Speculation: Offseason Moves Part II

[WinhallVT124]

I'll bet we sign Michael Frolik.

Honestly I see the rags getting him to replace MSL

 

[periferal]

Do we even have room for any more forwards, even on one year deals? At my count we're at 13:

Tavares, Okposo, Strome, Nelson, Nielsen, Bailey, Grabovski, Kulemin, Lee, Grabner, Martin, Cizikas, Clutterbuck.

Grabner appears to be on the way out, but that still leaves us full. Maybe if you like him as a potential 13th, but I'd prefer someone who can play in a bottom-six role if necessary.

Also, we have two pretty good RW options for Tavares. I don't see that as a need.

When we trade Okposo & Nielsen and waive grabner we're going to need some bodies.

 

[Skip To My Lou]

Honestly I see the rags getting him to replace MSL

Ugh kill me if that happens. I like Frolik too much to see him on the Rags.

 

[Mavericknyc1980]

I'll bet we sign Michael Frolik.

Would love Frolik.

 

[doublechili]

Now that Reinhart is gone and Vis apparently isn't in the team's plans, I would not be shocked to see them go after a LD in UFA. Maybe a 35+ guy on a 2-3 year deal. Beauchemin would be ideal, but I'm sure he'll get a LOT of attention.

 

[seafoam]

Honestly I see the rags getting him to replace MSL

I'd think he would replace Hagelin.

 

[periferal]

Now that Reinhart is gone and Vis apparently isn't in the team's plans, I would not be shocked to see them go after a LD in UFA. Maybe a 35+ guy on a 2-3 year deal. Beauchemin would be ideal, but I'm sure he'll get a LOT of attention.

Well we have the cap space.

 

[SLAPSHOT723]

I'd love Ehrhoff and now with Reinhart out I'd be fine with signing Sekera to a big contract.

 

[First Blood]

I want Sekera

 

[Tavares2TheRescue]

I'd love Ehrhoff and now with Reinhart out I'd be fine with signing Sekera to a big contract.

Ehrhoff is still very good but I fear a couple of things with him: 1) He's 32, I wouldn't want to give him more than 3-4 years and 2) He's already turned us down before. Sekera isn't bad but he's a little overrated. I'd rather sign Ehrhoff.

I'm really scared that Snow isn't going to add anyone on defense though, so I'd be happy even if we overpay for one of the top guys (as long as it's someone actually good like Ehrhoff or Franson). Honestly, I'd consider this offseason a win for the defense if Snow does nothing more than waive Strait. Presumably that would require a couple of moves to push him down, but I don't care as long as he never sees the ice. For some reason people think he's a good #7 but I don't think I'd even like him as my #17.

Also, it looks like Tampa is non-tendering Mark Barbeiro. He's a 25 year old defenseman who's a really good puck mover and decent in his own zone. Good possession guy and he should come cheap and without expectations for a lot of playing time. David Schlemko is also really good, and Matt Hunwick and Raphael Diaz are less good, but still really good values. I'd love it if Snow signed any one (or two!) of these guys.

 

[PWJunior]

Ehrhoff is still very good but I fear a couple of things with him: 1) He's 32, I wouldn't want to give him more than 3-4 years and 2) He's already turned us down before. Sekera isn't bad but he's a little overrated. I'd rather sign Ehrhoff.

I'm really scared that Snow isn't going to add anyone on defense though, so I'd be happy even if we overpay for one of the top guys (as long as it's someone actually good like Ehrhoff or Franson). Honestly, I'd consider this offseason a win for the defense if Snow does nothing more than waive Strait. Presumably that would require a couple of moves to push him down, but I don't care as long as he never sees the ice. For some reason people think he's a good #7 but I don't think I'd even like him as my #17.

Also, it looks like Tampa is non-tendering Mark Barbeiro. He's a 25 year old defenseman who's a really good puck mover and decent in his own zone. Good possession guy and he should come cheap and without expectations for a lot of playing time. David Schlemko is also really good, and Matt Hunwick and Raphael Diaz are less good, but still really good values. I'd love it if Snow signed any one (or two!) of these guys.

