Your 2007 Canada Day Thread

[Belanger25 3]

Brad Stuart to LA now...what the hell are they doing?Visnovsky, Blake, Jack Johnson, Preissing, and now Brad Stuart?They basically have to be trading someone, no?*Edits* Tverdovsky is still signed for this season at $2.5mill as well. Oh right, they resigned Jaro Modry too.

Tverdovsky has been rumored to either taking a contract in Russia or he will be sent to Manchester. If he is sent to Manchester his 2.5 million dollar contract will not count against Los Angeles' cap. So that is a big relief. Most likely Kevin Dallman will be in the 7th position as he will not cost as much as say Peter Harrold or Brian Boyle. Basically in my opinion the Kings are setting themselves up for a defense ofJohnson-BlakeModry-VisnovskyPreissing-StuartNow you have to admit that is a strong top six when it comes to defenseman. Almost every defenseman in that pairing can play another role. Now after next year Blake should get a reduced contract down from the six million he is currently making. Visnovsky will most likely take over his money and be paid from 6-7 million per year as it comes to a cap hit. I cannot see Modry playing any longer as Peter Harrold will then make his common place on the LA Blue Line. Even Richard Petiot may play in that position. Stuart of course will have to be resigned long term but with Lombardi it would not surprise me if the Kings are not heading towards the playoffs is he trades him and Ladislav Nagy for as many draft picks as he can. Lombardi says a lot that he wants two younger players, two middle guys, and two kids. With this it looks like he has Blake and Modry as older guys Stuart Preissing and Visnovsky as middle and Johnson as a young guy. Soon he will consider Visnovsky as an older player.

Belanger to Minny..Another jersey for Scott

The first words that came through in a text message to a friend as he left me the news was "****". As much as I believe that Belanger will be a fantastic fit in the Jacques Lemaire defense first system and because he likes playing as a third liner better lets see where he goes.On the other hand unlike Carolina, Nashville or Atlanta the Minnesota Wild are one of the hardest teams to get their game worn jerseys from. Mostly they are priced way too expensive at the team store and because of that they do not hit the Game Worn Hobby like others. Also auctions are a way Minnesota offers their jerseys which has some high prices in charity auctions as well.My bank account is weeping already.If any of this does not make sense I'm kind of buzzed partially drunk. Let me know tomorrow and I'll edit.

[ajs510 122]

So not only did Buffalo let Drury and Briere get away, but now they're blown $2.6 million resigning Teppo Numminen...far more than any other team in the league would have given him (not that it matters anymore if they save cap space or not). I don't get Darcy Regier this week. I don't get him at all. It's not that Numminen isn't a decent defenseman, but he just gets slower and slower every year. I don't see the purpose of spending the cash on him when they could have had better talent in Free Agency. First person that says "loyalty to the player" is getting punched right in the cock.

[nell789 0]

So not only did Buffalo let Drury and Briere get away, but now they're blown $2.6 million resigning Teppo Numminen...far more than any other team in the league would have given him (not that it matters anymore if they save cap space or not). I don't get Darcy Regier this week. I don't get him at all. It's not that Numminen isn't a decent defenseman, but he just gets slower and slower every year. I don't see the purpose of spending the cash on him when they could have had better talent in Free Agency. First person that says "loyalty to the player" is getting punched right in the cock.

Yeah, but the sabres have great loyalty to their players.Do it gently, and I might return the favour.

[coesillian 0]

here is an audio stream explaining the downfalls of signing in Montreal because of taxes.

[MapleLeafpoker 1,462]

Dear Dale,We tried Shanahan, he's not interested. I gotta tell you, Im gettin pretty sick of this crap.Would you accept Slava Kozlov? He wants 12mill over 3 years.Let me know, thanks.your pal,Bob Gainey

COME ON DALE! Only $333,333 more per year and your team would have had Slava! I told you 12mill over 3yrs would have gotten it done.Kozlov signs for 3yrs, 12million

[digitalmonkey 929]

COME ON DALE! Only $333,333 more per year and your team would have had Slava! I told you 12mill over 3yrs would have gotten it done.Kozlov signs for 3yrs, 12million

Nah, players usually re-sign for less than it takes to lure them to abother city.

[MapleLeafpoker 1,462]

Nah, players usually sign for less than it takes to lure them to Montreal.

FYP.

[ajs510 122]

Jocelyn Thibault is now a Buffalo Sabre. I think I would have preferred Conks, personally.They also resigned Andrew Peters and Michael Ryan. I really like Ryan, but I don't understand only giving him a 1 year deal if "Michael is a young player who is ready to play full-time at this level," said Regier. "He continues to develop and will be an important part of our club next season." If that's the case, then why not give him a 3 year deal rather than see him have a Pominville-like season and then bolt for another club and more money next summer?I really don't get Darcy Regier this summer. Not at all. Peters really isn't necessary, the role of the enforcer gets smaller every year but they still gave him a 2 year deal.

