Kevin Klein

[BlueshirtBlitz]

It seems that people are very adverse to the idea of trading Klein to get the money to resign Stralman. I think this is one of the more interesting ways Slats could open up cap space, so I wanted to make my own thread as to not pollute every other thread.

Do you think Klein could step into the 2RD spot, or no?

I think if the option is available, you have to move Klein and keep Stralman.

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[GAGLine]

Klein can handle 2nd pair minutes. He did it in Nashville and he has played well for us. Stralman will cost a mil more per year, at least. 2.9 mil cap hit for the next 4 years is a steal for Klein.

I like Stralman and would like to keep him, but if it's either him or Klein, I go with Klein.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

I don't think Klein/Dorsett to Edmonton for a 2nd/warm body is out of the realm of possibility. Opens up about $4.5M in cap space.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I am more confident that Klein can fill the #2 RD spot than I am that John Moore get fill #2 LD


I think Stralman is in the middle of the pack when it comes to priorities of what free agents need to be signed.

 

[Zil]

Well, yeah if it came down to it I'd move Klein to keep Stralman. I don't know if that's what it's going to come down to though.

 

[Ail]

I would definitely be okay with moving him if it meant keeping Stralman.

I thought he was decent since the trade overall. I am confident with him on the 3rd pairing for the most part. Second pairing is not optimal, but if they retain Staal it makes slotting Klein next to him a little easier since Staal is solid defensively.

 

[Cassano]

I think Klein is a good asset to move. His perceived value around the league is probably that of a good top 4 defender when his play on the ice suggests otherwise.

 

[Tawnos]

Klein is more valuable at $2.9m than Stralman is at $4-4.5m. So, to me it's not a matter of whether or not we should trade Klein to make room for Stralman. It's that Klein's relative value (ability vs contract) is higher.

 

[Zil]

Klein is more valuable at $2.9m than Stralman is at $4-4.5m. So, to me it's not a matter of whether or not we should trade Klein to make room for Stralman. It's that Klein's relative value (ability vs contract) is higher.

I don't understand this reasoning. Klein's not going to look good playing top four minutes. He's a very expensive third pairing defenseman. Klein's possession numbers are not just bad because he was on a bad possession team. His CF% rel has been consistently negative. That means Nashville's possession game actually got worse than normal when Klein was on the ice. Stralman is our best right handed defenseman and his puck moving is a massive help in driving the play into the offensive zone. Stralman put up far superior possession numbers while consistently matched up against tougher competition than Klein.

 

[Tawnos]

I don't understand this reasoning. Klein's not going to look good playing top four minutes. He's a very expensive third pairing defenseman. Stralman is our best right handed defenseman and his puck moving is a massive help in driving the play into the offensive zone.

Kleins looked good playing top 4 minutes in his career for longer than Stralman has.

And Stralman isn't our best RHD. Girardi is. Girardi is criminally underrated by some of you.

 

[Zil]

Kleins looked good playing top 4 minutes in his career for longer than Stralman has.

And Stralman isn't our best RHD. Girardi is. Girardi is criminally underrated by some of you.

Girardi is actually criminally overrated. All of those breakout passes he makes that wind up as turnovers or icings add up. All of those shot attempts that miss the net and send the opponent on the rush the other way add up. All those times he gets beat to the outside by faster players add up. Girardi's very likeable and he racks up the two stats fans can most easily appreciate from a defensive defenseman: Hits and blocked shots. That said, his overall play is way overvalued. Girardi doesn't panic when pinned in his own end, but his play also guarantees you're more likely to get pinned there in the first place.

 

[eco's bones]

So who has a clue here about Stralman's real intentions? Would he sign again if we opened up more cap space or would he rather wait two weeks and see what other kinds of offers are out there? If it's simply about money he'll probably wait. Next question is how much does he want and for how long? Should we give him a better contract than McDonagh? It's very possible some team will give him a better than McDonagh deal. Do posters here think that we should match whatever offer he gets--no matter for how much or for how long?

We're going into the part of the season that is all about business. Make stupid business decisions and your team is going to be hurt. I've watched this team over 40 years. A lot of my favorite players were moved along for this reason or that. The cap salary structure in place now makes it so that money going to one player pretty much cuts away at the money available for other players but beyond that there are questions that are not answerable right away. Stralman's status is a gray zone at the moment at least for us fans.

 

[Zil]

So who has a clue here about Stralman's real intentions? Would he sign again if we opened up more cap space or would he rather wait two weeks and see what other kinds of offers are out there? If it's simply about money he'll probably wait. Next question is how much does he want and for how long? Should we give him a better contract than McDonagh? It's very possible some team will give him a better than McDonagh deal. Do posters here think that we should match whatever offer he gets--no matter for how much or for how long?

We're going into the part of the season that is all about business. Make stupid business decisions and your team is going to be hurt. I've watched this team over 40 years. A lot of my favorite players were moved along for this reason or that. The cap salary structure in place now makes it so that money going to one player pretty much cuts away at the money available for other players but beyond that there are questions that are not answerable right away. Stralman's status is a gray zone at the moment at least for us fans.

