January 30, 2006

Hurricanes gather Weight: The Eastern Conference leading Carolina Hurricanes have acquired St.Louis Blues leading scorer Doug Weight for three bags of pucks.

posted by garfield to hockey at 01:55 PM - 41 comments

Duha's analysis

posted by garfield at 02:10 PM on January 30, 2006

They gave up three picks (incl. a first-rounder) and three players to get him. I'd say that's a lot for a rental player, even if none of the individual pieces amount to much. The Canes are looking good. The East will be a war this year.

posted by Succa at 02:16 PM on January 30, 2006

It's a good move. Take some pressure of Rod Brind'amour and keeps him fresh for the eventual playoff push.

posted by HATER 187 at 02:23 PM on January 30, 2006

Yeah, the Canes are slowly inching towards contenderland here. Weight will look awful good in Carolina red. (I missed Mike Sillinger going to Nashville. He's going to fit in great there. Kariya's going to feed him pucks all day long. Ufez has him in the pool, you lucky bastard.)

posted by chicobangs at 02:25 PM on January 30, 2006

even if none of the individual pieces amount to much. like I said. but I hear ya, the picks carry more weight, huh huh, than they used to.

posted by garfield at 02:27 PM on January 30, 2006

Sounds like a Ray Bourqish move to get this guy a Stanley cup before he retires. The Canes just became twice as dangerous.

posted by njsk8r20 at 02:29 PM on January 30, 2006

/me does happy dance. 'Canes give up: Jesse Boulerice - old school enforcer made obsolete by the new NHL rules. Dude could fight OK, but couldn't skate too well. Pylonish. Mike Zigomanis - had a great pre-season, but then dropped off the face of the earth. Probably a career minor leaguer. Magnus Kahnberg - still in Sweden. The 'Canes couldn't even sign this guy. Big freakin' whoop. 1st round pick: 2006 - hopefully this one won't bite our behinds too much since we'll be the last team in the league to pick. *Hopefully* 4th round pick: 2006 - this one was from Toronto for the Jeff O'Neill trade. Because of what happened to his brother, Jeff was going to be living in Toronto no matter what. So, it's not like you can really factor this 4th rounder into a, "yeah, but..." scenario. The 'Canes were lucky to get anything for him. 4th round pick: 2007 - this completes the Radim Vrbata trade to Chicago. Radim has plenty of potential, but apparently Laviolette didn't see him ever working in his system. So, the only aspect of this trade that has me worried is the loss of our first round pick this year for essentially a rental. Who knows, maybe the 'Canes can re-sign Weight at a discount after this season. Probably not though. On Preview: man, that is a lot of picks. Hmm...I still like this trade though. I do like our potential lines though: Matt Cullen - Eric Staal - Erik Cole Andrew Ladd - Rod Brind'Amour - Justin Williams Cory Stillman - Doug Weight - Ray Whitney Chad Larose - Kevyn Adams - Craig Adams Yes, Cullen has a broken jaw, but thanks to the Olympic break, he will lose only about seven games. The Larose, KAdams, CAdams line may not mean much to all you other people, but they are a good PK unit and they will chew up minutes each game. Brindy is already putting in about 22 to 25 minutes a game. This decent 4th line will drop his ice time. The 'Canes also still have Big Joe Vasicek probaby coming back in time for the playoffs. He's a Center, but he is easily moved to the Left Wing. He will also get a lot of minutes once back on the ice.

posted by NoMich at 02:33 PM on January 30, 2006

Its a sad time to be a hockey fan in St. Louis. In a couple of weeks there won't be much left for the Laurie's to sell- just a few "has-beens" and "never-weres". Much as I hate it though, might as well get something for guys like Weight, because he's an unrestricted FA after the season and we certainly couldn't re-sign him. Pretty much the only way the Blues win a game form here on out is a shutout by Sanford(even that's no sure thing!)

posted by Bury Bonds at 02:46 PM on January 30, 2006

Crap! Man, I wasn't too emotionally invested in Weight coming to Ottawa, but I figured the alternatives were, like, Edmonton. Or Calgary. But Carolina? Crap! Antoine Vermette had better spend the playoffs proving that it's a good thing he didn't get traded for Weight. Wait, Antoine Vermette? Crap! Kind of surprised that Weight didn't end up in Canada like he'd been musing about. Or maybe sportswriters were putting the words into his mouth. Crap! Jeff Friesen, stay where you are. STAY WHERE YOU ARE, DAMMIT.

posted by DrJohnEvans at 02:46 PM on January 30, 2006

Im always amazed at the lists of old Flyers. Then I look at the Flyers and think how aewsome the team would be with all those guys still there. Payroll nightmare however. Anyways, good for Weight, bad for East. Anyone looking for an Olympic goaltender?

