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[darscot]

Who would you replace him with, that's acutally available? Or do you just wan't to send him out of town and go with an imiginary coach?

 

[Greekboy]

Who would you replace him with, that's acutally available? Or do you just wan't to send him out of town and go with an imiginary coach?

Too late now. JFJr had his chance to get rid of him but kept him on for one more year. Quenneville was available before that though as a possible option. Anyone but Quinn.

A coach that realizes that in order to win you need to bring young players into the lineup in expense of old geezers.

 

[Malakhov]

Who would you replace him with, that's acutally available? Or do you just wan't to send him out of town and go with an imiginary coach?

Oh when will you be back in the NHL~

Seriously, any team, f'king wake up.

 

[darscot]

I feel the same way about Crawford in Van he drives me fricken nuts. The guy is cancer to back up goalies and rookies. You have to look at whats out there though.

 

[Greekboy]

I feel the same way about Crawford in Van he drives me fricken nuts. The guy is cancer to back up goalies and rookies. You have to look at whats out there though.

Really? Mike and bish...your views?

I liked the Quinn of old here in Toronto when he'd throw in the young players when vets didn't perform. He did it with Bohonos and this at least keeps the vets on their toes and less complacent when you know you have a younger player nipping at your ass for the job. Now in Leafland it's geritol city. Punch in....punch out. Why else would Belfour, Roberts and Nieuwendyk sign here again?

It's convenient for them. They've all won Cups so if winning another mattered that much they'd have left to go elsewhere. They know Quinn will also play them even if they don't show up. When does Quinn ever bench a veteran player if he isn't performing?

 

[bishoptl]

that would explain the canucks major success against the leafs this ye.. oh wait

Seriously man, you need to quit owning yourself each time you post. First it's about the playoffs, then it's about lack of size, then it's about lack of heart, then you're sharing your "insider info" from your imaginary friends in the Flyers/Leafs organization, and just as you're about to flip flop into oblivion, you grasp for whatever straw is remaining. Enough - you've provided me with enough amusement for one morning.

Now, as far as Crawford goes....I've met him socially on a couple of occasions, seemed nice enough but unlike some other folks on the board that does not automatically qualify me to comment on the insider aspects of his relationship with the organization. Ahem.

That said, coaches are hired to be fired. His past SC success can only carry him so far, and I wouldn't be surprised if Dave Nonis made a move to put in his own guy, now that Burke was unceremoniously let go. I disagree that he has a problem with rookies and backup goaltenders - he was certainly ready to put Alex Auld in during the playoffs, even if his hand was forced with Cloutier's injury. Chubarov and Ruutu have developed nicely under his tenure, and Ruutu in particular is a good example of how Crawford's open to working with rookies - Jarko was in his doghouse for a year until he was able to turn things around, now he gets regular shifts and is one of the yappier pests in the NHL. He's effective at goading the opposition into taking dumb penalties while avoiding the box himself, and that's something he learned on Crawford's watch. I hope that he provides a similarly long lifeline with Kessler this year.

 

[darscot]

I should rephase cause rookies and backups is wrong as you pointed out. He just picks his whipping boy and if your it your career as a Canuck is over. Once he decides that he dosen't like you for whatever reason it's over. He likes Auld he likes Clouts anyone else is garbage in his mind. It drives me nuts some guys get 10 chances some guys get one.

 

[bishoptl]

Yeah - it seems that as soon as Crawford was hired, Aucoin was his designated bitch. Nothing he did seemed to be good enough and boom! Oak got traded. I'm glad he was able to find an extension on Long Island.

 

[darscot]

I still rage when I think of that. You can never have enough premier D men.

 

[Malakhov]

Belfour pulls out of World Cup
Canadian Press
8/9/2004

Toronto (CP) - Veteran goalie Ed Belfour has pulled out of the World Cup of Hockey less than two weeks before Team Canada opens camp in Ottawa, citing a back problem.

The Toronto Maple Leafs netminder informed Team Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky of his decision Monday.

