Tuesday, February 26, 2008
T minus 3 hours or so
Flames: I feel like they're in an essentially win/win situation regarding Huselius. Keep him (which would be just fine by me) and he will be more productive in the next 20 games than he was in the last 20; deal him, and coming back will almost certainly be a quality player who is either signed or signable next year for a decent price.
I do hope they manage to deal Warrener, and getting some value back would be a terrific bonus. He's an excellent guy, and can still play, but the Flames need his 08/09 cap room to sign NHL forwards.
Oilers: if I cheered for them, I'd be hoping they deal Pitkanen; he makes too many mistakes that just don't seem to balanced out by production or great plays. Since I cheer against them, I'm hoping they deal Staios and put Matt Greene in his role.
And LeFebvre catches one of the most ludicrous of Darren Pang's many ludicrous pronouncements:
Andy and I will continue to update this post, or maybe just chime in down in the Comments.
**Brad Richards to Dallas (and Brian Campbell to San Jose). If I was inclined to run polls on the site, today's would be, "Who has the better 3rd-line centre? Colorado, or Dallas?"
I do hope they manage to deal Warrener, and getting some value back would be a terrific bonus. He's an excellent guy, and can still play, but the Flames need his 08/09 cap room to sign NHL forwards.
Oilers: if I cheered for them, I'd be hoping they deal Pitkanen; he makes too many mistakes that just don't seem to balanced out by production or great plays. Since I cheer against them, I'm hoping they deal Staios and put Matt Greene in his role.
And LeFebvre catches one of the most ludicrous of Darren Pang's many ludicrous pronouncements:
TSN just had an either-or quiz which asked panelists who would be the better addition at the trade deadline — Warrener or Boston's Aaron Ward. It was a split vote, with one analyst saying he'd rather have Ward because "he has finals experience." Really good point, because Warrener has only been to the Stanley Cup final three times for three separate teams.
Andy and I will continue to update this post, or maybe just chime in down in the Comments.
**Brad Richards to Dallas (and Brian Campbell to San Jose). If I was inclined to run polls on the site, today's would be, "Who has the better 3rd-line centre? Colorado, or Dallas?"
# posted by Matt @ 9:23 am 
Comments:
I love that the Leafs traded Wade Belak, the same guy who said after Ferguson got fired that it was pointless because everyone was there for a while anyway.
Jesus. Campbell to San Jose. The West gets better.
He's an excellent guy, and can still play
Yea on the former part, nay on the latter. Made of glass, slow as molasses.
I can't get my head around Martin acquiring Belak. I mean...why?
I can't get my head around Martin acquiring Belak. I mean...why?
Comedy? I dunno, not like he gave up Shawn Matthias.
looks like the oilers are standing pat. richards to dallas...campbell to san jose...thank god we only play san jose once by the end of the year and dallas has finished embarassing us for the season.
Huet to Washington for a 2nd round pick. There has to be more to that but if not, Washington just stole a number one goalie for almost nothing. Washington just got their goalie. I guess we're stuck with Roli.
Was Huet an RFA at the end of the season? Trading him for a pick at this point is a bit of head scratcher. Unless they have a deal lined up requiring that second rounder.
Huet to WSH for a second. Tough to know for sure, one way or another, whether Garon is preferable - Huet has more of a track record - but interesting deal.
That's a wicked, wicked deal by the Lightning, subject to (this is a non-trivial caveat) what they use his money to buy. I think Boyle is a bit of an overpay for a re-signing, but it could be worse.
Now they just need to (Al Strachan called it first on the HNIC Hot Stove) trade Lecavalier for Quality + Quantity in June or July.
I was under the impression that the Habs were gonna try to resign Huet for a couple more years, since it didn't look like Price was ready for prime time on a potential contender. Certainly, you at least want Huet on the bench if you're gonna throw Price to the wolves, since he's at least been to the NHL playoffs before, unlike Price-Halak-Danis-Desjardins. Also, I've seen a couple of Hossa packages, but I just can't see Gainey giving up Chris Higgins, for example, for Marian Hossa. Ryder-Grabovski-Lapierre, sure, but Higgins-plus? Uh uh. Of course, I also didn't think he'd give up Huet for a magic bean, but there we go.
I'm also not entirely sure what Lowe can do. I mean, sure, there's some pieces we wouldn't mind being rid of, but are we going to get anything at all for them, never mind quantifiable improvements? Besides, after starting the year 5-10-1, the Oilers have been at or near a playoff-worthy point pace for most of the season, despite all the questionable personnel decisions and major injuries to key or semi-key (yeah, that's a word, dammit) players, so I'm not gonna be too upset if Lowe stands pat. I'm more concerned about/interested in what he'll do in the summertime than what he could possibly do now.
I'd be surprised if the Oilers did anything.
I also can't believe it hasn't been said around the Oiler blogs about Lowes' great little PR move regarding Hossa and Richards.
Does anyone really believe that those players were actually going to come to Edmonton? No, and I believe Lowe knew that as well. However he has to float that in order to appease the "joe fans" and convince them that he really was trying to land the big fish.
Seeing the Western Conference contenders loading up, you gotta wonder if Calgary will jump in to the mix now?
Looks like Nonis missed the boat on Prospal, and probably doesn't want to sell the farm to get Jokinen or Hossa. Guess he's stuck with his pop gun offence.
Anyone think the Canadiens pick up a goalie from Atlanta when they deal for Hossa?
Johan Hedberg?
"How do you feel leaving a Stanley Cup contender to go to a non-playoff team?"
This wisdom and more in James Duthie's upcoming book "I'm a lot braver doing phone interviews".
Lapointe to Ottawa for a 6th rounder...
Reasoner for a puck, not a bag of pucks?
