It's Here! The Thread For the 2003-04 NHL Regular Season!

[klayman]

Hockey Boy, I don't think Dynasty Boy reads the hockey thread too often.

[bbor]

Happy b-day H_B


Are you older now than the average Red Wing :)

[Karim]

Happy birthday, HB.

[Draft Dodger]

Happy b-day H_B


Are you older now than the average Red Wing :)

if he was, he probably wouldn't be able to read the little words on the damn compruder screen

[Karim]

http://www.truenorthproject.mb.ca/levittreport.pdf

For those interested in the independent auditor's report on the finances of the NHL.

[bbor]

Bah...gobbledegook

[antbacker]

The Kings have really impressed me this year. To be where they are with all the injuries is simply amazing. And Frolov is becoming a prime time player right before our eyes. Andy Murray is doing a great job, and if they make the playoffs he should get some Adams award consideration.

[sterlingice]

http://www.truenorthproject.mb.ca/levittreport.pdf

For those interested in the independent auditor's report on the finances of the NHL.
Man, there's a ton of filler in there. It's like the reports I would do for school: it's not thorough, it's just padding. Everything looks smarter with 8 appendices. Plus, they don't have a team by team breakdown and that was what I was interested in seeing.

SI

[Honolulu_Blue]

Thanks guys for all the good wishes, lads!

At 30, I'd still be considered a "prospect" in the Wings organization.

Lots of goings ons in the NHL.

The financial report, the proposed rule changes, Hasek out, CuJo hurt, Roenick busted his jaw, Sean Burke traded, Primeau hurt. So little time to comment on them all.

I have to agree with Adam Foote (I fell dirty just thinking that). The proposed rule banning goalies from handling the puck is a bad one. It will lead to more injuries (see: argument for automatic icing) and seems like a bizarre rule.

I guess they sort of did that in soccer many years back when they outlawed goalies from picking up the ball when passed back to them by their own players, but I see this as something different. Being able to handle the puck is a marketable skill for goalies (see: Brodeur), it'd be odd to stop them from doing it.

The other proposed changes don't irk me at all. They need to do something to help the game.

Thanks again!

[bbor]

Dallas does it again...picks up another old guy for the play off run as they sign Shayne Corson for the rest of the season.

[Chubby]

Let's go Sabres!!!

I don't know what happened at the All Star break but I sure like it :) If Briere keeps this up I might be in favor of him getting the C next year instead of Drury.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Dallas does it again...picks up another old guy for the play off run as they sign Shayne Corson for the rest of the season.

Well, at least it wasn't Benoit Hogue again. That was really annoying, especially for Oilers fans, I reckon.

[sachmo71]

Corson. I have no response to that.

[bbor]

Am i hearing correctly?...Steve Sullivan was traded from Chi to nashville?


Anyone know what for?

[henry296]

I think i heard two second round picks for Sullivan.

[ice4277]

I think i heard two second round picks for Sullivan.
That's what I heard as well.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Well, the Senators pick up Bondra for a prospect and a 2nd rounder.

Not a bad deal for the Sens. Yeah, so they don't address the "toughness" situation, but they just signed Rob Ray for all of that nonsense. Bondra is 36, which means he's no spring chicken (unless he was on the Wings), but he's still dangerous and really improved Ottawa's already very dangerous offense. I think he'll fit in well there. Too bad the Wings couldn't get him. He'd fit right in.

Sad day for the Caps. The organization has truly taken a turn for the worse. Hockey is pretty much dead in the our nation's capital.

It will be interesting to see what else happens as the trade deadline draws nearer. The lockout situation could make for a ton of moves. Big moves.

[bbor]

I expected thsi deal to happen closer to the deadline where his value may have been higher...good deal for the Sens.

[Maple Leafs]

Very good deal for Ottawa. Exactly the sort of move they should be making. Bonus points because the Devils wanted Bondra badly.

The Ray signing, by the way, is a complete joke.

[Draft Dodger]

Bondra on a skilled team (ie Senators) is scary. There may be questions in Ottawa about Lalime and the toughness, but they shouldn't have problem scoring goals (not that that wins Cups!).

[Draft Dodger]

ok, need help with a trivia question...

a New England bank is doing a big Ray Bourque promotion where everyone who opens an account gets a Ray bobblehead (my wife went down on her lunch break the day the promo started), and you can also win a day with him or something.

anyhow, when Christine was opening the account, the woman at the bank told her that she had an employee contest she herself was trying to win, but needed help with a trivia question. I've been mulling it over for a couple weeks, but I still don't know for sure...

the question is "What 3 numbers did Bourque wear for the Bruins?". 77 and 7 are obvious, but I don't know about the 3rd. I did find reference to Bourque wearing a different number when he first got called up (29?), but I don't know if he actually wore it in a game. I'm also guessing he played in a couple All-Star games with Paul Coffey, and would have changed numbers for that game, but I don't think the question is referring to that anyways.

anyone know this?

[Chubby]

well since I guess technically he wouldn't have "worn it for the Bruins" in an all star game I think you can throw that out...

not sure on the 3rd number tho...

[Karim]

I searched several hockey sites and there's no mention of a third number. Maybe it was a training camp number?

[JeeberD]

Edmonton 5
Colorado 1


Word. :)

[bbor]

lmao

[Maple Leafs]

I remember Bourque or Coffey wearing 78 in an all-star game, but I doubt that's what the question means.

[Pyser]

Zhmanov was just traded to Philly for Vandermeer and draft picks.

he is there to replace roenick for the season, and primeau is out with a concussion right now anyway. zhamnov is a f/a at the end of the year.

this is another player the devils were supposedly interested in. thats bondra and zhamnov to 2 conference rivals. interesting, but not the end of the world.

[corbes]

Crazy Bobby at work again.

Still not sure why we traded Justin Williams for a defenseman, and then turn around and trade away two defensemen in the next two weeks.

I have almost no idea who is on the team anymore. I could have written down the roster and lines off the top of my head at the beginning of the year.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Bobby loves centers. He can't have enough of them. All of your centers are belong to Clarke!

Well, I guess they had to make the move with Roenick out and talking retirement and Primeau injured.

There was a lot of talk the Wings were going to try to get Zhamnov too. I am sort of glad they didn't. I don't like Zhamnov much. Nope. Just don't like him.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I looked through about a half dozen websites for the Bourque trivia answer too.
Nada.

[corbes]

All of your centers are belong to Clarke!



:D

[Draft Dodger]

so, last night after my wife and I watched the painful Avs game, I told her that Skoula was going to be traded.

12 hours later, he is. Although I have no clue who Kurt Suaer is.

[Chief Rum]

You should. He was one of the hard hitting defensmen on the Ducks in last season's playoff finals.

I'm not sure I like this deal. :(

Sauer is a fine stay at home defenseman who is big, smart, hard-working and already has a lot of key experience (both regular and playoff) despite being just two-thirds of a season removed from his rookie year.

I haven't been paying much attention to how Skoula is playing, but judging from his less than stellar stats and your reaction, I would say he hasn't been good.

Don't get me wrong, I think Skoula is a pretty solid player from what I can recall. But if this guy hasn't been playing too well lately, and he's going from a top playoff contender to team trying to make a desparate push from behind. I find it hard to believe he will be more motivated with the Ducks than the Avs, but one can hope.

BTW, if anyone cares, the Ducks have gone 5-1-0-1 in their last seven and are 8-9 points out of the playoffs. That may sound like a lot (well, cause it is), but they were a good 12-13 out at the break. Jiggy has been playing well. Losing an overtime game to Nashville last night, though, didn't help. I think I hate Nashville.

Can someone tell me a little more about Skoula? I know he's more of an offensive defenseman, which is something we can use since Ozolinsh's injury has put him out for the regular season. Without him, we only have one true puck moving blueliner, really, in Niclas Havelid.

Avs fans, I think, are really going to like Sauer. If they pair him with Blake, ouch. That's a big, hard-hitting pair of defensemen.

CR

[Draft Dodger]

Skoula was supposed to be sort of like Ozolinsh, except that he'd pay more attention in his own end. his offensive game never quite developed like it was supposed to, but what really hurt him was his defensive game. Simply put, he just made two many mistakes in his own zone. Last night was a microchasm of his game - he got beat (badly) on two goals by Jason Arnott; I think he was also to blame for 3rd goal, but I wasn't paying enough attention at that particular time. But I knew for sure after last night that he'd finally be gone, and soon.

The Avs have been incredibly patient with him - really putting him in situations to succeed, not fail. But it's just never come together. You figure he's had some incredible blue-line mentors to learn from - Bourque, Foote, Blake, de Vries...but he still was prone to silly mistakes and bad judgement, while not producing enough on the offensive zone.

It wouldn't surprise me that a change of scenery will help him out - especially having an Ozolinsh around to watch everyday.

you've got me excited about Sauer - him and Boughner should make nice additions to this club.

[Maple Leafs]

Chief, what are you hearing as far as a Carney deal?

[Chief Rum]

I haven't heard anything, actually. In fact, the Sauer trade probably means Carney isn't going anywhere, at least not right now. We only have so many top line worthy stay at home defensemen, you know. :)

If you're hearing rumors involving Carney in a trade, I wouldn't expect them to come to fruition until the Ducks have shown they aren't going to make the playoffs. If they hadn't made this recent run, maybe he would already be dealt. But they did, and the acquisition of Skoula is definitely another move toward competitiveness right away. So I don't think Carney is going anywhere right away.

Now, if by the trade deadline we're not closer than the 8 or 9 points we are now, that's a different story.

What are you hearing?

CR

[Maple Leafs]

I've seen plenty of rumors, including one this week that had Ottawa looking at him. A newspaper report today suggested he'd be a good fit for the Leafs, although there wasn't any indication that any talks had happened.

The consensus seems to be that he'd come at a reasonably high price, but could be available. Lots of praise for him, one reporter even suggested he was at least as valuable as Giguere during the playoff run.

[bbor]

I heart hockey day in Canada 15 hours straight of hockey:D

[Draft Dodger]

I heart hockey day in Canada 15 hours straight of hockey:D

I love it too - my wife and I caught it last year, but I had to work this year and she was busy too.

I think I'm going to take the day off next year - it's really some outstanding stuff.

