Speculation: Off-Season 2013 - Part II

[CupsOverCash]

I don't understand the rush to trade Connolly, it's not like he has a huge cap hit on a one-way contract that we need to dispose. Right now his value isn't as high as it could be, and his development has run smoothly thus far. Let him compete with our other wing prospects, and then trade him. We're not even close to competing right now, so there's no need to be trading our prospects. Kadri was a trade chip last year, and he proved to be much more valuable than he was at training camp. Connolly is young and still has a high ceiling, let's be patient with him.

He is the biggest possible name that could return a decent starting defensmen.

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

We're not in a position to be a buyer at the moment, IMO. I don't see Yzerman dealing valuable prospects for a top-4 defenseman. Maybe in a year or two. I personally expect us to have a lottery pick again next season.

 

[The Wyzerhood]

Some high profile RFA defensemen have still not been re-signed in Pietrangelo, Franson and McDonagh. I have interest in all three, however only via trade and not through an offer sheet. We're not in a position to surrender multiple early draft picks.

Untouchables are obviously Stamkos, Drouin, Hedman and Vasilevski. Everyone else on our team or in the system would be in play imo.

 

[The Macho King]

We're not in a position to be a buyer at the moment, IMO. I don't see Yzerman dealing valuable prospects for a top-4 defenseman. Maybe in a year or two. I personally expect us to have a lottery pick again next season.

I don't know about you, but I'd like to avoid that if possible. I don't think we move him for a rental as much as a young guy that fills a hole. Also, our D is rather thin... if (and when) Salo goes down, all of a sudden we're REALLY screwed on D.

Plus, if we get some goaltending and make a decent signing for a #2/#3C, there's no reason we can't make a push. Am I confident in a playoff birth? Not exactly, but you don't stand pat and not compete hoping for another lottery pick. If Tampa wants to fill that pretty arena, they need to put a good product on the ice.

Edit: Also, calling us a "buyer" is definitely wrong terminology. That only applies near the trade deadline. Everyone is a buyer and seller in the offseason. We need to fix where we're shallow in our organization, and we do that by using our strength (which is definitely wingers).

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

I don't know about you, but I'd like to avoid that if possible. I don't think we move him for a rental as much as a young guy that fills a hole. Also, our D is rather thin... if (and when) Salo goes down, all of a sudden we're REALLY screwed on D.

Plus, if we get some goaltending and make a decent signing for a #2/#3C, there's no reason we can't make a push. Am I confident in a playoff birth? Not exactly, but you don't stand pat and not compete hoping for another lottery pick. If Tampa wants to fill that pretty arena, they need to put a good product on the ice.

Edit: Also, calling us a "buyer" is definitely wrong terminology. That only applies near the trade deadline. Everyone is a buyer and seller in the offseason. We need to fix where we're shallow in our organization, and we do that by using our strength (which is definitely wingers).

When I use the term "buyer", I'm referring to the idea of trading picks and prospects for established talent. We're not in a position to do that at the moment, unless we're getting young talent in return.

I agree with bringing in a young defenseman. We seem to be pretty good trade partners with Nashville, and Blum and Ellis are reasonable options. We don't have the assets for any of the three defenseman that Tampa Bay Trio mentioned, so we can scratch out that option.

As it stands now, there are very limited options at center and defense (ironically, it's a good time to be in need of a starting goaltender). The centers that we'll be in on are Weiss, Ribeiro, Bozak, Roy and Briere. Can any of those centers upgrade what Vinny brought us last year? I just don't see us improving the team enough to make the playoffs next season, especially in a much tougher division. Of course, there is a chance that we have a good season, but I'm not optimistic that we'll be much better than last year.

 

[The Wyzerhood]

When I use the term "buyer", I'm referring to the idea of trading picks and prospects for established talent. We're not in a position to do that at the moment, unless we're getting young talent in return.

I agree with bringing in a young defenseman. We seem to be pretty good trade partners with Nashville, and Blum and Ellis are reasonable options. We don't have the assets for any of the three defenseman that Tampa Bay Trio mentioned, so we can scratch out that option.

