The OFFICIAL 2008-09 NHL Offseason Thread

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by Logan

Marty Straka leaves the Rangers to go play for his old Czech team.

Allow me to be the first to say...WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Don't cheer just yet.

PRAGUE, Czech Republic - Martin Straka has not signed a contract with HC Lasselsberger Plzen, his agent said Thursday, despite an announcement to the contrary from the Czech club.

''Marty has made it clear that he will wait until after July 1 to evaluate all his options and make an informed decision at that time,'' Ritch Winter, Straka's longtime agent, told The Canadian Press on Thursday.

Also...Sources tell TSN Scott Niedermayer and Anaheim Ducks general manager Brian Burke met briefly Thursday morning at which point the 34-old-defenceman informed Burke he will return for the final year of his contract.

[Logan]

Six minutes. Six god damn minutes of jubilation is what you allowed me? Thanks a lot, prick.

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by Logan

Six minutes. Six god damn minutes of jubilation is what you allowed me? Thanks a lot, prick.

I'm always looking to help out a Ranger fan

[Dr. Sak]

Sources tell TSN that for the 2008-09 season, the salary cap will rise to a maximum of $56.7-million. That is a $6.4-million increase from this past season when the cap was set at $50.3-million.

[RomaGoth]

Forgive me if I missed this being mentioned somewhere else in this thread, but Barry Frickin' Melrose?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3458608

[Suburban Rhythm]

Penguins make Brooks Orpik an offer...which he promptly turns down

No numbers given, but they are allegedly still talking.

We're going to go from Hossa, Malone and Orpik to Satan, Asham and Commodore I think.

[Fidatelo]

Why doesn't anyone want to stay in Pittsburgh? Is there something we don't know about the chemistry in the locker room or with Therrien?

[Pyser]

its pretty well documented that the players dont like therrien.

i guess its also well documented that players like money. as much of it as possible.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by bsak16

Don't cheer just yet.





Also...Sources tell TSN Scott Niedermayer and Anaheim Ducks general manager Brian Burke met briefly Thursday morning at which point the 34-old-defenceman informed Burke he will return for the final year of his contract.

Woot!

Actually, Burke has been saying for weeks Scotty would come back. And I am guessing that means Teemu will come back, too.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Pyser

its pretty well documented that the players dont like therrien.

i guess its also well documented that players like money. as much of it as possible.

Yeah, I remember some article right after the finals about how many of the players hated Therrien. I believe Oprik and Malone were two of the main anti-Therrien guys, pretty much stating they wouldn't be back if he was still around.

That + Mad Loots is more than enough to convince players to bolt.

So, the new cap: $56.7 million cap and a $40.7 million floor. I know that there were at least a few teams pre-lockout who had team salaries below $40 million.

Yay, LOCKOUT!!!! You accomplished a lot there, fellas!!!!

[Suburban Rhythm]

Orpik had said during the season pretty much how unhappy he was. He and Whitney both had 3-4 game stints at LW on the 4th line.

But he also has brought up he played the best hockey of his career under Therrien.

Mostly it's money.

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Mostly it's money.

That's it right there. Unlike you, most of my other friends thought that everyone that was a FA for the Pens were going to take this elaborate pay cut so that they could all come back next year as the same time. When I told them they were crazy I was laughed at.

Orpik should realize that if he signs with the Pens, Therrien will probably be gone a lot sooner than when his contract would expire.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by bsak16

That's it right there. Unlike you, most of my other friends thought that everyone that was a FA for the Pens were going to take this elaborate pay cut so that they could all come back next year as the same time. When I told them they were crazy I was laughed at.

Orpik should realize that if he signs with the Pens, Therrien will probably be gone a lot sooner than when his contract would expire.

And they are going to all hold hands, sing Kumbaya and make s'mores.

I am glad they are not even considering Malone at this point. Just because someone else might offer him $5M doesn't mean Shero should offer him $4.5

[Dr. Sak]

You're right, Shero has to be smart and if that means taking a step back next year so that he doesn't cripple the team in the future then that is the smart move. They will still make the playoffs, contend, they just might not go as far as this year.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by bsak16

You're right, Shero has to be smart and if that means taking a step back next year so that he doesn't cripple the team in the future then that is the smart move. They will still make the playoffs, contend, they just might not go as far as this year.

