NHL Season 08-09

[BadKarma]

I don't see him going to Boston to be honest. The Rangers could chuck him onto a line with Antropov and Gomez/Drury and probably be ok. But let's be honest, almost every year the Rangers are willing to throw a huge chunk of change at any moderately good free agent. I just remember when they had Jagr for the first season or two when there was literally no chemistry at all. You can't buy chemistry. The Blackhawks don't really need him to be blunt. Unless they lose Havlat. Then I can see them making a serious push for him.

The Trade for the Rangers was supposedly Gomez and Bobby Sanguinetti. When your an offensive juggernaut chemistry can be learned later. Jagr scored 54 goals one year for the Rangers. Heatley can easily score 40.

[Ishido]

Rumor has it Ken Holland is looking at around a 4 mil/year, 10 year-ish deal with Hossa.

That would leave Detroit needing 2 forwards and possibly a goalie, although we will likely resign Leino for fairly cheap. Conklin would likely require more money, Hudler would definitely require more money, Samuelsson I'm not sure but I wouldn't assume he's going to be back. Kopecky might be back depending on if he's willing to stay pretty cheap. Pretty happy with the way things are looking right now.

Heatly I think would be a pretty good pickup for Chicago, although since I'm not familiar with their lines I'm not sure how he would fit. I'm guessing Khabi will be gone, that is a large salary off the books, Havlat is another big salary but I'm not sure that they want to get rid of him. They also have to be careful if they want to keep Kane and Toews, both of whom will command large raises after next season.

[Oxyminus]

I don't think Heatley is the answer for the Rangers. Personally I'd be more inclined to take a flier on Gaborik on a 1-yr deal (which won't happen because SOMEONE will give him a 4-5 year deal in hopes he stays healthy, and he'll take it) or sit patiently while shedding salary and going gunz'a'blazing after Kovalchuk next off season when he's a UFA.

That being said, what we (Rangers and their fans, and anyone else who watches them lol) is they simply DON'T HAVE LEGITIMATE FIRST LINE TALENT!!! The score by committee approach works well in theory, and I think between Tortorella and some of the guys he's already pegged as "his" guys; Dubinsky, Avery and Callahan come to mind, they'll have more success doing so with a more up-tempo forecheck, and a real summer/offseason/training camp to prepare for the rigors of Tort's system (For basically every game Tortorella coached the Rangers came out flying, and were GASSED by the 3rd. They weren't in shape for his system. He knew it, they knew it) they'll be a marginally better scoring team by that alone.

BUT, you need a Gamebreaker. It's always going to be true that you're only as good as your goalie and your defense, which at times the Rangers sport the best in the league, but you need that offensive "go to guy" to put pucks in the net. Gomez is paid like that guy, but he's not that guy. Drury is a helluva leader, but he's still not that guy. Zherdev is not that guy (and could become that guy, may never become that guy) because his demeanor and style holds him back, though he's still a good 2nd liner who I hope we keep if the price is right. Callahan and Dubinsky are all heart but neither are yet that guy.

Heatley gives them that presence, which the Rangers really need. My biggest questions/concerns are:

1) he played great in Atlanta, which is a tiny market, and nobody cares what you do. He played well in Ottawa where he was surrounded by world class talent. Can he do it in NYC where he needs to be "the man"?

2) I understand from the Rangers point of view basically every trade needs to begin with Gomez because we need to shed his salary. But if you finally bring in a legit 1st line winger, don't you want the closest thing you have to a legit 1st line center? Who is Heatley going to play with? Dubinsky isn't much of a playmaker (yet) his style relies on crashing the net and making havoc along the back/midboards. Drury isn't a setup guy either.

The Rangers are in a tight, lose-lose situation right now. Sather has them so ass-fucked with the cap that they NEED to shed salary and likely become a worse team in doing so. I'm interested to see what Sather's plan is for the summer, hopefully he knows he's fucked up and fixes shit for the LONG HAUL. If I had it my way I'd still move Gomez (I like the idea of L.A., they're at the cap floor, young team, need a veteran presence if they think they're going to be a playoff team next season) and tell Redden to waive his fucking no trade clause or he will ROT IN HARTFORD FOR THE REST OF THE CONTRACT! Those two moves clear up about 14Mil in cap space.

Tada!

PS - I don't mind giving up sanguinetti in the "proposed" Heatley deal because Del Zotto has been soaring above him in development, and the Rangers have been adding D-men (Gilroy - who I think is going to be good, and Heikkinen) like they're about to become extinct. and We have a good amount of Defensive depth in the farm already

I expect this to be a grueling summer for the Rangers, but one that's going to have a lot of impact as to where this franchise is going to go. The less signings, the better, the more trades to shed salary, the better.

