Official NHL Thread: 2010-11 Season

[njdhockey]

In my mind, if the New Jersey Devils re-sign Ilya Kovalchuk with that deal, they're really crazy.

Why? If they do re-sign him, the Devils are over their salary cap and have to make trades to clear cap space (i.e. Patrik Elias).

And also, can Kovy help out and play defense too? I don't think so.

First, I'm not sold that this deal is going down. The person who reported it first was Mark Neverson of the Post. Hardly a credible source.

Secondly, I'd be fine with that figure. Lou has a lot of experience at making bad contracts go away. I could see a bad team taking on a contract like Rolston's if the Devils can package it with a prospect and pick for just about nothing in return. Only hard part is convincing Rolston but I'm sure it can be done. Other guys like Langenbrunner (I wish he was gone) and Zubrus may still be attractive to other teams. I like Salvador but I'm sure they could find a way to shed his salary. There are a lot of options Lou has and I think he'll find a way to make it work. I'd to see Elias go but I'm not worried about it. I don't see Lou getting rid of him. Plus this won't hinder them in re-upping Parise as a RFA at the end of the year to a long term deal.

I think the defense got better with Volchenkov and Tallinder coming in and letting Martin walk. If Greene truly did progress and maybe a young guy like Urbom can come in and make an impact they should be in decent shape.

Still the longer this drags on the more I'm getting nervous Kovalchuk isn't coming back. At firs this morning I saw the news, was glued to twitter, then all but expected to be made official...now I have no idea what to think.

[CanoForPresident]

First, I'm not sold that this deal is going down. The person who reported it first was Mark Neverson of the Post. Hardly a credible source.

Secondly, I'd be fine with that figure. Lou has a lot of experience at making bad contracts go away. I could see a bad team taking on a contract like Rolston's if the Devils can package it with a prospect and pick for just about nothing in return. Only hard part is convincing Rolston but I'm sure it can be done. Other guys like Langenbrunner (I wish he was gone) and Zubrus may still be attractive to other teams. I like Salvador but I'm sure they could find a way to shed his salary. There are a lot of options Lou has and I think he'll find a way to make it work. I'd to see Elias go but I'm not worried about it. I don't see Lou getting rid of him. Plus this won't hinder them in re-upping Parise as a RFA at the end of the year to a long term deal.

I think the defense got better with Volchenkov and Tallinder coming in and letting Martin walk. If Greene truly did progress and maybe a young guy like Urbom can come in and make an impact they should be in decent shape.

Still the longer this drags on the more I'm getting nervous Kovalchuk isn't coming back. At firs this morning I saw the news, was glued to twitter, then all but expected to be made official...now I have no idea what to think.

Who is moving the puck out of the back end for NJ? Marty?


Urbom isn't NHL Ready IMO (btw, is he really up to 6'4" 220?) but I guess crazier things have happened.

The latest rumor has Kovalchuk possibly headed back to Atlanta. Obviously, this is probably just for ................s and giggles but if that were to go down it'd be better than Jokinen going back to Calgary.

[njdhockey]

Who is moving the puck out of the back end for NJ? Marty?


Urbom isn't NHL Ready IMO (btw, is he really up to 6'4" 220?) but I guess crazier things have happened.

The latest rumor has Kovalchuk possibly headed back to Atlanta. Obviously, this is probably just for ................s and giggles but if that were to go down it'd be better than Jokinen going back to Calgary.

No one. In all seriousness, if they can go back to playing an aggresive forecheck it shouldn't end up being that big of a deal. Though I have no idea how they will play under Mac.

I never got a chance to see Urbom play but just going off of what a great year he had and Lou's comments I wouldn't be shocked to see him in NJ.

Tom Gulitti tweeted that rumor but said he couldn't confirm it. I just want this to end, I've been stuck on my computer all day waiting for something to go down.

[CanoForPresident]

No one. In all seriousness, if they can go back to playing an aggresive forecheck it shouldn't end up being that big of a deal. Though I have no idea how they will play under Mac.

I never got a chance to see Urbom play but just going off of what a great year he had and Lou's comments I wouldn't be shocked to see him in NJ.

Tom Gulitti tweeted that rumor but said he couldn't confirm it. I just want this to end, I've been stuck on my computer all day waiting for something to go down.

You can't forecheck the hell out of the other team if you can't get the puck out of your own end

The Kovalchuk saga has been pretty entertaining. I didn't pay much attention to it until a few days ago, but the last few hours of today should be fun.

[njdhockey]

You can't forecheck the hell out of the other team if you can't get the puck out of your own end

The Kovalchuk saga has been pretty entertaining. I didn't pay much attention to it until a few days ago, but the last few hours of today should be fun.