Exactly...keeping Crosby, Malkin, Staal and Fleury is key. Then behind them, Whitney, Letang and possibly I'd put Orpik in that "core" group. Malone is a replaceable part. While Orpik could be replaceable, there are alot fewer of his type of player (at least his type from march forward) than there are Malone-types.

[Honolulu_Blue]

An early (unconfirmed) rumor says that the Ducks are going to buyout Todd Bertuzzi. That'd be sweet.

Update: The rumor seems to have been confirmed. Big Bert is on waivers and will be bought out once he clears.

That's awesome.

No idea where he'll end up. Toronto?

Edit: I assume this news will make the Cheif a very happy Ducks fan. Between this and the fact that Neidermayer is coming back next year makes it a very good day in that regard.

[Wolfpack]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

So, the new cap: $56.7 million cap and a $40.7 million floor. I know that there were at least a few teams pre-lockout who had team salaries below $40 million.

Yay, strong Canadian/crappy American dollars!!!! You accomplished a lot there, fellas!!!!

Fixed a bit. Quite a bit of irony in that the Canadian teams who were so worried about their financial position several years ago are pretty much the teams that are causing the cap to surge in the last couple of years with their attendance figures.

Also, that $40 million threshold was true post-lockout. Carolina won the Cup in 2006 and I think the payroll at the start of that year was about $28 million before puffing up a little after trading for Weight and Recchi. Now, we're putting up $50 million or so and can't get into the playoffs.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

An early (unconfirmed) rumor says that the Ducks are going to buyout Todd Bertuzzi. That'd be sweet.

Update: The rumor seems to have been confirmed. Big Bert is on waivers and will be bought out once he clears.

That's awesome.

No idea where he'll end up. Toronto?

I can name one place where he certainly wont

[Pyser]

There are apparently 35 million reasons why impending free agent Jaromir Jagr has not responded to Glen Sather's invitation to meet with him regarding a 2008-09 return to Broadway. A reliable third party source yesterday told The Post that his connections in the Czech Republic believe that Jagr has recently received a three-year contract offer for the equivalent of $35M after-tax US dollars from Omsk of the Russian Super League. - the always reliable NY Post

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

No idea where he'll end up. Toronto?

He'd be a great pickup on a one-year "prove yourself" type of deal. Can't see them making any sort of commitment to him beyond that.

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

He'd be a great pickup on a one-year "prove yourself" type of deal. Can't see them making any sort of commitment to him beyond that.

Although he'd probably have some interesting conversations with Dominic Moore.

[RomaGoth]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

I can name one place where he certainly wont

Every team in the NHL if they are smart (of course they are not so he will likely end up on Broadway).

[Pyser]

Sources tell TSN the Philadelphia Flyers and forward Jeff Carter have officially agreed to terms on a three-year, $15 million contract extension.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Pyser

Sources tell TSN the Philadelphia Flyers and forward Jeff Carter have officially agreed to terms on a three-year, $15 million contract extension.

Originally Posted by bsak16

You can scratch Jeff Carter's name off the list of potential trade bait this weekend. Sources are telling Sportsnet that Carter has agreed to a three-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers that is believed to pay him no less than $15 million.

Heh. Sportsnet (or was it Sportsdigs? Bsak, CHECK YOUR SOURCES) had this a week ago...

[Pyser]

ha. part of me thought i had read that before.

but another, lazier part of me thought id post just to be safe

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Pyser

ha. part of me thought i had read that before.

but another, lazier part of me thought id post just to be safe

Don't blame you. The lazier part of me wins like 99% of all struggles. He is, pound-for-pound, one of the fiercest forces in world.

[Pyser]

the lazier part of the devils offense won the whole damn season.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

An early (unconfirmed) rumor says that the Ducks are going to buyout Todd Bertuzzi. That'd be sweet.

Update: The rumor seems to have been confirmed. Big Bert is on waivers and will be bought out once he clears.

That's awesome.

No idea where he'll end up. Toronto?

Edit: I assume this news will make the Cheif a very happy Ducks fan. Between this and the fact that Neidermayer is coming back next year makes it a very good day in that regard.

Yup, you're right. It's not that I was a Bert hater from the Moore incident. I wasn't. It's just that he was getting paid way too much for what he was contributing. The cap is tight enough as it is. If this means we can re-sign Perry and still have enough cap room to add a solid second line center and Teemu, I couldn't be happier with that.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Tampa trades Pittsburgh a 4th round pick for the negotiating rights to Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts. Maybe Malone is waffling on his flat out refusal to sign pre-July 1.

