T1B

Jason Allison to the Leafs.....maybe now they can leave Henrik alone.

Brad May to the Avalanche is also interesting.

al? wrote:Jason Allison to the Leafs.....maybe now they can leave Henrik alone.

I don't think we had anything to worry about unless some team grossly overpays him so the Wings couldn't match it. From what I heard on the radio...he wants $2.5 million and the Wings would like to give him $2 million; not a huge difference. I haven't heard any new updates on Datsyuk...I was thinking his agent want $5 million, which would cripple the Wings from being able to do anything else.

al? wrote:Kariya to the Predators.

http://www.tsn.ca/news_story.asp?ID=132540&hubName=main

The Preds desperately need a #1 scorer. It'll be interesting to see which Kariya shows up. When he wants to, he's a contender for the Art Ross. The Predators adding a scorer will only make them better...the Jackets, 'Hawks and Preds have all made strong moves this offseason to narrow the gap with the Blues and Wings.

I have Legwand in my hockey pool. This signing is a good thing!

Hapday wrote:I have Legwand in my hockey pool. This signing is a good thing!

Definitely...he needs to step up though. He's yet to live up to that high selection yet. If that team can get some scoring out of Legwand, Kariya and Sullivan and they've already got an up-and-coming defense and a great goalie...they should be able to make a return trip to the playoffs.

Shoalzie wrote:the Jackets, 'Hawks and Preds have all made strong moves this offseason to narrow the gap with the Blues and Wings.

You must have forgotten, the Blues traded their gap to Edmonton! :P

The Blues making-the-playoff streak is about to come to a halt, I've got to think.

Hapday wrote:

Otis wrote:Toronto's back in the game.

The Leafs re-signed Tie Domi to a 2 yr 2.5 million contract.

I'm a Domi supporter and all and sure, from a sentimental aspect it's nice to see Domi finish his career as a Leaf... but sweet jesus, this franchise needs to make one more move immediately.

Fire JFJ before he screws this up any more than he already has.

Shit, JFJ is starting to make Larry Pleau look like the second coming of Sam Pollock..

I'm glad they signed Domi. In the playoffs, you won't find a player who works harder than him. He may not get a lot of points, but he is willing to go into the corners and do the dirty work.

Oh I like Domi as well...
But the point was that if we were trying to get younger then why even bother bringing him back.
I mean, they gave Domi $1.25 million but only offered Neuiy $1. million?
WTF is wrong with that picture?

I'd like to think (this is what I keep telling myself) that the Leafs are planning for next year. Given the fact that the Leafs have no wiggle room under the cap, there isn't much you can do. Suck it up, take a chance on some injured guys like Lindros, Allison, and Kariya and sign some blue-chippers next year.

Well they do have one member of the concussion line signed, they lost out on another to fucking Nashville of all places. and the 3rd (Lindros) is still holding out because Bonny and Carl haven't negotiated their own private luxery box into any deal with the Leafs yet..

My heart tells me that this is the case, my head tells me that this just example #1,298 of Leafs management and ownership showing their stupidity and caring more about the bottom line than icing a winning product.

Wait a minute... I thought that that was why your boy Bettman had everyone locked out for a whole season?
You mean to say that hockey is not all about the bottom line?
Well shit, make up your mind will you?

Where JFJ screwed up royally is not buying out Belfour and McCabe. There is over $8 million they could have used some of that to sign Niedemayer and given the Leafs a top-five defensemen that they haven't had since Salming. They could have even signed Leetch to play for a year with that money. They would be a great influence on the younger Leafs defensive corps like Bell, Pilar, Coliacovo.

Belfour, I agree, McCabe, I'm fine with keeping because at least he has shown he's capable of being a top-five defenceman. Remember how many D the Leafs have given up on over the years only to see them go on to star with other organizations.. Carlyle, Iafrate, Smith only to name a couple.
McCabe's got the tools.

As much as I want to shit all over JFJ and the Leafs, if they do sign Lindros, Kariya, and Allison and they stay healthy the team is a shoe-in for the playoffs. There are still a LOT of shitty teams in the East, so the Leafs don't have to improve a great deal to be assured a playoff spot at least.

Well those are some really big IFS there but so far they have managed to sign Allison.
Maybe they could pair him up with Domi and Lindros should they sign him..
Domi, Lindros, Allison... Snap, Crackle and pop.

Domi-Lindros-Allison, between the 3 of them there's maybe 1/2 a brain a left.

Don't be jealous Maniac.

JD wrote:One thing that jumps out at me so far, though: NHL GM's can be extremely short-sighted and incapable of self-control when presented with the opportunity to acquire a player for nothing but money. Thus far, a salary cap isn't stopping that. :mad:

And the Penguins' buying spree continues..