[Chief Rum]

Carney was critical to our playoff run and the performance of our team last year. In fact, his injury at the beginning of the season (he missed a month with a broken foot) is probably factor #1 on why we got off to a bad start and are facing the desparate situation we're in now. If Carney stays healthy, two things happen: 1) We don't pick up that load of crap Simpson, whose turnovers probably cost us 3-4 games at least this year, if not more; and 2) the defense isn't so soft and turnover-prone early on, which led directly to Giguere's early season problems and a bout of lack of confidence that continued with the goalkeeper for most of the season (really until the All Star break).

Carney would be a great get for just about any playoff team, IMO, and it would cost a hefty price to get him, I think.

That said, I can't imagine Ottawa going after Carney after already dealing for Simpson (then why get Simpson at all?), and as for Toronto, while I can't rule out a Leafs deal, I really don't think the Skoula deal and the Ducks' recent run really works with moving Carney. The Ducks have given every indication they believe they can get back into this thing, and I can't see them moving Carney until they believe they are truly out of it.

I think it's likely that if he is dealt at all, it won't be until right up against the trading deadline, and even then, it won't happen if the Ducks are within, say, six points of a playoff spot.

Chief Rum

[lynchjm24]

I'm not the guy saying NHL Draft Lottery, wiseguy. You are. If you think making the NHL playoffs is so easy, then why don't you take back your prediction about the Ducks?

If instead you still believe this will happen, despite the "ease" of making the NHL playoffs, then don't be a wimp, stand up for what you are saying and take the bet.

CR

I thought I'd check in. Not looking so good for you is it?

[klayman]

I heart hockey day in Canada 15 hours straight of hockey:D
And the hockey was great this year.

[Chief Rum]

I thought I'd check in. Not looking so good for you is it?

No, it isn't. Do you like to beat up bums and try to run over stray animals, too, or is your cruelty limited to kicking a fan when he's down?

Season isn't over. I still hope.

CR

[lynchjm24]

No, it isn't. Do you like to beat up bums and try to run over stray animals, too, or is your cruelty limited to kicking a fan when he's down?

Season isn't over. I still hope.

CR

I think the Angels will win the west, does that make you feel better?

[Chief Rum]

Marginally. :)

But then, a lot of people are picking the Angels. Kinda wish they wouldn't--it would be easier on the team.

CR

[lynchjm24]

Marginally. :)

But then, a lot of people are picking the Angels. Kinda wish they wouldn't--it would be easier on the team.

CR

Well Seattle has regressed, that's really what I like about them the most. :)

[klayman]

Hey, no baseball talk in the hockey thread!

[lynchjm24]

Hey, no baseball talk in the hockey thread!

Sorry,

Go Whalers!

[sachmo71]

Chief,

Barry Melrose called the Stars "the Ducks of 2004"! How do you respond to that?


:D

[Honolulu_Blue]

Chief,

Barry Melrose called the Stars "the Ducks of 2004"! How do you respond to that?


:D

How can the Stars be the Ducks of 2004? That's quite impossible. I mean, unless by the "Ducks of 2004" you mean a low-seeded team that could make a run all the way to the Stanley Cup. Sure, that could happen, but that is incredibly short-sighted. The Stars have been considered one of the top teams in the NHL for years. They were slated to be one of the best this year, fat pay-roll, big stars, all that. They are so unlike the Ducks of 2004, it's ridiculous.

Melrose...

[Chief Rum]

I would have to agree with Honolulu Blue. There's no questioning the Stars' talent, even if it's less than it was last year. I don't know they can do any better this year in the playoffs than they did last season, though. I still think two or three other teams int he West are better than they are, and I think they owuld lose to at least Ottawa in the East as well.

CR

[Draft Dodger]

I do think the Stars are going to do quite well in the playoffs, but to call them the '04 Ducks is pretty stupid.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I agree. I think the Stars could do quite well in the playoffs. They should be doing better in the regular season. They have loads of talent. It may just be the case it takes the year to finally make it all work again. They did have some new pieces, especially along the blueline. Corson isn't a bad guy to have around in the playoffs. Assuming he doesn't just up and leave half-way through.

[sachmo71]

Blue,

I believe that the context was the similarity to the poor start to the season, and the hot finish.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Blue,

I believe that the context was the similarity to the poor start to the season, and the hot finish.

That I'd buy.

[Maple Leafs]

Are people still assuming that the West is the better conference?

Just curious... I'd argue that Ottawa is the most talented team overall in the league, and the East has two goalies (Brodeur and Belfour) that are head and shoulders above any of the contenders in the West.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Are people still assuming that the West is the better conference?

Just curious... I'd argue that Ottawa is the most talented team overall in the league, and the East has two goalies (Brodeur and Belfour) that are head and shoulders above any of the contenders in the West.

Hmmm...

Interesting.

It used to be that the West was considered better mainly because there were, at any time, most felt the three (maybe 4) teams were in the West: Detroit, Colorado, Dallas, (and maybe St. Louis). The only team during that era, say 1996-2003, from the East that ever seemed to be a real serious contender was the Devils (see: Brodeur). Phili was close in 1997 when everyone thought Lindros was going to be the next great player after Gretzky and Lemieux, but we all know how that turned out (One SC finals appearance and a SWEEP!!!!!)

Now, I don't think that's the case. Colorado is amazing up front. There is no denying that even if Selanne and Kariya haven't been all that great, their forwards are still as talented as they come (Forsberg and Sakic lift them above Ottawa in that regard). But they have question marks along the blueline (especially with Blake hurt) and goaltending. Yeah, Aberschier has been solid enough, but you can rarely feel confident with a young, untested netminder when entering the playoffs. Weird things can happen to them. Their status certainly slipped a bit the moment Roy retired.

Detroit has also lost its luster. They are old. So very, very old. The Hasek/CuJo thing was a farce. Now Hasek is gone, CuJo is hurt, and we have the tandem of Lamothe/Legace. Yeah. That's right. CuJo should be back for the playoffs, but he wasn't lighting the world on fire when healthy. He's gotta be a question mark. He's just never fit in well in Detroit. Getting Hatcher back would be huge, but you never know how well he'll mesh and at what percentage he will be when playing. Up front the team lacks size and speed.

Dallas, though red hot, has struggled mightly for most of the season. They still have the talent to be one of the top teams, just haven't played like it. St. Louis doesn't have the goaltending and their blueline has been ravaged by injury. I don't see them being comparable either.

In the East you have Ottawa, with an amazing amount of talent upfront. You have New Jersey with Brodeur. Toronto and Belfour. Even Philly to some extent. They have good talent, a solid couch, and Burke gives them a top-class goalie.

I guess things have become a little more "even" between the conferences, at the top at least. As whole, whether the West is better than the East, that may still hold true. I mean, the East does have Pittsburgh after all.

Though, at the moment, 67 points gets you a playoffs spot in the West and 66 in the East. Not too much difference there.

[sachmo71]

I'll take Tampa to win it all, Alex.

[Draft Dodger]

two very good coaches join the ranks of the unemployed...

Bobby Francis and Joel Quenneville are now available, for any teams in need of solid, solid coaches. (then again, Ted Nolan has been available for some time now...)

[bbor]

Quenneville would be a good fit for Phoenix IMHO.

[Turd Ferguson]

Man would it be great to see Q in Florida after this season. Torchetti has been decent in relief of Keenan going 4-2-2 but I think they need a proven winner, which Queeneville is.

[Pyser]

what the hell is going on in nj?

EIGHT GOALS??? two games after scoring SEVEN???

as a devils fan, this is absolutely unprecedented. thats enough offense for SEVEN games for us! im scared. hold me.

[Maple Leafs]

what the hell is going on in nj?

EIGHT GOALS??? two games after scoring SEVEN???

as a devils fan, this is absolutely unprecedented. thats enough offense for SEVEN games for us! im scared. hold me.What was the final? 8-2?

Two goals against... hmm. Burnsie will have the skating extra laps tomorrow.

[bbor]

I hear some of the players are turning on Burns....his 2 year act with a 5 year contract is almost up.

[Pyser]

I hear some of the players are turning on Burns....his 2 year act with a 5 year contract is almost up.

ive read that not having scott stevens in the locker room has hurt the teams relationship with burns....stevens was apparently the only one who could talk to burns, and would even go so far as to tell him to lay back a little on the players.

since stevens has gone out, though, the players had their own meeting and decided to "play for themselves", which basically means win in spite of burns. thats never a good sign, but, all of the devils have been here before, so, if any team could do it on their own, it might be them...

[henry296]

Pens win!!!! The losing streak is over and I got to watch the game. Now back to discussing real NHL teams.

Todd

[corbes]

Everytime this thread gets bumped I wonder if Clarkie has been making more trades...

[sachmo71]

Soon, corbes, soon. :)

[Maple Leafs]

The Toronto Star is reporting that the Leafs are on the verge of sending Nik Antropov, Carlo Colavacchio and their 1st rounder to the Caps for Sergei Gonchar.

I do not like this one bit.

[sachmo71]

Wow! The Caps make out like bandits on that one!

[bbor]

The Toronto Star is reporting that the Leafs are on the verge of sending Nik Antropov, Carlo Colavacchio and their 1st rounder to the Caps for Sergei Gonchar.

I do not like this one bit.


I'm with you here...Unless Kolzig is included in the trade.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I don't know... I don't see this deal as being all that one-sided for the Caps. I don't know much about Colavacchio, other than he is a young offensive-defensemen prospect. But Antropov has never done anything for me. He was hot at some point last year (45 points) and stayed relatively healthy, but seems to get hurt quite often, no? I guess he's still young (only 24) and is one of this big, rangy type guys who may take a while to come into their own. The first round pick? Eh, it's a total crapshoot. Should be a very low pick anyway.

Gonchar is one of the top offensive-defensmen in the game, perhaps the top. He's adequate defensively. I don't know if the deal is so bad. The Leafs have been close for many years now. They need to finally make a real solid run for the Cup and Gonchar helps get them there. They've had crap defensemen forever!

Also, Gonchar is only 30! He'd basically be considered a youth player on the Wings. He's got a good 10-12 years of hockey left in him! He's got upside! Tremendous upside!

[Maple Leafs]

Here's the problem with Gonchar: he's not what the Leafs need. He's good offensively, and adeuqate defensively. He's not physical. He's basically a more polished Tomas Karberle.

