They deserve the money because of their play.

Only thing I don't agree with is the term. They're good players (not elite) that I think will start to tail off near the end of their career. Guys like Ovechkin/Crosby/Malkin might as well but chances of that happening to them is much lower because their skill level to start off with is much higher.

I have one better;

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/fd/fu...9_nhl_awar.jpg

and Lu and his wife;

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/07/fu...9_nhl_awar.jpg

Gino's gf >>>>>>>> Lu's wife

yea she looks like Cameron Diaz with Angelina Jolie's lips giggity

Lu is wearing an ugly suit lol.

I noticed a very small number of hockey players know how to dress and the ones usually dressed nice are the Europeans players. The rest of players wear suits one size too big or wear ties and shirts that my grandfather would have worn.

Good call! :D

lol, I haven't been in here since the playoffs ended, so late reply.
But how does not being interested make people bandwagoners?

It is possible to be a Canuck fan and not a hockey fan, is it?
I'm not there to watch a game, I'm there to watch Canucks play.
And fuk no, you won't catch me cheering for any of the other 29 teams. How's that for bandwagoning?

Maybe it's him that's bandwagoning.. he's a "true" canucks fan but all of a sudden become a huge fan of whomever is in the final lol...

anyways, any news on the sedin twins?

Relax. Real Canucks fans welcome any Canucks support wether it be devoted or casual.

Canuck fans who condescend on other people's degree of fandom are just that because they're more than likely inadequate in every aspect of their life and it's their only avenue of superiority over everyone. (as it's really easy to be a homer).

Be glad that you're life is not inadequate that you have to live your life vicariously through your local hockey team.

Luuuu is a total borat without the stash

Rephrase that...you gave a definition of a bandwagoner then ended with a question...haha


Why do you get so offended with that word if it doesn't apply to you...the majority of fans in Vancouver are bandwagoners....they dont know shit about the Canucks and get their car flags out when the playoffs come along.

Also...who says you gotta root for a certain team when watching the rest of the playoffs...can you not appreciate great intense hockey for the cup?

For 5.25 million...its a fair deal.

Impact are making 6 million plus....Sedins will never have superstar status...you're paying them for the points they produce.

You guys think the Sedins are done in Vancouver if the Canucks don't offer them a long term contract?

LUUUUUUUUUUUUU and wtf @ the reporter.... she must be from Toronto lol;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhVB_9-kuks

Economy might be brawniest player in strong free-agent class
June 22, 2009
By Wes Goldstein
CBSSports.com Staff Writer

Since the best team in hockey isn't determined until late in the spring, it should come as no surprise that the sport likes to celebrate its Christmas on the first of July. It is a day of deep significance to devotees of the game, with the much-anticipated merriment often stretching out for several days, even weeks sometimes.

This year's free-agent period is shaping up to be more interesting than usual and not just because the caliber and depth of available talent. No, this time around there is a different type of frenzy waiting to erupt, largely because of the uncertain economic times. That has most teams worrying about serious downward pressure coming soon to the salary cap and some of the less savory contracts they have themselves locked into.

In many cases, the anticipated lower cap will prevent teams from hanging on to some of the pending free agents they would have liked, but it might also provide a rude awakening for some players testing the market. And with that in mind, here's a look at some players likely to draw a lot of interest, barring the unlikely event of them re-signing with their current teams before July 1.

Jay Bouwmeester: No one questions his offensive talents and his defense has improved noticeably over the last couple of seasons. Yet Bouwmeester is being portrayed as a franchise difference maker and he really hasn't been in six seasons with the Panthers. Of course, there was only so much he could do on those sad-sack teams, but Bouwmeester had a real chance to step up when Florida gambled by keeping him at the trade deadline and he didn't.

Maybe Bouwmeester was disappointed about staying -- it's been pretty clear for two years he's been biding his time to free agency -- but the Panthers were trying to make the playoffs. When Bouwmeester tanked down the stretch, they did too. Even so, Philadelphia wants him badly now, and the Flyers are desperately trying to make a deal to get his exclusive negotiating rights before July 1. However Bouwmeester's camp has dropped many hints about the unrestricted free agent, who is looking for around $6 million on a long term deal, wanting to play closer to his native Edmonton.

