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13 burning questions

ERIC DUHATSCHEK

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 2:20 AM EDT 05/07/08

Eric Duhatschek recaps what happened in a wild first week of NHL free agency ...Read the full article

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  1. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: 13. Be-Leaf It Or Not

    Let's see: $14 million for Jeff Finger. $12 million for Niklas Hagman. Sundin's likely departure. Uncertainty and hard feelings over Bryan McCabe. A second-round draft choice in 2010 for Mikhail Grabovski. Conclusion: The Leafs are overpaying for free agents and mortgaging the future … again. Thankfully, some things never change
    --------------------------------

    Well lets see Mr. Duhatschuk....

    No signings of skaters over 30 (Mayers doesn't count... basically a straight up swap for Kilger). Cujo is 41 but will not get abused by Leaf fans.

    No no trade clauses and therefore no no movement clauses.

    Still have a little over 10m in cap space...... when were the Leafs ever sitting 17th in league spending?

    They got bigger, stronger, tougher, younger.... again... when has that ever been a Leaf trait?

    And why didn't you include Sundin with Sakic and Selanne? You really think he is going to play somewhere besides Toronto?

    Just too easy taking shots at the Leafs me thinks.

    Cheers
  2. Montgomery C. Burns from Springfield, Canada writes: Not only the Leafs, but Chicago and the Rangers were overspending as well. Ticket prices will rise at several arenas to pay for the owners' stupidity while they fall over themselves pimping their players.

    Is sustainability a word that exists in Corporate Sports? Will teams be responsible by reining in player salaries and creating fan friendly, affordable entertainment?

    As I gaze into my crystal ball, I see this scenario playing out: In a couple of years attendance will decrease as the average fan will no longer be able to afford the cost of an evening out when s/he has food to buy, bills to pay, and a vehicle to re-fuel. Owners will again lose millions and cry poor again. They will have no one to blame but themselves.
  3. Neil No more last name from Canada writes: Probably headed for another lock out when this CBA expires - 2015 is it?

    But hey, Buffalo is being fiscally responsible.

    Leafs got the cheapest back up around. Finger - Leafs paid over market value. Hagman - market value. Mayers was affordable. Grabovski is a gamble.

    Too early to judge the moves of most teams yet...but it's oh so fun isn't it?
  4. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: Scot - you are right. It is just too easy taking shots at the Leafs. With the prices paid for Finger and Hagman, the continual soap opera that is Sundin, there is just too much material to work with.

    I was interested in Hat's take on the Sens, while the signing period is not over, Ottawa's refusal (for the most part) to partake in the feeding frenzy of the past few days has made me curious about GM Murray's plan. It seems that he has looked at the talent on the market and in Bingo and has decided, Let's Play Bingo.

    The new owners in Tampa - are they Monty Hall clones?
  5. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Can't argue with that one Mariposa .... but I read somewhere that the Sens turned down Boyle. Course I am not sure they had the assets or cap room left to get him.... but I thought they took a shot at Campbell.

    Cheers
  6. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: According to the Ottawa media (a finer bunch of clueless sheep - except for Scanlon - you are unlikely to meet) the Sens did take a look at Campbell, along with 20 other teams. Boyle's salary was the problem - Murray could not justify it.

    As an aside - when was the last time a 'home town boy' - grew up within 50 kliks of the rink - played with the home town club and was a roaring success. I can't think of any recent examples.

    The question could start a 1,000 response thread. I'll start by stating for certain that no home town talent every made it with the Panthers.
  7. steve allan from Welland, Ontario, Canada writes: We know one thing about the Eastern Conference - three teams that have already missed the playoffs before the season even starts - Toronto, NY Islanders, and the NY Rangers.

