exactly what I was thinking on all of these.

** Unknowledgable NHL Fan Alert **

Do the Blackhawks have ANYTHING to look forward to? At all? Ever?

The article perhaps is a bit confusing here. Buffalo is mulling over the idea of qualifying him so they could turn around and trade him right away. He's an asset right now but one that really isn't interested in sticking around anymore.

I think the reason Buffalo is hesitating is because if they DO qualify him, he'll be making money that might be a bit higher than his true market value, thus turning off teams that might be interested in trading for him. Buffalo doesn't want to get stuck paying a guy whose heart isn't in to playing for the club.

The Sabres are stocked at right wing right now, with J.P. Dumont, Maxim Afinogenov, Ales Kotalik already on the roster and guys like Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek ready for the show as well. The sometimes lazy Satan, while a dynamic player, is expendable.

No.


They do have some good young players and their current cap situation looks good (14 players at $19 million), so they can spend on some big name FAs if they want to. The question is, are they going to spend?



Ah, okay. That makes more sense but like you mentioned the qualifiying offer would be above his value. According to the CBA FAQ, the QO would be 100% his previous year's salary which I believe was around $4 million. I don't think at $4 million, teams will be calling.

Winning a world championship before the Cubs do?

Yes. Given the new schedule, they can look forward to getting beaten by the Red Wings on a more relevently consistent basis. :D

I wish I had a witty response but even though technically I do not know for sure, a hockey hotbed such as Toronto has surely produced the NHL equivalent to the New York Yankees in championships and sport domination so I digress.

Come on. Didn't you know that, according to Larry "Christmas Tree" Tanenbaum, the Leafs are the #1 franchise in the NHL. Here's his quote:

"'We are the No. 1 franchise in the NHL,'' Tanenbaum said. ''As far as I'm concerned we will always continue to be the No. 1 franchise in the NHL. We acted when we had these discussions with our colleagues at the governors meetings."

You've got the Maple Leafs mixed up with the Canadiens. :)

Because Hatcher is popular with fans!

We'll, you can't really argue that in terms of off-the-ice performance. They're at or near the top in revenue, and in terms of world-wide fan base and overall fan loyalty they blow most of the league away.

Now on-the-ice is a different topic (although in fairness, the Ballard years shouldn't count). But why would you expect a suit like Tanenbaum to be talking about the actual games? He probably doesn't watch them.

Sounds like your Maple Leafs have a lot more in common with the Cubs than you may care to admit.

:)

KINGS RE-SIGN VETERAN LUC ROBITAILLE
The Los Angeles Kings have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the NHL’s highest-scoring left wing.

my favorite King Player.

Bartman = Fraser

About 15 hours late on that one. Someone needs to keep better track of this thread. :)

http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/foru...3&postcount=83

Niedermeyer is'nt worth max money????

I would beg to differ.

Also used to babysit my friend's roomate.

Even if he is, I don't think he's going to get close to it... the max is ~7 Million, right? I'm thinking he'll sign for $4-5 Million.

Depends on who he signs for. I hope the Devs retain him.

7.7 mil, I believe.

Okay, I take back my I don't think Niedermeyer is worth the max. The reason being is that it looks like Pronger will be leaving St. Louis and it looks like he will get the max (or close to it). If Pronger can get close to the max then I think Niedermeyer can get it. I guess I find it weird that the players being rumored as getting max deals are defensemen.


Boston has made offers to UFAs Gonchar and Lapointe and RFAs Thorton, Samsonov, and Axelsson.

Phoenix made offers to RFAs Derek Morris and Paul Mara.
Ottawa exercise their option to keep Dominick Hasek.

I finally took a look at that Eklund's rumor site. Not bad. Though it saddens me that the Wings are never mentioned in the rumors.

