Around the League '16-'17 Other Teams' Free Agent Frenzy

[kovacro]

Craig Custanceâ€ÂVerified accountï‚™ @CraigCustance · 5h5 hours ago

Marcus Kruger to Carolina isn't done yet but talks pretty far along on this front. @BrianHedger first to report Vegas flipping Kruger.


Good shutdown center, has great numbers for defensive zone starts , so I guess he'd be a good fit on their 4th line. He's one of the toughest shutdown guys in the NHL and I guess on a young team on the rise, that kind of presence will go a long way.

What's his number against the cap? $3+ million? A little too rich for my liking.

Hawks fans didn't seem to be too fond of him. I didn't see much of him last season so I'm only going by their observations.

 

[Brodeur]

What's his number against the cap? $3+ million? A little too rich for my liking.

Cap number is 3.08 mil, but more important to Carolina is the actual money owed. Chicago paid a 2 million dollar bonus on July 1st, so he's only due 1.475 mil this season and 2.3 million next year.

So Chicago technically paid Kruger nearly 5.5 million in the last 370 days. It's a nice luxury being a big market club.

 

[KINGS17]

He's like your twin or something.

What teams are out there that are in need of a #1 goalie, have the assets to attempt such a trade, and then have the cap space to sign him? Its easy to say we should trade Stamkos or Price or Kopitar because the return would be massive, but in reality there is no team that would be willing to gut their franchise for one player especially for a goalie.

I agree that Price's contract is ridiculous because Price doesn't play every game. And especially because he hasn't done squat in the playoffs. But at the end of the day, are the Habs better with or without Price? Their collapse when he was out injured makes it pretty clear. And I mentioned it earlier with McDavid and Draisaitl, the agent doesn't give a rat's ass about the team and only cares about his client and in this case, like McDavid and Draisaitl, Price holds all the cards. These kind of deals will be 100% brought up in the CBA, but that's a long way off and GM's just have to deal with it.

Believe me I get the agents don't give a rat's ass, but what if Montreal's GM told Price 5 years and $40M was the max he was willing to offer. Where exactly was Price going to go?

Which team was going to pay over a cap hit of $8M to an almost 30-year old goaltender with a history of injuries?

So, maybe Price had a card to play. Maybe he didn't. If he had left, is Montreal really any worse off, or are they finally on the road to the rebuild which needs to take place?

Now they are stuck for 9 years with an immovable contract.

As RFAs McDavid and Draisaitl do not hold all the cards, just like Doughty didn't when he held out briefly before signing his last deal.

 

[kingsboy11]

Believe me I get the agents don't give a rat's ass, but what if Montreal's GM told Price 5 years and $40M was the max he was willing to offer. Where exactly was Price going to go?

Which team was going to pay over a cap hit of $8M to an almost 30-year old goaltender with a history of injuries?

So, maybe Price had a card to play. Maybe he didn't. If he had left, is Montreal really any worse off, or are they finally on the road to the rebuild which needs to take place?

Now they are stuck for 9 years with an immovable contract.

As RFAs McDavid and Draisaitl do not hold all the cards, just like Doughty didn't when he held out briefly before signing his last deal.

Yup these guys don't hold the cards at all...

Winning means EVERYTHING especially for a Canadian team. You just can't dick around with your star players regardless of whether or not you believe they deserve the money they are asking for. You can say no other GM will offer you that money on the open market, but as an Owner or GM would you want to take that risk? Especially with arguably the best goalie in the league?

But let me be clear, I agree with you and others that these contracts are ridiculous, but these are your star players and you are playing a dangerous game if you play hardball. You run the risk of letting them walk and then you're back to square one all over again with no #1 center, which they didn't have to begin with, without your top prospect because you traded him for a winger and now have a mediocre prospect pool, and now without arguably the best goalie in the league anymore. Try selling that to your fans in the most pressure filled market in the entire NHL.

And you're right about the fact McDavid being an RFA decreases his leverage, but the fact that McDavid practically brought your franchise back from the graveyard means he can and does hold all the cards. I'll give you Draisaitl because you can make an argument he gets his points because of McDavid.

I think a lot of teams, including the Kings, are well aware of the risk associated with these deals, but are probably pressured into keeping them because the team is better with them than without.

