GDT: Free Agent Frenzy Part III - Looking for Mr. Centerman

[STHLM]

Would Anaheim swap Rakell to the Rangers for either Kreider or Miller? The Rangers get a young righty center signed long term at a very good number. The Ducks get a top six winger. I would give them Kreider. Miller and Rakell played together in junior at Plymouth for one year.

I don't see Ducks trading Rakell atm, considering the skill he has at his young age, but What do I know, maybe Miller/Kreider + prospect/pick? I'd say Rakell is better than both of them so Rangers would need to add. I really don't want them to trade Kreider, but I'd be more than happy to see Miller packing his bags for Rakell. How's Anaheim's defense? Maybe they'd even relieve us of Staals contract, Miller + Staal for Rakell?

 

[Lion Hound]

Anaheim wanted Marleau. They were reportedly very disappointed Marleau went to Toronto. Eric Stephens is the Ducks beat writer for the Orange County Register. He said the Ducks have a backup plan. They have Getzlaf and Kesler signed long term. They played Rakell played on the wing sometimes last season. He can play in the middle. He is a natural center. The Ducks were reportedly interested in Kreider and Miller when they were discussing trades last fall. Cam Fowler's name came up and the Ducks wanted a top 6 winger. Would Anaheim swap Rakell to the Rangers for either Kreider or Miller? The Rangers get a young righty center signed long term at a very good number. The Ducks get a top six winger. I would give them Kreider. Miller and Rakell played together in junior at Plymouth for one year.

So both Kreider and Miller for Rakell?

Not sure I would even want to do Kreider straight up for him.

 

[Rick Nash 61]

I trust Gorton right now but is anyone else worried that if we keep that bum Staal on the roster dumb*** AV is going to give him top 4 minutes?? I dearly want him off this team

edit: like we're all assuming the top 4 is set right now but if Staal is still on this team I guarantee you clowneault has other plans

 

[Fugazy]

I trust Gorton right now but is anyone else worried that if we keep that bum Staal on the roster dumb*** AV is going to give him top 4 minutes?? I dearly want him off this team

You honestly never know with AV. That's the scary part.

 

[nyr2k2]

I trust Gorton right now but is anyone else worried that if we keep that bum Staal on the roster dumb*** AV is going to give him top 4 minutes?? I dearly want him off this team

edit: like we're all assuming the top 4 is set right now but if Staal is still on this team I guarantee you clowneault has other plans

Yes, that's definitely a concern.

 

[Lion Hound]

Stunned at the Thornton, and Marleau deals.

Feel like SJ threw JT a bone with that contract. Granted only 1 year but that is a huge amount of money for a guy coming off major surgery who is also one of the oldest players in the league.

Toronto, who has made incredible strides in recent years just tossed out a two year deal to a 37 year old on the decline. They added a NMC to boot. That's a Glen Sather move right there.

 

[DutchShamrock]

Montreal and Boston need a lefty D. Will a team take on the 4 years on Staal's contract? Girardi had 3 years remaining. Tampa gave him two years. If the Rangers discussed retaining 50% of the money,that third year is an issue. Staal will get a 2 year contract as a free agent. Maybe 3 years. Not that many good D out there. Girardi had multiple offers. The Red Wings were interested.

How do buyouts work with retained contracts?

 

[DutchShamrock]

I trust Gorton right now but is anyone else worried that if we keep that bum Staal on the roster dumb*** AV is going to give him top 4 minutes?? I dearly want him off this team

edit: like we're all assuming the top 4 is set right now but if Staal is still on this team I guarantee you clowneault has other plans

I understand where you are coming from, your fears are rooted in past practices. But I look at it this way: Skjei and Smith should be automatic. McDonagh will play with Shattenkirk. Those are balanced pairs. KS didn't sign to play the 3rd while Staal plays on his off side as a top pair guy. That's silly. Smith and Staal is too much of the same thing. We want puck movement from the back end, that pair does not help.

Staal, if he remains here, is destined for the bottom pair. The rookies have to earn the other spots. DeAngelo, Bear Gloves, Graves, Poink etc. I hope Staal is rotated in and out of the lineup. He'll benefit from DeAngelo lugging the puck.

