2008 Offseason thread

[Psyblast]

Instead of having a crapload of different individual threads for every move, I think it'll be a good idea to have one thread stickied at the top.

I'll start.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...87/1004/SPORTS

Quote:

Could Bertuzzi be on way back? DETROIT -- Always on the lookout to get bigger and edgier, the Red Wings will have an opportunity to do so next week, and with a former teammate. The Ducks placed forward Todd Bertuzzi on waivers Friday with the intention of buying out the remaining season on his two-year contract. If Bertuzzi goes unclaimed, as expected, he'll be an unrestricted free agent Tuesday, when teams can begin negotiating with free agents. The Ducks signed Bertuzzi last summer to a two-year deal worth $8 million. Bertuzzi, 33, scored 14 goals and 40 points in 68 games with the Ducks. Before signing with the Ducks, Bertuzzi spent the end of the 2006-07 season with the Wings after being acquired at the trade deadline. Bertuzzi had five goals and six assists in 24 regular-season and playoff games with the Wings. He was coming off back surgery while with the Wings. The back didn't seem to bother Bertuzzi in Anaheim, although he did miss some time early in the season because of a concussion. With Bertuzzi still Anaheim property for now, the Wings aren't allowed to discuss Bertuzzi. But Bertuzzi could be a possible fit, replacing Dallas Drake, who is leaning toward retirement. Bertuzzi liked the tight-knit, close atmosphere in the Wings locker room, and relished being close to his family in Ontario.

[SPTO]

Ah you gotta love those crazy Maple Leafs. According to the FAN 590 in Toronto the Leafs are going to offer CuJo a contract to be the backup to Toskala. I guess they don't have much confidence in Pogge.

[Pierzynski 12]

The fun starts on Tuesday.

[inferno222]

Quote:

Lightning Acquire Rights To Ryan Malone, Gary Roberts Tampa Bay Sends Conditional Draft Pick To Pittsburgh Tampa Bay Lightning Jun 28, 2008, 2:00 PM EDT Malone TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have acquired the rights to left wings Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts from Pittsburgh in exchange for a conditional draft pick in 2009, owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie announced. Should the Lightning sign Malone, Pittsburgh will receive Tampa Bay’s third-round pick in 2009 or they will receive Dallas’ fourth-round pick in 2009, previously acquired by the Lightning, if Tampa Bay is not able to sign Malone. “We said earlier this week we would be aggressive in our pursuit of free agents in order to win and compete,” Koules said. “This trade today doesn’t guarantee anything, but we believe it gives us a leg up in our attempt to sign these two impact players.” Malone, a 6-foot-4, 224-pound Pittsburgh native, played in 77 games with the Penguins last season and recorded 27 goals with 51 points. He also appeared in 20 Stanley Cup Playoff games in 2008 and tied for eighth in league scoring with six goals and 16 points as he helped Pittsburgh to the Stanley Cup Finals. Malone set career highs for goals, assists, points, power-play goals (11) and game-winning goals (6) in 2007-08. He led the team in game-winning goals, ranked fourth in goals and third in power-play goals, while also ranking fourth among Penguin forwards in average ice time with 19:04. The 27-year-old has played in 299 career NHL games, all with the Penguins, and amassed 87 goals, 169 points, 27 power-play goals, 11 shorthanded goals and 11 game-winning goals. Malone scored at least 20 goals in three of four NHL seasons. Roberts, a 20-year NHL veteran and former Stanley Cup Champion, played in 38 games with Pittsburgh last season. The three-time NHL All-Star recorded three goals and 15 points with 40 penalty minutes, and also played in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games recording two goals and four points. A 6-2, 215-pound native of North York, Ontario, Roberts is a veteran of 1,194 career games with Calgary, Carolina, Toronto, Florida and Pittsburgh. He has amassed 434 career goals, 903 points, 107 power play goals and 51 game-winning goals. He has broken the 20-goal barrier in 16 of his 20 seasons, including two 30-goal seasons, two 40-goal seasons and a 50-goal season. Roberts, 42, has played in 130 career playoff games, recording 32 goals and 93 points. He recorded 12 points in 22 playoff games as he helped the Calgary Flames capture the 1989 Stanley Cup title.

A conditional draft pick? hm...

[SPTO]

I bet you the Lightning will have a huge turnover on their roster and on paper they're going to be one of the strongest teams in the East. They really do need to address the goalie situation though.

[OSUFan_88]

Ryan Malone didn't want to be traded to the Jackets because he didn't want to lose a future teammate.

What a bold face liar.

[Fiddy]

when it came down to it malone didnt have any say so where he would be traded to. he didnt have a no trade clause. so he is not a liar..

