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Community => JD Sports Forum! => Topic started by: I Am Sith on June 23, 2010, 08:49 PM

Title: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: I Am Sith on June 23, 2010, 08:49 PM
The Chicago Blackhawks started to dismantle their Stanley Cup winning team today by trading Byfuglien, Eager and Sopel to the Atlanta Thrashers.  Still the possibility of trading Sharp and Versteeg as well.  That sucks, I really liked Byfuglien.  Hopefully they can pick up some good kids with the two draft picks they received as part of the deal.

Blackhawks Trade Byfuglien (http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nhl/news/story?id=5320715)
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Morgbug on June 23, 2010, 09:05 PM
I knew Eager and Sopel were on the block, but boy, Byfuglien really is a surprise.  They must have someone they have their eye on for the draft picks. 

The Sharp rumours go back a ways too, into early in the previous season so no shock there and I think I heard mention of Versteeg going during the playoffs (not being traded then obviously). 
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Jesse James on June 23, 2010, 09:27 PM
The Pens locked Lovejoy and Cooke up to 3 year deals, so Gonchar's pretty well on his way out they claim, unless he suddenly is ok with a 1 year deal.  There's rumor of trading his rights away so you at least get something out of him.

Penguins are supposedly eyeing some big D-men too, and wingers (again).  I'd rather see them try playing Staal as a winger early in the season though.  He's become a really great player and he's centering our 3rd line, so I wouldn't mind seeing him move up if he's able to play wing.  They say it's a possibility anyway.

I'm sort of surprised how many they're unloading in Chicago...  That's some abrupt clearing out there.
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Morgbug on June 23, 2010, 10:26 PM
I'm sort of surprised how many they're unloading in Chicago...  That's some abrupt clearing out there.

Salary cap issues with Toews, Kane and Keith.  Pretty much says it all. 

Does Gonchar have more than a year left in him?
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Jesse James on June 24, 2010, 01:38 AM
I think, for a team that doesn't necessarilly need him to be a solid blue-liner in both capacities...  He's a good PP quarterback, and that's a hot commodity among so many teams that are just that one piece away from having that scoring blue-liner they need. 

He's practically a road cone with his defensive abilities though, which were glaringly obvious in the playoffs this year.  He's got good defensive ability but his age has quickly caught up with him and thus the Pens don't want to sign him long-term.  For a team with a solid young d-core though, he could be a good leader for that.

They're going to hand the reigns here over to LeTang and Goligoski, who I hope both have consistant seasons in 2010/2011.  I'm a big Lovejoy fan, and him coming up is a good thing I think.  The Penguins are definitely in the market for a big strong d-man though I think, and scoring wingers (who isn't?) this year.  It was their biggest problem(s).  I knew the defense would bite them in the ass in the playoffs and it certainly did.
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Paul on June 29, 2010, 02:38 PM
The Stars had a Press Conference today and announced that they were moving forward without Mike Modano, which I guess is better than moving backwards without him.

I am not sure how I feel about it.  If he retires I will be happy or moves to the front office.  If he goes to another team and the Stars miss the playoffs again anyway, I will probably be mad at management...if he goes to another team and the Stars win the Cup, I will forgive them and be sad that Modano missed it. 

I am happy for him to get out before he became the property of one of Tom Hicks' creditors in the bankruptcy sale.
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Jeff on June 29, 2010, 03:00 PM
I bet my hockey team tries to woo Modano here for PR reasons... they'd sell a LOT of #9s for sure.
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Morgbug on June 29, 2010, 04:12 PM
The Timberwolves Wild is the only team I'd like to see him go to.  I think I'm supposed to hate him because he's American but I've always cheered for Modano because of the way he plays the game.  I think it'd be awesome to see him back in Minnesota.  I still have to unpack that McFarlane retro Modano figure. 
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Paul on June 30, 2010, 05:05 PM
Modano had his press conference today.  He is open to the idea of playing elsewhere.

I would not be surprised to see him in Minnesota from what the local radio guys are saying.

Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: I Am Sith on July 1, 2010, 10:25 AM
Still the possibility of trading Sharp and Versteeg as well.

