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

[WannabeFinn]

Don't think we'll be signing any 4th liners. It's been reported that the CBJ brass told D'Amigo he's going to get a long look at being a consistent 4th liner for us. We've got a (somewhat) known quantity in Tropp on the right side with the intriguing Hjalmarsson and of course that fat sack of cash Jared Boll. I'd assume that the CBJ FO believe out 4th line is pretty much set. Also, still got guys like Chaput, who's getting closer and closer to making the permanent leap to the NHL.

 

[stevo61]

Any chance they let Mackenzie go because the team has interest in Jay McClement? Thing is, not sure if he is looking for a raise and if so, might be to expensive for a 4th liner and not sure if McClement is looking for a 4th line job. He was a former Blue. Not sure if Davidson/Jarmo were a fan of his during their time in St. Louis.

I'm guessing he probably wants around 2 mil. Elite PKer and I like the guy but as you say thats an expensive 4th liner who probably wouldn't enjoy a reduced role. I definitely wouldn't be upset if we got him but I don't see it hapening

 

[stevo61]

I think Korpisalo will play in Europe still, but idk about Dansk. All of these guys have signed their ELCs, so wouldn't that effect signing a contract in Europe?

Pretty sure Korpisalo wants to play in NA and no to the ELC's I'm pretty sure. Melart went back on one, Wennberg could play over in Europe if he chose aswell as an example

 

[Anisimovs AK]

I'm not going to add to the "OMG we haznt signed anyonez!!!!" croud, but I'm also not understanding calling D Mac dead weight. He is fast (something the Jackets want to improve upon is speed) is a really good pk'er, wins most of the faceoffs he takes, and plays a fiesty physical game while being able to chip in 15-20 points as well. But "well, this D'Amigo guy sounds good" is enough for us to write off guys like D-Mac? Sorry, but I just don't get it, especially considering D'amigo has all of 22 games of NHL experience as well

 

[WannabeFinn]

Don't think anyone was referring to DMac as dead weight

 

[Tony Quinn]

It seems to me that Callahan was the only guy they were willing to throw big dollars towards. Once he re-upped in TB, I think the front office decided no one else was worth it, price and fit-wise.

I don't agree with that thinking because they could have added a player without losing any assets that will be required in a trade.

As the roster sits today, they are probably slightly better than last year. That still means a struggle all year to get into the playoffs and then an early exit. Barring a trade, or Rychel/Wenneberg exceeding all expectations, I don't see where JK has added any of the skill he said was lacking at the end of last season.

 

[EspenK]

Don't think anyone was referring to DMac as dead weight

No it was mostly the guys who can see the future where everyone gets incrementally better and D-Mac is washed up at 34 and the bookkeepers who can't get it through their heads that giving him the same deal as Florida wouldn't have broken the bank.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

No it was mostly the guys who can see the future where everyone gets incrementally better and D-Mac is washed up at 34 and the bookkeepers who can't get it through their heads that giving him the same deal as Florida wouldn't have broken the bank.

Should we then bank on our young players getting worse?

 

[KJ Dangler]

It seems to me that Callahan was the only guy they were willing to throw big dollars towards. Once he re-upped in TB, I think the front office decided no one else was worth it, price and fit-wise.

I don't agree with that thinking because they could have added a player without losing any assets that will be required in a trade.

As the roster sits today, they are probably slightly better than last year. That still means a struggle all year to get into the playoffs and then an early exit. Barring a trade, or Rychel/Wenneberg exceeding all expectations, I don't see where JK has added any of the skill he said was lacking at the end of last season.

I'm sure Jd/Jarmo are looking at the fact that Ryan Murray will improve quite a bit in his second season. A healthy Nathan Horton allows guys to actually play on a line they belong on. Ryan johansen and Boone Jenner will continue to get better. Dumping umberger, and getting Hartnell strengthens our top 6, and I would imagine that wennberg will be ready to make the big club out of camp. We were one of the top teams in man games lost to injury last year as well. Myself, I'm not convinced the rangers were better than us last year, with these issues, and they made it to the finals . I think Ryan Murray becoming a more confident player in his second season, could be huge for this team .

 

[EspenK]

Should we then bank on our young players getting worse?

No but we shouldn't assume all of them are going to get better. I certainly hope they do and I'm fairly certain some will but I'm also pretty sure at least one, if not more, won't.

