+ 131 - 171 | § ¶How to Manage a Cap - the Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes have a remarkable amount of cap room for a team
with not only a full roster, but one with depth and some high-talent
names. Some players, namely Nagy and Doan, will eventually wind
up costing a significant amount more. But for next season, this
team is in great shape to make any moves they feel the need to make
during the season. They're one of those teams that is in a
position to not only be a contender but to make that big acquisition at
the end of the year - something that could be a difference-maker come
April.
Many may be deceived by the lack of moves reported since the free-agent bonanza started. Don't be. This is a completely different team than the one that took the ice for the majority of '03-'04, or even the roster they finished with. The Coyotes made a number of moves at or near the trade deadline in 2004 and several more before the lockout began. While Los Angeles may have been the Pacific Division team that made the biggest splash this summer, Phoenix has made the biggest changes since last year.
(more)+ 166 - 112 | § ¶The Ducks: New... but improved?
The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim have spent the offseason making a couple big moves and letting a lot of people go. It's tough to see how this team will perform, especially since they still don't have a full roster. At last count, the Ducks had 17 players under contract and are expected to sign Ruslan Salei as well. Salei will fill out their defense, but Giguere has no backup goaltender and the team still can't put four lines on the ice.
Assuming no really big names sign, though, it's fairly easy to identify the holes in this roster.
(more)+ 184 - 98 | § ¶The new-look L.A. Kings
Having finished the '03-'04 season ten points out of a playoff spot with 81 points, the Los Angeles Kings have made more changes to their team since that time than any other team in the Pacific. They've let several members of that roster go - not even including Allison, who never stepped on the ice due to injury - and added several big-name players that could have a real impact on their team.
It's certainly enough to make them competitive. Is it enough to win them the Pacific?
(more)+ 197 - 73 | § ¶30 teams in 30 days - San Jose
With the rosters looking less like a ball hopper on bingo night and more like actual lists of players committed to teams, it's about time to look at what the clubs have put together for next year and make almost completely unfounded guesses as to the relative strength of the teams. "Relative", because so many teams lost talent that a team standing still may actually have the upper hand. "Unfounded", because until the season gets well underway we won't know whether the newest version of the obstruction crackdown is for real. And "guesses", because there are still some unsigned major players that could impact some teams. And because, let's face it, there's just no telling. Regardless, that's no reason to dissuade us from wild speculation.
First up: the San Jose Sharks.
(more)+ 172 - 103 | § ¶Gainey's legacy
In 1976, the Montreal Canadiens won the first of four straight Stanley Cups. Led by such illustrious names as Lafleur and Mahovlich, and with Ken Dryden in net, the Habs were a force for most of a decade. Yet without the line of Gainey, Jarvis, and Chartraw, Bowman's Canadiens might never have had that success. Gainey's line became the best two-way line in the game, and was used against the best offensive firepower of the day to shut down the top players, starting with Clarke's line in the Finals against Philadelphia in '76.
With the league calling for yet another crackdown on obstruction, and making all the right noise about being serious for once, will the importance of the checking line decrease? Many players, fans, and NHL managers like the idea of the stars of the league getting to show off without getting shut down by grinding and clutching two-way forwards seen as less skilled - and less entertaining - players.
(more)+ 173 - 119 | § ¶That pencil eraser is coming in handy...
No sooner do I write that Mogilny, Selanne, and CuJo are all still available to fill out rosters than two of them go and sign contracts. Mogilny has been given a 2-year, $7 million contract with the Devils, while Curtis Joseph has reportedly signed a one-year deal with Phoenix for an undisclosed amount. Anson Carter has also reportedly signed, for $1 million with the Canucks for 1 year. That leaves a handful of impact players left unsigned, some of whom may retire: Selanne, Bondra, Audette, Messier, Stevens, Damphousse, and MacInnis. In at least one case, that's stretching the word "impact" considerably.
Considering the eye-bulging series of names that have signed in the last few weeks... yawn. So perhaps starting to analyze the rosters isn't as much of a stretch as I thought.
+ 125 - 166 | § ¶Back... almost
After a lockout, an ISP move, and new site software, I'm about ready to start posting again. And there's plenty to write about, having gone through a large part of the craziest offseason in sports history. Now that the acquisitions have slowed down to a manageable one or two a day, it's about time to start wild speculation on who the new powerhouses of the NHL are.
Of course, with names like Selanne, Mogilny, and Joseph still yet to be put on contracts, I'll be writing my bold predictions in very light pencil.
+ 108 - 165 | § ¶How to Survive
In the wake of the season's cancellation, rumors are flying. Take your pick:
- Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux have met and are secretly working on a way to save the season.
- A group of rogue players - including Trevor Linden, Bill Guerin, Brendan Shanahan, and Steve Yzerman - have met and are secretly working on a way to save the season.
- The union itself has hammered out a $45 million cap deal and submitted to the league; the season is already saved and the league will work out the details over this weekend.
More likely is that irresponsible reporting has led to plenty of rumors, and the only effect of all these will be to engender new hope in all NHL fans just to see them dashed. Again. While I promise to be at least as excited as anyone the second a new deal gets signed - or at least as excited as anyone that's not financially involved - I hope you'll pardon my renewed cynicism as I continue to prepare for another several months without an NHL.
How can I prepare, you ask? How can any serious hockey fan go on with months of hockeyless desert behind them and months in front of them?
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