2014 NHL Offseason Thread - Free Agency Starts July 1st (1 Viewer)

[northern exposure]

thoughts on the Blues trading for Spezza? asking price is supposed to be top-6 forward, top prospect, and 1st round pick.

Seems like he would be the perfect addition for them. Does he fit the Hitchcock style though? Don't know much about their minor league depth but from what I've read it sounds like they have the ammo to get him.

Willie Dejardins rumored to be in Pittsburgh as the favorite to be their next head coach. Don't know anything about him, seems like he's well respected by the Canadian journalists.

I heard Doug Maclean say he thought Desjardins would end up the Canucks next HC. I remember him playing and coaching in the Canadian University league.

 

[Billy Bats]

thoughts on the Blues trading for Spezza? asking price is supposed to be top-6 forward, top prospect, and 1st round pick.

Seems like he would be the perfect addition for them. Does he fit the Hitchcock style though? Don't know much about their minor league depth but from what I've read it sounds like they have the ammo to get him.Willie Dejardins rumored to be in Pittsburgh as the favorite to be their next head coach. Don't know anything about him, seems like he's well respected by the Canadian journalists.

I heard Doug Maclean say he thought Desjardins would end up the Canucks next HC. I remember him playing and coaching in the Canadian University league.

Friedman said he had a phone interview yesterday with Pitt and Dreger commented that he was flown in today saying he's the front runner for the Crosbys.

 

[Johnny Rock]

Lou Nanne the other day mentioned on KFAN that Chuck Fletcher told him he's comfortable with the three goalies he has under contract and that Backstrom is 100% and Harding is feeling good. Seems like subterfuge to me. I personally like Darcy Kuemper to win the job and Harding is a nice story, but can he be reliable?

Nanne also said that he doesn't believe the Kings will re-sign Willie Mitchell and he expects him to sign with the Wild again since his wife is from MN and he would be a good fit. Also, with Stoner's good postseason he doesn't know if the Wild will be able to afford to bring him back if his number gets too high.

Take it for what it's worth.

 

[tom22406]

Hearing the Winter Classic will be Caps vs Hawks,nothing official yet.

 

[Billy Bats]

Hearing the Winter Classic will be Caps vs Hawks,nothing official yet.

Helluva rivalry!! Was hoping it would be the Flyers.

Dreger backing off his Dejardins to coach Pitt:

"Change of heart in Pitt? Hearing Desjardins no longer a slam dunk following meeting last night. Ulf?"

 

[tom22406]

The Edmonton Oilers on Friday tried to get a head start on what promises to be a desperate, league-wide off-season search for capable blueliners by acquiring a negotiating rights window with Blue Jackets defenseman Nikita Nikitin.

Pretty thin group of UFA's this year if you need D help.

http://capgeek.com/ufa-finder/?stats_type=standard&position_id=D

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Hearing the Winter Classic will be Caps vs Hawks,nothing official yet.

Caps really going to be a big draw after the year they just had?

 

[tom22406]

Hearing the Winter Classic will be Caps vs Hawks,nothing official yet.

Caps really going to be a big draw after the year they just had?

No but the Hawks will which is why they are in this.

 

[Billy Bats]

Hearing the Winter Classic will be Caps vs Hawks,nothing official yet.

Caps really going to be a big draw after the year they just had?

No but the Hawks will which is why they are in this.

They're banking on Hawks fans traveling to DC for NYs? Would make more sense to play someone a couple hours car ride away. Wouldn't it?

 

[tom22406]

Hearing the Winter Classic will be Caps vs Hawks,nothing official yet.

Caps really going to be a big draw after the year they just had?

No but the Hawks will which is why they are in this.

They're banking on Hawks fans traveling to DC for NYs? Would make more sense to play someone a couple hours car ride away. Wouldn't it?

No for the tv ratings.I doubt they have any trouble selling out Nats park for this if that is your point.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Hearing the Winter Classic will be Caps vs Hawks,nothing official yet.

Caps really going to be a big draw after the year they just had?

No but the Hawks will which is why they are in this.

They're banking on Hawks fans traveling to DC for NYs? Would make more sense to play someone a couple hours car ride away. Wouldn't it?

No ####. The Hawks are a great draw but how much of Ovechkin do they think can carry the Crapitals?

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Shame the NHL wants to keep pushing a horrible team with a PP superstar down our throats instead of highlighting some good teams and players that don't get enough exposure.

