The NHL Thread (43 Viewers)

Rollie

Senior Member
Apr 15, 2008
5,143
Rollie, EVERYONE in Boston is saying that the trade with Wheeler and Stuart was a pure salary dump. As far as talent goes, they did not get close to equal value in that deal.

I know that you are an eternal optimist, but come on. That was not a good move when you consider player for player here.
:D I try to be optimistic buddy, I try.

I can't help what everyone in Boston is saying, Sergio. I recognized that it was in part for salary considerations. I think the deal makes us a better team RIGHT NOW, and it clearly gives us cap flexibility for the future.

I've been a fan of Peverley for a couple of years (after I picked him up in a Fantasy pool and started tracking/watching him), he can play up and down the lineup (was even ATL's 1st line center for a period last season, can play the wing, PP, PK)... I even have him in our Juventuz pool (although I haven't checked, I know I'm getting crushed in that :D)

It's just my opinion man, whatever that's worth. My personal opinion is that Boston was going to let Stuey walk as an FA (he's been a healthy scratch lately - granted we could have pulled a draft pick for him), and Wheels (who I admitted I like quite a lot) has been very inconsistent the past two years and he will be seeking basically twice what Peverley makes, as a FA.

Peverley is a considerably more polished offensive player than Wheeler, and he creates the cap space to help re-sign Kaberle. We need that production.

By subtracting Wheeler and a dman who wasn't playing, and adding Kaberle, Kelly, and Peverley, my opinion is that Boston has strengthened some of their weaknesses considerably. We gave up quality assets in all of those deals, but that's the premium one pays doing business in February. Luckily, after some quality past deals, we have a TON of assets. I like that Chiarelli is being very aggressive, and the future is still very bright.

So I may be optimistic, and as I always admitted we paid a lot, but these are sacrifices that I'm OK with.

Also, just for the record, Valabik is an RFA, probably a career minor leaguer and I'm not even really considering him in this equation. He's a total non-factor, just another body for the P-Bruins. Although I was amused that in 163 games with Kitchener back in the day, the guy had 725 PIM. Former 10th overall pick, but he seems a total bust, by all accounts.

TSN just said Kabby will be in the lineup tonight against the Sens - Kelly will be as well. Should be fun!
 

Rollie

Senior Member
Apr 15, 2008
5,143
Ugly game tonight, Boston was terrible, effort was lackadaisical, but I'll take the 4-2 win. Rask was excellent.

Ottawa is decimated, and they were even worse then the Bruins, although their young swedish netminder Lehner looks pretty decent. He'll be going down to the minors in short order, now that Anderson has arrived, but he was solid.

The goal the game turned on was offside, but Horton really needs it right now, so it's all good ;)

Kabby's transition was nearly seamless; played 20+ minutes (Edit: excuse me - 19:34), beautiful outlet passes, extremely calm, collected (considering he arrived 20mins before warmups) and he looks great in Black and Gold. The man feathers the puck into Chara's wheelhouse perfectly... those guys have the potential to be devastating on the PP. I'm pretty excited about this addition... he's really, really intelligent on the ice.

Kelly looked nervous in front of his old crowd, and he struggled a bit - although his tight back checking definitely save one goal. He'll be a solid addition.

Can't wait to get Peverley in the lineup!
 

Mark

The Informer
Administrator
Dec 19, 2003
97,922
I'm hearing a rumour between the Pitts and Dallas.

Goligoski and Neal would be the big names involved.

also Kovalev in a separate deal with OTT.
 

Rollie

Senior Member
Apr 15, 2008
5,143
That's an awesome deal for Pittsburgh. Signed at a good number through next season, James Neal has all of the tools to be a 40 goal scorer in the not too distant future. Maybe as soon as next season, if he's playing with Crosby or Malkin; he'll certainly get close. I'm really, really surprised that Dallas let him go.

I would have loved to see this guy in Boston.

Not sure exactly what Nieuwendyk is doing here, more to come I'm sure, and he's obviously trying to clear some salary (roughly 1.5M in cap space, plus a little more cash saved cause Neal's salary increases next season to 3.5M), so he can try and keep some other players (Richards, primarily)... but James Neal? Damn. I would hate this deal if I was a Stars fan, no disrespect intended towards Goligoski, who's obviously a quality player himself.

Tom Hicks strikes again. At least you're benefitting from his ineptitude this time, Aaron
 

Enron

Tickle Me
Moderator
Oct 11, 2005
75,720
good deal on paper. i like neal's numbers but i don't know much about niskanen.
Niskanen isn't as good as Alex, but he's decent. Neal is the real money part of the deal. We need wingers and he's good one.

The Pens seems to produce good defensemen every year and with LeTang developing nicely it's not too big of a loss.
 

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