NHL off season thread (trades, signings, etc…)

[gohabsgo]

Carbo was ripped off and definitely deserved the Jack Adams trophy - Bruce Boudreau? Gimme a break! Washington plays in the weakest division and Boudreau wasn’t even coach for the whole season and has a superstar like AO8. And Bob gives them Huet, without they wouldn’t have even made the playoffs!

Carbo took a team that all the so called experts (and a certain MERB board member and Leaf fan) all predicted would finish last and turned the Habs into a first place team! What more do you have to do to win coach of the year?


And as for the Toronto Maple Craps new coach, Wilson was a playoff choker in San Jose with a much better team, so expect the Maple Turds to suck again next year.

 

[joelcairo]

I was happy to see Boudreau win the Adams but I completely agree with you about the future of the Maple Laughs (garbage team) and Ron "The Choker" Wilson. It will be a treat to see that crybaby guide his new team to the bottom of the standings.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I was also happy to see former Leafs farmhand Gabby Boudreau win. However, Carbonneau might have been the more deserving, but he can thank Bob Gainey for blowing his Jack Adams when he gave away Chris Huet to the Caps at the trade deadline & if it weren't for him, Washington NEVER would have even made the playoffs. No playoffs, no Jack Adams for Gabby.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Leafs sign Anaheim's Al Coates as director of player personnel

TORONTO - The Toronto Maple Leafs hired Al Coates as their player-personnel director Monday.

The move will serve to further fuel speculation that Anaheim Mighty Ducks general manager Brian Burke will become the Leafs' GM once his deal with the Ducks expires next summer.

Coates comes to Toronto after spending the previous six seasons with Anaheim.

Last week, the Leafs hired Ron Wilson as their new head coach. Burke and Wilson played together at Providence.

"We look forward to Al becoming a valuable part of the Maple Leafs management team," interim Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher said in a statement. "He brings a wealth of managerial and scouting expertise to our hockey club, which will be important as we look to strengthen the organization's depth in the coming seasons."

Coates has spent more than 30 years in pro hockey and has been part of two Stanley Cup-winning teams ('07 with Anaheim and '89 with Calgary).

A native of Listowel, Ont., Coates began his pro hockey management career with Detroit in 1971 before joining Fletcher and Calgary's inaugural staff following the '79-'80 season. Coates spent 20 years in the Flames organization, working in several capacities, including director of hockey administration and assistant to the GM before becoming the club's executive vice-president, general manager and alternate governor from 1995 to 2000.

Coates then spent three seasons with the New York Rangers (2000 to '03), overseeing the team and business operation of the Rangers' American Hockey League affiliate in Hartford.

(Is Brian Burke next?)

 

[Doc Holliday]

Ray Emery's days numbered in Ottawa?

Who wants Emery?
Sens trying to trade goalie

The Senators can officially get rid of Ray Emery.

The buyout period started yesterday and runs until June 30. It's expected the Senators will soon serve notice to the troubled goalie that his days with the club are finished.

Before GM Bryan Murray sends Emery packing with a $2.25-million (all terms US) buyout, Murray will exhaust all trade options. Sources say there are a couple of teams interested in Emery, including the Blues. A source said a deal could be worked out if Murray is willing to add a prospect or a pick in this weekend's draft at Scotiabank Place. "This won't be a hockey deal if the Senators are able to trade him, but that's a slim chance and a longshot," a league executive said.

There was some belief that with the hiring of coach Craig Hartsburg -- Emery's OHL bench boss in Sault Ste. Marie -- the goalie would get a reprieve. Murray quashed that notion during Hartsburg's introduction Friday, telling the Sun that Emery is finished as a Senator.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement stipulates the Senators must serve notice to Emery that they don't intend to keep him for the balance of his contract -- three years at a total of $6.75 million. Players under 26 are entitled to a buyout at one-third of their remaining deal. Players 26 and over get two-thirds. Emery turns 26 in September. The buyout can be spread over four seasons, meaning a cap hit for the Senators of about $550,000 per season.

That's an ironic amount -- exactly what Emery's close friend, Brian McGrattan, made last season. With the Senators on the verge of using $550,000 of cap room next season to dump Emery, there's a strong belief McGrattan -- a pending restricted free agent -- won't be given a qualifying offer by July 1, turning him into an unrestricted free agent.

WAIVERS NEXT

Once Emery has received a buyout notice, the Senators would then have to place him on waivers. Teams would have 24 hours to decide if they want Emery at a waiver price of $125, plus the remainder of his contact. It's unlikely there'll be any takers at that price.

But there could be takers if Murray sweetens the pot, which he'll try to do once GMs start arriving in Ottawa Wednesday for the draft. A league source expects Emery -- bought out or not -- won't be out of work long. He might, however, have to accept a contract with a minor-league clause.

