NHL 2007 Offseason Thread
 

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The NHL is thinking about expanding.

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Talk is Vegas and Kansas... maybe Houston as a long shot.

This is ridiculous. The NHL doesn't know any other way to make money but by adding teams and get expansion fees.

I think hockey needs to get smaller, regroup. I'm hoping this is nothing more than talk.

Chris Chelios resigned with Detroit (1 year) Sundin resigned with Toronto (1 year)

Like the Sundin signing, especially since it's only 1 year.

Toronto really needs some work in the summer. Would love to see us pick up say Smyth or Drury.

Yeah I think the NHL needs to get smaller.

So the OIlers will have 3 #1 round draft picks this year, plus a high round 2 guy. Talk is they want to mov these for a top player. I wonder if that player might be... Ryan Smyth. There is also talk that Calgary might be going after Smyth.

The cap is supposed to go to 47 million. Some predict as high as 51 million, don't really see it going that high.

With it rising though, it'll mean the top franchises will have the chance to sign more FA's. The weaker teams, although they are playing in a cap won't be able to afford to max out. Which is ok, IMO. A team that can and a team that can't don't need to be tied to the ankles. Parity is one thing, but too much parity makes for boring hockey.

Later tonight or if someone else wants to, we'll post the list of FA's.

Apparently Alexi Yashin is keen on coming back to the Senators.

That's a good possibility since the Islanders bought out the last 4 years of his contract. Must be saving that cap space for DiPietro's next 14 years.

I still can't believe they signed Di Pietro for that long.

The only thing with Yashin comingback to the Sens though is will they have him considering the history that they have?

I read in the paper today that the other teams that he's interested in going to are Edmonton, Montreal, Philly and Jersey.

When will the Leafs learn that Sundin isn't going to get them to the promise land. I think they highly over rate him. Good player and all but not a superstar.

The same can be said with Ryan Smyth. I'd love him on my team any day, but not at the price he asks for. He's not a top teir superstar so why does he deserve $5M plus?

It should be interesting to see what happens to Buffalo. Don't they have like their top lines all free agents?

Cap should go over 50 million actually.

Leafs are retarded for signing Antripov for that much and Sundin for that much. The sooner JFJ is out the better for them.

NHL is NOT expanding anyime soon. Although Nashville could go to Hamilton.

Ryan Smyth will not go back to Edmonton. Toronto, Calgary or NYI are the places he is rumored to be going to.

Look for the Bruins to snag Drury if he doesn't go back to Buffalo. Also look for them to go after some gritt like Scott Hartnell or Scott Walker. The Oilers are also courting Hartnell so look for that.

I doubt the Sens would want Yashin. He's the type of soft player with talent they've been purging themselves of.

Drury will stay in Buffalo, at least that's my gut feeling.

Anaheim Ducks

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories//20...logo_46545.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: G Jean-Sebastien Giguere, RW Teemu Selanne, D Sean O'Donnell, D Ric Jackman, LW Brad May, D Joe DiPenta, F Trevor Gillies, F Shane Endicott, RW Shawn Thornton.
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Atlanta Thrashers

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_47506.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: LW Keith Tkachuk, D Greg de Vries, F Slava Kozlov, D Andy Sutton, D Vitaly Vishnevski, RW Jon Sim, D Shane Hnidy, LW J.P. Vigier, LW Eric Boulton, RW Brad Larsen, LW Cory Larose, D Andy Delmore, LW Pascal Dupuis.
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Off-Season Game Plan: The optimism generated by finally making the playoffs didn't last long as the Atlanta Thrashers were ejected quickly from the first round. More...</td> --></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Boston Bruins

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_46297.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: LW Petr Tenkrat, D Jason York, RW Brandon Bochenski, LW Jeff Hoggan, D Nathan Dempsey, G Joey MacDonald.
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Buffalo Sabres

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...o-sm_54746.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: C Daniel Briere, C Chris Drury, D Teppo Numminen, RW Adam Mair, RW Michael Ryan, G Ty Conklin, C Dainius Zubrus, D Timo Helbling, D Mikko Lehtonen, G Adam Berkhoel.
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Calgary Flames

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_46692.gif Unrestricted Free Agents: D Roman Hamrlik, RW Tony Amonte, LW Jeff Friesen, RW Darren McCarty, G Jamie McLennan, C Byron Ritchie, D Brad Ference, D Brad Stuart, C Wayne Primeau.
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Carolina Hurricanes

