Re: The NHL Thread
 

Solid gold.

So you're going to the game? Being in the presence of The Gabe is something that'll stick with you for the rest of your life.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

So here is the fourth period's top 30.

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/freeagents/top30.html

Biggest names I'm looking at are Green, Beleskey, Dubnyk, Franson, Williams and Vermette. There are others but those are the ones that catch my eye and wonder where they go. Thoughts?

Green: Detroit will be calling but injuries scare me from him. If we're looking at the teams TFP lists Dallas I could see going for him and Edmonton needs some D help but I don't think he would flourish there, at least not in the short term.

Beleksey: have no idea where he goes but he's gonna get stupid money. Detroit will call him too but I can't see them paying what others will. He could be this year Bickell or looking at old Detroit players, Martin Lapointe. One good year leads to pay day.

Dubnyk I don't think he goes anywhere unless he can't pass up the money. Wild can't pay him like other teams probably can because of all their big deals but he's been good there. Don't rock the boat.

Franson: Detroit's second choice probably but I dunno. He's good but probably not worth the money. I think they should stick with the young kids rather than him. I can see him going to EDM.

Justin Williams would be great to have but he's gonna get a 5 year deal and isn't worth that term at age 33. I'm looking at you Washington if you can't get Patrick Sharp.

Then Vermette, I think he goes back to the Yotes. TFP lists Sens and Preds, I could see him as a fit in Nashville.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Also just read Kings were trying to get Lucic but couldn't get it work with the cap.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I think it is kind of a weak FA class.

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I agree. No one should be throwing out blanket statements like that...

Those look like blanket statements to me. Why don't you show some numbers before passing all of this off as fact.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

It definitely is once you get past the top few guys. Kinda weird not seeing a Flyers logo in the "Teams interested" area.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

:lol:thumbsup

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Beyond weak. A couple good ones or guys who can help a good team. Green, Franson, Frolik Vermette and there are some others ones but the other ones are gonna get overpaid and won't live up to their price tags. I'd love to have Beleskey or Williams but like I mentioned above someone will overspend on them and they won't be worth it.
Give it time.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

i always thought Justin Williams would've been a good fit in pittsburgh

that ship has sailed though

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Maybe he'll sign there this off season after promising to go back to the Flyers. It'll be payback for Jagr ;)

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:lol the last thing the penguins need now is yet another bad contract on the books

i can't believe Rutherford straight up said they aren't buying anyone out. they need to do that with Scuderi, probably Kunitz too

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Kunitz, woof. Talk about a bad contract. Then again, I think a big problem is the fact the Pens' big 3 make roughly $27 million a year.

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I think that is why there were rumors of a Malkin trade a few weeks ago before it was squashed.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I keep waiting to hear about Weiss. Coyotes need to get to the floor, get it done Holland. Give me a 5th rounder, I don't give a shit. Buyout window ends Tuesday I think I read so my guess is trade or hold onto him for another year. If they do that he'll be bought out next year for sure.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

yea, $33 million for the core 4 if you throw in fleury

hopefully the room they get from guys like Martin and Ehrhoff coming off the books will help

the youth movement on the penguins blue line is finally here

Re: The NHL Thread
 

‏@CraigCustance: Carl Soderberg deal with Colorado is done. 5 years, 4.75 AAV.

Starting early this year. ROR has to be gone but who is gonna take him unless they can sign him? And does he really want to get signed now or does he want to test the market next summer?

Re: The NHL Thread
 

The first quote: I stated the reasons why I believe pool from which NHL players are selected is growing; you even bolded it. But here's more evidence: http://www.quanthockey.com/TS/TS_Pla...ionalities.php

Clearly, there are more European and Russian players coming over to play in the NHL. Where 40 years ago, the NHL was basically just a collection of the best Canadian hockey players, now those same young Canadian players have to compete with the best players from around the world.

Then there is the significant growth in American NHL players in the past 15 years, more evidence that the popularity of the game is growing in the US. So, that's all I really want to hear about "dilution of talent" without any reasoning behind that statement.

As far as revenues growing, that's not a "blanket statement." That is just a fact and can be easily looked up by anyone. And we all know it anyway: NHL revenues are growing. Everyone knows this. But just for you: http://www.statista.com/statistics/1...hl-since-2006/

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so because there are more Americans and Europeans playing that means the talent isn't diluted? that makes no sense, those things are mutually exclusive

more teams=worse players in the league

thats not opinion or blanket statement, thats math.

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Also, Russia is actively trying to prevent their players from playing in the NHL. If politics continues on the pay it is on, we could see Russian born players leaving the NHL soon.

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While the Soderberg deal seems high right now, it'll look great if he continues forward progression. Very similar skillset to ROR, but a little better price tag.

In today's NHL, someone will definitely go for ROR, no question. Could be someone like AZ who needs to take on salary.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Looks like Lehner and Legwand to BUF for 21st pick

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NHL-KHL getting closer to a transfer agreement so I don't think that's a huge concern.
OTT did very well here, IMO.

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That's our pick!!!!

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I do believe the NHL has the most talent it's had since we've had 30 teams. Does that mean I think they should expand? No. But they've expanded when we had less talent to go around and no cap, so this should not be a surprise.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Also, all of this doom and gloom about such poor attendance for some teams, etc. I mean, that's a little overblown don't you think?

http://espn.go.com/nhl/attendance

Only 3 teams below 15,000/game at home. And most of the teams at the bottom are at the bottom of the league in the standings as well. That's not surprising; it's just the way it goes. You can't criticize NHL in the south too much. Columbus & Nashville are smaller markets but do decently well. Dallas drew 17,000+ per game. The Lightning were great this year but drew extremely well.

Unfortunately for the Panthers they basically play in the burbs at the absolute edge of Sunrise, FL. What a wonderfully awful idea that was.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Yeah, great move. Mover two expensables - one with a decent sized salary - for a first. They've had a really good week.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Now talk of them using that pick and their's to move up. Doing good...I hate it. Screw it up somehow Sens.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Man, my phone-typing skills really let me down on that last post.

The dozen or so picks in this draft are all so strong... it will be tough moving up I think. But who knows? Ottawa's done nothing but hit home runs this week it seems like.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

[QUOTE=fonzz41;16028403]While the Soderberg deal seems high right now, it'll look great if he continues forward progression. Very similar skillset to ROR, but a little better price tag.


That is very high for a 3rd line center....be prepared to be frustrated on a night to night basis with his effort and lack of passion.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

[QUOTE=UNHDMBfan;16028826] I've followed his career and stand by what I said. Like I said, forward progression is key.