2007 NHL offseason

Enforcer · June-17th-2007, 08:56 AM

OK.

Wings fans have been discussing the chances Fedorov returns to Detroit. I hadn't heard rumors about a possible buyout, though. And to be honest, I hadn't thought about the Babcock factor. Maybe he'd be opposed. But I don't think the bridges have been burned with the organization. Not at all. The fans would welcome him back, too, for the most part. It all comes down to how much money he wants. There will never be another situation for him like Detroit. He's past his prime as a player, but he'll forever be remembered for his best years here. He was a superstar here and still owns a home in the area, as far as I know.

The optimist in me wonders if he might be motivated to play well if he came back. But with him, you just never knew. He always had Yzerman nudging him to give a little more. I'm not sure he'd get that from this current cast. I don't think he'd be a detriment to the lockerroom or anything. He'd fit in fine. He got along well with the veterans, especially Chelios, and he has the Russian connection with Datsyuk.

I'd say there's a decent chance it could happen.

moneyp · June-17th-2007, 10:12 AM

Just curious, Larry, if the Blue Jackets put him on recall waivers would Kenny pick him up? Basically three million for this year.

Enforcer · June-17th-2007, 10:23 AM

I think he would. Lang is on his way out, which leaves a vacant second line center spot open and a little salary cap room.

moneyp · June-17th-2007, 11:59 AM

Borat:

According the Vancouver Sun, Ray Ferraro says that Brett Hull won't be back with NBC next year. Any insight into that?

Enforcer · June-17th-2007, 01:15 PM

Maybe he's taking an assistant coaching position in Calgary?

moneyp · June-17th-2007, 06:56 PM

Teemu to Finnish television that it's "very possible" he'll be coming back. Needless to say, great news if he does.

patricia · June-17th-2007, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Nagel

Maybe he's taking an assistant coaching position in Calgary?

We're not quite used to Mike Keenan's arrival. But, doesn't the coach choose his assistant? I wonder what Jim Playfair will be doing? I know that he hasn't been fired, so I assume that he's been given something else to do.

There has been some speculation about who wants Todd Bertuzzi now that he is a free agent.
Do you know, Larry, if he will be staying with the Wings? Besides getting booed regularly, especially when he plays against the Canucks, I understand that Bertuzzi has some chronic health problems.

Enforcer · June-17th-2007, 09:25 PM

Pat, I was joking about Hull. Keenan and Hull can't stand each other, no way would they coach together.

I don't know what will happen with Bertuzzi. I hear he wants to come back and his health issues could be greatly improved by a summer off. But it will all come down to how much money he wants.

Borat Pri Hagafen · June-18th-2007, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moneyp

Borat:

According the Vancouver Sun, Ray Ferraro says that Brett Hull won't be back with NBC next year. Any insight into that?

No insight, sorry. I'll see what I can find out.

Borat Pri Hagafen · June-18th-2007, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moneyp

Borat:

According the Vancouver Sun, Ray Ferraro says that Brett Hull won't be back with NBC next year. Any insight into that?

I just realized: you addressed a post to me on the NHL Offseason thread, on the expectation that I'd be reading it. Worse still, you were right. Not sure how I feel about that.

moneyp · June-18th-2007, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borat Pri Hagafen

I just realized: you addressed a post to me on the NHL Offseason thread, on the expectation that I'd be reading it. Worse still, you were right. Not sure how I feel about that.

You want to be a hockey fan. Just admit it. We're more fun than anyone else.

Besides, you corrected me on the spelling of Salamalameinen(sp), for chrissakes. I took a shot.

Borat Pri Hagafen · June-18th-2007, 12:55 AM

Yeah, I am a wannabe, I know. To be fair, when that trade happened, I was curious to see what you guys had to say about it, so I could figure out for work reasons whether it was worth reporting on or not. So, I had Salmonella's spelling in front of me.

But, it's true, there's certainly no lack of enthusiasm on this thread (or the previous 7 this year).

