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[calder]

Old World Cup stuff first:

CALGARY (CP) - San Jose Sharks defenceman Scott Hannan was named to Team Canada's roster for the 2004 World Cup of Hockey on Thursday, replacing injured Avalanche blueliner Rob Blake.

From a week or so ago - losing Blake hurts but Hannan should be pretty damn solid as a replacement. Losing a bit of offense, but the team shouldn't really be needing too much help putting the puck in the net.

Forsberg to play in World Cup

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) - Former NHL most valuable player Peter Forsberg has been cleared by doctors to play for Sweden in the World Cup of Hockey beginning late next month in Europe and North America.

"I've seen my doctors in the last few days in Montreal and Denver, and they said I could start working out at 100 per cent," the 31-year-old Colorado Avalanche forward told Swedish tabloid Expressen's Web site Saturday.

No real surprise, but anyone who bitches about Mario playing for the Olys better be unhappy about Foppa declaring himself 100%.

Hagman, Niinimaa to join Finland

HELSINKI (CP) -- Niklas Hagman replaces Sami Kapanen and Janne Niinimaa takes the place of Jere Karalahti in two changes announced Monday by head coach Raimo Summanen to Finland's roster for the World Cup of Hockey.

I'm just surprised Niinimaa wasn't already on the roster.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pittsburgh Penguins right-winger Aleksey Morozov will play in Russia this season even if the NHL resolves its labour situation.

Guess I won't be taking him in my pool this year. He was a nice mid-rounder for me last year.. but his +/- killed me.

Cherry re-signs with HNIC

TORONTO (CP) -- Controversial commentator Don Cherry is returning to Hockey Night In Canada.

"We think Don is one of, if not the best, hockey commentators in the country," said Nancy Lee, executive director of CBC Sports.

Play-by-play veteran Bob Cole and his sidekick Harry Neale will also be back in the booth, and former NHL goalies Kelly Hrudey and Greg Millen also have been retained for the network's 53rd season of HNIC, the CBC announced Thursday.
Meanwhile, former goalie Glenn Healy, who was asked to work for HNIC exclusively, declined so he wouldn't have to give up his work on other outlets.

The CBC also announced that Brian Burke, the former Vancouver GM and former director of NHL operations, will be part of the World Cup of Hockey telecasts and a regular HNIC contributor throughout the season.

As well, NHL netminder Sean Burke will join CBC Sports as an in-studio analyst for the World Cup of Hockey, Aug. 30-Sept. 14.

Hahaha, Grapes *can* be a decent hockey commentator, but how often does he bother? I have no real use for him but I'm glad they signed him JUST so I don't have to hear a year long bitchfest from outraged Cherry fans. The petitions, constant letters to the editor at THN, reports from CBC defending themselves, thank god we avoided all that shit. Sadly Millen is back too, but at least I won't have to put up with Healy anymore on HNIC. Brian Burke, while occasionally a massive tool, is well-spoken and always willing to be be as honest as you can reasonably expect an insider to be. He should be great as an analyst.
What HNIC really needs is more Scotty Bowman. *Nobody* they have as a guest is as respected by everyone else and as constantly insightful.

Nash signs with Swiss club

8/3/2004

TORONTO (CP) - Rick Nash will join Joe Thornton in HC Davos colours in the Swiss league if the NHL season is delayed.

Like Thornton, the Boston Bruins star who finalized an agreement with Davos on July 8, Nash has no intention of remaining idle should the NHL and the NHL Players' Association fail to forge a new collective bargaining agreement and a labour disruption follows. The current pack expires Sept. 15.

The 20-year-old Columbus Blue Jackets forward scored 41 goals last season to tie with Calgary's Jarome Iginla and Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk for most in the NHL.

``There is no question that come Sept. 15 I want to put on my Blue Jackets sweater and help my team compete for a playoff spot,'' Nash said Tuesday. ``I would hate to lose a season, especially in a market like Columbus with such amazing fans.

``With that said, I am a young hockey player and I want to make sure that I am always developing my skills. If I can't play in Columbus, then I will choose the next best alternative in order to be the best player I can be.''