Is he going to help the Leafs fend off all the talent on the Senators? No. Is he going to be able to take the pounding that the Flyer forwards will dish out, constantly dumping the puck in and then hunting down the defenceman? No.

It's not so much that the price is too high (although I think it is), but that the Leafs have a limited number of prospects/picks to move, and I don't like the idea of spending your whole wad on something you don't really need.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Here's the problem with Gonchar: he's not what the Leafs need. He's good offensively, and adeuqate defensively. He's not physical. He's basically a more polished Tomas Karberle.

Is he going to help the Leafs fend off all the talent on the Senators? No. Is he going to be able to take the pounding that the Flyer forwards will dish out, constantly dumping the puck in and then hunting down the defenceman? No.

It's not so much that the price is too high (although I think it is), but that the Leafs have a limited number of prospects/picks to move, and I don't like the idea of spending your whole wad on something you don't really need.

What do the Leafs need? A physical defenseman? Marchment, Belak, and Berehowsky aren't enough? Would a Bob Boughner-type blueliner be worth more than Gonchar?

I definitely don't know what the Leafs are looking for and you guys would have a better feel for what they need. It has always been defense for the last few years. If they need help at forward too, than shipping Antropov may not be such a good deal.

I just don't know if there are any big, mobile defensemen available. As far as talent goes, Gonchar may be the best available.

The Wings gave up quite a bit at the deadline last year to get Schneider. Yeah, he could be considered tougher than Gonchar, but not as strong offensively.

[bbor]

Bottom line is the Leafs are weak at teh back end....They are made up of a bunch of 5,6,7 defenceman....they need a quantity of 2,3,4 guys to get better...rather than 1 quality guy.Berg,Marchment,Berehowsky and Belak are all guys you bring in when your 6,7,8 D-man gets hurt...not guys that should play in your 4 and 5 spots.

Gonchar would help...but he alone would not be the answer

[Maple Leafs]

What do the Leafs need? A physical defenseman? Marchment, Belak, and Berehowsky aren't enough? Would a Bob Boughner-type blueliner be worth more than Gonchar?He might. It's not so much that they need a tough guy, or even a big hitter. But they need a solid guy who can clear the crease, get the puck out of the zone, and not make stupid mistakes (or as we Leaf fans call them, "Akis").

[sterlingice]

The Toronto Star is reporting that the Leafs are on the verge of sending Nik Antropov, Carlo Colavacchio and their 1st rounder to the Caps for Sergei Gonchar.

I do not like this one bit.
For the sake of all that is good and holy on my fantasy team, do the deal! :)

SI

[Honolulu_Blue]

Game on, lads!

The Wings acquired Robert Lang for Tomas Fleischmann, a first rounder in 2004, and a fourth rounder in 2006.

Given the uncertainty following this year, the Wings Methuselah-like roster, and the fact that they desperately needed help upfront, this is a good deal. The first rounder will be a low pick. Fleischmann has showed some flashes of promise, but is still a prospect and ways off.

Once more into the breach...

[ice4277]

Gotta love picking up the NHL's joint leading scorer :)

[sachmo71]

Sheesh.

[Maple Leafs]

Forgive my ignorance, but who the hell is Tomas Fleischmann?

[sterlingice]

What is wrong with you guys?!? Mark Messier is out there on a crappy team! Same with Ron Francis. Isn't Gordie Howe still alive? What's wrong with the Wings?

SI

[ice4277]

Forgive my ignorance, but who the hell is Tomas Fleischmann?
I hadn't heard of him before the trade announcement.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Forgive my ignorance, but who the hell is Tomas Fleischmann?

He's THE Tomas Fleischmann. The player so good he needs two "N's". He was a second round pick a few years back. Not a bad prospect actually. He's doing very well in the WHL at the moment, 28 goals, 69 points. Pretty respectable.


Here's the rest:

Tomas Fleischmann was brought to the game by his mother in Koprivnice when Tomas was 5 years old. He was playing for two teams at the same time. In the 7th grade he moved to play for Vitkovice where he is playing up until he was 18 years old.
His only national team invitation was with the U-17 selection in 2001.

He remained on the front lines all season but he was never nominated to enter the national team. Finally his good performance was recognized by the coaches of U-18 selection and Tomas was selected to participate at the U-18 Championship in Slovakia.

Last year's other second round pick, Tomas Fleischmann, didn´t get as much attention as Hudler at the 2002 draft, whom the Red Wings selected five spots ahead. But after his first season in the WHL with Moose Jaw, Fleischmann clearly made a name for himself as a respectable prospect.

Fleischmann started the season carefully, learning about the game. It was after a successful showing at the WJC for team Czech Republic that Fleischmann started to make an impact in Moose Jaw. He finished the regular season with 21 goals and 71 points in 65 games making him the second best rookie scorer in the WHL.

As the playoffs started, Fleischmann was ready to take on another challenge. He continued his hot streak and was the go-to guy during the 12 games that Moose Jaw played. His 4 goals and 15 points in just 12 games was good enough to tie for the 11th place in the scoring race.



Talent Analysis

Tomas Fleischmann is an flashy winger with great offensive tools. He plays a high speed game with a lot of skill and is exciting to watch. His great hockey sense and hands allow him to create quality chances for both himself and his linemates. Although being a good playmaker, Tomas is more of a scorer and he uses his shot often to prove that. Has a good, hard wrist shot with a quick release. His downside is his lack of defensive involvement and he needs to gain more strength in order to take his game to the next level.

Future

The move to the WHL has been a very good one for the young Czech sniper. Instead of getting fourth line minutes in the Czech Extraliga on a strong team Tomas is now getting tons of ice time while adjusting to the more physical hockey.

Tomas is already one of the best offensive players in the WHL and should put up even more impressive numbers next season. He is at least three years away from the NHL.

[Maple Leafs]

So... (again, forgiving my ignorance), why is that the NHL's leading scorer can be traded for a first round pick and a good prospect who's three years away, but the Leafs are expected to give up a first rounder, a good prospect who's one year away and a good young player from the NHL roster to get Sergei Gonchar?

[klayman]

So... (again, forgiving my ignorance), why is that the NHL's leading scorer can be traded for a first round pick and a good prospect who's three years away, but the Leafs are expected to give up a first rounder, a good prospect who's one year away and a good young player from the NHL roster to get Sergei Gonchar?
Everybody hates the Leafs?

[Maple Leafs]

Everybody hates the Leafs?Conspiracy!

[ice4277]

H_B,

PLEASE tell me you didn't take that all from memory ;)

[henry296]

ML,

Because the league's leading scorer is a one year wonder and Gonchar is a consistent proven commodity and plays defense.

[Draft Dodger]

it's because Lang makes $5 million per year, and has 3 years left.

[Draft Dodger]

btw, TSN is reporting that Gonchar is going to be a scratch tonight...

[Honolulu_Blue]

H_B,

PLEASE tell me you didn't take that all from memory ;)

Heh! No, not quite. Pulled it off the internet. I knew he was a second round pick and was playing in the WHL and performed well in the Junior World Championship, but's that it. Back in the day I might have been able to pull something close to that off. Now, I am here in Belgium far, far away from the beloved Wings and hockey. I have grown old and soft... ;)

As for why Lang was so "cheap." The big contract and, as always, good defensemen are at a premium. I think Schneider cost more than this too last year. Always harder to find good defensemen than it is forwards.

Gonchar is the Lang equivalent for defensemen.

[bbor]

So... (again, forgiving my ignorance), why is that the NHL's leading scorer can be traded for a first round pick and a good prospect who's three years away, but the Leafs are expected to give up a first rounder, a good prospect who's one year away and a good young player from the NHL roster to get Sergei Gonchar?


I was just wandering the same thing.Langs contract is heafty but i still find this way cheap him.If the Leafs end up giving up anything more than Antropov and a 1st rounder for Gonchar i will be dissapointed.

[SoxWin]

it's because Lang makes $5 million per year, and has 3 years left.


Bingo !!!

[ice4277]

Well, if there is to be some sort of cap/luxury tax, the Wings were going to be f'ed regardless. Another $5 million at this point isn't going to make much of a difference if they have to get rid of half the team. Better to take one last sure-fire shot at it now and then blow it up later if necessary.

[Maple Leafs]

it's because Lang makes $5 million per year, and has 3 years left.That can't be it, since Gonchar will need a deal in that range to resign, and as TSN has alreayd reported it's unlikely any team would deal for him without a new contract in place.

[SoxWin]

Well, if there is to be some sort of cap/luxury tax, the Wings were going to be f'ed regardless. Another $5 million at this point isn't going to make much of a difference if they have to get rid of half the team. Better to take one last sure-fire shot at it now and then blow it up later if necessary.

Half their team are FA's at the end of the year.

Hull
Chelios
Yzerman
Hasek

off the top of my head. Right there I'm guessing is close to 30 million.

[klayman]

Well, if there is to be some sort of cap/luxury tax, the Wings were going to be f'ed regardless. Another $5 million at this point isn't going to make much of a difference if they have to get rid of half the team. Better to take one last sure-fire shot at it now and then blow it up later if necessary.
The number the League was floating around was $35 million as a cap at the begining of the season. That forces 19 teams over the cap based on 2003/04 salaries. There is no way 19 owners are going to support a CBA that forces them to dismantle their teams.


Hull
Chelios
Yzerman
Hasek

off the top of my head. Right there I'm guessing is close to 30 million.
Actually it's only about 20 million. Hull is at 5 million and Chelios, Yzerman and Hasek are hovering around 6 million. But your point is valid. If forced into a restructuring because of a CBA impossed cap, the Wings will easily be able to reduce their payroll, without sacrificing much in way of overall talent.

[bbor]

5 mil a year for the leading point getter in the league...that is a steal in my book.Generally players like this would command 6-9 mil a year.Granted he may be a one year wonder,but he has shown flashes of being an above average NHL'er before.

Think of it this way....would you trade a prospect and a first round pick for Claude Lapointe? cause he make 5 mil for the next 3 or 4 years too.

I think the Wings ripped the Caps blind in this one.

[Honolulu_Blue]

5 mil a year for the leading point getter in the league...that is a steal in my book.Generally players like this would command 6-9 mil a year.Granted he may be a one year wonder,but he has shown flashes of being an above average NHL'er before.