    Sather's roster moves are the most hilarious. This guy has been at it for years, riding the prestige he inherited (he really lucked out) from the Oilers. He is without doubt the dumbest man involved in hockey....and possibly the entire sports' world!! Redden and M.Naslund?? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
  8. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Mr. Duhatschek has it all figured out--not. None of these retooled teams has played a single game and he is already dispensing a prognosis. It would be refreshing for a change for columnists to admit they simply don't know how the season will play out. In a free agent market which is thin on talent (according to the pundits) and hungry buyers flush with cash, how can prices go anywhere but up? What matters to most of the owners in this flurry of commodity trading is if the new players generate enough fan interest to increase attendance and playoff revenues for the teams who bought them. The numbers become an abstraction as long as the economic wheels keep turning. When a Mats Sundin declares he wants to think carefully before signing on the dotted line for another year of punishment disguised as sport, he is more sane than we dare admit. Hockey has become an entertainment business, pure and simple. Today's professional hockey players are more skilled than they have ever been, and they play more games, with more travel, often in more pain than we can possibly imagine. Do we, as fans, give them the respect they deserve? As for the management, they do what the owners allow/oblige them to do. I recommend former NHL star and ex-GM Lou Nanne's new book for a perspective from someone who knows more than any of us about this business called hockey.
  9. Ed Op from Canada writes:

    Just one small thing...

    Jagr went to Omsk which is in Siberia. Minsk (which Duhatschek referred to at the end of the little bit on Jagr) is in Belorussia - not really anywhere near Siberia.

    Awww, Minsk, Omsk, what's the difsk?

    Dave the Rave: What in the world would a columnist be doing if they didn't make predictions? I for one, wouldn't read them if they just said they knew no better than anyone else. Besides, it doesn't matter whether they're right or not, it's that we've got something to talk about!
  10. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: I agree with one of the article statements 100%- The Chicago Blackhawks are going to be fun to watch next season. Tampa Bay has a massive hole in their net. Maybe some Gulf of Mexico charter captain can help them out.
  11. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Lets try my opinion... East first. Lets look at it this way... teams that made the playoffs last year in the east. Montreal - Need a replacement for Streit. Not sure they are that much better yet. Pittsburgh - Lost toughness (easily replaced) and scoring (not so much). NYR - Won't make the playoffs NJ - Better with Rolston Philidelphia - better.... but over the cap.. must subtract. Boston - Way better... Bergeron will be back and they have some sweet young rookies. Washington - Up in the air ... best player in the league but will Federov come back? And Theodore???? big gamble. I bet they are looking for a goalie by January. Ottawa - Need a Dman, Secondary scoring and their goaltending is questionable... they also lost some of the little toughness they had. Those that didn't make it? Buffalo - Going down. Toronto - Who knows.... they go up if Sundin comes back. Tampa - Questionable Defense and coach. Florida - Improved. Atlanta - Improved. NYI - Who the h knows.... Carolina - Question mark after the Cole trade.... can those under achieveing ex Oilers perform under less scrutiny? West next Cheers
  12. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: The West is a lot easier. Detroit and SJ - Better and will be 1 2. Anaheim and Dallas - Still going to be 3 4. Minnesotta is going to miss Rolston but their additions and their coaching are going to make them better.... cinch for the playoffs. Nashville - tons of cap space but I don't see them getting better... they will fight for a playoff spot. Colorado - always there... lets see what Sakic does.... but they have strong D and will be fighting for a spot as well Calgary - Going down... no scoring to begin with and they lost what.... their number 3 thru 5 scorers.... not looking good. Those that didn't make it? Edmonton - Way better and bet they finish ahead of Calgary. Phoenix - Bryzgalov and Jokinen for the entire year make them way better ... they will challenge. Chicago - gotta like the new managements attitude... but Kane and Toews can't suffer thru sophomore jinx thing. St. Louis - Not this year. LA and Columbus - So far under the cap they are going to have to play games.... just to appear to be meeting the cap (ie. McCabe). Vancouver?? who knows yet. Bottom line is the Favourites will be Detroit and SJ. Cheers
  13. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Man... the Globe software can be annoying sometimes.

