NHL Off-Season Thread...

[the max 0]

Could be the off-season for a while, but there will be activity with signings, options not being picked up, trades, etc.

 

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=89565

 

Lindros' option was denied by the Rangers, and anyone who wants an injury-prone concussion having center about 8-10 million can have him.

 

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=89457

 

The Kings resigned Lucky Luc to a one-year 1.5 million dollar contract. I'd like to see him retire after this season, as a King.

 

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=89423

 

Preds reupped with David Legwand, one of their premier players. They also extended options on pretty much all of their young, tier II free agents, to keep them around.

[treble 0]

Lindros is obviously going to have to take a paycut. If he really wants to go to Toronto then it would probably be for about $3 million/year, but he might be able to squeeze some more money out of someone else.

[the max 0]

I hope he takes a paycut. And I'd love to see his injury-prone ass in T-dot.

 

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=89571

 

Ottawa declined the option on Bondra, since they don't want to pay him 4.5 million to disappear in the postseas---er...they think they can sign him for <4.5 million. They'd better.

[treble 0]

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=89580&hubName=nhl

 

The Leafs re-signed both Roberts ($3.75 million) and Nieuwendyk ($3 million) to one year deals.

 

EDIT: And SportsNet just said that they signed Belfour to a 2-year deal. Didn't catch for how much, though.

[starvenger 0]

Never mind that - the Leafs resigned Aki Berg!! You might as well give us the Cup now!!

[nl5xsk1 0]

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=89575

 

The Boston Bruins tendered qualifying offers Wednesday to eight of their 16 restricted free agents, including core players Joe Thornton, Andrew Raycroft, Hal Gill, Sergei Gonchar and Sergei Samsonov.

 

Andy Delmore and Michal Grosek were among the eight players not tendered qualifying offers and therefore become unrestricted free agents Thursday.

 

Good call on qualifying those that they did (except Gill, I'd lose no sleep if he left the Bruins) but they better be able to resign Delmore & Grosek. When he's healthy, Grosek is a reasonable 4th liner, plays with grit and tenacity and is able to score the occasional goal. Delmore could be a good 4-6 defenseman, but not at the money he was getting. Hopefully he comes back at a reduced rate.

 

Lastly, how pitiful will the Bruins be if they lose Ralston, Knuble AND Murray? I figure Murray's definitely gone (most likely to LA) but the B's should really try to keep Knuble & Ralston in the spoked B.

[the max 0]

At least Rolston and Knuble have to come back. I'd love to see Muzz back, but...that's ownership for you.

[Guest Olympic Slam]

Full list of Unrestricted Free Agents as of July 1: From proicehockey.about.com

 

2004 NHL Free Agents (Unrestricted) - Eastern Conference

 

Atlanta Thrashers –

 

G Byron Dafoe, 34

D Chris Tamer, 33

D Shawn Heins, 30

D Frantisek Kaberle, 30

D Yanick Tremblay, 28

LW Zdenek Blatny, 23

LW Bill Lindsay, 33

LW Randy Robitaille, 27 (ZSC Lions, Switzerland)

 

Boston Bruins –

 

G Felix Potvin, 33

D Jiri Slegr, 33

D Sean O’Donnell, 32

D Dan McGillis, 32

D Ian Moran, 31

D Andy Delmore

C Ted Donato, 35

C Travis Green, 33

C Michael Nylander, 31

C Brian Rolston, 31

C Carl Corrazini, 25

C Craig MacDonald, 27

RW Michal Grosek, 29

RW Glen Murray, 31

LW Rob Zamuner, 34

LW Mike Knuble, 31

LW Doug Doull, 30

 

Buffalo Sabres –

 

D James Patrick, 41

D Alexei Zhitnik, 31

LW Jason Botterill, 28

 

Carolina Hurricanes –

 

G Jamie Storr, 26 (Adler Mannheim, Germany)

G Kevin Weekes, 29

D Sean Hill, 34

D Glen Wesley, 35 (re-signed)

RW Craig Adams, 28

 

Florida Panthers –

 

