The official NHL thread

[Lardbucket]

Downtown Chicago was a madhouse yesterday.
I couldn't get anywhere near the rally, but I saw the parade.
Kane was sloshed out of his mind!
Byfuglien had a replica wrestling championship belt that had BIG BOY written on athletic tape on it.
Brent Sopel looks like Tommy Lee would after a disfiguring car accident.

[johnk5150]

I gotta buy this fucking picture. The equivalent of Jews and Arabs hanging out.

[wickedsensation]

I gotta buy this fucking picture. The equivalent of Jews and Arabs hanging out.

^
So true...

[Kid-Wicked]

I gotta buy this fucking picture. The equivalent of Jews and Arabs hanging out.

that's the closest the cubs will ever be to a trophy.

[johnk5150]

I gotta buy this fucking picture. The equivalent of Jews and Arabs hanging out.

that's the closest the cubs will ever be to a trophy.

Until they switch teams.

[Redman77]

I'm so happy for Hossa

Why, because he finally jumped to a team that won? He's a choad.

[johnk5150]

I'm so happy for Hossa

Why, because he finally jumped to a team that won? He's a choad.

I wouldn't expect much from Hossa next year. He's logged a shit ton of minutes the past 3 years. Huet's contract is going to be an anchor on the Hawks next season. They gotta pay Niemi. Madden is already gone. Bowman/McDonough have some serious choices to make for next year. At least they wrapped the core of Towes/Kane/Hossa/Keith up last season in anticipation of it.

[Royal Dudeness]

If Canucks GM Mike Gillis plays his cards right and signs the right people, the Canucks could be the top dogs in the West next year. The team needs more toughness at both forward and defense. In a perfect world, Luongo would be traded to free up cap space to sign a number 1-2 defenseman, but that's not going to happen. The last few playoffs have proven that having an elite goaltender means jack shit.

No way will Chicago be as good next year. It just wouldn't be fair if they were with all their cap problems.

I see San Jose going to shit. They might have a good regular season again, but their players are hacks when it's crunch time.

Colorado should be better next year, but I don't see them being a big threat.

L.A. could be the next Blackhawks. Great young team, and they scare me the most next year along with the Hawks.

Calgary, Minnesota and the Oilers don't have me scared whatsoever. Especially the Oilers who might have some decent young players, but it's a fucking shithole town and can't attrack any free agents worth a damn.

LETS GO THE CANUCKS!

[Lardbucket]

The Hawks could choose to bite the bullet and hide Huet's contract in Rockford. His money won't count against the cap if he plays for the IcePigs, but Rocky is still a Wirtz, after all, and I think he'd be skittish about eating 11 mil over the next two years to pay a minor-league goalie.
Maybe the extra cash from all those playoff games and Cup merch would make it an easier pill to swallow.
Even burying Huet's money, they're going to have to move some guys. Versteeg, Byfuglien, Sopel, maybe even someone like Sharp (I hope not, he brings consistent 2nd line scoring). Niemi and Hjalmarsson have to be re-upped (Niemi's already going to arbitration), and they're going to have to set some money aside to extend Seabrook.

It's going to be interesting, for sure.

[WOLF]

The Hawks could choose to bite the bullet and hide Huet's contract in Rockford. His money won't count against the cap if he plays for the IcePigs, but Rocky is still a Wirtz, after all, and I think he'd be skittish about eating 11 mil over the next two years to pay a minor-league goalie.
Maybe the extra cash from all those playoff games and Cup merch would make it an easier pill to swallow.
Even burying Huet's money, they're going to have to move some guys. Versteeg, Byfuglien, Sopel, maybe even someone like Sharp (I hope not, he brings consistent 2nd line scoring). Niemi and Hjalmarsson have to be re-upped (Niemi's already going to arbitration), and they're going to have to set some money aside to extend Seabrook.

It's going to be interesting, for sure.

Also, because they paid out $4 million in bonus money, for cup winning related incentives to younger players, their cap is reduced by that amount for next year. They are pretty much going to have no choice but to put Huet in the minors and call up Crawford, as well as to move two of: Sharp, Versteeg, and Byfuglien - probably the latter two. I think they'll also try to move Campbell, but there won't be many takers with his contract.

My prediction is that this is the year that former star players REALLY start to make their way to the minors. Huet and Redden will be the most notable.

[Lardbucket]

Canadiens traded Halak to the Blues.
Strange, after the playoff run he had.

