The NHL Thread

Heatly wants to stay away from the press and just play hockey. Teammates love him, he's a rink rat that maybe is not that intellectual. He's Cliff Ronning with better skill, both dumb as a post.

I was going to post that. You would think Wayne would stay there until he is officially let go. Not too many European NHL coaches and Ulf Samuelsson in the coach at this time.


Another team is wanting Kessel.

Source: TheFourthPeriod.com

The Nashville Predators would like to add an offensive weapon up front and have inquired about Bruins restricted free agent Phil Kessel.
According to the Boston Globe, the Predators, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers have tried to work out a trade for Kessel. The San Jose Sharks are also reportedly interested in the 21-year-old.

The Globe notes the Predators have a solid amount of quality prospects to part with in order to facilitate a trade.

Predators GM David Poile has been looking for ways to improve his club and add to his roster, but it's uncertain how in-depth talks with the Bruins have gone.

sorry about that wrus

That is never a problem, Ervin. Anyone can post any articles here. There is no pecking order on who posts it first. However, Petey is really quick and not easy to beat!!!

Did Sykora sign with the Wild or is that a rumor? I don't think Satan signed with anyone yet too?

I know Boucher retired a couple of weeks ago. Sykora was supposedly close to signing with the Wild and I have no clue what Satan is doing. I think Satan wants to find an NHL job but if no one signs him my money would be on him going to the KHL.


Heres a good time killer when you are bored wrus.


http://www.hhof.com/html/exSCJ_2009.shtml

The Sharks getting Heatley only takes them into the second round if they're lucky. They are the Buffalo Bills of hockey and that may be giving them too much credit.

I did see that Boucher(defense) did retire. I thought Sykora was going to be a Wild too. Satan has not signed with anyone. I would like the Pens to take one of these guys back. Sykora has to be angry for not playing much in the playoffs. I really thought him and Malkin played well together.


That link was kind of neat. For some reason I remember Crosby bringing the cup to Nova Scotia after Scuderi brought it to Long Island. Also, thought Malkin brought the cup to Russia. You posted a link on that not too long ago.

Yeah that site is all messed up as for order of when they had it. My bad if I already posted that.

For the money I think those two(Sykora and Satan) want. The Pens will not have the cap space to retain one or the other.

I meant you posted Malkin in Russia with the cup and that link showed he will have the cup in September.

According to this website the Pens have about 1.8 million to play with. They should be able to sign Satan or Sykora with that?

http://www.nhlnumbers.com/overview.php?team=PIT&season=0910



Here is a recent article about the Pens thoughts about the season.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4468261

I was mocking Anus with that conspiracy shit.

What is the problem with Edmonton? Pronger wanted out, UFAs don't wanna sign there unless they get a huge contract that no one is willing to match, like the one Souray got, and now Heatley rejects a trade there.

Hockey is huge there and, to me, playing for the Oilers sounds amazing. Playing for any Canadian team sounds amazing but there seems to be alot of anti-Edmonton stuff among NHL players. Am I missing something?

Hey Hockeyman, what are thoughts on Andrew Peters? He signed with the Devils today but I'm not sure he'll be in Jersey and I'm thinking he'll be Lowell's enforcer.

Probably because it's a small town and it's cold as fuck. I'm of the opinion that if it was good enough for Gretzky, it should be good enough for anyone, but this Heatley is one of a new breed.

Pronger (or his wife) wanted out of Edmonton because he had an affair with some local chick, didn't he?

Gotta love Ovie:

He'll play 20-30 games for them, and pretty much get more PIM than ice time. He's a very good guy in the locker room and if you need someone to grab a guy's collar in a fight, he's your man. I like the guy but his actual skills are lacking. He was usually only in the lineup when the other team's goon was playing.

MB, you mentioned Edmonton, not sure what's going on there. Nobody wants to go there and the big contracts they've handed out haven't worked out. Nice job with that Penner signing. Haven't heard a thing from Souray. I don't know if Kevin Lowe is still there, but he's run that team pretty poorly in the past few years.

I think it was more his wife that wanted out of Edmonton than Pronger (boooo) himself, but it's not the first time it has happened. Comrie apparently slept with Tommy Salo's wife his first time around in Edmonton so he pretty well had to go. With Pronger (booooo) I think his wife didn't like the fact that Edmonton is such a small city compared to most of the cities he could be playing in the states.