Enforcer · June-18th-2007, 10:55 AM

Burke on the state of the NHL.

moneyp · June-18th-2007, 01:23 PM

Muckler officially out. Brian Murray taking over as GM. Rumor has it that Columbus was set to offer BM the general manager job, and Ottawa decided that they'd rather lose Muckler than Murray. John Paddock will likely take over as head coach.

In more pressing news, Scotty says he is indeed considering hanging them up. From E.J. Hradek's blog on ESPN:

In the days following the Ducks' Stanley Cup victory, there have been several rumors making the rounds that Scott Niedermayer is going to retire. And, for his part, the Conn Smythe Trophy-winning defenseman isn't denying any of them. In fact, he says he's seriously considering it.

"I think every player, as they get older, begins to think about how much longer they're going to play," Niedermayer said from his Southern California home Saturday morning. "I know I think about it."

The Ducks captain, who'll turn 34 on Aug. 31, said he can't put any percentage on which way he might be leaning; at this point, he's not "likely" to do one thing or another. He's trying to sort through his feelings and make a decision.

Niedermayer's most compelling reason for retirement would be to spend more time with his family. Scott and his wife, Lisa, have three young sons (Logan, Jackson and Josh). Several players, who have been friendly with Niedermayer throughout his career, admit they wouldn't be surprised if he decided to quit.

"He could be a Barry Sanders [the Lions star running back who retired at age 30]," said former New Jersey defenseman Ken Daneyko, who spent 11 seasons with Niedermayer on the Devils' back line. "He loves his family and it's not a money thing to him. There's not a lot more for him to accomplish in the game, so he might decide to go out on top."

If Niedermayer were to retire, he would be leaving some significant cash on the table. The blue-line ace is scheduled to make $6.8 million in each of the next two seasons.

While he doesn't have a timetable for a decision, Niedermayer says he does feel an obligation to the organization to make up his mind as soon as possible. He knows if he decides to skate away, club management would like to do what it can to try and fill the considerable void. If he did opt for retirement, for example, Anaheim certainly would be more of a player when the free agent window opens on July 1.

Still, he can't promise a swift pronouncement.

"If I can make a decision by July 1, that would be good for everyone," Niedermayer said. "But, I can't rush it."

If Niedermayer does decide to retire, he will leave the game having accomplished just about everything a player could accomplish from a team perspective. He's won four Stanley Cups, an Olympic gold medal, a World Cup, a World Championship, a World Jr. Championship and a Memorial Cup. He's the only player in hockey history to have won all six titles. As an individual, his Conn Smythe Trophy can sit alongside the Norris Trophy he won in 2004.

Ducks GM Brian Burke, who signed Niedermayer as a free agent in August 2004, is hoping the defenseman will return to help the club defend their crown.

"I'm going to mass with my daughter later today and I'm going to light a candle that he comes back," said Burke, speaking from Boston on Saturday afternoon.

Burke said he heard about the situation from coach Randy Carlyle, who'd asked Niedermayer about the rumors during their exit interview. Niedermayer told Carlyle that he was indeed considering retirement.

"Obviously, we're hoping he decides to come back," Burke said. "Until he tells us otherwise, we're planning on him being here."

Enforcer · June-18th-2007, 02:47 PM

I had no idea he was considering it. Wow.

moneyp · June-18th-2007, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Nagel

I had no idea he was considering it. Wow.

Yeah, there have been whispers of it even prior to the Ducks winning. Given his temperament, it's not surprising. He's a very introverted guy who just wants to spend time with his family. He wanted to win a Cup for his brother, and now that that's done, there's not much reason for him to stick around. Other than, you know, $13 million over the next two seasons.

He's gold in my book, regardless of whatever he winds up doing. Can't take that banner away, no matter what. And if the Devils don't want to retire his jersey, we'll be happy to raise it at the Honda Center, even if he only was here two seasons.

Enforcer · June-18th-2007, 03:03 PM

Yeah, I love the guy. Great player, great guy.

As an aside, I can't express in words how much I'm enjoying your avatar, Mone. Whoever came up with that is a genius.

moneyp · June-18th-2007, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Nagel

Yeah, I love the guy. Great player, great guy.

