Post by thedarkangel1975 on Jul 1, 2011 21:18:33 GMT -5
www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=25880
I posted the link where everyone can see the free agent signings. There was over 30 today and since this is an Oiler board on focused mainly transactions. I will give my thoughts on this crazy day. Some teams did well, some did average, and some teams left me scratching my head.
The Top Dog:
Buffalo Sabres. How about Buffalo? They mad a strong statement today. For years Buffalo was like us. No one wanted to play there, sign there, or traded there. Today with an owner who cares and wants to bring a winner to Buffalo changed all of that.
First they added a nice young player who excelled in Philly last year, Ville Leino. First full season was a great year by this young man. He scored 19 goals and played well in the playoffs (One of the few bright spots for the Flyers). Also The sabres snagged Christian Erhoff. This acquisition will sure up their defense. Yes he was bad in the finals, but who wasn't for Vancouver? Corey Schneider is all I can think of. The Sabres also re-signed role player/depth Cody McCormick. A good day for the organization and their fans.
The Good:
Edmonton Oilers. I am not being a homer here, but the Oilers spent wisely. The Oilers signed muscle in Ben Eager and Darcy Hordichuk. Both players are upgrades of Huggy Bear Stortini and Colin Fraser. Also Finally the Oilers signed a good two way Center Eric Blanger. The Sutton and Foster trade is debatable. Foster never seemed to get going in my opinion but Sutton adds size something The Oilers have lacked. The Oilers also signed depth with Cory Potter. He will help the Barons and improve The Oilers depth. I got a first chance to see him first hand in Wilkes-Barre, he will help The Barons in size and offense.
The Steal
My Opinion The Washington Capitals trading Varlamov for the Avalanche's first-round pick in 2012 and a second-rounder in either 2012 or 2013. That is a lot for a goalie that could be, not a definite number 1 starter. Colorado had trouble scoring so Washington may get two very sexy picks from this. The Avs signed Giggy which will help in Varlamov's development.
The Bad
The Philadelphia Flyers. Jagr for 3.33 Million honestly? Jagr is a 1 or 2 million the most. They also overpaid for Talbot. The Flyers Achilles was consistent and strong goal tending. So the Flyers trade for a goalie that struggled in the playoffs and basically they traded core youth that have been developing nicely the last few years for a former star that has not played in the NHL for 3 years and Talbot at an overprice. Some analyst's gave the Flyers props but as I said The Flyers will never win by constantly rotating Clarke and Holmgren since the 80's. The Flyers lost youth, speed, and talent for aging and questions. The drought will continue.
The Coyotes. They lost a lot and I don't even know where to start. The Coyotes will not make the playoffs next year.
Montreal signing Erik Cole to the big 4 year contract. Too much...
The Gamble
The Blue Jackets. They extremely overpaid for warrior Wisniewski, only time will tell how well this team that desperately needs to start competing like Nashville has.
The Penguins. Steve Sullivan. Awesome pick up. Playing next to Crosby and both are healthy, Pittsburgh can be explosive.
Dallas Stars. Ryder and Souray. If Ryder plays like he did in the playoffs, this great. If he plays like the regular season not so much. Souray as much as we hate him, he comes cheap. He keeps his mouth shut and is healthy and back to pre-Edmonton days this can pay off.
The Clueless:
Ottawa and Toronto. Both teams need to improve and the big move of the day? Alex Auld signed as back up. I see Ottawa picking high again next year and The Leafs, are gambling for Richards only which is a mistake.
The Reckless:
Florida Panthers. If you were a free agent and wanted big money and a long term contract, Florida was your destination. This is the only reason I see Jovocop and Upshall getting bigger than deserved contracts. Or Jose Theodore...
Hopeless: The Islanders. Poor Marty Reasoner. No one will sign in New York except guys trying to hold onto their careers or pluggers looking for a home.
Where to:
Brad Richards: Some stupid team (Cue The Rangers) will give this guy more than he should get. A team that is not Stanley Cup winner will sign him. How The Flames and Flyers are in the mix for him with their cap strapped teams is beyond me. I say the Rangers or Tampa signs him. Now if Tampa signs him, expect a ton of offersheets for Stakmos which would be a mistake by Tampa.
Kabarle: After his playoff performance he should retire, but someone can use a puck moving defensemen for the powerplay. I say to New York or New Jersey.
Vokoun. I thought Colorado, but now I am not sure. Oilers could use him but this I a guy The Flyers should have snagged. The Oilers, Coyotes, Columbus and Florida could sign him.