Not a bad move for Pittsburgh, it essentially gets something for nothing.

There has been talk about the Wings maybe re-signing Bertuzzi. It's all just idle speculation by the local beat writers. Apparently he enjoyed his brief stint in Detroit. I don't know. I'd rather do without the guy. He's got a cloud about him and is a distraction.

Like ML mentioned above, he could make sense at some incentive, small guaranteed money deal, but even then...

[Suburban Rhythm]

This whole Malone/Roberts thing is weird.

Malone flat out said he's refuse to negotiate with anyone before July 1 about 2 weeks ago. Is the situation in Tampa that much more appealing than Columbus?

Roberts wanted out of Florida in 2007, to move closer to Toronto to be near his family. Don't see him signing with Tampa.

And Tampa...if you are making this move, don't you give yourself more than 36 hours to negotiate?

But as HB said, something for nothing--neither of those guys was coming back to Pittsburgh. Now, onto Hossa and Orpik...

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

This whole Malone/Roberts thing is weird.

Malone flat out said he's refuse to negotiate with anyone before July 1 about 2 weeks ago. Is the situation in Tampa that much more appealing than Columbus?

Roberts wanted out of Florida in 2007, to move closer to Toronto to be near his family. Don't see him signing with Tampa.

And Tampa...if you are making this move, don't you give yourself more than 36 hours to negotiate?

Well, early reports out of Tampa indicate that the Lightning have signed Roberts to a 1 year, $2 million deal and Malone to a long term that "will exceed $30 million".

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Well, early reports out of Tampa indicate that the Lightning have signed Roberts to a 1 year, $2 million deal and Malone to a long term that "will exceed $30 million".

Apparently TB is fine with only having Stamkos for 3 seasons. Kid is going to be a star and get Crosby like money if you ask me. Sure, they can let St. Louis go, but this is absurd.

Nice work Mullet.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

Apparently TB is fine with only having Stamkos for 3 seasons. Kid is going to be a star and get Crosby like money if you ask me. Sure, they can let St. Louis go, but this is absurd.

Nice work Mullet.

They would at least recoup something from Stamkos if he truly is gone after 3 seasons-- they could either match the offersheet he signs, or let him go for picks.

Malone has played some center in the past, they should move him back there and have him center Roberts and Michel Ouellet, and they can discuss what it was like back in Pittsburgh when they used to win games.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Dola

Alexei Zhitnik waived in Atlanta. That Coburn trade didn't work out so well for them.

Also, I look back at some of this stuff and wonder how some of these guys are still emplyed as GMs. Philly sent (bsak correct me if I am wrong) Freddy Meyer IV + a pick to the Isles for Zhitnik, and them a few weeks later, moved Zhitnik for Coburn. How the hell does Philly turn Freddy Meyer into Braydon Coburn!?

[Dr. Sak]

I like what Homer has done with this team, he's a good scout and can find some good players. I am hoping that he is right that Eminger needs a change of scenery.

Maybe since Flyer fans were such with such shitty Clarke as GM, we are getting paid back with a good one in Homer.

[Dr. Sak]

According to Sportsnet.ca, the deal is reportedly going to pay Malone $31 Million over 7 years, or an average of $4.43 Million per season.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by bsak16

According to Sportsnet.ca, the deal is reportedly going to pay Malone $31 Million over 7 years, or an average of $4.43 Million per season.

That sounds about right...Martin Erat got $31.5 over 7 a few weeks back.

That said...overpayment. But as alot of these contracts go, while they look monstrous in year one and two, by year 6, assuming the cap keeps rising, it's not a bad hit against the cap.

Still, he'll be 35 the final year of that deal, and has exactly one season over 50 points.

Overpayment but at least $1M a year.

[Simms]

I read something this morning -- I can't remember where, otherwise I'd link it ... but I think was at Kukla's Korner -- that said Malone's dad, Greg, had at one point been a scout for the Penguins, but had been recently "shown the door", which was when the relationship between Ryan and the Pens started breaking down.

And in related news, the Lightning hired Greg Malone as a scout last week.