 

[kovacro]

Could he have gone to a worse organization.

Might as well have went back to play in the KHL.

 

[KINGS17]

Yup these guys don't hold the cards at all...

Winning means EVERYTHING especially for a Canadian team. You just can't dick around with your star players regardless of whether or not you believe they deserve the money they are asking for. You can say no other GM will offer you that money on the open market, but as an Owner or GM would you want to take that risk? Especially with arguably the best goalie in the league?

But let me be clear, I agree with you and others that these contracts are ridiculous, but these are your star players and you are playing a dangerous game if you play hardball. You run the risk of letting them walk and then you're back to square one all over again with no #1 center, which they didn't have to begin with, without your top prospect because you traded him for a winger and now have a mediocre prospect pool, and now without arguably the best goalie in the league anymore. Try selling that to your fans in the most pressure filled market in the entire NHL.

And you're right about the fact McDavid being an RFA decreases his leverage, but the fact that McDavid practically brought your franchise back from the graveyard means he can and does hold all the cards. I'll give you Draisaitl because you can make an argument he gets his points because of McDavid.

I think a lot of teams, including the Kings, are well aware of the risk associated with these deals, but are probably pressured into keeping them because the team is better with them than without.

I gave you a perfect example of a player in Drew Doughty who was every bit as important to the Kings as McDavid or Draisaitl is to the Oilers, and Drew didn't hold all of the cards.

Of course teams are better with these players than without them, but an organization cannot afford to destroy their entire salary structure for one or two players, especially when the player has two choices if they want to play. For the time being Draisaitl and McDavid can't walk anywhere. Ultimately, it is the Oilers decision where these guys will play next season.

Regarding Price and the Canadiens, what exactly has Montreal won with him between the pipes, and how does the new contract improve the situation? If it's all about winning for Canadian teams, you would think they might figure this out.

It's the job of the GM and ownership to sell their fans on the idea of a rebuild. Has a Canadian GM actually tried it?

 

[kovacro]

It's the job of the GM and ownership to sell their fans on the idea of a rebuild. Has a Canadian GM actually tried it?

The Leafs sold it to their fan base. They stripped it down when Shanahan came aboard. Of course, it helped that they won the lottery and drafted Mathews so their rebuild has accelerated.

 

[KINGS17]

The Leafs sold it to their fan base. They stripped it down when Shanahan came aboard. Of course, it helped that they won the lottery and drafted Mathews so their rebuild has accelerated.

You're right of course. The Leafs don't get a chance to draft Matthews without a plan.

 

[kovacro]

You're right of course. The Leafs don't get a chance to draft Matthews without a plan.

For once, they actually stuck to their plan and it's paying off, in spades.

Good for them. Leafs nation has had it pretty rough over the years. Got no issues with seeing them find some success.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Babcock has them playing fun hockey too. It's not a defensive shell system. Good, fast, feisty squad.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

They remind me a bit of Babcock's early 00s Ducks.

 

[KingsHockey24]

Sharks sign Brandon Bollig.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Kings have to respond. Sign a plug!

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I guess they didn't know what to do with themselves with no Mike Brown in the lineup. ****** quotient was sinking.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Bollig spent all of last season in the minors. But he's bringing a Stanley Cup with him according to Doug Wilson.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Could he have gone to a worse organization.

Might as well have went back to play in the KHL.

Totally agree - he needed to sign with someone that would try to work on his development. Avs aren't that.

 

[Herby]

Kings have to respond. Sign a plug!

Kings are in deep trouble if they get in a bar fight after the game.

 

[kingsboy11]

I gave you a perfect example of a player in Drew Doughty who was every bit as important to the Kings as McDavid or Draisaitl is to the Oilers, and Drew didn't hold all of the cards.

Of course teams are better with these players than without them, but an organization cannot afford to destroy their entire salary structure for one or two players, especially when the player has two choices if they want to play. For the time being Draisaitl and McDavid can't walk anywhere. Ultimately, it is the Oilers decision where these guys will play next season.

Regarding Price and the Canadiens, what exactly has Montreal won with him between the pipes, and how does the new contract improve the situation? If it's all about winning for Canadian teams, you would think they might figure this out.

It's the job of the GM and ownership to sell their fans on the idea of a rebuild. Has a Canadian GM actually tried it?

