The OFFICIAL 2008-09 NHL Offseason Thread

[Dr. Sak]

Last week, the Flyers acquired minor league defenseman Janne Niskala from the Nashville Predators in exchange for minor league forward Triston Grant and a 2009 seventh round pick. Today, the Flyers traded Niskala to Tampa Bay for a 2009 sixth-round pick.

Niskala wanted a one way contract or he was heading to Russia. The Flyers weren't willing to do that.

[Honolulu_Blue]

It looks like the Wings have re-signed Andreas Lilja to a 2 year deal at just over $1M a season.

And there was much rejoicing.

*yaaaaay*

[DeToxRox]

HB - I keep hearing Tucker to Detroit. Toronto is playing some of the salary, and I feel like he'd come cheap. Personally, I like it. I like a good agitator who lives and dies to win. He is a prick, but he is all for his teammates and gives us another presence with scoring touch for the third or fourth line.

What do you think?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

HB - I keep hearing Tucker to Detroit. Toronto is playing some of the salary, and I feel like he'd come cheap. Personally, I like it. I like a good agitator who lives and dies to win. He is a prick, but he is all for his teammates and gives us another presence with scoring touch for the third or fourth line.

What do you think?

As with all free agents, the question is: At what price? That said, I've always liked Darcy Tucker. For a while there - a few years back now - I do believe I declared him my "favorite non-Red Wing" player in the NHL. That time has long since past, but I think he could be a good fit. He's got some offsenive upside and some abrasiveness. I could see him filling the Dallas Drake role in a way, but better.

I'd approve this move.

I'd love to see either Sundin or Rolston as well. Sadly, I think Stuart's gone.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

As with all free agents, the question is: At what price? That said, I've always liked Darcy Tucker. For a while there - a few years back now - I do believe I declared him my "favorite non-Red Wing" player in the NHL. That time has long since past, but I think he could be a good fit. He's got some offsenive upside and some abrasiveness. I could see him filling the Dallas Drake role in a way, but better.

I'd approve this move.

I'd love to see either Sundin or Rolston as well. Sadly, I think Stuart's gone.

Holland said money wise Stuart's camp and the Wings are not far apart, but the market will probably raise the stakes too much. I am not banking on Stu returning.

I can see a run at Orpik, as well as Sundin.

But the dark horse is Naslund. I wouldn't be shocked if he signed and signed soon.

[Simms]

- Wings sign Stuart, 4 years, $3.75 per
- Oilers trade Raffi Torres to Columbus for Gilbert Brule
- Oilers trade Joni Pitkanen (RFA) to Carolina for Erik Cole

And the Caps resigned Mike Green earlier this morning for 4 years, $5.25 per.

[Simms]

AM640 in Toronto reporting the Leafs will sign Cujo for 1 year, $700k.

[Dr. Sak]

Pittsburgh Penguins sign forward Pascal Dupuis to a three-year deal which will average $1.4-million per year.

[DeToxRox]

Brad Stuart stays in Detroit for four years at 3.75 per. Big get and one I didn't think we would see based off reports the past few days.

[Travis]

I hope to be proven wrong, but I'm really unimpressed with Lowe's moves this offseason. A (likely) cheap injury concern replaced by a more expensive one, and moved two NHL level defenseman for an older one who (again likely) will make as much as the two that were shipped out will make combined.

So we've added salary and age, *maybe* picked up a second line level scorer, haven't cleared up any of the extra bodies up front, thinned out on defense, especially from a physical standpoint and likely used up our best trade bait in Pitkanen.

I'm assuming this means Horcoff will be back to continue "earning" his contract, but that Lowe will still try to unload Pisani and Roloson (or we might start the season with 3 goalies on the roster, hurray!). I guess Cole is the answer to improving our scoring this year, color me underwhelmed.

[Dr. Sak]

I've heard that the Pens are going after Sean Avery.

5yr 18 million offer on the table to Orpik. 7yrs - 52 million to Hossa.

[Simms]

I read something on Sportsnet this morning that suggested the Bruins were getting ready to table a 12-year, $100 million offer to Hossa.

If true, that's absurd.

