2008-09 NHL season discussion thread
 

Free agency begins in less than a week, and for every team except for the Toronto Maple Leafs it means renewed optimism and hope for the coming season. Parity is in full swing and no one would be surprised in the slightest if the Chicago Blackhawks made the Western Conference finals (which is my dangerously early prediction of the year). Of course, early on like this it's always the clever thing to do when you say "Penguins vs. Red Wings" in the Final, but only half of the matchup sounds fair at this point as the Penguins will be losing Marian Hossa (likely), Gary Roberts (definitely) and Ryan Malone (definitely). To be honest, that doesn't leave the Penguins in too bad a shape, but if there's a lesson to be learned from this past season it's that depth isn't a bad thing to have a little of.

The Penguins did luck out with Ty :gonk: (wait, no, not anymore) Conklin (who also may be hitting the dusty trail) and got what they were hoping for from Malkin (read: Hart-worthy effort), but no one was excited to see the Penguins heading into the middle of January without Fleury, Crosby and Mark Eaton (snake-bitten). We'll have to see what happens during free agency, but some people are clamoring for a return trip for Jaromir Jagr (maybe) and Markus Naslund way underpriced (kthx). I'd like a top-flight D man, but the only one on the market is Brian Campbell and there isn't really a buzz about him heading to Steel City. Wade Redden would do OK, but I don't think he'll be received well considering the Sens rivalry that's been brewing.

Smartest decision made so far: Vancouver picking up Wellwood off waivers. That kid has a HUGE upside. I've been saying it for years. If he stays healthy, he's a solid player. Works hard, plays his ass off every night. Even on the lowly fucking Maple Laughs.

McGratton hitting the old dusty trail from Ottawa means someone can pick up a decent tough guy and great locker room guy for the cheap cheap. Pity about his hockey skills.

Speaking of McGrattan, I was a bit surprised to see Phoenix scoop him up when they've already got a guy who can throw 'em as well as Carcillo can. I mean, sure, he's not the biggest guy around, but he sure stands in there like he is. I wonder if Gretzky's predicting him to have another problem year regarding lack of discipline and suspensions.

Also frees them up to trade tough guy for talent.

As far as I am concerned Ryan Malone can leave. Some team like Columbus is going to over pay for a player that's a product of his environment.


However, if Pens don't sign Hossa back I think I'm going to cry. :(

I don't have a problem with it as long as we get some depth to replace him at a similar value (Jagr and Naslund is being kicked around at 9 or 10 mil total).

Well I guess I have nothing to look forward to since I'm probably the only one that would painfully admit to being a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. I guess there is not much to expect from them this coming season, but oh well stranger things have happened.

I think Pittsburg will make another strong run for the cup as well as Detroit. I get the feeling Nashville is going to do very well this year. I even think Boston will probably put on a better showing in this season.

I'm glad to see Mr. Mullet himself Barry Melrose make his way back to coaching. I was a really big fan of the L.A. Kings during my early teen years. It would be interesting to see what he'll do with the Lightning after being away from NHL coaching after 13 years.

It could be alot worse. I am a Vancouver fan :( We want the Stanley Cup at least once...

You think being a Vancouver fan is worse than being a Leaf fan?

Do you watch hockey? Do you realise the firesale going on in Toronto right now? ARE YOU AWARE OF THE EXISTENCE OF AN NHL?

Lightning trying to get head start on free agent sweepstakes

Tampa Bay traded 4th round pick to the Pens for the rights of Malone and Roberts. If Malone signs they get a 3rd rounder instead.

Seems to me like TB is pretty dumb considering Malone wants to test out free agency no matter what.

Pittsburgh is too, if they give up Roberts. He and Laraque are the heart of that team.

Roberts already made it public he wasn't going to sign with Pittsburgh no matter what the offer was. So between receiving a draft pick or receiving absolutely nothing, I'd much rather have a draft pick.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AojV.hxux_ZZncjvqt2yulh7vLYF?slug=ap-wild-rolstontrade&prov=ap&type=lgns

Eh. I said it after the Pens trade; It'll all be worth it if they sign him. I don't like the idea of giving up draft picks, but the new ownership is pretty much running the show. The former GM, Jay Feaster, was ousted from his position when Oren Koules came in, now have a diminished role in the front office. So pretty much, it's all what they want to do, with little second opinion to be heard of.

I'm getting excited to a point here. I don't think we'll be anything more than a lower-playoff seed at this time, but that could easily change seeing how aggressive we've been to get some impact players here. We really need a solid goalie between the pipes. We traded for Mike Smith from Dallas, and it seems as if we're probably going to go with him as Koules had his hand in it. I doubt we'll see the Bolts go after any goaltenders, sadly. :(

Smith appeared to have some good abilities in Dallas, so I don't think you'll have too much trouble as long as you get your defense sorted out.

As far as Roberts goes, his purpose was basically to take the kids into the playoffs and show them how it's done. He did that, he's served his purpose, and I'm sure all the young players on the Penguins learned a lot from him in the process. Sure, he's a guy that would be good to have back, but losing him is far from crippling.

Well, a busy day in the NHL and things aren't yet over. Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli is expected to be holding a press conference sometime in the next few minutes, likely to announce a signing.

The biggest moves of the day were made by - who else - the Chicago Blackhawks, who've signed Brian Campbell and Cristobal Huet. Just another piece of evidence that this will probably be a big year for the Hawks.

The Rangers signed Wade Redden and Michal Roszival. Meh.

The Penguins re-signed Pascal Dupuis and Mark Eaton, and signed Erik Godard.

Brian Rolston is a Devil.

Micheal Ryder is a Bruin.

Huh. Ryder? I'll take him. But the team's been very quiet so far. Don't know if I like that.

Apparently the B's might be looking for a few trades.

The Penguins are reportedly close to signing Jaromir Jagr. :o

Hossa might be an Oiler.

Well, I like the fact they're still supporting Timmy The Tulip Thomas. But I'll miss Auld there for support.

Man, there zon't be anymore "HIP HIP HUET" cheers in DC anymore. I always got cised for those.


On top of not going back to the Pens, he's going to the Red Wings. :tpg:

Campbell to Chicago as well.

What a jip. He took a one-year deal worth only $400,000 more than what the Pens were offering.

I hope he blows out his leg in the first game.

As well as a promise of a multi-year contract next year.

A.) As opposed to the one the Penguins were offering him NOW, and B.) as if any ownership group is really obligated to follow up on promises.

Free Agent A didn't sign with the team I started liking the other year with everyone else when Crosby got drafted! I hope he suffers a potentially career-ending injury! Also I have perspective and am most certainly not a baby!

I HOPE HE DIES