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

[Techman]

Seems like some teams were playing musicl goalies today!

From NHL.com...

A goalie shuffle highlighted the first afternoon of the NHL's free-agent feeding frenzy. Eight goalies changed teams Tuesday within the first five hours of the signing period, and some are connected with a few degrees of separation.

Cristobal Huet and Jose Theodore were the most prominent names to change cities, as Huet went to Chicago and Theodore replaced him in Washington. Also, former starter Andrew Raycroft left Toronto to replace Theodore in Colorado, backup Curtis Joseph went to Toronto from Calgary, and Patrick Lalime went from Chicago to a backup role in Buffalo.

Theodore signed for $9 Million over two years, Huet signed for a four-year deal worth $5.635 million a season.

And now the latest news...Islanders sign Streit for $20.5 Million over 5 years!

Looks like the salary cap is really doing a good job keeping salaries down.

 

[Joe.t]

Yeah and these same idiots also signed Curtis Joseph - I guess Johnny Bower was unavailable. What a collection of morons. The TSN panel was not amused either. Someone said that this time the Leafs are really giving their fans the Finger!

Don Cherry even said that the Leafs will not make the playoffs next year(again), another grim year for the Leafs according to Cherry.

 

[steak]

Are you surprised by the Leafs

Don Cherry even said that the Leafs will not make the playoffs next year(again), another grim year for the Leafs according to Cherry.

Are you surprised by the Leafs? They are projecting to tank this season for a while now in order to get the best chances to draft John Tavares...

Last year, they even try to find a loophole to sign him with their AHL affiliate in order to bypass the entry draft... (so it's been rumored)

 

[Doc Holliday]

And now the latest news...Islanders sign Streit for $20.5 Million over 5 years!

Worse, it's for 4 years, not 5. He'll be making over $5 million per season!!!!
Unbelievable!!!!!!!!

And Boston just gave Michael Ryder, who was riding the bench for most of the second part of last season, a 3-year contract which pays him $4 million per season!!! Again, unbelievable!!


Habs lose Streit to Islanders

Canadian Press

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Mark Streit is leaving for Long Island.

The power-play specialist who can play both defence and forward signed a $20.5-million (U.S.), four-year deal with the New York Islanders on Tuesday.

Streit spent the last three seasons with the Montreal Canadiens and helped them develop one of the NHL's best power plays.

In 205 NHL games with Montreal, he has 25 goals and 109 points.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080701.wspt-isles01/GSStory/GlobeSportsHockey/home

 

[Doc Holliday]

meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs overpay big time and sign someone called Jeff Finger to a 4 year $14M deal! this guy apparently is almost 30, spent most of his career in the minors and only made $475,000 last seaon yet the dumbest organization in hockey shells out $3.5M a year for a third pairing defense man - welcome to Toronto!

Everyone in Toronto is scratching their heads over that one. He's 28, but still....who the hell is Jeff Finger? No one seems to know who that guy was until the announcement. You pay an unproven journeyman defenceman with under 100 NHL games under his belt (who earned the league minimum last year) over $3 million bucks a year? Crazy!!! Just imagine how much they would have given Foote if he was still available!!

Geez, now even McCabe & Kubina look like bargains. They're both way, way more talented than that nobody Jeff Finger!!

They fired Fergie because he overpaid for old talent & gave them long-term contracts. Now, old man Fletcher does exactly the same thing by signing some 28 year old nobody to a huge multi-year contract!! Crazy!!!

 

[G1GBallday]

They fired Fergie because he overpaid for old talent & gave them long-term contracts. Now, old man Fletcher does exactly the same thing by signing some 28 year old nobody to a huge multi-year contract!! Crazy!!!

Come on Doc be a little more positive, at least Fletch didn't tack on a no-trade clause like Fergie would have.

BTW mark my words, Ryder will come back and haunt the Habs next year just like John Leclaire did after being traded to Philly.

 

[steak]

Come on Doc be a little more positive, at least Fletch didn't tack on a no-trade clause like Fergie would have.

BTW mark my words, Ryder will come back and haunt the Habs next year just like John Leclaire did after being traded to Philly.

And mark mine when I say that Ryder does not have the grit and will to win that Leclaire had.... Ryder just doesn't care... but sure he'll probably score a few goals with Bergeron and/or Savard.

 

[Joe.t]

Everyone in Toronto is scratching their heads over that one. He's 28, but still....who the hell is Jeff Finger? No one seems to know who that guy was until the announcement.

By the signing of Jeff Finger it looks like management is giving the fans the finger for the up coming season.

 

[gohabsgo]

By the signing of Jeff Finger it looks like management is giving the fans the finger for the up coming season.

idiot Leaf fans will gladly bend over and grab their ankles and take a finger (or whatever else) up the pooper, as they do every season !!

 

[joelcairo]

idiot Leaf fans will gladly bend over and grab their ankles and take a finger (or whatever else) up the pooper, as they do every season !!

And...they'll pay ridiculous prices for it! The team should be called the Toronto Masochist Leafs!

