NHL Free Agency: this is why I don't gamble

[Por_sha911]

I would have never guessed that Lundqvist would leave NYC
https://www.nhl.com/news/henrik-lundqvist-signing-update-news-status/c-319288122?tid=281072352
I figured he'd take a lesser deal or retire.

or that the Bruins would let Torey Krug slip away
https://www.nhl.com/news/st-louis-blues-torey-krug-seven-year-contract/c-319288430?tid=281072352

I would have bet money against both of these moves and yet here they are.

Other interesting moves
Craig Smith goes from Preds to Bruins
Maxime Lagace goes from Bruins to Pens (a surprise that an up and coming goalie leaves the Bs when Rask's future is questionable.
Holtby goes from the Caps to Canucks
Crawford goes from the Blackhawks to Devils
Gudas goes to Panthers from Caps

[Alan A]

Why - at this juncture- would you bet against someone wanting to leave nyc?

[Por_sha911]

^^^
Do you follow the NHL? If you did you would know that this is a silly question.
Lundqvist is an icon of NYC and has made home. The Rangers have leaned on him during lean years for a long time and he stayed with them where there were better places to be. This is pro hockey and not politics.

[beatnavy]

King Henry is now with the Caps. It made sense for all parties involved given salary cap and other considerations. I believe the Rangers were eager to move on and free up cap space (same reason the Caps let Holtby out of town). Hometown discounts only get you so far.

FWIW, as a Caps fan, I'm not all that thrilled about having Henrik in town. Our history with stars past their prime is not that great. On the plus side, he has absolutely fabulous hair

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

^^^
Do you follow the NHL? If you did you would know that this is a silly question.
Lundqvist is an icon of NYC and has made home. The Rangers have leaned on him during lean years for a long time and he stayed with them where there were better places to be. This is pro hockey and not politics.

You been to NYC recently?
It’s not a silly question

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

^^^
Lundqvist is an icon of NYC and has made home. The Rangers have leaned on him during lean years for a long time and he stayed with them where there were better places to be. This is pro hockey and not politics.

Yes, pro hockey, and business. Salary cap, and big dollars at play. When your two back ups combined make less than your #1, and they are arguably better goalies, then #1 goes. End of story.

And in Gorton and Sather, and you can be sure there's no emotion involved.

There are only a handful of players who will start and finish their careers in one place. He wasn't one of them.

But I do think that if you make $6M a season NYC would be bearable.

Krug wanted too much money or term. With the exception of about six players league wide, anyone can be replaced. Who would have thought the Islanders would be better without Tavares? Gone with zero compensation, and the team gets better.

[Por_sha911]

I understand why the Rangers wanted him gone. They basically shoved him out the door by not playing him until the playoffs. The handwriting was on the wall. I doubt he needs the money and just figured he would retire, get the fancy sendoff, and go into coaching with his dignity in tact. With his age and stats, he will not be a #1 again and his only hope to get on the cup is as a backup with a dark horse team.

Alan: you obviously don't understand.

[flatbutt]

I remember when Marty was on the decline and most of us were ready for YUGE sendoff like we had for Daneyko. When he signed with the Blues instead we were all quite stunned. I feel ya Joe.

[1990C4S]

He's one injury (to Samsonov) away from being number one, or one series of bad games by Samsonov.

Do not count him out just yet.

[creaturecat]

Markstrom traded to the phlegms. Vanek as well.
Holtby gonna have to get used to the rainy west coast.

[Por_sha911]

Pietrangelo traded to Vegas!
Chicago trades Saad to the Avs.

Chicago must be smoking some really fine stuff.
First they let Crawford get away (their most experienced Goalie is Malcolm Subban who has been a dud). Then they trade Saad.

[1990C4S]

Pietrangelo was a UFA...nothing in return to STL.

Crawford will not be playing when the Hawks are competitive again. They need five years now.

[beatnavy]

Well, Lundquist won't be playing with the Caps this year after all. Apparently he has a heart condition that would put him in some serious danger. So he may have played his last -- with the Rangers. We'll see. Best to him and his family.

https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2020/12/17/henrik-lundqvist-announces-he-will-not-play-for-capitals-next-season-due-to-a-heart-condition/

[Por_sha911]

Wow. No one wants to go out that way.

[1990C4S]

It's reportedly COVID related, he's high risk if he gets it.

[Por_sha911]

I haven't seen a credible report linking his problem to CV19. Not saying it isn't true, just not seen anything. Please provide something.

[Hawkeye's-911T]

Re "King Henrik" - that is a shocker, to say the least

JB

[Por_sha911]

I am no Rangers fan but I respect Henry's resume and all he has done for the Rangers. Basd enough he was shoved out the door by NY but now this.
I would like to have seen him get his name on the cup a la Bourque.

[Por_sha911]

The schedule is out! Everyone opens 1/13 or 1/14. No exhibition games.

The Bruins play the Devils on 01/14 in NJ.

[beatnavy]

Wait, what??? Chara is now a Capital? One year deal for $795K. Wow.

Sorry, Joe