Schlemko does make a ton of sense and kind of fits the profile of what Garth likes. He can probably be had cheap, has upside, and brings depth/competition to the blue line group. It would also spell the end of Strait.

It's a July 2nd type of move, right up Garth's alley at the bargain bin shopping aisle.

 

[IslesRock4]

Ehrhoff is still very good but I fear a couple of things with him: 1) He's 32, I wouldn't want to give him more than 3-4 years and 2) He's already turned us down before. Sekera isn't bad but he's a little overrated. I'd rather sign Ehrhoff.

I'm really scared that Snow isn't going to add anyone on defense though, so I'd be happy even if we overpay for one of the top guys (as long as it's someone actually good like Ehrhoff or Franson). Honestly, I'd consider this offseason a win for the defense if Snow does nothing more than waive Strait. Presumably that would require a couple of moves to push him down, but I don't care as long as he never sees the ice. For some reason people think he's a good #7 but I don't think I'd even like him as my #17.

Also, it looks like Tampa is non-tendering Mark Barbeiro. He's a 25 year old defenseman who's a really good puck mover and decent in his own zone. Good possession guy and he should come cheap and without expectations for a lot of playing time. David Schlemko is also really good, and Matt Hunwick and Raphael Diaz are less good, but still really good values. I'd love it if Snow signed any one (or two!) of these guys.

Franson is a strange case. I don't see where he fits in on our team, unless we're moving a RHD to the left side or not letting Pulock play. I am curious, however, since I believe he has nice possession numbers: Why is he viewed by fans around the league as hot garbage, when the numbers tell such a different story? Nashville even scratched him down the stretch and in the playoffs. Is there any other player with such a divide between what the fans/coaches see and what the numbers show?

Also, this may be irrelevant since Anaheim has the cap space to keep Beauchemin now, but how would the numbers rank Beauchemin, Sekera, and Martin?

 

[crashthenet]

Schlemko does make a ton of sense and kind of fits the profile of what Garth likes. He can probably be had cheap, has upside, and brings depth/competition to the blue line group. It would also spell the end of Strait.

It's a July 2nd type of move, right up Garth's alley at the bargain bin shopping aisle.

Wouldn't that be great.

I like Schlemko as a depth guy.

 

[Tavares2TheRescue]

Franson is a strange case. I don't see where he fits in on our team, unless we're moving a RHD to the left side or not letting Pulock play. I am curious, however, since I believe he has nice possession numbers: Why is he viewed by fans around the league as hot garbage, when the numbers tell such a different story? Nashville even scratched him down the stretch and in the playoffs. Is there any other player with such a divide between what the fans/coaches see and what the numbers show?

Also, this may be irrelevant since Anaheim has the cap space to keep Beauchemin now, but how would the numbers rank Beauchemin, Sekera, and Martin?

I don't think Franson is the greatest fit for this team either, but I also think he's good enough that you wouldn't really worry about it. He has very nice possession numbers, and not just from the offensive side too. Unlike a lot of offensive defensemen, his possession numbers aren't solely formed from him generating a ton of shots; he's also really good at suppressing them. He's never been anything less than a +2% relative possession player in any year of his career. It baffles me why he looks like hot garbage to so many people. Clearly there's a big divide in opinions about him, as Poile traded a 1st round pick for him only for Laviolette to underuse him. He's going to get a huge deal this summer. Here's a good article on why there might be such a divide in opinions on him:
http://www.si.com/nhl/2014/10/22/eye-test-maple-leafs-cody-franson-advanced-stats-playing-style

From a stats standpoint, I'd say the order is Martin, Sekera, Beauchemin. You can flip the first two if you prefer offense, but Beauchemin is definitely the third best. He's somewhat overrated around the league and he's on the decline, although he's certainly not garbage.

 

[WinhallVT124]

I'm not quite sure what will be added to our team on July 1st other than a backup goalie and AHL depth.

