The Kings and the Salary Cap: The Kings have to get over the salary cap by the end of the summer. The Kings tried to make a splash in last year's free agent market and people are still trying to figure out what happened with the performance of Ladislav Nagy before his neck injury and Michael Handzus. The Kings are probably not going to make much of an effort to get over the cap with a free agent signing, given the slim pickings that are left but they still have to do a lot to make up the $13 million between their current commitment and the salary floor. Ergo trade rumours galore. Neither Khabibulin nor Gerber are the answer in nets, especially when they hope Bernier takes another run at the starting position in training camp this year. Any other trade would cost them some of the prospects that they are hoping to build around. I don't think Dean Lombardi likes the post-lockout definition of rebuilding.
J Bo: He'll be out of Florida by Groundhog Day. IE. The Panthers will not make a serious run for the playoffs.
Sundin to Vancouver? - I don't buy that scenario unless he has a deep yearning to be called Mats Sedin. Montreal is less travel and a better shot at the cup. The Habs are not only Canada's best shot at the cup but to be more accurate the best shot at a playoff spot.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
(Glen) Murray hits the streets
The Boston Bruins have placed Glen Murray on waivers. This is not a surprising move given the signing of Dennis Wideman to a salary-cap-bumping contract and the fact that the only plans the Bruins have had for Murray were to move him. He might be an interesting gamble and but might find himself in Providence for all I know. The Flames, still short of bodies might be give him some thought but Murray's not certain to be a successful reclamation project.
Other notes:
The Sundin Saga continues. I still don't see him going to Vancouver, though.
Randy Carlyle gets a two-year contract extension. Good move by the Ducks.
Other notes:
The Sundin Saga continues. I still don't see him going to Vancouver, though.
Randy Carlyle gets a two-year contract extension. Good move by the Ducks.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Question Answered
So Terry Murray is the next coach in LA. Dean Lombardi is familiar with Murray from the time they worked together in Philadelphia. An interesting choice and someone who basically flew in under the radar.
I suspect that the Isles next choice will be a questionable one. The move to let Ted Nolan go over "philosophical differences" leaves a pungent smell in the air. Nolan got a great deal out of a team that was gutted last year and it looks like it will be a long time before he gets another chance behind an NHL bench. Too bad. The Isles' loss in my opinion and I suspect that Garth Snow will go with a coach who will not challenge him as GM. Read: it ain't gonna be Quenneville, Dale Hunter or Randy Cunneyworth. Paul Maurice, Bob Hartley and John Tortorella have been bandied about and their profiles would fit Snow's (lack of?) game plan.
I suspect that the Isles next choice will be a questionable one. The move to let Ted Nolan go over "philosophical differences" leaves a pungent smell in the air. Nolan got a great deal out of a team that was gutted last year and it looks like it will be a long time before he gets another chance behind an NHL bench. Too bad. The Isles' loss in my opinion and I suspect that Garth Snow will go with a coach who will not challenge him as GM. Read: it ain't gonna be Quenneville, Dale Hunter or Randy Cunneyworth. Paul Maurice, Bob Hartley and John Tortorella have been bandied about and their profiles would fit Snow's (lack of?) game plan.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Feaster Out in Tampa
You know that guy in your fantasy pool? The one who starts chasing after unpicked rookies who got a few assists on opening night? The one who dumped Jarome Iginla the same week because of his slow start?
Well he's the leading candidate for the GM chair in Tampa Bay.
The silliness continues in Florida. Odds are the new ownership just wants someone to let them play with their team and rebuild the rolodex that Jay Feaster took with them. By Christmas time Gary Bettman is going to be wishing the shady consortium Phil Esposito lead in 1991 was running the Lightning.
Feaster meanwhile ought to land on his feet somewhere. No, he won't be going to Toronto. They are still focused on someone with a bit more sex appeal than Dave Nonis.
Other questions:
When will the Kings hire a coach? The first rumour was they were going in-house for Mike Johnston. If that was the case they would have moved by now. Maybe they are looking at Joel Quenneville or the other usual suspects who were on everybody's list a month ago. I suspect they are looking for somebody who hasn't been considered before or the process is in full swing and the hockey writers in LA are waiting the next flame from Brian Burke.
Is the NW the new SE?
