GDT: Free Agent Frenzy Today at Noon EST

[pantherbot]

$9milx6 might be a fair deal for Hubs but does that make the Panthers a better team in the long run or should Zito continue to restructure this team and build around Barkov&Lundell and treat the 3rd & 4th line as traditional checking/shutdown line and energy line which is probably Maurice's preference? ppl are too focused on the exact dollar figure instead to making this team more cohesive unit.

For an instance... the Panthers had a 3.2PP% during the playoffs. Is that a problem? I think we all can agree that it is a problem. How big of an impact Bruno had for PP% being that low? I would say that he had a significant impact, but was he the only reason for it... absolutely not. Then you'd have to admit (especially if you believe Bruno's comments that he gave them too leeway to act on their own) that the PP personnel was to be blamed for it as well. Why pay $9-10mil to a forward who's (if you assume what most ppl believe on this board to be true) their best forward but yet so inept at solving their scoring issues due to not being so elite after all when the opposing teams do not give him the respect i.e. the time and space that he absolutely needs?

Offering Huby a 9x7 deal puts the Panthers into a similar hole that the Bobrovsky-deal got them. I still remember how the majority of this board was celebrating getting Bob signed...

Oh don't get me wrong, I'm on the re-tool train and changing things up a bit. Would look to trade peak Huberdeau, but I also realize orgs almost never do those kind of moves unless there's some animosity between team/player. So my assumption is that we'll keep him.

 

[floridada]

I really think that Zito has made the best out of a bad situation... some good depth signings, and lost some players who were overpaid in FA anyway

Perhaps a small trade to cap it all off

Agreed. These depth signings are so much better than an overpaid Chiarot.

 

[ProjectPanthers]

I wouldn't mind that idea at all, realizing Huby totally disappeared in the P.O's, especially against TB.

But someone would have to go to support that idea. Per Cap Friendly, this year Huby's CAP hit is 5.9M. Tkachuk's now expired RFA contract hit was 7. 0M...I'm quessing that his new number will likely end up to be around 9 M +/-.

A Hornqvist buyout might just make up the difference $ wise, for '22-23...moving him by a trade, but prolly would require the Panthers to carry some of his '23 5.3M salary.

I'd much rather pay Tkachuk 9 Million than Huberdeau if I'm being honest.

I know it sounds like I'm underappreciating Huberdeau but I just think Tkachuk as a main piece of this team would immediately change their identity and have a massive trickle down effect throughout our roster. There's an intensity to him that you just cannot teach, something many of us have been clamoring for.

 

[zeroG]

I'd much rather pay Tkachuk 9 Million than Huberdeau if I'm being honest.

I know it sounds like I'm underappreciating Huberdeau but I just think Tkachuk as a main piece of this team would immediately change their identity and have a massive trickle down effect throughout our roster. There's an intensity to him that you just cannot teach, something many of us have been clamoring for.

huby played with plenty of intensity and compete.

saying he "disappeared" is a big miss, imo.

he wasn't able to produce consistently because of the way the team performed overall. as i just posted in the other thread, he was great when we were in advantageous game situations and worked hard to grind out chances when we weren't. he just needed to work harder to get to the net at those times but the same could be said about the whole team.

 

[ProjectPanthers]

huby played with plenty of intensity and compete.

saying he "disappeared" is a big miss, imo.

he wasn't able to produce consistently because of the way the team performed overall. as i just posted in the other thread, he was great when we were in advantageous game situations and worked hard to grind out chances when we weren't. he just needed to work harder to get to the net at those times but the same could be said about the whole team.

Well I never said he disappeared that was someone else's words but I have to be honest the "who cares" response when being down 3-0 in a series and asked what you need to do? Come on, that's just poor leadership and a stinking attitude.

Ya the whole team fell apart but you look to your superstars to create chances and turn the tide in your team's favor. He had 8 shots on goal in the entire Tampa series. He contributed 1 goal in 10 games these playoffs. He didn't move the needle nearly enough these playoffs.

 

[VijayPatel11]

I'm thinking of a series of trades to attempt to shore up the team's defense as well as recoup some assets
Something along the lines of

Weegar + Denisenko to VAN for 2023 1st + Hoglander + L. Schenn

Dumoulin to FLA for 2nd rd pick

Gudas to EDM / any team for 3rd or 4th rd pick

I think that this would help make the D more well rounded in the playoffs, the problem is I don't know if Vancouver accepts

Plus teams don't usually make 3 trades like this in quick succession

 

[floridada]

Are there any legit trade rumors for Tkachuk or are people just assuming since Calgary is imploding right now?

