NHL 2009-10 Season

[Iron Stove]

As Calgary only hold his rights and haven't actually signed Bouwmeester, he might still be available. Still, that would be a feck up to not be able to sign him after trading for his rights.

Thing with Vinny is that at what?.. Almost at a 10 mil cap hit for more or less another decade, there's a big risk involved. Absolutely love his game though. And Montreal could do with a true superstar so I could see why they'd do it.

Hey nyrfan, what do you think about not having Sjöström next season? He's obviously no huge loss and hasn't lived up to the hype but personally I always liked him.

EDIT- Just saw that you already commented on him. Too much Johnnie Walker for me tonight.

 

[nyrfan818]

As Calgary only hold his rights and haven't actually signed Bouwmeester, he might still be available. Still, that would be a feck up to not be able to sign him after trading for his rights.

Thing with Vinny is that at what?.. Almost at a 10 mil cap hit for more or less another decade, there's a big risk involved. Absolutely love his game though. And Montreal could do with a true superstar so I could see why they'd do it.

Hey nyrfan, what do you think about not having Sjöström next season? He's obviously no huge loss and hasn't lived up to the hype but personally I always liked him.

I'm a bit surprised we haven't given him a qualifying offer honestly. He's a great skater and he's a fantastic penalty killer. He seems like a guy that would fit Tortorella's high-paced system pretty well as a fourth liner, especially seeing as he rarely uses the fourth line anyway. It would make more sense to have a specialty type player on the fourth line if it's not going to play often at even strength, but what do I know?

Hard to not like him as well. Leaves it all on the ice and you can tell he's loving every minute of playing in the NHL. But I guess the game is a business and the coach and GM think he's replaceable by one of our young guys in Hartford. If I had to pick between keeping one of Sjostrom and Betts, it'd be Betts though.

Agree on Lecavalier. He's a fantastic player, easily one of the best in the league. But with that type of salary, it's hard to really justify having him on your roster. If any team should go after him, it would and should be Montreal though. I think both parties need it.

 

[Iron Stove]

I'm a bit surprised we haven't given him a qualifying offer honestly. He's a great skater and he's a fantastic penalty killer. He seems like a guy that would fit Tortorella's high-paced system pretty well as a fourth liner, especially seeing as he rarely uses the fourth line anyway. It would make more sense to have a specialty type player on the fourth line if it's not going to play often at even strength, but what do I know?

Hard to not like him as well. Leaves it all on the ice and you can tell he's loving every minute of playing in the NHL. But I guess the game is a business and the coach and GM think he's replaceable by one of our young guys in Hartford. If I had to pick between keeping one of Sjostrom and Betts, it'd be Betts though.

Agree on Lecavalier. He's a fantastic player, easily one of the best in the league. But with that type of salary, it's hard to really justify having him on your roster. If any team should go after him, it would and should be Montreal though. I think both parties need it.

Cheers for the update. I'd have Freddy on the 4th line of the Swedish Olympic team. Him, Påhlsson and Axelsson would be a very good shut down line imo. Maybe he asked for to much money. Btw I saw Antropov asked for 5 mil He's a good player and all, but Rangers really cannot do that deal.

 

[nyrfan818]

Cheers for the update. I'd have Freddy on the 4th line of the Swedish Olympic team. Him, Påhlsson and Axelsson would be a very good shut down line imo. Maybe he asked for to much money. Btw I saw Antropov asked for 5 mil He's a good player and all, but Rangers really cannot do that deal.

No self respecting team should do that deal. The guy's talented no doubt, but he usually shows a complete lack of commitment, and hasn't he always been a bit of a bottler in the playoffs? Basically it came down to the fact that he asked for way more than we had to qualify and will have to sign Zherdev for. The only difference between those two is height. It's eerie just how similar they are otherwise.

Seeing as you watch a fair bit of the Swede's, how much Lundqvist do you catch during the season? Where do you rank him among the NHL's goalies?

Edit: Zherdev might also go back to Russia. We might just rid ourselves of two talented and underwhelming players in one summer. Woohoo!

