NHL Offseason Thread -- Vancouver Edition (NHL Offseason / NHL Golf Tourney)

[Asher]

One thing you haven't mentioned are Taratukin and Giordano. Both were promising players (Giordano a bit proven) that fled to Europe because, allegedly, they got into a "mine's bigger than yours" contest with Sutter and "lost". Giordano says he's coming back next year, which will be a big deal to me. I thought he was very underrated last year and he will be a big upgrade on Hale or Erikkson...

Who would I drop?

Huselius
Eriksson
Primeau
Sarich
Smith
Warrener

[Flubber]

Giordano? I liked him a lot as a player-- Heck his 15 points in 48 games is better than a lot of Flames forwards and he moved the puck well. I would like to see him back but have no idea how much Sutter wants him back-- He is a "group 2 RFA" -- I'm not sure completely what that means but suspect that the Flames would have the right to match offers from other clubs.

Tarutukhin? I don't even know that he is ready for the bigs-- Perhaps he is but I don't expect much from him even if he does come back from Russia. HoperfullyI can be pleasantly surprised

OH and I cannot really quarrel with anyone on your drop list but do have these comments

Primeau-- I always expect/hope for more from a guy that is so big-- I don't mind him as a 4th liner if his salary is cheap

Sarich-- he's not a must keep for me but I would see what else you could get before discarding him--I thought he was much stronger in the stretch run then earlier and then was goodin the playoffs-- just "the hit" alone was enough for me to want to give him a second chance

Oh and Nilson-- I would drop

Overall my thinking is since the Flames scoring from the bottom two lines is almost non-existent anyway, spend some bucks on a quality forward (if Huselius goes, the Flames will be light at left wing for sure) and fill out your bottom two lines with some cheap kids that are all energy

It would really be nice if they could pick up a top centre but I see that as unlikely so its probably Lankow with Iggy and maybe Tanguay. If Lombardi could ever find some consistency to go with his great potential, I wouldn't mind him centring Nolan and a LW TBA. A third line of Nystrom, Boyd and Moss could be interesting although I am hoping soon one of them finds a scoring touch

Conroy has looked old and tired a lot so I would say some 4th line duty with some pk time and the ability to put him in with Iggy to shake things up but I wouldn't want him to have too many minutes a night since you want him to have a spark for the playoffs. The rest of the 4th line can be whoever. I'd love it if they could find a guy that throws around the body a bit or is just generally a PIA

There are lots of holes in the above but its how I see the Flames next year based on what they have now. One good acquisition up front could shake the crap out of this and I certainly expect the Flames will have 4-5 new faces apart from the prospects next year

[Asher]

Nilson > Primeau as a 4th liner, by far.

[Asher]

Leafs talking to Sharks' Doug Wilson now...

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Asher
Nilson > Primeau as a 4th liner, by far.

While I don't want to get in a HUGE debate on this (mainly because I find them both unimpressive-- as one mightexpect from 4th liners) I am surprised you would see Nilson as better "by far"

Both suffered injuries and both were health scratches. Nilson got half as many points in 4 more games although he did have a slightly better plus/minus and took less penalties.

But in the playoffs, it was clear who Keenan preferred. Primeau played all 7 games with between 8-12 minutes of ice time each game . Nilson played two games and got 6:29 and 3:10 !! Was Nilson hurt? Serious question since I don't recall that he was but maybe I just don't recall. He did play the final regular season game . ..

So you see why I have some difficulty with your flat unsupported assertion on this . The only thing he did more than Primeau was pk but during the regular season overall Nilson averaged about a minute less a game of playing time.

Given the choice between the two I would take Primeau. Its not a wide margin but I'd make the choice. Apparently so did the coaches this past season

[Ninot]

Originally posted by Asher
Leafs talking to Sharks' Doug Wilson now...

Ugh.

There oughta be rules against this, unless the Sharks gave the Leafs permission, of course.

[Asher]

They asked the Sharks for permission first. There are rules against it, unless the team gives permission.

