations in Ontario will PAY it, no matter WHAT it is. Is that really true in Winnipeg? Is it really true in Atlanta?

I have the feeling that the NHL cannot SQUEEZE that kind of money out of the fan base in Georgia. The corporations will always be able to afford it. But your hardcore fan, and family plan season ticket holders, can’t absorb a 33% raise in prices, hypothetically. So, how much smaller did the Atlanta market just get, despite its robust population?

This debate kinda, sorta ties in with a larger debate that I hear EVERY YEAR. Which one is that? “Atlanta doesn’t care about championships, since hardly anyone is from here. They just want to see ‘star players’ play.” Uggh.

I hope that’s not true. If Atlanta could win a Stanley Cup with a bunch of “no names,” while rolling four lines, and playing a disciplined brand of hockey, I’d take it in a heartbeat! I care more about wins, and “quality product,” than I do about high visibility players. (If this helps any, think Jeremy Roenick. No thank you.) I suspect that wins put rumps in seats as much as, or more than, ‘star players’ do.

By Brendan

June 14, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this

Tim, tu es enfin de retour. Bienvenue. I agree completely that “defense tends to win hockey championships.” And I agree with Ranallo that iffff we’re to spend $6 million on a player, (which is a bad idea,) it should be to pick up a quality defenseman. Russ and Red Light and Bob have been telling us this very point for YEARS. We’ve never really had a true Tier One defenseman.

There are several UFA names out there. But is Sheldon Souray or Hannan, from SJ, really worth it? I hear others screaming, “Take Rafalski!” I was sorry to hear Nikulin did not sign. He was a 2nd round pick from very early in the franchise history, who has, thus far, opted to continue to play in his native Russia. It’s a bummer to draft a guy who won’t come and play in the NHL. Unfortunately, if that happens, the league doesn’t give you your pick back.

By Brendan

June 14, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this

Mike Keenan is in Calgary??? Is that true?

I think Scott Burnside said it best. “When it comes to Mike Keenan, there will always be SOMEONE to act like the ink from the press coverage of his 1994 Stanley Cup win were still fresh.” Okay, it’s not an exact quote. But I paraphrased it pretty close.

I knew Jim Playfair was feeling some heat. If anything, I thought Darryl Sutter would come down from the press box to coach, as he did in the past. Think 2004, when they lost Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals, by one goal, to Tampa Bay.

By Brendan

June 15, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this

Okay, Craig said we should post the news. So, here goes, in no particular order. Dany Heatley was selected to the All-NHL first team. He joins Sid Crosby, Alexandre Ovechkin, T. Lidstrom, Scott Niedermayer, and Martin Brodeur. Brodeur won the Vezina Trophy again. Crosby became the youngest player since Gretzky to win the Hart, in a no-brainer. The Calder went to Evgeni Malkin. (East Coast bias? Or did he truly “win” it?) Lidstrom won his 5th Norris Trophy. Brind’Amour won his 2nd Selke Trophy. Pavel Datsyuk won the Lady Byng Trophy for Gentlemanly conduct. The King Clancy humanitarian award went to Saku Koivu. And Vancouver’s Alain Vigneault won the Jack Adams “Coach of the Year” award.

In case you’re curious, there is no award for GM of the Year. You can pencil in Don Waddell, if it makes you happy. No one can dispute your claim, anymore than they can dispute who would have won the 2005 Stanley Cup. (I say Tampa Bay would have repeated. Boo! Hiss! Happy it was cancelled now? Bygones.)

Free Agent news … Antero Nittymaki, Flyers, re-upped with Philly for two more years to be the backup behind Marty Biron. Buffalo re-signed Lindy Ruff to a 3-year contract, with an option for a 4th year. (What? No “National Security” secrecy?) Also, Buffalo’s GM, Darcy Regier, was inked to a 2-year deal. (They’re Not supposed to reveal the duration of a contract!! Where are the lawyers??) Reportedly, both took Less than market value to remain on the payroll. (Source: CBS Sportsline.com.) www.cbs.sportsline.com/nhl.

Dominek Hasek hasn’t re-signed yet, but indications are that he wants to return to Detroit for another season. And finally, the Columbus Blue Jackets found a successor to GM Doug MacLean. (Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Halleeee-lujah!) The new guy met their qualifications of 1) a neck and 2) a pulse. Actually, he’s Scott Howson, an A*’t GM with the Oilers who has now realized his dream of being the General Manager of a NHL franchise. Good for him!

And last, the Sabres GM Regier is reportedly having contact with both Drury and Briere in an effort to keep BOTH of them, before either one hits the open market on July 1st. No signings to report on that front, however. Is it “wrong” to be rooting for or against a Free Agent signing elsewhere in the league?

Tag! You’re it tomorrow. I was it today.

By GaVaHokie

June 15, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

I estimate the Thrashers could put this roster together for $46.9 million

Kozlov Yashin Hossa Kovy Holik O’Neill Dupuis Rucchin Slater Sterling Krog Haydar

Havelid Zhitnik Exelby Enstrom Hnidy Popovic

Lehtonen Hedberg

By ranallo10

June 15, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this

Hokie, will you break down that roster by dollar amount, I’m curious what you’re estimating for all of the UFA/RFAs. I could figure it out by delving into all of your past posts, but I’m too lazy.