If, IF AV is that contrary and stubborn to disregard the Front Office's vision, to render $11m per in free agent signings irrelevant, he'll be gone.

 

[NYR Viper]

If I get time today, I am going to try and justify why a Brown for Staal deal makes sense.

 

[Lion Hound]

I trust Gorton right now but is anyone else worried that if we keep that bum Staal on the roster dumb*** AV is going to give him top 4 minutes?? I dearly want him off this team

edit: like we're all assuming the top 4 is set right now but if Staal is still on this team I guarantee you clowneault has other plans

Wouldn't shock me if Staal winds up paired with Shattenirk. In fact I would bank on it happening at some point this season.

 

[nyr2k2]

Well the pairings never stay static, and guys will get injured. So as long as Staal is around it's basically guaranteed he'll play higher in the lineup at some point. It's just a question of where his regular spot will be.

 

[FultonReed]

I'd take Plekanec back for Staal at 50

Just eat the 6 this yr then Plekanec ufa

Tommy Turtleneck a bit better than Step at faceoffs. had a bad year last year.

I mean maybe...? not a terrible idea...

 

[NYR Viper]

Tommy Turtleneck a bit better than Step at faceoffs. had a bad year last year.

I mean maybe...? not a terrible idea...

The problem being the Habs have 2 centers currently.

 

[bernmeister]

Does SJ try to plug the hole that Marleau leaves? What all would have to go with Nash at 50% to SJ for Hertl?

Nash to SJ could work, esp now that while the whole band ]Marleau] is not coming back, they are committed to Thornton for 1 yr
No need to automatically eat cap if not worth our while

That said, it won't be Hertl, who this board has undervalued, IMO, and continues to do so even discounting injuries Hertl has had.

Bern- What do you think? Staal and Zucc, both at 50% retained, for Teuvo Teravainen, a 2nd and a 3rd in 18'. Sign Radulov.

Kreider-Zib-Buch
Nash-Teravainen-Radulov
Grabner-Hayes-Miller
Vesey-Nieves-Fast
McD-DeAngelo
Bereglazov-Shattenkirk
Skjei-Smith

Thoughts?

Ola, thanks for your patience as i sometimes get swamped for a bit

Radulov - love the skill, but want no part of him. May be worth 7m ish now, but don't want to accept risk effort declines once a big deal is signed. Also, is he same guy in last years of deal, even best case scenario. All this ignoring possible character issues.
Resist win now temptation, continue to build

No dislike of TT, not seeing him on the market, and getting more if he were.
To move Staal, who controls everything short of buy out, we need to first figure out where he would even go, then what it would take for that team to deal. There is nothing else to say, it's that or buyout or wait a year till partial clause overrides; meantime we can dress Marc without having to play him, healthy scratch every game

Whether you love or hate Nash I think it is very odd that we have not heard his name mentioned at all if only because of his contract situation (1year/7.8mill). After losing Stepan and Girardi I'm leaning towards keeping him so we have some continuity going in to next season but I still thought we might hear a rumor or two from the media.

Continuity over rated sometimes, this is such an instance IMO.
Get max value, if he stays or goes.
At this point IMO, I expect the right team overpays modestly/moderately, and any overpay is worth it for us, esp since we have learned from the foolishness of win now, and are building to have improvements to the solid contender we still are.

If we could get Thornton @ 3.5 AAV for 2 seasons, I'm all over it. He'd be an absolute PERFECT stopgap for us...and we can afford that 3.5. Gorts should give him a ring and ask him if he'd like to play with Nash again. Hell, it wouldn't surprise me if he already has. It's what we need.

No on Thornton, who could not get multiyear, and all things =, decided to return to SJ.
I would not giive any guy who is 35+ contract serious consideration

 

[NYRfan11]

Not sure if it's been brought up, but would you guys do Staal ($1Mil retained) for Carl Soderberg?

What about MacKinnon + Soderberg for McD + 2nd?

Completely separately, Holden + 3rd for Bozak?

