The NHL Off-season

[Shane Does Art]

I've decided that I might as well start the Off-season thread since we are starting to see more re-signings and new GMs.

So bring on the Trades, Free agent signings, Rumours, and those jerseys with the new players name on it like liast year.

[Shane Does Art]

I've realized there's no where to start with this thread so I'll say what i think should be done with the senators.

ok In Management leave it as is

Keep Hasek, Everyone in Ottawa is calling him a baby but they werent saying that when he was one of the best goalies in the league at the beginning of the year, so bring him back and we'll see what happens. Emery did good in the playoffs so i would just let him play more regular seasons games as a Backup.

In defence this is a close call for me. I say trade anton Volchenkov for a good Offensive defenceman. that could replace Wade Redden cause you can always come acrosss a good offencive, smart D-man like wade. It's not everyday you come across 6 foot 9 physical prescence like Chara. phillips is ok in the regular season but plays much better come playoff time. and keep schubert and Meszaros.

Ok now up front. Sign JOe Sakic for that good old canadian leadership. And Either trade ALfredsson or demote him from Captain to Alternate captain and give the C toJoe Sakic.

Re-sign Schaeffer amazing on the boards, Havlat's injury kept him off of on amazing season. re sign spezza. Get rid of Varada and his 1.2 million price tag. Im sure theres more people i would re-sign but my toast is ready.

[BJ Sands]

My Hawks need at least three good forwards and some veteran blue liners. Problem is, who would want to play for them?

They also needed to bring back Pat Foley but they couldn't even manage that, so expecting upgrades on the ice is pretty unreasonable.

[Eye]

The other day the 'Yotes resigned CuJo to a 1 year deal. Not a bad move at all, he still might have some left in the tank and if he doesn't, it's only a 1 year deal so it won't hurt the Coyotes too much if it doesn't work out.

[Fred T. Jane]

I've realized there's no where to start with this thread so I'll say what i think should be done with the senators.

ok In Management leave it as is

Keep Hasek, Everyone in Ottawa is calling him a baby but they werent saying that when he was one of the best goalies in the league at the beginning of the year, so bring him back and we'll see what happens. Emery did good in the playoffs so i would just let him play more regular seasons games as a Backup.

In defence this is a close call for me. I say trade anton Volchenkov for a good Offensive defenceman. that could replace Wade Redden cause you can always come acrosss a good offencive, smart D-man like wade. It's not everyday you come across 6 foot 9 physical prescence like Chara. phillips is ok in the regular season but plays much better come playoff time. and keep schubert and Meszaros.

Ok now up front. Sign JOe Sakic for that good old canadian leadership. And Either trade ALfredsson or demote him from Captain to Alternate captain and give the C toJoe Sakic.

Re-sign Schaeffer amazing on the boards, Havlat's injury kept him off of on amazing season. re sign spezza. Get rid of Varada and his 1.2 million price tag. Im sure theres more people i would re-sign but my toast is ready.

Mein Gott, no.

(1) I've got plenty of angst toward Hasek at the moment, but John Muckler should have known that schmuck Hasek would do something like this if he was hurt. I'm not going to even get into the move for Tyler Arnason. You gave up Bochenski for that malcontent? *sigh*

(2) I love virtually all NHL players from Slovakia, but they all to a man do a vanishing act in the playoffs. I just don't get it. Marian Hossa? Feared sniper in the regular season, on a milk carton come playoff time. Zdeno Chara? Norris-calibre defenceman during the regular season, invisible in the postseason. I say keep Wade Redden, and get some value for Chara. Unlike you say, you can't just find an offensive defenceman just anywhere. Defencive specialists? They're a dime a dozen. Just ask the Philadelphia Flyers...

(3) Heck no to Sakic. You're going to have to move Alfredsson if you sign him just to clear out Cap room, much less to keep the locker room calm. I'd rather move Alfredsson to get someone younger, with the same scoring touch, but a lot tougher. In the vein of redeeming Dany Heatley, I'd roll the dice and try to get Todd Betruzzi from Vancouver in a deal for Alfredsson.

