God, I wonder how long until we have another “time-out” year to protect the owners from their own lack of control.
The Canucks take on 29 y.o. Tyler Myers for 5 yrs for $30 M. Still trying to decide if I like the deal. At least better than Loui Eriksson’s. Van also acquires J. T. Miller for a half-decent top 6 position, especially adding more physicality.
I don’t really see why you’re depressed. They pretty much split the difference on the ages, and at least Pavelski produces consistently. Spezza hasn’t been worth the amount he was being paid for years, Toronto would only fork over $700K for him, which was a tenth of what he was being paid here. I liked him, but him no longer being a Star was a management no-brainer.
Plucky try by the Habs - at the very least showing hockey’s most demanding fans that they’re trying to find an elite offensive player like Aho.
(Who’s staying, though.)
And for the Stars, I’d rather have Pavelski than Zukerillo. Pavelski was probably the most drooled-over player before he ended up in Dallas, where I’ll bet he’ll sooner-than-later end up with a “C” on his jersey. I’m guessing the regular captain is Benn, who plays the same kinda high-scoring, tough, sharp play-making game. With Joe, a centre, and Jamie, a left-winger, that would make for two thirds of a devastating line - interesting to see if they go with that. (And then find that right winger to match Colorado’s insane MacKinnon/Landeskog/Rantanen line from last season…well, maybe not in the goals dept. Such a Dallas line would already have tons more grit than the AVs one.)
I was hoping they would get and keep a few younger people instead of just “split the difference” agewise. I guess you are right about Spezza though; I tend to get attached to players. I’d be terrible at management.
So the Islanders do…basically nothing. They failed to get Panarin (apparently, he went to the NYR for less money), they didn’t keep Lehner, but are paying pretty big for an inferior goalie. They struggled to keep their captain. I really hope Lou knows what he’s doing – so far, I’m unimpressed. He’s probably not used to being a GM for a team without a home arena – makes it hard to get good players.
Hopefully, some of their prospects really step up. Is Wahlstrom ready for the NHL?
I am really anxious to see how the offer sheet to Aho plays out. It is something that I am surprised never happens more, especially with a team that has cap space. Montreal front loaded the offer with bonuses to make it tough to match, but we will see.
I am reminded of when Carolina (then owned by Peter Karmanos) made an insane offer to Sergei Fedorov (Karmanos and Ilitch had a long running rivalry). Detroit ended up matching the offer and Fedorov ended up, with bonuses, making something like $28 million dollars in six months.
The AP has a good article about the NHL’s Restricted Free Agent status and trading; I learned a bit.
Like, I didn’t know this:
I didn’t know that draft trades were an intrinsic part of RFA offers, nor that they were so onerous.
Ooooooookaaaaaaayyeee
ikr
I know this is really NHL 105 news, but hey, who cares? The important thing is that it’s hockey. 
[Moderating]
Fixed title.
Thanks, Chronos.
If the ownership group in Seattle is a little less tight fisted than Karmanos was, Ron should do well.
So you think it was budgetary concerns that held back the Hurricanes during his tenure there? I don’t know anything about his time with the team other than their general win-loss records and what was in the brief linked article. Educate me! (Please.)
In 4 years in Carolina Francis never traded a NHL player for another NHL player, that is unusual. Don’t think low budget was the cause of that. His drafting was good and he did trade picks for players.
yet he does NOT have a cup…
Binnigton has one…and a record. !6 wins as a Rookie.
Love ya Bo… but Binnington s Winnington !
I play forward in this thread and see a repeat.
daniel