By GaVaHokie

June 15, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

I made estimates… I’m not sure the total dollars that Kovy and Hossa are due this year. Just went by what they made last year.

Kozlov ($4 mil) Yashin ($4 mil) Hossa ($6 mil) Kovy ($6.5 mil) Holik ($4 mil) O’Neil ($2 mil) Dupuis ($950K) Rucchin ($1.8 mil) Slater ($1 mil) Sterling, Krog and Haydar ($650K)

Havelid ($2.5 mil) Zhitnik ($3.5 mil) Exelby ($1.5 mil) Enstrom ($1 mil “?”) Hnidy ($800K) Popovic ($700K)

Lehtonen ($1.5 mil) Hedberg ($850K)

Again, these are estimates… if anyone knows the actual $ amounts, let me know.

By Brian

June 15, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this

GaVaHokie - Krog won’t stay up here. AAAA player. Switch Sterling & Slater. I would like to have Larsen instead of Haydar. Other than that, the D & G’s look good.

By Cooter

June 15, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

nhlnumbers.com will give you the salaries. you are off on several.

By GaVaHokie

June 15, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

Cooter… thanks, I was using www.thefourthperiod.com … if you go onto each team page they have the salaries of each player. I’ll check out the other one!

By GaVaHokie

June 15, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this

Brian… I agree, I’m not a big Krog fan either, but I figure that line had so much chemistry, you might as well give it a shot on the Thrashers 4th line… see what they can do.

And before anyone critics my Kovy Holik and O’Neil line, here’s my reasoning. So much is said about having a speedy player to keep up with Kovy, but Kovy seems to have a lot of success with big guys on his line (ie. Tkachuk)… one’s that can create space for him, slam home rebounds, and cause chaos in front of the net. We all know Kovy brings the puck up himself anyway, he’s not gonna pass it.

As for Yashin, like I said earlier, he had his best numbers playing with Hossa, plus he’s played with Kovalchuk (2002 Olympics/Team Russia).

By cooter

June 15, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

I think Yashin played with Alfie. I would rather see Zubrus with Kovy, he works the boards very well, causes chaos in front of the net, can set Kovy up, plays the power play and penalty kill. Yashin is not known for his defense. Holik can play with Hossa and Sterling. Kozlov is gone, face it!

By ranallo10

June 15, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

I could live with O’Neill, but Yashin seems like a stretch to me. I’d rather Zubrus for either the center on Hossa’s line OR the RW on Kovalchuk’s.

I personally prefer NHLPA.com for salary numbers, as that’s a bit more official than the previous sites you mentioned. Granted, it doesn’t show EVERYTHING about contracts (Cap hits, etc), but I feel it’s more accurate than the conflicting websites I’ve seen floating around with no official ties to the NHL or NHLPA.

As far as Krog, I appreciated his hustle. He scored a goal on his first shift for the team…not like that’s indicative of NHL success, but it was nice to see for him. He may be a AAAA player, but he’s definitely earned a chance to play at the big level, much like Haydar. Both are little players, who have plenty of speed, and have obvious offensive talent. I think they’re perfect for a fourth line, unless you’re bringing in rookies for experience minutes. The AHL wont help them any more, they need NHL time to TRY to make a team.

Look at Kunitz for an example of how a AAAA player can impact a team with the right opportunity.

Larsen was great on the checking line with Holik, but I’m curious how much of that was Larsen riding Holik’s coat tail. Vigier rode the same guy (Holik) to fleeting success in the early part of the season, but Vigier is worse than Larsen. Basically, I’m still undecided on Larsen’s worth…

By GaVaHokie

June 15, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

Cooter… the top line in Ottawa was Alfie, Yashin and Hossa… McEachern was also in and out.

I’m fine with Zubrus… Zubrus or Yashin, but I still like the idea of O’Neil.

By Bob

June 15, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

Yashin’s a cancer, keep him away from this club, at any price.

I’d love to believe that this club will have a $47m spending ability this year, but it simply ain’t gonna happen. We went into last year with $40m committed and the owners approved another $4m at the deadline panicking as they were in a free fall and going to miss the playoffs losing any goodwill built up. But they lost money with that $44m number last year, and the ownership situation is in a state of disarray.

I am guessing they give Waddell $40m again, that’s $10m to spend on 12 players.

So, Waddell can’t sign Kozlov. He can’t sign any $6m center. He is going to do his standard bargain shopping and fill the roster out with this year’s Metropolit’s et al

Savard is worth every penny of the $5m he now gets.

By Tim

June 15, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

I thought we want to get younger this season…, O’Neil? Yashin?

I also believe Krog has a NHL only contract this years as well as Haydar. I might be wrong however.

