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the New Cunning Linguist
Like a good neighbor, only better
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1962
Location: I'm here, aren't I?
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 Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:44 pm Post subject: |
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After these news, I think this team is more or less back to where it was at the beginning of last season... Here's why (comparing last summer's squad with the roster so far):
We lose Naslund's production but gain Demitra's... IMO, I'd say that's a push - both are left-shooting forwards with skill, but known to be soft when the going gets tough...
We lose BMo's versatility on the PK and second-unit PP and GMMG replaces it with Ryan Johnson (C) and Kyle Wellwood (C). I think this is where we lost some skill although Johnson is a big body that should add some grit on the forecheck; it remains to be seen whether he can move up to the 3rd line... And Wellwood is notoriously soft; until this past season, Ironman BMo was nothing if not resilient...
GMDN traded Cooke and got Pettinger back for an extra year; that by itself is a plus, and we also lose Cooke's turtling ways... Small plus.
We lose Trevor Linden to retirement; but he dressed for 59 games and used strictly as their 4th center; losing Bourdon really hampers GMMG's ability to swing a trade for Top 6 forward help - he can't really trade BXA without getting back a solid defenceman in return. At least Linden and Bourdon's time can be easily filled in... Aaron Miller provided solid 5/6 minutes all year; I'd love to see him back for depth.
This summer, GMMG signed Darcy Hordichuk who should be more effective than Cowan in the tough-guy role and allows the Brabarian to focus on his offensive contributions  . Steve Bernier should get a good audition with the Sedins, allowing Pyatt to slide down to the #2 line with Demitra and maybe Wellwood. What concerns me is Baumgartner - he's okay as a 7/8 guy but I'd prefer a solid defensive defenceman back there like Miller in that spot...
Of course, there's still the not-so-small matter of about $11M in remaining cap room, which DN didn't have a year ago... Maybe we can get Miller re-upped at $1M per...
Sedin/Sedin/Bernier
Demitra/Wellwood/Pyatt
Burrows/Kesler/Raymond
Hordichuk/Johnson/Pettinger
(Cowan/Shannon/Rypien/Hansen)
Ohlund/Salo
Mitchell/Edler
BXA/Krajieck
(Baumgartner/McIver)
Luongo
Sanford
(Schneider)
Overall, I think GMMG has been successful in replacing what he lost (at least on paper), while still retaining enough money grab a depth defenceman and, hopefully, Sundin. And last year's team was something like 26th in goals scored and I'm pretty sure that this group would have a tough time matching that...
_________________
... Because the old one, is well, old.
 
Last edited by the New Cunning Linguist on Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:03 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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saskhab
'03-'04 Goalie Profiles Coming Soon!
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 3841
Location: Saskatoon!
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| Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:55 pm Post subject: |
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They did pick up a depth d-man... Rob Davison, formerly of San Jose and the Islanders, and world famous for scoring "that goal" on Toskala last year. 
And Cowan is still around, TCL.
_________________
"Oh my God. There she is. Lovely Sally Slater. I should speak to her. But what the hell can I say? Anything that doesn't mention that I masturbate over her memory is probably a good idea."
- Mark Corrigan, Peep Show |
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Jyrki21
Rebel Sell + Moneyball = Life
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 2018
Location: Ottawa, ON
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| Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:55 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| "[Current Canucks GM Mike Gillis] used to be my agent for a long time. We are very good friends. |
Yay, conflict of interest. Not that it stopped Gillis from freezing out Näslund, but you still have to be wary of a GM who might have a reason to hesitate before doing something that pisses off one of his friends.
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saskhab
'03-'04 Goalie Profiles Coming Soon!
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 3841
Location: Saskatoon!
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| Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:56 pm Post subject: |
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| Jyrki21 wrote: |
| Quote: |
| "[Current Canucks GM Mike Gillis] used to be my agent for a long time. We are very good friends. |
Yay, conflict of interest. Not that it stopped Gillis from freezing out Näslund, but you still have to be wary of a GM who might have a reason to hesitate before doing something that pisses off one of his friends. |
So... like Burke signing Bertuzzi and Morrison?