 

[AcerFC]

Shame the NHL wants to keep pushing a horrible team with a PP superstar down our throats instead of highlighting some good teams and players that don't get enough exposure.

winter classic between Minnesota and Columbus

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Shame the NHL wants to keep pushing a horrible team with a PP superstar down our throats instead of highlighting some good teams and players that don't get enough exposure.

winter classic between Minnesota and Columbus

How about Chicago and Minnesota?

 

[tom22406]

Shame the NHL wants to keep pushing a horrible team with a PP superstar down our throats instead of highlighting some good teams and players that don't get enough exposure.

Well they did let the Sabres play in it as well so it does seem to be a theme.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Shame the NHL wants to keep pushing a horrible team with a PP superstar down our throats instead of highlighting some good teams and players that don't get enough exposure.

Well they did let the Sabres play in it as well so it does seem to be a theme.

that Sabres team was good, and they came up with the idea that is making the NHL tons of cash.

Sabres are horrible now and still probably get better tv ratings than the Caps do.

 

[Billy Bats]

Hearing the Winter Classic will be Caps vs Hawks,nothing official yet.

Caps really going to be a big draw after the year they just had?

No but the Hawks will which is why they are in this.

They're banking on Hawks fans traveling to DC for NYs? Would make more sense to play someone a couple hours car ride away. Wouldn't it?

No for the tv ratings.I doubt they have any trouble selling out Nats park for this if that is your point.

Yea good point about tv, good counter balance using Chicago for that reason. Just sucks for Chicago fans that want to see the outdoor game in person.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Yea good point about tv, good counter balance using Chicago for that reason. Just sucks for Chicago fans that want to see the outdoor game in person.

Hawks fans travel well. I'm sure they'll be well represented.

 

[tom22406]

Shame the NHL wants to keep pushing a horrible team with a PP superstar down our throats instead of highlighting some good teams and players that don't get enough exposure.

Well they did let the Sabres play in it as well so it does seem to be a theme.

that Sabres team was good, and they came up with the idea that is making the NHL tons of cash.

Sabres are horrible now and still probably get better tv ratings than the Caps do.

So the NHL puts in a team that has never hosted the WC that has a draw in Ovechkin(and yes I will be the last to defend his play)in the nations capital against a great team who also travels well and for some reason the fans of the sport still ##### about it.

Whatever floats your boat man.I wish we would see new teams host every year but that's just me.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

just don't think the Caps deserve to host and kind of sick of them. I'll still watch the game.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Shame the NHL wants to keep pushing a horrible team with a PP superstar down our throats instead of highlighting some good teams and players that don't get enough exposure.

Well they did let the Sabres play in it as well so it does seem to be a theme.

that Sabres team was good, and they came up with the idea that is making the NHL tons of cash.

Sabres are horrible now and still probably get better tv ratings than the Caps do.

So the NHL puts in a team that has never hosted the WC that has a draw in Ovechkin(and yes I will be the last to defend his play)in the nations capital against a great team who also travels well and for some reason the fans of the sport still ##### about it.

Whatever floats your boat man.I wish we would see new teams host every year but that's just me.

Well this will be the seventh Winter Classic game and we will still be at a total of nine teams that have been represented and only one Canadian team has played in it. I doubt the game is very popular in Canada. Yes, I am going to ##### about it.

 

[tom22406]

Shame the NHL wants to keep pushing a horrible team with a PP superstar down our throats instead of highlighting some good teams and players that don't get enough exposure.

Well they did let the Sabres play in it as well so it does seem to be a theme.

that Sabres team was good, and they came up with the idea that is making the NHL tons of cash.

Sabres are horrible now and still probably get better tv ratings than the Caps do.

So the NHL puts in a team that has never hosted the WC that has a draw in Ovechkin(and yes I will be the last to defend his play)in the nations capital against a great team who also travels well and for some reason the fans of the sport still ##### about it.

Whatever floats your boat man.I wish we would see new teams host every year but that's just me.

Well this will be the seventh Winter Classic game and we will still be at a total of nine teams that have been represented. Yes, I am going to ##### about it.

Write the NHL about it then

Enjoy #####ing away because this does seem to be the trend.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Shame the NHL wants to keep pushing a horrible team with a PP superstar down our throats instead of highlighting some good teams and players that don't get enough exposure.

