The OFFICIAL 2007 NHL Offseason Thread

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

HB, this if for you.
everyone else, you've been warned.
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news...5/detail.html#

This is exactly the type of "pick me up" I needed to start my first day back to work from a nice 10 day vacation. Thanks, DD!

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

gee, I don't really get why people don't watch hockey in the US.

NBC is replacing Bill Clement and Ray Ferraro with Pierre "Monster" McGuire and Mike "Worst GM. EVER" Milbury. Milbury might actually be an upgrade over Oiler Ray...but McGuire? Can they not hear the man speak?

As an added bonus, they are moving the studio to the game site (instead of Rockefeller Plaza) so that McGuire can continue to do his "Asshole Behind the Glass" segments during the game! Yay for us!

It's like NBC is actively trying to sabotage its own broadcast. This makes no sense at all.

They know nothing...

[Dr. Sak]

Sean Avery is pissed because it came out that during his arbitration hearing the Rangers said he was a lockerroom cancer. I guess it was published in a newspaper, but I have yet to find the link.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by bsak16

Sean Avery is pissed because it came out that during his arbitration hearing the Rangers said he was a lockerroom cancer. I guess it was published in a newspaper, but I have yet to find the link.

Yes, one of the pitfalls of the arbitration process...

http://www.nypost.com/seven/07312007...rry_brooks.htm

All that to save $300K? Doesn't seem worth it really. I know the Rangers are up against the cap, but they should have been able to reach a compromise with Avery.

[Pyser]

haha.

loves it.

[Dr. Sak]

Hockey Today on XM is reporting that NBC is close to dropping the NHL from their schedule all together and since it looks like it is going to happen the NHL has started talks with ESPN to get back on there.

[Pyser]

w00t!

The New Jersey Devils have signed forward Zach Parise to a new four-year, $12.5-million contract.



i thought edm would go after parise before penner. quite a bargain, i guess, when you compare the offers.

[General Mike]

Originally Posted by bsak16

Hockey Today on XM is reporting that NBC is close to dropping the NHL from their schedule all together and since it looks like it is going to happen the NHL has started talks with ESPN to get back on there.

Damn. It probably would be better tho.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Pyser

w00t!

The New Jersey Devils have signed forward Zach Parise to a new four-year, $12.5-million contract.



i thought edm would go after parise before penner. quite a bargain, i guess, when you compare the offers.

That is a fantasitc bargain! And will be arguably the best contract in the league in 4 years!

Parise is making like 2K more than Ruslan Fedetenko!?

[Draft Dodger]

Penner goes to Edmonton.

[Pyser]

no brainer for anaheim, and a probable high draft pick in a deep draft to boot.

[Travis]

Originally Posted by Pyser

no brainer for anaheim, and a probable high draft pick in a deep draft to boot.

I certainly hope not, and assuming there are is no revisiting last season's injury situation and Penner can pot at least 20 (though 25+ is of course preferred), I can't imagine the Oilers pick would be in the top 15 if they enter the season with the roster as it is now*.

*I do fully anticipate that Lowe is still trying to work out a deal for another scoring forward, though the odds of something working out given his villification by some of the other GM's to be a coin flip at best, and maybe better if it doesn't happen considering that a lot of the teams right now are probably more intent on either pillaging him or not making any deal whatsoever.

[Dr. Sak]

Hey DD I thought you might like this since you are such an Ek fan....

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/...tions-about-a/

[Suburban Rhythm]

Penguins new building now not opening until 2010--originally was 2009.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Penguins new building now not opening until 2010--originally was 2009.

Aw shit. That means another year of only going to one or two Pens games. I really dislike Mellon Arena. I cannot convince myself to make the drive to Pittsburgh any more often to go sit in that building. Oh well.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by bsak16

Hey DD I thought you might like this since you are such an Ek fan....

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/...tions-about-a/

thanks - great article

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

Aw shit. That means another year of only going to one or two Pens games. I really dislike Mellon Arena. I cannot convince myself to make the drive to Pittsburgh any more often to go sit in that building. Oh well.