Marian Gaborik: The Wild have gone to great lengths to keep Gaborik in the fold. Last summer, team executives flew all the way to Slovakia to offer him a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract extension, but were rebuffed. This year, Minnesota pushed the coach and GM out the door, replacing them with those who promised to play the up-tempo type of game that Gaborik craved, but was unable to play under the Wild's old regime.

Closer to Edmonton? Will Jay Bouwmeester settle for Philly? (US Presswire)
Closer to Edmonton? Will Jay Bouwmeester settle for Philly? (US Presswire)
Maybe that and the money Minnesota has talked about in the past will be enough to get him re-signed before he hits the open market for the first time on July 1. Still, Gaborik seems intent on testing free agency unencumbered. Gaborik is a rare talent but a big gamble if it takes a long-term deal to sign him because he has been injury prone.

Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin: The Sedin twins got to the NHL as a package and will stay that way, whether in Vancouver or someplace else. They're looking to split $13 million to $14 million annually for several years, which is a lot of cap space in this economy, although maybe not for players who are 28 years old, put up around 80 points each and rarely miss a game. The Canucks have the cap room, but they want to spend about $2 million less in total on the brothers, and for a limited number of years. There is no negativity between the two sides, so they might be able to strike a deal before July 1. If not, the guy who made several slick moves to draft them second and third overall in 1999, is now running the show in Toronto. And Brian Burke has money to spend for the Maple Leafs.

Phil Kessel: Offer sheets have been rare for restricted free agents even under the post-lockout CBA, especially since a couple of them blew up in the face of Edmonton's Kevin Lowe in 2007. But Kessel could change things if the Bruins don't get him signed before July 1. That won't be easy for Boston since they have some $50 million already committed for the coming season and nearly $34 million to just eight players for the one after that. Boston recently signed David Kreci for three years and $11.25 million, and will have to deal with Milan Lucic and Blake Wheeler next year, so Kessel, who is thinking $5 million to $6 million a year, may not be workable for the Bruins. But someone will find the money for a speedster who isn't yet 22 and has become the 40-goal type everyone expected him to be.

Marian Hossa: Hossa will never live down his decision to leave Pittsburgh for Detroit last summer, and may not ever make the kind of money he left on the table. Not even if he ever does win a Stanley Cup with the Red Wings. Hossa became a lightning rod for the snickering set when the Penguins won the Stanley Cup, which was justified less by the series outcome than Hossa's disappearing act through the entire playoffs. Still, Hossa led the team in goals during the regular season and had the Red Wings been healthier in the playoffs, the Finals outcome could have easily been different. Detroit wants him back, and it has already structured a lot of expensive front-loaded deals to keep star players. Hossa will have to decide how much 'hometown' discount he can live with.

Martin Havlat: Havlat showed he could stay healthy for a full season and ended up having a pretty good one for the Blackhawks. He led one of the league's most exciting teams in scoring and was an offensive force in the playoffs until he was bulldozed and knocked out by a controversial Niklas Kronwall hit in Game 3 of the West Finals. Chicago wants the $6 million player back, but not for a particularly long term. Havlat is 28 and has several good seasons left in him. But the team is being built around several key players aged 25 and under, and many of them also have contracts expiring in the next season or two. Those are the players Chicago wants to lock up long term.

Mike Komisarek: A year ago, no one in Montreal would have argued against signing Komisarek to a contract extension. However, now that his deal is over, Komisarek is being re-evaluated because he is coming off a year in which several flaws in his game were exposed as never before. Several Canadiens players had forgettable seasons as well, but Komisarek was not the same player after getting sidelined by losing an early season fight with Milan Lucic. Still, he's entering his prime at age 26 and many see his as a No. 1 type defenseman, even if he has never put up offensive numbers. But money is an issue. Komisarek thinks he's worth in the neighborhood of $5 million a season for the next five or so.

Nikolai Khabibulin: Funny what being in the last year of a contract can do for a veteran's game. Khabibulin had the best of his four seasons with the Blackhawks, despite the fact they spent the summer and training camp desperately trying to get rid of him. No one wanted an expensive aging goalie, so Chicago was forced to hang on to Khabibulin and he turned out better than his presumed replacement Cristobal Huet. Khabibulin was Chicago's go-to guy until getting hurt near the end of the team's playoffs and the team wouldn't mind having him back. But with the free-agent deal it gave Huet last summer, they are stuck with him. And that means they can't spend the kind of money on Khabibulin that he wants.