As an aside, I can't express in words how much I'm enjoying your avatar, Mone. Whoever came up with that is a genius.

Thanks! It was either this or an elephant covered in poop. I agonized over it.

moneyp · June-18th-2007, 03:20 PM

The Nashville fire sale begins:

Flyers acquire Hartnell and Timonen

Wow, this is really interesting for a couple of reasons.

1. I had completely forgotten that teams were allowed to transfer negotiating rights to unrestricted free agents. I don't recall that any team has ever acquired them before with the express intent of actually signing the free agents. It has been done so a team can receive the draft compensation for having their free agent signed. I don't know why it's not done more often.

2. Kimmo Timonen: Six years, $6.3 million per. Holy crap. That's Niedermayer and Pronger money right there. With the cap going up as much as it is, it makes a bit more sense.

Enforcer · June-18th-2007, 04:15 PM

Man, our Preds fans on LGW must be in mourning. Timonen was probably the best player on their team. Ouch.

moneyp · June-18th-2007, 09:20 PM

Hull out at NBC

Purportedly to take on an increased role in the Dallas front office. His previous role involved filming really dopey commercials for them as far as I can tell. It's a shame, I liked him on there.

Roenick did well in his TSN stint, even if he made up words like "persistency." Maybe he'll retire to take the job full time.

moneyp · June-19th-2007, 12:06 AM

From a pretty reliable source, a guy who's a reporter for the Portland Pirates, the Ducks minor league team. He says that the Ducks will be re-signing Giguere and that the deal should be done before the draft. He also says that he hears it's for three years at a total of 19.2 million (6.4 million per year).

Like I said, the guy's usually solid (and the money sounds right) and I'm only skeptical because I can't fathom that Giguere or his agent, the notorious Don Meehan, would only sign a three year deal. I'd be fucking astounded if that happened. Then again, Giguere personally intervened to get the last negotiations done, and Burke did somehow get Bryz to accept a two-year deal last year when he would have been a UFA this offseason.

Enforcer · June-19th-2007, 12:18 AM

Rumor has it that at least one member of the Red Wings brain trust is opposed to bringing back Bertuzzi because he's too slow. Translation: Ken Holland has a soft, puck-moving European in his sights.

Seriously, I have no problem with the Wings not bringing back Markov and Bertuzzi. But fucking replace them with players of comparable size and strength.

Borat Pri Hagafen · June-19th-2007, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Nagel

As an aside, I can't express in words how much I'm enjoying your avatar, Mone. Whoever came up with that is a genius.

moneyp · June-19th-2007, 12:03 PM

Larry, how accurate do you think this is?

The Wings appear to be in pretty damned good cap position, way better than any 100-point team should be. Their third highest salary is only $2.7 million (speaking of which, has Zetterberg fired his agent yet?).

If there's any team that has more to gain by making a splash in free agency, I can't think of them.

One strong d-man and two big forwards and you guys would have to be considered the favorites. Let's see, Ryan Smythe, Scott Hannan and... good god! That's Peter Forsberg's music!

Enforcer · June-19th-2007, 02:25 PM

I think it's a solid appraisal of the team.

I agree, the market is ripe for a deal. I don't know what it will be. Until we find out there intentions with Bertuzzi, it's tough to say. As one writer put it in a column I read the other day, no doctor knows the condition of Bertuzzi's back better than the Red Wings staff does. If they won't make him a competitive offer, it might be a signal to other clubs not to play ball.

Lang will be gone. Babcock wants players who try hard. Calder showed flashes but then turned to garbage. It's possible he was hurt, but we never did hear anything. If not that, then he just wasn't willing to put in the effort, in which case he'll be gone, too. Hudler is an RFA, and they'll keep him, unless he figures in a big trade.