posted by GoBirds at 02:56 PM on January 30, 2006

I'd hold on to Vermette, if I were you.

posted by garfield at 03:01 PM on January 30, 2006

Yeah, I know. Call me a bitter fantasy owner.

posted by DrJohnEvans at 03:20 PM on January 30, 2006

Instant impact for the Flames. They play the Blues tonight.

posted by gspm at 03:23 PM on January 30, 2006

That's a helluva lot for a second line guy coming into free agency soon. I imagine there was a bidding for his services from a few teams mentioned above - but whew, that's way more than the Avs gave up for Bourque, or the Leafs gave up for Leetch. Weight's a good supporting player at best anyway - but this move does make the Canes a better team right now. I wouldn't be surprised if they're able to resign the old bastard, too. I have to say, they have been the biggest surprise in the NHL this year. Who is Matt Cullen anyway? Fucking Canes. Sonofabitch, they're wicked. The two players in the league no one is talking about enough: Marc Savard and Eric Staal. Kid is 21 and has about the same pro experience as Ovechkin. That Staal family is going to be seen like the Sutters, or the Hulls pretty soon.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 03:38 PM on January 30, 2006

Second line? I don't watch too many Blues games, but I would think he could take over the duties on their top scoring line. Or is that Stillman's job to lose? re: Vermette

posted by garfield at 03:43 PM on January 30, 2006

Going off of NoMich projected line combos (mmmm.....combos) you gotta think he makes that third a decent scoring threat. Also Dougie is gonna be big help on the PP (7 PP goals 17 PP assist)

posted by HATER 187 at 04:09 PM on January 30, 2006

After discussing potential lines with other 'Canes fans, I have been reminded that Laviolette doesn't really use set lines. They are interchangible entities that are rather fluid and all the forwards not named Rod Brind'Amour will log about the same amount of time every game. However, I think you can still count on KAdams, Larose and CAdams not logging nearly as much ice time as the other top 9 forwards.

posted by NoMich at 04:24 PM on January 30, 2006

Unrelated (via that Vermette link), Gretzky: "In my 30 years I don't know if I have had a more disheartening loss" - Coyotes up by 1 with 2.2 seconds remaning. Face off in their own end, give up the tying goal with 0.3 left on the clock, lose in a shootout. Makes me think of the end of the 1994 playoffs, Vancouver and the Rangers. The Canucks didn't manage anything there (and had less on the clock I think), but the game ain't over til it's over.

posted by gspm at 05:26 PM on January 30, 2006

I missed Mike Sillinger going to Nashville. He's going to fit in great there. Kariya's going to feed him pucks all day long. Ufez has him in the pool, you lucky bastard. Sweet! Just saw that today as I was looking at my team's notes. Now that he's on a decent team, maybe he'll finally pick up some ground on his shitty +/-. I have to say, they have been the biggest surprise in the NHL this year. Who is Matt Cullen anyway? Fucking Canes. Sonofabitch, they're wicked. I have him too, although he's set to miss 2-4 weeks with with wired jaws.

posted by Ufez Jones at 05:33 PM on January 30, 2006

And they call him a hockey player? Get one of those Pat LaFontaine LegoŠ man astronaut helmets.

posted by yerfatma at 05:52 PM on January 30, 2006

This is what the Blues have needed to do for the past 5-10 years -- admit the core of the team was not anywhere near being strong enough to compete for a Stanley Cup, move what they could and start over. Expect Tkachuk to end up in Philly for a couple young studs, and St. Louis to be shipping out anything that's not nailed down over the next few weeks. John Ferguson Jr., feel free to take notes. As for Weight, word is that he absolutely loves St. Louis and will most likely resign there in the offseason unless someone totally blow him away. Not surprising, giving the track record of the town that wowed Mark McGwire into sticking around.

posted by wfrazerjr at 07:14 PM on January 30, 2006

According to Jim Rutherford, Matt Cullen will be back in the lineup next week.

posted by NoMich at 07:38 PM on January 30, 2006

Well, despite the trades, St. Louis won today in a shootout with a bunch of nonames scoring on Kiprusoff. St. Louis' season is done already, so their little playoff record will come to an end, but I guess that's a good sign for the team to come. Maybe.

posted by mkn at 09:49 PM on January 30, 2006

dont feel so bad mkn , i am a shark fan and were in the same boat , and to think we were 1 game away from the stanley cup finals b4 the lockout , what a diffrence a year makes .

