2011-12 NHL Regular Season Thread

[Suburban Rhythm]

Bertuzzi new deal

2 years with average of $2.2M

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Given that Steve Yzerman earned his degree at the Ken Holland School of General Managing, I would be very surprised if he tried to land a big name RFA. Holland has (rightly in my mind) commented many times about how that never works out and how it's a big mistake to try to pull off. That type of move just never makes a lot of sense for many reasons.

Besides, the way the whole Weber thing is going to work out is that he will sign 1 more year with Nashville next year, Lidstrom will come back for his last year to play in the Winter Classic and then he'll retire, Weber will be a UFA and the Wings will sign him to a nice long-term deal to be their #1 defenseman for the future.

So, you're 2013-14 Wings defense will look like this:

Weber-White
Quincey-Kronwall
Ericsson-Smith

Yeah, no GM wants to be "that guy". It takes the perfect storm to make it work too.

With Weber, Nashville is already paying him $7.5M. If it's a long term OS for around the same, why don't they match it? If anything, anything long term might get him for a little below that, $6.5-$7M. Nashville is probably happy somebody negotiated him down for them, matches, and moves on.

[Doug5984]

Thoughts on TB using the picks to grab a young goalie (Schneider / Bernier) ?

[johnnyshaka]

Originally Posted by Doug5984

Thoughts on TB using the picks to grab a young goalie (Schneider / Bernier) ?

That's my guess as I don't think Weber is a realistic option for them with some of those big contracts up front...unless they are dealing some of those (Vinny or Marty) for Weber and not offer-sheeting him.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Phoenix is a buyer

To Coyotes: Antoine Vermette ($3.75M per through 2014-15)

To Columbus: 2nd round pick, 4th round pick and Curtis McElhinny (G)

I really like Vermette, but I don't know if Pittsburgh can take on that salary for the next 3+ seasons.

Good deal for Phoenix while giving up pretty much nothing.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Tuomo Ruutu re-ups with the Hurricanes. 4 yrs at $4 million per.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Tuomo Ruutu re-ups with the Hurricanes. 4 yrs at $4 million per.

Seeing $4.75M. But in either case, another name off the market.

But, his $4.75M makes me feel alot better about James Neal's $5M

[DeToxRox]

A Columbus radio guy just said big news is about to go down in Columbus. Apparently a PC has been scheduled there for the next hour.

[Suburban Rhythm]

HF speculation is Carter+ for Jack Johnson+

Richards and Carter got into trouble in Philly together...what could possibly go wrong reuniting them in LA?

[Logan]

The next speculation I saw says it's normal activity related to a season ticket holder event. LOL.

[bhlloy]

Despite my hatred for Johnson that would be a hell of a deal for the Jackets to get out from under that contract. 7 years for a 25 year old lazy defenseman is way better than 11 years for a 27 year old lazy forward. I think Lombardi is smarter than that, guess it depends on what the pluses might be. Gotta think the Kings would ask for some defensive help back as well for picks/prospects

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Logan

The next speculation I saw says it's normal activity related to a season ticket holder event. LOL.

Trick question....there are no CBJ season ticket holders (no offense to Turner...if he still checks this thread)

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by Logan

The next speculation I saw says it's normal activity related to a season ticket holder event. LOL.

Haha that would be epic hockey media trolling if that is true

[DeToxRox]

Dreger tweet:

Sources say Carter to LA is possible...perhaps, likely, but not imminent. Minute by minute watch now.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

Dreger tweet:

Sources say Carter to LA is possible...perhaps, likely, but not imminent. Minute by minute watch now.

Same from Bob McKenzie

LAK and CBJ are working hard to get a Jeff Carter trade done -- Jack Johnson's name featured prominently as well -- but told not done. Yet.

[bronconick]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

Dreger tweet:

Sources say Carter to LA is possible...perhaps, likely, but not imminent. Minute by minute watch now.

