NHL free agents

[Tuggan]

Even if Moore didn't get hurt, Bertuzzi would have been suspended, and for a longass time, simply BECAUSE cheapshots like that have a huge chance of causing injury. I have no problem with fights in hockey, they're a great part of the game. There's no place for cheap shot sucker punches, though. Period.

-Arlos

I dont think he would have. Definately wouldnt have missed the playoffs. If Moore didnt bust his neck being a soft ass bitch, Bertuzzi would have been ejected gotten the misconduct and instigator penalty and probably sit out 3-5 games...if that. Everything up to the broken neck from the impact on the ice wasnt a big deal. Thats how bench clearing brawls typically get started.

[Tikker]

Even if Moore didn't get hurt, Bertuzzi would have been suspended, and for a longass time, simply BECAUSE cheapshots like that have a huge chance of causing injury. I have no problem with fights in hockey, they're a great part of the game. There's no place for cheap shot sucker punches, though. Period.

-Arlos

The difference was this was payback

Moore deserved a shot in the back of the head

If Bertuzzi had done it intentionally to some dude that had done nothing, I'd be all for banning the mofaka for life

but Moore brought it on himself when he elbow'd a premiere player in the face, then talked shit about it leading up to the game, during the game, and minutes before it happened


he deserved to get clobbered

obviously the injury was unfortunate, but deep down, I think Moore's a classless bitch who got what he deserved

[Zanchief]

You guys are so quick to excuse what Bertuzzi did, but even if it was an accident HE DID IT.

He may not have wanted to do it, but it's not like Moore slipped on the ice. His face was rammed into the ice by Bertuzzi. He is 100% at fault for his injury. Yes, if Moore would not have been as injured his suspension wouldn't have been as sever. And for this to happen Bertuzzi would have to SUCKER PUNCH HIN AND SMASH HIS FACE INTO THE ICE!

What if I shoot someone in the face but deep down don't want him to die. I guess I don't deserve to go to prison.

Bertuzzi intentionally and maliciously punched someone in the back of the head then pushed his face into the ice. The result was a career ending injury. And you argument is in a world were sucker punches and face smashes don't hurt people he should not be suspended. In that world I agree. In the one were I live, he should be kicked out of the NHL forever.

[Tikker]

I'm not excusing bertuzzi


I really dislike cheap/dirty/chippy players

That being said

Moore had it coming, and pay back is a bitch

[Phlegm]

Moore is currently suing Bertuzzi in civil court.

[Zanchief]

Moore had it coming, and pay back is a bitch

He had a career ending injury coming?

[Tuggan]

heatly for hossa? hows ottawa feelin bout that one?

[Zanchief]

I never really like Heatly but the guy can play. Plus he'll come cheaper than Hossa and we dump a good contract.

Minus on talent (somewhat)

Plus on cap flexibility.

We were loaded on that wing anyways.

[lareau]

When i read Ottawa Trade Hossa, I was like WTF, why would they trade him. I then heard they traded him for Heatley. I think it's a great move. Heatley got lots of points playing with a crappy team with no support (apart from Kovalchuk(spelling?)), now that he has one of the best teams around him, he'll probably become as good or better then Hossa.

[Tikker]

When i read Ottawa Trade Hossa, I was like WTF, why would they trade him. I then heard they traded him for Heatley. I think it's a great move. Heatley got lots of points playing with a crappy team with no support (apart from Kovalchuk(spelling?)), now that he has one of the best teams around him, he'll probably become as good or better then Hossa.

I dunno

I think Hossa is a more complete player

It's purely a salary cap move IMO

Hossa isn't worth $6M/season, and deVries is definately not worth $2m+


good deal for ottawa all the way around, assuming Heatley is recovered

[Arlos]

I'm hearing some rumblings that the Sharks may be interested in Peter Bondra. Opinions on the wisdom of picking him up for a year or 2? He have anything left, or is he too old to be worth a damn any more, and too slow to keep up with the rest of the fast young sharks players?

-Arlos

[Tuggan]

unless hes willing to play for a real low sum of money, i dont think the sharks should bother.

[Phlegm]

He's not worth it.

[Snero]

well based on his stay in ottawa, I would say it would be a massive waste of money. He did nothing here last season but it could easily have been due to this being the first time he played outside of washington, and he was still adjusting, maybe with a full training camp behind him he'll be ok.