Sportsnet has learned the Pittsburgh Penguins have agreed to a 3-year-contract with free agent forward Zigmund Palffy.

Sportsnet.ca -- The Pittsburgh Penguins have added another star to help rebuild the franchise.

Sportsnet has learned the Pittsburgh Penguins have agreed to a 3-year-contract with free agent forward Zigmund Palffy.

Details to follow.

Otis wrote:And the Penguins' buying spree continues..

Sportsnet has learned the Pittsburgh Penguins have agreed to a 3-year-contract with free agent forward Zigmund Palffy.

Sportsnet.ca -- The Pittsburgh Penguins have added another star to help rebuild the franchise.

Sportsnet has learned the Pittsburgh Penguins have agreed to a 3-year-contract with free agent forward Zigmund Palffy.

Details to follow.

Damn...these guys mean business. What a sick first line...Crosby-Lemieux-Palffy.

Anyone hear the latest on Cujo?

Shoalzie wrote:

Otis wrote:And the Penguins' buying spree continues..

Sportsnet has learned the Pittsburgh Penguins have agreed to a 3-year-contract with free agent forward Zigmund Palffy.

Sportsnet.ca -- The Pittsburgh Penguins have added another star to help rebuild the franchise.

Sportsnet has learned the Pittsburgh Penguins have agreed to a 3-year-contract with free agent forward Zigmund Palffy.

Details to follow.

Damn...these guys mean business. What a sick first line...Crosby-Lemieux-Palffy.

Anyone hear the latest on Cujo?

The latest I'm hearing Shoalzie are two seperate rumours.

One believeable, he's going to sign with the Penguins as well

The other, way out there and makes almost no sense...

He'll sign with the Leafs after they trade Belfour and Belak to the Wings in exchange for Henrik

Otis wrote:The other, way out there and makes almost no sense...

He'll sign with the Leafs after they trade Belfour and Belak to the Wings in exchange for Henrik

I hope you're right...Zetterberg isn't going to be that hard to sign, Datsyuk is the one giving the Wings the most problems.

Shoalzie wrote:

Otis wrote:The other, way out there and makes almost no sense...

He'll sign with the Leafs after they trade Belfour and Belak to the Wings in exchange for Henrik

I hope you're right...Zetterberg isn't going to be that hard to sign, Datsyuk is the one giving the Wings the most problems.

You mean you're actually giving it any credence?
Maybe it isn't as far fetched as I thought then...



Ya right...

Otis wrote:

Shoalzie wrote:

Otis wrote:The other, way out there and makes almost no sense...

He'll sign with the Leafs after they trade Belfour and Belak to the Wings in exchange for Henrik

I hope you're right...Zetterberg isn't going to be that hard to sign, Datsyuk is the one giving the Wings the most problems.

You mean you're actually giving it any credence?
Maybe it isn't as far fetched as I thought then...



Ya right...

I want no part of that trade. The Wings need to keep their young core together. I'd rather have Cujo back than get Belfour. They couldn't afford him anyways.

Can two players actually be considered a "core", Shoalzie? :?

JD wrote:Can two players actually be considered a "core", Shoalzie? :?

They're the only ones in the NHL right now. I'd throw Niklas Kronwall, Igor Grigorenko and Jim Howard in that crowd as well. Those guys should be playing for the Wings by next year...Kronwall will be playing this year for sure. They're going to have to change their ways and build more through the draft. Datsyuk and Zetterberg are two great building blocks...they need to make sure the cabinet won't be bare when guys like Yzerman, Shanahan and Lidstrom leave or retire.

Hapday wrote:Don't be jealous Maniac.

Actually, I am jealous. I'd much prefer a healthy Allison over Zhamnov. I'm a huge Allison fan. I love the way he plays when healthy. He was a force with the Bruins. Even though I hate the Leafs I hope Jason is healthy and has a huge year....he deserves it.

Otis wrote:
The other, way out there and makes almost no sense...

He'll sign with the Leafs after they trade Belfour and Belak to the Wings in exchange for Henrik

I heard that rumour too. I really don't think the Wings are that stupid. Manny Legace is a pretty goalie, and much younger than Belfour.

Those silly rumours started because of Detroit's cap situation, and they fact they may not be able to afford Henrik. It doesn't make any sense that they would trade for Belfour, because he is making what Henrik will probably sign for anyway. Well, maybe a little less.

Hapday wrote: I really don't think the Wings are that stupid. Manny Legace is a pretty goalie, and much younger than Belfour.

Shit Hap, I never suspected that you were into short, Italian goalie-types.

