Flyers and Blackhawks jump out to early series leads
The Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks have taken a one game to none in their Conference Final series…the Hawks winning a close, hard-fought battle of the goalies, while Philly flat-out B-slapped the Habs.
After spotting the Boston Bruins a 3-0 lead in the first period of Friday night’s game-seven, the Flyers have scored 10 straight goals. Four came against the Bruins to complete their historic come-from-behind series win, and the all six Sunday night as they shut out the Montreal Canadiens to open the series.
Flyers defenseman Braydon Coburn scores in the first period during Philadelphia 6-0 route of the Montreal Canadiens Sunday night (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)
Impressively enough, all six of the goals scored came off the sticks of six different Flyer skaters. Braydon Coburn… remember him?… James van Riemsdyk, Danny Briere, Simon Gagne, Scott Hartnell and Claude Giroux each netted one in the 6-0 beat down of the Canadiens.
Jaroslav Halak was chased halfway through the second period after allowing 4 goals on 14 Flyers’ shots. Flyers goalie Michael Leighton stopped all 28 he faced and he has turned aside 94 of the 98 shots taken against him since coming on to relieve the injured Brain Boucher in game five of the Bruins series, (.959 SV%).
As bad as this was for the Habs, I wouldn’t count this team out. They were outscored 17-9 in games two, three and four to fall behind 3 games to 1 against Washington in the opening round, then stormed back to win three consecutive to upset the President’s Trophy Winning Caps. They trailed 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 in their series against the defending cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins…but won games six and seven.
That being said…Philly has looked more like a top-seed then a seven-seed this past weekend.
Earlier in the day the Chicago Blackhawks got by the Sharks out in San Jose 2-1 behind Antti Niemi’s 44-save gem.
“He’s been good for us all year”, Blackhawk’s forward Kris Versteeg said of his Goalie. “Everyone seemed to be doubting him except us. We’re confident in him”.
However, Versteeg admitted that the skaters in front of Niemi have to step up their defensive play by adding, “We have to give him a lot more help than we did tonight”.
After Jason Demers’ power play goal gave the home team an early lead in the first period, Patrick Sharp tied the score in the second and then Dustin Byfuglien netted the game-winner at the 13:15 mark of the third.
Although there were only 3 goals scored in the game there were a total of 85 shots taken. Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov stopped 38 of 40 while Niemi allowed just one on 45 San Jose shots. Niemi is now 9-4 during the playoffs with a .918 SV% and 2.44 GAA.
Jonathan Toews had an assist in the win and his 21 overall points leads all skaters so far in the post-season, as do his 15 assists.
Both series will resume Tuesday night.
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118 comments Add your comment
Brendan
May 16th, 2010
11:45 pm
I wished the NHL staggered the games, so that we get one each night. I don’t understand why they are playing both series on the same day. Great Game One, for Chicago. Philly’s still on fire. That’s 5 wins in-a-row.
kracker
May 16th, 2010
11:51 pm
I agree Brendan! Insanely poor scheduling, maybe they will go night-by-night hereafter.
Two good games tho…a tight one in San Jose and a bit of a spanking in Philly. It’s only one game in each series, nobody’s celebrating yet. Well, maybe a little.
JLH
May 16th, 2010
11:57 pm
The problem with the scheduling is venue availability…… The league wanted to begin the western conference on Saturday but the San Jose arena had been scheduled months in advance….. Both teams play again on Tuesday and the alternate night schedule begins on Thursday and continues for the remainder of the semifinal games……..
Nate
May 17th, 2010
7:07 am
Great game to watch yesterday between the Hawks and Sharks. The series is gonna be awesome to watch. Go Hawks! On the downside, Firebirds was dead yesterday. I will definitely be trying TJ’s next time.
World Be Free
May 17th, 2010
7:48 am
It would have been nice to have had a game Saturday night. I had to watch the Thrashers’ finale against Pittsburgh Saturday!
World Be Free
May 17th, 2010
7:51 am
The Flyers have more questions in goal than answers. Bocher played great and he got hurt, now Leighton is making the saves in net. I wonder if Philly is considering resigning one or both of these guys for next season and NOT persuing a goalie in the off season?
That would be one less team in the mix for the available goaltenders.
steve
May 17th, 2010
8:06 am
Nate,
I was up at TJ’s last Saturday watching Pens/Habs. It was DEAD.
NOBODY was there. Just giving you an fyi. Service was great though.
kracker
May 17th, 2010
8:22 am
If there’s a game on Saturday, perhaps a TJ’s Rawhide fueled gathering will put some people in there. And get Lisa or Sean to alert the fan club members. What do you think RH?
World Be Free
May 17th, 2010
8:31 am
Any news on whether Carter is coming back for the playoffs?
Brendan, still think Philly management has painted the Flers into a corner, but it’s a good corner right now! Pronger was invisable during parts of the season, but he looks so dominant right now. Great on the back end, initial passes out of the defensive zone and a tremendous wrist shot.
What about Montreal? They fire Bob Gainey for his off season moves and now they are in the hunt because of those moves! Reminds us of the mid 80’s when the Habs fired Irv Grundman (spelling), replaced him with Serge Savard and they won the Stanley Cup! Savard smoked a cigar and celebrated on someone else’s work!
Funny how that happens.
Rawhide
May 17th, 2010
8:37 am
kracker – A TJs gathering Saturday is a great idea…Philly will be playing in Montreal. However, I’ll be watching my oldest tax exemption’s graduation ceremony that day.
kracker
May 17th, 2010
11:01 am
Ah, ok Bill, that will be a nice day for you and the family.
If anyone wants to go to TJ’s on Saturday, count me as part of the group.
R. Stroz
May 17th, 2010
11:40 am
Has anyone else noticed the Thrashers haven’t re-signed any of their NHL level UFAs or RFAs?
For the Thrashers, the season ended a month ago…tick..tock…tick…tock
Seems like off season procrastination all over again.
Dwayne
May 17th, 2010
11:49 am
I’d give RD a pass on signing some (maybe not all) of the ufa’s/rfa’s at this point, I believe he wants to have a Coach in place, could be risky if he does not get who he wants. remember…I.D.W.T.
Red Light
May 17th, 2010
11:55 am
Gainey resigned, uh sort of, was not fired.
“I believe that the GM position requires a long-term vision and a long-term commitment,” Gainey said. “At this point I’m not prepared to make a commitment of four, or five, or six more years in this position. The decision between leaving a little too early or staying a little too long — between those two choices I prefer to leave a little bit too early. I’ve done my best. Now it’s time for me to pass the torch.”
Injury updates from the Philadelphia Inquirer
Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren vehemently denied a report that Jeff Carter, sidelined with a broken foot, would return by Game 3. Holmgren said it was “a stretch” to think that Carter would return in this series. . . . Montreal defenseman Andrei Markov missed the game with a knee injury and may not play in the series.
Red Light
May 17th, 2010
12:16 pm
There have been 21 contract signings since the 1st week of April in the NHL and only three were roster players during the 2009-10 season, and all are goalies. (Lehtonen, Gustafsson and B. Johnson).
But, if you want to be proactive, why wait?