Now, I already hear the cries from here, but think about it. You bring him in and don't even put a letter on his jersey (I'd give the C to Redden, and make Spezza and Phillips alternates), and just ask him to be a big mean scorer and relax, as you won't be giving him any tangible responsibility. Betruzzi, in top form, would be a wash in the offensive department, but a large upgrade in the physicality department in comparison to Alfredsson. For Betruzzi, it would be a badly-needed change of scenery, as well as keeping him in Canada, which helps in the ongoing civil case by Steve Moore.

The problem with Ottawa is how you're going to give them the moxie to win the Stanley Cup without wrecking the team chemistry. The front office has already seen that they needed a new voice behind the bench (Which I think was 100% correct, as Bryan Murray did a lot more to have the team to play to their talents rather than the trap-and-dump tactics of Jacques Martin), a new goalie (jury's out on this, though Lalime's performance in St. Louis proved moving him was correct), and now needs to change the locker room voice. I'd much rather see them make a Captain out of someone on the team already rather than bring in someone from the outside, not matter who they are.

[Shane Does Art]

You make very good points and i think what you,ve said here is actually a good idea except for the Hasek issue, I think he's our key and i feel mucler will keep him and maybe this will be our year.

Because think of it it was i think october - november that toe save he made on the leafs while he was on his back.

[BCBoy]

Canucks off-season:

1: Need a new bench boss: Looks like Alain Vigneault may be new coach. Before the draft we'll need a coach for sure, so Nonis better make up his mind soon.

2: Trade Bertuzzi. He's a very talented player but plays when he wants to and can't play any sort of defence. A change of scenery would help him too. This would clear up some cap space to get blue collar/hard working players because the problem with the Nucks this season was that we'd get outplayed in many of the games, despite having more talent than the opposition.

3: Most important part: DO NOT TRADE DRAFT PICKS. The Canucks are one of the worst teams at drafting players and getting good, young talent. If you look at the teams left in the playoffs, they all have a bunch of young talent.

[Fred T. Jane]

Canucks off-season:

1: Need a new bench boss: Looks like Alain Vigneault may be new coach. Before the draft we'll need a coach for sure, so Nonis better make up his mind soon.

2: Trade Bertuzzi. He's a very talented player but plays when he wants to and can't play any sort of defence. A change of scenery would help him too. This would clear up some cap space to get blue collar/hard working players because the problem with the Nucks this season was that we'd get outplayed in many of the games, despite having more talent than the opposition.

3: Most important part: DO NOT TRADE DRAFT PICKS. The Canucks are one of the worst teams at drafting players and getting good, young talent. If you look at the teams left in the playoffs, they all have a bunch of young talent.

*Hypnotizes Canucks Front Office*

"You will trade Betruzzi for Alfredsson straight up.

[Squeaks4]

The Coyotes need to...uh...not suck.

[steiny_ramone]

Leafs need to trade their entire roster for that of either the Sabres or the Oilers.

[HedleyLamarr]

Canucks off-season:

1: Need a new bench boss: Looks like Alain Vigneault may be new coach. Before the draft we'll need a coach for sure, so Nonis better make up his mind soon.

2: Trade Bertuzzi. He's a very talented player but plays when he wants to and can't play any sort of defence. A change of scenery would help him too. This would clear up some cap space to get blue collar/hard working players because the problem with the Nucks this season was that we'd get outplayed in many of the games, despite having more talent than the opposition.

3: Most important part: DO NOT TRADE DRAFT PICKS. The Canucks are one of the worst teams at drafting players and getting good, young talent. If you look at the teams left in the playoffs, they all have a bunch of young talent.

Just curious....how long have you been a fan of DJ Shockley?