``I talked to Eddie this morning and unfortunately he won't be able to play,'' Gretzky told The Canadian Press in a phone interview. ``He's got a back problem, a back injury.''

The 39-year-old Belfour would likely have been the backup to Olympic starter Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils with Roberto Luongo of the Florida Panthers also named to the team.

Nice contract, Leafs!

 

[beerbelly]

seriously, I don't know what Ferguson was thinking when signing Belfour.

 

[Socreges]

How much was his contract for?

Theodore should replace him, I think.

 

[Malakhov]

Theodore should replace him, I think.

Meh, I don't really care if he goes to the world cup or not, he'd only be a backup to Brodeur anyways.

 

[Malakhov]

How much was his contract for?

8 millions next year.

 

[calder]

It's easy to make fun of the goofy length and overinflated numbers of the contracts the Leafs give out to guys, but what really just fucking amazes me is how they throw huge contracts at guys who CLEARLY won't get big offers anywhere else and even if they do WANT to play in TO. Like the extension to McCabe last year, coming off a disasterous season every sign was that McCabe was terrified the Leafs would ream him and (justifyably) low ball him on the offer knowing he really wants to stay and his numbers didn't justify paying him what he was making. Instead the Leafs give him a freaking raise, which comes back to bite them because even though he surprised a lot of ppl and rebounded nicely it forced them to overpay him again with his latest contract.

It's like JFJ is doing what Leaf GM's have always done - give guys way more money than needed because they can and seemingly because they hope giving a guy $5mill a year when no other team would give him more than 3 somehow makes him play like a guy worth 5. There's also the fact the Leafs seem to give "high-profile" FA type guys way more money than they're worth so the fans are happy. As long as the Leafs have plenty of guys making big money a large segment of Leaf fandom seems to consider that a great investment by ownership.


EDIT: Theodore would be a good addition. But since whoever they get probably won't play (or maybe get a roundrobin game) I'd be fine with them giving the backup to another 'old guy' who's paid his dues and deserves a little gravy train reward if he wants it. Like Sean Burke if he's healthy. If not him and if Theodore didn't want to be on the bench I'd say have Luongo be the backup and take a guy like Raycroft of Biron to guard the snack bowl in the press box.

 

[Socreges]

Meh, I don't really care if he goes to the world cup or not, he'd only be a backup to Brodeur anyways.

Well, no one cares what you care about. He should still be the next choice.

8 millions next year.

Jeeeesus. I remember it being a lot, but that's batshit fucking insane.

 

[Malakhov]

Well, no one cares what you care about.

 

[Mainline]

Hey, I'm a Penguins fan and I'll always be one because of the team's commitment to developing young talent. I know we're still a long way off from being a real contender but I'm sure another Stanley Cup will come before I die.

Awesome, another penguins fan. As for Belfour dropping out of the World Cup, it's no big deal, whoever fills in won't play anyways, Theodore or Turco are my bets.

 

[Greekboy]

I won't blame JFJr for signing Eddie. I blame him for paying him that much.

 

[Malakhov]

Belfour out of World Cup, Theodore in
Canadian Press
8/9/2004

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jose Theodore will replace veteran goalie Ed Belfour at the World Cup of Hockey, Team Canada announced Monday.

Theodore had 33 wins, six shutouts, 2.13 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage for Montreal last season. He won the Hart Trophy for the NHL's most-valuable player the Vezina Trophy for the league's top netminder in 2001-'02.

Theodore's stellar play in the first round of the playoffs last season was a key factor in Montreal's upset of the Boston Bruins.

``I am very excited and honoured to be named to Team Canada,'' said Theodore. ``Any time you have the opportunity to represent your country, it is a thrill, and I'm looking forward to being a part of Team Canada at the World Cup of Hockey.''

Man, they're on crack. Theodore had an awesome season last year but very average if not below average playoffs. 'Cept maybe 2 games including game 7 against the Bruins, he wasn't a big factor in the upset at all.

 

[Spike]

Yup. Quinn is quickly making the Leafs into the Nucks of old. He destroyed the Nucks. Get him the fuck out of Toronto ASAP.

