2014 CBJ Offseason Thread II (All proposals, "blog" rumors, speculation in here)

[Kev22]

I was sitting at the bar after a round of golf at Pinnacle Golf Club yesterday, and JD happened to be 2 chairs down from me. He had just finished playing as well. I ended getting to talk to him for a bit. Super nice guy. Obviously, he's not going to reveal anything of significance to me but I asked about a few players. The only time I received what I thought was a favorable read on a player was when I asked if I should be ready to buy a Callahan jersey in a few weeks.

I know it doesn't mean anything but thought it was kind of neat to be able to talk to him. He was very open and easy to talk to.

Good story. He really is the one that makes sense from a style standpoint as opposed to anyone else that's been discussed.

 

[Kev22]

So much for July 1 being the start of free agency.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/19/teams-can-now-discuss-contract-details-with-pending-free-agents-during-interview-period/related/

This was bargained for in the last CBA. The NHL is trying to bring the excitement back to July 1 where guys are signing quickly. I think it's a pretty good move. Who's going to stake out the airport, the NWA and keep Blue Jacket One on their FlightAware?

 

[Kev22]

Kev, Tyler Wright is no longer around to leak things to Porty.

Funny. I'm not one of those who busts Porty's coconuts all the time. I think he actually does a pretty good job. I'm sure that he has multiple sources. How reliable they are is anyone's guess.

 

[CBJSlash]

Any opportunity for JD and Jarmo to Skype and chat with players we want is a great thing especially without the pressure of getting the deal done. This could be a big plus for us.

 

[CapnCornelius]

Eklund had mentioned Jussi Jokinen. Now, I'm sure part of the reason is Jarmo--we'll be linked to every Finn from now on. But I have to say, he's the sort of guy that could be had on a reasonable deal and if you look at his production, its quite solid. I'd rather take a shot on him than a guy like Vanek to be quite honest.

 

[Mayor Bee]

Eklund had mentioned Jussi Jokinen. Now, I'm sure part of the reason is Jarmo--we'll be linked to every Finn from now on. But I have to say, he's the sort of guy that could be had on a reasonable deal and if you look at his production, its quite solid. I'd rather take a shot on him than a guy like Vanek to be quite honest.

Agreed. He can still produce in multiple ways, and the likely risk taken by term and salary is likely to be much less than with Vanek or any of the other top forwards.

While you're here, stick around for a while. We won't bite.

 

[Kev22]

The Jackets start the offseason with 22.7M in cap space. If they can trade Umberger without having to retain salary (growing unlikelier by the day), that space increases to 27.3M. Obviously Johansen, Prout, Savard, Erixon and Goloubef need signed. I think that MacKenzie, McElhinney and Skille are going to get re-signed. If Jarmo can keep his signings to about 12M, I think he could go to market with 10M, putting his cap number around 65M. He could make one big splash signing and one bargain signing or he could make 2 UFA signings similar in salary to Horton from last season. GMJK has definitely got options and flexibility. What I like the most is he is positioning his prospects to develop and making them earn their way onto the roster. This is how things should have been done from day one.

 

[NotWendell]

Eklund had mentioned Jussi Jokinen. Now, I'm sure part of the reason is Jarmo--we'll be linked to every Finn from now on. But I have to say, he's the sort of guy that could be had on a reasonable deal and if you look at his production, its quite solid. I'd rather take a shot on him than a guy like Vanek to be quite honest.

Absolutely yes to targeting Jussi instead of Vanek.

 

[WannabeFinn]

Would love to have Juicy J, but I'm afraid he's going to ask for quite the pay raise despite the likelihood that his production is going to drop in the future (he played on Malkin's line)

 

[db2011]

Good story. He really is the one that makes sense from a style standpoint as opposed to anyone else that's been discussed.

I found myself today not warming to the idea of Callahan but adjusting for it. While he is a "fit", I'm afraid of the obligation the team would have to assume, and I'm not sure about chemistry. I LOVE Duby and don't want to jeapordize his position here.

But I've been thinking that if it happens, it may not end up a terrible thing. Pretty good chance the team benefits from it on the front end. If he gets long-term, it's the duration I'm leery of.

Rather it not happen but maybe JK/JD can get the price down and it ends up a great fit.