G Steve Shields, 32

D Lyle Odelein, 36

D Pavel Trnka

D Andreas Lilja, 29

C Matt Cullen, 27

C Byron Ritchie, 27

RW Mikael Samuelsson, 27

RW Jaroslav Bednar, 27 (Avangard Omsk, Russia)

RW Donald Audette, 35

LW Eric Messier, 30

 

Montreal Canadiens –

 

D Stephane Quintal, 35 (traded to Los Angeles and signed)

C Jim Dowd, 35

C Yanic Perreault, 33

C Joe Juneau, 36: retired

RW Andreas Dackell, 31 (Brynas IF, Sweden)

RW Alexei Kovalev, 31

RW Niklas Sundstrom, 29

LW Darren Langdon, 33

 

New Jersey Devils –

 

G Corey Scwhab, 33

G Scott Clemmensen, 26

D Tommy Albelin, 40

D Ray Giroux, 27

C John Madden, 31 (re-signed)

C Sergei Brylin, 30

C Igor Larionov, 43: retired

*C Jan Hrdina, 28

RW Grant Marshall, 31

RW Turner Stevenson, 32

 

New York Islanders –

 

G Garth Snow, 34

D Alexander Karpovtsev, 34

D Eric Cairns, 30

C Cliff Ronning, 38

C Eric Manlow, 29

RW Steve Webb, 29

RW Mariusz Czerkawski, 32

 

New York Rangers –

 

G Jamie McLennan, 33

D Joel Bouchard, 30

D Boris Mironov, 32

D Jamie Pushor, 31

C Eric Lindros, 31

C Mark Messier, 43

RW Pavel Bure, 33

LW Sandy McCarthy, 32

LW Josh Green, 26

LW Jan Hlavac, 27

LW Chris McAllister, 29

LW Dan Lacouture, 27

 

Ottawa Senators –

 

D Curtis Leschyshyn, 35

D Todd Simpson, 31

C Shaun Van Allen, 36

RW Rob Ray, 35

LW Peter Bondra, 36

 

Philadelphia Flyers –

 

G Sean Burke, 37

D Vladimir Malakhov, 35

C Keith Primeau, 32 (re-signed)

C Alexei Zhamnov, 33

RW Mark Recchi, 36

 

Pittsburgh Penguins –

 

G Martin Brochu, 31

G Jean-Sebastian Aubin, 27

D Patrick Boileau, 29 (HC Lausanne, Switzerland)

D Dan Focht, 26

C Mario Lemieux, 38

RW Landon Wilson, 29

RW Eric Meloche, 28

RW Tom Kostopoulos, 25

RW Kelly Buchberger, 37

LW Steve McKenna, 31

LW Jon Sim, 26

 

Tampa Bay Lightning –

 

D Jassen Cullimore, 31

RW Ben Clymer, 26

LW Dave Andreychuk, 40

 

Toronto Maple Leafs –

 

G Ed Belfour, 39 (re-signed)

G Trevor Kidd, 32

D Drake Berehowsky, 32

D Ken Klee, 33 (re-signed)

D Bryan Marchment, 35

C Ron Francis, 41

C Joe Nieuwendyk, 37 (re-signed)

C Robert Reichel, 33

RW Tom Fitzgerald, 35

RW Mikael Renberg, 32 (Lulea, Sweden)

LW Gary Roberts, 38 (re-signed)

 

Washington Capitals –

 

D John Gruden, 34

D Todd Rohloff, 30

D Jason Boumedienne, 26

D Rick Berry, 25

D Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre, 27

D Joel Kwiatkowski, 27

D Brad Norton, 29

C Trent Whitfield, 27

C Darcy Verot, 28

LW Bates Battaglia, 28

LW Kip Miller, 34

LW Craig Johnson, 32

 

2004 NHL Free Agents (Unrestricted) - Western Conference

Listed by 2003-04 NHL team

 

Anaheim Mighty Ducks –

 

C Jason Krog, 28

LW Garrett Burnett, 28

LW Dan Bylsma, 33

LW Cam Severson, 26

LW Peter Schastlivy, 25

 

Calgary Flames –

 

