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

[lgna69xxx]

Joelcairo, paging JOELCAIRO please? oups sorry, just got word he is pounding down some molsons under the "wagon" with goSCABSgo while looking into the mirror!!!!! ......... typical , pfftttt ...................


the Monster is the real deal and Don Cherry even congratulated Brian Burke for his hard efforts to sign him....... Kessel? what can anyone say, he is a player who changes the whole dimensions of the game, that my friends defines a superstar, or at least one in the making! GO LEAFS GO!!!!!!!! (Leafs now ONE point behind the Scabs) with the 2 extra games at hand going as wins.......

Leafs crush Red Wings 5-1.......................Habs lose again!!! This time to the Tampa Lightning, 3-1.

Leafs looked fantastic tonight behind unbelievable goaltending from The Monster!!! Phil Kessel continued his strong play with a goal & an assist. Even Jeff Finger & Wayne Primeau scored goals against the lowly Wings, who lost Jason Williams to a broken leg.

Habs lost again...what's new?? Sure, people will blame Carey Price again (what's new?), but you can't win games when you only score once. I heard Jacques Martin was so pissed off that he left midway into the post-game press conference.

The Leafs are a different team with Kessel & Gustafsson in the lineup. They now own the 2nd best powerplay in the entire NHL, on top of having the top scoring defenceman in Thomas Kaberle. Next up, Minnesota. The Habs' next opponent are the Calgary Flames, so don't expect a win there.

I'm proud to be a Leafs Nation member tonight!!!!!!

 

[gohabsgo]

against the lowly Wings,

I wouldn’t chill the champagne just yet Leaf fans. Detroit looked unmotivated (can you blame them, against a bottom feeder like Toronto) and Osgood wasn’t sharp – you happened to catch the Wings on an off night, nothing more.

 

[lgna69xxx]

apparently you didnt see the game, the wings had plenty of good scoring chances, the problem was there was a MONSTER in net.....meanwhile the French Quebec Players from Tampa took down the team from Quebec! , and no silly i dont mean the real team in Quebec, the Remparts were not playing at the Bell Centre tonight, well neither were the scabs

I wouldn’t chill the champagne just yet Leaf fans. Detroit looked unmotivated (can you blame them, against a bottom feeder like Toronto) and Osgood wasn’t sharp – you happened to catch the Wings on an off night, nothing more.

 

[joelcairo]

Joelcairo, paging JOELCAIRO please? oups sorry, just got word he is pounding down some molsons under the "wagon" with goSCABSgo while looking into the mirror!!!!! ......... typical , pfftttt ...................

Only one word for what happened: unbelievable!

This had to be the greatest upset in sports since Buster Douglas won the Heavyweight Title from Mike Tyson all those years ago!

Who could ever have imagined the Red Wings - even the current depleted and rebuilding Red Wings - losing to one of the worst teams ever assembled in the history of the NHL?

Definitely not a proud moment for my team - in fact, downright humiliating. I don't mind losing, but losing to the Leafs (!!!) is unimaginable.

There were only two positives to take from this disastrous and astonishing upset:

1. It should serve as a BIG wakeup call to the Wings. Lidstrom will surely make his boys VERY aware that, while the occasional bad game is a fact of life in all sports, you cannot...you simply CANNOT lose to a pathetic bunch of zeroes like the Leafs and continue to hold your head high as a proud professional athlete. Adversity builds character, and Lord knows, losing to the Leafs (eek!) is as BAD as it gets!

2. Thank the Lord for small mercies: My buddies all refused to bet on the game because they figured it would be such a laugher. (Sadly, it was - but not in the way that the whole world expected!) If they had been able to predict the future, they would have cleaned me out, because I was TRYING to bet ALL the $$$ I've won over the years by "following" (heh, heh) Joe T.'s sporting tips.

Well, congrats Iggy and Doc. Life will go on, but it sure as hell won't be the same. If an upset of such biblical proportions can occur, what in the world will happen next?

 

[lgna69xxx]

o man, your know fun joel. cmon at least play along a lil.....


if you watched the game, and the last 7 games, you have to admit the Leafs are alot different team than the first 7 or so games, and they kicked detroits butts in every area of the game, EVERY! and have been doing so in most nights last 2 weeks, but tonight was the first FULL 60 minutes they have played all season and its something to build on greatly...... great game!

