Speculation: Roster Building Thread DCLXXXIV: We have Cap space! Hoorraayy!!!

[Savant]

Rereading Gorts interview he seemed to be fairly confident about teams calling because of the cap space. Trying to think out of the box...who is out there that wants to deal there skilled pivot? No way Patrick Kane ?

No way Patrick Kane.

What Gorton is more likely is referring to would be taking an expensive contract attached to a younger cost controlled asset and/or draft picks. Which could mean anything honestly. That being said, if that's the case it's indicative that this could be more of a full rebuild than people want to admit to themselves.

 

[Savant]

We should have reached out to Smith before trading for him. He doesn't want to play here unless we're a top bidder. Guy is 28 and hasn't broken 20 points in six seasons, wants 4 million per.

He will get it in the open market.

 

[Avery16]

He will get it in the open market.

Let him have it there, not here.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

Smith deserves 4x4, more then that and it's getting iffy.

 

[Avery16]

We'd start hoping to move that contract some time next season

 

[RGY]

We'd start hoping to move that contract some time next season

No we wouldnt but ok

 

[Avery16]

No we wouldnt but ok

A "top 4" D who makes a lot more than Klein but produces less. Ok. Yes, let's do that.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

A "top 4" D who makes a lot more than Klein but produces less. Ok. Yes, let's do that.

It's not all about production, he drives play and he's excellent at defending. He's easily a top 4 D and he's worth 4x4 with close to no hesitation.

 

[Tawnos]

A "top 4" D who makes a lot more than Klein but produces less. Ok. Yes, let's do that.

Klein doesn't make a top 4 salary though.

 

[RGY]

A "top 4" D who makes a lot more than Klein but produces less. Ok. Yes, let's do that.

He is by no means Kevin Klein but go on.

He is a better player in pretty much every aspect of the game than Klein. And for as tough as Klein was, Smith is nastier. This is the same guy that considered fighting Chara. You need guys like Smith protecting the front of the net if you want to win. He is an above average skater for his size and can keep up with the play.

This team can compete and win with the right moves starting July 1st despite a lot of the negativity on these boards.

 

[DutchShamrock]

If we trade for a $10m predator then i'm not watching anymore.

Guilty even after proven innocent, ok...

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

Guilty even after proven innocent, ok...

You believe what you want, but i say there's too much smoke for there to have not been a fire, not like it's 1 "rumor".

I've also heard from friends (2) that he is an ******* when it comes to women.

Don't take my word on it, have your own opinion, my opinion is that i think he's a sexual predator and i don't want him anywhere near my team.

 

[Avery16]

It's not all about production, he drives play and he's excellent at defending. He's easily a top 4 D and he's worth 4x4 with close to no hesitation.

I feel like I had this debate verbatim on Klein two seasons ago.

 

[Irishguy42]

We don't have the assets to acquire Patrick Kane this off-season.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

I feel like I had this debate verbatim on Klein two seasons ago.

Smith has the numbers to back it up with that Klein never had, Klein was a good D-man, Smith is a very good D-man.

I'm very happy if we sign Smith to something around 4x4, he's an excellent fit with Skjei aswell.

 

[Trxjw]

Smith has options. Vegas thought they could corner the market on D but they're having problems getting people to pay the prices they want. A number of teams have a need and the cap space to go with it. I could easily see him hitting $4.5M per if he makes it to July 1st.

The closer they get to July 1st, the more likely it is that he walks.

 

[RGY]

I feel like I had this debate verbatim on Klein two seasons ago.

And we got full value out of Klein for 3 years for what he was (which is not as good as what Smith is) at a $2.9 mil cap hit. This included runs to the Stanley Cup Final and ECF. I would take that again with a better player in Smith over the next 4 years whom is 28 years old.

 

[Paulie Walnutz]

If ****ing Toronto, a hot bed for hockey, can tear it down and build it up so can we. Both teams have 1 Cup in a zillion years as well.

 

[Ail]

Rereading Gorts interview he seemed to be fairly confident about teams calling because of the cap space. Trying to think out of the box...who is out there that wants to deal there skilled pivot? No way Patrick Kane ?

I would be happy with snagging another first next year and a couple of 2nd/3rds, if the plan is to go into this year with the intent of only being moderately competitive rather than all-in. Otherwise ideally maybe they can snag a C or RHD prospect. Dallas is an option with the goaltending situation. Both of them come off the books next year. Take on one of them and bury them in Hartford if they want to make Kinkaid the back-up.

Whatever they end up doing I hope it isn't sign a bunch of Free Agents, even if they are short contracts. I don't even want to give AV the option of having veterans he can try to justify playing over kids, or instead of letting multiple kids compete for open spots. AV knows his job is probably getting less secure by the game here and if he thinks leaning on older guys to get him more wins and into the post-season, he's going to ride them rather than live with the mistakes of young players and risk missing the playoffs.

 

[Fugazy]

Smith has options. Vegas thought they could corner the market on D but they're having problems getting people to pay the prices they want. A number of teams have a need and the cap space to go with it. I could easily see him hitting $4.5M per if he makes it to July 1st.

The closer they get to July 1st, the more likely it is that he walks.

I'd agree with this. Smith is going to try and drive his price up as much as possible. I wouldn't go beyond $4.5M for him.

 

[Avery16]

Smith has the numbers to back it up with that Klein never had, Klein was a good D-man, Smith is a very good D-man.

I'm very happy if we sign Smith to something around 4x4, he's an excellent fit with Skjei aswell.

Humor me here, I'm not an advanced stat guy. What numbers does smith have that klein didn't two seasons ago

 

[Raspewtin]

If we trade for a $10m predator then i'm not watching anymore.

Kane and Voynov are the garbage of the sport and i want them nowhere near my hockey team.

 

[Trxjw]

With the rumors of Ruff joining the team, this could have the makings of an actual transition year for the organization. Perhaps they just want to see what they have in Zibanejad and Hayes before they decide they do need to go out and upgrade at center. After a year, the landscape will look much different.

They could offer Shattenkirk a 3 year deal at a higher AAV if he really wants to play here that badly. Let him mentor DeAngelo for a couple years and live his dream. Behind him they could just let DeAngelo, Holden, and Bereglazov battle it out for the last two RHD positions.

Lowering the expectations increases the options for the team.

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

Humor me here, I'm not an advanced stat guy. What numbers does smith have that klein didn't two seasons ago

Shot suppression and shot generation, as in, his team shoots more and prevents more shots against when he's on the ice then when Klein is on the ice.

Klein has a small edge in individual production though but it's not super significant. Smiths edge in driving play is very significant though.

Edit: You can look at it here if you're interested: http://ownthepuck.blogspot.se/

Note, hero charts are not perfect but they're a good broad overview.

 

[Trxjw]

I'd agree with this. Smith is going to try and drive his price up as much as possible. I wouldn't go beyond $4.5M for him.

Honestly anything north of $4M and I'm having serious doubts about it. He played well in the post season for us, but he's been so incredibly inconsistent in Detroit that I worry about committing to him. Especially with his style of play. He hasn't exactly been an iron man the last couple years.