Hossa is a more complete player, he is a lot better in his own end then heatley, that is very true. But the sens have never had any kind of a physical presence, and this could be just what they needed. It could very well work out for both teams

[Myg0t]

I didnt read the whole post, just the free agents list, and forestberg is now with Philly~ Woowoo lets go flyers. But they dropped JR couse they couldnt afford both him and Forestberg. Lets just hope he doesnt get hurt.....again...

[Tuggan]

Datysuk bricked on the Wings, decided to stay in Russia. Datsyuk has 1 good season and is demanding over 5mil, long term. Damn kids these days :P Hes obviously an offensive talent, but cant play both ends for crap. The Datsyuk/Hull line let in a shitload of goals. Pissed me off though, Wings are lacking offensive power for sure now. Who knows, maybe next season the Wings can free up some cash to re-sign him.

They did sign Zetterberg to a 4 year contract. Which im happy about. Better two-way player. Very good in both ends. Already has a good head on his shoulders, will probably mature into a very good forward.

[Arlos]

Scott Stevens retired, as did Vinny Damphousse. Open question: Will Brodeur be as good now that a) he can't play the puck like before, b) his equipment will actually have to be smaller than a 8'x8' sheet of plywood, and c) he no longer has anywhere near the same D corps in front of him, with Stevens and Niedermayer gone.

Still no FA signings by the Sharks, looking like they're going into the season without snagging anyone. Not that that's necessarily bad, considering they're bringing back basically the same team that got to the conference finals. Still, would've liked to snag a top-end scoring presence, and I wish Niedermayer had signed with us instead of the Ducks. Understandable tho, considering there he gets to play with his brother.

-Arlos

[Tuggan]

I think Stevens was totally the anchor of the entire team. They really slipped with him gone last season. Not that I dont feel Brodeur is one of the best goalies of my lifetime, but I feel hes slightly overrated. Without his defense, hes not really as special as everyone makes him out to be.

[Phlegm]

mark messier finally retires at 44.

[Tikker]

Open question: Will Brodeur be as good now that a) he can't play the puck like before, b) his equipment will actually have to be smaller than a 8'x8' sheet of plywood, and c) he no longer has anywhere near the same D corps in front of him, with Stevens and Niedermayer gone.
-Arlos

Brodeur wasn't a big offender of the oversize equiptment

not compared to:
Joseph, Roy, Hasek, Garth Snow, khabibulin, Burke, etc


As for Messier, 2nd greatest player of all time, didn't go out with the party he deserved

[Spazz]

How is messier the second greatest player of all time with guys like gretzky and howe out there ?

[Tikker]

How is messier the second greatest player of all time with guys like gretzky and howe out there ?

Gretzky is #1, Messier 2, Howe 3

Messier is the only person to captain 2 diff't stanley cup winners
#2 all time pts, #2 all time games played

Gretzky #1 by a long shot
NHL Totals 1487 894 1963 2857 577



Trophies
Art Ross Trophy - 10 (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1994)
Hart Memorial - 9 (1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989)
Conn Smythe Trophy - 2 (1985, 1988)
Lester B. Pearson Trophy - 5 (1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987)
Lady Byng Memorial - 5 (1980, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1999)


Championships
Stanley Cup - 4 (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988)

Messier is #2 pts all times

NHL Totals 1756 694 1193 1887 1910



Trophies
Hart Memorial Trophy - 2 (1990, 1992)
Conn Smythe Trophy - 1 (1984)
Lester B. Pearson Trophy - 2 (1990, 1992)


Championships
Stanley Cup - 6 (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1994)

Gordie Howe #3 pts all time

NHL Totals Games1767 Goals801 Asst1049 pts1850 pm1685



Trophies
Art Ross Trophy - 6 (1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1963)
Hart Memorial - 6 (1952, 1953, 1957, 1058, 1960, 1963)


Championships

[Phlegm]

Mario Lemieux would be on that list if it werent for all the injuries.

[Tuggan]

messier was good 10+ years ago. hasnt been doing much of anything since.

[Tikker]

Mario Lemieux would be on that list if it werent for all the injuries.

probably a distinct possibilty, but the ruggedness, and durability is what made guys like Howe and Messier so valuable