[Ninot]

Maybe I'm just tired of every candidate the Leafs targetting already being employed by someone. What a godawful team.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Flubber


While I don't want to get in a HUGE debate on this (mainly because I find them both unimpressive-- as one mightexpect from 4th liners) I am surprised you would see Nilson as better "by far"

Both suffered injuries and both were health scratches. Nilson got half as many points in 4 more games although he did have a slightly better plus/minus and took less penalties.

But in the playoffs, it was clear who Keenan preferred. Primeau played all 7 games with between 8-12 minutes of ice time each game . Nilson played two games and got 6:29 and 3:10 !! Was Nilson hurt? Serious question since I don't recall that he was but maybe I just don't recall. He did play the final regular season game . ..

So you see why I have some difficulty with your flat unsupported assertion on this . The only thing he did more than Primeau was pk but during the regular season overall Nilson averaged about a minute less a game of playing time.

Given the choice between the two I would take Primeau. Its not a wide margin but I'd make the choice. Apparently so did the coaches this past season

Primeau is slower. He takes bad penalties because of it. He's not as good defensively. Keenan put Primeau in instead of Nilson -- yes. How did that series turn out.

I blogged about Nilson in detail when Crosby was coming to town...

http://openicehits.blogspot.com/2007...nnnnnnnia.html

Apparently every citizen in Calgary is happy that Christmas came early, and SIDNEY CROSBY(!!!!!) IS GOING TO BE IN TOWN. Or something. Sure, it's cool, but we got our television now so most of us have actually seen Crosby play before. It's not like we're a talent-deprived team, we've got all kinds of hockey studs that are comparable to the Fernando Pisanis and Sidney Crosbys in the world. Let's take our own Marcus Nilson.

While Nilson's hockey prowess is well-known throughout the NHL as being slightly below that of Sidney Crosby, Crosby lacks the inherent marketability and personality of our Swedish stud. Leanne herself has had the above picture tiled across her various monitors as desktop backgrounds for over a year now. She describes his body as the pinnacle of human creation, proof that there is a God (and Nilson created him). In her words, Nilson has the "pecs of a Nordic chef, the biceps of a seasoned Golf player, and the butt of an Algonquin park ranger".

While Crosby dazzles us with amazing plays and 3-point 3rd periods against some of the most loaded teams in the NHL, Nilson warms our hearts and moistens the -- well, you get the picture. While the media (in particular, the Crosby-centric TSN) tells us to be excited about Crosby's visit to our quaint little village somewhere west of Toronto, the real question is what does Crosby think about playing against Nilson? I spent the entire day crawling teh intarwebs to find an article discussing how this is the first time Crosby had to face the Marcus Nilson on Marcus Nilson's own hallowed grounds, but to no avail. Everyone was so hypnotized by Crosby's hypetrain that the real stars and studs of our game -- the Fernando Pisanis and Marcus Nilsons of the world -- go unnoticed. I have full faith, however, that tonight Marcus Nilson's 3 shorthanded goals, 3 powerplay goals, and 3 even strength goals (hereafter the famed "Marcus Nilson Hattrick") will propel him to the top of the league, dethroning Crosby and warming the hearts of girls and confused men everywhere.

Long live Nilson!
9-0 Flames (Nilson, Nilson, Nilson, Nilson, Nilson, Nilson, Nilson, Nilson, Nilson)

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Ninot


Ugh.

There oughta be rules against this, unless the Sharks gave the Leafs permission, of course.

If its so public that they are doing this, permission must have been given.I know that Sharks fans and owners have expected more from the team that they assembled

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Asher


Primeau is slower. He takes bad penalties because of it. He's not as good defensively. Keenan put Primeau in instead of Nilson -- yes. How did that series turn out.

I blogged about Nilson in detail when Crosby was coming to town...

Summary : Asher has a man-love for Nilson




Oh and Asher, being a faster hockey player does not necessarily mean being a better hockey player-- Lombardi compared to Iginla for example

[Asher]

Oh and Asher, being a faster hockey player does not necessarily mean being a better hockey player-- Lombardi compared to Iginla for example

Never made this claim. However, being fast is a good trait as opposed to being slow...

And Primeau is much slower than Nilson. And he doesn't have any other redeeming qualities.

[Asher]

BTW, my blog's topless Nilson picture is the #1 result for "Marcus Nilson" on google image search.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Asher
Leafs talking to Sharks' Doug Wilson now...