By ranallo10

June 15, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

Yeah, it’s obvious Savard is worth his money…Boston did so well with him and his 96 points. Not to mention his career low -19 +/-, and second highest penalty minutes (96). Savard is defensively inept, more so than Kovalchuk. He’s a turnover machine, who can’t finish two periods without hooking someone. His offensive ability is wonderful, but he’s a defensive liability. I guess that’s someone you want on your team, but I don’t think think $5M is best spent on that type of player. For this team, I’d take 80 points and a two-way presence at $5M before I’d take 96 points and a defensive headache.

Bob did inadvertently bring up a good point…with high priced salaries and homerun type players, how well did Boston do this season??

(76 points and last in their division is the answer)

By ranallo10

June 15, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this

Wait, I get why you think “[he] is worth every penny of the $5M he now gets” … he’s eye candy, and for such nice eye candy you think a $5M price tag is JUST RIGHT.

Tim — O’Neill is 31…

Do you consider “younger” and “young” synonymous? If so, I’d say you’re right, those two options are the wrong choices. If not, I think 29-31 is a fine age, where the person could still have a few productive years ahead of them.

By Brendan

June 15, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this

My Leafs friends tell me O’Neill is lethargic. Sometimes he puts in a great game or two, but he rarely sustains the momentum. Then he gets caught out of position by back checking too late. They say he’s slow. Or, let’s put it this way, “not fast anymore.”

Tim, I think you’re thinking of Marc Popovic, with the “NHL only” contract. It’s for $500,000. And I agree with Custance, I do think Popovic makes the starting lineup on D this year. For $500,000, I think he’s worth it. I wonder if we’ll keep Hnidy? He made $600,000 last season. He started off a healthy scratch in the pressbox, and wound up on the top pairing at the end of the season. That’s about as far as a player can go in one season.

By Jameson

June 15, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this

Actually, I’m pretty sure I heard that Haydar does in fact have a NHL-only contract this season, but I don’t think that Krog does.

By Brendan

June 16, 2007 4:15 AM | Link to this

Bruins fired Head Coach Dave Lewis and assistant coach Habscheib. Lewis remains on with the Bruins and has three years left on his contract. GM Chiarelli said he “wouldn’t stand in his way” if Lewis received other coaching opportunities around the league. Overall, Lewis does have a winning record as a Head Coach in the NHL, largely due to his tenure with the Red Wings. Boston won 35 games last year, well below .500. But I think they finished 1-10-1 over their last 12 games. Granted, a lot of that is actually trying to fetch a higher draft pick. When you’re in that boat, with 9 or fewer games left on the schedule, you call up your draft picks and see how they do. At that point, it won’t count against their years towards free agency. Ten or more games, and it does count against the players’ eligibility for free agency.

By Brendan

June 16, 2007 4:44 AM | Link to this

Okay, what do you guys think about Jim Balsillie’s taking deposits on season tickets for Hamilton, Ontario? He allegedly took in 7,000 season ticket purchases. Pure posturing on his part? This way, he forces Tennesseeans to pony up the dough to keep their club in Nashville? Or is he just “head strong” that he will move his new club, pending NHL-approval of transfer of ownership, to Canada?

If the Preds do get the 14,000 seats sold, meeting their lease requirement, then it’s a “black eye” for the NHL and Bettman if the team then relocates.

Hamilton?, an NHL city? Do you see that happening? I would think the Leafs step in with some “territorial rights” issues. And maybe the Buffalo Sabres, as well. What’s next? A team in Niagara Falls? (This is sarcasm, talking. Relax.) If so, at least the travel budget sure would be light! Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara Falls, and Buffalo. Do you even need a bus? I tease. I kid. It’s what I do. sometimes.

Final thought … it was just 1998 when Nashville entered the league. I’m sure that pundits and detractors would lay blame on the NHL for selecting this market if it relocates this quickly. There were “furrowed brows” when the four cities of Nashville, Atlanta, Minnesota and Columbus were announced as the latest expansion cities. Ohh, no one was questioning Minnesota, a hockey Mecca. I remembered thinking, if hockey was coming back to Ohio, why not Cleveland? The NHL likes to give its former cities a second chance (Atlanta, Denver, remember the Rockies?) Whenever “expansion” gets mentioned, Kansas City gets mentioned. This is where the Devils started out, as the Kansas City Scouts. Yes. It’s true. Then they moved to Denver, as the Rockies. Then to NJ, as the Devils. From the “Did You know?” segment, I report this. True or False. In 1975-76, the Scouts endured a 44-game stretch where they went 1-36-7?

….

….

Answer: True. Kinda makes the Curt Fraser years look a whole lot better!! Yes, they do!

Anyone remember the Cleveland Barons? The NHL-version of them, anyway? For my undying admiration, what NHL team traces its history to them? For a bonus point, name the “original” city of the Cleveland Barons.

Stop cheating by looking it up! Fine, I’ll just tell you. The orginal city was Oakland, as part of the 1967-68 Expansion. And the current team … is the Dallas Stars. Oakland (Seals, later renamed Calfornia Seals and California Golden Seals,) relocated to Cleveland. Then folded in a merger with the Minnesota North Stars, who then relocated to Dallas. And today are known as the Dallas Stars.

Useless information, I realize. It’s the offseason. Toss me a frekkin bone here.