C Craig Conroy, 32

RW Dean McAmmond, 31

LW Dave Lowry, 39

LW Krzsyztof Oliwa, 31

LW Chris Simon, 32

 

Chicago Blackhawks –

 

G Steve Passmore, 31

D Steve Poapst, 36

D Deron Quint, 28

D Jason Strudwick, 28

D Jonathan Aitken, 26

D Burke Henry, 24

C Brett Mclean, 26

RW Ryan VandenBussche, 31

LW Igor Korolev, 33

 

Colorado Avalanche –

 

G Tommy Salo, 33 (MoDo, Sweden)

D Bob Boughner, 33 (re-signed)

C Andrei Nikolishin, 31

C Darby Hendrickson, 32 (re-signed)

C Steve Moore, 26

C Chris Gratton, 29 (re-signed)

RW Matthew Barnaby, 31

RW Teemu Selanne, 33

RW Jim Cummins, 34

LW Paul Kariya, 29

LW Travis Brigley, 27

LW Steve Konowalchuk, 31 (re-signed)

 

Columbus Blue Jackets –

 

G Fred Brathwaite, 31

D Anders Eriksson, 29

C Brian Holzinger, 31

C Espen Knutsen, 32 (Djurgardens IF, Sweden)

RW David Ling, 29

 

Dallas Stars –

 

G Ron Tugnutt, 36

D Jon Klemm, 34 (re-signed)

D Richard Matvichuk, 31

D Teppo Numminen, 35

D Don Sweeney, 37 (re-signed)

D Chris Therien, 32

LW Shane Corson, 37

RW Rob DiMaio, 36 (re-signed)

RW David Oliver, 32

RW Blake Sloan, 28

RW Aaron Downey, 30

RW Scott Young, 36

RW Valeri Bure, 30

 

Detroit Red Wings –

 

G Dominik Hasek, 39

G Marc Lamothe, 30

D Chris Chelios, 42

D Mathieu Schneider, 35

D Jamie Rivers, 29

C Kris Draper, 32 (re-signed)

C Steve Yzerman, 39

C Boyd Devereaux, 26

LW Brendan Shanahan, 35

LW Steve Thomas, 40

RW Brett Hull, 39

 

Edmonton Oilers –

 

D Scott Ferguson, 31

C Peter Nedved, 32

C Adam Oates, 41: retired

 

Los Angeles Kings –

 

G Milan Hnilicka, 31 (HC Liberec, Czech Republic)

G Mathieu Chouinard, 24

D Jaroslav Modry, 33 (to Atlanta)

D Maxim Kuznetsov

C Jozef Stumpel, 32

C Ian Laperriere, 30

C Jason Allison

RW Brad Chartrand

RW Anson Carter

RW John Tripp, 27 (Adler Mannheim, Gemany)

RW Zigmund Palffy, 32

LW Luc Robitaille, 38 (re-signed)

F Adam Deadmarsh

 

Minnesota Wild –

 

C Jason Weimer, 28

LW Antti Laaksonen

 

Nashville Predators –

 

D Brad Bombardir, 32

D Jason York, 34

D Robert Schnabel, 25 (HC Sparta Praha, Czech Republic)

D Jamie Allison, 29

C Sergei Zholtok, 31

C Tony Hrkac, 37

LW Andreas Johansson, 31

LW Rem Murray, 31

 

Phoenix Coyotes –

 

G Zac Bierk, 27

G Jean Marc Pelletier, 26

D Bryan Helmer, 31

RW Ivan Novoseltsev, 25

 

St. Louis Blues –

 

G Chris Osgood, 31

D Murray Baron, 36

D Jeff Finley, 37

D Al MacInnis, 40

D Eric Weinrich, 37

D Christian Laflamme, 27 (Kassel Huskies, Germany)

D Alexander Khavanov, 32 (re-signed)

C Mike Sillinger, 32

C Pascal Rheaume, 31

C Steve Martins, 32

C Mike Danton, 23

RW Scott Mellanby, 37

RW Pavol Demitra, 29

LW Dallas Drake, 35 (re-signed)