I'm really not too worried about it. If it becomes an issue than they can look into upgrading at the deadline. I like the direction Lou has taken so far in the offseason.

I'm really getting tired of sitting on twitter all day, Kovalchuk better sign soon. I hope that tweet by his agent wasn't just some sort of negotiation tactic.

[CanoForPresident]

Bob Probert passed away today at the age of 45, Holy ...................


http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=326672


RIP Bob

[Tifoso]

Wow, that is just tragic

Eternal rest grant unto him, o Lord...

[YanksFan1992]

Bob Probert passed away today at the age of 45, Holy ...................


http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=326672


RIP Bob

Awful news. Rest in peace.

[BroadwayBomber55]

Bob Probert is one of the greatest enforcers in NHL history.
Not only could fight, but also had two 20+ goal seasons.

Probert had great encounters with Tie Domi, Stu Grimson, Craig Coxe and Joey Kocur.

RIP Bob Probert

[BroadwayBomber55]

This is one of Bob Probert's famous scrums

[BroadwayBomber55]

UFA signings via TSN.ca

DATE NAME POS FROM TO Total Years Avg/Yr
Jul 5 Clark, Brett D Colorado Tampa Bay $3.2M 2 $1.6M

[BroadwayBomber55]

Get well soon Jacques Demers
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=326677

[BroadwayBomber55]

31 NHL players filing for salary arbitration including Chicago Blackhawks G Antti Niemi
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=326702

[Zimmers' Helmet]

RIP Bob Probert. Best enforcer I ever saw.

[YankeeGalSC]

RIP...45 is too young.

[RhodyYanksFan]

RIP Bob. Way too young.

[BroadwayBomber55]

Show Me the Money: St. Louis Blues lock up Jaroslav Halak to a 4-year, $15 million deal
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=326742

[BroadwayBomber55]

Carlo Colaiacovo re-signs with the St. Louis Blues: 2-year, $4.25 million
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=326716

[BroadwayBomber55]

Name change: GM Place, home of the Vancouver Canucks, renamed Rogers Arena
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=326764

[BroadwayBomber55]

Sergei Kostitsyn signs with the Nashville Predators: 1-year, $550,000
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=326765

[BroadwayBomber55]

July 6 signings via TSN.ca

DATE NAME POS FROM TO Total Years Avg/Yr
Jul 6 Stone, Ryan C Edmonton Calgary $500K 1 $500K

[CanoForPresident]

[YanksFan1992]

Perhaps he can have a press conference on Versus right after LeBron's.

[BroadwayBomber55]

Hilarious!

[RhodyYanksFan]

Name change: GM Place, home of the Vancouver Canucks, renamed Rogers Arena
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=326764

I prefer Canada Hockey Place like in the Olympics.

[BroadwayBomber55]

I prefer Canada Hockey Place like in the Olympics.

So do I.

[CanoForPresident]

Perhaps he can have a press conference on Versus right after LeBron's.

You know whats funny?

Apparently, Kovy's agent is trying to set up something similar with TSN for Friday

[BroadwayBomber55]

Recent signings via TSN.ca
DATE NAME POS FROM TO Total Years Avg/Yr
Jul 7 Niedermayer, Rob C New Jersey Buffalo $1.15M 1 $1.15M
Jul 6 Boulton, Eric LW Atlanta Atlanta $650K 1 $650K

[BroadwayBomber55]

More signings from Sportsnet.ca

Free Agent Signing Tracker
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl_signing_tracker/

[BroadwayBomber55]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl_signing_tracker/

Latest: Toronto signs Brett Lebda for 2 years (Total value N/A )

[njdhockey]

That Lohan pic is awesome! lol

Well apparently the Kings are saying no to Kovy...again....

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-...,3038803.story

General Manager Dean Lombardi ended his initial pursuit of the two-time 50-goal scorer Sunday but was "re-engaged" by Kovalchuk's agent, Jay Grossman. After crunching the numbers of a proposal sent Wednesday by Grossman, the Kings calculated they couldn't sign Kovalchuk and have salary cap space to retain the young players who are becoming the franchise's cornerstones.

Article also mentions he wants more money per year than what Ovechkin makes, asking for $10M/yr. At this point I'm just sick of the situation. Either go get the money in the KHL, convince Snow to give it to ya, or take what I am assuming is a very lucrative offer to play in NJ.

[RhodyYanksFan]

Nabokov leaves for the KHL.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...TJQ9wD9GQQI8O0

[ruthianblast]

Nabokov leaves for the KHL.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...TJQ9wD9GQQI8O0

The NHL may actually have some serious competition for the best players if the KHL continues to be built the right way and offering the kind of cash they seem to have.

