2008 Offseason Thread - Updated 7/1 - 11:44AM ET

Post #1 » by **timd1218** » Fri Jun 6, 2008 10:56 pm

July 1st - Free Agent period begins. Here is a table of the recognizable players. Includes RFA as well.

Griff83 · Post #2 » by **Griff83** » Fri Jun 6, 2008 11:07 pm

Isnt JM Liles also a UFA?

I think Hossa prolly ends up in Boston seeing they have the money to give him and hes close friends with Chara.

Redden will prolly end up in a place like Florida who will be looking for another mobile puck mover, along with his familiarity with Martin.

Post #3 » by **timd1218** » Sat Jun 7, 2008 12:23 am

JM Liles is one. I didn't consider him to be a major player. I think he is overrated.

I think the Pens will make a big push for Hossa. I just hope he realizes his best chance for a Cup will be with the Pens.

Griff83 · Post #4 » by **Griff83** » Sat Jun 7, 2008 12:30 am

timd1218 wrote:JM Liles is one. I didn't consider him to be a major player. I think he is overrated.

I think the Pens will make a big push for Hossa. I just hope he realizes his best chance for a Cup will be with the Pens.

We'll he's better then some of the players on your list.

How are the Pens going to be able to afford him with Malkin needing a huge raise soon, needing to to sign Fluery to a nice contract, same with Stall and wanting to also potentially keep guys like Malone and Orpik.

I personally dont see them being able to afford him unless they are going to let one of the big three (Fluery, Stall, Malkin) go.

Post #5 » by **timd1218** » Sat Jun 7, 2008 12:38 am

Griff83 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

We'll he's better then some of the players on your list.

How are the Pens going to be able to afford him with Malkin needing a huge raise soon, needing to to sign Fluery to a nice contract, same with Stall and wanting to also potentially keep guys like Malone and Orpik.

I personally dont see them being able to afford him unless they are going to let one of the big three (Fluery, Stall, Malkin) go.

Well, I see Malone leaving. He is going to get a big contract and I believe he will leave. I see him heading to Minnesota, if Minnesota makes a push for him. His wife is from there, he played his last 2 years of high school hockey there and he lives there in the offseason.

I believe the Pens will let Staal go. Not because he isn't good. But because I think he will want to become a #1 or #2 centerman. On the Pens, he is a #3. If they do that, hopefully, RS will let a team offer him something next season, and get the drafts picks from that team.

I believe Orpik will sign a contract lower then what he could get from another team. There was a quote in the local paper talking about he talks to former Pens players who left because they are getting more money and he said they are unhappy they left the organization. Then there was this quote today:

Just from talking to other guys, I don't want to speak for them, but I know most of the guys, I think, will probably be willing to take a little bit less money to come back here," said Orpik. "That's how much guys like it here. I think the way we ended the season kind of left a sour taste in the guys' mouth, too, which might push some guys who want to come back here.

Per: http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/spo ... etail.html

This has happened in hockey before. Look at the current Red Wings cap hits. A lot of their players are getting paid below market value and they decided to take that money to stay with Detroit. I can see the same thing happening here.

With Malkin, his cap hit is already at 3.86 million. His next cap hit will be no more then 5 million. Plus Gonchar is up in 2 years, so it will be possible to keep the team together, while re-signing Hossa, Orpik and Fleury. Possibly Malone.

Post #6 » by **timd1218** » Sat Jun 7, 2008 12:41 am

I'd rather take less and play on a good team," Hossa said. "Hopefully, I can return here and be part of this organization but, with the salary cap, I know how hard it is. There's lots of players to be signed, so we'll see what's going to happen.

Per: http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=36 ... rvice=page
[/quote]

Griff83 · Post #7 » by **Griff83** » Sat Jun 7, 2008 12:43 am

Meh I guess anythings possible but I dont think they will be able to keep him seeing he will be looking to cash in bigtime. It sounds nice that he would take a paycut or sign for significantly less to stay on the Penguins but it almost always comes down to dollars. I see him in either Boston or Montreal.

Griff83 · Post #8 » by **Griff83** » Sat Jun 7, 2008 12:45 am

timd1218 wrote:
I'd rather take less and play on a good team," Hossa said. "Hopefully, I can return here and be part of this organization but, with the salary cap, I know how hard it is. There's lots of players to be signed, so we'll see what's going to happen.

Per: http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=36 ... rvice=page

[/quote]

Players say alot of things when they are still part of the team but once July 1st hits alot of times a players tune changes. I mean I really wouldnt expect him to come out and say at this point that hes going to sign somewhere that offers him more money. That was basically the normal athlete response in this situation.

