Toronto hockey town?
My ass.
So many players want nothing to do with this boring city and their worthless hockey squad....
My ass.
So many players want nothing to do with this boring city and their worthless hockey squad....
Official 2014 NHL Offseason Thread
- Thread starter EagerBeaver
- Start date
- Status
As usual Ballsamic, you are correct. Thank you for helping to educate the individual who posted the erroneous material.
Worthless? Quite correct Cosmo...at least since 1967! Just think of it: an incredible 47 YEARS of nothing...absolutely nothing...except complete and utter failure for that wretched sad sack franchise known as the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Being a fan of the Leafs must be incredibly frustrating and depressing...although at least the fans (like the Leaf "players" themselves) ALWAYS get an early start on golf season!
Look on the bright side: If Robidas breaks it, at least he'll probably have some company while recuperating since his teammate Joffrey Lupul is so frequently injured.
Detroit no longer destination as free agency begins
By Helene St.James, Detroit Free Press
The day was about as disappointing as possible, as the Detroit Red Wings found themselves soundly rejected.
July 1, the busiest day of the NHL offseason because high noon marked the opening of the unrestricted free market.
It was an utter dud for Detroit, so much so they ended up re-signing Kyle Quincey in order to restock the defense.
Plans when the day began were so different — but that was before one desired defenseman after another turned down the Wings.
“We made pitches to a number of defensemen,” general manager Ken Holland said. “For a variety of reasons, they opted to go elsewhere. I don’t know why they’re not coming here.”
The Wings targeted a right-shot defenseman, of which there were four of particular interest available: Matt Niskanen, Dan Boyle, Stephane Robidas and Anton Stralman.
The Wings offered Boyle two years and $10 million. Boyle accepted two years and $9 million from the New York Rangers, where he’ll be reunited with former teammate Martin St. Louis. Robidas went to Toronto for three years and $9 million, an offer the Wings would have matched (Toronto does put Robidas closer to his kids in Montreal). Stralman’s agent replied a succinct “no” when asked if the Wings were on Stralman’s short list — but the five years, $22.5 million Straman ended up getting from Tampa Bay was more term than the Wings wanted to give a defenseman deemed in the same quality range as Jakub Kindl.
Niskanen, the premier defenseman on the market, didn’t have Detroit on his short list, either. The Wings offered seven years and $38.5 million; Niskanen took seven years and $40.25 million from the Washington Capitals.
That left the Wings in search of alternatives. Shortly after 7 p.m., they re-signed Quincey for two years and $8.5 million.
Quincey, 28, rebounded to deliver a solid second half, but he’s hardly the upgrade the Wings had in mind.
Holland said he'll continue to talk to fellow GMs to explore a trade, but to get anyone of caliber, the asking price is guaranteed to be either of Gustav Nyquist or Tomas Tatar or Tomas Jurco or Antonthy Mantha in return, plus a high draft pick.
While Quincey buys the Wings some breathing room, a pressing question is figuring out why players are rejecting what used to be a premier landing spot for hockey players. Part of it is fiscal — the Wings can’t throw money at players like they did a decade ago, because of the salary cap.
It’s not the metro area — while the city of Detroit may not have the allure of Chicago or New York, players routinely rave about living in the suburbs. Todd Bertuzzi has described it as awesome. Daniel Alfredsson and his family are living here next year, whether or not he plays. Owner Mike Ilitch and Holland are held in high regard for the way they treat players.
It’s not the competitiveness of the team — the Wings still boast superstars Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg.
Is it head coach Mike Babcock? Babcock is demanding, but that’s considered a positive quality in a professional coach — the ones that let things slide don’t win, and players care about winning. Holland downplayed any chatter Babcock is a reason, saying, “I’ve never heard those rumors. I think that we’ve got one of the best coaches in the NHL and he’s been a reason why some people have come here.”
The Wings were Daniel Alfredsson’s hand-picked selection last summer, over the hard-pursuing Bruins. And Detroit is the only place Alfredsson wants to play again this season.