That's funny I don't remember Drew winning an Art Ross, Hart and Lindsay Trophy when his contract was up...

Bergevin definitely caved too quickly on this one. But he's in hot water because of the idiotic Subban trade. I think Bergevin is scrambling right now and gave in too easily on Price because of the backlash of trading away a fan favorite and now he's doing everything he can to keep the Habs relevant right now and that includes keeping Price even though its at a tremendous cost.

I'm not saying signing Price (at least to this deal) is the right move, but Bergevin is in a no win scenario here being in Montreal and all his previous moves being questioned. He lets him walk or trades him and gets crucified. He signs Price and he hampers the future.

 

[Bandit]

Yup these guys don't hold the cards at all...

Winning means EVERYTHING especially for a Canadian team. You just can't dick around with your star players regardless of whether or not you believe they deserve the money they are asking for. You can say no other GM will offer you that money on the open market, but as an Owner or GM would you want to take that risk? Especially with arguably the best goalie in the league?

But let me be clear, I agree with you and others that these contracts are ridiculous, but these are your star players and you are playing a dangerous game if you play hardball. You run the risk of letting them walk and then you're back to square one all over again with no #1 center, which they didn't have to begin with, without your top prospect because you traded him for a winger and now have a mediocre prospect pool, and now without arguably the best goalie in the league anymore. Try selling that to your fans in the most pressure filled market in the entire NHL.

And you're right about the fact McDavid being an RFA decreases his leverage, but the fact that McDavid practically brought your franchise back from the graveyard means he can and does hold all the cards. I'll give you Draisaitl because you can make an argument he gets his points because of McDavid.

I think a lot of teams, including the Kings, are well aware of the risk associated with these deals, but are probably pressured into keeping them because the team is better with them than without.

Ironic, considering Montreal has never, and is never going to win anything with Price.

 

[KINGS17]

That's funny I don't remember Drew winning an Art Ross, Hart and Lindsay Trophy when his contract was up...

Bergevin definitely caved too quickly on this one. But he's in hot water because of the idiotic Subban trade. I think Bergevin is scrambling right now and gave in too easily on Price because of the backlash of trading away a fan favorite and now he's doing everything he can to keep the Habs relevant right now and that includes keeping Price even though its at a tremendous cost.

I'm not saying signing Price (at least to this deal) is the right move, but Bergevin is in a no win scenario here being in Montreal and all his previous moves being questioned. He lets him walk or trades him and gets crucified. He signs Price and he hampers the future.

Sometimes when you make a mistake as a GM, you just have to go with the Bushido code, and do the right thing.

 

[ru4reals]

Could he have gone to a worse organization.

Might as well have went back to play in the KHL.

Oh yes can't wait to see him slide on the ice in Colorado after his first goal in 30 games actin like an @ss. So pretty much Aves signed an ex player after this season! Absolutely love how this guys career is going.

 

[deeshamrock]

Could he have gone to a worse organization.

Might as well have went back to play in the KHL.

Marriage made in heaven...

 

[deeshamrock]

So in this article, the author using some current forwards and 2nd contracts to support that 7.5M per yr would be generous. He begins by using Dreger's comment that anything under 9M would be a surprise.


http://edmontonjournal.com/sports/h...r-leon-draisaitl-would-be-a-bit-of-a-surprise

The author (I think) is correct when he says if Draisaitl signs for say 7.8M, it would be considered a discount, even thought in reality it isn't. However it turns out, Chiarelli's determined to sign him. Which means they'll be using cheap labor on the bottom 6 and some ELC's on wing up top. IT also means that horrid Lucic deal would come to haunt them and eventually he'll have to go.

 

[Stimpythecat]

Seems like most teams have a horrible contract on their roster.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Seems like most teams have a horrible contract on their roster.

I said as much and nearly got laughed off the boards.

But it's true, especially now that time has passed, no team can hide from the cap. There's finite space. After it was instituted, some teams could hide and play coy and use it as a weapon against others (greatly exaggerated) for some time, but eventually, they'd be competitive again (hint: Oilers) and have to run into the same issues as everyone else.

Show me a team without a bad contract and I'll show you a team that's continually fallen short of the Cup. The cap is easy when you have no expectations.