By Tim

June 16, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

ranallo10 with the way free agency work in the new NHL, we can even target player in the 28-30 range. That was the range I am looking for. I didn’t have time to scan the free agents list yet but am pretty sure we can com up with better option then O’Neil or Yashin. I also have to admit I never was a big fan of O’Neil nor Yashin.

By Oh...Canada

June 16, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this

Hey, anybody have an interest in Ryan Smyth? Not sure what $ he will fetch,..but he would be a presence in front of the net.

By Brendan

June 17, 2007 1:28 AM | Link to this

Mats Sundin signed a 1-year deal with Toronto. If the Leafs tank, he’ll be moved to the team with the highest need. I heard it was between $5.5 and $6 million.

By ranallo10

June 17, 2007 1:50 AM | Link to this

Brendan I don’t think Sundin can be considered available, especially to this team. He’s the heart and soul of Toronto, and although Edmonton got rid of Smyth, I don’t think Toronto would do that to their fans. Yes, Sundin came back under the guise of winning a Cup, but Toronto is typically in that playoff hunt until the end of the season. I think it’s a bit preemptive to assume he could be available. That’s just my opinion.

Tim, I agree, both are older than what I’d look for in a Free Agent. I wasn’t a fan of O’Neill because he played for two teams I’m not fond of (Toronto and Carolina), and Yashin was the overpriced primadona I have come to hate about players in today’s sports…so I think I’m in the same boat as you.

How about Samsonov’s trade to Chicago?

Cullimore (35 - $1.9M - D) Salmelainen (25 - $650K - LW) —for— Samsonov (28 - $3.525M - LW)

Cullimore was all over the rumors of being an Atlanta target in February…I’m glad to see we didn’t grab him though. Samsonov had 26 points last season for Montreal, and 37 the season prior for Boston…obviously a bit overpriced. Salmelainen is a Finnish talent, who played well in Finland two seasons ago, and made his NHL debut last season, scoring 17 points in 57 games, and a -3.

Based on money, and young talent gained, I’d say Montreal took the better part of this trade.

Your thoughts??

By dj

June 17, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this

We need Alf. He could pass the puck to kovy.

By Brendan

June 17, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this

Ranallo, the Blackhawks shopped Jassen Cullimore all season long with no takers last year. The knock was that Cullimore wasn’t a “new” NHL kind of defenseman. But with the Habs “possibly” losing Souray this offseason, Cullimore may be seen as a “patch job.”

Ranallo, I mention the Mats Sundin signing only “as news.” I didn’t mean to imply he was there for the taking. Though, this deal does make sense for Toronto. If the worst should happen for them, and the Leafs are out of it at the trade deadline, Sundin will be highly sought after, even at his age and remaining salary. Plus, I would think he’d like a crack at a Cup. Being loyal to the Leafs is great, but he doesn’t have a lot of time left in his NHL career to win a Cup. I’d bet he’d waive that “no trade clause” to go to a contender. Nothing compliments an Olympic Gold medal like a Stanley Cup ring.

Why does this benefit Toronto? Well, if they’re in it, they need Sundin. And they didn’t especially “overpay” for him. If they’re out of it, they’ll be in full rebuilding mode, and will welcome the draft picks that come from “renting” him. Sundin can always opt to return to Toronto and retire in the Leaf jersey.

[I saw rumors out there]http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/nhl about John Muckler being relieved of his duties as GM. I would think those are quite unfounded. Ottawa’s team has been very intelligently constructed, via the draft, timely trades, and free agent signings in the offseason. What does it say about “accountability” to fire a GM of a team that’s been a “100-point” team for six of the past eight (6/8) seasons, and just appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals? The Sens also went to the Conference Finals back in 2003, losing Game Seven, at home, “late” in the 3rd period. Not exactly the resume, including a Cup win with Edmonton back in 1990, that screams, “Fire him! Fire him now!!”

By Brendan

June 17, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this

Quick food for thought here, as we head into draft week. If Marian Hossa’s contact can be “reworked” now, why can’t the same be done with Lehtonen? He also reaches free agency, albeit “restricted” free agency, in 2008.

I believe Hossa’s contract, a $6.0 cap hit and $7.0 million salary, would remain in effect for this coming season. The “new” contract would extend the old one.

This is going to start some controversy, but let me just throw it out there. Ummm, do you want Marian Hossa, at a minimum of $8 million cap hit, for the next 5-7 years?

Before you say “Of course!” or “Heck no!,” we’ve got to look at his track record. I hear ya, the detractors will say, “the guy disappears in the playoffs. Which can’t happen when you pay him that much.” The supports will argue, “Look, you can’t make the playoffs without regular season production. And look at his production!!” Folks, that’s a great track record there. We know Hossa’s good for 40 goals and 80-points, year in and year out. Barring an injury. There’s no denying that much. You all saw what he did in a “non-contract” year. That’s his natural worth ethic.