It’s worth exploring for the Wings why they seem to have lost some luster. Datsyuk and Zetterberg and both in their mid-30s, putting pressure on regaining contender status before their window to win again closes. That won’t happen unless the Wings once again become a go-to destination.
By Helene St.James, Detroit Free Press
The day was about as disappointing as possible, as the Detroit Red Wings found themselves soundly rejected.
July 1, the busiest day of the NHL offseason because high noon marked the opening of the unrestricted free market.
It was an utter dud for Detroit, so much so they ended up re-signing Kyle Quincey in order to restock the defense.
Plans when the day began were so different — but that was before one desired defenseman after another turned down the Wings.
“We made pitches to a number of defensemen,” general manager Ken Holland said. “For a variety of reasons, they opted to go elsewhere. I don’t know why they’re not coming here.”
The Wings targeted a right-shot defenseman, of which there were four of particular interest available: Matt Niskanen, Dan Boyle, Stephane Robidas and Anton Stralman.
The Wings offered Boyle two years and $10 million. Boyle accepted two years and $9 million from the New York Rangers, where he’ll be reunited with former teammate Martin St. Louis. Robidas went to Toronto for three years and $9 million, an offer the Wings would have matched (Toronto does put Robidas closer to his kids in Montreal). Stralman’s agent replied a succinct “no” when asked if the Wings were on Stralman’s short list — but the five years, $22.5 million Straman ended up getting from Tampa Bay was more term than the Wings wanted to give a defenseman deemed in the same quality range as Jakub Kindl.
Niskanen, the premier defenseman on the market, didn’t have Detroit on his short list, either. The Wings offered seven years and $38.5 million; Niskanen took seven years and $40.25 million from the Washington Capitals.
That left the Wings in search of alternatives. Shortly after 7 p.m., they re-signed Quincey for two years and $8.5 million.
Quincey, 28, rebounded to deliver a solid second half, but he’s hardly the upgrade the Wings had in mind.
Holland said he'll continue to talk to fellow GMs to explore a trade, but to get anyone of caliber, the asking price is guaranteed to be either of Gustav Nyquist or Tomas Tatar or Tomas Jurco or Antonthy Mantha in return, plus a high draft pick.
While Quincey buys the Wings some breathing room, a pressing question is figuring out why players are rejecting what used to be a premier landing spot for hockey players. Part of it is fiscal — the Wings can’t throw money at players like they did a decade ago, because of the salary cap.
It’s not the metro area — while the city of Detroit may not have the allure of Chicago or New York, players routinely rave about living in the suburbs. Todd Bertuzzi has described it as awesome. Daniel Alfredsson and his family are living here next year, whether or not he plays. Owner Mike Ilitch and Holland are held in high regard for the way they treat players.
It’s not the competitiveness of the team — the Wings still boast superstars Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg.
Is it head coach Mike Babcock? Babcock is demanding, but that’s considered a positive quality in a professional coach — the ones that let things slide don’t win, and players care about winning. Holland downplayed any chatter Babcock is a reason, saying, “I’ve never heard those rumors. I think that we’ve got one of the best coaches in the NHL and he’s been a reason why some people have come here.”
The Wings were Daniel Alfredsson’s hand-picked selection last summer, over the hard-pursuing Bruins. And Detroit is the only place Alfredsson wants to play again this season.
It’s worth exploring for the Wings why they seem to have lost some luster. Datsyuk and Zetterberg and both in their mid-30s, putting pressure on regaining contender status before their window to win again closes. That won’t happen unless the Wings once again become a go-to destination.
You could say the same thing about Andrei Markov or Pavel Datsuik and their gimpy knees. Same thing with Henrik Zetterberg & his surgically repaired back.
Au contraire, mon cher. It's great to be a fan of the Leafs or all other Toronto sports team. If the Leafs are out of the playoffs, no big deal, you have more time to follow the Raptors in the playoffs.
At least the Leafs can still attract free agents, while the Red Wings can't any longer. Recently, the likes of Boyle, Niskanen, Stralman, Robidas & countless others all gave the Wings the finger. I was told by a reliable source that Josh Gorges had also refused to put Detroit on his list of possible destinations for a trade.