There are plenty of teams looking for goaltending help, including the Predators, Kings, Capitals and Lightning. However, a couple of goalies -- Nashville's Dan Ellis and Washington's Cristobal Huet -- are expected to be available on the market come July 1. Another source said the Blackhawks might be willing to take a chance on Emery if he accepts a two-way deal. "He's going to get a shot: He's young and he's been to the Stanley Cup finals. When he's in shape and working hard, he's a top goalie. I hate to say this, but teams will line up to get this guy," said a league executive. "He just never showed that commitment last year in Ottawa. Whatever team gets him is going to have to get him refocused and working hard again."

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Ottawa/2008/06/16/5891941-sun.html

 

[gohabsgo]

The Maple Craps can have Burke, this guy has to be the most over rated g.m. in the NHL. Brian Murray built the Ducks team up before Burke got there and what did he do in Vancouver? draft the Sedins! big deal!

 

[Doc Holliday]

NY Rangers owners & NHL: "It's war!"

NEW YORK — The NHL is threatening to kick the owners of the New York Rangers out of the league or force them to sell the team as punishment for accusing league officials of violating antitrust laws.

The NHL filed court papers Wednesday that included a draft letter from commissioner Gary Bettman proposing discipline against Madison Square Garden, L.P., that could lead to suspension or termination of its ownership of the Rangers. The Garden responded by accusing the NHL of using "bullying tactics."

In its court filing, the NHL asked a judge to agree Madison Square Garden breached its contract by challenging league rules.

Madison Square Garden sued the NHL in September, saying it violated antitrust laws by monopolizing control of team promotions. A judge ruled in November that the league seemed within its rights to take control of the team's Web site.

Madison Square Garden, which is owned by Cablevision Systems Corp., owns the Rangers, the NBA's New York Knicks, the WNBA's New York Liberty and several venues, including Madison Square Garden — the home of the Rangers, Knicks and Liberty.

MSG spokesman Barry Watkins said Thursday that the league was consistent but wrong in its handling of the dispute.

"Not surprisingly, the NHL is once again proving why an independent judge must address our claims. Despite trying to resolve our differences privately, the league has responded with excessive fines and now threats that have nothing to do with the merits of our position," he said.

"The NHL shouldn't be afraid of the judicial system. We will pursue our case vigorously and will not be intimidated by the NHL's bullying tactics."

MSG first went to the courts just as the league was preparing to fine the organization $100,000 per day if the company did not give the hockey league complete control over the Rangers' Web site and other promotions.

Madison Square Garden had accused the hockey league of having "veered into unlawful behavior" by seeking to control the licensing of teams for all commercial purposes and to stop teams from marketing apparel, merchandise and memorabilia.

MSG asked a judge to order the league to stop limiting team promotions and to clarify the boundaries of hockey league rights.

In its court submission, the league asked the judge to agree that MSG had violated its contract by violating a provision that bans owners from going to court to challenge the NHL's constitution or its league rules or procedures.

The league said such a breach can lead to disciplinary proceedings in which a vote of three-quarters of the members of the league can decide to issue fines, suspend or terminate membership in the league, order a sale of the club to a new owner or suspend or expel individuals involved in the team's management.

At the end of his letter, Bettman noted that the NHL constitution also prohibits league members from resisting or trying to prevent termination in the league through the courts.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080619.wsptmsg19/GSStory/GlobeSportsHockey/home

In other news, it's rumoured that the Pittsburgh Penguins have offered superstar Evgeni Malkin to the LA Kings for their 2nd overall draft kick & high-scoring Mike Cammalleri, who is presently being shopped around by the Kings.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Senators finally cut loose troubled goalie Ray Emery

The Senators are saying goodbye to goaltender Ray Emery.

In the wake of several incidents involving both the team and member of the public over the past couple of seasons, Emery has been served with a buyout notice by the club and has been placed on NHL waivers.

"A change will be good for him as well. There was a lot of negativity around him," said captain Daniel Alfredsson today.

If nobody decides to pick up the 25-year-old, then Emery will be bought out for one third of the remaining $6.75 million on his contract -- or approximately $2.25 million. Emery has two years left on the deal. He would then become a free agent and although several teams have expressed an interest in Emery, it's unlikely he would be able to sign anything but a two-way deal -- which would pay him considerably less were he not to stay on an NHL roster.

Emery's recent history with the Senators includes arriving late for practices, a run-in with a motorist while en route to Scotiabank Place, missing a team flight and accusations that he did not work hard enough while recuperating from off-season wrist surgery heading into the 2007-08 season.

When Senators coach John Paddock was fired in February, the rookie bench boss said his handling of the Emery situation was one of the key reasons for his demise with Ottawa.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Ottawa/2008/06/20/5938616-sun.html

 

[Doc Holliday]

Leafs acquire Jamal Mayers

I like this trade. I've always been a Jamal Mayers fan & he played for Team Canada last month at the World Hockey Championships:

OTTAWA–The Leafs announced last night they had acquired forward Jamal Mayers from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for the 70th overall pick in the draft, which starts tonight and runs through tomorrow.

The Leafs had originally acquired the third-round draft pick from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Chad Kilger last February.

