All-purpose hockey thread...

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

Yeah, okay, it's a d_b, but I was posting it in the proper thread so I should get some points for that.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

Why did I just throw up in my mouth just a little bit

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

Nice to see Vancouver finally realize they need a real goaltender to win.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

Dunno -- you a Vancouver fan or a Florida fan?

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

Nope, Colorado, I think when I see the name Bertuzzi, I die a little inside

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

And so I cry a little bit (hurts to be in love)
Ah, I die a little bit (hurts to be in love)
Day and night
Night and day
It hurts to be in love this way

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

Tell me where has it been said that the Oil are about to be dismantled? A rumour that Pronger has asked for a trade due to personal reasons does not mean there is goign to be a fire sale and the team is torn apart. In fact the Oilers budget will see a significant bump this offseason which will allow them to sign just about every free agent of theirs that they want and then maybe even add someone else. Plus theyhave enough young guys coming up that they should be able to fill whatever holes they have. In fact they are going to have to make some holes for those players.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

I admit it was Al Strachan who wrote this column but hey, all I said was the dismantling had been rumoured. Make of it what you will.

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Sports/Hockey/2006/06/21/1644598-sun.html

The Oilers. . . have nine potential (unrestricted) free agents including Fernando Pisani, Mike Peca, Sergei Samsonov, Jaroslav Spacek and Dwayne Roloson.

Perhaps the Oilers will be able to renew some of those contracts -- but not all. And even the players who are retained will attain that status at the expense of someone else.

Don't be surprised if the Oilers trade Chris Pronger to free up money. He has a whopping salary and the return could be significant.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

I know I dealt with this before, but just to be clear ...

A) The Oilers were well under the old cap.
B) The cap is going up to $44 million
C) The Oilers own personal budget is also going to increase substantially this year with the money earned in the playoff run
D) There are some free agents they likely won't spend much time looking at bringing back, regardless, including Dvorak, Laraque (I know fan favourite, but doesn't fight any more and doesn't do a whole lot. period. role easily filled by much cheaper and younger Winchester), and Ulanov.
E) So what if they are unable to retain every single free agent, very few teams are able to. Movement is a guarantee, likely even some of their already signed players will be moved like Conklin. Also while I'm sure they would like to have Peca back, there is no way he is able to command the money he earned this past season, so they'd be saving right there. If he doesn't want back, period, that's $4 mil they can spread around elsewhere. besides they need a few holes to be created in that lineup so they can bring in some of their hot, young prospects.
F) The Oilers should even have cap room to maybe add a player or two.
g) The Oil may manage to get a few hometown discounts froma few of their free agents, like Pisani. Also I don't think Roli will be able to command as much as some people think on the open market. He could be back in Edmonton for $3 mil or less.
H) The core of the Oilers is still intact. Also if they are forced into trading Pronger (and it will not be for financial reasons) they will be compensated well, and not just with middling prospects - ala the Doug Weight trade.
They are in good shape and are in no risk of being dismantled. They are young and hitting their prime.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

That's me.

So I guess I'll just have to hold on.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

Move Conklin? You think some other team is going to be stupid enough to take Conklin off their hands?

Very possible, but it also depends on Pronger. He could come out and demand a trade to one or two teams, thus limiting what the Oilers could get somewhat.

In other words, it's just the beginning of the offseason and any number of things could happen.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

Quite a few moves so far.

Tanguay for Leopold? Might as well just give Calgary the Western Conference now.

Nice pick up for the Wild too with Demetra.