Now official pending physical. Jack Johnson and a 1st going the other way.

Johnson will break the NHL record for worst +/- in history in a full season in Columbus. His defense is at best indifferent.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Keep reading the 1st is conditional, but nothing is making sense.

Bob McKenzie says the 1st is conditional on Carter passing a physical. Um, if he fails it, wouldn't whole trade fall through?

[RomaGoth]

NHL officiating is a fucking joke.


That is all.

[bronconick]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Keep reading the 1st is conditional, but nothing is making sense.

Bob McKenzie says the 1st is conditional on Carter passing a physical. Um, if he fails it, wouldn't whole trade fall through?

If the Kings miss the playoffs this year, it shifts to 2013, if they make the playoffs, Columbus gets to pick between 2012 and 2013.

[Logan]

Apparently the Carter trade has made Dustin Brown available.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by bronconick

If the Kings miss the playoffs this year, it shifts to 2013, if they make the playoffs, Columbus gets to pick between 2012 and 2013.

Reading that from a few other sources, but B-Mac saying it's tied to physicals. Which makes zero sense to me.

[bronconick]

The whole thing probably hangs on physicals after Edmonton hosed Lombardi twice on sending over cripples for Smyth. He's probably just making sure the guy gets checked out 8 times before getting on a plane now.

[MikeVic]

Winnipeg is third in the conference.

[Pyser]

how the hell did columbus get out from under that contract, get johnson, AND a first?!!?

[johnnyshaka]

Originally Posted by bronconick

The whole thing probably hangs on physicals after Edmonton hosed Lombardi twice on sending over cripples for Smyth. He's probably just making sure the guy gets checked out 8 times before getting on a plane now.

Ironically, Colin Fraser has played more games than Hotcakes so far this season.

Smyth and Teubert (d-man prospect involved in the Hotcakes deal last season) have 40 combined points in 79 played for the Oilers since they've been acquired. In a combined 109 games, Hotcakes and Fraser have combined for 23 points.

Tamblowe haven't done much to be proud about so please humor on how things have worked out lately. Now hopefully they don't fuck up the Hemsky re-signing...get it done and let's keep our actual NHL players for a change.

The Oilers shutout the Flyers tonight. That is all.

[Travis]

Originally Posted by Pyser

how the hell did columbus get out from under that contract, get johnson, AND a first?!!?

Difference in cap hit between Carter and Johnson is $916,000 per season though Johnson's contract is a mildly shorter duration (still runs through 2017/18). I was surprised to see how small of a difference there was.

Howson really has to hope this kid becomes an immediate impact top pairing D type. Hard to figure out what's going on there aside from the fact that his job must be somewhat secure if they're allowing him to move an asset like Carter and potentially Nash.

[MacroGuru]

I think it's gonna be nasty in Buffalo tonight....

Bruins @ Sabres and what little glimmer of an 8th seed hope for the Sabres hangs onto that small thread with 2 points...Bruins won't forget the 6-0 pounding they took a few weeks ago...

Oh and the fans won't be nice to Marchand after his radio interview....

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by Travis

Difference in cap hit between Carter and Johnson is $916,000 per season though Johnson's contract is a mildly shorter duration (still runs through 2017/18). I was surprised to see how small of a difference there was.

4 years difference and Johnson is 3 years younger. Would you rather pay a 32 year old Johnson close to 5m or a 38 year old Carter close to 6m? Huge difference there.

It is what it is - a desperate move by Lombardi because if the Kings don't win a playoff series this year he's done. He's already gone through 4 head coaches to mask his own failings.

[bhlloy]

DOLA - Carter has been about as far from an asset as you can possibly get for the Jackets. I'm stunned people still consider him an elite player. That being said you could probably say the same about Johnson.

