Nikilidstrom

3 HUGE free agent signings:
Kariya and Selanne to COL (Kariya turned down a 6mil/year deal from ANA for a 1.9mil deal with COL)
Hatcher to DET

2 smaller, but important free agent signings:
Marchant and Letowski to CLB

1 slightly suprising 4 player trade:
Drury from CGY to BUF
Reinprecht from COL to BUF
Ballard from BUF to COL
Warrener and Reinprecht from BUF to CGY

1 Prima Donna anouncement:
Federov is not returning to DET after 13 years

1 Cluster Fuck anouncement:
Hasek deciding whether or not to return to NHL
Det picks up 8mil option on Hasek, just in case
Det still has All-Star goalie Joseph under contract for 2 years

the majority of which has happened in the last 24 hours, and I am the first to post something about it?!?!? Please tell me I'm not the only hockey lover on the TFP boards!!! If there are others out there, lets hear some opinions on the above mentioned shenanagins!

MikeyChalupa

As a Rangers fan, I'm glad to see that the rebuilding has begun. They re-signed Petrovicky and LaCouture, who at times looked like the only guys trying every night. They traded away Jurassic Mark and Brian Leetch, and Lindros is on borrowed time. They apparently don't expect Richter back since they got a goalie from Edmonton, Markkanen. I'm a bit miffed that Sather is going to coach the team again this year, and that they didn't make enough of an effort to get a REAL coach like Keenan or Bowman. The trade rumor in NY now is Lindros to Detroit for Joseph now that the Wings have picked up Hasek's option. Lindros doesn't want to go, but if he turns down the trade the Rangers will just buy his contract out and cut him. The Rangers are also looking to sign Federov. I don't like that one though.

As for the teams that actually will matter this season, I think Colorado just pulled off the deal of the season. Kariya and Selanne together again along with Detroit falling apart at the seams has to make the Avs the Cup favorite, especially if the Lindros-Joseph thing happens. Sakic and Forsberg play well together, but since either Sakic or Forsberg is usually injured at any given moment, having another productive tandem that knows each other's style of play and has lots of time playing together will really make Colorado dangerous. They should be lighting up the scoreboard every night. Plus, they've both taken HUGE pay cuts to come to Colorado together, so it allows the team lots of flexibility to go out and stack that team even more. If they can land a big name goalie to replace Roy I think you might as well go ahead and engrave the cup right now.

-Mikey

Nikilidstrom

Well, not sure where you get Detroit falling apart at the seams, but regardless, that was a monster signing by Colorado, except for one thing. They still have horrible goalies and the two Kariya and Selanne are two of the worst defensive forwards in the league. They also traded away one of their goalie bargaining chips already in Reinprecht. They have had an amazing crop of forwards for years now, and they still have needed to be bailed out by Roy, so unless they can grab up Khabi, they will still struggle. The crazy part of that deal is Kariya signing for 1.9 mil. What up with that? They said he had a special reason, the are being hush hush about it.

My prediction on Federov is he is headed to Anaheim, but thats just a gut feeling, not really based on too much fact. But as a Wings fan, its about time he drags his whinny ass outta town. But I really think we missed the boat on Marchant as a replacement for him. He is fast, defensive, can score goals on the front lines, and a good leader. Now he is going to waste away in CLB.

And you guys can keep Lindros, I didnt want him here the first time his offer came around 2 years ago, and I still don't. He is damaged goods, and will just ruin the lockeroom chemistry in Detroit. We just got rid of one whiner, dont need one to replace him.

And finally, as much as I like Hasek, I can't believe we are going to screw Joseph over after 1 semi-bad season. Hasek used Detroit and left em like a prom date, and now they are scrambling to get him back at the slightest hint of his return. Just a tad dissapointed if that is how it all goes down.

absorbentishe

I'm a Wings fan aslo... I'd hate to see Federov go, but I won't miss him. He certainly hasn't lived up to expectations over the years. Signing Hatcher is huge, solidifies our blue line, and with the mix of young up and comers, with the stars that are still there... We should rock next year.
When I first heard that Federov was asking for 5 yr. 50 mil, I was shocked, we offered that back in October, and he flat out turned us down... See-ya...

Glory's Sun

I DO NOT want Lindros on the wings.. the rangers can keep him. Fedorov really wouldn't be a major help to the rangers anyway but since they like spending money on non-performers well they will probably get him I like Fedorov I think he did a good job but he's being way too greedy. I couldn't believe the Col. trades. My mouth dropped open.. It'll be interesting to see how they interact with the rest of the team though..it might not be as pretty as you first think. That brings me to Hasek. I was never a real fan of him anyway.. and I don't like Cujo. I was against the Cujo trade from day 1. Cujo has major problems in the post-season and he's proved that already. Hasek has the edge in that he's won a cup and he's been to the finals before. If I had to choose I'd go with Hasek one more year. Are the wings falling apart at the seams? That's a little overboard but there needs to be some serious overhaul if we are gonna continue to be the best.

