NHL free agency started last week. Even before the start date teams were franticly making moves to free up some money and cap space. Other teams have decided to just throw caution to the wind and spend money like Scrooge Mcduck. The Penguins were rumored to be losing the core 3 of their team or at least some of them. But in some late night dealing they came to terms with Kris Letang to keep him a penguin for life. That led a lot of people to think well, Malkin is leaving now. Surly they cant afford him also. Nope wrong again! The day after it was reported that Malkin was going to test free agency and that he felt Pittsburgh didn't think he was good anymore he turns right back around and signs a 4 year 24 million dollar deal to stay in Pittsburgh. This deal will in theory keep the core of Crosby, Malkin and Letang as penguins for the remainder of their careers and push back the inevitable rebuild there for a few more years.
Some other big names that will have new homes this season and for the next few years actually would include goaltender Cam Talbot. After being relegated to the bench in favor of Marc-Andre Fleury, Talbot said he did not wish to spilt time with the 3 time Stanley cup champ. GM Bill Guerin heard this plea and did the right thing by moving Talbot. It just so happened that the team he went to, The Ottawa Senators have decided they don't like watching hockey in June anymore. Not only did they bring in Talbot, They shipped out Matt Murray and brought in Claude Giroux and on draft night they traded for Alex Debrincat. Of all the teams in the Bruins division Ottawa seems to have made the most moves in order to improve.
Like him or not everyone had their eye on Evander Kane during last season and especially during that playoff run by Edmonton. Kane had 13 goals and 17 points in the Oilers playoff run this season. Playing with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl he found his way back in to the light. The Oilers were going to let him test his worth in free agency but decided to lock him up instead with a 4 year 20 million dollar deal. Again, Like him or not he makes that team just that much better.
A few other things of note have happened in the very short time of the off season. 3 time Stanley Cup champ Duncan Keith has decided to call it a career. One of the best shut down defensemen and the backbone of those 3 cup winning black hawk teams he will be missed by everyone in the league and probably thanked by some goal scorers who no longer have to go into a corner with him and attempt to come out with the puck.
One last big story to shake up the NHL this off season already. Johnny Hockey! People have known for a while that he is not happy with how things have gone in Calgary. He was essentially passed over for the captaincy and there has been rumors he did not get along with GM Brad Treliving. Even still a player of his caliber should be kept. The Flames knew this and offered him an 8 year deal worth somewhere in the range of 90 million dollars. Gaudreau turned it down saying this was far beyond money. He shocked everyone by signing with Columbus. In his introductory press conference a reporter asked him if he was happy with his decision, The response was "I'm not in Calgary anymore so yea I'm happy." I don't think this makes the Blue Jackets and instant contender but it definitely ups their chances.
After all of this now i can get to all the moves the Bruins have made. Oh right! THEY HAVE NOT MADE ANY MOVES!!!!!! They traded Eric Haula and got Pavel Zacha. But other then that its been cricket on causeway. I've said all along they need to have a plan in place in case Bergeron decides not to come back. So far they have zero plans. With all the reports of Krejci possibly re signing there is hope but also, What if he doesn't? You have no plan in place should these 2 things not happen. You fired the coach. Brought in a coach with more DUI's then wins in the NHL and you think not having a back up plan is a great idea! I am so sick of this management just sweeping everything under the rug. If you are going to rebuild then do it. Trade everyone, Re sign Pastrnak and then build around him. But stop feeding the fans this "we are still competitive" Bull shit. The Leafs are competitive but they still don't win. Is that what we are becoming? The Toronto Maple Leafs? First round exits while the fan base is lied to about "making moves". I will say it now, The Bruins will be a 500 team this year. Maybe worse. The issue is that still wont be bad enough to get a high draft pick. So we will be stuck in this boat again next season until management gets their heads out of their asses and either admits to and starts a rebuild or we get some new management in there to shake things up. But i for one think it is dark days ahead for the black and gold faithful.
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