Rate Them so Far - Who's the Winners and Losers of July 1st?

SpezDispenser wrote:Toronto did nothing. I'm really surprised so far. Montreal paid a hefty price to get marginally better - but at least they got better.

The Leafs went sideways IMO, but at least they're getting younger and tougher.

Out: Kubina, Antropov

In: Komisarek, Bozak (and Exelby, for whom I don't care much)

If I'm a Leafs fan, I'm happy.

asq2 wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:Toronto did nothing. I'm really surprised so far. Montreal paid a hefty price to get marginally better - but at least they got better.

The Leafs went sideways IMO, but at least they're getting younger and tougher.

Out: Kubina, Antropov

In: Komisarek, Bozak (and Exelby, for whom I don't care much)

If I'm a Leafs fan, I'm happy.

don't forget Colton Orr, tough, but may be a bit of a headcase, not sure on that one.

I think acquiring Orr changes about as much as the Habs' acquiring Laraque.

He's going to play about 5 minutes a night.

I must say I think the Havlat signing was one of the better ones this year. He's a point per game player with hands of silk, that can do it all himself or find whomever with a pass. He's not selfish with the puck, has blazing speed, and he's only 28 years old. He lead the Hawks in point in the playoffs, and he's decent defensively speaking.

His one downside is his history of injuries. Other than that, he plays hard, and competes hard. I was utterly shocked to see him come back after the Kronwall hit.

$5M a year is nothing for this guy. And if Chuck Fletcher isn't full of it and they indeed play an offensive style next year, Minny will get their money's worth and then some.

Bass Destruction wrote:I must say I think the Havlat signing was one of the better ones this year. He's a point per game player with hands of silk, that can do it all himself or find whomever with a pass. He's not selfish with the puck, has blazing speed, and he's only 28 years old. He lead the Hawks in point in the playoffs, and he's decent defensively speaking.

His one downside is his history of injuries. Other than that, he plays hard, and competes hard. I was utterly shocked to see him come back after the Kronwall hit.

$5M a year is nothing for this guy. And if Chuck Fletcher isn't full of it and they indeed play an offensive style next year, Minny will get their money's worth and then some.

Could you imagine if they would have found a way to keep Gaborik at a fair price? The 30 or so games they'd get with them playing together would be worth the money alone. Those guys could turn a dump and chase into a 2 on 1 breakaway with their ridiculous speed.

Bass Destruction wrote:I must say I think the Havlat signing was one of the better ones this year. He's a point per game player with hands of silk, that can do it all himself or find whomever with a pass. He's not selfish with the puck, has blazing speed, and he's only 28 years old. He lead the Hawks in point in the playoffs, and he's decent defensively speaking.

His one downside is his history of injuries. Other than that, he plays hard, and competes hard. I was utterly shocked to see him come back after the Kronwall hit.

$5M a year is nothing for this guy. And if Chuck Fletcher isn't full of it and they indeed play an offensive style next year, Minny will get their money's worth and then some.

Havlat played last year relatively healthy too did he not? If he can avoid any type of injury bug, the Wild have gotten themselves the best steal of any of the UFA's, he's a gamebreaker for sure.

PKC wrote:

Bass Destruction wrote:I must say I think the Havlat signing was one of the better ones this year. He's a point per game player with hands of silk, that can do it all himself or find whomever with a pass. He's not selfish with the puck, has blazing speed, and he's only 28 years old. He lead the Hawks in point in the playoffs, and he's decent defensively speaking.

His one downside is his history of injuries. Other than that, he plays hard, and competes hard. I was utterly shocked to see him come back after the Kronwall hit.

$5M a year is nothing for this guy. And if Chuck Fletcher isn't full of it and they indeed play an offensive style next year, Minny will get their money's worth and then some.

Could you imagine if they would have found a way to keep Gaborik at a fair price? The 30 or so games they'd get with them playing together would be worth the money alone. Those guys could turn a dump and chase into a 2 on 1 breakaway with their ridiculous speed.

If they had kept Gaborik, and gotten Havlat, a lot of prepubescent boys would be confused about what was happening downstairs... Is that wrong for me to say??? Did I cross a line there... I may have.

Bass Destruction wrote:

PKC wrote:

Bass Destruction wrote:I must say I think the Havlat signing was one of the better ones this year. He's a point per game player with hands of silk, that can do it all himself or find whomever with a pass. He's not selfish with the puck, has blazing speed, and he's only 28 years old. He lead the Hawks in point in the playoffs, and he's decent defensively speaking.

His one downside is his history of injuries. Other than that, he plays hard, and competes hard. I was utterly shocked to see him come back after the Kronwall hit.

$5M a year is nothing for this guy. And if Chuck Fletcher isn't full of it and they indeed play an offensive style next year, Minny will get their money's worth and then some.

Could you imagine if they would have found a way to keep Gaborik at a fair price? The 30 or so games they'd get with them playing together would be worth the money alone. Those guys could turn a dump and chase into a 2 on 1 breakaway with their ridiculous speed.

If they had kept Gaborik, and gotten Havlat, a lot of prepubescent boys would be confused about what was happening downstairs... Is that wrong for me to say??? Did I cross a line there... I may have.

I'm confused...

EDIT: Now I understand. And I'm disturbed. (more than usual).

I think the most improved team thus far is Atlanta. They have made some great moves that give them scoring and a really solid defence. Good on them.

Neely4Life wrote:I think the most improved team thus far is Atlanta. They have made some great moves that give them scoring and a really solid defence. Good on them.

and it looks like kovolchuk is thinking that way too where i have heard he is already talking extension now

Atlanta will push for a playoff spot in the SE, for sure.

