NHL Season 08-09

[Arnwulf]

I'm calling it now, Hossa to Chicago.

Edit: I just read that on TSN's site so I'm not just pulling it outta my rear end.

[Arnwulf]

Also just read that Ohlund signed a 7 year deal with Tampa Bay averaging 3.5mil/yr.

[Sepukku]

I'm calling it now, Hossa to Chicago.

Edit: I just read that on TSN's site so I'm not just pulling it outta my rear end.

Is he insane? Does he want to have to pay for extra private 24/7 security? Thatd be 2 cities he'd have bat shit insane angry at him.

[Arnwulf]

Basically means Chicago feels they aren't going to be keeping Havlat, that's for sure. Someone on another board brought up an interesting point as to how they'll manage next year's free agency when they have Kane, Toews and several other big name players scheduled to become UFA. They could be looking at the same situation Calgary is in if they're not careful.

[Arnwulf]

Very early information, but reportedly Hossa is all but signed in Chicago, 6years/60mil. AND Havlat possibly coming to Columbus.

[Richybear]

Little bit off on the terms, Arn.
Chicago: Hossa 12yrs / $60m
Colorado signs goalie Craig Anderson to a 2 year deal for $3.8m

So with alot of the big names out of the way, the Oilers will be left trying to scramble together an offer for Alexandre Daigle.
... oh wait, he shot us down 10 years ago too.

[Arnwulf]

Yeah, it's 12 years / 60mil, front loaded with 53 mil in the first 7 years.

[Brill Weave]

Hi, we aren't Phoenix.
Our season tickets have been sold out since before the run to the Finals in 2006.
The city itself may be small in population compared to the US, but to say we're a small market with a low fanbase is pretty wrong. Hell, we even have a lottery within a lottery to see if you have a chance at buying mini passes to games.

Granted there's been the smudge on the city since the whole Chris Pronger thing, which ok, he asked for an out like a douchebag (Odd that we're thinking of chasing Heatley when he's doing the same to Ottawa) and fans here set his house ablaze.
But hockey dominates the city.
It's like golf is around Tiger Woods, the attention always goes back to him, no matter where he is in the hunt. Sure there's other shit happening, but the main focus will always be the one thing around here, hockey.
Ask Joffrey Lupul how passionate our fans were for the one season he lasted here.

You're reading a bit too much into my statement there little guy. I didn't imply that Edmonton had a bad fanbase. I said that I could see why he nixed the deal. Having just left Ottawa, another smaller city, why would he want to immediately go and take a trade to another smaller Canadian city? I would have hoped after contributing to this thread as long as you have and as much as I have, you would have thought a little better than to think me that ignorant lol. It's Edmonton.

For the record though so you don't have to stand on the Yay Edmonton soapbox anymore, yes the Oilers have a fantastic fanbase. No they do not have the population of say, New York, but not many cities do. I believe that Heatley is interested in playing in a large media town where he can get enough exposure to rival the other big names in hockey. And no offense to Edmonton, but that's just not going to happen there. And you can't argue with me on that one. It's just a fact. I like the Oilers, I always have. But they just don't have the drawing power when it comes to free agents, like they used to.

[Norelco]

Once again the Sabres do nothing in the FA market...picking up tablescraps.

[Brill Weave]

I hear Ales Kotalik is available!

[Ishido]

Capgeek has Hossa at 12 years/62.4 mil. Chicago also signed fellow Slovak from Detroit Tomas Kopecky at 2 years/2.4 mil, which is overpaying if I've ever seen it.

Chicago is going to be fucked next year if they sign anyone more. Kane, Toews and Keith all have expiring contracts and they would be insane to give any of those guys up. I'm guessing they will be trying to ship someone out from among Hossa, Kane, Toews, Keith, Campbell, and Huet.

[Norelco]

I hear Ales Kotalik is available!

F U!

Actually, looks like Buffalo picked up Steve Montador from Boston. Big whoop.

[Norelco]

Capgeek has Hossa at 12 years/62.4 mil. Chicago also signed fellow Slovak from Detroit Tomas Kopecky at 2 years/2.4 mil, which is overpaying if I've ever seen it.

Chicago is going to be fucked next year if they sign anyone more. Kane, Toews and Keith all have expiring contracts and they would be insane to give any of those guys up. I'm guessing they will be trying to ship someone out from among Hossa, Kane, Toews, Keith, Campbell, and Huet.

I would expect them to unload Campbell by either the trade deadline next year or July 1st next year.

Their goal is probably a legit shot at a deep cup run again this year, and if they fail start unloading.