 

[SexyNadya]

Hi folks !! It my beleif that Bob did what he had to do ! Never mind Ryder and Streit. Gainey's objective remains Sundin. Both Boston and the Islanders will regret their investments.

 

[master_bates]

Nadya is right

Streit and Ryder are no big loses to us

Sundin is the main goal now that Hossa is off the board for another year

I cant believe sundin turned down 20 mill for 2 years from vancouver

Either he wants more money or is cup hungry

We also resigned andrei kostitsyn, atta boy Gainey!!!

 

[smuler]

Hey Nadya..I knew you would surface.

We still have Jagr for you..all you have to do is call LOL


Best Regards

Smuler

 

[SexyNadya]

Good morning ! Indeed Master Bates ! Bob kept his composure and usual cool, while the likes of Cliff Fletcher are not helping their cause at all. Jeff Finger ... Dear Smuler, Jaromir, hummm besides is great locks, I'm not sure at all ! lol !
I beleive only Mario can have a firm grip on the man.Still I would not have him part of my Team. He could seriously sour the mix. To risky. Its the perception of many that he will be heading to Russia.

 

[Ten Steps]

lol, Nadya you really surprise me with your sports knowledge!

With all the recent signings of the other suitors, Sundin to Montreal is looking better but god, I can't stand the "pondering my future" diva attitude lol.

Of the remaining teams, Montreal presents his best chance for a cup within the next 2 years.

I wouldn't mind at all Laraque coming to Mtl for the 4th line. Also rumors of Bertuzzi, if for cheap, could rekindle some of his old presence.

A few quality UFA's still remain even if we don't land Sundin.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Maple Leafs trade for Habs centre Grabovski

Toronto rumoured pursuing free-agent Morrison; Nieuwendyk expected to join front office

Mats Sundin has not signed with the Montreal Canadiens, but the player that was rumoured to be compensation to the Leafs if he did has actually come to Toronto via a trade.

Mikhail Grabovski became a Leaf yesterday as GM Cliff Fletcher turned a rare trade with the rival Canadiens, sending recent draft pick Greg Pateryn and a second-round selection in 2010 to Montreal.

"Mikhail had tremendous success at the most recent World Hockey Championship (for Belarus)," Cliff Fletcher said in a statement. "He has great upside and we will look for him to contribute for us right away at the centre position."

Grabovski, 24, gives the Leafs a much-needed centre now that Sundin is on hold with his career, and not likely to sign anywhere for at least a month.

Grabovski played 27 games in the NHL last season with Montreal, and posted three goals and six assists. He was believed to be the player the Leafs were to receive as compensation if Sundin signed with Montreal.

Fletcher remains active in the free-agent market, and is still seeking a centre and possibly a defenseman to bolster the Leafs lineup.

Current rumours have the Leafs as one of several teams interested in Vancouver free-agent centre Brendan Morrison. It's also expected Fletcher will land former Leaf Joe Nieuwendyk as director of player personnel in the coming days.

There's also a growing belief in the hockey world that Sundin will return to the Leafs. He turned down a two-year, $20 million offer from Vancouver, and is also believed to have been courted by as many as five teams, including Montreal and the Rangers.

The longer he holds out, though, the less likely those teams are to be interested in signing him. The Leafs, who offered him a one-year, $7 million contract last month, have left the door open for his return.

Meanwhile, Pateryn, 18, was drafted in the fifth round, 128th overall, by the Leafs last month in Ottawa. Last season in the United States Hockey League, Pateryn led all Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets defensemen with 27 points (3-24) in 60 games. He also led his team with 145 penalty minutes.

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/453524

 

[Ten Steps]

I think Grabovski has alot of potential and if he gets his attitude in check, can become something. On the small side, I'd like to see him pack on a bit more muscle but he has great hockey sense and is very exciting to watch.

If Sundin goes back to Toronto, he'd be showing great loyalty, more than Toronto has shown him.

This years UFA signings, in general, have been quite surprising with regard to dollar figures.

 

[SexyNadya]

Thank you Ten StepsYes & G1GBallday !! Georges Laraque is a much needed addition to the Habs !! Bob is doing exactly doing what he is suppose to do ! I'm really enjoying what I'm looking at !!! Tanguay and Laraque are great Team players ! Both Gainey and Carbonneau learned a great deal when we lost to the Flyers .
!! Go Habs Go !!!

 

[JustBob]

Rangers signed Marcus Naslund so it looks like they gave up on Sundin. And since Sundin turned down a 20 million/2 year deal with the Canucks, there aren't many options left beside the Habs unless he re-signs with the Leafs... Especially since he said today that he's still weeks away from making a decision...

 

[SexyNadya]

JustBob ! Sundin will never play in the Western Division ! Onced all of The Oupla will have settled down ... two weeks before training camp a Press conference will be called on and BOOM... Done ! Mats Sundin will be wearing the most illustrious jersey in Hochey History !
That of the Montreal Canadiens !!!