stevkrause

It really is an OVERLOADED class of FA netminders this year... no year for negotiating for sure... As far as Khabibulin, I disagree and still think he is better than Hedberg at this stage in his career, but even by the argument that he might not be - he's making 3.75m... that's not backup salary and there's no way they could trade him, for the reasons already covered (plus, I think he has a NTC) - So, I can guarantee that Edm is not looking for a starter

VERY good comparison... although they haven't lost anyone with the impact of Hossa, they still lost a LOT of depth and that is what wins championships in the cap world...

STL already traded for Halak... they're out of the scenario... oh, and EDM still has Khabibulin...

I have to agree... when healthy, we have PLENTY of scorers, we really just need a good, solid, physical 3rd pairing d-man and mean SOB to "keep the flies off"(Babcock TM) I'd love to see Modano finish his career here, but without at least 2 guys being traded... it doesn't make sense (and even then it might not make sense, because who do you trade?? - you're essentially giving up youth and potential for one year)

oh, I didn't say it was a smart cap move, just said that they COULD do it... they pretty much put themselves in cap purgatory last year for a cup anyway, but hey, they got their cup...

I'm pretty sure free agency doesn't OFFICIALLY begin until 12:00PM(noon) EST for the NHL

He'd be real good on the blue-line with his size and physicality... I wonder if he'd drop the mitts?

even aside from the fact the Rangers aren't going to be favorites, with his age, it still wouldn't make sense... players take lesser roles and less money to win at later stages in their career - When they're still establishing a career, it would be career suicide to take such a demotion...

why would he relinquish a starting role to be a backup? Doesn't make sense... EDIT - and most likely for less money too...

they can still bounce bonus numbers to next years cap... one loophole in the CBA...

They are considerably weaker, without a doubt, but they're probably not going to go to basement dwellers with that much talent in their top lines... the problem is, they are much easier to match up against now and goaltending is still a concern...

Can I sue the NHL for not giving me the job of commissioner that I sent in resumes for 10 times?

Cap is at 59.4 now... that leaves 2.4 to fill those spots... that can be done...

doesn't Hossa have a NTC... at least in the first several years of his deal? back to the topic at hand - I think this was a great deal for both teams - Chicago gets cap relief and all prospects, meaning more cap space and roster spots and Toronto gets a proven NHL player with 20+ goal ability and some nastiness to his game, not to mention another pretty decent prospect in Sweat...

It's flat out sickening... That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger NOT That which does not go our way, will be taken to court until it does go our way, weaker and with less resolve Pathetic.

They were talking about this on the radio this morning... this is just sickening and I hope the judge not only throws this out, but fines the parents for wasting the courts time and makes an example out of them - THIS IS WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE WORLD If you don't make a team, use it as motivation, train harder, practice longer and make the team next time... nothing in life should be handed to you, it should be EARNED.

But he's not going to just be GIVEN a starting job anywhere else and for a goalie, starting is sometimes more important that winning...

haha, well played!

Interesting way to report this by resurrecting a thread from months ago... As long as he plays for them like he did after the trade and not like he did for Mon, should be a good deal, but they were smart to only make it 2 years...

Is anyone else bored out of their mind and done with the "fun speculation" crap? I'm VERY ready for 7/1 to get here already... not just for the Wings (as it actually probably won't have much - if any - effect on us anyway) but just for some excitement and substance instead of all the talking heads...

oh, I agree completely on what he is, that's why I rank him below Lils, I just think he'd make our D better if none of the guys I had listed ahead of him could be had... and for that reason alone, I'd be willing to take a flier on him

Coliacovo can hit AND score pts and will likely come cheap... as far as Witt being tough, like I already said, no one can argue that, but tough as nails ≠ good defenseman As far as dropping the mitts, I actually prefer that a good physical d-man DOESN'T fight - leave that to 3rd and 4th line forwards... d-men serve a team better on the ice than they do in the box, as there are only 3 pairs and take one away and everyone else gets worked that much harder... with that said, I want them to not be afraid to drop them and have opponents know that they WILL fight... it just shouldn't be a priority for a d-man...

I'd take any of those 4 and several others over Witt, but Lilja is 3rd on my list: Vandermeer Sutton Lilja Coliacovo Exelby Boynton Hnidy about 20 other guys, even those relatively unknown... THEN Witt Once again: tough as nails≠good defenseman

That's going a bit far - he's a serviceable plug, but a plug nonetheless... he's a decent 7/8th d-man and can fill in when there are injuries, so I wouldn't call him useless, he just doesn't fill a need we have here...

Really? I think Witt is a shell of what he was, he is slow as hell and is a HUGE defensive liability at this point... I'd role with Ericsson-Kindl with Meech as the 7th before I'd want Witt at this stage in his career... physicality is GREAT, but it's not worth sacrificing goals...