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2006/2007 NHL Eastern Conference Predictions

  • The offseason brought many changes to many teams including the Canadiens. Some big names were moved, some not so big names were moved and some coaches were replaced.

    Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel and other highly touted rookies are set to make their NHL debut.

    Teams began to understand what working in a salary cap system is like, often not having the cap room to keep all their players signed.

    Everyone starts with a clean slate October 4th and as always there will surely be big surprises.

    Which moves will actually pay off and improve their teams? It’s almost impossible to predict but always fun to try.

     

    2006-2007 Eastern Conference Predictions
    Devils x
    New Jersey
    Senators x Ottawa
    Hurricanes x Carolina
    Rangers New York Rangers
    Sabres Buffalo
    Canadiens Montreal
    Panthers Florida
    Bruins Boston

     
    Penguins Pittsburgh
    Lightning Tampa Bay
    Flyers Philadelphia
    Islanders New York Islanders
    Thrashers Atlanta
    Maple Leafs Toronto
    Capitals Washington

    Northeast

    1. Ottawa
    2. Buffalo
    3. Montreal
    4. Boston
    5. Toronto

    Atlantic

    1. New Jersey
    2. NY Rangers
    3. Pittsburgh
    4. Philadelphia
    5. NY Islanders

    Southeast

    1. Carolina
    2. Florida
    3. Tampa Bay
    4. Atlanta
    5. Washington

     

    Until April 07′.

    Disagree? Bloggers, prognosticators, gamblers post your own predictions in the comment section.

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48 Comments
  1. #1 REM says:
    September 5, 2006 at 11:29 am

    Montreal 1st, with 164 points
    Toronto last, with 0 points

    Only in a perfect world.

  2. #2 jack tornton says:
    September 5, 2006 at 11:56 am

    Montreal might be 1st and finishes with 112 points cuz the other teams are getting weaker by losing first plan players while montreal hold on to them and get others to !!!!

  3. #3 jack tornton says:
    September 5, 2006 at 11:57 am

    I mean Ottawa and Buffalo are getting weaker

  4. #4 fan3 says:
    September 5, 2006 at 11:57 am

    i’d be happy with 100 points

  5. #5 habs#1fan says:
    September 5, 2006 at 1:36 pm

    1. New Jersey
    2. Carolina
    3. Buffalo
    4. Ottawa
    5. Tampa Bay
    6. New York Rangers
    7. Montreal
    8. Boston

    I think the addition of Marc Denis to Tampa will improve them greatly.

  6. #6 habs#1fan says:
    September 5, 2006 at 1:41 pm

    Oh yeah the bottom half of the east will be like this I think

    9. Florida
    10. Philadelphia
    11. Pittsburg
    12. Toronto (I’m being generous here I think, could be lower if Sundin struggles or gets hurt)
    13. NY Islanders
    14. Washington
    15. Atlanta (I cant believe their No. 1 center is Bobby Holik, what a joke)

  7. #7 nilan says:
    September 5, 2006 at 1:55 pm

    I think the Habs will need at least 95 pts just to MAKE the playoffs. I would also be pleased to see them crack the century mark, though. The East is going to be very tough this year.

  8. #8 Joey says:
    September 5, 2006 at 2:14 pm

    Here are my predictions

    1. Buffalo 112
    2. Carolina 108
    3. New Jersey 104
    4. Montreal 106
    5. Ottawa 100
    6. Philadelphia 95
    7. Tampa Bay 93
    8. NY Rangers 93
    9. Florida 85
    10. Pittsburgh 82
    11. NY Islanders 80
    12. Washington 78
    13. Boston 65
    14. Atlanta 60
    15. Toronto 55

    Does this mean that Toronto will have the first pick in next years draft…. Hmmm… time will tell …

  9. #9 Razz says:
    September 5, 2006 at 2:19 pm

    Being a Canadiens fan, I would nevertheless be happy to see Toronto crawl their way up to a playoff spot. After all there are only 6 Canadian teams in the league, and I prefer them to the American teams.
    As for the Canadiens, they will probably muster 6th place or something if things go ok.