Hapday wrote:

Otis wrote:
The other, way out there and makes almost no sense...

He'll sign with the Leafs after they trade Belfour and Belak to the Wings in exchange for Henrik

I heard that rumour too. I really don't think the Wings are that stupid. Manny Legace is a pretty goalie, and much younger than Belfour.

Those silly rumours started because of Detroit's cap situation, and they fact they may not be able to afford Henrik. It doesn't make any sense that they would trade for Belfour, because he is making what Henrik will probably sign for anyway. Well, maybe a little less.

The latest Belfour rumour actually makes a lot more sense...

Leafs trade belfour to Tampa Bay in exchange for two draft picks. Tampa's only shot at repeating is with a solid goalie, and Belfour is the best available. Plus it makes sense from a Tampa perspective that if they really want to capitalize on their Stanley Cup fan interest momentum, that they have to make another serious run at it in light of the lockout.
From the Leafs end of things, after trading Belfour, they then trade either Kaberle or Klee plus a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick to the Sabres in return for Martin Biron who is being shopped.
Then with the cap room they free up by unloading Belfour, the Leafs will have some money available to try and sign a Hamrilik or Stevens type free agent defencman.

Otis wrote:

Hapday wrote:

Otis wrote:
The other, way out there and makes almost no sense...

He'll sign with the Leafs after they trade Belfour and Belak to the Wings in exchange for Henrik

I heard that rumour too. I really don't think the Wings are that stupid. Manny Legace is a pretty goalie, and much younger than Belfour.

Those silly rumours started because of Detroit's cap situation, and they fact they may not be able to afford Henrik. It doesn't make any sense that they would trade for Belfour, because he is making what Henrik will probably sign for anyway. Well, maybe a little less.

The latest Belfour rumour actually makes a lot more sense...

Leafs trade belfour to Tampa Bay in exchange for two draft picks. Tampa's only shot at repeating is with a solid goalie, and Belfour is the best available. Plus it makes sense from a Tampa perspective that if they really want to capitalize on their Stanley Cup fan interest momentum, that they have to make another serious run at it in light of the lockout.
From the Leafs end of things, after trading Belfour, they then trade either Kaberle or Klee plus a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick to the Sabres in return for Martin Biron who is being shopped.
Then with the cap room they free up by unloading Belfour, the Leafs will have some money available to try and sign a Hamrilik or Stevens type free agent defencman.

Those rumors make a little more sense. The Wings flat out can't afford Belfour and they would need to find another top 6 forward to replace Zetterberg. Tampa Bay desperately needs a goalie and Belfour would be a decent one year fix. The Wings have Legace to fall back on but the Lightning have Grahame...a major drop-off from Khabibulin. Vancouver needs a goalie as well...I wonder where they fit into all of this. There isn't much available in free agency...Burke, Cloutier, Dunham and Osgood are the best available. The Wings want to pick up a backup for Legace, most likely it'll be Osgood.

Shoalzie wrote:

Otis wrote:

Hapday wrote: I heard that rumour too. I really don't think the Wings are that stupid. Manny Legace is a pretty goalie, and much younger than Belfour.

Those silly rumours started because of Detroit's cap situation, and they fact they may not be able to afford Henrik. It doesn't make any sense that they would trade for Belfour, because he is making what Henrik will probably sign for anyway. Well, maybe a little less.

The latest Belfour rumour actually makes a lot more sense...

Leafs trade belfour to Tampa Bay in exchange for two draft picks. Tampa's only shot at repeating is with a solid goalie, and Belfour is the best available. Plus it makes sense from a Tampa perspective that if they really want to capitalize on their Stanley Cup fan interest momentum, that they have to make another serious run at it in light of the lockout.
From the Leafs end of things, after trading Belfour, they then trade either Kaberle or Klee plus a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick to the Sabres in return for Martin Biron who is being shopped.
Then with the cap room they free up by unloading Belfour, the Leafs will have some money available to try and sign a Hamrilik or Stevens type free agent defencman.

Those rumors make a little more sense. The Wings flat out can't afford Belfour and they would need to find another top 6 forward to replace Zetterberg. Tampa Bay desperately needs a goalie and Belfour would be a decent one year fix. The Wings have Legace to fall back on but the Lightning have Grahame...a major drop-off from Khabibulin. Vancouver needs a goalie as well...I wonder where they fit into all of this. There isn't much available in free agency...Burke, Cloutier, Dunham and Osgood are the best available. The Wings want to pick up a backup for Legace, most likely it'll be Osgood.

I hate making up trades like this but I had to comment.

