NHL Off-season Thread

Asher · June 30, 2012, 22:30

Ah, so it comes down to the inferiority complex.

To be honest, the Oilers make sense. Not because they're the Oilers or because it's Edmonton -- because it's been a brutally awful team that's been terribly mismanaged for years and was rewarded by the NHL with a lot of top draft picks. The Oilers are loaded with really young talent who have yet to make their impact yet, largely due to inept coaching.

There's a lot of potential there and he'd fit right in, growing up with a core group of players his age.

notyoueither · June 30, 2012, 22:46

It's about turning the corner and being a desirable team for players to sign with, yes.

notyoueither · July 2, 2012, 14:58

Brodeur has resigned in NJ.

Most GMs seem to be waiting for Parise and Suter to sign to see what is available in trades with an eye on the diminishing pool of FAs.

Asher · July 2, 2012, 16:09

Jiri Hudler signs with the Flames for 4 years.

notyoueither · July 3, 2012, 18:23

Jagr is signed in Dallas for a year.

Ben Kenobi · July 3, 2012, 19:18

The reactions from Flames and Canucks fans make it all the better.

Hrm? As in, not caring at all?

notyoueither · July 4, 2012, 12:52

Parise and Suter go to the Wild.

Uh oh.

Each got $98 MM over 13 years. Wow.

Asher · July 4, 2012, 13:26

Wow...

notyoueither · July 4, 2012, 13:42

I've read they turned down larger contracts elsewhere. Parise is from Minnesota. Suter is from nearby (Wisconsin).

Supr49er · July 5, 2012, 10:32

I guess the days of the Red Wings getting who they want are over.
I was sure they would get Suter and have a chance at Parise also.

Flubber · July 5, 2012, 11:19

Originally Posted by notyoueither

I've read they turned down larger contracts elsewhere. Parise is from Minnesota. Suter is from nearby (Wisconsin).

Once you have 98 million dollars, would an extra million or 10 million really change your life much at all? Both oif these contracts give 12 million in each of the first two years so its huge money from the outset.

I believe these two guys are the same age and have a longstanding friendship as well and apparently Suter's wife is from somewhere in Minnesota.

Sp with the money being ample everywhere, they could simply pick where they wished to live. Minny just became a presumptive playoff team next year

Flubber · July 5, 2012, 11:23

As for Schulz I agree with NYE's analysis. Schulz may be awesome, he may be a dud but the key for the OIl was that a highly sought after free agent chose them when the contracts everywhere were the same. It means that a free agent can look at their pool of talent and see reasons why its a good place to play

( I don't know about the desirability of living there. I haven't really enjoyed my short visits there but do personally know people that love it in the outskirts communities....)

Flubber · July 5, 2012, 11:46

AS for the Flames . .. .

I don't know if their signings will pan out as hoped but at least they are making an effort to inject some scoring. Theres a lot of questions going into the deason, largely at centre. IT seems they are hoping Backlund will emerge as top 6 playerer and Cervenka can step in Or maybe Hudler as they list him as a centre

LInes could look something like

Iggy- Cervenka -Tanguay

Cammalerie- Backlund- Hudler

JOnes-Comeau-Glencross
Stepniak-Stajan -Jackman

I like that there are guys that have scored at reasonable levels on every line but its still a lineup that lacks grit to me. A guy like Akim Alieu could be interesting. He sis a two game stint at the end of last season. Admittedly these were games when most of the vets had already mentally headed to the golf course but this guy didn't let that apathy infect him and he was a force out there. But he is probably a longshot ( he was a healthy scratch later in the AHL playoffs largely due to undiscuplined play and penalties)

A lack of grit and big hits may be a problem on D as well. When your big hitter is slow as cold molasses Sarich-- ouch -- They do have pretty good puck mobility in Wideman, Giordano and even Brodie. I half excpect Boumeester to get traded but he does have a lot of skill too-- I just wish I would see him throw a bodycheck instead on giving the opposition hugs.

If tey traded Bou for either a gritty NHL regular or some prospects and used the cap space to sign someone with some grit (a Jordan Tootoo type) I think I woulod like the composition of the team a lot more

Supr49er · July 5, 2012, 16:23

Originally Posted by Flubber

... When your big hitter is slow as cold molasses ...

Even Sarich can skate circles around our big man - Douglas Murray. I love Murray, he hits like a tank, but god is he slow.

demonbinder · July 5, 2012, 16:41

Originally Posted by notyoueither

I've read they turned down larger contracts elsewhere. Parise is from Minnesota. Suter is from nearby (Wisconsin).

I wish I knew what Hawks offered to them. Was hoping they would get one of them. Oh well, hopefully they can get a defense man and center to help out this year.

Guynemer · July 5, 2012, 17:04

I'm stunned. I truly expected them in the winged wheel next season.

Kenny Holland has his work cut out for him, that's for sure. Replacing Hudler with Samuelsson seems a lateral move, at best.

Ben Kenobi · July 8, 2012, 04:09

Flubber thinks dumping Bouw is what the Flames need to do in order to turn the corner?

No, they need to trade Iggy.

Asher · July 9, 2012, 08:57

A Canuck fan wouldn't understand the concept of a player wanting to stay in one city for his entire career.

Iginla has a no-trade clause and all signs are he doesn't want to move - he has lots of family in the area and has had some family drama recently.

Supr49er · July 9, 2012, 12:29

Wow, Larry Robinson is a Shark coach.

