The Official NHL Thread

[The-Leak (aka) kingwell (bka) JULES]

TAMPA, Fla. -- Simon Gagne gladly waived his no-trade clause to leave the only NHL team he ever played for and join the Tampa Bay Lightning.

New Lightning GM Steve Yzerman added a big offensive chip to his club by trading for the longtime Philadelphia Flyers forward Monday. Tampa Bay sent defenceman Matt Walker and a fourth-round pick in next year's draft for Gagne, who spent 10 seasons with the Flyers.

"In adding Simon to the Lightning, we acquire a very talented player that will play alongside our top forwards," Yzerman said in a statement. "With his combination of speed and skill we are excited to have him with us and grateful he was willing to waive his no movement clause.

"This trade not only makes us a better team in the short term, it helps create long-term flexibility for us, which all along has been one of our top priorities."

In 664 NHL games, Gagne has 259 goals and 265 assists. He ranks ninth on the Flyers' career list in goals and 10th in points and games played.

He had 17 goals and 23 assists in 58 games last season and added nine goals and three assists in 19 playoff games as Philadelphia reached the Stanley Cup final before losing to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games.

Gagne is eligible to become a free agent after next season.

"I'm very excited right now," Gagne said. "I'm looking at this opportunity as a new challenge and a new start. Tampa Bay was a team I was more than willing to waive my no-move clause."

The six-foot-four, 215-pound Walker has played in 304 career regular season games over seven seasons. The 30-year-old Alberta native was originally selected by the St. Louis Blues in the third round of the 1998 draft.

Walker had two goals, three assists and 90 penalty minutes in 66 games last season with the Lightning. While with St. Louis, Chicago and Tampa Bay, Walker amassed four goals, 26 assists and 444 penalty minutes.

"We like the way Matt plays," Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said. "He's a character-intense player.

"He plays physical. He's a stay-at-home guy that is a good penalty killer. On our team he can buy us dirty minutes and not be a liability, but be a positive force and help and defend our own zone."

Walker said he has "always wanted to play in Philly" and that he would be a "good fit" with the Flyers.

"My initial reaction was pure excitement," Walker said.

The 30-year-old Gagne, chosen by Philadelphia with the No. 22 pick in the 1998 NHL draft, led the Flyers in goals three times -- including two 40-goal seasons -- and twice in points. He was chosen as the team's MVP in two seasons and was selected to the NHL all-star game twice.

"Anytime you're talking about a young man that has brought as much to the organization that Simon has, it's very difficult," Holmgren said of dealing Gagne.

Gagne, who scored a career-best 47 goals during the 2005-'06 season, scored the winning goal in overtime of Game 4 against Boston in the second round and the decisive goal in Game 7 of that series to complete Philadelphia's comeback from a 3-0 deficit.

[Mo Z. Dizzle]

So it looks like the NHL vetoed that deal for Kovalchuk by the Devils.
I think the NHLPA is going to appeal the decision or something for Kovalchuk.

[The-Leak (aka) kingwell (bka) JULES]

So it looks like the NHL vetoed that deal for Kovalchuk by the Devils.
I think the NHLPA is going to appeal the decision or something for Kovalchuk.

Yeah, the NHLPA is filing grievance.  An arbitration will be held and if the NHLPA win the deal will stand.  If they lose, the league`s rejection stands and Kovy would become a free agent again.

Even if they lose, I think Devils will just take some years off the contract and resubmit it.  It will higher their cap hit by a bit, but I think they can handle it even.  Pretty sure Kovy has already set his heart with Jersey.

And now because of this, all the other contracts that have the players contract years going well into their fourties (where it`s questionable if they will still be playing at that age) just so they can get a lower cap hit in the present, they will be investigated too.

Players like Hossa, Luongo, etc.

[MontrealCity's Most]

Camps are opening in about 2 weeks..

predictions???

I find it hard to call this year. Last year i called Pitsburgh vs Chicago with Philly and SJ rounding off the top 4. My team Montreal kinda fucked up my prediction lol.

With that said i find it hard this year to call. IM not sure chi is gonna get back to the finals. SJ never gets there altho maybe now its the year.

In the east... Pitsburgh i think will get back with Crosby winning the regular and playoff mvp.

So early pick is PItsburgh vs San Jose

Dark horse is Los Angeles.

[Westcoastin']

Canucks - Boston

Philly and SJ roundin out the top 4,  We're gettin close!

[MontrealCity's Most]

I like your Boston pick... they had a setback year lot of injuries but this year they will come back strong with the addition of Seguin.
These guys are loaded at the center position with SEguin, Savard, Bergeron and kreici. They will try to get rid of Savard to get a winger.
If he leaves you have a one two punch of Seguin Bergeron and kreici as your shut down...

[The-Leak (aka) kingwell (bka) JULES]

Oh snap!  I'll post my playoff seedings later.  Also gonna re-up on the DubCC fantasy league for us.  Will post the new info in the Fantasy thread later!

[The-Leak (aka) kingwell (bka) JULES]

SEASON 3 IS UP.

http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=193341.msg2584508#msg2584508

HOCKEY HEADS SIGN UP PLEASE!  

[MontrealCity's Most]

I think imma do ti this year

[MontrealCity's Most]

Price has been signed...

[The-Leak (aka) kingwell (bka) JULES]

Yup.

Also, Niemi signed with Sharks.

[Mo Z. Dizzle]

great signing for the Sharks.

[The-Leak (aka) kingwell (bka) JULES]

great signing for the Sharks.

Yup, a Niemi/Niittymaki tandem looks pretty solid.

[MontrealCity's Most]

sooo whats everyones predictions??


East

1. Boston
2.Wash
3.Pitsburgh
4. Tampa BAy
5. Philly
6. New Jersey
7.Buffalo
8. Montreal

west

1. Sj
2 chicago
3 vancouver
4.los angeles
5 detroit
6 Phoenix
7 minesota
8colorado

[The-Leak (aka) kingwell (bka) JULES]

1) Caps
2) Flyers
3) Devils
4) Pens
5) Sabres
6) Sens
7) Lightning
Bruins

1) Canucks
2) Sharks
3) Wings
4) Hawks
5) Kings
6) Avalanche
7) Blues
Blue Jackets