    For my same two posts with paragraphs.. check out the Blake thread.

    http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080704.wsptboyle4/CommentStory/GlobeSportsHockey/home#comment

    Cheers
  14. Steve Church from Canada writes: Scot: - Agreed about the formatting frustration. Good post - Eric didn't put up a forecast but yours is a fun read. Your Leafs stuff is distorted, imo - Mayers does count (very strange trade); and the commitments to Schenn and Hagmen add them to the 30-something bunch - a 'reclaimed bricks' style of rebuilding. Last time the Leafs were below the median in spending was the year before PatQuinn arrived (Cujo & Thomas). The didn't get bigger (loss of Sundin, Kilger, Belak, and Gill) or stronger or tougher. They did get faster. The younger part ... not unless there's a rookie in the rabbit-hat. They also lost most of their faceoff skills - maybe that answer is in that cap-space, an attempt to replace Sundin.
  15. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: hossein hajiagha from Victoria..... hey dude.

    I just got my first pay cheque of the year. $3000... paid my ex wife her Feb payment of 1171 even though the kids live with me. Paid my Gas bill even though it was partial..... etc etc.

    Have enough left for a beer.

    I notice you still have enough to have a computer and add your 'opinion'.

    So do I.

    Suck it up dude... this is not a great forum for complainers.

    Cheers
  16. Khawaja Khawaja from Aweil, Sudan writes: hossein hajiagha from Victoria:
    I want you to know just how much my heart is bleeding for you at this time. Canada sounds like it really really sucks. Any chance you would be interested in trading places with me?
  17. Joe Canada from Switzerland writes:
    hey hossein hajiagha from Victoria, Canada: if canada really sucks that bad and hockey's so stupid, why don't you try going back to wherever it is you came from, enrolling in a grammar class and maybe pick up lawn-bowling as an extracurricular activity.

    some canadians, (not all, just some) live and die by hockey. you sound like you're die by your hatred.

    salu
  18. Joe Canada from Switzerland writes:
    funny post Scot Loucks from Pickering

    i gotta pay the alimony thing too :-( but even if i was in toronto, i'd still boycott leaf games. i think it'll be an intersting season, but i'm not providing any interesting prognosis of the leafs 'till end of october.

    and i still say sundin won't be back. if he is, he should be stripped of the 'C' if for no other reason that a leader should show some kind of commitment to the team. either you commit or you don't. either you play or you don't. either you lead or you don't.

    know what i'm saying? toronto needs a player that cares more about toronto than he does about himself.

    salu
  19. Allan Martel from Canada writes: I found Duhatschek's article to be interesting, well thought through and of a calibre that should make Shoalts shudder. I agree also with his analysis of which teams have added talent and which have made bizarre moves.

    As for predictions for next season, it's a fools' game. Look at the Blue Jays for example, in last place with a great pitching staff, better (perhaps excellent) coaching and (on paper) a good lineup of hitters based on past history. That said, the Jays wallow in what might be described as a crisis of self confidence reminiscent of what hit Ottawa late last season driven hard by the Emery distraction.

    My point is (finally some will say) that chemistry is a big key to performance. Pittsburgh rode a wave of self confidence all the way to the finals last year getting everything they had from a talented and young team. Ottawa tanked with similar talent levels but no self confidence. The rangers fail year after year to live up to their potential (on paper).

    Given the frenzy of this week, it is interesting that Murray took a pass on Dan Boyle, tailor-made for the Sens. This decision suggests that he knows something we don't. and that my friends, should be obvious.
  20. Allan Martel from Canada writes: hossein hajiagha from Victoria, Canada writes: and I have 20 answer to Canada - 20 comes between 19 and 21, 6 falls a wee bit short. 1- Canada is sucks he make million and I can not pay $400 to look after my tooth - Just go into your local bar with this rant and some Canadian will handle your tooth problem free of charge. In fact, he'll likely remove future tooth problems also. 2- Canada is really sucks for $300 ticket police give to me to day? - a $300 ticket must be for walking around complaining about a sore tooth. Couldn't be for insane driving, or could it?? 3- canada is sucks over sucks drug dealers are free and are police became harassment to good people. - Drug dealers kill people but so do reckless and dangerous drivers. 4- canada is sucks over sucks after sucks for stolen native land and sale so expensive to immigrant - Ever heard of Land Claims Settlements? 5-canada 100 times sucks for all corruption in BC if I get $300 ticket from police why ministry of children spending over $500.000 from are TAX to office renovation he did not get in court or any ticket - Huh?? 6- Canada is million times sucks because is bad luck land and every one land here are became loser - You may have brought the essence of 'loser' with you. just stupid hockey - yes, that's how we avoid speeding tickets.
  21. Raymond Lepage from Ottawa, Canada writes: Still waiting for GM Brian Murray to surprise us with something that actually works. All we keep hearing from him is:'Tried this, tried that, didn't work.' Last year, he gave up Corvo and Eaves for absolutely nothing, now that Commodore and Stillman have left. Commodore is no big loss, but Murray should have done everything in his power to keep Stillman: yet another failed attempt at doing something worthwhile. I'm sorry, but Ruutu and Auld will NOT bring a Stanley cup to Ottawa.

