2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

[redwing77]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

While I agree, still a shame they had to deal Buff. And I'm not even a Hawks fan.

I agree. He's the biggest loss for Chicago regardless of what Chicago got or got rid off with him.

 

[OvahInDovah]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

I'll echo what others have said...just retarded.

 

[Swansong]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

While I agree, still a shame they had to deal Buff. And I'm not even a Hawks fan.

Indeed. But they had to make some pretty deep cuts and will have to make a few more, but this really helps them out.

 

[J.D.]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

Turco would get Wilson beaten to within an inch of his life.

Thomas would get him outright lynched.

Even Thomas is a better option than Turco. Yes, he's coming off surgery, but his numbers weren't horrible last year. I think he has another good 1-2 years in him, but the contract was just unnecessary.

Roughly one year ago, Bruins fans were excited to trade away a lazy forward who floats and doesn't put in a whole heck of a lot of effort if things aren't going their way but still puts up pretty good numbers, now y'all are super excited to obtain that same type of player?

I guess when you realize needing goals is quite important to win, you'll be happy to get a player that can, occasionally, score.

I don't know anybody that was "excited" to get rid of Kessel. I didn't have a problem with it, but I wasn't excited to lose his goal scoring. Look at their goal totals from last year. It was a very balanced attack. That's what they were banking on.

the ability to get rid of thomas will probably make or break chiarelli's tenure which is on pretty thin ice right now. i've always imagined it would be easiest to ship him to washington, but i suppose they rather send him west - which is most of the rumors.

i dont watch enough bruins games during the season to comment on his overall level of defense. but in the playoffs, i thought widemen was a huge sparkplug for them (at least offensively)

With Neely now above Chiarelli, it's as if Chia lost some power. Should be interesting.

And yes, Wideman was terrific in the playoffs. I was hoping they'd hang on to him as I think he can bounce back.

Plekanec reups; 6 years/30M.

Thoughts? Seems a little high to me. Good player, but not a true difference maker.

We're up against the cap already

What line are you on?

I hear Montreal needs a goalie

I was out of town during that trade. LOL. Carey to the rescue!!!

This trade helps them out immensely and Tallon is a good enough GM to start the rebuilding process.

It helps Florida rebuild and it helps Boston as well. Horton may never score 31 goals again, but he's never scored fewer than 20 in a full NHL season. Put him on a better team in a better hockey market and we'll see what kind of player he is/becomes. Still only 25.

 

[joecct]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

Rumored trade via twitter and Bob McKenzie

Chi - Atl
Chi gives up: Byfuglein, Soper, Eager, Aikim Aliu
Atl gives up: #24, #54, Marty Reasoner, Jeremy Morin

No formal announcement yet -- team folk on way to LA and players need to be notified..

 

[bronconick]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

Turco's a better "option" because he's cheaper to pay, he wouldn't be signing a +35 contract, and he's UFA. The Sharks aren't going to trade assets for an injured 36 year old making $5 million for three more years after they announce that they aren't bringing their 34 year old fan favorite back because of the salary cap. Rimbaud and I aren't fond of him, but he *did* get a few minute cheer from the crowd when they interviewed him after Detroit game 5. Either option means they limp in as a 7/8 at best, since you either have crappy goaltending, or expensive goaltending behind crap defense.

They realistically need two top 4 defensemen if they want to compete in the West again. Murray's borderline, and you could get by with just one really good signing to replace Blake with a lot more speed, I suppose. That's where the money needs to go, not to another old goalie with no playoff pedigree.

 

[J.D.]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

Turco's a better "option" because he's cheaper to pay, he wouldn't be signing a +35 contract, and he's UFA. The Sharks aren't going to trade assets for an injured 36 year old making $5 million for three more years after they announce that they aren't bringing their 34 year old fan favorite back because of the salary cap.

The Bruins wouldn't want much back in return, just something to make the cap work for both sides. Listen, ultimately I don't think any team is gonna take Thomas. I even agree with moving on from Nabokov. Problem for SJ is that there aren't really any good options out there via free agency.

 

[SteveF]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

What an insane deal.

that wouldnt even go through in fantasy. i thought atlanta fired waddell

 

[bronconick]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

The Bruins wouldn't want much back in return, just something to make the cap work for both sides. Listen, ultimately I don't think any team is gonna take Thomas. I even agree with moving on from Nabokov. Problem for SJ is that there aren't really any good options out there via free agency.