 

San Jose Sharks –

 

D Jason Marshall, 33

C Mike Ricci, 32

C Vincent Damphousse, 36

C Curtis Brown, 28

RW Todd Harvey, 29

 

Vancouver Canucks –

 

G Johan Hedberg, 31

D Nolan Baumgartner, 28 (Frankfurt Lions, Germany)

D Marc Bergevin, 38

LW Magnus Arvedson, 32

LW Mike Keane, 36

LW Martin Rucinsky, 32

 

Lot's of drek for the most part. Almost all the goalies available are indistinguishable from one another (I think Weekes' pads might be slightly more illegal than Trevor Kidd's or Shield's). I hope the Sharks pick up Kariya because he'd be a great fit.

 

Taking into account age, the current state of the NHL on-ice play, and probable money issues, these players, in my eyes, are some of the more interesting players that I would at least make a half-hearted effort to sign based on the before mentioned criteria........

 

Bos - C Michael Nylander, 31

Mon - RW Alexei Kovalev, 31

NJ - C Sergei Brylin, 30

Phi - C Alexei Zhamnov, 33

Col - LW Paul Kariya, 29

LA - RW Anson Carter

NSH - C Sergei Zholtok, 31

Phx - G Zac Bierk, 27

STL - RW Pavol Demitra, 29

SJ - C Mike Ricci, 32

Van - G Johan Hedberg, 31

 

Everybody else available is either A) an aging has-been who can't cut it in the NHL of the 21st century (Selanne!) B) An OVER-PAID aging player C) Interchangeable 3rd/4th liner or #6 defencemen D) Another goalie who has just as much chance to win the Vezina as the next based entirely on the size of his pads or defense in front of him.

[the max 0]

Steve Shields has potential to be a #1, given the opportunity.

 

I'd like to see Florida resign him, as he was finally a capable backup behind Luongo.

[nl5xsk1 0]

Olympic Slam, did you limit your choices to one per team? I ask because you reference Kovalev as a player you'd go after, even though you don't mention Glen Murray. Murray's had 37, 41, and 32 goals the last 3 years, and Kovalev hasn't broken 30 since the 2001-02 season. If given the choice of Murray or Kovalev, give me Murray 7 days a week.

 

Hell, even Knuble has broken 30 goals more recently than Kovalev.

 

And I agree with Max, Shields isn't a bad goalie. I'd even consider Brathwaite a legitimate #2 goalie, with the ability to play 20-30 games a year and win many of them.

[Guest Olympic Slam]

Olympic Slam, did you limit your choices to one per team? I ask because you reference Kovalev as a player you'd go after, even though you don't mention Glen Murray. Murray's had 37, 41, and 32 goals the last 3 years, and Kovalev hasn't broken 30 since the 2001-02 season. If given the choice of Murray or Kovalev, give me Murray 7 days a week.

 

Hell, even Knuble has broken 30 goals more recently than Kovalev.

 

And I agree with Max, Shields isn't a bad goalie. I'd even consider Brathwaite a legitimate #2 goalie, with the ability to play 20-30 games a year and win many of them.

Oops, you're right. I completely missed Murray. I'd take him over Kovalev as he's a game-breaker (unlike Kovalev who needs a set-up man) and he's the same age (31). Kovalev needs to be back with Lemieux or Jagr.

 

And my list was painted with broad strokes for any team. If I were a GM and with the current state of the on-ice product and with money and labour issues forth-coming, then those were the players I would take a look at.

 

I've never been a big fan of Steve Shields. When he was in San Jose he was prone to being a flopper, giving up weird rebounds and he could never really catch the puck with his mit all that well. He tried too hard to be like his former teammate, Hasek. Maybe I never gave him a fair chance because I liked his predecessor (Vernon) and immediately liked his new backup (Nabokov) much more. But, he's big so he'll do just as well as anyone else with a decent defence in front of him. The pads do almost all the work these days, you know.

[Guest Rrrsh]

Demitra, Knuble and Karyia are the three I want on my team.

