Rumor: Juuse Saros Signs 8 Year / $7.74 AAV Contract

[Porter Stoutheart]

That’s the route this team has taken for years is going after the lesser players. Minus konecny the players I listed were all rfas so you can just sign those players in the off-season you have to acquire them through trade. Saying that my number 1 option would be to go hard after stammer. He is up there in age but still produces at almost a ppg. Plus he plays center and before anyone says he’s played wing the last couple year so did orielly. As far as the other person I would try everything to sign is Zadarov. We need that defensive defenseman who is has that meanness in him and keep anyone posting up in front of our net

It doesn’t seem like Stamkos will have any incentive to test the market, unfortunately. Or at least Tampa will take care of him at any “sane” contract value. I’m not willing to consider him as being practically available.

Meanwhile Zadorov will command an enormous premium as a highly desirable commodity for several teams. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if he gets 5-7 yrs at as much as $6M! Of course he’s not THAT good, but with the Cap going up a lot of teams will be able to convince themselves that they can afford a couple extra years or couple extra million. And I’m still tempted to include us in that category.

 

[Flgatorguy87]

I'm convinced some of you rationalize away these options for player additions as a protective factor for yourself when we don't sign them...

It's the only way I can think of that some of the names that get brought up get shit on so hard in these threads when we are talking about a team that had positional average players at best for their depth scoring.

There are no perfect players, and if there were we wouldn't have a chance to sign them. Every summer is like ground hog day it seems like. Nobody is good enough at X,Y,Z to contribute, they aren't any better than X,YZ, so why sign them? Same questions. I don't get it.

 

[drwpreds]

I'm convinced some of you rationalize away these options for player additions as a protective factor for yourself when we don't sign them...

It's the only way I can think of that some of the names that get brought up get shit on so hard in these threads when we are talking about a team that had positional average players at best for their depth scoring.

There are no perfect players, and if there were we wouldn't have a chance to sign them. Every summer is like ground hog day it seems like. Nobody is good enough at X,Y,Z to contribute, they aren't any better than X,YZ, so why sign them? Same questions. I don't get it.

100%- I have posted on this before- and it is not just a thing on this board- ALL fans seem to do this. You can bring up just about any NHL player in a discussion on possibly signing or trading for and almost without fail the vast majority of responses will be to shoot down that potential player being added. Once you start looking for it it is actually pretty funny- lol

 

[glenngineer]

Why add Marner? Right? We’ve never had a guy top 100 with only a couple of instances breaking 90+, why would we want a guy like that on our team.

 

[PredsV82]

Bottom line, if we can get a good younger asset for Saros, you do it. But not just for later 1st round picks, B prospects, etc.

Some of these teams should be desperate. Carolina, Toronto, (Edmonton if they lose) are all nearing the end of their window and probably feel that goaltending has cost them a cup

 

[BigFatCat999]

I think there are two options

Option one extend lanky for couple more years keep asking in Milwaukee till the trade deadline or until a team is desperate enough to meet the predators price.

Option two predators target up one thing that they want in the off-season and make the trade for Saros.

Either way, the Preds have to make a decision either now or at the trade deadline

Right on Doc, I do not want to poo poo platter for. Saros

 

[ShagDaddy]

I'm convinced some of you rationalize away these options for player additions as a protective factor for yourself when we don't sign them...

It's the only way I can think of that some of the names that get brought up get shit on so hard in these threads when we are talking about a team that had positional average players at best for their depth scoring.

There are no perfect players, and if there were we wouldn't have a chance to sign them. Every summer is like ground hog day it seems like. Nobody is good enough at X,Y,Z to contribute, they aren't any better than X,YZ, so why sign them? Same questions. I don't get it.

I had a novel typed out in response to your observation but ended up deleting it.

I agree with you though, I don’t understand the rationale that some people here use to justify their thought process. Some of the comments have reached facebook and reddit levels of absurdity.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

I'm convinced some of you rationalize away these options for player additions as a protective factor for yourself when we don't sign them...

It's the only way I can think of that some of the names that get brought up get shit on so hard in these threads when we are talking about a team that had positional average players at best for their depth scoring.

There are no perfect players, and if there were we wouldn't have a chance to sign them. Every summer is like ground hog day it seems like. Nobody is good enough at X,Y,Z to contribute, they aren't any better than X,YZ, so why sign them? Same questions. I don't get it.

Hmm, I'm not sure if you are referencing my post immediately above yours re: Stamkos and Zadorov or not. But I really don't understand your theory. What the heck would we be protecting ourselves from? Nobody here makes a living off what we post. Everybody posts some mix of dumb opinions and good ones, in varying proportions. We wouldn't venture an opinion at all if we were so scared about being proven wrong?