Drew Stafford signed a 2 year deal. Looks like you can breathe a sigh of relief hockeyman. While I wait to swee if Kessel gets an offer sheet or is dealt for picks and prospects

Edmonton was listed as one of the top 3 worst places to play by the players. Reasons are it's in the middle of fucking nowhere (no nightlife or family life) and the travel to play even within your division is ridiculous.

Times have really changed. Look at two of the dominant franchises in the 80's, Edmonton and the Islanders. Both were awesome and yet many players don't want to play there. You would think teams with a good past tradition would be able to bring in good players. Not the case!!!


Here we go again with Sundin.

This is from Dreger of TSN:

Painfully, the speculation as to where Mats Sundin will play this season and for how much has started.

Well, here's a news flash: the odds of Sundin playing at all are very slim.

Retirement is a safer bet than Sundin re-signing with the Vancouver Canucks, or any other NHL team.

JP Barry, Sundin's agent, responded with a strong denial to a report that Sundin is in negotiations with the Canucks.

"There have been zero negotiations with Vancouver or any team for that matter," Barry told TSN.

"Mats just returned from his honeymoon and hasn't made any final decisions about resuming his career," Barry concluded.

However, until the 38-year-old newlywed announces his retirement, teams will continue to call and the speculation as to where he might land will be endless.

I have to work late tomorrow, so let's discuss another division. What do you guys think of the NorthEastern division and why? Still don't know about Kessel.

Here is my take:

Habs: I like their defense and that shoud help Price. Good pick ups with Mara, Spacek, and Gill. Their offense is not very deep, but got some guys: Cammaleri, Gomez, and Gionta.

Bruins: If they lose Kessel that could hurt them offensively. Thomas had a great year, but can he continue that, and be healthy?

Sabres: This team never has the most talent, but they might have the best coach in their division. This team plays very hard and did not lose too much. Miller often keeps them in games and expect that this year. They will fight for a playoff spot.

Sens: They gave up Heatley, but acquired some good forwards: Kovalev, Cheechoo, Michalek. They still have Spezza and Alfredsson. However, their defense is awful. I am not sure Leclaire in net can help this team with such a terrible defense.

Leafs: A pathetic offense when two of their guys are Orr and Hollweg. Their defense did get a little better with Beauchemin and Komisarek. Schenn should start to get better as well. Gustavsson might emerge as their number one goalie or Toscala could be there. Not real good in net for the Leafs!!

Actually Hollweg was released and I believe may be trying out with Phoenix. Definitely not the best division in hockey. Bruins should win division.. Rest a crap shoot. I am hoping the leafs surprise... Need Couple of the youngens to step up (Bozek, Stahlberg)
Can't see much from Buffalo or Ottawa myself

I will be at the Pens preseason opener on Tuesday and may have some pictures. If I get any good pictures I will post them.

I use nhlnumbers.com and they never show where a guy goes if he has not left the team. I did not know Hollweg was gone. The Leafs are doing it right with some young guys, but sooner or later this team has to produce. They are in one of the best hockey markets.

Ervin: Look forward to your preseason pictures. Hockey is not too far away boys and girls!!!!!!


Burnside's take on the Heatley deal:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=4468563

Bruins- They are the best team in this division with or without Kessel. Best defense and goalie in the division.

Sabres- They were on the verge of making the playoffs last year when Gomez hit Miller. The Miller injury killed their season. If Miller has a big year they will finish 8th in the East. They have a good crop of forwards and Vanek is stud but the defense makes me a little nervous. They need a puckmover on the backline.

Habs- I hate this team. Skilled but small. They have put alot of faith in a bunch of 2nd liners and are expecting them to be superstars. Gomez and Gionta were decent together but Elias made that line work. They added alot of new faces which never seem to work in hockey. Chemistry will be an issue. I'm not a big Price fan either.

Sens- The lockerroom is better. The team is deeper but the defenseman are slow and they have a problem in goal. I don't know if Leclaire is healthy but I'm not a huge fan of him anyway. Hitchcock's system made him.

Leafs- Team sucks. Franchise sucks.

This is a list of all the broadcasters for radio and tv for all NHL teams.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_National_Hockey_League_broadcasters


I found it interesting that Darren Pang left Phoenix and is with the Blues. Maybe he is not too thrilled about what is going on there.

Good points on the Sabres and Habs. I forgot that the Sabres season was lost when Miller got injured. The Habs seem to often be small and have speed, but you make a decent point about team chemistry when you have such a huge overhaul.

A little harsh on the Leafs, but they do have Burke at the helm. I expect him to get that team better.

The Sens did not have a problem in their locker room last year. Heatley did not spout off until the offseason and their was no Emery to blame as well.