 

[Iron Stove]

No self respecting team should do that deal. The guy's talented no doubt, but he usually shows a complete lack of commitment, and hasn't he always been a bit of a bottler in the playoffs? Basically it came down to the fact that he asked for way more than we had to qualify and will have to sign Zherdev for. The only difference between those two is height. It's eerie just how similar they are otherwise.

Seeing as you watch a fair bit of the Swede's, how much Lundqvist do you catch during the season? Where do you rank him among the NHL's goalies?

Edit: Zherdev might also go back to Russia. We might just rid ourselves of two talented and underwhelming players in one summer. Woohoo!

I watch the Rangers once in a while, mainly because of Henrik. Personally I rank Lundqvist as a top 3 goalie in the NHL together with Luongo and Brodeur. I think there are some others like Tim Thomas who also could be joining that group if he has some more years like this one. Henrik doesn't seem to have had his best year but was still truly amazing at times. The fact that he's still quite young for a goalie leads me to believe he can even get better. He had a very big part in our Olympic gold and will be our most important player in Vancouver. He's the best Swedish goalie of all time already.

 

[nyrfan818]

Iron Stove, do you know anything about that Jonas Gustavsson fellow?

 

[nyrfan818]

Gomez to Canadiens!!!!!

Sather may suck in the free agent market, but he really does do awesome in trading. Yes!!!

 

[Anderson Searl]

Gomez to Canadiens!!!!!

Sather may suck in the free agent market, but he really does do awesome in trading. Yes!!!

Just got that text from a mate, a big cap hit, 4 more years and it increases up to something like 9 million at the end... this automatically/officially spells the end it seems for Koivu

 

[nyrfan818]

Just got that text from a mate, a big cap hit, 4 more years and it increases up to something like 9 million at the end... this automatically/officially spells the end it seems for Koivu

And means you lot are definitely not getting Lecavalier.

I almost feel bad we're dumping that massive salary cap and financial hindrance on you guys. But not really, I'm much too happy!!!

Wonder if this is a precursor to Heatley or Gaborik

 

[nyrfan818]

We got Ryan Mcdonagh too! Wow I can't believe this has happened.

 

[Iron Stove]

Iron Stove, do you know anything about that Jonas Gustavsson fellow?

Yes, he's really promising, but..

Hold the presses, the Canadiens actually signed Gomez? Maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel for the Rangers. Must feel great to get rid of one of your monster contracts. I think Gomez is a good player, but nowhere near worth that cap hit. He would put up a lot of points if he got to play with a quality sniper though. Still, I could understand people questioning Gainey at this point. McDonagh although I can't recall watching him (Which I probably did in the WJCs) comes with a nice reputation and is a recent first round pick.

Returning to the subject, Jonas "The Monster" Gustavsson is coming off a remarkable season with WC bronze on a pretty weak Sweden side and being voted player of the year for the Swedish Elite League and national team (The award is called Guldpucken = The Golden Puck). I like the guy's character too.. But I will say that I'm not convinced that he'll be a great goalkeeper in the NHL. Especially his lateral movement is a big question mark for me. I hope he proves me wrong, but he just doesn't seem that mobile in the games I've seen him. Something I think is crucial in the NHL. Very good, but not elite is my verdict at this point.

 

[Anderson Searl]

Wonder if this is a precursor to Heatley or Gaborik

Makes plenty of logic, get a good young player with plenty of potential, get rid of a older guy and open up ALOT of cap space, and voila, you're making a run at a premier guy.

 

[nyrfan818]

Yes, he's really promising, but..

Hold the presses, the Canadiens actually signed Gomez? Maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel for the Rangers. Must feel great to get rid of one of your monster contracts. I think Gomez is a good player, but nowhere near worth that cap hit. He would put up a lot of points if he got to play with a quality sniper though. Still, I could understand people questioning Gainey at this point. McDonagh although I can't recall watching him (Which I probably did in the WJCs) comes with a nice reputation and is a recent first round pick.

Returning to the subject, Jonas "The Monster" Gustavsson is coming off a remarkable season with WC bronze on a pretty weak Sweden side and being voted player of the year for the Swedish Elite League and national team (The award is called Guldpucken = The Golden Puck). I like the guy's character too.. But I will say that I'm not convinced that he'll be a great goalkeeper in the NHL. Especially his lateral movement is a big question mark for me. I hope he proves me wrong, but he just doesn't seem that mobile in the games I've seen him. Something I think is crucial in the NHL. Very good, but not elite is my verdict at this point.