  10. #10 Saku jr says:
    September 5, 2006 at 7:18 pm

    1. New Jersey (Brodeur and a power first line)
    2. Carolina (weak division)
    3. Buffalo (speed kills)
    4. Montreal (Best Goalie duo)
    5. Ottawa (Arguably best defense in the ligue)
    6. New York R (Jagr + Lundqvist)
    7. Philadelphia (Gagné + Forsberg)
    8. Tampa Bay (Denis will help)

    Maybe Boston will make it, but I would not depend on Thomas and Toivunen is not ready to be #1.
    Florida lost all hope now that Luongo is gone
    Pittsburg cant depend on two guys!
    New York I = Yashin as your C?????
    Atlanta = no goalie + no heart
    Washington = one word, Ovechkin
    and Toronto = WHO WILL PLAY WITH SUNDIN????? and raycroft is not the answer

    comments anyone?

    jeromesimon65@hotmail.com

  11. #11 Jack, What are you mumbling about? says:
    September 5, 2006 at 8:18 pm

    1. Ottawa (regular season kings)
    2. New Jersey (Brodeur is fat)
    3. Carolina (How many eye balls can WIlliam get his stick on)
    4. Montreal (Gainey MAKES jACK thORNTON PEE HIS PANTS with their success)
    5. Philly (Forsberg can still play)
    6. Tampa (Does Lecavalier wear make up or just eye liner?)
    7. Buffalo (Overated this season)
    8. Boston (Bergeron is one weird, ugly looking dude)

    9. Boston (Tim Thomas is only reason the finish this high)
    10. Atlanta (kovalchuk win Richard trophy)
    11. Pittsburgh (87)but not good enough
    12. New York Rangers (can you believe they made the plyoffs last year?)
    13. Washington (Ovechkin, someone hook this guy up with some hair gel)
    14. FLorida (ouch)
    15. Toronto (getting first pick will have Leafs fans thinking cup again.)

  12. #12 PACTUM SERVA says:
    September 5, 2006 at 9:26 pm

    1.ottawa
    2.carolina
    3.philly
    4.new jersey
    5.buffalo
    6.MONTREAL
    7.tampa
    8.atlanta

  13. #13 biggest fan ever says:
    September 6, 2006 at 2:15 pm

    Need a Center and a defenceman before the start of November. I am sorry, but I think Koivu only has so many lives and I think they have now all been used. He will get caught coming accross the ice and will not even see big hits coming…other teams will exploit this. I worry about his safety…maybe he should just chill out and hike some fjords.

  14. #14 jack tornton says:
    September 9, 2006 at 4:07 pm

    4. Montreal (Gainey MAKES jACK thORNTON PEE HIS PANTS with their success)
    ???

    I don’t see why you would use this an offensive language?

  15. #15 jack tornton says:
    September 9, 2006 at 4:08 pm

    I don’t see why you would use an offensive language?*

  16. #16 jack tornton says:
    September 9, 2006 at 4:14 pm

    Did I say something bad?

    My prediction was that they will end up with 102 points and I think im around the average everyone posted…

  17. #17 jack tornton says:
    September 9, 2006 at 4:19 pm

    I meant 112 points

  18. #18 Brian Gray says:
    September 9, 2006 at 10:15 pm

    The Senators will Definately win the division, montreal didn’t do enough, and i dont think buffalo will do as well as they did last season. Carolina will Repeat as Southeast Division champs but will not repeat the championship.

    1. Ottawa
    2. New Jersey
    3. Carolina
    4. New York
    5. Montreal
    6. Florida
    7. Buffalo
    8. Philadelphia

    Would be my top 8… I’ll Say Ottawa and New Jersey in the East Finals in a repeat of 2003

  19. #19 DanaC says:
    September 10, 2006 at 3:32 pm

    I think you guys are all underestimating toronto. There is no way that they will finish last in the east. The defense is solid, McCabe, Kaberle, Kubina and Gill with any 2 other of the almost 10 AHL defensmen that have all played well in the NHL. It is true that they do not have anyone to play with Sundin but look for Toronto to again capitalize on the powerplay and this year keep the goals against to a minimum. Toronto will no be the best team in the league but they do have a legitimate shot at making one of the lower playoff spots. As for buffulo I think that they will have a very poor year because they lost a number of good players and boston will not be very good either. Ottawa and Montreal will be good but Ottawa will not be nearly as good as they were last year and Montreal could finish first.

