NFT: NHL Free Agency Thread

In comment 12351082 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

And given how many meathead idiots are hockey writers, I'll reserve judgment on Kessel-is-a-loser until I see how he plays with talented teammates in a franchise that isn't a dumpster fire.

Go ahead and reserve judgment, I don't need to try and influence anyone's opinion. He played for the Bruins before Toronto, he didn't fit in Julien's system (which is very similar to Vigneault's system because he felt it would limit his scoring opportunities.

he doesn't get in the corners, he floats around in the offensive zone waiting for opportunities to get freed up for shots or rebounds.

No doubt he has talent and good enough size and speed to thrive, but as I've said before in 5v5 I have little use for Kessel in the NHL. In 3v3 or PP or international competitions sure, he's got attractive skills for those situations. he's not a guy I'm giving up significant assets for.

.

But Julien's system is close to Vigneault's? That seems off.

.

and Gorton becomes GM, does that mean Slats will still be able to overrule Gorton to make ridiculous trades and signings? Depressing if so.

signs PA Parentau.. interesting

In comment 12351151 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

.

Because he isn't really all that good

Clearly he has lost his edge or the fire in his belly. Either way have the decency to give the man taking the reins the freedom to do the job as he sees fit.

to San Jose.. 4 years almost $5M a year.

defense IS at a premium.

In comment 12351146 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

But Julien's system is close to Vigneault's? That seems off.

Both coached the Canadiens they basically ran the same system. Maybe the power play changes, or the specific play off a face off or something, but both have similar upbringings in coaching and even worked together.

Yeah but, Oshie scored all those shootout goals for Team USA that time...

Dman from Flames

Raphael Diaz

In comment 12351169 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

In comment 12351151 BrettNYG10 said: Quote: . Because he isn't really all that good

Unless you're hoping for a lot of shootouts Oshie is one of the more overrated players I hear mentioned

In comment 12351186 feelflows said:

Quote:

Dman from Flames Raphael Diaz

here are his stats

http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8476244

.

Yay?

In comment 12351189 feelflows said:

Quote:

In comment 12351186 feelflows said: Quote: Dman from Flames Raphael Diaz here are his stats http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8476244

I didn't realize he was on the Rangers 2 years ago.

.

In comment 12351169 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

In comment 12351151 BrettNYG10 said: Quote: . Because he isn't really all that good

Never really been that impressed with him either.

In comment 12351190 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

.

He is who Montreal traded fro Dale Wiese.

I don't think too highly of him, compared to the D on their roster now.

Stepping down as GM

the Pens signed the MALL RAT!!!!!!

LW Kael Mouillierat - PITT

so we're either cutting McIlraith or definitively trading one of the RDmen (Boyle or Girardi please). Hopefully the latter. Zero reason not to give one of the kids a cup of coffee on the 3rd pair to start the year.

In comment 12351193 NYerInMA said:

Quote:

Yay?

Already ours:

stepping down is all over the net

In comment 12351201 DanMetroMan said:

Quote:

Stepping down as GM

What a sad day.

Thanks for all those Cups!

next year... Is there a management equivalent for the Ewing theory?

Couldn't Sather step down yesterday? Next week? August?

Is it really necessary to do it the day of free agency?

From an Isles article today about Diaz and why he'd have made sense to pick up as a 6-7 D:

Quote:

1. He kills penalties.There are a total of three right handed defensemen that are unrestricted free agents, right handed, have played more than 200 minutes on the penalty kill over the past four seasons and had positive relative Corsi numbers. Michal Rozsival - 45.71 PKSCA/60 2012-2015 seasons (45.71 minutes) Raphael Diaz - 43.16 PKSCA/60 2012-2015 seasons (246.04 minutes) Cody Franson - 48.33 PKSCA/60 2012-2015 seasons (293 minutes) He also had the highest relative Corsi of the three. 2. He's inexpensive. He carried a very miniscule 700 thousand dollar cap hit this season. While he performed well in the possession numbers, he isn't exactly known for his scoring acumen which should keep his AAV down. 3. Replaces a dead wood type of defenseman (like Brian Strait). While Diaz's Corsi percentage was lower than Strait's at 46.28 percent, he was still +2.02 compared to the rest of the team as the Flames were horrible at possession. What's more, Diaz was stuck with Deryk Engelland on Calgary is actually worse than Strait is. With Engelland, Diaz's Corsi fell to 38.6 percent. Without Engelland, it rose to 47.3. The Flames themselves were only around 44.4 percent last season.

Rangers made a solid move.

and we start a GM reign that will bring back a Cup.

I love Girardi's heart but it's impossible to want him on this team at that cap number.

maybe he didnt want to give Gorton authority a few weeks ago when he might have pulled a Boston and torn this thing down!


Awesome final trades on Hagelin and Talbot though Sather! The #1 goalie on the market and he returns far less than Ottawa and Boston got for their inferior options. You'll be missed!

Seems to be a bright young GM. As long as he gets final say, this is very good news.

.

for Kevin Klein. Would that the Rangers could unload Klein for a decent haul soon.

Why would Gorton take the job if Sather can veto him? He certainly doesn't lack for other opportunities.

We'll see what can be done with the cap mess on the blueline he inherits.

Why after the draft, and on day one of FA?? Gorton seemed decidely unenthusiastic about the draft - why not let him run it if you knew he'd be taking the reins in a week?

It's not like the NFL where a guy can vacate his contract for a 'promotion'. Sather recently denied at least two teams permission to interview Gorton for positions. I think he did it with the understanding Gorton is in place as his successor and to protect the Rangers. But he did it.

its not really a "mess" though since i mean if Paul Martin is getting a $5 mil/year deal.... these guys are all technically still assets.

But he definitely needs to move quickly -- cant wait around like they did with Talbot again.

on a lot of the moves lately. Sather always had final say but I'm guessing their visions are pretty similar for the team.

or it's been pointed out to him he's been getting his ass handed to him in every transaction he's touched for over a year?

Maybe Buffalo will actually play him unless Snow trades Strait to Buffalo.

In comment 12351232 NYerInMA said:

Quote:

for Kevin Klein. Would that the Rangers could unload Klein for a decent haul soon.

Diaz played four games in the playoffs - Klein trade was for Del Zotto straight up.

In comment 12351259 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

In comment 12351232 NYerInMA said: Quote: for Kevin Klein. Would that the Rangers could unload Klein for a decent haul soon. Diaz played four games in the playoffs - Klein trade was for Del Zotto straight up.

Ah, ok. I remember Diaz going out on a trade at some point, just didn't remember whom he was traded for.

Habs just traded for Kassian from VAN.

In comment 12351232 NYerInMA said:

Quote:

for Kevin Klein. Would that the Rangers could unload Klein for a decent haul soon.

No. It was Del Zotto for Klein straight up. Diaz just walked at the end of the year.

3 HUGE signings. YUUUUUUUGE

In comment 12351264 NYerInMA said:

Quote:

In comment 12351259 BrettNYG10 said: Quote: In comment 12351232 NYerInMA said: Quote: for Kevin Klein. Would that the Rangers could unload Klein for a decent haul soon. Diaz played four games in the playoffs - Klein trade was for Del Zotto straight up. Ah, ok. I remember Diaz going out on a trade at some point, just didn't remember whom he was traded for. Habs just traded for Kassian from VAN.

For Prust. Prust is now with Vancouver and his replacement on the Rangers, Derek Dorsett

?

leaves me one unhappy NYR fan. GTFO, Sather.