Comments on: Team-by-Team Grades

By: EddieAVS

EddieAVS — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 20:04:02 +0000

colorado had no need to go out and sell and they definitely didnt need to go and buy. they stood still which is what im happy with. they picked up a mediocre prospect in mike wall, obviously because theyre planning on buying out theo's contract. they have lots of cap space next year, and will be back in the playoff hunt next year.

By: jimbojones123

jimbojones123 — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 14:09:52 +0000

Mike Smith is in Long Island,
Or was that Jason Smith?

I know you wern't talking about Ryan SmYth were you?

By: Komic-J

Komic-J — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 13:34:48 +0000

"Even if Souray leaves, yet he manages to sign solid players for lesser prices, then thumbs up."

I don't see it that way...
As a general manager, you have to make the best decision for the team every day...for the present, and the future. If Souray leaves this summer, no matter who Gainey signs after that, he wasted a golden opportunity to help the team reach the next level. With the pricetag attached to UFAs, especially defenseman, this season, Gainey had to trade him if he didn't want to sign him this summer. He chose not to, therefor he MUST sign him in my opinion. I don't agree with that move, as I think the money could be thrown elsewhere, but it's his decision.

"Why didn't he trade Souray then if he may not sign him ? He doesn't want to give up on the playoffs. Making the playoffs also means making the playoff$"

If that's the case, you need to make a move to make sure you'll be in them. Gainey had a choice...and not doing anything wasn't one of them. He either buy or sell, but he just couldn't stay put. He traded Rivet, which in my opinion was a pretty awesome move. But it could be seen as a "seller" type move. Now if he wants to show his team that he didn't give up on the playoffs, he needs to go outhere and make a deal happen. Or think about the future, and trade Souray...or Kovalev...or Samsonov...

---

The thing that pisses me off about the whole situation, is that we don't have a single clue as to what the plan is ? Gainey obviously don't want to win right now...yet, it doesn't seem like he's doing anything he needs to in order to win in a couple of years. He kept all his young players, which is a good thing, but you need to keep on building for the future then. You need to bring a franchise player...you need to make something happen.

...and that's why I think Gainey should've traded Souray.

By: kamullia

kamullia — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 12:45:16 +0000

From the St. Louis Blues official website: "Senior Vice President and General Manager.......Larry Pleau"

Link: St.LouisBlues.com

By: kamullia

kamullia — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 12:23:13 +0000

Even if the Laraque trade was good for the Penguins, which is something that is debatable at this point, the Roberts trade was brutal. Welch was well above anything else everyone was offering, or what they should have exchanged for Roberts. In fact, The Hockey News reported that the package that the Maple Leafs offered for Roberts was a player, plus several picks, while Ottawa was supposed to be the front runner in that deal, therefore their package must have been 3 assets also (being that Muckler said he would not part with anyone from the roster)...and yet the Panthers decided for just Welch, in a straight exchange. That speaks volumes for how much Shero overpaid.

The only moron who I have found agreed with the exchange was Joe Starkey, because he said Welch had to clear waivers next year to go to the AHL. If Welch was not worth keeping in the club with names like Nasreddine, Melichar, Scuderi, and Kwaitkowski hanging around trying to land spots for next year, he was not much of a prospect. And just about everyone thought otherwise on him. Welch would have made the team, without question.

Everyone that is of worth to listen to analyze it likes the fact that they got Roberts, but everyone also thinks that they overpaid with Welch. And they will regret it, eventually. To boot, no upgrade on defense, the clear real issue for this team for this year. Shero swindled somehow what seems a pretty good exchange for Shaefer, but that is of little consequence in the grand scheme of things.

I frankly thought a C was too generous. I like the Laraque and Shaefer trades, the others were not too good, and Roberts for Welch was horrendous. "D and only because I do not want to see you again, Mr. Shero."