 

 

That would be Vancouver

[LaParkaMarka 0]

I'm not sure if the Canucks have room for all three. Demitra would be a great fit, and it would be nice to get a big forward presence. But Kariya doesn't quite fit what the Canucks need...they have plenty of non-physical skill forwards (the Sedins, Naslund, etc). He's a good local boy and I wouldn't mind if the Canucks signed him, but there are more pressing needs for the Canucks (cough GOALIE cough). God, a half-decent goalie and the Canucks could have gone all the way the last two years.

[Dogbert 0]

What do you all think about the rumour of the Penguins already being sold to a consortium looking to move them to Winnipeg?

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=89580&hubName=nhl

 

The Leafs re-signed both Roberts ($3.75 million) and Nieuwendyk ($3 million) to one year deals.

 

EDIT: And SportsNet just said that they signed Belfour to a 2-year deal. Didn't catch for how much, though.

What's the combined age for those 3? That's gotta be 100+.

 

And the Flyers signed Turner Stevenson, formerly of the Devils.

[the pinjockey 0]

Flyers also signed Knuble.

[The Czech Republic 0]

What do you all think about the rumour of the Penguins already being sold to a consortium looking to move them to Winnipeg?

Ooh...Winnipenguins...

 

I think it's bullshit. League would block it, and I don't blame them.

[Guest Rrrsh]

I'm not sure if the Canucks have room for all three. Demitra would be a great fit, and it would be nice to get a big forward presence. But Kariya doesn't quite fit what the Canucks need...they have plenty of non-physical skill forwards (the Sedins, Naslund, etc). He's a good local boy and I wouldn't mind if the Canucks signed him, but there are more pressing needs for the Canucks (cough GOALIE cough). God, a half-decent goalie and the Canucks could have gone all the way the last two years.

I wouldnt mind trading for a "diamond in teh rough" goalie. But their r no avialble goaltenders that are any good.

 

Karyia is third on my list. Demitra is definatly #1.

[Guest Rrrsh]

What do you all think about the rumour of the Penguins already being sold to a consortium looking to move them to Winnipeg?

Ooh...Winnipenguins...

 

I think it's bullshit. League would block it, and I don't blame them.

They would make more money in Winnapeg then Pittsburg...so why sould they block it?

[Guest Ether]

What do you all think about the rumour of the Penguins already being sold to a consortium looking to move them to Winnipeg?

Ooh...Winnipenguins...

 

I think it's bullshit. League would block it, and I don't blame them.

They would make more money in Winnapeg then Pittsburg...so why sould they block it?

How would they make more money in Winnipeg? Winnipeg couldn't support a team when they had one ten years ago.

 

They're not supporting the minor league team that they have now; the Penguins minor league team in Wilkes-Barre outdraws Winnippeg's despite being one-third the size.

 

If the Penguins move anywhere, it will be to Portland.

 

By the way, the slots bill, which the Penguins are looking to for funding for a new arena, passed, which is a major step for keeping the team in Pittsburgh.

[Guest Rrrsh]

The Canadian Dollar was far worse when they moved compared to now.

 

Plus the attendence in Winnapeg was better THEn than the Penguins NOW.

 

 

 

Up here in Vancouver, we have crap for attendance for our Football team. But if we had a NFL team in a new stadium, we would sell out. There are various reasons that I wont get into in why that would be the case, but the bottom line is the circumstances are diffrent. So just because the Moose of the AHL draw shit, dosnt at ALL mean a NHL team would do the same.

[Guest Ether]

The Canadian Dollar was far worse when they moved compared to now.

 

Plus the attendence in Winnapeg was better THEn than the Penguins NOW.

 

 

 

Up here in Vancouver, we have crap for attendance for our Football team. But if we had a NFL team in a new stadium, we would sell out. There are various reasons that I wont get into in why that would be the case, but the bottom line is the circumstances are diffrent. So just because the Moose of the AHL draw shit, dosnt at ALL mean a NHL team would do the same.

