All-purpose hockey thread...

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

I agree with you on the Devils' cap space. I keep waiting to see how they'll fit everyone in after that Gomez signing. I still can't believe Colin White got so much money. Should have let him go.

 

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

They somehow made it work last year when they were in pretty much the same position, Lemaire has been working within a tight budget since he started there, he'll figure it out. My guess is they talk Malakov into retirment or move him for some young prospects.

 

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

J.P Dumont just signed in Nashville, 2 years $4.5 million
http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=175685&hubname=nhl
solid, solid move by the Preds, I think they are the clear favourites to win their division this year, especially if Vokoun can come back 100 per cent from his weird stomach clot or whatever it was.

As well David Tanabe just signed in Carolina, 1 year $900,000. Another solid move. Good, young, cheap defenceman, perfect for the salary cap era.

 

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

I really like what the Predators have done too. Kariya's signing last year has helped Trotz and Co. to attract others and yes, if Vokoun is healthy and ready to go, look out.

 

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

Is there an expansion coach in any pro sport who's been with the franchise in that position as long as Trotz (going into his eighth season, not counting the lockout year)?

 

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

I believe he's setting records, at least in the NHL. I'm not sure about some of the other sports like the NFL.

 

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

Mr J,

Tom Landry was, as noted every Sunday, "the only coach the Cowboys ever had."* Trotz has a long way to go to catch up.


*Landry was also the legend I grabbed by the arm and led to a photographer on my first travelling assignment. Ridiculously gracious about it, so stunned that he laughed.

YHS, etc

 

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

This just in from the if you really care department:

Brad Isbister just joined the Carolina Hurricanes...
Not a big name, but a size addition for the champs

 

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

Does Nashville support the Predators? Perhaps the honeymoon isn't over? They made a little noise last year and Trotz might have been coasting right along. Perhaps if more is expected of them with these free agent signings and they don't produce, Trotz could join the ex-NHL coaching ranks.

It's been interesting seeing the Anaheim Ducks go from the honeymoon period with fans there all the time to a team that is lucky to get 9,000-10,000 after the cooling off period. I saw a couple of playoff games when they made their run to the Cup Finals and the place was rocking (with Angels fans in the mix, I'm sure) and then it went cold again until they made yet another run this past season. I heard season ticket numbers are expected to be above 10,000 this year.

Of course, the NHL's lack of a great TV contact and a labor dispute might have something to do with all of what I am talking about in this post.

 

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

The Preds have had good support from the beginning, mind you in Nashville they don't exactly have a lot of competition during the winter months. But they supposedly always have a good size crowd and they are supposed to be pretty loud.
The Preds have always been very respectable under Trotz, especially in their first few years, which is why one of the ugliest coaches in pro sports holds one of the safest jobs in the industry. However, part of it is they have never been big spenders up until the last couple of years so now the heat might be turned up a bit, especially considering that somoe of their young talent should be hitting their prime (Legwand, Hartnell) and they have to start producing.

 

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

He'll play fourth line and press box. He was one time thought to be a Todd Bertuzzi, but he never developed. He will disappear for games on end. He's big, and he's OK defensively, but that's about all he has going for him.

 

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

Sirs, Madames,

Isbister set all kinds of records in the physical testing at the Canadian under-20 camp years back. Athletic. I guess he can spot for Rod The Bod.

YHS, etc