I posted the link where everyone can see the free agent signings. There was over 30 today and since this is an Oiler board on focused mainly transactions. I will give my thoughts on this crazy day. Some teams did well, some did average, and some teams left me scratching my head.
The Top Dog:
Buffalo Sabres. How about Buffalo? They mad a strong statement today. For years Buffalo was like us. No one wanted to play there, sign there, or traded there. Today with an owner who cares and wants to bring a winner to Buffalo changed all of that.
First they added a nice young player who excelled in Philly last year, Ville Leino. First full season was a great year by this young man. He scored 19 goals and played well in the playoffs (One of the few bright spots for the Flyers). Also The sabres snagged Christian Erhoff. This acquisition will sure up their defense. Yes he was bad in the finals, but who wasn't for Vancouver? Corey Schneider is all I can think of. The Sabres also re-signed role player/depth Cody McCormick. A good day for the organization and their fans.
The Good:
Edmonton Oilers. I am not being a homer here, but the Oilers spent wisely. The Oilers signed muscle in Ben Eager and Darcy Hordichuk. Both players are upgrades of Huggy Bear Stortini and Colin Fraser. Also Finally the Oilers signed a good two way Center Eric Blanger. The Sutton and Foster trade is debatable. Foster never seemed to get going in my opinion but Sutton adds size something The Oilers have lacked. The Oilers also signed depth with Cory Potter. He will help the Barons and improve The Oilers depth. I got a first chance to see him first hand in Wilkes-Barre, he will help The Barons in size and offense.
The Steal
My Opinion The Washington Capitals trading Varlamov for the Avalanche's first-round pick in 2012 and a second-rounder in either 2012 or 2013. That is a lot for a goalie that could be, not a definite number 1 starter. Colorado had trouble scoring so Washington may get two very sexy picks from this. The Avs signed Giggy which will help in Varlamov's development.
The Bad
The Philadelphia Flyers. Jagr for 3.33 Million honestly? Jagr is a 1 or 2 million the most. They also overpaid for Talbot. The Flyers Achilles was consistent and strong goal tending. So the Flyers trade for a goalie that struggled in the playoffs and basically they traded core youth that have been developing nicely the last few years for a former star that has not played in the NHL for 3 years and Talbot at an overprice. Some analyst's gave the Flyers props but as I said The Flyers will never win by constantly rotating Clarke and Holmgren since the 80's. The Flyers lost youth, speed, and talent for aging and questions. The drought will continue.
The Coyotes. They lost a lot and I don't even know where to start. The Coyotes will not make the playoffs next year.
Montreal signing Erik Cole to the big 4 year contract. Too much...
The Gamble
The Blue Jackets. They extremely overpaid for warrior Wisniewski, only time will tell how well this team that desperately needs to start competing like Nashville has.
The Penguins. Steve Sullivan. Awesome pick up. Playing next to Crosby and both are healthy, Pittsburgh can be explosive.
Dallas Stars. Ryder and Souray. If Ryder plays like he did in the playoffs, this great. If he plays like the regular season not so much. Souray as much as we hate him, he comes cheap. He keeps his mouth shut and is healthy and back to pre-Edmonton days this can pay off.
The Clueless:
Ottawa and Toronto. Both teams need to improve and the big move of the day? Alex Auld signed as back up. I see Ottawa picking high again next year and The Leafs, are gambling for Richards only which is a mistake.
The Reckless:
Florida Panthers. If you were a free agent and wanted big money and a long term contract, Florida was your destination. This is the only reason I see Jovocop and Upshall getting bigger than deserved contracts. Or Jose Theodore...
Hopeless: The Islanders. Poor Marty Reasoner. No one will sign in New York except guys trying to hold onto their careers or pluggers looking for a home.
Where to:
Brad Richards: Some stupid team (Cue The Rangers) will give this guy more than he should get. A team that is not Stanley Cup winner will sign him. How The Flames and Flyers are in the mix for him with their cap strapped teams is beyond me. I say the Rangers or Tampa signs him. Now if Tampa signs him, expect a ton of offersheets for Stakmos which would be a mistake by Tampa.
Kabarle: After his playoff performance he should retire, but someone can use a puck moving defensemen for the powerplay. I say to New York or New Jersey.
Vokoun. I thought Colorado, but now I am not sure. Oilers could use him but this I a guy The Flyers should have snagged. The Oilers, Coyotes, Columbus and Florida could sign him.