The Sens win so far with the Kovalev signing. The term is what makes it sexy for me.

beerandsens wrote:The Sens win so far with the Kovalev signing. The term is what makes it sexy for me.

It's a good move, but it's still just *a* move. Let's see what (if anything) we can do if we trade Heatley. I would still like to see Bertuzzi here if he can be had for $2M.

Big Bird(Bert) in a sens uni would be AWESOME.

Is it just me, or am I the only one that feels (and is being told by some friends/sources) that if Heatley sets foot once again in that dressing room, a cancerous presence is being too kind and mild...

He HAS to leave. NO ONE in Ottawa locker room will welcome him back with open arms. Not to mention, Melnyk is putting up a good front/show for the public, but make no mistake, he is almost having a stroke at Heatley's antics. The mere sight of him disgusts Uncle Eugene... Heatley will gone, the only question is when...

Cronie wrote:Big Bird(Bert) in a sens uni would be AWESOME.

Is it just me, or am I the only one that feels (and is being told by some friends/sources) that if Heatley sets foot once again in that dressing room, a cancerous presence is being too kind and mild...

He HAS to leave. NO ONE in Ottawa locker room will welcome him back with open arms. Not to mention, Melnyk is putting up a good front/show for the public, but make no mistake, he is almost having a stroke at Heatley's antics. The mere sight of him disgusts Uncle Eugene... Heatley will gone, the only question is when...

He's here until he's not.

Did anyone get a whiff of the Kovalev signing? I remember discussing Kovalev yesterday or the day before, and wondering if the Sens could grab him, seeing as he was not wanted in Montreal. I thought it was a little ridiculous so I never put it down in a post. Yet here we are.

I don't think anyone knows what Murray is going to do. Maybe not even Murray himself. It would not surprise me in the least if Heatley is not moved before the season begins. I am fairly certain he doesn't end the season here, but I would not be surprised if he starts here. Now, if he sits out, bonus -- as in get that bonus back and his salary as well. If not, then we have two game breakers to build a nice, safe lead out of the gat, let Alfie rest up for the playoffs. If Heatley is gone at the deadline, no problem. If we cannot get past the first or second round without him, we could not get out of the East with him. Wait 1-2 years until Cowen and Wiercioch are both here and then we can compete with the big boys.

wprager wrote:

Cronie wrote:Big Bird(Bert) in a sens uni would be AWESOME.

Is it just me, or am I the only one that feels (and is being told by some friends/sources) that if Heatley sets foot once again in that dressing room, a cancerous presence is being too kind and mild...

He HAS to leave. NO ONE in Ottawa locker room will welcome him back with open arms. Not to mention, Melnyk is putting up a good front/show for the public, but make no mistake, he is almost having a stroke at Heatley's antics. The mere sight of him disgusts Uncle Eugene... Heatley will gone, the only question is when...

He's here until he's not.

Did anyone get a whiff of the Kovalev signing? I remember discussing Kovalev yesterday or the day before, and wondering if the Sens could grab him, seeing as he was not wanted in Montreal. I thought it was a little ridiculous so I never put it down in a post. Yet here we are.

I don't think anyone knows what Murray is going to do. Maybe not even Murray himself. It would not surprise me in the least if Heatley is not moved before the season begins. I am fairly certain he doesn't end the season here, but I would not be surprised if he starts here. Now, if he sits out, bonus -- as in get that bonus back and his salary as well. If not, then we have two game breakers to build a nice, safe lead out of the gat, let Alfie rest up for the playoffs. If Heatley is gone at the deadline, no problem. If we cannot get past the first or second round without him, we could not get out of the East with him. Wait 1-2 years until Cowen and Wiercioch are both here and then we can compete with the big boys.

Senschirp had the news up at 3:26pm today, if that counts. Of course, just about every major hockey source had it before 4pm.

beerandsens wrote:The Sens win so far with the Kovalev signing. The term is what makes it sexy for me.

Exactly. The term is incredible. If this guy has signed for 4 years, he would have taken 4 million, but because it's for such a short time, he gets a million more. That's fine, with all the long term contracts being tossed around, I'm good in walking away in two years (unless Kovy wants to finish out his career here).

We paid a little extra for the term of this deal. It was very smart.

wprager wrote:
He's here until he's not.

Did anyone get a whiff of the Kovalev signing? I remember discussing Kovalev yesterday or the day before, and wondering if the Sens could grab him, seeing as he was not wanted in Montreal. I thought it was a little ridiculous so I never put it down in a post. Yet here we are.

I don't think anyone knows what Murray is going to do. Maybe not even Murray himself. It would not surprise me in the least if Heatley is not moved before the season begins. I am fairly certain he doesn't end the season here, but I would not be surprised if he starts here. Now, if he sits out, bonus -- as in get that bonus back and his salary as well. If not, then we have two game breakers to build a nice, safe lead out of the gat, let Alfie rest up for the playoffs. If Heatley is gone at the deadline, no problem. If we cannot get past the first or second round without him, we could not get out of the East with him. Wait 1-2 years until Cowen and Wiercioch are both here and then we can compete with the big boys.

There were a few of us bantering around the Big 3 from Montreal. We all wanted Tanguay, but that's basically because we didn't think AK would sign here. Marah I believe was one guy who was discussing it with. Then a while back there was more talk about 'what if' scenarios. Kovalev's name was tossed around again - and it was pretty favourable.

This is a nice move.