NHL 2014-2015

[Serbia]

The thread for all things NHL for the '14-'15 season.

Draft is today.
Ryan Kesler traded from Vancouver to Anaheim for Nick Bonino and Luca Sbisa.
Then, James Neal traded from Pittsburgh to Nashville for Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling.

These are big deals. The Kesler trade especially; had this happened before the playoffs this year, the Ducks probably get by the Kings, and possibly win the Cup.

Also, it's never too early to start discussing the next season.

Bollocks.

[Serbia]

Vancouver also acquired Derek Dorsett from the Rangers, and traded defenseman Jason Garrison to the Lightning. Canucks are in full house cleaning mode.

Bollocks.

[denominator]

In the past 2 years, I've mostly switched over to following junior hockey instead of the NHL. I still watch the NHL games extensively and follow the playoffs, but most of my hockey energy is focused on the CHL, and in particular the WHL (and, to be specific, the Hitmen as I am a season ticket holder). This means the draft has become a big deal for me.

My notes:

Aaron Ekblad is the right #1 pick. Defenceman with a lot of poise.

I'm not exactly convinced Sam Bennett is a good pick for the Flames at #4. I'd have passed on him and picked Michael Dal Colle instead.

Both my hometown boys got drafted above where they were ranked, Jake Virtanen at 6 (ranked and Travis Sanheim at 17 (ranked 24). Awesome for Sanheim going to the Flyers, but it's going to be hard for me to cheer for Virtanen in Vancouver now.

The Ducks have done well. Nick Ritchie was a steal at 10, and they did not have to give up much to get Kesler. They're going to be a force for the foreseeable future.

Hayden Fleury to Carolina was a good pick. He impressed me all season for the Rebels. Same with Julius Honka to the Stars.

I am not a fan of Anthony DeAngelo. Violating the "diversity policy" means that he's making racist comments on the ice and there's just no place for that in hockey, at any level. It's not something that is going to go away.

The most recent pick, Josh Ho-Sang, really did not impress me at the Top Prospects game. On top of that with what the scouts were saying about him, I don't see him going anywhere.

Lots of other thoughts on the prospects and drafting choices if anyone cares, or wants more information on players they haven't heard of.

[Serbia]

Know anything about Dylan Larkin? I know he's from the Detroit area, is committed to the University of Michigan, but that's about it. But being an American, I kinda doubt you've seen him play... I haven't.

Bollocks.

[denominator]

Know anything about Dylan Larkin? I know he's from the Detroit area, is committed to the University of Michigan, but that's about it. But being an American, I kinda doubt you've seen him play... I haven't.

Bollocks.

I haven't seen him play. But it's no surprise that the Wings took him. I figured if he slipped past 15 he'd go to Columbus or Chicago as he's a big two-way forward. Someone compared him to Darren Helm, which I figured was way off. More like an RJ Umberger or Jordan Staal type guy, with a long-term development plan. Perfect fit for the Wings.

[Serbia]

Know anything about Dylan Larkin? I know he's from the Detroit area, is committed to the University of Michigan, but that's about it. But being an American, I kinda doubt you've seen him play... I haven't.

Bollocks.

I haven't seen him play. But it's no surprise that the Wings took him. I figured if he slipped past 15 he'd go to Columbus or Chicago as he's a big two-way forward. Someone compared him to Darren Helm, which I figured was way off. More like an RJ Umberger or Jordan Staal type guy, with a long-term development plan. Perfect fit for the Wings.

Long-term development - definitely sounds like the Wings. And if you're telling me in 3-5 years we'll be getting a guy like Umberger or Staal, I'd take that for sure.

Bollocks.

[Timminz]

With all the rumours swirling around in the past few days, I'm really glad to see the Leafs didn't trade up for the #1 pick. All the options I saw floating around included the #8 pick and stuff like Phaneuf+Kadri, or JVR+more. I mean shit! JVR is signed for 5 mil for the next 4 years. Trading him away would be crazy!

But that didn't happen, and they picked Nylander in the first round. He's been playing in the Elite league already, and supposedly could be ready for the NHL with a bit of physical conditioning.