[Qb]

I think the deal was done independently of what Malone wanted. He said he wouldn't sign anywhere before July 1st, so Shero (Pens GM) had nothing to lose by moving him. The new Tampa regime said they would be bold and shocking in FA, so I think its just a case of rolling the dice with a mid-round pick and hoping they can entice Malone to sign before Tuesday. I still don't think he'll sign before FA starts, unless they throw something absurd at him (5yr/30M?)...

Good move for the Pens to get another pick, as they had a very small draft this year or they could use it (or another) in a trade at next year's deadline. With the likelihood of losing Malone & Hossa (also Orpik but they're still talking) growing every day, it's becoming apparent that the team may have a few holes at the start of the season. Shero will obviously try to make a few shrewd signings over the summer, but I imagine that all of us Penguins fans will be crying for another scoring winger again next February...

Oh and Psyblast, good call on the sticky thread!

[Qb]

I was going through the latest Hockey News (Top 50 FAs article) earlier & surfing a few rumor sites (Spector's Hockey, Kukla'a Korner) which got me thinking about possible future Penguins. Today I'll stick to forwards who could fill holes on the top two lines, as I'm assuming that Hossa & Malone have played their last games with the club. Look for defensemen and role players at some point prior to Tuesday. In no particular order, a few guys who might be a good fit with their 07-08 employer in parenthesis:





1. Michael Ryder, RW (Montreal)

A multiple-time 30 goal scorer who had a terrible year last year (14 goals), at times being relegated to the 4th line or press box. He'll most likely have to take a pay cut from his previous nearly $3M salary and may want only a one year deal in an effort to regain his touch & cash in next year's UFA market. Ryder is (was?) known as a sniper with a heavy right-handed shot, but the type of player who needs someone who can feed him the puck. Assuming he could return to form, Ryder could be a perfect fit on Crosby's wing and the Pens' PP has been aching for a RH shot for years...


2. Brian Rolston, LW (Minnesota)

Rolston is coming off of a somewhat under market value deal (about $2.5M/yr) with Minnesota and looking for a raise. It may take in the neighborhood of $4M per season to land his signature, but if Hossa & Malone leave, that sum could be affordable on a short-term deal. Rolston is 35, so a two-year, $8M deal with the prospect of playing with some of the best centers in the NHL on a contending team may be too good to pass up. He is a legitimate 25 to 30-goal scorer (31 in 07-08) who can also contribute on both special teams.


3. Cory Stillman, LW/RW (Ottawa)

Another long-in-the-tooth winger (he turns 35 in December), Stillman is known for his playmaking & leadership skills. Also a short-term possibility, he will likely command less money than Rolston, but more than Ryder (maybe $3M). His production has dropped slightly since his peak years sandwiched around the lockout, but he still put up 65 points (24G-41A) last year. He would be a better fit playing on Malkin's wing along with Petr Sykora to maximize his passing ability.


4. Andrew Brunette, LW/RW (Colorado)

Why not one more winger on the 'wrong' side of 30? Brunette saw his point total drop from 83 to 59 over the past two seasons, but his durability cannot be questioned. He has missed only 11 games since he established himself as an NHL regular in 98-99 with Atlanta. Similar to Stillman in that he is more of a playmaker than scorer, Brunette is good in the corners despite his modest size & will likely be available for $2-3M/yr. He could also be a good fit on Malkin's LW.


5. Markus Naslund, LW/RW (Vancouver)

What's that, you want one more potentially over-the-hill winger that might be available on a short-term deal at the right price? Former Penguin Naslund might not re-sign with Vancouver and a return to the Steel City could benefit both parties. Given his scoring decline over the past few seasons, you'd think that he would need to chop his 07-08 salary ($6M) in half to truly interest the Penguins.


6. Todd Bertuzzi, RW/LW (Anaheim)

The biggest risk on this list due to the various potentially locker room disrupting issues that have dogged him for years. Another guy most likely looking at a pay cut, Bertuzzi could jump at the chance to play with Crosby or Malkin on a one-year deal and the resultant chance to boost his value around the league. It remains to be seen if Shero & Co would even be interested in him (my gut says no), but he could replace Malone's muscle in the crease and corners if motivated & healthy (his two biggest bugaboos).


Every guy on this list with the exception of Ryder are in their early to mid 30s, thus making them more likely to accept the kind of short-term deal that would appeal to Pens GM Ray Shero & his goal of cap flexibility moving forward. Just about all six have some sort of significant question mark attached, be it age, declining production or possibly being too expensive. I tried to omit anyone who I thought would be the latter, but realistically it comes down to years more than dollars for the Penguins. They can pay someone $4M for the next year or two, but they can't guarantee it for the next five or six. Which is exactly why Hossa & Malone most likely won't be sticking around and why my list has a touch of gray to it. Until next time...

[OSUFan_88]

Is it true that Ryan Malone just signed a 7 year deal with Tampa?!

Jesus Tampa, that's a terrible deal. If you wanted him that bad, you can have him.