PavelValerievichDatsyuk

I don't like the signing, but I don't think money is really worth complaining about. Last year when Cleary signed at 1.75 mill it was definitely less than what he would have made elsewhere. It was also less than we offered him earlier (2 mill I think). He did this because we were against the cap by the time signed. 2.5 is partly paying for last year's salary I think. This year we are not going to be close to the cap and the 1.5 mill cap hit won't matter. The 1 mill bonus will count against next year's cap - a year when we'll have Mzasek, Mantha, Sproul, and maybe others at low caphit - so it won't matter. The reason to get mad about this signing is because he showed himself as a very ineffective player last year and he takes a roster spot. P.S. Holland said specifically that Cleary would have to beat someone out for a spot and would be a good insurance (paraphrase - I forget exact words.) I still feel like there's a good chance that doesn't play 10 games. If he does play more than 10 games then hopefully it is because the Dan Cleary of old is magically (or medically) back. I'm okay with those 2 scenarios.

Major UFA signings: Weiss, Alfredsson, Dekeyser.

Sign and trade? Technically he would have kept his promise. Tell teams we'll even keep 2.5 mill of his salary.

I'd say you solved it. It's definitely Scott Lachance. Look at the nose and eyebrows. Apparently he's a scout for the Devils. Wonder why he was at the camp? Maybe scouts just go to all the development camps http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130426173919/icehockey/images/thumb/e/e2/Scottlachance.jpg/180px-Scottlachance.jpg

He meant Legwand, I think.

I agree on Tatar. Beyond size and defensive shortcomings he is a really special player I feel. Nothing like Hudler except in those two characteristic (and perhaps a propensity to party). Tatar is a catalyst - he drives the play, make something from nothing, provides that spark, (and other cliches). It's that winning drive that you see in him that I think is actually rare. Babcock put as "one of the ones that drives the bus." at some point this past year.

maybe if kids pass him this year then we trade quincey next year.

If he wanted a video game why not go with Duck Hunt? Maybe with the ducks taking down the hunter and the dog.

So teams don't try in the regular season? Or there level of play in the regular season isn't indicative of their level? So Edmonton could possibly win in the playoffs if they would just make it? I don't buy that the "regular season is the regular season" What is there to back it up? There's always logic behind the discrepancies. We beat the kings in the season because they had some real problems with offence during the season. They worked things out and also brought in Gaborik, which gave them a big boost in the playoffs. We lost so handily to the Bruins in the playoffs because Z and Datsyuk were dealing with significant injuries, our youth disappeared with the playoff pressure due to inexperience, Ericsson injuries forced the Kindl and Lashoff, Weiss injured forced Legwand on the team unsettling the lineup even more since he played himself onto the 4th line. I know, I know, no excuses - but come on - Those factors don't account for the difference between regular season results against the Bruins and playoff results?

I think Marchenko only joined the Griffins half way through the year so he would have been in Russia and wouldn't have been around for last year's camp. Jensen, Sproul, etc. probably went to last years camp. That's my theory, but I have nothing to back that up really. Agreed on AA. After the Jarnkrok trade, everyone said we have no center prospects, but AA plays Center (as well as LW) and Mattias Janmark, who did quite well in Sweden (why is he not at the camp?).

Shaman is a fitting name for you foretold this dastardly deed. I'm going to take a nice slice of crow on this one. There's plenty to go around if anyone else wants a piece. Never did I think this would happen...

Sammuelsson wasn't re-signed last season.

...and the rest of the sentence: ",but the 28-year-old will most likely receive a bigger offer on the open market than Detroit is willing to spend." http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=724576&navid=M_DL

I have no idea. I think most of the free agent invitees are pretty unknown unless their last names are Chelios or Babcock. Just a funny name. Speaking of which, I see we also invited the Spink twins. http://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/hockey/opinion/2012/12/spink-twins-and-their-adopted-triplet-playing-well-for-colgate.html Daniel and Henrik part deux? We also invited their linemate, who the link says is Bobby Baun's grandson.

Hampus Melen must still be injured or still playing in Sweden so I'm glad we gave a tryout to Hampus Gustafsson to fullfill our organizational need for more Hampus.

You should check that punctuation again.

Obviously father does taxes the body, but do you guys actually think that Zetterberg and Datsyuk are going to play less games than last year? That just seems to fall in the "negative for the sake of being negative" category. Zetterberg got surgery for his back, said he felt like a new man. Datsyuk is a little less certain, but - come on - they missed half the year. They will be healthier than that.

Without signing anyone he'd have to beat out Jurco. Also, Alfie will probably sign and we'll have this. I think it's pretty certain Mantha will start in GR. Z-D-Alfie Franzen-Weiss-Nyquist Tatar-Sheahan-Jurco Miller-Helm-Abby Glendening

Ohhhh! thanks, I thought it would count against the cap. CBA rules are difficult!

Hasek got injured in the olympics and Emery (as a rookie) took them to the SCF.

They also let Ben Bishop, Brian Elliot, and Emery go. They could have had goaltending

So they wanted cap space and yet they retained a 1.15 million cap for Gagner. Why was that a good move? I think he could have at least gotten someone to take gagner's full salary.

Wiz said something like: "They don't pay market value" I just remember the "market value" part because people mocked it for a while. Say what you will about Jovo, but he's a pretty classy guy. I don't think he's the type to say something like that.

1st of all - you clearly ignore Erhoff's 2 years in Vancouver where he scored 44 and 50 points. He got 38 this year on a very bad Sabres team. 2nd - are we really considering 32 too old? Niskanen also turns older this year (who would have thought?) so they're only 4 years apart. We don't even know how long we would sign them for. Erhoff clearly has the more proven track record. Niskanen's Right handedness is attractive. If we signed Erhoff we'd be counting on Marchenko or Sproul to be our RH Dman. This is getting exciting! Wonder if any other unexpected buyouts happen.

These are some very juicy tidbits of knowledge that you're throwing around. But you said you can't name your source? Did Pulkinnen say he wouldn't play in the AHL for another year as well? I feel he could have a chance to make the team in 2015. Do you mean let walk in this year because he is an RFA?