HC Davos is one of the premier hockey franchises in Europe and plays in an arena in Switzerland's largest mountain resort. The club is well know for its annual December tournament, the Spengler Cup.

``I think everyone would agree that Rick is a young athlete with his priorities in order,''said legal counsel Gord Kirke, who along with Joe Resnick and Brad Robins represents Nash. ``He is very loyal to the Columbus organization and its fans and that's where he would prefer to be, but he understands the value of playing elite hockey to continue his growth as a player in the event of a labour stoppage.

``Davos is a team that competes at a very high level and Rick will be challenged on a daily basis.'' Nash said playing alongside Thornton would be a thrill. ``Besides learning from Joe, I will have a tremendous opportunity to gain international experience and show that I can compete in a high-calibre European league. I want to prove that I am able to represent Canada on the international stage in World Cup and Olympic competitions in the future.''

I wonder if we can bet on HC Davos winning their league if the lockout lasts? Or at least bet that Davos is the most penalized team with Thornton and his short fuse along with Nash getting called for bowling guys over.

Boston Bruins defenceman Sergei Gonchar has been awarded a pay raise of 51 per cent in salary arbitration. Gonchar, 30, one of the NHL's premier blue-line scorers, deserves $5.5 million US next season, the ruling indicated. The Russian got $3.65 million US last season. Boston acquired him from Washington near the March trading deadline. The Bruins have 72 hours to decide if it wants to walk away from the decision.

Hehe, the Bruins are one club that just might walk away yet again from an arbitration ruling. But unless the new CBA changes things a lot, I'd say 5.5 is pretty fair for Gonchar.


There was some other routine stuff most of you probably heard... Gagne got qualified by the Flyers, Hedberg signs with a *non-Elite* Swedish club and is probably done for the NHL (and I still think he never got a real chance from Crawford in the regular season or playoffs), Marc "Cancer" Savard signed a new deal with Atlanta, Brett Hull is probably gone from Detroit but whether he does sign with the Stars or maybe his good friend Gretz does get him to Phoenix is up in the air, Sullivan resigns with the Preds.

 

[bishoptl]

Morrison's signed with a Swedish club as well...the lack of rhetoric spewing from Goodenow and Bettman leads me to believe that a deal actually might get done by September 15th.

I refuse to give up hope.

Calder, you buying ESPN NHL 2K5?

 

[Alucard]

Morozov. *cries* Noooooo. His last season was his best yet! The man is due to become a regular 30 goal scorer.

 

[Socreges]

I'm happy to see Burke joining HNIC. Whatever keeps him in the spotlight.

 

[dem]

I applaud the effort.. but there really aint shit to talk about in hockey

Well.. for a month anyway...

 

[Socreges]

but there really aint shit to talk about in hockey

....he just gave you seven news stories.

Six of which I knew, sure, but nonetheless.

 

[Malakhov]

Most importantly:

MONTREAL (CP) - Radek Bonk has signed a three-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens, GM Bob Gainey announced Friday.



The Czech centre, who had spent all of his previous 10 NHL seasons with Ottawa, was acquired in a trade in June.



Financial terms of the deal were not released.



"I wanted to sign for more than one year, so I'm glad we made a deal that suited both sides," Bonk said in telephone interview from the Czech Republic. "I'm excited about getting it done and coming to Montreal to play for the Canadiens."

 

[dem]

....he just gave you seven news stories.

Six of which I knew, sure, but nonetheless.

Theyre really nothing stories though =P

 

[DopeyFish]

gonchar to toronto? let it beeee! haha *has disturbing flashback to last years traded deadline*

 

[Malakhov]

Hehe, the Bruins are one club that just might walk away yet again from an arbitration ruling. But unless the new CBA changes things a lot, I'd say 5.5 is pretty fair for Gonchar.

The Bruins already accepted.

"I think it's a fair number for the player," said Bruins' General Manager Mike O'Connell. "But, as I said before the process, once he filed for arbitration, we knew he was signed and we were happy. We want him on our team.

"When the new CBA is in order, we'd like to try and see if we can sign him to a longer term deal."