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_46858.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: RW Anson Carter, RW Scott Walker, D David Tanabe, RW Shane Willis, RW Jesse Boulerice, C Josef Vasicek.
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Chicago Blackhawks

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_46790.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: RW Michal Handzus, C Denis Arkhipov, C Mikael Holmqvist, RW Peter Bondra, RW Jeff Hamilton, D Bruno St. Jacques, C Craig MacDonald, RW Reed Low.
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Colorado Avalanche

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_46140.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: D Patrice Brisebois, C Pierre Turgeon, D Ossi Vaananen, C Tyler Arnason, C Brett McLean, D Ken Klee, LW Antti Laaksonen, C Mark Rycroft, F Ben Guite.
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Columbus Blue Jackets

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...kets_40124.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: D Bryan Berard, D Anders Eriksson, G Brian Boucher, D Jamie Pushor.
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Dallas Stars

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_47449.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: D Darryl Sydor, C Eric Lindros, D Jon Klemm, C Patrik Stefan, RW Matthew Barnaby, D Stephane Robidas, LW Ladislav Nagy.
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Detroit Red Wings

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_47275.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: LW Todd Bertuzzi, C Robert Lang, C Kyle Calder, D Mathieu Schneider, D Danny Markov, D Jiri Fischer, G Dominik Hasek.
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Edmonton Oilers

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_47151.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: RW Petr Sykora, C Petr Nedved, D Daniel Tjarnqvist, D Jan Hejda, G Jussi Markkanen, LW Toby Petersen.
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Florida Panthers

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_47192.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: C Jozef Stumpel, LW Martin Gelinas, G Ed Belfour, G Jean-Marc Pelletier.
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Los Angeles Kings

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_46953.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: D Jaroslav Modry, D Aaron Miller, D Jamie Heward, G Sean Burke, G Mathieu Garon, F Tom Kostopoulos, D Mike Weaver, F Raitis Ivanans.
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Minnesota Wild

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_70440.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: D Martin Skoula, C Todd White, C Wes Walz, C Wyatt Smith, D Peter Ratchuk, C Jason Morgan.
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Montreal Canadiens

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_46338.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: D Janne Niinimaa, D Sheldon Souray, C Radek Bonk, LW Mike Johnson, G David Aebischer, RW Aaron Downey.
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Nashville Predators

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_33062.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: C Peter Forsberg, LW Paul Kariya, D Kimmo Timonen, RW Scott Hartnell, C Scott Nichol, D Sheldon Brookbank, C Jerred Smithson, RW Patrick Leahy, G Karl Goehring, C Kim Staal, LW Eric Belanger.
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New Jersey Devils

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_46511.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: C Scott Gomez, D Brian Rafalski, RW Alexander Mogilny, D Dan McGillis, D Brad Lukowich, LW Jason Wiemer, LW Grant Marshall, D Jim Fahey, C Jim Dowd, RW Erik Rasmussen, G Scott Clemmensen, LW Dan LaCouture.
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New York Islanders

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_46902.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: C Alexei Yashin, LW Ryan Smyth, LW Richard Zednik, D Tom Poti, RW Jason Blake, LW Chris Simon, LW Arron Asham, C Viktor Kozlov, D Sean Hill, RW Eric Boguniecki, G Mike Dunham, D Joel Bouchard, D Tomas Malec, C Peter Ferraro.
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New York Rangers

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_47236.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: LW Brendan Shanahan, D Sandis Ozolinsh, G Kevin Weekes, LW Brad Isbister, RW Jed Ortmeyer, D Martin Richter.
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Ottawa Senators

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_47371.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: C Mike Comrie, LW Dean McAmmond, D Tom Preissing, D Jamie Allison, C Serge Payer.
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Philadelphia Flyers

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_46736.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: C Mike York, G Robert Esche, LW Niko Dimitrakos, LW Todd Fedoruk, RW Denis Hamel, C Mark Cullen.
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Phoenix Coyotes

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...otes_62822.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: G Curtis Joseph, C Mike Ricci, LW Owen Nolan, C Jeremy Roenick, LW Pascal Rheaume.
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Pittsburgh Penguins

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_34388.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: LW Gary Roberts, RW Mark Recchi, G Jocelyn Thibault, LW Nils Ekman, D Josef Melichar, D Eric Cairns, D Robert Scuderi, LW Ronald Petrovicky, D Alain Nasreddine, D Wade Brookbank.
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San Jose Sharks