World Be Free
May 17th, 2010
12:18 pm
Red Light-I think there’s more behind the series in Montreal than we see. I believe Gainey was told he would be fired if he did not step aside. Neither side wanted the public display, so Gainey took one for the team. A long term commitment is what is required for any GM position.
Stroz-not many UFAs have resigned anywhere, so I am not so concerned at this point. So many other teams have major cap issues; the Thrashers have no such issues. I am certain Duds is sitting back waiting to see who will be available either by trade or by UFA. Thrashers should be looking at Dennis Siedenberg, after passing him over last season.
World Be Free
May 17th, 2010
12:29 pm
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/33533-Fantasy-Pool-Look-Ducks-Thrashers-offseason-report.html
I believe it was noted when he was hired, that Dudely had been in contact or would soon be in contact with all the Thrashers’ UFAs. I would like to see every one of the desired UFAs signed by now, but I am not (yet) losing any sleep over it. 45 days until free agency starts, if there’s no change in 30 days, well then I’ll take note.
I think Max would be the most important UFA. Max has goals and relative youth, the combination of which could be difficult to replace. Nik, Max and Bergfors is a pretty good line.
Red Light
May 17th, 2010
12:33 pm
I’m going back to another post I made a week or so ago and have revised it. How many European d-men are currently playing in the Stanley Cup Semi-Finals?
Timonen, Krajicek, Hjalmarsson, Hamrlik, Spacek and Wallin.
World: I like Seidenberg a lot, but we have too many Euros as it is!
kracker
May 17th, 2010
1:05 pm
Dwyane…shouldn’t that read ‘I.D.W.W.T.’? – In DW We Trust? Sorry…
Rawhide
May 17th, 2010
1:09 pm
If I’m not mistaken, the Thrashers normally do not re-sign anyone this early on. Last year the first re-signing was Marty reasoner…and that didn’t happen until June.
Besides, there is no real rush. Let the new coach come in and give his assessment of whom he would/would not like on the team. If a player like…oh I don’t know…say Colby Armstrong doesn’t fit into the new “system”, then why have him anchored here for a couple seasons?
World Be Free
May 17th, 2010
1:16 pm
Red Light-I agree, sort of.
Siedenberg’s game is more North American.
What about Hamhius?
MB
May 17th, 2010
1:44 pm
Interesting that two of the key components in the trades that helped the Thrashers to their one and only playoff berth are now facing off in the Eastern Conference Finals. Glen Metropolit was part of the Tkachuk deal while Braydon Coburn was dealt for our old pal Alexei.
Out in the West, former Thrasher Dany Heatley is battling one of the players he was swapped for in Marian Hossa.
Out of those four, I’d most like to see Metro get to hoist the Cup. Even though he was a Thrasher for less than a full season, you can’t help but like the way the guy plays and how he’s worked so hard to play in the NHL. Unfortunately, I can’t quite find it in myself to root for the Habs. The Hawks are my favorite team left, and though I remember well how he tanked in his last month or so with us, I still don’t bear a grudge against Marian Hossa, so I wouldn’t mind seeing him/them win it all.
As for Coburn, I like the kid fine and thought we gave up on him too soon (DUH5). Only problem is he plays for Philly, and I can’t stand them, so I’ll be cheering against Braydon and his Flyers. At the bottom of the heap is our original golden boy, Dany Heatley (sorry Patrik). It’s amazing how he’s fallen in my eyes. Seemed like a good kid, tons of talent, a lock for future captain. Now I just can’t stand the guy.
And I used to kinda like the Sharks, but they Syracused me. I’ll explain…when I’ve participated in Final Four pools, Syracuse is frequently one of the top contenders, usually a top 5 seed or so. Almost without fail, if I picked them to do well, they’d lose in the first or second round. And each time I’d decided that I wouldn’t be fooled again and picked them to lose early, they’d have a great tournament and make a long run. Regardless of what I did, I always lost points on them. For a number of years, the Sharks have clearly been one of the top teams in the West, yet every time I think “this is their year,” they mess the bed and take an early exit, usually in the second round. So basically I’m just sick of them, and when they added Heatley to the roster, they instantly fell into disfavor.
So I’m hoping for a Chicago v. Montreal final, with the Hawks winning. Given my betting history, this means that instead it’s the Sharks taking out the Flyers in an epic seven game series that’s instantly hailed as the greatest ever. And Heatley will win the Conn Smythe.
kracker
May 17th, 2010
2:23 pm
World – Dobbs has Vishnevskiy making the team or if not, he might play in Russia. hmmm, that’s the first I’ve read that losing Vish to Russia may be a factor in making a spot for him. Don’t think there’s room to fit both Vishnevskiy and Kulda into the current defensice corps. I am assuming Kubina is resigned or if not that another top d-man will be signed.
Kubina (or replacement)
Hainsey
Bogosian
Enstrom
Oduya
Valabik
Vishnevskiy
Kulda
That’s eight, one too many.
I think Kubina or en equal must be on the team so what to do? Trade one of the bottom three? Trade Enstrom? (umm maybe for fair good return) Hainsey? (don’t think so) Keep Kulda or Vish (if he will) languishing in Chicago?
kracker
May 17th, 2010
2:29 pm
[[Why do the typos only jump out at you after you submit your post?]]
Alan R.
May 17th, 2010
3:18 pm
Dale Tallon is now the New GM in Florida.
GaVaHokie
May 17th, 2010
3:44 pm
Was just contemplating something that I’ve brushed off a few times, but now I think has some merit…
What would everyone think of Rick Dudley trading the 24th pick for Brad Richards? Dudley’s familiar with him from Tampa, he has leadership quality, playoff and Cup experience…
Would you rather see the 24th pick go for a “Dave Andreychuk” type player like Richards? Or, a youthful, RFA building block like Versteeg?
Red Light
May 17th, 2010
3:53 pm
Caps give Backstrom 10-year, $67M deal after 101-point season
kracker
May 17th, 2010
4:00 pm
At $7.8M? Don’t think so, not if they want to sign a top blue liner. I think Dudley is thinking to sign a vet leader at third to a quarter of that. And maybe for a couple of years.
World Be Free
May 17th, 2010
4:02 pm
GaVa-not a bad move, if we can resign Richards when his contract is up?
Dallas has a self-imposed cap of $45M and Richards does not fit under that cap.
Red Light-are you in favor is Vish?
Alan R-left’s hope he’s learned how to manage a cap!
Red Light
May 17th, 2010
4:11 pm
World: I’ve never seen him play. I actually prefer keeping Kulda and Boris for the time being.
Maybe Tampa Bay will hire Mike Smith as GM and then the Southeast Division will be 60 percent tied to the Blackhawks’ organization. Does anyone find this slightly humorous that a team that hasn’t won the Cup in 49 years is suddenly the cradle of hockey talent evaluation and a season after Tallon and Dudley leave town they’re going to have to blow up part of the roster because of cap constraints?
And once again, the NHL and its brethren continue to use retreads rather than hiring new blood. No doubt someone will hire Keenan too. Very disturbing trend. I guess no one else knows hockey other than those who have been in the game for 40 years. It ain’t brain surgery is it?
World Be Free
May 17th, 2010
7:04 pm
Red Light-the best thing that ever happened to the Hawks is when Old Man Wirtz went boobs up.
