The Official NHL Thread

[Full Bug]

Your right Beach, things are really getting interesting, cant say that I have looked forward to the start of a season like this one for some time....

[Matt White]

Gonna be an intersting season....


Many faces in New places!!!

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Things are looking good so far getting Malkin...

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=131317&hubName=nhl

Penguins eager to add Malkin to the mix

Associated Press

7/24/2005 3:41:46 PM

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Pittsburgh Penguins will know long before the start of training camp in September if 2004 first-round draft pick Evgeni Malkin will join an ever-growing lineup of scorers that will soon include Sidney Crosby.

Penguins general manager Craig Patrick has already talked to one of Malkin's agents, Pat Brisson, about signing the 18-year-old center for the 2005-06 season. Brisson also represents Crosby, which could be a plus for the Penguins.

With Malkin's agents also handling the 17-year-old Crosby, the Canadian super prospect who will be drafted No. 1 Saturday by the Penguins, it's likely they will push Malkin to sign with Pittsburgh so the two teens can start playing together and learning each other's games.

If that happens, it's conceivable the Penguins could open the season Oct. 5 with Crosby centering a top line that also includes player-owner Mario Lemieux and Mark Recchi, and Malkin centering their second line.

"We'd like to get him over here. ... We expect to have some dialogue over the next few days" with Malkin's agents, Patrick said. "We want to get him here as soon as we can."

Malkin, last year's No. 2 pick behind Russian forward Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, is signed to a multi-year contract with his hometown Mettalurg Magnitogorsk of Russian's top pro league.

Malkin was the team's third-leading scorer last year, in a relatively low-scoring league, with 12 goals and 20 assists in 52 games.

"Based on what Malkin did last year, he's definitely ready," for the NHL, Patrick said.

Until now, the labour impasse that shut down the 2004-05 season and the expired transfer agreement between the NHL and the International Ice Hockey Federation has prevented the Penguins from attempting to sign Malkin.

The international agreement sets parameters under which a player's European team is compensated when that player signs with an NHL team. There was speculation Russian teams would not be part of any new deal and would seek higher transfer fees - in Malkin's case, perhaps as much as $2 million.

As reported on Saturday, a new transfer deal has been reached that gives NHL teams until Aug. 15 to sign players for this season, even those currently under contract in Europe.

Thus, the Penguins would have until then to sign Malkin, or he would play at least another season in Russia. The Penguins must sign Malkin by June 1, 2008, or relinquish his NHL rights.

Malkin's Russian contract is worth $1.3 million tax-free, and he could make more than that in Pittsburgh with performance bonuses. Under the new NHL labour agreement, Malkin can make as much as $984,200 in base salary next season, plus a signing bonus of slightly less than $300,000. But he could make several million dollars more in performance bonuses.

More incentive for Malkin: Lemieux has all but said the Penguins will add at least one more high-profile forward during the free agent signing period that begins Sunday.

They currently have seven players signed to contracts worth about $5.5 million. Even after determining how much Lemieux will make, and reaching terms with their restricted free agents - including Ryan Malone, Konstantin Koltsov, Dick Tarnstrom and Brooks Orpik - they figure to have about $12 million to $15 million available to sign players.

With owner-in-waiting William "Boots" Del Biaggio planning to increase the payroll by $10 million or $11 million from the approximately $20 million when they last played, the Penguins figure to be in the mid-range of NHL payrolls. They were at the bottom during the 2003-04 season.

[Dave's PA Rental]

Yeah, but how's their defense?

(seriously, I dont know)

[Va Beach VH Fan]

No doubt, they need to add a veteran D-man (or two)....

They've got a few real good youngsters back there, like Brooks Orpik, who's becoming a helluva hitter, and Ryan Whitney, who played great in minors this year....

As I said before, they're targeting Scott Neidermayer from the Devils....

Even if they don't get him, the way it's starting to look, there will be many others available....

