2011 NHL off-season thread

[JonnyD]

Blackhawks send Campbell to Florida for Rostislav Olesz.

Campbell's 5 years and 7.15 million cap hit per year are magically transformed into 3 years and 3.13 million cap hit.

Unfortunately, a fantastic defensive group is now looking might ordinary. Or at least not elite.

 

[Sea Bass]

This probably won't go over well with the Leafs' faithful, but Burke cracks me up everytime I see him. Granted, I don't seem him often.

Burke has spent three years in Toronto and looks like he's aged 20.

 

[Liut]

This probably won't go over well with the Leafs' faithful, but Burke cracks me up everytime I see him. Granted, I don't seem him often.

Burke has spent three years in Toronto and looks like he's aged 20.

It's so ironic you mention this. I was thinking the same thing tonight.

Early on, the TSN guys are going through all Boston got in the Kessel trade and the network cuts to a shot of Burke sitting hunched over at the Leafs' table. Later, he sidesteps Duthie's questions with short answers, even later concluding with a quip looking into the camera. I can't pinpoint why, but I really like the guy.

The Biggs kid looks good. That team needed to add some gonads.

 

[HanSenSE]

San Jose sends Devin Setoguchi, who was signed to a 3-year, $9M deal on Thursday, to Minnesota along with Charlie Coyle (their No. 1 pick last year) and this year's No. 28 pick for Brent Burns.

 

[Liut]

San Jose sends Devin Setoguchi, who was signed to a 3-year, $9M deal on Thursday, to Minnesota along with Charlie Coyle (their No. 1 pick last year) and this year's No. 28 pick for Brent Burns.

And the fans in St. Paul seemed pretty clueless who the Wild were getting, this after the obligatory assoholic Bettman gesture prior to annoucing it.

My initial take is Wilson sure gave up a lot, but he's got to roll the dice. Time is running out on the Sharks.

 

[Liut]

The clock is ticking on Fletcher's tenure, too.

 

[Herbert Anchovy]

The Americanization of the Leafs continues.

 

[HC]

This probably won't go over well with the Leafs' faithful, but Burke cracks me up everytime I see him. Granted, I don't seem him often.

Burke has spent three years in Toronto and looks like he's aged 20.

Given his personal tragedy, I'm not surprised.

 

[Liut]

It would seem Ottawa did really well, but how long before Bryan Murray is put out to pasture? I'm not so sure coaching has been the main problem with the Sens.

 

[NickMordo]

San Jose sends Devin Setoguchi, who was signed to a 3-year, $9M deal on Thursday, to Minnesota along with Charlie Coyle (their No. 1 pick last year) and this year's No. 28 pick for Brent Burns.

I'm so happy that he is out of San Jose. He was the biggest thorn in the Red Wings' side the past two postseasons.

 

[Mark2010]

Hard to evaluate a draft immediately.

 

[Liut]

A couple of Pierre progs.......
Larsson: "He's the steal of the draft."
Couturier: "Years from now, they will be asking how he was drafted this low."

 

[Liut]

Finally official. Ryan Smyth back to the Oilers. Kings receive Colin Fraser and a seventh-rounder this time next year.

 

[mb]

Realignment is coming. And it's gonna be a big one.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/06/22/nhl-maps-out-major-changes

 

[RagingCanuck]

So would you go
Pacific:
Canucks
Sharks
Kings
Ducks
Oilers
Flames
Coyotes

Midwest:
Jets
Wild
Stars
Avalanche
Blues
Blackhawks
Predators?/Blue Jackets?

South:
Panthers
Lightning
Hurricanes
Capitals
Blue Jackets?/Predators?
Flyers
Penguins
Wings

East:
Leafs
Canadiens
Bruins
Sabres
Rangers
Islanders
Devils
Senators

Or do you switch the Stars into the South and move the Wings or the other of the Predators/Blue Jackets back to the midwest? Half the reason for the realignment is that the Wings want into the Eastern Conference. Calling it the South kind of hamstrings you and leads to the situation where you've got a team on the Canadian border in the South.

 

[mb]

There's no way they can go with that as the division names, is there? Because good luck coming up with a 7- or 8-team "South" division without looking stupid.

 

[mb]

Here's a map. Good luck.

/kill the Atl for the Wpg

 

[Armchair_QB]

Realignment is coming. And it's gonna be a big one.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2011/06/22/nhl-maps-out-major-changes

So they're basically going back to the format was in place about 25 years ago. Just with different names for the conferences & divisions.

 

[mb]

A: Edm, Cal, Van, SJ, LA, Ana, Pho
B: Wpg, Min, Chi, CBJ, Nsh, StL, Dal, Col
C: Bos, Mtl, Ott, Tor, Buf, Pit, Det
D: NYR, NYI, NJ, Phi, Was, Car, TB, Fla

 

[Beef03]

If they go four divisions, bring back the old names, or even new names -- Gretzky/Pacific, Howe/Midwest, Orr/East, Esposito(or something else, first four names off the top of my head)/South. I always loved the historical names, separated the league from every other pro league out there.

Or what they could do, if they are leaning to a balanced schedule, go two 15-team conferences, top eight form each make the playoffs. Maybe that's too simple for the NHL though.