~~~ THE HOCKEY TALK THREAD 2012 OFF-SEASON ~~~

[pghbuccos]

Even though the Stanley Cup Finals are still happening I wanted to get the Off-Season thread started. The off-season will start with the NHL Entry Draft on June 22nd and 23rd in Pittsburgh followed by Free Agent Period opening on July 1st. The players and owners need to agree on a new CBA as well so there might not be many free agent signings until after a new CBA is signed.

What is "The Hockey Talk Thread" and why do we need it if we have a Hockey Forum?

Consider THTT much like the morning thread on the Baseball boards or the daily thread on the Football boards. It is a thread for us Hockey members to talk about anything Hockey that is on our minds that might not need a separate thread of its own. Usually we have most of our game day talk in this thread. Talk about a player having a big game, or a minor trade or signing or maybe even some hobby news that you want to share.

Really this thread can be used to talk about anything that is on your mind, even stuff that isn't Hockey related but you wanted to share with the other FCB Hockey members.

 

[pghbuccos]

the Penguins made their first official move of the off-season by trading a 2012 7th Round draft pick to the Washington Capitals in exchange for G Tomas Vokoun. Vokoun then agreed to a 2 year contract worth $2 million per season. Vokoun will replace Brent Johnson as Marc-Andre Fleury's backup. Brent Johnson becomes an unrestricted free agent on July1st. Johnson had a very solid 2010-11 season but struggled this past season forcing MAF to play more games than he has in his career and tiring him out come Playoff time. Vokoun and Fleury will make for a great tandem and I am really looking ofrward to watching them play this upcoming season.

http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=633707&navid=DL|PIT|home

 

[Sly]

I was wondering why they went out and got Vokoun, didn't realize Johnson was a UFA.

Of course the other big news ... Tim Thomas. I think most B's fans would agree, with Rask ready to take over, the B's should be okay with Thomas taking the year off.

 

[pghbuccos]

I think the Bruins are better off without Thomas. Rask has already proven he can be the starter.

 

[pghbuccos]

the Montreal Canadiens are expected to name Michel Therrien as their new head in the next 24 -48 hours. this will be Therrien's second stint as Habs coach he replaced Alain Vigneault during the 2000-01 season and was fired in 2002-03. he was replaced by Claude Julien.


it's now official...

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=397660

 

[robert67]

Predators look to trade the rights to Alex Radulov:
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/SPORTS02/306050106/Predators-sever-ties-Alexander-Radulov?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CSports&gcheck=1&nclick_check=1


No suprise here. I have a feeling that Suter will be gone too. The next domino to fall will be Weber. Guess we will start over after that!

Oh well, at least we still have Rinne.

Robert

 

[pghbuccos]

Predators look to trade the rights to Alex Radulov:
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120605/SPORTS02/306050106/Predators-sever-ties-Alexander-Radulov?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Sports&gcheck=1&nclick_check=1


No suprise here. I have a feeling that Suter will be gone too. The next domino to fall will be Weber. Guess we will start over after that!

Oh well, at least we still have Rinne.

Robert

not surprised by the Radulov news.

do you really think they won't be able to resign Weber? that will be a shame if they can't get a deal done.

 

[robert67]

Yes, Dave, I do think Weber's days are numbered here. I'm afraid the organization feels like they gave it their best shot and failed with the plan they had this year. They made the moves to win and to satisfy Weber and Suter. Also, his support of Radulov can only be considered questionable. To sum it up, the outlook seems to be that they don't want players directing player movement and many feel as if that is what happened this year, all for nothing.

Now, I don't see it this way at all, and I think many fans are encouraged by what they accomplished. But, I am a realist and I know they will have a hard time paying Weber 9+ million a season, minimum. As I stated when I first joined the board, this team can be very frustrating to follow!

Robert

 

[Sly]

Bruins resign Chris Kelly and Gregory Campbell. With those signings, and resigning Paille a few weeks ago, the B's will be fielding nearly an identical line-up as they did this year, minus Joe Corvo (which is fine by me and probably all Bruins fans) and most likely Tim Thomas (again, okay by me).

