251 replies to this topic

[Shoreline]

I like the signing. Seems like the vast majority of us do. Young. Cheap. Better defensively than Raffy. A right handed shot. Fills a big need. Has fought before. Appears to check a little bit. Etc...etc...etc.

But, big picture..

We're still the exact same team as we were last year (and the year before, largely), minus rafalski and plus white. Little bit better defensively. Little bit worse offensively. Most of our core guys are a year older. Some of our young guys are a year more experienced.

Best case, we're still the third best team in the west behind Vancouver and Chicago. Worst-case, we could also be behind Chicago, Nashville, and a surprise team (like LA).

Holland still really needs to make an exceptional move or two if this season's going to be worth watching.

Like anyone believes you're going to find a reason to "watch" anyways.

Great signing Kenny, and with some cap room, it's possible to still get one extremely decent or two or three average signings done. This is more akin to what I figured Kenny would go for.

Whether or not it pays off we'll see.

[motorcitykid]

i have seen enough of white play with his time with the leafs. if people complain about rafalski's questionable defensive play and give away's, you ain't seen nothing yet..

^^ This.

Commodore. Now White. The best Holland could do?

[robat]

Hey, at least he uses his head!

[e_prime]

The HF thing is from a book by Gare Joyce about scouting. I met the assistant coach who helped throw out White's equipment and he had said White had the biggest attitude problem he's seen in junior. These things don't just go away.

Again, we're talking about what he was like in junior. I'm sure the coach that threw his equipment out was a real humble and attitude free guy himself. Sounds about right if you're tossing someone's equipment out the back door. Real direct and mature way to handle the situation. A life lesson for White, I'm sure.

Three times in 18 months, and then not re-signed for a bargain price when he became available as a UFA. Tell me that doesn't sound off any alarm bells.

Alarm bells? No. Hardly.

SJS:
10 Forwards, 8 defensemen, 2 Goalies. They've got just under four million to shore up three roster spots -- likely forwards.

White became expendable when the Sharks traded for Burns.
Also, they went even more bargin with Jim Vandermeer for a cool million. Solely for veteran presence to round out their bottom tier defensemen. White wasn't going to sign with SJ for that price.

Prior to that he was traded from Carolina to SJ for a second rounder in order to bolster the Sharks D.
Sounds like a solid move and he played solidly for San Jose.

Prior trade: From Calgary to Carolina for Anton Babchuk. To quote the Hockey News: "This is a swap of a pair of underachieving defensemen, mainly. The 'Canes get the smaller White, who is usually a bit more reliable in his own end. Babchuk's big point shot could make him a strong candidate to see quality time on the power play. More than anything, this deal is a bit of a shakeup for the Flames."

He got traded from Calgary when Calgary was sucking and needed a change. He played solidly, but not spectacularly in Carolina and then was grabbed up by the team that beat us in the 2nd round to bolster their puck movement.

I've tried to be patient and optimistic, but this off-season has been really disappointing, even after last year didn't get us anything important we needed. The July 18th signing of Jason Williams, followed by Kenny's "Well, we're done making changes!" press conference that I can see coming is really going to send me over the edge.

Your optimism is lighting the way for all to follow. Hope this all works out for you, bro.

In the real world, Ken Holland has not thrown insane money at second rate free agents. I for one am relieved.

[Kira]

May I say this one came as a surprise. Interesting.

[Barrie]

Good move, and for only 2 years!

[dropkickshanahans]

This is a very good deal IMO. Now Kronwall's ready to take over Rafalski's role at the #2 spot, and we have what I think is pretty good defensive depth. Might not be the same firepower as when we had Rafalski but I still like the corps, plus it's only a 2 year deal if things don't work.

EDIT: Forgot White is a righty. I wonder if he'll play #2 or not? Nah, who am I kidding.

Edited by dropkickshanahans, 02 July 2011 - 06:11 PM.

[dragonballgtz]

i assume lids and kronner are our #1 and #2 defensemen. stuart and white are #3 and #4. E and commodore are #5 and #6.

Label them what you want I bet they split ice time evenly like last year.

[e_prime]

where are people getting this better defensively than raffi from? was it from the 7 playoff games you saw him play? guy is terrible, trust me. i watched him play for the leafs for years, i just got a few texts from a couple of leaf friends of mine bashing the white signing. guess this is their payback when i did the same thing about lebda.

I can't wait to bump this thread in the middle of november when people are calling for his head.

would have been better off just playing smith instead.