Think of it this way....would you trade a prospect and a first round pick for Claude Lapointe? cause he make 5 mil for the next 3 or 4 years too.

I think the Wings ripped the Caps blind in this one.

Come on bbor, the Caps got Tomas Fleischmann. THE Tomas Fleischmann. ;)

[Honolulu_Blue]

You guys will love this....

http://www.theonion.com/opinion.php?i=1&o=1

IF AL-QAEDA HAD A HOCKEY TEAM, WE'D KICK ITS ASS!

All right, so al-Qaeda is still giving us a little bit of trouble. We haven't found bin Laden yet, and I guess there're still these little cells of them all over the place. But we shouldn't let that crush our spirit, because we'll get 'em. America always wins at the end, in wars or in anything else. I don't know what's taking so long over there, but I do know this: If al-Qaeda had a hockey team, we'd totally kick its ass.

Can you imagine? It'd be so sweet. We'd have the advantage before the puck even dropped. First of all, they'd be from the Middle East, which is no hockey powerhouse. I'll bet their ice always melts down before the game's even over. Plus, their rink would probably be all bombed out. Or it'd be in a tent or something. And you know al-Qaeda's hockey uniforms would be totally ugly, with stupid colors and all kinds of Allah shit all over them. The jerseys would have those big long Ramalama bin Dingdong names on the back, and those Arabic numbers they use over there.

But America's team...

Well, players from everywhere would be jumping to sign on, man! We'd have no problem assembling a kick-ass international coalition to play the al-Qaeda if we wanted, but America would have to be firm and say, "Sorry friends, this game's ours."

So, who would we get to go head-to-head with those terrorist fuckers? Only our most bad-assed pros! Now, I know some people would want to go all Lake Placid and use amateurs, but, hey, did al-Qaeda use amateur terrorists on the World Trade Center? Hell, no. So we'd get pros like Brett Hull, the best American scorer ever, and skills guys like Mike Modano. We'd add in some hard guys who don't mind going into the corners or dropping the gloves if the sticks come up—I'm thinking, like, Jeremy Roenick on this one. And the capper? Flourtown's own Mike Richter comes out of retirement to play goal, baby! And if they get in the crease, Rafalski takes 'em out. Face it: On paper, al-Qaeda's boned.

But then they'd get to the game, right? And it'd be awesome! Because they'd have to have it in Madison Square Garden, on account of who the shit wants to go to Afghanistan?

President Bush'd be there to fire up our skaters by looking right at the al-Qaeda bench and repeating his warning to all terrorists: "Bring it on!" The crowd would go nuts! Everyone would be going so crazy, they'd hardly hear Ted Nugent sing the national anthem! The camera would cut to the al-Qaeda bench, and they'd all be sitting in their towel helmets thinking, "Oh, shit, what the fuck did we get ourselves into?"

Now, I'm not saying it'd be total cake. Everyone knows those guys are crafty little fuckers who don't play fair. They'd probably try to overload one side or the other, then suicide-crash the net to try to sneak the puck in. They might even go a goal up on us late in the first period, because you know Team USA would come out of the gate all fired up, and that level of emotion can get you in turnover trouble.

So let's be realistic here—the first period might be closer than a lot of people would like. But that'd just give those bastards a false sense of security, because 20 minutes against our seasoned pros would be enough to rag their legs out big time. So the second-period horn goes, and here's my prediction: four goals in the first 10 minutes, baby, if not five! Bet your ass there's a hattie for my man Brett Hull.

So of course al-Qaeda starts getting chippy and the sticks come up, but that plays right into our hands. We'll be going, "Okay, al-Qaeda, you wanna get aggressive? You like that? Jump in, buds!" And then the whistles start going, because you don't think al-Qaeda gets the officials on their side in Madison Square Garden, do you? Fuck nah.

So, of course, then we'd get the power play. And face it, at that point, the game's pretty much over for them. They have to ask the crowd to stop chanting "USA! USA! USA!" But guess what, man? We ain't gonna stop! So al-Qaeda pulls their goalie, and while they're trying for the extra-man goal in garbage time to save face, they fail to notice one important detail: the Navy SEALs coming down from the ceilings and walls to capture everyone on the al-Qaeda bench. 'Cause there's no way we're letting those half-assed-hockey-playing terrorist bastards just waltz out the door. And that's how the greatest hockey game in history would end.

Man, those guys better hope we never catch them on skates

[ice4277]

Actually it's only about 20 million. Hull is at 5 million and Chelios, Yzerman and Hasek are hovering around 6 million. But your point is valid. If forced into a restructuring because of a CBA impossed cap, the Wings will easily be able to reduce their payroll, without sacrificing much in way of overall talent.
Well, no matter how you look at it, they will be losing Hull, Yzerman, Chelios, and probably Shanahan regardless. Having the core of your team ripped out isn't easy; regardless of the method (retirement, free agency, cap) it still hurts. I think they will land on their feet a bit easier than I would have thought they would have 3 or 4 years ago, but there still will be a period of recovery, probably a couple seasons.

[bbor]

Kolzig and Gonchar will be Leafs bythe end of the weekend.

[Karim]

Why would the Leafs want Kolzig? Did I miss Belfour getting a long-term injury?

What I would really like to see is Messier go to Ottawa...

[bbor]

Eddies contract is up at the end of this season.Belfour has'nt played now in 2 weeks...can they count on his back holding up for a play off run?Kolzig would be insurance for the play-off and prolly be their keeper for the next 3 years or so.

[Draft Dodger]

I still don't get the Caps desire to get rid of all these good players.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I still don't get the Caps desire to get rid of all these good players.
I believe might have something to do with being the worst team in the NHL not named Penguins.

[sachmo71]

Damn Yankees. I mean Wings.

[Karim]

Thanks, bbor. Kolzig would be the guy I'd target -- former Vezina winner who has been in the finals. If there are any questions about goal in Colorado, Vancouver or Ottawa...

[Draft Dodger]

I believe might have something to do with being the worst team in the NHL not named Penguins.

they are having a bad season. so did the Sharks last year, and look what they've done?

the Caps are in the weakest division in hockey - with the roster they had to start the season, they would have had a good shot at the playoffs in any given year.

[Draft Dodger]

in other news, reports are that Peter Forsberg will be playing in Sweden next year, lockout or not.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=1746690

not a huge surprise, and hopefully, if true, he'll be back in the NHL after the short sabbatical.

[Maple Leafs]

Kolzing? Really? Eep.

Don't get me wrong, he's a good goalie... but why trade for a guy who probably doesn't play a minute for you in the playoffs?

Meanwhile, in Ottawa, the media are playing their violins for poor Martin Havlat, who was suspended for two games for hacking Mark Recchi in the face. Apparently it's now OK to swing for a guy's eyes if he's been hooking you.

Can't wait for next week's Flyers/Sens game, I hope someone dishes out some payback.

[Draft Dodger]

Kolzing? Really? Eep.

Don't get me wrong, he's a good goalie... but why trade for a guy who probably doesn't play a minute for you in the playoffs?

Meanwhile, in Ottawa, the media are playing their violins for poor Martin Havlat, who was suspended for two games for hacking Mark Recchi in the face. Apparently it's now OK to swing for a guy's eyes if he's been hooking you.

Can't wait for next week's Flyers/Sens game, I hope someone dishes out some payback.

that Havlat hit was vicious. I think he got off lightly.

[bbor]

ML...Eddies been out a long time this go around.They just announced he was gonna start tonight...but why sell the farm for Gonchar and then have your number 1 keeper go down with no capable back-up?Telquist has been o.k...but not someone you make a cup run with...and Kidd..well..Kidds been as good as he can,and all you need to know about that is that he has been backing up Telquist...Soi think it kinda makes sense to get both Gonchar and Kolzig if you are gonna trade away your future anyways.

[Maple Leafs]

that Havlat hit was vicious. I think he got off lightly.
Especially when you consider he's already had one stick incident this year, and he was also suspended this season for kicking a guy in the groin.

(By the way, how is "kicking someone in the groin while wearing a skate" only a two-game suspension?)

Maybe this incident will be the one that finally gets people to stop acting like the Senators are some halo-wearing angels. They're not dirty, or at least any dirtier than most teams, but this holier-than-thou routine they keep pulling has got to go.

[sachmo71]

You could make two hot dog sandwiches that way. Ick.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Damn Yankees. I mean Wings.

I can see where parallels could be drawn (e.g., large salary, collection of stars, and success), but it's not even close. The Wings' salary isn't so completely out of whack with the rest of the league like the Yankees' salary is. There is not nearly so much disparity.

[sachmo71]

I can see where parallels could be drawn (e.g., large salary, collection of stars, and success), but it's not even close. The Wings' salary isn't so completely out of whack with the rest of the league like the Yankees' salary is. There is not nearly so much disparity.

Yes, you are right, but their ability to get something for nothing every year is sickening. Hopefully something can be done about it and the arms race can stop. It's boring, to tell the truth, and none of the big clubs are innocent, but the Wings seem to pull something off, every year. Hence the Yankee's comparison. :)

[Honolulu_Blue]

Yes, you are right, but their ability to get something for nothing every year is sickening. Hopefully something can be done about it and the arms race can stop. It's boring, to tell the truth, and none of the big clubs are innocent, but the Wings seem to pull something off, every year. Hence the Yankee's comparison. :)

It interesting, for the most part the Wings have seemed to do this every year during their run. There was 1999 when they had that crazy deadline day pulling in Chelios, Samuelsson, Ranford, and Clark. There was Schneider last year. Lang this year. In 1997 it was Larry Murphy and 1998 Jamie Macoun. To be honest, every year the Wings have added a significant piece around the deadline, it's never done them much good. The off-season, however, is a different story.

[sachmo71]

Edmonton continues to have no answer for Dallas as they blow a 4-1 lead to lose 5-4 in overtime. Poor Salo...he's a damn good goalie. Unless he's playing the Stars.


Edit: In all fairness, he is good against Dallas. It's just that he's usually one worse!

[klayman]

Poor Salo...he's a damn good goalie.

Wanna trade?

[bbor]

Anyone know why the Panthers demoted Bouwmeister to the AHL??

[Honolulu_Blue]

Anyone know why the Panthers demoted Bouwmeister to the AHL??

