NHL Off-Season Thread

[XxSizzleXx]

Paul Kariya won't be playing any hockey in the upcoming season, looks like he's dealing with post concussion problems. That's too bad because I was hoping the Pens could fit him under the cap on there team, looks like that won't be happening.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=331848

[JEEPercreepermd]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' timestamp='1283114397' post='460087']
The Penguins have also signed Aaron Asham to a one year deal. I love this signing as it brings a lot of toughness to our lineup, and he's a decent player.
[/quote]
I was really disappointed that the Flyers didn't bring Asham back. He's a hard nosed player, but he can score goals too. Great pick up by the Pens! He's a 3rd or 4th line guy but he plays hard and he can make things happen.

[XxSizzleXx]

[quote name='JEEPercreepermd' timestamp='1283201819' post='460599']
I was really disappointed that the Flyers didn't bring Asham back. He's a hard nosed player, but he can score goals too. Great pick up by the Pens! He's a 3rd or 4th line guy but he plays hard and he can make things happen.
[/quote]

Yea I like how he plays hockey, I remember 2 years ago I was hoping they'd pick him up when Philly snatched him up. I think they got a deal because he took a decent pay cut.

Penguins certainly will be tougher to play against with the additions of Michalek, Martin, Asham and re-signing Cooke for 3 more years. There are a lot of guys who play that grinding game; Asham, Cooke, Kennedy, Kunitz, Rupp. Throw in a solid top 5 D of Martin, Michalek, Letang, Orpik and Goligoski. I've loved the changes Bylsma has done from the start, all they need to do know is fire Mike Yeo the PP coach.

[PuRock]

Can't wait we are back to the month where both Hockey and Football start.

NHL 2011 is coming out next week. Anybody enjoy playing the NHL 2011 video game franchise?

[XxSizzleXx]

I have probably less than 30 hours played total on my NHL game, couldn't believe I wasted my money on 10, 09 was twice as good IMO. Everyone is a dummy on Offense while the Defense AI is very annoying to play against.

[XxSizzleXx]

Penguins just keep bringing in the players, they've signed Mike Comrie to a 1 year 500k deal. This leads me to believe that he will center the second line and move Malkin over to wing for the faceoffs as Malkin is brute at them. I like this signing because when they don't throw Staal on Geno's line he didn't have anyone to play with, Comrie has some scoring touch.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=536839

The Montreal Canadians have also resigned Carey Price to a 2 year deal.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=536798

And Stanley Cup winning goaltender Anti Niemi has signed with the powerful San Jose Sharks.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=536741

[XxSizzleXx]

That sure did not feel like an off-season. Thank you to the NFL for killing time while the NHL season was creeping upon us, let the Hockey/Football madness begin tomorrow!

[George70]

From what I understand, the new season starts at Noon today - in Minnesota.

[MsMarvel73]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' timestamp='1283114397' post='460087']
The Penguins have also signed Aaron Asham to a one year deal. I love this signing as it brings a lot of toughness to our lineup, and he's a decent player.
[/quote]

I am absolutely stupified as to why the Flyers let him go. And to a division rival, no less.

[JEEPercreepermd]

Sizzle, where you at man? Opening night here we go!!! Flyers vs Pens. I think the Penguins are going to win. We have a rookie by the name of Seregei Bobrovsky starting in net for us. Apparently he had a pretty good camp and pre-season but I'll never be comfortable with a rookie going up against the firepower that the Pens have.

I really like Leighton as our starter but the guy can't stay healthy.

I think the Flyers will eventually have to make a move if he's out for an extended period of time again this year. They are so loaded on defense (and have great defensive forwards) that they don't really need a superstar in goal, but you can only go to the well so many times

[Ngata Chance]

BOA tonight, boys and girls!

Can the Flames, the only team to go perfect in the pre-season, continue their success against the young Coilers squad? I'll have to give a resounding hell ya they can. Watch for Regehr to welcome Hall into the NHL properly. By grinding him into paste in the corner.

Go Flames Go!

[XxSizzleXx]

I'm absolutely pumped, it seems like we always get to open the season against the Flyers or Devils to get the engine rolling right away, at least we have the home advantage. Starting a rookie goaltender against Malkin and Crosby is never a good idea. I'm excited to see our new acquisitions in Comrie and Asham but am even more excited to see our new defensemen. I know Martin is already a great hockey player but I've never really got the chance to watch Michalek with him being on the Coyotes, get to see tonight if they are both worth the $5 million price tag they come with. I have a feeling Asham will make a statement(throwing his body around) as players usually do against their old team, there should be a ton of energy in the game tonight with the opening of the Consol.

[XxSizzleXx]

[quote name='Ngata Chance' timestamp='1286475091' post='501251']
BOA tonight, boys and girls!

Can the Flames, the only team to go perfect in the pre-season, continue their success against the young Coilers squad? I'll have to give a resounding hell ya they can. Watch for Regehr to welcome Hall into the NHL properly. By grinding him into paste in the corner.

Go Flames Go!
[/quote]

Brining in Tanguay was a really great move IMO, he plays the way Iginla likes his linemates to play, he will open up space and feed him the biscuit. If they didn't resign Jokinen I would be happy with the Flames, but I believe he will bring the team down come playoff run. There are a few players in the league only care about the numbers and money, and I think Jokinen is one of them.

[Pääjärvi]

Asham is not playing,he's out with a shoulder injury. Anyway,the Flyers really ****ed it up when they refused to get a goalie. Ok they didn't have money for a big name(hmm,better spending 4 mil on the overrated,overpaid MEszaros to be a bottom pairing d-man) but IMO Turco or C.Mason could have been cheaper options with a lot of starting experience. Turco will have a great year in Chicago , I think he's far from done.

[Ngata Chance]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' timestamp='1286480951' post='501321']
Brining in Tanguay was a really great move IMO, he plays the way Iginla likes his linemates to play, he will open up space and feed him the biscuit. If they didn't resign Jokinen I would be happy with the Flames, but I believe he will bring the team down come playoff run. There are a few players in the league only care about the numbers and money, and I think Jokinen is one of them.
[/quote]


If Jokinen hadn't resigned for over $2 million a year less per year, I may be inclined to agree with you.

I think this is his chance to redeem himself, and I am not ready to write him off just yet. I think the line of Iggy, Tangs, and Joker will be far more productive than any of the critics are expecting.

But I may be wrong, too. Sutters head could roll due to this. I don't think it will, but time will tell.