  20. #20 Begin Rules says:
    September 12, 2006 at 2:39 am

    Yeah, Toronto ditched Quinn, improved their defense (not including Gill), and added defense up front in Peca and their youngsters have improved too. They could make the playoffs.

    I hate predictions, especially when they’re based on a team’s look on paper, and even more especially when it’s way too early, like before the season even starts.

  21. #21 Prasanna Vittal says:
    September 13, 2006 at 5:36 pm

    I think the Actual standing will be more like:
    1.Ottawa 9.Atlanta
    2.New York R 10.Montreal
    3.Carolina 11.New Jersey
    4.New York I 12.Florida
    5.Buffalo 13.Philly
    6.Boston 14.Pittsburg
    7.Toronto 15.Washington
    8.Tampa Bay

  22. #22 steph says:
    September 13, 2006 at 5:44 pm

    1.montreal
    2. carolina
    3. pittsburg
    4.ottawa
    5.buffalo
    6.florida
    7. toronto
    8.phili

  23. #23 Darrell Westerner Hab Fan says:
    September 14, 2006 at 3:05 pm

    1- Ottawa
    2-Carolina
    3-Montreal
    4-New Jersey
    5-Tampa Bay
    6-Buffulo
    7-Toronto
    8-Boston

  24. #24 Darrell Westerner Hab Fan says:
    September 14, 2006 at 3:19 pm

    Kovalev,Koivu, Samsonov,Rider,Higgins,Ribero,Markov,Komiserik,Rivet, sounds like a good mix of youth and experience. Not to mention a solid goaltending tandem with Huet and Abicher. Don’t be surprised if the Habs finish first in their division.

  25. #25 Habs Blog says:
    September 14, 2006 at 3:30 pm

    Ottawa and Montreal can’t finish 1 and 3. 1-3 are occupied by the Divsional Leaders regardless of points.

  26. #26 Darrell Westerner Hab Fan says:
    September 14, 2006 at 4:10 pm

    Sorry. You’re right. Whaat I’m saying is don’t be surprised if the Habs finish First.

  27. #27 Darrell Westerner Hab Fan says:
    September 14, 2006 at 4:10 pm

    Sorry. You’re right. What I’m saying is don’t be surprised if the Habs finish First.

  28. #28 John David says:
    September 20, 2006 at 5:29 pm

    1.Buffalo 114( This team is for real)
    2.Carolina 110( Not as good as last year but still the best in the South East)
    3.New Jersey 106( If the salary cap problems are solved a stanley cup could be possible)
    4.Philadelphia 105( If Forsberg is healthy they could win the East but without him they are still a formidable team.)
    5. Ottawa 103 ( Still an amazing team but will have tougher competition in the North East)
    6.NY Rangers 98( Last year was no fluke)
    7.Boston 96( Young talented offence with a solid defense)
    8.Florida 94( Team with young talent and more leadership)

    Western Conference
    1.Anaheim 118 (With the addition of Pronger can anyone stop this team? Possibly San Jose, Nashville, Calgary?)
    2.Nashville 116 ( Big moves have improved this team dramatically people that underestimate this team with regret it)
    3.Calgary 105( Iginla will rebound with the help of tanguay with offense I do not see a reason why this team will not win the North West)
    4. San Jose 113( San Jose is practically the same with one more addition Mark Bell but Anahiem is the better team)
    5.Vancouver 103( Think Luongo but with a quality team)
    6. Detroit 101 (The Wings will keep their play off streak going)
    7. Minnesota 97 ( I am some what laughing at this but this team is very disciplined with speed and conscious play)
    8.Columbus 95( Finally make it this year)

  29. #29 Kyle Stewart says:
    September 21, 2006 at 10:36 pm

    Eastern Conference Western Conference
    1. Ottawa* 1. Anaheim*
    2. Carolina* 2. Nashville*
    3. Pittsburgh* 3. Calgary*
    4. N.Y. Rangers 4. Dallas
    5. Buffalo 5. San Jose
    6. New Jersey 6. Detroit
    7. Montreal 7. Edmonton
    8. Philadelphia 8. Colorado