I think it may have been for a reconditioning stint. He was hurt for a while. Maybe he just needs to get back up to speed or some such.

Also, it appears the Forces of Darkness(tm) are swooping in, Star Destroyers, tie fighters, and all, on Gonchar and Kolzig.

[Hurst2112]

It interesting, for the most part the Wings have seemed to do this every year during their run. There was 1999 when they had that crazy deadline day pulling in Chelios, Samuelsson, Ranford, and Clark. There was Schneider last year. Lang this year. In 1997 it was Larry Murphy and 1998 Jamie Macoun. To be honest, every year the Wings have added a significant piece around the deadline, it's never done them much good. The off-season, however, is a different story.

Didn't Shanahan come during the trade deadline in 97 as well?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Didn't Shanahan come during the trade deadline in 97 as well?

Shanahan came over right at the begining of the 1997 season. His first game, if I recall correctly, was the home opener against the Oilers. It was very exciting. He flew in that afternoon, suited up for the game that night, and got into a fight in his first shift. Classic stuff. Looking back on things, the Shanahan acquisition was the big one. He was the final piece to the puzzle, a big, strong power forward. Brought a lot to the team.

[Maple Leafs]

Pretty much all you need to know about how Leaf fans feel about Trevor Kidd these days...

http://www.rwbl.ootp-leagues.com/img/kidd.gif

[bbor]

AHAHAAHAH

Kidd is Hardy Astrom re-incarnated.

Ask Don Cherry how that feels :)

[Pyser]

the devils traded berglund and some prospect Victor Uchevatov to the panthers for kozlov.

me likey. added some size (6'5), and skill....the report didnt say how much he makes, or when his contract is up, but, this helps! also, anyone know if hes a lefty or right? the devs, as far as i know, have no righty centers

[SoxWin]

Right shot right winger

[Draft Dodger]

kozlov doesn't strike me as a Devil's type of player

[sachmo71]

kozlov doesn't strike me as a Devil's type of player

I used to think that about Molgilny.

[corbes]

Rumor in Philly is that Clarke will be trading for a defenseman in T-minus 5, 4, 3, 2...

No, seriously. The Flyers apparently scouted Leetch and Gonchar last week. And now with Ragnarsson hurt...

[Turd Ferguson]

Anyone know why the Panthers demoted Bouwmeister to the AHL??

According to TSN he was sent on a conditioning assignment.

http://www.foxsports.com/named/FS/NHL/player?statsId=3103

[Ksyrup]

Rumor in Philly is that Clarke will be trading for a defenseman in T-minus 5, 4, 3, 2...

No, seriously. The Flyers apparently scouted Leetch and Gonchar last week. And now with Ragnarsson hurt...
I'm watching the Caps/Panthers game, and Gonchar was a last-minute, healthy scratch...

[Draft Dodger]

I have a feeling Kolzig is going to the Avs.

[bbor]

Caps have called a news conference for after their game tonight.

[Draft Dodger]

Caps have called a news conference for after their game tonight.

Gonchar for sure is gone tonight. Wonder who wins (loses?) the Sergei Sweepstakes.

[bbor]

No news in Toronto tonight...i imagine it will be the Avs or Devs

[Draft Dodger]

No news in Toronto tonight...i imagine it will be the Avs or Devs

McPhee said tonight the Gonchar deal is close, but not done yet.

[Maple Leafs]

McPhee says "not tonight". He also says that Gonchar could sit until the deadline if it comes to that.

I wonder at what point the NHL gets involved and forces the Caps to play their best player?

[Draft Dodger]

I wonder at what point the NHL gets involved and forces the Caps to play their best player?

Caps have games against Rangers, Flyers and Sens before the deadline.
You have to believe that if the Leafs weren't in the running, Pat Quinn would be crying like a baby right now about fairness.

[Maple Leafs]

You have to believe that if the Leafs weren't in the running, Pat Quinn would be crying like a baby right now about fairness.Nah. Maybe last year, but this year Quinn and the Leafs haven't whined any more or less than most teams do.

Good game with Boston tonight. Interesting to see Roberts and Travis Green drop the gloves, considering the rumors of the locker-room split last year.

[Maple Leafs]

WOW!

Kovalev to the Habs!

[klayman]

WOW!

Kovalev to the Habs!
Nice trade for the Habs!

[sachmo71]

Where? Wha?

Are the Habs back? He's making 8 million per, isn't he?

[Draft Dodger]

the Habs are still in the league?

[klayman]

Where? Wha?

Are the Habs back? He's making 8 million per, isn't he?
Kovalev to the Habs for Jozef Balej and 2nd round pick in 2004.

Kovalev's salary is listed at $6.6 Million for 2003/04. I think the Penguins were still paying part of his salary, weren't they?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Good to see one of the "smaller" market teams get involved at the deadline. You would have had to figured Kovalev was headed to one of the usual suspects. Should make things a bit more interesting.

[sachmo71]

Very, but that scares me that Colorado could get Dunham cheaper than they could get Kolzig.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Very, but that scares me that Colorado could get Dunham cheaper than they could get Kolzig.

Dunahm's a decent goalie, but he doesn't really scare me that much. I don't think he has any (or only very limited) play-off experience. Dunham isn't a kid, but you never know how a goalie will play in the post-season. I am not sure the Forces of Darkness(tm) would be all that comfortable either.

Interesting rumors about the FoD looking to fire Granato and hire Quenville. I could see that happening, especially if the FoD countinue to play like poop the next few games. There's precedent for this type of thing happening late in the season and it being successful (see: Robinson and the Devils).

[Maple Leafs]

Dunham is terrible.

With the acquisition of Kovalev and the presence of Theodore, the Habs are now officially a "scary team". Meaning every single playoff team in the East is now scary, except for the Islanders.

[sachmo71]

I think Dunham on a good team would be scary.

[klayman]

Dunham is terrible.

With the acquisition of Kovalev and the presence of Theodore, the Habs are now officially a "scary team". Meaning every single playoff team in the East is now scary, except for the Islanders.
Come on. The leafs aren't that scary either :D

[Maple Leafs]

Come on. The leafs aren't that scary either :DBastard.

The Leafs are a very scary team, but only with several "ifs". If Belfour is healthy, and if the veterans can stay in the lineup, and if the defense can be at least average, then they can beat any team in the league in a seven game series.

Right now, if I was handicapping the East I'd put the Leafs as the #4 seed.

[Draft Dodger]

Interesting rumors about the FoD looking to fire Granato and hire Quenville. I could see that happening, especially if the FoD countinue to play like poop the next few games. There's precedent for this type of thing happening late in the season and it being successful (see: Robinson and the Devils).

they should have never booted Hartley, but it's too late to fix that. Firing Granato would send the wrong message to the players - THEY aren't performing, not Granato, and they need to get their act together rather than have Lacroix bail them out with yet another coaching change.

the biggest thing the Avs need is a healthy Peter Forsberg. For all the talent on that team, he is by far the key ingredient. When you have him in the lineup, he puts a tremendous amount of 5-on-5 pressure on the other teams - they have to focus so much energy on him that it creates a domino effect of freeing up the rest of the guys to score. he makes everyone else better on that team. when he's out...production from everyone else goes down.

I'm pretty sure they will get a goalie for insurance. I still say Kolzig, but Dunham makes sense too. What's the story on Khabibulin? Are the Bolts keeping him?

The Avs do not need Sergei Gonchar.

[Honolulu_Blue]

they should have never booted Hartley, but it's too late to fix that. Firing Granato would send the wrong message to the players - THEY aren't performing, not Granato, and they need to get their act together rather than have Lacroix bail them out with yet another coaching change.

the biggest thing the Avs need is a healthy Peter Forsberg. For all the talent on that team, he is by far the key ingredient. When you have him in the lineup, he puts a tremendous amount of 5-on-5 pressure on the other teams - they have to focus so much energy on him that it creates a domino effect of freeing up the rest of the guys to score. he makes everyone else better on that team. when he's out...production from everyone else goes down.

I'm pretty sure they will get a goalie for insurance. I still say Kolzig, but Dunham makes sense too. What's the story on Khabibulin? Are the Bolts keeping him?

The Avs do not need Sergei Gonchar.

I don't think the Bolts have any plans to trade Khabibulin. I know there was a lot of talk about that during the off-season and earlier in the year, but I think those have cooled. Most of it arose when Bhulin was benched in the play-offs for Grahame. Bulin has established himself firmly as the team's #1 goalie. THey have been playing well and are likely to be buyers rather than sellers as the deadline approaches, especially after the Sydor deal.

The FoD do need Forsberg. If Roy was the Emperor, Forsberg is Vader (though I usually like to think of Roy as Vader, but I couldn't come up with any other really cool guy, tough individual from the Empire. Boba Fett, maybe, but he was a bounty hunter, not an official Imperial. The rest of them were bumbling idiots for the most part. Anyway, where was I?). Forsberg is awesome. Arguably the best player in the NHL for the last few years. The FoD just aren't the same team without him.

I agree, they should have never booted Hartley. Maybe a coaching change is needed though, a little kick in the ass or something...

[Maple Leafs]

Gonchar to Boston is a done deal.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Gonchar to Boston is a done deal.

Interesting... The Bruins have needed a puck-moving defenseman since they traded that one guy who was pretty good at it.

:) This why you've got to love this board. All the info any sports/computer geek would ever want, up-to-the-minute.

[Draft Dodger]

Gonchar to Boston is a done deal.

ha ha ha ha.

I'm sorry - I thought you just said that Boston made a deadline trade. I'm laughing so hard my sides hurt.

[sterlingice]

Gonchar to Boston is a done deal.
Ah, found the story. Is there anything TSN.ca doesn't know about hockey? They always seem to break stories first when I'm looking for info.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=74738
"Sources told TSN the deal is likely to be defenceman Shaone Morrisonn (http://www.tsn.ca/NHL/player_bio.asp?player_id=2471) and two draft picks."

SI

[Maple Leafs]

From the "That couldn't possibly happen... could it?" file: rumors keep circulating that the Blues will move Chris Pronger to the Leafs.

[bbor]

Reports are Gonchar is gone to the Bruins....it is either a 2 pick 1 player trade....or a 2 player 1 pick trade...I did'nt see them in this at all.

[bbor]

Roberts and green fought???