Now onto the Thrashers' needs:

1. Defense: The team needs a good mix of defensive-minded bangers and speedy, offensive skaters. The team needs to re-sign their top defenseman from last season in Nic Havelid. Garnett Exelby was steady defensively and is the team's best natural hitter. Steve McCarthy and Greg de Vries were the two best offensive D-men from last year. Andy Sutton isn't top-2 D-man material, but he'll hit you and score some goals; he just needs consistancy. Waddell needs to find a way to get rid of Modry and/or Hnidy. Let's see if Coburn or Kloucek are NHL-ready.

2. Goalie: When he's healthy, Lehtonen is solid and gives the team a chance to win each game, especially when the spotlight is on him. Michael Garnett showed that he is able to handle playing in the NHL, with having back-to-back shutouts against playoff teams New Jersey and Montreal. If either happens to injure a groin (seems like everyone did) or something, the team still has depth at goalie.

3. Forwards: Unless Savard tell his agent he is willing to get a hometown discount to stay, he's probably not going to be in a Thrashers sweater next season. But the Thrashers still have Holik and Jim Slater, will likely re-sign Patrik Stefan, and use either Serge Aubin or Derk MacKenzie for the energy and grinding lines.

These are the players the Thrashers currently have under contract: Kovalchuk, Hossa, Holik, de Vries, Kozlov, Sutton, Modry, Slater, Hnidy, and Exelby; totaling about $28 million after all the quirks of the cap are settled.

[Brendan]

BC boy i like the start but heres mine Canucks off season

1. Hire a coach Alain Vigneault will probaly get the job, though i would like a guy with experience like Ted Nolan or Andy Murry.

2. Re Sign The Brother line aka Daniel Henrik Sedin and Anson Carter. Let Jovo walk unless we can get him in the 4.5-5.5 million range let him go he can be liable on D and is injury prone bring Luc Bourdon in he will be great.

3. Trade Bertuzzi, Dan Cloutier and Brendan Morrison who are all over payed. Heres some trades i've been thinking of Trade Cloutier and a 3rd round pick for Martin St. Louis, Morrison and Burtuzzi to Washington for a first. Trade Cloutier to the Lighting for a 1st

4. Draft a centre then are lots rated in the first, draft one.

5. Sign a center like Marc Savard and a Goaile who can split the season with Auld.

[Roger Clemente]

Mighty Ducks....

Uh........resign everyone.........face better opponents in the playoffs.

--Roger "Time?" Clemente.

[CityOfWalrus]

My Hawks ------------ Problem is, who would want to play for them?

Nikolai Khabibulin

[BCBoy]

Canucks off-season:

1: Need a new bench boss: Looks like Alain Vigneault may be new coach. Before the draft we'll need a coach for sure, so Nonis better make up his mind soon.

2: Trade Bertuzzi. He's a very talented player but plays when he wants to and can't play any sort of defence. A change of scenery would help him too.  This would clear up some cap space to get blue collar/hard working players because the problem with the Nucks this season was that we'd get outplayed in many of the games, despite having more talent than the opposition.

3: Most important part: DO NOT TRADE DRAFT PICKS. The Canucks are one of the worst teams at drafting players and getting good, young talent. If you look at the teams left in the playoffs, they all have a bunch of young talent.

Just curious....how long have you been a fan of DJ Shockley?

Now onto the Thrashers' needs:

1. Defense: The team needs a good mix of defensive-minded bangers and speedy, offensive skaters. The team needs to re-sign their top defenseman from last season in Nic Havelid. Garnett Exelby was steady defensively and is the team's best natural hitter. Steve McCarthy and Greg de Vries were the two best offensive D-men from last year. Andy Sutton isn't top-2 D-man material, but he'll hit you and score some goals; he just needs consistancy. Waddell needs to find a way to get rid of Modry and/or Hnidy. Let's see if Coburn or Kloucek are NHL-ready.