Only one word for what happened: unbelievable!

This had to be the greatest upset in sports since Buster Douglas won the Heavyweight Title from Mike Tyson all those years ago!

Who could ever have imagined the Red Wings - even the current depleted and rebuilding Red Wings - losing to one of the worst teams ever assembled in the history of the NHL?

Definitely not a proud moment for my team - in fact, downright humiliating. I don't mind losing, but losing to the Leafs (!!!) is unimaginable.

There were only two positives to take from this disastrous and astonishing upset:

1. It should serve as a BIG wakeup call to the Wings. Lidstrom will surely make his boys VERY aware that, while the occasional bad game is a fact of life in all sports, you cannot...you simply CANNOT lose to a pathetic bunch of zeroes like the Leafs and continue to hold your head high as a proud professional athlete. Adversity builds character, and Lord knows, losing to the Leafs (eek!) is as BAD as it gets!

2. Thank the Lord for small mercies: My buddies all refused to bet on the game because they figured it would be such a laugher. (Sadly, it was - but not in the way that the whole world expected!) If they had been able to predict the future, they would have cleaned me out, because I was TRYING to bet ALL the $$$ I've won over the years by "following" (heh, heh) Joe T.'s sporting tips.

Well, congrats Iggy and Doc. Life will go on, but it sure as hell won't be the same. If an upset of such biblical proportions can occur, what in the world will happen next?

 

[joelcairo]

o man, your know fun joel. cmon at least play along a lil.....


if you watched the game, and the last 7 games, you have to admit the Leafs are alot different team than the first 7 or so games, and they kicked detroits butts in every area of the game, EVERY! and have been doing so in most nights last 2 weeks, but tonight was the first FULL 60 minutes they have played all season and its something to build on greatly...... great game!

Have to admit that the game had many positives for the Leafs:

1. They beat a far better team. (Leafs: 11 points after 15 games, Wings 17 points after 15 games - even counting this embarrassing, mind-blowing loss).

2. They won their second consecutive game - something no one would ever have predicted, and something which might never happen again.

3. Jeff Finger (Jeff Finger!!!) had a goal and an assist - the same as superstar wannabe (dream on!) Phil Kessel.

4. The biggest plus of all: Komisarek was injured and left the game. If the Leafs are lucky he'll be out for the season, which would help the Leafs immensely. Sadly for the Leafs, however, he'll probably be back soon - too soon for his team to reap the benefits of playing without this coach-killer. When Komi is on the ice, it's like the other team has an extra attacker!

 

[gohabsgo]

apparently you didnt see the game,

I did watch the game – when they replayed after the late game. Detroit looked like they have a hangover from going to the finals two years in a row – that’s what? about 200 games over the last two seasons? They’ve lost some talent this year and have looked pretty ordinary so far (but it’s a long season). Fortunately for Toronto, Osgood looked like Toskala last night. It’s only a matter of time before the league figures out your new goalie if he doesn’t run out of steam and/or hit a wall first.

 

[joelcairo]

I do agree that the Wings have been ordinary this season. And disappointing for Wings' fans. Maybe that's why many fans have stayed way from the Joe Louis, who knows. The trip to Europe earlier in the season might have took its toll on them, like it has on many teams who started the season in Europe in the past. But the Wings have to find a better goaltender than Osgood if they're to go far in the playoffs. Ozzie's been brutal on some nights! Nik Lidstrom isn't getting any younger & injuries have indeed been a factor. But they won't win many games if the likes of Todd Bertuzzi are among their best players on the ice. Time will tell.

(But i do praise their entire organization, from top to bottom....possibly the best farm team/player development/scouting system in the entire NHL.)

Excellent analysis Doctor - I am in complete agreement on all points.

 

[gohabsgo]

The trip to Europe earlier in the season might have took its toll on them, like it has on many teams who started the season in Europe in the past.

Yes, I didn't think about that - that's probably a factor too. Speaking of Detroit's goaltending, apparently they really wanted to sign Miller (he's from Michigan) before he re-upped in Buffalo. I don't think their other 'tender Howard has been good either. This could be the year that the Sharks make it out of the conference (or some other team other than Detroit)?

