Speculation: Roster Building Thread LIII: Free Agent Frenzy

[RGY]

We are not the Leafs.

While they bottomed out and ended up with Marner and Matthews, also getting Nylander and Kapanen, they dont have the goaltending or had addressed the defense in the process.

We have been doing that.

 

[GunkWinger]

I dont think Lundvist played bad last year. And I don't think Giorgiev was that much better. I could be wrong about that. Hank played more games so it's harder to maintain a higher level and I also think the team plays differently (worse)in front of him. Some people have this narrative that hes getting to be a bad goalie but it's hard to maintain stats when the team sucks. He has declined (and so you have to weigh in on his salary) but not to the extent some make it out to be.

 

[NYR Viper]

I could see a Hank/Georgiev tandem working this season. If Shesty plays well this season in the AHL then Hank’s contract may become a larger issue. Both kids would be 24 and neither should be playing in the AHL. Unless they would want to prematurely move Georgiev or Shesty they’ll have an issue on their hands.

 

[Kovalev27]

Hank hasn’t been all that good for a few years now he can’t put together a whole season anymore and that’s been going on for 3 or 4 years now.

He hasn’t had heat because the team hasn’t been very good but if he starts holding guys back yikes. This year there’s no way he outplays georgiev imo.

 

[DutchShamrock]

We are not the Leafs.

While they bottomed out and ended up with Marner and Matthews, also getting Nylander and Kapanen, they dont have the goaltending or had addressed the defense in the process.

We have been doing that.

And its arguable they can't address those problems because of contracts for Tavares and Marleau. They had Bozak already, could have retained him at a reasonable $4-5m per.

JT set a benchmark on the team for top level compensation. Maybe Mathews and Marner still ask for $11m+, but they seem to target status. Marner especially values respect and being compensated as their top player.

That's $11m between the top forwards, less Bozak, that could have been used to fix defense.

Maybe our defense is fine. Maybe the two Russians are the answer in net. Even if those areas are set, which it is not a given, we still have a hole at center. We could easily be the leafs in the sense that we may not be able to fix our problems if we keep loading up on wing. Do we want to see Buchnevich walk in a few years because Panarin got paid, Kakko, Kravtsov got paid, and Chytil and Andersson were due? And in the process center is still a need. That's the parallel.

 

[GAGLine]

I don’t get the worry w Hank this year . It’s not a bad thing to have Shestyorkin play in the AHL . Other Khl top goalies have and still are

I do think Hank waives at this years deadline too but having these kids learn from Hank is a good thing Atleast for this season

Now we should buy out Lundqvist? Never change RB.

It's not about this year, it's next year. This year we can juggle 3 goalies since both Shesty and Georgiev are waiver exempt. Shesty will need some NHL games though. We need to see if he's the real deal.

Next year is the problem. Georgiev will no longer be waiver exempt. Are we leaving Shesty in Hartford the whole year? Are we carrying 3 goalies? We could trade Georgiev and bring up Shesty, but how many games is Shesty getting this year? Will we really know if he is capable of being a #1 goalie in the NHL? What if he fails? We'd go from 3 goalies to none really quick. The other option would be to trade Shesty and keep Georgiev as our #1 going forward. That could work if Georgiev shows he ready, but it's not the ideal solution.

The ideal solution is that Hank retires after this year or asks for a trade, we keep both Georgiev and Shesty, and let them be 1A/1B until we're sure which one is the better fit long term, then trade the other at hopefully good value.

I love Hank as much as anyone and don't want to see him forced out via a buyout, but if it comes to that next year, that's what we should do. The team is more important than any one player.

 

[SA16]

Maybe Lundqvist will develop an equipment allergy, back injury, shoulder injury, or whatever mystery ailment we may hear Luongo has soon like every other expensive older player towards the end of a long term deal.

 

[RGY]

And its arguable they can't address those problems because of contracts for Tavares and Marleau. They had Bozak already, could have retained him at a reasonable $4-5m per.

JT set a benchmark on the team for top level compensation. Maybe Mathews and Marner still ask for $11m+, but they seem to target status. Marner especially values respect and being compensated as their top player.

That's $11m between the top forwards, less Bozak, that could have been used to fix defense.

Maybe our defense is fine. Maybe the two Russians are the answer in net. Even if those areas are set, which it is not a given, we still have a hole at center. We could easily be the leafs in the sense that we may not be able to fix our problems if we keep loading up on wing. Do we want to see Buchnevich walk in a few years because Panarin got paid, Kakko, Kravtsov got paid, and Chytil and Andersson were due? And in the process center is still a need. That's the parallel.

To that point I would say Buch would be expendable.

If Kakko, Kravtsov, and Chytil hit or come close to their ceilings then you can capitalize on Buchnevich and move him for picks and young prospects. Maybe to fill another hole with a cheaper contract. Or just again move him for the prospects/picks and sign a cheap vet.

Maybe they move on from Zibanejad when his contract is up.

And this is all based on everyone of our prospects hitting their ceilings and needing to get paid. And thats hitting their ceilings in the next 2-3 years to get the high pay increase. Thats best case for them. They may not hit their prime until the middle of their second contract. And when those are up, Panarin’s might be nearing expiration.

