NHL Offseason: All 10 weeks of it

[notyoueither]

Where did you get that from?

The jist of rumours is that while he liked playing for thwe Oilers, there was something (most likely wife) that didn't go with continuing to play in Edmonton.

Unfortunately, that takes some away from his value, if true. When a GM trades for him, he'll be getting the wife as well. Won't stop the GMs of Toronto or Detroit from thinking about it though.

[Asher]

It's from the Edmonton Sun: http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmo...52304-sun.html

As a side note, I found this article about Sutter online -- echoing my exact same sentiments on pickin' players.

Sutter's plan -- no revelation here -- is develop the core of his club and add other pieces along the way.

The Carolina Hurricanes captured the Stanley Cup with a backbone of 21-year-old centre Eric Staal (second overall pick in 2003) and 22-year-old netminder Cam Ward (25th in 2002).

"That's the formula for success," said Sutter. "That's why we're a good team -- there's a push from (younger) players underneath. It's not going outside to get an older player. You breed your own and teach them how to fly."

[notyoueither]

There is a lot of rumour flying around, and Hicks is the town gossip monger.

Sutter has a good philosophy (it's very Oiler like) but he still does bring in players. Hueselius, Tanguay.

[Asher]

Those are younger players...

Sutter has to make up for the Craig Button years as GM.

[notyoueither]

Pronger at 31 wasn't particularly 'old'.

[Asher]

30 is the magic year.

It's even more laughable when they're long-term contracts for older players.

[notyoueither]

OK. We get it. Asher and Sutter believe life in hockey ends after 30.

Care to explain Simon and Hamrlik then?

[Asher]

Both are perfect examples of mistakes Sutter made.

Both are worthless to the team. Hamrlik plays a game and then sits out 20...Simon is an enforcer who thinks he can score.

And hockey doesn't end at 30, you just shouldn't trade for people over 30 unless it's a rental.

[Jaguar]

Tell that to Jagr.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Jaguar
Tell that to Jagr.

There are always exceptions, especially for some of the greatest players the game has seen.

[joncha]

Jagr is too young.

[Jaguar]

Originally posted by Asher

There are always exceptions, especially for some of the greatest players the game has seen.

What about guys like Alfredsson?

His best year, without a fraction of a doubt, came at the age of 33.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Jaguar
What about guys like Alfredsson?

His best year, without a fraction of a doubt, came at the age of 33.

He's obviously a good player, but a lot of that has to do with circumstance -- namely the line he was on. Look at his performance when he wasn't on that top line.

I also think you'd be crazy to make a big trade for Alfredsson today unless you were giving up equally old players.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Asher
Both are perfect examples of mistakes Sutter made.

Both are worthless to the team. Hamrlik plays a game and then sits out 20

He played 51 games.

[Asher]

Originally posted by notyoueither
He played 51 games.

With little icetime. When he was playing this season, he was still recovering from injury and wasn't playing very well. He's getting paid the 2nd most on the team (second only to Iginla) and is in the 2nd or 3rd defensive pairing on the team...that's how well he was playing.

Not only is he an example of older players who are more prone to injury, he's an example of an older player whose production is in decline.