PasTrep03

If Yashin really came that cheap (I basically mean for the bare minimum), then he might be an ok pickup (still a stretch though). But the rumors suggest he still wants anything up to 2.5 million. If he asks for that, then forget it. There are far better options.

Option B. No Briere. There are enough decent players out there that will come cheaper, and if Gainey decides to not go heavaly into free agents, we could always give guys like Chipcura a spot and see how he does. I don't really want to be part of these big bidding wars, which is what will come with Briere. Just because he's a French Canadian doesn't mean he automatically wants to come here anyways: Chances are, he'll go to whoever has the highest numbers in their cheque books. There are some good options to consider in free agency. I like Dainius Zubrus myself, as he is a good checker, and can put up decent numbers. He might command quite a bit, but I think he's worth it. Another name is Aaron Asham. He can be brought back affordably too, and as a fourth line grinder, he can still put up 10-15 goals a season. There are some good options out there. I'll take a look at the list later.

This is something I'd expect Boston or the New York Islanders to do. But Ottawa? Is going to the SCF not enough for them? Oy vey. I understand the pressure of winning in a Canadian market, but that's the farthest Ottawa has ever gone. Surely there should be some thumbs up to the management staff for building a potential winner. They couldn't have been expected to win all along anyways, since back at Christmas time, they weren't even in a playoff spot. This has the makings for quite an active summer. Woo.

About 5 or so.

I get what you're saying, but Nashville isn't last. St. Louis is last. Still though, I agree. Nashville is a failure hockey market, since their a good team and can't even sell out. The Blues at least used to get pretty good crowds when they were still a decent team. Why doesn't anyone ever mention Washington moving? Of all places that has awful fan support, it's the Capitals. Their fan support during the Cup run in 1998 was a joke, and they've never been had a consistant sellout streak, even when they were good. The city of D.C. also pays no attention to the Capitals at all. The local media is all Redskins, and when it isn't football, it's the Wizards, and if not the Wizards, it's prime time preparing for the Nationals to start (or Expo's is more like it ). D.C. is a horrible hockey market. Move them even before New Jersey.

Samsonov didn't make Kovalev play better. So how would Yashin? I hate Yashin. Hate may be a strong word, but if you ask me, he shouldn't even be in this league. He doesn't care at all. He shows no effort when he plays. For God sakes, if Ted Nolan can't motivate you, then who the hell can? He could have a rocket strapped to his back and he'd still be a floater. He's awful. After yet another bad season, I really feel he should just count his dollars and go back to Russia. He has no reason to keep playing. He will be getting paid big money for the next 4-6 years for doing absolutely nothing. He doesn't want to play, so unless he is that greedy (wouldn't surprise me if he is) and decides to vacuum another team of their money, he really should call it quits. Again, Ted Nolan, the ultimate in motivational coaches, couldn't get him to actually show a little effort. God knows Carbonneau won't be able to either. Why even suggest it? No Yashin. Please, no.

Samsonov should do better in Chicago. It's a no pressure market, and unless he really screws up, he should very well be a top line player. I don't see who else that could be.

Cullimore, even being bought out, counts to hardly anything on the Cap. Salmon is a decent enough player who can play on the fourth line as it is, and also doesn't make much money. If the coaching staff feels he isn't, then send him to Finland or wherever. It's a win-win since we have more Cap room now. ...and Samsonov is gone. Perhaps the best part of it, dare I say? Nothing against Samsonov, but the situation clearly wasn't working. I send him my regards to Chicago, as hopefully he helps a fellow Original 6 team climb back to respectability.

I guess it's because I'm a fan of an Original 6 team is why I think that way. I don't know, I just find the teams with long history about them more interesting then teams based off a Disney kids movie. Maybe the average person might not find it interesting. Thing is, a final featuring teams like that hasn't happened in a long time. The last Original 6 team in the finals was Detroit, and their opponent was a "low market" team like Carolina, and the last 3 finals have all featured that too. Oh well.

Good news about Valentenko, but he won't start next year. I think we'll see Cote get the call first, assuming Gainey doesn't actively pursue any free agents, and Souray walks.

The TV ratings in the US are awful, and definitly were during the finals this year, but there's a reason. Ottawa vs. Anaheim is a very lame matchup, especially in the US. Here you have a northern Canadian team, and a team from Calfiornia. Not exactly a hugely exciting matchup. Put something in there like Detroit vs. Toronto, or Chicago vs. Montreal (ooh, now there's a good one ) or basically anything involving the NY Rangers, and you'll get people watching. The finals the past few years have been pretty lame duck matchups. Calgary vs. Tampa? Edmonton vs. Carolina? Ottawa vs. Anaheim? Bleh.

Other then the fact that Isles fans would have revolted if Yashin stayed, I think the main reason he was bought was to prove to Smyth that the Isles organization was going to start trying to win. I'm sure if the organization made the right moves, he would stay. If we go by that logic, he definitly won't be going back to Edmonton, like so many suggest. Edmonton is probably farther off then the Isles right now. As long as MacTavish is coach, no ounce of decent talent will florish on that team, only the 10 or so fourth line grinders. Why do you think Edmonton always drafts so bad? Because MacTavish doesn't play talented players who don't go out and check people or block shots at the same time. He's like a mini Don Cherry. Besides that, the city of Edmonton isn't exactly an ideal place to go anyways.

Gotta hand it to JFJ. Consistantly one of the worst GM's in the league. In fact, since both Mike Milbury and Mike O'Connell no longer have jobs, I think JFJ can fit the bill for that role now.

Nylander is an interesting option to consider. Only problem is that he'll command about just as much as any of the "Big 3", or so I've heard anyways. No Yashin. Do we really need Sergei Samsonov Part deux? No Robert Lang either. Probably just as lazy as Yashin. Red Wings fans can't stand Lang, and there's a good reason why they want him gone. No thank you. My choice is Nylander personally. Like I said, he may command a lot of money, but I definitly feel he's worth it. I'll take a look at the free agent list to see if there are any other good centers to look at, but right now, Nylander is my personal choice.

Ryan Smyth might just re-sign now that Yashin is gone. I can't believe the notion of Yashin coming here is even mentioned. I hate Yashin. Ugh, he is such a lazy floater. Plays with no enthusiasm, is/was overpaid, and is a cancer. He might as well wear a Samsonov jersey while he's at it.