[Nickdfresh]

A Nice Overview of the Rules:

With new rules, the future is wide open
By BUCKY GLEASON
News Sports Reporter
7/23/2005

For all the problems the National Hockey League had with its players' association, the biggest complaint from fans in recent years was that hockey had less appeal than a traffic jam. The "Fastest Game on Earth" was reduced to a crawl, and customers quickly found other avenues in which they could spend their money.

The NHL officially signed off on a new collective bargaining agreement Friday, and with the deal came several radical rules changes designed to produce more scoring chances and attract a dwindling fan base. Hockey is undergoing a much-needed face-lift after salaries and ticket prices skyrocketed and scoring plunged over the previous 10 seasons.

New rules alone will likely spark interest. Virtually every change was designed to create more room on the ice, which should produce more goals. Time will tell whether the modifications have their desired effect, but skill players who had been stifled in a congested neutral zone might finally participate in a league intent on showcasing their talent.

The new rules include:

• No red line. The line will still be visible and used for icing purposes, but two-line passes will be allowed in hopes of creating more room on the ice with long passes increasing the number of breakaways and odd-man rushes.

• Shootouts. Every game will have a winner and loser. The league hopes to decide tie games with four-on-four in overtime. If the two teams are still deadlocked, a shootout with three players from each team will be used to determine a winner.

• Tag-up offsides. Players initially offside will be allowed to skate back past the blue line and return to the attacking zone without a whistle. It should create more flow and fewer stoppages in play.

• Pushing the nets back and limiting where goalies can play the puck. The NHL initially tried creating space between the net and the boards because goalies became so adept at playing the puck. Now goalies can only play the puck in a trapezoid-shaped area behind the net. Moving the nets 2 feet back to 11 feet from the boards gives forwards more room to operate in front of the net.

• Smaller goalie equipment. Goaltenders' padding gradually became bigger, allowing them to cover more of the net. Pads will be reduced from 12 inches wide to 11 inches. Blockers, catchers and chest protectors will be downsized. Goalies will no longer look like the Michelin Man.

NHL Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell and Detroit Red Wings forward Brendan Shanahan, a 17-year veteran, played major roles in revamping the rulebook. Shanahan led a committee of players, general managers, coaches and broadcasters who were intent on trying to fix the game on the ice while Bettman and NHLPA chief Bob Goodenow wrestled over the CBA.

"The one thing I consistently heard (from fans) was, "We want a better product on the ice. That's the best way you can pay us back,' " Shanahan said. "I can assure you, along with the game and the way it's going to be played, we're going to reward players with lots of skill."

Campbell emphasized that there would be yet another crackdown on obstruction, which many believe has ruined hockey. Referees for years have been trying to limit teams from constant clutching and grabbing. Campbell promised a clear definition of obstruction and stringent enforcement this season.

"It's the biggest piece of the puzzle if they want to make the game more exciting," Sabres center Daniel Briere said. "We've heard it before. We've tried it before, and it didn't last. We're going to need a full commitment from everybody - every referee, every player, every coach, managers, everybody."

Linesmen will be given more discretion when making icing calls in an effort to keep the game moving. There was discussion about implementing no-touch icing, but the league didn't want to dissuade players from making the two-line passes that are now allowed. If anything, the NHL is encouraging home-run passes.

"The feeling is (new rules) will alleviate some of the pressure that's been brought on the game," Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier said. "The defensive aspects won't be removed, but the intent is it will create more room, more opportunity for the skill players to exhibit their skill. Hopefully, that will result in more goals."

Campbell said referees, many of whom swallow their whistles in the closing minutes of tight games, will be instructed to call the game the same way in the third period as they did in the first. Also, goalies who freeze the puck unnecessarily and players who shoot the puck over the glass from the defending zone will be penalized for delay of game.

Implementing shootouts and removing the red line for the purpose of two-line passes are considered the two biggest changes. Teams will receive two points for a win and one point for a shootout loss or overtime loss.

"The rules changes will make the game more fun," Sabres owner Tom Golisano said. "I'm for more fun."