While Colorado will have a tough of things, this will be no cakewalk for the Wings either. Buying Whitney, Hatcher, and McCarty out gave them some wiggle room, they are still going to be hard pressed to fill out the roster:

Does Stevie Y come back? If so, for how much? Does Shanny exercise his option and stay with the club? How much will it cost to bring Zetterberg back into the fold? The Datysuk negotiations are going to be a bitch. He's already playing the "I can play in Russia" card. Even assuming they bring back all the above as well as Holmstrom (he's great at being Holmstrom: the guy who stands in front of the net, gets pounded, and scores on the occasional deflection, but not amazing on 5 on 5) and Jason Williams (fringe guy), they are still need to fill the roster with a first and second line winger.

The defense looks suspect at this moment as well. Lidstrom is great. Fischer has been progressing well. Kronwall is ready to step in. But after that? Dandenault, Bryan Helmer, and Jamie Rivers? A 43 year old Chris Chelios? Doesn't instill fear in the opposing side.

05-06 Schedule released: http://www.nhl.com/schedules/index.html

Brutal stretch for the Leafs in October.

Oct 5 2005, Wed	HOME	Senators		7:30 PM ET	-
Oct 8 2005, Sat	HOME	Canadiens		7:00 PM ET	-
Oct 10 2005, Mon	AWAY	Senators		7:30 PM ET	-
Oct 11 2005, Tue	HOME	Flyers		7:30 PM ET	-
Oct 14 2005, Fri	AWAY	Thrashers		7:00 PM ET	-
Oct 15 2005, Sat	AWAY	Canadiens		7:00 PM ET	-
Oct 20 2005, Thu	HOME	Hurricanes		7:30 PM ET	-
Oct 22 2005, Sat	HOME	Flyers		7:00 PM ET	-
Oct 24 2005, Mon	HOME	Bruins		7:30 PM ET	-
Oct 27 2005, Thu	AWAY	Bruins		7:00 PM ET	-
Oct 29 2005, Sat	HOME	Senators		7:00 PM ET	-
Oct 31 2005, Mon	HOME	Panthers		7:30 PM ET	-

Tuomo Ruutu
Mark Bell
Kyle Calder
Steve McCarthy
Brent Seabrooke
David Bolland
Cam Barker

Decent young players that could be helped out with a few FA aquisitions. They need a goalie though...

10-0-2

Rumours are flying fast and furious among Flames fans. Sutter leaked yesterday that the budget could be pushed up to $34 million. And he's been more giddy than usual.
http://www.canada.com/vancouver/thep...3-4ee64680eef5

I know the new economics are supposed to help small-market teams compete but the thought of an 'A-list' free agent actually playing in Calgary is remarkable.

It's still a pipedream but at least we can dream... the last CBA didn't even allow us to do that!

The Canadiens also have a hard schedule to start the year... back to back games to start off the year (at Boston and at Rangers) and later in the month they play their first home game against Ottawa and have an away game in Atlanta the next night. Then they have 3 days off and go back home to play the Leafs...

Wierd..

speaking of schedules, I think the idea of having every team playing on opening night is a GREAT one and I hope this one becomes a yearly thing.

Sounds like the Rangers will give a qualifying offer to Kevin Weekes and he will be their starting netminder. One of the young guys (Labarbera, Lundquist, or Montoya) will be backing up. It also looks like Leetch will return.

The Toronto Star is saying that while the Leafs are interested in Scott Niedermayer, they may not be willing to offer him the max. The Star also says that the Leafs are interested in bringing in Jason Allison.

Somewhat off-topic... but I can't wait for the September update of EHM!!!!

The Flyers saved their behinds and got Carter and Richards signed. I'm too lazy to get a link, but its on TSN.ca right now.

Seconded!

In toronto, just about everyone with any skill is rumoured to be coming....

Gonchar, Allison, Jeff O'neil, have all said they would like to play here

Domi, Roberts, and Niewy would like to return

Niedermyer said Toronto is an option

Forsberg and Naslund apparantly want to play together, and Sundin is recruiting them, so the rumours are going crazy with that

Foote, apparantly also wants to come here....