Maybe more than anything, we’ve got to know … does Marian Hossa WANT to be here? He was traded here after being re-signed by Ottawa. Does he want to rejoin his brother, Marcel, in New York? That’s a much more visible hockey market than Atlanta. Maybe DW can acquire Marcel? (Chill, that’s casual musing not a rumor. I don’t even know Marcel’s contract status.)

By GaVaHokie

June 18, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

Tim and Ranallo, do you actually read what you’re saying or are you just openly being contradictive?… First of all, most hockey players are in their prime at 28-32 years old… why do you think teams scramble for those guys at the Playoff deadline?

Second, keep in mind O’Neil will only garner between $1.5 and $2 million… for that, he is a bargain. I’d much rather take my chances with him than a Kyle Calder or a Tyler Arnason. Don’t look at him in the same light as a Scott Gomez or a Daniel Briere… O’Neil certainly has flaws, but at the price, he’s a steal. Most of his problems the last two years was from depression (his brother died in a car accident).

Yashin is still an elite player… he had 50 points in 58 games last year. The Islanders are idiots! They bring over Yashin from Ottawa and throw guys like Parrish and Peca on his line and he still racks up 75 points… and now that they finally have guys like Blake and Ryan Smyth, they want to buy out his contract?? (And let Blake and Smyth go to free agency…idiots)

So now, a team like the Thrashers can get Yashin for $3 million on the Islanders wallet. We paid Holik $4 million and he only got 29 points. Rucchin made $2.5 million and scored 21 points… we’re talking $3 million for a guy who had 54 points in 58 games last year, and when he played with Hossa, had 94 and 88 pts… and is only 32 years old.

Now that Yashin has guaranteed money in the bank, he’ll go to the best situation for little money… the grapevine says he wants to go back to Ottawa!! Probably to get back on a line with Alfreddson to reclaim the glory days… but if Ottawa doesn’t want him back, then I would think Atlanta is a natural choice. Get on a line with Hossa and STILL reclaim your glory days.

By GaVaHokie

June 18, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

Brendan… you hit the nail on the head, the key word for Lehtonen is “restricted”. They certainly won’t extend his contract this summer. I think they’ll take another year to “kick the tires” a bit, especially when you got Pavelec showing signs of greatness as well.

By ranallo10

June 18, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

Yashin played with Hossa in what, 1999???…I think what little chemistry they may have had then is now long gone. Just because they played together, and scored points, doesn’t mean they have this undying chemistry that will make them score points in their sleep on a new team.

“First of all, most hockey players are in their prime at 28-32 years old”.

You gave an age range…one that I’d agree with. Most players hit their prime at those years. But the tail end of a players prime, based on your range, would be 31 and 32. If you were to put money into a player on Free Agency, wouldn’t you want to get one who is on the earlier end of those prime years, so you can maximize your dollar spent on said player?? If you had the option between two players, one being 28, one being 32, wouldn’t you already have a slight tendency to sign the younger of the two?? If all else was equal or comperable, I would.

For a one-year or half-year rental player (i.e. trade deadline players, as you mentioned), most teams look for a proven commodity that has point production historically and currently. Most players who fit that category, and are available, fall in the 31-34 year old range. Most teams do not trade away 28 or 29 year old players cheaply, because those players have a higher return value BASED ON AGE.

The COMMON trend is to go younger when you have the opportunity, like a team has during Free Agency. If we’re talking option 1, I think O’Neill and Yashin aren’t the wisest of choices. If we’re talking option 3, Yashin and O’Neill would be solid additions that could be worth the money thrown towards them.

I was agreeing with Tim about them not being the best option 1 for this team, but also expressed my dislike for both players on a personal level…Yashin for his complacency on the ice and off, and O’Neill due to my emotional allegiances (he played for Carolina and Toronto, I’m a Thrashers fan, and thus dislike both teams…Darcy Tucker is a douche).

And by the way dj, Alf rocks, put him on Kovalchuk’s line…

By ranallo10

June 18, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

Brendan, I could’ve sworn you were the advocate for signing Lehtonen to one year contracts due to his “health concerns”!

Though I’m a huge Lehtonen fan, I’m with Hokie on this one. It’s smarter business if you keep him around that last season, and see what sort of professional hockey production Pavelec has. Don’t bind yourself with a potentially debilitating contract when you have an obvious potential successor in the AHL. If Pavelec can’t handle it, and Lehtonen continues to show his solid play and competitiveness, then re-sign Lehtonen. If Pavelec shows he deserves a chance, but you don’t feel he can start for this team, see what return you can get for him. If Lehtonen tears it up and wins a Vezina…good for him, but damn, he’s gone via free agency.

By GaVaHokie

June 18, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

I don’t think we’re in any harm to lose Lehtonen with RFA status… I think Waddell’s willing to give him $3 million a year if he shows he’s worth it. I don’t think any major market teams will want him without a good playoff history.

By Brendan

June 18, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

Ranallo and Hokie, I definitely AGREE that DW should wait ‘til the Summer of 2008 to make an offer to Lehtonen. I was merely “musing aloud” that ifffff contracts can be renegotiated a year EARLY, which was news to me when Craig announced it, then it changes the “landscape” of Don’s options. Namely, that if he wanted to, he could also try to renegotiate with Lehtonen. Wait. Let me stop now. I really don’t know that. Hossa is a UFA. Lehtonen would be a RFA. Maybe the rules are different for renegotiating contracts based on “status?” If Craig, or ANYONE, can find that out, it’d be great to know.