    Play-Off Matchups
    Eastern Conference Western Conference
    Round 1
    1. OTT – 4 vs. 8. PHI – 2 1. ANA – 4 vs. 8. COL – 0
    2. CAR – 4 vs. 7. MON – 3 2. NSH – 4 vs. 7. EDM – 3
    3. PIT – 4 vs. 6. N.J. – 2 3. CAL – 4 vs. 6. DET – 2
    4. NYR – 2 vs. 5. BUF – 4 4. DAL – 4 vs. 5. S.J. – 3

    Round 2
    1. OTT – 4 vs. 5. BUF – 3 1. ANA – 4 vs. 4. DAL – 2
    2. CAR – 3 vs. 3. PIT – 4 2. NSH – 4 vs. 3. CAL – 3

    Round 3
    1.OTT – 2 vs. 3. PIT – 4 1. ANA – 3 vs. 2. NSH – 4

    STANLEY CUP FINAL
    2. NSH – 2 vs. 3. PIT – 4

    06/07 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS
    PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

    Enough Said!!!

  30. #30 leafhater69 says:
    September 24, 2006 at 3:12 pm

    pittspurgh wont make the playoffs for the next 5 years you ******* idiot

  31. #31 Kryzstoff says:
    September 25, 2006 at 12:09 am

    Habs Suck!

  32. #32 dom says:
    September 25, 2006 at 9:00 pm

    the rangers will finish first. jagr will score 55 and 125pts.

  33. #33 goalie girl says:
    September 26, 2006 at 11:16 pm

    Eastern Conference:

    1. Buffalo, 2. Carolina, 3. New Jersey, 4. Ottawa, 5. Montreal, 6. NY Rangers, 7. Philadelphia, 8. Atlanta—9. Tampa Bay, 10. Toronto, 11. NY Islanders, 12. Boston, 13. Florida, 14. Pittsburgh, 15. Washington.

    Western Conference:

    1. Nashville, 2. Calgary, 3. San Jose, 4. Detroit, 5. Vancouver, 6. Dallas, 7. Edmonton, 8. Columbus—9. Colorado, 10. Minneota, 11. Anaheim, 12. Los Angeles, 13.Phoenix, 14. St. Louis, 15. Chicago

  34. #34 Matt says:
    September 28, 2006 at 2:15 am

    1-Florida
    2-New Jersey
    3-Philadelpia
    4-Ottawa
    5-Bufalo
    6-Carolina
    7-Rangers
    8-Boston

    15-Montreal

  35. #35 gooilersgo says:
    September 30, 2006 at 1:22 pm

    I like to se every one underestimate one of the most deadly offences in the edmonton oilers. Now im not saying they will have a repeat of last year with loosing pronger but they will surprise alot of people.

  36. #36 legend says:
    October 2, 2006 at 12:49 pm

    maybe one of the strangest blogs in hockey world ..toronto in last ..are you nuts ..check out the defence ladies!!! i think they are a lock to be in the bottom half of the playoff draw. they only missed by one point because belfour got hurt last year at the same time as they rolled into here for a two game set with tellstiff!! dumping ribero will get the habs in .. what a loser!!!! plekanec is a solid two way center ..be prepared to be surprized. what is the deal with boston .. why are they making the playoffs please .. and the pens for the cup .. not with whiney sid the kid there ..give me a break!!

  37. #37 RUFUS says:
    October 2, 2006 at 9:21 pm

    Habs will be solid, but I think everyone is underestimating the bruins. If Thomas can hold up, their youn talented offence and solid defence will be a tough team to play against.

    Predictions

    1. Carolina
    2. Montreal
    3. Boston
    4. Buffalo
    5. Ottawa
    6. Philidelphia
    7. NYR
    8. NJ

  38. #38 Marc says:
    October 2, 2006 at 11:43 pm

    I think everyone here is underestimating the NY Islanders. Front Office Drama yes. But a revamped defense and a solid coaching staff with Mr. Nolan and more importantly Bryan Trottier as director of player personal. Whitt, Hill, Campoli, Gervais, Poti, on Defense and a very “passionate” goalie named Diepetro. Ingrediants for a playoff team and surprise year ala 2001? Just my thought.

  39. #39 alex says:
    October 3, 2006 at 2:03 pm

    comon! Montreal va finir max au 6 eime rang! et puis tampa, avec l’arrivé de Marc Denis, ils vont causés la surprise de l’année!

