Ongoing NHL thread - Part deux

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Joe McDonald @ESPNJoeyMac
Oduya has signed with a team and it'll be announced at 11 am, per source.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Lebron James thinks this whole Oduya signing has been drawn out

 

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Stephen Whyno @SWhyno
#Stars sign Johnny Oduya to 2-year deal.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Welp, there goes the last possible landing spot for Phaneuf. Damn.

 

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Welp, there goes the last possible landing spot for Phaneuf. Damn.

There's always Edmonton.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

So glad that said Dallas and not Buffalo, as had been rumo(u)red.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

There's always Edmonton.

Blessed be their name.

 

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Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli
Johnny Oduya's deal with the Stars: 2 years, $7.5 million, as per @Real_ESPNLeBrun.

That is significantly less that what the Sabres were reportedly offering Oduya.

 

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So Franson to Buffalo or Edmonton, then?

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli
Johnny Oduya's deal with the Stars: 2 years, $7.5 million, as per @Real_ESPNLeBrun.

That is significantly less that what the Sabres were reportedly offering Oduya.

Less tax and gets to contend immediately. Loses that third year but if this is what he was looking for he did well.

 

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Less tax and gets to contend immediately. Loses that third year but if this is what he was looking for he did well.

I don't know, I think the Sabres and Stars are pretty much on level terms as far as making the playoffs are concerned (Sabres have had a fine off-season). Definitely less tax, though.

 

[DragonfromTO]

I don't know, I think the Sabres and Stars are pretty much on level terms as far as making the playoffs are concerned (Sabres have had a fine off-season). Definitely less tax, though.

I think people are forgetting just how terrible the Sabres were last season. 38 point difference between the two teams last year. And it's not like the Stars have been asleep this offseason either.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

I don't know, I think the Sabres and Stars are pretty much on level terms as far as making the playoffs are concerned (Sabres have had a fine off-season). Definitely less tax, though.

Eh.

Dallas might have one of the best top-six' in the league. Sabres, despite a good off-season, have a drunk Chevy-wrecking mess of a top centre and two rookie centres (assuming both Eichel and Reinhart make the jump) to go along with Matt Moulson and Evander Kane.

Their defence is still very weak whereas Dallas at least adds Oduya to a core that mixes young and old pretty well. Goaltending both teams are going out there with question marks.

Buffalo is also being coached by Bylsma. Not Ruff's biggest fan but I'll take him over disco fry anytime.

I think Dallas takes this one.

 

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I think people are forgetting just how terrible the Sabres were last season. 38 point difference between the two teams last year. And it's not like the Stars have been asleep this offseason either.

It's my Bestern conference bias showing through, Dragon. I'm not a fan of the Stars defense and that goaltending tandem of Lehtonen and Niemi looks to me to be a ton of dough for two average goaltenders.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

I think people are forgetting just how terrible the Sabres were last season. 38 point difference between the two teams last year. And it's not like the Stars have been asleep this offseason either.

Or that they were all that awful last season - missed the playoffs by 7 points despite being bottom 5 in GA. Better defence and managing to get good goaltending out of one of Niemi or Lehtonen will probably see them get in.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

It's my Bestern conference bias showing through, Dragon. I'm not a fan of the Stars defense and that goaltending tandem of Lehtonen and Niemi looks to me to be a ton of dough for two average goaltenders.

I'll give you this much. They are spending a fuck ton on these guys.

 

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The biggest thing hurting the Stars playoff chances are the division they play in, that's a tough road to hoe...

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

The biggest thing hurting the Stars playoff chances are the division they play in, that's a tough road to hoe...

It'll be tough for teams like STL, Nashville, Winnipeg and Minny to replicate last season. As least one of them will see a drop-off somewhere and wind up on the outside.

Of course one of the Pacific teams are going to wind up in a wild card battle because Edmonton is going to win that division with their eyes closed I hear so that makes it a bit tougher.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Buffalo's division isn't much easier - Montreal TB and Detroit are all probably locks to make the playoffs again, Ottawa will too if their goaltending doesn't collapse, Florida might finally make the jump, Columbus and Jersey could both be WC contenders out of the other div...tough go of it.

 

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Of course one of the Pacific teams are going to wind up in a wild card battle because Edmonton is going to win that division with their eyes closed I hear so that makes it a bit tougher.

Oilers will go 80-1-1 next season (Flames get a regulation win and Canucks a SO win)