Mayers, a Toronto native, has played parts of 10 NHL seasons, all with the Blues. He had 12 goals, 15 assists and 91 penalty minutes in 80 games with St. Louis last season. Overall he has 51 goals, 58 assists and 576 penalty minutes in 435 games.

So basically, it's Chad Kilger for Jamal Mayers. Great trade for the Leafs!

(Kilger was traded to Florida at the trade deadline a few months ago since he got caught banging the team's masseuse, who was also given her walking papers. He's yet to report to the Panthers.)

 

[super hiro]

Wow what a steal. Jamal Mayers is a very capable d-man. Wonder why the Blues only got a 3rd rounder for him.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Wow what a steal. Jamal Mayers is a very capable d-man. Wonder why the Blues only got a 3rd rounder for him.

This year's draft (which begins tonight) is a great crop. A 3rd rounder this year is a 2nd rounder from past years. Another reason may be that since he's from Toronto, he might have told them that the only place he wants to be traded to if they're intent on trading him would be to get traded to his hometown. He's a winger, by the way. Not a defenceman.

 

[super hiro]

He's a winger, by the way. Not a defenceman.

LOL. I got my bald guys mixed up. I thought the Leafs got Barrett Jackman. Jamal.... Jackman. LOL

 

[Doc Holliday]

Sundin a Hab?

Canadiens permitted to speak with Sundin
Maple Leafs give rivals permission

OTTAWA - Is the Mats Sundin era over in Toronto?

The Maple Leafs have given the rival Montreal Canadiens the green light to speak with their captain, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

"We gave Montreal permission to talk to Mats," GM Cliff Fletcher told The Canadian Press on Friday. "We have no other comment at this time."

But a deal was far from done, Sundin's agent said. "At this point Mats still hasn't decided if he wants to play, let alone where," J.P. Barry of CAA Sports said Friday. "But obviously the Leafs are trying to facilitate a decision."

Through a Canadiens spokesman, GM Bob Gainey also confirmed his NHL club received permission to speak with Sundin.

Sundin has been with the Maple Leafs since being acquired in a trade from Quebec at the 1994 draft. He is the franchise leader in points and goals.

 

[JLB]

OTTAWA–The Leafs announced last night they had acquired forward Jamal Mayers from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for the 70th overall pick in the draft, which starts tonight and runs through tomorrow.

Mayers, a Toronto native, has played parts of 10 NHL seasons, all with the Blues. He had 12 goals, 15 assists and 91 penalty minutes in 80 games with St. Louis last season. Overall he has 51 goals, 58 assists and 576 penalty minutes in 435 games.

From tsn.ca

Mayers is a physically strong checker, but he's also a guy who is a combined minus-60 over the last three seasons in St. Louis, so it's going to be imperative that the Leafs find the right situation for him.

 

[gohabsgo]

I like this trade. I've always been a Jamal Mayers fan

Mayers won't help your Leafs, he's just a fourth liner, to go along with the rest of Toronto's fourth liners! The Maple Craps should have kept the pick, its a deep draft year

 

[gohabsgo]

Habs land Alex Tanguay!

"Je suis très excité"
- Alex Tanguay

http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/254165.html

What a smart move by Bob - besides, who knows what a low first rounder (25th overall) would bring and the Habs have lots of blue chip prospects. Tanguay will be an excellent fit!

 

[gohabsgo]

Idiot Maple Losers trade 2nd and 3rd round picks to move up 2 spots!

How dumb is the Toronto organization? They could have had just as good a player at 7th overall than 5th in a draft year that’s supposed to be pretty good, so what does this joke of a team do? They just give away their second and third round picks – Islanders g.m. Garth Snow is laughing and would take that trade anytime! BTW, the Maple Craps should have picked Filatov if they were going to give up so much to trade up - Schenn will probably be another Drake Berehowsky!

 

[Doc Holliday]

Leafs make trade in order to draft franchise player

Luke Schenn
D, Kelowna (WHL)
TSN Rank: 6
Pierre McGuire: "Toronto wins huge here! This is the start of the re-build and there's no better place to start than on the shoulders of Luke Schenn. He is the Human Eraser on defence! A one man search-and-destroy defender! This is a franchise player!"

Enough said.

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/Hockey/article/447069

 

[Doc Holliday]

"Je suis très excité"
- Alex Tanguay

What a smart move by Bob - besides, who knows what a low first rounder (25th overall) would bring and the Habs have lots of blue chip prospects. Tanguay will be an excellent fit!

Alex who? Did he play in the NHL last year? AHL? Ligue Nord-Americaine (a.k.a. "The Goon League")? What were his stats last year?

 

[SexyNadya]

Great Moves !

"Je suis très excité"
- Alex Tanguay

http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/254165.html

What a smart move by Bob - besides, who knows what a low first rounder (25th overall) would bring and the Habs have lots of blue chip prospects. Tanguay will be an excellent fit!

-----------------------

I concure with you ! Fantastic move !!! And if Bob gets Mats Sundin with us, then we are Cup contenders !