Agreed. He can still produce in multiple ways, and the likely risk taken by term and salary is likely to be much less than with Vanek or any of the other top forwards.

While you're here, stick around for a while. We won't bite.

I'll echo MB's post. Jokinnen seems like a good fit here (again, at one point he was on waivers and I was mildly thinking he'd be a good pickup).

Also in favor of Cap'n sticking around- a prominent voice when I first joined and one whose posts I always read closely. Can't promise no biting though!

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Not of fan of Jussi. He had vast improvement on an offensive powerhouse, but we could have had him for free two years ago, and everyone passed until PIT traded for him for retained salary. I think he only had the numbers he did because he played for PIT and if someone buys high on him they're going to be in the same position Carolina was in two years ago.

 

[major major]

The Jackets start the offseason with 22.7M in cap space. If they can trade Umberger without having to retain salary (growing unlikelier by the day), that space increases to 27.3M. Obviously Johansen, Prout, Savard, Erixon and Goloubef need signed. I think that MacKenzie, McElhinney and Skille are going to get re-signed. If Jarmo can keep his signings to about 12M, I think he could go to market with 10M, putting his cap number around 65M. He could make one big splash signing and one bargain signing or he could make 2 UFA signings similar in salary to Horton from last season. GMJK has definitely got options and flexibility. What I like the most is he is positioning his prospects to develop and making them earn their way onto the roster. This is how things should have been done from day one.

I agree, this is the way to do it. But it's Howson's depth that affords the proper positioning. So far all Jarmo's done is spend it down. (I'm not anti-Jarmo, but that's just what's happened so far. And of course it took Howson way too long to get there.)

 

[major major]

Not of fan of Jussi. He had vast improvement on an offensive powerhouse, but we could have had him for free two years ago, and everyone passed until PIT traded for him for retained salary. I think he only had the numbers he did because he played for PIT and if someone buys high on him they're going to be in the same position Carolina was in two years ago.

Jokinen's an up and down player but he's had good production at one point or another with every team he's played on, not just Pittsburgh. Actually he's produced well every time he's joined a new team.

 

[EspenK]

I found myself today not warming to the idea of Callahan but adjusting for it. While he is a "fit", I'm afraid of the obligation the team would have to assume, and I'm not sure about chemistry. I LOVE Duby and don't want to jeapordize his position here.

But I've been thinking that if it happens, it may not end up a terrible thing. Pretty good chance the team benefits from it on the front end. If he gets long-term, it's the duration I'm leery of.

Rather it not happen but maybe JK/JD can get the price down and it ends up a great fit.

I have been thinking about this also. There are no perfect players. We can find something wrong with just about any of them. Too old, injury prone, don't fit,to expensive, want too long of a term, etc. But with almost all of the FA's we have been kicking around there is something, and in a few cases a lot of, good these guys would bring to the team.

If you look at the past SC winners all had significant contributions from guys acquired via trade or free agency. It doesn't appear you can build an SC winner solely through the draft.

So my hope for this off season is that Jarmo finds at least one guy who can help this team immediately and for the next couple as the depth matures and assets are built to be able to do deals that don't weaken one area of the team while strengthening another.

 

[cbjfaninmo]

So my hope for this off season is that Jarmo finds at least one guy who can help this team immediately and for the next couple as the depth matures and assets are built to be able to do deals that don't weaken one area of the team while strengthening another.

This is my hope too. I like Callahan but is this team ready for a Callahan given the likely term/$? I would take him in a heartbeat if it is only 2-3 years but that is not happening.

I am warming to the idea of Gagner. I still think the idea of building with smarter, faster players is a good idea. I think it is a huge test for Jarmo this summer. Should be fun and interesting.

 

[Viqsi]

Would love to have Juicy J, but I'm afraid he's going to ask for quite the pay raise despite the likelihood that his production is going to drop in the future (he played on Malkin's line)

I wouldn't look for him to equal what he's done in Pittsburgh; I'd be happy if he stays close to what he did in Carolina. Would've loved to have him then and I wouldn't mind having him now.

Would also be happy to add Gagner, depending on what it is we give up.