Nikilidstrom

Aparently, according to his agent, he didnt turn Illitch down, he just asked for some time to think about it because his divorce was happening at the same time, and he was planning on changing agents. But 5yr/50mil? If you were planning on staying, what is there to think about? He won't get that anywhere else, except maybe NY. They will pay anyone anything if it gets them to the playoffs sometime this century. Any thoughts on who DET will pick up as a forward?

Nikilidstrom

I guess the NHLPA is having a hissy fit that Kariya and Selanne signed for a combined 7mil and change. They say it is just the ammo the owners need to show that current salaries for star players are out of control. I tend to agree though, especially when Federov thinks he can get 12mil/yr for being your run of the mill star forward for the last few years. It doesn't help when chokers like Yashin and Holik sign huge contracts either though.

BigGov

Well, Kariya and Selanne aren't stupid, they both want to play together and they want to play together for a chance to win the cup, so they go to Colorado to make the best offensive team in the NHL, while steal leaving enough money so it's possible for them to get a goalie (like maybe an all-star goalie with two years left on his contract...)

__________________
One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

Glory's Sun

are you referring to Cujo?? if you are by all means take him.. but beware if you do.. he comes with a price bigger than his salary.. what is that price?? He'll never win a cup.

goddfather40

A have a lot of problems with the Kariya/Selanne Av's signing. First off, they both have the same agent, and the agent was touting the two as a "package deal." And with Kariya only signing for a little over 1 mil, it was more like buy one get one free. The agents nowadays have way too much influence. Why didn't Kariya take the 6 mil the Ducks were offering him? The team is the Stanley Cup runner up for God sake's. Was there something we didn't know about with Kariya's relationship with the Duck's? Doesn't the fact that he is the captain, the team's all time points and goals leader mean anything? What a disloyal prick.

__________________
My name is goddfather40 and I approved this message.

I got ho's and I got bitches,
In C++ I branch with switches
-MC Plus+

BigGov

Because a guy doesn't do what other people wants, instead, he goes off to play on a line with a good friend of his, AND Peter Forsberg, all of a sudden he's disloyal and can't decide anything for himself? Hell, he made $10 million last year, he doesn't need the money anymore, he'd like to win the cup. And being a runner-up doesn't mean a hell of a lot. Disagree? Two words. Carolina. Hurricanes.

And Guccilvr, if Cujo couldn't protect a lead that half a team of current all-stars could give him, he'll be through in the NHL for sure.

__________________
One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

Glory's Sun

I agree CUJO SUCKS .. plain and simple...

Now about Kariya, I don't think he's ungrateful, I think he just realizes that his chances winning the cup with the ducks is gone. The ducks are going to be sold sometime in the future, oates is gone, and well we'll have to see what the real deal with Giguere is. I'll wait for him to have at least one more good season before I say he's a great goalie. Being the runner up is the first loser and Carolina proved that it doesn't really mean a whole lot. Kariya loves the ducks but he wants to win a cup.. he has a good chance in Colorado.. as much as I hate to say it..

BigGov

Giggy has been good for a while, problem is his style, he doesn't make the spectacular saves like Brodeur or Hasek, so he doesn't get the time on Sportscenter, or other attention. The fact his only offense minus last year was Kariya also meant that he never got to play in a game of any signifigance. His fundamentals are damn near perfect, but he probably won't look as good because it will be over a stretch of 82 games, not 20 or so. So if he doesn't have an incredible game every time out, people are going to say last year was just a one time deal.

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One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

Young Link

Well hell... I just caught this today, and I'm so fucking suprised.
If Colorado can pick up a DECENT goaltender, they'll be unstoppable...

Tanguay, Forsberg, Hejduk - on the 1st line

Kariya, Sakic, Selanne - on the 2nd line

Foote, Blake, Morris, DeVris - on the blue line


With a decent goaltender between the pipes... who can compete with that?

Spartak

Yep.

He's also a moron for turning down 6 mil.

Nikilidstrom

Well, for some reason, the rumors are still going on that COL is going after Burke. I know he is a good goalie, but he is an old, injury prone, good goalie. He's had more pulled groins than a customer in a Japanese massage parlor.

Also, De Vries didnt get a contract offer from COL, but they got Ken Ballard(???) in the trade from BUF to replace him. I guess.