Amen, LL. Amen.

 

[calder]

Man, they're on crack. Theodore had an awesome season last year but very average if not below average playoffs. 'Cept maybe 2 games including game 7 against the Bruins, he wasn't a big factor in the upset at all.

Man you're tough to please. Being a factor in 2 of your teams 4 wins (especially one being a game 7 shutout on the road) when you're a goalie is more than enough to be considered a big part of the teams success in my books.

Mario's magnificent
Gretzky: Lemieux looks great
By BRUCE GARRIOCH -- Ottawa Sun

With the start of training camp set for a week Thursday at the University of Ottawa, Team Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky told the Sun in an interview from his Los Angeles home yesterday that "everybody is excited and ready go."

In a wide-ranging conversation, the man who shaped the Canadian squad that won gold at the Salt Lake Olympics in 2002 confirmed that Team Canada captain Mario Lemieux has fully recovered from hip surgery which ended his season last year; the 26-man roster is in place; and replacements are ready if there are any injuries.

While there were concerns Lemieux wouldn't be ready for the nine-day camp after playing only 10 games last season with the Penguins, Gretzky said the Hall of Famer is working out hard.

"I've spent some time with Mario Lemieux here in Los Angeles and I don't think I've ever seen him look better. He's in excellent shape, he's excited about camp, he's working out twice a day and he's ready to go," said Gretzky.

"He's going to be in Los Angeles until (the start of camp next week). To have him in such good shape and feeling good is big for our hockey club. He's doing well and that's good news for Team Canada."

Though Gretzky has been forced to make changes to the 26-man roster because of injuries to Detroit centre Steve Yzerman, Colorado defenceman Rob Blake and Toronto goalie Ed Belfour -- who withdrew from the tourney yesterday because of a back injury -- the Canadians are otherwise healthy.

But if changes have to be made before the final roster is due Aug. 29, Gretzky said Columbus forward Rick Nash and Florida defenceman Jay Bouwmeester are on standby.

"They're not going to be at camp, but we've sent them letters and we've asked them to be ready in case we lose a forward or a defenceman," said Gretzky.

Gretzky admitted it was difficult to have Yzerman (eye) and Blake (shoulder) inform him they would be unable to play. They have been replaced by Tampa's Vincent Lecavalier and San Jose's Scott Hannan, respectively.

"When I first spoke with Steve Yzerman and he told me he wouldn't be able to make it, I told him to give himself a couple of more weeks just to make sure. He played such a big role for us in Salt Lake City (in 2002)," said Gretzky. "Two weeks later, (Yzerman) called and he said he just couldn't do it.

"Blake was kind of an ongoing situation and we weren't sure what would happen there. But we feel confident that we've been able to fill those two spots with young players who will be able to play a role for us."

Gretzky said the workouts, which will shift to the Corel Centre on Aug. 22, will last about three hours a day. Canada will play the U.S. on Aug. 25 in Ottawa in an exhibition game that Gretzky expects to be competitive.

"This isn't going to be a training camp like in the 1980s when guys showed up and got into shape," said Gretzky. "All the players are in such good shape now and we expect that when everybody gets to Ottawa, they'll be ready to rock and roll."

Olympics are coming up and then just when they end the training camps start. Getting kind of pumped. The team is just different and young enough to really seem like it's a new era dawning. I love the old guys who've been mainstays of the teams for 10+ years but if someone else can't make it I'd love to see Nash and/or Bouwmeester play. Bouwmeester just can be so dominant at times but we never get to see him during the season that much.

Senators re-sign Chara

Canadian Press

8/10/2004

OTTAWA (CP) - The Ottawa Senators re-signed star defenceman Zdeno Chara to a two-year, $9.5-million US contract Tuesday, avoiding salary arbitration.

"He's a premier defenceman," GM John Muckler said in announcing the deal.

Chara, who was paid $2.4 million last season, will make $4.6 million in 2004-05 and $4.9 million in 2005-06.

"It was a fair deal for both sides," said Chara's Boston-based agent Matt Keator. "I see this as a bridge to a longer-term deal."