 

[CBJx614]

I look at Vanek like I look at Nash, he was depended on to be the man, when he just didn't quite have what it takes to be the go to guy. He's the perfect complementary piece. The Jackets have been a team that scores by committee and there is no one in the UFA or in our prospect pool that will make the team in the next 2-3 whose going to be a top line#1 guy(unless we trade for him). Adding Vanek immediately gives us even more depth, he won't have to be relied upon to be the go to guy. I guess it really depends on how much we can get for him. I wouldn't pay more than 6/yr for him.



Foligno-Johansen-Horton
Vanek-Anisimov-Jenner(if he can switch)
Calvert-Dubinsky-Atkinson
Dmac-Letestu-Hjalmarsson

Wennberg
Boll
Comeau

With that being said I still feel like we could even get away with not doing much at all this off-season. I really think Hjalmarsson and Wennberg play their way onto the team out of camp/first half of the year. Not to mention players like Jenner/Johansen have room to grow still, on top of potentially a full year of Horton.

 

[blahblah]

I wouldn't look for him to equal what he's done in Pittsburgh; I'd be happy if he stays close to what he did in Carolina. Would've loved to have him then and I wouldn't mind having him now.

Would also be happy to add Gagner, depending on what it is we give up.

To be fair he had two years around the same or even better at Carolina compared to what he did last years with the Pens. His 30 goal campaign was in Carolina. He's a diminishing asset now, but certainly has value. He's one of the long list of players that I have no idea why we didn't pick up at the times they were available for nothing.

As far as Gagner, I agree.

 

[Cowumbus]

interested

I look at Vanek like I look at Nash, he was depended on to be the man, when he just didn't quite have what it takes to be the go to guy. He's the perfect complementary piece. The Jackets have been a team that scores by committee and there is no one in the UFA or in our prospect pool that will make the team in the next 2-3 whose going to be a top line#1 guy(unless we trade for him). Adding Vanek immediately gives us even more depth, he won't have to be relied upon to be the go to guy. I guess it really depends on how much we can get for him. I wouldn't pay more than 6/yr for him.



Foligno-Johansen-Horton
Vanek-Anisimov-Jenner(if he can switch)
Calvert-Dubinsky-Atkinson
Dmac-Letestu-Hjalmarsson



Wennberg
Boll
Comeau

With that being said I still feel like we could even get away with not doing much at all this off-season. I really think Hjalmarsson and Wennberg play their way onto the team out of camp/first half of the year. Not to mention players like Jenner/Johansen have room to grow still, on top of potentially a full year of Horton.

I would switch Jenner and Foligno, I know foligno can play on the right side, giving boone consistency at left wing

 

[Fro]

I would switch Jenner and Foligno, I know foligno can play on the right side, giving boone consistency at left wing

if you believe in fancy stats...Foligno and Joey are one of our best pairs of forwards...keeping them together is a smart thing...Boone can play up and down the line up

 

[Cowumbus]

Oilers now are talking to Niki6 maybe a package with him and Umberger could return something for us. I would also not mind having gagner and I would move him to the wing as he has struggled at C

Umerger and Nikitin for gagner

this could happen if the oil sign him for sure then they trade gagner for Umberger straight up. (we would normally add but since we let them sign Niki6 we don't have to

also if we do this it was suggested going after vanek, we could maybe have something like this

Jenner Johansen Horton
Vanek Anisimov Gagner
Foligno Dubinsky Atkinson
Calvert Mackenzie Letestu

Johnson Tyutin
Murray Savard
Wisniewski Erixon

bob

not sure how much cap room we would have but the team looks really deep offensively, defensively idk but I like this

thoughts?

 

[Cowumbus]

if you believe in fancy stats...Foligno and Joey are one of our best pairs of forwards...keeping them together is a smart thing...Boone can play up and down the line up

then should Atkinson be on the first line?

 

[Fro]

then should Atkinson be on the first line?

why? Cam isn't a good player according to the same stats...he's only good with Dubi...

 

[Viqsi]

if you believe in fancy stats...Foligno and Joey are one of our best pairs of forwards...keeping them together is a smart thing...Boone can play up and down the line up

Put Foligno on the right wing in that setup, then. Because those same fancystats pooh-poohed Johansen-Horton.

 

[Fro]

Put Foligno on the right wing in that setup, then. Because those same fancystats pooh-poohed Johansen-Horton.

sure! that works too...I know, going beyond fancy stats, that I noticed Foligno far less on the ice when he wasn't with Joey then when he was...so I think its nearly imperative that we keep those two together some way...