Given the steps backward or sideways the teams in the Northwest are taking right now, they might all be playing for the number 3 seed in the west. I find it hard to believe there will be even two playoff teams there.
Sundin prediction
Montreal.
Radulov to Russia?
The Preds suffer a significant loss as they try to ice a team at a reasonable budget.
Well he's the leading candidate for the GM chair in Tampa Bay.
The silliness continues in Florida. Odds are the new ownership just wants someone to let them play with their team and rebuild the rolodex that Jay Feaster took with them. By Christmas time Gary Bettman is going to be wishing the shady consortium Phil Esposito lead in 1991 was running the Lightning.
Feaster meanwhile ought to land on his feet somewhere. No, he won't be going to Toronto. They are still focused on someone with a bit more sex appeal than Dave Nonis.
Other questions:
When will the Kings hire a coach? The first rumour was they were going in-house for Mike Johnston. If that was the case they would have moved by now. Maybe they are looking at Joel Quenneville or the other usual suspects who were on everybody's list a month ago. I suspect they are looking for somebody who hasn't been considered before or the process is in full swing and the hockey writers in LA are waiting the next flame from Brian Burke.
Is the NW the new SE?
Given the steps backward or sideways the teams in the Northwest are taking right now, they might all be playing for the number 3 seed in the west. I find it hard to believe there will be even two playoff teams there.
Sundin prediction
Montreal.
Radulov to Russia?
The Preds suffer a significant loss as they try to ice a team at a reasonable budget.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Enough Piling On
Hypothetical situation:
A 26-year-old goalie follows up a lengthy playoff run with an injury-thwarted off-year and loses his starting job and is available on the free agent market. Looking back over the years there are plenty of goalies who broke through and stood on their heads in one playoff year only to struggle the next regular season: J.S. Giguere after the Ducks' run in 2003, Khabibulin after 2004, Cam Ward and Dwayne Roloson after their showings in '06, and even Jose Theodore after his Hart Trophy season.
After a lengthy playoff run, goalies, entire teams for that matter, have a hard time putting themselves back on track. The Senators seemed to have broken that pattern last fall but for one reason or another the team unraveled in a manner that will leave the hockey detectives scratching their heads for years as they try to figure out what happened.
The most popular theory going around will be "It was Ray Emery's fault." Emery does indeed have attitude and maturity issues if he isn't a complete headcase, but it was something the Sens were riding with and thriving on during the the first half of 2007.
Odds are, Emery will be back in the NHL in a back-up capacity in 2009-10 after a decent bounce-back season in Russia that proves he can be steady in the net and more importantly the highway and dressing room. The Sens will tweak rather than blow-up and rebuild and fail to recapture their Fall 2007 performance.
A 26-year-old goalie follows up a lengthy playoff run with an injury-thwarted off-year and loses his starting job and is available on the free agent market. Looking back over the years there are plenty of goalies who broke through and stood on their heads in one playoff year only to struggle the next regular season: J.S. Giguere after the Ducks' run in 2003, Khabibulin after 2004, Cam Ward and Dwayne Roloson after their showings in '06, and even Jose Theodore after his Hart Trophy season.
After a lengthy playoff run, goalies, entire teams for that matter, have a hard time putting themselves back on track. The Senators seemed to have broken that pattern last fall but for one reason or another the team unraveled in a manner that will leave the hockey detectives scratching their heads for years as they try to figure out what happened.
The most popular theory going around will be "It was Ray Emery's fault." Emery does indeed have attitude and maturity issues if he isn't a complete headcase, but it was something the Sens were riding with and thriving on during the the first half of 2007.
Odds are, Emery will be back in the NHL in a back-up capacity in 2009-10 after a decent bounce-back season in Russia that proves he can be steady in the net and more importantly the highway and dressing room. The Sens will tweak rather than blow-up and rebuild and fail to recapture their Fall 2007 performance.
Demitra, Bert & Jason Smith
Well Todd Bertuzzi is a Flame. The big question is whether or not Calgary fan will take to the guy or not. Once they realize how often Bertuzzi snuffs power-plays with bad penalties, they'll be on his back. Circle October 15th on your calendar.
The Flames' move was not surprising. They need to fill out their second line and he is a gamble that might pay off nicely. Younger than Owen Nolan, but his body might be just as fragile. If it blows up, cross management off Jarome Iginla's post-playing career list.
