NHL Free Agency Thread

[RaynorWolfcastle]

RDS report:
Mike Modano is still undecided about his future. Earlier, he said he was 90% sure he wanted to finish his career in Dallas however the Bruins came in with a late offer that is making him reconsider. Supposedly Dallas is offering him 5years/$17.5M compared to Boston's 5 years/$20M.

 

[rh71]

Pittsburgh signed Gonchar ?! WTF are they doing with all these guys ? They will not be SC contenders for another 4 years with all those kids they're playing. I say it's done to get them a new arena as a result of more interest... at least they'll have that... interesting games. I can't wait to get NHL Center Ice. Damn you traitor Gonchar. You lost it for the Caps in game 7 by giving the puck away to Straka. Now this. God I hate the Pens.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Kenazo
From here

Leafs to lose Antropov
August 3 @ 9:00 AM
Not only are the Leafs losing out on the free agent market, they may be losing out to Russia as well.
According to the Toronto Star, forward Nik Antropov has received offers from Russian club teams doubling and even tripling the qualifying offer of $1 million the Leafs have offered the winger.
"I have to think about it with my agent (Don Meehan) very hard. I've been thinking about it for the last month and a half. We haven't make a decision yet," Antropov told the Star. "I hope to stay here in Toronto and play for the Maple Leafs."
"I've got a couple of offers in Russia for two to three times as much money. It's easier for me to go back there than to stick around the NHL. Same as for the Canadians who played in Russia. It's easier for them to come back here. We'll see what's going to happen but my mind is to stay here and play for the Leafs. Toronto is a great city. I like it a lot actually."

Now, he's not that amazing of a player, but if he can get that kind of money in Russia, what's stopping the Russians from buying up the NHL's elite? The CBA might end up killing the NHL if someone else is willing to pay more for the talent. Short run players will stay in the NHL b/c they feel at home, owe it to the game, etc but what if NHL was second rung to the Russian Elite or some other league? The best players would want to go where the best hockey and the best money is and the teams here can't do anything about it.

Players will still care about playing hockey will stay in the NHL because they want to compete with the best the world has to offer. Case in point, Alexander Ovechkin. Just last month, he was set to make a ton more money by remaining in Russia but he ultimately chose to come to the NHL and play for 3x less.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

Originally posted by: rh71
Pittsburgh signed Gonchar ?! WTF are they doing with all these guys ? They will not be SC contenders for another 4 years with all those kids they're playing. I say it's done to get them a new arena as a result of more interest... at least they'll have that... interesting games. I can't wait to get NHL Center Ice. Damn you traitor Gonchar. God I hate the Pens.

I think it'll work, they'll get their arena. On top of this, I'm sure they hope that Malkin and Crosby can develop faster than that. If Fleury, Malkin, and Crosby are ready in two years, watch out; Pittsburgh could be the next dynasty.

As a side note, poor Caps soon they'll have to play the mascott on the third line

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
As a side note, poor Caps soon they'll have to play the mascott on the third line

Their 2nd line center is Jeff Halpern. They're in trouble. But I just can't wait to see Ovechkin play. Watch out for a kid named Semin too.

 

[Insane3D]

Semen? :Q

This Modano story is turning out to be interesting. If the B's get him, can they have both him and Thornton?

I hope after it's all said and done, someone gives us some of the backstory to it...

 

[Kenazo]

Originally posted by: rh71
Players will still care about playing hockey will stay in the NHL because they want to compete with the best the world has to offer. Case in point, Alexander Ovechkin. Just last month, he was set to make a ton more money by remaining in Russia but he ultimately chose to come to the NHL and play for 3x less.

That's how it is now, but wait a few years for the economic forces to really come into play, I can see how the Russian Elite league or some of the other leagues with no paycap will be able to come in and scoop up enough of the NHL's elite to make it happen... Just wait.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

Originally posted by: Kenazo
That's how it is now, but wait a few years for the economic forces to really come into play, I can see how the Russian Elite league or some of the other leagues with no paycap will be able to come in and scoop up enough of the NHL's elite to make it happen... Just wait.