Otis: That scenerio isn't far fetched, but IMO the are giving up way too much for Biron and very rarely do teams trade withing their division. Until the UFA age reaches 27, I don't think the Leafs will be willing to trade away too many draft picks.

Hapday wrote:

Shoalzie wrote:

Otis wrote:The latest Belfour rumour actually makes a lot more sense...

Leafs trade belfour to Tampa Bay in exchange for two draft picks. Tampa's only shot at repeating is with a solid goalie, and Belfour is the best available. Plus it makes sense from a Tampa perspective that if they really want to capitalize on their Stanley Cup fan interest momentum, that they have to make another serious run at it in light of the lockout.
From the Leafs end of things, after trading Belfour, they then trade either Kaberle or Klee plus a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick to the Sabres in return for Martin Biron who is being shopped.
Then with the cap room they free up by unloading Belfour, the Leafs will have some money available to try and sign a Hamrilik or Stevens type free agent defencman.

Those rumors make a little more sense. The Wings flat out can't afford Belfour and they would need to find another top 6 forward to replace Zetterberg. Tampa Bay desperately needs a goalie and Belfour would be a decent one year fix. The Wings have Legace to fall back on but the Lightning have Grahame...a major drop-off from Khabibulin. Vancouver needs a goalie as well...I wonder where they fit into all of this. There isn't much available in free agency...Burke, Cloutier, Dunham and Osgood are the best available. The Wings want to pick up a backup for Legace, most likely it'll be Osgood.

I hate making up trades like this but I had to comment.

Otis: That scenerio isn't far fetched, but IMO the are giving up way too much for Biron and very rarely do teams trade withing their division. Until the UFA age reaches 27, I don't think the Leafs will be willing to trade away too many draft picks.

So you wouldn't give up Klee and a 2nd round pick or Kaberle and a 3rd round pick for a proven young solid NHL calibre goalie?
If it's Klee and a pick, I make that deal in a heartbeat. I'm not the biggest Kaberle fan but he's got more upside to him than Klee has at this stage of their careers. But for Biron, I'd move him considering there's not much else out there and probably won't be next season either based on the way that teams are locking their players up to long term contracts now...
As for the number of picks... the Leafs wouldn't be giving any away if they were to get 2 picks back from Tampa in exchange for Eddie...

Shoalzie wrote:Vancouver needs a goalie as well...I wonder where they fit into all of this.

Uh, they don't. The Vancouver Canucks organization seems to be perpetually stuck in the belief that Dan Cloutier is a true #1 goalie.

Maybe two or three more early-round exits will teach them.

Or maybe Mr. Cloutier will have to leave them first.

JD wrote:Can two players actually be considered a "core", Shoalzie? :?

Ask yourself that question Flamefan. Before the Miracle on 17th last year, your 'core' was Iginla and Kiprusoff. It arguably still is, depending on how the new people fit in.

I can't believe Datsyuk is being such a fucking greedy russkie a-hole. Christ, he was one of the one's misfiring last post-season. Produce, then ask for the jack.....is that such a hard concept Pavel? I love the guys skills, but jeeeezus.


In other Hockeytown news.....Whitney to the 'Canes.

al? wrote:Ask yourself that question Flamefan. Before the Miracle on 17th last year, your 'core' was Iginla and Kiprusoff. It arguably still is, depending on how the new people fit in.

Robyn Regehr, Toni Lydman, Jordan Leopold, Chuck Kobasew, Matthew Lombardi, Oleg Saprykin, Rhett Warrener, Denis Gauthier (at the time), and Steven Reinprecht could all have considered as part of the Flames' young core two years ago.

The Flames' time to turn the corner was coming, it was only a matter of when.

As for this year, that core is mostly intact. No reason to think they're going to have troubles adjusting with new players.

JD wrote:

al? wrote:Ask yourself that question Flamefan. Before the Miracle on 17th last year, your 'core' was Iginla and Kiprusoff. It arguably still is, depending on how the new people fit in.

Robyn Regehr, Toni Lydman, Jordan Leopold, Chuck Kobasew, Matthew Lombardi, Oleg Saprykin, Rhett Warrener, Denis Gauthier (at the time), and Steven Reinprecht could all have considered as part of the Flames' young core two years ago.

The Flames' time to turn the corner was coming, it was only a matter of when.

As for this year, that core is mostly intact. No reason to think they're going to have troubles adjusting with new players.

Nope but they might have trouble adjusting to the powerhouse now known as Edmonton... :wink:
Maybe now with a true Battle of Alberta rekindled, Timmy, Carneliat and Jokey will have a reason to talk hockey again...