[Arnwulf]

TSN says that Edmonton has a huge black eye from the whole Chris Pronger ordeal and big players just don't want to play for them. That being said, I can still see Danny Heatley getting traded there, he hasn't nixed the deal, just asked for some time to think about it, or see if a better team comes calling.

[Richybear]

Brill, sorry this was all taken out of context. No offence. Besides, you were the only one that acknowledged who Jason Bonsignore was in one of my posts forever ago. lol
Just sorta get defensive at the anti-Edmonton stuff. Not necessarily from you, but just that the market has been plagued by the likes of Pronger etc.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not an Oilers fanatic (Hell, if they didn't have Gagner, I'd still loathe them for trading Smytty in the slap-in-the-face deal to NYI a couple seasons ago.)

See, I guess with Heatley, he wanted out of Atlanta because they focused more on the car crash that ended Dan Snyder's life, and not on the on-ice game he brings. No offence Dany, but a homicide sorta takes priority there, especially in a non-hockey environment like Atlanta. So he went to Ottawa and wants out now. Just not bad enough to come here apparently.

And now that Roli has signed with the LOLanders, I'll be afk buying equipment and going for a tryout. LOL

In other news, my Habs are starting to scare me. Kovalev and Koivu will be on the outs, as well as Komisarek. TSN was saying that Saku might be looking at Minnesota to play with his younger brother (no-brainer) and potentially Anaheim because of Selanne. All they have left at this point is Gomez's retarded contract and nobody for him to really play with. Kostitsyns aside, they don't have much else. Plekanec hasn't taken his offer yet, Schneider probably won't be back and neither will Tanguay.


Could be worse though, I could be a Leafs fan.

[Brill Weave]

F U!

Actually, looks like Buffalo picked up Steve Montador from Boston. Big whoop.

Figured that would get a chuckle at least lol. And I completely agree on Campbell being the on to get traded sooner or later. While I do think he's a good player, his contract is going to end up being what gets him moved. I will admit I'm surprised Chicago went so high at 5.5 for Hossa considering Detroit's offer was what, 4 million?

[Arnwulf]

Some people saying that Hossa's contract might not get approved with the NHL due to it being 53mil in the first 7 years and then the last 3 years are only 3.5mil total. NHL has rejected similar contracts before.

[Brill Weave]

It's cool richy, I can see where my comments may have been misconstrued. Even with Gomez's disgusting contract, Montreal still has a lot of cap room don't they? I wouldn't be surprised if they made a move on Cammelleri or Antropov to play on Gomez's line. Though I still don't think they are out of the running for Gaborik. But since Hossa is off the market and the Sedins are gone there really aren't too many big name reliable forwards left aside from Cammelleri and Antropov. You have a few guys that are worth taking a flier on like Mike Comrie. But most of the other guys left are either aging(Sundin) or are risky as fuck(Hi2u Gaborik.)

I know someone is going to end up tossing Petr Sykora more money than he's worth. Which if that's the case I will wish the guy luck. He played well here and was a class act even with his self imposed media blackout after he was scratched almost the entire playoffs. He's still got some gas in the tank but I don't see him making much more than 2 million per year.

OH MY GOD NORELCO! Buffalo could sign Sykora and Satan to skate with Connolly the 12 games he plays this year!!

Sorry lol. I couldn't resist a Connolly dig. For the record though I love the Sabres picking Kassian with the 13th pick. The guy can score and he plays with an edge. He's going to end up being a hell of a hockey player.

[Norelco]

OH MY GOD NORELCO! Buffalo could sign Sykora and Satan to skate with Connolly the 12 games he plays this year!!

Sorry lol. I couldn't resist a Connolly dig. For the record though I love the Sabres picking Kassian with the 13th pick. The guy can score and he plays with an edge. He's going to end up being a hell of a hockey player.

Connolly's 4.5 per year contract is a joke for the amount of games he plays. Dude has skills but he's made of glass.

No thanks on Satan. Never want him back.

We wanted Orpik so badly last summer but our stupid GM said afterwards that he didn't even try because he figured Orpik would want too much...WTF?

[Ishido]

Figured that would get a chuckle at least lol. And I completely agree on Campbell being the on to get traded sooner or later. While I do think he's a good player, his contract is going to end up being what gets him moved. I will admit I'm surprised Chicago went so high at 5.5 for Hossa considering Detroit's offer was what, 4 million?

Detroit's offer was 4 because they only have ~3.3 under the cap with like 3-4 players to sign. His market value is over 6. I'm surprised he went so low as 5.5 when just a year ago he had offers rumored at 8. Then again this way he's not stuck in Chicago, other teams will be willing to take this contract, I don't think anyone would trade for an 8 million dollar contract unless it was Malkin or Ovechkin.