2. Goalie: When he's healthy, Lehtonen is solid and gives the team a chance to win each game, especially when the spotlight is on him. Michael Garnett showed that he is able to handle playing in the NHL, with having back-to-back shutouts against playoff teams New Jersey and Montreal. If either happens to injure a groin (seems like everyone did) or something, the team still has depth at goalie.

3. Forwards: Unless Savard tell his agent he is willing to get a hometown discount to stay, he's probably not going to be in a Thrashers sweater next season. But the Thrashers still have Holik and Jim Slater, will likely re-sign Patrik Stefan, and use either Serge Aubin or Derk MacKenzie for the energy and grinding lines.

These are the players the Thrashers currently have under contract: Kovalchuk, Hossa, Holik, de Vries, Kozlov, Sutton, Modry, Slater, Hnidy, and Exelby; totaling about $28 million after all the quirks of the cap are settled.

Since the start of the 2005/06 college football season.

[ROCHitman]

Sabres

Must re-sign Jay McKee.

Acquire blueline depth via trade.

Get value from Marty Biron.

[CMUBrent]

Red Wings will look at a number of starting goalies

IMO, the Wings should look at an upgrade in starting goaltending. Legace is a fine goaltender in the regular season, but hasn't been able to turn excellent regular seasons into excellent playoff performances. I know, the rest of the Wings didn't exactly play that well during the playoffs, but I saw a lot of soft, back-breaking goals allowed against Edmonton. Also, I don't believe that Osgood is the answer for starter either.

I imagine either Ozzie or Legace will return as a backup, and the Wings will go after one of the goalies listed. I definitely wouldn't mind seeing either Luongo or Giguere in the red and white next year.

As for the rest of the team, I wouldn't mind seeing Shanahan leave. I'm getting tired of seeing him score 30-40 goals during the regular season, then disappear off the face of the earth during the playoffs.

[HedleyLamarr]

Red Wings will look at a number of starting goalies

IMO, the Wings should look at an upgrade in starting goaltending. Legace is a fine goaltender in the regular season, but hasn't been able to turn excellent regular seasons into excellent playoff performances. I know, the rest of the Wings didn't exactly play that well during the playoffs, but I saw a lot of soft, back-breaking goals allowed against Edmonton. Also, I don't believe that Osgood is the answer for starter either.

I imagine either Ozzie or Legace will return as a backup, and the Wings will go after one of the goalies listed. I definitely wouldn't mind seeing either Luongo or Giguere in the red and white next year.

As for the rest of the team, I wouldn't mind seeing Shanahan leave. I'm getting tired of seeing him score 30-40 goals during the regular season, then disappear off the face of the earth during the playoffs.

Think Babcock will make an extra effort to be reunited with Giguere?

[HedleyLamarr]

Since the start of the 2005/06 college football season.

That's cool. He'll be hard-pressed to make the Falcons roster, but I'd never count him out. I think he's a better QB than Russell....

[CMUBrent]

Red Wings will look at a number of starting goalies

IMO, the Wings should look at an upgrade in starting goaltending. Legace is a fine goaltender in the regular season, but hasn't been able to turn excellent regular seasons into excellent playoff performances. I know, the rest of the Wings didn't exactly play that well during the playoffs, but I saw a lot of soft, back-breaking goals allowed against Edmonton. Also, I don't believe that Osgood is the answer for starter either.

I imagine either Ozzie or Legace will return as a backup, and the Wings will go after one of the goalies listed. I definitely wouldn't mind seeing either Luongo or Giguere in the red and white next year. 

As for the rest of the team, I wouldn't mind seeing Shanahan leave. I'm getting tired of seeing him score 30-40 goals during the regular season, then disappear off the face of the earth during the playoffs.

Think Babcock will make an extra effort to be reunited with Giguere?

I would be surprised if he didn't. Babcock probably knows Giguere and what he can do better than any other member of the Wings.