[Simms]

Here's the source (via KK):

http://blog.dispatch.com/cbj/2008/06...say_what.shtml

[Suburban Rhythm]

Papa Malone also played for the Penguins in the 80's.

He was let go with the whole Craig Patrick regime. So, that might have been part of it.

Also, part of it might have been that in his three seasons prior to this, Malone was lazy and inconsistent.

[Draft Dodger]

the Avs re-sign Adam Foote (2 years, $3 million per) and John-Michael Liles (4 years, $4 million per). Signing Foote was pretty much a sure thing, but it didn't seem like Liles was coming back. Both of these guys took what seems to be about a million or so less per year to come back to Colorado. I'm pretty excited about these two deals.

The Avs have a pretty good defensive corp shaping up for next year - Foote, Clark, Salei, Leopold, Liles, Hannan. That's about $20 million worth of cap space, so they better be very good.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

That sounds about right...Martin Erat got $31.5 over 7 a few weeks back.

That said...overpayment. But as alot of these contracts go, while they look monstrous in year one and two, by year 6, assuming the cap keeps rising, it's not a bad hit against the cap.

Still, he'll be 35 the final year of that deal, and has exactly one season over 50 points.

Overpayment but at least $1M a year.

I think the Malone will be slightly overpaid, but I think anything less than $4.5M would be about right for free agency. He certainly wont be the most overpaid guy in the NHL. Would I rather have Malone or Erat at $4.43? I'd probably say Malone.

The salary level is just about where Pinner is at for Edmonton, I believe. Considering Edmonton had to part with draft picks as well... I don't know. I guess if I had to choose, I'd take Pinner. He has a bit more offensive upside, though, especially for a guy his size, he completely lacks the toughness/physical presence of Malone.

Speaking of the Oil... They trade Matt Greene and Jarret Stoll to L.A. for Visnovksy.

Also, Tampa has acquired the rights for Rolston (for, what, 36 hours?) from Minnesota. It looks like the new ownership in Tampa is really trying to make a statement early on.

[samifan24]

I thought the Oilers front office viewed Jarrett Stoll as a future centerpiece. When did this cease to be the case?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by samifan24

I thought the Oilers front office viewed Jarrett Stoll as a future centerpiece. When did this cease to be the case?

He had concussion problems that kept him out for a long time. He hasn't really been the same since he's come back.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Also, Tampa has acquired the rights for Rolston (for, what, 36 hours?) from Minnesota. It looks like the new ownership in Tampa is really trying to make a statement early on.

And that statement appears to be that you don't need to worry about defense or goaltending to win in this league.

[Pyser]

i cant argue tampas moves. their top 2 lines could easily be

prospal - vinny - st louis
malone - stamkos - rolston


a few weeks ago 4 of those guys werent even on the roster. thats progress in my book.

course all these trading boyle rumors would undo that progress pretty quickly

[Arctic Blast]

Originally Posted by samifan24

I thought the Oilers front office viewed Jarrett Stoll as a future centerpiece. When did this cease to be the case?

He was awful last year. And the problem with Edmonton as a hockey market...you put up one bad year, the Oiler fans will grind you in to dust. They really eat their own in this town.

This makes it obvious that either...a. Edmonton has found someone stupid enough to take Sheldon Souray's contract off their hands or, b. Pitkanen is going to be signed and moved.

[TazFTW]

No Jagr or Avery for NYR?

[Logan]

I have no issue with Avery not coming back. He wants too much money and too many years. And from what someone at the Rangers said, he's much more interested in building his acting career than his hockey one.

[Travis]

Originally Posted by Arctic Blast

He was awful last year. And the problem with Edmonton as a hockey market...you put up one bad year, the Oiler fans will grind you in to dust. They really eat their own in this town.

This makes it obvious that either...a. Edmonton has found someone stupid enough to take Sheldon Souray's contract off their hands or, b. Pitkanen is going to be signed and moved.

I'm assuming Pitkanen won't be here to start the season and that he'll be moved as part of a deal for a top two line forward. For the record though, I hate this deal as I was quite hoping Stoll would sign a one year deal (fairly cheap due to how last season went), then the club could make a more informed decision on what to do with him after this season. Never mind that I think Greene was a necessary style player on a D core who's only other "tough" guys are on the wrong side of the age equation.

I'm hoping the domino effect of this turns out a lot better than this deal, but on it's own (not even factoring in the contract ramifications) I'm not a fan of it.