Official NHL thread?

[Spank_Me_Hard]

Jason Smith signs with Ottawa.

I don't know the Flyers roster that well, but I have to think that this is a setback for them.

Also... looks like the restricted free agency game is heating up...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3479020

The Canucks trade for Bernier and then St. Louis immediately tries to sign him away? WOW! Looks like Vancouver had to match the offer or end up on the losing end of the situation...

[r'aggro]

Jason Smith signs with Ottawa.

I don't know the Flyers roster that well, but I have to think that this is a setback for them.

It's not. Smith gets a lot of love for his unmatched toughness and leadership abilities, but he really isn't a good d-man anymore. He's too slow (slower than Hatcher) and has a lot of trouble clearing the puck for some reason. The fact that he's such a tough SOB is the reason he got signed; the guy was actually playing the Pittsburgh series with not one but TWO separated shoulders...and no one knew about until after it was over, because he never complained or made any excuses. I take my hat off to Gator, but Philly was right not to offer him...especially at the 2.75 per year that the Sens paid him.

What Philly is doing is learning their lesson about old-guard d-men in the playoffs, so they are going younger and more mobile. Just like in 2004 (against TB), defensive injuries put the Flyers away in the ECF this year. Besides Smith having bad shoulders, you had Hatcher getting his knees drained every damn day...and they were already without Coburn and Timmonen. No way is any team going to beat the Pens with a defense in that condition. They'd be happy to let Hatcher retire too, and use his money to help get a guy like Bouwmeester, but they won't force him to go and they won't buy him out. Free agents love to go to Philly, because they have a reputation for treating the boys well and Holmgren wants to keep it that way.

We did sign Steve Emminger and Ossi Vannanen, and both will be in the top six this year. Aside from his Crosby-pestering abilities, Smith won't be missed. Spanky, you have to admit that if Smith still "had it", the Oilers would have made a serious run at bringing him back, loved as he was there. But they didn't. I do wish him good luck in Ottawa, though.


btw, the Blues sent an offer sheet at Bernier to get back at the sheet Vancouver sent one of their players last week. It was basically John Davidson saying F.U. to the Canucks. I thought it was hilarious.

[Spank_Me_Hard]

It's not. Smith gets a lot of love for his unmatched toughness and leadership abilities, but he really isn't a good d-man anymore. He's too slow (slower than Hatcher) and has a lot of trouble clearing the puck for some reason. The fact that he's such a tough SOB is the reason he got signed; the guy was actually playing the Pittsburgh series with not one but TWO separated shoulders...and no one knew about until after it was over, because he never complained or made any excuses. I take my hat off to Gator, but Philly was right not to offer him...especially at the 2.75 per year that the Sens paid him.

I may be baised... but I think that Smith is worth the 2.75 million. I didn't notice him slow down at all... but then again I wasn't watching him all the time.

SLOWER that Hatcher?!? LOL! Now that is a BOLD statement! LOL! Not saying that I disagree... because I really don't know. I only know that Hatcher is slower than molasses in January... LOL!

And yes... Smith is incredibly tough! I didn't hear of the shoulder problems... just makes me respect the guy even more.

One thing about him though... the guy still blocks a ton of shots. He was among the league leaders for the past few years I think. That is a little, but crucial thing that isn't noticed on the stat sheet.

btw, the Blues sent an offer sheet at Bernier to get back at the sheet Vancouver sent one of their players last week. It was basically John Davidson saying F.U. to the Canucks. I thought it was hilarious.

Restricted Free Agency through the uncoming years is going to get ugly I think...

Demitra signed with the 'Nucks! I think that he'll be a good fit (unfortunately).

I think that his abilities were probably hampered in an obsessive defensive system in Minnesota... and even then he put up decent numbers. I think that he'll do better in Vancouver.

[Spank_Me_Hard]

Spanky, you have to admit that if Smith still "had it", the Oilers would have made a serious run at bringing him back, loved as he was there. But they didn't.

Missed this part.

I think that Edmonton is pretty set with D-men now. And as much as I like Smith, he is getting old. He's not the future. Maybe a one year "quick fix"? I also think that Edmonton was keeping money available for Hossa or Jagr. Thus they didn't want to make a run at someone like Smith. The fact that they could have singed Jagr or Hossa indicates that they have *some* room left. They may be thinking of someone else with that money and don't want to spend it on anybody like Smith.

And I think that Edmonton already has someone like Smith in Staois... who I'd actually at this point like to see cut from the team (saw him get burned to often lately).

Also... if you are corect on Smith's speed... that would in fact be counter to Edmonton's obsession with speed. Smith would not in fact fit in on such a fast skating team.

[Spank_Me_Hard]

According to ESPN, The 'Nucks, Wings, and Rangers are all after Mats Sundin. Wings will be sick if they manage to get Sundin too...

I also heard a rumour that Andre Kopitar is being shopped by the Kings for a plumber D-man from the 'Sens. Tearing apart that team if they do so...