[alecjonsludge]

Canadiens traded Halak to the Blues.
Strange, after the playoff run he had.

Such is the problem a teams front office has if a UFA has a great playoffs. Scuderi was rock solid for the Pens on "D" last season, his asking price doubled,and the Pens couldn't match it and stay under the cap. Halak was beyond amazing this playoffs and arguably single handedly defeated both the Caps and the Pens.I would imagine his asking price became astronomical and would've hampered Les Habs ability to obtain that big forward they need this summer.Still a slap to the face to all the fans who loathe Carey"I'll be at SuperSexe if you need me" Price and adored Halak. Besides,Lars Eller and Ian Schultz?!?!?!?!?!?!?....prospects was the best they could do?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/h ... le1607943/

[alecjonsludge]

....so the pride of Denmark,Eller,had 57 points for Peoria(AHL) last year.Definite promise,but still too little for Halak,IMO.

[WOLF]

Canadiens traded Halak to the Blues.
Strange, after the playoff run he had.

Such is the problem a teams front office has if a UFA has a great playoffs. Scuderi was rock solid for the Pens on "D" last season, his asking price doubled,and the Pens couldn't match it and stay under the cap. Halak was beyond amazing this playoffs and arguably single handedly defeated both the Caps and the Pens.I would imagine his asking price became astronomical and would've hampered Les Habs ability to obtain that big forward they need this summer.Still a slap to the face to all the fans who loathe Carey"I'll be at SuperSexe if you need me" Price and adored Halak. Besides,Lars Eller and Ian Schultz?!?!?!?!?!?!?....prospects was the best they could do?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/h ... le1607943/

I knew this was coming.

Halak, who is RFA with arbitration rights, was going to wind up with $ comparable to Pekka Rinne or Jonas Hillier, so the $3.5 million to $4 million range. That's more than the Habs can pay if they want to address other issues (like skill and size up front). Price still has a ton of upside and many (including me) aren't convinced that Halak isn't, say, Roman Chechmanek.

I would have liked to see the Habs get more, but the laws of supply and demand are at play. Not that many teams need goaltending - especially with Niemi and Leighton leading their teams to the Cup final. That diminishes the return of the guys available. I like Eller, but would have at least liked to get another good prospect or 1st/2nd round pick.

Look for the Habs to sign Marty Biron to be a veteran mentor to Price.

[Kings1967]

[Facedown]

Bruins trade Dennis Wideman, 15th pick and a 3rd round pick in next years draft to Panthers for Gregory Campbell and Nathan Horton.

[WOLF]

Bruins trade Dennis Wideman, 15th pick and a 3rd round pick in next years draft to Panthers for Gregory Campbell and Nathan Horton.

Good trade for Boston IMO. Horton and Campbell are Bruins type players and Wideman can easily be replaced by a cheaper option (read: Boychuk). Sucks to lose the 15th overall pick, but they have a ton of picks this year (thanks to Brian Burke).

[chungasrevenge]

Bruins trade Dennis Wideman, 15th pick and a 3rd round pick in next years draft to Panthers for Gregory Campbell and Nathan Horton.

Real nice move. I'm pretty damn excited about this upcoming season.

Lot's of talk surrounding Savard. I think Neely wants him out. Bergeron and Krecji should not be moved.

[Kid-Wicked]

nabokov will land in philly with a huge contract.

[WOLF]

nabokov will land in philly with a huge contract.

Only if they move a huge contract or two. Don't forget that they're likely to sign Hamhuis as well - they acquired his rights the other day. Rumor is they're shopping Simon Gagne.

KW - saw that the 'Nucks signed Rollie Melancon as their goalie coach. IMO he was the guy most responsible for fucking up Carey Price (other than a certain bartender at a local house of ill repute). Curious to see what he does to Luongo and Corey Schneider...

[John Simon Ritchie]

nabokov will land in philly with a huge contract.

I fucking hope so.

[WOLF]

nabokov will land in philly with a huge contract.

I fucking hope so.

Be careful what you wish for. He's never carried a team on his shoulders in the playoffs and his regular season stats may be more about the team he's played on than his actual skill level. He's gonna cost upwards of $5 million...

The Flyers might be better off finally finding their goalie of the future. Talk to the Blues about Halak, talk to the Canucks about Corey Schneider, talk to the Kings about Jonathan Bernier or Jamie Quick, etc.