Schneider and Markov are a big issue. I'd like to see them both back. Schneider's offense is hard to replace. Souray will cost even more and he's too one-dimensional. Markov's presence is bigger than the numbers. He's big, physical and plays with a nasty disposition. He gets pissed off. I want him on my team. If they can't keep him, I want others with a similar attitude and style of play.

moneyp · June-19th-2007, 04:45 PM

Some more from the same Portland reporter I talked about before:

"I'm getting the sense that [Niedermayer's retirement] is a done deal. I'm actually looking for a press confernce on Friday afternoon before the draft. Also, and this just specualtion, but I am getting a hint that he will be staying within the Ducks organization. With two openings in the Pirates coaching staff, I'm hearing he could be the second assistant coach along with Kevin Dineen brother Gord.

I think by Friday it will all come to a head.....Niedermayer, Selanne and Giguere will all be put front and center this weekend.

Enforcer · June-19th-2007, 09:55 PM

Man, that reads like an Eklund story. I'm sure your guy is a lot more reliable than that, but it's written in the same style. Well, I take that back. Eklund would never concede that any part of his fantasy-laden musings are "just speculation."

moneyp · June-20th-2007, 12:37 AM

I pressed him on it a bit more. He said that he talked to a player agent who said that he felt that Scotty would have announced his retirement at the end of the postseason whether the Ducks won or not. The player agent felt that Niedermayer would be just as happy doing something else as playing hockey, like politics. That right there strikes me as B.S., since one of Scott's stipulations in signing with the Ducks (according to Burke) was that he be left alone. Even when he signed on with the club there wasn't a lot of P.R. done about it. Like one photo shoot with his brother. If he retires, it's to stay at home with his family and wear his collection of crappy t-shirts.

The reporter also backed off the Portland coaching thing because Portland's set to announce their staff tomorrow, so obviously the timing isn't right. That struck me as improbable anyway, because I think if Scotty's retiring, it's to spend more time with his family, not take an assistant coaching position on the other side of the country.

The Friday before the draft thing is just his speculation. He thinks that the Ducks won't want this hanging over them during the draft.

I'll just say this: when I heard the whispers of this a couple of weeks before the Finals, I didn't find it surprising. You can tell that Scotty's life doesn't revolve around hockey the way most players' do. He's absorbed two painful injuries in his time with the Ducks (knee last year, foot this year). He didn't really seem to be enjoying himself this postseason, probably due to his foot.

Burke's most recent comments ("obviously he's earned the right to do what he wants, and we support him" etc.) makes me think he's leaning towards retirement.

If he does walk away, it would be almost unprecedented in the history of the NHL. A First Team All-Star, Norris Trophy finalist, only 33 years old. The only comparable retirement would be Ken Dryden. And even Dryden didn't leave $13 million on the table. If Scotty can walk away from that, you have to be impressed.

moneyp · June-20th-2007, 09:26 AM

More on the potential Giguere re-signing from my "source." My own comments in paren:

"Originally, both [Giguere and the Ducks] would have liked a long term deal, but the money would have been outrageous - something like 31m to 36m so they back tracked on the number of years and now it's a case of fine tuning. If the hell doesn't freeze over I can't see why this isn't done by the end of this weekend."

(I have a hard time believing that Burke wants to sign Jiggy to a five year deal. I don't think he'd want to be paying him five-six million at the age of 35, but maybe that's just me.)

"As for Bryzgalov.....I am not so sure he'll get moved. His salary is prime right now for the Ducks and if they did deal him they would have to fine another goalie. Now I know many have mentioned Hiller, but I don't believe he will be in Anaheim this year. First, his cap hit is 3.2m and if Giguere gets the expected 6.4m that means close to 10m will spent just on the goaltending tandem. Especially if Giguere is going to get his normal number of starts pending injuries."

(A 3.2 million cap hit for an unproven commodity? That doesn't make sense and it doesn't really sound like Burke at all.)

"If they do trade him, I think the Ducks will bring in somebody else. I know they have been speaking to Esche's agent and have shown some interest there."

(Talking with Esche, to me, indicates that they intend to trade Bryz and get some assets--draft picks--for him.)

"If not, they may just keep him and then deal him in a year for draft picks to a team that will sign him to a UFA deal and then bring up Hiller, McKee or who knows maybe LaVasseur will be ready."