Finally some major movement...here's my ramblings on the aftermath of the NHL Free Agency summer of 2012.
Rick Nash
So after all the hype did Columbus GM Howson get the right
deal? I don’t think it was the right deal but it was the only deal that was
remaining.
The New York Rangers finally pulled off the deal to bring
big hype FA Rick Nash to the Big Apple. Ranger fans are ecstatic and Nash is too!
The DEAL: The Rangers acquired F Rick Nash, D Steven Delisle and
a conditional third-round pick from Columbus for F Artem Anisimov and F Brandon
Dubinsky, D Tim Erixon and a first-round pick in 2013.
And I don’t mean to be rude but the only guy that CBJ is
getting that I have heard of is Dubinsky. Neither Dubinsky, 26, nor Anisimov,
24, are considered stars in the making. The Rangers didn’t have to give up Derek
Stepan, Chris Kreider or Michael Del Zotto. This is a big win for NYR because
they added without losing any key pieces and now will run harder for the Cup.
It looks like the Rangers won this deal by a landslide
because they got a top 3 forward and didn’t even give up a top 6 forward in
return. But we won’t know who won this deal until 3-5 years down the road.
But the pressure is on…yes it’s all smiles now but Nash
needs to produce to make his $7 million worth every penny. You got all the good line mates. There's no excuses. I think he should score 70-80 pts and if not the regular season was a fail. But maybe he produces in the playoffs and all is forgiven.
Supposedly Vancouver offered Raymond, Ballard and Schneider
for Nash. Philly jumped out and went after Weber (way smarter move as Weber
"would have been" a better addition). Howson got stuck with lame
buyers. He should have moved him at the deadline or the draft. Would have,
could have, should have. Like I always say, "Hindsight is 20/20".
Imagine being a Blue Jackets season ticket holder? OUCH!
They have made the playoffs once so far. When will they make it now?
Shea Webber
The Flyers go out and make a HUGE splash getting Webber to sign
an offer sheet of $110 million over 14 years. And I know people are hating the
fact that the Flyers keep doing this but it’s legal. It’s part of the rules.
Anyone has the right to do it. They didn’t force Webber to sign it but he
willingly did. The truth is, it’s never worked for Philly. They tried to get
Kesler but the Canucks matched it offer and now Weber stays as a Predator for
the rest of his career.
Nashville had no choice but to match the offer. You can’t
lose Suter AND Weber in the same year. I admit the money offered is insane and
it hurts Nashville for having to sign him for such high $ but they made a
statement by stepping up to the plate. They said, “We are not going to get
bullied” and “we are a legitimate NHL franchise”! If they lost Weber who would
come as a FA? You got to have a respectable team and keeping Weber keeps them
respectable and competitive.
Although the Flyers are disappointed that they didn’t land
Weber what’s probably more important is they didn’t give up Couturier or
B.Schenn. Giving up 4 1st rd picks would have hurt but not that
much. It was worth the gamble. To me this looks like Pronger is done.
Roberto Luongo
It’s all quiet on the Western Front. I am worried that the
longer they wait to make a deal the more it’s going to be like the Rick Nash
deal. And the longer this goes the more I think Luongo will be with Vancouver
on opening day. I still trust Gillis but I think he’s asking for too much in
return. Hopefully he learns from Howson’s mistakes.
Shane Doan
Supposedly Shane wants to stay in Phoenix and gives until
Friday to find out what the Coyote situation is going to be like. Shane, listen
to me, run for the hills. Get out of Phoenix. Try to win a Cup. The teams
reportedly interested are Pitts, Det, Montreal, Van, and of course Philly &
NYR (the two teams whom seem to be in every big FA deal). Shane all those teams
with the exception of Montreal would be really exciting places to sign with. When’s the last time the Coyotes were contenders?
Never! Stop being a hero and move on!
Alexander Semin
So is Semin just laying low then going to get his big $ once
Shane Doan signs? Probably. Semin is going to help a team out whether he goes
but he should be looking to go somewhere where they can compete and contend.
Supposedly the Red Wings are a nice fit but time will tell. He's going to get $6-7 million a year but he's not worth it.
Of course I could be wrong but I doubt it.
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