Interesting on Gustavsson. I wonder who he'll end up with and for what type of contract.

And yea, Gomez isn't a bad player. He's just never a guy who should be making 7.5 million per year. He could actually do pretty well for Montreal though. If there's someone he can click with (ala Gionta with the Devils), he can set people up and do well. We signed him to do that with Jagr and it was a miserable failure. I have no harsh feelings towards him, I'm just relieved to get rid of that monster contract and thus set ourselves up a bit better for the future, as well as now really.

 

[Iron Stove]

Interesting on Gustavsson. I wonder who he'll end up with and for what type of contract.

And yea, Gomez isn't a bad player. He's just never a guy who should be making 7.5 million per year. He could actually do pretty well for Montreal though. If there's someone he can click with (ala Gionta with the Devils), he can set people up and do well. We signed him to do that with Jagr and it was a miserable failure. I have no harsh feelings towards him, I'm just relieved to get rid of that monster contract and thus set ourselves up a bit better for the future, as well as now really.

Maybe you could get rid of another player like Rozival, Drury or Redden. If you got something decent in return and if you play your cards right on the UFA market (and you guys seem to love UFA signings) you might actually become a contender sooner rather than later.

 

[Anderson Searl]

1. And yea, Gomez isn't a bad player. He's just never a guy who should be making 7.5 million per year. He could actually do pretty well for Montreal though.
2. If there's someone he can click with (ala Gionta with the Devils), he can set people up and do well.
3. We signed him to do that with Jagr and it was a miserable failure. I have no harsh feelings towards him, I'm just relieved to get rid of that monster contract and thus set ourselves up a bit better for the future, as well as now really.

1. Yup
2. Never gonna happen, Kovalev has never clicked with anyone, so why would he with Gomez?
3. Jagr

 

[Iron Stove]

3. Jagr

Maybe I'm missing what you're getting at but Jagr is arguably the best European player of all time and one of the best to ever play the game.

 

[Iron Stove]

It's a shame about Kovalev btw.. Is he lazy or what is the deal with him? Obviously incredibly gifted. Could have been so much more.

And do you think you're giving up on Koivu now? I always rated him, but the pressure of being the Canadiens captain is always going to make it hard for you. Especially if you're the quiet Nordic type.

 

[Anderson Searl]

Maybe I'm missing what you're getting at but Jagr is arguably the best European player of all time and one of the best to ever play the game.

Loved the guy, but post-Mario he was never going to be the same, or have the same effect on the team he played for on the premise he had to be IT once he left Pittsburgh... he never seemed to have that spak with NY and I just found it funny they tried to build around him.

It's a shame about Kovalev btw.. Is he lazy or what? Obviously incredibly gifted. Could have been so much more.

And do you think you're giving up on Koivu? I always rated him, but the pressure of being the Canadiens captain is always going to make it hard for you. Especially if you're the quiet Nordic type.

Kovalev is hockey's Berbatov for relevance... he's easily the most gifted player in hockey not named Crosby or Ovechkin... on his day, nobody can stop him... his skating, stick handling, shooting, physical play, vision, all of it is eons above the "stars" in the game... I don't know where it all went wrong, did the fame or money get to his head? No idea... I read all these rumors about us re-signing him and giving him the captains C; For what !? He's been a great player FOR us, but jesus christ he's done nothing to merit him wearing the C.

Koivu isn't the best player in the world which I think is why we've taken a fancy to moving on... sucks because he's a players captian: motivation needed when needed, not too outspoken, can change a game, etc.

I'd love to have him back but he's taken paycut after paycut and sacrificed alot for this organization, sadly we're at the point in our development as a team where taking risks are now beyond just paying a guy, it's about depth and construction, Koivu is holding us back, which sadly means we're probably going to have to sacrifice him

 

[Iron Stove]

Loved the guy, but post-Mario he was never going to be the same, or have the same effect on the team he played for on the premise he had to be IT once he left Pittsburgh... he never seemed to have that spak with NY and I just found it funny they tried to build around him.

Way too harsh. He was amazing for a while in NY too.