[Dr. Sak]

Sportsnet.Ca is reporting The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward Radim Vrbata

[Suburban Rhythm]

bsak just mentioned Vrbata to TB.

Other items I've read-

Bryce Salavador returns to NJ, 4 years $11.6M
Devils also resign - Pandolfo, Clarkson and pass on Brylin's option

Caps re-sign Mike Green, 4 years $21M ($5.25 per)

Ducks re-sign Corey Perry, 5 years $26.6M ($5.325 per)

Rene Bourque to Calgary, 2nd rd pick back to Chicago

[Dr. Sak]

Vrbata to Tampa -- 3 yrs./$9 million.

Word is that Atlanta has offered Brian Campbell 8 yrs./$60 million.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by bsak16

Vrbata to Tampa -- 3 yrs./$9 million.

Word is that Atlanta has offered Brian Campbell 8 yrs./$60 million.

Apparently, TB plans on winning a bunch of games 6-5, because they still have no D and suspect in goal.

[Dr. Sak]

Barry's mullet will play goal.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Also, reading the Pens pretty close to completing/announcing Malkin signing an extension, 5 years $8.5M per.

[Galaxy]

Yikes. Talk about insane contracts being given out/offered/rumored.

[Simms]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Apparently, TB plans on winning a bunch of games 6-5, because they still have no D and suspect in goal.

Sportsnet reporting that they made a phone call to Ollie Kolzig.

[Dr. Sak]

The Pens add an 8th year to Hossa's offer but don't offer any more money.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Also, Panthers sign Rusty Olesz to extension, $18.75 over 6 years.

On the surface, looks for a guy who barely breaks 30 points a season.
But, he could still become a 20-25 goal guy, he hits and he kills penalties. No reason he couldn't turn out to be a Ryan Malone type...and at 22, Olesz is still 2 years younger than Malone was as a rookie.

If anything, the length is the issue, but $3.1M isn't that terrible.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Simms

Sportsnet reporting that they made a phone call to Ollie Kolzig.

Oh, so they plan on winning 7-6 instead of 6-5?

[Suburban Rhythm]

More stuff-

Marek Zidlicky to Minnesota for Ryan Jones & 2nd round pick back to Nashville

Minnesota also sign Andrew Brunette

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

Brad Stuart stays in Detroit for four years at 3.75 per. Big get and one I didn't think we would see based off reports the past few days.

Very good to see. He really played well with Kronwall in the playoffs. Some great chemistry there. Barring injury, the Wings top two defensive pairings are set for at least another two years.

It sounds like both sides compromised. Holland was looking at something in the $3M range and Stuart could have probably made about $4-$4.5M, so $3.75M isn't too shabby at all.

The Pitkanen for Cole trade is interesting, considering Cole only has a year left on his deal. You would think the Oilers could have received a little more for him. That said, I really like Erik Cole.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Also, reading the Pens pretty close to completing/announcing Malkin signing an extension, 5 years $8.5M per.

Updated -- will mirror Crosby's deal 5 years, $8.7M a year

[Suburban Rhythm]

Denis Gauthier + 2010 2nd round pick to LA for some prospects. But I imagine Philly is happy just not to pay him to play for the Phantoms anymore.


AND

Kyle Wellwood signs QO from Vancouver

[Draft Dodger]

I thought they waived Gauthier?

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

I thought they waived Gauthier?

PING bsak

I believe he was waived, cleared, and sent to the minors, and played the entire season for the Phantoms at like $2M

[Suburban Rhythm]

Pens bring back Mark Eaton, 2 years $1M per

Fantastic deal. I don't know if this means they don't think Orpik returns, or they think they can somehow move Darryl Sydor and his $2.5M salary.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Trola

It is 1990 all over again

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2008/...penguins_jagr/

The Pittsburgh Penguins have offered a contract to free agent forward and former team captain, Jaromir Jagr, Sportsnet has learned.

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

PING bsak

I believe he was waived, cleared, and sent to the minors, and played the entire season for the Phantoms at like $2M

He was waived but some how the Flyers found someone to take him. They were going to buy him out to give him a chance to maek someone else's club but LA must have bitten on a trade.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Per Sportsnet, Vancouver offering/to offer Sundin $10M for 1 year. They've got cap room, but...

