Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

It would cost a fortune (in assets) to get him. With the possible lure of the KHL, I can't imagine anyone risking it.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

I think it would take an awful lot to get Caps management to even consider trading him. With his electrifying offense and goofy demeanor, he's every owner and markerter's dream. It's unfortunate, because from a hockey sense he's becoming more of a cancer than anything.

I bet just about every team would at least kick the tires on him if he became available. Ideally, he would go to a team that wouldn't rely on him for leadership.

I will throw this out there, knowing it will cause our Pens fans to gag probably... but can you imagine Crosby and Ovie playing on the same team? I know they are two alpha males and chances are just as good they will butt heads... but imagine if they found some chemistry playing together... JUST A THOUGHT.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Yeah. McPhee could basically ask for anything he wanted, knowing he could use the "I've got 28 other teams on hold right now waiting for me to get off this call" line with every team.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

McPhee could trade him to Nashville for Flip Forsberg. That guy is a can't miss prospect.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

it would be more likely that ovie would play with malkin

of course this will never happen, but thinking out loud, that would make the most sense

also, imagine a top powerplay of:

Crosby below the goal line
Malkin right side half-wall
Ovie left side half wall
James Neal in the slot
Paul Martin/Kris Letang at the point

would be frightening

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Yeah for how much we dog him, most teams would still want him. He's still a 50+ goal scorer. He'd need the right environment. Pens maybe, could also see the Wings because of the structure and leadership. Him with Babs and Dastyuk might work. There are only a few teams where I could see him being able to be a better player. Like you said you'd need strong leadership with the team both from the coach and the players.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

I considered the Malkin/Ovie duo as well. Makes sense from a couple perspectives, not the least of which is the communication. They could be telepathically brilliant and perfect together, no doubt. But I don't know, I can just see Crosby and Ovie really hitting it off. They play with a lot of fire (well, Ovie does in the offensive zone:lol), and I can just see that working out.

Hell, someone like Malkin would probably have to be part of the deal going back to Washington. :lol

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Going to be a lot of Hawks fans in StL, 35% of ticket sales are originating from the Chicago area.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

yea definitely

maybe the pens could get some bottom 6 players in return, that's what they really need :lol

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

If anyone could straighten him out, it would be Mike effing Babcock. I agree that playing with disciplined, willing-to-do-whatever stars like Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Kronwall would be beneficial. The idea of Dats and Ovie on a 2-on-1 scares me shitless.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

babcock is good, but not that good

sometimes, and i know this is a sterotype, those russian players just do their own thing, no matter the coach

sure, you have guys like datsyuk that are model players, but they are few and far between

malkin and ovie are more the norm, great talent but hot headed

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Flyers sign MacDonald for 6 years, $30 mil. Jesus

And in other news, Matt Niskanen is going to be very rich in the coming months.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

yep, and good for him

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

:lol Very true, my friend. Very true. And yes, the stigma on Russian players is just as you described.

But after what I've seen Babcock do (going clear back to Anaheim), I can't deny the wonders that guy can work. That was only reinforced to me by the way he handled the offensive-heavy Canadian olympic team. Canadians are not Russians (thankfully), but the point was well taken that he can sell the system to the biggest of stars.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

WOW. I like the kid, but I would never have guessed that. Seems like the ol' 3 years, $9 million is the going rate for a guy in his situation.

Good for him, though. This was the argument I made a few years ago with the Kovy/Devils signing, but if teams are throwing crazy money and term at you, take it while you can.

EDIT: Agree with hailtopitt, re: Niskanen. Really flew under the radar this year. Was great for my fantasy squad.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Yeah I don't know if anyone could get him on the right path but Babcock is one of the few that could. Would it work? I honestly don't think so but ya never know.

I think part of why Datsyuk is the model citizen is because he wasn't the can't miss super star so he had to work for what he got. Plus he got to come in and take a backseat with guys like Yzerman, Hull, Fedorov, Shanny and Larionov. You grow up in a team first environment, it helps out.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

What's that, a 1000% raise? He's a nice defensman but....damn.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

i really don't understand how the flyers have any cap space.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

In regards to Niskanen, after the past two seasons (especially this one), he was due for a big pay day. The unknown factor that had yet to be determined was what the going market price was going to be for dmen this season. This MacDonald deal has set a bar that might result in him testing the FA waters to get paid, and I wouldn't blame him.

With that said, if I were Shero I'd do whatever I could to hold onto him even if that means trading Scuderi and letting Orpik go. Those ships have sailed. Having a core D of Martin, Letang, Niskanen, and Maatta would be terrific

A 9 year old girl named Maddie who is battling cancer was able to get new goalie gear with Tuukka at a local store, and try out all her gear with the Bruins after a practice a few weeks ago. Tuukka went to the next level for her and had this mask custom made. A lot of this story has been covered on the Bruins show Behind the B, but I just thought I'd share it because it's an awesome story.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/15/udy9u4ys.jpg

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

I think that maybe after next season when the team is still bad and Leonsis can't sell seats with the lure of an upcoming Winter Classic, and he realizes just how quickly the DC sports fanbase will give up on a losing team that isn't the named the Redskins...that's when he'll seriously consider doing something like trading Ovechkin

For now, he's not going anywhere

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

Six years, $30 million for Andrew MacDonald. Good job, Homer :lol:lol

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

I was hoping the Wings could improve their D in the offseason, but if MacDonald is any indication of the market, they'll be better with the kids and what they have now.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

And ugh, I want the playoffs to start. One more day still....feels like an eternity.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

completely agree

yes :thumbsup

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

I'm confused. Isn't this what everyone expected anyway? Why are people mad about this?

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

HgH. As per usual. Awful deal. Oh well....

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

I'm just mad about the years, not the dollars.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

He'll be 32 when the deal is up. He's not an old man. I think Flyers fans just bitch about anything that comes to mind.

EDIT: Obviously not you guys, well maybe you guys, maybe just Kev, yeah--Kev.

Re: The NHL 2013-14 Thread
 

You shut your mouth you softball legend!

I don't just bitch to bitch. I bitch at deals that exceed 4-5 years. Don't care about the age. There's too much that can happen to a player, mentally, physically, whatever and can hurt your cap. The Flyers know about this all to well.