Ofcourse, this all cant happen unless everyone takes a extreme pay cut, or the salary cap baloons to 60 mil for us alone.....but i can see a few, ecspecially Gonchar, Allison, and O'neal taking pay cuts to be a Leaf

I forgot to mention the obvious one...Lindros, will likely take a pay cut to come here, if JFJ wants him

Lindros and Allison are helped by a clause in the CBA that for players with 400 games who have played less than (100?) games in the past 2 years can have bonus-filled contracts and count less towards the cap.

I'm not sure what the exact clause is so I may be wrong... but I heard Allison talking about it on OTR.

I read the same thing talking about Forsberg.....that he can accept a low base salary, wich would count against the cap, and easily attainable bonus, that wont count, so ya, that would probably count for Allison and Lindros too

Would those bonus count against next year's cap like the NFL?

I truly find it sickening how much Leaf fans/Toronto media feel they will be ADDING talent this offseason.

Sure, the cap will mean players will get to choose where to go, but to think guys like Niedermayer would take pay cuts to play in Toronto is laughable. I don't think Niedermayer will go somewhere just for the money, but Toronto is in one of the worst positions under the cap as we speak and can't offer him more than 5 million, realistically if they want to bring most of their other guys back. The Toronto media and fans are in for a disappointment once the offseason ends. I just don't see how it will all fit... maybe I'm just naive though.

I think if the bonus' cause the total salary to go over the 39 million figure....I guess its not a great incetive to do that

I dont think Niewdermyer would take a pay cut, i think he will want close to the max...not sure if he'll get that though......but from what ive seen, i would not be surprised in the least if Gonchar, O'neal, Allison, Lindros, Domi, Roberts, and Niewy take pay cuts, and if the reports are accurate about Forsberg, him too, though that one is hard to believe....

If Forsberg and Naslund pull a Kariya-Selanne and do it in Toronto, I will forever hold a grudge over any Swede I ever see.

That is all.

If they sign him I will blow up the ACC...


If they buy out Nolan, and Belfour... they are only at ~$23 Million. That's not exactly a terrible position.

Dola... Where do you guys see Pronger ending up? There are a few teams that have needs at defense, but most of them do not have the cap room. A team like NJ, who can't afford Niedermayer and Rafalski don't have the room to get Pronger... the Rangers will probably go after Rafalski...

I'd love to see him with the Canadiens who let Brisebois go and have a couple of spots open on D go after one of the big names... they have the room. I really doubt that they'll do anything, but I am very excited to see what Gainey can pull things from under his hat-- and I wouldn't be surprised if he goes after Hatcher who he had in Dallas.

I also, although I liked Kovalev when he was here, would love the Habs to make a run at Glen Murray. He is bigger, and I think better than Kovalev and more importantly he plays bigger. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Montreal try and bring Selanne to play with Koivu, who he has always loved playing with in international tournaments. The thing is, Montreal is absolutely stacked with Offensive prospects who would be hurt playing anywhere other than on the 1st 2 lines... guys like Higgins, Plekanec, Perezhogin, Kostitsyn have 1st 2 lines potential and I don't think they'd be with the Canadiens on a defensive role.

There have been rumors flying around here that Montreal is making a stab to move up and grab Anaheim's #2. I'm not so sure why they would do that... I am sure it's because they are high on Johnson, Pouliot and Ryan and are worried they will be going 2-3-4. I doubt they want to be "stuck" with Brule at #5. They need size, they always have and that's why I'd love to see Pronger. With Quintal gone, the Canadiens don't have anybody who had 100+ PIM in 2003-04 and I think that is the one spot they need to improve.

Yeah, this idea that the Leafs are in so much trouble with the cap is a bit of a myth. They have a lot of money tied up in a handful of players, but the Nolan buyout helps that quite a bit. They have a few kids who will be in the lineup this year making less than a million, and unlike teams like Detroit or Colorado they have no RFA's who will need multi-million qualifying offers. If they cut Belfour they'd actually be in really good shape financially (although without a goalie, so...)