Well they did let the Sabres play in it as well so it does seem to be a theme.

that Sabres team was good, and they came up with the idea that is making the NHL tons of cash.

Sabres are horrible now and still probably get better tv ratings than the Caps do.

So the NHL puts in a team that has never hosted the WC that has a draw in Ovechkin(and yes I will be the last to defend his play)in the nations capital against a great team who also travels well and for some reason the fans of the sport still ##### about it.

Whatever floats your boat man.I wish we would see new teams host every year but that's just me.

Well this will be the seventh Winter Classic game and we will still be at a total of nine teams that have been represented. Yes, I am going to ##### about it.

Write the NHL about it then

Enjoy #####ing away because this does seem to be the trend.

Why not get more Canadian teams involved? Crappy Capitals? Awesome.

I'll watch it because I love hockey but the Capitals?

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Why not get more Canadian teams involved? Crappy Capitals? Awesome.

I'll watch it because I love hockey but the Capitals?

Canada teams don't help ratings on NBC.

Capitals have been in line to host for awhile so it's not a surprise. Just seems weak after they missed the playoffs to give it to them now.

Wild should get to host one soon.

 

[tom22406]

Shame the NHL wants to keep pushing a horrible team with a PP superstar down our throats instead of highlighting some good teams and players that don't get enough exposure.

Well they did let the Sabres play in it as well so it does seem to be a theme.

that Sabres team was good, and they came up with the idea that is making the NHL tons of cash.

Sabres are horrible now and still probably get better tv ratings than the Caps do.

So the NHL puts in a team that has never hosted the WC that has a draw in Ovechkin(and yes I will be the last to defend his play)in the nations capital against a great team who also travels well and for some reason the fans of the sport still ##### about it.

Whatever floats your boat man.I wish we would see new teams host every year but that's just me.

Well this will be the seventh Winter Classic game and we will still be at a total of nine teams that have been represented. Yes, I am going to ##### about it.

Write the NHL about it then

Enjoy #####ing away because this does seem to be the trend.

Why not get more Canadian teams involved? Crappy Capitals? Awesome.

I'll watch it because I love hockey but the Capitals?

As I said before I wish we had a new host or team(s) every year.

As a Caps fan I'm happy to get a chance to attend this.

 

[RUSF18]

Why not get more Canadian teams involved? Crappy Capitals? Awesome.

I'll watch it because I love hockey but the Capitals?

Canada teams don't help ratings on NBC.

Capitals have been in line to host for awhile so it's not a surprise. Just seems weak after they missed the playoffs to give it to them now.

Wild should get to host one soon.

Where would the Wild host? TCF Stadium (wherever the Gophers play)?

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Why not get more Canadian teams involved? Crappy Capitals? Awesome.

I'll watch it because I love hockey but the Capitals?

Canada teams don't help ratings on NBC.

Capitals have been in line to host for awhile so it's not a surprise. Just seems weak after they missed the playoffs to give it to them now.

Wild should get to host one soon.

Where would the Wild host? TCF Stadium (wherever the Gophers play)?

Yep

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

I assumed the Wild would host at Target Field since the NHL loves putting these games in baseball parks. Blues @ Wild or Stars @ Wild would be solid.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

I assumed the Wild would host at Target Field since the NHL loves putting these games in baseball parks. Blues @ Wild or Stars @ Wild would be solid.

Dallas at Wild would be the whole Ex North Stars vs Wild. I wouldn't mind a Wild vs Avs game either. The Winnipeg Jets have a nice little rivalry going on with the Wild now but they don't show Canadian teams at the Classic.

 

[RUSF18]

Lebrun says Brad Richards has been bought out.

 

[AcerFC]

Lebrun says Brad Richards has been bought out.

To the surprise of absolutely no one

 

[kentric]

Lebrun says Brad Richards has been bought out.

Lebrun knows hockey.

No way the Rangers were going to keep Brad Richards. He had a good year, but between his age and his scheduled pay, its too much. Not having a stellar Final series didn't help him any either.

 

[Billy Bats]

Yea good point about tv, good counter balance using Chicago for that reason. Just sucks for Chicago fans that want to see the outdoor game in person.

Hawks fans travel well. I'm sure they'll be well represented.

I guess so. Just doesn't make sense from a logistical standpoint. Would be like Nashville hosting the Flyers. I would have zero interest in going to see that game in Tennessee for NYs.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Lebrun says Brad Richards has been bought out.

