2009 NHL off-season trades, rumours, draft thread

Dunno why, EF. Kessel has acted like a bit of a diva, and seems to want more money than the headache is worth, and by headache, I mean it overrides his obvious talent IMO.

 

Pictures like this make me happy.

 

Did they present Obama with a jersey?

Nice to see a clean-shaven Crosby. Playoff facial growth isn't for everybody, Sid.....take heed.

The guy in the top left-hand corner looks a bit stunned. Did he take a butt end to the temple right before the picture was taken?

 

They did give Obama a jersey -- No. 44, with the "C" of course. (Found a pic and added it above.)

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09254/997201-61.stm
http://www.post-gazette.com/multimedia/?videoid=102279

Was listening to NHL Home Ice on XM today, and I guess when the Hurricanes won it, they couldn't find a date that worked before the season. When they visited the White House, it happened in February. Probably not the best of ways to hit the White House, visiting the past during the following season. From what I gather, the Penguins were able to really enjoy their trip to Washington today.

p.s. Malkin does look a little dumb-founded, doesn't he? He's always good for comedy relief. Check him out on the video at about the two-minute mark.

 

Wasn't absolutely sure that was Malkin. Yep, he's different!

 

Mike Comrie is an Oiler. Interesting to say the least.

 

Now the Oilers fans get to boo him every night.

Wonder what Beef thinks about this.

 

Beef's not thrilled, but he's philosophical, having noted that the Flames just invited the newly reinstated Theo Fleury to camp.

 

Do not like the signing of Comrie at all. Forget how it ended the first time (my first question to him if I was Edmonton media "So do you still think the Edmonton Oilers are run by a Communist regime?"), I'm looking at the here and now. They have more than enough small forwards capable of scoring 55 points. Plus it's not like he helps out in the face off circle or kills penalties. All this does is eat up what's left of their cap space, limiting what they can do money-wise if they need to make a trade, and it possibly hurts the development of one of several young forwards either currently on the roster (i.e. Cogliano, Nielson, Gagner) or trying to break through (i.e. Schremp, Brule, Eberle -- although Eberle would be best served by one more year in Regina with another World Jr. run). It's also not like he's an offensive upgrade over Horcoff, so he will not push him off the first line. If they were to sign anyone -- keeping in mind who is available at this point -- I would have preferred a defensive centreman who kills penalties and can win faceoffs and won't bitch and complain about being on the fourth line, but can also play the third line in a pinch, someone like maybe Blair Betts. Just throwing his name out there because he popped to mind.

I don't understand this at all. Kevin Lowe said it gives Quinn the option of putting together three scoring lines and one checking line, although I'm not sold on the quality of those three scoring lines, plus the last time the Oilers tried going with more skill than checkers they ended up with an infirmary full of small skilled players with no enforcers to keep the other teams honest. They still have to find a spot for the Great Stortilini and he sure as shit ain't playing on a scoring line or a shut down defensive line.

 

I'm guessing Quinn and Renney will keep him in line and I'm sure Comrie knows he's down to his last chance. Coming home was probably the only option he had. Better work his ass off and keep his mouth shut.

 

My guess is this an ownership decision and not Lowe's or Tambellini's

 

My understanding is Katz's ties to the Comries are limited. i don't even think Bill Comrie (Mike's dad) lives in Edmonton anymore, by the sounds of things on the radio yesterday. It sounds like this is a Lowe/Tambellini venture, an effort to boost their offence. My concerns are already listed above.