Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Newbie]

Are any of the good old Canadian, hockey lovin' posters still around? I'm surprised there haven't been any "Free agent signing" threads.

Once again, my Leafs are looking like idiots. 3.5 million for Finger? Are you kidding me? Then there's Hagman: 4 million for a guy that's had ONE decent year? Looks alot like another Jason Blake. Though I hope I'm wrong.

And how about everyone spurning these Canadian clubs and all their cash? Hossa rejects a tonne from Edmonton to go to Detroit; it looks like Sundin is going to reject 10 million/year from Vancouver; no one heading to Montreal.

What else did I miss... Cambell getting paid too much, where's Jagr gonna go? goalies flopping around, salaries getting rediculous again. How long until the next lock out?

Hanson, Daegukid, Ajgeddes et al? Anyone still here?

[dtown]

[Doogie]

[newteacher]

Not a Canadian either, but a big hockey fan. The Bruins big move is getting Michael Ryder. Yeah, that's their big move...sigh...

At least us Boston fans still have the Celts, and the Red Sox, and the Patriots.

[Bagpipes11]

[Hanson]

Yeah, disappointed Habs fan here. A guy on another message board referred to the Habs as the ReHabs, which made me laugh - that's a good nickname!

Grabovski to the Leafs is barely news. Hossa goes where the cup is and fleas the Pens, who gave him a shot at the cup just a few months ago. Jerk. Habs ink Laraque - yawn.

Sundin has time to wait it out and see how things develop. I'd love to see him wear the CH, but somehow, Montreal isn't a popular destination anymore, what with all the media scrutiny and those diehard French Canadians insisting Koivu speak French.

C'mon Gainey - work some magic!

[dtown]

I don't understand the Hossa hate. He didn't choose to go to the Pens. He owes them nothing. And not to be a homer but let's be honest, the Pens weren't at the same level as the Wings last year and weren't doing anything to better themselves. They're relying on internal improvements. Could Crosby, Malkin, Fleury, Staal and whoever the hell they have on defense all drastically improve next year to make them more competitive? We'll see.

Last year when Bertuzzi chose the Ducks over the Wings I didn't hate him. I was disappointed but understood that he still had a great chance at the Cup and was making way more money than he would have in Detroit. At the end of the day I felt it was his loss and I was right. When it looked like Stuart was going to bolt did I blame him? No. He was a rental.

Does signing with Detroit guarantee Hossa a Cup? Certainly not. But it gives him a great opportunity. He gets to play with some great players, under a great coach with a great system.

[Hanson]

^ In all fairness, Hossa snubbed the Habs, so he's a jerk regardless.

It just leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth when professional athletes do this. Anyone from Montreal remember Mark Langston? The Expos gave up Randy Johnson, among others, to get his services in August for a run at the World Series, and he bolted mere months later.

Money-grubbing selfish pros. Screw 'em.

[dtown]

But when Mats Sundin refuses to waive his no trade clause so the Leafs can get something for him at the deadline then later decides he actually doesn't want to play in Toronto after all and may sign somewhere else, this is acceptable? Blake bailing on LA? I don't see anything wrong with what Hossa did, and I'm not just saying that because he is now with the Wings. He never asked to be traded to the Penguins. They did what they did to make their team better and try and win the Cup. It didn't work out.

Last year the Wings didn't win the Cup, Bertuzzi went to the winning Ducks and the Wings were left with a hole in their top lines and without a very decent prospect in Matthias. Bertuzzi did not owe Detroit anything. Detroit took a gamble on him and lost. No hard feelings.

Being mad at the GM for not making the right move is acceptable. There is always a huge possibility that the player you acquire at the deadline will not resign. It is why they are called rentals. There are still Wings fans bitching about Shawn Matthias, but they are mad at Kenny Holland not Bertuzzi.


I don't think there is anything wrong with a player deciding where he wants to play, for any reason. If he wants the money, who's to blame him? Loves Cali? Wants a Cup? I don't understand why fans hold athletes to these superhuman standards. They have families. They have their own agendas and are looking out for themselves like any person in the world does. Sometimes I think fans are even more selfish than athletes.

Side note: Max Pacioretty is a Habs prospect and I love him! As long as the Habs give him time to develop he could be quite good I think.

[Hanson]

^ I hear what you're saying, but I just think professional athletes should be happy to even be playing what amounts to a game for millions of dollars. They shouldn't dictate where they play. Look at Lindros and the way he didn't want to play in Quebec when he was drafted. Eff him, man. He should have thanked his lucky stars he had a bankable talent and played where he was drafted.

You mention Sundin. Yeah, he's dictating where he plays and making teams wait on him. He didn't wave his no-trade clause - I think players shouldn't be even allowed to have a no-trade clause.

Bertuzzi. The man should be kneeling down and thanking a non-existant God for even being allowed to play hockey, nevermind choosing where.

Yes, NHL players have families and agendas, but they also make millions of dollars and shouldn't, IMO, have all these "rights".

Oh for the ol' days when a player played 15-20 years for the team that drafted them. Where are the Robin Younts (Milwaukee Brewers) and the Gilbert Perreaults (Buffalo Sabres) today? Those guys were class acts. Players today are whiny, have an annoying sense of entitlement, and think they're bigger than the game.

I know my opinion is not realistic in today's professional sports environment, but I guess I'm a purist.

BTW, I hated the Nordiques growing up, but I never liked Lindros for his crap post-draft. Play where you're drafted. Suck it up.

[ernie]

has anyone else noticed that the leafs have been in 'rebuilding mode' for the last 5 years? why don't they ever DO anything at the trade deadline? unloading mats (possibly the least imposing power forward in the history of the game) at the deadline was a no-brainer that for some reason never happened... i'm sure he would have waived his no-trade clause for a shot at the cup!

i really WANT to cheer for the leafs, but being a leafs fan is tough at the best of times, these days it's downright embarrassing!

[Newbie]

[dtown]

Toronto doesn't have to be good and the owners know it. You crazy Leafs fans will continue to pay out the roof prices for a mediocre hockey team. There is absolutely no pressure to succeed. Just be happy you're not from Columbus or Atlanta or some other insignificant place like that.

And Hanson I love a loyal player too. I grew up idolizing Steve Yzerman so I think it's awesome when players stick to one team for their career. However, where is the loyalty from the team? In some cases the players are traded by the team, so why should a player be loyal to a team that at any point might trade their ass? I do think you should have to play for the team that drafted you though. Wheeler? Little shit. Pay your dues.

[blurgalurgalurga]

So, Naslund's a Ranger now...I wonder how he'll do. I predict 20 goals and 30 assists.

[tefain]