I think they should do what it takes to lock down Stralman before July 1st. Don't let him get out into open water so to speak.

 

[Grifter3511]

Fwiw, Kleins willingness to jump into and on occasion lead rush in these playoffs was quite impressive. He never seemed to get himself caught either. I think he could handle more responsibility with this team quite well.

 

[NickyFotiu]

The guy is a bargain, can play 2d, has a hard shot (not accurate), and can fight if needed.

 

[TheTakedown]

i think he should stay. can do 2nd pair minutes, and at $2.9M he is an absolute bargain.

Thought he brought more offense than Stralman did all year.

 

[Calad]

Fwiw, Kleins willingness to jump into and on occasion lead rush in these playoffs was quite impressive. He never seemed to get himself caught either. I think he could handle more responsibility with this team quite well.

I agree. I thought he took his game to another level in the playoffs. Skated great and never really got caught much

 

[offdacrossbar]

kleins game improved dramatically in the playoffs. he was more visible and even played more time in the o zone. he played well and slats did well in that deal. del zotto had little value if you remember.

hes signed to a very nice deal and wrapped up. hes a guy who can play up and down the lineup and look the part. moving him, when we are this capped strapped, would be stupid.

his game is suited for that 3rd pair or emergency 2nd pair. he gives us some flexibility if we have an injury.

plus, when paired with john moore, both players played better and thats showing some chemistry and bodes well for next season depending on whom we resign or let walk/move.

hes a keeper for sure.

 

[AHB*]

I don't really get the saving money aspect with Klein. He was brought in to save money. Let's face it, we can't tie up 30 Million in our top 4 D. It's not realistic. One of those guys is going to have to go.

 

[eco's bones]

I think they should do what it takes to lock down Stralman before July 1st. Don't let him get out into open water so to speak.

This is the way I look at Anton Stralman. 3 years at $4 mil per or 4 years at $3.5 mil per. He's better than Klein and either of those deals are better deals than Klein has. He's better than Klein and preferable as the second pairing guy but he's not better than Klein by a really great margin. I wouldn't be surprised if Sather has offered him such a kind of deal already. The problem is like many a UFA before he's likely to get a lot better deal and a lot better deal than he's worth. He holds all the cards now who he wants to play for. I expect a lot more from Sather and Gorton than capitulation to whatever demands he has.

 

[Thirty One]

Klein is more valuable at $2.9m than Stralman is at $4-4.5m.contract.

Strongly disagree.

 

[offdacrossbar]

I don't really get the saving money aspect with Klein. He was brought in to save money. Let's face it, we can't tie up 30 Million in our top 4 D. It's not realistic. One of those guys is going to have to go.

staal is that guy.

he will bring back a decent return. still has value. and what he brings back may well improve us more than hurt us. defensively we are pretty deep.

we have a true 1d in mcd. cant have 3 #1 d

staal has history of injury.

we already re upped girardi and hes our true #2.

stralman can play multiple roles- inc add some offense for this team and will be more affordable than staal.

klein adds value based on his ability to move up and down and play that steady defensive role that staal brought. he can play more minutes easily.

 

[eco's bones]

staal is that guy.

he will bring back a decent return. still has value. and what he brings back may well improve us more than hurt us. defensively we are pretty deep.

we have a true 1d in mcd. cant have 3 #1 d

staal has history of injury.

we already re upped girardi and hes our true #2.

stralman can play multiple roles- inc add some offense for this team and will be more affordable than staal.

klein adds value based on his ability to move up and down and play that steady defensive role that staal brought. he can play more minutes easily.

At least for the short term moving Staal will probably hurt our defense a lot--especially if Stralman leaves as well. Klein and Moore as the second pairing might be okay but it's a downgrade. Brady Skjei may be a good replacement for Staal but he's probably a year and a half-two years away.

One thing--if we're moving Stall--it ain't for Jason Spezza. Get a younger--not someone on the downside of his career with injury issues--maybe someone like ROR.

 

[Zil]

At least for the short term moving Staal will probably hurt our defense a lot--especially if Stralman leaves as well. Klein and Moore as the second pairing might be okay but it's a downgrade. Brady Skjei may be a good replacement for Staal but he's probably a year and a half-two years away.

One thing--if we're moving Stall--it ain't for Jason Spezza. Get a younger--not someone on the downside of his career with injury issues--maybe someone like ROR.

I think the majority opinion is that a Staal package for ROR plus re-signing Stralman is the ideal core of the offseason. Throw in a Zucc extension, bridge contracts for Kreider and Moore, qualify Brassard, bring back D. Moore, add some veteran depth, slot in a kid or two (Allen? Lindberg? Haggerty?), and we're ready to roll.

 

[Raspewtin]

I don't really get the saving money aspect with Klein. He was brought in to save money. Let's face it, we can't tie up 30 Million in our top 4 D. It's not realistic. One of those guys is going to have to go.

This is what it comes down to.

Stralman is too expensive, and while he's very important to our transition game, he provides next to no offense, and he doesn't face as rough competition as Staal and the top pair.

30 million is ridiculous for a top 4 D unless it's the best two way d-core in the league.