There was some previous discussion of general NHL business in the Stanley Cup poll, so I figure any general hockey talk can go here.  If you want to talk non-NHL hockey (CHL, KHL, Swedish League, Finnish, ...), feel free to lump it into the conversation.  

 

The Canucks lost Christian Ehrhoff to the Sabres. !0 years for $40 million with the contract being front ended loaded that seems to be the norm now with these ridiculous long term contracts. They signed Bieksa and Andrew Alberts today.

 

Big day tomorrow. July 1. UFA madness begins.

 

Brad Richards I think will either go to the Leafs or the Rangers. I'm leaning Rangers with Tortorella coaching there as he was with Richards in Tampa and had a good relationship. I hope he goes to the Leafs.

 

Stooge, could you see Jaromir Jagr in Toronto?

I doubt Jagr would play in Toronto, and I'm not sure if Burke would want him.  I think Jagr is looking for a guaranteed playoff run.  I don't know what their cap space is, but would Detroit be interested?

I think Richards will sign with the Rangers as well.  Who Toronto gets as a center I'm not too sure.  I hear Burke is interested in getting Max Talbot as a bottom six forward.  I wouldn't mind that.  But if we don't get a top line center, the media will crucify Burke.

He also said we're sticking with Reimer and Gustavsson as our 1-2 goalie combo.  That concerns me (Gustavsson I mean).

The terms of contracts out there are pretty ridiculous.  They should reduce (or set?) the maximum term when the CBA expires.

They may be buying out Souray:  http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=370461" rel="nofollow - http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=370461

Ya, I can't see Burkie signing Jagr either. Good call Stooge, I could see him in Detroit though they're getting long in the tooth. The Monster makes me nervous. I don't have any confidence in him at all. There is quite a few UFA goalies out there that would be a better back up for Riemer as well as being a mentor to him as well. Max Talbot would be a good fit. No question, a centerman is desperately needed. Like you said, Burke will get hammered if doesn't come up with 1st. line center somehow, some way.

 

Here's a list of UFAs from TSN. Gotta fly guys. I'm sure there will be some action tomorrow.

 

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=370493" rel="nofollow - http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=370493

 

Canucks inked Salo and Chris Higgins and signed Marco Sturm. I was never impressed with this guy. Overrated IMO. He's coming off a couple of serious injuries. I don't think the team will make any big acquisitions as I think they're happy with the D. Maybe a another top six/nine forward with some grit. We lost Raffi Torres. Sorry to see him go.

 

I guess everyone is waiting on Brad Richards. LA, TB, Tor., NYR are all in the fold. I'm hoping T.O.

 

The big signing was James Wisniewski at $33 million over 6 years. That's almost as much as Duncan Keith makes. Craziness!

 

The Oilers were a lot more active than I thought they would be. Traded Foster for Andy Sutton, a big tough defensive D and got Cam Barker, a pretty good darn D-man. And one of my fav players, Ben Eager. Darcy Hordichuck and Eric Belanger. The Oilers have become a better and tougher team.

 

Seems like the frenzy is over, for now.

 

You played with Joe Reekie?  I remember him with Washington when they made the finals in 1998 with Kolzig.  Speaking of capital A, didn't Reekie wear one on his jersey?

 

Yeah, I played with him in minor hockey here in Victoria then he moved to Ontario. My dad and his were in the navy together and good friends. I don't remember him wearing an "A" Stooge. I'm probably wrong though. Joe was one of the few players to get drafted twice. Started his career in Buffalo. He's working in the Cap's orginisation now.

 

We went to the B.C. finals in Pee Wee and lost to the Frazer Valley Winter Club, two straight. They went onto win the nationals. All the best players from the lower mainland. Craig Redmond played on the team. He eventually got drafted in the 1st round, 7th overall by the Kings. Played with the Oilers.

 

I got drafted by the Kamploops Jr. Oilers in 1980(New West Bruins moved there). Didn't go to camp as I wasn't having fun playing hockey at that time. Had other interests, girlfriend and partying. Played mens hockey for years in a beer league. That was fun.

 

How about you. Play hockey?

Damn! I thought so. Oh well. Who are the Leafs going after now? Burke is in Afghanistan visiting the troops.

Yeah I heard that.  Odd timing.  I saw some brief footage, and I think Luke Schenn was with him, so maybe he's trying to hammer out a deal with him.  Clarke MacArtthur also is an RFA who needs to be signed for sure.  If we don't get a center through trade, which would be a huge disappointment, we'd be banking on either Nazem Kadri or Joe Colborne to jump into the lineup and produce.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=370708" rel="nofollow - http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=370708

That's the first thing that comes to my mind as well Stooge. He's injury proun. Not as bad as Sami Salo though as the Canucks signed him for one more year. I agree, that's big dough for Connoly. I think he'll fit in with Kessel. He has offensive talents and is a good set up man. I don't know if he's the answer but Burke had to do something or those sports radio stations in TO would lighting up. Sometimes it's best not to do anything.

