[Elysium]

Well puck monkies another season has drawn to an end and fans of the 29 other franchises that didn't get to hoist the Cup this spring get to embark on the ever uttered "there's always next year." And what a show it will be.

NHL Entry Draft
First we have the week leading up to the draft (Friday). With the bevy of prime UFA talent set to hit the market, there are sure to be a number of draft picks getting moved for negotiating rights. However the big story (for 5 days that is) is who will Edmonton will take as the #1 pick. Do they take Hall just to force Boston's hand at the #2 pick (Kessel who? )? I'm hoping that the Sens can shore up their pick total by getting a third for Volchenkov's rights.

Free AgencyThen we have everybody's favorite holiday. Yes, Free Agent Frenzy is soon upon us. Did we all get our wishlists into the hockey gods? Perhaps when we awaken from whatever drunken Drewesque induced slumber at the crack of noon, we can see what presents our GMs have given us this year.

With names like Kovalchuk, Marleau, Volchenkov, Gonchar, Frolov, Niedermayer all hitting the market there is bound to be some fireworks. And incidentally, Moogs, looks like Ottawa and Pitt may end up with a swap by signing Gonchar and Volchenkov respectively.



The Giggle Tits Conspiracy
And then there's Spezza. Yes, Spezza the franchise 100pt center who's greatest abilities seemed to be setting up saucers for one-timers from the floater Doucher (Heatley) and playing peek-a-boo with the puck and the other teams blue line with oh-so-cute drop passes that invariably end up on the opponents stick and ultimately in the back of our net.

Well, turns out that the on going mess from last summer when Heatley pulled a power move and forced himself out of Ottawa when he realized he wasn't going to be captain any time soon has found itself a new poster child in Spezza. Apparently he just wasn't receptive to the critical boos from the fans on his home ice after being bounced from the playoffs.

Yes, the multimillionaire with the smoking hot wife, new baby, ridiculous home, and has a full time job playing hockey doesn't feel appreciated and asked to be traded. Albeit he recanted from that as an emotional decision after the playoff loss and states he is happy to come back, but is still receptive to being moved.

So now the interesting bit, Giggle Tits has reached his potential and can progress no further. He'll always be a high scoring turnover machine. However, this high scoring turnover machine has a NTC that kicks in on July 1st and he has shown that he is ready to bolt given the first sign of adversity.

So, now Murray is left with the unenviable task of trading a superstar for the second straight offseason. He doesn't need another Heatley scenario a year from now when Spezza wants out and uses his NTC to limit the return for the Sens. At least this time (for now) the Sens have all the leverage and can pick and choose their return (and it had better be a good one) rather than having their hand held to the fire by "SJ or bust" Heatley last year.

[Moogs]

Originally Posted by Elysium Well puck monkies another season has drawn to an end and fans of the 29 other franchises that didn't get to hoist the Cup this spring get to embark on the ever uttered "there's always next year." And what a show it will be. NHL Entry Draft I'm hoping that the Sens can shore up their pick total by getting a third for Volchenkov's rights.

You might get more than a 3rd for volchy, although my understanding is this draft is far stronger than the next one is supposed to be, particularly in the early rounds but who knows. Hoping the Pens re-sign Leopold relatively cheap because we gave up our 2nd for him and we're going to need someone reliable to replace Gonch or Eaton.

Originally Posted by Elysium Free Agency With names like Kovalchuk, Marleau, Volchenkov, Gonchar, Frolov, Niedermayer all hitting the market there is bound to be some fireworks. And incidentally, Moogs, looks like Ottawa and Pitt may end up with a swap by signing Gonchar and Volchenkov respectively.

Swap... you mean swap rights and sign? If you can't afford Volchy, you can't afford Gonch. His hit was $5M the last few years and evidently he is not thinking pay cut, which is why we won't be able to re-sign him. But I'd happily settle for Leopold and Volchenkov at $7M vs. Gonch at $6M. Or maybe Milan's brother and Leopold for $6M. Then we can go draft McIlrath so in 3 years you'll have Orpik, Despres, McIlrath all on teh same blueline. Heheheheh. That or maybe we luck out and Tarasenko falls to 20.