My seats are in E level. I can literally look up, and see bunches of wires and cables covered in dirt hanging above me.

[Honolulu_Blue]

The Devils signed Aaron Asham. I always liked Aaron Asham. I think in every EHM game I ever played, all versions, at one point I always had Aaron Asham on my third or fourth line.

The Blue Jackets signed Kris Beech. The center piece of the first Jagr trade is on the move again.

[Pyser]

is asham a checking line guy or 4th line banger?

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

The Devils signed Aaron Asham. I always liked Aaron Asham. I think in every EHM game I ever played, all versions, at one point I always had Aaron Asham on my third or fourth line.

The Blue Jackets signed Kris Beech. The center piece of the first Jagr trade is on the move again.

When he first got to Pittsburgh...he was called 'the next Ron Francis'. Oops

Originally Posted by Pyser

is asham a checking line guy or 4th line banger?

He actually has some offensive talent. I think the year before the lockout he was at, or close, to 20 G. I don't know that he's a great defensive forward, but he'll crash, he'll fight if needed, and chip in his 12-15 goals.

And a HUGE slapper...but comes with a HUGE windup, so not really effective.

[Pyser]

elias-zubrus-gionta
parise-zajac-langenbrunner
pandolfo-madden-clarkson
janssen-brylin-asham

that 4th line makes no sense right now, but has a better scoring chance than the rupp-dowd-rasmussen-janssen rotation last year, thats for sure.

[Draft Dodger]

Detroit (thankfully) did not change their jersey (PDF warning):
http://redwings.nhl.com/ext/wings_je..._resize_fn.pdf

that link also shows a good example of the dumb NFL-style size tags the new jerseys will have. what a stupid idea - it really junks up the jerseys.

meanwhile,
the new Senators wordmark has been released, and it's pretty sharp.
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/3...graphicpp0.png

[miked]

Originally Posted by Pyser

elias-zubrus-gionta
parise-zajac-langenbrunner
pandolfo-madden-clarkson
janssen-brylin-asham

that 4th line makes no sense right now, but has a better scoring chance than the rupp-dowd-rasmussen-janssen rotation last year, thats for sure.

If they could find a way to get rid of Madden, that would be really cool. kthnx.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by miked

If they could find a way to get rid of Madden, that would be really cool. kthnx.

in every new career of EHM I start, New Jersey puts Madden and Brylin on the block almost immediately. (and I generally will end up with one or the other)

btw, in my current career, Lou retired after the 06-07 season and was replaced by Mike Milbury.

[Pyser]

:shrug:

i like madden.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Pyser

:shrug:

i like madden.

me too.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I just saw on TSN that Mike Ricci was retiring. That wasn't too shocking, since I thought Ricci retired a few years ago. What was shocking that Ricci was described as a "16 year NHL veteran."

I remember when he was drafted... That really made me feel old for some reason.

[Chief Rum]

Had a dream Teemu and Scotty announced they were returning. First five seconds after waking was great. Realization was crushing.

Stupid "gettin' yer hopes up" dreams.

I still think at least one of them will come back.

Speaking of Ricci, I heard he quit to be the model for Coors' new wide mouth cans.

[MikeVic]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Had a dream Teemu and Scotty announced they were returning. First five seconds after waking was great. Realization was crushing.

Stupid "gettin' yer hopes up" dreams.

I still think at least one of them will come back.

Speaking of Ricci, I heard he quit to be the model for Coors' new wide mouth cans.

Haha, Teemu and Scotty coming back. In your dreams!

Oh wait.

[RPI-Fan]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

When he first got to Pittsburgh...he was called 'the next Ron Francis'. Oops



He actually has some offensive talent. I think the year before the lockout he was at, or close, to 20 G. I don't know that he's a great defensive forward, but he'll crash, he'll fight if needed, and chip in his 12-15 goals.

And a HUGE slapper...but comes with a HUGE windup, so not really effective.

Pretty accurate description of Asham. Not all that good defensively, not particularly big. But, those 4-5 out-of-nowhere slapshot goals he'll get are so awesome to have, because no one else on the team could get them.