World Be Free
May 17th, 2010
9:20 pm
Kracker- I don’t think Richards will get $7.8M anywhere.
Sorry about the Wirtz comment, I guess.
kracker
May 17th, 2010
9:48 pm
WBF – say tango uniform (military talk for t u = toes up) instead
That’s what Neil Boortz uses when talking about an expired person.
Richards: Would love to have him…at half the price. I don’t think this organization as currently funded can afford a Kovalchuk level of salary for him.
I’m just hoping the hockey oriented owner search is going well and the Thrash can spend north ot $48-50M next year. Best scenario is that an agreement has been reached except for the paperwork and Dudley already knows or will soon know that he will be given the budget necessary to upgrade the team.
Brendan
May 17th, 2010
11:19 pm
Hey, I don’t know if anyone’s already talked about it, but has the NHL given any inkling about what will happen with the cap? Will is stay exactly the same? Be slightly reduced? Thus far, the cap has done nothing but increase every year, however marginally. When do they set the cap date?
Brendan
May 17th, 2010
11:40 pm
WBF & Red Light, it will be interesting to see what teams like Philly, Chicago, SJ, and Montreal do, given their salary cap issues. I think each one of these teams will be forced to jettison a minimum of one quality player that they otherwise WOULDN’T, without a salary cap. For Montreal, I do think Carey is that odd player out. It’s very, very interesting to see what SJ will do the pending UFA Patrick Marleau, a -2 in his last game. Also, Nabakov is a pending UFA. In Chicago, Duncan Keither big contract, along with Toews and Kane’s, is about to kick in. With pending RFA’s Hjalmarsson and Hendry on the Chicago blueline, I find it interesting that Hjalmarsson is playing over 4 minutes a game more than Brian Campbell, who is making $7.14 million per season. If someone offered Chicago a nice package for Campbell, they might unload that bad contract. But what GM thinks Campbell’s really worth $7.14 million-per-year? For all I know, Campbell has an NTC or NMC. I’m fairly sure that Chris Pronger has an NTC with the Flyers. His $7.5 million will be harder and harder to stomach for Flyer fans, as he ages.
For all four of these remaining teams, a sense of urgency should be upon them. Is Montreal any kind of “lock” to return, should they falter here? Philly? It doesn’t look “bad” in Philadelphia, but they’ll have be prudent in their roster decisions. SJ’s window is closing. This postseason is huge for them. And for Chicago, I do think the Blackhawks can return next year, but again, they’ll have to be careful about offseason moves.
The good news in all of this, as a hockey fan in general, is that some team is going to end its drought. Chicago’s last cup was 1961; they are officially on the clock. They lost in 1971, 1973, and 1992. Philly is next, at 1975. The Flyers have lost their last five trips in 1976, 1980, 1985, 1987, and 1997. The SJ Sharks have never won, but been in the league since 1991. And Montreal’s last Cup was 1993. That’s not exactly ancient history ago, but for any Habs fan, it’s the longest stretch in their lifetime without winning a Cup.
Red Light
May 18th, 2010
7:27 am
Boston is after the Hawks and Leafs, Brendan. They last won in 1972.
World Be Free
May 18th, 2010
7:55 am
Kracker-I’ll take your advise! It is odd that Chicago has all of sudden become the “think tank” of hockey.
Brendan-The salary purges of the teams noted (and others) will be the most interesting stories of the summer. I see a couple UFAs signing July 1, then a lull as teams and players evaluate their individual situations. Most of the teams in trouble with the cap right now overpaid at some point around July 1 of some year, either paying a new UFA big bucks or keeping one of their UFAs from hitting the open market. Of the teams you have noted, only San Jose is not guilty of overpaying a new UFA on July 1. The Sharks have built from within and made some nice trades. Other teams will be in the mix too, clubs that did not make the final four but have aspirations of getting to the conference and Stanley Cup finals. They will want to shed salary to sign Kovy or Marleau. Both players will take up alotta cap space.
These teams can save face by picking up a top pick or a highly rated prospect. I think “Vish” and/or the #24 pick will be bargaining chips the Thrashers can parley into a top 6 forward. This is what we need out, a guy who can step in and make a difference. I believe our #1 goalie will come from free agency.
If Dudley is “the man”, he’ll earn his pay between late June and early July.
World Be Free
May 18th, 2010
8:07 am
Here’s an abbreviated list of UFAs and possible teams from Eklund.
Some interesting predictions-Eklund is rarely correct, but he makes for good reading-
1. Ilya Kovalchuk Ana, NYI, NJ, Tor, LA
2. Sergei Gonchar Atl, Edm, Dal, Ott, Phx, Pit
4. Anton Volchenkov Dal, Edm, Ott, Pit
7. Paul Martin Car, LA, NJ
8. Alex Frolov Ana, Cbj, Mtl
9. Willie Mitchell Ana, Car, Colorado, Was
10. Dan Hamhuis Buf, Cgy
11. Alex Ponikarovski Atl, Cgy, Cbj
12. Chris Mason Phl, StL, TB, Was
13. Ray Whitney Bos, Buf, Car
14. Zbynek Michalek Fla, Phx
15. Matthew Lombardi Ott, Phx, Tor
18. Jose Theodore Chi, NYI, StL, Was
20. Bill Guerin Cbj, Pitt, StL
21. Marek Svatos Col, Fla, Nas, Tor
22. Jere Lehtinen Buf, Dal, Min, NJ
24. Olli Jokinen Atl, Bos, Fla, Nas, NYR, Pitt
26. Tomas Holmstrom Det, Ott, Van, Mtl
30. Dan Ellis NYI, Phl, StL, Was
31. Colby Armstrong Ana, Atl, Phx, Pit, Van
32. Martin Biron Buf, Chi, NJ, NYR
33. Dennis Seidenberg Bos, Cgy, NYI, SJ
35. Henrik Tallinder Atl, Buf, Col, LA, TB
36. Craig Conroy Buf, Ott, Cgy
37. Andy Sutton Car, Edm, NYI
39. Brett Clarke Atl, Buf, Col, Min
Scares me that Eklund agrees with me on Gonchar possibly coming to ATL.
glovesave29
May 18th, 2010
8:26 am
RL – forgetting about the Blues and Kings (1967 expansion) Canucks and Sabres (1970 expansion)?
Hockey Biltong
May 18th, 2010
8:30 am
Boo!
Go Habs!!!
World Be Free
May 18th, 2010
8:39 am
Glovesave-toss in Minnesota – the city/state on the clock; stars won in Dallas. North Stars and Wild and Cup;less since 67.
Brendan-there is a temptation to take on Campbell’s contract, IF the Hawks tossed in a #1 or prospect to make it worth your effort! Getting rid of Campbell’s contract and burying Huet int he minors would be HUGE to Chicago. It would allow them to keep their core players and not have to dump a top 9 forward or top 6 defenseman, other than Campbell. Do you agree?
I know that sounds crazy, but the Flyers were rumored to be doing the same last summer with Briere, dangling van Rymsdyk as the motivation to take Briere’s commitment. This rumor was nver confirmed, but there has to be something to it.
GaVaHokie
May 18th, 2010
8:41 am
WBF… the most interesting trend I see is Kovy, Frolov and Army rumored to Anaheim. That would almost constitute a “campaign”.