I'd love to add a name that was mentioned earlier, but I just don't see that happening.
We have Boychuk, Leddy, Hamonic, de Haan, Hickey ( who I expect will get a multi year deal), Strait ( who we all know isn't going anywhere), and then you have Pulock and Mayfield knocking on the door.
I would add someone on a 1 year deal, Ehrhoff is the only guy who might get that because I'm willing to bet that no one will sign him to a multi year deal.

Up front I expect no one to be added other than Petrov if anyone.
I do see Jeffrey resigned to replace C-Mac, or at least that type of player.

 

[Brunomics]

If Gagner is bought out I'd like to see him brought in to fill the LW position whether it be with Tavares or Brock Nelson. I think if you keep KO on the RW with JT then Gagner would be the ideal player to put on the LW.

Basically have him play the opposite wing with KO and whatever center the Isles choose. I think there is the potential for some legit chemistry.

Andrej Sekera is a must sign on the defensive front I feel also. He would round out the top 4, push De Haan to number 5 and you can alternate Hickey and Mayfield in the 6/7 role. Get Strait the hell out of there.

And sign a legit backup please! Don't care who just as long as they aren't like Chad Johnson.

 

[seabass45]

Lee also close to re-signing, no number attached though.

 

[Abe Vukota]

Should be a quiet July 1. There are plenty of backup goalies available, so no worries there. I think our forward group is set, and that's fine by me. I would love to see a #4 defenseman come our way, but after grabbing Boychuk, Leddy, and Halak last offseason, there's only so much left to be done.

But man, one more good defenseman, especially a bigger body, and we could be scary.

 

[Intangiblezz]

If the Islanders can sign any of Beauchemin, Sekera, Ehrhoff or Oduya, Greiss, Emery, Gustavsson or Enroth and maybe a #13/14 forward they will be one of the top teams in the East easily.

 

[PWJunior]

Lee also close to re-signing, no number attached though.

That would be an overpayment in my book, but I am a noted Hickey Mouse hater. I am most concerned about term. This also means that we're not likely acquiring anyone and that concerns me. You don't give a kid a long term contract and over $2M to be your #7.

Not happy about this.

 

[seabass45]

The more I hear about Frolik, the more I think someone is going to overpay badly for him, both in salary and term. $5 mil per year, maybe? More?

 

[PK Cronin]

That would be an overpayment in my book, but I am a noted Hickey Mouse hater. I am most concerned about term. This also means that we're not likely acquiring anyone and that concerns me. You don't give a kid a long term contract and over $2M to be your #7.

Not happy about this.

He's not a #7, he's a #5. That's the fact of the matter. And $2M isn't a whole heck of a lot in today's market, easily moved if need be down the line.

 

[boredmale]

He's not a #7, he's a #5. That's the fact of the matter. And $2M isn't a whole heck of a lot in today's market, easily moved if need be down the line.

I can live with 2M for what Hickey provides but 2.5M is to much. Personally I would go 2 years, 4M. Gives him the incentive that he has 2 years to drive up his value and become a UFA

 

[Islesfan22]

That would be an overpayment in my book, but I am a noted Hickey Mouse hater. I am most concerned about term. This also means that we're not likely acquiring anyone and that concerns me. You don't give a kid a long term contract and over $2M to be your #7.

Not happy about this.

He is a 6/7 and ye I agree that's an overpayment. I think there going to promote either Mayfield or Pulock . I don't see them singing a veteran defenseman to a long term deal when they just gave Leddy and Boychuck long term deals.

 

[bigd]

He is a 6/7 and ye I agree that's an overpayment. I think there going to promote either Mayfield or Pulock . I don't see them singing a veteran defenseman to a long term deal when they just gave Leddy and Boychuck long term deals.

I don't see them making a big free agent D-man signing. I don't think they will want to block the youngsters so if they do sign a D-man it will be a cheap short term over the hill guy or a guy they can get to sign a 2 way deal and ship to BP. I think you're going to see Strait and Pulock shuffling in and out on the third pairing depending on the team we're playing.