Non-Minnesota NHL News XII

[thestonedkoala]

Disagree on that one big time! Backstrom was mediocre at best through his contract and kept the team overly cap strapped. His contract was an absolute hindrance!

If you think Backstrom's performance is mediocre, I want to see a good performance. It wasn't his fault Minnesota didn't get to the playoffs. And as much as his cap space in the beginning was a problem, where was it a problem near the end?

As for other long contracts for goalies that didn't work... Luongo, Dipietro, Price - ask any Montreal fan, they'd dump him in a heartbeat!

I haven't heard of any issues with Price or Montreal fans disgruntled with the contract. I haven't even seen any trade rumors about Price.

MAF is a failure

MAF is not a failure at all. He's played extremely well in the season. His post-season is of some concern as of late. He did win a Stanley Cup after signing the extension, so I don't think the Penguins are complaining.

Ryan Miller's deal has turned out too long for Buffalo too, and that was just a fiver.

They went in a different direction. It happens.

Calgary, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and Florida are counting on big unknowns. The only proven is Steve Mason. I mean we all though that Tampa Bay got their goaltender with Lindback. None of those goaltenders are 'solid'. Neither is Colorado or Washington's situation. All six teams could be looking for goaltenders next year.

 

[TaLoN]

If you think Backstrom's performance is mediocre, I want to see a good performance. It wasn't his fault Minnesota didn't get to the playoffs. And as much as his cap space in the beginning was a problem, where was it a problem near the end?

That's the point though.. the margin is small these days between mediocre and really good... don't you get it?

His stats during his big contract were all in the 15-20 range for the most part... that's right around avg... but he was one of the top 3-4 paid goalies. He was not a top 3-4 goalie.

 

[forthewild]

I am leaning more to the opinion that its better to have a solid defense and a good forward group than its to have a huge goalie contract.

There is a few exceptions, if a goalie has proven him self to be solid regardless of the guys ahead of him i'd pay him, but in most cases goalies have career years when the team in front of him plays well.

Rask got paid, but i would not have paid him that much, I'd have traded him.

 

[Jarick]

Goalies are overrated. If you have a good system, you'll have good goaltending.

Look at Chicago, they won the Cup twice now with FOUR different goaltenders. Niemi/Khabibulin and Crawford/Emery. Boston reached the finals with two different goalies. Pittsburgh won with Fleury and went fairly deep with Vokoun.

Now look at the teams that "can't find goaltending"...Tampa Bay, Washington, Philly...these guys have terrible defense.

I'd hate to be hamstrung like these guys are with $6-8m per on a goalie.

 

[Gaps]

http://devils.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=677775

Kovalchuk retires from the NHL. Wow.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Bananas.

 

[bozak911]

Kovalchuk retires from the NHL. Wow, if it's legit.

It's legit. Both my TSN and NHL Gamecenter app just hit me with the alert...

If so... HOLY BALLS BATMAN!

Is New Jersey going to get slammed with the back diving cap re-capture clause???

 

[Northland Wild Man]

He's younger than me, and he's retired. Makes me feel really old.

 

[Caior89]

Stunned!

 

[this providence]

Is New Jersey going to get slammed with the back diving cap re-capture clause???

Ya, I could have sworn there was something in the new CBA about these insanely long deals and how they effect a team's cap if a player retires early. Don't remember how it works though...

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

From the main thread, sounded like $250k per year for 10 or 12 years.

 

[this providence]

Not to make this about Parise buuuuuuuut...

They chose to make a commitment to that guy over ensuring to get Parise locked in. And then he does this to the fanbase (granted, don't know Kovy's reasoning yet)

 

[Jarick]

What

the

****



???????????????

 

[Engebretson]

 

[Victorious Secret]

Good luck to him. Has to be a bigger reason behind this.

 

[rynryn]

after how SOME of their fanbase reacted with the parise situation...

 

[Lapa]

Am I having a seizure? Is this real life?

 

[BigT2002]

Sucks to be a Devils fan these last few years

Last year: Zach leaves and they lean heavily on saying "screw you" to him because Kovy is still there (seriously look at the thread)

This year: Kovy leaves and now they basically have to rely so heavily on Elias to produce at levels I honestly don't think he can.

 

[Victorious Secret]

Did they ever come to an agreement for the Olympics? Maybe he doesn't want to play in the NHL so he can play in that

 

[Gaps]

Sucks to be a Devils fan these last few years

Last year: Zach leaves and they lean heavily on saying "screw you" to him because Kovy is still there (seriously look at the thread)

This year: Kovy leaves and now they basically have to rely so heavily on Elias to produce at levels I honestly don't think he can.

Exactly. Then there's also the unfortunate fact that Elias is 37 years old and doesn't have too many years left.

Did they ever come to an agreement for the Olympics? Maybe he doesn't want to play in the NHL so he can play in that

It hasn't been made official yet, but there's been no indication that there's not gonna be a deal. Someone on Twitter said earlier this week that the NHLPA's voted on the deal this week and that the official announcement's coming either this Friday or on Monday. The regular season schedule should follow that announcement.

IF (but I think it's a VERY big 'if') something has gone wrong with the Olympic deal, Kovy won't be the only Russian leaving, at least temporarily.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Henrique is probably their best offensive player now.

 

[Ban Hammered]

Good luck to him. Has to be a bigger reason behind this.

Sounds like he really got homesick during the lockout. That team doesn't look like they are going to be very good. Not giving up that draft pick when they had #29 could really come back to bite them.

 

[tyratoku]

This absolutely blew my mind.

I can't believe it.

 

[MuckOG]

Another Russian takes off for the KHL.....

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Now counting on Zajac, Henrique (RFA), Elias, Ryder, Clowe and Zubrus to carry the offense. Damn...