Mike Richards (Warning in OP)

[kingsfan]

Richards won't be dealt for the chemistry aspect alone. You know it won't sit well with Carter for sure, and it'll rock the rest of the locker room. Considering we've been the most successful playoff team in the NHL the past two post-seasons combined, no way DL rocks that boat unless we get swept in the first round or something awful.

Stoll may get dealt if DL is fine with losing the face off ability because you know he's not happy with the production.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

I'd wager that we keep Stoll to the end of his contract at the very least. And if he takes another small cut in pay to keep at it in our bottom 6? We have finally established something akin to 3 scoring lines, sometimes 4. If you can preserve it do so.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Let's get real, this team has more consecutive playoff success over the last two years than it has had in it's entire history. I expect that to continue. The only weakness this team has is the lack of a partner that can compliment Doughty and allow him to create more offense. No one on this team fits that role right now. It doesn't have to be a superstar, but rather a solid partner that can keep up.

 

[kingsfan28]

I'd wager that we keep Stoll to the end of his contract at the very least. And if he takes another small cut in pay to keep at it in our bottom 6? We have finally established something akin to 3 scoring lines, sometimes 4. If you can preserve it do so.

I tend to agree . In the end I could see Stoll getting resigned but not at his current rate and playing a few more years while Vey matures into that third line role.

 

[Telos]

I'd wager that we keep Stoll to the end of his contract at the very least. And if he takes another small cut in pay to keep at it in our bottom 6? We have finally established something akin to 3 scoring lines, sometimes 4. If you can preserve it do so.

If I had to take a stab at it, I would wager that we keep him until next year's deadline and then trade him for a pick unless he signs a sweetheart deal. Mainly because we have a lot of bottom 6 forward depth and players like Vey and Shore will be available to step in that role late next year.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

If I had to take a stab at it, I would wager that we keep him until next year's deadline and then trade him for a pick unless he signs a sweetheart deal. Mainly because we have a lot of bottom 6 forward depth and players like Vey and Shore will be available to step in that role late next year.

See I agree with the overall sentiment, I can just never get on board with the idea of trading away quality players before (presumably) marching into the playoffs, even if they're UFAs. Pretend they're rentals.

 

[Moses Doughty]

If I had to take a stab at it, I would wager that we keep him until next year's deadline and then trade him for a pick unless he signs a sweetheart deal. Mainly because we have a lot of bottom 6 forward depth and players like Vey and Shore will be available to step in that role late next year.

I'd guess we let him walk if anything. I can't see DL letting go of an asset even if he gets passed over considering we should/hopefully be on a run.

Now if he becomes a scratch at some point as guys like Vey/Shore passed him and a 4th line including Andreoff/Nolan/Clifford/Lewis was doing too well to break up maybe he'd think about it.

 

[Telos]

I'd guess we let him walk if anything. I can't see DL letting go of an asset even if he gets passed over considering we should/hopefully be on a run.

Now if he becomes a scratch at some point as guys like Vey/Shore passed him and a 4th line including Andreoff/Nolan/Clifford/Lewis was doing too well to break up maybe he'd think about it.

That's what I think will happen. Our depth with make him expendable and we will need the capspace. We will re-sign Gaborik and Dean will be looking to upgrade and revamp the defense. I predict the money will come out of Stoll's pocket as we use our prospect depth to keep replenishing the bottom 6.

 

[cyclones22]

That's what I think will happen. Our depth with make him expendable and we will need the capspace. We will re-sign Gaborik and Dean will be looking to upgrade and revamp the defense. I predict the money will come out of Stoll's pocket as we use our prospect depth to keep replenishing the bottom 6.

Youth will eventually take over in the form of Vey or Shore. Of course, that will have to happen early in the season for DL to trade an asset like Stoll, similar to the JJ vs. VV situation, otherwise Dean will keep him as playoff insurance and he'll walk afterward. This is probably our last season with Greene and I wouldn't be surprised if Lewis ends up elsewhere as well. Prospects graduate and you if you can get similar production for much cheaper, it allows you to pay for players like Gaborik. Gaborik is the only must sign this offseason. Oh, and on topic...Richards ain't goin' anywhere.

 

[etherialone]

Youth will eventually take over in the form of Vey or Shore. Of course, that will have to happen early in the season for DL to trade an asset like Stoll, similar to the JJ vs. VV situation, otherwise Dean will keep him as playoff insurance and he'll walk afterward. This is probably our last season with Greene and I wouldn't be surprised if Lewis ends up elsewhere as well. Prospects graduate and you if you can get similar production for much cheaper, it allows you to pay for players like Gaborik. Gaborik is the only must sign this offseason. Oh, and on topic...Richards ain't goin' anywhere.

Exactly the way I see things too.

I would only add that I think we are lucky to have MR in the mix and that I think we would be a much lesser team if he weren't here. Wherever he ends up teams win and his team mates all think he is a critical part of the team and that is good enough for me.

I think it is possible we try to keep Lewis though I personally would let him walk with a handshake and my sincere gratitude when the season is over. I think we have better options on the farm. If he stays then we will have to find another solution.