2005-2006 NY Rangers NHL 82 54 69 123
2006-2007 NY Rangers NHL 82 30 66 96
2007-2008 NY Rangers NHL 82 25 46 71

Age simply took it's toll, but he was always brilliant in his own right. I rate Lemieux as the best player to ever play the game. That still doesn't mean Jagr wasn't something else himself.

Kovalev is hockey's Berbatov for relevance... he's easily the most gifted player in hockey not named Crosby or Ovechkin... on his day, nobody can stop him... his skating, stick handling, shooting, physical play, vision, all of it is eons above the "stars" in the game... I don't know where it all went wrong, did the fame or money get to his head? No idea... I read all these rumors about us re-signing him and giving him the captains C; For what !? He's been a great player FOR us, but jesus christ he's done nothing to merit him wearing the C.

The Berbatov comparison is very good. All the talent in the world, still doesn't seem to really give a shit.

Koivu isn't the best player in the world which I think is why we've taken a fancy to moving on... sucks because he's a players captian: motivation needed when needed, not too outspoken, can change a game, etc.

I'd love to have him back but he's taken paycut after paycut and sacrificed alot for this organization, sadly we're at the point in our development as a team where taking risks are now beyond just paying a guy, it's about depth and construction, Koivu is holding us back, which sadly means we're probably going to have to sacrifice him

He's a very good player, yet could never be classed as a top player. That's not his fault though and I think being a captain in a big market team is very difficult in the NHL. You have to be a very special player to earn the respect of the fans and local media wearing the C for a team like Montreal or Toronto.

 

[nyrfan818]

Loved the guy, but post-Mario he was never going to be the same, or have the same effect on the team he played for on the premise he had to be IT once he left Pittsburgh... he never seemed to have that spak with NY and I just found it funny they tried to build around him.

Quite harsh on Jagr. You have to realize the guy was constantly shadowed by 2 players whenever he was on the ice. The worst part was that there was no other talent on the team that could even absorb some of that pressure off of him. He had to do it all for the team. Then there was the highly defensive system which Renney liked to play which did not help. Yet his first full season for the Rangers the guy was the MVP of the league (I'm sorry but Joe Thornton had a hell of a lot more to work with than Jagr did that year so I'm completely disregarding the fact that he somehow won it).

He was definitely on the decline during his time with the Rangers. There's no doubting that. But just by looking at his playoff stats in his last season, you can see that he had plenty of talent still left in the tank, but we were wasting it with our dull, defensive hockey and supremely untalented team. Quite simply, he wasn't put in a situation to exceed, but he still managed to do so with flying colours IMO.

I think it's also harsh to say that he couldn't handle being IT. Every IT player needs to be surrounded by good talent. Gretzky had Messier and Lemiuex had Jagr, just to name a couple examples. You can be the best hockey player in the world, but if the rest of your team is wank, you and your team can only do so well.

Gosh I miss Jagr


Looking like Heatley to the Oilers if he waives his NTC.

Edit: Pretty crappy deal for them if I'm being honest.

 

[Anderson Searl]

What a circus... in real local time:

11:50 - Sportsnet & TheScore report Heatley traded to Edmonton
11:55 - TSN reports deal accepted, waiting for Heatley No trade clause
12:30 - TheScore ticker spins the trade being a done deal
12:35 - Sportsnet spins the idea the deal is accepted and done
12:36 - The Fan and other radio station in Edmonton claim Heatley nixes deal and refuses to waive no-trade clause
1:01 - Heatley gets 4 million richer, TheScore and Sportsnet remove ticket update, TSN reports deal dead on citation of RDS, the Edmonton Oilers board is on overload, RIP

 

[sidsutton]

I`ll take Gomez and his contract over what Higgins was(or wasn`t) giving the Habs. Looked great as a rookie and got progressively worse, coincidentally as his partying got worse. I think this means Koivu and Komisarek are gone.

 

[Alex]

Heately has to be a troubled soul, good to get him as far away from Atlanta as possible, even though he is a Sen now, at least it is good of him to head west for himself. I remember how a short time ago he and Ilya were Sid the Kid and Malkin.

