My hockey teams both made some good moves as the free agent market opened up on Sunday. The Flyers SIGNED one of the three big free agents available, that being Daniel Briere, formally of the Buffalo Sabres. Given the need to fill the hole left by trading Peter Forsberg (which still turned out to be a good trade), Briere should fit in nicely with Simon Gagne on the top line. Locking him up for eight years seems like a bit much, but I wouldn’t have offered him less then 5 years. Want him to stick around a while.
Given the trade the Flyers made earlier this summer, getting Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell, and signing Martin Biron as their goalie (I believe they also re-signed Antero Niittymaki), they should be heading back to the playoffs again this coming season. Though I would worry a bit about them trading Joni Pitkanen. Not sure they gave him enough time to mature. However, getting Jason Smith and Joffrey Lupul in exchange (also trading Geoff Sanderson), I think they got a good return. Smith is a solid d-man, will bring leadership to the team (he was the Oiler’s captain), and won’t be skated around like he’s a pylon (see Derian Hatcher).
As for the Wings, they lost out on Mathieu Schneider, however SIGNED Brian Rafalski to replace him. Good choice! Rafalski isn’t quite the PP sniper Schneider is, but he still can play QB back on the blue line. He also can still put up 50 points a season, which is good. And Rafalski isn’t bad at doing what he is supposed to do as a defenseman. Given that he is four years younger then Schneider, and has a cheaper salary, I think the Wings are better off with Rafalski. (Though not to sneeze at Schneider’s accomplishments, the guy keeps getting better with age.)
July 2nd, 2007 at 7:41 pm
I hear that Lang went to Chicago. Probably for the best, even though I did like him.
July 3rd, 2007 at 8:03 am
Yes, Lang wasn’t doing much lately. And he’s getting up there in age. Time for the young guys to lead the team. Though it would have been nice if they could have signed Bertuzzi. Boy, they still need another good forward, and there really isn’t anyone left.
July 3rd, 2007 at 9:08 pm
I too was a little disappointed to see Bertuzzi and Lang leave, along with Kyle Calder. None of these guys, however, lived up to their expectations and their departure is probably for the better. The only thing about all this that really frustrates me is Calder’s brief stint with the Wings given what they gave up to get him (a young and talented player in Jason Williams who was struggling after coming back from a serious concussion). I agree that it is time for the young guns to get their shot (i.e. lose Osgood, resign Hasek to a one-year deal and let Jimmy Howard back him up for a year before turning over the reigns), but I would like to see them lock up some of the remaing talent on the free agent market. They could, potentially, get Mike Comrie or Petr Prucha (though Prucha is more doubtful since he is a restricted free agent the Rangers are definitely looking to lock up) for some relatively cheap cash. It will be interesting to see Jiri Hudler and Tomas Kopecky’s production in what should be their first years of major ice time. Hudler should fill the gap, though small, in production left by Lang, given he scored 15 goals in minimal ice time, while Lang managed to net only 19 all season.
July 4th, 2007 at 7:27 am
Good point about Calder there Chelsea. I totally forgot about him. Wonder why they didn’t resign him. Sure, he wasn’t that spectacular, but given his age (compared to Lang), you think they would give him a chance. And he certainly improved over his stay in Philly earlier in the year. Sure hope Ken Holland knows what he is doing. Though it could just be a matter of cap room.
July 10th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
With the high quality players the Red Wings are able to maintain for relatively cheap cash considering (Lidstrom took less money last year to stay with the good ole Wings), I’m sure letting the underachieving Lang and disappointing Calder go was all in an effort for cap room. The recent signing of Dallas Drake, however, has made me a bit skeptical. I know he is known as a tough guy and will bring the grit and hits Todd Bertuzzi took with him to Anaheim, but, Drake doesn’t provide anything as far as the offensive side is considered. I suppose the Wings feel Datsyuk and Zetterberg as well as Samuelsson, who was injured for some time last season, will step up their game. As long as Holmstrom keeps up his production, the defense (i.e. Kronwall) can stay healthy, and Hasek returns to form, being rested to give the young and talented Jimmy Howard time to progress, I’m sure the Red Wings will be in good shape. I do wonder what will happen with Chris Osgood, who seems to have worn out his welcome somewhat since he got absolutely no minutes in the playoffs, and Danny Markov, who has yet to be signed. Leaving Markov off the roster and payroll leaves room for the younger and cheaper Kyle Quincey to emerge. I am still a bit skeptical, but it is hard to be when you have an experienced GM in Ken Holland and Stever Yzerman assisting him.