 

[Jaromir Jagr]

Hank hasn’t been all that good for a few years now he can’t put together a whole season anymore and that’s been going on for 3 or 4 years now.

He hasn’t had heat because the team hasn’t been very good but if he starts holding guys back yikes. This year there’s no way he outplays georgiev imo.

You always make claims with such certainty. Georgiev is still a wild card in my opinion. Sure, he had positive stints with us, but I'm hardly anointing him as our #1.

I still think Shesty is going to be the ultimate successor to Hank.

 

[Ghost of jas]

We are not the Leafs.

While they bottomed out and ended up with Marner and Matthews, also getting Nylander and Kapanen, they dont have the goaltending or had addressed the defense in the process.

We have been doing that.

Andersen was one of the better goalies in the league this past season.

 

[RGY]

Andersen was one of the better goalies in the league this past season.

He certainly wasnt bad, but I wouldnt say he was exceptional.

Of goalies that started 40+ games he was 16th in GAA. He was 8th in SV %.

His GAA was up from a bit from his career norm. SV % is right around the norm.

Its a little above average. His game though, when watching him, is a bit up and down. He has his moments of both bad and good.

I think they are stable there for now but they certainly could do better.

 

[RangerBoy]

It's not about this year, it's next year. This year we can juggle 3 goalies since both Shesty and Georgiev are waiver exempt. Shesty will need some NHL games though. We need to see if he's the real deal.

Next year is the problem. Georgiev will no longer be waiver exempt. Are we leaving Shesty in Hartford the whole year? Are we carrying 3 goalies? We could trade Georgiev and bring up Shesty, but how many games is Shesty getting this year? Will we really know if he is capable of being a #1 goalie in the NHL? What if he fails? We'd go from 3 goalies to none really quick. The other option would be to trade Shesty and keep Georgiev as our #1 going forward. That could work if Georgiev shows he ready, but it's not the ideal solution.

The ideal solution is that Hank retires after this year or asks for a trade, we keep both Georgiev and Shesty, and let them be 1A/1B until we're sure which one is the better fit long term, then trade the other at hopefully good value.

I love Hank as much as anyone and don't want to see him forced out via a buyout, but if it comes to that next year, that's what we should do. The team is more important than any one player.

Didn't I write "next summer"?

Hank's numbers are getting worse and worse every season the older he gets.

Lundqvist told Brooks he was playing in World Championships to get ready for next season. That didn't work too good. Lundqvist was awful.



We have seen this goal scored on him so many times.



When the Rangers acquired Trouba last Monday, all of the Lundqvist people said this will be good for Hank because he will have a better D in front of him. Georgiev didn't have those problems playing the same defense.

 

[Avery16]

We are not the Leafs.

While they bottomed out and ended up with Marner and Matthews, also getting Nylander and Kapanen, they dont have the goaltending or had addressed the defense in the process.

We have been doing that.

They just had a particularly bad detour with Burke at the helm

 

[DutchShamrock]

To that point I would say Buch would be expendable.

If Kakko, Kravtsov, and Chytil hit or come close to their ceilings then you can capitalize on Buchnevich and move him for picks and young prospects. Maybe to fill another hole with a cheaper contract. Or just again move him for the prospects/picks and sign a cheap vet.

Maybe they move on from Zibanejad when his contract is up.

And this is all based on everyone of our prospects hitting their ceilings and needing to get paid. And thats hitting their ceilings in the next 2-3 years to get the high pay increase. Thats best case for them. They may not hit their prime until the middle of their second contract. And when those are up, Panarin’s might be nearing expiration.

Buchnevich is expendable in that scenario. But the larger issue is we don't have a major hole addressed at center. Bozak was expendable and then he went on to win a cup as a middle 6 center while Toronto lost in the first round.

It's about building the best team under the cap. Toronto collected the best group of assets. The team isn't the best combination. Matthews and Tavares is a better combo than O'Reilly and Bozak. But one combo allowed for a better overall team.

And I'm not saying Panarin 100% equals Toronto or it's a losing formula. I'm saying it's a consideration. The panarin crowd seems dismissive of that potential. It won't happen because money will come off the books. It won't be hard to shed salary. The unproven center prospects will become top 6 options. So it's not a knock on panarin, it's a roster construction concern.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

When the Rangers acquired Trouba last Monday, all of the Lundqvist people said this will be good for Hank because he will have a better D in front of him. Georgiev didn't have those problems playing the same defense.

I truly believe the team plays different with the backup in net. Has been the last 4 years. Trouba should help nonetheless.

Hank certainly is declining, but this the King we're talking about. He's has won everything else in this world of hockey and has been the key factor in those victories.
There is no question, that it's coaching and managing, that have eluded him that last honor. Have some respect.

So much impatience and terrible trade proposals. Don't turn into the main boards HFNYR, pls.

 

[Off Sides]

Yesterday was the last day for qualifying offers, any official word on who they qualified?

Today is the first day for RFAs to interview with other teams, that would also be interesting to know about.

 

[Kovalev27]

Andersen was one of the better goalies in the league this past season.