    Mon classement pour l’association Est d’un vair fan de hockey

    1 ottawa
    2 Buffalo
    3 Rangers
    4 Tampa
    5 Philadelphie
    6 Montreal
    7 Boston
    8 Floride

  40. #40 alex says:
    October 3, 2006 at 2:04 pm

    comon! Montreal va finir max au 6 eime rang! et puis tampa, avec l’arrivé de Marc Denis, ils vont causés la surprise de l’année!

    Mon classement pour l’association Est d’un vrai fan de hockey

    1 ottawa
    2 Buffalo
    3 Rangers
    4 Tampa
    5 Philadelphie
    6 Montreal
    7 Boston
    8 Floride

  41. #41 Drew says:
    October 3, 2006 at 4:57 pm

    Come on guys! Buffalo is the best team in the divison. They will get at least 105 points and they will win the cup. They killed Ottowa in the payoffs last year, and the Senators lost Chara, their best defenseman. Philly is overrated, Carolina is a decent team, but they didnt deserve the Cup. The best team besides Buffalo is New Jersey. Broduer is scary and they have some great forwards. Everybody that says that the Sabres will fall because of the players thay released are wrong. Spacek is an offensive defensman and will replace the goals that they give up for the loss of McKee. J.P. Dumont was a good player but did anyone see Pominville last year!? 18 goals and 30 points, and he was the one that ended the Ottowa series in OT last year. Those stats will only get better. Not to mention the speed that the team has. Afinogenov, Briere, Connoly, Drury, and Pominville, speed kills!

  42. #42 trini67 says:
    October 17, 2006 at 1:02 am

    buffalo is a very good team, but what happens when there goalie gets hurt, they only have one good goalie, or even the captain briere gets injured, he is the bigest part of the team do you think they can survive without there captain, i think not. Edmonton looks good too but they will run out of energy, i am a die hard habs fan we have dept and cant score on evry line, none beleivers you will see.

  43. #43 trini67 says:
    October 17, 2006 at 1:10 am

    1 Montreal
    2 Rangers
    3 buffalo
    4 Ottawa
    5 Florida
    6 Philly
    7 Tampa
    8 New Jersey

  44. #44 trini67 says:
    October 18, 2006 at 2:24 am

    As i said the habs have scoring on every line thats going to be the difference, buffalo look really good tonight but philly, started out very very bad this season remember we are still unbeaton right now, 4-1 habs in Chicago to night, still i stress on back checking very important for habs to go far this year. Coaches are going to get fired starting with hitchcock dallas them Gretsky will follow, only a matter of time and Ottawa coach. GO HABS GO

  45. #45 WiLL says:
    October 24, 2006 at 3:56 pm

    Eastern

    1- Buffalo
    2- Montreal
    3- Ottawa
    4- Carolina
    5- TampaBay
    6- NewYork Rang.
    7- Toronto
    8- NewJersey

    I won’t talk about the Western , i think Buffalo is owning the East big time this year , Montreal will be in a solid 2nd we got the best team we had since 93 , so many young talentd : Higgins , Komisarek(the next Pronger) , Plekanec , Perezhogin ,

    A great Defence : Markov , Bouillon(when he comes back!) , Komisarek(mr.dangerous) and Souray(mr.Point Shot) , but seriously Souray can’t play the game , just get him on the PP and he’ll score . And our 3rd line is THE defensive line : Bonk , Johnson , Perezhogin …Bonk is back ! 100x better than last year .

    Offence : Kovalev! Ryder , Higgins , Samsonov! , Johnson! , Koivu , etc

    Go Habs Go !

  46. #46 WiLL says:
    October 24, 2006 at 3:59 pm

    oH !

    and i forgot ,

    we got the best coach

    CARBO is BACK IN TOWN!!!

    he’s just : THE MAN
    with Gainey on the Direction , talk about experience and heart !

  47. #47 pete says:
    December 5, 2006 at 10:06 pm

    even if briere gets hurt there is so much depth on the sabres its unreal. briere was hurt for a good chunk of the year last year along with dumont and connolly it doesnt stop them becasue the sabres have the best farm team in the ahl in the rochester americans. they can call up novotny or danny paille its almost inpossible to stop the whole team because everyone can score. not to mention if mille rgets hurt buffalo has martin biron who is a very solid goalie that could start on plenty of other nhl teams both goalies play over 20 games last season and each one finished with a winning record

  48. #48 free shipping says:
    March 2, 2007 at 12:37 am

    Informative professional site, whatmore can i say!!