 

[guderian]

Lewis walks and Vey takes his place on 4th line with Richards nad Clifford, perfect spot for him.
Mitchell stays as 7th Dman, McNabb fills his spot.
Green walks.

 

[Moses Doughty]

That's what I think will happen. Our depth with make him expendable and we will need the capspace. We will re-sign Gaborik and Dean will be looking to upgrade and revamp the defense. I predict the money will come out of Stoll's pocket as we use our prospect depth to keep replenishing the bottom 6.

Lombardi trading Stoll just seems weird

And we all talk of Stoll on faceoffs but at least Kopi/Richards/Carter are all hitting 53.5 instead of Stoll's 54.5 as of now

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Considering the amount of cap space that will be available with expiring contracts, I don't see Lombardi having to shed any contracts or opting to buy anyone out.

Some of you guys are overthinking things.

 

[Telos]

Considering the amount of cap space that will be available with expiring contracts, I don't see Lombardi having to shed any contracts or opting to buy anyone out.

Some of you guys are overthinking things.

I doubt we are going to get rid of any of our free agent forwards and retain Gaborik (who will be paid more than he's being paid by us now), King, and even Lewis (I don't think we get rid of him, he is too valuable as a bottom 6 at around that price and this season keeps him at that price).

We will likely be keeping one of Greene or Mitchell, maybe even both depending on how they feel about it and if they want to stay, but that money will be put back into defense and more because Dean is looking for a top 4 defenseman. In all likeliness, we are going to retain nearly the same team, except we will be paying Gaborik millions more, taking on a random defensive contract, we are still short a spare player, and the cap isn't going up by much.

We will have to shed salary if we make any moves next season or any deadline acqusitions, and I have a feeling that Lombardi isn't done with the defense, no matter who replaces Greene and/or Mitchell, or who joins Doughty, not to mention McNabb probably joining the team.

 

[HYORI 1963]

Lewis walks and Vey takes his place on 4th line with Richards nad Clifford, perfect spot for him.
Mitchell stays as 7th Dman, McNabb fills his spot.
Green walks.

Mitchell isn't going to re-sign to be a 7th dman. If he can't be a top 6 here, he'll go elsewhere.

 

[Telos]

In no particular order, just throwing out the financials, but I wouldn't exactly expect a plethora of cash floating around next season either. Gaborik may be in the $5 million range if we can sign a tricky deal, but will likely get over $6m. King is expecting a decent sized raise and will have to be paid more than Lewis, maybe even more than I put down. $2-3 million should be expected to be put back into the defense, so insert that for Greene or whoever takes his place. There just isn't a lot of room to work with. This is why Dean was annoyed with the cap numbers announcement. He wants to keep his players, even the ones we want to get rid of.

CAPGEEK.COM ARMCHAIR GM ROSTER
CapGeek Armchair GM Roster
FORWARDS
Dustin Brown ($5.875m) / Anze Kopitar ($6.800m) / Justin Williams ($3.650m)
Tyler Toffoli ($0.717m) / Mike Richards ($5.750m) / Jeff Carter ($5.273m)
Tanner Pearson ($0.736m) / Jarret Stoll ($3.250m) / Marian Gaborik ($6.500m)
Kyle Clifford ($1.075m) / Jordan Nolan ($0.700m) / Trevor Lewis ($1.325m)
Dwight King ($1.400m) / Linden Vey ($0.735m)
DEFENSEMEN
Drew Doughty ($7.000m) / Slava Voynov ($4.167m)
Robyn Regehr ($3.000m) / Alec Martinez ($1.100m)
Jake Muzzin ($1.000m) / Matt Greene ($2.950m)
Brayden McNabb ($0.850m) /
GOALTENDERS
Jonathan Quick ($5.800m)
Martin Jones ($0.550m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2014-15)
SALARY CAP: $71,100,000; CAP PAYROLL: $70,201,894; BONUSES: $342,500
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $898,106

 

[HYORI 1963]

I doubt we are going to get rid of any of our free agent forwards and retain Gaborik (who will be paid more than he's being paid by us now), King, and even Lewis (I don't think we get rid of him, he is too valuable as a bottom 6 at around that price and this season keeps him at that price).

We will likely be keeping one of Greene or Mitchell, maybe even both depending on how they feel about it and if they want to stay, but that money will be put back into defense and more because Dean is looking for a top 4 defenseman. In all likeliness, we are going to retain nearly the same team, except we will be paying Gaborik millions more, taking on a random defensive contract, we are still short a spare player, and the cap isn't going up by much.

We will have to shed salary if we make any moves next season or any deadline acqusitions, and I have a feeling that Lombardi isn't done with the defense, no matter who replaces Greene and/or Mitchell, or who joins Doughty, not to mention McNabb probably joining the team.

Highly doubt Lombardi signs both Greene AND Mitchell, for the very reason you mentioned about McNabb joining the team, which would make 8 players on defense. Even with Gabby getting a reasonable contract and Brownie's new contract factoring in, we should be ok, as long as we only re-sign one of Mitchell or Greene.