Was gonna say they don’t have a goalie? Kid is fantastic

 

[Avery16]

Yesterday was the last day for qualifying offers, any official word on who they qualified?

Today is the first day for RFAs to interview with other teams, that would also be interesting to know about.

I believe Gorton said in an interview not too long ago that all RFAs were qualified except Halverson and Bigras, I think. Maybe another.

EDIT forgot about Claesson already

 

[Kovalev27]

You always make claims with such certainty. Georgiev is still a wild card in my opinion. Sure, he had positive stints with us, but I'm hardly anointing him as our #1.

I still think Shesty is going to be the ultimate successor to Hank.

Only when I’m certain and I feel certain about this. Hank has been pedestrian at best with a few short streaks of brilliance going on like 4 years now.

 

[Avery16]

There’s a tool on capfriendly to sort by UFA from no QO. 129 players.

Browse - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

 

[Jaromir Jagr]

I believe Gorton said in an interview not too long ago that all RFAs were qualified except Halverson and Bigras, I think. Maybe another.

Claesson as well.

Only when I’m certain and I feel certain about this. Hank has been pedestrian at best with a few short streaks of brilliance going on like 4 years now.

But your certainty is often misplaced. You make a lot of decent points, but you phrase them in such absurd ways that they come off as kinda ridiculous.

You were 100% certain Fast was not an NHL level player. You are relatively certain that Lias is another Fast. You are now certain Georgiev is better than Lundqvist. These are not certainties. I just think it might be more conducive to the discussion if you propose them as possibilities, rather than certainties.

Things that are certain. My table is white. My eyes are hazel. KK was picked #2. Lundqvist is from Sweden.

 

[Kovalev27]

Claesson as well.



But your certainty is often misplaced. You make a lot of decent points, but you phrase them in such absurd ways that they come off as kinda ridiculous.

You were 100% certain Fast was not an NHL level player. You are relatively certain that Lias is another Fast. You are now certain Georgiev is better than Lundqvist. These are not certainties. I just think it might be more conducive to the discussion if you propose them as possibilities, rather than certainties.

Things that are certain. My table is white. My eyes are hazel. KK was picked #2. Lundqvist is from Sweden.

Fast stinks let’s be honest he’s a fourth liner that half of you want replaced apparently anyway so I wasn’t that far off

I’m as certain as your table is white that georgiev will outplay Hank next season. My opinion and pretty certain I’m entitled to it

 

[Tawnos]

We are not the Leafs.

While they bottomed out and ended up with Marner and Matthews, also getting Nylander and Kapanen, they dont have the goaltending or had addressed the defense in the process.

We have been doing that.

Toronto has a goalie, but I agree that they've failed to build a good defensive group. People talk about how you draft BPA on your list and if it turns out that you're strong in one area and weak in another, you use that strength to address your weakness. Well, Toronto isn't doing that. They've built a really good forward corps and augmented it with Tavares, but their D is weak and they haven't leveraged the forward group to improve the D group. I get why they didn't trade Nylander last year. See if you can get by with it... but it didn't work. They need to leverage their F group for D help. And the exact opposite situation has played out in Carolina. They're perfect trading partners, yet somehow they can't seem to settle on a deal. Very strange to me.

 

[Jaromir Jagr]

Fast stinks let’s be honest he’s a fourth liner that half of you want replaced apparently anyway so I wasn’t that far off

I’m as certain as your table is white that georgiev will outplay Hank next season. My opinion and pretty certain I’m entitled to it

You were adamant fast was not an NHL player when he was like 22/23. You can't say, after several seasons of him playing key roles in lengthy playoff runs, that your predictions were right.

In fact, you were utterly wrong.

 

[RGY]

Buchnevich is expendable in that scenario. But the larger issue is we don't have a major hole addressed at center. Bozak was expendable and then he went on to win a cup as a middle 6 center while Toronto lost in the first round.

It's about building the best team under the cap. Toronto collected the best group of assets. The team isn't the best combination. Matthews and Tavares is a better combo than O'Reilly and Bozak. But one combo allowed for a better overall team.

And I'm not saying Panarin 100% equals Toronto or it's a losing formula. I'm saying it's a consideration. The panarin crowd seems dismissive of that potential. It won't happen because money will come off the books. It won't be hard to shed salary. The unproven center prospects will become top 6 options. So it's not a knock on panarin, it's a roster construction concern.

Listen I dont disagree that there are certainly concerns. And I dont, at least not me in particular, is dismissive of the potential outcomes being presented by the people on the opposite side of the debate. I mean maybe it comes off as me treating it as such a simple fix or solution down the line, but that may seem that way because I am defending my overall stance in the debate. However, the salary situation is definitely a concern.

But like anything there is a risk. There is a risk to both sides of this debate.

I see the risk on the other side as being we wait, we still finish middle of the pact, dont end up with a top 10 pick, then when we want to add in a couple years that big comparable UFA forward could cost $14 million aav with the rising cap.

Because while we say this and that about the blueprints to win a cup, and with the exception of the blues who still did add some pieces, teams that win add outside pieces to what they have. We arent going to win with only whom we have drafted.

So do we spend the money now or later, while paying more later.