Speculation: IV. 2014 Stars Offseason Thread: Declaration of Free Agency

[glovesave_35]

Toronto and Montreal are not on his list. He knows that the Sens would never trade him to those two teams, so he purposely left them off his list.

That isn't what everyone who is supposed to know said.

 

[tjcurrie]

Players have far too much power nowadays regardless. I remember when it was just, "Hey, we traded you to xxxxx. Bye."

Now it's, "Trade me right f***ing now. But only to dis team or dat team."

It's B.S.

 

[eartotheground]

Nill: AHL Championship changes the way they are approaching the off season. Used the 1/2 season of experience again on those playoffs.

not sure how i feel about not quite half of a season of ahl hockey significantly influencing off season plans.

 

[BigG44]

Nill: Want to be cautious with AHL players ... 4 defensemen knocking on the door: Nemeth, Jyokipakka, Oleksiak, and ... Rick .. lol ... Klingberg.

3 or 4 forwards: McKenzie, Ritchie, Radek Faksa (probably not quite ready but knocking on the door ... no problem playing for injuries) ... we also have Stransky and Morin.

 

[Primetimey*]

No problem bringing up Faksa if injuries happen next season.

 

[BigG44]

Just listed Chiasson as the core with Eakin, Dillion, Benn, Seguin, and Sceviour.

 

[BigG44]

Nill: I'd like to add a 2 or 2/3 centerman. Exploring FA and trades. Not going to overpay or a crazy trade for short term option. If there's an opportunity we'd like to add that to our roster.

 

[BigG44]

Nill just mentioned how NTC are blocking trades. Seems telling considering Pierre's report. Could be just that he heard about NAS and OTT but IDK.

 

[Klockis]

Just listed Chiasson as the core with Eakin, Dillion, Benn, Seguin, and Sceviour.

Sceviour?

 

[BigG44]

6 or 7 of the players drafted will be a the prospect camp.

Probably not going to have the Euro picks other than Honka - That's my speculation.

 

[Hull Fan]

Sceviour?

It's a false information campaign. Yeah they're part of our core till we trade one to fill a hole.

 

[Klockis]

It's a false information campaign. Yeah they're part of our core till we trade one to fill a hole.

Thanks. That makes way more sense.

 

[glovesave_35]

Sceviour being mentioned as part of the core to me means they expect him to be more than a grunt for this team.

And yes, in 2-3 years if things keep going as they are our "core" will be about a dozen guys. I get what he's driving at though. Build from within, promote, be patient, give responsibility, and add from outside when necessary.

 

[glovesave_35]

Nill: I'd like to add a 2 or 2/3 centerman. Exploring FA and trades. Not going to overpay or a crazy trade for short term option. If there's an opportunity we'd like to add that to our roster.

He also mentioned not wanting to block centers in the prospect pool by tying ourselves to long term deals.

My guess is they're going to go hard at Grabovski right off the hop.

 

[SolidusAKA]

Id be okay with this:

Benn – Seguin – Nichushkin
Sceviour – Grabovski – Chiasson
Roussel – Eakin – Garbutt
Cole – Horcoff - Glennie

Add Pevs in if he plays

I think it will be good to give Chiasson a second shot too. Anyone thin Grabovski might be the kind of guy to fit his style of play?

 

[Bjorn Le]

I doubt Nill was willing to pay what Ottawa needed out of Spezza anyway. Not that I think the Stars are actually on his no-trade list.

Also, I'm going to say it everytime it appears but no Grabovski. God please not Grabovski. Anyone but Grabovski. I don't see any scenario where Grabovski makes our team better going forward. Especially when inevitably he doesn't gel with Ruff.

 

[Zrhutch]

He's a very good piece. Don't make me bring out the #fancystats

 

[Bluesoma]

DBD noticed that LeBrun took off the Spezza's no-list comment for Dallas. I doubled checked (triple this time). And yep, it's gone.

Inntteerressttinggg

 

[Bjorn Le]

He's a very good piece. Don't make me bring out the #fancystats

He's a player who will get a contract around 5 x 5.5, a player who ten games into the season could be on the fourth line, a player who could put up only 25 points over an 82 game schedule. None of the other 2C options have that kind of bust potential. At least if we pay Statsny 6.5+, he's all but guaranteed to put up 55+ points. Same with Richards and Ribeiro. Grabovski is the epitome of inconsistency and attitude problems with coaches he doesn't like.