At the prime age of 27, Mike Cammalleri could be set to cash in. (Getty Images)
At the prime age of 27, Mike Cammalleri could be set to cash in. (Getty Images)
Mike Cammalleri: Cammalleri has the skill set to be a dynamic offensive player and often has been during his six-year career. And he is coming off a pretty good season numbers-wise for the Flames, averaging better than a point per game in what was a free-flowing offensive-oriented system. Still, Cammalleri never seemed to fit comfortably in Calgary, and that won't improve with the likely change in direction when Brent Sutter becomes the coach there. He's 27 and unrestricted and made $3.6 million last season.

Alex Kovalev: Google "enigma and the Montreal Canadiens," and you'll find a description of Kovalev. The guy has been brilliant at times and a fan favorite during his five years in Montreal, while just as often a major pain in the ass and the object of scorn. Kovalev made $4.5 million last year, but like the rest of the team didn't come close to living up to serious expectations and was sent home for a few days at one point to clear his head. Still, Kovalev has a special skill set that remains evident even at age 36 -- as long as his mindset is right. Montreal could still try to re-sign the restricted free agent, but it might be better for all concerned if Kovalev moved on.
Under the radar

Craig Anderson: Anderson saw this year's Vezina winner Tim Thomas as a role model when they were together briefly in Boston a few years back. Both took a long time to be recognized as No. 1 type goaltender in the NHL, but for Anderson and the Panthers for that matter, the problem is that Florida is locked into a couple of more nearly $6 million seasons with Tomas Vokoun. Anderson was the better of the two last season, but Florida only paid him $500,000. He is worth a lot more than that, but will still be affordable to teams looking for a No. 1 or 1-A type. The Panthers though, can't have any more money than they already have tied up in the goaltender's position.

Mikael Samuelsson: If Hossa is re-signed, then there's no way Samuelsson will be around. Even if Hossa is gone, Samuelsson's time in Detroit might be over. Samuelsson has been one of those many hidden gems the Red Wings seem to find for roster holes, a productive two-way veteran who only made $1.2 million a year. Detroit could probably find a way to keep a modestly paid guy like that around, but they have too many good young prospects who need regular spots in the lineup. But Samuelsson will be a solid pickup for teams looking for a smart vet, and he'll make a little more money too.

Francois Beauchemin: Getting this guy was among the biggest contributions Brian Burke made to the Anaheim Ducks success while he was there. Beauchemin was part of the return Burke got for dumping Sergei Fedorov's salary on Columbus right after the lockout, and the longtime minor league defenseman immediately made an impact that remained throughout his time in Anaheim. Beauchemin is a workhorse, playing the kind of minutes only a few other No. 1 defensemen around the league can handle. He's always been in the shadow of Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger though, but he has been a good wingman for both. If Anaheim can keep their two Norris winners in the fold, they won't be able to give Beauchemin the kind of money others will.

Rob Scuderi: Penguins players kept raving about how good Scuderi had become during the season, but few people noticed until he turned out to be Pittsburgh's best shutdown defenseman during the playoffs. Scuderi did a job on guys like Rick Nash, Eric Staal, and even Alex Ovechkin at times and was a critical part of the Penguins' Stanley Cup run. And he made what might have been the team's most crucial save late in Game 6 of the Finals when he stopped two shots with his toe after goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was caught out of position. Scuderi and the Penguins want to remain together. But unless they work out something before July 1, chances are Scuderi will get offered a serious raise from the $710,000 he made last year, which could price him out of Pittsburgh's budget.

Mike Knuble: This is the type of guy teams that win Stanley Cups need, and the Flyers know that. But Philadelphia is pushing hard against the cap right now, so they won't be able to fit in the gritty 37-year-old, even if he was a bargain at $2.8 million last season. Knuble is still good for at least 20 goals a season and he has leadership qualities along with a tough, physical playing style.

You're posting in the wrong thread noob

IN BEFORE LOCK

hmmm were some pages deleted? I remember there were other replies in this thread

Probably split off to the new 2009/2010 thread. Helloooooo!

yeah you're right :thumbsup: