Speculation: 2017-18 Roster Discussion - Part 2

[These Are The Days]

Radulov apparently wants 6x7

Let's violently scratch him off our list

Term length is not ideal but I'd jump like a dog and bark if we just paid him $6 million

 

[Volodya Krutov]

Radulov is better than Kovalchuk (Kovy scares me a bit tbh) and I think he'd put us back into contention, but this 6x7 demand is unreasonable.

Welcome to free agency Stevie

 

[LightningStrikes]

Even with Marleau, you know from the get go that the bottom 6 lines are going to kill this team once the tough gets going, there's still and again zero scoring depth. We have three players in the bottom 6, namely Namestnikov, Callahan and Brown who have a combined total of 22 points in 110 playoffs games all together. That's an average of 0.2 point per game. Shattenkirk is a luxury we can't afford at this point.

As some suggested you could ice a 4th line of Erne-Dumont*-Gourde. That's a lot more scoring prowess than something built around Brown, Paquette, Witkowski (lulz) etc. And there might be better but cheap alternatives to Dumont too. I mainly included him because of his ridiculous FO%.

But in general I agree. The one thing we've learned from our playoff runs and watching other teams it's scoring depth that wins you the Cup. With somebody like Marleau, Kovalchuk or Radulov (one can dream) we might fix our top-6 but beyond that it's all basing on Killorn and Callahan bouncing back, Namestnikov finally figuring it out, Gourde showing his 20 games weren't a one time thing and that he's capable of performing like that over 82 games. Maybe Erne or somebody else from the A has a breakout season but we shouldn't be banking on that alone. Bonino is available, maybe he's a good fit. But at what price?

Radulov is better than Kovalchuk (Kovy scares me a bit tbh) and I think he'd put us back into contention, but this 6x7 demand is unreasonable.

Welcome to free agency Stevie

Potential contract and term aside for a moment in a vacuum I'd take Kovalchuk over Radulov in a heartbeat. Radulov would help with the scoring but Kovalchuk brings the far more complete package. Plays both wings and defense if need be, can anchor a PP and be solid on the PK. He's not just a sniper but can also lead a rush and drive possession.

 

[Leonardo87]

Seems like Yzerman is looking for a couple of medium size fishes. Should not cost too much. But at least they have the cap to do it.

 

[Flat Ronnie]

"Yzerman says everything and nothing at the same time."

 

[Stammertime91]

Honestly whoever signs Radulov for 6 years is on crack. I have zero trust in him or Kovalchuk because of their previous actions to give them that kind of term. I'd give Radulov 3 and Kovalchuk 2 and nothing more. I totally understand they're incredible players (and I definitely would love Kovalchuk here don't get me wrong) and definitely deserve that kind of asking price, but given their past, no thanks. I don't want to be looking towards future plans with them in the lineup and always questioning their commitment to the team and league. I'd prefer Kovalchuk. I doubt we get or even look at either but that's my opinion.

As for Marleau, he instantly makes this team better and him on a two year deal makes us a competitive team with Washington and Pittsburgh barring injuries. Even then, a cheaper top 4 defenseman brought in would be magnificent. Can't express how wonderful signing Marleau or Kovalchuk would be. Steve has to address the offense and somehow tinker with the back end. Less Shattenkirk, more Marleau Steve.

 

[Stammertime91]

As some suggested you could ice a 4th line of Erne-Dumont*-Gourde. That's a lot more scoring prowess than something built around Brown, Paquette, Witkowski (lulz) etc. And there might be better but cheap alternatives to Dumont too. I mainly included him because of his ridiculous FO%.

But in general I agree. The one thing we've learned from our playoff runs and watching other teams it's scoring depth that wins you the Cup. With somebody like Marleau, Kovalchuk or Radulov (one can dream) we might fix our top-6 but beyond that it's all basing on Killorn and Callahan bouncing back, Namestnikov finally figuring it out, Gourde showing his 20 games weren't a one time thing and that he's capable of performing like that over 82 games. Maybe Erne or somebody else from the A has a breakout season but we shouldn't be banking on that alone. Bonino is available, maybe he's a good fit. But at what price?


Potential contract and term aside for a moment in a vacuum I'd take Kovalchuk over Radulov in a heartbeat. Radulov would help with the scoring but Kovalchuk brings the far more complete package. Plays both wings and defense if need be, can anchor a PP and be solid on the PK. He's not just a sniper but can also lead a rush and drive possession.

Im with you on preferring Kovalchuk. He's got it all. Whoever gets him gets a lot of firepower. His shot from the left is one of the deadliest I've seen in the time I've watched hockey....and it's not just his wrister or snapshot, but everything off his stick is a laser.

If Radulov is asking for 7m, what do you think he's looking for? 9m?

 

[LightningStrikes]

Im with you on preferring Kovalchuk. He's got it all. Whoever gets him gets a lot of firepower. His shot from the left is one of the deadliest I've seen in the time I've watched hockey....and it's not just his wrister or snapshot, but everything off his stick is a laser.

If Radulov is asking for 7m, what do you think he's looking for? 9m?

Interesting question. I mean Radulov is 30 years old so asking for 6-7 years seems legit. Kovalchuk is 34 so length should be shorter. Before last season Kovy averaged around PPG in the KHL:

2013-14: 45GP 16-24-40
2014-15: 54GP 25-30-55
2015-16: 50GP 16-33-49

You'd expect his numbers to slowly go down but last season he had 32-46-78 in just 60 games. So he almost doubled is goals from 2013-14 and 2015-16 and his point total went up significantly while only playing a couple more games compared to the previous three seasons. He'll ask for a lot that's for sure. He'd answer many of the big question marks surrounding our roster right now though (offense, defense, possession, ...leadership?).

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

Seems like Yzerman is looking for a couple of medium size fishes. Should not cost too much. But at least they have the cap to do it.

This is promising.

 

[Stammertime91]

Interesting question. I mean Radulov is 30 years old so asking for 6-7 years seems legit. Kovalchuk is 34 so length should be shorter. Before last season Kovy averaged around PPG in the KHL:

2013-14: 45GP 16-24-40
2014-15: 54GP 25-30-55
2015-16: 50GP 16-33-49

You'd expect his numbers to slowly go down but last season he had 32-46-78 in just 60 games. So he almost doubled is goals from 2013-14 and 2015-16 and his point total went up significantly while only playing a couple more games compared to the previous three seasons. He'll ask for a lot that's for sure. He'd answer many of the big question marks surrounding our roster right now though (offense, defense, possession, ...leadership?).

Honestly, he'd probably even solve our pp issues on the unit with Stamkos. I wouldn't be alarmed with him at the top running it. Somebody mentioned Schmidt yesterday landing here being a good option. Man, if Slater or Sergachev were ready and we didn't have to bring in a defenseman, we could throw quite a bit at Kovalchuk and have one of the best offenses in the league if not the best. On paper that is and I'm sure they'd be amazing together. Two years ago people were saying he was slowing down but I don't think his numbers reflect that. He may have slowed down a little, but I think for two years at 8-9m, somebody will have a hell of a deal. No more than two years and no more than 8.5-9 is what I'd be happy with. And im being dead serious. He's the juggernaut we need right now.

 

[Volodya Krutov]

Potential contract and term aside for a moment in a vacuum I'd take Kovalchuk over Radulov in a heartbeat. Radulov would help with the scoring but Kovalchuk brings the far more complete package. Plays both wings and defense if need be, can anchor a PP and be solid on the PK. He's not just a sniper but can also lead a rush and drive possession.

I know both of them pretty well and Radulov is more consistent and a better rounded player by a good margin. He's also pretty effective around the net and the dirty areas. Kovalchuk has an extremely impressive set of skills but he's a perimeter player, he's a poor possession man and turns the puck over way too often, especially in the defensive zone. He's also notorious to be an extremely streaky player and at this point his defense has become overrated. He had one terrific year under Deboer as a two-way player but he's never been as committed on the defensive side ever since. Sure when he's on, Kovalchuk is one the best player in the world, but when he's cold, he's a dumpster fire.