Biggest problem I see for the Jackets is you have a TON of money tied up in similar defencemen in Wiz and Johnson for a while. Both talented guys who can be brain dead in their own end far too often and might not have the greatest work ethic. But still, getting out from that Carter contract and situation has to be a win

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

DOLA - Carter has been about as far from an asset as you can possibly get for the Jackets. I'm stunned people still consider him an elite player. That being said you could probably say the same about Johnson.

Biggest problem I see for the Jackets is you have a TON of money tied up in similar defencemen in Wiz and Johnson for a while. Both talented guys who can be brain dead in their own end far too often and might not have the greatest work ethic. But still, getting out from that Carter contract and situation has to be a win

I don't watch too many Kings games, so I can't really comment on Jack Johnson. But it's possible that he could right the ship mentally and from a work ethic standpoint. If so, getting a reliable #1 or #2 defensemen (and a first round pick) seems like a great deal. You can never over estimate the need for a solid defense corps, though it remains to be seen of Johnson can be part of that is part of the problem.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Jeff Carter is a really good player....from November through March.

Richards is the type of player you want to have on your roster to win Cups. Carter is not.

[johnnyshaka]

So, have a look at this and let me know how many games Hartnell should get for being an idiot?

[Travis]

Ah Calgary, keep it classy.

@NHLFlames $10 Million over two years for Hemsky is the funniest thing I've heard in a long, long time. I hope it happens.

That message has since been deleted and an update of:

@NHLFlames We apologize for a tweet that was sent out from our account inadvertently. We are looking into the matter.

DM gone wrong or just completely stupid? Be one thing if it was a fan, but the team's official account? I'm also assuming it's been a while since they've looked at some of their own cap hits if that deal for Hemsky is indeed the funniest thing they've heard in some time.

[johnnyshaka]

Could've been a hacked password, too. But my money is on a DM gone wrong...dumbasses.

[Travis]

I'd have actually been kind of impressed if the follow up had been, "yeah, that's exactly what we mean." Not saying they'd be right but a little intended mud slinging between Calgary and Edmonton is never a bad thing.

[RomaGoth]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Richards and Carter got into trouble in Philly together...what could possibly go wrong reuniting them in LA?

Would be really epic if the Kings somehow re-acquired Sean Avery.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by RomaGoth

Would be really epic if the Kings somehow re-acquired Sean Avery.

No. Epic would be LA trading for Pronger.

[Suburban Rhythm]

DOLA

NJ gets Zidlicky for a bunch of mishmash

Kurt Foster and Stephane Veilleux, Kyle Palmieri, 2nd round pick and conditional 3rd.

Foster and Veilleux...meh. But giving up Palmieri & picks too? Don't understand from NJ.

[johnnyshaka]

Oilers signed Hemsky to a 2-year $10 mil deal.

I like the deal simply because he wasn't going to net much in a trade and we likely wouldn't have been able to spend that money as effectively in July. The term and dollars work because we've got the room and won't need to worry about cap for a few more seasons.

Not sure why Hemsky signs it unless he really wants to stay in Edmonton...that's the only reason I can think of.

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

DOLA

NJ gets Zidlicky for a bunch of mishmash

Kurt Foster and Stephane Veilleux, Kyle Palmieri, 2nd round pick and conditional 3rd.

Foster and Veilleux...meh. But giving up Palmieri & picks too? Don't understand from NJ.

Wrong Palmieri. Nick Palmieri isn't as highly rated as Kyle (the Ducks Palmieri)

Still way too much for Zidlicky.

[MacroGuru]

Sabres took one from the Bruins tonight in shootout. I don't think we deserved to win. We took some stupid penalties and it honestly looked like we were afraid to hit or were just putting enough forward to tie.

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by johnnyshaka

Oilers signed Hemsky to a 2-year $10 mil deal.

I like the deal simply because he wasn't going to net much in a trade and we likely wouldn't have been able to spend that money as effectively in July. The term and dollars work because we've got the room and won't need to worry about cap for a few more seasons.

Not sure why Hemsky signs it unless he really wants to stay in Edmonton...that's the only reason I can think of.