Actually Tsn is reporting that the Sharks refused permission

A day after Paul Maurice was fired as head coach, the Toronto Maple Leafs are stepping up their search for a new general manager.

Sources tell TSN the Leafs have officially made contact with former Vancouver Canucks general manager Dave Nonis in an effort to move the process along. It's expected the two sides will meet next week.

Sources also tell TSN the Maple Leafs contacted the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday for permission to talk to Sharks' GM Doug Wilson. But sources say Sharks' ownership refused to grant that permission, so scratch Wilson as a candidate for the Leaf job.

''Wilson doesn't really want to leave San Jose and the Sharks don't want him to leave,'' the source said. ''It's as simple as that.''

When it was reported by TSN Wednesday that the Canucks had been approached by the Leafs and Toronto was granted permission to talk to Nonis, there was a sense that perhaps Nonis was part of a plan that includes getting Anaheim GM Brian Burke to Toronto in the summer of 2009, when his contract with Anaheim expires.

Nonis worked for Burke in Vancouver. The theory was that Nonis could be hired as GM now, replacing interim man Cliff Fletcher. A year from now, with Burke having fulfilled his contractual obligation in Anaheim, he could be hired by the Leafs as team president and be re-united with Nonis.

"If they do decide to bring me in, and tell me what they're thinking, at that point there's a decision to make," Nonis said.

Nonis added that there are a few factors he's looking for in a team.

"I would say the ability to win, and I wouldn't say necessarily right now. I think the desire to do the right things in order to have long-term success. You want to have stable ownership. You want to have a team that at some point, maybe not right away but when it gets better, be willing to spend to the cap."

The concept of adding Nonis with an eye towards Burke is not far fetched but the rejected request to talk to Wilson indicates the Leafs are still conducting a broader search.

[Asher]

Avs fire Joel Quenneville

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=2372...s=topStory_nhl

The Colorado Avalanche are in the market for a new head coach.

The club announced on Friday that Joel Quenneville will not return to coach the Avs for a fourth season.

"After meeting with Joel, we mutually agreed that the best decision for both parties involved is to go separate ways," said Avalanche Executive Vice President & General Manager Francois Giguere. "On behalf of the organization, I want to thank Joel for his years of service and wish him the best in his coaching career."

Colorado finished in sixth place in the Western Conference this season and defeated the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the playoffs before being swept by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round.

Quenneville, who was in the last year of a contract had a 131-92-23 record in his three seasons in Denver.

[Asher]

Sharks fire Ron Wilson

SAN JOSE PARTS WAYS WITH COACH RON WILSON

The San Jose Sharks have fired head coach Ron Wilson.

The Sharks announced on Tuesday that Wilson's tenure with the club was over and that they would start looking for a replacement immediately.

"Ron helped foster a new era in San Jose Sharks hockey with some record-setting regular season performances," said general manager Doug Wilson in a release. "However, ultimately we have decided that it is time for a different voice and a different approach to lead this team."

The Sharks won the Pacific Division for the second time in club history in 2007/08 but were eliminated by the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Semifinals.

"In most ways I was shocked when Doug told me, but in some ways I guess I was not surprised," Ron Wilson told THE CANADIAN PRESS. "When it happens when you don't expect it, you're disappointed. I can honestly say that I couldn't be prouder of my work here. I think our team's record speaks for itself. Obviously we didn't win a Stanley Cup while I was here. I'm disappointed in that as any coach would be."

Wilson became the sixth head coach in Sharks' history on December 4, 2002. He holds club coaching records for wins (206), winning percentage (.535) and postseason games coached (52). The Sharks put together a 206-134-45 record in the regular season and a 28-24 playoff record with Wilson behind the bench.

"Even though coaching can be a very callous and negative position, my staff and I poured my heart and soul into this," Ron Wilson told THE CANADIAN PRESS. "It's very difficult to talk about this unemotionally."

Over his career Wilson has coached the San Jose Sharks, Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks, compiling a record of 518-446-127 over his 1,091 games. He coached the Capitals to the Stanley Cup Final during the 1997-98 season but Washington was swept by the Detroit Red Wings.