But I’m with you both on … holding off on Lehtonen’s contract. I’m told he bought a house here. Does that automatically correspond to him wanting to stay here? I’d like to think so. But I cannot say, definitively. House purchases are financial decisions. So are stock options. Just because you purchased some shares, doesn’t mean that you love the company and will never sell them off. But I digress.

Hokie, I know you’re enthusiastic about Yashin and O’Neill. Truthfully, Don could find far worse players. But I don’t see either one winding up as a Thrasher.

By Brendan

June 18, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

Aaahhh. My post was lost again when it “timed out.” Allright, I’ll try to resummarize. I definitely AGREE with Ranallo and Hokie that DW should WAIT ‘til next Summer to renegotiate Lehtonen’s contract. But what I was getting at in my earlier post was … that ifffff players’ contracts can be renegotiated ONE (1) year in advance, it changes the landscape of the way a GM can choose to operate. But, truthfully, I do not know what the RULES are about that. For example, does “status” matter, RFA vs. UFA? Maybe it’s only UFA’s, like Hossa, who can have their contracts renegotiated a year in advance. I only found about that via Craig’s column. I thought, erroneously, that GM’s had to wait ‘til January 1 of the year the contract expired before it could be renegotiated. But, I think I may be confusing that with “salary arbitration decisions.” In other words, let’s say DW tenders a qualifying offer to Exelby. Exelby doesn’t like the offer, takes the Thrashers to arbitration. The arbitrator then gives a “binding” salary decision. The Thrashers must now pay it, or trade the player to another team who will AGREE to pay the arbiter’s decision. I believe in the instance of the team paying the player’s binding arbitration decision, they get to start renegotiating any FUTURE contract on New Year’s Day. An arbitrators’ ruling is good for a one year contract only. GM’s don’t like to take players to arbitration because they must argue AGAINST the value of the player, by citing uncomplimentary things. Buttttt, the GM is “guaranteed” to still own the contract of the player by going to arbitration. Arbitration is no longer a “friend” to the GM’s. They’ve tended, post-lockout, to favor the players.

We talked about this earlier, but that’s where shrewd GM’s might find some “Jon Sim-like situations” (last season) out there. What are those? Those are situations where if a GM winds up in arbitration with an RFA player, he’s not likely to be pleased with the salary decision. So… he lets the player become UNRESTRICTED.

We do have a couple of players in this category, ourselves. Jim Slater comes immediately to mind. Also, Derek MacKenzie will probably be allowed to become unrestricted, and can sign anywhere. “X” and McCarthy will probably be tendered offers … or get traded. Maybe as early as this Friday’s Draft. I didn’t mean to exclude Slater and MacKenzie from that list, either. The Draft occurs before the final date for tendering qualifying offers. So, for these players, they’ll know their fate in the next 7 days or so.

By UpperDeck4Life

June 18, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

I think that the D and goal are set for next season even though 2 of the mentioned are a RFA and a UFA, I still think the club will resign them.

1st pair-Havelid/Zhitnik 2nd pair-XLB/Enstrom 3rd pair-Popovic/Hnidy

Goalie tandam-Lehts/Moose

That takes up roughly 13 million and I am just guessing but am putting that as a rough number, it could be closer to 12 but it will be between those 2 numbers.

NHL only contract doesn’t mean they have to play in the NHL….it just means that they will get paid the same salary weither they are in the NHL or AHL.

This leaves roughly around 27mil for the forwards, I can’t see the team going over 40 million. With roughly 16 million tied up Hossa, Kovy and Holik, that leaves around 11 million to sign the other 9 forwards. I am going to guess that Belanger, Dupuis, and Slater get resigned for around 5 million total. Sterling will make around 500 thousand which will help. I also think that Bolts will be resigned for the 4th line for around 500 thousand as well. Which leaves a spot on Kovy’s line, and a spot on the 3rd line and 2 spots on the 4th line to be filled with around 5 million. I would like to see Zuburs signed, but I think it will take between 2-3 to get him, so I’ll go consertive at 2.5 million. That leaves us 2.5 million to sign 3 players, more than enough.

Sterling-Belanger-Hossa Kovy-Holik-Zubrus Dupuis-Slater-RW Bolts-C-RW

I have 3 ideas to finish out this roster. How about 1 million for Darren McCarthy to play alongside Slater and Dupuis. Bring up Colin Stuart from Chicago to play a wing on the 4th line for 500 thousand and Scott Nichol from the Preds who finished the season with a 57.9% FO wins, +7.

So what do you think. I think that’s 4 solid lines, 3 good pairings and a good goalie tandam for around 40 million.

By ranallo10

June 18, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

Upper, my opinion:

Sterling-Belanger-Hossa — I’m not sure if I like having Belanger centering these two. He doesn’t seem to be the best center to help a young player improve. Actually, I could see Holik here because his defensive abilities would override his offensive inabilities, and would help Sterling be more of an offensive minded player. However, Belanger’s resigning might be hinging on Rucchin’s health.