And finally, I can understand that Kariya and Selanne want to play together for (alot) less money than they could have got seperately, since it was the only time they were any good, but with the CBA running out next year, why on earth would they want to be free agents in that financial climate? Kariya even said he likes the deal because it guarantees him free agency next year. Am I missing something here, or does he know something the rest of us don't?

FunHater

All I know is the next season is gonna suck for the Oilers. The western conference is so amazingly stacked, my poor Oilers are never gonna get past the first round of the playoffs.

grumpyolddude

Try this:

1) Yzerman, Shanahan, Holmstrom

2) Datsyuk, Hull, Zetterberg

3) Draper, Maltby, McCarty

D) Lidstrom, Chelios, Hatcher, Fischer, Schnieder, Wallin, etc.

G) Hasek

Federov may have more raw talent than most of these guys, but he was NOT the Winds best PLAYER on most nights.

If the wings do pick up a big name forwrd to replace Federov, who has to sit?

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"Regret can be a harder pill to swallow than failure .With failure you at least know you gave it a chance..." David Howard

Nikilidstrom

nobody has to sit, because the Wings roll 4 lines.

Williams will probably be full time this year, and unfortunately Devereaux is still hangin around, which will probably compose the remainder of Homstrom's full strength line. If they pick up a center, Yzerman will probably shift to right wing except for important face-offs, and the pick up will center him and Shanny. The other 2 lines are a given, of course. I just wish St. Louis hadn't already decided on goalies, becuase I hear they are shoppin Weight around to cut payroll. Weight has been my second favorite center (next to Stevie Y) since his Oiler days, and he would be a great fit in DET, if he could stay healthy.

Maybe its not too late for Marchant either, since no matter how many goalies CLB signs, it won't be enough. Well, I can dream can't I?

Krycheck

As a Ducks fan im kinda split on the Karia thing.
I don't think he deserved a matching offer from Anahiem but at the same time I think he should have waited to see what they would offer.
To say that he wanted to go to a team that can win a Stanley Cup is rediculous. Didn't he just leave a team that went to game 7 of the finals? And if he would have scored maybe 2 more goals in those finals he may have the Cup now?
I hope the Ducks win it in spite of him now.

As for Federov he wants to come to the west coast. I think he knows he'd be the man here. With L.A. or Anahiem. And I'm sure Anna wouldn't mind hanging out in the L.A. scene

__________________

His pants are tight...but his morals are loose!!

MikeyChalupa

Well, he'll have to go to a state with cheap auto insurance, that's for sure. He has a DUI and just crashed his car last month. If I were him, I'd stay away from the L.A. scene...

-Mikey

Nikilidstrom

And Anna divorced him for a latin pop star. Hmm..unemployed, drunk, trouble with the law, divorced..........man, if it weren't for his money, it would suck to be Federov.

By the way, did you guys see that Lyashenko died, at the age of 24? They found him dead in a hotel room while he was vacationing with family. No clue how he died yet, though. The wierd thing is, apparently 3 other members of his former Russian team have been either injured or killed recently as well. A little too coincidental if you ask me.

sportsrule101

Atleast the east is still wide open, NJ is getting older and philly has fallen the past couple years. And my team, Buffalo, is still a great goalie, or 2 more scores short of being a major contender.

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winning isn't everything but
losing isn't anything

BigGov

NJ isn't old enough yet. They're still a dominating defensive force.

My poor Flyers keep choking in the playoffs.

Buffalo is further off because they can't buy a goalie if they're bankrupt.

__________________
One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

Nikilidstrom

Now that they are a little more financially secure, Buffalo seems to be taking the right steps to get back on track and into contention. They have added some offense in Drury and Delmore, and if Biron or Noronen can step up like they were expected to, Buffalo wont be a walk in the park for any team. I'm interested to see if Kotalik keeps producing or not.

I also see DET signed Hudler today, but I wonder if he is going to get any NHL time, or if they will just try and put some size on him in Grand Rapids. He is definitely offensively gifted, but he is kinda small, like alot of non-north american forwards. It is a damn shame we wont be seeing what Grigorenko can do this year, but at least he is healthy.

Glory's Sun

the detroit vs. colorado series will be unique with all the changes. Without Roy in net..the avs are in trouble..but then again.. our netminder(cujo) sucks so who knows what will happen. I wish there was a way we could steal Broduer away from NJ. *sigh* He's always been my fav goalie. I was glad he won the cup but I hated that he was playing in NJ.

Krycheck

So much for that thought

__________________

His pants are tight...but his morals are loose!!