Vancouver holds steady at 4-5 20 goal scorers for next year with Brendan Morrison gone and Pavol Demitra keen to head to Gastown.
The Sens did not exactly make a splash but the Jason Smith signing was a great move. The question is why this didn't happen sooner. In a similar move, the Capitals have retained Sergei Federov.
The Lightning's move to add Mark Recchi makes the team much deeper up front but Matt Carle and Paul Ranger need a bit of help, say someone like... Jason Smith.
The Flames' move was not surprising. They need to fill out their second line and he is a gamble that might pay off nicely. Younger than Owen Nolan, but his body might be just as fragile. If it blows up, cross management off Jarome Iginla's post-playing career list.
Vancouver holds steady at 4-5 20 goal scorers for next year with Brendan Morrison gone and Pavol Demitra keen to head to Gastown.
The Sens did not exactly make a splash but the Jason Smith signing was a great move. The question is why this didn't happen sooner. In a similar move, the Capitals have retained Sergei Federov.
The Lightning's move to add Mark Recchi makes the team much deeper up front but Matt Carle and Paul Ranger need a bit of help, say someone like... Jason Smith.
Friday, July 4, 2008
And the Sabres got...?
Steve Bernier is now back on the west coast. The Sabres' return in the Brian Campbell trade is gone after 17 games with Buffalo. Two years ago the Sabres were looking promising after a playoff run that included the demolition of the Flyers and a signal of what post-lockout hockey was to become. Now, the Sabres' caution signing their own talent has started to make Darcy Regier look less like a genius than he did in the summer of 2006. They are continuing to accumulate draft picks and they have a strong group of youngsters in the minors but they are going to leave their fans yearning for the 2006 roster. If you want to make a serious playoff run, you can't do it on a shoestring and a batch of youngsters. Retaining Ryan Miller will be a necessary move and some deft UFA moves will also help. If the Sabres current management have a hard time spending money, that might I suggest moving someone other than the Bills from Buffalo to TO.
This move will definitely help the Canucks, who will likely put Bernier on the Twins-Line-Audition-Carousel. With Naslund gone and Morrison next, Bernier will stand out as one of the Canucks' 4 or 5 20 goal scorers next season.
Other notes:
Jagr's gone to Russia. He can still be a force but it is really up to him whether he wants to or not. For 15-20 inspired games a season he is not worth the money any NHL team would be tempted to throw him. For the Russians, it is the kind of signing that will earn the league a bit more serious consideration in the future and if they want to rival the NHL down the road this is the kind of gamble they have to make.
Kristian Huselius has moved from Mike Keenan's doghouse to Ken Hitchcock's. The man needs a new agent or a Finnish language edition of The Hockey News.
This move will definitely help the Canucks, who will likely put Bernier on the Twins-Line-Audition-Carousel. With Naslund gone and Morrison next, Bernier will stand out as one of the Canucks' 4 or 5 20 goal scorers next season.
Other notes:
Jagr's gone to Russia. He can still be a force but it is really up to him whether he wants to or not. For 15-20 inspired games a season he is not worth the money any NHL team would be tempted to throw him. For the Russians, it is the kind of signing that will earn the league a bit more serious consideration in the future and if they want to rival the NHL down the road this is the kind of gamble they have to make.
Kristian Huselius has moved from Mike Keenan's doghouse to Ken Hitchcock's. The man needs a new agent or a Finnish language edition of The Hockey News.
Sharks load up
The San Jose Sharks have added Rob Blake and apparently Dan Boyle. Blake seems a bit overpriced at $5 million after his seeming decline in LA last season, but might give them the edge that the underachievers have needed. The addition of Boyle gets them close to filling Brian Campbell's skates. Probably the best moves they can make to shore up their defence. The bigger problem in my opinion was the stalled progress of their younger talent such as Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Christian Ehrhoff. Blake will earn is money mentoring those guys.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
When I grow up I want to be Ken Holland
Marian Hossa ends up in Detroit on a one-year contract. This, this of all additions to a team that is going to remain in tact for a few years. Detroit is one of those teams that you can always count on to make a big splash at the trade deadline. Back in the capless era it was nothing for them to ship a prospect off for a playoff rental. You know somebody like Chris Chelios, Robert Lang or Todd Bertuzzi. One would always whisper that the Wings would run out of prospects or that they would not be able to run the table in the age of the salary cap. And then they land Hossa. This is not the kind of stuff that you'll find in GMing for Dummies.
