NHL awards/draft/off-season/training camp/preseason running thread

Re: 2007 NHL awards, draft and off-season running thread

That's a shame, he was a good man. He lived in the Windsor, ON area over the past few years and I had the chance to talk to him a couple times on the golf links. He'll be missed.

 

Re: 2007 NHL awards, draft and off-season running thread

Hockeybeat - I'm not buying the story until I hear a name attached to the story. Brooks has a history of making up stories to keep himself relevant in NHL circles.

 

Re: 2007 NHL awards, draft and off-season running thread

He was crying over losing nylander because he not only had a verbal confirmation from Nylander that he would sign, but also a confirmation through e-mail that he would sign. The contract was supposed to be signed and waiting on Lowe's fax machine at 6 a.m. in the morning. it wasn't. then Nylander and his agent wouldn't return phone calls. He had to find out through I believe it was a phone call from a Washington reporter curious over the report that Nylander had signed with Washington when it had been reported that he had signed with Edmonton the day before. I'd be pretty pissed about losing a free agent that way as well, especially when it comes out that it was his wife that blew up at Nylander about being traded to "Siberia". Regardless of whether it's a first or second line centre (he had 80 some odd points last year) to lose a free agent that way is bull shit.

I was as critical as anyone on Lowe about not resigning Smyth. He even admitted that was a mistake, but also had no idea that the cap wouyld jump to $50 mil and his owners gave him no prior sign that his budget would jump to an est. $46 mil. He had to go on what he knew. And to basically get three first rounders for Smyth is a pretty good return, especially if Nillson can pick up where he left off last season and all signs are that he will be ready to go come training camp.
As far as not moving up at the draft, he thought he had, they were on their way to register the trade when reportedly one of the partners pulled out at the last second (thought to be Holmgren), and the trade would have moved them up to the second overall pick. It takes two to dance. I actually don't think he overpaid for Souray, esp. when you compare him to the likes of McCabe, Kaberle, Markov, and so on. Souray will automatically improve their powerplay, plus provide leadership and a physical presence. He's also more than willing to drop the gloves which is something the Oil dearly missed last season without laraque. As well, only the first three years of the contract are protected by a no movement clause, meaning he can be traded in the final two years (the cheapest years) if the Oil are lookiing for a final piece to the puzzle in becoming a contender. If they keep their young D intact, mark my word, they will have arguably the best set of defencemen in the league two maybe three years from now.
I actually would have no problem if Lowe sat pat for the rest of the offseason – pay down the team's debt/loan, let they young players and future stars of the team have a shot at developing in scoring positions rather than on the third line or fourth line. It will take some patience, but it will be well worth it in the long run.

 

Re: 2007 NHL awards, draft and off-season running thread

Thanks for responding Elliote. (I got a little verklempt when I saw your name!!)
I just think that the League isn't so much Pro Canada as a whole as it is Pro Profit, not just Bettman, but every Governor of the Six Canadian teams as well.
They won't stop trying for the big pay off.
And the massive golden goose is that US TV deal now isn't it.

You are right in that there are so many twists and turns in this story, and I doubt I'll ever know what or why. ( Few people have your access )

Yeah, 100%, from the outside looking in, another team in Southern Ontario makes perfect sense, Absolutely.
Who really knows why the Billionaires don't want it to happen?

I do know that a Gag order really couldn't stop anyone of them from coming out and stating their support for the move. As Oiler CEO Patrick Laforge said recently on the fan590 in a carefully worded response to a question regarding another Canadian franchise, " We're not trying to build a nation or whatever. We're just going out doing our jobs..."

 

Re: 2007 NHL awards, draft and off-season running thread

Do the Devils close practices to the media? Why not name the veteran?

 

Re: 2007 NHL awards, draft and off-season running thread

Claws - Brooks is a hack.

He whined to the NHL and NHLPA for the league talking to bloggers like Eklund when the league locked out the players. The NHL, especially Gary Bettman, cannot stand the man. They know he's a fraud (just think of that statement from Bettman's angle) and don't consider him to be a credible member of the media.

 

Re: 2007 NHL awards, draft and off-season running thread

I don't know, if Gary Bettman believes someone to be a fraud, I might just have to go shake that man's hand. He's obviously a fine, first-class individual.

 

Re: 2007 NHL awards, draft and off-season running thread

Now this gets interesting:


http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=213761&hubname=


Out of the list, who do you think will actually be signed or given a second chance?

 

Re: 2007 NHL awards, draft and off-season running thread

And in other news, Tavares's agent is pushing for his eligibility in the 2008 draft. He misses out on next year's draft by five days. Cut off date is Sept 15 and his birthday is Sept 20.

http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2007/07/tavares-to-push-for-2008-draft.html

It makes sense. His playing two more years in the OHL is a complete waste.

 

Re: 2007 NHL awards, draft and off-season running thread

He's definitely ready, the only question is this: If you bend the rules because he only misses by five days, then what's to prevent the next kid to say "Well, I was born only 10 days away from the deadline." It's a slippery slope.

 

Re: 2007 NHL awards, draft and off-season running thread

I agree about the slippery slope but the NHL could do exactly what the OHL did with Tavares--draft an "exceptional player clause" .

I suspect that if the NHL/NHLPA doesn't go along, he'll probably end up playing in Europe the year after next .

 

Re: 2007 NHL awards, draft and off-season running thread

Yup, that would have been like telling Crosby to go play another year. The kid is ready.