GDT: Free agency madness, brought to you by the letter G - PART 2

[SpezDispenser]

I mean, Dorion telegraphed it when he signed the 2 year deal and said something to the effect of it coincides with when JBD and Thomson would be ready...

It all comes down to what kind of contract Zub is looking for, I love him as a partner for Chabot, but if he's asking for more than 4.5 I think it stops making sense.

Why nickel and dime such a major position though? Zub is an excellent player, easily a top 4 right hander and he calms down anyone he plays with.

Playing with fire here with a lineup that is primed to not only make the playoffs, but do some damage in the coming years.

 

[Wondercarrot]

If by relevant he meant popular/known worldwide then yes Barcelona is more relevant than any NHL team and frankly it's not even a contest.

I’d be hard pressed to give a single F about this tbh

 

[Bileur]

McDavid will never be able to dunk on teams for 40 mins a night. And a quarterback will always be the sexiest position in all of pro sports, no contest. So If your fixated on watching big dick alpha dog energy on full display - then pick a popular QB and cheer for whatever his current NFL team is for max results as a fanboy,,,

Just saying… this pretty accurately describes Brady Tkachuk on the ice.

 

[Cosmix]

There’s a reason the NHL Is the worst major professional league in the United States and Canada.

Define "worst" and then we can chat.

I’d rather eat at Colonade Pizza then the Chateau Laurier

I had a great meal at the Chateau Laurier 3 or 4 years ago. I like Colonnade Pizza too.

 

[Wondercarrot]

There’s a reason the NHL Is the worst major professional league in the United States and Canada.

What would you expect?
26 million people play basketball in the US
15.6 million play baseball
5.2 million play football
500 thousand play hockey

Why is that?
Likely because hockey has been a regional sport far longer than all the others for any number of reasons, in large part I’m sure due to the specialized equipment and facilities required to play.

Less people, less cash, less money for marketing, broadcasts etc. (but still crazy huge sums)
Also…who cares? Fill the stadiums for atmosphere - I’m totally entertained in person and on TV and really don’t care abt the rest.

 

[PlayOn]

i hope we sign zub soon. If not, i assume he's chosen to test the market next summer which would absolutely suck.

Well his agent said talks haven’t started and they’ll consider them if they do, so I don’t think a decision has been made either way.

I also think if they knew he was leaving or didn’t want to keep him he’d be traded for futures which we’d then probably use to acquire another D Iike Chychrun. Most likely they just haven’t gotten to it yet with such a busy off-season.

 

[Cosmix]

I’m starting to believe they are not planning on re-signing Zub.

There is still a lot of time left to sign him to a long term contract. I expect it to get done. If not, fire Dorion.

 

[L'Aveuglette]

You can tell the "madness" has fully died down when we're discussing the contrast in popularity between the NHL and other leagues.

 

[SpezDispenser]

Well his agent said talks haven’t started and they’ll consider them if they do, so I don’t think a decision has been made either way.

I also think if they knew he was leaving or didn’t want to keep him he’d be traded for futures which we’d then probably use to acquire another D Iike Chychrun. Most likely they just haven’t gotten to it yet with such a busy off-season.

This is where I clearly don't understand what it takes to be a GM, because, I'd wake up on a Sunday morning (afternoon), have a coffee and text the agent with a "what are you thinking for Zub" beginning text. That takes, what, 10 seconds?

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Isles are reportedly trying to sign Kadri and may want to clear some cap space.

If they want to move Scott Mayfield cheap enough I would not mind if the Sens were interested.
He is a big physical right shot D (6-5 220) on a cheap contract expiring this year. ATOI was 19:46 last year. I think he could be a good depth signing.

Creating the Cap Space For Nazem Kadri Acquisition

This past weekend, I spoke to someone very close to the Nazem Kadri situation, who shared that Kadri was Long Island bound, with the question just being when. As mentioned in my piece on Sunday, until pen hits paper, things can change in a heartbeat with New York Islanders general manager Lou...

nyihockeynow.com

 

[IranCondraAffair]

You don't clear cap space by dumping Mayfield.

For them, the most likely candidates are either Josh Bailey or Beauvillier.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

You don't clear cap space by dumping Mayfield.