An arbitration hearing had been scheduled for Wednesday. Last week, the Senators reached a two-year contract agreement with Chris Phillips hours before his scheduled hearing.

"It's healthy for the organization," Muckler told reporters. "Arbitration is not the nicest thing to go through.

"It's nice to solve all our problems within the family and that's what we did."

Chara, a six-foot-nine Slovak blue-liner, was runner-up to the New Jersey Devils' Scott Niedermayer for the Norris Trophy last season after recording career highs in goals (16) and points (41) in 79 games last season. His plus-33 rating was third-best in the NHL.

The 260-pound hulk is an intimidating roadblock to opposing forwards and also is a fixture on Ottawa's power play.

"Chara, Phillips and (Wade) Redden are the core of our defence and we think they're as good as any three in the league," said Muckler. "All three of them can get better and, for us to be successful, they have to get better."

Since joining the Senators for the 2001-2002 season, Chara has a league-best plus-92 rating. He was acquired from the New York Islanders on June 23, 2001, with Bill Muckalt and the second overall draft pick (Jason Spezza) for Alexei Yashin. He was the Islanders' third-round pick, 56th overall, in the 1996 entry draft.

Chara will be in Slovakia's lineup for the World Cup of Hockey, Aug. 30-Sept. 14.

The deal came together late Monday, said Muckler.

"He was almost on the airplane (to Toronto) for arbitration," he said. "He'll be happy he didn't have to pay for the ticket."

The arbitration process results in one-year contracts and many players opt for the security of multiyear deals and re-sign before their hearings.

"One thing that has really helped us is the type of team we have," said Muckler. "It shows the players want to be part of the organization and we're very proud of the fact that's the way it is.

"In the two years I've been here, the co-operation we've received from the players is tremendous and it seems to be continuing this season."

Forward Martin Havlat remains the most prominent Ottawa player yet to be re-signed, and Muckler said "he'll be the next one we have to concentrate on."

On the likelihood of a labour disruption when the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players' association expires Sept. 15, Muckler said he remains unsure of what will happen.

"It's a hard read," he said.

Most important RFA signing of the year for Ottawa, but getting Havlat would be nice too. At just under 5mill a season it's not a bad deal. Even the most crack-addled Leaf fan has to admit that Chara is worth a hell of a lot more than McCabe.

And wow does the Yashin for Chara-Muckalt-(pick that turns into)Spezza trade look better every year. If you were to look just over the past 3 seasons since the trade Yashin for Chara is a good trade alone for the Sens.

Oh crap I just remembered that none of this matters because they went and signed HASEK TO BE THEIR #1. !*#!()*.

 

[Malakhov]

Habs sign 2003 1st-rounder Kostitsyn
Canadian Press
8/10/2004

MONTREAL (CP) - Andrei Kostitsyn, described by Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey as one of the NHL team's best prospects, has signed a three-year contract.

The six-foot, 183-pound right-winger was Montreal's first pick, 10th overall, in the 2003 entry draft.

``Andrei Kostitsyn is definitely one of our best prospects,'' Gainey said in making the announcement Tuesday. ``At only 19, he already possesses excellent hockey skills.

``We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Andrei that will allow him to continue his development in North America for the upcoming season.''

Kostitsyn, playing for Belarus, was third in world junior tournament scoring last winter with five goals and five assists in five games. He played for the CSKA Moscow junior team the last two seasons and participated in 12 games with that organization's senior team.

He'll be at the Canadiens' rookie camp Sept. 7-14 at Pierrefonds.

Awesome, at least if there isn't any NHL season this year, I'll be able to follow this kid with the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Senators re-sign Chara
Canadian Press
8/10/2004

OTTAWA (CP) - The Ottawa Senators re-signed star defenceman Zdeno Chara to a two-year, $9.5-million US contract Tuesday, avoiding salary arbitration.

"He's a premier defenceman," GM John Muckler said in announcing the deal.

Chara, who was paid $2.4 million last season, will make $4.6 million in 2004-05 and $4.9 million in 2005-06.