    Six-letter message to Glen Sather for taking Redden: S-U-C-K-E-R!

    Five-letter message to Hossein Hajiagha : I-D-I-O-T!
  22. Flummoxed from Canada South from Canada writes: Is it possible Sather did NOT see Ottawa play last year?

    Redden-talk about losing a step. And his skill at that all-important first pass out also seems diminished.

    Perhaps Sather values Redden's skill at extra-curricular activities.
  23. Neil No more last name from Mississauga, Canada writes: Hossein Hajiagha - LEAVE! NOW!
  24. Chucky Loeure from Vancouver, BC, Canada writes: Wow......

    Ok I would really like someone to answer this for me. How is trading a 2nd round pick in 2010 for a talented young prospect in Grabovski morgating the future? Trading away picks for players 30 old is morgating the future but the Leafs got a young player in return for that 2nd rounder. Can anybody answer this please or is this just another case of a reporter not getting his/her facts straight?
  25. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: WOW, Duhatschek tells it like it is and also notices that there is indeed life outside the Centre of the Universe in talking about a wide variety of other teams...

    Isn't it yet time for the Old Guard to start crushing these types of revolutionaries in Toronto so the Leafs can forever maintain their monopoly while also maintaining their current level of suckiness?

    I really liked that comment about the Leafs "mortgaging their future...again."

    I couldn't have said that better myself, Loucks.

    Cheers.
  26. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: BTW Does anyone take this hossein hajiagha character seriously ?

    His material is so bad and transparent.

    Did you guys ever think even for one second how a guy with so much time of his hands to sit on the internet and troll on the G&M threads couldn't actually be well off financially.

    C'mon. He lives in a place with virtually full employment.

    He makes me laugh though because I really suspect he is not whom he pretends to be.

    Cheers.
  27. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: BTW Does anyone take this hossein hajiagha character seriously?

    Apparently somebody did Robert.... they seem to have removed his rant. Luckily Mr Martel seems to have copied most of it for anybody who cares to read what it was... lol.

    Off to the golf course

    Cheers
  28. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Let me guess, Loucks...

    Hossein was again going on about his bad tooth and how the world owes him a living... I often see his work on the non-sports related posts that I often try not to comment on account of their overly partisan nature...

    Have a good golf game today...

    Beautiful day on the Right Coast today...

    Hope it's the same your way.

    Cheers.
  29. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Mr Miller... you got the Hossein rant down pat... will remember the name on my Ignore list.

    Thanks for the well wishes .... beautiful day in the Centre of the Universe thank you.

    Shot 10 over.... 2 penalty strokes and 2 putts that needed one more turn.... still my best round of the year... but it twas an easy(cheap) course.

    Hope you had a good one as well.

    Cheers
  30. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Great post DTR at 9:38pm last night. will check out the book (avid reader here).... but I agree with Ed Op... what would their columns be worth if they didn't offer opinion? Hell ... that's what we do which probably makes the threads a better read than the actual article (till the trolls show up).

    Steve Church; Thanks... but... Schenn was just drafted... big man and only 18. Hagman is 28.... on the upside.

    Mayers is 2 years older than Kilger and a little smaller.. but brings so much more. That was the trade... they traded the draft pick for Mayers that they got for Kilger. He also brings a lot more toughness than Kilger.