I highly doubt they will buy out Belfour for one reason.... What happens if they don't get Khabibulin? There are at least 7 teams interested in Khabby and there is no viable options besides him.

The Leafs might think they are OK with Tellqvist but I highly doubt it.

I doubt they'll cut him too, and I agree Telly isn't a viable option... he isn't going to be a NHL starter of any quality. However, I think the smart thing to do is cut him, even if it means we take a hit in quality between the pipes in the case we don't get Khabby. I'd rather take advantage of the FA market this year then keep a goalie who'll likely retire or soon, and is an injury risk.

I'm a Leafs fan and I don't want that to happen either. I'd rather them build a team without these buddy, buddy signings...

See, I'd rather they hold on to him for one more year, then free up all the money next year when the really good FA class comes.

Toronto will prolly sign nobody.

The Toronto media is just ridiculis....any name that is planning on declaring F.A they assume will come to Toronto.

Sometimes i hate the media here.

TSN is reporting that the Blues have made a qualifying offer to Pronger, which will pay him $7.22 million this season. With Tkachuk's and Weight's deals equally $13.33 million that means the Blues will have tied up 52% of their max cap capabilities on THREE players.

Wow. Just wow.

While there is still time left before the buy out deadline things, so far, are shaping up very differently than many had expected. If Pronger is worth $7.2 million and Lidstrom $7.8, I can't see Niedermayer settling for anything less than $7 million.

From Eklund:
From a source, "It is very possible that Pronger gets traded to Atlanta in the next 24 hours."

same old Bruins. they offered Thornton $5. he laughed.

who is this? Pelle Eklund?

As much as I like Thornton, some of these 'stars' will have to swallow their prides and egos if they think they'll all be making 20% or close to it.

hockeyrumors.blogspot.com

He's made a name for himself in this lockout...

sort of like DJ Hradek, but with information that is actually accurate?

Hmmm...

Just went to his site and he reports Selanne is considering a move to Montreal to be with Saku Koivu and that the Canadiens are also in the hunt with Kariya... are these 2 guys at it again??

I haven't even thought of Kariya coming here, but I can now salivate about a Kariya-Koivu-Selanne line... I just hope they both sign for market contracts (since Montreal CAN afford it under the cap) and not the 2-for-1 deal.

While this is very true, there are some 20%ers out there and it could be argued that Thornton has made a case to be one of the few. He and Nash were considered two of Canada's best players in the World Championships this year. If Tkachuk is making that kind of money...

The Blues are gonna be AWESOME! I mean, with those three, they can throw anyone else in the world on the ice with them and they'll win!

Oh, wait...

Thorton should be a max guy....he IS that good.Most of the world does'nt know that because he plays in Boston....with...........???

I agree with John Buccigross' take on Joe Thorton



And of course the Bruins have shown that they are fools.

The qualifying offer for Pronger and then Eklund saying there's going to be a trade, sounds like the Blues are doing what the Sabres wanted to do with Satan.

Buccigross is 100% correct.

and, honestly, I think Thornton has no desire to stay in Boston no matter what they offer him. The fact that their offer isn't very good just makes it easier for him on a PR level. He can't wait to get away from that organization

Maybe he can come to a smaller market and play with a certain LW that he played with in Switzerland and on Team Canada :)

Plus, he seems like the type of guy who would flourish not being in the spotlight, and we need a stud center and have plenty of cap room. Okay, i'm done dreaming for now, lol

Exactly.

Um, except for the "accurate" part.

The sad thing about Eklund, is that I believe he started with little or no sources to any information. However, he used his blog to become more and more popular and gained the trust of more and more sources. Over on HFBoards, Bob McKenzie comes on and posts a decent amount, and he said that he knows for a fact that Eklund now has some good sources.