My guess is that they'll start with Ellis/Mason/Nittymaki/etc. and try to sit themselves about 1.5 under the cap to start the season. By the deadline, they'd then have the capspace to make a move for Vokoun if they think they can make a run. He's a UFA after this year, thus no long term while they develop Greiss, Stalock or Satari.

It's the 35+ contract that kills Thomas' value, since if he went to San Jose or whatever, lost his job to another 21-22 year old, you can't even trade him to a rich team (Read: Toronto) to bury in the AHL, since it still would fully count against the cap, as would him retiring after getting beat out again.

 

[OvahInDovah]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

Thoughts? Seems a little high to me. Good player, but not a true difference maker.

Of Plekanec...

The salary is about 500K more than I would have liked to have seen; that being said, he likely left some money on the table by not hitting the market on 7/1. The term is a bit disconcerting; 6 years is a long time. I would have prefered 4 years/18M.

You're right, he is a good player - and a very solid two way player who plays in all situations (only Ryan Kesler had more time on the PK and PP, and he got the same deal). A difference maker? Not enough of one, especially in the playoffs.

Unfortunately, this was a deal of necessity. They have no other options; Ben Maxwell never developed into the player they hoped, and it would have been a bit of a rush to throw Eller into a 2nd line center role. Lapierre or Moore are not top 6 players. So now Montreal has committed over 12M a year for the next four years to similar players who are both good but nowhere near elite.

Maybe I'm a negative nancy, but I don't see next year as being all that special for Montreal, and it has nothing to do with goaltending. They seemingly will be the same team for the next few years...one that is on the playoff bubble, and never sucking enough to get a difference maker in the draft. In a word, mediocre. It all goes back to last July. The Canadiens were in a very enviable position with loads of cap room, and they went for a quick fix.

Sorry you asked? That was a long response.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

TRADE

Chicago trades: Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager, Brent Sopel and Akim Aliu
Atlanta trades: Marty Reasoner, 24th overall pick, 54th overall pick and Jeremy Morin

I tried to make sense of this deal, but I couldn't. Byfuglien for Reasoner kinda sorta works, but a decent prospect + what could be decent picks for an agitator, an aging defenseman, and a scrub? Atlanta got hosed.

 

[OvahInDovah]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

My guess is that they'll start with Ellis/Mason/Nittymaki/etc. and try to sit themselves about 1.5 under the cap to start the season. By the deadline, they'd then have the capspace to make a move for Vokoun if they think they can make a run. He's a UFA after this year, thus no long term while they develop Greiss, Stalock or Satari.

It's the 35+ contract that kills Thomas' value, since if he went to San Jose or whatever, lost his job to another 21-22 year old, you can't even trade him to a rich team (Read: Toronto) to bury in the AHL, since it still would fully count against the cap, as would him retiring after getting beat out again.

I think Mason is a very solid, underrated netminder. Whatever team winds up with him will do well. He should be in the 3.5-4M a year range, I'd think, which is a bargain for a #1 goalie you didn't develop.

 

[OvahInDovah]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

I tried to make sense of this deal, but I couldn't. Byfuglien for Reasoner kinda sorta works, but a decent prospect + what could be decent picks for an agitator, an aging defenseman, and a scrub? Atlanta got hosed.

Anytime you have the chance to add a conistent 30 point scorer you have to pull the trigger. Seriously, I know Buff is coming off a great playoffs and brings a physical game, but really? What a grabage deal. I just read an article early this morning wehre one GM was quoted as saying, "They (Chicago) want a 1st round pick for Byfuglien. Good luck with that". But as Bronconick pointed out, there always seems to be some idiot GM out there just waiting to rescue someone from their gross mismanagement of personnel.

Edit: Found the quote. From Pierre Lebrun's article:

The price for Byfuglien, specifically, is a first-round pick and a prospect.

"Good luck," said one NHL GM, who requested anonymity. "No freakin' way they get a first-round pick. They're asking too much for all their guys right now."

 

[bronconick]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

The funniest part is that even Blackhawk fans kind of describe his work ethic like mid 2000's Rasheed Wallace. He goes through the regular season kind of lackadaisacal, take a shift off occasionally, and then turns it on come playoff time.