All I know is, we better end up with a top 6 that includes improvements over Guerin and Feds, and decent replacements for Gonch and Eaton, otherwise we're hosed.

Originally Posted by Elysium The Giggle Tits Conspiracy And then there's Spezza. Yes, Spezza the franchise 100pt center who's greatest abilities seemed to be setting up saucers for one-timers from the floater Doucher (Heatley) and playing peek-a-boo with the puck and the other teams blue line with oh-so-cute drop passes that invariably end up on the opponents stick and ultimately in the back of our net. Well, turns out that the on going mess from last summer when Heatley pulled a power move and forced himself out of Ottawa when he realized he wasn't going to be captain any time soon has found itself a new poster child in Spezza. Apparently he just wasn't receptive to the critical boos from the fans on his home ice after being bounced from the playoffs. Yes, the multimillionaire with the smoking hot wife, new baby, ridiculous home, and has a full time job playing hockey doesn't feel appreciated and asked to be traded. Albeit he recanted from that as an emotional decision after the playoff loss and states he is happy to come back, but is still receptive to being moved.

There has to be something wrong in the Ottawa room or something. I realize Heatley is a mega-douche but Spezza doesn't seem like the type.

[Elysium]

Originally Posted by Moogs You might get more than a 3rd for volchy, although my understanding is this draft is far stronger than the next one is supposed to be, particularly in the early rounds but who knows. Hoping the Pens re-sign Leopold relatively cheap because we gave up our 2nd for him and we're going to need someone reliable to replace Gonch or Eaton.

This year's draft is deeper, but next year's draft has better talent in the first with a sharp dropoff after. With only five picks left and no seconds Murray had better get on it.

Swap... you mean swap rights and sign? If you can't afford Volchy, you can't afford Gonch. His hit was $5M the last few years and evidently he is not thinking pay cut, which is why we won't be able to re-sign him. But I'd happily settle for Leopold and Volchenkov at $7M vs. Gonch at $6M. Or maybe Milan's brother and Leopold for $6M. Then we can go draft McIlrath so in 3 years you'll have Orpik, Despres, McIlrath all on teh same blueline. Heheheheh. That or maybe we luck out and Tarasenko falls to 20.

The problem with Volchenkov is that the organization will not sign him to a 5 year/ 25 million deal based upon his style of play.
It would kill the team. But to bring in Gonchar for 3 years/ $18 would be an enviable scenario. Too bad the cap space would be super tight trying to get Cullen to resign and bring in Zybnek to replace Volchenkov. The easiest solution would be to jettison Kuba.

There has to be something wrong in the Ottawa room or something. I realize Heatley is a mega-douche but Spezza doesn't seem like the type.

The sad thing is that the room in Ottawa has been cleaned up. The Cup run covered up a lot of problems.

- Former GM Muckler gutted the farm system in horrendous deadline deals for teams that underachieved and were badly outcoached under Martin.

- Murray got the team to play to it's potential (as the coach) and got them to the Cup. However, they ran into a wall in the finals, showing how soft and undisciplined the team was.

- Murray gets promoted to GM and Paddock, then the assistant coach and player's best friend becomes the new head coach. The team gets out to one of the best starts in history and then goes on an epic tailspin due to strife in the room, rumored drug addiction, and a coach that was unable to reign the players in. Paddock is fired, Murray steps back in to try and save the season, but is swept by the Pens in the first round.

- 2008-09 dawns with a new coach: well known hard-ass and systems guy that would certainly get the team back on track. Known headaches Emery and McGrattan (both Spezza pals) are removed (and the rumored party/drug lifestyle). Hartsburg procedes to overcoach and overwork his top line, while losing the rest of the team. The room is still broken, and he is fired. Clousten, the AHL Senators coach, is brought in to play out the remainder of the season on a cheap contract. The amazing thing is that he was able to pull the team together and had a positive win % by the end of the season. The only problem is that somebody was put on the 2nd powerplay unit and didn't like it (Heatley).