EDIT: Found the McKenzie post

"I have said it before, I will say it again...when it comes to Eklund, do not throw the baby out with the bath water. Which is to suggest he sometimes has very good information that no one else has. Which is to suggest he sometimes has totally bogus information that has not an ounce of truth to it. He puts up stuff unfiltered, whatever he hears, he posts. If he hears something, he puts it up, and there is clearly a lack of accountability and he's the first to tell you that...it's a rumour site, it's a blog.

But that doesn't mean he doesn't talk to some people in high places because I know for a fact he does. I also know for a fact that a lot of people in hockey, in all positions in the NHL, check him out every day. The challenge is figuring out what's totally bogus and what's legit. You guys are at a disadvantage because you can't do that directly. I can and I can tell you there has been information posted there that no one else had that was indeed factual. And you're kidding yourself if you don't think some NHL players don't burn up his e-mail line.

That doesn't make him an authoritative voice on the lockout, but it doesn't make him a fraud or a phony either. I personally wouldn't pay 10 bucks to get his "inside" stuff, but I wouldn't ignore everything he writes either. I'm not sure what his batting average is on right vs. wrong -- on volume, it's probably not Ted Williams-like -- but I know of some so-called "legitimate" news sources who are below the Mendosa line when it comes to accuracy on lockout coverage."

Just heard that Shanahan has decided to exercise his option and he will be with the Wings this year.

Goodenow steps down.

http://nhlpa.com/Content/Feature.asp?contentId=3479

now if only Bettman would resign

The Red Wings have made an 1 yr (rotoworld says it is likely in the $1.5-$2 million range) offer to Stevie Y, haven't heard anything about whether he is going to accept it or not.


Devils have made QOs to Patrick Elias ($4.18 million), Scott Gomez ($2.2 million) and Jeff Friesen ($2.28 million).

Lightning re-sign Tim Taylor to a multiyear deal.

well, really when you think of it, how would he ever manage to top this amazing career peak he just hit...

:rolleyes:

The Avs QO'd 14 players; Hejduk, Tanguay, goalies Peter Budaj, Tom Lawson and Phil Sauve; defensemen Brett Clark, Jeff Finger, John-Michael Liles, Kurt Sauer and Karlis Skrastins; and forwards Riku Hahl, Dan Hinote and Marek Svatos.

Blues pick up the option for Patrick Lalime.

Saw the following on Eklund's site


So the team that gave Jagr, $11 mill a year is going to have a cap a little bit higher than double that.

I want to have Marek Svatos's baby

oh, and buh-bye Chris Gratton.

amazing how relaxing it is to know that he is prevented by the CBA from tainting the Avs for at least one full season!

Apparently the Rangers will not buyout Holik and Kasparaitis.

dumbest team in hockey....going on 8 years

The wings let Barry Smith and Kocur go. I understand that with a new coaching regime, the old guys tend to get replaced, but I always liked Barry Smith. I am sure he will find work elsewhere. Though, was his success as an assistant a product of Bowman's greatness? That was obvious with Lewis. ;)
=====================================

Holland has several players he wants to re-sign, but seems to be having trouble in talks with Pavel Datsyuk.

"I've talked to his agent and we're still a long, long way apart," Holland said. "He has a chance to play in Russia, but I can't overpay him no matter how good he is. I want to get it done with him, but it doesn't make sense to throw your cap out of whack to do it."
===================================

If ken holland ends up creating a team that fits under the cap, and goes at least 3 rounds in the playoffs, he will get my nod as the best GM to come out of this lockout. I honestly don't think he can do it all in one year, but, as a Wings fan, I trust his decision making. It will be interesting to see how he handles things without the deep pockets of illitch.

I am pretty confident that Yzerman will make 1 more year happen.

Well, their thinking is why pay someone $9 million (Holik) and not have him play for you when you can pay $6 mil and have some sort of production from him.