 

[lgna69xxx]

ok, who kidnapped GHG? this isnt him, ..... some hot SP keeping him busy or what?

if this is you, nice and welcome change for once

Yes, I didn't think about that - that's probably a factor too. Speaking of Detroit's goaltending, apparently they really wanted to sign Miller (he's from Michigan) before he re-upped in Buffalo. I don't think their other 'tender Howard has been good either. This could be the year that the Sharks make it out of the conference (or some other team other than Detroit)?

 

[joelcairo]

Ryan Miller is a monster in goal. One of the league's best. He would have upped the ante in Detroit as far as goaltending goes. But there are other reasons for Detroit's poor play. Free agency. They lost Marian Hossa, Mikael Samuellson, Jiri Hudler & Tomas Kopecky. Johan Franzen & Val Fillpula are out with long-term injuries, along with Jason Williams to a broken leg. Other than an aging Nik Lidstrom & Brian Rafalski on defence, the only players that i consider top players among the forwards are Pavel Datsyuk & Henrik Zetterberg.

I wonder why Detroit didn't sign any big-name free agents to make up for the lost of the departed players? You don't replace those guys with a Todd Bertuzzi, who's on the downside of his career. What i'm implying is that even with the return of the injured players, i'm not even sure Detroit's fortunes would improve. They simply lost a bundle of talent during this off-season & are now paying the price for not replacing that lost talent.

Agree with just about everything here. As for why they "didn't sign any big-name free agents" the answer is that Detroit realizes it's re-building time (for all the reasons you mentioned in your post) and they're doing it the proper way - as they always do - by not just going for an easy quick fix that will do nothing but hurt in the long run. Again, proving they have the best ownership and best management in the NHL.

Interestingly, at the Hall of Fame ceremony tonight (where 3 of the 4 players inducted played for the Wings, 3 of the 4 players inducted won the Cup with the Wings, and Stevie Y freakin' EXEMPLIFIES the Wings!), even Lou Lamoriello said that Mike Illitch is the best owner in hockey!

 

[joelcairo]

the Monster is the real deal ....

Is the nickname "Monster"....or "Monstrosity"?

 

[gohabsgo]

The Leafs are a different team with Kessel & Gustafsson in the lineup.

Really? The Leafs have 0 wins in their last 5 games! I guess you meant the Leafs find different ways to lose with Kessel & Gustafsson in the lineup?

I'm proud to be a Leafs Nation member tonight!!!!!!

3 wins,17 losses and 30th place in the league - looks good on you!

 

[gohabsgo]

Apparently the Habs will be wearing this jersey tonight

Gomez out

Here are the probable lines

Cammalleri - Metropolit - Moen
Pacioretty - Plekanec - Kostitsyn
Latendresse - Lapierre - White
Laraque - Chipchura - Pyatt

Price to get start

p.s. how do I change the name of this thread? can I ?

 

[Techman]

These vintage jerseys, or should I say shameless attempt to get fans to waste more money buying useless crap, are getting really tired. Players must have problems knowing who their teammates are sometimes. It's gotta be against a habs player's instincts to pass the puck to someone in a blue jersey.

 

[gohabsgo]

It's gotta be against a habs player's instincts to pass the puck to someone in a blue jersey.

and blue jerseys are worn by the "unluckiest team" in the league (according to idiot#1) so that might not bode well for the Habs tonight

 

[Doc Holliday]

These vintage jerseys, or should I say shameless attempt to get fans to waste more money buying useless crap, are getting really tired. Players must have problems knowing who their teammates are sometimes.

I totally agree with you. It's nothing but a cash grab. The team most guilty of all this jersey b.s. is Les Canadiens.

 

[lgna69xxx]

wow! Start the Parade with a allstar line up like that !!!!!

Here are the probable lines

Cammalleri - Metropolit - Moen
Pacioretty - Plekanec - Kostitsyn
Latendresse - Lapierre - White
Laraque - Chipchura - Pyatt

I ?

 

[Doc Holliday]

wow! Start the Parade with a allstar line up like that !!!!!

That 4th line is downright scary!!

They should name it the Zamboni Line.

 

[gohabsgo]

I totally agree with you. It's nothing but a cash grab. The team most guilty of all this jersey b.s. is Les Canadiens.

... but at least the Habs have a proud tradition worth celebrating - as opposed to the Leafs, who have nothing worth celebrating.

The Leafs will now be wearing this jersey for all home and away games