rick zombo

I think the guys under contract enter a draft like the entry draft. (poorest team picks first). And the UFAs and RFAs become free agents. Maybe. I'm not the one to be answering this. One of the brainiacs, help please?

hmmmmmmmmmmmm Detroit's first pick in the contraction draft? Nathan Horton.

It's not that Quicney or Lebda aren't solid defencemen. It's that neither of them are physical. Markov filled that void and will need to be replaced or re-signed.

For me, the 2007-08 season starts July 1st. I suppose I can wait 14 days. *sigh*

Maybe the most bizarre thread ever started on LGW. I am honored you remember that avatar esteef. Sadly I missed the broadcast. But thanks! Also, I must change my crappy Lang avatar pronto.

Bowman

Sundin for 5.5 means a contender can have him for a small cap hit at the deadline, probably for Forsberg, Guerin, and Tkachuck type returns. Toronto will be last season's St.Louis, and might actually be good in 6 years.

Eklund thinks Hasek will get 5.5M http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=7975

While I'm not a fan of Bettman or some of the NHL expansion markets, it's pretty ridiculous to assume that he magiaclly orchestrated paths to cup 3 years in a row for Tampa, Carolina, and Anaheim. These are all teams that had good cores of young players built through the draft. Chicago could have been strong too if not for poor management and they are (or were) a good hockey market. The sarary cap is supposed to give equal opportunity to all 30 clubs and it does. Building a championship team is up to club mangaement and thier owners. Not Bettman. That being said, I think the NHL would be better served as a 24-26 team league that concentrated on serving real hockey markets on the Eastern seaboard, central US, and the 6 Canadian clubs. That would help elimate cups going to non-traditional markets. But make no mistake, Anaheim won the cup themselves, not becuase of Bettman.

The real question is: Where is the missing piece between Proger's two front teeth. Add Paulsson to that list. Also, they got career performances from Rob Niedermeyer, and Brad May.

The way to fix hockey is by letting it thrive in the places it should, and not forcing the issue elsewhere. Nascar don't hold races in Alberta, but lots of people still watch it. Hockey will generate more interest as a geographical-based sport. There has to be a more concentrated effort to enhance the product in cities and cultures that care. Established franchises like Rangers, Leafs, Habs, Senators, Bruins, Blackhawks, Red Wings, Flames, Oilers, Canucks, Sabers winning the cup will help the league infintily more than when Anaheim, Tampa, or Carolina win it. Contracting a few teams will increase rivalries. And add more concentrated talent to each team, eliminating trap-based systems. Get fighting back in the game, eliminate head shots and injuries to star players, and off you go.

He played like poop when it mattered most. (games 4 and 5) Although so did the entire team. Ottawa weren't winning this series even with Luongo in net.

I am a little more pessimistic about next year than some of you guys. Mainly because of goaltending. I feel like this was an exceptional year for Hasek, due to the fact that he stayed healthy. It's alot to expect that he will be healthy again next year. IF he even comes back. That being said, Detroit can only contiue to get better up front with the emergence of guys like Cleary, Franzen, and Filpulla. Add to that the continued improvement of Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Holmstom. A healthy Bertuzzi (if he resigns), another top six forward, and a succesful debut from Grigorenko could put this team over the top as far as forwards go. Plus, there should be no dead weight on this years team (bye Lang) BUT what happens on defence and in goal in 07-08 will have a big say in how strong a contenteder the Wings will be.

So it's 2.2 M plus his 7.6M for a total of 9.8M againsts the cap? Or will it just be 2.2M against the cap? *confused*

I don't get it. I din't think you could buyout players and take a decreased hit in cap space.

I heard rumors that it will be Phoenix and Dallas playing somewhere in the Sanoran. (I kid)

Yep, while almost every Red Wing enhanced theirs. Sometimes winning is not the be-all end-all.

Indeed.

All good points. But you can't overlook the fact that Bettman inherited a healthy league in 93. In 1994, the league NHL was growing in poularity. It has been on a downward twist ever since. Who do you blame?Jacques Lemaire? Kurt Cobain? Or the NHL Commissioner?

Don't get me wrong, it was terribly stupid. But I don't think he was trying to hurt Niedermeyer.

He is making either 3M or 3.5M next year no matter who he plays with. I've said this twice in this thread already. The Habs signed him for 2 years, and only one of those contract years have expired. So there's your price. Not cheap. Not at all.

And has only an average shot, is not a natural goal scorer, and would eat up 3 - 3.5M in cap space. Hartnel can be had for the same price, or re-sign Markov for the same amount.

It was very (edit) UNsportsman-like, but it was harly head-hunting. Alfie would have had to shoot a 30lb grenade at Niedermeyer, travelling at 60 miles per hour, to even come close to Sponge-Prong territory.

Samsonov has a year on his contract and makes 3 or 3.5M I think. He could be had in a trade for a low draft pick because the Habs want to shed his salary. That's saying something. Plus, he's not what Detroit needs. Detroit either need a trigger man or someone like Hartnell.

Yeah, I have no personal problem with Sammy. I thought he played as well as he could this playoffs, it's just with Grigorenko potentially filling out a spot on the 3rd or 4th line and Kopecky having good upside as a grinder on the 4th line, there's going to be no room for someone. And we know that Maltby, Franzen, Cleary, Draper and Filpulla are all going to play. The need to revamp the 2nd line is obvious, and Sammy playing on the 2nd line is not going to address this need. Hence trade him to help with the cap and free up the roster space. edit: if the cap increases to 52M though like the PA is pushing for, then it would be worth keeping Samuelson for depth. He's a quality player when used properly (i.e. not on the top 2 lines)