Kovy-Holik-Zubrus — I like. I’m a Zubrus fan, like his style of play, and I like his tenacity. He’s a big boy, so he can muck the front of the net, and grind the boards. He’s also a good distributor, so he’d be helpful here. Maybe Ruchhin (if healthy, and as mentioned before) would be a better fit, as he’s SLIGHTLY more mobile than Holik. The balance of this line would make it my favorite of the 4 you mentioned.

Dupuis-Slater-RW — Slater, in my opinion, is not the right option for the checking/shut down line. However, depending on the person playing RW, this line could be used differently. If you put a player like Haydar, Metropolit, or Krog here you can have a lot of speed on one line, and all players are decent forecheckers. This could be a hungry line, with defensive responsibility brought by Dupuis. They wouldn’t shut down a number one line, but maybe that’s what OUR number one should be doing. McCarthy would be extremely effective, and is an interesting name that I haven’t heard thrown around yet. I’m going to think on that one, but I like his grittiness, it could fit. Staked up against a number three line for most teams, I think it’d be a good matchup. However, Slater against Chris Gratton (recently signed 3rd line center for TB) would be a big mismatch, as Gratton is a much better player. Since they’ll face eachother often, I think Slater would be the person to move off this line first.

Boulton-C-RW — Not like it matters, but I thought Boulton was more of a RW. Anyways, this seems like an interesting match, but Boulton seems like an odd re-signing to pair with a rookie and a free agent. I would think Larsen would be re-signed for that role, if necessary. Larsen is more defensively sound, has shown some offensive abilities, and has a use on the PK. Boulton is a little too raw, and gets silly overaggressive penalties (running the goalie). I don’t think Boulton would be the right choice to help a rookie. Nichol is another new interesting name to bandy around, but I find it strange to think a fourth line center would be signed from Free Agency, rather than from the system or re-signings. Who knows, he could be another Kapanan for this team. I’m fine with Stuart.

You asked, I responded.

By Adam

June 18, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

I get really tired about Savard. ranallo hit it right on the head.

We got LESS production as a team without him here last year and made the playoffs! Yes we had 111 less points as a team but there were 247 less PIM’s as well, along with 15 better on +/- at +33.

We you look at those numbers remember the fact that of the 4 teams in the conference finals only Anaheim was under +250 @ +131.

By GaVaHokie

June 18, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

Upper Deck… did you mean Darren McCarty?

While I like the guy, one issue is his finances. He declared bankruptcy last season. He’s not doing something right. I’d be nervous signing him.

By ranallo10

June 18, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

News:

1 — Muckler “resigned”, Murray is in as GM of the Senators.

2 — Flyers acquire Hartnell and Timonen from Nashville for the 23rd pick swapped in the Forsberg trade. Flyers then sign Hartnell AND Timonen for 6 years each. Hartnell signed for $25.2M ($4.5M annual cap hit), and Timonen signed for $37.8M ($6.3M annual cap hit).

My reactions:

No surprise on the Muckler front, it’s just too bad. He’d have been a good candidate in Columbus, but probably needs a team that has the ability to spend near the cap. We’ll see if he decides to go elsewhere, I think he’s in his 60s and close to retiring. Good for Bryan Murray, it’s nice to see him take over the team he helped lead to respectability (meaning, they finally won in the playoffs due to his coaching).

Philadelphia made a clean sweep of the Predators, I’d look into some form of collusion. They definitely made out like bandits this season AND last, by grabbing Upshall, Hartnell, Timonen and Ryan Parent, along with gaining a third round pick THIS YEAR, for an injured player who only played in 17 games for his new team, and was basically a side show to the leagues biggest playoff flop. Poise (Nashville GM) looks like a moron now, but it’s all due to a lacking corporate fan base, and grim financial situation in Nashville. Good for Philadelphia for being able to sweep up two important pieces for their future.

By ranallo10

June 18, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

And the draft frenzy begins…

By Shoot it

June 18, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

I would like to work off of GaVaHokie’s prior roster with just a few changes to help with defense.

Kozlov ($4 mil) Holik ($4 mil) Hossa ($6 mil) Kovy ($6.5 mil) Zubrus ($3.5 mil) Sim ($1 mil) Dupuis ($950K) Belanger ($1.2 mil) Slater ($1 mil) Sterling, Ruccin ($1.8) and Haydar ($650K)

Havelid ($2.5 mil) Zhitnik ($3.5 mil) Exelby ($1.5 mil) Preissing ($2.5) Enstrom ($1 mil “?”) Popovic ($700K)

Lehtonen ($1.5 mil) Hedberg ($850K)

By Bob

June 18, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

You jokers make me chuckle.

Uh, there was this little issue about us NOT HAVING A FREAKING GOALIE in Savard’s contract year. Yet, you don’t want to point that out, you want to blame missing the playoffs on Savard’s 100 pts, not from having to play Berkhoel and other pylons who’s names I’ve forgotten in NHL games.

