MSZ

Who are you?

You must have a crystal ball or something, how do you know he will be the next Jim Carey?

ECPride

I don't. Thats why I said "well not yet anyway." I feel if he plays that bad one more year he pretty much will be.

MSZ

He won't.

Thanks for coming.

Jonesi

I just posted the obvious

Belfour had experience and the numbers..

Raycroft has had one good year..


WHAT don't I get?

MSZ

I know where you came from...Rask is a better choice than Raycroft right?

The problem is, he hasn't played a single NHL game yet, and everyone included the media already saying he is the next Kipper. This dude is too overhyped and he doesn't even want to play for the Leafs since he still hasn't signed a contract with them.

JFJ made a damn right move, period. We already got Pogge and two 26 years old back-ups already. Let those guys fight for the back-up job and Raycroft will be great.

Yumcha

What I'm surprised about is why the Leafs didn't spring for Cloutier of the Canucks...the guy's obviously available with Luongo now between the pipes. And certainly, Cloutier more proven than Raycroft.

MSZ

What have Cloutier won before?

I only know he let that Detorit goal in from the centre ice during a home playoff game.

Yumcha

Also, I recall that Buffalo's Biron is available too...So, I dunno, there were better candidates out there besides Raycroft...

MSZ

Oh by the way Yumchah, you may be interested in this news:

http://tsn.ca/news_story.asp?ID=169791&hubName=main

MSZ

Yes, but they also cost 2 to 3 times as much.

Clothier will make 2.55 million in the 06-07 season. No one wants to pay that much for that dude.

Yumcha

Doesn't surprise me. Talent without work amounts to really nothing, right? Yawney was hired by the Hawks because he works well with farm-team types over Brian Sutter. So, if Yawney could not get through to Arnason, you can imagine what kind of personality he's got going...

I'm just happy the Hawks got something for him...

Yumcha

And back on the subject of goalies, other decent ones reportedly available:

- Giguere
- Nabokov
- Denis

MSZ

I heard the rumors before, those teams asked for more than a first round draft or Rask/Pogge you name it.

I don't want Giguere at all, he makes 4 million this season. The money can buy ya a very good defenseman.

Moog-Type-S

Biron to LA

..at least that is the rumor.

Jonesi

I think Raycroft has a shot.. He obviously has the potential.. In the right situation and enviroment he could reproduce the numbers.

I never said Rask is a better choice.. We won't know for a Long time. I don't know if I'd give up a top prospect for him.

Because he hasn't signed a contract doesn't mean he doesn't want to play for the Leafs.. "You must have a crystal ball or something,"

I was just stating my opinion, no need to get so defensive..

Jonesi

You do have a crystal ball...!!

fdl

Jonesi, nevermind raycroft and the maple laffs. Lets talk some pens. Whats crosby going to do with Malkin next year. How will he compare with Ovechkin.

This rivalry is great and is only going to get better.

MSZ

The writers have a crystal ball, not me.

The rumors came from the local newspapers, I didn't make that shit up.

Jonesi

I honestly have no freakin clue of the status of the deal between the NHL and IHF(?)..

There was alot of talk before but things have died down. I don't even know if a deal will be reached..

Jonesi

Links?

MSZ

http://rushockey.com/events.php?i=ii...erviews&id=245

MSZ

I tried my best, but I kinda sucked at using these search engines.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...=1151013012974

http://www.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/...4/1652418.html

Jonesi

What are the Leafs doing with Belfours salary?

MSZ

They will most likely buy him out, and the money will go against the cap.

Jonesi

So about $7 Million tied up between all 4 Goalies right?

MSZ

No, the buyout option costs only 1.5 million US.

Jonesi

The Boston Bruins trade Nick Boynton and a 4th round draft pick TO the Phoenix Coyotes for Paul Mara and a 3rd Round Pick..


See Here

BstonBruin

I just got home and read that...whats that all about. I consider myself to be a pretty saavy hockey fan and know most of the players but Mara I've only heard of him on a few occasions. Does anybody know more about him.

MSZ

He is an offensive D-man with size(6 foot 4 220 lbs), but he doesn't use his size very well and below average in defensive zone.

Like Bryan McCabe, he is a PP specialist. I guess thats why the Bruins want him.

Yumcha

Mara used to also be a big-time prospect of the Bolts...Apparently, teams are still waiting for him to put it together...

dom

Not disagreeing with you, but based on what exactly?

dom

You serious? Ed Belfour was PROVEN NHL goalie with a Vezina and a Cup ring. Raycroft thus far is a one year wonder. So me and everyone else has every reason to doubt he'll have a good year. I hope he does, we'll see.

chinoz

Natural ability... Rask is quick and has good lateral movement... he's just really raw, but definitely has the potential to be a franchise goalie. He was the Leafs #1 prospect.

Yumcha

Bondra to retire...

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=169834&hubname=

Jonesi

There is talk and rumors that Shero wants Staal to play on the same line with either Malkin or Crosby..

That's all I've heard so far.. And of course Staal said he'd be more then happy to..

dom

You think Staal will be in the NHL next year?

Then again what do the Pens have to lose, its not as if they'll make the playoffs.

And aren't all 3 centremen?

TSXforme

That's what I was wondering. The analysts all mention that Johnson was probably the only player who may be able to play in the NHL this upcoming season. The rest are probably 1 to 2 years away.

Jonesi

Yea, they're all "Centers" Not Centres..

The Pens are half farm team half NHL team so as long as he shows some promise they're not going to waste any time..

dom

Fawkin grammar police.

When refering to a place like the "Staples Center" we spell it centre up here while you guys still spell it center. But ya, I fawked up in that case.

The Pens are playing a dangerous game going with that many young players all at once. They have to learn to become men before they can become NHL'ers and you need veteran leadership to do that.

Jonesi

At the same token it's not a bad idea to let them grow together..

A #2 draft pick "Should" be able to come in and play in the NHL..