Edit: I'd be shocked if Gabby got anything over 6M.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I pulled pretty much the same thing but with Mitchell instead of Greene, but that's just a coin toss anyway.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Highly doubt Lombardi signs both Greene AND Mitchell, for the very reason you mentioned about McNabb joining the team, which would make 8 players on defense. Even with Gabby getting a reasonable contract and Brownie's new contract factoring in, we should be ok, as long as we only re-sign one of Mitchell or Greene.

Edit: I'd be shocked if Gabby got anything over 6M.

Agree. I'm hoping 5.5 for Gaborik but who knows.

 

[Telos]

Highly doubt Lombardi signs both Greene AND Mitchell, for the very reason you mentioned about McNabb joining the team, which would make 8 players on defense. Even with Gabby getting a reasonable contract and Brownie's new contract factoring in, we should be ok, as long as we only re-sign one of Mitchell or Greene.

Edit: I'd be shocked if Gabby got anything over 6M.

I'm just throwing out the possibility that one or the other decides to take a discount to stay, which makes no sense for Greene, but does for Mitchell. Either way, I wouldn't be surprised if one of Martinez or Muzzin are still moved. Dean is looking to upgrade the blueline and get a legitimate top 4 option.

 

[HYORI 1963]

I'm just throwing out the possibility that one or the other decides to take a discount to stay, which makes no sense for Greene, but does for Mitchell. Either way, I wouldn't be surprised if one of Martinez or Muzzin are still moved. Dean is looking to upgrade the blueline and get a legitimate top 4 option.

Is that a speculation on your part or a fact? I really can't see a top 4 being added, without shedding some salary.

 

[Telos]

Is that a speculation on your part or a fact?

It was from Rosen and Hoven at the deadline who both said that another top 4 defenseman was our leading target and is why we were pursuing a lot of them around the league. I doubt those sentiments will change after we lose our veterans and weaken on the back end.

I really can't see a top 4 being added, without shedding some salary.

That's precisely my point If we upgrade the defense, the money will have to come elsewhere, and I think Stoll's paychek is what is sacrificed. In all likeliness, Dean lets him walk and uses it the offseason after, but I think there could be deals to be had out there next dealine and some salary may be moved. This of course is distant predictions though, obviously.

 

[tsanuri]

In no particular order, just throwing out the financials, but I wouldn't exactly expect a plethora of cash floating around next season either. Gaborik may be in the $5 million range if we can sign a tricky deal, but will likely get over $6m. King is expecting a decent sized raise and will have to be paid more than Lewis, maybe even more than I put down. $2-3 million should be expected to be put back into the defense, so insert that for Greene or whoever takes his place. There just isn't a lot of room to work with. This is why Dean was annoyed with the cap numbers announcement. He wants to keep his players, even the ones we want to get rid of.

CAPGEEK.COM ARMCHAIR GM ROSTER
CapGeek Armchair GM Roster
FORWARDS
Dustin Brown ($5.875m) / Anze Kopitar ($6.800m) / Justin Williams ($3.650m)
Tyler Toffoli ($0.717m) / Mike Richards ($5.750m) / Jeff Carter ($5.273m)
Tanner Pearson ($0.736m) / Jarret Stoll ($3.250m) / Marian Gaborik ($6.500m)
Kyle Clifford ($1.075m) / Jordan Nolan ($0.700m) / Trevor Lewis ($1.325m)
Dwight King ($1.400m) / Linden Vey ($0.735m)
DEFENSEMEN
Drew Doughty ($7.000m) / Slava Voynov ($4.167m)
Robyn Regehr ($3.000m) / Alec Martinez ($1.100m)
Jake Muzzin ($1.000m) / Matt Greene ($2.950m)
Brayden McNabb ($0.850m) /
GOALTENDERS
Jonathan Quick ($5.800m)
Martin Jones ($0.550m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2014-15)
SALARY CAP: $71,100,000; CAP PAYROLL: $70,201,894; BONUSES: $342,500
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $898,106

Those numbers are already in trouble with the possibility of the cap being as low as 68M. We need to shed 2M for those numbers.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

It was from Rosen and Hoven at the deadline who both said that another top 4 defenseman was our leading target and is why we were pursuing a lot of them around the league. I doubt those sentiments will change after we lose our veterans and weaken on the back end.

That's precisely my point If we upgrade the defense, the money will have to come elsewhere, and I think Stoll's paychek is what is sacrificed. In all likeliness, Dean lets him walk and uses it the offseason after, but I think there could be deals to be had out there next dealine and some salary may be moved. This of course is distant predictions though, obviously.

If we get another top 4 d-man, that means one of Martinez-Muzzin-Voynov is on their way out, imo. Just not enough spots/money depending on the player.

 

[HYORI 1963]

If we get another top 4 d-man, that means one of Martinez-Muzzin-Voynov is on their way out, imo. Just not enough spots/money depending on the player.

Exactly! And if you look at the cap, it has to be Voynov.