All-Purpose Hockey Thread III

Just out of curiosity, why wouldn't the OHL, WHL & The Q all have the same rules regarding the draft? I mean, I know they're all supposedly autonomous, but it sounds like something Branch would try and mandate.

 

I'm feeling bummed out Versus or anyone hasn't picked up coverage of the World Championships. It would make great afternoon viewing from Russia.

 

And take a wild guess who's not going to sign the dotted line.......

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2865220

 

As long as he performs better than his Blue Jays counterpart, Ricciardi, who, as Damien also notes in a separate column, is in Year 6 of a five-year plan to return the Jays to glory. Meanwhile, they still have never finished higher than third place since the AL East was reduced to five teams.

 

Hold on, the Jays finished second in the AL East last season, one game ahead of the Red Sox.

 

You're right.

Okay, they're still looking for their first playoff berth since 1993.

 

I didn't see the column today before I posted, I swear.

Anyways, as to why I say trade Kaberle. With the emphasis on youth and building through the draft and stockpiling top end prospects, the young corner stones don't come cheap and is something the Leafs are lacking. If they have a big enough bargaining chip to get one via trade, it would be Kaberle to a team committed to winning this year or next. It sucks giving up Kaberle, but by the time the Leafs are in position to compete realistically for the cup Kaberle is past his prime. Moving him actually speeds up the process if the right piece can be acquired. I think a couple of years from now when the Pens are facing the cunundrum of trying to sign Crosby, Staal, and Malkin and still have a black hole for a defence, Kaberle could be enough to get you into the discussion of prying Staal or Malkin away. great starting piece anyway, you are at the table at least. Just an example anyways.
If you want to keep Antropov, that's fine. Out of those that I listed he is one of the few that if you were rebuilding you could keep or discard. Just depends how much you want to tie up in him for the future. Even Raycroft is fine to bridge the gap between now and contendership or whenever – I want to say Glass – is ready to take over in the pipes. Hell he may even help you get a few earlier draft picks, if you know what I mean.
It's not a complete strip down for the organization. They have a few nice young pieces like White, Steen, Wellwood, Stajan and Carlo, but nobody there really excites me if you're planning to build around them for the future. They are missing that cornerstone, and they have a lot of unnecessary deadweight.
Part of it is certainly JFJ's fault, especially some of the contracts he handed out this season, but I don't think he foots the entire bill, The higher ups have definitely got to take some of the blame.

 

And in other news, Canada advances to the semis in the World Hockey Championshiip against the Swedes.

Russia will play the winner of the U.S.-Finland quarter-final game to be played later Thursday.

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/212516

 

Beef, I think the Leafs would be crazy to let Tucker go. They got a steal of a deal with him, and if he did not get injured this season, imagine what his numbers would have been. Get rid of Kaberle, are you kidding me? He is their best defence player. I really think the Leafs should go after Ryan Smyth.

 

It's a point of tredding water in mediocrede or rebuilding around corner stone prospects, something the Leafs seem unwilling to do. Everyonce in a while a little spring cleaning is needed and the Leafs are long overdue.

 

In Manitoba, if the Tories are elected, they are going to help bring the Jets back to Winnipeg.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitobavotes2007/story/2007/05/07/mbv-conservatives-jets.html?ref-=rss

While it is great to see politicians passionate about bringing back the Jets to Winnipeg, I am not convinced :-\

I think the NHL will expand to the States first, then maybe give Quebec City a franchise, before this happens. It would be ideal for the Maritimes to get an NHL franchise, but not so sure it will happen either

There was a suggestion to have 8 teams in the States, 8 in Canada and 8 in Europe to form a new NHL, but I don't think it will work out.

What do you all think?

 

The Devils are seeking to be on the road to start next season. They are moving into their new arena but Bon Jovi apparently has a Oct. 26 show at the Prudential Center.