"It was a fair deal for both sides," said Chara's Boston-based agent Matt Keator. "I see this as a bridge to a longer-term deal."

An arbitration hearing had been scheduled for Wednesday. Last week, the Senators reached a two-year contract agreement with Chris Phillips hours before his scheduled hearing.

"It's healthy for the organization," Muckler told reporters. "Arbitration is not the nicest thing to go through.

"It's nice to solve all our problems within the family and that's what we did."

Chara, a six-foot-nine Slovak blue-liner, was runner-up to the New Jersey Devils' Scott Niedermayer for the Norris Trophy last season after recording career highs in goals (16) and points (41) in 79 games last season. His plus-33 rating was third-best in the NHL.

The 260-pound hulk is an intimidating roadblock to opposing forwards and also is a fixture on Ottawa's power play.

"Chara, Phillips and (Wade) Redden are the core of our defence and we think they're as good as any three in the league," said Muckler. "All three of them can get better and, for us to be successful, they have to get better."

Since joining the Senators for the 2001-2002 season, Chara has a league-best plus-92 rating. He was acquired from the New York Islanders on June 23, 2001, with Bill Muckalt and the second overall draft pick (Jason Spezza) for Alexei Yashin. He was the Islanders' third-round pick, 56th overall, in the 1996 entry draft.

Chara will be in Slovakia's lineup for the World Cup of Hockey, Aug. 30-Sept. 14.

The deal came together late Monday, said Muckler.

"He was almost on the airplane (to Toronto) for arbitration," he said. "He'll be happy he didn't have to pay for the ticket."

The arbitration process results in one-year contracts and many players opt for the security of multiyear deals and re-sign before their hearings.

"One thing that has really helped us is the type of team we have," said Muckler. "It shows the players want to be part of the organization and we're very proud of the fact that's the way it is.

"In the two years I've been here, the co-operation we've received from the players is tremendous and it seems to be continuing this season."

Forward Martin Havlat remains the most prominent Ottawa player yet to be re-signed, and Muckler said "he'll be the next one we have to concentrate on."

On the likelihood of a labour disruption when the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players' association expires Sept. 15, Muckler said he remains unsure of what will happen.

"It's a hard read," he said.

NOW that's a defenseman who deserves fully his 5 millions a year contract. Watch Dopeyfish claiming McCabe is better than Chara

 

[Malakhov]

Damn you calder for posting while I was

 

[Greekboy]

Watch Dopeyfish claiming McCabe is better than Chara

Funny how Gretzky has Bouwmeester ahead of McCabe too but McCabe is "better than Jovo and Ohlund." Delusional Leaf fans are great for laughs though.

They are the main reason that the Leafs haven't won a Cup since 1967.

 

[DopeyFish]

Scoring department chara doesn't beat mccabe, but chara is a monster on the ice. his +/- says it all

 

[Socreges]

Scoring department chara doesn't beat mccabe, but chara is a monster on the ice. his +/- says it all

It does? Well then. I suppose Marek Malik is also a superior player to McCabe, given that he had a higher +/- than even Chara.

 

[Greekboy]

Scoring department chara doesn't beat mccabe, but chara is a monster on the ice. his +/- says it all

They both scored 16 goals. Pretty much a wash.

Overall Chara is much much > than McCabe.


EDIT: I say Belfour is just using the back excuse to get out of the WC. You think he wants to go there and risk injury to his back just so he can sit on the bench?

He'd rather be knocking back a few at the local pub instead.

 

[wandering goat]

While the subject is on the Leafs: I'm a big fan of them (despite all of the abuse they give me and the stupidity of the management) but it seems like they just kill themselves off during the playoffs. Judging by the regular season (and this has been the case for the last couple of years), the Leafs game actually drops during the playoffs. Either that, or everyone else raises their level except them. When they actually forecheck and apply pressure on the other team, they can often dominate, but they hardly ever do this. Though I still watch them, the way they play is simply unbelievable at times, as if they aren't even trying. The only reason they get anywhere in the playoffs is because their goalies bail them out, since they're almost constantly outplayed in their games.