Financially, it makes sense....but competitivly, they obviously arent serious.....if they keep those contracts, they dont care about winning

Doens't he have more money left on his contract than that?

True. For a team that was breaking the bank before the cap, they now decide that they can't afford $16 million in dead money?


The Ducks re-sign Sandish Ozolinsh to a 2 yr deal.

Thrashers decline the option on Shawn McEachern.

Rumours have it that Holik is about to be bought out by the Rangers...

Got that from Eklund so take for what it's worth.

I believe he has 2 years left on his deal, he signed for 5 years, played 2 seasons, and the 3rd was the lockout. I'm guessing that players with multiple years left on their deals can be bought out for their current salary plus some % of the rest.

I hope Eklund is right on that.

I believe its 2/3's of the total amount left on the contract

Yeah, that sounds right. Holik was originally making $8.85 million a year(TSN), minus the 24% is 6.726. Multiply that by 2 years and take 2/3s off of that would give you around $9 million.

the latest on Owen Nolan is the Leafs now believe his salary is void, because he does not have the right to his player option, because the injury to his knee, which he just had surgery on, is not hockey related....

what this means is the Leafs are planning on not buying him out at all, sense he doesnt have a contract....Nolan will file a grievance with the players association, and the leafs have filed paperwork to buy out Nolan if they lose the grievance....

Either way, nolans 5+ mil salary will not count against the cap, and Toronto has 19 million buck to play with right now

Foote for 3
O'neal for 1
Allison for 1
Roberts for 1.5
Niewy for 1.5
Domi for .75

All probable in my opinion.....and hopefully, that Forsberg rumour is true.....

O'Neal? As in Jeff O'Neill? You think he'll sign for 1 and Gary Roberts and Niewy will sign for 1.5? That seems a bit backwards to me. I know O'Neill struggled last time out (trust me, I had him on my fantasy the useless piece of...), but he's got to command more than those two old timers.

I dont know, what leverage does he have....14 goals his last season, has stated he wants to play for Toronto....I figure in the new NHL, thats what he's worth, and in the new NHL, you will only get what your worth....its obviously a hometown paycut too.....

YES!!!

Holik out!

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=131832

everyone wants to play for toronto, eh?

You've been listening to the Toronto media too much.

Mike Commodore to Carolina for a 3rd Round Pick
Anaheim's 2nd Round Pick to Philadelphia for Todd Fedoruk

And a whole raft of minor signings as we head down to draft day...

I guess a third for Commodore makes sense, but a 2nd for Fedoruk? That's seems to be a very odd trade for a third/fourth line tough guy.

Heh. ESPN's NHL transactions log

I hope he can pitch.

You're my boy, bbor, but I have to ask...

Where did this "Toronto media" thing come from? Seems like everyone loves to to play the "Toronto media thinks the Leafs are the greatest" deal, and I just don't see it.

Now if you're counting Stormin' Norman as "media", fine. But the real media -- Strachan, Cox, Berger, McCown, etc. -- spend all their time crapping all over the Leafs for everything they do. Compared to a town like Ottawa, where the media practically wave pom-poms in the press box, the Toronto pundits never think the team will do anything right.

Or am I out of the loop, not living in T.O. anymore?

I know that for me, personally, I had bbor's impression of the Toronto media. I think more than anything it's because of these message boards I've been reading where everyone seems to think the Leafs will get everyone in the league to play for them at terribly low prices. But I know for me that is definitely the vibe I get from T.O.

But is that the media, or the fans on the message boards? Every team has fans who wear rose-colored glasses. The Leafs have more of those fans than anyone else because they have more fans, period, than anyone else.

Of course, a wise man once said that the media is the message board.

(Dead silence.)

Right. Carry on.

As ML says, it's not the media, it's the fan base in general. There are some occasional rational, right-thinking Leaf fans, but as one myself (I like to think), I get downright embarrassed reading most of the Leaf-centric message boards.