- 2009-10 was torpedoed before it even began with Heatley demanding a trade for reasons that he only knows but strongly hint that he was unhappy on being forced to work for his ice time and the fact that he wasn't going to be captain of the team. The uncertainty of his status led to a poor free agency period and ultimately resulted in the bad deal with SJ. But low and behold the team started out slow, but eventually gelled in the second half, securing the 5th overall seed in the East, and pushed the defending champs to the brink. The future was bright.

- And then there was Spezza.

[Elysium]

Looks like Niedermayer is retiring. Is Selanne going to bail too?

[Foj]

Originally Posted by Elysium And then there was Spezza.

I think the real reason Heatley wanted to leave was he was tired of Spezza's laugh.

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

And there was much anger when the deal with Edmonton went bust.

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

[Moogs]

With Nieds retiring you can pretty much bet Bobby Ryan isn't going anywhere.

Meantime Boston traded Wideman, the 15th pick and a pick next year for Horton and some other dude. Not sure about the gray matter between Horton's ears but if he can shape up this might make Boston a contender next year if they stay healthy. They have plenty of prospect depth too so doesn't really hurt them too bad. Although Florida now has 4 picks in the first two rounds I think which sucks. Don't want them to get better; want them to disappear.

[Moogs]

It's on like donkey kong dudes. Get your beer cracked open and get ready for the start of a good sports weekend with Rnd 1 of the draft tonight and soccer tomorrow!

[Foj]

Florida got a third first round pick from Vancouver.

edit: Could be a maybe from the audio feed I'm listening to.

[Elysium]

Well done Sather. McIlrath at 10?! Over Fowler and gormley?!

Fuck Campbell's gone!

[Elysium]

So Murray is still stockpiling the defense. Looks like we're going to have to trade for a forward.

[Moogs]

Murray you f&^%@ing bastard! Tarasenko was falling to the Pens as if by holy mandate, and you have to go and trade the pick to flippin St. Louis! Up yers!!

Oh well I think we have a potential home-run type pick in Bennett if he can take advantage of his time at the Univ. of Denver and bulk up a bit / round out his game against better competition. Certainly addresses a glaring need and has a skillset shooting the puck that you can't teach. Bit of a risk because he hasn't played against real competition but one of the best pure shooters in the draft so I'll take it. Just very glad we didn't pick Pyskyk or someone like that since we don't have a 2nd rounder (Leopold).

Also we traded Philly a 2011 3rd (not a big deal) for Hamhuis' rights, which is nice.

[Elysium]

Happy Canada day you Hosers! Free Agency is upon us in 2 hours.

Who is going to make the first splash this year?

Who is going to go bat shit crazy and overpay for somebody (Sather excluded)?

Still can't believe we couldn't get anything for Volchenkov's rights.

[Moogs]

Who is going to go bat shit crazy and overpay for somebody (Sather excluded)?

Whoever signs Kovalchuk or Gonchar, looking like. Hope it's not the Pens in either case.

[Elysium]

Looks like there was some truth to the Gonchar to Ottawa chatter after all.

$16.5/3 years w/ NTC

Meh.

Kuba is as good as gone.

Phillips - Gonchar
Kuba/UFA/Trade - Karlsson
Carkner - Campoli
Lee/Wiercoch/Cowen

Come on Little Z.

[Moogs]

That $5M+ hit hurts for a 3 year deal at his age, but I have no doubt he's going to have a big season for you offensively. Real question is what happens next season as he's slowing down a bit already.

[Moogs]

Z. Michalek to Pittsburgh. 5 years $20M. Nice. He's going to help our cause for sure on the blueline. Now to sign that Paul Martin guy. Go Shero, Go.

[Elysium]

Originally Posted by Moogs Z. Michalek to Pittsburgh. 5 years $20M. Nice.

