|
|
 |
|
| Headlines |
|
|
| • | The Stretch Run... Feb 11th, 2003. |
| • | Who's Hot who's not...Jan 18th, 03. |
| • | Cry me a River, Bow, wow, wow... Jan 5, 03. |
| • | Fleury nets OT winner! Dec 12, 02. |
| • | Gagne breaks out...from the bench! Dec 10, 02 |
| • | He's Baaaaack!, Dec 07, 02. |
| • | Swackers put five past Joseph, Nov 30, 02. |
| • | AHL playoff picture settling in....Nov 28, 02. |
| • | Monday Night Madness! Nov 24, 02. |
| • | AHL Scores Nov 16th, 02. |
| • | Fleury Return in Sight, Nov 16, 02 |
| • | Ghosts coming on strong, Nov 15th, 02 |
| • | Negreanu active on waiver wire, Nov12, 02 |
| • | Lucky Luc, now a Cheap Thief! Nov 10, 02. |
| • | AHL Scores Nov 9th, 2002 |
| • | Brodeur, Brodeur, Brodeur...Nov 8, 02 |
| • | Boguniecki pleasant surprise for Ravag |
| • | Thieves steal victory, from jaws of defeat, Nov 4, 02. |
| • | Shoot Loose face Purple Hearts in Western Showdon Nov 3, 02. |
| • | Roy Shuts the Door on Thieves, Oct 31st, 02. |
| • | Thieves continue to roll...AHL East Scores Oct 30th, 02. |
| • | Isbister scored two, as Thieves rout the Ghosts 8-2 |
| • | AHL East Scores and Standings Oct 23 |
| • | Holmstrom deal to Mustangs Oct 23, 02. |
| • | Saprykin joins Fleury on AWOL list Oct 23, 02. |
| • | Battle of the Brothers Oct 22, 02 |
| • | Turgeon helps expansion Ingem notch first ever win! Oct 13, 02. |
| • | Fleury gone...Thieves move on... Oct 13, 02. |
| • | Draft Day recap Oct 6, 02 |
| • | Fleury Saga continues Oct 4th, 02 |
| • | Gagne Named Thieves Captain Oct 4, 02 |
| • | Thieves heavily undermanned against M's Mar 5, 02 |
| • | Brind'amour and Fleury happy with Thieves Feb 5, 02. |
|
|
The 2005-06 Cheap Thieves
October 16, 2005 - 07:30 PM
LW C RW
Scoring 1: Gagne Sakic Kovalev
Scoring 2: Torres Jokinen Mogilny
Scoring 3: Leclerc Yashin Perry
Checking : Antropov Malone Fedotenko
Defense 1:de Vries/Sarich
Defense 2:Lukowich/Robidas
Defense 3:Skrastkins/Rivet
Goal:
New Jersey Devils
Backup Goalie:
Columbus Blue Jackets
Injuries:
Adrian Aucoin
Keith Tkachuk
Alexei Zhamnov
Spare Parts:
Eric Belanger
Jason Chimera
Chris Drury
Mike Johnson
Daniel Tjarnvist
Milan Jurcina
Branislav Mezei
2005 Draft Review
October 2, 2005 - 02:00 PM
The draft was a smashing success for the Cheap Thieves. We ended up skinny on defense, but picked up some awesome forwards:
AHL Entry Draft:
Round 1 Picks:
1. Bobby Ryan, Ana.- No surprise here, Phil Kessel went first overall and I'd already decided on Ryan. I am stocked in Anahiem now, with noth Ryan and Perry.
2. Benoit Pouliot, Min. Was surprised to get Puliot with my # 5 pick as I had him at #3 on my depth chart.
3. Anzie Kopitar, LA. Talk about a surprise, I had Kopitar ranked at #4 and was able to pick him up with the 10th overall pick!
All in all, I picked up my #2, 3, and 4 picks in the first round.
Round 2 picks:
Jack Skille, Chi.- I had Skille ranked 8th overall on my depth chart so picking him up in the second round was nice. He was the 7th overall pick in the NHL entry draft.
Round 3 picks:
TJ Oshie, Stl.- Wow, was I ever happy to pick up Oshie in the third round! Yet another first round pick in the NHL draft in 2005.
Round 4 picks:
Niklas Bergfor, NJ.- Just incredible. Of my top 11 picks on my depth chart, I was able to name 6 players! By round 4 there were 64 players drafted and I got 6 of my top 11. Add yet another first round pick to the team. As a fourth rooud pick, Bergfor's entry level contract will be just .50
Peter Kalus, Bos.- This pick was one that my insider, Chris Tessaro had me pick. Apparently the kid has blazing speed which will suit the new NHL perfectly. He was Boston's 39th selection in the 2005 draft.
