2008-2009 NHL Offseason Thread

[Cujo]

Great news...Hasek's retiring (again)!

It would be great news if he'd actually stay away from the game this time.

Sadly, I'm sure "The Dominated" will come out of "retirement" again, just in time for the 08-09 season.

[PeytonManningRocks]

Great news...Hasek's retiring (again)!

It would be great news if he'd actually stay away from the game this time.

Sadly, I'm sure "The Dominated" will come out of "retirement" again, just in time for the 08-09 season.

Haha I wouldn't be surprised, what's this his second or third "retirement"? Hasek must be the Roger Clemens (w/o roids) of hockey.

[habsfan1]

Great news...Hasek's retiring (again)!

It would be great news if he'd actually stay away from the game this time.

Sadly, I'm sure "The Dominated" will come out of "retirement" again, just in time for the 08-09 season.

Haha I wouldn't be surprised, what's this his second or third "retirement"? Hasek must be the Roger Clemens (w/o roids) of hockey.

Yeah, I guess you guys are right. But what's the point if he's going to remain a backup?

[Cujo]

Great news...Hasek's retiring (again)!

It would be great news if he'd actually stay away from the game this time.

Sadly, I'm sure "The Dominated" will come out of "retirement" again, just in time for the 08-09 season.

Haha I wouldn't be surprised, what's this his second or third "retirement"? Hasek must be the Roger Clemens (w/o roids) of hockey.

Yeah, I guess you guys are right. But what's the point if he's going to remain a backup?

To win another ring, of course!

Let's just hope Hasek doesn't keep all his championship rings hidden inside his truck console...

[Lee.]

Great news...Hasek's retiring (again)!

It would be great news if he'd actually stay away from the game this time.

Sadly, I'm sure "The Dominated" will come out of "retirement" again, just in time for the 08-09 season.

Haha I wouldn't be surprised, what's this his second or third "retirement"? Hasek must be the Roger Clemens (w/o roids) of hockey.

Yeah, I guess you guys are right. But what's the point if he's going to remain a backup?

To win another ring, of course!

Let's just hope Hasek doesn't keep all his championship rings hidden inside his truck console...

BUT NO ONE EVER LOOKS IN THE CONS

*goes to the car to move the iPod*

[Lee.]

The Canucks are going to need to add some scoring, but damn if I know how they're going to do it. There are a few UFAs out there, but the top ones like Hossa are going to be out of reach. Hossa especially is going to get big dollars after proving he can deliver in the playoffs this year. I wouldn't be surprised to see someone offer him over eight million. The middle of the road UFAss like say, Demitra, may not help all that much.

Trade wise, the Canucks are in a bad spot as all their veteran d-men have no-trades, and I don't know that you want to give up a Bieksa or Edler in a trade, especially given the Luc Bourdon tragedy.

Theres a chance we might see a dramatic change of direction with the new GM and see the twins traded, but you'd have to replace two top-six forwards then, and realistically the canucks need two more even if they keep the twins.

I'm operating on the assumption that Naslund is done in Vancouver. Morrison may be brought back, if his demands are reasonable. His injury problems and being a home town guy might make him more affordable than he otherwise would be.

Nazzy's gone, and Morrison won't get much more than 1.5-1.75M if he comes back. Combine Nazzy's $6.5M and a savings of $1.5M on Mo, and there's Hossa money right there.

As far as the defense, this is the Canucks' strength. They've got the big 5 in Mitchell (should be the next C), Salo, Ohlund, Bieksa and Edler, plus Krajicek, Miller, and (likely) MacIver in the next 3. They can easily trade one of them (I'd prefer to move Bieksa over Edler, but that's me) for help up front.

As far as the twins... who can say. As second line players, they're great, but I don't think they can handle the pressures of being #1 and 1a night after night. Unless Gillis can find a power winger who can dig in the corners then go clear the front of the net, I don't know what the answer is here.

And let me say this- keeping Kesler after Philly put out an offer sheet is the best thing the Canucks did. This guy is a shutdown player, who still has the potential for 20-25 goals a season as a checker. One of the best pests that western Canada has seen since Esa Tikkanen.

edit: Rolston is a FA, correct? I'd target him, definitely. 30 goals a season is nothing to sneeze at.

[FiddySicks]

Great news...Hasek's retiring (again)!

It would be great news if he'd actually stay away from the game this time.

Sadly, I'm sure "The Dominated" will come out of "retirement" again, just in time for the 08-09 season.

Haha I wouldn't be surprised, what's this his second or third "retirement"? Hasek must be the Roger Clemens (w/o roids) of hockey.