For them, the most likely candidates are either Josh Bailey or Beauvillier.

Could be but we would not have any interest there at this point. He is not at a big number I realize .. just picking at the bones

 

[Big Muddy]

Why would we sign Subban? We don't need a bottom pair guy. If we're not getting a legit top 4 defenseman, we should just run with what we have and keep an eye on the market. Hamonic looked fine as a stop gap in his time with us.

I agree. Plus, I'd say give some games to Thomson and JBD as well. Nurture them along and let's see what they become or do.

Also regarding Zub, even at $4.5 m, I think that's a good bargain for the organization. I'd give him a little more too (a few hundred K) if push comes to shove. We are going to have a difficult time finding another good and relatively affordable RD given history, and we are finding out now I think. Some teams pursue this for years before finding their guy.

 

[SpezDispenser]

The natives (me) are getting restless! Produce a Zub singing or a top 4 acquisition!

 

[Sun God Nika]

I’m starting to believe they are not planning on re-signing Zub.

Bone-headed if true tbh. You are already looking for a top 4 D right shot why let the only one you have go? Players like Zub are the difference between finishing @ 100pts at the end of the year vs finishing @ 90. You pay this guy. You overpay if it comes to it.

 

[DueDiligence]

The product the NHL is putting out is lacking when compared to the NBA/NFL. LeBron/Curry/Brady/Mahomes vs guys like McDavid and Mackinnon who have the personality of a wet rag.

The product in the NBA is trending down. The 3 pt shot is taking action out of basketball. In 2012, 22% of all shots were 3 pointers. Last season it was 39.2% . Unless the NBA curbs the upward swing less people will be watching.

 

[GCK]

Bone-headed if true tbh. You are already looking for a top 4 D right shot why let the only one you have go? Players like Zub are the difference between finishing @ 100pts at the end of the year vs finishing @ 90. You pay this guy. You overpay if it comes to it.

I’m thinking they will get Chykrun and then let Zub walk after this season to be replaced by one of JBD or Thomson.

The product in the NBA is trending down. The 3 pt shot is taking action out of basketball. In 2012, 22% of all shots were 3 pointers. Last season it was 39.2% . Unless the NBA curbs the upward swing less people will be watching.

Do you have any data to back up your assertion that ratings and interest will go down as 3pt shot volume increases or is it just based on your personal preferences.

 

[DueDiligence]

Do you have any data to back up your assertion that ratings and interest will go down as 3pt shot volume increases or is it just based on your personal preferences.

TV Ratings for last season were the worst in 30 years ( excluding the 2 Covid seasons. ) And last season's ratings were far lower than 2019 when the Raptors were in the final.

 

[Pierre from Orleans]

For the fun of trying to find 2 right handed d next off season?

He might want to test the market or is asking for too much.

I would like to have him re-signed as he is exactly what this team needs in the top 4.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

We should let Hamonic and Holden walk, not Zub.

As long as the contract isn't out of reason, he will be an easily movable asset if need be.

 

[GCK]

We should let Hamonic and Holden walk, not Zub.

As long as the contract isn't out of reason, he will be an easily movable asset if need be.

They are both gone after this season.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

They are both gone after this season.

So all 3?

That seems like a lot to weather giving up 3 guys we know what we get from them, one of which being 1 of only 2 top 4 guys currently.

 

[SpezDispenser]

He might want to test the market or is asking for too much.

I would like to have him re-signed as he is exactly what this team needs in the top 4.

Get the number down to 5.5 and put pen to paper. This is what I mean about me not really getting the GM job. They've had no talks? Why? I'd be an annoying asshole as I try to get it done.

 

[GCK]

So all 3?

That seems like a lot to weather giving up 3 guys we know what we get from them, one of which being 1 of only 2 top 4 guys currently.

It certainly is. When you have a top 6 getting paid like our top will be, you have to scrimp and find value elsewhere on the roster.

 

[Korpse]

I’m starting to believe they are not planning on re-signing Zub.

Based on what? Nothing has changed recently. He's a good player and I know he's a fan favorite but not exactly the type that you pushing to sign an extension for when he has a year left on his deal.