At least Grabo isn't a Nill type player, but even talking about the potential for him to come here gives me chills. Would not hate a move more.

 

[glovesave_35]

Also, I'm going to say it everytime it appears but no Grabovski. God please not Grabovski. Anyone but Grabovski. I don't see any scenario where Grabovski makes our team better going forward. Especially when inevitably he doesn't gel with Ruff.

Why not?

Who do we go get instead?

 

[TestGrave]

Id be okay with this:

Benn – Seguin – Nichushkin
Sceviour – Grabovski – Chiasson
Roussel – Eakin – Garbutt
Cole – Horcoff - Glennie

Add Pevs in if he plays

I think it will be good to give Chiasson a second shot too. Anyone thin Grabovski might be the kind of guy to fit his style of play?

I have a strong feeling that Pevs will play next season... Doesn't look bad to me... And also, do you want to leave Ritchie in the AHL for one more season or did you forget about him? (Just asking )

 

[Zrhutch]

He's a player who will get a contract around 5 x 5.5, a player who ten games into the season could be on the fourth line, a player who could put up only 25 points over an 82 game schedule. None of the other 2C options have that kind of bust potential. At least if we pay Statsny 6.5+, he's all but guaranteed to put up 55+ points. Same with Richards and Ribeiro. Grabovski is the epitome of inconsistency and attitude problems with coaches he doesn't like.

At least Grabo isn't a Nill type player, but even talking about the potential for him to come here gives me chills. Would not hate a move more.

Few points here-

1. With money and 2Cs shifting around, and Stastny looming there, I'd be shocked if Grabo got 5 years. Even if he did, a player of his caliber is a very tradeable asset.

2. Grabo has never had less than 48 points in an uninjured/non lockout year. He still managed 35 in 58 games last year. That's absolutely second line caliber.

3. He drove the bus on Washington's second line. He had some dead, rotting, and buried weight on his wings for most of the year.

4. The problems with his attitude are greatly exaggerated. He matured from the Montreal days and was said to be a leader in Toronto. He didn't get along with Carlyle because Carlyle is still coaching like it's the 90s.

I understand he's Belarussian, and xenophobia is a real thing in the hockey world, but don't let that shy you away from him. He's a good piece, and a great 2C until Shore, Dickinson, or Faksa are ready. Although I'd prefer Thornton, but don't we all?

 

[glovesave_35]

He's a player who will get a contract around 5 x 5.5, a player who ten games into the season could be on the fourth line, a player who could put up only 25 points over an 82 game schedule.

Most of this is complete garbage. Aside from that one season (half season) in Toronto where he fell out with his coach and was given a hugely reduced role he has been incredibly consistent. He is a 17-25 goal, 50-55 point player who is a better skater and better defensively than either Richards and Ribeiro.

The money is speculation on your part, unless you've seen how many years he is said to be seeking (which could still be different than what he will get...I'm sure he wasn't seeking a 1 year prove it deal last offseason). The Washington Post will only go so far as writing what his per year asking price is said to be:

He made $3 million from Washington last season, and is owed $1.79 million per year from Toronto through 2021 per the buyout, but several outlets have speculated that Grabovski is seeking a multi-year deal somewhere around $5 million per season. An individual with knowledge of the situation called that figure “close.â€

Same with Richards and Ribeiro. Grabovski is the epitome of inconsistency and attitude problems with coaches he doesn't like.

Ribeiro is coming off a career worst season with "off ice" issues that easily lead one to speculate. He was also scratched down the stretch when Phoenix was trying to get into the playoffs.

Richards is indeed coming off a 50 something point season, which he followed up with a very poor postseason.

The difference in risk here is that Richards and Ribeiro (who isn't even worth talking about as I find it really hard to believe he is actually a possible target) are both questionable to bad defensively. They offer you nothing if they're not scoring. Grabovski is younger, a better skater, and someone who could actually provide something tangible in a depth role if he failed to mesh in the system. It's a complete joke to me to consider either of those guys as better, safer options than Grabovski.

At least Grabo isn't a Nill type player...

I guess if we sign him this will be proven wrong.

 

[beepeearr]

Apparently the part about Dallas being on Spezza's no go list was removed from Lebrun earlier article

 

[Stars99Lobo37]

That isn't what everyone who is supposed to know said.

Wait what? That's been reported by everybody...