Round 5 picks:
D Danny Richmond, Car.- I generally don't draft too many defencemen, so a late fifth round pick is when I would do that. I skipped over many forwards on my depth chart to pick up Richmond who may actially crack the lineup this year. Richmond is 23 and was drafted 31st overall in 2003.
D Dustin Kohn, NYI. Sticking with the game plan, I took yet another defenceman with my final pick. Kohn is a poweplay quarterback that was drafted 46th overall in 2005. I took him for his offensive upside.
Once we were done with all 80 selections, it was time for the free agent frenzy:
Thie bidding on Brian Leetch hit 15.00, and while I really wanted Leetch and needed a defenceman that plays a lot in our pool, I decided to pass on him.
1. Alexei Yashin, NYI. 13.50- I had Yashin last year and dumped him. His salary would have been 14.00 had I kept him, so I saved myself .50 here. Yashin plays a lot in our pool, and will also have Miroslav Satan on the wing. The new rules should help a player like Yashin.
2. Joe Sakic, Col. 17.25- Sakic was schedule to make 21.50 this season and I was willing to pay as much as 19.50 for him. When no one out bid me at 17.25 I was very happy with the pick. Sakic is a monster, and while Colorado isn't the team it once was, he will still have plenty of talent surrounding him.
3. Keith Tkachuk, Stl. 10.50- I was sure to remind everybody that Tkachuk, or "Fatboy" was over 300 pounds and got suspended by the team. I of course, neglected to mention that he's hired a personal trainer and has already lost 25 pounds and is in camp and looking good. Tkachuk was scheduled to make 15.50, so again I feel like I got a bargain.
4.Alexei Zhamnov, Bos. 5.25- A strategic pick really, as Boston plays the most games in our pool. I dumped both Isbister (in trade) and McEachern, and feel like Zhamnov was an upgrade on both of those players. Zhamnov was scheduled to make 6.00 this season.
5.Alexander Mogilny, NJ. 10.50- here was my first and only mistake of the draft and once again, it was a newbie that screwed me. I'd noticed that the newbie needed just one player to fill out his roster and needed just one player. He bid 8.25 on Mogilny, so i obviously figured he wanted him sinc e he was the best player remaining.
I figured he'd go for the whole 11.00, so in saving time I said 10.50, the most I could big on any player... he passed! It made no sense whatsoever, and I ended up paying 2.00 extra for Mogilny. I could have had him for 8.50 quite possibly.
Still, I saved money with him as he was on my team last year ans scheduled to make 13.00. He'll also be on the top line with Gomez and Elias in New Jersey.
6.D Milan Jurcina, Bos. .25- at this point I'd spent my load and could only bid .25 per player. Losing that 2.00 hurt me here. Jurcina is a young defencman with upside, and picking up players like this is my specialty. In the past, I've picked up the likes of Wade Redden, Darryl Sydor, and Adrian Aucoin, all for .25.
7. D Daniel Tjarnqvist, Min. .25. Another youngster with upside.
8. D Craig Rivet, Mon. .25. I needed a guy like Rivet. Not a huge producer offenseively but he will play a lot and chip in.
9. Karl Skratkins, Col. .25. Same deal with Skratkins. He is paired with Blake and that could help.
10. Brad Lukowich, NYI. .25 This one felt good. Lukowich had a good year last year and will play in Long Island and try to replace Aucoin, Jonsson, and Hamrlik. He will be called on to chip in offensively since the Islanders are now thin on defense.
Once the free agent draft was over it was time to pick up players on waivers. That's done in order and you need to move players to your reserve list to do that. I made the following moves:
1. Picked Up: D Darius Kasparitis, NYR. .25 and moved Milan Jurcina to reserve. Kasparitis might not stay with my team, but I'm looking to find any defense I can get.
2. Picked Up: D Stepahne Robidas, Dal. .25 and moved Darius Kasparitis to reserve. I was happy to pick him up, he'll add depth on my weak defense.
3. Picked Up: D Branislav Mezei, Fla. .25 and moved Stephane Robidas to reserve. Not a prototypical offensive defencemen by any means, but he is a top four defencemen on Florida this year.
4. Picked Up: Jason Chimera, Pho. .25 and moved Branislav Mezei to reserve. I know, I know, I already have two Phoenix forwards, but this was another inside tip. I've had Chimera on my team in the past, and he is a super fast skater that might fit in with the new NHL.
