tOfficial NHL Free Agency Thread

[See Their Team Is WEAAAK!]

No big loss on Samuelssen as long as Happy Hudler is coming back.

[PRStoetzer]

Originally Posted by See Their Team Is WEAAAK!

No big loss on Samuelssen as long as Happy Hudler is coming back.

That's questionable. He's expected to file for arbitration this weekend. He could be awarded $3.5 million, which would be a bit much.

Wings would have to walk away or trade him.

Hopefully they can get something done before it goes before the arbiter. A 3 year, $7.5 million contract would be perfect for the Wings and Hudler would be able to go for big money as a UFA while he's still only 28 years old.

On the bright side, Ville Leino is expected to sign a 2-year contract today.

[See Their Team Is WEAAAK!]

Originally Posted by PRStoetzer

That's questionable. He's expected to file for arbitration this weekend. He could be awarded $3.5 million, which would be a bit much.

Wings would have to walk away or trade him.

Hopefully they can get something done before it goes before the arbiter. A 3 year, $7.5 million contract would be perfect for the Wings and Hudler would be able to go for big money as a UFA while he's still only 28 years old.

On the bright side, Ville Leino is expected to sign a 2-year contract today.

I would be skeptical that the Wings would let Hossa and Samuelssen walk without a good idea that Hudler is coming back. Other teams I might worry but that would just be very surprising for Ken Holland.

I like how the roster is shaping up next year.

[PRStoetzer]

Samuelsson's contract with Vancouver is 3 years, $7.5 million.

[SpartanInNH]

Originally Posted by tritongreen

I cant skate around the rink without holding on to the dasher, but I believe I could get 1.5M per for 6-8 years from Montreal.

SIGN ME UP! EN PLUS, JE PARLE FRANCAIS!!!!

[SpartanInNH]

I don't mind the Hossa loss at all (plus, love sticking big cap numbers on the 'Hawks ) -- Marian is built for the regular season, as the Pens and we found out. 'Hawks will too, and he'll cause the same cap troubles we had this year for Chicago next year -- I just don't think their GM has the chops to handle it. Oughta be funny, actually.

And I think Montreal got better. I like the addition of Gill.

--Check that, I like all the losses from Pittsburgh, including Scuderi. Wherever they end up, I'm fine with it.

Nah, I think Gill will be a help in Montreal.

Perhaps I've had too much Red Wings-Ade, but I'm equally unconcerned/relieved about the losses of Kopecky (big whoop) and Samuelsson (too old and one-dimensional). Everyone talks about Detroit's having a conveyor belt of talent coming up from the minors: this season ought to show if the proof's in the pudding. Still with Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Mule, plus the ability to add in Helm, Ericsson, Abdelkader, and (probably) Leino. I do question Jimmy Howard as the backup, and whether Ozzie will be able to handle more starts, but there are a few possibilities in Grand Rapids, as well, if Howard doesn't work out.

From the jump, I thought resigning Hossa was a bad idea. To throw that kind of a cap hit on the 'Hawks is just .....

[JohnSpringer]

Originally Posted by SpartanInNH

I don't mind the Hossa loss at all (plus, love sticking big cap numbers on the 'Hawks ) -- Marian is built for the regular season, as the Pens and we found out. 'Hawks will too, and he'll cause the same cap troubles we had this year for Chicago next year -- I just don't think their GM has the chops to handle it. Oughta be funny, actually.

And I think Montreal got better. I like the addition of Gill.

--Check that, I like all the losses from Pittsburgh, including Scuderi. Wherever they end up, I'm fine with it.

Nah, I think Gill will be a help in Montreal.

Perhaps I've had too much Red Wings-Ade, but I'm equally unconcerned/relieved about the losses of Kopecky (big whoop) and Samuelsson (too old and one-dimensional). Everyone talks about Detroit's having a conveyor belt of talent coming up from the minors: this season ought to show if the proof's in the pudding. Still with Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Mule, plus the ability to add in Helm, Ericsson, Abdelkader, and (probably) Leino. I do question Jimmy Howard as the backup, and whether Ozzie will be able to handle more starts, but there are a few possibilities in Grand Rapids, as well, if Howard doesn't work out.

From the jump, I thought resigning Hossa was a bad idea. To throw that kind of a cap hit on the 'Hawks is just .....

Didn't Hossa lead the Pens in scoring in the 08 playoffs or at least very close to leading them?

[SpartanInNH]

Originally Posted by JohnSpringer

Didn't Hossa lead the Pens in scoring in the 08 playoffs or at least very close to leading them?

I believe so, then had a total of something like 2 points in the Finals.

Sound familiar?

Oops -- he had more points in the Finals last year in a 5-game series than this year in a 7-game series. My bad.

[PRStoetzer]

Rick Nash signs an extension with Columbus. 8 years, $62.4 million.

