Re: The NHL Thread
 

Cap hit is not bad considering the rumors of what was turned down, although as pointed by sal might not have been that high. Still, are they any better than last year? No. Get me Fowler or Shattenkirk and then we'll talk.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I don't understand Lucic to Oilers at all, doesn't seem like he will fit in with them style at all. He's going to have a hard time keeping up with that fast team.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Tim what's your Twitter?

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Assuming islanders must have offered less years. Maybe 4? Money per year seems close so years had to be hold up.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

No.
I think that might actually be part of the reason they signed him - to add a more physical, intimidating element to their top 6.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Same as here. tmoore4075. My original AOL screen name has carried on for years. lol
That's my guess too. Not crazy about the term but look at the rest of the deals. You do it or you don't. He good on shootouts? I keep hearing that. Wings can't get any worse there.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

5 years for Backes in BOS. hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I like the acquisition of Okposo to BUF. They've quietly assembled some good pieces. Not enough to compete for a Cup of course, but good pieces. Okposo still has tons of upside.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Great acquisition.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Especially since he will be on the left wing for McDavid.

Didn't think they could make this team any worse, but here we are...

Re: The NHL Thread
 

5 years and 6mil for a 32 year old...I don't do it.

Brouwer 4.5mil for 4 years in Calgary.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

One of the best in shootouts though not as good last year or 2 as goalies have caught up to his patented move.


Okposo officially to Buffalo on the cheap for 7-42. For that money, I'm guessing both sides wanted to move on. I would have him all day for those terms. Now I'm angry and sad.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I still can't believe Kunitz didn't shoot...

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Okposo deal is the only one i really like so far. The rest of these guys are going to fall off quickly. Ladd, Lucic, Backes. All bad deals imo.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

:lol:lol i was JUST talking about that last night

Re: The NHL Thread
 

OMG... Flyers might be in play for Dale Wiese!!!!!!! GET IT DONE!

:lol

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Going rate for him. Good leader, Bruins-type player. Will be a good leader. I like him.

Also, Staal to MIN. 3.5 million/3 years. Wow.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Won't be worth it the last 2 years.

Staal deal I think the cap # is nice. I'd prefer 2 years if I was Minny but again players seem to be getting that extra year or 2 in these deals today.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Has everyone gone crazy

Re: The NHL Thread
 

It rarely is :)

Staal deal is fantastic value.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Sabres friend of mine bets its loaded with incentives like OReilly deal was.

Wife just called up to me to ask "what's with all the stomping?" :shrug

Impact of losing these guys starting to hit. I've seen every game of theirs except maybe 10-15 in their career. Feels like I lost members of my family

Part of the business , for sure, but these guys were long time favorites for 10, 8 and 6 seasons and will be missed.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

So Subban was an issue but Radulov isnt?

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Totally understand.

Chimera pickup is great. Such a good team guy.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Lovejoy to nj. Thank god.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Alright Wings, make a move for D and not a UFA. If they can get a good defenseman this summer I'll feel better.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

He had such a great Finals. Hope it continues for him.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Yep. Just saw it. Garth doing well to replace these guys. There is your Martin replacement. Good character, experienced leader. I like it.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

haha, replace "Wings" with "Avs" and that's exactly what I'm saying. :lol

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Lovejoy to Devils

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Demers and Russel still out there aren't they? not that I want either but asking. 40 minutes in and this has been crazy. I mean what would it be like if they were allowed to talk contract in the interview period. ;-)

Re: The NHL Thread
 

BizNasty's Twitter hilarious right now.

Paul Bissonnette ‏@BizNasty2point0 45m45 minutes ago
Phones fully charged. Still no calls but It's early. #StayPositive #NHLFreeagency

Paul Bissonnette ‏@BizNasty2point0 30m30 minutes ago
This is usually how it goes. All the big dogs go right away. Role players to follow. Not gonna panic. Stay the course. #NHLFreeagency

Paul Bissonnette ‏@BizNasty2point0 28m28 minutes ago
Just fired my agent.

Paul Bissonnette ‏@BizNasty2point0 22m22 minutes ago
Missed call from a Pennsylvania number. Looks like Pens want a repeat. I'll give it an hour to call back. Make Jim sweat a bit.

Paul Bissonnette ‏@BizNasty2point0 18m18 minutes ago
Called em back. Wasn't Jim. Telemarketer. Had a great conversation about what I could bring to the table. Always keep your options open.

Paul Bissonnette ‏@BizNasty2point0 3m3 minutes ago
I still have the same number and email @brendanshanahan. Haven't changed it from 12 years. Unless you didn't back up with iCloud.