Well, Versteeg is now gone as well from the Blackhawks.  He and another player were traded to the Maple Leafs for three young players...  The Hawks are definitely getting younger, but they are also losing same talented, experienced players...

So who's going to be next?!
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Jeff on July 1, 2010, 10:59 AM
I think the Hawks should be fine cap wise after moving Versteeg, but it wouldnt suprise me if they end up dumping Sharp before it's all over.  It's sort of a shame to see them break up that team, but management knew what they were doing when they went money-mad last season and went over the cap. 

They're paying for it this year....  but let's be honest - it's probably easier for them to "pay for it" with the Cup in hand.  Imagine if they didn't win the Cup AND still had to blow up the team for cap reasons this year.  Lucky for them they gambled and won.  :P
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Jeff on July 1, 2010, 03:44 PM
Does Gonchar have more than a year left in him?

I guess the Sens think so...  :-X

The Penguins are definitely in the market for a big strong d-man though I think

I don't know if Paul Martin is the "big strong d-man" you were looking for, but he's a nice prize and knowing that you stole him from NJ must make it even nicer.


And did I read correctly that Derek Boogaard is heading to NYR for $1.65m a year for 4 years??  Man, they must want a goon pretty badly.  :P
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Jesse James on July 1, 2010, 07:08 PM
Martin's being looked at, at least here, as a big replacement for Gonchar in every way.  I'm ecstatic.  They picked up Mulcolic (I'm butchering the spelling I'm sure) from Phoenix...  146 blocked shots last year, 6'2" I think, and 210#...  That's what I think they were wanting, and everyone says he's a much better fit than Hamhuis was, who was reportedly crying about wanting to play on the West Coast and how he didn't want to move so far away or something.  I dunno.  To each their own.  I was still disappointed he didn't sign, but he'd have been costly.

The cost on Martin and Mulcolic for their worth looks like a steal I think, especially in a couple years if their performance holds.

I'm pretty stoked.  Plus they're bringing up young guys from Wilkes-Barre this year I'm wanting to watch play, like I believe Lovejoy and Tangreddi are both going to wind up starting.

Losing Eaton likely though, and that sucks.  Gonchar's a good PP pointman, so I'm sure that's why the Sens wanted him.  It sure as **** wasn't his playing in the playoffs that won him the new deal he wanted.  Plus he got a no-trade or something, which will sting if he winds up truly being out of gas.

I like him though, so I'm sad he's gone, he just looked like a road cone last post-season.

They're saying Guerrin may sign for 1 year, 1 mill, and play this as his last year.  I dunno.  I like him, and having that vet persence is good.
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Scott on July 1, 2010, 11:29 PM
I've said it before but I'll say it again...I used to babysit Paul Martin
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Morgbug on July 1, 2010, 11:44 PM
I've said it before but I'll say it again...I used to babysit Paul Martin

Didn't we see him at the bar before the Pearl Jam show in 2006?
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Scott on July 1, 2010, 11:46 PM
Yes we did
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Jesse James on July 2, 2010, 03:39 AM
Would he remember you Scott?  If you're being serious of course. :)
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Scott on July 2, 2010, 08:32 AM
Oh yeah he would, he is a really nice kid and it has been cool to see him do what he has done.  He was an absolutely stellar athlete from the time he was 6 years old, and was probably a better football player than hockey.
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Jesse James on July 2, 2010, 01:14 PM
I thought he was from the frontiers of Canada where no white man has traveled but his family?  I didn't realize he was MN stock.  They were saying about his family being big, and I guess he was geeked to play here or something because of the "blue collar town" thing Pitt has.  A lot was said about his personality and that he's a "good guy"...  Of course the city's into that lately after the Steelers and all.  The Hockey guys have been appreciated a lot more for how they generally are all pretty nice and do things locally a lot.
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Jesse James on July 3, 2010, 01:37 AM
Eaton left for the NYI's today, who appear to be building something.  He's solid, and a steal for his price IMO.  Sucks losing him.