 

[Anderson Searl]

I`ll take Gomez and his contract over what Higgins was(or wasn`t) giving the Habs. Looked great as a rookie and got progressively worse, coincidentally as his partying got worse. I think this means Koivu and Komisarek are gone.

I think it means we're going to deface this line-up, which is fecking scary as a projection.

Heately has to be a troubled soul, good to get him as far away from Atlanta as possible, even though he is a Sen now, at least it is good of him to head west for himself. I remember how a short time ago he and Ilya were Sid the Kid and Malkin.

It's hilarious

 

[sidsutton]

I think it means we're going to deface this line-up, which is fecking scary as a projection.

But badly needed.

 

[nyrfan818]

I`ll take Gomez and his contract over what Higgins was(or wasn`t) giving the Habs. Looked great as a rookie and got progressively worse, coincidentally as his partying got worse. I think this means Koivu and Komisarek are gone.

Got progressively worse? Didn't he have 54 pts or something like that the season before last? He's scored 20 goals every year except last I believe. And last he had a couple of injuries.

I feel bad for you guys. With Gomez on your roster things are going to be a lot harder for you guys to go anywhere. He's just a very okay player. The difference in talent between him and Higgins is not as significant as you guys would like to think (other than a massive one in salary). He's a slightly above average play maker with a good amount of speed. That's all.

Either way though, I think we win that trade solely because we basically stole your top prospect who is projected to be a 1, or at worst 1A, NHL defenseman in the future.

 

[Anderson Searl]

But badly needed.

We have ALOT of young guys developing and we've traded arguably our future 1st line defencemen.

I feel bad for you guys. With Gomez on your roster things are going to be a lot harder for you guys to go anywhere. He's just a very okay player. The difference in talent between him and Higgins is not as significant as you guys would like to think (other than a massive one in salary). He's a slightly above average play maker with a good amount of speed. That's all.

Either way though, I think we win that trade solely because we basically stole your top prospect who is projected to be a 1, or at worst 1A, NHL defenseman in the future.

Gomez restricts what would have been a busy off-season this year, and what will be over the next 2 with our immense number of young players. Getting Payatt in the deal is a slight win for us, if he regains his Jr. form.

How is this Mike Busto fella?

You guys got our second best defensive prospect behind Weber, and like you said, he has NHL written all over him... a good, young, physical 3rd line defencemen in Valentenko, a vet in Janik and when Higgins is on his game, he's as good if not better than Gomez.

 

[nyrfan818]

We have ALOT of young guys developing and we've traded arguably our future 1st line defencemen.



Gomez restricts what would have been a busy off-season this year, and what will be over the next 2 with our immense number of young players. Getting Payatt in the deal is a slight win for us, if he regains his Jr. form.

How is this Mike Busto fella?

You guys got our second best defensive prospect behind Weber, and like you said, he has NHL written all over him... a good, young, physical 3rd line defencemen in Valentenko, a vet in Janik and when Higgins is on his game, he's as good if not better than Gomez.

Pyatt's definitely a future NHL'er and maybe a second liner if he develops right. I see him as a checking line guy though.

Busto is nothing special. Doubt he'll become an NHL player. If he does it'll be as a 6th or 7th defenseman.

 

[Iron Stove]

Bouwmeester has been signed by Calgary on a 6.6 mil - five year deal. I thought he would be getting even more since he was just about to reach UFA status. Well done by the Flames. They have a very impressive defence now to say the least. I wonder if they are trading Phaneuf or Regehr though.

This Heatley business is absurd. Very badly handled by both the Senators and the Oilers if this thing fall apart. Seems like there's a small chance he could still go to Edmonton though so we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[Anderson Searl]

Pyatt's definitely a future NHL'er and maybe a second liner if he develops right. I see him as a checking line guy though.

Busto is nothing special. Doubt he'll become an NHL player. If he does it'll be as a 6th or 7th defenseman.

Shit, thought we might have got ourselves a good one with Busto but apparently not

This Heatley business is absurd. Very badly handled by both the Senators and the Oilers if this thing fall apart. Seems like there's a small chance he could still go to Edmonton though so we'll just have to wait and see.