posted by trrron at 11:27 AM on January 31, 2006

Well, look at how quickly the 'Canes turned their rusty freighter around. They were at the bottom of the league for the last two seasons. Now look at 'em. I'm going to enjoy this ride while it lasts 'cause who knows how long the trip will be.

posted by NoMich at 11:56 AM on January 31, 2006

I wouldn't say the freighter was rusty. I'd say it was more of an underpowered self-unloader trapped in a small-market port. As long as Jeff Friesen isn't the stowaway, though, all will be well.

posted by DrJohnEvans at 12:28 PM on January 31, 2006

Is there some trade rumor about Friesen I missed? Last I heard he was still injured. Is he playing yet?

posted by njsk8r20 at 12:38 PM on January 31, 2006

No there is not. Friesen is staying put if he knows what's good for him.

posted by DrJohnEvans at 12:40 PM on January 31, 2006

Doc, you owe me a new keyboard. This will teach me to sup some coffee while reading your posts. Jeff Friesen indeed.

posted by NoMich at 01:01 PM on January 31, 2006

Ok, you lost me. DrJohn or NoMich, could you fill me in the Friesen thing. The only thing I can think of is that Doc is still mad about the goals Friesen scored against the Sens in the 2003 Eastern Conference Finals.

posted by njsk8r20 at 10:32 AM on February 01, 2006

I mean, honestly. Who the hell scores three game-winners, including the seventh-game series-winner with 2:14 left? Honestly!

posted by DrJohnEvans at 11:09 AM on February 01, 2006

Someone who thought Scott Stevens was gonna throw a skate at him. If it makes you feel any better Jeff said that the Sens were the best team he ever played against.

posted by njsk8r20 at 11:29 AM on February 01, 2006

DJE, well, Gelinas scored 3 series winners for the Flames in their run to the Finals last go around (first round game 7 OT against Vancouver, Detroit and San Jose, both in 6 games, game 6 against Tampa in the Final he had the late non-reviewed non-goal with the inconclusive video evidence that was close to making it a fourth clincher). He also had an OT series ender for Carolina over the Leafs in 2002. But I guess you were on about game winners in a single series, specifically, Ottawa choking late at home against NJ in game 7 in 2003. So, never mind.

posted by gspm at 11:58 AM on February 01, 2006

Well I wouldn't say Ottowa choked. It was a close game. Grant Marshall threw a lucky pass between the defenseman's (Redden?) legs right to Friesen who was all alone in front. Also, it was Friesen's turnover that allowed the Sens to rush down the ice and score the game tieing goal.

posted by njsk8r20 at 12:41 PM on February 01, 2006

Good ol' Marty Gelinas. He could've had another series clinching goal in '99 had he not whiffed on a wide fucking open net against the Bruins. Up until 2002, he was known as "the Whiff" by me and some other friends.

posted by NoMich at 12:50 PM on February 01, 2006

Had I known this would still be such a contentious issue, I would not have brought it up. Well, maybe I would've.

posted by DrJohnEvans at 01:16 PM on February 01, 2006

glad you did

posted by garfield at 02:16 PM on February 01, 2006

speaking of Stevens, here's some video and other goodies

posted by njsk8r20 at 03:26 PM on February 01, 2006

Naw, I dunno about Ottawa choking in game 7. That was just me helping grum gets some digs in at the Sens fan. Still, giving up the winning goal (no matter the play) in the last couple minutes of a game 7 at home is a disappointing way to lose. Though, I also remember the Sens playing the Sabres and losing to them in the final game (was it 97?) a Sens player scored a crucial goal by winning a faceoff in his own zone but lifting the puck up and towards the net and it beat the goalie and went in. if I remember that correctly. Moments of heartbreak.

posted by gspm at 04:09 PM on February 01, 2006

a Sens player scored a crucial goal by winning a faceoff in his own zone but lifting the puck up and towards the net and it beat the goalie and went in. Wasn't that Yashin winning the draw and sending it all the way back into an empty net? (Senators were one goal behind at the end of the game.) I'm not usre it was in the playoffs, though.

posted by qbert72 at 11:02 PM on February 01, 2006

The worst one I saw was a Flyers/Devils game. Broduer made a save and the rebound went back to center ice. There was a delayed penalty and the Flyers pulled the goaltender. The Devils did some aggressive forechecking and the Flyers d-man went to pass the puck back to a player who was not there anymore, and BAM, right into the empty net. Since Broduer was the last devil to touch the puck he got credit for the goal. I think that was a regular season game back in 1999-2000. That's a nasty wound DrJ, here is some salt.

posted by njsk8r20 at 10:09 AM on February 02, 2006

You're not logged in. Please log in or register.