[RhodyYanksFan]

The NHL may actually have some serious competition for the best players if the KHL continues to be built the right way and offering the kind of cash they seem to have.

Until they start taking players in the prime of their careers from the NHL I wouldn't be too worried. Yes Nabokov is a top tier goalie but he's also 35 and under the current CBA it's not fiscally smart to give that kind of deal/money to someone over 35. So we'll continue to see the Jagr's and Nabokov's head over there but I doubt they'll lure away top tier North American talent in their prime.

[RhodyYanksFan]

So...Kovalchuk on Versus tomorrow at 9 to talk about how he lost $40 million by turning down the Thrashers?

[BroadwayBomber55]

Calgary Flames hire former Tampa Bay Lightning GM Jay Feaster as assistant GM
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/...flames_hiring/

[BroadwayBomber55]

Latest FA signings
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl_signing_tracker/

[BroadwayBomber55]

Nikolai Zherdev signs with the Philadelphia Flyers
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=327099

[BroadwayBomber55]

The New York Rangers trade Aaron Voros and Ryan Hillier to the Anaheim Ducks for Steve Eminger
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=327096

[BroadwayBomber55]

Sportsnet.ca tracker: July 9

- Philadelphia signs Nikolai Zherdev for 1 year (Total value N/A )

- Edmonton signs Ben Ondrus for 1 year (Total value N/A )

- NY Rangers signs Dan Girardi (Total value TBD ) (Re-signing)

- Boston signs Mark Stuart for 1 year (Total value $1.675 million ) (Re-signing)

[BroadwayBomber55]

The San Jose Sharks sign Chicago Blackhawk D Niklas Hjalmarsson to a four-year, $14 million offser sheet.

The Blackhawks have seven days to match the offer or get compensation draft picks.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=327071

[CanoForPresident]

Grain of salt because everything reported on this so far has been untrue but...

Kovalchuk will sign with the LA Kings tomorrow

http://twitter.com/darenmillard


Makes sense. I got the sense that he didn't want to return to NJ and LA has been going after him hard.

[njdhockey]

Well the Kovalchuk fan hostage crisis situation is coming to an end. Best of luck to him out there.

[CanoForPresident]

Well the Kovalchuk fan hostage crisis situation is coming to an end. Best of luck to him out there.

Its probably for the best.

If you guys were really offering the deal that Brooks threw out there (I don't believe it because A. it was ridiculous and B. Kovalchuk would be dumb to turn it down), you dodged a bullet.

Devils have more glaring needs than Kovalchuk anyway. If I were Lou, I'd seriously consider making a run at Kaberle. You may even win a playoff series if that happened!

No but seriously, you'd be a legitimate cup contender with him in the fold.

[dabomb2045]

Always figured he'd end up in LA. Makes the most sense for him and the Kings.

[CanoForPresident]

Always figured he'd end up in LA. Makes the most sense for him and the Kings.

Puts them over the top. They've got a real nice mix of talent, size, and great support players up front. They've got the leader ship to hold it together as well.

They've got enough cap flexibility to make a deal for a rental on the blue line as well (and they'll need one.) Quick and Bernier should be good enough to win them a bunch of games too.

Lombardi has done a marvelous job building that team.

[njdhockey]

Its probably for the best.

If you guys were really offering the deal that Brooks threw out there (I don't believe it because A. it was ridiculous and B. Kovalchuk would be dumb to turn it down), you dodged a bullet.

Devils have more glaring needs than Kovalchuk anyway. If I were Lou, I'd seriously consider making a run at Kaberle. You may even win a playoff series if that happened!

No but seriously, you'd be a legitimate cup contender with him in the fold.

I'd love to add Kaberle but I just don't see how the Devils matchup to make that deal. Lou and Burke do have a great relationship though, who knows what may happen.

Kovalchuk wasn't a necessity but would definitely make me feel better about this team heading into the year. As it stands right now I see it being another mediocre year.

[CanoForPresident]

I'd love to add Kaberle but I just don't see how the Devils matchup to make that deal. Lou and Burke do have a great relationship though, who knows what may happen.

Kovalchuk wasn't a necessity but would definitely make me feel better about this team heading into the year. As it stands right now I see it being another mediocre year.

Tedenby+1st?

I don't think Burke is going to get much more value than that for one year of Kaberle. I guess it depends on how high Burke is on Tedenby.

[BroadwayBomber55]

Um, not yet. The L.A. Kings deny reports that they signed Ilya Kovalchuk today.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=327346

[CanoForPresident]

Um, not yet. The L.A. Kings deny reports that they signed Ilya Kovalchuk today.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=327346

Matter of time.

Kovalchuk didn't fly out to LA for the weather and a free meal.