Bettman also announced Friday that more games will be played within the division and conference in hopes of building intense rivalries. The NHL is desperately trying to repair its relationship with fans after labor strife wiped out an entire season. The league was investigating various ways to bring fans closer to the game. Fans wanted more excitement for their money.

Everybody wanted more goals. Well, everybody but the goalies, of course.

The Edmonton Oilers averaged 5.6 goals per game during the 1983-84 season and scored more than 400 goals in five consecutive seasons. The NHL's highest-scoring team in 2003-04 was Ottawa, which scored 262 goals. By comparison, the Red Wings were the lowest-scoring team in 1985-86 with 266 goals.

In 1992-93, Gary Bettman's first season as NHL commissioner, teams combined for 7.24 goals per game. In 2003-04, teams averaged just more than 5.14 goals per game, the fewest in nearly 50 years. Meanwhile, the average salary skyrocketed from $467,000 to $1.8 million, and ticket prices soared 81 percent over the same period.

Fans were paying - and yawning - more than ever.

The changes mostly affect the two major contributors to the decrease in scoring. The biggest was teams became more adept at playing defense. The neutral-zone trap evolved into an efficient style for many teams, but it also suffocated hockey. There was a greater emphasis on good coaching rather than good players.

"The only way you could level the playing field was to make your team better defensively," Regier said. "The (financial) gaps between teams have been minimized, and the ice has been opened up. Those two things will have a very positive effect."

Another contributing factor was goaltenders. They grew taller, wider and more athletic over the past decade or more. Dominik Hasek, for example, wore big shoulder pads and had a great glove hand, but he also had enough size and agility to simultaneously cover both posts. He alone kept scoring at a minimum.

And it wasn't just Hasek.

Roberto Luongo was a big guy who wore big pads. Garth Snow extended his career with oversized equipment. The average NHL goalie was 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds in 1983-84. Twenty years later, he was 6-foot and 190 pounds. Obviously, the league can't limit the size of the goalie, but it can limit the size of his equipment.

Link

e-mail: bgleason@buffnews.com

[Vinnie Velvet]

Originally posted by Va Beach VH Fan
I've always loved the Canadians passion for hockey, but sometimes they think the hockey world revolves around them...

If that was the case, there'd be more than 6 Canadian teams in the NHL....

Actually, its Torontions (Leaf fans) who think the hockey world revolves around them, not other Canadians.

Bob Mackenzie works for TSN (Supposedly 'Canada's Sports Network', which is more like the Toronto Sports Network).

[Va Beach VH Fan]

That's a good point Vincenzo....

Hockey-crazy city though, no doubt...

Funny during trading deadline time, reading the Canadian websites...

Seems like the Leafs may be trading for EVERY player available...

[guwapo_rocker]

Originally posted by Va Beach VH Fan

Seems like the Leafs may be trading for EVERY player available...

And then they do nothing!!

[Dave's PA Rental]

"Teams will receive two points for a win and one point for a shootout loss or overtime loss"

You STILL get a point for LOSING??????

What a fucking JOKE.

Yeah, I will watch when it comes back, but if the goddam refs dont call interference and obstruction consistantly...it will still be an unwatchable game, IMO...

[Full Bug]

Originally posted by Dave's PA Rental

You STILL get a point for LOSING??????
What a fucking JOKE.

Yeah, thats bullshit, I cant figure out why this issue hasnt been brought up more often....

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Looks like Anaheim is taking offers for pick #2...

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=131498&hubName=nhl

Ducks shopping the 2nd overall pick

TSN.ca Staff

7/26/2005 4:34:31 PM

The Pittsburgh Penguins have no intention of trading the first overall pick in Saturday's NHL entry draft, but the finalist in the Sidney Crosby Sweepstakes is shopping the second overall pick, and shopping it hard.

Anaheim general manager Brian Burke said he has no qualms about trading the No. 2 pick...for the right price, of course.