How did i miss that???

Who won?

[sachmo71]

Gonchar, Heinze, and Thorton on the powerplay...yikes.

[Maple Leafs]

Who won?Green turtled. It wasn't much of a fight, actually. Green dropped his gloves and then quickly realized that he was Travis Green.

[Draft Dodger]

Gonchar, Heinze, and Thorton on the powerplay...yikes.

Heinze?

Murray perhaps?

[Draft Dodger]

From the "That couldn't possibly happen... could it?" file: rumors keep circulating that the Blues will move Chris Pronger to the Leafs.

that couldn't possibly happen...could it?

[henry296]

When is the trading deadline?

Todd

[sachmo71]

Murray is right.

[Honolulu_Blue]

When is the trading deadline?

Todd

Next Tuesday, March 9.

[Travis]

NEDVED TO THE OILERS! NEDVED TO THE OILERS!

Sorry, apparently we're supposed to be overwhelmed by our 'rent-a-player' trade that'll put us over the hump and help us climb those last 6 points to the 8th and final playoff spot.

But hey, we'll still play Oates as our top center, don't you worry.

[Draft Dodger]

Leafs get Leetch

[sachmo71]

Wow, nice move for the Leafs.

[chrisj]

For Maxim Kondratiev, Jarkko Immonen, a first-round pick 2004 and a second-round pick 2005? A nice move, but a bit expensive...

[Maple Leafs]

Interesting move. A little bit more than I'd like to have seen them give up, but definetely a move that makes them better.

The two prospects are both well regarded and expected to be good NHL players, but neither is a blue chipper who I'd get especially excited about. Basically the sort of guys that every team has five or six of at all times.

[Ksyrup]

Damn, I may show up in DC or NY to suit up. Who's left?

[Pyser]

why couldnt the rangers have sent leetch out west? why oh why?

these trades would be such a bigger deal if anyone thought these players would be playing for these random teams next season....

[Maple Leafs]

There is no next season.

[Pyser]

exactly my point.

[sachmo71]

Guerin pots his 3rd hat trick of the season...all at home.

[bbor]

Hrm...I like Leetch,he still has another season on his deal too..which is good....if there is a season.Kondratiev has gone back to Russia...so who knows if he will ever return...i dunno much about Immonen.1st rounder and 2nd rounder are crap shoots.

I would say this favours the Leafs now....but this deal has a LOT futures for the Rangers,which,if we know the Rangers,they will blow to pick up expensive veteran burnouts near the trade deadline next season:)

[bbor]

Dola-I thought perhaps Lindross would have been included in this deal.

[bbor]

Triple Dola Datsyuk goes to hospital for x-rays...Draper is out a month after running into Joseph at practice.....And Maltby breaks his hand during tonights game.

How ya feeling H_B? :)

Datsyuk is the ONLY player in the NHL i would pay to watch play shinny on a pond.This guy has got moves that are made for shinny:)

[Draft Dodger]

Hrm...I like Leetch,he still has another season on his deal too..which is good....if there is a season.Kondratiev has gone back to Russia...so who knows if he will ever return...i dunno much about Immonen.1st rounder and 2nd rounder are crap shoots.

I would say this favours the Leafs now....but this deal has a LOT futures for the Rangers,which,if we know the Rangers,they will blow to pick up expensive veteran burnouts near the trade deadline next season:)

I agree, although what strikes me is that this is pretty similar to the Gonchar deal, except that Gonchar is cheaper, younger and better. :)

[klayman]

NEDVED TO THE OILERS! NEDVED TO THE OILERS!

Sorry, apparently we're supposed to be overwhelmed by our 'rent-a-player' trade that'll put us over the hump and help us climb those last 6 points to the 8th and final playoff spot.


Just so we can lose in the 1st round anyway.

[Draft Dodger]

anyone get the chance to see the Avs/Canucks tonight? Great, great hockey game.
the Avs played their usual game - get a lead, blow the lead, repeat a few times, and then hang on until OT. still, a fun, exciting game to watch - probably the best I've seen all year.

[Pyser]

5 points for gomez tonight. devils fans shake their heads...

[bbor]

DD, Gonchar is arbitration eligable after this season,that is the biggest difference.And as we've seen from Boston and Sinden before,they will walk away from a salary arbitration deal.Remermber Kristich?The Bruins won that arbitration case and still walked away from the deal.

Leetch still has another full season on his deal....but if there is a strike it will be a moot point.

[sterlingice]

Damn, I may show up in DC or NY to suit up. Who's left?
Hasn't Pittsburgh been running a "Show up in the stands and play for us" promotion all year?

SI

[Travis]

Just so we can lose in the 1st round anyway.

Hey now, at least with all that extra revenue from the 2 or 3 home games in that first round, we can afford to keep all our rising stars, you know, like when we kept.......uh.......and..........well..............

NEDVED RULES!

Wow, it just keeps getting harder and harder to be a hockey fan in Edmonton.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Triple Dola Datsyuk goes to hospital for x-rays...Draper is out a month after running into Joseph at practice.....And Maltby breaks his hand during tonights game.

How ya feeling H_B? :)

Datsyuk is the ONLY player in the NHL i would pay to watch play shinny on a pond.This guy has got moves that are made for shinny:)

Piss off, you hoser! ;)

Wow. A fella is without internet access for a night and all hell breaks loose. Players traded, half of the Wings down with injury... Sacre Bleu! I will need more time to take this all in before I fully comprehend everything.

For the injuries, I can only say one thing. Let's just hope they all get back and are healthy for the play-offs. I'd be much more concerned about this if it were April 3 and not March 3. Though, it sucks. There is no guarantee they will be back healthy for the play-offs and even so, it will likely take a week or two to really get back into things. It sucks especially for Draper who was playing so well. This kind of thing can derail that. Fucking Joseph.

[klayman]

Hasn't Pittsburgh been running a "Show up in the stands and play for us" promotion all year?

SI
And they still haven't been able to fill a full team.

[klayman]

NEDVED RULES!

Wow, it just keeps getting harder and harder to be a hockey fan in Edmonton.
That's for sure. I might have to cheer for the Leafs this year. Ugh. Now I feel dirty.

[klayman]

Wow. A fella is without internet access for a night and all hell breaks loose. Players traded, half of the Wings down with injury... Sacre Bleu! I will need more time to take this all in before I fully comprehend everything.


Sounds like we might have to find a way for H_B to lose his internet connection, sometime around April. :)

[Honolulu_Blue]

Sounds like we might have to find a way for H_B to lose his internet connection, sometime around April. :)

You're an evil man, Klay! Not that I would expect anything else from a dirty Red Shite like yourself. ;)

But that's it, I'm getting internet access on my mobile phone now. I aint going 15 minutes without checking it. Ever.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Just so we can lose in the 1st round anyway.

Don't be so negative. So long as you don't play Dallas you may have a shot.

I think it's good move for the Oil. It means the team isn't giving up hope and adds Nedved adds some offensive punch, which the Oilers definitely need. Ryan Smyth is good and all, but he shouldn't be any teams best offensive player. He's a great winger to have play along side your best offensive player, but shouldn't be carrying the load. Nedved's been arguably the Rangers best player all year. He's been a real trooper. He's slightly more matured now than back in the past. Maybe after Nedved arrives the Oil will actually have a power-play. Rumor has it that they have started refusing the man advantage completely...

[klayman]

Don't be so negative. So long as you don't play Dallas you may have a shot.

I think it's good move for the Oil. It means the team isn't giving up hope and adds Nedved adds some offensive punch, which the Oilers definitely need. Ryan Smyth is good and all, but he shouldn't be any teams best offensive player. He's a great winger to have play along side your best offensive player, but shouldn't be carrying the load. Nedved's been arguably the Rangers best player all year. He's been a real trooper. He's slightly more matured now than back in the past. Maybe after Nedved arrives the Oil will actually have a power-play. Rumor has it that they have started refusing the man advantage completely...
You obviously haven't seen Salo play lately...

[klayman]

dola

And paraphasing the great Shankly, there are 2 great teams on Merseyside. The Liverpool first team, and the Liverpool reserves. :p

[Honolulu_Blue]

You obviously haven't seen Salo play lately...

No, I haven't. I've basically assumed his been shite since that Belarus game in the Olympics. I watched the Sweden/Finland game during the World Championships last summer. He was brutal.

Also, rumor has it, that Salo knocked-up his girlfriend. When his wife found out about this, she responded by telling Tomi that she had been hooking up with Comrie for months before he was traded. Poor guy has a lot on his mind right now...

[Maple Leafs]

I agree, although what strikes me is that this is pretty similar to the Gonchar deal, except that Gonchar is cheaper, younger and better. :)Cheaper and younger, for sure. Probably better offensively at this point in his career. I'd take Leetch over Gonchar to protect a lead, though. Leetch has never been great defensively, of course, but at least he's got the veteran smarts that Gonchar has never really displayed, and Leetch can handle the physical game a little better.

So do you take "younger, cheaper, better, never won anything" or "older, smarter, almost as good and with a ring and a conn smythe"? Tough call, but I guess the Leafs (and Bruins) have made theirs.

[klayman]

No, I haven't. I've basically assumed his been shite since that Belarus game in the Olympics. I watched the Sweden/Finland game during the World Championships last summer. He was brutal.

Also, rumor has it, that Salo knocked-up his girlfriend. When his wife found out about this, she responded by telling Tomi that she had been hooking up with Comrie for months before he was traded. Poor guy has a lot on his mind right now...
He's fighting the puck and losing the battle. He hasn't really been the same since the Olympics. It's been so long since he's put a string of solid performances together, I'm begining to wonder if he was ever good at all or it was just an illusion.

That Comrie...what a team player. Apparently Rich Winter told some people at the Coyotes/Oiler game the other night, that if we knew all the stuff the Comrie had to put up with while in Edmonton, we wouldn't be booing him. Of course, Winter didn't say just what all those horrible things were (I'm sure one of them was being criticized for his poor playoff performance...the horror :eek: ), but they'd have to be pretty bad to prevent me from booing him. Like we're talking anally raped bad...

[Blade]

Don't be so negative. So long as you don't play Dallas you may have a shot.