 

[Jean Luc Discard]

Oh don't get me wrong, I'm on the re-tool train and changing things up a bit. Would look to trade peak Huberdeau, but I also realize orgs almost never do those kind of moves unless there's some animosity between team/player. So my assumption is that we'll keep him.

I don't think that there has to be animosity between the org and a particular player for a change of direction to take place. All it really takes is a gut feeling that this team isn't going to win big without big changes. Will some player acquisition improve their big boys determination to win important games. Probably not since we went through that already with G and Chiarot. Will their recent coaching hire have a positive effect? Maybe.

I'd reckon that Zito will postpone his decision to half-way into the next season when Maurice can tell him what works and what doesn't in this team. When Barkov got his contract extension, Zito specifically stated that he is their cornerstone piece; he didn't say that he was one of two or three other pieces but just solely him. Therefore, both Huby and Ekblad are players from which Zito can walk away from if they become too expensive, and not just financially.

I'm thinking of a series of trades to attempt to shore up the team's defense as well as recoup some assets
Something along the lines of

Weegar + Denisenko to VAN for 2023 1st + Hoglander + L. Schenn

Dumoulin to FLA for 2nd rd pick

Gudas to EDM / any team for 3rd or 4th rd pick

I think that this would help make the D more well rounded in the playoffs, the problem is I don't know if Vancouver accepts

Plus teams don't usually make 3 trades like this in quick succession

Even if Weegar isn't generally valued here... he can fetch us two 1st round picks plus a 2nd round pick.

 

[Gentle Man]

Are there any legit trade rumors for Tkachuk or are people just assuming since Calgary is imploding right now?

 

[Gizmo Tkachuk]

Not saying a Weegar trade, but something to keep an eye on

 

[Ghoste]

Not saying a Weegar trade, but something to keep an eye on

Maybe Klingberg to Ottawa?

-ghoste

 

[Jean Luc Discard]

Not saying a Weegar trade, but something to keep an eye on

Dany Heatley joining their coaching staff?

 

[Gentle Man]

Not saying a Weegar trade, but something to keep an eye on

Might be Klingberg


My buddy (sens fan) thinks it is Norris extension

 

[floridada]

Might be Klingberg


My buddy (sens fan) thinks it is Norris extension

Damn dude, your lying is getting out of control. Lying about having friends now?

 

[iam76]

klingberg = yandle right?

 

[Gentle Man]

Damn dude, your lying is getting out of control. Lying about having friends now?

My senator's fan friend

 

[ucanthanzalthetruth]

I agree with others that I think Hepo has at times looked better at the NHL level than Denisenko. Definitely more engaged in play and willing to make a tough play. With that said, I don't think either can be pencilled in for a roster spot just yet. We've learned many times that management needs to see a lot from a young player to give them that roster spot out of camp. This is my thinking for the lineup:

Verhaeghe - Barkov - White
Huberdeau - Bennett - Reinhart
Balcers - Lundell - Hornqvist
Cousins - Luostarinen - Lomberg

Levtchi
Denisenko
Heponiemi

Weegar - Ekblad
Forsling - Gudas
Staal - Montour

Carlsson
Sjalin

Bobrovsky
Knight

Lyon

I think White will get every chance to prove that his 2018-19 season was not an outlier and I do see Maurice putting him up top with Verhaeghe and Barkov. I really like the balance of this lineup. Lots of grit in the bottom 6 and lots of skill in the top 6. The bottom 6 looks like hell for teams battling in corners, exactly what I wanted from this group moving forward.

Regardless, with Maurice coming in though we have no idea how he'll maneuver the lines. We are basing this on Coach Q/Bruno's lineup, Maurice may like playing Huby and Barky together.


Panthers would likely have to add, Tkachuk is 4 years younger than Huberdeau but I too would do that in a heartbreat without even thinking it. Tkachuk would be perfect for this team.

Panthers won't have the money to have any of these guys as extras, when you include the 12 starters, 6 dmen and Carlsson, and Bob and Knight, Florida is at 830k of space, meaning only Dalpe, Hepo, or Bunnaman can be the extra. I'm guessing they either sign Staal at 750k to be Thornton as the 13th forward or keep up Bunnaman since he's on a one way deal so he's getting the 750k regardless, might as well have him as a body.