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  • Avatar37 : pressure playing in Montreal, since he has problems with the expectations in Washington and Montreal isn't any easier. Then again, the media were very easy on Kovalev, so maybe it's a Russian thing? No idea. Anyway, yeah, it would have to be an established star that gives us an immediate drastic upgrade at forward, that's the only way I'd trade PK, because we'd be giving up a potential QB on our blueline for the next decade.
  • Avatar37 : Goalie - Sure, the only player I'd say who is untradeable (meaning I wouldn't trade no matter what) is Carey Price. You build a winning team from the net out, and I don't think there's a better goalie for his age in the NHL than Price, so I wouldn't trade him. Otherwise, every player would be open for offers, but for PK Subban, it would take (for me) an already established star, like Carter or Crosby or Ovechkin. As much as I like Ovechkin, I'm not sure he could handle all the media pre
  • goalie : I'm not suggesting at all that we judst dump or get rid of PK. I do however believe that he is a very valued commodity in the NHL adn that the Habs will receive offers for his services. If someone ffers us young, strong, puck handling forwards who can score, I think the Habs have to look at that possible trade.
  • Avatar37 : Agreed. It would be a big mistake to trade PK just to move up 2 spots in the draft. PK, Emelin, and Gorges are the bright future of our defense.
  • Senet1 : I am with you Avatar, Subban stays, it is not often that you get a stud defenceman who can play 25+ minutes. The mistakes he makes are for the most part not that serious and people forget he is only 23 and been in the league 2 years. He has come a long way in those two years. He has offense, defence and he hits. You cannot bet much better than that. Two more years experience and he has a shot at the Norris. If Markov does anything I hope he teaches PK how to work the PP.
  • Avatar37 : «link»
  • Avatar37 : go.
  • Avatar37 : round exit. Heck, even the year they won the cup we almost took them out in round 1. I believe in the corps of this team, I really think we just need a few tweaks. Adding Larry Robinson to run the defense would be a BIG help, keep Cunneyworth as offensive coach, and get a head coach who can get these guys back on the right path. We need to establish an identity again, a team that won't let itself be pushed around like it was under Martin. A few scrappers on this team and we'll be good to
  • Avatar37 : Yeah, the only way I'd trade PK is if we were getting an established star in return, like Carter or Crosby. I don't think we're miles away from competing deep into the playoffs, the NHL has become so competitive because of the salary cap that really there aren't huge differences between the teams. Add into the equation the stupid scoring system (some games worth 2 points, some 3) that the standings don't truly reflect where teams should really be. Look at Boston, cup winners to first rou
  • Senet1 : It would have to be something pretty special before I would trade PK. To me he is the #1 building block of our defence. I would trade any other defenceman we have before I would trade PK.
  • Senet1 : An improvement in our offense and strengthening our defence. Personally, I do not think we are that far off, five players at best could get us there. One thing that has always been true about the playoffs, Defence wins and you need a strong 3rd and 4th line.
  • goalie : I'm more optimistic now about the Habs than I have been for the past three dreadfully long seasons!
  • goalie : 2: I think GM Bergevin will make somewhat of a 'blockbuster't rade either before or on the day of the draft adn I believe PK Subban will be in that package. WE have t rememebr we have to give away some talent to get back other talent. No one wants players like Moen to move up in the draft etc.
  • goalie : Some thoughts:The more I see the playoffs it becomes even more obvious that we're miles away from being able to 'compete' dep into the playoffs
  • Avatar37 : «link»
  • Senet1 : Young Subban might also be an option if the Russian goalie is not available. However, to me I would wait another year and attempt to use my draft 2nd round draft picks to improve out forward situation.
  • Senet1 : Although Rinne contact is another example of long term at the wrong time. He is 29 years old. A case could be made with Price that double his money now with bonuses if we win the cup, I think that is still allowed in contracts?
  • Senet1 : Problem is he is going to want Pekka Rinne money and term. That is closer to 7M. On the other hand, the contract could have step up clauses in it over the 7 years.
  • Avatar37 : With Price, I wouldn't blink twice about offering him a 7 year contract now, especially if he'd be willing to give up dollar value for length. 7 years at $5.5 million a year would be just fine in my book.