    For age comparrison etc... check out nhlnumbers.com

    Cheers
  31. matt John from Kitchener, writes: The Jeff Finger signing was the single worst of the offseason. Usually no name guys get contracts like this after big playoff performances. Finger was scratched for half the games and hardly provided and offensive numbers during the regualr season to warrant this. One of his former teammates Kurt Sauer was a similar type player, albeit played less games and warranted half the asking price of Finger. Cliffy not only overpaid, but he broke the bank for a guy who was 6th defencemen in Colorado and may be the same in Toronto if McCabe doesn't get shipped out. And this probably also signals Cliffy has no confidence Schenn will be on the roster as he has left little to no room for the possibility with Kaberle, Kubina, Coli, White, Stralman, Kronwall and now Finger - not including McCabe. And that blows.

    Hagman could be a disaster too. the guy is a 2 way forward who put up 27 goals in Dallas. The Leafs are paying him like they expect the same output a la Jason Blake. If he gets 20 they will be likely. He is a 3rd liner in the NHL and getting second line to first line dollars.

    Another miserable season for sure.
  32. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Apparently the obviously obnoxious hossein hajiagha from Victoria hijacked this thread after that... won't happen again.

    Joe Canada... vis a vis Sundin... the man has been honest to a fault. He has done exactly what he said he would do from the very start. Strip him of his C* not a chance. A true leader in honest with himself and his underlings.

    He cares about Toronto... he knows he has at least 3 more years playing at a high level..... he is contemplating his future based on what Cliff does this summer.

    He won't play anywhere else. He loves playing with the *kids     .... but he is 37 and getting married to a sweet young thing... I'm pretty sure that making babies is on his mind and that being their as a father is very important to him.

    If Mats sees enought progress this year... where by they could have a shot at the cup in the next 3 years... he will be back.

    Salut.
  33. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: matt John from Kitchener.... Hi matt... did 72 - 75 in Kitchener.. parents and a sister still there. Worked at Kaufman footwear (now condos).

    Disagree with you though.

    First off... Finger... he was a scratch only after making some bone head play (that I don't remember) he was a 20 minute per game defenseman prior to that. He was a top 4 man... but Cliffy did overpay. He is young and there is an upside as if necessary his salary makes him tradeable down the road.

    They have also picked up Frogren from Sweden... no way they want Schenn playing 5th or 6th D in the NHL when he can play number 1 minutes in the AHL. D men take a lot longer to train... oh and nobody bothers to mention Jay Harrison... totally ready for the NHL.

    I would suggest that both White and McMistake and Kubina are being dangled out their. Surprised that SJ didn't take Kubina for less rather than Boyle... they were interested at the trade deadline. McMistake will get embarrassed here if he doesn't relent.

    Hagman? 27 goals with third line minutes and he kills penalties.... sorry dude but he was the best of all the pickups.

    Cheers
  34. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Mr. Martel... vis a vis Boyle.

    Not obvious to me. He offered more to Campbell.

    Why the hell wouldn't he have taken a shot at Boyle? My guess is he has nothing to trade.

    Cheers
  35. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Chucky Loeure from Vancouver, BC, Canada writes: Wow......

    Ok I would really like someone to answer this for me. How is trading a 2nd round pick in 2010 for a talented young prospect in Grabovski morgating the future?

    -------

    It isn't Chucky... as I said somewhere on all these hockey posts in the middle of the summer :) you have less than a 50 percent chance of a second round draft pick doing anything in the NHL.

    Datsyk and Zetterburg and not the rule... they are exceptions to the rule coming out of the best Hockey organization in the NHL.

    Trading a second round pick for someone you know can play in the NHL makes total sense.

    Trading a first round pick is not so bright..

    Cheers
  36. Dave Miller from Canada writes: I am shocked that Jason Smith hasn't been snatched up? Especially after what The Blue Jackets forked over for Commodore. Smith'd go a long way toward giving the Lightening some respectability in the back...actually I don't see how any team wouldn't want him....Awesome stay at home defender. I was impressed (I'd say amazed--but his style of play is so under the radar that you barely notice it---) by his play during the playoffs last year, thought he was instrumental in the Flyers run...
  37. Pelotas Piquen from Morningwood, Mb., Canada writes: Did anyone pick up Ray Emery? Any thoughts about Tucker and Raycroft to Colorado? How many days until the season starts? Yee haw!

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