Lebrun knows hockey.

No way the Rangers were going to keep Brad Richards. He had a good year, but between his age and his scheduled pay, its too much. Not having a stellar Final series didn't help him any either.

weren't you the same guy saying they should NOT buy him out a couple weeks ago?

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Yea good point about tv, good counter balance using Chicago for that reason. Just sucks for Chicago fans that want to see the outdoor game in person.

Hawks fans travel well. I'm sure they'll be well represented.

I guess so. Just doesn't make sense from a logistical standpoint. Would be like Nashville hosting the Flyers. I would have zero interest in going to see that game in Tennessee for NYs.

Washington DC >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Nashville

in terms of cities people want to visit.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Lebrun says Brad Richards has been bought out.

Water is still wet.

 

[kentric]

Lebrun says Brad Richards has been bought out.

Lebrun knows hockey.

No way the Rangers were going to keep Brad Richards. He had a good year, but between his age and his scheduled pay, its too much. Not having a stellar Final series didn't help him any either.

weren't you the same guy saying they should NOT buy him out a couple weeks ago?

I'm rather impressed you remember. I can't recall what I had for dinner last night haha.

At the time, I thought the buyout was in perpetuity and I'd rather have saved the powder. I was told my thoughts were wrong and that it had to be used and wasn't open ended.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

IIRC, the two biggest free agent signings for forwards in the summer of 2011 were Brad Richards (9 years, $60MM) and Ville Leino (6 years, $27MM).

Richards got $33MM over his first 3 years.

Leino got $16MM over his first 3 years.

Their numbers:

Richards played in 210 of 212 possible regular season games and added 55 playoff games. He scored 68g and 111a, for 179 pts (.68/g) in 265 total games played as a Ranger.

Leino played in just 137 of 212 possible regular season games with no playoff appearances. He scored 10g and 36a for 46 pts (.34/g) in 173 total games played as a Sabre.

Richards got paid $184,358 per point.

Leino got paid $347,826 per point.

oof.

 

[Dickie Dunn]

I heard Doug Maclean say he thought Desjardins would end up the Canucks next HC. I remember him playing and coaching in the Canadian University league.

Dreger backing off his Dejardins to coach Pitt:"Change of heart in Pitt? Hearing Desjardins no longer a slam dunk following meeting last night. Ulf?"

Weekes is now saying that it looks like Desjardins is headed to Couver.

 

[Billy Bats]

IIRC, the two biggest free agent signings for forwards in the summer of 2011 were Brad Richards (9 years, $60MM) and Ville Leino (6 years, $27MM).

Richards got $33MM over his first 3 years.

Leino got $16MM over his first 3 years.

Their numbers:

Richards played in 210 of 212 possible regular season games and added 55 playoff games. He scored 68g and 111a, for 179 pts (.68/g) in 265 total games played as a Ranger.

Leino played in just 137 of 212 possible regular season games with no playoff appearances. He scored 10g and 36a for 46 pts (.34/g) in 173 total games played as a Sabre.

Richards got paid $184,358 per point.

Leino got paid $347,826 per point.

oof.

And Richards turned down bigger money from the Flyers and a few others.

 

[Johnny Rock]

Why not get more Canadian teams involved? Crappy Capitals? Awesome.

I'll watch it because I love hockey but the Capitals?

Canada teams don't help ratings on NBC.Capitals have been in line to host for awhile so it's not a surprise. Just seems weak after they missed the playoffs to give it to them now.

Wild should get to host one soon.

Where would the Wild host? TCF Stadium (wherever the Gophers play)?

Lake Nokomis, U.S. National Pond Hockey ChampionshipSeriously, why not do a few games. I wouldn't want to go to a game at the Big House but Target Field or TCF Bank Stadium would be cool. MN should be allowed to do one or two nearly every year. The ice always seems to be a problem at the Winter Classic and outside of Canada, Minnesota outdoor ice is usually pretty great. Especially last year. I can't believe MN isn't involved in this yet. The Gophers even did one last year although it was against Ohio St.

 

[Billy Bats]

I heard Doug Maclean say he thought Desjardins would end up the Canucks next HC. I remember him playing and coaching in the Canadian University league.

Dreger backing off his Dejardins to coach Pitt:

"Change of heart in Pitt? Hearing Desjardins no longer a slam dunk following meeting last night. Ulf?"

Weekes is now saying that it looks like Desjardins is headed to Couver.