 

[Greekboy]

When you have an old team it is very difficult to play that forechecking game consistently than say a younger and quicker team like the Flames can and do employ.

 

[Mike Works]

Kaberle signed for 2 years, $6 million

 

[Malakhov]

Nylander to NYR, 3 years deal worth $8.9 million

Scott Gomez gets 2.9 millions from arbitration

 

[calder]

ESPN.com news services

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Boston Bruins defenseman Hal Gill will replace Mathieu Schneider on the United States' roster for the 2004 World Cup, USA Hockey announced Wednesday.

Schneider, a 16-year NHL veteran, won't be able to play due to his unresolved contract negotations with the Detroit Red Wings. A member of the U.S.'s World Cup-winning team in 1996, Schneider was named to the original Team USA roster on May 20.

"Mathieu has informed us that, due to his unsettled contract situation, he has regretfully withdrawn from competing in the World Cup of Hockey," Team USA general manager Larry Pleau said. "We are disappointed that he will be unable to participate, but at the same time excited to add Hal's unique skills, physical presence on defense and recent international experience to our lineup."

Gill recorded two goals and seven assists while playing all 82 games last season for the Bruins. He played for Team USA in the 2000, 2001 and 2004 World Championships, helping the U.S. win the bronze medal last May in the Czech Republic. In nine games, Gill had two assists and 12 penalty minutes.

Team USA will begin its training camp on August 20 in Columbus, Ohio. The World Cup will be held from Aug. 30 to Sept. 14 across North America and Europe.

Shit! Gill's in! Heh, reminds me of that World Champs exhibition game I saw where Team USA pulled their goalie with 30 seconds and Brashear hopped on the ice. Some guy 50 ft away kept yelling "HOLY SHIT! BRASHEAR IS THEIR 6TH ATTACKER!! WE SHOULD WIN JUST FOR THAT".

That pic would be a hockey thread mainstay if I could find it in a decent size. :\

 

[Greekboy]

Final Piece of the Puzzle?


I saw this title and prayed that it wasn't a Maple Leaf article. Even worse I imagined Jonas Hoglund being labeled as that "final piece".

 

[Malakhov]

Good article by Mike Toth that sums up pretty well the Maple leafs:

Something stinks in Toronto

It's true, no man is an island. But don't tell that to the Toronto Maple Leafs, who continue to operate like they're playing in a one-team NHL.

A back alley in the big city can be one the most depressing places on earth.

Last week, for instance, somebody dumped a dirty old sofa outside the back gate of my house in Toronto.

The message was clear.

"Who cares about anybody else? I'll do whatever I want."

Yes, the back alley has always been a dog-eat-dog world. In fact, Conn Smythe referred to it when he coined one of the most famous phrases in sports.

"If you can't beat 'em in the alley, you can't beat 'em on the ice."

Something tells me ol' Conn would be proud of the modern day Toronto Maple Leafs. In the selfish department, the Leafs are the meanest alley cats in the NHL. Everybody knows about the black money cloud hanging over hockey. However, with a lockout looming larger by the day, the Buds continue to boogie to the beat of their own bongo.

Pay raises for underachievers such as Nik Antropov and Tomas Kaberle.

Signing the "Tylenol Twins", Joe Nieuwendyk and Gary Roberts, to rich new deals.

Handing 39-year old Ed Belfour, wonky back and all, a three-year contract that could end up being worth $22 million.

So, with most teams pleading poverty and talking about a $35 million salary cap, Toronto's payroll is now pushing $60 million. But like the Einsteins who dumped the aforementioned rat-infested couch in my back alley, the Leafs couldn't care less.

"Our revenues justify our expenditures," Leaf G.M. John Ferguson recently told Canadian Press.

Bully for you, Fergie. It must be nice to have a bunch of filthy rich Stanley-starved fans willing to pay any price to watch another playoff bust.

But what about your partners?

Despite seeing Tomas Kaberle's production drop dramatically last season, (31 points from 47 the year before) the Leafs gave him a raise and signed him to a two-year deal worth almost $6 million. As a result, the jobs of Ferguson's fellow general managers just got a whole lot tougher.