_________________
"Oh my God. There she is. Lovely Sally Slater. I should speak to her. But what the hell can I say? Anything that doesn't mention that I masturbate over her memory is probably a good idea."
- Mark Corrigan, Peep Show |
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Av-merican
Un-Tenured Professor of Hockey
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 2322
Location: Denver
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| Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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| saskhab wrote: |
| Jyrki21 wrote: |
| Quote: |
| "[Current Canucks GM Mike Gillis] used to be my agent for a long time. We are very good friends. |
Yay, conflict of interest. Not that it stopped Gillis from freezing out Näslund, but you still have to be wary of a GM who might have a reason to hesitate before doing something that pisses off one of his friends. |
So... like Burke signing Bertuzzi and Morrison? |
Or Lacroix trading for and signing Patrick Roy? |
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the New Cunning Linguist
Like a good neighbor, only better
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1962
Location: I'm here, aren't I?
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| Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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| saskhab wrote: |
| And Cowan is still around, TCL. |
Fixed.
_________________
... Because the old one, is well, old.
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the New Cunning Linguist
Like a good neighbor, only better
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1962
Location: I'm here, aren't I?
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| Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Av-merican wrote: |
| saskhab wrote: |
| Jyrki21 wrote: |
| Quote: |
| "[Current Canucks GM Mike Gillis] used to be my agent for a long time. We are very good friends. |
Yay, conflict of interest. Not that it stopped Gillis from freezing out Näslund, but you still have to be wary of a GM who might have a reason to hesitate before doing something that pisses off one of his friends. |
So... like Burke signing Bertuzzi and Morrison? |
Or Lacroix trading for and signing Patrick Roy? |
There are always exemptions for the Evil Empire.
_________________
... Because the old one, is well, old.
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Jyrki21
Rebel Sell + Moneyball = Life
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 2018
Location: Ottawa, ON
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| Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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Some of the comments on TSN's story are hilarious. My favorite:
| Quote: |
| the canucks should have tried harder to sign a high profile Canadian like brian rolston... every Canadian hockey team should have Canadians as the face of their franchise |
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the New Cunning Linguist
Like a good neighbor, only better
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1962
Location: I'm here, aren't I?
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:31 am Post subject: |
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I found this to be an interesting article: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sports/story.html?id=88bac085-e33b-48a3-97a0-5b8e121899e4
In the NW:
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CALGARY
They basically exchanged smallish, offensive-minded forward Alex Tanguay for smallish, offensive-minded forward Mike Cammalleri. The more intriguing acquisition is Todd Bertuzzi, and let's just say that's a risk-reward move. |
I'm glad to see Tanguay gone, but the introduction of Bert puts more pressure on Ohlund to match up with Iginla, leaving Mitchell to handle Bertuzzi. Cammalleri is still dangerous and Kesler will need to be at his best to keep him in check. I think Bert is the wild card here; if he plays up to his potential, then I think he could be the difference-maker; however, as many of us have observed, I think he's a few weeks past his expiration date.
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EDMONTON
The upside here is tremendous. Lubomir Visnovsky becomes the blueline quarterback for a gifted group of young forwards, Erik Cole is a steal if he's healthy, and Gilbert Brule could be an impact player. The losses -- Raffi Torres, Joni Pitkanen, Jarret Stoll and Matt Greene -- aren't significant. |
This could be one of the more interesting teams to watch in the NW; they've upgraded dramatically - at least on paper. Still, one has to wonder why Cole and Brule were so easily given up by their former teams.
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COLORADO
Picked up Darcy Tucker and goalie Andrew Raycroft, but lost defencemen Kurt Sauer and Jeff Finger and goalie Jose Theodore. Hard to see where they improved. |
I think much of the improvement came in the form of resigning Foote and Salei; they still have Hannan back there, and while their goaltending looks weaker (Theodore > Raycroft) on paper, I doubt there's that much of a drop off going from Theodore to Budaj... I think they should have a solid d; they already have plenty of tools on offence (Stastny, Svatos, Smyth et al), even before resigning Burnaby Joe. The Evil Avpire also lost Brunette.