[Pyser]

The New Jersey Devils have re-signed defenceman Paul Martin to a 3-year, $11.5 million contract. Martin will earn $3 million this season, $4 million in 2008 and $4.5 million in 2009.


i have to say, i am a big fan of lou's off season at this point.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Got my Hockeynews 07-08 Yearbook in the mail.
Anyone interested in their teams prediction, top 10 rookies, or any piece of the preview, let me know, i'll try to post them here.

[Travis]

Anything on the Oilers rookies would be great as I'd imagine their team predictions aren't anything I'll really want to hear

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Got my Hockeynews 07-08 Yearbook in the mail.
Anyone interested in their teams prediction, top 10 rookies, or any piece of the preview, let me know, i'll try to post them here.

I'd love to hear prediction and top 10 rookies for the Avs.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Travis

Anything on the Oilers rookies would be great as I'd imagine their team predictions aren't anything I'll really want to hear

THN ranks top 10 rookies, as well as their ETA to the NHL-

1 A Cogliano - C (25th in 2005), 2009-10 season
2 S Ganger - C (6th in 2007), 2008-09
3 A Plante - D (15th in 2007), 2010-11
4 R Schremp - C (25th in 2004), 2007-08
5 D Dubnyk - G (14th in 2004), 2009-10
6 R Nash - C (21st in 2007), 2011-12
7 T Gilbert - D (Trade w/ COL), 2008-09
8 JF Jacques - LW (68th in 2003), 2008-09
9 J Deslauriers - G (31st in 2002), 2009-10
10 D Syvret - D (81st in 2005), 2008-09

And you'd be right about not wanting to hear a predicition....

psst, it's 13th in the West!

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

I'd love to hear prediction and top 10 rookies for the Avs.

Predicted 8th in the West, squeaking into the playoffs

1 C Stewart - RW (18th in 2006), NHL ready in 2008-09
2 K Shattenkirk - D (14th in 2007), 2009-10
3 R Stoa - C (34th in 2005), 2009-10
4 TJ Hensick - C (88th in 2005), 2008-09
5 C Burki - C (59th in 2006), 2009-10
6 C Cohen - D (45th in 2007), 2010-11
7 N Williams - D (51st in 2006), 2008-09
8 T Cann - G (49th in 2007), 2011-12
9 TJ Galiardi - LW (55th in 2007), 2011-12
10 J Boychuk - D (61st in 2002), 2008-09

[Logan]

If you wouldn't mind posting about the Rangers, I'd appreciate it.

Oh, and the Devils for the Pump!

[Suburban Rhythm]

Rangers picked 2nd in the East (which as a Pens fan, I have a problem with )

1 M Staal - D (12th in 2005), NHL ready in 2007-08
2 A Cherapanov - RW (17th in 2007), 2009-10
3 B Sanguinetti - D (21st in 2006), 2008-09
4 A Montoya - G (6th in 2004), 2007-08
5 R Callahan - RW (127th in 2004), 2007-08
6 A Anisimov - C (54th in 2006), 2010-11
7 L Korpikoski - LW (19th in 2004) 2007-08
8 B Dubinsky - C (60th in 2004), 2008-09
9 N Dawes - LW (149th in 2003), 2008-09
10 T Pyatt - C (107th in 2005), 2009-10


Devils
7th in the East

1 N Bergfors - RW (23rd in 2005), 2007-08
2 J Frazee - G (38th in 2005), 2010-11
3 M Corrente - D (30th in 2006), 2009-10
4 A Greene - D (FA, 2006), 2007-08
5 M Hoeffel - LW (57th in 2007), 20011-12
6 D Clarkson - RW (FA, 2005), 2007-08
7 R Pelley - C (FA, 2006), 2008-09
8 A Vasyunov - LW (58th in 2006), 2009-10
9 M Fayne - D (155th in 2005), 2010-11
10 T Eckford - D (217th in 2004), 2009-10

[Logan]

Thanks Sub.

[Dr. Sak]

What about the Flyers?

[scooter]

I want to know where my Yearbook is. I suppose it takes a little longer to get out here to the west coast. Maybe tomorrow (fingers crossed).