Super signing there. I was hoping that Murray could get it done, but no he had to go and sign a breaking down Gonchar. Looks like we are going for the fast rebuild in the next year to make a Cup run for Alfie on defense until we promote all the kids (Wiecoch, Cowen, Rundblad, Gyrba, Smith).

[Moogs]

The chuks are loaded for bear on D... let me know when the trading starts.

[Moogs]

Brian Burke is officially an idiot. 3 years, $9M for Colby fucking Armstrong?! Are you kidding me? Guy has rookies who could make almost as big an impact for 1/3 the money.

[Elysium]

Burke has assembled the awesomest top 6 in the league:

Versteeg - Bozak - Kessel
Kulemin - Grabovski - Armstrong

Start planning the parade.



What is his plan really? He is signing random marginal talent with grit at overly high prices while plundering his prospect pool and wasting drqaft picks.

[Elysium]

Looks like Sid and Geno are going to get squat for wingers with all the cap space that is going to be tied up in the D.

Michalek: 4 million
Martin: 5 million
Letang: 3.5 million
O-prik: 3.75 million
Goligoski: 1.8 million
TBD: TBD
Lovejoy: 525K

Total: 18.5 million + TBD

Yikes.

[Moogs]

Shero definitely went big on D this time after our ridiculous playoff showing, and he went young which is huge. Lovejoy is definitely getting the 6th spot, Bortuzzo or another rookie will get the 7th. Can't afford anything else.

Martin - Michalek (holy shit)
Orpik - Letang
Lovejoy - Goligoski (styles match well but bound to give up some soft ones)
Bortuzzo

[Moogs]

Slats is rockin and rollin' signs Boogard for 4 years... McIlrath needs a mentor.

[Elysium]

And people thought signing Neil to 4 years / 2 million was bad.

Boogaard for 4 at 1.65 million each?! Wow that's awful.

[Moogs]

He really is a freakin' moron. I can't believe the Rangers continue sticking with him after so many unbelievably bad decisions. I guess that's what happens when you sell a ton of jerseys whether you finish first or last. No one cares upstairs. The Rangers are the Cubs of the NHL, except that they've actually won something in the last 100 years. They just want the money to flow. Everything NHL is based out of NY so Rangers get butt-loads of exposure, etc. Broadcast radio shows from the NHL Store, Rags jerseys everywhere. Hey... whatever works for ya!

[RowdyScot]

I liked the Versteeg pickup, but agree on WTF at the Armstrong signing.

[Elysium]

And I quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Burnside, ESPN Ah, it wouldn't be free agency if the Rangers didn't inexplicably blow their brains out and so we give you Derek Boogaard and his four-year deal worth $1.65 million annually. Ha, ha, ha. Worst contract of the day by a country mile. And the day's only half over. Take a bow Glen Sather, your reputation remains in tact.

[Elysium]

Since when did Sweet Lou become the love child of Slats and Garth Snow?

$150 million / 17 years for Kovalchuk?! Hello, 2nd lockout.


And in other news Stevie Y has hypnotic powers in that he got Gagne (1 year $5.25 million) for Matt Walker (bottom pair/reserve D) and a 2011 4th round pick.

Must be there was some truth to the rumors that he was going to hit waivers.

[kieran]

The entire league knew the Flyers were going to basically have to give up Gagne for nothing. Philly had no bargaining power.

I'm very disappointed in this trade. I loved Gagne here in Philly. This is one of those times that I hope a former Philly athlete comes back and does very well against his former team.

[Moogs]

Hard to think of Gagne as anything but a Flyer. He's just one of those guys I associate with the orange and black. I can't wish him well because it's always my fervent hope that Florida teams tank and the league relocates them to Winnipeg and Hamilton.

The Kovalchuk deal is a fucking disgrace. All these BS contracts to circumvent the cap have to stop. This guy will be lucky if he plays another 10 years, let alone 17. Dicks. This takes it to a whole new level. Hossa at 12 years was bad enough. Kovalchuk for 17?? Another reason to hate NJ.