Nothing wrong on either front, Mr.Heatley had the NTC to waive and he refused, peobably to get PAID by Eugene Melnyk (sic?) and then make a move (Heatley was un-conditionally owed 4 Million come July 1st)

 

[nyrfan818]

Shit, thought we might have got ourselves a good one with Busto but apparently not



Nothing wrong on either front, Mr.Heatley had the NTC to waive and he refused, peobably to get PAID by Eugene Melnyk (sic?) and then make a move (Heatley was un-conditionally owed 4 Million come July 1st)

It seems that now the 4 million can be transferred to another team if he's traded before tonight, so I guess we'll see what happens there.

Sorry to break Busto's lack of skill to you. At least he's got a kinda cool name!

Sedin twins have resigned with Vancouver I see.

 

[Iron Stove]

Sedins resigned with Vancouver. 6.1 each for five years. I think they're worth that even though they're not really "sexy" players. They had 82 points each during the regular season and PPG in the playoffs last season. They are really consistent and never injured.

Shit, thought we might have got ourselves a good one with Busto but apparently not



Nothing wrong on either front, Mr.Heatley had the NTC to waive and he refused, peobably to get PAID by Eugene Melnyk (sic?) and then make a move (Heatley was un-conditionally owed 4 Million come July 1st)

If the moves goes through then it's all good but if it doesn't they both look like fools imo. The Edmonton players like Cogliano might not be too happy if he feels he's not wanted and Ottawa should have seen this coming if the Oilers weren't one of the teams on Heatleys "list". Can't really blame them for trying to avoid paying that huge bonus though.

Busto is an awesome name btw

 

[izzydiggler]

I watch the Rangers once in a while, mainly because of Henrik. Personally I rank Lundqvist as a top 3 goalie in the NHL together with Luongo and Brodeur. I think there are some others like Tim Thomas who also could be joining that group if he has some more years like this one. Henrik doesn't seem to have had his best year but was still truly amazing at times. The fact that he's still quite young for a goalie leads me to believe he can even get better. He had a very big part in our Olympic gold and will be our most important player in Vancouver. He's the best Swedish goalie of all time already.

I watch a fair bit of Rangers games and when Lundqvist is on, he's almost unbeatable. And what about Fluery ?!? In honesty he's still likely to make huge mistakes but I've seen him come a long way in a few years and don't think that he's too far from a Vezina nomination.

It's a shame about Kovalev btw.. Is he lazy or what is the deal with him? Obviously incredibly gifted. Could have been so much more.

I've got some great memories watching Kovalev (just about the only light in the dark days) and part of me would love him back to play on Malkin's wing , but after seeing him for the Canadiens last season, I can't see many taking the risk, especially at a high cap hit.

Way too harsh. He was amazing for a while in NY too.

2005-2006 NY Rangers NHL 82 54 69 123
2006-2007 NY Rangers NHL 82 30 66 96
2007-2008 NY Rangers NHL 82 25 46 71

Age simply took it's toll, but he was always brilliant in his own right. I rate Lemieux as the best player to ever play the game. That still doesn't mean Jagr wasn't something else himself.

Jagr is a true great. Although (a bit like Ronaldo) he always wants to be the 'man'. I have some bitter feelings regarding his leaving Pittsburgh (for another discussion), but for the Rangers he was pretty good-in his last playoff series, he was the best Ranger by some distance. And of course, he won the Lester Person in New York, so he even though he didn't reach the same heights as he had done previously, he was still one of the best players in the league. If he was to come back to the NHL, I think that he'd still do a good job!

Oh, and I agree that Lemieux was the greatest........

 

[Iron Stove]

Öhlund signs with Tampa. Then they have their mentor for Hedman. 3.75 - 7(!) years. He's a steady player but isn't really the player he once was and has shown signs of declining. They're probably banking on him retiring before that deal is up. He's not that old so if he can up his game he really could be a good signing for them. But I watch the Canucks quite a lot and think he get's beat for speed a bit too much for my liking.

Tampa's defence has been pretty atrocious though so he's definitely an upgrade.

 

[Anderson Searl]

Heard alot of mutters we were in for Ohlund but jesus what a price

 

[Iron Stove]

I watch a fair bit of Rangers games and when Lundqvist is on, he's almost unbeatable. And what about Fluery ?!? In honesty he's still likely to make huge mistakes but I've seen him come a long way in a few years and don't think that he's too far from a Vezina nomination.

