Official NHL 2005-2006 Season Thread

[Communist China]

Sometimes when you're god-awful you have to ditch your stars. Buffalo had really low scoring, dumped their #1 goal scorer in Satan, and actually got better from it. Although, that was a little different because the players and city didn't like him, and Chicago embraces Arnason and Bell.

Still, chances have to be taken to get better.

[Kujo]

I don't think Bertuzzi can make a big impact for the Panthers, but if they have to move Luongo, they might as well get someone who can bring in as much ticket revenue (I mean, they're in Florida, they need all the draw to the arena they can get).

Good move for Vancouver unless they run into cap problems b/c of it. Florida, well, it's better than just flat out losing Luongo to free agency.

Luongo gave his agent permission to do what needed to be done to get a deal done with Florida. The team was still being pissy about last years arbitration hearing that got a bit bitter. So they let their biggest star walk. Their is still some good young talent here(Jokinen, Horton) but Luongo made this team go. If this team played any type of defense in front of him he would have been in the heat for the Vezina trophy again.

I've seen no reason to continue my season tickets, which sucks because I love this sport. I'm just tired of handing my money to an orginazation that makes no attempt to address weaknesses or improve anywhere in general. Excuse me while I go order a Luongo jersey from the Vancouver team page.

[Neemo]

this would be sweet but Hamilton is too close to Toronto and Buffalo

Hamilton Penguins?
 
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting four bidders have surfaced for the Pittsburgh Penguins but there could soon be a fifth, probably in Canada and possibly wanting to place the team in Hamilton, Ontario.

Club owners, led by California billionaire Ron Burkle and retired Hall of Fame player Mario Lemieux, would like to finalize the sale by the start of the season in October.

One name that has been tied to potential NHL ownership in Hamilton is Toronto attorney Richard Rodier.

http://www2.sportsnet.ca/blogs/hockey_hearsay/2006/07/11/hamilton_penguins/

[Backslash]

this would be sweet but Hamilton is too close to Toronto and Buffalo

Hamilton Penguins?
 
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting four bidders have surfaced for the Pittsburgh Penguins but there could soon be a fifth, probably in Canada and possibly wanting to place the team in Hamilton, Ontario.

Club owners, led by California billionaire Ron Burkle and retired Hall of Fame player Mario Lemieux, would like to finalize the sale by the start of the season in October.

One name that has been tied to potential NHL ownership in Hamilton is Toronto attorney Richard Rodier.

http://www2.sportsnet.ca/blogs/hockey_hearsay/2006/07/11/hamilton_penguins/

I don't understand why they'd set up in Hamilton.  What are they gonna try to compete with the Ti-Cats?  Seriously, Winnipeg would make more sense.  It's not really close to anything and the fans in Winnipeg would be loyal.  It would take a lot to draw out the Leafs fans in Hamilton and convert them to another team. 

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

Rob Blake has re-joined the Kings, while Jeremy Roenick has left to go to Phoenix.  Plus, our leading scorer Demitra left.    I dunno, if our coaching is good, we might make the playoffs, but with this squad, I only see another disappointing season ahead.

[Malcolm]

The Dallas Stars announced on Sunday that six-time All-Star centre Eric Lindros has agreed to a one-year contract with the team, his fourth stop in 14 seasons. Reports say Lindros and the Stars have agree to a one-year, $1.55 million US deal with incentives. Lindros, 33, played for the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, but suffered a wrist injury that limited him to just 33 games. He scored 11 goals and 22 points last season.

[Malcolm]

The Toronto Maple Leafs re-signed defencemen Brendan Bell, Jay Harrison and Carlo Colaiacovo to one-year deals.

[Neemo]

TORONTO (CP) -- The Toronto Maple Leafs have landed veteran centre Michael Peca.

The NHL team scheduled a news conference for 11 a.m. ET Tuesday to announce the signing of the unrestricted free agent.

Peca, 32, has agreed to a one-year deal worth $2.5-million US, a source told The Canadian Press.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article.jsp?content=20060717_194235_5168

[Mal Brossard]

Signings like that are the kind of things the Leafs need to do.  They're not afraid to fork over money, but half the time it's on the wrong players.  As much as I hate the Leafs, this is a step in the right direction for them.

[Neemo]

Signings like that are the kind of things the Leafs need to do.? They're not afraid to fork over money, but half the time it's on the wrong players.? As much as I hate the Leafs, this is a step in the right direction for them.