 

[calder]

I'M MAKING NEWS AS FAST AS I CAN! *sob*

Hell, Hannan replacing Blake is newsworthy. The Summer (or as I call them, 'Boring') Olympics will hog the spotlight mid-month but the World Cup is still pretty damn close. In a few weeks if there isn't already one I'll make a proper WC thread, I still get twitchy remembering how awesome most every tournament has been. Shame they cancelled the '96 one and had the final game undone by time travelling Hockey Canada officials. That third period was like getting smacked in the back of the head with an aluminum stick for a solid half hour.

One thing that does surprise me is the amount of US media attention acting like the NHL and PA would be insane to have a lockout so of course they'll settle and that any lockout would be quick. Maybe they're right, because what you read the last few months seems a bit different in tone. I've gone from 'sure the whole season might be gone' to 'reasonably sure they'll be a lockout, but there'll be a shortened season'.

"I think it's a fair number for the player," said Bruins' General Manager Mike O'Connell. "But, as I said before the process, once he filed for arbitration, we knew he was signed and we were happy. We want him on our team.

"When the new CBA is in order, we'd like to try and see if we can sign him to a longer term deal."

Dear Mr. O'Connell,

Thank you but no, I am not available for Assistant General Managing at this time. However, I am attaching an invite to a Yahoo! Fantasy league at this forum I go to. You can get a feel for my ace managerial style there.

Yours,

Calder F. Muyo

 

[dem]

When I saw Hannan added to the lineup... all I could think was "We're already down to Scott Hannan?" Wheres the depth!?

Quite frankly I'm a bit suprised they wouldnt just stick Jaybo on the team. The guy IS ready... period.

 

[Socreges]

Theyre really nothing stories though =P

Huh. Well, you can't be all that big a hockey fan if, for intance, you're willing to dismiss Hannan replacing Blake as a "nothing" story.

 

[Mike Works]

Hedberg signs with a *non-Elite* Swedish club and is probably done for the NHL (and I still think he never got a real chance from Crawford in the regular season or playoffs)

How closely were you following the Canucks during the end of the regular season? Hedberg had his chance, and he Columbus'd it up. As for getting a shot in the playoffs, when you lose a game 4-0 (though admittedly this wasn't entirely Hedberg's fault), and you've got an up-and-coming goalie who's played solid in his previous outings over the years who you're grooming to become your number one the moment Cloutier slips on a banana peel, one can certainly understand the decision to put in Auld.

It was a good one too. Auld was solid in his outings (granted he let in 4 goals in the triple OT game, but I think at least 3 of those were deflections, and Calgary had some fucking nuts momentum), and faired better than Hedberg most likely would have.

Granted, I've always been a fan of Auld, and after Skudra, and watching Salo and Turek, I haven't had the most faith in backup euro goalies. Except for Prusek. He rocks.

Theyre really nothing stories though =P

Then don't post in the thread.

 

[dem]

Well it is a nothing story. Anyone whos been paying attention has known Blake wasnt going for atleast a month now.

 

[dem]

Then don't post in the thread.

For christ sakes... calm down you dickhead. Wtf is wrong with you?

Oh look.. im banned. Just the excuse mike was looking for.

 

[bishoptl]

"Jaybo"?

"JAYBO"??!?

I swear on all that is holy, this lazy nicknaming system

MUST

END

NOW.

Bad enough that Jennifer Lopez and Tracy McGrady starting this inane trend, I refuse to let it infect the greatest sport on God's green earth. You, sir, should be ashamed of yourself for resorting to such a mentally non-challenging form of nicknames. Frankly, I'm shocked and appalled.

Jaybo. JESUS.

 

[calder]

Hedberg went into game 3 and shut the door, and game 4 was a game the Canucks pretty much all mailed in, they were outshot 32-20 in what was likely the easiest SO of the year for Kipper. I didn't pay a lot of attention to the regular season, but other than a few bad loses (and all backups get light up, often because they get the shitty end of 3 game in 4 night stretches) I had the impression Hedberg was solid enough. Crawford pretty much forced going to Auld in the regular season when he called Hedberg's play unacceptable - after that Hedberg was going to get the hook in the playoffs pretty much regardless.

