Official 15-16 NHL Off-Season Thread

[philou21]

Seems like he wanted to have more decisions within the team and he wasn't allowed too. Knowing Roy's ego I'm not surprised he decided to left. Might as well go back in the junior if he wants to be GM and coach because that's not going to happen in the NHL.

[Bam_Margera]

Patrick Roy's apparently resigned from the Avalanche http://www.msn.com/en-ca/sports/news/pa ... ailsignout
I think it'll help Colorado, as I don't think he was ever as good a Coach as his first NHL season indicated, and his ego's just to big (I've never been a Roy fan)

I dont' think it's too much about his ego. He also got a VP of Hockey Ops title to his coaching duty, so he also had a say on the manager side and seemingly the differences grew there (e.g. Tyson Barrie). The timing is a bit odd, training camps are about to start in one month...

edit: overlooked philou's post^^ Yeah, would be best for him to run his one man shw in the juniors.

[philou21]

Monahan signs for 7 years with Calgary. I don't know for how much though.

[Bam_Margera]

Monahan signs for 7 years with Calgary. I don't know for how much though.

6,375m AAV I heard on TSN 1260.

[bruins72]

I'm pretty bummed that Vesey decided to sign with the Rangers.

[riazorblues86]

Rangers land Vesey..they good in getting college UFA like they did in kevin hayes..

[nino33]

I'd never heard of him until the last week.....is the quality of hockey at Harvard University really any good? Seems like a huge jump to the NHL

[riazorblues86]

there a mix report about it..some projected him to became 30 point scorer in rookie season based on his point in harvard, but some said he will became bottom 6 regular player in NHL..as far as I concern, he is value added to any team who need NHL ready player as a depth right away..

[bruins72]

He's 23 years old and was one of the best in the NCAA. The Predators drafted him but he didn't want to sign there. Most reports I've read project him to be a top 6 forward. Most of them think he'll be able to jump directly into the NHL. He's supposed to be very mature and smart. For a free signing (no drafting and no trading), it's a no lose situation.

[Bam_Margera]

I'd never heard of him until the last week.....is the quality of hockey at Harvard University really any good? Seems like a huge jump to the NHL

The two Hobey Baker Award winners before him were Jack Eichel and Johnny Gaudreau. He didn't put up as wicked numbers as those two, but on the other hand he played in a more defensive minded league.

[Peter_Doherty]

Very happy about getting Vesey, the hype is obviously too high but getting a middle-6 winger who is likely to score 30-40 points right away on an ELC is very valuable in todays NHL.

[nino33]

I'd never heard of him until the last week.....is the quality of hockey at Harvard University really any good? Seems like a huge jump to the NHL

The two Hobey Baker Award winners before him were Jack Eichel and Johnny Gaudreau. He didn't put up as wicked numbers as those two, but on the other hand he played in a more defensive minded league.

I don't follow the NCAA so had to look up the Hobey Baker Award history: before Eichel/Gaudreau there's nothing similar, so not sure if it's a new trend (high skill/top NHL players) or Eichel/Gaudrea are rare exceptions

[Alessandro]

For hockey history buffs, I have published a two-part story about Darius Kasparaitis. The original post was written by Darius himself, and I hope you will enjoy my translation.

First part: http://thehockeywriters.com/part-one-da ... itis-life/
Second part: http://thehockeywriters.com/part-two-da ... itis-life/

[CJ]

For hockey history buffs, I have published a two-part story about Darius Kasparaitis. The original post was written by Darius himself, and I hope you will enjoy my translation.

First part: http://thehockeywriters.com/part-one-da ... itis-life/
Second part: http://thehockeywriters.com/part-two-da ... itis-life/

Thanks, I'll read it before I go to bed!

[bruins72]

I'd never heard of him until the last week.....is the quality of hockey at Harvard University really any good? Seems like a huge jump to the NHL

The two Hobey Baker Award winners before him were Jack Eichel and Johnny Gaudreau. He didn't put up as wicked numbers as those two, but on the other hand he played in a more defensive minded league.

I don't follow the NCAA so had to look up the Hobey Baker Award history: before Eichel/Gaudreau there's nothing similar, so not sure if it's a new trend (high skill/top NHL players) or Eichel/Gaudrea are rare exceptions

I think the quality of the NCAA players has gotten better over the years. There's more kids that have grown up with the NHL being more widespread in the US.

[Alessandro]

Without considering that NCAA facilities are probably on average better than CHL, and you can't really ignore this if you go a little bit more in depth, imho

[Alessandro]

For hockey history buffs, I have published a two-part story about Darius Kasparaitis. The original post was written by Darius himself, and I hope you will enjoy my translation.

First part: http://thehockeywriters.com/part-one-da ... itis-life/
Second part: http://thehockeywriters.com/part-two-da ... itis-life/

Thanks, I'll read it before I go to bed!

Did you read it in the end?

[CJ]

Did you read it in the end?

Yeah I read the whole thing! It was a great read.

[philou21]

Subban got ignored again when Team Canada selected Bouwmeester for replacing Keith. I don't want to revive an old debate but it made me laugh when I saw that title.

[Peter_Doherty]

I think it's kind of dumb that Team Canada is SO obsessed with LHD/RHD while at the same time they have 12C and one actual winger on the team. And even if they REALLY wanted another LHD, why not take Giordano, Brodie or Campbell who are actually really good D-men instead of a rapidly declining J-Bouw whose game isn't up to scratch anymore. His underlying numbers are way below average for a 1st pairing guy.

On another note, Kronwall is injured and can't attend and we get Hampus Lindholm instead, this is the polar opposite of this Team Canada move, we lose our worst D-man who shouldn't even have been on the team in the first place and get another stud in there. I feel comfortable saying that Team Swedens defense is on another level then any other team in the competition, Lindholm is still criminally underrated, I think he's a top-10 D-man in the league.

[philou21]

I knew you would be happy that Sweden added Lindholm.

[CJ]

I knew you would be happy that Sweden added Lindholm.

He should have belonged there in the first place yes, instead of Kronwall.

[Peter_Doherty]

Yeah, ofcourse Lindholm is insanely good imo, i think he's our #2 D-man after EK65.

[Primis]

On another note, Kronwall is injured and can't attend and we get Hampus Lindholm instead, this is the polar opposite of this Team Canada move, we lose our worst D-man who shouldn't even have been on the team in the first place and get another stud in there. I feel comfortable saying that Team Swedens defense is on another level then any other team in the competition, Lindholm is still criminally underrated, I think he's a top-10 D-man in the league.

As a Red Wings fan.... I agree with you on Kronwall. It was a surprise to most of us he was even named. Kronwall is so broken. I personally was hoping he'd retire this offseason to force DET to move on, but alas. We keep hearing things like "Kronwall is nursing nagging injuries, if he ever gets rested he'll be ok again", but I don't know that anyone believes that line anymore. He can't skate anymore it seems, plain and simple, and rest isn't going to fix it.

[nino33]

I think it's kind of dumb that Team Canada is SO obsessed with LHD/RHD while at the same time they have 12C and one actual winger on the team. And even if they REALLY wanted another LHD, why not take Giordano, Brodie or Campbell who are actually really good D-men instead of a rapidly declining J-Bouw whose game isn't up to scratch anymore. His underlying numbers are way below average for a 1st pairing guy.

Familiarity with playing style might have a lot to do with it, especially relevant given it's a short tournament...my understanding is Bouwmeester has played together with Pietrangelo for the last four years and they were a pairing when Canada won gold in Sochi