Roster/Rumors/Speculation/Trade Talk - 2023-24: Hotel California

[cjdv16]

Color me concerned when i saw Lou's backup plan last year was to rely on Chara, Salo, Green, and Aho as defenseman on a Cup contender.

He was stuck. We all know it. Kept lines in the water after if was clear Z was done but by then the season was nose diving.

Smart move not panicking.

 

[GOLFWANG]

there is always a third or fourth team that always offers an insane amount of number but is hardly picked

 

[MJF]

Driving up price for division rivals

If that's the case, Fitzgerald and Lou should both withdraw their offers. Let CBJ offload Laine.

Are the Blue Jackets really a contender with Gaudreau but without Laine? They need both.

 

[Beacon Isles]

Yeah, Lou aint going to $12M x 7 (nor should he IMO) so enjoy Ohio Johnny.

 

[Lame Lambert]

If that's the case, Fitzgerald and Lou should both withdraw their offers. Let CBJ offload Laine.

Are the Blue Jackets really a contender with Gaudreau but without Laine? They need both.

It’s a joke of an offer for that reason. Jarmo is clueless.

 

[NittanyIsle]

That number leaking is his agent trying to squeeze an extra cent out of us or NJ btw.

 

[periferal]

If true that's insanity. Sorry, but Gaudreau ain't worthy of 12M/year. The 2-3M difference between that and what Lou is supposedly offering could force a team to trade another good player.

 

[PK Cronin]

If that's the case, Fitzgerald and Lou should both withdraw their offers. Let CBJ offload Laine.

Are the Blue Jackets really a contender with Gaudreau but without Laine? They need both.

Exactly my thinking.

They have Voracek up front and Werenski on the back end, who else is going to carry the load there? Sillinger? Seems like a pretty bad decision to go there from a hockey perspective.

 

[cjdv16]

Dominoes include Palat, Kadri via FA. Tank via trade.

As for Columbus, they’d essentially be trading Laine for JG by signing one and letting the other walk. Clearly a win so while not ideal for them one can still see them making a decision such as this.

 

[periferal]

Wow. Capfriendly has them at $12,916,667 projected cap space. I guess if they got Johnny Hockey they're prepared to move on from Laine?

Well who are we walking away from if we sign JG? Because there sure ain't enough money to get him at even 9M/season.

 

[Dutch Frost]

LMAO so he leaves Calgary where he could've been a hockey god to them. Claims to want to be close to family.. then signs with Columbus LOL..

Enjoy Ohio Johnny!! LOL God Speed your contract will force them into a rebuild for 5 years easy.

 

[MJF]

It’s a joke of an offer for that reason. Jarmo is clueless.

It's not like he hasn't torn up his roster for nothing before.

Enjoy Columbus Johnny. We're out.

 

[SI90]

Johnny Ohio it is!!!!!

Love Gudreau and he’s a legit difference Maker but those contracts handcuff and cripple teams.

 

[Lame Lambert]

 

[IslandersFan17]

 

[SI90]

Johnny Ohio it is!!!!!

Love Gudreau and he’s a legit difference Maker but those contracts handcuff and cripple teams.

I truly believe CBJ acquire players just to be able to trade them later for assets.

 

[PK Cronin]

 

[saintunspecified]

Columbus is a bubble, but it is Ohio. 5 miles in any direction...

(I lived and went to college in Ohio. But I was west of Cleveland, which is totally different.)

 

[SayItAintSoJohnny]

If the offer got to 84 million (all reports I saw was it was over 10, but never did I see exactly 84) then if it wasn't "about the money" then a corresponding 7/73 not f***ing 84.

Id be shocked if he got a 7/84 offer, if he did then it was about the money (since that would be WAY OVER 10 million per)

 

[Beacon Isles]

I just don't see them as a team that's going to compete for a cup so it'd be strictly a move for the money.

Especially if they have to dump Laine to do it. He'd be going for the money, which if he wanted, he might have just stayed in CGY. Ohio isnt east enough.

 

[cjdv16]

Well who are we walking away from if we sign JG? Because there sure ain't enough money to get him at even 9M/season.

Moving beau for picks. Varly. Possibly an early hockey trade involving mayfield given his contract and value (doubt the last one).

Lou playing this very close to the vest.

Not trading beau. Not dumping Bailey. Not trading varly. Yeah, ok.

 

[SI90]

Like they didn’t even try? Weird

 

[periferal]

He was stuck. We all know it. Kept lines in the water after if was clear Z was done but by then the season was nose diving.

Smart move not panicking.

f*** that mentality.

It's your job as GM to not get "stuck." And Lou only "stuck" himself by resigning every single player from Palmieri on down since he's been here. Sometimes you let a player walk (or simply make a trade) to clear out cap so you can improve the parts of your team that are glaring weaknesses.

Stop making excuses for a GM that dropped the ball.

 

[CupHolders]

Also don't underestimate John Davidson and Columbus trying to PR win after they were spurned by Panarin. Funny, since Davidson was on the Rangers at the time to make that move happen.

 

[cjdv16]

If true that's insanity. Sorry, but Gaudreau ain't worthy of 12M/year. The 2-3M difference between that and what Lou is supposedly offering could force a team to trade another good player.

Agreed. Way too much but that’s CBJ. Have to over pay. Not surprising.