What good is that going to do Atlanta? They farking sucked, and that was with Kovalchuk for most of the season. At least they could have held out for Sharp, who has been sighted before the 2nd round vs. Vancouver.

 

[J.D.]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

Is it Atlanta's first round pick for this year?

You'd have to expect Byfuglien's production to go down in Atlanta, but at the same time he's a decent young player to add to your mix.

Hate to see a guy contribute to a Cup winner and then be shipped out of town. Especially a young player you drafted.

Hossa
Sharp
Kane
Bolland
Versteeg
Toews
Ladd
Kopecky
Reasoner
Brower

Still a pretty good core of 10 forwards.

 

[thecomicbookguy]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

Anytime you have the chance to add a conistent 30 point scorer you have to pull the trigger. Seriously, I know Buff is coming off a great playoffs and brings a physical game, but really? What a grabage deal. I just read an article early this morning wehre one GM was quoted as saying, "They (Chicago) want a 1st round pick for Byfuglien. Good luck with that". But as Bronconick pointed out, there always seems to be some idiot GM out there just waiting to rescue someone from their gross mismanagement of personnel.

Edit: Found the quote. From Pierre Lebrun's article:

Is that anonymous GM Stan Bowman?

 

[GreatLakerMohawk]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

Atlanta had to make a side deal with San Jose so they didn't go over having 50 contracts on their books. Don't worry bronconick/Rimbaud, it's no one of consequence coming or going.

Also, it appears Chicago will also get Joey Crabb in the trade. So, uh, why the mess about dealing expiring contracts and crap people to San Jose? Nothing makes sense anymore.

 

[bronconick]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

Atlanta had to make a side deal with San Jose so they didn't go over having 50 contracts on their books. Don't worry bronconick/Rimbaud, it's no one of consequence coming or going.

Also, it appears Chicago will also get Joey Crabb in the trade. So, uh, why the mess about dealing expiring contracts and crap people to San Jose? Nothing makes sense anymore.

Sterling, Vernace and a 7th for "futures."

Best. Trade. Ever.

Lock up the offices until October. We're ready to go.

Edit: I'm assuming that the confusion is the fact that Atlanta's GM has to keep asking Chicago what he should be doing.

 

[GreatLakerMohawk]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

Sterling, Vernace and a 7th for "futures."

Best. Trade. Ever.

Lock up the offices until October. We're ready to go.

Edit: I'm assuming that the confusion is the fact that Atlanta's GM has to keep asking Chicago what he should be doing.

It's a nice trade to get Byfuglien the hell out of the Western Conference that's for sure. Sterling is UFA and was making only $500,000 as it was. If you want to keep him I'm sure you can. Vernace, whatever, he was a Sharks 7th rounder years ago so you got that going for you.

Unreal, can't believe Atlanta is this stupid. Dudley just said in the conference call that the Byfuglien they saw in the playoffs is the guy they feel has been evolving all along. Hate to break it to you Rick, Buff's been a 15-19 goal guy and 30-40 point guy his whole career. How is a team this dumb?

 

[bronconick]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs IV: "The game puck just got Prongered"

It's a nice trade to get Byfuglien the hell out of the Western Conference that's for sure. Sterling is UFA and was making only $500,000 as it was. If you want to keep him I'm sure you can. Vernace, whatever, he was a Sharks 7th rounder years ago so you got that going for you.

Unreal, can't believe Atlanta is this stupid. Dudley just said in the conference call that the Byfuglien they saw in the playoffs is the guy they feel has been evolving all along. Hate to break it to you Rick, Buff's been a 15-19 goal guy and 30-40 point guy his whole career. How is a team this dumb?

Well, if you check out his bio, when they talk about his time with the Hawks, it says

The Blackhawks now feature some of the league’s top young players, such as Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Kris Versteeg, Patrick Sharp, Andrew Ladd, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Ben Eager, who were all obtained during his time with the franchise. He also played a key role in Chicago’s acquisition of veteran stars Nikolai Khabibulin, Martin Havlat and Brian Campbell.

Apparently the key in this trade must be Ben Eager, since he was the one mentioned.

We should create a Mike Milbury award and start offering it to GM's who make stupid decisions every year.