Yeah, I guess you guys are right. But what's the point if he's going to remain a backup?

To win another ring, of course!

Let's just hope Hasek doesn't keep all his championship rings hidden inside his truck console...

yeah, i think that definitely deserves post of the day.

[DarkJourney]

Ron Wilson to to be Leafs new coach

[Korbyn]

Looks like the Leafs are going to win the cup this year now . . .

Former Sharks coach expected in town tomorrow to sign deal where his career began

Jun 09, 2008 04:30 AM

Kevin McGran

Sports Reporter

Ron Wilson's first head coaching job was with a no-talent expansion team in Anaheim. Next up was a team that was perennially out of the playoffs in Washington. Then he took over a San Jose club that was in disarray, one that would undergo a GM change two months after he was hired.

He figures he's ready for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Wilson will be in town this week, likely tomorrow, to put his signature on a four-year deal ? believed to be worth $5.6 million ? to coach the club he broke into the NHL with in the 1977-78 season.

"I've been a Toronto Maple Leaf fan my whole life," said Wilson, reached in Hilton Head, S.C. "I was lucky enough to have played for them for a short period of time, and how many kids when they're 7 or 8 years old dream to be a Toronto Maple Leaf and wish they could wear No.14 and eventually do that?"

Wilson, 53, was the only coaching candidate interim GM Cliff Fletcher had contacted, and the Leafs were the only team Wilson spoke to after he was fired by San Jose.

"I think he'll do a great job," said Fletcher, reached in Phoenix. "He's got a great track record. I fully believe he's the right man for the job at this time.

"He's one of the most experienced coaches in the business. He's on the cutting edge when it comes to using computers and coaching. But more important is his track record of working with young players, which will be the key for us."

Fletcher had given Wilson until today to accept or reject the Leaf offer, made last week. Wilson said he needed time to make a clear-headed decision, not an emotional one, after being fired by the Sharks. In the end, the lure of the Leafs ? despite their record in recent years ? was too strong.

"An opportunity to coach a team, an Original Six team, is very intriguing to me," said Wilson. "It's a team that I began with, I kind of feel like I might have an opportunity to complete the circle. A team that maybe right now is ... in a little bit of disarray. And I've functioned very well in helping those teams get on the right path.

"With what lies ahead for the Leafs, having to go a lot younger, and all the situations that are going to happen with transition, I think I've been able with my experience to kind of navigate through all that.

"Hopefully I can get the Leafs turned around in short order."

Wilson holds the Sharks' coaching records for wins (206), winning percentage (.535) and post-season games coached (52). He has a 518-446-127 career record. He also coached the U.S. to the 1996 World Cup of Hockey title.

As a player, Wilson reached the NHL in an unconventional manner for the time, emerging from the U.S. college ranks. Though born in Windsor and raised in Fort Erie, Ont., he played at Providence College in Rhode Island, where he began a life-long friendship with current Anaheim GM Brian Burke.

The speedy Wilson played parts of three seasons with the Maple Leafs, four more with the Minnesota North Stars and made frequent forays to play in Europe.

But it was as a coach, especially forging a relationship with and developing young players, where Wilson made his mark.

He's proud of his time with the Ducks, bringing them into the playoffs in their fourth year, and was thrilled to take the Capitals to the Stanley Cup final in 1998. But it's with San Jose that Wilson draws the analogy to the current Leaf squad. Dean Lombardi hired him in December 2002 and Lombardi was gone within two months.

"The team was kind of in turmoil," said Wilson. "By the time the following season came around, we had an entirely different lineup and basically had to ... go through the same kind of process: Go from a veteran team to a very young team and try to be as competitive as possible. I thought we accomplished that."

His ties to Burke will only increase speculation that Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is simply waiting for Burke's contract to expire with the Ducks next season, allowing the two friends to be joined in running the show in Toronto.

Wilson said he did not talk to Burke about the Leaf job, but did talk to friends around the league and was perfectly comfortable being hired by an interim general manager while the hockey executive's suite was being rebuilt.

"I don't see that as being a problem," said Wilson. "I think the Leafs are headed in the right direction."

[charger77]

Sounds good to me Korbyn!

-Dan

[Wheelhouse]

Most bat insane rumor out of Pittsburgh so far: Penguins trading Evgeni Malkin to the LA Kings, possibly in some package deal for Anze Kopitar and Jack Johnson. Apparently Pierre McGuire has mentioned it once or twice. Of course it will never happen, but it has the Pens' boards going crazy with the idea of adding Kopitar, Johnson, and possibly retaining Hossa without having to worry about Malkin signing an extension. The sticking point is what Kopitar would eventually command on the open market and whether we could retain him. So dumb.