[Serbia]

Reports of crazy coming out of Toronto are just business as usual. Doesn't have to be real, someone just has to start a rumour. I wouldn't be surprised if they do try to move Phaneuf though. Seems he's the scapegoat for the collapse last year.

Bollocks.

[Army of GOD]

Trading Neal was a good move. He was starting to becomemore of a problem then help.

[Serbia]

Trading Neal was a good move. He was starting to becomemore of a problem then help.

It doesn't seem you got great value out of that deal though.

Bollocks.

[DoomYoshi]

If Toronto rumor-mill worked in other cities there would be headlines like:
Are Kane and Toews going to be traded for the 90th pick???
Does Crosby's ironic smile at some insignificant meet the fans event mean he thinks the Pens can never win the Cup?
Is Henrik Lundquist going to win Money in the Bank?

[Army of GOD]

Trading Neal was a good move. He was starting to becomemore of a problem then help.

It doesn't seem you got great value out of that deal though.

Bollocks.

Hornqvist is a big body that goes in front of the net, a player we desperately need, especially on the PP.

Neal is now a pretty dirty player who had more penalty minutes in the playoffs than games (with very little production).

[tzor]

My Prediction: Ryan Haggerty will be rookie of the year (the Calder Cup). In fact, the Rangers would have probably won the cup if they hadn't keep him off the roster during the playoffs.

[denominator]

Trading Neal was a good move. He was starting to becomemore of a problem then help.

It doesn't seem you got great value out of that deal though.

Bollocks.

Hornqvist is a big body that goes in front of the net, a player we desperately need, especially on the PP.

Neal is now a pretty dirty player who had more penalty minutes in the playoffs than games (with very little production).

Neal is overrated. His numbers are inflated from playing with elite-level players. He's the obvious first choice in cleaning house in Pittsburgh (followed by Fleury).

You still got shit value out of the deal.

Damn no-trade clauses means GMs are having trouble getting value out of big name players, like Kesler or Spezza.

[Army of GOD]

Trading Neal was a good move. He was starting to becomemore of a problem then help.

It doesn't seem you got great value out of that deal though.

Bollocks.

Hornqvist is a big body that goes in front of the net, a player we desperately need, especially on the PP.

Neal is now a pretty dirty player who had more penalty minutes in the playoffs than games (with very little production).

Neal is overrated. His numbers are inflated from playing with elite-level players. He's the obvious first choice in cleaning house in Pittsburgh (followed by Fleury).

You still got shit value out of the deal.

Damn no-trade clauses means GMs are having trouble getting value out of big name players, like Kesler or Spezza.

Even then, the only skill Neal has is shooting. He can't play defense, he can't handle the puck, he can't control himself from getting penalties. Without Malkin I wouldn't be surprised to see him go down to 25 goals or less.

[Gillipig]

Too soon. Not ready to think about hockey yet.

[Serbia]

Free agency starts today. Was surprised to see Iginla sign with Colorado. Also surprised Erhoff got only a 1 year deal with Pittsburgh; what's up with that? Niskanen apparently just signed with Washington, that's big. Which means the Red Wings totally strike out, for fuck's sake.

WAIT!!! The Wings signed LW Chris Porter!!! WOO HOO!!!

BOLLOCKS.

[Army of GOD]

Free agency starts today. Was surprised to see Iginla sign with Colorado. Also surprised Erhoff got only a 1 year deal with Pittsburgh; what's up with that? Niskanen apparently just signed with Washington, that's big. Which means the Red Wings totally strike out, for fuck's sake.

WAIT!!! The Wings signed LW Chris Porter!!! WOO HOO!!!

BOLLOCKS.

He's still getting paid by the Sabres for his 10 year contract so I don't think he was so worried about a safety net.


Also, Caps paying 11.25 mil next year for Orpik and Niskanen....good luck with that...

[Gillipig]

Free agency starts today. Was surprised to see Iginla sign with Colorado. Also surprised Erhoff got only a 1 year deal with Pittsburgh; what's up with that? Niskanen apparently just signed with Washington, that's big. Which means the Red Wings totally strike out, for fuck's sake.

WAIT!!! The Wings signed LW Chris Porter!!! WOO HOO!!!