Guerrin's camp is basically viewing the Pen's moves as them moving on without him.  I was hoping he' dtake a cut for another season here, as he's a good lockerroom guy, he's got scoring ability for sure yet, and likes the city a lot from what I hear and wanted to hang on here I think.

Lots of hooplah on Tangredi coming up this year too...  They're relying heavily on younguns to fill in this year.

Also, lot sof rumors this weekend may bring a trade from us to someone, possibly to relieve some of that youthful pressures on offense at the wing positions.  Possibly a young D prospect or something getting moved.  That's just what's being said locally though, but this one guy's often right and he's saying the most stuff right now.

Philly making some kind of move mentioned tonigh ttoo.  Possibly with the Isles.
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: I Am Sith on July 4, 2010, 05:16 PM
So who's going to be next?!

And the answer to that question is Andrew Ladd, Adam Burish and soon to be John Madden.  They picked up another young player in Vishnevskiy and recently announced the signing of John Scott.  All you MN guys will have to fill me in on him as I know nothing about him...

I'm not as broken up about these three leaving as the previous trades, but this is still a lot of players to lose so soon after a Championship.  The fans in Chicago are not going to be pleased if they don't come out of the box winning after shedding so much.
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Morgbug on July 6, 2010, 10:12 AM
No love for Bob Probert?  Old time hockey.  Toe Blake.  Eddie Shore.  RIP.
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Jesse James on July 6, 2010, 03:51 PM
A young guy to go...  What was it?  I didn't read any of the stories, just saw the ticker.  I was wondering if it was maybe something to do with his style of play.  Old time hockey indeed.
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Morgbug on July 6, 2010, 04:14 PM
Complained of chest pains while boating with family and collapsed.  Presumably a heart attack but nothing conclusive yet.
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Jesse James on July 6, 2010, 08:03 PM
Hmm, well not unheard of at that age for sure...  My mother's family almost entirely has gone around that point or slightly older from heart problems.  Still, that's a shame.
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Morgbug on July 20, 2010, 01:28 PM
Kovy signs for stoopid money (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=Ak832Ifo2UFkIYCt0VNpwnR7vLYF?slug=capress-hkn_devils_kovalchuk-3978222).  How do you feel if you're Atlanta now?  Ouch.
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Jeff on July 20, 2010, 01:44 PM
And not just stoopid money - 17 years!  He gave the Devils 5 free years based on what Hotlanta was offering him (12 yrs, $102M).

How do I feel if I'm Atlanta?  Even picking up BFugly from the Blackhawks can't get me excited about another season of being throttled by the Caps and then fighting for that last playoff spot in the East.  :P 
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Jesse James on July 20, 2010, 03:40 PM
Fortunately, Atlanta doesn't have any fans to care.
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Jesse James on July 20, 2010, 10:45 PM
Kovy signs for stoopid money (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=Ak832Ifo2UFkIYCt0VNpwnR7vLYF?slug=capress-hkn_devils_kovalchuk-3978222).  How do you feel if you're Atlanta now?  Ouch.

Sounds like the NHL maybe thought the money and the details of the deal were a little too stoopid.
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Jeff on August 4, 2010, 12:40 PM
I bet my hockey team tries to woo Modano here for PR reasons... they'd sell a LOT of #9s for sure.

I guess Modano chose his other "home" and signed with Detroit (and looking at the Wild's roster vs. the Red Wings, he probably made the right choice :P).

It will be interesting to see what number he ends up with as 9 and 19 are both out... I think 6 is "unofficially" retired too.  Maybe 90?
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Morgbug on August 4, 2010, 01:41 PM
That's too bad really.  I guess another Cup shot is always interesting.  So much for nostalgia/loyalty in sports.   :-X
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: Jesse James on August 11, 2010, 11:04 PM
Did anyone catch the PoW Trophy controversey?  Apparantly being awarded (at least on the trophy itself) to the wrong team?
Title: Re: NHL Off-Season 2010
Post by: I Am Sith on August 12, 2010, 09:46 AM
Yeah, I caught that article yesterday.  That's hysterical.  First they say the pictures that were taken of the trophy were a fabrication and then they backtrack and say it was the engraver's mistake.  What a joke.