If anyone can get more effort from certain underperforming players, it's him.

Ben Kenobi · July 9, 2012, 12:38

A Canuck fan wouldn't understand the concept of a player wanting to stay in one city for his entire career.

Uh, Trevor Linden?

Iginla might want to stay, but he's past his sell-by date. Good that the Flames are a charitable organization.

Asher · July 9, 2012, 12:40

Originally Posted by Ben Kenobi

Uh, Trevor Linden?

Yes, Trevor Linden: the player who stayed with one team his entire career yet played for four teams.

Ben Kenobi · July 9, 2012, 12:54

Yes, Trevor Linden: the player who stayed with one team his entire career yet played for four teams.

Not because he wanted to leave. The only one who wanted him gone was Keenan.

Also, the Steamer ffs.

Asher · July 9, 2012, 12:59

Linden is no Iginla in any case. Not even close.

Ben Kenobi · July 9, 2012, 13:06

Linden is no Iginla in any case. Not even close.

True that. Linden's the closest thing the Canucks have to a Patron Saint. Iggy's not even the iconic Flame, just a pale imitation of the glory years of McInnis, Neiuwendyck, MacDonald and Vernon.

Calgary used to be dominant.

Asher · July 9, 2012, 13:36

Oncle Boris · July 11, 2012, 22:47

It's really not important, but I just figured out for the first time in my life that Nieuwendyk sounds like "dyke".

Flubber · July 13, 2012, 11:38

Originally Posted by Ben Kenobi

Flubber thinks dumping Bouw is what the Flames need to do in order to turn the corner?

No, they need to trade Iggy.

Boumeester is a reasonably solid defenceman that plays a LOT of minutes and is an awesomely strong skater. He can be a benefit to any team in the NHL. But he is NOT worth over 6 million a season. He doesn't hit and his lack of offense is well established. He is far too expensive for what you get. So I would not be at all opposed if the Flames traded him and received a reasonable return. THis guy hae NEVER been in the playoffs , is not at all a leader on the team . . . Guys at that level should be.

Iggy has been the heart and sole of the Flames. Four to 6 years ago he would frequently take the team on his back to lead not so great teams to playoff spots they really didn't warrant. Over the last couple of years I have seen a decline. He has still scored his 30 per season but he he wasn't getting that third period goal that wins a a game 2-1. Currently I don't think he is "worth " 7 million but he is still a valuable member of the team . While I understand Asher's point about the player wanting to stay, if I were the Flames I would trade him if he was willing to waive and the offer was attractive, Iggy makes a lot of sense for a team with the cap space that wants to make the push for the cup and on a team with a variety of offensive weapons, he could and likely would flourish. It would be a big change to be on a team where the opposition cannot solely focus their defensive plan on stopping him

IN neither case would I "dump" the player ( that to me implies little in return). BUt the Flames have not been a playoff team and that means changes should be made. This does not necessarily mean Iggy or Bou but there is no way they are off the table in my mind ( again assuming a no trade can get waived). THe Flames have made a number of changes this off-season and players like Cervenka, Wideman and Hudler are not insignificant additions. It would be nice to see a Flames player greatly exceed expectations and now that there is a differenbt manager and pretty much all new coaching staff who knows what will happen

I still predict the Flames as a non-playoff team in a very tough West but they could surprise. It would take another stellar Kipper season along with a number of players having excellent seasons includeing Baerchi emerging as a top 6 guy and Backlund showing he is top 6 calibre

notyoueither · July 13, 2012, 12:58

Interesting info about Bouwmeester.

His teams tend to score more and be scored on less when he is not on the ice. Doesn't sound like a player you want to have in your top 4 D.

Flubber · July 13, 2012, 15:24

Originally Posted by notyoueither

Interesting info about Bouwmeester.

His teams tend to score more and be scored on less when he is not on the ice. Doesn't sound like a player you want to have in your top 4 D.

Source? I am not disbelieving it for a second but I was curious to look at the data and see how wide the spread is. Bou himself rarely looks misplaced or gets beat but often sags back and plays so passivley that stats of that type would not surprise me

notyoueither · July 14, 2012, 14:12

behindthenet.ca

They have On/Off Ice +-

Every year that they have stats for, JayBo does not show well for a player of his prominence. A single year can be a blip, but this is the story of his career. Also see the TSN clip of Mike Peca's comments on him.

Code:

2011-12 Calgary D
                 GP  GFon/60 GFoff/60 GAon/60 GAoff/60
T.J.BRODIE       54   2.40    2.08     2.02    2.68
ANTON BABCHUK    32   2.08    2.07     1.76    2.57
CORY SARICH      62   1.78    2.24     1.78    2.51
MARK GIORDANO    61   2.42    1.85     2.42    2.13
CHRIS BUTLER     68   2.34    1.93     2.53    2.36
DEREK SMITH      47   2.00    2.26     2.27    2.37
SCOTT HANNAN     78   2.34    2.01     2.94    2.21
JAY BOUWMEESTER  82   1.89    2.28     2.50    2.36


JAY BOUWMEESTER
         Team GFon/60 GFoff/60 GAon/60 GAoff/60
2011-12   CGY  1.89    2.28     2.50    2.36
2010-11   CGY  2.41    2.64     2.53    2.41
2009-10   CGY  1.99    2.35     2.31    2.13
2008-09   FLA  2.36    2.61     2.44    2.35
2007-08   FLA  2.54    2.08     2.58    2.14