 

What do you think of Ron Wilson? I'm not a fan of all. He's not a player's coach. His sarcasm and spite must be getting tiresome with some of the players by now. I think that's what happened in SJ and Anahiem.

 

I was thinking about your post in regards to you not playing sports when you were young due to your situation. Looking back there was alot of kids I grew up with that thier parents couldn't afford (didn't want to afford) or didn't have/want to make time for thier kids to play sports, especially hockey. I was fortunate as my parents spent a fortune for me to play hockey. I played rep hockey all through minor hockey and it seemed like every second weekend we were off playing in some tournament. I actually started to hate it when I was 14 as there was so much pressure from the coaches and parents and eventually packed it in halfway through the season in my second year of midget rep.

 

A couple years later I joined a men's team and played for 12 years until I got hurt(hip) and had a great time. The game was fun again. I miss playing the game but not as much as being part of the team though.

 

There was alot of politics involved as well in rep hockey. One guy that I played with, Tom Martin, his dad was a scout and had "connections" as his son made the NHL and he played for Hartford Whalers and somebody else that I can't remember right now. IMO he shouldn't of made it. He was somewhat of an enforcer, but not a heavyweight. BTW, he got traded for a bus in the WHL. I think it was from the Victoria Cougars to the Seattle Breakers, or vice-versa.

 

Anyway, I'm rambling on. There's always two sides of the coin in everything in life. If I could do all it again, I would play house league and even go as far to say I would chose not to play than play rep hockey.

 

Gotta get back to painting outside. My coffee break is over. hehehe

He hasn't really proven much as a head coach, and not just in Toronto.  One finals appearance, and I believe he got swept.  The Sharks always underachieved with him despite some good regular season standings if I recall correctly.  I'm not sure why we got rid of Paul Maurice to bring him in.  He was a better fit for a young team.

I forget their names, but Brian Burke brought in 2 new assistant coaches a few weeks ago.  He did not consult with Wilson on the hirings/firings.  One coach on the way out, Tim Hunter, had worked with Wilson for a number of years.

I'd say the Leafs got the better end of the trade. Lombardi can fly and Franson is good defensive D-man. I see the Caps signed Thomas Vokoun for one year. Now they have a legitimate #1 goalie. I picked the Caps to win the Stanley Cup last year as the team adopted a defensive scheme, though it took them some time they were right near the top in team D. Maybe it'll be OV's year this year(2011-12)(?).

I think Heatley is bit of a bad apple. Sounds like from what I've read that he wanted out of SJ too. He was invisible in last years playoffs. From what I saw it seemed like he didn't even want to be on the ice. Other than scoring goals he's not a very good hockey player IMO and I don't think I`d like to have in my dressing room. Marty Havlat is the opposite. He's hard working, a team player, nice guy and plays all assets of the game. The only knock I have against him is he can be inconsistent. Also SJ saves a bit of dough.

I've never liked Heatley's attitude.  He complained in Ottawa a ton.  Talent is wasted on headcases like him.

 

I like the colours of the uniform but the logo reminds me of the Royal Banl logo. I'm not sure if they are a sponser.

 

 

 

I can see this logo working on a jersey since I like the color scheme.  The logo is pretty traditional looking, kinda like something off a provincial flag/crest.  I think it's fine, despite the similarity to the Royal Bank logo.  If they are sponsors, then that may change my mind a little.  Leave sponsorship on jerseys to the CFL!! 

 

We had the Victoria Cougars here in the WHL from 1971 - 1994 and then they moved to Prince George because of low turnouts because the owner who had purchased the team had made some bad decisions and the team was basically horrible. However before that time the franchise had some very good team and won the WHL championship in 1981 but lost in the Memorial Cup. I went to alot of games when I was kid and as teenager and an adult. Some great hockey was played in that "old barn". Some of players include Mel Bridgeman who went 1st. overall in 1975 to the Flyers and finished his career in Vancouver. A couple of great goalies, Grant Fuhr and Murray Bannerman, Russ And Geoff Courtnall (Russ and I sure had some battles in minor hockey. Man did he have big mouth.), Curt Frazer, Barry Pederson, Bob McGill and Brad Palmer.

 

Going back in history here. the Victoria Cougars won the Stanley Cup in 1925 beating the Montreal Canadiens and went back to the final next year only to lose to the Montreal Maroons. the following year the team moved to Detroit and couple years later changed thier name to the Falcons and eventually to the Red Wings. A bit of useless trivia.