[SkyDog112046]

Good move for the Bruins dumping Wideman. He has no heart and no hustle in him and he's a big part of the reason the Bruins choked away a 3-0 lead. Horton can put the puck in the net and the Bruins need goal scorers more than anything.

Thomas is on the block too. I like Thomas as a back up for $1M a year or so, but he wasn't worth his big contract even before the ink dried. Even if they don't get much for him in return they will get some flexibility under the cap to help hang onto their core guys.

I think Neely is going to can Choke Julien too as soon as he gets a chance. Chiarelli and Choke report to Neely now whereas before they reported to Charlie Jacobs. From what I've heard Julien is on very thin ice and if the Bruins come out of the gate like they did last season he is gone.

[chungasrevenge]

Good move for the Bruins dumping Wideman. He has no heart and no hustle in him and he's a big part of the reason the Bruins choked away a 3-0 lead. Horton can put the puck in the net and the Bruins need goal scorers more than anything.

Thomas is on the block too. I like Thomas as a back up for $1M a year or so, but he wasn't worth his big contract even before the ink dried. Even if they don't get much for him in return they will get some flexibility under the cap to help hang onto their core guys.

I think Neely is going to can Choke Julien too as soon as he gets a chance. Chiarelli and Choke report to Neely now whereas before they reported to Charlie Jacobs. From what I've heard Julien is on very thin ice and if the Bruins come out of the gate like they did last season he is gone.

All I can say is if the few rumors about Patrice Bergeron being moved are true, I will disown this team and burn crosses on Chia's front lawn. This guy is the fucking engine room! He should be the captain. A great week for the team and this bullshit crops up.

[johnk5150]

"The Blackhawks have dealt Dustin Byfuglein, Ben Eager, Brent Sopel and Akim Aliu to Atlanta in exchange for the 24th overall pick at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the 54th pick, veteran center Marty Reasoner, and prospect Jeremy Morin."

Nice salary dump Hawks. Make those guys contracts a Thrashers problem?

Byfuglin was my favorite black Blackhawk.

[WOLF]

There is a Marc Savard for Tomas Kaberle deal being rumored. The two teams do have a history...

With today's Atlanta/Chicago deal, that means the Thrashers essentially netted: Bergfors, Oduya, rookie Patrice Cormier, Byfuglien, Sopel, Eager, and rookie Akim Aliu for Kovalchuk and some spare change. Not a bad return.

[Lardbucket]

The Hawks did a nice job of clearing salary without losing too much. Byfuglien was going to be dealt somewhere because of his contract, Sopel is all heart, but is slowing down rapidly (if that's possible, ) and Eager is a good role player but not a factor. Aliu has potential, but is a headcase and had fallen out of favor with management (Kyle Beach is the new fast-track prospect, it seems).
Morin has shown good offensive skill and Reasoner is the new Madden.
If Byfuglien can translate his playoff success and work ethic to the full 82 games, Atlanta will have gotten a pretty effective power forward.

Overall, a 1st round pick (#24), a 2nd round pick (#54), an affordable depth forward and a good prospect is not a bad return for a guy who everyone knew had to be dealt, two spare parts and a prospect.

[Facedown]

There is a Marc Savard for Tomas Kaberle deal being rumored.

Doubtful. Kaberle becomes a FA after next season if IRC.
Savard has a "No Movement" clause in his contract anyways.

[SkyDog112046]

There is a Marc Savard for Tomas Kaberle deal being rumored. The two teams do have a history...

Typical fucking Bruins. When they are having trouble scoring goals they look to trade their leading scorer. The cap is going up, they just got rid of Wideman, and Thomas is on the block. There is no reason at all why they can't have Sequin, Bergeron, Kreji, and Savard all centering lines for them next season.

[chungasrevenge]

There is a Marc Savard for Tomas Kaberle deal being rumored. The two teams do have a history...

Typical fucking Bruins. When they are having trouble scoring goals they look to trade their leading scorer. The cap is going up, they just got rid of Wideman, and Thomas is on the block. There is no reason at all why they can't have Sequin, Bergeron, Kreji, and Savard all centering lines for them next season.

Savard was an embarrassment for most of the Philly series. He has no balls. I would welcome a trade for a defenseman. Seguin should be able to fill his role without pissing off the coaching staff and a lot of the players. Julien hung him out to dry after game 7 as he should have.

I don't think there should be any rush to move Thomas. Wheeler, Ryder, Sturm and Savard should be ahead of him. The combined salary between him and Rask justifies having them as the 1,2 on the roster next year. These fuckers might be cup contenders.