Kovy, Frolov and Army joining forces with Getzlaf, Perry, and Ryan… possibly a final Cup run for Selanne… maybe even Paul Kariya (rumored return).
World Be Free
May 18th, 2010
8:45 am
Take it further folks, you have dealt for Campbell, a power play QB and puck moving defenseman. Now, you can deal Toby who is young and under contract for a few seasons.
Campbell is probaly worth $5M/season so you will overpay him. How will your offense perform with one of the best puck movers in the game on the backline?
kracker
May 18th, 2010
9:02 am
Packaging Vish/Kulda for a legit top 6 fwd sounds workable, WBF. As noted, we should have expendable defensive assets, assuming Kubina or an equal is signed.
Does everyone agree that the major pieces won’t commit or trades be made until we have a head coach?
glovesave29
May 18th, 2010
9:11 am
WBF – as a franchise, the Stars did take it in 1999 – much to the chagrin of the Sabres fans…but it did happen. Foot in the crease or not. The Wild are a different entity all together, so I cannot place them on the longest drought list.
kracker
May 18th, 2010
9:11 am
Ha! Would be ironic if Campbell got traded here after primarily using Atl as a bargaining chip two years ago.
World Be Free
May 18th, 2010
9:19 am
kracker-would be crazy, but not out of the question.
I do not believe anything will happen on trades until after the Stanley Cup finals. I really believe these trades will occur in the days up to the draft and through early July, especially with players with NTC that go into effect July 1.
Coaching decisions are effected based on whether Chicago makes the SCF.
GaVaHokie
May 18th, 2010
9:24 am
<em?Ha! Would be ironic if Campbell got traded here after primarily using Atl as a bargaining chip two years ago.
Reminds me of that Seinfeld episode… “So, you’re saying you held out for LESS money?”
GaVaHokie
May 18th, 2010
9:24 am
…dammit… Trixie? A little help?
glovesave29
May 18th, 2010
9:31 am
Why move a contract that is stifling the Hawks onto our ledger? Learn from their mistakes, don’t help them to get out from under them. Let the Hawks and Rangers struggle to get out from under their reckless spending ways by having to trade off younger, more inexpensive talent – i.e. their future. Trading Toby is a huge mistake. The guy had his face crushed in during last years worlds and did not show even the slightest change in his game. You want tough? That’s it to me! The guy can skate like the wind, takes the proper angles on D, has shown the ability to run the PP – why on earth do you part with that?
World Be Free
May 18th, 2010
9:45 am
glovesave-just tossing out possibilities-take on Campbell’s contract if you can get something else in return.
Joe Friday
May 18th, 2010
9:52 am
“why on earth do you part with that?”
’cause he sucks?
glovesave29
May 18th, 2010
10:03 am
Youre dead wrong JF.
Red Light
May 18th, 2010
10:07 am
Gloveaave29: Not forgetting, those teams don’t count because they’ve never won!
glovesave29
May 18th, 2010
10:08 am
WBF – with this many teams in financial duress, I can see the cap coming down again. This contract of Campbells will be even more restrictive than it is today. Now players are considering Don Fehr as their union chief. It’s gonna get really testy in meeting rooms if that comes to pass. I’d stay away from big contracts like that right now.
Can someone please tell me why pro athletes even have a union? Last time I checked the purpose of a union is to negotiate salaries en masse. Players have their contracts negotiated individually. It’s 2010…unions are completely useless in my world, and cause far more problems than they solve. But players – once the reserve clause was dumped in baseball and thus paved the way for free agency – are totally useless.
glovesave29
May 18th, 2010
10:12 am
I hear ya RL – but a drought is still a drought. Another NHL season that has passed without that teams name on the holy grail.
WBF – like the talk, giving ideas and thoughts as to how the team can be improved. To me that’s the whole point of this blog. The more ideas…the better! Makes for a more interesting conversation.
kracker
May 18th, 2010
10:36 am
Campbell: Same as w/ Richards – We don’t pay him Kovalchuk level of money.
GaVaHokie
May 18th, 2010
10:56 am
We offered Campbell $8 million… why wouldn’t we take him for $7 million?
Not saying I want him, or he deserves it… but Waddell wanted him and Dudley didn’t say “no” to signing him in Chicago.
If the offer was on the table, what’s stopping Atlanta from making a deal?
Rightshot
May 18th, 2010
10:58 am
Just throwing out a question.
Is there anyone available who you would be willing to give “Kovalchuk Money” to?
GaVaHokie
May 18th, 2010
11:14 am
Rightshot… Bobby Ryan, maybe?… dunno.
I’d throw a “Thomas Vanek” offer sheet at Bobby Ryan… 7 years $50 million.
I still can’t believe we were going to give Kovy $100 million, and I still can’t believe he turned it down… but I’m glad he did.
kracker
May 18th, 2010
11:14 am
Anyone that’s available? No. Especially with the level of spending we expect from our owners. It’s true we offered for Campbell two years ago. But much of that money went for Hainsey. The Hawks could save over $2.6M by swapping Campbell for Hainsey. (Those are cap figures) I suppose that might be doable, not that I’s expect Chicago to be interested.
If Kubina doesn’t resign, that changes things but I still don’t see Atlanta signing anyone new for more than $6M.
I’m hoping the new hockey oriented owner being courted has very deep pockets.
kracker
May 18th, 2010
11:17 am
hokie – I still can’t believe we were going to give Kovy $100 million, and I still can’t believe he turned it down… but I’m glad he did.
As it turned out, me too. I’d rather keep and develop our young talent in-house.
Red Light
May 18th, 2010
11:27 am
Rightshot: The quick reply is no way. There is one restricted free agent (Bobby Ryan) that would tempt me but he has only two years of track record, but certainly not any of the UFAs. I personally think it’s not the money per year I would be concerned with as much as the length of contract would. I believe no team should offer ANYONE a deal of more than four years, maybe five for the right guy. With so much economic certainty as pointed out often by Smoothie, entering into long-term deals like Ovechkin and Backstrom may look good on paper today, but what happens if the Caps never win the Cup with them? I look at the contracts offered by Rutherford, and those make more sense, 7 years for Staal and 6 years for Ward, for instance. Anything past that length and I think you’re putting a gun to your own head.
kracker
May 18th, 2010
11:39 am
Twitter: CraigCustance RT @Aportzline – Detroit assistant Paul MacLean told by #CBJ he’s no longer under consideration for the #CBJ coaching job.
Joe Friday
May 18th, 2010
11:46 am
“Youre dead wrong JF”
Riddle me this, Halak (grin). How many shots on goal have we given up with Enstrom eating big minutes on our blue line? What’s our GAA average since Toby has been logging time for us? What’s our record? How many playoff appearances? How many wins in the real season?
Enstrom is the poster child of what Don Waddell did to our lineup. He’s undersized, get’s manhandled in his own zone, but he sure does skate pretty and do nice figure eight’s in his own zone as he retreats to make that pretty pass that you fancy. Can you imagine him getting bullrushed night after night (well, for 4 nights anyway) if he’s still logging big minutes on our blueline if we make it into the real season? You think he can handle the size and determination of the forwards in this league who turn it up 17 notches come playoff time?
