GDT: Off-season/July 1st Free Agent frenzy thread-Is Joey Crabb still available?

[Beezers Mask]

Investing in our pro scouting has paid dividends. We get to pick up guys with only minimal assets (waiver, good trades) and then we also get to sign them for cheaper because we gave them a chance and the rest of the league still undervalues them because lack of pedigree. Win, win, win really.

Hopefully the panthers success there continues. It would be difficult without it considering our lack of picks the last few years.

 

[BabyBennettov]

David DWork and THN picking up the Ekblad rumors too...

Man, that's gonna be a tough one !

But if it means keeping the rest of the band together ? Benny, Swaggy, Reinho, Vladdy, Monty and OEL ? You've got to do it !

 

[FinlandPanther]

David DWork and THN picking up the Ekblad rumors too...

Man, that's gonna be a tough one !

But if it means keeping the rest of the band together ? Benny, Swaggy, Reinho, Vladdy, Monty and OEL ? You've got to do it !

Yup. Zito values winning above all. He’s sentimental but it won’t affect who he trades.

 

[wampa13jku]

They’ll do a slight discount because they want to stay with the team and help enable future cups. Hedman, Stammer did it too.

McD, Drai, Matthews, Marner, Nylander… didn’t and won’t. Honestly, Edmonton and Toronno won’t win anything with how too heavy they are.

I think Crosby, Malkin and Letang signed good deals to keep it flexible too when their cup window was open if im not mistaken. I get athletes need to maximize their earnings while they are on their prime, but something's gotta give to avoid being one of those really good players with zero cups (or championships overall cause this applies to any sport)

 

[ucanthanzalthetruth]

Stamkos going to test free agency, this week keeps getting better

 

[pantherbot]

Sucks, but if Reino gets $9-9.5M, we don't have a choice but to trade Ekblad, the math just doesn't work for 2024/25. Ekblad willing to take a discount to stay, but the problem is next year, not the extension. Maybe he can come back at a discounted rate.

I actually don't expect much return for Ekblad, his contract is hard to trade even if its for one year.

 

[Idiot Stick]

Sucks, but if Reino gets $9-9.5M, we don't have a choice but to trade Ekblad, the math just doesn't work for 2024/25. Ekblad willing to take a discount to stay, but the problem is next year, not the extension. Maybe he can come back at a discounted rate.

I actually don't expect much return for Ekblad, his contract is hard to trade even if its for one year.

we can trade our next first round pick for some to take him, whats it now 2038?

 

[WaitingForThatCab]

I think Crosby, Malkin and Letang signed good deals to keep it flexible too when their cup window was open if im not mistaken. I get athletes need to maximize their earnings while they are on their prime, but something's gotta give to avoid being one of those really good players with zero cups (or championships overall cause this applies to any sport)

I think Crosby's first big deal was considered a blockbuster when he signed it, but then very quickly turned into a great value contract as the cap shot up.

 

[PanthersHockey1]

Rhinos game and skill set will age like fine wine

 

[TotalHomer]

I actually don't expect much return for Ekblad, his contract is hard to trade even if its for one year.

I don't think it's going to be a boat load but something in the line of 1st plus a prospect. He's still a good player at the moment and does some things extremely well. A total warrior too. The long term is the could hanging above him, but still I'd expect him to be a very solid player for a few years at least. RHDs like that should get a decent return.

 

[Necrobutcher]

I don't think it's going to be a boat load but something in the line of 1st plus a prospect. He's still a good player at the moment and does some things extremely well. A total warrior too. The long term is the could hanging above him, but still I'd expect him to be a very solid player for a few years at least. RHDs like that should get a decent return.

Ekblad is way better than most people give him credit for but no way the return is a 1st and a prospect. Not with that contract. More like a decent roster player and 5th rounder or something.

 

[pantherbot]

I don't think it's going to be a boat load but something in the line of 1st plus a prospect. He's still a good player at the moment and does some things extremely well. A total warrior too. The long term is the could hanging above him, but still I'd expect him to be a very solid player for a few years at least. RHDs like that should get a decent return.