And Lupul signs an extension. Looks like he has a pretty good season with Philly...

[r'aggro]

He did; the guy was lights-out until Hatcher sat on him. He even led the forwards in hits through 20 games or so. Lupul and Mike Richards have great chemistry, and I'm really stoked that he's been locked up. Great goalscorer.

You watch, Sundin will end up signing in the KHL.

[Spank_Me_Hard]

He did; the guy was lights-out until Hatcher sat on him. He even led the forwards in hits through 20 games or so. Lupul and Mike Richards have great chemistry, and I'm really stoked that he's been locked up. Great goalscorer.

I felt that Lupul got judged unfairly, and pre-maturely in Edmonton.

After the Stanley Cup run of 2006, Edmonton lost significant quality players including a big part of the heart and soul of the team in Pronger (special thanks to Mrs. Pronger!). Many players suffered in the two years after... particularly the very next season... Lupul being just one of them.

I also think that being a "hometown hero" that expectations are usually even greater and the tolerance for "margin of error" for a player is even harder. The expectations are more unrealistic. Then there is the comparison to Pronger... one of the best d-men in the game... e.g. "We traded Pronger for HIM?!?"

Lupul is young. Young players are more apt to be inconsistent. A year after hitting 28 goals with the Ducks, Lupul experienced a slump. Some of it he has responsibility for... some of it has to be attributed to the environment/conditions.

I thought that Edmonton turned on Lupul far too quickly. I wasn't convinced that he wasn't a good player. His last season in Philly to me verifies his potential. Where he came short in Edmonton, he proved himself in Philly.

Not that losing him was an entire loss. Sometimes a player just does better in a different system, playing with different players, and in a different environment (i.e. he isn't a "hometown hero" in Philly). And Edmonton ended up getting Pitkanen for him (another player whom Edmonton may have given up on... will be interesting to see how he does in Carolina). And then in turn... Edmonton ended up trading Pitkanen for Eric Cole... whom I have long admired and have thought that he was one of the most under rated players in the league (two other now bigger names... NOW... that I thought the same of are Steve Sullivan and Briere).

In the end... after all the trades... I am happy for Eric Cole for Lupul.

And it's good to see Lupul proving himself in Philly... far away from Edmonton of course!

[Spank_Me_Hard]

Word on the street is that Gaborik is being shopped around by the Wild.

He seems to be demanding some sort of plan by the Wild of their committment to win.

I'd be skeptical if I were him... they let Demitra and Rolston both go... and on a team last season that didn't score much as it is.

I have heard that Gaborik has wondered publicly how he'd do on a much more offensively minded team. I have thought for quite some time that the Wild's extremely defensive system has held him back.

I hope that the Oilers make a push for him... they were in the Hossa sweepstakes but I think that Gaborik is a much more dangerous sniper. He'd fit well into Edmonton's team. The key is... what do they give up?

Being a "farm team" for the league for many, many years... Edmonton is loaded with young talent in their farm system. That and being forced to trade Pronger and Smyth. I'd be willing for Edmonton to give up some of their talent on the farm for Gaborik. Gaborik is pretty young too... 26 I believe.

[Spank_Me_Hard]

Ohhh NHL goodness started last night!

The new place that I have moved into has ALL the channels!

Looks like I'll be getting the Oil's games!

<--- does his happy dance...

[dyne]

Due to financial issues, I'll have to wait until midseason to watch my Hawks and get the half priced Centre Ice.

[JDC]

w00t, Sharks looked good last night. They basically took over the game in the 2nd period. Looks like some of the guys have adapted nicely to McLellan's new style of play, d-men contributing to the scoring, creating traffic in front of the net, and not sitting back while playing with the lead.

[r'aggro]

Woohoo, I love it when hockey season begins. Especially since the Seahawks are unwatchable so far...

It wouldn't be Flyers hockey if we didn't have at least two starting d-men injured at all times, and we actually have three. At least it will be fun for awhile to see how well the prospects fill the gaps.

Injuries or not, I fully expect this team to compete with the Habs, Pens and Caps for top spot in the east.

[dyne]

Especially since the Seahawks are unwatchable so far....

I feel your pain buddy. I'm a Seahawks fan as well.

[Spank_Me_Hard]

w00t, Sharks looked good last night. They basically took over the game in the 2nd period. Looks like some of the guys have adapted nicely to McLellan's new style of play, d-men contributing to the scoring, creating traffic in front of the net, and not sitting back while playing with the lead.

Saw that the Sharks smoked Anaheim... a good team. Cheechoo looked pretty good on the stat sheet. I think that guy is a complete SNIPER who's just had a few off years.

Also saw that Vancouver smoked Calgary... didn't see that coming.

Oil doesn't play until Sunday... I can't WAIT!

[r'aggro]

I feel your pain buddy. I'm a Seahawks fan as well.

I thought they were going to be pretty good this year. Instead, watching every game has been like getting kicked in the junk over and over.

Anyway, are there any bets on Sean Avery's next celeb/model/actress conquest?