I don't have anything against Auld, and he did probably as good as Hedberg (and I don't rate either much lower than Cloutier), but I still think Crawford just wanted Hedberg as a stick to poke Cloutier with and when Cloutier went down Crawford pretty much had to go with Auld whether he really had no faith in Hedberg or not. He never acted like Hedberg was really a #1 goalie and in the end that more than Hedbergs actual play against Calgary forced the switch.

Not that it's a big deal, in the end I just thought Hedberg still had the potential to really put together a nice streak. I'm sure Auld will end up being a better long-term NHLer, but if I had been Crawford I would have stuck with Moose and given him a chance to show the form he had in game 3.

 

[Mike Works]

For christ sakes... calm down you dickhead. Wtf is wrong with you?

Oh look.. im banned. Just the excuse mike was looking for.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO YOU ARE! THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE EVER NOTICED YOUR POSTS!

But yeah, you are banned.

 

[calder]

Bloody hell, I was just about to prove to him that Hannan would be on any other countries first squad. I would have picked Bouwmeester (and god do I hate having to look up that mofo's name every time... almost enough to make me use that terrible nick) if only to better replace the offense you lose with Blake being out, but if you're just adding a depth D to fill the roster slot than Hannan is a good pick. Decent O, great D, he'd be a fantastic fit as a 5th or 6th guy.

 

[Mike Works]

bish, who are they calling Jaybo? Bowmeister or however you spell it?

Hedberg stuff

Hedberg had an average regular season off the top of my head. He had some good games (I remember an awesome one against St Louis where he stopped a penalty shot with 3 seconds left in the game to preserve his shutout), but he was in net for the worst Canucks game of the year (near the end of the year) where we lost to Columbus 5-4 after holding at least a 2 goal lead. You could just see that he had no confidence in himself after that.

He did great in shutting down Calgary in half of a freaking game. The next game his team lost 4-0 (again, the whole team lost that game). Crawford needed to change things up, not only because of Hedberg's performance, but his whole team's. I think it'd be fair to say Crawford didn't give Hedberg a fair chance all in all, but I'd also say it's fair to say that Hedberg didn't show anything in order to earn one. All that was being brought up for Hedberg's feats was his great cup run in 96 or whenever for the Penguins.

 

[Mike Works]

Bloody hell, I was just about to prove to him that Hannan would be on any other countries first squad. I would have picked Bouwmeester (and god do I hate having to look up that mofo's name every time... almost enough to make me use that terrible nick) if only to better replace the offense you lose with Blake being out, but if you're just adding a depth D to fill the roster slot than Hannan is a good pick. Decent O, great D, he'd be a fantastic fit as a 5th or 6th guy.

I was actually surprised that they didn't pick McCabe, especially considering that Blake was fairly offensive, but the more I think about it, the more I like Hannan. It'll give guys like Jovanovski a chance to be a bit more offensive minded now that we have a more stay at home true defensive player on the team.

 

[bishoptl]

Plus Hannan is from Surrey! Good ol' Surrey boy!

 

[Malakhov]

Kubina gets 2-year deal in arbitration

TSN.ca Staff
8/3/2004

On Tuesday, an arbitrator awarded Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Pavel Kubina a two-year, $6.5-million deal.

The Lightning had reportedly offered the 27 year-old Czech blueliner a three-year, $9-million deal while the workhorse defenceman was seeking $3.7-million per season.

Kubina's new deal will pay him $3.1-million in 2004-2005 and $3.4-million for the 2005-2006 season. He earned $2.5-million in 2003-2004.

"I don't mind paying players," Tampa Bay GM Jay Feaster told the St. Petersburg Times entering the arbitration process. "I'm not prepared to overpay players. We have a budget we have to work within."

6.5 millions over 2 seasons, man I'm loving these arbitrators' decisions so far, they seem both reasonable for the team and for the player.

 

[Malakhov]

On Wednesday morning, the Montreal Canadiens will publish a press release about Andrei Kostitsyn. It is highly expected that GM Bob Gainey will announce the signing of the Russian RW to an entry level, 3 year contract.