Interesting move with Nikolai Zherdev going to the Rangers. Team chemistry will be an issue again at the start of next season as the significant new faces try to work their way into the Rangers room and the delights of the Big Apple. The Jackets also losing Ron Hainsey, which is a bit of a setback for the team. Hainsey won't find the playoffs any sooner in Atlanta unless John Anderson can get more out of his team.
Good moves by the Pens locking up Orpik and Malkin. They have to, however, add new bodies to make up for the loss of Malone, Hossa, and Colby Armstrong. Their farm team looks to be loaded with talent so a few faces will move up but there are big shoes to fill.
Interesting move with Nikolai Zherdev going to the Rangers. Team chemistry will be an issue again at the start of next season as the significant new faces try to work their way into the Rangers room and the delights of the Big Apple. The Jackets also losing Ron Hainsey, which is a bit of a setback for the team. Hainsey won't find the playoffs any sooner in Atlanta unless John Anderson can get more out of his team.
Good moves by the Pens locking up Orpik and Malkin. They have to, however, add new bodies to make up for the loss of Malone, Hossa, and Colby Armstrong. Their farm team looks to be loaded with talent so a few faces will move up but there are big shoes to fill.
FA Winners and Losers
Whew
The first day of free agent season was not for the faint of heart or anyone with short attention spans. A list of the winning and losing teams in my opinion.
Winners
NY Rangers: Significantly bolstered their D-corp by resigning Roszival, and adding Redden and Rissmiller. (There is a 3-R joke in there, but I'll leave it for a New York scribe to come up with in November.) They also got through the day without losing Jagr and Avery.
Chicago - picked up Campbell and Huet. They might have paid too much for these guys, especially Huet but they have definitely taken a significant step toward playoff contention. The NW division with NOT be sending four teams to next years playoffs.
Capitals - Started the day by signing Mike Green and add Jose Theodore. A high price tag of Theo but the shorter-term deal reduces the risk. If Theo captures regular season 07-08 form the Caps'll compete with the Canes for the SW title.
Oilers - adding Gilbert Brule and Vitali Visnevsky give the Oilers more of what they have in spades, youth up front, and mobile D. Erik Cole will give MacT a few more options for his top two lines. Kudos to Kevin Lowe for getting these three with the bargain chips he had and sparing himself the "nobody wants to play in Edmonton" saw.
Isles - Mark Streit is a good addition and about what they could hope for. Also a sharp contrast to being gutted last year by actually adding to the roster.
Devils - Recycle Holik and Ralston and hang on to their UFAs. Not quite the splash some might have been anticipating but they keep with the character of their team and probably aren't the right fit for the bigger UFAs like Campbell and Hossa.
Columbus - Adding Mike Commodore is a step toward strengthening their blueline. Adding Raffi Torres from the Oil may not seem to be a significant move but it brings in a bit of experience and grit. There are more moves to come. If RJ Umberger builds on his playoff performance and the Jackets sign a few of their UFAs like Hainsey, they can pinch another spot away from the NW. They also need to add a few more forwards to really gear up for next season.
Losers
Leafs - They spend $14 million on Jeff Finger, a move that sent most of their fans headed to the archives to find out who he used to play for. The TO media will be feasting on him first chance they get and have his dissected remains run-out of town on a buyout. Maybe Finger is the loser. Niklas Hagman is a good add and Cujo will bring stability to the locker room and crease. He'll be the most interviewed back up since... Cujo in Detroit as Hasek's back-up.
Avalanche - bring in Tucker and Raycroft, lose Theodore and Finger. Hang on to Liles and Foote. Put them behind the Oilers and in next spring's lottery for John Tavares.
Bolts - Bold moves for Malone and Roberts quickly strengthen them up front. Their real needs are on the blueline and perhaps in net and for all the splash they need something to strengthen the backend. Adding Radim Vrbata and Adam Hall (more forwards) won't help much on the back end. Kolzig is a great bargain and might just challenge for the starting job. The rumours of putting Dan Boyle on the market do not bode well, however.
