Confirmed Trade: [DET/CAR] Alex Nedeljkovic for Jonathan Bernier and 2021 3rd (VGK)

[Roboturner913]

I just don't see why a contending team with no real long term commitments and 29M in cap space is gonna let a top tier right shot d man and their potential future goalie walk out the door...

Because they compete in a salary cap league. Have you seen the rest of the roster? It would be stupid to lose Svechnikov/Necas/etc down the road because you overcommitted to a Dougie Hamilton.

I have more trouble wrapping around my head with the Ned trade, but I don't see it as an effort to simply "save a buck." It's more like, they predetermine their ceiling on a player and if he wants more than that, they walk away. It's no different than how my wife and I just got done house hunting.

 

[Spring in Fialta]

I don't think it's a cap thing - the Canes spend to the cap - but I also don't think 'we want a vet' is the whole story. If so, why not wait to have the guy before unloading Ned? I think the Canes legitimately don't think he was worth the price and are not willing to pay anyone above the contract they decide to set, ever. Even Aho forced their hand on the years, if not the salary. Can't say I think it's the best way to go about doing business every time, nor the best way to instill a culture the players will appreciate. Look at Columbus.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

I don't think it's a cap thing - the Canes spend to the cap - but I also don't think 'we want a vet' is the whole story. If so, why not wait to have the guy before unloading Ned? I think the Canes legitimately don't think he was worth the price and are not willing to pay anyone above the contract they decide to set, ever. Even Aho forced their hand on the years, if not the salary. Can't say I think it's the best way to go about doing business every time, nor the best way to instill a culture the players will appreciate. Look at Columbus.

IOW, the Patriots analogy is the best comparison. As far as Columbus is concerned, a lot of their issues had to do with the fact that they lack the proof of a winning culture and still act the way that they do in salary negotiations. Carolina has had three straight seasons of really good records, and an upper-tier roster that they believe that players can and will commit to.

 

[LOFIN]

Exhibit 326 of goalies being overrated by fans after one good season. Good on Waddell to sell high.

Selling high? A 3rd round pick and the rights to a UFA goalie for a Calder nominee young goalie doesn't scream "selling high" to me.

 

[Spring in Fialta]

A lot of the Columbus issue has to do with the fact that they lack the proof of a winning culture and still act the way that they do in salary negotiations. Carolina has had three straight seasons of really good records, and an upper-tier roster that they believe that players can and will commit to.

Columbus, before this year, had 4 straight seasons in the playoffs and some good records too. Mind you, I think Carolina's a better franchise and more appealing area, but I don't think treating every player during negotiations like it's the industrial age is all that great. Players talk.

 

[tronoleaf]

Yzerman killing it again. Weird move, Waddell.

 

[ryan callahan]

Selling high? A 3rd round pick and the rights to a UFA goalie for a Calder nominee young goalie doesn't scream "selling high" to me.

Signing a one hit wonder to a high salary cap turning him into negative value would have been a worse move. Bernier, who had a great season considering he was at the back of an amazingly bad Red Wings team, is a nice buy low candidate who will do great behind Carolinas possession game if he signs with them. The fact nobody wanted to pay more than a 3rd is very telling.

 

[Iwishihadaspacebar]

If they (Carolina) are after veteran goalies then maybe MAF is on the radar, possibly with a 3rd party retaining some of his salary this year.

 

[GeeoffBrown]

I guess the logic here is that in the playoffs, the Canes wanted a bigger number in the advanced analytics category of years lived

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

I don't think it's a cap thing - the Canes spend to the cap - but I also don't think 'we want a vet' is the whole story. If so, why not wait to have the guy before unloading Ned? I think the Canes legitimately don't think he was worth the price and are not willing to pay anyone above the contract they decide to set, ever. Even Aho forced their hand on the years, if not the salary. Can't say I think it's the best way to go about doing business every time, nor the best way to instill a culture the players will appreciate. Look at Columbus.

QO deadline is Monday. If a trade falls through after he gets qualified, Carolina is in a bad spot with a potentially crippling arbitration award looming.

I agree with your broader point, though.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

Signing a one hit wonder to a high salary cap turning him into negative value would have been a worse move. Bernier, who had a great season considering he was at the back of an amazingly bad Red Wings team, is a nice buy low candidate who will do great behind Carolinas possession game if he signs with them. The fact nobody wanted to pay more than a 3rd is very telling.

The problem is he didn't even sign for a high salary cap. $3 million per year is low-end 1B/high-end backup type salary. And it was only for 2 years.

