[WileE]

So, for the Hockey fans out here, what do you all think of the first day or so of free agent signings?

I think the Rangers have become dangerous with Drury and Gomez, and Philly has improved as well. I think the Caps did pretty well on a budget too.

I hope the Pens pick-ups look as good on the ice as they do on paper.

Discuss

[Jump]

The Sharks extended Thornton for an extra three years. Hopefully they will do the same for Marleau.

[WileE]

There were all kinds of rumors about Marleau possibly being traded if the Sharks picked up Ryan Smith or Kairya. I think that is a mistake. He just had a bad season last year. He has still got alot of skill.

I am surprised that the Sharks didn't really do much today, given the loss of Hannan. I know they have alot of depth, but he is a force on the blueline. Could Stuart be coming back to San Jose??

[Jump]

Did someone sign Hannan? If not they didn't lose him yet. Hannan is probably going to draw some cash so I don't know if the Sharks will sign him. But then, this is a team that walked into the draft with no first round picks and walked out with two. So who knows.

[WileE]

Hannan is now a Colorado Av.

[Jump]

ooh, conference rival. Bummer. Ah well, they are deep in talent at every level of the organization so they will replace him and make another. But, knowing Wilson, he must have a possibility of someone better if he just let him go.

[Fidler]

Originally Posted by WileE

So, for the Hockey fans out here, what do you all think of the first day or so of free agent signings?

I think the Rangers have become dangerous with Drury and Gomez, and Philly has improved as well. I think the Caps did pretty well on a budget too.

I hope the Pens pick-ups look as good on the ice as they do on paper.

Discuss

The Rangers always look dangerous in theory, they always had the draw for stars, however they tend to over purchase stars so when the puck is dropped you have 5 guys trying to do it themselves instead as a unit. Sometimes it is frustrating to watch, and I am not even a Ranger fan. If jagr ever grows up he can be a great leader but typically he ends being a distraction off the ice because of his whining. Hopefully they will put it together this year, I know a few Ranger fans that could use another good year.

The Pens should do good this year if they relax and stay healthy and everyone remebers thier role. Unfortunatly like the Rnagers to much talent can cause as many problems as good it does. Role players sudenly think they can score and forget thier defense, others get so dazzled they forget to back check. I think that is the main reason they did not pick up Oullet, he forgot he was a role player and often got caught out of position.

Also watch for Islanders and Lightning this year. They both have a good core and are taking care of some weaknesses.

Unfortunately we do not see to many western games here so I am not that familiar with that conference teams.

[WileE]

Originally Posted by Fidler

Unfortunately we do not see to many western games here so I am not that familiar with that conference teams.

NHL Center Ice for the win.

When I moved to Baton Rouge from Pittsburgh, I had no choice, with both Dallas, Nashville, and Atlanta about 8 hours away, I don't get to go to games anymore. After having the NHL Center Ice package (for only $149.99 ), I am more into hockey than ever before. I spent 3 weekends last season watching hockey from the time I woke up till the time I went to bed.

[TexMurphy]

Sather is such an idiot imho.

Signing Drury was good imho BUT signing Gomez and breakin up the Nylander/Jagr chemistry in the process is pure moronity. Adding salt to inury is that they cant sign Henke to a long contract plus resigning Avery and Shanny, just due to the stoopid Gomez contract.

Cashing out what 7mil per year to a player that hasnt proven anything for your club while offering pocket change (2.5mil arbitary salary that Henke will be awarded if it goes to court) to two of your most important players. Say what you want about Avery but he does a extream ammount of work for the rangers who really lack physical players.

Tex

[Fidler]

Originally Posted by WileE

NHL Center Ice for the win.

When I moved to Baton Rouge from Pittsburgh, I had no choice, with both Dallas, Nashville, and Atlanta about 8 hours away, I don't get to go to games anymore. After having the NHL Center Ice package (for only $149.99 ), I am more into hockey than ever before. I spent 3 weekends last season watching hockey from the time I woke up till the time I went to bed.

I tried to get it last season, but Comcast was not very good at know ing anything about it. After the third "are you sure we have that?" I knew it was not going to happen. On the guide you can see the channels available for it, but find someone in sales that actually knows that fact is another thing.

I am sure my wife would hate me for it also. She already hates that I spend all my time between the computer and playing hockey, that would be adding fuel to the fire.

[Fidler]

Originally Posted by TexMurphy

Sather is such an idiot imho.

Signing Drury was good imho BUT signing Gomez and breakin up the Nylander/Jagr chemistry in the process is pure moronity. Adding salt to inury is that they cant sign Henke to a long contract plus resigning Avery and Shanny, just due to the stoopid Gomez contract.

Cashing out what 7mil per year to a player that hasnt proven anything for your club while offering pocket change (2.5mil arbitary salary that Henke will be awarded if it goes to court) to two of your most important players. Say what you want about Avery but he does a extream ammount of work for the rangers who really lack physical players.

Tex

Is not that the Ranger way? Ignoring those that do the most for the team. Breaking up the combos that do work. Paying obscene amounts for whose use to the club is risky.

[WileE]

Originally Posted by Fidler

Is not that the Ranger way? Ignoring those that do the most for the team. Breaking up the combos that do work. Paying obscene amounts for whose use to the club is risky.

It seems to be. I don't understand their logic. They had a really good team last year, that made a suprisingly deep playoff run. They have taken that chemistry and thrown it out the window. Jagr played GREAT with Nylander, so they break that up.

I can understand them going after Drury, and keeping everyone else they had. If they had done that, I think they would be among the early favorites to win it all. Gomez, while a good player, is not a $7+ player. Beyond that, what role will he play with the Rangers?

From pretty much the trade deadline, I was among the chorus calling for the Pens to pick up a winger and a defensive D-man. When they didn't, I knew they would not go deep in the playoffs...but now I am thinking that was the plan. Get everyone some experience, and allow the great chemistry to continue to gel. Then, with their signings, they brought in alot of help without blowing the budget. I am impressed with Shero. If only they brought him in a few years earlier.

This year will be an interesting season. There is ALOT of parity out there, with the exception of a few teams (Atlanta and Dallas are the first two that leap to mind), which have done nothing to change their plight (at least not publicly).

Only a few more months.