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MINNESOTA
Added size, grit and skill in Andrew Brunette, Marek Zidlicky, Owen Nolan and Miettinen and lost Demitra. They were good last year. They'll be better this year. |
I like Nolan but can't see him producing at a $2.75M pace... They replace Demitra with Brunette who has been another long-time Canucks-killer.
-----------------
On the whole, I think Vancouver may lose some ground against Edmonton; Calgary didn't change dramatically, and neither did Minnesota; Colorado will be right there as always. If the teams remain as they are, then I'd say:
Calgary
Minnesota
Colorado
Edmonton
Vancouver
_________________
... Because the old one, is well, old.
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US679 Part Deux
An improvement over the US678 prototype
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 579
Location: Milton, Ontario
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:41 am Post subject: |
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You really see Colorado finishing 3rd. To me they have lost more than they have gained, ( not by too much mind you) but I don't see big things out of them this year.
With that said they always seem to be able to pull things off so everything I have just said may be moot.
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the New Cunning Linguist
Like a good neighbor, only better
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1962
Location: I'm here, aren't I?
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:59 am Post subject: |
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| US679 Part Deux wrote: |
| You really see Colorado finishing 3rd. To me they have lost more than they have gained, ( not by too much mind you) but I don't see big things out of them this year. |
I do. When you replace Finger and Sauer with Foote and Salei, you've improved a ton. Sakic only played half the season and this team was still among the highest scoring teams in the West. Sakic still has plenty left in the tank for another season. And Theodore really didn't start to return to form until later in the season from what I recall. They really needed to improve their d and they did that by downgrading (albeit only marginally) their goaltending. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if they challenged for 1st in the NW; they certainly match up well with Minnesota.
_________________
... Because the old one, is well, old.
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Jyrki21
Rebel Sell + Moneyball = Life
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 2018
Location: Ottawa, ON
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:41 am Post subject: |
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Though Brunette was mentioned as a Minnesota pickup, funny how he wasn't mentioned as a Colorado loss -- which I think is significant, certainly more so than Jeff Finger.
And yes, I think Colorado will pull of something before the summer ends and somehow challenge for the division title again -- it's Colorado.
I also think Edmonton will be much improved (the last time I had that feeling against the general consensus was 2005-06), and I could see Calgary taking a dip, but who knows.
With many moves still to be made before the season starts, I say Minnesota takes the division again. After that, it's a very tough call.
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US679 Part Deux
An improvement over the US678 prototype
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 579
Location: Milton, Ontario
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:41 am Post subject: |
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| the New Cunning Linguist wrote: |
| US679 Part Deux wrote: |
| You really see Colorado finishing 3rd. To me they have lost more than they have gained, ( not by too much mind you) but I don't see big things out of them this year. |
I do. When you replace Finger and Sauer with Foote and Salei, you've improved a ton. Sakic only played half the season and this team was still among the highest scoring teams in the West. Sakic still has plenty left in the tank for another season. And Theodore really didn't start to return to form until later in the season from what I recall. They really needed to improve their d and they did that by downgrading (albeit only marginally) their goaltending. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if they challenged for 1st in the NW; they certainly match up well with Minnesota. |
Hmm, you do see them more than I, I guess I was figuring that they already had Salei and Foote last season, ( I know it's more official since they signed them on fot this year), but the goaltending is weak. I know some people feel Raycroft will do better, and he may, I see them finishing 8th.
DISCLAIMER: Again I am not an expert when it comes o the Avs, so they may challenge this year.
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the New Cunning Linguist
Like a good neighbor, only better
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1962
Location: I'm here, aren't I?