PPS - I don't expect Antropov to be back. I'd like him to be, but I think he'll command more than the Rangers can offer him. NEED to resign Callahan and Dubinsky. Zherdev is probably easier to keep, and I think a better investment than Antropov.

[Thoronas]

Pens Surprise Fans, Take Cup To South Side Hot Spots - Photos - WPXI Pittsburgh

I thought this was pretty cool of the Pens. I'd have loved to be in that club when it happened. Pic 31, Staal looking like he's going to toss the Cup out the window is fucking lol.

[Ivaden]

Yeah, it was pretty awesome to see those pictures, wish I was in the South side that night lol.

Anyway, for us (unfortunate) non-CBC watchers in the states and outside of Michigan, epic outro/recap of the playoffs (may not be as awesome to you guys as it is for me since I'd love to get into doing this kind of shit with my career). Goosebumps from head to toe watching this, what a great fucking year of hockey. Like I said before, I'm only two seasons into my hockey obsession and I've already, no doubt, seen the best hockey I probably ever will.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVI09hbuK78

[Brill Weave]

Now Zetterberg is jumping on the Draper bandwagon about Crosby not shaking hands. I understand it's tradition. And yes I agree that Crosby needed to shake hands. But here's the deal. The Wings were streaming off the ice as soon as possible after losing. They didn't wait around until we were ready to start the procession like the Pens did last year. Before I even knew what was happening it seemed like half the Wings were already gone. Yes Crosby should have shaken everyone's hands. But he just won a Stanley Cup and let's face it, every media personality on that ice was grabbing at him for an interview. Zetterberg needs to stfu and let it go because all he's doing now is beating a dead horse.

Gotta say, this season's free agency is going to be interesting.

[Aksannyi]

Wow, people really do cry about anything. >.>

[Brill Weave]

It's just silly now. They have a chip on their shoulder because they lost. I guess they think this is going to tarnish what the Penguins have done? Get over it.

[Norelco]

So...2 out of the 4 Staal brothers have cups. What a family. Their parents must be super proud.

[Brill Weave]

And ashamed of the other two!

[Norelco]

And ashamed of the other two!

Brutal.

[Brill Weave]

They stay in the shed out back.

[Arnwulf]

I can't imagine what Thanksgiving or any other holiday is like in that house haha.

[Brill Weave]

Ok kids, whoever has won a Stanley Cup can get their food first. The rest of you out back!

[Arnwulf]

I'm happy with the TV ratings for Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, hopefully we got some new hockey fans now.

Game 7 of Stanley Cup finals most-watched NHL game in 36 years - ESPN

[Brill Weave]

Yeah let's hope so. I think that hockey is finally starting to get a large enough following with all the young stars in the league now. Hopefully that's going to translate into higher numbers and revenue for the league.

[Ishido]

Now Zetterberg is jumping on the Draper bandwagon about Crosby not shaking hands. I understand it's tradition. And yes I agree that Crosby needed to shake hands. But here's the deal. The Wings were streaming off the ice as soon as possible after losing. They didn't wait around until we were ready to start the procession like the Pens did last year. Before I even knew what was happening it seemed like half the Wings were already gone. Yes Crosby should have shaken everyone's hands. But he just won a Stanley Cup and let's face it, every media personality on that ice was grabbing at him for an interview. Zetterberg needs to stfu and let it go because all he's doing now is beating a dead horse.

Gotta say, this season's free agency is going to be interesting.

Zetterberg gave his answer when the media approached him about the situation, which was the correct one even if it is somewhat harsh. I'm sure it wasn't intentional on Crosby's part, with being mobbed by media and all, but it's something people will put on the list of reasons to not like Crosby and why he hasn't fully matured yet.

[Brill Weave]

You should see the arguments on Yahoosports Ishido. Oh my God is it fucking funny. It's kept me thoroughly entertained for the better part of two days.

[Norelco]

I can't believe this is actually a deal to anyone.

[Oxyminus]

I turned the game off basically once the final buzzer sounded.

It's not the end of the world that Crosby neglected to shake people's hands. Sure he got mobbed by the media, and got all excited and blah blah blah.

BUT this is a kid who has always claimed to love the tradition and honor of the sport. The handshake line is one of the greatest traditions in hockey, in maybe all of sports. It's says a lot about him to neglect to take part in it, by accident or not. A more mature, level-headed person would have composed themselves and gone through the line, a greedy kid would have gone "zomg i onez a cup!"...which apparently he did.

Still not earth shattering, just exposes his true character.

Fuck The Penguins