Official NHL thread?

Quote:

---

You're right about his stats last year, too; had a beyond terrrible +/-, but imo that is not a good indicator of individual ability. He still had plenty of points.

---

I think that more than any other stat, +/- is the best indicator about a defenceman's quality.

That being said, there are 5 other guys on the ice on yuor team. You can be the Genghis Khan of hockey and still end up with an awful +/- through no fault of your own. I would not judge too hardly on that stat from just one awful year on an awful team. His other two years he had a great +/-.

Quote:

---

I like Torres, but it's going to take more. Half the teams in the league will make offers and Holmgren will have the luxury of being picky. This type of player is such a hot commodity right now, that teams will have to overpay if they want to trade for a guy like Joni. Stoll would make a better centerpeice from your end than Torres.

---

True.

Pitkanen is a hot commodity I'm sure. There will be no shortage of top suitors for him.

I like Torres for two reasons... I think that he has the potential to be a top end power forward in this league (who can actually skate... Edmonton doesn't tolerate a bad skater)... and good power forwards who can skate don't grow on trees in this league. And also he can, and likes to hit. Big hitters are intimidating, and a big hit can change the momentum in a game.

Torres to me represents a top "prospect" in Edmonton. He had a bad year last year (as all Edmonton players did), but scored 25 goals the year before. 25 goals for such a young player represents great potential. As he grows and gains more experience, I don't think it's much of a stretch to envision him being a consistent 40 goal scorer. That is a very real possibility.

Stoll is another good prospect (Edmonton is loaded with them at forward). What stands out in his game to me is his shot. He has a great one timer. I see him getting a lot of powerplay time, and in fact sometimes he mans the blueline on the powerplay because of his shot.

If I had to pick to choose Torres or Stoll to keep, I'd be hard pressed... both look to be very good players in this league. Both have different strengths.

But as much as I like both, Edmonton has an overabundance of good forward prospects... and they need an top offensive defenceman like Pitkanen looks to be. I'd part with either for Pitkanen (though reluctantly).

Maybe we can sweeten the deal by throwing in Pisani with one of those two... and a bag of hockey pucks!

:D

Calgary may have joined the sweepstakes today with the news that R Regehr wants out. It would make sense to get a dman in return. You've probably seen a lot more of Regehr than I, is he still a hard-nosed, positionally sound dman? This could get interesting, and that would be better than Carolina's reported offer of Wallin +.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by r'aggro

Calgary may have joined the sweepstakes today with the news that R Regehr wants out. It would make sense to get a dman in return. You've probably seen a lot more of Regehr than I, is he still a hard-nosed, positionally sound dman?

---

Regehr is VERY sound defensively. Maybe a younger version of Adam Foote. Reliable stay home defenceman who isn't afraid of the rough stuff.

Makes sense that he may want out as well considering that Calgary traded for Acouin on draft day, and picked up Brad Stuart at the trade deadline last year.

Calgary has an over abundance of defencemen right now. They already have a good offensive defenceman in Acouin... so picking up Pitkanen is a little confusing. And I don't think they have a lot of cap room either.

I also hear that Kipper and Dion Phaneuf will be unrestricted free agents next year.

Phaneuf is the leagues new Scott Stevens, and I'd LOVE to see him on Edmonton.

I can't find a link in english, but multiple boards are posting that PHX just waived Nic Boynton and Kevin Adams. Damn, Boynton would be a nice pickup--and the team with the worst record gets the first crack at signing him.:D

I just found out... ESPN also has Brad Stuart as an unrestricted free agent.

Calgary may have also signed Acouin to compensate potentially losing Stuart.

I'd like to extend a big, Broad Street welcome to Danny Briere, the newest Flyer.

Now toughen up a bit, or you'll get boo'ed out of the building.:p


ANA--neids retires--maybe.
ANA--signs Mathieu Schneider

CGY--signs Cory Sarich

CHI--signs Yannic Perreault

SJ--extends Joe Thornton

DET--signs Brian Rafalski

PIT-- extends Ray Whitney


WAS--signs Tom Poti:o

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by r'aggro

I'd like to extend a big, Broad Street welcome to Danny Briere, the newest Flyer.

Now toughen up a bit, or you'll get boo'ed out of the building.:p


ANA--neids retires--maybe.
ANA--signs Mathieu Schneider

CGY--signs Cory Sarich

CHI--signs Yannic Perreault

SJ--extends Joe Thornton

DET--signs Brian Rafalski

PIT-- extends Ray Whitney


WAS--signs Tom Poti:o

---

Well, Edmonton did it!