[Zach6668 513]

Thibault played very well for the Pens down the stretch.It's interesting he signed there because there was talk of him wanting to go somewhere where he could at least contend for the number 1 job.

[digitalmonkey 929]

Jocelyn Thibault is now a Buffalo Sabre. I think I would have preferred Conks, personally.They also resigned Andrew Peters and Michael Ryan. I really like Ryan, but I don't understand only giving him a 1 year deal if "Michael is a young player who is ready to play full-time at this level," said Regier. "He continues to develop and will be an important part of our club next season." If that's the case, then why not give him a 3 year deal rather than see him have a Pominville-like season and then bolt for another club and more money next summer?I really don't get Darcy Regier this summer. Not at all. Peters really isn't necessary, the role of the enforcer gets smaller every year but they still gave him a 2 year deal.

I don't think Regier got stupid all of a sudden therefore you have to believe his hands are tied by the higher ups.

[doox 15]

Thibault can be great, but there have to be special conditions. He can't start more than twice in a row, and if you ever tell him that he's going to stay in net while he's playing well, he'll immediately drop to an 80% save percentage. Limited appearances, and he'll be solid.

[ajs510 122]

I don't think Regier got stupid all of a sudden therefore you have to believe his hands are tied by the higher ups.

Golisano and Quinn tying his hands on the budget doesn't really explain giving a largely superfluous player (Peters) a two year contract and a highly regarded offensive prospect (Ryan) only a one year deal, opening the door so he can leave the team as a UFA next season if he has a big year.

[digitalmonkey 929]

Golisano and Quinn tying his hands on the budget doesn't really explain giving a largely superfluous player (Peters) a two year contract and a highly regarded offensive prospect (Ryan) only a one year deal, opening the door so he can leave the team as a UFA next season if he has a big year.

Perhaps the Ryan camp only wanted a 1-yr contract.

[ajs510 122]

Perhaps the Ryan camp only wanted a 1-yr contract.

Smart on their parts then, dumb for Buffalo to give it to them. If Ryan was highly sought after this summer he'd have been swimming in offers, they should have imposed *their* will on him while they had the opportunity. I dunno, I'm just frustrated with my team.

[Fenxis 99]

Comrie getting $3.375 to go to the Island for a year.Was kind of hoping that he was waiting around for the team to sort out Gerber before coming back to the Sens but I can understand them passing on him (esp since they don't need centers). Guerin would have been a better fit but hey, there's no way they could have signed him for 4.5m @ 2 years (unless the cap jumps again next year).

[digitalmonkey 929]

Smart on their parts then, dumb for Buffalo to give it to them. If Ryan was highly sought after this summer he'd have been swimming in offers, they should have imposed *their* will on him while they had the opportunity. I dunno, I'm just frustrated with my team.

Understandable, but you guys still have some good young players that will step up and there are still some free agents available. Vanek, Pomminville and Afinogenov are three quality players.

[ajs510 122]

Understandable, but you guys still have some good young players that will step up and there are still some free agents available. Vanek, Pomminville and Afinogenov are three quality players.

Yeah, but I'm seeing them make the same mistakes with Roy that they made with Briere last season. Why let the guy go to arbitration when you know you're just going to get fucked in the process, when you could sign him to a long term deal he'll be happy with for less money?It would be nice to see them learn a lesson, is all. If he gets all the way to the hearing, then no matter what the Sabres can't sign him to a long term deal until Jan. 1st.

[serge 904]

Yeah, but I'm seeing them make the same mistakes with Roy that they made with Briere last season. Why let the guy go to arbitration when you know you're just going to get fucked in the process, when you could sign him to a long term deal he'll be happy with for less money?It would be nice to see them learn a lesson, is all. If he gets all the way to the hearing, then no matter what the Sabres can't sign him to a long term deal until Jan. 1st.

I hate to see Buffalos demise, but oh well.Still offering even money bets...Leafs vs Sabres more pts in Regular season..22 pts was the difference last year..Do you think the Sabres have gotten that much worse...Step right up...

[rinswun 6]

I hate to see Buffalos demise, but oh well.Still offering even money bets...Leafs vs Sabres more pts in Regular season..22 pts was the difference last year..Do you think the Sabres have gotten that much worse...Step right up...

i'll take the bet for $25 serge.

[ajs510 122]

i'll take the bet for $25 serge.

I'll match.

[serge 904]

you are both on

[7s7c 0]

I still say the NYR shouldn't have signed Gomez. They should have kept the Czechs intact up top, signed Drury and re-signed Shanny to play on the 2nd line, added another role player to the bottom 6, added a decent 3-4 d-man and took care of Lundqvist and Avery and bam...done

[Jason12 0]

Thats a huge contract for Vanek.....no wonder the Sabres let Drury and Briere go.http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=212929&hubname=Vanek is good, but I dont think he's 7 million a year good.