5. Picked Up: Ossi Vaananen, Col. .25 and moved Jason Chimera to reserve. I probably won't even use Vaananen at all since I'll likely be calling up Raffi Torres and Corey Perry this year meaning I'll have to drop a player.
So that's that. I was very pleased with the young players I picked up in the entry draft and feel like I added some power at forward. I have some work to do with my weak defense, but that isn't a major concern in this pool. Besides, since I'm so deep at forward now there is a good chance I could trade one of them in return for a top defencemen if I feel as though it's necessary.
Your 2005-06 Cheap Thieves:
DEFENSE:
1. Adrian Aucoin, CHI. 2.75/ 2.75
2.Greg de Vrues, ATL. .25
3.Corey Sarich, TB. .25
4.Milan Jurcina, BOS. .25 (res)
5.Daniel Tjarnqvist, MIN. .25
6.Craig Rivet, MON. .25
7.Karl Skratkins, COL. .25
8.Brad Lukowich, NYI. .25
9.Darius Kasparitis, NYR. .25 (res)
10.Stephane Robidas,DAL. .25 (res)
11.Branislav Mezei, FLA. .25 (res)
12.Ossi Vaananen, COL. .25
FORWARDS:
1.Joe Sakic, COL. 17.25
2.Alexei Yahin, NYI. 13.50
3.Keith Tkachuk, STL. 10.50
4.Alexander Moginly, NJ. 10.50
5.Alexei Zhamnov, BOS. 5.25
6.Simon Gagne, PHI. 2.75/ 3.25
7.Alexei Kovalev, MON. 2.25/ 2.50/ 2.75
8.Chris Drury, BUF. 2.00
9.Nikolai Antropov, TOR. 1.50
10.Olli Jokinen, FLA. 1.25/ 1.50/ 1.75/2.00
11.Radek Bonk, MON. .75/ .75
12.Mike Johnson, PHO. .75
13.Mike Leclerc, ANA. .50
14.Ryan Malone, PIT. .50/ .50/ .50/ .50/ .50
15.Eric Belanger, LA. .25
16.Jason Chimera, PHO. .25 (res)
Your Baby Cheap Thieves:
DEFENSE:
1.Brian Seabrook, CHI. 1.50 drafted 03'
2.Alexei Semenov, EDM. .50 99'
3.Danny Richmond, CAR. .25 05'
4.Dustin Kohn, NYI. .25 05'
OFFENSE:
1.Raffi Torres, EDM. 2.00 00'
2.Stephen Weiss, FLA. 2.00 01'
3.Alexander Semin, WAS. 2.00 02'
4. Andrei Kositsyn, MON. 2.00 03'
5.Bobby Ryan, ANA. 2.00 05'
6.Benoit Pouliout, MIN. 2.00 05'
7.Anzie Kopitar, LA. 2.00 05'
8.Milan Kraft, PIT. 1.50 98'
9.Marcel Goc, SJ. 1.50 01'
10.Jack Skille, CHI. 1.50 05'
11.Corey Perry, ANA. 1.00 03'
12.TJ Oshie, STL. 1.00 05'
13.Niklas Bergfor, NJ. .50 05'
14.Petr Kalus, BOS. .50 05'
15.Jason Pominville, BUF. .25 02'
16.Jussi Jokinen, DAL. .25 03'
The Cheap Thieves
November 3, 2003 - 10:15 PM
Gone are veterans like Robitaille, Selanne, Fleury, and Oates. In, a new host of players highlighted by free agent acquisition Alexei Yashin who takes over the number one center spot on the team.
Here are the new lines:
LW C RW
Scoring 1: Gagne Yashin Kovalev
Scoring 2: Saprykin Jokinen Mogilny
Scoring 3: McEachern Bonk Johnson
Checking : Isbister Belanger Malone
Defense 1: Ozolinch/Aucoin
Defense 2: Redden/Sydor
Defense 3: Malik/de Vries
Defense 4: Sarich/Bombardir
Goal:
New Jersey
Columbus
Injuries/Spare parts:
Nik Antropov
Mike Leclerc
Brylin
Chimera
Moore
Orszagh
Varlamov
Not Done Yet!...Feb 12th, 03.
February 12, 2003 - 11:30 PM
(Brodeur pictured here is leading all other goalies in All Star Points this season thanks to saves like these).