 

[More 2004]

I know both of them pretty well and Radulov is more consistent and a better rounded player by a good margin. He's also pretty effective around the net and the dirty areas. Kovalchuk has an extremely impressive set of skills but he's a perimeter player, he's a poor possession man and turns the puck over way too often, especially in the defensive zone. He's also notorious to be an extremely streaky player and at this point his defense has become overrated. He had one terrific year under Deboer as a two-way player but he's never been as committed on the defensive side ever since. Sure when he's on, Kovalchuk is one the best player in the world, but when he's cold, he's a dumpster fire.

As stated a few posts ago, Kovy would likely solve the PP issue as well. Also, his D will be an upgrade over who he is replacing..

 

[LightningStrikes]

Superstars aside, how about Nick Bonino? 29 year old, Cup winner, comes off a $1.9M contract, was 0.30 PPG in the playoffs and averages around 0.45 to 0.55 PPG in the regular season. Not the best at faceoffs though (cracked 50% only once in 8 seasons).

 

[Flat Ronnie]

What does it mean for our trade probability if we keep our 1st tomorrow?

 

[Stammertime91]

Superstars aside, how about Nick Bonino? 29 year old, Cup winner, comes off a $1.9M contract, was 0.30 PPG in the playoffs and averages around 0.45 to 0.55 PPG in the regular season. Not the best at faceoffs though (cracked 50% only once in 8 seasons).

Rather just keep Dumont and hope Gourde and the return of Callahan pick up some of the lack of production in the bottom 6.

 

[The Gongshow]

I wouldn't mind Bonino and Williams. Both wouldn't get big big contracts. Term might be an issue tho

Could help our bottom 9 depth and add even more playoff experience.

Other than Shattenkirk i don't think Yzerman touches the D. We have to accept thats what we got and prey our forwards can outscore other teams on any given night

 

[Stammertime91]

What does it mean for our trade probability if we keep our 1st tomorrow?

I'd say lower which would be pretty obvious. Kind of hoping we package a 1st and something else to land a defenseman. Then go after a forward in FA.

 

[Flat Ronnie]

I wouldn't mind Bonino and Williams. Both wouldn't get big big contracts. Term might be an issue tho

Could help our bottom 9 depth and add even more playoff experience.

Other than Shattenkirk i don't think Yzerman touches the D. We have to accept thats what we got and prey our forwards can outscore other teams on any given night

That's depressing....

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

I'd say lower which would be pretty obvious. Kind of hoping we package a 1st and something else to land a defenseman. Then go after a forward in FA.

I'd do Hamonic for the 14th +. Or maybe Brodin. Dallas is our biggest competition on that front.

 

[Stormbreaker]

**** off Giraffe

 

[Stammertime91]

I'd do Hamonic for the 14th +. Or maybe Brodin. Dallas is our biggest competition on that front.

I wouldn't for Hamonic. I've read some underwhelming comments regarding his play this past season. He's cheap and will be for a few more years but he's also a righty. We currently have Stralman, Coburn, Sergachev, Dotchin and Sustr, possibly even Witkowski, capable of playing the right side even if two are lefties. The right side doesn't really seem to be a problem anymore unless the sole purpose is to bring in an offensive defenseman for the PP.

Brodin has an extra year on his contract and is just a little bit more expensive at around 4m. That's incredible, and he's only 23, four years younger than Hamonic. And he's a lefty. He basically fills out our top 4 while giving one of the younger guys Coburn as a linemate to help them along.

The more I analyze and look at our situation, the more and more Brodin/Schmidt and signing Marleau make sense. Those two would be like the revamping we had when Callahan enticed Stralman to come here.

**** off Giraffe

Lol

 

[The Gongshow]

Don't forget to sign Boyle back, Steve.

 

[The Gongshow]

Why not go after Schmidt, he looked fantastic with Washington, better than Shattenkirk and played 1st pair minutes, not that we need a 1st pair Dman.

Doubt it would take too much to offer Vegas

 

[PaulGG]

Get Boyler back and get a 5M RHD. Still have something left for TDL

 

[Lord Stan 2020]

so tj and drej are not worth 5.5 but radulov is ok at 6 million for full term at 30 years old lmfao