 

[Rangerfan4life90]

I understand where you are coming from, your fears are rooted in past practices. But I look at it this way: Skjei and Smith should be automatic. McDonagh will play with Shattenkirk. Those are balanced pairs. KS didn't sign to play the 3rd while Staal plays on his off side as a top pair guy. That's silly. Smith and Staal is too much of the same thing. We want puck movement from the back end, that pair does not help.

Staal, if he remains here, is destined for the bottom pair. The rookies have to earn the other spots. DeAngelo, Bear Gloves, Graves, Poink etc. I hope Staal is rotated in and out of the lineup. He'll benefit from DeAngelo lugging the puck.

If, IF AV is that contrary and stubborn to disregard the Front Office's vision, to render $11m per in free agent signings irrelevant, he'll be gone.

This is my thinking as well.

 

[bernmeister]

...

San Jose has a shortage of forwards and tons of cap space. Now is the time to strike with Nash and reunite him with his buddy Thornton.

Yes.
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Nash to San Jose for Chris Tierny or Melker Karlson and Joel Ward. Retain any salary on Nash and acquire a pick. Ward gives decent production, is a PKer, and his playoff track record is amazing.

Mostly no, we can do better.
1st or
2nd + prospects [Julius Bergman?]

also, what is competitive bid for him?
Chicago needs Hossa replacment.

Holden to Florida with the SJ pick for Bjugstad
Center problem solved.

no thanks, the Bjug is not an answer, do not want unless it is to move Staal.
get something for Holden

Johansson had a career high 59 points last year. 27 yrs old in October. Two more years of a 4.5M cap hit. Can play all 3 forward positions. A 2nd and a 3rd is a steal for the Devils. What are the Caps doing? I would've offered more but they would never have traded him to us. Wonder if the decision to move him was made within the last few days because gotta think they could've gotten more if they dangled him prior to the draft? Unless other teams truly believe his production is inflated playing on that top PP unit in WSH.

Nobody wants to take on salary or term. Rangers did real well moving Stepan.

speak the truth!

Trading Zucc for a center doesn't help, just moves the problem. Zucc is not the guy to move anyway.

Disagree, depends on the return
RangerBoy is on record, we should move McD + Zuc NOW for top $, and not the win now play of keep, then get screwed when contract renewal = large salary adds.
Player value is often subjective
The scenario he emphasizes is not.

I think Miller + could potentially bring back a 2C.. I dont know who tho.?

Huge mistake to move Miller, esp if not for top top $ return
was drafted 15OA, and has proven himself worth more than that
Also, chicken littles are wrong, sky is not falling our C/depth is not bad
Room for improvement, yes
Press panic button, no

I think Bozak would be a real good option. pretty much another Stepan, but better on face offs and possession, pretty sure he can PK too. UFA to be, so Leafs might want to get something for him?. Hell can we get Hyman too?... what would it take for both?

Sorry, no on Bo
so non-plussed by him, consider it a minus

Bozak sucks and is nothing like Stepan. Glorified 3C that looks good because of Babcock.
Sign Grigorenko and Yak. All Ruskies line with Buch

We agree on the bold!
Buch I think MAY NOT DEFINITE MAY be worth more to us in trade
that aside, both 'Ruskies' have a lot to prove, but 1 yr min each, why not

Spoke to boo Nieves today And will be given a huge chance to make this team.. he is stoked for camp. And feels his speed will be his biggest asset

thanks for the share!

Buyout Marc Staal (if nobody bites trading him with some $ retained)
Trade JT Miller, Nick Holden, Ryan Graves and maybe a pick to Toronto for JVR and Leo Komarov (I would prefer Kadri or Bozak but do not think Toronto does that)
Sign Mikhail Grigorenko on a two year deal
Sign Klingberg as a depth UFA signing on a $1.025.000 deal (meaning he can be waived without cap implications)
Sign Will Butcher as a UFA NCAA defenseman
See what Vladimir Tkachev (invitee) and Lias Andersson can do in camp

Kreider - Zib - Buch
Nash - Komarov - Zucc
Vesey - Hayes - JVR
Grabner - Grigorenko/Andersson/Nieves - Klingberg/Jensen/Tkachev (until Fast returns)