This season, Kostitsyn will get a long look at the Canadiens training camp, and should have a strong chance at making the team. If he doesn't crack the lineup, or there is a work stoppage, he is expected to be assigned to the Hamilton Bulldogs, where he will be placed in a scoring role.

OH YEAH BABY!

 

[Greekboy]

"I wanted to sign for more than one year, so I'm glad we made a deal that suited both sides," Bonk said in telephone interview from the Czech Republic. "I'm excited about getting it done and coming to Montreal to play for the Canadiens."


LOL. Of course he wanted more than one year. Get some guaranteed cash to play the role of "Casper" the ghost come springtime. Classic Bonk.

 

[Malakhov]

LOL. Of course he wanted more than one year. Get some guaranteed cash to play the role of "Casper" the ghost come springtime. Classic Bonk.

You Senators fans are hilarious, you blame a player for not meeting some expectations when you had way too high expectations from him. Bonk is not a 1st or 2nd line center and you shouldn't of expected that of him.

I'm more than happy of having him centering our 3rd line between Bulis and Sundstrom and I have no insane expectations from him.

Plus that bad playoffs performance is now a myth. In 2001-2002 he had 3 goals and 7 assists for 10 points in 12 games. In 2002-2003 he had 6 goals and 5 assists for 11 points in in 18 games and this year well all the freaking team didn't show up.

Aw well, Sens fans needed to play the blaming game.

 

[Greekboy]

You Hobbitants fans are hilarious in assuming anyone anti-Bonk is automatically a Sens fan.

 

[Malakhov]

You Hobbitants fans are hilarious in assuming anyone anti-Bonk is automatically a Sens fan.

Not my problem if you get your ridiculous info on a player from stupid fans of that said team, it makes you sound the same as them.

 

[Greekboy]

and this year well all the freaking team didn't show up.

Nice spin there and it truly shows how much you know about hockey. I guess the Sens rolled into game 7 versus the Leafs because the team didn't show up.

How about if Bonk showed up the Sens might have won the series?

Hobbitants fans will support even the biggest of overrated stiffs merely because they wear the red, white and blue. Sad.

 

[Mike Works]

Not my problem if you get your ridiculous info on a player from stupid fans of that said team, it makes you sound the same as them.

dear god, I pray that Bonk puts up phantom numbers on Montreal's fourth line this season now

 

[Malakhov]

dear god, I pray that Bonk puts up phantom numbers on Montreal's fourth line this season now

He'll be on the third line and I don't expect much of him, maybe 30 points total or so. We're using him on the checking line and PK line.

Nice spin there and it truly shows how much you know about hockey. I guess the Sens rolled into game 7 versus the Leafs because the team didn't show up.

No, it shows how much YOU know about hockey. You haven't followed that series very much have you, the sens were playing about 1 match every 2 matches.

Sens supporters needed people to blame for, I'm not really surprised though since all the Sens have been doing the past few years is choking in the playoffs but as a team. They went as far as to fire one of the best coaches in the league, Jacques Martin.

 

[calder]

Sens fans (or at least people who get their info from stupid Sens fans) and Sens haters fighting... this thread certainly took a turn for the worse. Or at least, turn for the funny.

Survey finds fans support owner lockout

TSN.ca Staff

8/4/2004

As NHL owners and players gather in Toronto for the latest round of collective bargaining talks, a new poll finds the majority of Canadian hockey fans would support a lockout if it meant creating a financially level playing field.

In a poll conducted by Decima Research Inc. last month, 83 percent of those surveyed said they would stand by the NHL even if a lockout wiped out more than half a season as long as it results in a reduction of player salaries and a better deal for smaller clubs.

As well, 56 percent of fans believe the players association needs to be the one to compromise when it comes to a new deal while only 14 percent believe both sides need to compromise in the dispute.

The survey of 928 Canadians also found that most fans believe most NHL teams are in financial trouble.

During the last contract talks two weeks ago in New York, the league submitted several proposals outlining its need for "cost certainty". The NHLPA rejected them, claiming that each one "begins and ends with a salary cap" - something the union has been unwilling to negotiate.

The collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the NHLPA is set to expire on September 15.

