Which team(s) have greatly improved?

[Blue56]

I would say Philadelphia and Boston. Philly have been adding and adding. Got great defence and a superb foward (Forsberg), but can he stay healthy. Boston re-signed a great foward (Murray) and added Fiesty Scratchard. Don't forget Zhamnov and Leetch.

[Tigers#1]

Edmonton.

Philly had to give up it's best player to get Forsberg, Hatcher is far past his prime, and i'm sure they'll have to give up more before the season starts.

Boston really didn't get a real impact player. They kind of disappointed me.

[Plastic Bat]

The Penguins, DEFININTLY

[Big R]

The Penguins, DEFININTLY


yep...

[Dream machine]

^ Stop doing that!

I say that the Blackhaws have improved the most with their signings of Khabibulan,Lapointe,Aucoin etc.
Edmonton isn't done signing some players but they have already done really well with Pronger and Peca so far,
Florida is looking like they can make a good drive to a playoff spot so far.

[Blue56]

The Penguins, DEFININTLY
August 1 and on, not from the draft. I wrote it in the pole. "Aug. 1 +" Only free agent signing.

[rockin500]

Chicago. theyve actually spent a lot of money on all star players and just landed one of the best goalies around.

[Blue56]

Chicago. theyve actually spent a lot of money on all star players and just landed one of the best goalies around.
Yup very impressive

[Timberwolf]

It's tough to tell.

I have to say the Penguins at this point. Not only do they get Sidney, but they sign free agents veterans that know how to win. Penguins already got lot of good young talent. To add those winning vets to the young talent out there, you got yourself a playoff team. I think the Pens have a chance to do something special in the next few years.

As for the Bruins, I have no idea what the hell they are doing. They are clueless as usual. First off, they were lucky Modano bailed them out by accepting a contract to finish his career in Dallas. Had he signed with the Bruins, the Bruins would have overpaid him and odds are Joe Thornton would want as much as money as Modano would have gotten. I am not sure why they signed Leetch, Zahmnov (that guy is a dog and a stiff) or other free agents. I think the Bruins were fine as it is.

It's nice to see the small-market teams get a chance to sign the big names even though I think they are way overpaid like Adam Foote in Columbus.

I hear the Flyers are way over the cap. If the Flyers screw around with the cap, they could be penalized big time hence why the Flyers found in sucker in the Kings to take Jermey Roenick off their hands. Roenick's numbers have gone down in the last few years.

Flyers gotta win it all this season because next few years could get ugly for them. They are going for it for sure.

It will be interesting if Forsberg can adapt to Ken Hitchcock's defense-first system. Forsberg has been known to play in an offense that loves to freelance for the Avalanche. It's not going to be that way with the Flyers.

There was no way the Avs could have paid Foote and Forsberg. Not with their core players are free agents in Hedjuk, Aebischer, and Tanguay who are the future of that franchise. With the salary cap era, teams like Detroit, Dallas, Colorado, and even New Jersey can't afford to keep everyone. Times have changed.

Everyone in Minnesota (sports writers have been killing the Wild for standing pat) is upset at the Wild for not spending. That is ridiculous. just don't think these free agents would have made a difference with the Wild. In fact, those guys are way overpaid. I know the Wild make tons of money with attendance and merchandies, but you gotta spend wisely. Plus can these players fit in Jacques's defense-first system. I just think those guys were way overpaid at the tail end of their career. I believe in Doug Reisbrough in building a team than I do with Kevin McHale with the Timberwolves. I understand the Wild fans frustration, but I can understand Reisbrough's madness. Besides the Devils are not that active in the FA market. Devils fans have faith in Lou Lamoriello, the best GM in hockey. I think Reisbrough is following Lamoriello's way. I know it's going to work.

[Timberwolf]

Chicago. theyve actually spent a lot of money on all star players and just landed one of the best goalies around.

That was a great signing in getting Nik.

How about Mariotii praising Wirtz? Who says Mariotti hates Chicago sports teams?

[Blue56]

As for the Bruins, I have no idea what the hell they are doing. They are clueless as usual. First off, they were lucky Modano bailed them out by accepting a contract to finish his career in Dallas. Had he signed with the Bruins, the Bruins would have overpaid him and odds are Joe Thornton would want as much as money as Modano would have gotten. I am not sure why they signed Leetch, Zahmnov (that guy is a dog and a stiff) or other free agents. I think the Bruins were fine as it is.


What? Modano was offered 4 years for 21 million, That's 5.25 million a year. Thornton wants 6.5, Modano wouldn't have been paid more than Thornton, know one will on that team. Leetch was a fantastic pickup, because he's a vteran and he has leadership. He's a great mentor, that's the reason they went after him. Zhamnov is a great skilled player who can score and create plays and he's FAST. Even though I would have loved to have Nylander, Zhamnov is a great pickup. "The Bruins were fine as it is." UH???? They had no defence help, gonchar left, they had no fowards that could score beside Joe, Murray and Sammy. Boston are in great shape with the acquisitions up to now. But to say that they shouldn't have jumped in the free agency and pickup leetch and Zhamnov or anyone else.........

[Tigers#1]

The Bruins also had far and away the most money to play with, and all they got was a washed up Brian Leetch, and an over rated player in Zhamnov. I wouldn't say they didn't improve, but I expected them to do a little more with the number of impact free agents out there.

And i change my vote to either Chicago or Nashville.

[Blue56]

The Bruins also had far and away the most money to play with, and all they got was a washed up Brian Leetch, and an over rated player in Zhamnov. I wouldn't say they didn't improve, but I expected them to do a little more with the number of impact free agents out there.