 

I agree Dan. Great colour scheme. I'll check it out and see if the Royal bank is sponser and let you know. I won't be surprised to see sponsership advertising on NHL jerseys in the near future. Did you see the advertising on the end zone( behind the net) at GM place during the playoffs. I guess the people from behind had no vision impairment but I found every time the paly was in the end zone that the advertisement drew my attention from the game.

It looks very traditional, but I still prefer their look from the 90s.  I'm guessing the one on the left is what goes on the front, and the winged one will be on the shoulders.  I wonder if they'll let them wear the old jerseys for retro ones.  It would be pretty funny if they used Thrasher jerseys as retros. 

 

 

The other two are OK. I'd love to see the old jerseys as thier third(retro) jersey. Those Thrasher's uniforms and thier logo were about the worst league IMO. Hopefully the team will have to play only one year in the southeast division and move to northwest and move Colorodo out with Detroit going to the eastern conference in the northeast division. Let the Islanders go to the southeast division. It will interesting to see how the NHL realigns the divisions in the future.

 

Been meaning to ask you Dan if you're a big Jays fan?

 

Yeah I thought of the Air Force logo as well, though I couldn't remember exactly what that logo looked like.

Blue Jays?  I'm definitely a big Jays fan!!  My current avatar at Prog Archives is Jose Bautista.  Not much to write about since 1993, but I've been loyal to all Toronto teams since I was a kid.  It's good to see Robbie Alomar and GM Pat Gillick going into the Baseball Hall Of Fame, the main reason being their contributions during their years in Toronto.

I started following the Jays about 1980 and they had some great teams and players, especially in the mid/late 80's but always fell short. The team winning back-to-back World Series are one of my greatest sports memories. Those teams back then had personality and some some great characters. TSN broadcasted all the games back then with Jim Hughson(HNIC) calling the paly-by-play with Buck Martinez as colour. They were great.

 

The last 10 years have been a struggle. I have to admit I haven't watch an entire game this year. When Doc Halladay left to the Phils I lost interest and with the Mariners being brutal as they have it's been hard to get back into watching MLB however I still watch the playoffs and really enjoy it.

 

Was a big Expos fan as well. They also had some good teams with some great players. I still remember "Blue Monday" back in the early 80's. It was the Expos/Dodgers in the NLCS and a couple of us skipped out the afternoon back in H.S. to watch the game and Rick Monday hit a home run to basically eliminate the 'spos. The team was never the same after that.

 

Toronto has one winning team. The Rock. Watched the final this past year as it was great to see the team get thier revenge against the Washington Stealth as they beat them the previous year for the championship.

 

It's too bad they don't broadcast the NLL games. They used to. I love watching lacrosse. It's brutal. Vancouver had a team for a few years called the Ravens. I grew up going to Victoria Shamrocks(WLA) games in the summer. Been meaning to go to game in the last years but never have gotten around to it.

 

I played goal when I was a kid. Played on the B-team as I went out because they didn't have a goalie so I volunteered. What amistake that was. We got beat 20-0 pretty much all the time. I game out of the games all bruised up. Sometimes I had up to 80 shots a game. I played for 4 years. That was enough!

 

Do you remember Roller Hockey International(RHI) from the 90's? You might be too young. That was fun watching hockey on roller blades. We had the Vancouver Voodoo. Great name, great logo. Tiger Williams was involved in the ownership. They showed a few games on TV. I wish I had bought one those jerseys as well as a Raven's.

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=373247" rel="nofollow - http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=373247

Oh Avery! 

 

This guy never backed down from anybody. He would take on the heavyweights and from what I remember he really didn't lose a fight. I'd say he was one of the best fighters in the league and no question the best in his weight class.

 

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=373855" rel="nofollow - http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=373855

Each tough guy mysteriously dying is becoming very, very concerning.  Hopefully the family will donate the brain for research.

 

Rypein suppossedly had some mental illness issues. Not sure exactly what it was. The Canucks kept it under wraps which IMO was the right thing to do. That's personal. I guess we'll find out now.

 

Yeah, it's getting scary. Concussions, after the research in recent times are really becoming quite deadly but also dramatically effecting of one's qaulity of life.

 

That's great! I'm a big fan of goalies masks past and present. Actually works with the Jets' logo. Well done.

He was a great enforcer for the Leafs when Domi stopped being effective. 

 

WTF! Jeezus. I can't believe this. This is starting getting scary. I was always a Wade Belak fan. He played some pretty good D there for a couple of seasons for the Leafs but I think by moving him up the wing wasn't good for the team or for him on a confidence level. I remember a few tilts he had with Donald Brashear. He was up there as a heavywieght contender back in his prime. Man, I hope this is the end of this trend.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=375297" rel="nofollow - http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=375297

 

Dan, please no more bad news.

At least with training camps starting up, we'll have some positive things to discuss soon enough.

