Which team had the best off-season so far?

Not so sure. Theodore is not an upgrade over Vokoun, unless he's there as a backup, in which case it's even worse (Clemmenson). Campbell was not playing anywhere near the level he played at when he got that huge contract. Similarly for Jovanovski. The forwards they got are probably upgrades, but none of them are top-liners and I'm not sure any of them are more than third liners.

Good point about the goalies. Theodore, while (imo) a very good goalie, isn't close to being on Vokoun's level. I'm not so sure about your assessment of the D. Surely Jovo and Campbell (even if he isn't playing as well as he has) are upgrades over Sulzer, Olesz, and Callahan. Significant upgrades at that.

Also, I don't think you can say that Fleischmann, Upshall, Versteeg (and to a lesser degree Goc and Kopecky) aren't significant upgrades over Hordichuk (13th forward at best), Reasoner (done), Rissmiller (never had much game but done nonetheless), and Samsonov (done in all likelihood).

Like I said, they've upgraded all over the place. You're right, Vokoun > Theodore, but I can't imagine anyone thinking that Rissmiller, Reasoner, Hordicuk, and Samsonov > Fleischmann, Upshall, and Versteeg. Nor can I imagine anyone arguing that Campbell and Jovo (even at his advanced age) aren't an improvement over Olesz, Callahan, and Sulzer.

spader wrote:Good point about the goalies. Theodore, while (imo) a very good goalie, isn't close to being on Vokoun's level. I'm not so sure about your assessment of the D. Surely Jovo and Campbell (even if he isn't playing as well as he has) are upgrades over Sulzer, Olesz, and Callahan. Significant upgrades at that.

Also, I don't think you can say that Fleischmann, Upshall, Versteeg (and to a lesser degree Goc and Kopecky) aren't significant upgrades over Hordichuk (13th forward at best), Reasoner (done), Rissmiller (never had much game but done nonetheless), and Samsonov (done in all likelihood).

Like I said, they've upgraded all over the place. You're right, Vokoun > Theodore, but I can't imagine anyone thinking that Rissmiller, Reasoner, Hordicuk, and Samsonov > Fleischmann, Upshall, and Versteeg. Nor can I imagine anyone arguing that Campbell and Jovo (even at his advanced age) aren't an improvement over Olesz, Callahan, and Sulzer.

That Jovanovski contract is going to look epic bad before the end of the year. Like, Redden epic bad, or just thereabouts.

spader wrote:Good point about the goalies. Theodore, while (imo) a very good goalie, isn't close to being on Vokoun's level. I'm not so sure about your assessment of the D. Surely Jovo and Campbell (even if he isn't playing as well as he has) are upgrades over Sulzer, Olesz, and Callahan. Significant upgrades at that.

Also, I don't think you can say that Fleischmann, Upshall, Versteeg (and to a lesser degree Goc and Kopecky) aren't significant upgrades over Hordichuk (13th forward at best), Reasoner (done), Rissmiller (never had much game but done nonetheless), and Samsonov (done in all likelihood).

Like I said, they've upgraded all over the place. You're right, Vokoun > Theodore, but I can't imagine anyone thinking that Rissmiller, Reasoner, Hordicuk, and Samsonov > Fleischmann, Upshall, and Versteeg. Nor can I imagine anyone arguing that Campbell and Jovo (even at his advanced age) aren't an improvement over Olesz, Callahan, and Sulzer.

True, player for player those are upgrades, but upgrades on the 3rd line is what a team does heading to the playoffs. A better third line is really useful in the later rounds but it's not going to do much in the regular season. Anyhow, does it look like the Panthers will make the playoffs? I honestly don't see it happening unless Theodore plays lights out and Gudbranson dominates in his first year.

If Fleischmann returns to form, he could challenge for a spot on the top line. Versteeg could play 2nd line minutes. Upshall won't be out of place on any line on that team, but you're right, he probably belongs on the 3rd at this point in his career.

To call all three of them 3rd liners on that team is a bit of a stretch, imo.

rooneypoo wrote:

spader wrote:Good point about the goalies. Theodore, while (imo) a very good goalie, isn't close to being on Vokoun's level. I'm not so sure about your assessment of the D. Surely Jovo and Campbell (even if he isn't playing as well as he has) are upgrades over Sulzer, Olesz, and Callahan. Significant upgrades at that.