Las Vegas, NV- Just when it looked like the Ghosts of Elvis were going to run away with the Eddie Shack East, here come the Cheap Thieves with a 2-0 shutout win. With just 11 games remaining in the regular season. the Thieves have an excellent chance of surpassing the Ghosts in the standings.
Of those 11 games, 5 will be against teams with records below .500, while the Ghosts will play 6 games against teams under the .500 mark.
The Thieves are hoping it all comes down the the last game of the season, when the two teams go head-to-head. A situation the Thieves have gotten the best of this season. "Like I've said before, of course the Ghosts are a talented young team, no question about it. We just think we have a lot of things going for us as well. When you talk about leadership, we've got a core of veterans here that have been there before. Also I don't think the Ghosts are near the team we are in goal and on defense." said Negreanu.
While it's true what they say, defense and goaltending wins championships, that may not apply to the AHL really. At least not according to coach Darrell Derosie,"That's bull. Where did you hear that crap, from coach Negreanu?"
"That's all he's got going for him, that spiel about 'defense and goaltending', 'defense and goaltending'...blah, blah, blah. We've heard it all before. You look at our group of forwards here, and you soon forget about all defense and goaltending talk. Besides? How is that defense better than a defense that boasts the like of Andy Delmore, Eric Brewer, Kenny Jonsson, Brent Sopel? Please. This is just one game, we'll move on from here. Let's see if they can keep up."
Clearly the rivalry between these two clubs is heating up. Considering the fact that there is little competition in the Eddie Shack East at the moment, it's expected that these two teams will battle for division supremecy year in and year out. Again, not according to Derosie, "Oh please. Have you taken a look at the lineup we ice every night? That's the same lineup we'll be icing in five years!"
When word of Derosie's comments reached the Thieves camp, there was little surprise, "Well that's Darrell for you. What can we say. They got their butt whupped pretty good tonight, so he's going to say what he has to to motivate his club. No big deal. I'm not interested in getting into a war of word with him. We prefer to do our talking on the ice. Should be 'interesting'". said Negreanu with a smug looking grin.
AHL fans will be in for a great treat down the stretch to be sure...
Thieves coach blows one... Feb 16th, 03
February 16, 2003 - 07:30 PM
(Negreanu can't bare to look, as his decision to start Chimera Saturday costs the Thieves a win)
Los Angeles, CA- With Negreanu on the road scouting talent in LA, the sun may have gotten to him as he made a contract decision (starting Chimera over Antropov) that flat out turned a W in to a loss. "I knew going in that it would be risky, no question about it. It's a tough pill to swollow but we aren't completely out of it and we are going to continue to give Jason playing time." said Negreanu.
Chimera is scheculed to play five of the Thieves remaining eight games. He'll get starts that will see the likes of Adam Oates, Theo Fleury, andMike Leclerc ride the pine down the stretch.
The decision has a lot of fans bewildered. You would think that Jason Chimera is the next coming of Wayne Gretzky in Edmonton. The 23 year old rookie does have 11 goals and 8 assists in 44 games this year, but those numbers are hardly earth shattering. So the question remains: why all the trouble to sign Chimera long term next year hopefully?
"We wanted Jason on our club all along. In fact, we had him high on our list at the entry draft" said Negreanu, "We like his speed and hockey sense. If he gets the chance, which he will with our club, there's no reason to think he won't turn into the next Martin Straka".
No one is questioning Chimera's speed or offensive capabilities, but his defense awareness (or lack their of) continues to be the one thing holding him back in his development.
Negreanu has been known in the past for making these late season decisions to get a player into the required 10 games, Brian Rolston being the first such project. This season however, that strategy has seemed to back fire in more than one way.
Mid way through the season the Thieves picked up rear guard Andy Sutton and were more than happy with his contributions. Sutton came right in and took over the #5 defenceman spot on the team. The problem came, in that Sutton may have done a little "too well" on pool nights. In 10 games with the Thieves Sutton acccumulated 6 assists, for a PPPG of .300. With that number Sutton will be in the second salary bracket, and request a $1.00 raise to $1.25.
The Thieves had planned on continuing to play Sutton in the hopes of lowering that number some, but a sprained anke has prevented that plan, as Sutton will be out up to four weeks.
The problems don't stop there. If Chimera is a healthy scratch just once in his remaining five games, hw won't qualify for a long term contract. Meaning all that effort would be all for not.
Six points behind the Ghosts now, the Thieves should now be concentrating on their first round opponent, which is anybody's guess at this point. One point seperates Shoot Loose, Red Ravens, and the Purple Hearts.
|
|