 

You're right Dan. It will nice to talk hockey in a positive manner. Training camps should open next week(?).

 

Dan, have you ever been in hockey pool on the internet? I haven't. Hell, I've never been in a hockey pool in my life. I'm thinkin' I might like to give it a try. Any suggestions? Ideas?

I usually shy away from joining hockey pools, or any fantasy sports.  Having to set lineups every night is too much of a pain in the ass for me.  Not my cup of tea.

I have entered a few free hockey and baseball pools years ago, but with those one you'd just pick your players and sit back.  I also would pick NFL teams weekly back within high school, but of course that got shut down after about a month.  A few teachers even entered it, but there wasn't big money on the line (I think a dollar per week, with the jackpot never topping $30).

 

No. Setting a line up every night wouldn't be my thing as well. I like the one where you pick the players and sit back. I'm wondering if there are free ones. Just for fun. I'm not gambler and rather spend that money on music.

 

I'll do some research and see what I come up with.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Video-Dynamo-Minsk-8217-s-hockey-funeral-for-L?urn=nhl-wp12157" rel="nofollow - http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Video-Dynamo-Minsk-8217-s-hockey-funeral-for-L?urn=nhl-wp12157

At least the Yahoo Fantasy Hockey thing seems to be free. I'm interested, but not sure about trying yet.

http://hockey.fantasysports.yahoo.com/" rel="nofollow - http://hockey.fantasysports.yahoo.com/

There's still some time for the NHL to start up, but our SM-Liiga is beginning next thursday 

 

Thanx for the link Pekka. I'm going to take a further look.

 

Does the SM-Liiga games get broadcasted on TV in Finland? What about the NHL? ESPN America in Europe maybe(?).

There's basically no hockey at all on the channels we get automatically, except for world championships.  I'm not interested in paying for Canal+ or anything, so that means I very rarely get to see any games. There is an internet service, rather expensive too, that would let me see any game in our league that I'd want, but I prefer going to live games once in a while, when I'm visiting my parents up north or when my old hometown team (my avatar is their logo ) is playing in Helsinki, my current hometown. When it comes to NHL I'm depending on the highlight reels at NHL.com, they're sometimes very good.

Sabres and Ducks are kicking the NHL season off about five kilometres from my place, but I had no money when the tickets came on sale, and now they're all gone  If it's happening next year too, I think this is the third year, I'm definitely going. It's been my dream from like a six year old to see an NHL game live.

I highly doubt that, but I'll keep it in mind, thanks  Actually it's not totally out of the question that my in-laws might move back to the States at some point now that they're retired, which would give us a good reason to visit, but that would probably be LA.

Woo, I'm going to a game on saturday 

There have been several signings as of late among players who entered the league around the same time.  Some are still holding out.  Apparently, Drew Doughty is seeking $7 million a year from LA.

Interesting to see Shanahan's line with the two boardings calls today. Promises a hard time for cheap shooters this coming season, good.

And here in Finland: Four games, four victories, just three goals in our own net An outstanding start to the season, the best in history.

I definitely am glad to see Shanny means business.  And I'm not just saying that because one of the victims of a hit was a Leaf (Darryl Boyce, who broke his nose).  There were too many under-disciplined actions in hockey over the past few seasons.

Reimer is going to be challenged this year for sure, but at least you get to draft 3 goalies.  I was offered a spot in a fantasy league, but they aren't for me.

The Leafs acquired center David Steckel yesterday.  He may have led the league in faceoff percentage, but he's more famous for his hit on Sidney Crosby.

Sean Avery has been placed on waivers.  Doubt the Leafs will want him (hopefully not!) with the whole Phaneuf/sloppy seconds comment of a few years ago.

Yep, I actually had no idea about his faceoff brilliance. Pretty much all I know about him is the hit, or as I prefer, collision. 

Somehow I think Avery may find it hard to get interest from other NHL teams, but if he's into it and has the option, KHL would probably welcome him.

edit: Oh well, he went through unclaimed.

It's pretty hilarious when people on Facebook were shouting SUSPENSION!! when a recent Trevor Gillies hit was put up on NHL.com, and now Shanahan is making an example of it as a perfectly good and legal hit. If Matt Cooke ever makes a good clean body check, there will be tons of people wanting him suspended on past actions.

Have a good time.  

Leafs started off the season well with a 2-0 victory.  They played horribly in the 1st period though, and Reimer had to stand on his head to keep it scoreless.

Wear the Sens out cuz the Leafs play them tomorrow. 

But fucking hell, some big money KHL team snatched our 94,16%, 1,48 GAA league leading goalie midseason. A slide down from the second seat in the standings expected, even though we'll be getting Mikko Koskinen from the Islanders system as a compensation. I just don't believe he's that good.