Cap space still at a premium and it's still a hefty contract. I like Ekblad, but have come around to accept his contract being too difficult to maneuver for a lot of teams including ourselves. His benefit right now is having only 1-year remaining on contract, so there's flexibility for teams that can swallow the cap hit this coming year, but there are cheaper options you could sign for no assets in free agency.

I'd be surprised if we get more than a 2nd in value and I'm expecting more like a 3rd.

 

[TotalHomer]

Cap space still at a premium and it's still a hefty contract. I like Ekblad, but have come around to accept his contract being too difficult to maneuver for a lot of teams including ourselves. His benefit right now is having only 1-year remaining on contract, so there's flexibility for teams that can swallow the cap hit this coming year, but there are cheaper options you could sign for no assets in free agency.

I'd be surprised if we get more than a 2nd in value and I'm expecting more like a 3rd.

Ekblad is way better than most people give him credit for but no way the return is a 1st and a prospect. Not with that contract. More like a decent roster player and 5th rounder or something.

I think there are teams like Utah or Chicago with space and with dire need for experience and top pairing D. Even if it's for one year, these guys get a 1st and prospect as rentals at the deadline.

 

[batting1k]

Imagine Zito swaggering to the podium, tears in his eyes, Stanley Cup above is head and says that Reino, Monty & Nogoalov have signed for a combined 15.25M. That'd be insane, a man can dream.

Surely Reinhart and Montour won’t sign for free?

 

[Panthers Propaganda]

I’d like to see if we can keep one of Tank or OEL on a short term deal. OEL > Tank because I think Samoskevich should slot in third line RW nicely.

 

[I am not exposed]

I’d like to see if we can keep one of Tank or OEL on a short term deal. OEL > Tank because I think Samoskevich should slot in third line RW nicely.

Tarasenko was a perfect deadline pick up. Past his peak, but provided enough depth and chipped in. I can't see us re-signing him at all. He will be looking for one last decent payday, and we certainly can't afford him, and have other priorities.

 

[Panthers Propaganda]

Figured, Montours cap space is gonna probably go to everyone else’s raises. I think bullet dodged tbh. He was not great this year but our system covered a lot of it up.

 

[barkovcanfinnish]

Sounds like we’re not going to resign Montour according to Elliote Friedman

Wonder if that means Ekblad stays for another season

^beat me

 

[Panthers Propaganda]

Sounds like we’re not going to resign Montour according to Elliote Friedman

Wonder if that means Ekblad stays for another season

^beat me

Wouldn’t be surprised if he does, there’s really not many RD on the market right now. Especially those that can eat top pair minutes.

 

[Gizmo Tkachuk]

Ekblad and Montour have the added value of being right handed defensemen which are always in high demand

 

[Gentle Man]

It's a damn shame the business of hockey sucks.

I've been sitting on this one since I didnt want to Jinx anything.


Did you know that since Tkachuk arrived the Panthers have not lost a series when they have a complete team and everyone was able to play?

Sucks when you realize that.

 

[pantherbot]

Sounds like we’re not going to resign Montour according to Elliote Friedman

Wonder if that means Ekblad stays for another season

^beat me

unlikely if Reino getting $9-9.5M, there just wouldn't be enough money to keep Ekblad unless we're going all <$1M contracts to fill out rest of the roster

 

[batting1k]

Ekblad for Huby and Weegar. The deal is 1 for 2

 

[barkovcanfinnish]

unlikely if Reino getting $9-9.5M, there just wouldn't be enough money to keep Ekblad unless we're going all <$1M contracts to fill out rest of the roster

I don’t disagree but if we lose both of them we have zero right handed defensemen. Idk who we can feasibly bring in to help cover that

 

[Chaos2k7]

I don’t disagree but if we lose both of them we have zero right handed defensemen. Idk who we can feasibly bring in to help cover that

Fully expect Balinskis to be one of them