Raise the bar, if you want to achieve success in the real season. Kubina? Bring him back and two more like him. Watch Duncan Keith tonight and tell me any resemblance to Toby Enstrom beyond them both wearing skates. Campbell is a better comparision and I know Brian Campbell. Brian Campbell is a friend of mine, and you Toby Enstrom are no Brian Campbell.
Red Light
May 18th, 2010
11:51 am
Czechs 3, Canada 1, end of 2nd.
World Be Free
May 18th, 2010
12:03 pm
I am not a Toby fan. Player for player, if you measure them today, Campbell would be a significant improvement over Toby AND Toby could be used to acquire another asset. I also believe we could get Campbell and another asset; Chicago is up against it and needs to make a deal or stand to lose at least 1 top 6 forward and/or top d-man to get under the cap. This would also work in favor of Red Light’s blueprint of having less Euros, not that it really menas much to me.
Glovesave-the engative oon Campbell is his age relative to his speed. Once he loses a step, he’ll be like other defenseman and that will come before the end of his lottery-style contract.
R-L on Ryan; you know, I have not seen enough in Ryan yet to convince me he’s worth the offer sheet and draft picks. I think he benefits from the players he plays with on a regular basis.
Right Shot-I exercise the Campbell exemption, but besides that, I say no. A player of the $$$ should bring leadership and Marleau does not fit that bill. He played better when he lost the “C”, along with playing with Joe Thornton.
GaVaHokie
May 18th, 2010
12:15 pm
Doesn’t matter… Brian Campbell has a no trade clause… he can provide up to 8 teams.
http://www.nhlscap.com/no_trade.htm
World Be Free
May 18th, 2010
12:30 pm
Hokie-oh my, some of the stiffs on the NTC/NMC list.
Alan R.
May 18th, 2010
12:56 pm
How many shots on goal have we given up with Enstrom eating big minutes on our blue line? What’s our GAA average since Toby has been logging time for us? What’s our record? How many playoff appearances? How many wins in the real season?
Sounds like someone is trying to pin the decline of the team on one defenseman, rather than some moron who was left in charge after our brief foray in the postseason.
Tell me, what is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
kracker
May 18th, 2010
12:56 pm
twitter: DarrenDreger – Scott Arniel will interview for the coaching job in Atlanta at the end of the week.
glovesave29
May 18th, 2010
1:15 pm
How can you blame a Dman like Toby when he…
1. Plays for a team that never forechecks – thus opponent get time to set up the play and read the D
2. Has no presence in the neutral zone – allows for speed to enter the offensive zone
3. Has forwards who do not backcheck – thus leaving D open for shots and leaving our D to have to chase into the corners at the wingers do not.
4. Constantly tinker with the defensive pairings – gotta get consistancy
5. Has a goaltending tandem not too adept at rebound control – leaves em juicy and right in the slot.
There is not a team out there who would not take Toby. We have already given up on too many young D to watch them excel elsewhere…why do that with one who has actually played well here?
Alan – African or European?
Dwayne
May 18th, 2010
1:15 pm
Go Flyers……:-)
Smoothie
May 18th, 2010
1:36 pm
Toby Enstrom is by far the least of our D-corps problems. Admittedly, he isn’t as physical as you would prefer for your Top 2 pairing, but Toby’s a strong Top 4 guy, nothing more and nothing less. But like GS said, until we fix a myriad of other problems we won’t know if Toby, Zach or anyone else for that matter is capable of being a Top 2 shut-down D-man. Despite his lack of size, Toby’s blend of toughness, durability, speed, skating ability, passing and skill in using his stick defensively makes him a valuable Top 4 guy on ANY team.
glovesave29
May 18th, 2010
1:46 pm
Yup Smoothie – dead on. And what does that say to the current team and to UFA’s considering Atlanta, about of getting rid of a player like Enstrom? Let’s them know we are still not serious about hockey here, and the DW status quo continues on. Don’t think Dudley would go for that. You’d have to get one helluva return. No only player for player, but salary cap implications too.
It’s like blaming the safeties and cornerbacks in football for being torched by opposing quaterbacks if you are putting no pressure on them on the line of scrimmage. It all has to work together as a cohesive unit. Give any QB the time, he’ll pick you apart (well maybe not JaMarcus Russell, but the rest of them). Hockey is no different, if you sit behind your goal with no one in your face, and skate all the way to the opponents blue line before getting any pressure at all – well, your gonna succeed…a lot.
MB
May 18th, 2010
2:06 pm
Brian Campbell? $7 million for a guy who’s barely the fourth best defenseman on his current team, just ahead of Brent Sopel? Sorry, but for that money I’d want a whole lot more than he has to offer. I don’t see him as being more than a moderate upgrade on Toby, and he’s certainly not a shut-down kind of guy. There isn’t a wide discrepancy in point production. Toby’s five years younger and nine pounds lighter. Oh, and Toby costs half as much.
There’s better value to be had both this summer and next…no use throwing crazy money at a depreciating asset like Campbell. Thank him for turning down Waddell’s idiotic offer and let Chicago worry about what to do with his albatross of a contract.
Russ
May 18th, 2010
2:11 pm
Sounds like someone is trying to pin the decline of the team on one defenseman
For the team to have a decline they would probably first have to experience an incline.
Spud Webb
May 18th, 2010
2:18 pm
I’ll take toby on my team anyday. The guy is solid. Other pieces added and toby is brian campbell.
Mike Greer signs for 1 more year in Buffalo. Love that guy.
Red Light
May 18th, 2010
2:19 pm
Russ: Very good sir!
Salary cap is expected to be $58 million in 2010-11.
Campbell is the 5th best defenseman in Chicago…Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, Sopel, but is a strong puck mover. Don’t like much else about his game. His best hockey came early in his “playing for a contract year” in Buffalo. Solid year last year, but if you don’t have a bunch of finishers on your team he’s not the guy you want at any price!
Red Light
May 18th, 2010
2:22 pm
Grier got a $200,00 raise and I’ll bet it was because of his playoffs’ performance.
Spud Webb
May 18th, 2010
2:34 pm
Hey, does anyone know the answer to this? Are teams in the NHL allowed to pay “some” of a players salary? Like in baseball?? The yanks are known for paying parts of players salaries, just to dump them on someone else.
So say the hawks are going to trade campbell, are they allowed to give cash or agree to take 2 mill of his salary a year, despite him not being on the team???
GaVaHokie
May 18th, 2010
2:34 pm
Toby could actually be better than he already is if he would shoot more often.
Alan R.
May 18th, 2010
2:35 pm
For the team to have a decline they would probably first have to experience an incline.
03-04 to 06-07 could be described as an “incline” of sorts. The team made the playoffs that final season.
07-08 to present would then be described as a “decline,” given the criteria.
Red Light
May 18th, 2010
2:36 pm
If there was a hockey stat for time of possession, Enstrom would be among the league leaders!
GaVaHokie
May 18th, 2010
2:36 pm
Spud… I think you used to be able to do that before the lockout, but the new CBA doesn’t allow it.
The only way is for a team to claim a guy on re-entry waivers, than it’s a 50/50 payment.