I think it's good move for the Oil. It means the team isn't giving up hope and adds Nedved adds some offensive punch, which the Oilers definitely need. Ryan Smyth is good and all, but he shouldn't be any teams best offensive player. He's a great winger to have play along side your best offensive player, but shouldn't be carrying the load. Nedved's been arguably the Rangers best player all year. He's been a real trooper. He's slightly more matured now than back in the past. Maybe after Nedved arrives the Oil will actually have a power-play. Rumor has it that they have started refusing the man advantage completely...

I have to agree, I think it is a good move. When I first heard about it, I was pretty pissed, but I have had more time to check out the details and digest it a bit more. In essence, we got Nedved and Markkanen for a goalie who was never going to play for us, a prospect who was far down on our list to ever play for us, and a 2nd round pick. I was a little pissed that we gave up a 2nd round pick, but the pick was actually from the Rangers in the first place for us signing Leetch last year and having him resign with the Rangers, so it was a free pick anyway.

The kicker for me in this deal was the fact that the Rangers are going to pay Nedved's salary for the year, so he is a free player. He is an upgrade for us at Center, has a good history with Dvorak, and should help our powerplay. We gave up very little, and did not send anyone from the current roster, and he is free. What else can we ask for? He as an option year next year worth $5 million, so the Oilers can simply let him go without it ever costing us a dime. Or, they can try to resign him for less. Either way, it is not hurting us financially.

I think this is a very good deal, and could be what we need to get into the postseason. And if Salo is still playing shakey, hopefully Markkanen can step in until Conklin is back.

[Blade]

That Comrie...what a team player. Apparently Rich Winter told some people at the Coyotes/Oiler game the other night, that if we knew all the stuff the Comrie had to put up with while in Edmonton, we wouldn't be booing him. Of course, Winter didn't say just what all those horrible things were (I'm sure one of them was being criticized for his poor playoff performance...the horror :eek: ), but they'd have to be pretty bad to prevent me from booing him. Like we're talking anally raped bad...

Heh, well the fact that Comrie called us a Communist organization after the morning skate solidified me on booing him...

Welcome back, Mike...just don't be caught on the street without protection from the Edmonton fans...

[sachmo71]

Welcome back, Mike...just don't be caught on the street without protection from the Edmonton fans...


I know you are kidding, but come on...

[klayman]

I think this is a very good deal, and could be what we need to get into the postseason. And if Salo is still playing shakey, hopefully Markkanen can step in until Conklin is back.
Oh, there is no doubt it is a good deal for the Oilers. You can't go wrong when the other team is paying the salary in most cases. But it's hard to get excited when the answer to the question on how we're going to become a good team again is Peter Nedved. Yes he is an upgrade, and yes he does fill a need. But that only points out the fact that our team was crap to begin with. It certainly isn't a WOW trade like Kovalev was.

If Lowe hadn't wasted so much time on the Comrie deal, maybe we could have upgraded some areas earlier, and not be on the outside looking in right now. Then we could be trading for a playoff run, instead of trying desperately to just make the playoffs. This trade might help us into the playoffs, but that is a big maybe, and there is no way this current team and the way they are currently playing makes it past any of the top 4 teams in the West. Like Travis said, it's hard to get excited about being a Oiler fan, so you'll have to forgive me if I don't grab my pompoms and cheer Nedved and the Oilers on to yet another 1st round playoff loss, if we are lucky.

I hope I'm wrong. I hope Nedved lights the West on fire and we march to victory after victory. Just don't see it though...

[klayman]

I know you are kidding, but come on...
Comrie got it pretty rough while he was 'holding out'. I don't think relations have improved any recently :)

[klayman]

The Bruins just grabed Nylander for a 2nd round pick.

[Maple Leafs]

At this rate, the entire NHL draft will just consist of the Caps and Rangers alternating picks.

Maybe they can have all the draft-eligible players just line up against the gym wall, and have Sather and McPhee take turns picking guys. When you hear your name, you go stand behind the guy who picked you.

[klayman]

A trade not involving the Caps:

St Louis sends Brent Johnson to Phoenix for Mike Sillinger.

[bbor]

Methinks TSN/Sportsnet/Headline sports are gonna have a hardtimefillingup 3 hours of airtimeon march 9...All the trades will be over by then.

[Blade]

I hope I'm wrong. I hope Nedved lights the West on fire and we march to victory after victory. Just don't see it though...

I agree with you that I don't think the Oilers have a prayer when it comes to doing anything in the playoffs. The best we can hope for in a given year is an upset in the first round, then getting knocked out in the second round. I have been pretty jaded for a while now about the Oilers, because Lowe really screwed up the Comrie trade big.

It just seems that we are afraid to mess with chemistry this year, but the fact is, the current team does not have the ability to make a serious run. We can get into talks about economics, the system the team plays, and all that other stuff, but I am sick of hearing it lately. Yes, things need to be fixed during CBA negotiations, but the fact is, the Oilers spent too much time this season 'hoping' that things would work out, and the team would get on a role. Just won't happen with the current roster, and that is a shame.

[sterlingice]

At this rate, the entire NHL draft will just consist of the Caps and Rangers alternating picks.

Maybe they can have all the draft-eligible players just line up against the gym wall, and have Sather and McPhee take turns picking guys. When you hear your name, you go stand behind the guy who picked you.
Wonderful visual, ML :D

SI

[samifan24]

TSN is reporting that the Devils have acquired Jan Hrdina from Phoenix for Mike Rupp and a 2004 second rounder. Link (http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=75020&hubName=nhl)

[sachmo71]

Leetch did well in his first game as a Leaf...

[Honolulu_Blue]

Happy birthday, Karim. So, exactly how old were you the last time the Flames made the play-offs?

[klayman]

Happy birthday, Karim. So, exactly how old were you the last time the Flames made the play-offs?
:D

Low blow

[Pyser]

TSN is reporting that the Devils have acquired Jan Hrdina from Phoenix for Mike Rupp and a 2004 second rounder. Link (http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=75020&hubName=nhl)


can anyone tell me about hrdina?

this trade scares me. i guess rupp wouldnt amount to much, but he had size, and packaged with a 2nd rounder, seems like we paid a lot when no one else is paying anything for anyone...

[klayman]

I always get Jan Hrdina confused with Jiri Hrdina, who played for the Flames way back in the late 80's. And then when I hear his name, (like in the recent trade) I think "Hrdina?!? That guy must be about 50 by now."

Not that that helps you Pyser, but I thought I'd share.

[klayman]

dola

On a side note, I just noticed that IHDB is now keeping track of trades on the player cards. That's pretty cool.

[sachmo71]

Well, I don't know how much offense Corson is going to bring to the Stars, but he just beat the *SHIT* out of the Calgary defenseman Green.

[corbes]

Flyers/Senators tonight was a total brawl in the wake of that Havlat slash a week ago. The game ended with five consecutive brawls -- by that I mean, on five consecutive faceoffs, there was no attempt made to play the puck.

Each team ended the game with 2 or 3 players left on the bench. Havlat never came on the ice during all this -- probably the reason for the extended brawls.

Be interesting to see the fallout from this.

[bbor]

Holy crap..Flames made a play off trade

Simon for Mclennan...and assorted DP's

Preds pickup Bombadir and Zholtok from Minny.

[Karim]

Wow! Thanks for the head's up bbor.

[samifan24]

can anyone tell me about hrdina?

this trade scares me. i guess rupp wouldnt amount to much, but he had size, and packaged with a 2nd rounder, seems like we paid a lot when no one else is paying anything for anyone...

As far as I know, Hrdina is pretty much a faceoff guy and powerplay guy. Have a look at TSN's scouting report (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/player_bio.asp?player_id=64&hubName=NJ), maybe that will help you get a better idea of what sort of player he is.

[Maple Leafs]

Flyers/Senators tonight was a total brawl in the wake of that Havlat slash a week ago. The game ended with five consecutive brawls -- by that I mean, on five consecutive faceoffs, there was no attempt made to play the puck.
Random thoughts on the brawl(s), from an unbiased Leaf fan (unbiased because I hate both teams):

- The whol thing started with a Rob Ray vs. Brashear fight in which Ray was destroyed. Brashear busted him open big time. Is there anyone other than John Muckler who still thinks Ray can play an enforcer's role in this league?

- There was a goalie vs. goalie fight. Lalime took his mask off before the fight, on his way down the ice. Esche saw it, but didn't lose his. Cheap.

- There were lots of fights, but the fact that this game set the NHL record for PIM in a game is a disgrace. The refs went looney at the end, piling up penalties for no reason. For example, Jason Spezza dropped his gloves with some kid named Sharp. They wrestled around a bit, though a couple of punches, and fell down. For that, Spezza got five, ten and two game misconducts. I'm sorry, but 35 PIM on one play for barely fighting? And this was happening through the whole thing. I guess sometimes the refs like to get their names in the record books too.

- Shaun Van Allen attacked some European kid who'd probably never fought before in his life. This is the same Van Allen who cried for suspensions when Domi punched him. I guess it's OK to jump guys, as long as it's not him.

- Where was Federenko or whatever his name is during all this?

- Mike Fisher is a tough kid. He threw Handzus around pretty good. Fisher is a guy who any team would love to have.

- Finally, Martin Havlat should wear a dress for the rest of the season. Simple as that. As mentioned above, he never touched the ice. In fact, the Sens sent him to the penalty box to serve one of the minors so that nobody could touch him. Weak. It's one thing to be a dirty player. It's another to be a dirty player who runs away and lets his teammates fight his battles for him. It's the difference between being Darcy Tucker and Claude Lemieux. Havlat looked like a scared little girl, sitting in the box by himself while all the fights were going on. Just pathetic.

