Look at the list of highest payed goalies and then look at the list of those goalies who were even playing deep into the playoffs. Not too many*. Then look at the goalie who won the Stanley cup.
Sure Nabby was great for us, I’ll always root for him wherever he goes, but the law of diminishing returns is rearing its ugly head here. The dropoff we’ll have in goalie play is lower than the amount of money Wilson will save, and be able to use for other talent.
*:1. Henrik Lundqvist - Not in the playoffs
2. Roberto Luongo - Eliminated in 2nd round; also overrated
3. Ryan Miller - Eliminated in the 1st round
4. Jean-Sebastien Giguere - Not in the playoffs
5. Niklas Backstrom - Not in the playoffs
6. Miikka Kiprusoff - Not in the playoffs
7. Marty Turco - Not in the playoffs
8. Tomas Vokoun - Not in the playoffs
9. Cristobal Huet - Replaced by cheaper backup, namely Niemi, during the season and barely played 20 minutes during playoffs
10. Evgeni Nabokov - Swept in conference finals; will only move higher on this list next season
Still no news on Kovalchuk. I wonder if some deal fell through as he was supposed to announce something yesterday.
I still don’t see why he doesn’t sign with the Kings. The Kings would be a cup contender with him. The Islanders are a Northern version of last year’s Thrashers.
Well, the LA rumors surface again in regards to Kovalchuk. Who knows how this will end up? At least ESPN doesn’t hype it like they’re doing with Lebron James
Looks like Nabokov is headed to the KHL. Too many goalies, too few teams in the NHL. Turco is still out there. I wonder if the Flyers have any interest in him still?
Rob Niedermayer signs with the Sabres. Nice pickup for them.
Modano as a Red Wing? Wish he would just retire and call it a great career with the Stars.
Actually, I covered that in my post. Miler, Luongo, Nabokov, Kiprusoff were not only high cost goalies, they were goalies that ate a lot of games for their teams. Giguere hasn’t been the same since they cut his pads down, plus Anaheim didn’t have a lot going for it in a tough division and conference. Same with Dallas. The Rangers are so dysfunctional that it borders on comedic.
And again, the team that went with Niemi was so damned top heavy on talent and salary that they were my pick for the cup, could’ve done well with any NHL caliber goalie, and are being disassembled as we speak to stay under the cap.
Like I said. I just don’t see why San Jose is taking the risk. Cut back on Nabby’s games so he’s got gas in the tank (no Olympics would help there also), and they’d be a cup contender. Now they just seem like part of the pack.
I’ll second on Kovalchuk not going to LA. They’d be a playoff certainty (well, as much as any team can be in the NHL) if not cup material. The Islanders need a lot more than one goal scorer. Almost the same with New Jersey. In LA he’d have some talented young players.
Modano now wants to come to Detroit? Not sure how I feel about it. I’d love to have him on the third line. He’d even be good on the second depending how the season goes. On the other hand, he’s always seemed like kind of a whiny dick to me.
Hokay. There are many announcements hitting the public right now in terms of the Canucks (I always find Vancouver under-represented in these general hockey threads and yet never contribute myself - oops).
Today is the Canucks Summer Summit (previously known as the State of the Franchise). Unveiled today will be the new 40th Anniversary logos as well as the initiatives and events that will take place next season. There are even rumours of an entirely new jersey being showcased (because what we need is another freaking logo).
GM Place has officially renamed itself the Rogers Arena. There is a flurry activity throughout the building as old signage is stripped or covered.
Mason Raymond is currently in arbitration; Hamhuis, Malhotra and Ballard are officially Canucks; Wellwood looks like he’s on his way out.
I wish Vancouver would bring back their logo and uniforms from the Bure/Linden era. I don’t see why they need their whale logo now that Orca Bay is not involved in the management of the team. (they’re not, are they?)
They’re not, but I’m still a fervent advocate of the whale. I like the colours, I like the orca whale=pacific northwest feeling and I like the mascot. The skate logo was a little loud, and I think I only like it because I grew up with it.