Smoothie
May 18th, 2010
2:43 pm
If we don’t re-ink Kubina, then I think our three top targets for shoring up our Top 2 would be the following:
1) Seidenberg
2) Michalek, Z
3) Tallinder
I wish I could put Volchenkov on this list, but I don’t think we’ll spend quite that much on one player. My suspicion is that we’ll try to persuade Kubina to take slightly less than market value (perhaps $4.5 M) in exchange for an extra year on the deal. Something like yr 1) $5.25 M, yr 2) $4.5 M and yr 3) $3.75 M to make the deal affordable, commensurate with his value and flexible for a 3rd year mid-salary deadline trade. If we’re gonna throw $5 – $5.5 M at someone, then we might as well throw it at Volchenkov who 4 or 5 years younger.
Smoothie
May 18th, 2010
2:45 pm
If we don’t re-ink Kubina, then I think our three top targets for shoring up our Top 2 would be the following:
1) Seidenberg
2) Michalek, Z
3) Tallinder
I wish I could put Volchenkov on this list, but I don’t think we’ll spend quite that much on one player. My suspicion is that we’ll try to persuade Kubina to take slightly less than market value (perhaps $4.5 M) in exchange for an extra year on the deal. Something like yr 1) $5.25 M, yr 2) $4.5 M and yr 3) $3.75 M to make the deal affordable, commensurate with his value and flexible for a 3rd year mid-salary deadline trade.
If we are gonna throw $5 – $5.5 M at someone, then we might as well throw it at Volchenkov who 4 or 5 years younger. If we spend $10 – 11 M on Kubina for even two years, then I think I’ll feel a bit unsettled about spending so much on an aging vet. Then again, perhaps he can be the next Chris Pronger? Dare to dream?
Smoothie
May 18th, 2010
2:47 pm
Ms Trixie,
I am stuck in the spam filter. Would you please delete my first attempt in favor of my revised 2nd attempt with a bit longer 2nd paragraph?
Sincerest thanks,
Smoothie
Joe Friday
May 18th, 2010
3:00 pm
“Toby could actually be better than he already is if he would shoot more often.”
I guess if he shoots twice a blue moon, that would be more. Kind of like the next time he throws a hip check will be the first time.
Enstrom is indicative of what’s wrong with the lineup, too small, too Euro, too soft (in terms of taking it to the opposing players, but we do know he can take a face smooshing like a man). We need upgrade, and by no means is any or all of the team’s woes to be laid at his feet, we just need upgrades, and if he’s buried as a #4 guy, I’m ok with it, but when Toby Enstrom in your top pair, yagotproblems
Trixie (Rawhide's Secretary)
May 18th, 2010
3:11 pm
Mr. Smoothie – Your very insighful post from 2:45 pm has been freed from Blog Purgatory.
Please give my best to that darling little gal of yours.
glovesave29
May 18th, 2010
3:52 pm
Why would a small player who can out skate everyone else throw a hip check? Be smart, play angles and use your tools to your advantage. You the timing and miss on a hip check and you’ve got a breakaway against you. Its a lost art for a reason. It just doesnt fit todays game. Too risky.
I can tell you from experience how hard it is to overcome a devastating injury. To downplay it in that fashion shows you haven’t experienced it. I had my knee destroyed in a game. So much I had to take 2 full years off. To say it never entered my mind again would be a lie. To say I dont think about the injury to this day when I need to make a similar move to what caused my injurry would be another lie.
World Be Free
May 18th, 2010
4:42 pm
Spud-I don’t think so, not like MLB.
Good discussion on Campbell. I was looking more at fleecing another asset out of Chicago, taking Campbell and his skills along with Versteeg for #24. Campbell is not the best d-man in CHI, which was the point I made when the Hawks signed him. But he could be an asset here.
Despite his shortcomings, Chicago missed Campbell when he was out. I have no issue with Soupie.
Ya’ll giving Toby too much credit, which I guess you can do compared to the rest of our corps. But he could be used as an asset, especially to a Western Conference team to fill other needs.
Spud-big Grier fan too, Buffalo does not have enough like him. He’s a Teddy Nolan type player.
Smoothie
May 18th, 2010
5:02 pm
Muchas gracias Senorita! I appreciate the help! And I will pass on the kind words to the lovely lady of whom you speak. Have a good evening!
Dwayne
May 18th, 2010
5:19 pm
I hope RD does not spend alot of loot on any forward.
Money would be better spent on top 2 d-man and a goalie.
The new coach will take care of the Ole’ D we have been watching since WTF JA shovel you\me a load a load of horse crap system.
As noted on Hawks blog by yours truely, if they hire Avery Johnson, look for Thrashers to go cheap on a Coach, which will fall into the catagory of a NHL assistant, the guy Duds wants anyway…Torchetti
Red Light
May 18th, 2010
6:22 pm
Great call on Z. Michalek Smoothie. You must have rad my mind because I was researching him this afternoon. Doan said Michalek’s demeanor reminds him of Teppo Numminen but said Michalek has a much better shot. He’s only 28, very underrated but he’s due a big raise to $3.5-$4 million range in July. Boston wants to keep Seidenberg according to the stuff I have read.
Brendan
May 18th, 2010
7:39 pm
Great talk today, posters. Lots of good and juicy points. I guess I’ll start out by saying that, when I meant a team was going to end its drought, I meant one of the four remaining teams, in Philly, Montreal, Chicago and SJ’s, which still looking for Cup #1. As I once posted, the Sharks lost 71 games in a season. That’s still an NHL record. Atlanta never, EVVVER sucked that bad. And yet, the Sharks very well could win the Cup this year. It always gives me inspiration to look at things that way. I sincerely wish that the organization would have fired Don Waddell, just to “end the speculation” about why he’s still on the payroll. They didn’t. Bygones. But who knows? Maybe next year, Waddell will voluntarily leave or be fired. And not even I would suggest that, once fired, that Dudley is still taking orders/advice from Waddell. That’s how an organization truly turns the corner. Moving right along.
Brian Campbell. Hmmn. WBF, methinks that Chicago must, eventually, part ways with him. I forgot how long of a contract Soupy got. I want to say six years. Though, I don’t really know. Could have been more. That’s a rough contract to have, along with Duncan Keith’s, plus Sopel, plus Seabrook, plus more defenders. And let’s not forget that Kane, Toews, and Marian Hossa are all gobbling up cap space, before we ever look at Vesteeg and Sharp. To me, in Chicago’s shoes, I’d look to move Campbell. Again, he’s 5th, among defenders, in minutes played in the CF.
Stop. World Be Free … do you remember a conversation we had, when Campbell and the Sabres were at a contractual impasse? And I suggested that Lindy Ruff and Darcy Regier cornered Campbell to tell him, “Look buddy, you’re NOT worth $6 million-a-year. Your agent might think so. And you’re letting him do your thinking for you. But, eventually, one fine day, WHOEVER signs you … will realize that you’re not worth $6 million or more dollars. And then, they’ll look to ditch you. So, if you’re happy here in Buffalo, you might as well settle for the 5-years/$25 million or 6-years/$30 million we’re offering you, if you want some stability in your life, for your family. Otherwise, teams will just try to unload you, as a “bad contract.” Soupy probably rolled his eyes and walked away. Of course, every single word of that was supposition on my part. Who knows? Maybe Chicago is ‘thrilled’ with Campbell, and wouldn’t DREAM of trading him. But if that’s the case, Soupy shouldn’t be 5th in TOI during a playoff game, as important as Game One of the Western Conference Finals. Only J. Hendry played less than Campbell on Chicago’s blueline. Look it up, for those of you who doubt me. It’s available at nhl.com, under schedules, scores, and boxscores.