Post #9 » by **timd1218** » Sat Jun 7, 2008 12:53 am

Griff83 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Players say alot of things when they are still part of the team but once July 1st hits alot of times a players tune changes. I mean I really wouldnt expect him to come out and say at this point that hes going to sign somewhere that offers him more money. That was basically the normal athlete response in this situation.

I suppose in but from everything I have heard of Hossa since he has become a Pen, he has said nothing but great comments about the team and city. It seems as if he really does like it here. I've also read numerous times about him saying he would take less money to play on a championship team. I read on sometime last year and earlier this year, before he played for the Pens.

Post #10 » by **Celtics_Champs** » Sat Jun 7, 2008 2:48 am

Yeah, I am not going to throw all my eggs into the hossa basket. I did that at the deadline, and he supposedly said no. Or something didn't work out there. I say he stays in pitt.

JM Liles is a player I see the bruins targeting. They have been for awhile now.

As for wishful thinking, I would love to see Rolston back in black and gold, but I don't see bruins going after him.

Griff83 · Post #11 » by **Griff83** » Sat Jun 7, 2008 4:22 am

Celtics_Champs wrote:Yeah, I am not going to throw all my eggs into the hossa basket. I did that at the deadline, and he supposedly said no. Or something didn't work out there. I say he stays in pitt.
JM Liles is a player I see the bruins targeting. They have been for awhile now.

As for wishful thinking, I would love to see Rolston back in black and gold, but I don't see bruins going after him.

Hossa said no to a boston trade?

Post #12 » by **Snayr** » Sat Jun 7, 2008 5:20 am

Bob Gainey has clearly stated that he is going after a big scorer this summer, whether it be via trade or free agency. So, Hossa is definitely on the Habs radar, and they aren't too shabby a team either.

Post #13 » by **Celtics_Champs** » Sat Jun 7, 2008 10:24 am

Griff83 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Hossa said no to a boston trade?

I remember hearing on the radio that, the Bruins had a deal in place a week before the deadline, but would only do the deal if Hossa signed a contract extension. And it never worked out.

WEFFPIM · Post #14 » by **WEFFPIM** » Sat Jun 7, 2008 10:04 pm

I'd love the Blackhawks to go after Huet. Khabibulin is just too unpredictable in net for my liking.

Post #15 » by **Snayr** » Sat Jun 7, 2008 10:45 pm

WEFFPIM wrote:I'd love the Blackhawks to go after Huet. Khabibulin is just too unpredictable in net for my liking.

I think that would be a great pickup for the BHawks. Huet is a very good goaltender and could help out any team lacking in the goaltender department.

Griff83 · Post #16 » by **Griff83** » Sat Jun 7, 2008 11:38 pm

WEFFPIM wrote:I'd love the Blackhawks to go after Huet. Khabibulin is just too unpredictable in net for my liking.

I really cant see the Caps not resigning Huet seeing he's really all they have in goal going forward (not sold on any of there goalie prospects). You should make a push to sign Dan Ellis as he might be more obtainable then Huet and is just as good.

Add Ellis, trade for Kubina and the Blackhawks would make the playoffs next season.

Posey H8er · Post #17 » by **Posey H8er** » Sun Jun 8, 2008 1:50 am

WEFFPIM wrote:I'd love the Blackhawks to go after Huet. Khabibulin is just too unpredictable in net for my liking.

It would be great to get another scorer next season, but a healthy Havlat could be that. But how about Brian Campbell, who is a very good offensive defenseman, exactly what we need.

WEFFPIM · Post #18 » by **WEFFPIM** » Sun Jun 8, 2008 4:33 am

Posey H8er wrote:It would be great to get another scorer next season, but a healthy Havlat could be that. But how about Brian Campbell, who is a very good offensive defenseman, exactly what we need.

The BHawks CANNOT rely on Havlat to stay healthy to be a go-to scorer again this season. As a second or third line guy, sure. But I do not want to see Havalt man the first line next season.

Brian Campbell would be a great pickup.

Posey H8er · Post #19 » by **Posey H8er** » Sun Jun 8, 2008 11:06 pm

I wouldn't rely on him either, but IF healthy (big if), then that would seemingly be another solid addition.

Post #20 » by **ajaX82** » Sun Jun 8, 2008 11:22 pm

WEFFPIM wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

The BHawks CANNOT rely on Havlat to stay healthy to be a go-to scorer again this season. As a second or third line guy, sure. But I do not want to see Havalt man the first line next season.

Brian Campbell would be a great pickup.

Its too bad, because when Havlat is healthy he is really, really good. If he does stay healthy, pairing him with Toews maybe would be a good line