You have to love watching rabid fans pick up on something so clearly out of the question and run with it.

[charger77]

Wheelhouse,

Stir things up even more and say that the Kings will throw in Frolov too.

-Dan

[Wheelhouse]

I'm almost positive it's already been mentioned.

[PeytonManningRocks]

Most bat insane rumor out of Pittsburgh so far: Penguins trading Evgeni Malkin to the LA Kings, possibly in some package deal for Anze Kopitar and Jack Johnson. Apparently Pierre McGuire has mentioned it once or twice. Of course it will never happen, but it has the Pens' boards going crazy with the idea of adding Kopitar, Johnson, and possibly retaining Hossa without having to worry about Malkin signing an extension. The sticking point is what Kopitar would eventually command on the open market and whether we could retain him. So dumb.

You have to love watching rabid fans pick up on something so clearly out of the question and run with it.

That would be awesome if we could get Malkin (though I don't want Kopy to go), but there's no way it's gonna happen.

[ferrousoxide66]

Most bat insane rumor out of Pittsburgh so far: Penguins trading Evgeni Malkin to the LA Kings, possibly in some package deal for Anze Kopitar and Jack Johnson. Apparently Pierre McGuire has mentioned it once or twice. Of course it will never happen, but it has the Pens' boards going crazy with the idea of adding Kopitar, Johnson, and possibly retaining Hossa without having to worry about Malkin signing an extension. The sticking point is what Kopitar would eventually command on the open market and whether we could retain him. So dumb.

You have to love watching rabid fans pick up on something so clearly out of the question and run with it.

If i'm a Pens fan, i'd do that in a heartbeat. Kopitar/Johnson and the ability to keep Hossa (and eventually Staal) in town, just for Malkin? Done and done.

[Lee.]

Most bat insane rumor out of Pittsburgh so far: Penguins trading Evgeni Malkin to the LA Kings, possibly in some package deal for Anze Kopitar and Jack Johnson. Apparently Pierre McGuire has mentioned it once or twice. Of course it will never happen, but it has the Pens' boards going crazy with the idea of adding Kopitar, Johnson, and possibly retaining Hossa without having to worry about Malkin signing an extension. The sticking point is what Kopitar would eventually command on the open market and whether we could retain him. So dumb.

You have to love watching rabid fans pick up on something so clearly out of the question and run with it.

If i'm a Pens fan, i'd do that in a heartbeat. Kopitar/Johnson and the ability to keep Hossa (and eventually Staal) in town, just for Malkin? Done and done.

This is one of the few times I'll probably agree with you. One young star for two? Done and done.

[Shane Does Art]

Most bat insane rumor out of Pittsburgh so far: Penguins trading Evgeni Malkin to the LA Kings, possibly in some package deal for Anze Kopitar and Jack Johnson. Apparently Pierre McGuire has mentioned it once or twice. Of course it will never happen, but it has the Pens' boards going crazy with the idea of adding Kopitar, Johnson, and possibly retaining Hossa without having to worry about Malkin signing an extension. The sticking point is what Kopitar would eventually command on the open market and whether we could retain him. So dumb.

You have to love watching rabid fans pick up on something so clearly out of the question and run with it.

If i'm a Pens fan, i'd do that in a heartbeat. Kopitar/Johnson and the ability to keep Hossa (and eventually Staal) in town, just for Malkin? Done and done.

This is one of the few times I'll probably agree with you. One young star for two? Done and done.

I wasn't going to say anything but I want to keep the "Done and done" train a rollin'.

I concur. Done and done.

[Neon_Matrix]

Am I the only one who thinks Kopitar/Johnson have more value together than JUST for Malkin? Both have superstar potential and I think in the long term trading those two for one player who is not worth it. They'd have to throw in someone else (the Pens) in order to make it a little more... fair. I'd even suggest Staal AND Malkin for Kopitar, Johnson and either a goaltending prospect (which isn't Bernier) or another D prospect.

[Brass]

Phanuef to grace cover of NHL 09.

[Shumway]

Phanuef to grace cover of NHL 09.

Not a bad choice, although there might be a better one. Clearly, you could argue for essentially any star out there. I do, however, like that it's only the 2nd defenseman (Pronger in 2000...I'm not counting '96 with Stevens as it wasn't just him featured on the cover). I'd love to see another goalie someday. Actually, I wish I could get my hands on a Swedish version of NHL 08, with Zetterberg on the cover.