Metal Reviews

I know the draft looks good for you guys now, but the Kings have had many good drafting spots for years now and are still a dreadful team. I know there are good young guys like Bernier and Kopitar. But if Bernier isnt ready next year, you better hope that they get a goalie because Cloutier sucks.

The draft is the only thing we've got going for us since there's no way a good free agent will sign with a last place team unless we blow the bank. And we need that money to keep Kopitar and Johnson around.

And yes, Cloutier is awful. Looks like there's a good chance he'll be bought out, but LaBarbera isn't much better.

What is this draft stuff?

The draft is where teams get to chose young players to be added to their team. Whether they make the actual team or the farm team depends on how good they are, roster spots, etc. The draft goes for 7 rounds, and in each round a team is aloud 1 pick. Unless they trade for other teams draft picks. Lets just say, Pittsburgh is only good because of the draft. The draft got them Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordin Staal, Marc Andre Fleury, their entire core, etc, etc...

That may not be the best description of it, but I hope it helps.

Yeah I got the idea... Thanks... But I've somehow got the impression that the teams take turn or are in som kind of numbered line?

That's exactly how it is. Just reverse the results of this season and you've got the drafting order (a bit simplified but that's basically how it is). So for example, Tampa Bay finished last and will draft first, Detroit finished first and will draft last.

Ah, okay... I thought it was the opposite.

Montreal just acquired Alex Tanguay!! Incredible never thought Montreal would be capable of such a feat!

does Zach Boychuck ring a bell?

A very productive draft from the Kings point of view. Lots of interesting prospects, most of them in areas Kings had weaknesses. They lost Cammalleri in a deal but word was he was leaving as a free agent next summer anyway. I'm psyched. We got Doughty and Teubert in the first round, just what the doctor ordered.

Toronto did well too, Schenn seems to be a a very impressive player.

Really? Thats awesome news. He used to play for the Halifax Mooseheads, which is my hometown, really awesome player.

they got him for their first round pick (#25) and a 2009 2nd round draft pick.
So we don't loose much in this trade. at best #25 would be a player that would join the Habs in 3-4 years and we get a proven offensive player who at 28 years of age has still got some good years ahead. So I say, good move Gainey! Good move!

So the Leafs trade away first rounders and are stupid. The Habs do it, and its awesome. Next you guys will get Sundin, and it will be the Leafs all over again.

At least you guys have real young talent...But be careful, Luke Schenn will be deadly.

So lot'so changes in the NHL. I guess that's what free agency will do.

Some big name changes:
Markus Naslund signs with the Rangers.
Wade Redden signs with the Rangers.
Mark Streit signs with the Islanders.
Jaromir Jagr leaves the NHL for Russia.
Darcy Tucker signs with the Avalanche.
Leafs trade with the Habs, no real big name players but I thought I wiould mention it because they are the 2 most popular teams.
Lightning trade Dan Boyle to the Sharks.
Rob Blake signs with the Sharks.
Niklas Hagmen signs with the Leafs.
Flames trade Alex Tanguay to the Habs.
Kings trade Camalleri to the Flames.

and lots of other shit I can't be bother typing out right now. if you want a full list I can provide a link. but i doubt anybody cares...

I slept on the first round of free agent signings, so I know its old news now, but I'm so fucking psyched that the Hawks got Huet and Campbell, not to mention they stole Kyle Beach in the draft. Can't wait till the season starts!

What happens to Khabibulin? (spelling...)

At this point, they're saying that they will go with a rotation of him and Huet this year, kind of like a 1 and 1a situation instead of 1 and 2. His contract is up after this next year, at which point I'm certain he'll be on his way out. I'm still hoping they trade him before the season, but they're at least saying they won't.

Both the pre-season and the regular season schedules have been released. Leafs open the season in Detroit, hopefully watching the Stanley Cup banner being raised will be a good swift kick in the ass for the players and management.

Oh and Sundin to make his decision/announcement at the beginning of August, hopefully...

Montreal is going for the cup this year.

And the Kings are going for Tavares, in other words last place. :(
I wouldn't have believed it if you told me but the Kings are actually looking worse this season than last. Barring some significant trades this season will be a disaster.

Montreal is looking good. Really good. It won't matter though, Detroit will repeat.