 

[blahblah]

Only a bad example in that Anisimov does a lot of things well but nothing exceptionally, while Kingman could do one thing exceptionally and a lot of things really poorly. Dunn doesn't fit into either mold; I was going more for people focusing on the "can'ts" rather than the "cans", no matter how valuable and/or uncommon the "cans" may be.

Dunn trumps Kingman on pretty much everything, although Kingman certainly did have more incidents of sending rats to female reporters.

Also, here's a box score from the 23-22 game.

Waay off topic, but you've severely overestimated Dunn's game. He's hits a lot of homers and gets walks because of it. Beyond that he showed a decent arm, but his defense (in Cinci) was dreadful at time - average at best. The dude can't hit for average at all. He had some decent speed for the truck that he is, but last I saw that was all but gone. He's about as one-dimensional as you can get. The exact type of player that I trade and not throw 15-20 million at. Certainly not one I'm looking to get to the world series.

On AA I think they are focusing more on Eberle and trying to find anything of interest. What I think they fail to realize as there is no reason for them to move Eberle. It's a total fantasy, much like Spezza was when we were trying to put together offers for the better part of 3 seasons. We've done that with other players.

I get your point, but I think the vast majority understand that AA is a valuable player. They also understand that he's not a top six player and we need a bit more scoring in the top six. I think we need a play maker a bit more than a sniper, but that's where we have differing opinions.

 

[EspenK]

I get your point, but I think the vast majority understand that AA is a valuable player. They also understand that he's not a top six player and we need a bit more scoring in the top six. I think we need a play maker a bit more than a sniper, but that's where we have differing opinions.

I think we need both. Either one would be a much needed improvement.

I think AA is "expendable" next year, either during the off-season or at least at the trade deadline. Sooner or later, guys are going to have to move on to make room for the prospects who develop. I see AA being one of those guys.

However, now that I think about it, Dubi will be 34 or so if we extend him for the term he will probably be seeking. At that age, by Jacket fan standards he will be washed up, especially with the style he plays. Maybe he should be the guy who walks.

 

[Xoggz22]

It seems to me that Callahan was the only guy they were willing to throw big dollars towards. Once he re-upped in TB, I think the front office decided no one else was worth it, price and fit-wise.

I don't agree with that thinking because they could have added a player without losing any assets that will be required in a trade.

As the roster sits today, they are probably slightly better than last year. That still means a struggle all year to get into the playoffs and then an early exit. Barring a trade, or Rychel/Wenneberg exceeding all expectations, I don't see where JK has added any of the skill he said was lacking at the end of last season.

I agree that the roster is better (on paper) as it sits today but I don't think this is a marginal playoff team if it plays as expected. Had the CBJ not gotten off to another miserable start (5-12 I believe) they would have had the 2nd seed in the division and been comfortably in the playoffs. As the youngest team in hockey my hope is that we don't have a group that feels they've arrived and take a step back this year. I think the leadership is strong enough that won't happen but it is a concern.

 

[Cash for Nash]

I agree that the roster is better (on paper) as it sits today but I don't think this is a marginal playoff team if it plays as expected. Had the CBJ not gotten off to another miserable start (5-12 I believe) they would have had the 2nd seed in the division and been comfortably in the playoffs. As the youngest team in hockey my hope is that we don't have a group that feels they've arrived and take a step back this year. I think the leadership is strong enough that won't happen but it is a concern.

There is only ONE THING I don't understand. Why would the team not bring back Blake Comeau for 1 year between 700K-1MM? He's a pretty good player and tough as hell to play against. I get Mac due to age and term. But man, with injuries and uncertainty with prospects seems we're a little too green now. But, I'm not a GM I guess.

 

[Fro]

if we're playing that game, i advocate Skille over Comeau...

 

[EspenK]

I agree that the roster is better (on paper) as it sits today but I don't think this is a marginal playoff team if it plays as expected. Had the CBJ not gotten off to another miserable start (5-12 I believe) they would have had the 2nd seed in the division and been comfortably in the playoffs. As the youngest team in hockey my hope is that we don't have a group that feels they've arrived and take a step back this year. I think the leadership is strong enough that won't happen but it is a concern.

But if they hadn't had that great trip out West late in the year they wouldn't have made the playoffs. Lots of shoulda, coulda, woulda's to consider. But I understand the start thing- that and hopefully they win at least a few more against the big boys this year.