They got Pitkanen for what I thought was a reasonable trade.

They get Pitkanen, Geoff Sanderson (will be interesting to see what he has left in the tank), and a third round pick.

Hopefully, their offensive defencemen woes are healed for the next season. They also got another good defensive prospect that was originally drafted by the Kings (can't say the name... Russian... starts with "G"). My good firend who is a Kings fan was mad to see him get traded off the Kings a few years ago. Hopefully he pans out as well.

Edmonton gave up Lupul who didn't fare well in Edmonton after scoring 28 goals for the Ducks the year before. He didn't have a good year, but scoring 28 at such a young age shows some good upside. A player with good potential for the Flyers. Edmonton could afford to lose him as they have WAY too many forward prospects. Jason Smith (also traded) is a good defensive defenceman. Philly fans will be happy with his defensive abilities. He's a gritty player who's not afraid to stick his nose in and do the dirty work. Edmonton will miss him.

Overall, I think the trade was good for both teams. Both teams improved areas that needed to be improved.

Of all the reat of the movements, the only one that really angered me was seeing Smyth sign with COLORADO!

:mad:

Now we'll have to play him like 8 times a year... and rest assured he'll make my teams life miserable!

:mad:

I was thinking that he may resign with Edmonton, and if not that he'd sign with the Islanders (my 2nd favorite team). But no... he had to become a player on a major competitor!

:mad:

The only saving grace is that I think Colorado VASTLY overpaid for him at 6.25 million per year. :D

Last year was a career year for him. He's never had a year as good as that. And at 31, I doubt that he has any more left like that. He was usually a good, but not a great player. When he left Edmonton, and Edmonton missed getting him for 5.5 million, I thought that it was too much for him. Glad to see that he'll hit Colorado in the pocket book much harder.

:D

He's a very hard player, and adds some intangibles... and he may do quite well playing with Sakic and Hedjuk... but I don't see him justifying 6.25 million per year. And now that there's a cap... teams have to be smarter than that with their money.

It doesn't really affect me, but I thought that teams WAY overpaid for Briere, Drury, and Gomez. I think that those players too are good, but not GREAT. The only negative as far as I can see is that the trully great players can now use them in their own contract negotiations... saying "Well look at how much X is getting paid... I'm a WAY better player than them." and thus driving up the costs of what a great player really does cost.

Will be interesting to see what other moves occur during the next few days.

Jason Smith rocks, but he'll be a ufa next year and I don't see where/ how we needed Lupul. If Smith is here only temporarily then I hate this trade.

I understand Pits was unhappy in Philly after being booed here, etc, but there must be more to this. He may have demanded a trade and given Homer no other option but to get what he could. Again, Smith is exactly the kind of D-man i like best but with his age and contract status you guys really stole Pits from us.:(

The big $$ for Briere I'm okay with, same as Hartnell and Timonen. They would have gotten that much or more somewhere, so I'm glad our gm got the guys he wanted.

The Rangers--:eek: :mad:

I :heart: Joe Thornton. Signed an extension at a reduced rate, leaving room for other extensions(Marleau most likely) or free agents. I think it really showed his commitment to the team and organization.

Quote:

---

Jason Smith rocks, but he'll be a ufa next year and I don't see where/ how we needed Lupul. If Smith is here only temporarily then I hate this trade.

---

That, I did not know (i.e. Smith's contract status). That would suck if he's just a one year rental. And yes... his age is starting to become an issue.

As for Lupul... you may be pleasently surprised (or you may not). It's hard to know exactly. He had 28 goals with the Ducks (who the previous year weren't exactly an offensive juggernaugt) and is VERY young (i.e. has lot's of room to grow and improve). I think that he has a lot of potential.

And Edmonton simply has too many guys like that on their roster... so he was expendable (in fact, I'm glad thus far that they kept Torres).

Quote:

---

He may have demanded a trade and given Homer no other option but to get what he could.

---

LOL at "Homer"!

Quote:

---

The Rangers--:eek: :mad:

---

I think that Sather is one of the smartest GMs in the game.

If Drury and Gomez pay off the way that people are expecting them too, the Rangers could be really tough this year.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JDC

I :heart: Joe Thornton. Signed an extension at a reduced rate, leaving room for other extensions(Marleau most likely) or free agents. I think it really showed his commitment to the team and organization.