 

[Lil Sebastian Cossa]

Signing a one hit wonder to a high salary cap turning him into negative value would have been a worse move. Bernier, who had a great season considering he was at the back of an amazingly bad Red Wings team, is a nice buy low candidate who will do great behind Carolinas possession game if he signs with them. The fact nobody wanted to pay more than a 3rd is very telling.

Telling of what? Yzerman is making a pretty safe gamble that Nedeljkovic is close to the goalie that he was this year. And even if he isn't... he's still an NHL caliber goalie, which is more than they've gotten out of 3rd round goalies recently in Detroit. Bernier was walking out the door so that's not a loss.

It's not necessarily a "steal" but I don't see much downside for Detroit in this. It's 2 years at 3M. That's not a huge commitment. And if Ned sucks? They still have Greiss who is a pretty good NHL goaltender. They've got their goalie tandem for 6M for the next couple years and they've got time to suss out a future inbetween the pipes.

Then, there is the possibility that Nedeljkovic is exactly the goalie he was this year... in which case this is a steal and a half. So, Yzerman made a trade in which his downside risk is pretty low, his salary commitment is not entirely too high, and the upside is pretty big. That's why people are saying Carolina lost the trade.

 

[ryan callahan]

The problem is he didn't even sign for a high salary cap. $3 million per year is low-end 1B/high-end backup type salary. And it was only for 2 years.

Whats the point if you can just pluck an AHL goalie or a decent one like Bernier and save cap and have basically the same return? Ned was a career minor leaguer before this year.

 

[Spring in Fialta]

QO deadline is Monday. If a trade falls through after he gets qualified, Carolina is in a bad spot with a potentially crippling arbitration award looming.

I agree with your broader point, though.

I really fail to see what could go so wrong that the arbitration award would be crippling.

 

[Peterpuck7810]

Cane's must have a true #1 on their radar... Ned is pretty unproven, had a great run but also gave up a horrible backbreaking goal against Tampa.

 

[LOFIN]

Whats the point if you can just pluck an AHL goalie or a decent one like Bernier and save cap and have basically the same return? Ned was a career minor leaguer before this year.

Goalies take longer to develop in general. Besides, he wasn't a bad minor leaguer.

Pekka Rinne became an NHL regular a year older than Ned.

 

[ryan callahan]

Goalies take longer to develop in general. Besides, he wasn't a bad minor leaguer.

Pekka Rinne became an NHL regular a year older than Ned.

And who happened to be his coach that year and during his prime years? Barry Trotz, one of the most defensive coach in the current era of hockey. Without Trotz it is very possible he doesnt become the star goalie he ended up being.

 

[Rubi]

God... I can smell the BS all the way here in Calgary.

 

[Hobnobs]

Goalies take longer to develop in general. Besides, he wasn't a bad minor leaguer.

Pekka Rinne became an NHL regular a year older than Ned.

Yea Trotz was the coach before Rinne became a starter...

 

[Kegsey]

Signing a one hit wonder to a high salary cap turning him into negative value would have been a worse move. Bernier, who had a great season considering he was at the back of an amazingly bad Red Wings team, is a nice buy low candidate who will do great behind Carolinas possession game if he signs with them. The fact nobody wanted to pay more than a 3rd is very telling.

I’m sorry but if you think 3.5 million for a young, capable starting goalie is high then you’re out of your mind. Also, they traded him for Bernier who is straight garbage.

 

[ZDH]

3rd in Calder voting.

f*** yea Stevie, best gm in the game no question.

 

[DaBolts]

Stevie Y doing Stevie Y things.

I think Ned is Detroit's future and Carolina overreacted to the playoff run. They will regret that and losing Hamilton in the end.

Nicely done Detroit, nicely done.

 

[ryan callahan]

I’m sorry but if you think 3.5 million for a young, capable starting goalie is high then you’re out of your mind. Also, they traded him for Bernier who is straight garbage.

Bernier is not straight garbage lmao. Put Ned behind that elite Red Wings D he doesnt crack ,905.

 

[TatarTangle]

At this point you have to believe Mr. Yzerman has dirt on every GM in the league

FWIW Bernier is a lot better than Mrazek, having seen both play for extended times in Detroit. Older, but better.

 

[T REX]

The problem is he didn't even sign for a high salary cap. $3 million per year is low-end 1B/high-end backup type salary. And it was only for 2 years.

This. He signed for peanuts and only 2 years at that.