No surprise to most ppl in this thread (I'd guess that most of us who read this thread to some degree agree with the polls findings), but as always you'll see no real acknowledgment of this from the US media at all. I really think there is actual support *for* a long lockout by the average fan IF (and it's a pretty damn big if) the owners get their shit together about a number of things. So fans see owners float ideas like much shorter seasons, drastic rule changes, lower prices and they almost want a lockout if that's what it takes to get it.

Hell, it's partly sour grapes and bitterness but here in Winnipeg if you ask hardcore hockey fans some of them are saying things like 'damn, I hope the lockout lasts 2 seasons'. And these are the ppl who were desperate for the '94 strike to end halfway through training camp. And, selfishly, many NHL fans in non-team having cities hope this is a sign that the league will somehow come back. Unlikely? Yeah, but if it took a long, devasting, ruinous (in the US anyway) lockout for that to happen I know I'd cheerfully find something else to do with my Saturday nights for a season or more.

 

[Greekboy]

No, it shows how much YOU know about hockey. You haven't followed that series very much have you, the sens were playing about 1 match every 2 matches.

Sens supporters needed people to blame for, I'm not really surprised though since all the Sens have been doing the past few years is choking in the playoffs but as a team. They went as far as to fire one of the best coaches in the league, Jacques Martin.

Ummm flip goalies in that series and the Leafs probably get swept. You have no clue.

 

[Malakhov]

Ummm flip goalies in that series and the Leafs probably get swept. You have no clue.

Ah ok so now it's not Bonk, it's Lalime.

Gawd.

 

[Malakhov]

Habs re-sign Zednik to three year deal
Canadian Press
8/4/2004

MONTREAL (CP) - Right-winger Richard Zednik has signed a three-year, $7.3 million US contract with the Montreal Canadiens, GM Bob Gainey announced Wednesday.

The 28-year-old Slovakian earned $1.85 million last season, when he had 26 goals and 24 assists. His new deal calls for annual salaries of $2.3 million, $2.4 million and $2.6 million.

``We are very pleased that Richard Zednik has agreed to a long-term deal with the organization,'' said Gainey. ``He is a very important component of our offence who showed a lot of poise and consistency over the past few seasons.

``His determination and will to win were instrumental in the team's success last season.''

He was the 249th player drafted in 1994 but has overcome injury setbacks and emerged as a premier forward.

Montreal got him from Washington with Jan Bulis and a first-round 2001 draft pick (Alexander Perezhogin) for Trevor Linden, Dainius Zubrus and a second-round 2001 pick.


In 512 career NHL games, he has 145 goals and 124 assists.

Wow, just wow. I'm so surprised by the amount Zednik signed for. I guess he saw the other arbitror's decisions and went ahead and signed for that low. I was sure he'd get at least 3 millions a season. Since he's with the Habs, he got 82 goals and 71 assists for 153 points in 255 games, teh rocks, what a bargain.

 

[Malakhov]

In other news:

Predators re-sign Vokoun long-term, 3 years, 3 millions per season.

Oilers resign Semenov

Isles sign Weinhandl and Blake

Owners and players met today, meeting was 4 hours long. It's looking better blah blah blah

 

[calder]

Holy shit, that is a bargain. Considering he's hitting his prime it bodes well for being able to afford him easily when the contract expires too. He's a talented goal scorer who steps it up and gets the clutch goals under pressure... for under 3mill thats pretty damn good.

 

[Greekboy]

Ah ok so now it's not Bonk, it's Lalime.

Gawd.

You were the one that said the Sens as a team didn't show up. How exactly is that possible when they pushed the Leafs to a 7 game series? Did you even watch this series to know that the difference was Eddie Belfour? What did Bonk do in that series? He did nothing and sored ZERO goals. Now, like I said before, had he shown up in the series he just might have made the difference.

The guy is a career playoff bust (9 career playoff goals in 61 games) anyway a deluded Hobbitants fan like yourself can slice it or spin it.

People like you obviously know very little about the game when it takes place outside of Montreal.

 

[Malakhov]

You were the one that said the Sens as a team didn't show up.