[PRStoetzer]

Several Blackhawks RFAs may become UFAs if it's ruled that their qualifying offers were not filed correctly.

Sources: NHL and NHLPA investigating Blackhawks over offers

[JohnSpringer]

Originally Posted by SpartanInNH

I believe so, then had a total of something like 2 points in the Finals.

Sound familiar?

Oops -- he had more points in the Finals last year in a 5-game series than this year in a 7-game series. My bad.

You said he was a regular season performer though. Pens don't make it to the finals without Hossa. Red Wings don't get out of round 2 if not for Hossa in game 4.

[SpartanInNH]

Originally Posted by JohnSpringer

You said he was a regular season performer though. Pens don't make it to the finals without Hossa. Red Wings don't get out of round 2 if not for Hossa in game 4.

I'm not familiar enough with the Penguins' sojourn through the playoffs last year to say, but he sure came up zeroes in the Finals. (It was also, IIRC, the first time he had shaken the "playoff dog" label.)

Hossa had one game-winning goal in the playoffs for us. One. If he hadn't done it, someone else would have. This does not qualify as a savior.

Take these together and say they don't prove "playoff dog," if you'd like. I think that his history should give the 'Hawks pause.

On the other hand, the thought of facing the 'Hawks in the playoffs for some portion of the next twelve years bothers me not at all.

As you'd like.

[SpartanInNH]

Article on Hossa's postseason droughts:

NHL Playoffs: Hossa defends his playoff statistics

Relevant quotes:

Although Hossa has 299 goals and 648 points over 701 games with a plus-minus rating of plus-85 in the regular season, that drops to 13 goals and 35 points in 55 playoff games with a minus-9 in seven postseason runs.

Three times, he has been on teams that were swept in four games in the first round. He had one goal, three assists in those 12 games. A year ago, when the Thrashers were scalded by the New York Rangers by a combined score of 17-6, Hossa had one assist and was minus-6 in the four games.

'Hawks can have him.

[tritongreen]

Originally Posted by PRStoetzer

Rick Nash signs an extension with Columbus. 8 years, $62.4 million.

We have a pretty nice position with Columbus and although nearly 8M per year is a lot for the current salary cap, it shows that their organization is serious about signing players and should interest future players to come to Columbus.

[Kurt Sexington]

Originally Posted by tritongreen

We have a pretty nice position with Columbus and although nearly 8M per year is a lot for the current salary cap, it shows that their organization is serious about signing players and should interest future players to come to Columbus.

Rick Nash is crazy. Match him with a world class passer like Marc Savard or Pavel Datsyuk and he'd pot 50+ goals semi-regularly.

[SpartanInNH]

Originally Posted by Kurt Sexington

Rick Nash is crazy. Match him with a world class passer like Marc Savard or Pavel Datsyuk and he'd pot 50+ goals semi-regularly.

Ssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! Don't give him ideas!!!!

[medazzaland00]

In related news...the PENGUINS having already signed Crosby, Malkin, and Fleury, have come to terms with Fedetenko and Guerin. And the dynasty begins...

[PRStoetzer]

Colorado trades Ryan Smyth to Los Angeles for Kyle Quincey, Tom Preissing, and a 5th round pick.

[Kurt Sexington]

Originally Posted by medazzaland00

In related news...the PENGUINS having already signed Crosby, Malkin, and Fleury, have come to terms with Fedetenko and Guerin. And the dynasty begins...

Their team is still top heavy and most of its talent is on the first line. I applaud the Penguins for their Stanley Cup victory but it was due more to heart than to having the most talent. Even in the East they will have their hands full this years with Philadelphia and Washington (Boston can blow me).

[SpartanInNH]

Originally Posted by Kurt Sexington

Their team is still top heavy and most of its talent is on the first line. I applaud the Penguins for their Stanley Cup victory but it was due more to heart than to having the most talent. Even in the East they will have their hands full this years with Philadelphia and Washington (Boston can blow me).

[SpartanInNH]

Originally Posted by PRStoetzer

Colorado trades Ryan Smyth to Los Angeles for Kyle Quincey, Tom Preissing, and a 5th round pick.

Quincey to the Avs?

[PRStoetzer]

Originally Posted by SpartanInNH

Quincey to the Avs?

Yeah. Too bad.

[PRStoetzer]

Originally Posted by SpartanInNH

Quincey to the Avs?

Also, Colorado signed the Grand Rapids captain, Darren Haydar.

[SpartanInNH]

Originally Posted by PRStoetzer

Yeah. Too bad.

I hate to say it, but aside from trying to get Patty WAAA! as their coach, they're making some good moves.

Bastards.

[spartan719]

I like the Smyth pick up for LA, even though it's a little bit of a dent in the salary cap, he's the ideal kind of player for a up and coming team like LA, he'll do wonders in the leadership department