But on Stamkos, It sure seems like everybody believes they intend to offer him a contract in TB, and he has been a lifer there and probably wants to retire there, so I wouldn't see what's controversial about stating that it's highly unlikely he signs anywhere else. Nobody is protecting themselves by saying that. It's just commenting on what we see. Ditto Zadorov. He's going to get overpaid. I still want us to try to sign him, even acknowledging that. It's probably going to take something like the Ekholm contract to land him. Which is a bit sad, since Ekholm is a much better player. But that's where we are.

Or if it's Marner... there simply ARE pros and cons. Folks are stacking those on the scales, and then it's all subjective which side tips up or down. Etc etc for any other proposed player acquisition. There's nothing wrong with pointing out the pros and cons.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

Incidentally, I wonder if Lankinen looks at things quite the same way as we do here. We tend to take it for granted that if we want to keep hium, then we just go out and extend him and he stays. Whereas he's nearing 30, is wedged into a pure backup role here so far, maybe he himself would like a chance somewhere else?

$2M is really good money for the limited amount he plays, so I don't think he'll beat the money on the open market. But maybe he could think he has a better chance of playing more somewhere else, and thereby earning more money down the road. We're not likely to have made any decisions on Saros before July 1st, so Lankinen will likely have to decide independent of knowing what the ultimate resolution of Saros' future will be. And meanwhile, he'll be hearing Askarov's footsteps here.

 

[Armourboy]

Hmm, I'm not sure if you are referencing my post immediately above yours re: Stamkos and Zadorov or not. But I really don't understand your theory. What the heck would we be protecting ourselves from? Nobody here makes a living off what we post. Everybody posts some mix of dumb opinions and good ones, in varying proportions. We wouldn't venture an opinion at all if we were so scared about being proven wrong?

But on Stamkos, It sure seems like everybody believes they intend to offer him a contract in TB, and he has been a lifer there and probably wants to retire there, so I wouldn't see what's controversial about stating that it's highly unlikely he signs anywhere else. Nobody is protecting themselves by saying that. It's just commenting on what we see. Ditto Zadorov. He's going to get overpaid. I still want us to try to sign him, even acknowledging that. It's probably going to take something like the Ekholm contract to land him. Which is a bit sad, since Ekholm is a much better player. But that's where we are.

Or if it's Marner... there simply ARE pros and cons. Folks are stacking those on the scales, and then it's all subjective which side tips up or down. Etc etc for any other proposed player acquisition. There's nothing wrong with pointing out the pros and cons.

Exactly there are pros and cons to going to get every player, and sometimes its not even the player themselves, but the contract they are looking for.

Zadarov fits the later. He's a solid enough Dman, brings some things that teams like but he's never really found a long term home and he supposedly wanting 6 x 6. Now it's not just this fan base, there are a whole slew of posts on this board thinking that is a bad idea, including the 5 teams he has played for over 10 years. Generally speaking you don't often come out ahead overpaying journeyman players long term.

Stamkos we all know. Dude has been a great player over the years. but he has been often injured and is 34. I don't think there is anything wrong with asking yourself if that is a direction you want to go. Do we want to bring in another old guy, and what does that look like cap wise. Then there is the wonder if he would even leave Tampa to start with. There is only so many guys you can talk to on July 1, so you don't want to be wasting it on a guy that has no intention of going anywhere.

Marner is a guy that has shown he can put up points, and play solid defense, but does come with a reputation of being soft. Taking that gamble would be fine, but once again that contract shows its ugly head. The gamble isn't so much on the player as it is on that contract. At 9 million you take it all day long, at 11-12, well you gotta think about it really hard.

The positives are great on all 3 guys, but it ain't the positives that get NHL GM's fired.

 

[predhead1]

Marner is a guy that has shown he can put up points, and play solid defense, but does come with a reputation of being soft.

If there really is interest on our side, then I'm sure Trotz is talking to ROR to get his candid opinion on Marner's character, so there shouldn't be any surprises in the decision-making process. Agree with your thoughts on the $$$$ - it's a risk to make that move, but it does seem like it goes towards moving us out of the mushy middle.

 

[NMacrules]

Why add Marner? Right? We’ve never had a guy top 100 with only a couple of instances breaking 90+, why would we want a guy like that on our team.

You need to check stats and games played bud. He's had three 90 point seasons and last season had 85 in 69. He is a 100 point player going forward. He has 120 to 130 point potential. And he just turned 27 this month.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

You need to check stats and games played bud. He's had three 90 point seasons and last season had 85 in 69. He is a 100 point player going forward. He has 120 to 130 point potential. And he just turned 27 this month.

You have to realize that in Nashville we read those stats as: projects as a 60-80 point player here.

 

[NMacrules]

He doesn't disappear (this postseason excluded BUT their top point producer this year had 4 points and Marner had 3). His production does dip from a regular season rate of 1.109 points/game to a post season rate of 0.877 points/game. Forbergs career rate is 0.728 points/game.