Also, I don't think you can say that Fleischmann, Upshall, Versteeg (and to a lesser degree Goc and Kopecky) aren't significant upgrades over Hordichuk (13th forward at best), Reasoner (done), Rissmiller (never had much game but done nonetheless), and Samsonov (done in all likelihood).

Like I said, they've upgraded all over the place. You're right, Vokoun > Theodore, but I can't imagine anyone thinking that Rissmiller, Reasoner, Hordicuk, and Samsonov > Fleischmann, Upshall, and Versteeg. Nor can I imagine anyone arguing that Campbell and Jovo (even at his advanced age) aren't an improvement over Olesz, Callahan, and Sulzer.

That Jovanovski contract is going to look epic bad before the end of the year. Like, Redden epic bad, or just thereabouts.

Ha. It'll be close, but it'll be a Diet Coke version. A 6 year $39M contract isn't quite the same as a 4 year contract at $16.5M. They're comparable, though. Regardless, Jovo, even at this point, is an improvement on that blueline.

wprager wrote:Not so sure. Theodore is not an upgrade over Vokoun, unless he's there as a backup, in which case it's even worse (Clemmenson). Campbell was not playing anywhere near the level he played at when he got that huge contract. Similarly for Jovanovski. The forwards they got are probably upgrades, but none of them are top-liners and I'm not sure any of them are more than third liners.

That + the lack of chemistry = deep trouble?

OK, I finally voted. I voted "Other" for the Rangers. They got Brad Richards. And, possibly, got Sather one step closer to being shown the door.

maybe it's because no one is talking about it and it smells of desperation but I think columbus is filling needs for themselves. remains to be seen if carter can center nash but maybe when johansson can get in there they will have a good 1st line. no 10/10 but lots of 8/10

I really like what San Jose did. Havlat is a great addition, along with Burns. And getting rid of Heatley is never a bad idea.

tim1_2 wrote:I really like what San Jose did. Havlat is a great addition, along with Burns. And getting rid of Heatley is never a bad idea.

And Colin White for a mil was great as well. I think they might be the winners of the summer IF - Burns continues to play well and Havlat isn't on the IR all season. Still...I like the makeup of that team without Danny Dickhead.

SpezDispenser wrote:

tim1_2 wrote:I really like what San Jose did. Havlat is a great addition, along with Burns. And getting rid of Heatley is never a bad idea.

And Colin White for a mil was great as well. I think they might be the winners of the summer IF - Burns continues to play well and Havlat isn't on the IR all season. Still...I like the makeup of that team without Danny Dickhead.

Yep..I had forgotten the Colin White signing...I was on vacation and just getting snippets of news...that was a good move as well.

wprager wrote:OK, I finally voted. I voted "Other" for the Rangers. They got Brad Richards. And, possibly, got Sather one step closer to being shown the door.

The only "door" Slats will be shown is the humi-door.

more to come

San Jose, they got rid of a cancer, they brought it a ton of help on the blueline, and they still have a very blanced attack up front. Loved what they did.

wprager wrote:OK, I finally voted. I voted "Other" for the Rangers. They got Brad Richards. And, possibly, got Sather one step closer to being shown the door.

I dunno man...he got someone to take Gomez AND got McDonagh out of the deal. That's a huge thumbs up right there. Stepan, Dubinsky, Callahan, Girardi (the SD man-crush of the week), Staal, Anisimov - all studs and all young. Getting Brad Richards to try to ignite Gaborik was a very good move - even if it was obvious.

They've got a lot to work with there. I think they can be a horrific matchup for a team in the playoffs - and if Lundqvist gets hot, he finally has to supporting cast to do some damage.

Would be something if both the Rags and Sharks can finally find a way to get to the finals...would make for a pretty entertaining final.

Michallica wrote:Would be something if both the Rags and Sharks can finally find a way to get to the finals...would make for a pretty entertaining final.

And the season premiere of Jersey Shore would still draw more viewers.

wprager wrote:

Michallica wrote:Would be something if both the Rags and Sharks can finally find a way to get to the finals...would make for a pretty entertaining final.

And the season premiere of Jersey Shore would still draw more viewers.

I watch Jersey Shore, and I am not ashamed. It is entertainment in it's purest form.

GTL, Wing Dang Doodle.