---

Now Joe Thornton *IS* a superstar player that deserves a 6 million dollar type contract. And I think that it's incredibly classy of him to play at a reduced pay. I have all the respect in the world for those type players.

At the same time, it in fact *can* hurt the organization to have a player like that. Hear me out here...

A good friend of mine is a die hard Boston fan. Their owners have been for years one of the cheapest in the game.

Ray Bourque played at below his market price for years while he was there. And the owners would use that against the players in their contract negotiations saying "Well we're only paying Ray Bourque X amount... how in the world can we pay you close to what Bourque makes?" Thus, many players would be unhappy with being pressured into playing for Boston for less money than what they were worth elsewhere.

I don't get the sense that the Sharks are like that... I only say it because it has happened before.

For years, Boston has been one of the top selling franchises (including merchandise) and has been one of the bottom paying teams in the league.

Frustrated my friend to no end.

Yeah, I'll bet Lupul has some untapped ability in there somewhere. I heard he had a rough time being a hometown boy over there; pressure is what caved Pitkanen in as well. Sounds like both needed a change to regain their bearings.

It's tricky figuring out where to play Lupul, though. I don't think he deserves Knuble's spot on the top line with Briere and Gagne, and he doesn't skate well enough to play with Jeff Carter and Scott Hartnell.

The fourth line is defensive forwards/ bruisers, so he can't play there either. I guess he joins a group of about five guys fighting over the two wings on the third line.

What I really like about Smith being here (besides his game) is that now the youngest of our dmen can spend another year growing up in the AHL without having to contribute right of the bat.

Quote:

---

Yeah, I'll bet Lupul has some untapped ability in there somewhere. I heard he had a rough time being a hometown boy over there; pressure is what caved Pitkanen in as well. Sounds like both needed a change to regain their bearings.

---

For whatever reason, it sounds like playing for your "hometown" never works out. Unrealistic expectations?

Lupul is still very green and has a lot of growing to do, but I'd hardly panic on the guy. Getting another 28 goals (or better) isn't very realistic I think for such a young player.

And Pitkanen only had three fewer points than he had in his "breakout" season. I wouldn't hit the panic button with him either. Both will probably welcome a change in scenery.

Quote:

---

It's tricky figuring out where to play Lupul, though. I don't think he deserves Knuble's spot on the top line with Briere and Gagne, and he doesn't skate well enough to play with Jeff Carter and Scott Hartnell.

---

LOL!

Tough problem to have... figuring out where to play a player with good potential. Probably a lot of teams would like to have those problems...

Quote:

---

The fourth line is defensive forwards/ bruisers, so he can't play there either. I guess he joins a group of about five guys fighting over the two wings on the third line.

---

Yea... no 4th line for him. His +/- was terrible... for both Edmonton AND Anaheim. Seems like thats the case for a lot of young players... until they learn how to play D.

Ryan Smyth's first real (i.e. full) season in the league had him scoring 39 goals... but his +/- was awful. Lupul may just need to learn the importance of backchecking.

Quote:

---

What I really like about Smith being here (besides his game) is that now the youngest of our dmen can spend another year growing up in the AHL without having to contribute right of the bat.

---

Very true.

And what a person for them to observe playing.

Check this out: according to some reputable philly insiders (not media), the Lupul situation has been resolved. The plan is to trade one of the extra third line types (RJ Umberger, Stephan Ruzicka, maybe Ryan Potulny) for...

*drumroll*

Derek Boogaard. I would love this. We have lofty investments in forwards who will need protection. Philly has four or five guys who will fight to stick up for teammates already, but I think a top 5 heavyweight is needed here in the east to compensate for guys like Orr, Laraque and McGratton. Apparently it's soon to be announced, so it could be BS. But I hope it works out. Boogyman on Broad Street!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by r'aggro

Philly has four or five guys who will fight to stick up for teammates already, but I think a top 5 heavyweight is needed here in the east to compensate for guys like Orr, Laraque and McGratton. Apparently it's soon to be announced, so it could be BS. But I hope it works out. Boogyman on Broad Street!

---

I actually have the highest recommendations for Laraque. And that was not the case when he first started with the Oil... he won me over.

Other than being a top 5 heavyweight, he actually adds another dimension to the team that doesn't get any recognition.