Mckenzie agrees too:Nothing signed yet, but Willie Desjardins will be in VAN this weekend. Assuming all goes as expected, he'll be introduced as coach next wk.

Apparently the search isn't going as planned in Crosbyland.

http://insidepittsburghsports.com/story/penguins-finding-out-coaching-job-not-as-attractive-to-some-candidates-as-they-believed-it-would-be/65923/

 

[northern exposure]

Shame the NHL wants to keep pushing a horrible team with a PP superstar down our throats instead of highlighting some good teams and players that don't get enough exposure.

Well they did let the Sabres play in it as well so it does seem to be a theme.

that Sabres team was good, and they came up with the idea that is making the NHL tons of cash.Sabres are horrible now and still probably get better tv ratings than the Caps do.

I don't think you can say the Sabres came up with the idea of the Winter Classic. The Oilers and Canadiens played in an outdoor game in a football stadium (The Heritage Classic) before the Winter Classic. The only wrinkle the Sabres vs Pens game added was that it was played on January 1st. The Heritage Classic showed the NHL an outdoor game was viable.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Shame the NHL wants to keep pushing a horrible team with a PP superstar down our throats instead of highlighting some good teams and players that don't get enough exposure.

Well they did let the Sabres play in it as well so it does seem to be a theme.

that Sabres team was good, and they came up with the idea that is making the NHL tons of cash.Sabres are horrible now and still probably get better tv ratings than the Caps do.

I don't think you can say the Sabres came up with the idea of the Winter Classic. The Oilers and Canadiens played in an outdoor game in a football stadium (The Heritage Classic) before the Winter Classic. The only wrinkle the Sabres vs Pens game added was that it was played on January 1st. The Heritage Classic showed the NHL an outdoor game was viable.

the NHL hadn't gone back to an outdoor game for many years after the first Heritage classic.

They didn't come up with the idea, but they certainly played a key role in getting the new event started.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Chatting-with-NBC-Sports-executive-producer-Sam-?urn=nhl-298773

 

[jamny]

I was never a Brad Richards hater but that was clearly the right move. I hope he has better luck somewhere else. He seems like a good guy.

 

[AcerFC]

Shame the NHL wants to keep pushing a horrible team with a PP superstar down our throats instead of highlighting some good teams and players that don't get enough exposure.

Well they did let the Sabres play in it as well so it does seem to be a theme.

that Sabres team was good, and they came up with the idea that is making the NHL tons of cash.Sabres are horrible now and still probably get better tv ratings than the Caps do.

I don't think you can say the Sabres came up with the idea of the Winter Classic. The Oilers and Canadiens played in an outdoor game in a football stadium (The Heritage Classic) before the Winter Classic. The only wrinkle the Sabres vs Pens game added was that it was played on January 1st. The Heritage Classic showed the NHL an outdoor game was viable.

you mean the kings-rangers pre season game outdoors in vegas in 91 didnt prove that.

 

[northern exposure]

Shame the NHL wants to keep pushing a horrible team with a PP superstar down our throats instead of highlighting some good teams and players that don't get enough exposure.

Well they did let the Sabres play in it as well so it does seem to be a theme.

that Sabres team was good, and they came up with the idea that is making the NHL tons of cash.Sabres are horrible now and still probably get better tv ratings than the Caps do.

I don't think you can say the Sabres came up with the idea of the Winter Classic. The Oilers and Canadiens played in an outdoor game in a football stadium (The Heritage Classic) before the Winter Classic. The only wrinkle the Sabres vs Pens game added was that it was played on January 1st. The Heritage Classic showed the NHL an outdoor game was viable.

you mean the kings-rangers pre season game outdoors in vegas in 91 didnt prove that.

No, because that was a pre-season game that was played in 80-90 degree weather. The Oilers vs Canadiens game was the first regular season game where the outcome counted towards the standings. Plus it was played in cold weather. The Vegas game was more a proving ground for the game at Dodger Stadium.

 

[AcerFC]

I was just kidding. That game was a debacle

 

[Premier]

The Red Wings twitter account is pretty saucy:

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/6/20/5827664/fans-tweet-marry-red-wings-player

 

[ditka311]

thoughts on the Blues trading for Spezza? asking price is supposed to be top-6 forward, top prospect, and 1st round pick.

My thoughts are he's not enough of a punk to play on the Blues so he'd be a better fit in Chicago.