Brian Campbell is the saddest man to ever leave Buffalo in February for California. Discuss.
God, Salvador would be a helluva fit for the Flames, or any WC team. Was St. Louis determined not to trade within the conference? I can't believe we couldn't offered more than Janssen.
Gee Campbell, if you were so sad, you would have resigned with the Sabres. Go cry a river elsewhere!
Oh and Washington just got Fedorov. A few years back that would have been a good move, but he's just like Forsberg these days; done!
Now Avs have both Foote and Finger
Maybe they're trying to build a man. Can a trade for Legwand be far behind?
TSN confirms. My only regret is that no one got a chance to hit Cooke in the numbers on his way out.
That's a wicked, wicked deal by the Lightning, subject to (this is a non-trivial caveat) what they use his money to buy. I think Boyle is a bit of an overpay for a re-signing, but it could be worse.
Including the Prospal deal, it's ~$10.8 MM leaving and ~$4.8 MM coming back, inc. a big improvement between the pipes and a couple of reliable forwards. Depending on how you interpret it, they spent the entire $6 MM on Boyle, or merely half of that as they doubled his previous salary of $3.33 MM.
Tampa just improved a lot defensively with the three incomers, locked up Boyle, and added a prospect and a pick in the Prospal deal last night. The one today was a pure hockey trade, not a pick in sight, and it was a beauty. Very interesting from both perspectives.
Gee Campbell, if you were so sad, you would have resigned with the Sabres. Go cry a river elsewhere!
Replace 'Campbell' with 'Smyth' and go back in time a year and you'd have been lit on fire for saying that. :P
That said, I've said it before and I'll say it again: Lowe had better not trade Pitkanen. Does he make mistakes? Yes. But his potential is nigh limitless and whatever we'd be getting for him would not be.
Similarly, if we trade Steady Steve, let's bear in mind this team is in a rebuild. If we're not going to be good until 2010 or 2011, are we going to be better off with a 900-year-old Steve Staios who's been on the downswing for three seasons already, or with somebody younger and useful?
Steve Simmons just said that Colorado and Columbus were in the same division. Why do we have to suffer through this guy? Channel...changed.
Similarly, if we trade Steady Steve, let's bear in mind this team is in a rebuild.
Colorado gave up a 1st and 4th rounder for Foote. Would you have turned down that offer for Staios? I don't think I would have.
Big news coming out of Ottawa....it's Federal Budget day! What kind of shoes will Jim Flaherty purchase? Will Canadian soldiers be traded to Afghanistan? All this, and more, and CBC news!
Seriously, though. Who releases a budget on trade deadline day? Unless you want your budget to be buried in the news cycle, it makes absolutely no sense. If Sundin had been traded, the budget would appear on page 17 of the G&M. Now it will only appear on page 10. And I thought Stephen Harper was a hockey fan? Shouldn't he be hunkered down at 24 Sussex drive, watching Nick Kypreos and Bruce Garrioch like the rest of us?
Just read somewhere (so it must be true) that the Rangers have just acquired Schremp.
My head is poised above the keyboard, my neck muscles tensed for smashing. If I at any point hear the words 'Hugh Jessiman' on my television I will need to purchase a new keyboard.
And a new face.
Toronto have traded Gill and Belak. Big moves.
Rangers got Backman from St. Louis. Nothing yet on Schremp.
Wow. Big trade for Pittsburgh, as they get a guy who TSN assures me is a first-class shutdown defenseman for only two draft picks! What a big move! What a huge get oh it's just Hal Gill.
Hossa goes to the Penguins. Angelo Esposito, Colby Armstrong, Erik Christenson and possibly a 1st round pick going back. Huge return for Atlanta concerning Hossa is a rental.
what the crap is Pittsburgh doing? McGuire is...right (God help us all??)
Pierre McGuire just said that Colby Armstrong was the straw that stirred the drink on Sidney Crosby's line.
Now, I happen to think that Armstrong is a glorified third-liner, Christensen is the same thing without the 'glorified' part, and I've always said that Esposito is a lousy player. Plus, there's Pascal Dupuis coming back to the Penguins.
So I actually like this trade from Pittsburgh's perspective. Yes, they go down a roster player, but not an important one, and they have to instantly be the favourites in the East.
hahaha - the only TSN analyst that really likes the Hossa deal is Ferguson Jr.
I mean, this stuff just writes itself doesn't it?
McGuire looks like he's going to vomit. Between this and the Cooke move, I couldn't ask for more.
Crosby.
I guess the 10 year fear of Matt Cooke can be erradicated from the Oilers/Flames fans lives. Shame, as he made the rivalry so much more intense...
Brad Stuart to Detroit for a 2nd and 4th.
Beauty trade for the Red Wings. Beauty trade. They grab a supporting player who can play important minutes at the closest thing they have to a weakness, and they give up nothing important to do it.
Fear isn't the same as annoyance. No one is afraid of Matt Cooke. In fact, Ferraro suggested that one of the reasons he got traded is that people were sick of him starting stuff and then not finishing it.
Kilger traded to Panthers for 3rd rounder.
Last year Brad Stuart was the guy putting Calgary over the top, and now he's a "minor addition" to the Red Wings blueline?
"Over the top"? I'll say ...
The one thing I will point out is that I'm sure all of us remember how good a fit 44-47 was as a pairing in Edmonton, and the Ducks might be hoping to pull a similar trick.
That said, I doubt it. I doubt the Ducks are going to play Bergeron at all, never mind with Pronger. It's not exactly in their character.
No one on the tv has mentioned that, Bruce, but it is a great point. They did play very well together.
McGuire still looks like he's going to cry. Thank God Calgary didn't trade Phaneuf. He'd have to be put on watch.
Strong, muscular legs.
So the Wild have Boogaard, Voros, Fedoruk and Simon now??
