OFFICIAL 2011 NHL Draft/Free Agency Thread

[Sentrosi2121]

Penguins offer a 1yr deal to Jagr: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=6714217
Could be exciting to see Jagr and Sidney on the same line with each other.

Bieska stays with the Canucks: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=6709577
Vancouver had to resign him.

Also all this talk about realignment in 2012. We know it's going to happen (Source) so what would your dream conference setup be?

I'd love to see 2 divisions in each conference. I'd like to see the Red Wings and Blackhawks moved over to the Eastern conference.

 

[Jeffg010]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=567645
Yup today is the day we find out about Jagr and pretty sure this is a done deal.
The Pens will be the team to beat this year if everyone stays healthy. They were dominating everyone until Malkin and Crosby went down.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

Wouldn't mind seeing Leino and/or Upshall to Kings...........

Wings and Hawks to East really doesn't make sense. If they're going to keep it geographic to cut back travel costs on some of the teams I'm thinking Columbus and Nashville make the most sense. Really Wings/Hawks COULD go east, but the other two make more sense. Ultimately we can't just make the western conference the west of the rockies conference. I guess they could do a Northeast type thing and make the western hodge podge, leaving us Nashville and throwing in the Florida teams.

 

[Blackjack200]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=567645
Yup today is the day we find out about Jagr and pretty sure this is a done deal.
The Pens will be the team to beat this year if everyone stays healthy. They were dominating everyone until Malkin and Crosby went down.

No they weren't. They were good but not dominant. Vancouver was the only dominant team last year.

 

[Jeffg010]

No they weren't. They were good but not dominant. Vancouver was the only dominant team last year.

BS haters going to hate.

 

[Jeffg010]

Just so you forgot.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...uins-are-they-peaking-too-early-in-the-season

 

[murphy55d]

Just FYI Jagr also has offers from Detroit and Montreal. So his decision isn't just with the Penguins. Svoboda has also still been negotiating with Avangard Omsk as recently as Monday, so don't be shocked if he takes the 4-5mil tax free and goes back to Russia. I hope the Wings sign him but I would not be shocked one bit if this was all a ploy to get Avangard to really pony up. We'll see though.

Paul Kariya retired today. What a shame, too. Unbelievably talented, but had the 2nd half of his career ruined by concussions. Still can see that Gary Suter cross-check to the head play in my head. That year he scored 50 goals with Anaheim he was absolutely dominant. One of the best wrist shots the NHL has ever seen.

Oh and a neat sidenote on Kariya, he finished his career with exactly 989 points in 989 games played.

 

[Sentrosi2121]

I was going to post about Kariya's retirement just now.
It really is sad to see him go. I know the guy still has tons of talent, but he is doing the right thing. Over a year later and there is STILL brain damage is a good indicator to get the hell off the ice. I think he'd be a great fit in Anaheim as an assistant coach or as a player development advisor. He can't let all that talent go out the window.

Jagr's agent doesn't know where the hell he is. Sounds like Jagr is playing the game just like you said Murphy55d. I don't want to see him in a Wings jersey. I don't think there's much upside compared to the talent we have down in Grand Rapids. It is time to get an influx of the young talent we have there. If in the middle of the season we have a need for a veteran forward/center, then go get him for a proven younger player. I know Modano was sidelined by what most would classify as a freak injury most of the season, but I think if Mike Babcock saw any sort of potential in Modano he would not have healthy scratched him for most of the playoffs.

 

[Wordplay]

TSN reports:

Defenceman Christian Erhoff has agreed to terms with the Buffalo Sabres, signing a 10-year deal worth $40 million. The contract includes a no movement clause; as well as a modified no trade clause.

...

Ehrhoff will earn $18 million in the first two years of his contract

So the deal looks like:
Year 1: $8M signing bonus, $2M salary
Year 2: $5M SB, $3M
Year 3-6: $4M
Year 7: $3M
Year 8-10: $1M

 

[FallenHero]

For a 7th round pick? I think thats a steal. Blackhawks have given up too much so far this offseason with Brouwer and now Kopecky, both were steals IMO.

I agree that Laich got way too much money. The dude is going to be a 3rd line center in a couple years any way so thats saying a lot.

They would have been outbid anyway on both of them. At least the Hawks got something for them instead of just watching them walk.

 

[xSauronx]

TSN reports:




So the deal looks like:
Year 1: $8M signing bonus, $2M salary
Year 2: $5M SB, $3M
Year 3-6: $4M
Year 7: $3M
Year 8-10: $1M

ugh, ridiculous contracts. between stuff like that and increased league revenues the next CBA negotiations might be interesting, or retarded.

hurricanes signed jokinen, meaning my t-shirt wont have to go to waste. yay. ive been waiting to see what deals get made tomorrow and over the next week.

i expect to be underwhelmed by the final roster, hopefully theyll bring up a couple of the AHL kids and give them real NHL minutes

 

[AMDZen]

Today is the day, 2 hours and some fireworks should begin

 

[Sentrosi2121]

Well Pittsburgh just took their offer to Jagr off the table.
Seems like Jagr is playing the NHL against his old league. I just hope and pray he doesn't come to Detroit.
Detroit locked up Ericcson to a 3yr deal.

 

[AMDZen]

Pitts kept TK though, so they should be OK without Jagr

http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=567955&cmpid=pit-fb-pghpenguins

 

[Blackjack200]

Devils sign Andy Greene for 4 years. Apparently he was drawing interest from other teams... we'll see what the $$$ terms are.

 

[AMDZen]

Garon to TB
Theadore to FLA

Vokoun should be on the phone with the Avs right now !

 

[Sentrosi2121]

The winner of the Jagr lottery is....Philly.
Both Detroit and Pittsburgh withdrew their offers early this morning.

Best move of the off-season for my Wings so far.

 

[Blackjack200]

Garon to TB
Theadore to FLA

Vokoun should be on the phone with the Avs right now !

Col gets Varlomov for a 2012 1st.

hmm, could work out, but the 2012 draft is damn good...

 

[Blackjack200]

Devils sign Hedberg for 1 year. We don't know how much he's making either.

 

[murphy55d]

Phoenix signed Vrbata back 3 yrs 9 mil. Wouldn't have minded Detroit signing him.

I'm kinda hoping Detroit gives Tomas Fleischmann a look. They were the ones who drafted him originally.

 

[PClark99]

Gahh, Paul Holmgren what are you doing!!!???!!!!

 

[AMDZen]

Col gets Varlomov for a 2012 1st.

hmm, could work out, but the 2012 draft is damn good...

Idiot move by Greg Sherman.

Not happy at all.

2012 1st and 2nd round picks

 

[Squisher]

Wings sign Mike Commodore to a one-year deal for $1 million.

Wings do retain Patrick Eaves, Jonathan Ericcson and Drew Miller, Eaves gets $6 million over 3 years, Ericsson get reportedly $10 million over 3 years and Miller gets a 2 year contract for just over $1.6 million.

I think the Wings for the first time in 5 or 6 years will walk into the trade deadline with 5 to 7 million in the bank. As long as they're not too far out of it this might be the best strategy with the slim pickings there is out there as far as defensemen go.

 

[kstu]

gotta be a trade for a center for the sabres now after leino signing, right?

 

[Dominato3r]

Gillis signs Sturm for 1yr/2.25M.

He's a .5ppg guy and injuries will be a concern. Another third line guy to play with Kesler.

Good god. We better trade for a real 2nd liner.