Other thoughts
By getting a prospect and a draft pick for Marek Zidlicky, the Predators are managing their talent quite effectively. Zidlicky was probably drifting down their depth chart with Shea Weber and Ryan Suter maturing and it was a better chance for MZ to get more power play time. Good addition for the Wild too.
The Flames looked to be moving sideways, making little change to a roster that barely scratched into the playoffs but shouldn't have. Without a lot of talent coming up they will be in for a long battle to make the playoffs.
Metropolit will be a good fit with the Flyers.
The Bruins overspent on Michael Ryder at $4M a year. Did they fall out of the race for Hossa and start moving their money elsewhere?
The Wings served themselves well by securing Brad Stuart and Ty Conklin.
I'm not sure why the Kings traded so much for Denis Gauthier, who the Flyers had waived.
The first day of free agent season was not for the faint of heart or anyone with short attention spans. A list of the winning and losing teams in my opinion.
Winners
NY Rangers: Significantly bolstered their D-corp by resigning Roszival, and adding Redden and Rissmiller. (There is a 3-R joke in there, but I'll leave it for a New York scribe to come up with in November.) They also got through the day without losing Jagr and Avery.
Chicago - picked up Campbell and Huet. They might have paid too much for these guys, especially Huet but they have definitely taken a significant step toward playoff contention. The NW division with NOT be sending four teams to next years playoffs.
Capitals - Started the day by signing Mike Green and add Jose Theodore. A high price tag of Theo but the shorter-term deal reduces the risk. If Theo captures regular season 07-08 form the Caps'll compete with the Canes for the SW title.
Oilers - adding Gilbert Brule and Vitali Visnevsky give the Oilers more of what they have in spades, youth up front, and mobile D. Erik Cole will give MacT a few more options for his top two lines. Kudos to Kevin Lowe for getting these three with the bargain chips he had and sparing himself the "nobody wants to play in Edmonton" saw.
Isles - Mark Streit is a good addition and about what they could hope for. Also a sharp contrast to being gutted last year by actually adding to the roster.
Devils - Recycle Holik and Ralston and hang on to their UFAs. Not quite the splash some might have been anticipating but they keep with the character of their team and probably aren't the right fit for the bigger UFAs like Campbell and Hossa.
Columbus - Adding Mike Commodore is a step toward strengthening their blueline. Adding Raffi Torres from the Oil may not seem to be a significant move but it brings in a bit of experience and grit. There are more moves to come. If RJ Umberger builds on his playoff performance and the Jackets sign a few of their UFAs like Hainsey, they can pinch another spot away from the NW. They also need to add a few more forwards to really gear up for next season.
Losers
Leafs - They spend $14 million on Jeff Finger, a move that sent most of their fans headed to the archives to find out who he used to play for. The TO media will be feasting on him first chance they get and have his dissected remains run-out of town on a buyout. Maybe Finger is the loser. Niklas Hagman is a good add and Cujo will bring stability to the locker room and crease. He'll be the most interviewed back up since... Cujo in Detroit as Hasek's back-up.
Avalanche - bring in Tucker and Raycroft, lose Theodore and Finger. Hang on to Liles and Foote. Put them behind the Oilers and in next spring's lottery for John Tavares.
Bolts - Bold moves for Malone and Roberts quickly strengthen them up front. Their real needs are on the blueline and perhaps in net and for all the splash they need something to strengthen the backend. Adding Radim Vrbata and Adam Hall (more forwards) won't help much on the back end. Kolzig is a great bargain and might just challenge for the starting job. The rumours of putting Dan Boyle on the market do not bode well, however.
Other thoughts
By getting a prospect and a draft pick for Marek Zidlicky, the Predators are managing their talent quite effectively. Zidlicky was probably drifting down their depth chart with Shea Weber and Ryan Suter maturing and it was a better chance for MZ to get more power play time. Good addition for the Wild too.
The Flames looked to be moving sideways, making little change to a roster that barely scratched into the playoffs but shouldn't have. Without a lot of talent coming up they will be in for a long battle to make the playoffs.
Metropolit will be a good fit with the Flyers.
The Bruins overspent on Michael Ryder at $4M a year. Did they fall out of the race for Hossa and start moving their money elsewhere?
The Wings served themselves well by securing Brad Stuart and Ty Conklin.
I'm not sure why the Kings traded so much for Denis Gauthier, who the Flyers had waived.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)