Well the summer is almost over and thats good news to us hockey fans. In only a couple of months the NHL comes out of hibernation and the potentially very interesting 2008-09 season will begin. It's been a very interesting summer in the NHL with a lot of player movement. Some teams are looking a lot better- Others, not so much. Here are the winners and losers of the 2008 NHL offseason.
Winners:
Detroit Red Wings
The Stanley Cup champions look like a safe bet to repeat after signing Marian Hossa and Ty Conklin. Hossa adds even more firepower to this already scary team while Conklin can take the pressure off Chris Osgood during the regular season. What amazes me is that this team still has cap room to add someone else through a trade if need be.
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are coming off two straight season without playing a playoff game. That streak could end soon though after a couple of key offseason additions. Eric Cole is a solid player who doesn't necessarily put up big numbers but will provide great leadership for the kids. The Oil also get another solid prospect in Marc-Antoine Pouliot.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks came within a few points of finally ending their post-season drought last year, and a couple of offseason pickups should provide those few points and possibly many more this season. Puck-mover Brian Campbell gives the 'Hawks the powerplay quaterback Defenseman they've been looking for for years. Cristobal Huet Will likely split time with Khabibulin during the season giving Chicago a solid goaltending tandem.
Dallas Stars
Dallas Came so close to winning it all last season. It seemed all they needed was that one player who could put them over the hump. The Stars got that player in Sean Avery. Anybody who knows me knows that I'am a big fan of this guy. Does he cross the line sometimes? absolutely. Would I want him on my team with the cup on the line? absolutely. Avery has such a well-rounded game. He can grind it out, he can fight, he can score, and most importantly, other players hate playing against him. Can you imagine getting your head around facing Avery and Steve Ott possibly on the same line in a big playoff game?
Losers:
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs really sent a message to their fans this year. They serious about taking the big prize in June. Of course the prize I'm talking about is teen phenom John Tavares, set to go 1st overall in this years draft. Toronto did make some progress though. Jeff Finger Gives the team a nice way to get rid of excess money from all the sellouts while Curtis Joseph comes back to Toronto probably just to say goodbye.
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks made a ridiculously big offer to Mats Sundin and in the process lost one of the faces of the franchise in Markus Naslund. If Sundin does decide to don the blue and green or black and orange or whatever it is the Canucks are wearing right now it might pay off, but 20 million over two years is an awful lot to pay for a player who could very well be past his prime.
Los Angeles Kings
The Kings needed to do something, anything. but they didn't. Gabe Gauthier, Erik Ersberg, Matt Moulson, and Peter Harrold were among their biggest signings. Drew Doughty provides a lot of hope for Kings fans for the future, but this season will be another long one in Hollywood.
Winners:
Detroit Red Wings
The Stanley Cup champions look like a safe bet to repeat after signing Marian Hossa and Ty Conklin. Hossa adds even more firepower to this already scary team while Conklin can take the pressure off Chris Osgood during the regular season. What amazes me is that this team still has cap room to add someone else through a trade if need be.
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are coming off two straight season without playing a playoff game. That streak could end soon though after a couple of key offseason additions. Eric Cole is a solid player who doesn't necessarily put up big numbers but will provide great leadership for the kids. The Oil also get another solid prospect in Marc-Antoine Pouliot.
Chicago BlackhawksThe Blackhawks came within a few points of finally ending their post-season drought last year, and a couple of offseason pickups should provide those few points and possibly many more this season. Puck-mover Brian Campbell gives the 'Hawks the powerplay quaterback Defenseman they've been looking for for years. Cristobal Huet Will likely split time with Khabibulin during the season giving Chicago a solid goaltending tandem.
Dallas Stars
Dallas Came so close to winning it all last season. It seemed all they needed was that one player who could put them over the hump. The Stars got that player in Sean Avery. Anybody who knows me knows that I'am a big fan of this guy. Does he cross the line sometimes? absolutely. Would I want him on my team with the cup on the line? absolutely. Avery has such a well-rounded game. He can grind it out, he can fight, he can score, and most importantly, other players hate playing against him. Can you imagine getting your head around facing Avery and Steve Ott possibly on the same line in a big playoff game?
Losers:
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs really sent a message to their fans this year. They serious about taking the big prize in June. Of course the prize I'm talking about is teen phenom John Tavares, set to go 1st overall in this years draft. Toronto did make some progress though. Jeff Finger Gives the team a nice way to get rid of excess money from all the sellouts while Curtis Joseph comes back to Toronto probably just to say goodbye.
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks made a ridiculously big offer to Mats Sundin and in the process lost one of the faces of the franchise in Markus Naslund. If Sundin does decide to don the blue and green or black and orange or whatever it is the Canucks are wearing right now it might pay off, but 20 million over two years is an awful lot to pay for a player who could very well be past his prime.
Los Angeles Kings
The Kings needed to do something, anything. but they didn't. Gabe Gauthier, Erik Ersberg, Matt Moulson, and Peter Harrold were among their biggest signings. Drew Doughty provides a lot of hope for Kings fans for the future, but this season will be another long one in Hollywood.
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