And they didn't show up, showing up 1 game out of 2 isn't showing up. One night they'd play like champs and another night, it looked as if the leafs were playing the Penguins.

The guy is a career playoff bust (9 career playoff goals in 61 games) anyway a deluded Hobbitants fan like yourself can slice it or spin it.

Like I said, that is now a myth, look at his last 3 playoffs. The fans and the organisation kept putting pressure on him to be a #1 center when he clearly wasn't. Bonk is one hell of an hockey player once you accept him for what he is (not a 1st line center) and anyone saying the contrary has no clue about hockey. Bonk is a great defensive center who can check the opponent's best lines all night long and come on top.

If you think a skilled center of his size isn't worth having as a 3rd line checking center, pk specialist, 2nd pp unit center, well then, you know shit about hockey my friend.

Habs had Juneau as their 3rd center until this summer, they have upgraded him with Bonk, if that's not an improvement, I don't know what is.

 

[Malakhov]

Holy shit, that is a bargain. Considering he's hitting his prime it bodes well for being able to afford him easily when the contract expires too. He's a talented goal scorer who steps it up and gets the clutch goals under pressure... for under 3mill thats pretty damn good.

No doubt, I was very surprised when I saw the figures. And you're right about clutch goals, Zednik had something like 9 game winning goals out of his 26

 

[Malakhov]

Oilers sign Eric Brewer to one year deal:

http://www.edmontonoilers.com/pressbox/index.php?release=20040804_1703

Good to see the 2 sides avoided arbitration.

 

[Mike Works]

In other news:

Predators re-sign Vokoun long-term, 3 years, 3 millions per season.

dfjkldsjg;lkjls;d

it's okay

cloutier will do fine

cloutier will do fine

 

[Malakhov]

dfjkldsjg;lkjls;d

it's okay

cloutier will do fine

cloutier will do fine

lol

 

[Greekboy]

We'll agree to disagree on Bonk me lad but I will agree that Zednik is awesome. He's the one Cap I didn't want to see traded and I'll always remember his rookie enthusiasm during that 1998 playoff run with well, what else....clutch goals.

 

[Malakhov]

We'll agree to disagree on Bonk me lad but I will agree that Zednik is awesome. He's the one Cap I didn't want to see traded and I'll always remember his rookie enthusiasm during that 1998 playoff run with well, what else....clutch goals.

Least we agree on something

Looking at the Habs latest trades I think the Zednik trade is definetly one our of bests.

Canadiens gave up:

Trevor Linden, Dainius Zubrus and a second-round 2001 pick

We got:

Richard Zednik, Jan Bulis, first-round 2001 draft pick (Alexander Perezhogin)

Zednik is the player we all learned to love, Bulis is pretty much Zubrus production wise now but Bulis is a very very good defensive forward so I'd take him over Zubrus still(though I will admit that I don't see Zubrus play much these days) and Perezhogin is one of the Habs best prospects.

 

[Crazymoogle]

We'll agree to disagree on Bonk me lad but I will agree that Zednik is awesome. He's the one Cap I didn't want to see traded and I'll always remember his rookie enthusiasm during that 1998 playoff run with well, what else....clutch goals.

Zednik was on a huge hot streak up until his season-ending injury two years ago. He wasn't as great last season but still ended up being pretty remarkable with the puck.

Plus, the name sounds so cool to say.

 

[Greekboy]

Actually Zubrus was pretty good last year. Problem was that Philly rushed him along too soon as a youngster. I predict he'll have a career year....if there is a season.

 

[Malakhov]

Actually Zubrus was pretty good last year. Problem was that Philly rushed him along too soon as a youngster. I predict he'll have a career year....if there is a season.

Has he made any amelioration in his defensive play? I don't think I even remember Zubrus from any of the Habs and Caps game last year, kind of weird heh.

 

[Greekboy]

Has he made any amelioration in his defensive play? I don't think I even remember Zubrus from any of the Habs and Caps game last year, kind of weird heh.

Somewhat but he'll never be that defensive type player. He only played in 54 games last season due to injuries.

Check this out for some info on him:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/player_bio.asp?player_id=1733&hubName=WSH