From reading the Sharks message boards... you know, people that have seen him play recently, it looks as if most people were wanting White back if they could afford to sign him, but once Burns was traded for, he seemed too expensive and unlikely to be re-signed.

Also, remind your friends how well Lebda played for the Laffs. Should even it out just a smidgen.

it's not called hoping. it's knowing.

Just like you know Smith is NHL ready?

this board is full of them. get used to it. I am only basing it on what I have seen of white from the many leafs games i have watched. I admit, i stopped following him when he left the leafs, but the guy is nothing special and a liability in his own end. i would have rather seen kaberle, who is just as bad defensively and soft, but a much better passer and skater.

I will not post in this thread or about Ian White until the season starts. If he does well, I will gladly eat crow, but I expect him to be his same mediocre self.

Good day.

Kaberle will sign for some stupid amount of money somewhere for way too long. He was over-valued by just about everyone at one point in time and showed his worth by failing to bolster Boston's powerplay. I am glad Holland did not sign him.

Edited by e_prime, 02 July 2011 - 05:57 PM.

[greenrebellion]

Honestly people. For those saying white will be better defensively than Rafalski, you are out of your freaking minds, no offense.

The guy that benefits the most from this signing is ericcson since the forum will be distracted by whites defense, or lack thereof. That said, id rather sign white than mortgage the future in a trade, just hope you guys don't expect too much.

[RedFX]

I'm okay with this.

I think White is a slight step-down offensively than Rafalski, but a slight step-up defensively as well. I think he can get the job done.

Another thing I like for next season...competition in the Bottom 3. You have 4 maybe 5 guys competing for 3 spots once training camp starts. I think this extra level of motivation is going to bring out the best in everyone.

[syntax]

Good skater - check
Good outlet passer - check
Young- check
Good price - check
Not Kaberle - check
Plays hard every night - check
Right handed shot - check

Good signing Kenny.

Edited by syntax, 02 July 2011 - 06:10 PM.

[Red Wings Addict]

So the Wings got a Commodore 64 yesterday and today they got a... Nintendo 64? But hey, Nintendo 64 is still a sweet system.

It'd be super awesome if the Wings found a way to acquire a Ninetendo Wii though since it has the ability to load Nintendo 64 games.

Ian White is capable of playing the PP point but I bet he's not on the 1st unit. I remember Kenny saying something about how Kronwall could take Rafalski's spot on the PP, and to be honest that makes more sense to me than simply slotting Ian White there.

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom
Lidstrom-Kronwall

2nd unit... Hmm... If it were up to me the way I'm feeling right now:
Franzen-Filppula-Eaves (Bertuzzi 2nd)
Hudler (Kindl 2nd)-White

But who knows, maybe Babs simply can't shake off his need for every single threat possible on the power play, thus the focus for a right hand shot.

EDIT: Stupid double post.

Edited by Red Wings Addict, 02 July 2011 - 06:22 PM.

[Agalloch93]

I'm 99.9% sure Ericsson will man one of the point positions on the PP next year.

[Barrie]

Commodore. Now White. The best Holland could do?

Realistically what were you expecting?

[esteef]

White will be fine with such D partners as Lids and Kronner.

esteef

[haroldsnepsts]

I'm 99.9% sure Ericsson will man one of the point positions on the PP next year.

Not saying it won't happen, but Ericsson hardly got a look at the PP last season. Kindl even got more PP than E.

Ericsson has a cannon apparently, but his windup is too slow and I wouldn't trust him out there at the point. Of course, Kindl is pretty scary there too, but he at least gets his shot off quicker.

[e_prime]

Realistically what were you expecting?

Something completely unrealistic.

[hankzet40]

This could work out well and with money left over, they could still get some decent players.

[Agalloch93]

Not saying it won't happen, but Ericsson hardly got a look at the PP last season. Kindl even got more PP than E.

Ericsson has a cannon apparently, but his windup is too slow and I wouldn't trust him out there at the point. Of course, Kindl is pretty scary there too, but he at least gets his shot off quicker.

This is true, but I'm guessing this is one of the things that Holland Babcock were talking about when they said Ericsson was going to get an "increased role" this year and that they expect more points out of him. I see the pairings as probably Lidstrom - White and Kronwall - Ericsson on the PP.

Realistically what were you expecting?

Weber, Suter, Burns, and Doughty.

Lidstrom - Weber
Suter - Burns
Doughty - Kronwall
Stuart

Are you saying you were expecting anything less? Fire Holland.