 

[BabyBennettov]

If we can acquire a Marchment at the deadline, I concur. It would be a grittier forward group, and more suited to the way Maurice wants to play. I agree about Staal too. In limited minutes, he's still good. That means Ek, Weegs, and Fors are gonna have to carry heavy minutes, but maybe they acquire a D at the deadline too to spread out some of the minutes .


My calculator is fine. We need to shed 3.4 M.

Damn I guess I screwed up the numbers somewhere. How did we go from being so tight and needing to shed Horny, to now we're fine? Weird.


Well that's a problem. That puts us over the cap again.

I was in the same boat, I just got numbers screwed up somewhere along the line. Oh well. We should have a pretty good team heading into the playoffs then if we can acquire the new Marchment at the deadline(yes I said it again).

So how’s the calculator ?

You speaking in absolutes, everytime hihi…

 

[I am not exposed]

So how’s the calculator ?

You speaking in absolutes, everytime hihi…

You've noticed that as well!

It wouldn't be so bad if he wasn't wrong about 90% of the time.

 

[PSLguy]

Are there any legit trade rumors for Tkachuk or are people just assuming since Calgary is imploding right now?

A lot of talk this morning on SiriusXM about the Flames. Pierre LeBruen especially spoke that with Johnny Hockey going to Columbus for less money/term than the Flames offered it seems like the writing is on the wall for Tkachuk to leave after this season.

As was previously stated, he would provide a different element to this team that many, including me, feel the team needs.

 

[BabyBennettov]

You've noticed that as well!

It wouldn't be so bad if he wasn't wrong about 90% of the time.

I think I chime in your latest argument with him…

Used to do that with prospects too hihihi

Cool dude, and a good Panthers fan.

I notice everything, I’m the Watcher, would you ponder the question:

What if… Dread was right ?

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

Will come to comment time to time because of Balcers. Don't throw me out.

 

[I am not exposed]

I think I chime in your latest argument with him…

Used to do that with prospects too hihihi

Cool dude, and a good Panthers fan.

I notice everything, I’m the Watcher, would you ponder the question:

What if… Dread was right ?

When he is, or he says something I agree with, I definitely like the post! It does happen on occasion. He is certainly passionate! Hell, even a passionate post by members here will get a potential like from me even if I don't necessarily agree with it, if it is constructed well enough.

 

[BabyBennettov]

Love the Balcers signing… White has potential too, and Cousins will be a favorite here…

Nice way to complement our top-9 IMO.

Good bargain-bin shopping job by Zito !

Not a fan of the Staals pickup…

But White and Balcers will still be RFAs, and one of them could surprise, cementing a top-9 job !

Balcers is a wrecking-ball with some playmaking talents, he shouldn’t be overlooked…

 

[zeroG]

Well I never said he disappeared that was someone else's words but I have to be honest the "who cares" response when being down 3-0 in a series and asked what you need to do? Come on, that's just poor leadership and a stinking attitude.

Ya the whole team fell apart but you look to your superstars to create chances and turn the tide in your team's favor. He had 8 shots on goal in the entire Tampa series. He contributed 1 goal in 10 games these playoffs. He didn't move the needle nearly enough these playoffs.

the "who cares" thing has been taken the wrong way. he just meant he was going to keep playing hard regardless of the series score. and anyway, he played like a man possessed so he led by example in game 4. it was perhaps a clumsy choice of words. we've already spent too much time talking about this stupid comment so i'm stopping here.

the team didn't fall apart either. they played hard. they defended well in general, too. they just couldn't get a lead. and i don't really agree that it has to be your superstars. mckinnon didn't score until, what, game 5 in the final? he had chances, sure but largely because the rest of the team was having success and had the lightning out of their shell. anyway, huby's offensive stats are not unique to him - the whole team struggled to generate chances.

i've got no issue with huby right now. he's just gotta learn, along with the rest of the team, that he needs to find another gear and a slightly different mindset in the playoffs. i think he'll be fine.

Love the Balcers signing… White has potential too, and Cousins will be a favorite here…

Nice way to complement our top-9 IMO.

Good bargain-bin shopping job by Zito !

Not a fan of the Staals pickup…

But White and Balcers will still be RFAs, and one of them could surprise, cementing a top-9 job !

Balcers is a wrecking-ball with some playmaking talents, he shouldn’t be overlooked…

i'm already wondering if we'd be able to keep one/both! idk how the math will work out but i was guessing huby would be getting most of yandle's buyout $. guess horny will be coming of the books, tho? maybe cap will go up.