NHL Season 08-09

[Thoronas]

Just to clarify the Sedin contract. They want a Zetterburg-esque contract but not the exact same numbers. Its breaks down to being about 5.2 mil per season each. It's a decent contract but the Vancouver GM gillis rejected almost immediately since he's not a big fan of those 10 year deals. Right now I think it's about a 60% chance the Sedins will be back in Vancouver next year.

[Arnwulf]

I'd take a Nash - Sedin - Sedin top line in Columbus, lol

[Brill Weave]

They both want too long of a contract for Columbus to seriously pursue them. I could see maybe a five year deal at the most. But ten to twelve years isn't going to fly. Which means the Rangers will probably end up doing it lol Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[Thoronas]

Everyone seems to believe that Toronto is going to snap them up. Considering what Burke was saying his vision for Toronto Id be surprised to see it happen. They aren't the tough, testosterone driven players he said he wanted.

I could see them getting 6 mil/5 years with Vancouver. But we'll see.

[Arnwulf]

I wonder why people seem to think Brian Burke is anything other than just some asshole GM that got lucky in Anaheim. He's always so hesitant to make any moves that pretty much his entire time in Toronto so far has been spent sitting on his ass doing nothing. I know that he has the reputation of being able to judge team needs, but seriously, he didn't do anything with that team yet and he's had quite a while to do it.

I highly doubt he will make any big splashes until his hand is forced. I think right now he's happy with just using his draft picks and seeing where that gets him.

[Selamis]

Just read in the Chicago Tribune that the Wings released Chelios from the team and didn't give him another contract. I would love for him to sign a one year deal with the Hawks, and end his career with us but I doubt that's likely. I would also love for Roenick to do the same, but I don't know what his status with the Sharks even is...

Of course both scenarios seem highly unlikely, but since I grew up with both of those guys they will always hold a place in my heart.

[Brill Weave]

I'm not surprised that Detroit isn't going to sign him again. They said from the start that as far as they were concerned, last year would be his last season with them. Chelios has always been a class act. I would love to see him and Roenick come back for one last season in Chicago.

[Thoronas]

Chelios already spends a lot of time in California. LA should pick him up for cheap so he can mentor theyre AHL aged defense core. Then he can go surfing with Luc Robitalle.

[Arnwulf]

Rumors swirling here in Columbus about a deal involving us and Ottawa. Supposedly has us getting Alex Auld for Marc Methot or some variation. Not sure how credible the rumor is, but at least it's something interesting.

[Brill Weave]

Alex Auld..........why? That seems like a rather pointless acquisition.

[Arnwulf]

Yeah, seems crazy to me too, I know that we're looking for a backup Goaltender with NHL experience, but yeah, I think LaCosta would do just fine as backup next year. He's played like 2 NHL games, he's ready! lol

[Thoronas]

Gaborik is reported to have bought a home in Vancouver. It's already getting interesting....

[Selamis]

Hull to join father Bobby in Hockey Hall of Fame - FOX Sports on MSN

Brett Hull into the Hall of Fame. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy, very happy to hear he's going in.

[Brill Weave]

So I have a suggestion. And this is something that will at least keep the thread alive and keep us talking hockey even through the off weeks. Everyone goes a week, pick a topic. Any fucking topic as long as it's hockey related. And let the discussion begin. Interested? Anyone?


If so let it begin. Jerry Reinsdorf, the owner of the White Sox, has said he will put together a proposal by Friday for a potential buyout of the Coyotes. So here's the question, aside from location, what went wrong with Phoenix? Do you think they will be able to rebound, and if so, will it be in Hamilton, Ontario?

Looking at the roster it's clear Phoenix has a good amount of young players. With guys like Hanzal, Mueller, Dawes, Turris, Yandle, and Lindstrom they have some talent. They also have some young guys who could end up being big names like Mikkel Boedker and Victor Tikhonov. Throw in a solid defensman like Keith Yandle next to Eddie Jo and you've got a decent pair off the bat. The big questions on the team imo are Scottie Upshall and Petr Prucha.

If they contribute regularly(like Prucha is easily capable of) this team gets a lot more life. Their attendance is piss poor but it also goes with having a losing team. Alright bitches, hit me with your thoughts.

[Thoronas]

From what I read (and since Im Canadian there was lots to read about the Phoenix fiasco) the location was one of the biggest problems for the Coyotes. They moved the team into a neighbourhood that is 40 minutes by car for most hockey fans. Also the ticket prices are so cheap right now that its really hard for the team to make money off of ticket sales.

But you are correct a winning team would probably draw a packed house again. When Phoenix was still in the playoff race they were able to sell out a few of the games (mostly weekend games).

Honestly they need to figure out a way encourage people to come to the games during the week.

[Arnwulf]

For an NHL team to cach on in a market like Phoenix, they need to be good, end of story. I can't imagine that the people of Phoenix even knew what hockey was before the Coyotes showed up, and they'll probably forget they even had a hockey franchise minutes after they move (and they will move, to KC is my bet).

Phoenix owners never really seemed interested in putting a winner on the ice, every time they get a good player, they just end up trading them for more prospects. At some point you have to turn the corner, and they just never have, they've been close though.

Now, they're stocked with young guys, they traded away their veterans at the trade deadline, they're not really that close to competing. They're at least 4 years away from having a team that can compete for the Cup, and that's with good roster management, which they have not had to date that I know of. First step to reviving the franchise, fire Wayne Gretzky.

[Selamis]

Well, the main thing is getting bodies in the seats. They need a better product and some sort of marketing that will get people there....something little, something big, but something. The Hawks too suffered from poor attendance for years and had an empty house but Bill Wirtz still made enough money off his liquor business and other businesses that he didn't care. You get a change in ownership though (his son Rocky) and a few business transactions (hiring John McDonough and a few other people involved from the Cubs) and the place has sold out every home game dating back to the final seven games of the 07-08 season.

Phoenix could easily do this as well, there is hope from them. The difference is the Hawks were never in danger of going bankrupt.... Now, I know they said that Reinsdorf will be making an offer, but I think he'd be going in with a group of people and not just soley himself. He owns the Sox and the Bulls, I can't imagine that he'd have the time and resources to flat out buy the Coyotes himself, but he very well might, I'm honestly not sure. If Phoenix was to move back to Canada, I would rather much see them return to Winnipeg than Hamilton, just so that Manitoba is represented again in the NHL. I don't think Ontario needs another team tbh, unless of course there was no interest in Winnipeg to have the team....then I wouldn't care where they end up.

[Thoronas]

(and they will move, to KC is my bet).

Just had to jump on this real quick. If they move the franchise to Kansas City (which I assume is what you mean) and snub Northern Ontario they would be pissing away millions in league funds. Any team in Northern Ontario would be guaranteed to sell out, whether it's a winner or not. If they move to Kansas strictly because it has the arena it would probably spell the end to Bettman.

[Arnwulf]

I know, but for some reason Bettman seems hell bent on keeping Sillyballs from buying an NHL team, so I could most definitely see him allowing the team to go to KC just to stick it to him.

[Brill Weave]

I think that Balsillie is an idiot with the way he has handled his interactions with league regarding any of the teams he's attempted to purchase. I just don't see a team surviving, let alone thriving, in Kansas City. Least of all a team that is a few years away from being playoff material. It would do more harm than good. I also do not want to see the Coyotes going to Hamilton. It would put a hamper on the business the Sabres do and draw revenue away from them. On top of that, there are cities that would explode if they had a new team. Winnipeg and Hartford would be the first two cities I could see. They would make sure they would never lose a team again.