How would you like to be Darryl Sutter in Calgary?

He has to try and explain to playoff workhorse Robyn Regehr why Tomas Kaberle stands to make over $1 million more than him this season.

Or how about Jay Feaster in Tampa Bay?

Last year, Dan Boyle had more points than Kaberle, a better plus/minus; and, oh, yeah, he also earned a Stanley Cup ring. But Kaberle is still a few hundred thousand dollars ahead on the pay scale.

The Leafs will grumble that they can't worry about other teams.

"It's our job to win hockey games," you can hear them saying. "We have to operate like a business."

However, there are a few flaws in the philosophy.

Number one, the Leafs haven't won anything since 1967.

Number two, sports isn't like any other business. In the corporate world, McDonald's could care less if Burger King survives. But in sports, if you don't have other teams to play against, you don't have much of a league.

Then again, who can blame Toronto if they long for the days of the Original Six?

God knows they haven't been able to get their hands on the Cup in a 30-team landscape.

Eventually, however, selfishness always comes back to bite you in the blue and white butt.

Just a few weeks after signing his huge contract with the Leafs, Ed Belfour showed his gratitude by using some of the cash to buy a piece of the World Hockey Association Dallas Americans.

Talk about an embarrassment.

Your franchise player has the audacity to spend the money you gave him on another team from a rival league. But when asked about Belfour's business plan, Ferguson could only shrug his shoulders.

"He doesn't consult me," he told reporters.

And, really, what else could Fergie say?

The Leafs offer a graduate class on selfishness and Belfour was simply taking advantage of his front row seat.

As a result, the beat goes on.

Salaries spiral out of control and so do ticket prices, making it impossible for the working man to take his kids to a game.

The bank accounts of the players grow and so does their belief that they can do whatever they darn well please.

And just like that rotten pile of garbage sitting in a back alley in Toronto, the whole thing stinks.

I'll talk with you next week.

 

[dem]

http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=23006

best thread ever

 

[Mike Works]

http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=23006

best thread ever

hahaha

"fine, fine.... but I never said Dandy should be next... I was just sayin, high pathetically"

That's a wonderful Freudian Slip

 

[calder]

As always, the urge to post a "should the Wings trade Jiri Hudler and a 7th round draft pick for Iginla???" thread is gnawing away at me. Then I can segue into a "Fischer and 2 draft picks (none higher than 3rd round) for Joe Thornton", those are always popular.

 

[Mike Works]

We need to find the official Leafs board and see which is worse

 

[Greekboy]

Good article by Mike Toth that sums up pretty well the Maple leafs:

*waits for dopeyfish to rip apart the article and offer us his delusional "blue and white" goggled version*

We need to find the official Leafs board and see which is worse

It can't be worse than here Mike plus Detroit has actually recently won a few Cups so their fans expect excellence. In Toronto we expect crap.

 

[dem]

Heres some pictures of Petr Nedved telling Veronika that hes going to sign in Edmonton...

Ok.. maybe thats not what theyre fighting about.. but damn shes hot.

 

[bishoptl]

We need DM in here for some funny captions, stat!

 

[calder]

Heres some pictures of Petr Nedved telling Veronika that hes going to sign in Edmonton...

LOL. Sure he's pussy whipped because he's going to leave a good fit in Edmonton for his woman, but she's so damn hot it becomes understandable.

Still, Petr is going about it all wrong. Everyone knows that when your girl storms off in public like that you just let 'em go and wait an hour or three (local pubs are great places to kill time like that. or go to a matinee) till you try to call them up. Running after her and forcing her to stop only works if you're intending to completely cave in anyway.

 

[Mike Works]

"Baby, come on, we'll beat the Canucks next time!"

 

[Greekboy]

"You really thought I was that BITCH Petr?!"

"I'm serious. You really did look like Anna Kournokova from behind. Sorry babe!"

 

[SantaC]

Forsberg is suddenly doubtful. That will hurt Swedens chances

 

[Mike Works]

Forsberg is suddenly doubtful.

