DSM

IIRC, Kovalev's gripe had something to with the NHL not having enough skilled/finesse players anymore.

Added the NY Islanders to the main post...

Had to stay out on an icing call against Detroit. Sutter capitalized by throwing out his fresh 1st line.

Either that or they are agreeing on a release. He was interviewed the other day and pretty said he doesn't like the way the game is played in the NHL anymore. Sounds like he is going back to the KHL.

Could just be a straight up release, although Kovalev has to agree to it. He's been a zero factor in Florida this season. Had a goal and two assists in the Panthers season opener, and has just 2 pts in his last 13 games. Has been a healthy scratch in 6 of Floridas last 11 games. Sounds like they were trying to move him either to another team or to the minors and Kovalev not surprisingly won't agree to it. In an interview at some point this season, he basically said he doesn't like the way the game is played in the NHL anymore. See ya later Alexei.

This seems like a huge gamble for Colorado... What if he doesn't produce over the next year? No team will want to trade for him if he isn't producing, knowing that in order to retain his rights they have to give him a $6.5mil offer. If that ends up being the case, they would've been better off trading his rights earlier this season or taking the draft picks from Calgary. Either way, O'Reilly wins. He'll face two possibilities after next season: 1. Guaranteed to make $6.5mil a season 2. Become a 23Y/O UFA

I think for Feaster sake, Colorado matching the offer was a God send. They would've thrown him in as their #1 center, and if O'Reilly pulled a Dustin Penner, Feaster would get an absolute roasting. Atleast if they have to go the rebuild route, Feaster will be the one to atleast get the wheels turning on it. It'll be interesting to see what Colorado does after next season. In order to make O'Reilly an RFA again the qualifying offer has to $6.5mil or higher!

Ok. No where did I say that it was better than those teams. I merely used it as an example of how tough guys can be effective.

If the Wings were indeed sellers, I could see teams making a pitch for Samuelsson. Although, more so if he was scheduled to be a UFA. Even though he's missed significant time in recent seasons, he's still posted good numbers and has an impressive resume that includes 3 SCF appearances.

Good "young up-and-comers who will actually be here for a while" will cost more than rentals. I doubt teams that are sellers at the deadline will want to sell their "young up-and-comers". That would be like if the Wings were sellers and traded away Smith, Mrazek, Nyquist and Tatar... Rentals are what will mostly be on the market come trade deadline time.

Tootoo hate is funny. You hate him as a person? So you know him personally? Must've been awful for you when the Wings won the cup in '08 with 3 tough guys on the team... GTFO

We already established that buying out Franzen would be foolish and that Holland probably won't buy anyone out. Yea, I'm sure every other GM in the NHL is just going to forget about Clarkson while Perry is on the market.... Is that how it works on NHL13?

I don't have a problem with it.

So then they have less cap space next season and have to ice a supbar team? That makes a lot of sense....

The Red Wings don't have any bad contracts... They also have plenty of cap space for next season.

Fixed.

Hudler seems to have to cooled off from his big opening in Calgary too. After netting 4 goals and 5 assist in his first 8 games, he has only 1 assist in his last 7.

I think the Islanders are still recovering from a bad case of Milburyitis. Although, they made playoffs in 2007, where the Oilers and Leafs haven't been since before that.

Buying out Franzen would be foolish and they could probably get something for Colaiacovo in a trade. I seriously doubt Holland will use any amnesty buyouts.

Alexei Yashin? Is that you? I bet Ovechkin is just fooling everyone. That way he can get bought out by the Caps, and get a nice lofty paycheck from Washington for several years while making $10mil+ tax free in the KHL. Must be nice to work a job where you can make millions of dollars even after you get fired...

No one that would be an upgrade over any of those players. I doubt anyone would take all three of those players in a deal. Maybe Filppula and White together to a playoff contender as rentals, but that's unlikely as well.

and that's being nice...

Should be interesting to see what Holland does if he wants to open up spots. Lets consider: -If you leave out UFA's (Filppula, Cleary, White, Howard, Brunner, Huskins and Miller) -It's a good bet that all RFA's minus Mursak have a pretty much 100% chance of being re-signed (Andersson, Kindl and Smith) -Factor in that Tatar, Andersson and Lashoff can no longer go to GR without hitting waivers You end up with 20 players on the roster (12 Forwards, 7 Dmen, and 1 Goalie). That leaves 3 spots open. Obviously, the Wings priority at this time is to re-sign Howard, Brunner and Filppula. Which takes up the 3 open spots. The Red Wings will have to make some moves if they want to make upgrades. However, I doubt they will go the buyout route.

If he was a UFA this summer, I'm sure the Bruins wouldn't mind adding Samuelsson. However, since he's under contract for next season, they won't be interested.

That must not matter in NHL13...