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:55 am Post subject: |
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| US679 Part Deux wrote: |
| Hmm, you do see them more than I, I guess I was figuring that they already had Salei and Foote last season, ( I know it's more official since they signed them on fot this year), but the goaltending is weak. I know some people feel Raycroft will do better, and he may, I see them finishing 8th. |
Don't forget that Foote and Salei were trade deadline acquisitions so they didn't have them for the full season, and I seem to recall that that's around the time that Theodore began to play close to his potential; I'm guessing that LaCroix and co. noticed that too, and with Foote and Salei there for the full season, they can afford to take a downgrade in net (Budaj was often better than Theodore). They need to retain some $ for Sakic to return, too.
_________________
... Because the old one, is well, old.
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US679 Part Deux
An improvement over the US678 prototype
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 579
Location: Milton, Ontario
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:58 am Post subject: |
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| the New Cunning Linguist wrote: |
| US679 Part Deux wrote: |
| Hmm, you do see them more than I, I guess I was figuring that they already had Salei and Foote last season, ( I know it's more official since they signed them on fot this year), but the goaltending is weak. I know some people feel Raycroft will do better, and he may, I see them finishing 8th. |
Don't forget that Foote and Salei were trade deadline acquisitions so they didn't have them for the full season, and I seem to recall that that's around the time that Theodore began to play close to his potential; I'm guessing that LaCroix and co. noticed that too, and with Foote and Salei there for the full season, they can afford to take a downgrade in net (Budaj was often better than Theodore). They need to retain some $ for Sakic to return, too. |
I hear what you're saying and basically agree with what you're saying. I guess we'll see with Foote and Salei for a full season could change their fortunes a little, as long as Burnaby Joe is signed.
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Av-merican
Un-Tenured Professor of Hockey
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 2322
Location: Denver
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 12:15 pm Post subject: |
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Budaj was more consistent, but Theo is a far superior goaltender. He was by far the biggest reason we made the postseason at all, and just about the only reason we advanced past the first round. Losing him was a devastating blow. Budaj might keep us afloat for stretches, but I simply can't believe the Avs think they're going to get away with acquiring the WORST goaltender available on the market (again I say, the WORST) and thinking that they won't be substantially worse. Even Johan fucking Holmqvist would've been a better pickup.  Don't even get me started on the Brunette/Tucker tradeoff. Basically we're getting a player who's just as slow, older, will score fewer points, has a worse defensive game, and will have us on the PK a helluva lot more. Okay so I started...but don't let me finish.
Make no mistake, the Avs will be lucky if they're even mediocre next season. All the rest of the NW are making improvements while the Avs took a gigantic step backward. Having Foote and Salei for a full season will help no doubt, and hopefully Liles and Hannan pull their heads out of their respective asses next season. Losing a Finger...meh, we still got seven more. Losing Sauer actually hurts a lot more. No one on the farm in Cleveland looks ready to make the jump, except for Cumiskey I suppose.
Oh, and it's not like we got a coach who'll bring a totally new dynamic to the team, or one who can get players to overachieve.
Anyway, if the Avs aren't dead last in this division at the end of the season, I'll be pretty shocked. |
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US679 Part Deux
An improvement over the US678 prototype
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 579
Location: Milton, Ontario
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Av-merican wrote: |
| Anyway, if the Avs aren't dead last in this division at the end of the season, I'll be pretty shocked. |
Ok TCL, maybe I wasn't far off to begin with.
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Jyrki21
Rebel Sell + Moneyball = Life
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 2018
Location: Ottawa, ON
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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Why the fuck did the Canucks just sign Jason Krog to a one-way deal? Or so I hear?
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Jyrki21
Rebel Sell + Moneyball = Life
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 2018
Location: Ottawa, ON
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| Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Jyrki21 wrote: |
| Why the fuck did the Canucks just sign Jason Krog to a one-way deal? Or so I hear? |
So the signing is now confirmed... and indeed if it's a one-way, I don't get it. He's a perennial AHL all-star, but unless he's going to get offensive ice time in Vancouver, why bring him in? Let the kids develop... give Grabner, Raymond et al a chance to succeed. Ask "What would Detroit do?"
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Av-merican
Un-Tenured Professor of Hockey
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 2322
Location: Denver
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| Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Krog? Well....he's good at faceoffs. Same reason they signed Chouinard. |
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