Tempboy

A lot of people are saying that Warriner is one of the most underrated Dmen in the NHL.. I just hope it's true.. God knows Calgary needs more cornerstone pieces so we can make it back into the show after what... 7 years now..

Nikilidstrom

well, underrated or not, he is solid, so it wasnt too bad a deal. It didnt seem like Drury was really fitting in there anyway.

Glory's Sun

Well Hasek is back in net for the Red Wings.. now what are we gonna do with choko err I mean Cujo??

Nikilidstrom

too many rumors to even guess at an answer. I know who I would like to see in a DET jersey, but that would involve a hefty chunk of change all the way around, so I won't hold my breath. Cujo could be a real prick about it and refuse to wave his no trade clause. That would be hell on earth for Holland and Lewis, as well as Illitch's pocket book.

Nikilidstrom

Just as a side note, if they screw Cujo over, and bring Lindros over all in the same year, I might have to consider finding another team to cheer on. No matter how bad Cujo did in last years play-offs, he doesn't deserve this, especially not from an organization as classy as the Red Wings. They have been so good to their players for so long, I can't imagine them really forcing Cujo out like this, but I guess thats business. And if the best they can get for all the fuss is Lindros, its really not worth it.

BigGov

Here comes Hasek, a goalie better than Cujo saying "I'd like to play." And he's under contract? Of course he's coming back. How is he forced out? The Wings are going to say no and make him go play elsewhere?

__________________
One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

Glory's Sun

well maybe Cujo can sit still for a year and realize that he still has a chance at the cup. Lindros needs to stay in NY. He sucks and we don't need him or have room for him. I think Cujo is decent and if he does stay then it'll be a definate plus.. think about what the other team is going to say.. ok well if we knock hasek out, they can replace him with another starting goalie.. not many teams can say say that. I don't really know how well Hasek is going to do after taking a year off.. hopefully he'll do as well as he did when we won the cup.. if not then I guess we'll have to lean on Cujo.. and as far as screwing Cujo over I hope it doesn't happen.. especially since he went through a lot of crap to leave the leafs to come to the wings..but it's business like you said.. if he can't perform he shouldn't wear the uniform.

Nikilidstrom

what do you mean "how is he forced out?" ?!?!?
Hasek comes in, Wings pick up his contract. They arent going to keep two 8mil contracts, so obviously Cujo has to go. Only, he has a no trade clause. So that means, he wanted to be there at least for the length of his contract. Now, they are going to have to lean on him to get him to drop the clause and leave the place where he planned on being for at least 3 years. That is the very definition of being forced out! I mean, do you really think Cujo is happy about all this?

Spartak

Cujo brought it onto himself.

Get swept by the Ducks - get swept out by the Dominator.

Glory's Sun

Yes Cujo choked.. he should be on the bench..I think however that given the amount of money that Illitch doesn't mind spending yeah he's the steinbrenner of hockey.. (and yes I know that the devil err I mean steinbrenner owns the devils) I think Illitch may just keep Cujo around. I mean seriously Hasek is only coming back for a year..we'll need another netminder after that.. plus we could keep him and trade him later if we need to. I think the best move would be to keep him just in case the dominator isn't quite dominant anymore. He has had a year off after all. In the meantime I'll be praying that one day we get Brodeur

Nikilidstrom

I guarantee that Cujo will not be kept on the shelf for later use. His contract is too high, and you can't just treat a player like that and expect him to compete for you when you finally decide its time for him to play. And if Cujo has any competitive edge left in him at all, he will not want to sit on the bench and waste away all year. Not too mention that Cujo is really the only bargaining chip DET has left to attempt a trade that will bring in a replacement center. The only thing that can save them from that is if Fedorov decides the market is too rough and takes the 4yr 32mil offer left on the table by Holland.

Dr.Who

I don't thonk Cujo Suck, he is just too overrated. I see a trade to the Rangers and Dunham to Boston. Boston would never take a 8Mil. contract like the one Cujo have and the Wings will never trade him to Colorado.

Colorado will go after Theodore in Montreal for something like Tanguay, Skoula and a young prospect. And with Theo in the net, Colorado can now sail to the cup.

ShadowWraith

Why is everyone saying cujo sucked? He let in 6 goals in 4 games, thats not that terrible. Why dont you try blaming Hull, Federov, Shannahan, Yzerman or one of their other big name forwards for not scoring on Giguere? I think the red wings are definitely treating him badly, he doesnt deserve being hung out to dry so Hasek can waltz back in. As for colorado going after theodore, that might be questionable as theodores name is dirt right now in Montreal. Something about playing golf with a notoriously violent Hell's Angels gang and having his relatives arrested for loan sharking.