McD - Shatty
Skjei - Smith
Bear Gloves - ADA
Kampfer/Pionk/Day

Hank
Ondrej

If all fails we have plenty of enticing pieces to deal at the TDL (Nash, Komarov, JVR and Grabner) loading up for next years draft

Sorry, no, would rather have JT and Graves

Anaheim wanted Marleau. They were reportedly very disappointed Marleau went to Toronto. Eric Stephens is the Ducks beat writer for the Orange County Register. He said the Ducks have a backup plan. They have Getzlaf and Kesler signed long term. They played Rakell played on the wing sometimes last season. He can play in the middle. He is a natural center. The Ducks were reportedly interested in Kreider and Miller when they were discussing trades last fall. Cam Fowler's name came up and the Ducks wanted a top 6 winger. Would Anaheim swap Rakell to the Rangers for either Kreider or Miller? The Rangers get a young righty center signed long term at a very good number. The Ducks get a top six winger. I would give them Kreider. Miller and Rakell played together in junior at Plymouth for one year.

So both Kreider and Miller for Rakell?
Not sure I would even want to do Kreider straight up for him.

Rare disagree w/RB
100% no on Kreider esp for Rak.
Miller is closer value, but I prefer JT, esp want him here once AV is eventually gone.
Yes, there will always be the odd bonehead play, but on balance, way too much talent/potential to sell for less than overpay
At best, IMO, Rak for JT is coke for pepsi
prefer to use other currency for Rak if possible if he is on the market

[/collapse]

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

What is it with the Flyers and goalies lol

You should have seen the TSN crew on Saturday. They were discussing Elliott signing with Philly and then one of them said "Philly has not had a good goalie in 20 years. And Marty Biron was sitting right there! In the middle! It was amazing hahaha. Biron was like "Eh, what?" and then they realized what they said LOL

 

[bernmeister]

Not sure if it's been brought up, but would you guys do Staal ($1Mil retained) for Carl Soderberg?

What about MacKinnon + Soderberg for McD + 2nd?

Completely separately, Holden + 3rd for Bozak?

MacK is not being moved for anything less than maybe McD + Skjei, and it is a fair ? as to whether or not that is worth it

 

[FultonReed]

The problem being the Habs have 2 centers currently.

yeah see i didn't even take that into account

 

[Vinny DeAngelo]

Trading any of our top 4 D right now would be a backward step....

 

[NickyFotiu]

Have there been any rumors of a Staal for Bjugstad trade? Not sure if the value is exactly equal (Staal more $) but Florida needs a LHD and we need a center, so...

What a difference a year makes. Last season a couple of posters were including him when telling me how great Florida is as a young team. Now we want to trade Staal (anchor contract) for him?

 

[Vinny DeAngelo]

Tommy Turtleneck a bit better than Step at faceoffs. had a bad year last year.

I mean maybe...? not a terrible idea...

Id rather roll JT Miller and Hayes than have that awful despicable flopper on my team.

 

[Trxjw]

Anaheim wanted Marleau. They were reportedly very disappointed Marleau went to Toronto. Eric Stephens is the Ducks beat writer for the Orange County Register. He said the Ducks have a backup plan. They have Getzlaf and Kesler signed long term. They played Rakell played on the wing sometimes last season. He can play in the middle. He is a natural center. The Ducks were reportedly interested in Kreider and Miller when they were discussing trades last fall. Cam Fowler's name came up and the Ducks wanted a top 6 winger. Would Anaheim swap Rakell to the Rangers for either Kreider or Miller? The Rangers get a young righty center signed long term at a very good number. The Ducks get a top six winger. I would give them Kreider. Miller and Rakell played together in junior at Plymouth for one year.

I get the impression that Anaheim probably wants to add up front, not swap forwards.

 

[mas0764]

If I get time today, I am going to try and justify why a Brown for Staal deal makes sense.

No real net gain on AAV, only gain 1 year on term, but gain a player who is probably more moveable elsewhere than Staal, also fills a need while Staal is redundant.

Makes sense to me.