IMO they need a consistant scorer though...cuz of this signing they will not be able to afford Allison...

they only had 3 players over 20 goals last year...that won't cut it if they wanna contend

[Mama Kin]

this would be sweet but Hamilton is too close to Toronto and Buffalo

Hamilton Penguins?
 
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting four bidders have surfaced for the Pittsburgh Penguins but there could soon be a fifth, probably in Canada and possibly wanting to place the team in Hamilton, Ontario.

Club owners, led by California billionaire Ron Burkle and retired Hall of Fame player Mario Lemieux, would like to finalize the sale by the start of the season in October.

One name that has been tied to potential NHL ownership in Hamilton is Toronto attorney Richard Rodier.

http://www2.sportsnet.ca/blogs/hockey_hearsay/2006/07/11/hamilton_penguins/

I don't understand why they'd set up in Hamilton.? What are they gonna try to compete with the Ti-Cats?? Seriously, Winnipeg would make more sense.? It's not really close to anything and the fans in Winnipeg would be loyal.? It would take a lot to draw out the Leafs fans in Hamilton and convert them to another team.?

Nope. The reason there is not a team in Hamilton is because the Leafs keep blocking attempts to place a team there. Trust me, Hamiliton will not have a problem selling out if they get a team.

[Neemo]

WTF!!!

Smith fired as Islanders GM, replaced by goalie Snow
 
By IRA PODELL, AP Sports Writer, July 19, 2006

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) -- Neil Smith campaigned to be the New York Islanders' general manager the very day the position opened up six months ago.

After getting the job last month, it took him less than six weeks to lose it.

Smith was abruptly fired Tuesday and replaced in stunning fashion by goalie Garth Snow, who retired -- going from backup to boss in an instant.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=Auz656auHdrxNHfhjqWde0d7vLYF?slug=ap-islanders-smithfired&prov=ap&type=lgns

reportedly Team Advisor, Pat LaFontaine, immediately resigned after hearing the news....

what a fucking joke!!

[Neemo]

Salary Arbitration starts tommorrow....lotsa people going for it...especially on Buf who has 10 cases

Some top names Maxim Afinogenov (buf), Daniel Briere (buf), Ales Hemsky (edm), Jarret Stoll (edm), Michael Ryder (mtl), Scott Gomez (NJ), Mike York (NYI)

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=7545&hubname=

[Mal Brossard]

When I heard Garth Snow was the new GM, my first thought was that he was going to trade himself away from that circus.

[Mal Brossard]

Apparently the Penguins have signed Mark Recchi yet again and also picked up Ron Petrovicky.

Both pickups sound good to me.  Recchi still has something in the tank, as he proved this past season.  Petrovicky adds a good presence on the checking line.  Petrovicky, Roy, Vandenbussche, and Cairns:  good to see the Pens are taking protection of players seriously, unlike when Lemieux was in Crosby's shoes skates.

[Neemo]

Apparently the Penguins have signed Mark Recchi yet again and also picked up Ron Petrovicky.

Both pickups sound good to me.? Recchi still has something in the tank, as he proved this past season.? Petrovicky adds a good presence on the checking line.? Petrovicky, Roy, Vandenbussche, and Cairns:? good to see the Pens are taking protection of players seriously, unlike when Lemieux was in Crosby's shoes skates.

I think if they woulda just listened to Eddie O before last year they woulda been better off

[Neemo]

NewJersey has agreed to give Gomez a 1 year $5mill contract as awarded by arbitration but now they are over the salary cap and will be forced to move somebody to make cap room

[Communist China]

Lydman and Pommy resigned with the Sabres.

Also, the Sabres have a new jersey. For 16 home games next year they will wear the old retro blue and gold, and for the rest of the games they will wear a NEW blue and gold design. I've seen one possible design, it looks like a squirrel with horns. I hope it's not that one...

Fans at home games have been wearing an increasing number of retro jerseys and most of the city prefers the blue and gold.

[Mal Brossard]

Also, the Sabres have a new jersey. For 16 home games next year they will wear the old retro blue and gold, and for the rest of the games they will wear a NEW blue and gold design. I've seen one possible design, it looks like a squirrel with horns. I hope it's not that one...

[the dirt]

The Eagle has signed with Florida!