JD wrote:

al? wrote:Ask yourself that question Flamefan. Before the Miracle on 17th last year, your 'core' was Iginla and Kiprusoff. It arguably still is, depending on how the new people fit in.

Robyn Regehr, Toni Lydman, Jordan Leopold, Chuck Kobasew, Matthew Lombardi, Oleg Saprykin, Rhett Warrener, Denis Gauthier (at the time), and Steven Reinprecht could all have considered as part of the Flames' young core two years ago.

Two years ago? Wasn't Regehr re-habbing from a car accident, and Kobasew wasn't even signed. That's your 'core'?

I know what your saying, but you had a farm team more than you had a core.

Hey, I'll start by saying that I like the moves Edmonton made (or don't like??)... they have upgraded 2 positions.

But they're not vastly improved like everyone seems to be saying. Not unless Chris Pronger can play 50 minutes a game and not unless Peca is going to centre all 4 lines.

This is still a team that has Shawn Horcoff as their #2 centreman.

They're not deep on defense.

And Ty Conklin is their #1 goalie.

Conceded, this is also a team that finished the '03-'04 season hotter than any other team.

Should be interesting, but like his old teammates, Chris Pronger is going to be out of the playoff picture this year, IMO.

al? wrote:

JD wrote:

al? wrote:Ask yourself that question Flamefan. Before the Miracle on 17th last year, your 'core' was Iginla and Kiprusoff. It arguably still is, depending on how the new people fit in.

Robyn Regehr, Toni Lydman, Jordan Leopold, Chuck Kobasew, Matthew Lombardi, Oleg Saprykin, Rhett Warrener, Denis Gauthier (at the time), and Steven Reinprecht could all have considered as part of the Flames' young core two years ago.

Two years ago? Wasn't Regehr re-habbing from a car accident, and Kobasew wasn't even signed. That's your 'core'?

I know what your saying, but you had a farm team more than you had a core.

Two years ago would be the beginning of the year the Flames made it to the Finals.

Regehr's car accident was in the last century. He's been a regular on the Flames' blue line for 5 years.

But then again, I listed more than Regehr and Kobasew. Yeah, that's our core, and I'd take it plus Phaneuf, Iginla, and Kiprusoff over the Wings' young core of Zetterberg and Datsyuk.

Have you asked Zetterberg where he was vacationing during the '04 playoffs yet?

Re: Regehr...I'm in a bit of a vapor lock what with no hockey for a full year. My bad.

As for Zetterberg, you can add Shanahan, Hatcher, Lidstrom.......hell, you can add the entire team aside from Schneider, Joseph, Draper and #19 to the list of Wings on vacation in '04. Especially that money grubber Datsyuk.

Wings still go further than the Flames in the post season this year.

sig bet on it.

al? wrote:As for Zetterberg, you can add Shanahan, Hatcher, Lidstrom.......hell, you can add the entire team aside from Schneider, Joseph, Draper and #19 to the list of Wings on vacation in '04. Especially that money grubber Datsyuk.

Hatcher wasn't on vacation. He was right in the thick of things.


Not fair to say Draper and Yzerman were on vacation that series. They were the best players for Detroit in that series. In fact, Yzerman's injury was the major turning point. The Wings never scored again in that series. The Flames scored twice.

It was actually pretty close.

JD wrote: Hatcher wasn't on vacation. He was right in the thick of things.

Get used to that scene, phillyfan.

Not fair to say Draper and Yzerman were on vacation that series.

I didn't, re-read that sentence.

You're out of tricks Flamefan. No miracles this year.

I'd bet a sig on it.

Strap a blue and white jersey in Hatcher in that photo without telling me, and I would swear it was Aki Berg. Not because they look the same, I would have judged it on the location of the opponent's puck.

Hapday wrote:


Strap a blue and white jersey in Hatcher in that photo without telling me, and I would swear it was Aki Berg. Not because they look the same, I would have judged it on the location of the opponent's puck.

Look at the bright side of things Hap...

Berg still hasn't accepted his qualifying offer.
Or Antropov for that matter.
And unless I missed it, Belak hasn't signed on yet either.

Things aren't completely bleak yet...

Otis wrote:Look at the bright side of things Hap...

Berg still hasn't accepted his qualifying offer.
Or Antropov for that matter.
And unless I missed it, Belak hasn't signed on yet either.

YAY!!

al? wrote:You're out of tricks Flamefan. No miracles this year.

I'd bet a sig on it.

Well, then, as an ASIDE, we'll have ourselves a little sig bet.

Amazing how one word can change the meaning of a sentence.

Breaking news from WXYT out of Detroit...

Osgood signs a 1 year/$900K deal with the Wings

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!