Paul Bissonnette ‏@BizNasty2point0 2m2 minutes ago
Check DM @brendanshanahan.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Staple saying isles offered Frans 7 years and more money. Now I'm confused.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Ugh. Still no confirmation on Dale Wiese!?!?! Let's go!

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Just wanted out for...some reason. Filppula did that a few years ago. Signed in Tampa for roughly same deal the Wings offered. He wanted to get away from Babs.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Nielsen on Sportsnet. Interested to hear.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I saw a Tweet (not from a big insider so who knows about validity) saying that Campbell turned down a 1 year/$5 mil deal from FLA.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Chris Stewart to Wild....McGin to Yotes

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Leaving $3 mil on the table his HUGE....must really have wanted to go back to Chicago.

I don't care if who you are, $3 mil in one year is a lot

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Kypreos tried to get it out him but didn't bite. Change of scenery and a class organization who wanted you a lot in play apparently.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Basically admitted he wanted a change from the Isles.

Also interesting hearing him admit that he might not get as many points. :lol

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Yeah basically just said wanted something new. There is still a why in there that we didn't get I think.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I think he'll get around 50-55 points like he got last year. Which is what Pavel got this past season. He's not Pavel in terms of skill but Pavel wasn't putting up the points anymore.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

He'll be a good all-around presence on the team, and that's important. 3 zone player.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Keep forgetting Bruce is in Minny. That could help Staal get his numbers back up.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Not a big hockey person but am in Boston ... is David Backes good?

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Does Tom Brady like dicks in his mouth?

Re: The NHL Thread
 

He's not uber popular around here, but I'm a fan.

He's gritty. Great checker and defensively responsible. Good offensive player... star, but not a superstar. I think his style fits well with the Bruins persona.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

The $ per year is fine, I don't like the term cause he's 32 and has played a physical game his whole career. Gonna start to breakdown I'd think. But most of the deals given out today have been longer in term that you really should be giving these guys. So it's par for the course today.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

A Wings beat writer saying Wings are still active and might get another one. Who? Martin? One of the D? Please god no to that. Talk about not worth the money they'll get.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

The Devils sign Ben Lovejoy for 3 year/$7.9 million. Good for the Reverend. He earned his paycheck this spring/summer. :thumbsup

Minnesota signs Eric Staal for 3 years/$10.5 million.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Noooooo not Chimera

(I knew it was coming)

:lorraine :lorraine :lorraine

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I don't know, hasn't been on my mind

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Sounds good, hopefully he fits well with the team!

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I think he will. People talk about the money, term, etc. At this point, he's on the team. The deal is done. So, talk about what he brings to the team. And he's got a lot to bring. You can reasonably plan on 50-60 points.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Just saw lovejoy to NJ

Shero just cant avoid adding ex penguins

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Man, Perron to the blues too. Guy just cant find a home.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Ladd/chimera with 45 goals last year. Okposo/frans had 42

....steps away from ledge. :cool

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Interested to see if Eriksson plays well with the Sedins. Could be magic. Or not...

On that note... Canucks - most boring team in the league?

Re: The NHL Thread
 

No, thats gotta be the Hurricanes

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Agreed. sedins alone make them not the worst. Odd to not have the Devils not be the immediate answer.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Finally. Welcome to the fold DALE WEISE!!

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Yeah toss up between Canes and Devils. These Devils make the trap team from the 90's look like the 2010 Caps.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I like the Dale Weise signing a lot. Not concerned about the cap hit of 2.35 mil.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

:lol And to back this up, they just signed Viktor Stalberg.

I just don't get the Canucks. They need to figure themselves out. So maybe not most boring, but definitely most puzzling.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I just read that 17 teams expressed interest in Chimera. Smart GMs out there. I will miss him greatly.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

He's EXACTLY the guy you want on your team, no matter what your team is.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

So Hamhuis, Demers, Russel, Martin, Boedker are the "big" ones still left. Doan is a UFA but I doubt he leaves.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

heard on the radio that close to $400 million had been allocated in the first 45 mins of free agency

crazy

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Unless you're the Caps? amirite??? yeah the Wings gave 6 years to Nielsen...

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Frans was drafted by Milbury so we finally have officially cut ties with that loser.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Eh it is what it is. It was pretty much either him or Wilson, and that's a pretty easy choice. I can assure you Mac is not happy about letting Chimera walk. And I can also assure you Jason's less than thrilled as well. But that's how it goes sometimes.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Not sure if this has been posted, but here is a great place to keep up with everything going on.

http://www.sbnation.com/2016/6/30/12...cker-list-2016

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I know. Just had to be an ass. It's in my nature.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

You really want Wilson over Chimera?