By: cecilturtle

cecilturtle — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 12:12:46 +0000

A sports caster on espn radio 1050 NY brought up an interesting theory about the Smith trade yesterday afternoon… He reminded everyone that Slats drafted Smith and he is by far the most perfect to fit free agent player the Rangers could possibly sign this off season. I could see Smith getting to know and love NY over the next few months and then signing with the Rangers insted of the Isles. The Rangers (with more cap room) could offer more money because they do not have the all of the crazy contracts the Isles have already commited too. And Lets Face IT… Smith did not sign a contract with Edmonton, the team for which he wore the C for and played his whole carrer for as a fan favorate… Why would he show loyalty to the Isles when the whole reason he was traded from Edm. in the first place was because he really wanted to be a free agent and get the most money. At the very very least, If the Isles do resign him??? The price tag will keep going up and up and up even higher – with the Rangers and almost every other team bidding for his services next year. Anyway, thanks for showing Smith NY for us little bro!CT

By: NjDEVSFN

NjDEVSFN — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 11:43:18 +0000

Lamoriello usually makes a trade, youre absolutely right. In all 3 Cup years he made some trade the turned out significant (Broten, Mogilny, Marshall).

This was different. He has a NHL caliber defenseman ready to be called up as long as he clears the room. If Lou waives Hale, he loses him for nothing. He got a 3rd rounder for Hale and a 5th.

That's better than nothing.

Lamoriello said he was looking to move Hale to bring up Greene.

By: simplyhabby

simplyhabby — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 09:23:11 +0000

Very logical argument but of course, there are more shades of grey then just one.

The team reacted well against the leafs and fell flat against your Rangers. I have confidence in Gainey but like I said in my comment, if certain peieces do not fall in place, I will personaly lead the charge for his head on a pike!

Great analysis of the deadline BTW in such a short time.

By: kamullia

kamullia — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 08:55:20 +0000

I have big issues with the label of "rookie" GM and giving anyone any slack. You are either up to it, or you are not.

And while we are in the subject, "rookie" GM Snow did not do too bad, now did he?

Martin and Shero have no excuses, they just did not do what they really needed to do in the end, even if both made some good moves (Shero with Schaefer, and Martin with Welch).

I will totally agree and give you that Martin had an uphill battle with what dumbass Keenan did all around. They were getting ready to lose Horton next, according to some of my sources.

P.S. Ao. Qualcheduno deve romperti le palle!

By: kamullia

kamullia — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 08:47:29 +0000

If...and even then, is still not a good deal. And how much future can they have? As much as possible, because it is an asset. It's not like the Pens had to under all circumstances to never ever ever trade Welch.

Miki, I was fine with them trading Welch...for something worth it, and Roberts is not it. No rental player on this year's list was it. And that is my issue. They should have gotten a lot more for Welch, and not just dismiss him and give him away for a rent-a-player, especially Roberts. And I am not the only one saying this, everyone but Joe Starkey (reporter for the "other" paper in Pittsburgh, The Tribune) that I have read or talked about the subject, said Welch was too much to be paid. I am not the only one here. Look at yourself, you are ecstatic by that exchange, and so are the Panthers. In fact, the word around is that especially Ottawa offered a lot, other than roster players, as in several picks and a prospect, and the Panthers chose Welch straight up. It's because it was a sweetheart of a deal. Shero GROSSLY overpaid for a rent-a-player, no matter Roberts' resume.

Besides that, how can anyone in that organization say that Welch was not needed next year, to phase out names like Nasreddine, Melichar, and oh God, Kwiatkowski? Starkey had the balls to say that he was fine with the exchange, because Welch would have had to clear waivers to go back to the AHL next year after camp. What the hell is he talking about? What kind of kakamame reason is that? Does this guy even know what a Zamboni is? Welch would have made the team hands down next year, he would have never had to clear any waivers. What a moron!? But hey, maybe he is related to Al Strachan.

Please, I do not see how anyone in this world, being completely honest, rational, and objective, can say that Roberts for Welch was a good deal for the Pens and Shero.

Great deal might have been Schaefer for a 7th round pick for the Pens, which by the way means to me almost certainly "Goodbye T-bo. Say hello to our new backup."

By the way Mr. Starkey, not even Al Strachan thought it was a good deal. That says a lot about you.