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_47411.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: D Craig Rivet, RW Bill Guerin, D Scott Hannan, C Mark Smith, RW Scott Parker, D Patrick Traverse, D Vladimir Malakhov.
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St. Louis Blues

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_46244.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: C Glen Metropolit, LW Ville Nieminen, LW Radek Dvorak, LW Vladimir Orszagh, D Jamie Rivers, C Trent Whitfield, C Denis Pederson.
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Tampa Bay Lightning

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_47001.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: D Cory Sarich, LW Ruslan Fedotenko, D Nolan Pratt, D Luke Richardson, LW Rob DiMaio, LW Eric Perrin, LW Eric Healey.
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Toronto Maple Leafs

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_47073.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: C Michael Peca, C Jeff O'Neill, C Yanic Perreault, G Jean-Sebastien Aubin, C Travis Green, LW Bates Battaglia.
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Vancouver Canucks

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_46385.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: D Brent Sopel, C Bryan Smolinski, C Jan Bulis, LW Trevor Linden, C Jeff Cowan, D Rory Fitzpatrick, C Brad Moran, G Dany Sabourin, D Yannick Tremblay, C Tommi Santala, RW Josh Green, D Lee Goren, G Wade Flaherty.
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Washington Capitals

<TABLE class=one width=627><TBODY><TR><TD align=left>http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/200...logo_46424.gifUnrestricted Free Agents: D Bryan Muir.
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I think they'll try to keep Briere before Drury.

Toronto most likely won't sign any of their UFAs. Which is good.

Godddd if Toronto picked up Kariya I'd mark out so badly.

The Blues need a top tier forward to make the jump back into the playoffs.

I'm seriously hoping for Gomez.

Either way though, Erik Johnson is a freaking stud.

Like Tkachuk, Weight, Guerin?

Hopefully the CAnucks can get stingier on the back end. Maybe pick up a steady D man like Sydor.

Let me rephrase that. A top-tier center that can score.

The Canadiens need to re sign Souray, but anyone else shoudl be let go. Especially Aebischer.

Mike Keenan is in Calgary. Terrible.

All the talk in Vancouver yesterday was the canucks will be waiting until next years free agency to make a splash. Naslund and Morrison's contracts are up and Danny Heatly will be available.

I believe this makes 8 teams Keenan has coached or managed. I don't see the allure of the guy, esp. on this Calgary team that is an older team. Keenan's style is more in tune with younger teams that need a lot of hands on and/or yelling at. Keenan's not even that successful in the NHL. I believe the Flames players will tune him out. IMO, Keenan's time has past.

500+ wins 400ish losses
1 Stanley Cup
2 or 3 Stanley Cup finals losses
1 Canada Cup

Not successful?

I do hate the guy but numbers don't lie.

Holy crap, he has hair.

prob best picture of all time

WOW

Bruins relieve Lewis and Habscheid of thier coaching duties.

I am so shocked right now. Don't even know what to think.

Bruins will be better for it.


And goodbye Samsonov....we hardly knew ya....and we dont wanna get to know ya.

Hawks, good luck.

Word is Montreal are just going to buy out Cullimore and Salmelainen contracts. Just used them to get rid of Samsonov.

Looks like Pat Quinn will be coaching Boston and I have to say i'm pumped. I always liked him in Toronto. If not Quinn it's Pat Burns or Claude Julian.

In some shocking news it looks like Scott Niedermayer is going to retire.

Mike Milbury to coach the Bruins again?

Canada Cup? So what.

2-3 losses in the Finals is not a success. Also, the losses he had were early in his career, that's what gave him the mystique of being a great coach. As time went on however, his shtick got very tired with the teams he coached.

He's done 1 really good thing, IMO. Traded Luongo to the Canucks.

His time has passed.

Has Ottawa fired Muckler?

Not yet but it is imminent.

wonder what's going on?

All the news papers are reporting he's been fired, and that Brian Murray will be promoted to GM, but anybody on the team they've interviewed so far has just said "No comment."

I can't believe Milbury is going to coach Boston. That guy is almost as bad as Keenan but for different reasons.

Hartnell and Timonen to Philly for a first round draft pick. This is huge for the Flyers. I think they signed them for a little much but what you gonna do?

Timonen for 6.3 a year and Hartnell for 4.2 a year ... pretty steep but I like the Flyers next year

Also Murray is in and Muckler is out

Is Muckler out officially/

yes he is

No guarantee Heatley's available.

I don't see Heatley leaving.

He turned down a contract extension. He's from the West, has a summer home in Kelowna, and Roberto Luongo plays for Vancouver.