BOLLOCKS.

He's still getting paid by the Sabres for his 10 year contract so I don't think he was so worried about a safety net.


Also, Caps paying 11.25 mil next year for Orpik and Niskanen....good luck with that...

Pens failing to sign Orpik is a misstake in my eyes, it's the defenseman with most games played in their franchise history, and they can't even get him to finish his career there? He could easily have overtaken Mario Lemieux in number of games played for the team. He's been around the longest in the current team, I know they're looking to rebuild but getting rid of someone like that is almost like getting rid of a pillar in the building. I don't think it will serve them any good.

[Timminz]

Glad to see Iginla going to Colorado. I'm going to try to get out and see him and MacKinnon at one of the games in Calgary this year.

Also, glad to see Komarov signing with the Leafs again.

And Gorges to Buffalo?! That guy hates the Leafs so much that he'd rather play for the worst team in the league.

[Serbia]

Red Wings resign Kyle Quincey. Fans in Detroit are going absolutely nuts about Holland not signing anyone to help the team. Quincey was a popular whipping boy last year, and bringing him back while striking out on any of the big name defenseman have people losing their minds.

I find it interesting how Detroit is no longer a free agent destination. Ten years ago, anyone would have wanted to come here. No longer.

Ollie Jokinen signed with Nashville in what may have been today's biggest signing. And back to yesterday, I know everyone expected Ryan Miller to sign in Vancouver, but that team makes me laugh. They had both Luongo and Schneider, gave both up for very little, and now have Miller, who's viewed as damaged goods. Definitely a team that needed an upper management shakeup.

Bollocks.

[Army of GOD]

I've always thought that Miller was the most overrated player in the league.

Also, Pens sign Downie. I hate Flyers and dirty players so, ugh.

[Gillipig]

Red Wings resign Kyle Quincey. Fans in Detroit are going absolutely nuts about Holland not signing anyone to help the team. Quincey was a popular whipping boy last year, and bringing him back while striking out on any of the big name defenseman have people losing their minds.

I find it interesting how Detroit is no longer a free agent destination. Ten years ago, anyone would have wanted to come here. No longer.

Ollie Jokinen signed with Nashville in what may have been today's biggest signing. And back to yesterday, I know everyone expected Ryan Miller to sign in Vancouver, but that team makes me laugh. They had both Luongo and Schneider, gave both up for very little, and now have Miller, who's viewed as damaged goods. Definitely a team that needed an upper management shakeup.

Bollocks.

Don't forget te biggest misstake of all, hiring Tortorella. What were they thinking? In what possible universe was he a good fit for Vancouver? Lol, this season the coach they fired took a team barely able to get into playoffs to a stanley cup final, and the coach they hired took a team who had resently been in a stanley cup final and made it miss the playoffs for the first time in 6 years, and they didn't even miss it barely, they missed with 9 points.

[Serbia]

Red Wings resign Kyle Quincey. Fans in Detroit are going absolutely nuts about Holland not signing anyone to help the team. Quincey was a popular whipping boy last year, and bringing him back while striking out on any of the big name defenseman have people losing their minds.

I find it interesting how Detroit is no longer a free agent destination. Ten years ago, anyone would have wanted to come here. No longer.

Ollie Jokinen signed with Nashville in what may have been today's biggest signing. And back to yesterday, I know everyone expected Ryan Miller to sign in Vancouver, but that team makes me laugh. They had both Luongo and Schneider, gave both up for very little, and now have Miller, who's viewed as damaged goods. Definitely a team that needed an upper management shakeup.

Bollocks.

Don't forget te biggest misstake of all, hiring Tortorella. What were they thinking? In what possible universe was he a good fit for Vancouver? Lol, this season the coach they fired took a team barely able to get into playoffs to a stanley cup final, and the coach they hired took a team who had resently been in a stanley cup final and made it miss the playoffs for the first time in 6 years, and they didn't even miss it barely, they missed with 9 points.

That hire definitely didn't pan out in Vancouver. It's even worse when you look at what Alain Vigneault did with the Rangers. What's happened in Vancouver is really remarkable.

Bollocks.