[Karim]

Actual Deal:

To Rangers:
F Blair Betts
F Greg Moore
G Jamie McLellan

To Flames:
F Chris Simon
2004 7th Rd. pick

Plus, the Rangers pick F Josh Green on waivers.

~~~

The trade is a wash in terms of salary which is part of the business of being a small-market team. Turek has obviously cleared waivers without any interest and Sutter doesn't want to carry three goalies.

Betts is a very good faceoff-man and defensive centre projected to be at best a 3rd line centre. The problem he has faced since junior is major shoulder problems. As a result, he may just never pan out.

McLellan is a warrior. He played two games for us with a broken sternum when we had no NHL calibre goalies. He is a solid backup and well liked by everyone. A great addition to a locker room.

Moore was a 5th round pick and was on the US World Junior Team, beating out higher-ranked players. From what little I've heard he's got offensive potential, scoring 14 goals in 30 games with Maine as a sophomore this year, but he's not very fast.

No one is sorry to see Josh Green go. He's got all the tools but no toolbox. The fact that Sather is in love with the guy is fine by us.

Simon is an UFA after this year but after that disgrace in Dallas last night with Dimaio and Morrow taking uncontested shots at Iginla and Gelinas, we needed someone now with tough games down the road. Oliwa is decent but can't take a regular shift; he's slow, gets knocked off the puck easily and is a liability defensively. Simon is +14 on the Rangers.

I'd be surprised to see anything else from the Flames. Look to see Simon on the 1st line with Conroy and Iginla.

[klayman]

Oliwa is decent but can't take a regular shift; he's slow, gets knocked off the puck easily and is a liability defensively.
Unless he is playing against the Oilers, where he looks like the 2nd coming. Sigh :(

[Maple Leafs]

Chief, any thoughts on the Gerber to Toronto rumors?

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1078701009330&call_pageid=1044442959412&col=1044442957278

[Chief Rum]

The rumors are real. They were talking about the possibility during the Ducks' loss to Pittsburgh Saturday. And since the Ducks lost (to the friggin' Pens?!?), they are even more inclined to deal.

Gerbs has been trapped behind Jiggy, and that doesn't look to change. Guigere has started every game since the All Star break, which is around 13-14. Now, a lot of that is simply because he's hot right now (stupid soft goal against Pittsburgh besides), but Gerber has been talking to Murray for some time now about being moved to get an opportunity at a #1 spot.

I don't want Gerber to go--they ain't lying when they say he's the best backup goaltender in the biz--but I also want the guy to be a success. If the Leafs get him, that would be a great trade for them. I realize you would probably balk at this, but I would seriously let Kidd and Belfour go (because of money issues, as well as Gerber's skill) and just start Gerber. Imagine how you could upgrade your roster if you have a quality guy being paid less in net?

The Ducks have had a great prospect goalie in Ilya Bryzgalov sitting in the minors as well. Moving Gerber will finally get him up to the bigs. He has reportedly been ready all season for the move, even out of training camp.

I put a lot more credence in these rumors than those Carney rumors you were talking about a couple weeks ago. But, please, for the love of God, don't send us Tucker. Ugh!

CR

[Maple Leafs]

I realize you would probably balk at this, but I would seriously let Kidd and Belfour go (because of money issues, as well as Gerber's skill) and just start Gerber.Kidd's a bum and will be run out of town after the season, if not before. Belfour is a question mark. He's a free agent at the end of the year, and if there's no 2004/5 season, who's to say Belfour even plays another season in the NHL?

[Ksyrup]

Anson Carter to LA for...Barry Melrose's hair stylist? (sorry I didn't catch the name)

[samifan24]

Barry Melrose's hair stylist

Otherwise known as Jared Aulin (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/player_bio.asp?player_id=2155&hubname=WSH).

[sachmo71]

Wow. Aulin is a decent prospect, but Carter fills a big hole for them. Unless Huet tanks...in which case, they are sunk.

[Draft Dodger]

so, essentially the Caps trade Jagr for Jared Aulin, and paid a ton of money for that opportunity (they are paying some of Jagrs contract).

Aulin isn't bad (a former 2nd round pick for the Avs sent to LA in the Blake trade), but he is just like Sachs said - a "decent" prospect, no more.

Caps are looking stupid in several trades this year, IMO.

[bbor]

CR...if you see Tucker play for your team you will like him a lot more than seeing him play against you.

[sachmo71]

Stars acquire Chris Therien for a couple of picks. Good stay at home D-man...exactly the sort of guy who should fit right in with Dallas.

Hmmm...let's see what we have now....

Zubov-Boucher
Matvichuk-Numminen
Klemm-Sweeney
Therien-Erskine?

Not a huge transitional game there...but we should see more trapping! WHOO HOOOO!

[Karim]

Flames acquire Marcus Nilsson from FLA .... looks like for a 2nd round pick this year.

[Draft Dodger]

CR...if you see Tucker play for your team you will like him a lot more than seeing him play against you.

I agree.
Tucker is the guy I hate most in all of the NHL.

I'd love to see him play for my Avs.

[Draft Dodger]

Todd Bertuzzi is a classless fucking pussy. hope he's suspended for a long, long time.

[samifan24]

What happened?

[Draft Dodger]

What happened?

a couple weeks ago, Steve Moore hit Markus Naslund hard.

Todd Bertuzzi's idea of manly retribution was to hit Moore from behind and slam him face first into the ice. Moore was down in a pool of blood for a long, long time and was carried off in a stretcher.

Moore had already risen to the challenge tonight - he fought Matt Cooke earlier and did well. The rest of the night any Canuck on the ice who wasn't attacking David Aebischer was trying to goad Moore into another fight. When Moore ignored Bertuzzi's attempt and was skating away, Bertuzzi hit him from behind like the gutless wonder that he is. Moore never saw it coming.

think Marty McSorley, but without the stick.

[samifan24]

I knew about the hit on Naslund and saw from tonight's boxscore that he fought Cooke. This disgusts me. Bertuzzi's actions were gutless and spineless. He should be done. The harder the penalty the less likely you are to do something so ridiculously stupid.

[Draft Dodger]

I knew about the hit on Naslund and saw from tonight's boxscore that he fought Cooke. This disgusts me. Bertuzzi's actions were gutless and spineless. He should be done. The harder the penalty the less likely you are to do something so ridiculously stupid.

I like rough stuff - there was a lot of fighting in the game (which was a blowout for the Avs almost from the get go). The Canucks were after Avalanche players all night long (after each of his goals, Brad May went after David Aebischer, and 2 other Canucks got penalties later for running at him as well). And that's all fine. There were a lot of good, hard, mostly-clean checks the Canucks put on the Avs all night (including a hit from Sami Salo on Alex Tanguay that was almost identical to the Moore/Naslund hit).

But a cheap shot like that is just terrible. It was gruesome to see - and just sickening to see him lying there on the ice. Marc Crawford also showed a complete lack of class during this as he had a visible smirk on his face as trainers from both teams were attending to Moore.

Kudos to the Canucks fans though - once they could see Moore was badly hurt, they seemed pretty respectful. Considering all of them wanted his head coming into the game, that showed a lot of class.

[Draft Dodger]

dola,
in other (and related) news...

the Avs get Matt Barnaby for Chris McAllister, some former 1st rounder they haven't signed (David Liffiton) and a 2nd round pick.

seems like a bit steep of a price, but McAllister sucks and I guess Liffiton wasn't someone they were going to get to play, so I can live with it.

I'm sure they aren't done - undoubtably after Sunday's game they will be acquiring a backup goalie to replace Phillipe Sauve.

Sauve's had a tough year - he started off slowly, but had a nice stretch in the middle of the season, but the wheels have come off of late. He just looked awful in the Calgary game - not a guy you can count on even to be a backup in the playoffs.

[samifan24]

I don't mind a good scrap but hits like this one and the Brashear-McSorley incident continue to make it on national news broadcasts and give hockey a bad name. For all the good the league and its players do, replays of these hits will be shown 100x over on the national networks, networks whose coverage of the NHL is usually an afterthought except in times like these. If the NHL drops the ball on this incident, I will really be upset. It will be interesting to see the repercussions of this incident.

[Draft Dodger]

oh, and if the Canucks didn't finally see tonight that they need a real goalie and that the team has no confidence in Cloutier...they never will.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I couldn't agree more on Cloutier. I have never had faith in him as a goalie. He's just not right... in the head.

Some interesting deals, especially Barnaby heading to Colorado. I was a bit surprised by that, but Barnaby has been putting together a decent year offensively, for Barnaby at least.

As for the Bertuzzi thing. Unbelievable. What was he thinking? Moore did his part, he fought Matt Cooke, that really should have been the end of it. But to sucker a punch a guy in the back of the head and drive his head into the ice? Unbelievable. This is equally as bad as the McSorley thing, if not worse. This had been brewing for weeks, not over the course of a few minutes. Moore's career could be in jeopady. If you recall, Jeff Beukeboom (great player, fantastic name) had his career ended when Matt Johnson slugged him in the back of the head. He was knocked out, got a concusion and never recovered. Bertuzzi should be out for the rest of the regular season at least. As for play-offs, I don't know. I forget how long McSorley was banned for (it was a long time), but Bertuzzi's punishment should equal it. Without Bertuzzi the Canucks chances of going anywhere in the play-offs are severly diminished. What was he thinkg? I understand that payback had to happen for the hit on Naslund and I don't mind it at all. Hell, perhaps the best regular season NHL game I ever watched was the March 27, 1997 game between the Wings and Avs, when McCarty took it to Lemieux for the hit on Draper. Classic game. 6-5 win in OT (McCarty with the game winner). Plenty of rough stuff. Some great hockey played. No cheap shots. Lemieux wasn't sucker punched, he just turtled, face-shield and all. But to sucker-punch a guy like that... That's not honorable. That has no place in hockey.

Wonder what Brian Burke thinks now. Or Crawford.

Interesting line on Brad May: 2 goals, 47 penalty minutes. I wonder if that is a record, most penalty minutes in one game in which a player scores 2 or more goals? Hmmm....

[Honolulu_Blue]

Dola.

I was also surprised to hear that Cloutier didn't try to fight Aebischer. Cloutier likes to fight and is pretty good at it, if I recall. Then again, Aebischer is Swiss, there's no way he was dropping the gloves.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Double dola (only because I am the only one awake at this late hour. Well, late for you people, it's lunch time here).

Looks like the Derek Morris era in Colorado has come to an end. TSN reports Morris and a prospect were shipped to Phoenix for Chris Gratton and Ossi Vaananen. I like the name Ossi Vaananen. Morris never seemed to become the player everyone hoped he would in Colorado. Interesting deal. Colorado gets one more "tough" forward to go along with the likes of Cummins, Worrell, Barnaby (in his own way), etc.

[klayman]

Let the games begin. Hope the GMs haven't tired themselves out before the deadline.

Stars picked up Valeri Bure for Drew Bagnell(?) and a draft pick from Florida.