And i change my vote to either Chicago or Nashville.
Trust me when you play with good players on your line everything can change. Knuble was an "ok" player before he played with Thornton. That's how he got known. Leetch is a great pickup. He can STILL play.

[Tigers#1]

I just expected them to do more in the offseason. Leetch is a good pickup, but he is 37 years old.

[Blue56]

I just expected them to do more in the offseason. Leetch is a good pickup, but he is 37 years old.
Yes, but he can still skate and play well, no? Am I wrong? He has Leadership, talent and most of all he will be a mentor to the Bruins young D's. Trust me he's the best Defenceman Boston could have got to mentor the youg Defenceman. As for the age, I'm sure you know players who have played passed 40 and were still good. He's not that old.

[00_Agent]

Well, with the signing of Zigmund Palffy, I now feel pretty secure in voting for the Penguins.

00

[Timberwolf]

Funny how the Penguins get all the FAs since they won the lottery to get Sidney. I betcha 100 bucks that had the Pens not won the Crosby sweepstakes, they don't attract free agents. Had the Wild won the lottery to get Sidney, I am pretty sure lot of FAs would come to Minnesota and Wild fans would not complain how Wild ownership is cheap.

[Royce]

The Rangers did get rid of almost their whole team, only keeping Jagr, Kasparitis, and a few others. They may not have improve for this upcoming season, but for the long run.

[Blue56]

Funny how the Penguins get all the FAs since they won the lottery to get Sidney. I betcha 100 bucks that had the Pens not won the Crosby sweepstakes, they don't attract free agents. Had the Wild won the lottery to get Sidney, I am pretty sure lot of FAs would come to Minnesota and Wild fans would not complain how Wild ownership is cheap.
Yeah, that's true. I'm sure if he would have gone to Bsoton, Jacobs wouldn't be called cheap either. Hell they'd probably say he had a change of heart.

[Teddy Ballgame]

- The Penguins and Philly seem to have made the greatest strides over the past two weeks in building Stanley Cup contenders for the 2005/06 season.

- My Leafs appear to have taken the greatest leap backwards over this period by getting rid of their second and third best players on the ice and in the dressing room (Joe N. and Gary R.) while signing nobody of any great import and resigning Ti Domi, a 14 or 15 goal scorer at his best and at 35 and aching no longer the fearsome figure he once was to the opposition.

- A few years ago when Pat Quinn was the GM as well as the coach and was not doing any trading, the local media sarcastically nicknamed him "Stand Pat" Quinn. Now new GM John Ferguson is making Stand Pat's sombulent stance in those years seem busier than a $10 hooker working a Teamsters' Convention.

- It seems that Ferguson and the Leaf's strategy for their long suffering fams is one purloined from the old Brooklyn Dodgers, namely, "wait till next year", and be greatful for the 5% reduction in ticket prices (now, a good seat can be had in Toronto for under $250, just barely under, but a 5% decrease in ticket prices doesn't compensate, IMO, for a 30% decrease in talent).

- Well, having waited since 1967, some of us are not amused. I won't be attending any Leafs' games this season excepting for the odd corporate free bee from friends.

[Tigers#1]

Didn't all Philly basically do was trade Roenick for Forsberg?

And who did the Rangers get rid of other than Leetch?

[Timberwolf]

Flyers signed Rathje, Hatcher, and etc.

Rangers signed Neiminen, Straka, and others. Sounds like the Rangers are going to go after the big names next year.

[Chisox73]

Chicago. theyve actually spent a lot of money on all star players and just landed one of the best goalies around.

I'd like to know where Wirtz suddenly found all the $$ to spend. :notme:

[rockin500]

I'd like to know where Wirtz suddenly found all the $$ to spend. :notme:
actually if i remember somewhere, wirtz was planning on this contingency all along. he was waiting for the labor war to finish (there had been rumblings for about 3 years that there would be a prolonged stoppage and he was banking on the worst case scenario) and then he was going to make his move.

[Cyberlibrarian]

I meant to vote for Chicago, but hit "Boston" instead.

I think Chicago definitely inproved their defense by signing Aucoin and Khabibulin (sp?).

The Penguins are very much improved. Crosby, Palffy? 'Nuff said.

And I honestly think my Islanders have improved with the additions of Satan and York (although it's gonna KILL me to have to root for York). Hopefully now Yashin will do what he's being paid to do. And the return of Garth Snow can't hurt either. Ricky is written in stone as the #1 goalie, but having Snow as a backup won't scare the bejeezus out of me if Rick needs a rest.

[I Are Baboon]

Philly had to give up it's best player to get Forsberg

That's true, but Roenick can't even hold Forsberg's jockstrap. Philly got a lot better with that trade. I for one and happy to see Forsberg bolt from the Avs. :)

[Blue56]

I think Boston will be a good team as well. But Philly, Chicago and Pens are teams to watch.

[Timberwolf]

And I honestly think my Islanders have improved with the additions of Satan and York (although it's gonna KILL me to have to root for York). Hopefully now Yashin will do what he's being paid to do. And the return of Garth Snow can't hurt either. Ricky is written in stone as the #1 goalie, but having Snow as a backup won't scare the bejeezus out of me if Rick needs a rest.

Couple of things. First off, why would it kill you to root for York. The guy can play and he can score goals. The guy got grit. I would love to seen York play for either the Devils or the Wild (I root for the Devils and Wild) Is it because he used to be a Ranger? Just curious. I happen to like Mike York.

Second, what in the world was Milbury thinking trading Roberto Luongo, who might be the second best goaltender in hockey (Brodeur is the best), for basically nothing. This was as dumb as trading Palffy to LA for bunch of garbage. I think Dipietro will do okay, but man Luongo would have given the Islanders some playoff series wins.