Face it: No one of sane mind wants to play for the aging Red Wings anymore. Plus the fact it's a crappy city to live in.
Toronto boring? Really? Obviously, you haven't been there in recent years.....or evah! :lol:
Toronto isn't really 'hockey town'. It's much more than that. As a rival GM once put it, Toronto is the Centre of Hockey Universe. I cannot dispute this. Montreal is a close second.
N
november
Listen guys, today's players want to make there money and not be bothered. That is why a lot of players have no trade clauses in there contracts. It is easier to play where you have less media covering the team. It is the same for all Canadian teams. There is also the taxes: you Payless in some cities or states then you do here. Like the guys say, it's a business. Some guys love the attention others do not. If I were a player I would rather play in Florida than any Canadian city.
I agree with November. The quality of life in whatever city a player has to live in is also very important. Which is why the last place any sane-minded player would want to live in is Detroit. I wouldn't be crazy about Winnipeg & Edmonton either. I'd love to play in California, Arizona or Florida, but as long as the arenas aren't empty on a regular basis. I'd also love to play in Nashville since the weather is very good and i love country music. Playing for the New York Rangers wouldn't be so bad either.
But Toronto and most importantly Montreal wouldn't be among my top choices since especially in Mtl, your life is constantly under a microscope. The Habs even have a tv crew following the team around season-long! Christ, that would get on my nerves after a while!
But Toronto and most importantly Montreal wouldn't be among my top choices since especially in Mtl, your life is constantly under a microscope. The Habs even have a tv crew following the team around season-long! Christ, that would get on my nerves after a while!
One of these days when you feel like learning something, you should head to a library (a place where they have books to read) and look up Sheldon Kennedy's autobiography. And if you have some spare time, log out of merb and google Todd Bertuzzi/Steve Moore and learn how a goon nearly killed a much smaller person intentionally. You'll walk out of that library a slightly smarter person.
Let me educate you on your ignorant remarks. It is obvious, you do not read much.
Sheldon Kennedy WAS the victim and not the abuser. Detroit drafted him in 1988 and the news broke out when he was playing for Calgary, sometime around 1996.
He also played for Boston.
Todd Bertuzzi and Steve Moore incident happened not in Detroit but in Vancouver 2004. It is the only blemish in his career.
Since then, he has played for Florida, Anaheim, Calgary and now Detroit with NO other suspension.
Intentionally trying to KILL, is a bit overboard, wouldn't you say ?
From what I have read, what has Detroit got to do with anything you have said with malice.
They both played for Detroit, that's IT.
Now, here is my advice, do read about the Maple leaf Garden abuse incident which occurred in the arena where your hopeless leafs play.
By the way, Josh Gorges did not, I repeat, did not sign with your dismal team as your ' source ' had predicted. Wrong as usual.
Live and learn.
Slight correction: "Toronto is THE hockey town...FOR LOSERS!" (47 YEARS worth of PROOF!)
Oh really? Well, they COULDN'T "attract' Josh Gorges, they STILL have an unbelievably crappy team, and the "best" (ha ha) they could "attract" was elderly, slow Robidas, who's likely one slip away from a final career-ending injury. Forty-EIGHT years here we come!
The "rival GM" was using something called sarcasm. You can find a definition in any dictionary.
The NON-sarcastic TRUTH is that Toronto is the centre of hockey FAILURE. (Hint: 47 YEARS and counting.)
Beautifully expressed and completely accurate, Ballsamic. Unfortunately, I have learned from long experience that it is virtually impossible to educate Leaf fans. Let's face it: if they knew anything, they would NOT be Leaf fans. And in addition, Leaf fans NEVER let the facts get in the way of their misguided and offensive statements.
meanwhile, back in that once decent city, now a dump known as detroit, the red wings gave old and broken down dan cleary 1.5 million to play below average hockey for them (once agan) if he is not injured all season. They would be better off if he was injured.
- Status