They aren't even going to carry hockey sticks...just pool cues and chains.
They aren't even going to carry hockey sticks...just pool cues and chains.
During a frank interview about his vigilante gang, Lemaire admits, "I'd be lying if I said my players weren't committing crimes."
So the Wild have Boogaard, Voros, Fedoruk and Simon now??
Next step is to lure Carl Eller and Harmon Killebrew out of retirement.
Wow......
http://communities.canada.com/calgaryherald/blogs/insideflames/default.aspx
"6:46 a.m. MST: Ridiculous comment alert — Florida's starting asking price from Calgary for Olli Jokinen was Alex Tanguay and 2007 first-rounder Mikael Backlund. If it's true, well, you can't blame Panthers coach-GM Jacques Martin for being ambitious. If it's not true, then the rumour-fabricator should really think about putting a little thought into his fairy tales before floating them."
Everyone is ignoring the biggest news of the day: Chris Gratton was NOT traded at the trade deadline.
Count me in with JFJ and Bruce as fans of the Hossa trade from Pittsburgh's perspective. They give up Erik and Armstrong, who are past the age of being "prospects" per se, and may be earning their salaries but can't be described as outperforming them AND the Pens are going to have cap issues after next season anyway. Esposito's star continues to fall, even further since he dropped in the draft.
Colby Armstrong's magic drink-stirring abilities aside, it makes sense for the Pens to push for the SCF/Cup this season; so long as Hossa plays well, I think this is a good deal. Frankly, is there any reason why they should be biding their time at the moment? They have plenty of nice young players, but which of them right now would you describe as (roughly) "not near as effective as they will be in a couple of years"?
I guess when James Duthie says they want to go across the country and talk about the Canadian teams, he really means go across Ontario and talk about the Leafs and Sens. Cut to Cliff Fletcher talking about his huge moves of Hal Gill, Wade Belak and Chad Kilger.
I guess that Schremp rumour was just that.
Also, the Huet/Fedorov acquisitions by the Caps were, I think, a month too late, but I was going to be cheering for them to make the push... until that last acquisition. Go 'Canes!
Why does McGuire care?
He was traded... he didn't die!
You're as good as dead if you aren't playing with Crosby.
And thank God.
Jessiman that bad, LB? I don't know how I feel about it. It's becoming pretty obvious that MacT isn't going to give Schremp a shot. Why not move him?
My $10-for-$100 playoff bet: Dallas plays Nashville in the 2v7 1st round, and Jan Hlavac outplays and outscores Brad Richards as the Preds win in 6.
But... my honest reaction to the Richards/Stars deal is that they're better off this season, and worse off the next three.
Wow. Watching JFJ answer questions about the Leafs all day has been really neat, but that Fletcher presser and subsequent cut back to the studio was just insane.
Hey Bruce, if you're still around, can you help remind me of all the guys Matt Cooke injured? I know there's a multi-player list just for this year, I seem to recall you commenting about it somewhere else.
I can start:
Daymond Langkow, missed remainder of game plus one other w/ initial concussion-type symptoms (Cooke received 2 minutes for boarding, made post-game comment about 'having to play my game and finish my checks').
Jessiman that bad, LB? I don't know how I feel about it. It's becoming pretty obvious that MacT isn't going to give Schremp a shot. Why not move him?
There's a small chance that Craig MacTavish will decide to retire to France and raise bees and that the new coach will think that you win hockey games by scoring more goals than the other team.
There's no chance that Hugh Jessiman will be an NHL regular no matter who the coach is. Yes, I think he's that bad: if he weren't a former mid-first-round pick, nobody would care in the least about him. His "break-out year" this season is slightly better than 0.5 ppg in the AHL and managing not to get sent back to the ECHL this time. He's not exactly a defensive colossus, either.
There's no Oiler I'd trade for Jessiman. There's a couple Bulldogs I'd trade for Jessiman; Rourke, maybe. But certainly not Schremp.
But... my honest reaction to the Richards/Stars deal is that they're better off this season, and worse off the next three.
Hear, hear, Richards explodes like Popeye every leap year or so (Rimouski 2000, Tampa 2004), and if this trade gets his attention he can be a hell of a player. Judging from his numbers (detailed elsewhere) since he signed the huge contract, he can also be a dead weight. But if Tippett gets him playing a sensible number of minutes and protects him defensively with Jere Lehtinen (and Modano?), Brad may eat his spinach for a playoff run.
I'm highly suspect of his willingness to sustain that for three more years, but hey, I hope I'm wrong. Maybe he just needed some separation from John Tortorella.
I know the Oilers suck and all, but could one of these networks talk about them for at least a minute?
wow. the canadians ended up being sellers. the senators got nothing. flames...nothing. canucks...nothing. doesn't look like any of the canadian teams got any better.
The Habs dealt Huet but hung onto Ryder. Talk about trading the wrong pending UFA.
Im surprised the Oilers didn't get rid of a player or two.
I recommend looking at the boarding of Langkow! Cooke explodes when he hits, and gets no benefit of a doubt. There were a few dirty hits over the years, but the reason he is so respected by fellow players and is never lumped in with Tootoo, Avery and the like is cause of his fairplay. I'm gonna miss his tenacity and hustle...
Oh man, watching Dave Hodge lay into Damien Cox and Steve Simmons is beautiful. Just beautiful.
Details?
Is anyone else watching this? Cox just postulated a conspiracy theory about the five guys who refused to waive their no-trade clauses. And both Cox and Simmons flat-out said Toronto should intentionally tank their season. I haven't seen Hodge that on fire since has with HNIC. Just awesome.
I recommend looking at the boarding of Langkow! Cooke explodes when he hits, and gets no benefit of a doubt. There were a few dirty hits over the years, but the reason he is so respected by fellow players and is never lumped in with Tootoo, Avery and the like is cause of his fairplay. I'm gonna miss his tenacity and hustle...