I think Marner would benefit from a better coach. Keefe was a tool.

 

[glenngineer]

You need to check stats and games played bud. He's had three 90 point seasons and last season had 85 in 69. He is a 100 point player going forward. He has 120 to 130 point potential. And he just turned 27 this month.

I was being extremely sarcastic in response to a bunch of posts before mine. I know he has the potential to hit 100. I think him with Forsberg would be a nightmare for other teams to try and contain.

 

[NMacrules]

The Preds are not going to pay Marner $12M a season. I have never seen him play. Other posters claim that he disappears in the playoffs.

That is the last thing that Nashville needs!

I think they would if the Leafs ate a portion for the right package.

 

[herzausstein]

I think Marner would benefit from a better coach. Keefe was a tool.

I think Marner would do good in Brunette's system but at the same time we just don't have the upfront talent to surround him with. RoR was a 3C in Toronto. He is a 1C here.

 

[Bringer of Jollity]

I think they would if the Leafs ate a portion for the right package.

He's a UFA after this coming season. Leafs aren't going to retain on a long-term extension, and we shouldn't be paying a premium for one year of retention. If we don't think he will budge off an $11-$12M/year ask, and Trotz can't fit that long-term, we shouldn't be trading for him.

 

[Rock Paper Sissons]

I think Marner would do good in Brunette's system but at the same time we just don't have the upfront talent to surround him with. RoR was a 3C in Toronto. He is a 1C here.

I feel like maybe our biggest priority this offseason should be a true number 1 centre. O’Reilly surpassed my expectations last season but he’s not getting any younger and he is much better suited as second line centre. We have enough wingers really…

Imagine we can get Necas as our new number 1 centre. He just turned 25, he’s already put up over 70 points in a season and he’s a big body as well for a number 1 centre. I say this guy should be the target then if we really wanna move Saros while he has lots of value and go with askarov or whatever then I’m sure there are other playoff teams that would move us someone in a Saros deal. Does not have to be marner.

Imagine this though:

Forsberg Necas Nyquist
Novak O’Reilly Evangelista

And that’s with keeping Saros, we get necas with some of our plentiful picks and maybe Tomasino or whatever. The top six could get even sexier with a Saros trade… or we move Saros for a top pair defenseman… should be an exciting offseason either way!

 

[herzausstein]

I feel like maybe our biggest priority this offseason should be a true number 1 centre. O’Reilly surpassed my expectations last season but he’s not getting any younger and he is much better suited as second line centre. We have enough wingers really…

Imagine we can get Necas as our new number 1 centre. He just turned 25, he’s already put up over 70 points in a season and he’s a big body as well for a number 1 centre. I say this guy should be the target then if we really wanna move Saros while he has lots of value and go with askarov or whatever then I’m sure there are other playoff teams that would move us someone in a Saros deal. Does not have to be marner.

Imagine this though:

Forsberg Necas Nyquist
Novak O’Reilly Evangelista

And that’s with keeping Saros, we get necas with some of our plentiful picks and maybe Tomasino or whatever. The top six could get even sexier with a Saros trade… or we move Saros for a top pair defenseman… should be an exciting offseason either way!

But necas isn't a center (or atleast hasn't been one at the NHL level) and honestly he just reminds me of a more talented version of Novak. Not sure that's the kind of center Brunette would want considering he just gave Novak 4th line minutes in the playoffs

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

We have so many openings up front atm I’d be happy to add Necas… even if he may not represent the best player type match to our team “identity”… except… not at the cost Carolina is going to ask for in a trade.

Maybe he’ll get a big salary arbitration award that they walk away from … then I’d be happy to take him as a free agent for sure.

 

[herzausstein]

We have so many openings up front atm I’d be happy to add Necas… even if he may not represent the best player type match to our team “identity”… except… not at the cost Carolina is going to ask for in a trade.

Maybe he’ll get a big salary arbitration award that they walk away from … then I’d be happy to take him as a free agent for sure.

I'd like necas but I see how Novak gets tossed around, minutes cut, etc and all I can think is that is gonna be a big investment cost just to not get utilized to his potential because he doesn't fit the system. Maybe im wrong on the system part and he would work it out but I'm skeptical

 

[NMacrules]

He's a UFA after this coming season. Leafs aren't going to retain on a long-term extension, and we shouldn't be paying a premium for one year of retention. If we don't think he will budge off an $11-$12M/year ask, and Trotz can't fit that long-term, we shouldn't be trading for him.

My idea for retention is on this year only.

 

[Bringer of Jollity]

My idea for retention is on this year only.

We don't need it though, and I doubt Toronto would be willing to tie up cap to do it (and it would be costly to do so).

 

[GeauxPreds1]

My idea for retention is on this year only.

We wouldn’t need to pay extra for retention