Paging bishop to the NHL Offseason thread for the 23rd time

 

[Socreges]

Veronika who?

If you don't stop, I'm going to begin serenading you!

OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH.....

 

[dem]

Veronica Varekova

 

[calder]

Again, she's smokin'. But in real news...

Niedermayer awarded $7M in arbitration

TSN.ca Staff

8/13/2004

Star defenceman Scott Niedermayer of the New Jersey Devils has been awarded a record-tying contract of $7 million US through salary arbitration.

The award, announced Friday, matched the $7 million given to Philadelphia Flyers forward John LeClair in 2000.

Niedermayer won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenceman last season, ending the three-year reign of Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom.

Before going to arbitration, the smooth-skating defenceman requested a five-year contract reportedly worth $45 million, while the Devils reportedly offered $40 million for the same period.

His salary demands were inspired by the $10 million St. Louis Blues defenceman Chris Pronger will earn next season.

The Edmonton native who grew up in Cranbrook, B.C., took over as the Devils' acting captain last season because veteran leader Scott Stevens missed most of the campaign with post-concussion syndrome.

In July, perhaps as insurance against Stevens' unclear future, the Devils signed rugged defenceman Richard Matvichuk as a free agent from the Dallas Stars to a four-year, $7.2-million contract. They also signed checking forward Grant Marshall to a three-year, $3-million deal.

Niedermayer had 14 goals and 40 assists and was plus-20 while logging 25 minutes 53 second a game ice time last season.

The six-foot-one, 200-pound blue-liner has spent his entire 12-year career with New Jersey, with whom he won Stanley Cups in 1995, 2000 and 2003. He was drafted third overall by the Devils in 1991.

Niedermayer, who turns 31 on Aug. 31, is a strong skater who is solid in his own zone. He helped Canada win Olympic gold at Salt Lake City in 2002 and was named to Canada's team for the World Cup of Hockey later this month.

Considering Prongers 10mill (fuck you very much, Blues. overpay in the last contract, and you get forced to overpay again, just like the Leafs throwing sacks of cash at everyone in sight as JFJ seems to have let the $$ lobotomize him in record time) it has to be considered more than reasonable, but compared to the lowering salaries in other arbitrations it's a bit high.

And the more I read that Mike Toth column the more I love it. Takes balls for a national TV broadcaster based in TO to rip them like that, but he makes points that most of us have said but no Leaf fanboys seem to want to accept. And I thought Eddie buying into a WHA team was kinda bizarre, but reading Toth's opinion on it it does seem like a pretty nice bite to the hand that's fed him his whole life.

8/13/2004

The San Jose Sharks have avoided arbitration with restricted free agent Evgeni Nabokov, agreeing with the goaltender on a two-year contract worth $4.425 million US per season.

Nabokov went 31-19-8 with a 2.20 GAA and a .921 save percentage last season, revitalizing the former Calder Trophy winner's career. He led the Sharks to the best season in franchise history, the Pacific Division title and their first trip to the Western Conference final, where they lost to the Calgary Flames.

Two years ago, Nabokov held out through training camp and the first five games of the regular season before getting a two-year, $7.15 million US contract.

Nabokov, a native of Kazakhstan, received approval last month from the International Ice Hockey Federation to play for Russia in the 2006 Olympics.

Hmm. Probably about right considering the numbers he's put up the last few years (ignoring a bit of a stumble after the holdout).

8/13/2004

TORONTO (CP) - Buffalo Sabres forward Daniel Briere has been awarded a 2004-2005 salary of $2.55 million following a salary arbitration hearing.

Briere earned $1.6 million US last season when had 28 goals, 37 assists and 70 penalty minutes.

In 354 NHL games with Phoenix and Buffalo, the 26-year-old native of Hull, Que., has 105 goals, 118 assists and 228 penalty minutes. The five-foot-10, 180-pound centre from Hull, Que., was the 24th player selected in the 1996 entry draft.

Tough to argue with the production he's put up on the Sabres as a #1 guy. That's almost as reasonable as the Zednick deal.