But in this NHL, it will be rare, if not unadviseable, to keep two franchise players on the same team (e.g. Sakic and Forsberg). The economics will not allow it.
So, it is a very tough thing to imagine, but if the deal is there for Thornton, you do it.
Sundin would fetch a lot too.
Exactly, sometimes you need to make the tough decisions. Sundin is a fan favourite but nearing the end of his career. Thorton is about to enter the prime of his. With him and a good Free Agent Aquisition of a top goalie and top defenceman next year, you have the basis of your team for the next 5 years. Sundin will be an UFA in 2 years, if he wants to come back at a reduced rate then, I'm sure they'd welcome him. Of course this is all just speculation, but the point being, I wouldn't even think twice about moving Sundin out if it meant getting Thorton.
In 284 NHL games, he was a +26 ... that's a pretty decent stat in my books. Seems like a decent signing to me and I do like the fact that JFJ must know him well from his years with St. Louis.
For what it's worth, he was apparently making $1.7 million with the Blues pre CBA. So we've basically signed him for an amount just under the 24% rollback. If he's a legitimate number 4 type defenceman, it's a good signing IMHO.
Why aren't we looking at Brad Bombardir... so solid defensively. No offensive upside, but still, I think it would be worth it, play him on the third pairing. I'm not sure if he has been signed already.
Why aren't we looking at Brad Bombardir... so solid defensively. No offensive upside, but still, I think it would be worth it, play him on the third pairing. I'm not sure if he has been signed already.
Why not go for Brad Luckowich. He is younger and just won the cup.
Alex Khavanov Named To Russia's World Cup Of Hockey Squad
World Cup Of Hockey 2004
Team Russia has announced their roster for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey. The defense corps will feature Blues player Alexander Khavanov along with former NHLer Oleg Tverdovsky of the Avangard Omsk of the Russian league, Sergei Gonchar of the Boston Bruins, Danny Markov of the Philadelphia Flyers, Darius Kasparaitis of the New York Rangers, Anton Volchenkov of the Ottawa Senators, Vitaly Vishnevski of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and Andrei Markov of the Montreal Canadiens.
1.25 million seems like an average salary, or just about it in the new NHL. Khavanov is an above average defenseman, so we may wish we signed him for less, but overall we didn't overpay or underpay.
Not sure I like this signing, from every thing I remember of him he is a 5 or 6 man who doesn't play very physical and not to mention he is 33. I think it would have been better to keep Berg who is younger cheaper and more physical. I really hope this doesn't hamper Carlo or Pilar's chances to make the starting line up. I guess we will have to wait and see.
Yes, which means one of the defensemen you listed is ousted from the starting lineup, which affects them a fair amount.
The fact is you NEED more than 6 defencemen. Even if all are healthy Pilar and Cola are both lacking experience, and Berg is just not that great, sitting one of them is no crime.