You're dreaming if you think they can fill an arena with NHL-like ticket prices anywhere else in the world.

Side note: RDS reports that the Habs have signed Mathieu Dandenault

 

[NakaNaka]

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle

Originally posted by: rh71
Pittsburgh signed Gonchar ?! WTF are they doing with all these guys ? They will not be SC contenders for another 4 years with all those kids they're playing. I say it's done to get them a new arena as a result of more interest... at least they'll have that... interesting games. I can't wait to get NHL Center Ice. Damn you traitor Gonchar. God I hate the Pens.

I think it'll work, they'll get their arena. On top of this, I'm sure they hope that Malkin and Crosby can develop faster than that. If Fleury, Malkin, and Crosby are ready in two years, watch out; Pittsburgh could be the next dynasty.

The Pens paid way too much for Gonchar. They need a stay at home D-man and they could have gotten a couple of those plus a role player type foward with what they paid Gonchar. Hell, they could have added an extra million and made a serious run at Scott Neidermeyer. Way too much money on Gonchar and way too long of a deal.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

TSN reports that Mike Modano Rejects Dallas' 17.5M deal. Sources say Boston and Chicago still negotiating, with four year contracts worth over $20M

 

[Insane3D]

Bruins sign Leetch for one year

:Q

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
TSN reports that Mike Modano Rejects Dallas' 17.5M deal. Sources say Dallas and Chicago still negotiating, with four year contracts worth over $20M

Boston is out of the running? They were offering 21 mil the last I heard..

 

[Insane3D]

Recap so far today....

Boston Bruins - Signed restricted free agent defenceman Brian Leetch.

Calgary Flames - Re-signed restricted free agent forward Jarome Iginla, re-signed restricted free agent defenceman Jordan Leopold.

Columbus Blue Jackets - Signed unrestricted free agent defenceman Bryan Berard.

Dallas Stars - Signed unrestricted free agent defenceman Martin Skoula.

Montreal Canadiens - Re-signed unrestricted free agent forward Alexei Kovalev. Signed unrestricted free agent defenceman Mathieu Dandenault.

Pittsburgh Penguins - Signed unrestricted free agent defenceman Sergei Gonchar.

Vancouver Canucks - Re-signed unrestricted free agent forward Markus Naslund. Traded defenceman Brent Sopel to the New York Islanders for a conditional draft pick in 2006.

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Bruins sign Leetch for one year

:Q

I'm not sure how to react to this... He's had an amazing career, but the last 3 years has been injured a lot and had slower production (he did have 15 pts in 15 games with the leafs tho).

should be interesting... man, i hope the B's get another solid forward (like modano) and samsonov and even thornton resign. that would give us a very solid team.

 

[Insane3D]

Yeah...Leetch is nowhere near where he used to be, but getting off the team of doom seems to have given him some life, and he will probably be given free reign on being offensive. One other thought I had is imagine Leetch feeding some seriously crazy outlet passes to Joe, Murray, Or Samsonov now that there is no more two line pass. He will always have some special hands.

It's only for a year anyhow...so, if he is a flop, no big loss. I think it's more of a chance for him to go out on a high note...

 

[Insane3D]

Modano rejects Stars latest offer

Mike Modano

TSN.ca Staff

8/3/2005 3:49:41 PM

Mike Modano's agent says his client has rejected the latest contract offer from the Dallas Stars.

"I informed the Stars of Mike's decision a few minutes ago," Brian Lawton told TSN.

While it is still possible that Modano will return to Dallas, that possibility now seems remote, despite reports Tuesday night that we would be returning to the franchise.

Lawton would not say which teams are still in the running for Modano's services, but NHL sources tell TSN that Boston and Chicago both have four year deals on the table worth in excess of $20 million.

The Stars had offered Modano a five year deal worth $17.5 million.