On the powerplay, he is an absolute LOAD in front of the net. The immoveable force. I think with the potential to be 10x more disruptive than Holmstrom from Detroit. I have seen it and for the life of me couldn't figure out why Edmonton didn't do it ALL the time. He won't score many goals that way (like a Ryan Smyth) but he is absolutely unmanageable in front of the net for any defenceman in the league. I saw Derian Hatcher unable to move him... and of course even a guy like Hatcher is not going to take the liberties (i.e. the slashes across the wrists) with a guy like Laraque.

Along the boards he can (and has) changed the momentum of a game. I have seen him move up and down the boards with the puck and with the checkers absolutely unable to knock him off the puck. This may sound absolutely useless, but it kept the puck in the offensive zone, drained the checkers of energy, and got the home crowd (in Edmonton) going wild. I have seen it change the momentum in a game... and it's something that would not stand out on any stat sheet.

All of this AND he is one of the top 5 enforcers in the league.

I'm not too sure why Edmonton let him go... I suspect that even his low salary seemed to be a little too much for them. He was a crowd favorite.

Yeah, Laraque can actually play hockey as well as drop 'em. I don't anticipate the Pens letting him go but I'd take him. Laraque, Boogaard, Godard would be my top choices for a super-heavyweight.

It needs to happen though, we really missed Brashear's presence last year. If they don't get one of these, the Fly guys will be forced to call up Martin Grenier, who is a true monster but is also a liability on the ice.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by r'aggro

If they don't get one of these, the Fly guys will be forced to call up Martin Grenier, who is a true monster but is also a liability on the ice.

---

Yea... nobody wants that in their goon.

This was exactly why I wasn't keen on Laraque joining the Oil when he started.

But then I saw that he could actually bring more to the table.

Wow, EDM signs Souray:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=213373&hubname=nhl

Jesus, him and Pitkanen on the powerplay. That's going to be sick. I hope some of the other Oilers can play defense!

Yup!

Spank_Me is one happy camper!

:)

we'll have to see what his defensive capabilities are. Hopefully, Montreal was just a bad system/team for him.

He is big, rough, and has one of the hardest shots in the League.

They also got a really good Russian prospect that the Kings drafted and was ready to play last year. Starts with a G (weird Russian name).

I think that the biggest weakness from last year (no offensive defencemen) has been corrected.

I would like to see ther Oil get one bona fide sniper now. Not sure if it's going to happen. Not a real biggie though... they actually have a lot of top prospects at forward and hopefully a few start panning out. On top of what they already have.

But wouldn't every team want an extra sniper?

LOL!

The trouble here is that both Souray and Pits are top-pairing guys, but shouldn't be paired together (5 on 5) or they will be minus players. I know Joni needs to have a truly defensive minded partner to cover his back, and i get the impression that Souray is the same way.

Actually, Jason Smith would have made a great partner for Pits.;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by r'aggro

The trouble here is that both Souray and Pits are top-pairing guys, but shouldn't be paired together (5 on 5) or they will be minus players. I know Joni needs to have a truly defensive minded partner to cover his back, and i get the impression that Souray is the same way.

Actually, Jason Smith would have made a great partner for Pits.;)

---

LOL!

Yes he would have...

I agree that the two should not be paired together... unless it's the powerplay.

Staois is a defensively minded guy. So is Matt Greene (big d-man who can benchpress 500lbs).

And then there are two good prospects that I don't know enough about their game to say whether they are defensively minded (Smid... came over in the Pronger trade) and the Russian kid (who's name starts with a "G").

I think that their "D" is now set.

Grebeshkhov, that's the Roosky your thinking of.;)

Funny how we have the Stars here in Dallas, but they still can barely fit in time for them on the radio between the Cowboys and the Mavs. :)

In seriousness, I never really watch hockey or basketball, but I'm disappointed that I don't have any news on the stars.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by r'aggro

Grebeshkhov, that's the Roosky your thinking of.;)

---

That's the guy!

He sounds like he has good potential. In fact, from what I've read, he sounds like he's ready to play in this league.

Between him, Smid, and Pitkanen... the Oil looks set for young defencemen with potential.

My friend, who is a Kings fan, was PISSED when he heard that he was traded a few years ago. I told him that what the Kings got in return (Jack Johnson) more than made up for it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by monroeski

Funny how we have the Stars here in Dallas, but they still can barely fit in time for them on the radio between the Cowboys and the Mavs. :)

In seriousness, I never really watch hockey or basketball, but I'm disappointed that I don't have any news on the stars.

---

Dallas is usually a big-spending club, but this year they didn't make a splash in free agency. NYR, Philly, LA and Edmonton vacuumed everyone up. Anyway that's probably the reason there's no news.