As it stands now, there are very limited options at center and defense (ironically, it's a good time to be in need of a starting goaltender). The centers that we'll be in on are Weiss, Ribeiro, Bozak, Roy and Briere. Can any of those centers upgrade what Vinny brought us last year? I just don't see us improving the team enough to make the playoffs next season, especially in a much tougher division. Of course, there is a chance that we have a good season, but I'm not optimistic that we'll be much better than last year.

I would take Stone before Blum or Ellis, which was the original proposal being floated around on the previous page. I'm not thrilled with the idea of giving up Connolly since he could very well become a 65-70 point player, but you need to give to get and the additional 3rd round pick softens the blow a bit.

Stone's more physical and bigger than both Blum or Ellis and gives us some much needed toughness in our top 4 group. If everything works out, I could see it being Hedman-Stone and Carle-Sustr as our top 4 in 2014-15.

 

[ArmchairGoalie]

Some high profile RFA defensemen have still not been re-signed in Pietrangelo, Franson and McDonagh. I have interest in all three, however only via trade and not through an offer sheet. We're not in a position to surrender multiple early draft picks.

Untouchables are obviously Stamkos, Drouin, Hedman and Vasilevski. Everyone else on our team or in the system would be in play imo.

THIS!!! Would love to see Pietrangelo in a Bolts sweater. Good young defenseman that could be added to our core.

EDIT: Just saw on Blues board that he is looking at 6M + per year for a long term (8 years). Too rich for us.

 

[Yzlamic Preacher*]

NOT QUALIFIED
BUF: Jacob Lagace, RW; Drew Schiestel, D;
CAR: Justin Krueger, D {Signed in Switzerland}; Luke Pither, C; Joe Sova, D; John Muse, G; A.J. Jenks, RW; Andreas Nodl, LW;
DET: Thomas McCollum, G;
NAS: Jeremy Smith, G; Matt Halischuk, RW; Jonathon Blum, D;
NJD: J.S. Berube, LW;
NYI: Shane Harper, RW; Brandon DeFazio, LW;
NYR: Michael Sauer, D; Jyri Niemi, D {Signed in Finland}; Nick Palmieri, RW;
OTT: Louie Caporusso, RW;
PHI: Blake Kessel, D; Mitch Wahl, LW;
PHX: Scott Arnold, RW;
STL: Paul Karpowich, G; Brett Sonne, C; Anthony Nigro, RW; Jay Barriball, LW; Stefan Della Rovere, RW;
TBL: Brendan Mikkelson, D; Benoit Pouliot, LW; Alex Hutchings, LW; Pat Nagle, G;
WAS: Mattias Sjogren, C {Signed in Sweden}; Danick Paquette, RW; Dustin Stevenson, D;

I can't find anything else about Blum not being qualified though. Not on Preds forum, or Preds website.

If that is the case, hopefully SFY makes a pitch for Blum.

EDIT:

per David Poile

Matt Halischuk and Jon Blum will not be qualified, but he's still going to try to deal their rights before Friday.

 

[CupsOverCash]

Well what are our needs right now?? We obviously need defense and a Center. Do we just get some stop gap players from FA because the team isnt "contending" right now? It will be interesting to see what SY does. Im not sure he can afford to have another lotto pick.

 

[Five Alarm Fire]

I would take Stone before Blum or Ellis, which was the original proposal being floated around on the previous page. I'm not thrilled with the idea of giving up Connolly since he could very well become a 65-70 point player, but you need to give to get and the additional 3rd round pick softens the blow a bit.

Stone's more physical and bigger than both Blum or Ellis and gives us some much needed toughness in our top 4 group. If everything works out, I could see it being Hedman-Stone and Carle-Sustr as our top 4 in 2014-15.

I haven't seen much of Stone, what kind of upside does he have? From what I've read he sounds like the right kind of D for Cooper.

I hope Yzerman offers a mid-round pick for Blum's rights. I like the low risk and high reward of a potential trade.

 

[2016cupwinners]

I am surprised B Pouliot wasn't qualified. I think he is a decent depth player.

Pouliot played well with Boucher, but played poorly with Cooper. No idea why. He's a talented guy, he'll catch on somewhere and do well.

 

[HoseEmDown]

I haven't seen much of Stone, what kind of upside does he have? From what I've read he sounds like the right kind of D for Cooper.

I hope Yzerman offers a mid-round pick for Blum's rights. I like the low risk and high reward of a potential trade.