 

[rh71]

5 years for 17.5 mil is a joke for a 1st-line center and multi-time all-star. There are defensemen cracking $5mil a year.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: rh71
5 years for 17.5 mil is a joke for a 1st-line center and multi-time all-star. There are defensemen cracking $5mil a year.

So I guess the question is would he rather be on the B's or the Blackhawks..sounds like the money is similar..

I'm drooling at the thought of having Murray, Thornton and Modano locked up for the next four years or so..

:Q

 

[Aquaman]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Originally posted by: rh71
5 years for 17.5 mil is a joke for a 1st-line center and multi-time all-star. There are defensemen cracking $5mil a year.

So I guess the question is would he rather be on the B's or the Blackhawks..sounds like the money is similar..

I'm drooling at the thought of having Murray, Thornton and Modano locked up for the next four years or so..

:Q

Do the B's have room in the cap for him though?

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Insane3D]

That's my question. I'm thinking they might because they have been preparing this for so long, and signed almost no one before the lockout. I don't really know though. I love Modano, but he's not a replacement for Thornton...

 

[Aquaman]

I hope the Canucks could get either Foresburg or Neidermeyer........ but I don't think we have the cap room

I think we may make a push for Neidermeyer, since we lost Malik & traded Sopel. We need some more d-men

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[meltdown75]

There seems to be a premium on landing free agents with leadership capabilities. A lot of these senior players might not be able to keep up with the young bucks, but they will definitely be able to talk some sense into them come crunch time in the playoffs, for example. ie. I don't think the signing of Nieuwy and Roberts in Florida is guaranteed to produce offence, but it will be amazing to see what they can teach some of the younger stars in a season's time.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: meltdown75
There seems to be a premium on landing free agents with leadership capabilities. A lot of these senior players might not be able to keep up with the young bucks, but they will definitely be able to talk some sense into them come crunch time in the playoffs, for example. ie. I don't think the signing of Nieuwy and Roberts in Florida is guaranteed to produce offence, but it will be amazing to see what they can teach some of the younger stars in a season's time.

Agreed. I think that's part of what the B's are doing. They obviously couldn't handle the playoff pressure in the last playoffs, evidenced by their 3-1 lead turning into a 3-4 loss. I think players like Modano, and Leetch could help them to finally start getting further in the playoffs.

Only time will tell...

Also, one other thing, the B's have said if Modano falls through, they will go after Forsberg...:Q I can't even imagine Forsberg on the B's...

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Originally posted by: meltdown75
There seems to be a premium on landing free agents with leadership capabilities. A lot of these senior players might not be able to keep up with the young bucks, but they will definitely be able to talk some sense into them come crunch time in the playoffs, for example. ie. I don't think the signing of Nieuwy and Roberts in Florida is guaranteed to produce offence, but it will be amazing to see what they can teach some of the younger stars in a season's time.

Agreed. I think that's part of what the B's are doing. They obviously couldn't handle the playoff pressure in the last playoffs, evidenced by their 3-1 lead turning into a 3-4 loss. I think players like Modano, and Leetch could help them to finally start getting further in the playoffs.

Only time will tell...

Also, one other thing, the B's have said if Modano falls through, they will go after Forsberg...:Q I can't even imagine Forsberg on the B's...

I don't know if too many stars on one squad is such a good idea. Look at the Rangers of the past little while. They tried to do the Yankee thing and land every available star, and there was a major power struggle on the team between guys like Lindros, Bure, Kovavlev, etc etc. Sounds kinda wierd, but perhaps it manifests itself moreso in the NHL due to the nature of the sport. Everybody has to know / play a role if the team is to be successful and maybe too many stars is a bad thing.

Forsberg though... *drool* his skills are godlike, 1337, and I just pray that all the talk about Crosby being a mirror image is true.

 

[Insane3D]

New York Islanders - Signed free agent forward Miroslav Satan.

Satan and Yashin might be interesting...