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Yep. Every day of the week.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Caps are going to be a very interesting team to watch next year

this might be Barry Trotz's last chance to prove he can get over the hump

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 2m2 minutes ago
Tampa Bay Lightning announce Victor Hedman has signed an 8-year extension worth $7.875 M per season

Fantastic move by Yzerman.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

We will take Kucherov or Bishop for some good prospects if no money left to keep them all.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

yep that's big time by Tampa

when you have a core, lock them up (see: Penguins)...they're gonna be contenders for a while now

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Stevie Y killin it. Lightning will be good forever, looks like

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Kinda breezed over the Backes deal, could the Blues not afford to hold on to him?

Re: The NHL Thread
 

:lol Give Yzerman a call and let him know.
And both arguably taking less than they could've gotten on the open market.

That says a lot for the rest of the team when your two best players are making sacrifices to see it through together.

And yes, I smirked a little to myself by making the implication that making 7 and 8 million dollars a year is a "sacrifice". :lol

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Can't wait for Wings fans to complain that Yzerman isn't the GM in Detroit because of what he's doing there. Hedman and Stamkos were already there and he's done a job keeping them but the Wings have anyone like that? No. Happens when you pick 1st overall and 2nd overall the year after that and then Yzerman joined the year AFTER that. Not bad foundation to walk into. Not taking anything away from what he did but just pointing out the stupidness that Wings fans will spew.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Didn't want to give 5 years. Last one I read was they offered was 3 years.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

:lol yea current day contracts are crazy but you're right in the end. that's definitely a "discount"

hope we get to see another Pens v Lightning playoff series with everyone relatively healthy

i think that was the defacto Stanley Cup last season...2 best team in the final 4 IMO

Re: The NHL Thread
 

For sure. And while he walked into a decent situation, he worked some killer magic in keeping his two best players around for less than most were expecting. That, coupled with his handling of the Drouin situation, has me thinking very highly of Mr. Yzerman right now.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Man that would be tough for me as a Blues fan, 5 years is alot, but thats one of those guys that when he leaves, it feels like your window to win a cup gets substantially smaller.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

With the lack of taxes in Florida, you have to remember that the money stamkos and hedman got would be worth closer to 9 or 10 (not exactly sure how much ) in a place like NY or Toronto. Less money but less taxes equal close to same amount in your pocket.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Absolutely. And you know that's a tremendous asset that Yzerman relies on in negotiations.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Tampa to win the Cup next year.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I looked it up this morning. 8.5mil in Tampa is still more after taxes than 10.5mil in Toronto. 5.1 vs 4.9. So 2mil more is 200k...wow. Now other US cities like BUF or DET it's closer but TB still has the advantage. Plus they are really good right now. It's the advantage that the Hawks have now and the Wings used to have.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 17s18 seconds ago
Hamhuis to DAL. $3.75M AAV on two year deal.

Nice job by Dallas on this one, not overpaying.

If there's any FA defenseman I'd be OK with the Avs going for, it would have been Hamhuis. Oh well.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Radulov to Habs for 5.75mil and Wings offered 4.5mil. I'm ok with letting him walk. $4.5mil I probably would have been ok with but still risk there.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

i dunno, that still is a huge pay cut for him

he's been dominating overseas

i know that doesn't always translate but the dude has top end talent

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Zatkoff to Kings


Makes the Pens goalie situation even more interesting.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/...20110701192358

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Yeah but Wings have other needs. Montreal needed some scoring up front but the risk is still there with him.

Does make me question, as others have been saying, Montreal has been saying how they want character guys and then sign a guy who more ?'s then most.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Very excited about the Hedman deal. I agree with all that you guys said, locking up this core is huge and should put them in contention for the foreseeable future. Penguins v Lightning rematch is definitely something I'll be looking forward to next year.

Yzerman may have lucked his way into having Hedman and Stamkos on the roster, but getting them to stick around on top of all the other moves he's made the last few years, the way the AHL system has developed, and the coaching staff he's assembled he deserves a ton of credit.

I'll be interested to see if guys like Kucherov and Palat are willing to make the same "sacrifice" of less money to stick around and keep the team together. They won't demand as much as Stamkos but they'll definitely be asking for hefty raises. Moving Bishop at the deadline is something I could get behind so we don't have to sign him next season, we could just let him walk but I'd expect Yzerman to try and get something in return.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

yup, not quite sure what the Habs are doing or what their direction is

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Dale Weise AND Boyd Gordon!?!?! Suck it y'all.