You're having a laugh (is he having a laugh?).
Between Dave Hodge all but throwing pencils at Simmons and Cox, the sheer festival of beatdowns and awkwardness that was the John Ferguson Jr. Experience, Mike Milbury saying things like "I have no clue" and "I can't count" all day, and the Trade Breakers desk breaking trades an hour and a half after the actual deadline, I don't care if the Oilers stood pat. This was the best trade deadline ever.
Details?
Simmons said the Toronto Five were guys who, because they refused to be traded, were happy with losing. Then Cox brought up this conspiracy theory that all five must have talked to each other and agreed to stay in Toronto. So Hodge went after both Simmons and Cox. Said that if management wanted the ability to trade the five whenever and wherever, they shouldn't have given them no-trade clauses. He then said that tons of players and coaches are looking for jobs with the Leafs, yet somehow these five are being demonized because they want to stay. He then went after Cox in particular, asking him why he doesn't write for a newspaper outside of Toronto. Hodge was just awesome. I really hope that clip ends up online.
Matt: Langkow was one, I didn't remember the name of the other two guys, I just remember the questionable hits, from behind, head into the glass, Cooke's trademark cheap shot. So I googled "Matt Cooke concussion" and came up with snippets like this:
***
"Did Matt Cooke Slew Foot Foster?, If he did that is just dirty. ... Remember he has given THREE guys concussions this year with questionable hits (none of ..."
[November]
***
... and, a recent entry, written after fight night in Vancouver ten days ago when Cooke ran Edmonton's Mathieu Roy from behind, head first into the glass, with the following predictable consequences: a) there was no penalty on Cooke and b) he was immediately protected by linesmens and linemates from just desserts. Roy, who has had concussion problems throughout his young career, escaped head injury luckily, merely bruised his sternum and missed only one game so I guess it was just another hockey play. Check out this beauty from one self-respecting Canucks fan from the site "What Would Nick Fotiu Do?"
***
As a Canucks fan I am disgusted by the fact that my hometown team has Cooke on their roster. My disgust was only heightened to new levels I never thought reachable in last nights game against the Edmonton Oilers. My blood boils for the removal of the instigator penalty only for the sheer glee I will feel when Cooke is jumped by a large scary man. Hopefully by the name of Boogard, Parros or Shelley.[January]
***
Finally, found it here:
http://tinyurl.com/ysq2sz
***
Cooke scores dubious hat trick
Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun
Published: Tuesday, December 04, 2007
CHICAGO - Canuck winger Matt Cooke has registered a hat trick of sorts this season by delivering hits that resulted in concussions for three opposition players.
One of them, Chicago defenceman James Wisniewski, is returning Wednesday night after missing three games with a concussion and facial cuts he received courtesy of a Cooke hit on the sideboards during a Nov. 25 game at GM Place.
Cooke did not receive a penalty on the play, but Wisniewski made it clear following the 'Hawks' practice today that he felt Cooke crossed the line by hitting him so hard when he was close to the glass and in a vulnerable position.
"I think some people might have a little more respect when guys are in vulnerable spots ... My back was turned a little bit, I was close to the glass, he could have eased up a little bit. I don't know if there's any reason to try and hurt guys."
In addition to a concussion, Wisniewski needed 15 stitches for a deep cut over his left eye.
Earlier this season, Cooke delivered hits that resulted in concussions to Calgary's Daymond Langkow and Minnesota's Petteri Nummelin.
***
Is it any surprise that the Matt Cooke fan immediately above chooses to remain anonymous?
Highlights from the K-Lowe press conference:
1) Lowe said that the got an offer for one of the veterans, but mentioned that trading a guy when he's having an off year isn't exactly brilliant asset management. He also defended having $4 million invested in two solid goaltenders, saying that's a good number (omitting that $3 million of that is in the backup).
2) Actually, that was the only highlight.
Thanks Bruce, I knew you'd come through!
Is it any surprise that the Matt Cooke fan immediately above chooses to remain anonymous?
No shit. Apparently word hasn't filtered out to Van City that Cooke is in fact grouped in with Jordan Tootoo and a few others, and that it's Sean Avery who, while an undeniable dink, is acknowledged to be a guy who helps his team win games.
I think Matt Cooke was that guy to an extent before the lockout, but no more. Cooke treated me to 20 of the worst minutes of my life by scoring the tying goal with 6 seconds left in G7 Rd1 in '04; the idea of him being on the ice now in the final seconds of such a game is laughable.
I do not have a TV in front of me...is McGuire doing the "I am playing multiple pianos" thing with his hands?
Well, you guys have good arguments. I wont retort, I suppose its fair to say that Cooke did cross the line sometimes, but all to often he threw a HARD clean hit and it was jumped upon as being dirty. I watched the Chicago hit and he could have laid up and didnt. He didnt leave his feet or elbow high, he merely finished his check hard. Langkow hit was totally clean and is not worth talkin about, dig it up if you need proof.
Finally, I will miss him on the Nucks. Apparently Pettinger is a faster and younger version, but Cooke is one of a kind. I can see him enragin the Caps biggest rivals...
ps. I see no reason to make an account and come up with some name like "King bob" or "Little Fury". I assume those are just internet titles and saying something bold behind the moniker of "Vanfan" or "Nuckels" is no different than posting anonymously. I do check later to see what you guys post back, and i'll even go as far as to say that I hang out on this site alot, cause while the Canucks are my boys, the blogs suck :)
The difference, anonymous, is that you get wrapped into one large pile of anonymouses. I wouldn't recommend that. Many of those commenters don't add much to the conversation. Coming up with your own handle helps us differentiate.