But yeah, the reason we missed the playoffs was because of Savard putting up 100 pts, not because we had to play 5th and 6th string goalies that belonged in the ECHL.

And people wonder why southern hockey fans get no respect (I’m looking at you, ranallo).

By UpperDeck4Life

June 18, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

ranallo thanks for the opinions. I tried to find guys that hadn’t been mentioned but could fit HiBob’s style of play. McCarty is defensively responsible, would add grit, add would be another guy who has playoff experience for next season. Not a big Belanger fan, wouldn’t mind to see Comrie in that place instead, but I was trying to work within the 40 mil, and I think the team would have to go above that to fit Comrie into the plans. The reason I put Nichol could play on the 3rd line…but I wasn’t ready to put him there. He played in only 48 games last season at around 600, so 750 or so wouldn’t be to out of the rehelm of possiblities and would be decent for that amount. Bolts played both wings last year but is listed as a LW with the team. As far as Philly-Preds thing, I think it was a smart but sad move by the Preds. It signals the white flag being attached to the pole…but not run up yet. The Preds knew they were not going to be able to resign these guys….but did get a 1st rounder for them and I really don’t think they could have gotten a better return considering they were resigned to losing these 2. I think they are really going to miss Timonen. And I think Philly really overpaid. Heck next thing you know Andy Sutton will be asking for 4 million over 4 years….wait that did happen; yup love that financial responsibility there NHL.

GaVaHokie I knew that as well, but saw 2 different interviews where he talked about trying to keep his focus on the ice and not about this stuff. I would still be willing to give him a chance though.

Shoot It the more I hear about other teams talking to Kozy, the more I am coming to terms with losing him. I really don’t see how this team can resign him at over 4 million a season and if Hartnell just got 4.2 a season, Kozy will get more. Hartnell is 5 years his younger…but Kozy doubled his points 80 to 39. Hartnell’s contract just got Kozy’s agent rethinking about his demands and priced him out of the Thrashers hands I believe.

By five_hole

June 18, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

I like the lineup Shoot It suggested, but as I add up his numbers, it takes us to the $45 mil cap on only 20 players. It leaves no room for a bench, mid-season callups or adding anyone at the trade deadline next year. The other consideration is resigning/extending Hossa’s contract. Plus, I think DW is planning closer to the $42 mil mark.

This means you should figure that we’re not going to resign Slava and we’re going to have a couple more rookies in that lineup.

By Brendan

June 18, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this

Before the lockout, the NHL’s biggest spenders were Detroit, Philly, Washington, Toronto, Colorado … then teams like Dallas, Boston, etc. If these markets look at the rising caps and revert to their old ways of overpaying, they will prevent the smaller markets from getting the Brieres, Drurys, Sourays, Hannans and Forsbergs. But they just may handcuff themselves in the process. They better find a way to snare “bargain basement” talent, too.

I really don’t like the idea of a “tilted ice surface.” Before the lockout, the smaller market teams had to draft flawlessly and win the Cup before any of their top guys reached FREE AGENCY. That’s ridiculous.

How many of us still think the owners won the lockout? With free agency at 27 with 4 years of NHL tenure, and a cap tied to ever-increasing revenues, it’s going to be tougher and tougher for the smaller markets and “non-traditional” hockey markets. I do wonder, in 2011, when the CBA expires, if the owners will still want a cap tied to revenues.

I suppose the answer is “yes,” provided that the revenue-sharing is sizeable enough. No one really knows how much it is. Look folks, it’s one thing is the owners are getting buckets full—and lining their pockets with it. It’s quite another if the revenue-sharing is “marginal” and is being reinvested into the team payroll, as it should be.

By Brendan

June 18, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe Muckler really left of his own accord. What did Muckler do to be fired? Okay, he wasn’t fired. He didn’t quit. He resigned. Boy, what a woeful record he leaves behind, huh? Takes the Oilers to the Cup in ‘90. Gets the Sabres there in ‘99 and the Sens in 2003 and 2006. If he wanted to retire, fine. Fine. Is that what happened?

By ranallo10

June 18, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this

Upper — I agree, I believe Hartnell’s contract will be the trend setter for this offseason. Apparently Philadlphia thinks a young powerforward winger with a high ceiling (potential), plenty of experience, and relatively low point production thus far = $4.2M a season. Seems a bit pricey to me, especially since every rumor I was reading was saying he’d barely push $4M, most likely garner $3-4M range. Timonen is overpriced as well, though a solid defender. I wouldn’t have paid him $6M+ annually, but he’s proven he can handle today’s NHL.

five_hole and Shoot It, etc — I unfortunately am becomming a realist when it comes to Kozlov. We’re all aware the financial impact that signing him would put on this roster, so if he prices himself out of our budget, I only want to see Detroit pick him up. I do however feel that most of the $3M+ earmarked for him should go towards someone like Zubrus or Comrie. Both are young, could get several years or solid top line production, and could HELP this team (not just FIT). Tough stuff ahead for Waddell though, obviously.

Bob — have you ever noticed how the majority of people here don’t agree