Now, would I want Campbell? Yes, without the price tag. But no, considering that you cannot get around it. Would Campbell even log the most minutes on our blueline??? I gotta think Bogosian will turn things around next year. Enstrom’s a 3-4 defender, in my opinion. Kubina would be the guy I try to re-sign, if he’s at all amenable to that. And yes, I agree that no contracts will be made until a new Head Coach is named. Of Chicago’s guys, I like Byfuglien, Sharp, and Vesteeg. But I just can’t see Chicago going for it. Can you imagine if the Thrashers re-acquired Marian Hossa? Hey, his cap hit is a manageable $5.something. Trouble is, you gotta pay him until he’s 42. And Hossa disappears in the playoffs, a bit too much. Not every year, mind you. He’s had some decent playoff campaigns. But I think the NHL refrains from making Hossa a posterchild, like Crosby, Ovechkin, and Malkin, because of it. But make no mistake, Marian Hossa is a quality, power forward, at the NHL level. Shoot, at the World level. If he only had some interest in playing for Atlanta, it would have been great to keep him. Bygones.
Brendan
May 18th, 2010
7:41 pm
WBF, Smoothie, Jim, Tom, and other Buffalo posters, what would you think of Henrik Tallinder in Atlanta next year? He does have a gold medal with Sweden, from the 2006 Torino Games. I think he could be good stability for the Thrashers blueline. My concerns are his age and his price tag. I do, also, have those concerns with Pavel Kubina. But if Pavel would be willing to do a 3-year or less deal, I’m willing to overpay him.
kracker
May 18th, 2010
9:16 pm
Ville Leino just made it 3-0 Flyers!!
World Be Free
May 18th, 2010
9:49 pm
Brendan, I don’t think Hank would be an upgrade on our blue line. He’s is neither physical, nor is he offensive which is why he has stayed a Sabre so long. He’s not an upgrade. Besides, I think Buffalo will try and resign him since Tallender played well with Tyler Myers. Gotta guard against Myers and the sophomore slump.
HookyBob
May 18th, 2010
9:52 pm
Philly was impressive tonight. I’m thinking my “goon hockey” thoughts about this team are outdated. They played this game as I most appreciate it,..physical, fast, and skilled (and just a bit nasty). They seem to have taken a couple steps back from being “over the edge” on the dirty stuff. Is this something Laviolette has instilled in their game? If so, his stock is rising. (Did Carcillo play tonight? I didn’t notice him.)
I’m already wondering how they will match up against the Hawks or Sharks,…and thinking (a bit relieved actually) the Eastern Conf may have a worthy rep.
Great game Philly. Hard to believe this is the same team we swept near season’s end. A good (or hot) goalie makes a big difference. While Boucher played really well in the play-offs,…Leighton has taken their goaltending to a new level. Two shutouts in a row,…save percentage of 100% in this series. His save % since returning must be around .98 or so. Again I have to think it was Peter that got Holmgren to get him from the Canes.
If they get Jeff Carter and Laperriare back,..they’ll be that much stronger.
Must also say Haleck, and several other Habs, weren’t as good as I expected.
World Be Free
May 18th, 2010
9:53 pm
Very impressed with Michalek when Phoenix was here. Not sure Boston can afford Siedenberg, who will get more on the open market. Then again, how much is it work to play with Chara every night which is what he would do if he resigned with the Brunes. Is Adrian Aucoin available too?
Brendan
May 18th, 2010
10:06 pm
It’s a final. The Flyers win, 3-0. They take a 2-0 series lead. What does it mean??? I don’t know. I sat there waiting four (4) games to count the Bruins series in my win bank, and it didn’t happen. I do have the Flyers in this series, but I don’t think they’ve clinched anything. I’ll say this, the shutout streak by Leighton is incredible. And it’s not his first streak like this, in the playoffs. When Brian Boucher went down, Leighton deliverd 4 straight shutout periods between Games Five and Six.
Montreal has been outscored 9-0 in this series. For clarification, this is the team that eliminated Washington and Pittsburgh. Did they empty their tank in doing so?? I don’t know. I wouldn’t have thought so. Jaroslav Halak looked rather mortal on two of those three (2/3) Flyer goals. Good teams don’t give up late period goals, to trail by two into the 3rd period.
The Flyers had two (2) PPG’s. That’s a big achievement. The Flyers are cookin’ on all cylinders now. That’s six straight wins, and 13-straight straight goals, a new NHL team record for playoffs. Amazing. Are the Flyers writing the greatest Cinderella story ever written? Before you say, “no,” what about the 1991 North Stars? How about the 1993 Habs? Or the 1986 Canadiens? Or the 1971 Canadiens. Or the 1961 Blackhawks. Stop to think about this. If Brian Boucher does not defeat King Henrik, against the NY Rangers, the Flyers don’t even make the playoffs.
In that respect, it does recall to my attention how the 1988 New Jersey Devils entered the postseason. I believe they were in a situation where a tie would eliminate them from the playoffs in a game vs. the Chicago Blackhawks. Darren Pang was in net for Chicago. I think it was John MacLean who scored for the Devils, but I’m not too sure about that. In any event, the Devils had pulled their goalie, as a tie was “no good” for their postseason hopes. Coach Jim Schoenfeld came flying off the bench when the Devils scored in overtime to qualify for the playoffs. From there, they upset the NY Islanders is six. Then they drew the much favored Capitals, where again the Devils prevailed in Game Seven. Then they drew #2 Boston in the CF, where the Devils finally were eliminated, in Game Seven. Now that’s a Cinderella run! I hear ya, the North Stars, of 1991, was bigger, because they went farther. But the Devils didn’t know they were playoff-bound, until overtime of the final game of the season. So, in that regard, I think it’s more comparable to these 2010 Flyers.
If Philadelphia wins the Cup, it won’t make them the “greatest Stanley Cup Champions of all-time.” But it will make them a REQUISITE mention for “one of the greatest Cinderellas of all-time,” in my opinion. They might even become the greatest Cinderella ever, if they knock off either SJ or Chicago in the Finals. Go Flyers! Go Blackhawks!!
The nightcap game is about to get underway. Heeeeeeatley! Heeeeatley! Heeeeatly! You need a shower!! And some false teeth!!
World Be Free
May 18th, 2010
10:20 pm
The primary issue people seem to have with Campbell is the money. He’s a top 4 defenseman in Atlanta, QB’s the power play and most of all, is a great puck mover.
In the big picture, Chicago needs to get rid of his contract. They have to make a difficult deal whether they like it or not. If they don’t, they will be forced to dump 3 roster players and/or fail to sign their free agents. I haven’t done all the numbers, but I would say if they can demote Huet, trade Campbell and an asset they will be OK. The asset is where we (or someone) will get them. Target Versteeg; the deal would improve our front and back line.
