Despite the warning that we would not be looking at ‘elite’ players… Does anyone else feel let down? Maybe depressed or some how cheated? Is it just me? Should I drink more koolaide and then go over to coyotes.com and stare at the new rookie pictures/movies on Facebook until I believe again?
Jeebus! who knew the going rates for experienced players was going to rival gas prices! C’mon! wth? is Vancouver thinking? 20 mill offer for Sundin? More than 1 smart team (DET, DAL, SJS and us to name a few) stayed quiet today… shopping for small pieces and letting the idiots pick up the shiny, exciting, EXPENSIVE toys. Bet they’ll be more active after all the hub bub has died down. Darren Pang has it right in his take on today…
http://coyotes.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=367494
Ok that was my first reaction to Free Agent Frenzy…
We signed Todd Fedoruk and Kurt Sauer. Yep thats it. Fedoruk and Sauer. Now don’t get me wrong, these are servicable players. Feds can actually play some minutes and Sauer is a steady and stable defenseman. But considering who we left on the table to be swooped up(Weller by Minnesota (2yrs 600k per) and Vrbata (3yrs at 3mill per) by Tampa Bay, the greedy bastages who were buying everything in sight) yeah, I am a little disappointed at first look by the return.
So I started looking at the smaller picture, the specifics, if you will, trying to figure out just what happened today. In an interview just days before, GMDM said he was looking for security for the rookies. I had no idea that this would be one of the main focal points of the day of frenzy. I mean, c’mon, we lost 2 defensemen, didn’t you expect to replace BOTH of them? Instead we filled in the job of nannies with attitudes. Our rookies have McGrattan and Fedoruk riding shotgun while they take their first steps into the NHL world. Forgive me if I am not wholly impressed. (just being honest).
Now add in the part where our staff are jumping ship like rats off the Titanic… no matter about Jack and whatsher name… I do not feel like the king of the world. Toc, Kurvers and Malone to TBL in the space of a week.
So July 1st did bubkis for me. Nada, zip, nothing, crappola. Until the annoucement…
COYOTES SIGN FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICKS BOEDKER AND TIKHONOV TO CONTRACTS
Whoa! They are really serious about bringing these rookies into the lineup. I guess nannies-with-attitude inc. is going to have their hands full with KT, Tiki, The Bod, Lisin(still basically a rookie) and most likely Porter joining the sophmores Mules and Hanzal (Carcillo can take care of his own). So there was a very real concern that was addressed in a reasonable manner although I am still not sure Feds is the guy for the job. We just got younger than your average day care center. But having seen these kidlets in action… this announcement just brings out the optimist in me all over again.
Then GMDM took to the airwaves to explain what was done and why (synopsis provided by loyal fan Jenna aka wo4bb)
Maloney stated that Fedoruk will probably average 10-12 minutes per game and he has speed and can skate well. (ok thats the Weller replacement)
He emphasized Mikkel Boedker a lot. He also talked a lot about Porter being the top scorer in college hockey and how smart and fast he was. (ok maybe we get some of Vrbata’s goals back there)
He said the team will have a lot of skill and speed and the toughness will be vital to make sure that other teams don’t take advantage of our young guys. (another reference to the need for the newly formed nannies w/ attitude)
He said come January/February/March he will look into replacing Vrbata if needed. (whew, at least he acknowledges there might be an issue)
He is very happy for Weller who signed with the Wild. He said Weller wanted a one way contract and Maloney was only willing to offer a two-way. ( why not? the guy played well, provided toughness and wasn’t going to cost us as much as Feds ultimately did. Its not like we didn’t pay Bell and Grats full salaries in the AHL last season.)
Ross is currently in Tempe working on a professional training program. He is paying for that with his own money. Maloney said the Coyotes are very excited about him but at 19 he is still very young to be a dman in the NHL. He said Ross will one day be in NHL player and his training camp this year will determine if he stays in Phoenix or goes back to his junior team. (Read this as 1 more attempt by DM to stop us from getting our hopes up about Nick… he ain’t comin this season folks… deal with it and stop tryin to rush the kid)
Maloney stated that he is happy with the free agents they have signed and will continue to look for value for the blueline but will not be pursuing anyone. He said he is letting guys come to him and no guys over 33. He is looking to add skill and grit. *** see my scenario at the end behind the cut***
He was asked if Jokinen will get the A and Maloney said that is up to the Coach. (the opportunity to see the Joker run w/ Donor is worth the price of the season tickets in 08)
On XM radio shortly before the Xtra 910 gig GMDM addressed the Wheeler situation w/ this comment, (the 2nd rd pick we got for losing Blake was used in the deal to trade up to get Tikhonov and we would make that deal everyday of the week). Guess GMDM had his fill of the situation w/ Wheels.
We are going to be the talk of the NHL one way or another. Hopefully we will be a raging success story and actually get into the playoffs on the backs of a bunch of teens and their nannies… or we end up the winners of the Tavares sweepstakes in 2009.
Anyone who foresees THIS lineup going deep into a playoff run is drinking waaay better koolaide than I am. But ya know… we Cinderella’d our way through most of last season, so who knows what will happen, all I know is the defense we have right now… makes a playoff run highly unlikely. We’re expanding Yandle’s role (and most likely our GAA, so we better score a whole lot more than last season) and maybe Jonesy’s too if we don’t get another defenseman.