Here's the Matt Cooke hit on Daymond Langkow (shitty quality Im afraid)...
Langkow is facing the glass and Cooke hits him square in the numbers. Cooke was penalized for boarding and Langkow missed a game with concussion-like symptoms.
Clean hit? Sorry...no.
Many of those commenters don't add much to the conversation. Coming up with your own handle helps us differentiate.
Exactly. When I don't add much to the conversation, everybody knows that I don't add much to the conversation.
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I love that the Leafs traded Wade Belak, the same guy who said after Ferguson got fired that it was pointless because everyone was there for a while anyway.
Jesus. Campbell to San Jose. The West gets better.
# posted by 
: February 26, 2008 9:26 am
: February 26, 2008 9:26 am He's an excellent guy, and can still play
Yea on the former part, nay on the latter. Made of glass, slow as molasses.
I can't get my head around Martin acquiring Belak. I mean...why?
I can't get my head around Martin acquiring Belak. I mean...why?
Comedy? I dunno, not like he gave up Shawn Matthias.
looks like the oilers are standing pat. richards to dallas...campbell to san jose...thank god we only play san jose once by the end of the year and dallas has finished embarassing us for the season.
Huet to Washington for a 2nd round pick. There has to be more to that but if not, Washington just stole a number one goalie for almost nothing. Washington just got their goalie. I guess we're stuck with Roli.
Was Huet an RFA at the end of the season? Trading him for a pick at this point is a bit of head scratcher. Unless they have a deal lined up requiring that second rounder.
Huet to WSH for a second. Tough to know for sure, one way or another, whether Garon is preferable - Huet has more of a track record - but interesting deal.
# posted by : February 26, 2008 9:57 am
: February 26, 2008 9:57 am That's a wicked, wicked deal by the Lightning, subject to (this is a non-trivial caveat) what they use his money to buy. I think Boyle is a bit of an overpay for a re-signing, but it could be worse.
Now they just need to (Al Strachan called it first on the HNIC Hot Stove) trade Lecavalier for Quality + Quantity in June or July.
I was under the impression that the Habs were gonna try to resign Huet for a couple more years, since it didn't look like Price was ready for prime time on a potential contender. Certainly, you at least want Huet on the bench if you're gonna throw Price to the wolves, since he's at least been to the NHL playoffs before, unlike Price-Halak-Danis-Desjardins. Also, I've seen a couple of Hossa packages, but I just can't see Gainey giving up Chris Higgins, for example, for Marian Hossa. Ryder-Grabovski-Lapierre, sure, but Higgins-plus? Uh uh. Of course, I also didn't think he'd give up Huet for a magic bean, but there we go.
I'm also not entirely sure what Lowe can do. I mean, sure, there's some pieces we wouldn't mind being rid of, but are we going to get anything at all for them, never mind quantifiable improvements? Besides, after starting the year 5-10-1, the Oilers have been at or near a playoff-worthy point pace for most of the season, despite all the questionable personnel decisions and major injuries to key or semi-key (yeah, that's a word, dammit) players, so I'm not gonna be too upset if Lowe stands pat. I'm more concerned about/interested in what he'll do in the summertime than what he could possibly do now.
I'd be surprised if the Oilers did anything.
I also can't believe it hasn't been said around the Oiler blogs about Lowes' great little PR move regarding Hossa and Richards.
Does anyone really believe that those players were actually going to come to Edmonton? No, and I believe Lowe knew that as well. However he has to float that in order to appease the "joe fans" and convince them that he really was trying to land the big fish.
Seeing the Western Conference contenders loading up, you gotta wonder if Calgary will jump in to the mix now?
Looks like Nonis missed the boat on Prospal, and probably doesn't want to sell the farm to get Jokinen or Hossa. Guess he's stuck with his pop gun offence.
# posted by : February 26, 2008 10:28 am
: February 26, 2008 10:28 am Anyone think the Canadiens pick up a goalie from Atlanta when they deal for Hossa?
Johan Hedberg?
# posted by : February 26, 2008 10:31 am
: February 26, 2008 10:31 am "How do you feel leaving a Stanley Cup contender to go to a non-playoff team?"
This wisdom and more in James Duthie's upcoming book "I'm a lot braver doing phone interviews".
# posted by : February 26, 2008 10:35 am
: February 26, 2008 10:35 am Lapointe to Ottawa for a 6th rounder...
Reasoner for a puck, not a bag of pucks?
# posted by : February 26, 2008 10:39 am
: February 26, 2008 10:39 am Brian Campbell is the saddest man to ever leave Buffalo in February for California. Discuss.
# posted by : February 26, 2008 10:47 am
: February 26, 2008 10:47 am God, Salvador would be a helluva fit for the Flames, or any WC team. Was St. Louis determined not to trade within the conference? I can't believe we couldn't offered more than Janssen.
# posted by : February 26, 2008 11:15 am
: February 26, 2008 11:15 am Gee Campbell, if you were so sad, you would have resigned with the Sabres. Go cry a river elsewhere!
Oh and Washington just got Fedorov. A few years back that would have been a good move, but he's just like Forsberg these days; done!
Now Avs have both Foote and Finger
Maybe they're trying to build a man. Can a trade for Legwand be far behind?
TSN confirms. My only regret is that no one got a chance to hit Cooke in the numbers on his way out.
That's a wicked, wicked deal by the Lightning, subject to (this is a non-trivial caveat) what they use his money to buy. I think Boyle is a bit of an overpay for a re-signing, but it could be worse.
Including the Prospal deal, it's ~$10.8 MM leaving and ~$4.8 MM coming back, inc. a big improvement between the pipes and a couple of reliable forwards. Depending on how you interpret it, they spent the entire $6 MM on Boyle, or merely half of that as they doubled his previous salary of $3.33 MM.
Tampa just improved a lot defensively with the three incomers, locked up Boyle, and added a prospect and a pick in the Prospal deal last night. The one today was a pure hockey trade, not a pick in sight, and it was a beauty. Very interesting from both perspectives.
Gee Campbell, if you were so sad, you would have resigned with the Sabres. Go cry a river elsewhere!
Replace 'Campbell' with 'Smyth' and go back in time a year and you'd have been lit on fire for saying that. :P
That said, I've said it before and I'll say it again: Lowe had better not trade Pitkanen. Does he make mistakes? Yes. But his potential is nigh limitless and whatever we'd be getting for him would not be.
Similarly, if we trade Steady Steve, let's bear in mind this team is in a rebuild. If we're not going to be good until 2010 or 2011, are we going to be better off with a 900-year-old Steve Staios who's been on the downswing for three seasons already, or with somebody younger and useful?
Steve Simmons just said that Colorado and Columbus were in the same division. Why do we have to suffer through this guy? Channel...changed.
Similarly, if we trade Steady Steve, let's bear in mind this team is in a rebuild.
Colorado gave up a 1st and 4th rounder for Foote. Would you have turned down that offer for Staios? I don't think I would have.
Big news coming out of Ottawa....it's Federal Budget day! What kind of shoes will Jim Flaherty purchase? Will Canadian soldiers be traded to Afghanistan? All this, and more, and CBC news!
Seriously, though. Who releases a budget on trade deadline day? Unless you want your budget to be buried in the news cycle, it makes absolutely no sense. If Sundin had been traded, the budget would appear on page 17 of the G&M. Now it will only appear on page 10. And I thought Stephen Harper was a hockey fan? Shouldn't he be hunkered down at 24 Sussex drive, watching Nick Kypreos and Bruce Garrioch like the rest of us?
Just read somewhere (so it must be true) that the Rangers have just acquired Schremp.
My head is poised above the keyboard, my neck muscles tensed for smashing. If I at any point hear the words 'Hugh Jessiman' on my television I will need to purchase a new keyboard.
And a new face.
Toronto have traded Gill and Belak. Big moves.
Rangers got Backman from St. Louis. Nothing yet on Schremp.
Wow. Big trade for Pittsburgh, as they get a guy who TSN assures me is a first-class shutdown defenseman for only two draft picks! What a big move! What a huge get oh it's just Hal Gill.
Hossa goes to the Penguins. Angelo Esposito, Colby Armstrong, Erik Christenson and possibly a 1st round pick going back. Huge return for Atlanta concerning Hossa is a rental.
what the crap is Pittsburgh doing? McGuire is...right (God help us all??)
# posted by : February 26, 2008 1:02 pm
: February 26, 2008 1:02 pm Pierre McGuire just said that Colby Armstrong was the straw that stirred the drink on Sidney Crosby's line.
Now, I happen to think that Armstrong is a glorified third-liner, Christensen is the same thing without the 'glorified' part, and I've always said that Esposito is a lousy player. Plus, there's Pascal Dupuis coming back to the Penguins.
So I actually like this trade from Pittsburgh's perspective. Yes, they go down a roster player, but not an important one, and they have to instantly be the favourites in the East.
hahaha - the only TSN analyst that really likes the Hossa deal is Ferguson Jr.
I mean, this stuff just writes itself doesn't it?
# posted by : February 26, 2008 1:04 pm
: February 26, 2008 1:04 pm McGuire looks like he's going to vomit. Between this and the Cooke move, I couldn't ask for more.
Crosby.
I guess the 10 year fear of Matt Cooke can be erradicated from the Oilers/Flames fans lives. Shame, as he made the rivalry so much more intense...
# posted by : February 26, 2008 1:16 pm
: February 26, 2008 1:16 pm Brad Stuart to Detroit for a 2nd and 4th.
Beauty trade for the Red Wings. Beauty trade. They grab a supporting player who can play important minutes at the closest thing they have to a weakness, and they give up nothing important to do it.
Fear isn't the same as annoyance. No one is afraid of Matt Cooke. In fact, Ferraro suggested that one of the reasons he got traded is that people were sick of him starting stuff and then not finishing it.
Kilger traded to Panthers for 3rd rounder.
Last year Brad Stuart was the guy putting Calgary over the top, and now he's a "minor addition" to the Red Wings blueline?
"Over the top"? I'll say ...
The one thing I will point out is that I'm sure all of us remember how good a fit 44-47 was as a pairing in Edmonton, and the Ducks might be hoping to pull a similar trick.
That said, I doubt it. I doubt the Ducks are going to play Bergeron at all, never mind with Pronger. It's not exactly in their character.
No one on the tv has mentioned that, Bruce, but it is a great point. They did play very well together.
McGuire still looks like he's going to cry. Thank God Calgary didn't trade Phaneuf. He'd have to be put on watch.
Strong, muscular legs.
So the Wild have Boogaard, Voros, Fedoruk and Simon now??
They aren't even going to carry hockey sticks...just pool cues and chains.
# posted by : February 26, 2008 1:32 pm
: February 26, 2008 1:32 pm They aren't even going to carry hockey sticks...just pool cues and chains.
During a frank interview about his vigilante gang, Lemaire admits, "I'd be lying if I said my players weren't committing crimes."
So the Wild have Boogaard, Voros, Fedoruk and Simon now??
Next step is to lure Carl Eller and Harmon Killebrew out of retirement.
Wow......
http://communities.canada.com/calgaryherald/blogs/insideflames/default.aspx
"6:46 a.m. MST: Ridiculous comment alert — Florida's starting asking price from Calgary for Olli Jokinen was Alex Tanguay and 2007 first-rounder Mikael Backlund. If it's true, well, you can't blame Panthers coach-GM Jacques Martin for being ambitious. If it's not true, then the rumour-fabricator should really think about putting a little thought into his fairy tales before floating them."
# posted by : February 26, 2008 1:48 pm
: February 26, 2008 1:48 pm Everyone is ignoring the biggest news of the day: Chris Gratton was NOT traded at the trade deadline.
Count me in with JFJ and Bruce as fans of the Hossa trade from Pittsburgh's perspective. They give up Erik and Armstrong, who are past the age of being "prospects" per se, and may be earning their salaries but can't be described as outperforming them AND the Pens are going to have cap issues after next season anyway. Esposito's star continues to fall, even further since he dropped in the draft.
Colby Armstrong's magic drink-stirring abilities aside, it makes sense for the Pens to push for the SCF/Cup this season; so long as Hossa plays well, I think this is a good deal. Frankly, is there any reason why they should be biding their time at the moment? They have plenty of nice young players, but which of them right now would you describe as (roughly) "not near as effective as they will be in a couple of years"?
I guess when James Duthie says they want to go across the country and talk about the Canadian teams, he really means go across Ontario and talk about the Leafs and Sens. Cut to Cliff Fletcher talking about his huge moves of Hal Gill, Wade Belak and Chad Kilger.
I guess that Schremp rumour was just that.
Also, the Huet/Fedorov acquisitions by the Caps were, I think, a month too late, but I was going to be cheering for them to make the push... until that last acquisition. Go 'Canes!
Why does McGuire care?
He was traded... he didn't die!
You're as good as dead if you aren't playing with Crosby.
And thank God.
Jessiman that bad, LB? I don't know how I feel about it. It's becoming pretty obvious that MacT isn't going to give Schremp a shot. Why not move him?
My $10-for-$100 playoff bet: Dallas plays Nashville in the 2v7 1st round, and Jan Hlavac outplays and outscores Brad Richards as the Preds win in 6.
But... my honest reaction to the Richards/Stars deal is that they're better off this season, and worse off the next three.
Wow. Watching JFJ answer questions about the Leafs all day has been really neat, but that Fletcher presser and subsequent cut back to the studio was just insane.
Hey Bruce, if you're still around, can you help remind me of all the guys Matt Cooke injured? I know there's a multi-player list just for this year, I seem to recall you commenting about it somewhere else.
I can start:
Daymond Langkow, missed remainder of game plus one other w/ initial concussion-type symptoms (Cooke received 2 minutes for boarding, made post-game comment about 'having to play my game and finish my checks').
Jessiman that bad, LB? I don't know how I feel about it. It's becoming pretty obvious that MacT isn't going to give Schremp a shot. Why not move him?
There's a small chance that Craig MacTavish will decide to retire to France and raise bees and that the new coach will think that you win hockey games by scoring more goals than the other team.
There's no chance that Hugh Jessiman will be an NHL regular no matter who the coach is. Yes, I think he's that bad: if he weren't a former mid-first-round pick, nobody would care in the least about him. His "break-out year" this season is slightly better than 0.5 ppg in the AHL and managing not to get sent back to the ECHL this time. He's not exactly a defensive colossus, either.
There's no Oiler I'd trade for Jessiman. There's a couple Bulldogs I'd trade for Jessiman; Rourke, maybe. But certainly not Schremp.
But... my honest reaction to the Richards/Stars deal is that they're better off this season, and worse off the next three.
Hear, hear, Richards explodes like Popeye every leap year or so (Rimouski 2000, Tampa 2004), and if this trade gets his attention he can be a hell of a player. Judging from his numbers (detailed elsewhere) since he signed the huge contract, he can also be a dead weight. But if Tippett gets him playing a sensible number of minutes and protects him defensively with Jere Lehtinen (and Modano?), Brad may eat his spinach for a playoff run.
I'm highly suspect of his willingness to sustain that for three more years, but hey, I hope I'm wrong. Maybe he just needed some separation from John Tortorella.
I know the Oilers suck and all, but could one of these networks talk about them for at least a minute?
wow. the canadians ended up being sellers. the senators got nothing. flames...nothing. canucks...nothing. doesn't look like any of the canadian teams got any better.
The Habs dealt Huet but hung onto Ryder. Talk about trading the wrong pending UFA.
Im surprised the Oilers didn't get rid of a player or two.
I recommend looking at the boarding of Langkow! Cooke explodes when he hits, and gets no benefit of a doubt. There were a few dirty hits over the years, but the reason he is so respected by fellow players and is never lumped in with Tootoo, Avery and the like is cause of his fairplay. I'm gonna miss his tenacity and hustle...
# posted by : February 26, 2008 2:52 pm
: February 26, 2008 2:52 pm Oh man, watching Dave Hodge lay into Damien Cox and Steve Simmons is beautiful. Just beautiful.
Details?
Is anyone else watching this? Cox just postulated a conspiracy theory about the five guys who refused to waive their no-trade clauses. And both Cox and Simmons flat-out said Toronto should intentionally tank their season. I haven't seen Hodge that on fire since has with HNIC. Just awesome.
I recommend looking at the boarding of Langkow! Cooke explodes when he hits, and gets no benefit of a doubt. There were a few dirty hits over the years, but the reason he is so respected by fellow players and is never lumped in with Tootoo, Avery and the like is cause of his fairplay. I'm gonna miss his tenacity and hustle...
You're having a laugh (is he having a laugh?).
Between Dave Hodge all but throwing pencils at Simmons and Cox, the sheer festival of beatdowns and awkwardness that was the John Ferguson Jr. Experience, Mike Milbury saying things like "I have no clue" and "I can't count" all day, and the Trade Breakers desk breaking trades an hour and a half after the actual deadline, I don't care if the Oilers stood pat. This was the best trade deadline ever.
Details?
Simmons said the Toronto Five were guys who, because they refused to be traded, were happy with losing. Then Cox brought up this conspiracy theory that all five must have talked to each other and agreed to stay in Toronto. So Hodge went after both Simmons and Cox. Said that if management wanted the ability to trade the five whenever and wherever, they shouldn't have given them no-trade clauses. He then said that tons of players and coaches are looking for jobs with the Leafs, yet somehow these five are being demonized because they want to stay. He then went after Cox in particular, asking him why he doesn't write for a newspaper outside of Toronto. Hodge was just awesome. I really hope that clip ends up online.
Matt: Langkow was one, I didn't remember the name of the other two guys, I just remember the questionable hits, from behind, head into the glass, Cooke's trademark cheap shot. So I googled "Matt Cooke concussion" and came up with snippets like this:
***
"Did Matt Cooke Slew Foot Foster?, If he did that is just dirty. ... Remember he has given THREE guys concussions this year with questionable hits (none of ..."
[November]
***
... and, a recent entry, written after fight night in Vancouver ten days ago when Cooke ran Edmonton's Mathieu Roy from behind, head first into the glass, with the following predictable consequences: a) there was no penalty on Cooke and b) he was immediately protected by linesmens and linemates from just desserts. Roy, who has had concussion problems throughout his young career, escaped head injury luckily, merely bruised his sternum and missed only one game so I guess it was just another hockey play. Check out this beauty from one self-respecting Canucks fan from the site "What Would Nick Fotiu Do?"
***
As a Canucks fan I am disgusted by the fact that my hometown team has Cooke on their roster. My disgust was only heightened to new levels I never thought reachable in last nights game against the Edmonton Oilers. My blood boils for the removal of the instigator penalty only for the sheer glee I will feel when Cooke is jumped by a large scary man. Hopefully by the name of Boogard, Parros or Shelley.[January]
***
Finally, found it here:
http://tinyurl.com/ysq2sz
***
Cooke scores dubious hat trick
Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun
Published: Tuesday, December 04, 2007
CHICAGO - Canuck winger Matt Cooke has registered a hat trick of sorts this season by delivering hits that resulted in concussions for three opposition players.
One of them, Chicago defenceman James Wisniewski, is returning Wednesday night after missing three games with a concussion and facial cuts he received courtesy of a Cooke hit on the sideboards during a Nov. 25 game at GM Place.
Cooke did not receive a penalty on the play, but Wisniewski made it clear following the 'Hawks' practice today that he felt Cooke crossed the line by hitting him so hard when he was close to the glass and in a vulnerable position.
"I think some people might have a little more respect when guys are in vulnerable spots ... My back was turned a little bit, I was close to the glass, he could have eased up a little bit. I don't know if there's any reason to try and hurt guys."
In addition to a concussion, Wisniewski needed 15 stitches for a deep cut over his left eye.
Earlier this season, Cooke delivered hits that resulted in concussions to Calgary's Daymond Langkow and Minnesota's Petteri Nummelin.
***
Is it any surprise that the Matt Cooke fan immediately above chooses to remain anonymous?
Highlights from the K-Lowe press conference:
1) Lowe said that the got an offer for one of the veterans, but mentioned that trading a guy when he's having an off year isn't exactly brilliant asset management. He also defended having $4 million invested in two solid goaltenders, saying that's a good number (omitting that $3 million of that is in the backup).
2) Actually, that was the only highlight.
Thanks Bruce, I knew you'd come through!
Is it any surprise that the Matt Cooke fan immediately above chooses to remain anonymous?
No shit. Apparently word hasn't filtered out to Van City that Cooke is in fact grouped in with Jordan Tootoo and a few others, and that it's Sean Avery who, while an undeniable dink, is acknowledged to be a guy who helps his team win games.
I think Matt Cooke was that guy to an extent before the lockout, but no more. Cooke treated me to 20 of the worst minutes of my life by scoring the tying goal with 6 seconds left in G7 Rd1 in '04; the idea of him being on the ice now in the final seconds of such a game is laughable.
I do not have a TV in front of me...is McGuire doing the "I am playing multiple pianos" thing with his hands?
Well, you guys have good arguments. I wont retort, I suppose its fair to say that Cooke did cross the line sometimes, but all to often he threw a HARD clean hit and it was jumped upon as being dirty. I watched the Chicago hit and he could have laid up and didnt. He didnt leave his feet or elbow high, he merely finished his check hard. Langkow hit was totally clean and is not worth talkin about, dig it up if you need proof.
Finally, I will miss him on the Nucks. Apparently Pettinger is a faster and younger version, but Cooke is one of a kind. I can see him enragin the Caps biggest rivals...
ps. I see no reason to make an account and come up with some name like "King bob" or "Little Fury". I assume those are just internet titles and saying something bold behind the moniker of "Vanfan" or "Nuckels" is no different than posting anonymously. I do check later to see what you guys post back, and i'll even go as far as to say that I hang out on this site alot, cause while the Canucks are my boys, the blogs suck :)
# posted by : February 26, 2008 4:18 pm
: February 26, 2008 4:18 pm The difference, anonymous, is that you get wrapped into one large pile of anonymouses. I wouldn't recommend that. Many of those commenters don't add much to the conversation. Coming up with your own handle helps us differentiate.
Here's the Matt Cooke hit on Daymond Langkow (shitty quality Im afraid)...
Langkow is facing the glass and Cooke hits him square in the numbers. Cooke was penalized for boarding and Langkow missed a game with concussion-like symptoms.
Clean hit? Sorry...no.
Many of those commenters don't add much to the conversation. Coming up with your own handle helps us differentiate.
Exactly. When I don't add much to the conversation, everybody knows that I don't add much to the conversation.
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