  • Avatar37 : I think the goaltending void in our current system would push me to draft Vasilevski with our second pick, if he was available. He's young and has lots of potential, but is at least 5-6 years away from starting to be ready to play on an NHL roster.
  • Senet1 : Long tern contracts are a risk, but if you have a super star not as much. Luongo's contract was long term but signed too late in his career.
  • Avatar37 : Senet - Yes, you were clear in your post, my question was directed at goalie. I'm with you in that I'd be willing to sign him to a 7 year contract. I'd be nervous about anything longer, because every single long term goalie contract I can think of turned out to be a disaster for the team signing it.
  • Senet1 : I think that Budaj is a better goalie than many give him credit for, is he a Price no but with a tight defence he could be a good goalie. Many teams have average goalies but have great defence and still win. Look at Detroit, for years they have had average goaltending, but won cups. Goalies can get on a roll in the playoffs, look at Huet as an example, he was not really a good goalie but played great in the playoffs, next year he was a wash. Defence makes the goalie a winner, just ask Price.
  • Senet1 : Having a young equivalent goalie in the system right now is not important, three years from now it will be, so we have three years to make that kind of move in the draft. I think we have more pressing needs aat the moment.
  • Senet1 : Personally, I do not see this as a negative because of Price's age, you wait to draft a goalie of a Patrick Roy or Brodeur some teams wait a life time. To me we have on so why would we want to not play that out for as long as we can. Bottom line is this, regardless, right now you have a stud goalie, you are either going to pay him the money he deserves for not sign him and lose him. There is no middle of the road here.
  • goalie : Avatar made a great point. We don't have an NHL or up adn coming NHL goalies in our system. Another great move by Gauthier. Price is sitting very pretty.
  • goalie : WEll Price has us by the nads. I guess I'd have to go as far as a 7 year contract due to his play adn his age.
  • Senet1 : Luongo is now 33, he has been a good goaltender for a number of years. I would sign Price for 7 years and at age 31 then we deal with UFA at that time. Hopefully, we could provide him with another 5 years at that time. That is my opinion anyway, I would never risk losing him as a UFA at this point in his career to me that would be a very poor management decision. Even a 10 year contract would put him only at 34 years old. If you are going to sign him to long term now is the time.
  • Senet1 : If you have a young stud you have to gamble a little and give him a contract that is worthy of his abilities and his potential. It can have escalation clauses or reducing clauses like Kovalchuk's contract.
  • Senet1 : Avatar, I thought I was clear Yes I would sign him long term. My previous post said. The problem is if you have a out in the contract after 5 years then the player also has an out after 5 years. So no self respected lawyer would accept a contract that did not have equal escape clauses. So no I would not sign only for 5 years, if Price was 28 years old yes but not a 24. Seven years still only makes him 31 when the contract is over. If you have a young stud you have to gamble a little and give him
  • Avatar37 : Cammalleri trade. Given the fact that we have no NHL starting quality goaltenders in the system currently, aren't we held hostage to having to sign Price?
  • Avatar37 : There are many bad goalie contracts, just look at Huet. However, your post didn't answer my question as to what you'd do with Price. He's an RFA now, but for argument sake, if he were a UFA, what would you do? If he wanted a 7+ year contract, you know some other team would give him one. Would you risk losing him for nothing because you didn't want to sign a contract over 5 years? And if we lose Price, our goalies are Budaj and Robert Mayer, as we sent Karri Ramo to the Flames in the Cam
  • goalie : .. a 5 years contract again based upon the experience he has had AND he likes Bobby Lou!
  • goalie : Ditto for Philly, Ther goaltender 'situations' have both become the number 1 story line for both teams, and in Vancouver one could see the exaspiration on Gillis' adn to some extent Vigneault's faces when continously being bombarded by the loooong term contract that the Canucks are stuct with. (Gillis even said last February or so, thank goodness it looks like more than few other teams will be looking for a starting goaltender for 2012-13. He said he would never again do more than a 5 year c
  • goalie : I've spent the past four winters in BC thus I am very aware of the Canucks situations. I'd first say I give Gillis adn Vigneault 100% credit for being VERY supportive of Roberto L. even when Corey Schenider has vastly out played him. (I too like Bobby Lou but facts are facts).

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