"I've already gotten eight to 10 calls but I haven't heard anything so far that would cause us to move it, not even close," the Mighty Ducks' GM told TSN. "We will shop this pick. We have a lot of kids ready to step in for us -- Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Joffrey Lupul and Ladislav Smid -- and if we can trade the (No. 2) pick outright for an established player who is a good fit for us, we will do it. And if we get offers to move down a few spots and we can get another (draft) pick, we can do that too. It's really wide open. We want to see what's out there."

If the Ducks decide not to trade the pick for an established player, they are believed to be looking to make a choice from a group of five prospects that includes: Sudbury forward Benoit Pouliot, Owen Sound forward Bobby Ryan, Vancouver Giant forward Gilbert Brule and a pair of defencemen -- Jack Johnson of the U.S. U-18 program and Sudbury's Marc Staal.

If the Ducks feel there's a good chance they could get one of those players at a draft position lower than No. 2, it's possible they'll trade down if they find a partner willing to pay some sort of premium to be guaranteed to get the next-best prospect after No. 1 pick Sidney Crosby.

"Hey, I would be happy to trade up or down in this draft," Burke said with a laugh, knowing there's no chance the Penguins are prepared to move the No. 1 pick and the right to draft Crosby.

With the Crosby coronation a foregone conclusion at the draft in Ottawa on Saturday, what the Ducks do with the No. 2 overall pick may well provide the most excitement of the day.

[Va Beach VH Fan]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article.jsp;jsessionid=NJEBKMDOAFIE?content=20050726_185300_568

Nolan goes under the knife

As Sportsnet first reported last week Tuesday's surgery was required to correct complications that have plagued Owen Nolan's since he injured his knee in March of 2004.

Sportsnet.ca -- -- Sportsnet has learned Toronto Maple Leafs, forward Owen Nolan had surgery Tuesday in Cleveland to further repair his injured knee.

The surgery was deemed successful but Nolan may be out of the NHL for as long as six months.

As Sportsnet first reported last week this surgery was required to correct complications that have plagued Nolan's rehab since he injured the knee in March of 2004.

"Dr. Tony Miniaci, the Chief of Sports Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, performed the surgery on the injury which directly related to the trauma sustained in March of 04 while playing with the Leafs," said Nolan's agent JP Barry.

"Owen looks forward to getting back to rehab now that the problem interfering with his progress has been addressed," Barry added.

"This rehabilitation could take as long as six months, but Owen looks forward to a return to the NHL when he's ready."

As for an update on Nolan's buyout status, Barry says the issues have yet to be resolved.

The NHL's buyout period expires on Friday.

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Originally posted by guwapo_rocker
And then they do nothing!!

See, here's EXACTLY what I'm talking about... It's starting already !!!!

http://www.spectorshockey.net/

FORSBERG TO TORONTO?

THE FAN 590: reports the Toronto Maple Leafs might pursue Peter Forsberg should he become an unrestricted free agent in August. Forsberg's agent, Don Baizley was recently seen in Toronto speaking with Leafs GM John Ferguson Jr, but he told "Leafs Lunch" that it was merely coincidental since Baizley is also the agent for Leafs prospect Alex Steen.

Spector's Note; My thanks to "QuackerJackets" and regular contributor Dave Caldwell, who also noted that since tampering rules are in effect from now until the UFA market opens on August 1 Ferguson wouldn't state any interest in Forsberg at this time.

AFTONBLADET: reports the Detroit News as claiming Colorado Avalanche forward Peter Forsberg is high on the wish list of the Toronto Maple Leafs, which would unite him with Mats Sundin, an apparent dream of many Swedish hockey fans.

Spector's Note: My thanks to Magnus Persson. The Detroit News column doesn't claim the Leafs are interested in Forsberg, but merely lists him as one of several big name players named in unsubstantiated rumours as possibly heading to Toronto. For now the Leafs still have to figure out how much cap space they can free up and which free agents they'll re-sign before they go trolling in the UFA market.

[Golden AWe]

Looks like Jagr is going to stay in the russian league...he will be the first of many to stay/change their league, in hopes of keeping the enormous incomes...