GDT: 2014 Free Agent Frenzy (July 1)

[26CornerBlitz]

@wyshynski
John Scott signs with the San Jose Sharks, presumably to punch the other 17 skaters in the face if they blow another 3-0 lead.

 

[Beerz]

@wyshynski
John Scott signs with the San Jose Sharks, presumably to punch the other 17 skaters in the face if they blow another 3-0 lead.

Good for Johnny. Wish him all the best.

 

[SundherDome]

@wyshynski
John Scott signs with the San Jose Sharks, presumably to punch the other 17 skaters in the face if they blow another 3-0 lead.

Damn

 

[Woodhouse]

The Sabres need a center?

Hopefully for Rochester...

We are looking for a center along with the Sens, or we are talking with the Sens about a center.

Nichols didn't elaborate any further than that on Twitter, so we'll have to wait a few more minutes for the hour three podcast to be posted here. FYI, Dreger was on at 12:36 PST per this tweet.

 

[Jacob582]

I remember Free Agency slows down on day 2, but I didn't expect it to slow down as much as it has.

 

[Taro Tsujimoto]

Grabovski and Kulemin to Long Island:

Arthur Staple ‏@StapeNewsday 30s
#Isles have signed F Nikolai Kulemin and C Mikhail Grabovski to 4-year contracts.
https://twitter.com/StapeNewsday/status/484439283663929345

 

[BCS]

Bummer. Grabo and Kulemin are solid. They'll help the Isles.

 

[haseoke39]

grabovski and kulemin to long island:

Arthur staple ‏@stapenewsday 30s
#isles have signed f nikolai kulemin and c mikhail grabovski to 4-year contracts.
https://twitter.com/stapenewsday/status/484439283663929345

**** **** **** **** ****

 

[Beerz]

yUp. Solid pick ups for Isles.

Revenge of the Snowman.

 

[sabresandcanucks]

Wow...Impressive by Snow. The Islanders now look like a playoff team.

 

[Zip15]

Wow...Impressive by Snow. The Islanders now look like a playoff team.

I'm not sure I'd go that far. But I think, barring injury to a top player, they've done enough to get out of the bottom-10 in the league and will flirt with the playoffs.

I've seen worse top-9's:

Strome-Tavares-Okposo
Kulemin-Grabovski-Grabner
Nelson-Nielsen-Lee/Bailey (?)

 

[Beerz]

I think they trade Nielson and Grabner for a Dman ...

 

[stokes84]

Grabovski is a decent player. Kulemin, whatever. I don't think this changes much.

 

[Paxon]

Good depth for the Isles. They're set at forward.

 

[sjci]

Don't think we should be too worried with those pickups. While they seem nice, Grabo had 13 goals on a high 16% shooting percentage. Kulemin meanwhile, since coming into the league very nicely, has had 3 very sub par years. 7, 7, and 9 goals the past 3 seasons (one of the 7s was in the lockout year so prorated comes out to 12 goals). Grabo has good possession stats, but Kulemin hasn't for the past while, so again, nice signings for them, but I'm not overly worried at this time

Kulemin Adv Stats:

CF% 41.3%
Similar to Sabres: Weber and McBain

 

[Woodhouse]

Nichols didn't elaborate any further than that on Twitter, so we'll have to wait a few more minutes for the hour three podcast to be posted here. FYI, Dreger was on at 12:36 PST per this tweet.

All this was was Dreger talking third line centers and Toronto (and name-dropped Legwand and Vrbata, no to Grabovski) before adding that "Ottawa and Buffalo are also on that trail for centermen." You can listen at the 34 minute mark: https://soundcloud.com/sekeres-and-price/sekeres-and-price-july-2nd-hour-3

 

[start winnin]

PANIC!!!

Their D blows but their forwards look great.

 

[SundherDome]

What question was Murray asked at the end of his 4 min presser?

 

[Bps21*]

What question was Murray asked at the end of his 4 min presser?

I think it was about bringing back Colton Gillies for Roch

 

[1972]

who knows, they could make the playoffs or be the worst team in their division. They are still in that grouping with Toronto, Carolina, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Washington and New Jersey and Nashville as teams that could be picking #3 or #20. So much unpredictability in a weak eastern conference makes it nearly impossible to predict them.

Based on the past it's more likely to be a top 10 pick then not, but who knows. They have alot of question marks still and they still are the islanders.

Last year when Tavares went down hurt they were tied for 28th overall in the NHL, and finished the year on a late season run. So many variables, I would say a lot rides on injuries, and getting off to a decent start and gaining momentum.

I don't expect these two signings to be the difference in making/missing the playoffs.

 

[Beerz]

Arthur Staple ‏@StapeNewsday 1m

Garth Snow: "It's like fishing. You put your line in the water and you hope for some nibbles. We got two big bites today." #Isles

 

[enthusiast]

Leafs' corsi was more reflective of the coaching than the players

 

[JTyler48]

Grabovski is a decent player. Kulemin, whatever. I don't think this changes much.

This.

They were 18-26-5 with Vanek and Tavares last year. Those guys aren't better than Vanek. IMO they stayed the same at forward, MAYBE improved a little bit, downgraded at defense and improved a bit in goal.

Season lays on the shoulders of Halak and Tavares.

IMO still a top 10 pick.

 

[Beerz]

This.

They were 18-26-5 with Vanek and Tavares last year. Those guys aren't better than Vanek. IMO they stayed the same at forward, MAYBE improved a little bit, downgraded at defense and improved a bit in goal.

Season lays on the shoulders of Halak and Tavares.

IMO still a top 10 pick.

For me.

It's going to come down to if Garth can swing a deal for a solid top 4 Dman...and who it is


If he does that...then I'll be disappointed.

 

[VaporTrail]

Damn...would have liked us to sign Scott for 1 more year.