Friday, August 30, 2013

2-4-T's Preseason Prognosis: Metropolitan Division Part 1

In anticipation of the coming season, the staff at Two Minutes for Typing will be breaking out our scalpels, slicing the divisions in half, and dissecting each team to see what will be making them tick this year. Of course some appear to be more ready for the rigors of a full 82-game compliment than others. With that in mind, we will be looking through the microscope at who will perish on the operating table, who has a fighting chance under the knife, and who will be sewn, stitched, and sipping ginger ale come playoff time. I present to you 2-4-T's Preseason Prognosis.

The Miss:

New Jersey Devils

Last Season's Result: 11th place in the East

Additions: Jaromir Jagr, F (Boston); Cory Schneider, G (Vancouver); Ryane Clowe, F (N.Y. Rangers); Michael Ryder, F (Montreal)

Subtractions: Ilya Kovalchuk, F (KHL); David Clarkson, F (Toronto); Henrik Tallinder, D (Buffalo); Alexei Ponikarovsky, F (KHL); Johan Hedburg, G (UFA, Buyout); Steve Sullivan, F (UFA); Matt D'Agostini, F (Pittsburgh)

Available Cap Space: $3.879 million

Thursday, August 22, 2013

2-4-T's Preseason Prognosis: Pacific Division Part 2

In anticipation of the coming season, the staff at Two Minutes for Typing will be breaking out our scalpels, slicing the divisions in half, and dissecting each team to see what will be making them tick this year. Of course some appear to be more ready for the rigors of a full 82-game compliment than others. With that in mind, we will be looking through the microscope at who will perish on the operating table, who has a fighting chance under the knife, and who will be sewn, stitched, and sipping ginger ale come playoff time. I present to you 2-4-T's Preseason Prognosis.

The Miss

Calgary Flames

Last Season's Result: 13th in the West

Additions: Karri Ramo, G (KHL); TJ Galiardi, F (San Jose); Kris Russell, D (St. Louis); Shane O'Brien, D (Colorado); David Jones, F (Colorado); Ben Hanowski, F (Pittsburgh)

Subtractions: Jarome Iginlia, F (Pittsburgh); Mikka Kiprusoff, G (Retired); Jay Bouwmeester, D (St. Louis); Alex Tanguay, F (Colorado); Blake Comeau, F (Columbus); Leland Irving, G (SM-liiga); Roman Cervenka, F (UFA); Anton Babchuk, D (KHL); Steve Begin, F (UFA); Danny Taylor, G (SHL)

Available Cap Space: $7.69 million

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

So You're a Restricted Free Agent Without a Contract, Now What?

Probably one of the least interesting events during hockey offseason, aside from Sidney Crosby's misadventures at the DMV, is the cycle of RFAs. Unlike the near-live auction frenzy associated with their unrestricted counterparts, the RFA game is more akin to a chess match with far fewer pieces and moves.

Friday, August 16, 2013

2-4-T's Preseason Prognosis: Pacific Division Part 1

In anticipation of the coming season, the staff at Two Minutes for Typing will be breaking out our scalpels, slicing the divisions in half, and dissecting each team to see what will be making them tick this year. Of course some appear to be more ready for the rigors of a full 82-game compliment than others. With that in mind, we will be looking through the microscope at who will perish on the operating table, who has a fighting chance under the knife, and who will be sewn, stitched, and sipping ginger ale come playoff time. I present to you 2-4-T's Preseason Prognosis.

The Miss:

Phoenix Coyotes

Last Season's Result: 10th in the West

Additions: Mike Ribeiro, F (Washington); Brandon Yip, F (Nashville); Thomas Greiss, G (San Jose)

Subtractions: Boyd Gordon, F (Edmonton); Raffi Torres, F (San Jose); Jason Labarbera, G (Edmonton); Matthew Lombardi, F (Anaheim); Steve Sullivan, F (New Jersey); Chad Johnson, G (Boston)

Available Cap Space: $6.123 million

Thursday, August 8, 2013

2-4-T's Preseason Prognosis: Atlantic Division Part 2

In anticipation of the coming season, the staff at Two Minutes for Typing will be breaking out our scalpels, slicing the divisions in half, and dissecting each team to see what will be making them tick this year. Of course some appear to be more ready for the rigors of a full 82-game compliment than others. With that in mind, we will be looking through the microscope at who will perish on the operating table, who has a fighting chance under the knife, and who will be sewn, stitched, and sipping ginger ale come playoff time. I present to you 2-4-T's Preseason Prognosis.

The Miss:

Tampa Bay Lightning

Last Season's Result: 14th in the East

Additions: Valtteri Filppula, F (Detroit); Ben Bishop, G (Ottawa); Jonathan Drouin, F (Drafted 3rd Overall)

Subtractions: Vincent Lecavalier, F (Philadelphia, Buyout); Benoit Pouliot, F (N. Y. Rangers); Marc Andre Bergeron, D (Carolina); Adam Hall, D (Philadelphia); Cory Conacher, F (Ottawa); Mathieu Garon, G (UFA)

Available Cap Space: $2.609 million

Thursday, August 1, 2013

2-4-T's Preseason Prognosis: Atlantic Division Part 1

In anticipation of the coming season, the staff at Two Minutes for Typing will be breaking out our scalpels, slicing the divisions in half, and dissecting each team to see what will be making them tick this year. Of course some appear to be more ready for the rigors of a full 82-game compliment than others. With that in mind, we will be looking through the microscope at who will perish on the operating table, who has a fighting chance under the knife, and who will be sewn, stitched, and sipping ginger ale come playoff time. I present to you 2-4-T's Preseason Prognosis.

The Miss:

Buffalo Sabres

Last Season's Result: 12th in the East

Additions: Henrik Tallinder, D (New Jersey); Jamie McBain, D (Carolina); Matt Hackett, G (Minnesota)

Subtractions: Nathan Gerbe, F (Carolina, Buyout); Jason Pomminville, F (Minnesota); Robyn Regehr, D (Los Angeles); Jordan Leopold, D (St. Louis); Lindy Ruff, Coach (Dallas)

Available Cap Space: $10.505 million