Yeah, it's a bit too much money but those prospects are on entry level deals for a while. You have to spend it, why not on Hemsky?

[chrisj]

^ Hemsky would have got more in free agency. Most people seem to feel it is a bit of a discount.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Wrong Palmieri. Nick Palmieri isn't as highly rated as Kyle (the Ducks Palmieri)

Still way too much for Zidlicky.

Bah...thanks

And yeah. I am not even including Foster and Veilleux, because that's just salary moving the other direction. Seems like NJ was outbidding themselves.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I now have the powers to embed! Pantera's Box.... OPENED!

[bhlloy]

Originally Posted by chrisj

^ Hemsky would have got more in free agency. Most people seem to feel it is a bit of a discount.

Good luck to the GM who gives more than 5 million a year for more than a couple of years to a guy with that injury history. And I think Hemsky knew that.

[Suburban Rhythm]

He's no Petr Klima (yet), but...

Earlier in the game, Dwayne Roloson knocks over Malkin. Malkin throws a punch back. Both get penalties.

Then...



After-

Originally Posted by Malkin, after first goal, on staring down Roloson

But after I score, of course I want him to see my face. I’m happy

Originally Posted by Malkin, on whether his 2nd goal was he best of his career

Maybe, yes...I don’t know. I haven’t seen the replay, but it looked good, I think. We'll see tomorrow

[TurnerONU22]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Trick question....there are no CBJ season ticket holders (no offense to Turner...if he still checks this thread)

I'm still here, although not as interested for obvious reasons.

I am still completely baffled as to why both GM Scott Howson and President Mike Priest are still employed by the Jackets. Just for sticking with Sieve Mason for this long, Howson has shown himself to put too much faith into hoping everything falls together.

And Priest has no clue about hockey, yet has been involved in many hockey decisions. One story that has made the rounds in Columbus has to do with the coaching search back in 2010, when they hired Scott Arniel. Priest proceeded to ask PI questions, as if he was interviewing someone for a business. One of the candidates, who I am guessing was Kevin Dineen, was asked "If you were a tree, what kind would you be?" Dineen (or whoever the candidate was) apparently went off on Priest and thus killed his chances to be hired by Columbus.

Back to the recent trades. Vermette has been terrible this year, completely forgetting how to play offense, unless one counts his blind passes to absolutely nobody. On top of that, his defensive game wasn't where it used to be. I'm glad to get out of the contract, plus get two picks out of it.

Now to the Carter trade. From draft day, I was completely excited to get a player like Carter on the time. Completely overlooking that he played wing for the most part in Philly. Then the sulking happened, which made Carter look really bad. I overlooked that, thinking that it was because he was screwed over by the Flyers. Then he came here, proceeded to put in very little effort, and didn't look like he gave a crap most of the games he played in. Rumors come out that we're looking to move him and all of a sudden, he starts playing his best hockey. I'm just glad that chapter is over and we get another d-man to help our defense. I think Johnson will be a good fit here, just as long as he's kept a million miles away from Wiz on defense.

I'm also torn on the Nash deal. He's been the face of the franchise for almost 10 years now, but we haven't had a single playoff win. The culture in the locker room needs to change and I don't feel like he's the best man for the C anymore. I can't imagine taking the C off of him and that going over very well, so I think he's going to be moving on. I think the best fit is for the Jackets is to make a deal with the Rangers (unless Vancouver - Cory Schneider is in the mix).

[Suburban Rhythm]

Chris Neil lays the lumber on Boychuk





Edit...this could probably go in the Seat Belt thread....this looks like a car crash

[RomaGoth]

Originally Posted by chrisj

^ Hemsky would have got more in free agency. Most people seem to feel it is a bit of a discount.

No way does he get more than $5mil/year in free agency. Not with the year he is having and the injury problems. I am guessing Hemsky signed that deal before the ink was dry.