Some good points, although you're comparing the attendance of a good team in an era where hockey still had some excitement (less expansion and less neutral zone trap) to that of what was the worst team in the NHL for most of the season, in an era that has produced some dull hockey. The attendance in Pittsburgh will rise when the Penguins are competitive - this was evident at the end of the season, when the meaningless final game against the Capitals was nearly sold out with the Penguins completing their 12-5-2 (or something like) run. I doubt the attendance in Winnipeg would be good for that same team (which I assuming is your basis for your statement that the Penguins would make more money there). And either way, I doubt a team survives in either Pittsburgh or Winnipeg without a favorable Collective Bargaining Agreement.

 

Back to the original post, the bottom line is I find it hard to believe that a team could be sold without anybody else knowing it, and that the Penguins would have done it recently, with their meal ticket for the new arena (the slots) being passed.

[Guest Rrrsh]

I think another thing that has to be considered is that Canadians love their NHL hockey. There is alot of crappy teams who sell out in NFL because they love football. I think that Winnapeg would sell out regardless to start. And any half competant GM can put together an 8th seed team witha 3 or 4 year bumper (That would be the "Yay the NHL is back here were are going all the time" bumper Winnapeg would have)

[Lightning Flik 0]

Winnipeg's been begging for a team to be relocated there for the longest time. I believe that they'd still want a team there and probably can afford to have it.

 

Besides, if Edmonton can keep our team, I think with the right person at the helm, so can Winnipeg have an NHL team.

[The Czech Republic 0]

What do you all think about the rumour of the Penguins already being sold to a consortium looking to move them to Winnipeg?

Ooh...Winnipenguins...

 

I think it's bullshit. League would block it, and I don't blame them.

They would make more money in Winnapeg then Pittsburg...so why sould they block it?

Hey, I'm one of the biggest supporters of a Canadian NHL on this board, and I'm in the Midwestern U.S. There should still be Jets and Nordiques (and Whalers too), and maybe even a ninth city.

 

But Winnipeg can't get back into the NHL at the expense of the PITTSBURGH PENGUINS. They're terrible now, yes, but they won the '91 and '92 Cups with a legendary group of players: Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Tom Barrasso, the Samuellssons, Paul Coffey, Ron Francis, all coached by Badger Bob Johnson and Scotty Bowman. That team cemented the Penguins' place in history, and the future. What if the Edmonton Oilers had ceased to exist? The team of Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, MacTavish, and Fuhr, just stopped continuing on? There's no precedent for a successful championship-winning franchise to disappear.

[Guest Ether]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04187/342017.stm

 

 

This hardly looks like the actions of a team that has already been sold.

[Dogbert 0]

The Oilers almost moved to Hamilton in 1993. Why not Pittsburgh? This also goes for the Flames in 1999-2000.

[the max 0]

http://tsn.ca/news_story.asp?ID=90161&hubName=main

 

Hasek goes to Ottawa.

[starvenger 0]

Good work Sens. If this is the Hasek from 3 years ago and not the one from last year (ok, he was injured, but an injured Hasek isn't particularly useful), Ottawa's in good shape.

[Guest Rrrsh]

What do you all think about the rumour of the Penguins already being sold to a consortium looking to move them to Winnipeg?

Ooh...Winnipenguins...

 

I think it's bullshit. League would block it, and I don't blame them.

They would make more money in Winnapeg then Pittsburg...so why sould they block it?

Hey, I'm one of the biggest supporters of a Canadian NHL on this board, and I'm in the Midwestern U.S. There should still be Jets and Nordiques (and Whalers too), and maybe even a ninth city.

 

But Winnipeg can't get back into the NHL at the expense of the PITTSBURGH PENGUINS. They're terrible now, yes, but they won the '91 and '92 Cups with a legendary group of players: Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Tom Barrasso, the Samuellssons, Paul Coffey, Ron Francis, all coached by Badger Bob Johnson and Scotty Bowman. That team cemented the Penguins' place in history, and the future. What if the Edmonton Oilers had ceased to exist? The team of Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, MacTavish, and Fuhr, just stopped continuing on? There's no precedent for a successful championship-winning franchise to disappear.

Ill take Winnapeg over Pittsburg, but I would perfer Florida or Carolina to be moved.