All this is predicated on whether we want to assume Campbell’s contract which I believe has 5 more years. There’s his movement clause too. It makes sense that we would not, but it is also good conversation. Cause I’ll tell you, I will be very surprised if Campbell is in Chicago after the summer. Chicago’s options are limited.
Brad Richards’ name came up a few times today. I won’t mind having brad at less than his current salary of $7.8M/year.
Brendan, your recollection of the Buffalo situation is very accurate. We conversed on how overpaid Campbell was compared to Seabrooke and Keith, how tough it was going to be for CHI to resign both. Curly, Larry and Moe (Quinn, Regier and Golisano in that order) tried to get Soupie to call Buffalo home. The club and community stability makes alotta sense, but Campbell knew he would never win a Cup in Buffalo. He saw others refuse the hometown discount and bolt for big bucks. Will Ryan Miller be the next Sabre to pull a Dom Hasek and ask for a trade to a Cup contender? Gotta a kick out of watching Briere score again tonight, making Darcy Regier look like the fool that he is. Campbell and Briere could have been signed if Darcy would have negotiated during the season. Once they get close to UFA status, players are gone.
World Be Free
May 18th, 2010
10:25 pm
Brendan, was that when Schoenfeld chased Koharski down the hall and told him to “have another doughnut you fat pig”? It is very Canadian to equate daily life to doughnuts and beer. Just watch “Strange Brew”.
Hooky-Carcillo was ouyt there tonight, he was just behaving for once. Maybe somebody threatened to whip his butt.
Brendan
May 18th, 2010
11:35 pm
World Be Free, the “have another doughnut” comment was right about that time. I seem to recall Schoenfeld was coach of the Capitals when it happened, for some reason. It was a hilarious event. Every hockey fan from that era remembers that it took place, even if they cannot recall all the details. It’s just one of those things that you don’t forget.
If you’re under 30, who even knows what “Where’s the Beef?” refers to? If you’re under 40, do you have any recollection of who “Charro, the ‘hoochie-coochie’ girl was? Or who Phil Silvers was. Or just how funny and quirky Billy Barty was. Okay, that’s enough of that.
I agree that Chicago has to move Campbell. But since Campbell gets to pick one of 8 teams he’ll agree to play for, what are the odds one of those teams is us? Not good. Despite his “alleged” interest in the Thrashers. The only potential contract I’d be willing to take on, as others have mentioned, is Bobby Ryan’s next deal. But what are the odds Atlanta would ever do an RFA offersheet?
As for Tallinder, it’s just a thought. He’s on the back nine, anyway.
After trailing Chicago, 3-0, San Jose has finally tallied. It’s Patrick Marleau, the pending UFA. Evgeni Nabakov has NOT has a stellar game. There have been people in front of him, and a lot of the goals were “tip-ins,” which are very hard to stop, but the first Chicago goal was on Nabakov.
Why is it, that every time Doc Emerick is making a comment, it sounds like he’s delivering a “punch line.” Almost “Seinfeldian” in tone and nuance. “What’s the deal with airline peanuts?” “And now, SAN JOSE will be on the power play!” As if, the refs have just been clowning around all game, not calling the game seriously, or professionally. It’s my only criticism of Doc Emerick. But do check it out. Doc’s the only one who could make a simple utterance so filled with NUANCE. “And now, I’m suddenly THIRS-ty.” I’m left there thinking, “what?” What is Doc trying to imply with his statements?
kracker
May 18th, 2010
11:43 pm
0-3 Sharks vs Hawks midway thru game 2 ( It’s 1-3 now)…in the Shark Tank. 1-2 Final Sharks vs Hawks game one…in the Shark Tank. Who was it that was rather abrasevly lecturing us that Dudley should go after 35 yr old next season Nabokov for $6M +/-?? Oh, yes, I remember now…
He may still be proven correct, and I’m for the Sharks, but it ain’t looking good so far. You pay $6M+ for a goalie, he should be a playoff wall for a team looking to get the playoff-loser monkey off their back. The Sharks skaters aren’t playing that well thus far in the series. That is exactly when your stud goalie should be stopping everything ala Leighton.
1-3 Hawks after 2…c’mon Sharks!
Brendan
May 18th, 2010
11:59 pm
Kracker, exactly right. These are the playoffs. This is the time a goaltender is supposed to shine. I still think Evgeni will certainly get PAID in free agency, but he must start to steal games for San Jose. Soon.
MB
May 19th, 2010
12:00 am
Hooky, as much as I dislike the Flyers, they’re playing terrific hockey, and Laviollette has done a whale of a job with them. That said, after dispatching a disjointed Devils team, they topped the Bruins and are now two up on the Habs. I think it’s safe to say they’ve had the easiest road of the remaining teams, and they’ve yet to face anyone as talented as either the Sharks or the Hawks.
That said, they’re playing as solid a team game as anyone left. A begrudging tip of the cap to them.
HookyBob
May 19th, 2010
12:00 am
Is Toews coming into his own or what.
Alan R.
May 19th, 2010
12:04 am
As if, the refs have just been clowning around all game, not calling the game seriously, or professionally.
Where’ve you been since the playoffs started?
Face it, you left yourself open for that.
kracker
May 19th, 2010
12:12 am
You’re right, Brendan! It’s 1-4 now.
And what happend to my post where I said that I remember all those people you mentioned earlier? Cause I do.
Gotta go to bed, getting there too late again.
Brendan
May 19th, 2010
12:15 am
Alan R., so do you agree or disagree that Doc Emeric calls a game like Jerry Seinfeld delivers his jokes?
Brendan
May 19th, 2010
12:17 am
At 4-1, kracker, I think I’m off to dreamland. Go ‘Hawks. Even though I have the Flyers vs. the Blackhawks for the Cup, I doubt anything has really been settled. I’m still rattled by losing the Bruins-Flyers series. I’m 7-5, just trying to finish 8-7, to be above .500 in this whacky playoff year.
Brendan
May 19th, 2010
12:18 am
And just as I type that, Patrick Marleau tallies his second of the night. It’s 4-2, Chicago.
Rawhide
May 19th, 2010
12:21 am
Fantastic conversation going on in here these past couple of days…well done everyone.
Now…I have a quaetion for you. Will anyone score on Philly-Leighton again?
World Be Free
May 19th, 2010
6:19 am
Rawhide, the real question is, – IS Leighton Philly’s goalie from here forward? No UFA or trade for them in the off-season? (OK 2 questions)
Lee
May 19th, 2010
7:09 am
You can’t geta better game from Chicago. Toews played a great game. Leighton shut ‘em down. GO ‘HAWKS!!! GO FLYERS!!!
Joe Friday
May 19th, 2010
10:50 am
“Who was it that was rather abrasevly lecturing us that Dudley should go after 35 yr old next season Nabokov for $6M +/-?? Oh, yes, I remember now…He may still be proven correct, and I’m for the Sharks, but it ain’t looking good so far.”
You can’t be serious? Or mabye you can be…uh, he got them to the Conference Finals, has played great all year, and because he let in 3 goals last night, you want to give up on him? Did you watch the game? I suppose you’re all for signing Leighton now and he’s the greatest goalie because of two shutouts? Really? No, really? Neimi in the one we should get now because the Hawks won the first two games? Really?