I am a big shocked that Campbell resigned. I figured he'd be able to get a bit more money and more playing time elsewhere. The guy really could be a third line center on many teams, especially with being very solid on the penalty kill. Overall though, I won't complain about him staying in Boston.

 

[pghbuccos]

Yes, Dave, I do think Weber's days are numbered here. I'm afraid the organization feels like they gave it their best shot and failed with the plan they had this year. They made the moves to win and to satisfy Weber and Suter. Also, his support of Radulov can only be considered questionable. To sum it up, the outlook seems to be that they don't want players directing player movement and many feel as if that is what happened this year, all for nothing.

Now, I don't see it this way at all, and I think many fans are encouraged by what they accomplished. But, I am a realist and I know they will have a hard time paying Weber 9+ million a season, minimum. As I stated when I first joined the board, this team can be very frustrating to follow!

Robert

well that is sad to hear but I agree there is no way they can pay a defenseman $9 million a year. I would think he will have a hard time getting $9 from any team but with a new CBA coming who knows what is going to happen.

 

[pghbuccos]

the Penguins and Sidney Crosby have reportedly agreed to a 10 year $90 million contract extension. Crosby's current deal isn't up until after the coming season but Sid has always said he wants to stay in Pittsburgh his entire career. he currently makes $8.7 million per season so this was a great deal for the Pens. hopefully he can stay healthy through the life of this deal. the contract cannot be signed until July 1st.


this is probably old news to most of you but I haven't been around recently

 

[G $MONEY$]

NHL draft tonight!!!
Hope Oilers draft Nail Yakupov and not trade him

 

[Sly]

Ryan Murray goes to Columbus!!

And the Bruins get Subban ... Malcolm that is (drafted at #24).

 

[thefatguy]

What a day yesterday. Lots of movement, lots of trades, lots of interesting picks.


Tim Thomas is nuts-o.
The Staal bros will play together in CAR.
GGY picked like the youngest guy in the draft.

 

[AK11]

I think the big draft winners were the Caps and Sabres for getting Forsberg amd Grigorenko outside the top 10 because of the run on defensemen.

 

[G $MONEY$]

I think the big draft winners were the Caps and Sabres for getting Forsberg amd Grigorenko outside the top 10 because of the run on defensemen.

BIG TIME!!!!!

when those guys were still around at pick 11 and Calgary had #14 i was praying that Jay Feaster would move up a few spots and get one of them. Of course not though, instead he trades away our pick. I hate Feaster!!!!

 

[tommyd2107]

Jvr traded to Toronto for Luke schenn. Both schenn brothers are now on the flyers

 

[G $MONEY$]

Jvr traded to Toronto for Luke schenn. Both schenn brothers are now on the flyers

WOW!! This is huge!!! I love the Schenn brothers, a couple of good ol Western Canadian boys!!

 

[pghbuccos]

sad to see Jordan Staal get traded but for the Pens to get Sutter and the 8th pick for him is awesome. Staal wasn't happy with his role and ice time with the Pens and turned down a 10 year $60 million deal last week. it will be cool to see Jordan and Eric playing together in Carolina.

the Pens know have $14.6 million under the Cap to spend after trading Zybnek Michalek to the Coyotes for 2 prospects. reportedly they will go hard after Zach Parise who Sidney Crosby has already begun courting and will throw an offer to Nashville D man Ryan Suter on July 1.

 

[robert67]

reportedly they will go hard after Zach Parise who Sidney Crosby has already begun courting and will throw an offer to Nashville D man Ryan Suter on July 1.

If Nashville can't sign Suter I would much rather see him with Pens than the Red Wings!

However, I still think he ends up with the Wings or the Wild. Poile overplayed his hand with Suter and now the Preds will pay. Sure hope he doesn't make the same mistake with Weber.

Robert