I wouldn't offer a mid round pick for him. There were much better players going for 5th's last year. 6/7 or Pouliot's right's.

 

[BoltSTH]

Dominic Moore is still deciding if and when he will play again. I would love him back to anchor the 3rd line.

 

[NHLeitner]

Gut feeling is that our second line C beginning of next season will be Filpula. Wouldn't mind someone like Weiss either... Filpula wants to get paid though.

 

[Steve Yzerman]

Gut feeling is that our second line C beginning of next season will be Filpula. Wouldn't mind someone like Weiss either... Filpula wants to get paid though.

I'm fine with Filpula but on a short term deal. He wants a high-paying 7 year deal. The money is not a problem (with almost $18 million in cap space) once Malone is moved. But the reason Lecavalier was bought out was because of the length of his contract. I'd like him on a 3 year deal, but he probably wants longer.

 

[Yzlamic Preacher*]

I'm fine with Filpula but on a short term deal. He wants a high-paying 7 year deal. The money is not a problem (with almost $18 million in cap space) once Malone is moved. But the reason Lecavalier was bought out was because of the length of his contract. I'd like him on a 3 year deal, but he probably wants longer.

Same boat, the money isn't the problem, it's the length. I wouldn't want anyone in the position for longer than 4 years.

 

[The Wyzerhood]

I haven't seen much of Stone, what kind of upside does he have? From what I've read he sounds like the right kind of D for Cooper.

I hope Yzerman offers a mid-round pick for Blum's rights. I like the low risk and high reward of a potential trade.

Blum is an interesting case as he has a ton of potential and there were initially high expectations for him. Could really benefit from a change of scenery and his value is pretty low due to his play, being a RFA and limited minutes to go around for all their defensemen.

Stone is definitely a better fit for Cooper, as the goal is to get tougher. He's capable of throwing some punishing hits, but usually makes the safe, right play instead of looking for the big hit. Much, much better defensively than Blum too. I'd say his upside is of a very good #3 defenseman similar to Hjalmarsson in Chicago, who's also capable of playing a top line role if need be.

 

[Steve Yzerman]

Blum for future considerations? Make it happen Steve.

 

[jg39]

Hal Gill waived by the Predators. He makes $2m this season, and is an UFA at the end of this season. Worth a waivers claim?

He'd bring veteran presence and size, but a) his best days are behind him, b) his movement is a--holes and elbows sometimes, and c) I don't know where he fits in right now. There's no room if it stays Hedman-Salo, Brewer-Carle, and Aulie-Gudas. I'm not saying I want to make this move, but it's something to think about. We desperately need at least one more Cup ring on this team.

 

[Doctor Drej]

bringing in hal gill would be awful. if people ***** about brewer being slow, gill would drive everyone insane.

 

[newham89]

Would love to see Blum come in. Has high potential but stagnated a bit behind a solid d group in Nashville. A late pick should be all that is required to get his rights.

 

[Sky04]

Blum or Ellis off Nashville would be great.

 

[Coopers Gum]

I'm wary of either Blum or Ellis. We don't need more bottom pairing defenders. And I know, I know, everyone says that because of the logjam of defense on Nashville, they're so low. But they can't just jump into a top-4 role.

So unless I can become more educated on the matter, and other people can convince me, I will stay wary.

 

[nhljohnson]

THIS!!! Would love to see Pietrangelo in a Bolts sweater. Good young defenseman that could be added to our core.

Can't imagine STL dealing Pietrangelo; they'll pay him. That said, if there's a guy to pony up a VERY pretty package for, were he made available, it's him.

EDIT: Just saw on Blues board that he is looking at 6M + per year for a long term (8 years). Too rich for us.

No. It's really not. This season is the only concern but when you consider that TB can exceed the cap by the amount of Ohlund's salary and could also still clear some or all of Malone's cap hit by trading him, it's evident the Lightning could flesh out a competitive roster with him. And after next season TB has Salo coming off the books and a compliance buyout left in the pocket available to use, otherwise the contracts of Brewer and St. Louis expiring in the summer of 2015.

Plenty of room now for a pricey addition now that V4 is gone. Not saying they'll go that route (and, as I mentioned, it's not like I think Pietrangelo's even a realistic target.)

 

[Coopers Gum]

No long contracts please. I don't know of a single one that hasn't handcuffed a team.