I think we're about the same as last year. Forgetting about the hows and whys, Umbie did score 18 goals last year. Hartnell has to score that many before it is a plus. I'm hoping he can get 25 but with our offense I just don't know. The best news is that I don't think the Rangers or Philly got better yesterday; in fact the Rangers got worse imo. They let a lot of key heart & soul guys loose.

 

[Jaxs]

When JK said that he wasn't going to be actively pursuing FAs the day before yesterday, I believed him. It was kind of like watching your siblings get all of the presents at Christmas and you got nothing.

Not resigning DMac is my biggest objection to yesterday, but obviously he wanted more term than JK was willing to give. Getting D'Amigo for Frattin may offset the loss of DMac. As mentioned, the presence in the room was more my concern than on the ice with DMac. I think our fourth line will be fine, and there is a lot of leadership in the room for this to not turn into Malhotra v2.

Although this team is deeper than ever before, with similar style players, I too would have liked to have seen an Iniginla or a Stasny added. If by some chance a trade for an Eberle or a Hemsky type to put on the right side next to Joey came along, I would be thrilled. Otherwise I'm ok going into the season with what is here now.

One thing that kind of gets me is the the fact that we will probably lose one of Golo or Erixon,depending on which one is sent down after camp, to waivers, making the D depth even less.

 

[blahblah]

One thing that kind of gets me is the the fact that we will probably lose one of Golo or Erixon,depending on which one is sent down after camp, to waivers, making the D depth even less.

I don't think Golo is much of a concern.

 

[Cash for Nash]

if we're playing that game, i advocate Skille over Comeau...

Nah. Comeau had been a regular the previous two years with the big club. I would have been fine with one of them coming back though.

 

[Jaxs]

I don't think Golo is much of a concern.

You're right, if he doesn't get claimed. He has come up before and filled in and played well enough to not look out of place. I guess it will all sort itself out, but injuries will happen and depth will be tested.

 

[Xoggz22]

There is only ONE THING I don't understand. Why would the team not bring back Blake Comeau for 1 year between 700K-1MM? He's a pretty good player and tough as hell to play against. I get Mac due to age and term. But man, with injuries and uncertainty with prospects seems we're a little too green now. But, I'm not a GM I guess.

You're asking the wrong guy on that one. I am not a Comeau fan so I was not disappointed in the least to see him gone. I didn't see much value in him and, personally, think a roster spot would have been wasted had he been signed for even 1 year. Just a personal opinion/position.

 

[blahblah]

You're right, if he doesn't get claimed. He has come up before and filled in and played well enough to not look out of place. I guess it will all sort itself out, but injuries will happen and depth will be tested.

Not sure if we're on the same page. I just meant that I don't think the risk of Golo being claimed is all that great. We tend to get nervous, but a team would have to have a spot for him - there are all those rules on those claims and how long they have to keep him on the roster. Maybe our local investigator MB can quote the rules for us or something.

An example might be a team that is decimated with injuries, but they can usually pull up a player from their own system. They usually want to reward their own players.

A mid-season waiver claim would be more likely.

 

[Cash for Nash]

You're asking the wrong guy on that one. I am not a Comeau fan so I was not disappointed in the least to see him gone. I didn't see much value in him and, personally, think a roster spot would have been wasted had he been signed for even 1 year. Just a personal opinion/position.

Well. Hopefully Jerry Di Amigo can fill the role mi amigo.

 

[Jaxs]

Not sure if we're on the same page. I just meant that I don't think the risk of Golo being claimed is all that great. We tend to get nervous, but a team would have to have a spot for him - there are all those rules on those claims and how long they have to keep him on the roster. Maybe our local investigator MB can quote the rules for us or something.

An example might be a team that is decimated with injuries, but they can usually pull up a player from their own system. They usually want to reward their own players.

A mid-season waiver claim would be more likely.

OK, I see your point. I do seem to recall that a waiver claim in the beginning of the season, or before a regular season game has been played has to stay on the big club for so long to keep teams from poaching, or only to stock their own depth.

 

[Fro]

Rob Mixer ‏@RobMixer 13m
Kekalainen on @TheGameColumbus: "We got our 'free agent' last week in Scott Hartnell." #CBJ

Rob Mixer ‏@RobMixer 7m
Kekalainen said #CBJ is looking at some UFA options to add depth at different positions...something they'll explore in the near term.

Alison ‏@AlisonL 10m
"the biggest thing we need to keep doing is growing from inside...drafting well and teaching them what it takes to be a Blue Jacket" ~Jarmo