[Chief Rum]

Well, I don't want to overdo it, but I would enjoy reading a similar synopsis about the Ducks and Kings if you wouldn't mind.

[Chubby]

Sabres?

[Suburban Rhythm]

Flyers -

9th in the East...sorry bsak, just a bit outside (of the playoffs)

1 J vanRiemsdyk - LW (2nd in 2007), NHL ETA 2009-10
2 S Downie - RW (29th in 2005), 2008-09
3 R Parent - D (Trade w/ NAS 2007), 2008-09
4 C Giroux - RW (22nd in 2006), 2009-10
5 A Ndol - RW (39th in 2006), 2010-11
6 O Bartulis - C (91st in 2005), 2009-10
7 K Marshall - D (41st in 2007), 2011-12
8 N Guenin - D (FA, 2006), 2008-09
9 J Timonen - D (146th in 2001), 2008-09
10 D Bodrov- D (55th in 2006), 2010-11

[Suburban Rhythm]

Ducks

2nd in the West....but are the pick to take home the Cup, back-to-back

1 B Ryan - RW (2nd in 2005), NHL ETA 2007-08
2 M Mitera - D (19th in 2006), 2009-10
3 L MacMillan -C (19th in 2007), 2009-10
4 B Mikkelson - D (31st in 2005), 2008-09
5 JP Levasseur - G (197th in 2005), 2009-10
6 B Skinner - D (Trade w/ VAN), 2008-09
7 E Tangradi - C (42nd in 2007), 2010-11
8 B Salcido - D (141st in 2005), 2009-10
9 P Wirtanen - C (172nd in 2006), 2009-10
10 R Carter - C (FA, 2006), 2007-08

Kings

12th in the West

1 J Johnson - D (Trade w/ CAR 2006), NHL ETA 2007-08
2 J Bernier - G (11th in 2006), 2009-10
3 T Hickey - D (4th in 2007). 2009-10
4 T Lewis - C (17th in 2006), 2008-09
5 B Boyle - C (26th in 2003), 2009-10 [side note, Boyle listed in the prospect as a C, but in the roster as D...I know they had discussed moving him, any idea?]
6 L Tukonen - RW (11th in 2004), 2008-09
7 O Moller - C (52nd in 2007), 2010-11
8 J Quick - G (72nd in 2005), 2010-11
9 W Simmonds - RW (61st in 2007), 2011-12
10 S Parse - LW (174th in 2004), 2009-10

[Suburban Rhythm]

Sabres

5th in the East

1 D Stafford - RW (13th in 2004), NHL ETA 2007-08
2 A Sekera - D (71st in 2004), 2008-09
3 D Paille - LW (20th in 2002), 2007-08
4 C Macarthur - LW (74th in 2003), 2007-08
5 D Perrson - D (24th in 2006), 2010-11
6 TJ Brennan - D (31st in 2007), 2010-11
7 J Enroth - G (46th in 2006), 2011-12
8 M Zagrapan - C (13th in 2005), 2009-10
9 M Funk - D (43rd in 2004), 2009-10
10 MA Gragnani - D (87th in 2005), 2009-10

[JPhillips]

I'dlike to see the Caps if you don't mind.

[Chubby]

Stafford, Paille and MacArthur are all no brainers to make the team this year anyways

[Chubby]

Jan 1 Sabres vs Pens at the Ralph it looks like. I should be there

[Suburban Rhythm]

Caps

10th in the East

1 N Backstrom - C (4th in 2006), NHL ETA 2007-08
2 K Alzner - D (5th in 2007), 2008-09
3 E Fehr - RW (18th in 2003), 2007-08
4 S Varlamov - G (23rd in 2006), 2010-11
5 T Fleischmann - LW (Trade w/ DET, 2004), 2007-08
6 M Neuvirth - G (34th in 2006), 2011-12
7 J Finley - D (27th in 2005), 2009-10
8 F Bouchard - RW (35th in 2006), 2010-11
9 C Bourque - LW (33rd in 2004), 2008-09
10 J Schultz - D (27th in 2004), 2007-08