[Sparrowhawk]

Please someone, tell me I am crazy! I went to see the movie "Prince Caspian" tonight (Chronicles of Narnia, part II) and know I recognize the guy playing the leader of the Centaur, and have convinced myself (after puzzling over it through a good portion of the movie) that it was George Laraque.

But having watched the credits and doing multiple internet searches now that I am home, I can find nothing, so it appears I am wrong.

Can anyone either confirm or correct me? (and no, I don't mind looking stupid! )

/me

[Asher]

Doesn't look like it

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0487998/

[Asher]

The Leafs have apparently offered Ron Wilson the head coaching job.

****ing great, put one of my most-hated coaches on one of my most-hated teams. Now I've got to see the ugly ****'s face daily for years.

[-Jrabbit]

Embrace the Leafs, Asher! They need true hockey fans like you...

[Lord Avalon]

Apparently, the Leafs need the Love Guru.

[Ninot]

I'd die a happy man if the Leafs kept working this way for the next 60-80 years.

[Asher]

Phaneuf is the NHL '09 cover athlete:

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...d-dc24f257b885

Phaneuf EA Sports' cover boy
Herald News Services
Published: Monday, June 09, 2008

Dion Phaneuf got his landmark recognition this week.

No, not the Norris Trophy. The Calgary Flames star defenceman vies for that prestigious bauble Thursday night in Toronto at the National Hockey League's awards party. (Detroit Red Wings ace Nicklas Lidstrom is favoured to edge out Phaneuf and Boston Bruins brute Zdeno Chara, the other short-listed finalist.)

Rather, Phaneuf's big news is of the new-school variety.

He'll be gracing the cover of the EA Sports NHL 2009 video game.

Here are EA Sports' past poster boys -- Eric Lindros (1999), Chris Pronger (2000), Owen Nolan (2001), Mario Lemieux (2002), Jarome Iginla (2003), Dany Heatley (2004), Markus Naslund (2005), Vincent Lecavalier (2006) and Alex Ovechkin (2007).

SI.com did note one, uh, interesting aspect -- "The 'Madden Curse' originally began as an EA Sports curse, notably in its NHL series, after Lindros appeared on the cover of NHL '99."

What is known, however, is that, for defencemen at least, Phaneuf is the (scowling) face of pro hockey's future.

The 23-year-old skated in the 2008 NHL all-star game. He amassed 194 hits -- only five rearguards collected more. He recorded 60 points -- only four rearguards collected more. Sealing his reputation as an agitator extraordinaire, he got nailed with 182 penalty minutes -- no rearguards collected more.

On top of all that, Phaneuf got re-upped in spectacular fashion this past winter, signing a six-year contract extension worth $39 million US.

They even motion-captured his walk and showed it off on the trailer for NHL 09:

[snoopy369]

Is it considered good for a star player like Phaneuf to have so many penalty minutes? I always thought that was something you were supposed to not get as a star (compared to the brutes who were in there for the purpose of getting penalty minutes in fights and such).

[Asher]

Originally posted by snoopy369
Is it considered good for a star player like Phaneuf to have so many penalty minutes? I always thought that was something you were supposed to not get as a star (compared to the brutes who were in there for the purpose of getting penalty minutes in fights and such).

It's good or bad. Phaneuf is one of the best agitators in the game right now.

Just ask the Edmonton and Vancouver fans.

That said, I'd like for him to cut down his "stupid penalty" count. He's got a bit of a temper.

The writeup did a poor job of capturing why he's a star player, I thought. Reading the list, he's "#5 in here, #6 here.. etc" makes him sound ordinary.

He's known mostly for his shot and is hard, open ice hits. A Hockey News poll put him as the hardest hitter in the league last year. He does everything very well, and he's fun to watch.

Lidstrom's a better d-man right now, but he's stellar not because of his superstar-like presence, but his steadiness. And that's not really that exciting to fans.

[snoopy369]

The exciting part is when he gets to pick up that big silver cup thingy...

[Asher]

Some day.

[snoopy369]

You aren't also a Cubs fan by chance, are you?

[Asher]

My brother is. Very much so.

[Ben Kenobi]

Excellent.

EA Sports is the John Madden of Hockey.