Fleury is obviously one of the best as well. I like him a lot. Looks like a weirdo though Cam Ward deserves a mention too.

Talking about goalies and with all the Montreal talk in here.. What is your guy's take on Carey Price? He's obviously very talented (although pretty immature from what I've heard), but man does it seems tough to be a young goal tender in a market where hockey is the state religion like in Montreal.

I remember watching a Montreal game this season (can't remember which) and he had a terrible game which is likely to happen with young goal tenders once in a while. But what really got me was the interview with him in the dressing room afterwards. I don't get why journalist gets let in everywhere like that in the NHL. After the game Price was getting asked tough questions and was crying in front of all the viewers with a bunch of mikes shoved in his face. Contrast that to the way Sir Alex has always protected his young star talents like Giggs, Ronaldo and Rooney. They were practically never allowed to speak to journalists in their early years.

Jagr is a true great. Although (a bit like Ronaldo) he always wants to be the 'man'. I have some bitter feelings regarding his leaving Pittsburgh (for another discussion), but for the Rangers he was pretty good-in his last playoff series, he was the best Ranger by some distance. And of course, he won the Lester Person in New York, so he even though he didn't reach the same heights as he had done previously, he was still one of the best players in the league. If he was to come back to the NHL, I think that he'd still do a good job!

Yeah, he doesn't seem to be very popular in Pittsburgh nowadays and comes off as a very self centred character, but he was some fecking player before. I don't think he's that great nowadays though and might struggle in the NHL. I'm not going to pretend I watch a lot of the KHL, but he was thoroughly underwhelming at the World Championships throughout the tournament.

 

[izzydiggler]

Fleury is obviously one of the best as well. I like him a lot. Looks like a weirdo though Cam Ward deserves a mention too.

Talking about goalies and with all the Montreal talk on here.. What is your guy's take on Carey Price? He's obviously very talented (although pretty immature from what I've heard), but man does it seems tough to be a young goal tender in a market where hockey is the state religion like in Montreal.

I remember watching a Montreal game this season (can't remember which) and he had a terrible game which is likely to happen with young goal tenders once in a while. But what really got me was the interview with him in the dressing room afterwards. I don't get why journalist gets let in everywhere like that in the NHL. After the game Price was getting asked tough questions and was crying in front of all the viewers with a bunch of mikes shoved in his face. Contrast that to the way Sir Alex has always protected his young star talents like Giggs, Ronaldo and Rooney. They were practically never allowed to speak to journalists in their early years.



Yeah, he doesn't seem to be very popular in Pittsburgh nowadays and comes off as a very self centred character, but he was some fecking player before. I don't think he's that great nowadays though and might struggle in the NHL. I'm not going to pretend I watch a lot of the KHL, but he was thoroughly underwhelming at the World Championships throughout the tournament.

Price has looked inconsistent in the games I've seen him play. Like with any young goaltender, you have to take the rough with the smooth butI think he could be a good goalie in the years to come. I think that he's been 'rushed' somewhat and really could do with an experienced goaltender to learn from, whilst playing less games. At present the mistakes he makes are magnified, as you say, being in Montreal.

As for Jagr, he's always making noises about coming back to play for the league minimum if Mario asks him. Can't ever see it happening, but it would be great to give him a 'proper' send-off....even if he isn't the player he once was.

 

[Iron Stove]

Cheers for the input izzy..

Blackhawks sign Hossa. 5.2 mil - 12 (!) year deal.

Chicago losing in the SC final next year. Book it.

 

[Anderson Searl]

Cheers for the input izzy..

Blackhawks sign Hossa. 5.2 mil - 12 (!) year deal.

Chicago losing in the SC final next year. Book it.

Or in the Conference final, again, to Detroit

Good deal though, not a hard hit once the kids all have expired deals.

 

[izzydiggler]

Cheers for the input izzy..

Blackhawks sign Hossa. 5.2 mil - 12 (!) year deal.

Chicago losing in the SC final next year. Book it.

No probs!

Strange deal-guess that's Havlat gone and with big contracts coming up for Kane and Toews (among others), they are going to be in some cap trouble next year.

Ha ha ha-as long as it's to the Pens, I'll be happy.