[Dr. Sak]

I hope the Pens sign Jagr so all those yinzers that booed him would have to root for him all over again.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by bsak16

I hope the Pens sign Jagr so all those yinzers that booed him would have to root for him all over again.

like Rob Blake and the idiot fans in LA

[Dr. Sak]

Hey DD what do you think of Jeff Finger? I heard the Flyers might be going after him.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by bsak16

I hope the Pens sign Jagr so all those yinzers that booed him would have to root for him all over again.

They'll regrow their Jagr style mullets too....oh wait a minute...

[Dr. Sak]

Washington signs UFA G Jose Theodore to a 2 year deal (undisclosed)

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by bsak16

Hey DD what do you think of Jeff Finger? I heard the Flyers might be going after him.

I like him a lot. The Avs apparently tried to re-sign him, but with the 6 guys they already have, he was worried about lack of playing time.

I think he's a nice tough defenseman. He doesn't have much offensive skill, but he's got a good shot and had some success in a limited role on the PP. One of the many criticisms we had about Joel Quenneville was that he didn't give Finger more PP time.

Not a top defenseman, but definitely a good guy to have in the mix.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by bsak16

Washington signs UFA G Jose Theodore to a 2 year deal (undisclosed)

hmmm - and there's been a lot of Huet to Colorado rumors today...

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by bsak16

Washington signs UFA G Jose Theodore to a 2 year deal (undisclosed)

oh, and *fist pump* YES!!!!!

[Pyser]

man this is fun to watch

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

hmmm - and there's been a lot of Huet to Colorado rumors today...

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

oh, and *fist pump* YES!!!!!

Or.....Andrew Raycroft. Per TSN.

And you thought after losing Theodore, there couldn't be a step backwards?

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by bsak16

Washington signs UFA G Jose Theodore to a 2 year deal (undisclosed)

Seeing $9M over 2 years.

I am sorting of loving all this. Even with Pittsburgh not making a BIG move yet, they are getting better in the East by everyone else getting worse.

[Draft Dodger]

I can live with Raycroft. I guess it depends on the $$$

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Seeing $9M over 2 years.

I am sorting of loving all this. Even with Pittsburgh not making a BIG move yet, they are getting better in the East by everyone else getting worse.

Pfft...I'll take the Flyers against the Pens without Hossa, Orpik, Malone, and Roberts. And with a healthy Colburn and Timmonen.

From Rob Rossi of a Pittsburgh Paper...

There is no word on right wing Marian Hossa, but the Penguins are moving forward with a plan of attack that does not include his return. Now for a line we never expected to report:
General manager Ray Shero has inquired about the interest right wing Jaromir Jagr -- BAM! -- might have in returning to Pittsburgh. Discussions have been described as “very preliminary.”
Jagr, 36, is currently the New York Rangers’ captain and wants to return to Manhattan, but he is open to the idea of continuing his NHL career elsewhere. He spent his first 11 seasons with the Penguins, for whom he is the second-leading all-time scorer.
For what it’s worth: Jagr is represented by Pat Brisson, who is Sidney Crosby’s agent. Brisson could not be reached for comment.

[Dr. Sak]

TSN is reporting the Detroit Red Wings have signed Ty Conklin

Adam Hall to Tampa 3 yrs./$1.8 million

[Suburban Rhythm]

I have to think Hossa makes his decision today, or the Pens move forward with Jagr (can't believe I am typing that) or Nasluand, Huselius, etc. They've got move on those guys before they are gone and there are NO options.

I can see them looking at some 3rd tier guys who are in their late 20's as 1 or 2 year fillers. Josef Vasicek types. And then either Hossa, or 2 of that next group (Huselius, Rolston, Satan, etc).

[Dr. Sak]

A. Konstinten re-signs with Habs

Fedoruk to Phoenix

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

The Pitkanen for Cole trade is interesting, considering Cole only has a year left on his deal. You would think the Oilers could have received a little more for him. That said, I really like Erik Cole.

We're going to miss Cole around here. A hard worker, which this team often seems to lack (playing with consistent effort has been their achilles heel since they moved here). What's funny is the reaction around here is "we only got one guy for him?" rather than your "Edmonton only got Cole for Pitkanen?".