Speculation: Offseason Moves Part II

[SLAPSHOT723]

Terrible contract for Hickey if that's true. Makes me think Snow will not pursue a defenseman unless they trade deHaan which I really hope they don't do.

 

[Nosebleed40]

I'm just not a fan of Hickey and he was grossly overmatched against Washington. Not a good re-signing.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

Terrible contract for Hickey if that's true. Makes me think Snow will not pursue a defenseman unless they trade deHaan which I really hope they don't do.

To be fair, that's the market these days for bottom pairing dmen. Ian Cole got 2.1 and Adam McQuaid got 2.75

 

[seabass45]

I'm just not a fan of Hickey and he was grossly overmatched against Washington. Not a good re-signing.

I'm hoping that next season Mayfield gets some play against the bigger teams and gives de Haan and Hickey some rest. Without changes, here's what we have:

Leddy-Boychuk
de Haan-Hamonic
Hickey-Pulock
Mayfield-Strait (and let's hope Strait stays down here)

That's a pretty solid lineup.

 

[seabass45]

To be fair, that's the market these days for bottom pairing dmen. Ian Cole got 2.1 and Adam McQuaid got 2.75

And yes, this. I don't know why people expected Hickey to get 1.5 mil. He puts in 18 min a game and does well in his role. Slot him out if you worry about him against more physical teams. But this is the going rate for bottom pair d-men.

 

[stranger34]

Hickey is a fine bottom pairing guy, he just shouldn't be paired with another undersized player and I think the org knows (I Hope) that at this point.

 

[Bronson]

I think we'll sign Ehrhoff and waive Strait.

 

[stranger34]

Anyone else hope we re-sign Boulton? Watching him goon it up for 5 games a year entertains me.

Yes! I want him back. I think having a guy like him is important and he's one of the few true enforcers who doesn't flat out hurt you when taking a shift. I'm still pissed off that he wasn't put in the lineup starting in game 4 of the playoffs. With teams like Columbus, Philly and Washington in our division I want a guy like that at my disposal and ready for deployment if needed.

I wonder if Petrov coming over and the inability to move grabner crowds him out.

 

[stranger34]

The question would be whether or not PA is better than Grabner as the 13th forward. It's been a while since he's played here and he hasn't stuck anywhere, so I'd be wary. Also, since nobody wants Grabner apparently, we could be eating up money and roster/contract spots.

We could always give him a PTO though, no?

different players but PA reminds me of Colin McDonald in that I think they overachieve when trying to prove they belong as an NHL regular and underachieve when they feel comfortable.

 

[stranger34]

I want Sekera

me too, but I think committing to Hickey makes it unlikely. If they get Sekera it means they aren't anticipating a regular role for Pulock or Strait or they would be looking to trade CDH?

 

[Islesfan22]

I would not move CDH either. Kid had a disappointing season but his upside is still top 4 defenseman. He was really good his rookie season but some people started comparing him to Karlson which i always thought was ridiculous. Im keeping CDH and hope he finds his rookie season form again.

 

[PWJunior]

I would not move CDH either. Kid had a disappointing season but his upside is still top 4 defenseman. He was really good his rookie season but some people started comparing him to Karlson which i always thought was ridiculous. Im keeping CDH and hope he finds his rookie season form again.

It would be pretty stupid to trade CdH now while he's cheap and with upside. With Reinhart no longer in the picture, we're not as deep on LD as we were. He's far from the problem in my eyes.

We need to upgrade on Hickey Mouse and Strait, the depth players.

 

[seabass45]

Pittsburgh just gave Ian Cole 2.1 mil for three years, so yeah, I think this is the standard for bottom pair guys now.

 

[seafoam]

Staple said they aren't moving CdH in a Q&A a while ago.

I'm not too happy with Hickey at 2+M per, but that seems to be the going rate for solid 3rd pairing guys these days. At least Hickey is durable.

 

[IslesRock4]

I'm probably just foolish, but I actually feel quite confident that Strait will be waived and a goner before the season starts.

For everyone who's penciling in Mayfield because of a solid 20 minutes of playoff time, I'd hold off. He'll be top pairing in Bridgeport. Pulock is ready and the team is ready to commit to him.

Hickey will always grind my gears as long as he's on the team, regardless of contract. Hopefully the deal is no longer than 2 years. I will lose it if de Haan is traded over Hickey.

 

[bigd]

I think we'll sign Ehrhoff and waive Strait.

If we sign Ehrhoff he won't replace Strait he will block Pulock from starting with the big club.

 

[seabass45]

It would be pretty stupid to trade CdH now while he's cheap and with upside. With Reinhart no longer in the picture, we're not as deep on LD as we were. He's far from the problem in my eyes.

We need to upgrade on Hickey Mouse and Strait, the depth players.

The problem with Strait is that Cappy loves him, nothing else. We could have easily been playing Pulock or Donovan or Reinhart instead of him and it just wasn't happening. HOPEFULLY Pulock actually gets his chance this year but you never know with Cappy, he can be weird with rookies.

But I'm fine with Strait if he's the 8th guy. The problem is that Cappy used him as the 6th.

 

[SI90]

As long as Hickeys contract isn't more than 2 years I'm fine.

I'm more interested to see the Lee and Nelson deals TBH

 

[Le Grec]

 

[bigd]

I'm surprised they qualified Czuczman. At one point last season they sent him down to their ECHL team. Maybe the trading of Reinhart saved him.

 

[PWJunior]

Didn't Sundstrom bolt for Europe? Poulin again?

Nothing earth shattering here.

 

[seabass45]

Didn't Sundstrom bolt for Europe? Poulin again?

Nothing earth shattering here.

Surprised that Patrick Roy hasn't made a deal for Poulin, might be a good change of scenery trade for him.

 

[leeroggy]

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.

Matt Irwin of San Jose is also UFA, might be a better option than any of the ones you named above.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8475625

 

[islesfan3913]

I think $2 million for Hickey is fine but I don't want him for more than 2 years. I also don't want to see him in a top 6 role. I just don't think he fits in with the team we need to have in order to be successful.

 

[seabass45]

I think $2 million for Hickey is fine but I don't want him for more than 2 years. I also don't want to see him in a top 6 role. I just don't think he fits in with the team we need to have in order to be successful.

Keep in mind that even if we have him for more than two years, he's at least a good trade chip to teams without defensive depth. Signing him for three years doesn't guarantee that he's here for three years.