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

[MJF]

4.5 feels a tad high, but he's definitely a key shut-down / PK guy. And his game is well-suited for the POs. Dude was just nasty in those two conference final runs, IMO.

Jonas Siegenthaler just got from the Devils a contract of $3.4AAV for 4 years and the only thing he has over Mayfield is he's 6 years younger (yeah they play different styles but Siegenthaler is unaccomplished at this level). Considering our first 2 shut down defensemen also signed for bargain prices, $4.5 AAV for Mayfield next year sounds fair. Especially if we can bridge Dobson for under $5M.

 

[Throttle]

Whether we sign Kadri or not isn't what will determine our future after next season. What really matters is whether Raty, Holmstrom, Dufour, Salo etc., can beat out the Baileys and Palmieris, lowering our budget allocated to mid 6 players, since none of them have proven top line potential.

We also need a backup goalie that is cheaper, but it is possible Varly reads the writing on the wall and takes a more team-friendly deal.

2023-24 is the real test of our future, not this upcoming season.

Can we play and test the present? The roster is locked in for this season and next season. The Isles are going for it. The future is kinda already here: Barzal, Beau, Dobson, Romanov, Sorokin, etc. If these guys can't elevate their game, then back to the dark days. That's on these players, not the owner, GM, or coach.

 

[IslesNorway]

Jonas Siegenthaler just got from the Devils a contract of $3.4AAV for 4 years and the only thing he has over Mayfield is he's 6 years younger (yeah they play different styles but Siegenthaler is unaccomplished at this level). Considering our first 2 shut down defensemen also signed for bargain prices, $4.5 AAV for Mayfield next year sounds fair. Especially if we can bridge Dobson for under $5M.

Mayfield has been on a sweetheart deal for five years, even though he wasn't really established when Garth gave him that deal. He has no reason not get a huge payday next summer. He is basically what every team wants and need for their roster, a tough, no nonsense player who can play the PK and be nasty when needed. He'll get paid.

I can easily see a team giving him a 5.5x7 deal in free agency. Kinda outrageous but that's what happens every year.

 

[leeroggy]

Mayfield has been on a sweetheart deal for five years, even though he wasn't really established when Garth gave him that deal. He has no reason not get a huge payday next summer. He is basically what every team wants and need for their roster, a tough, no nonsense player who can play the PK and be nasty when needed. He'll get paid.

I can easily see a team giving him a 5.5x7 deal in free agency. Kinda outrageous but that's what happens every year.

Mayfield (extended), Beau, Wally and our 2023 1st for an extended Huberdeau!

 

[MJF]

Mayfield has been on a sweetheart deal for five years, even though he wasn't really established when Garth gave him that deal. He has no reason not get a huge payday next summer. He is basically what every team wants and need for their roster, a tough, no nonsense player who can play the PK and be nasty when needed. He'll get paid.

I can easily see a team giving him a 5.5x7 deal in free agency. Kinda outrageous but that's what happens every year.

If Mayfield gets a 5.5x7 offer from another team, I shake his hand and wish him well.

Mayfield (extended), Beau, Wally and our 2023 1st for an extended Huberdeau!

The 2023 1st rounder isn't necessary. The rest I could live with.

 

[periferal]

Mayfield has been on a sweetheart deal for five years, even though he wasn't really established when Garth gave him that deal. He has no reason not get a huge payday next summer. He is basically what every team wants and need for their roster, a tough, no nonsense player who can play the PK and be nasty when needed. He'll get paid.

I can easily see a team giving him a 5.5x7 deal in free agency. Kinda outrageous but that's what happens every year.

Whatever it is...Mayfield's next deal is not going to be pretty for the team that signs it.

Since we know Lou doesn't trade players unless he's forced to, we all know that team is going to be us.

 

[Lights911]

The 3rd pairing defenseman who gets 2nd pairing minutes because he PKs and was relied upon heavily when Trotz shortened his bench towards the end of games.

Mayfield may be a 5D here but on most other teams he's a 4D and will be signed at a relative bargain price at $4.5M. Keep him.

4.5 million isn’t a bargain price for a 5D on a team that needs as much cap as it can get.

 

[MJF]

4.5 million isn’t a bargain price for a 5D on a team that needs as much cap as it can

Mayfield is better than a 5D. He also gets 19-22 minutes a game. That’s not 3rd pair minutes.

 

[leeroggy]

If Mayfield gets a 5.5x7 offer from another team, I shake his hand and wish him well.


The 2023 1st rounder isn't necessary. The rest I could live with.

Extended makes a difference

 

[Mike C]

Mayfield is better than a 5D. He also gets 19-22 minutes a game. That’s not 3rd pair minutes.

Having better talent in positional slots is a formula for success, all things being equal.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

Mayfield has been on a sweetheart deal for five years, even though he wasn't really established when Garth gave him that deal. He has no reason not get a huge payday next summer. He is basically what every team wants and need for their roster, a tough, no nonsense player who can play the PK and be nasty when needed. He'll get paid.

I can easily see a team giving him a 5.5x7 deal in free agency. Kinda outrageous but that's what happens every year.

I agree that Mayfield needs to cash in on his next deal, he's been underpaid badly.

 

[Throttle]

I agree that Mayfield needs to cash in on his next deal, he's been underpaid badly.

He took term over salary when he wasn't even a regular. He should get a nice bump, but as we are seeing this offseason, some players need to understand the market better. There is limited cap space available for UFAs now as a ton of players in the league are on long term deals - which is why you are seeing teams not qualify players.

 

[doublechili]

DC - you can’t look at it as third pairing or second pairing - Mayfield and Manson will cobble together the same amount of minutes.

Makar, Toews, and Girard will see PP time and Manson will see some PK time. Mayfield will also do same.

I also see Johnson as the 2nd pairing vs. Manson.

Something we haven't really discussed here is whether Lambert will spread out the ice time to the same extent as Trotz. Under Trotz what you said was absolutely true. We'll have to see if Lambert also caps guys at around 21 minutes a game or if he plays the top 4 more. But yeah, in any event Mayfield will get extra shifts on the PK. If he wants closer to top 4 salary on an extension, and if the team thinks Hutton can play, then we may see Mayfield go.

 

[MJF]

Extended makes a difference

It does. What should end up as a 12-17th pick in a deep draft makes your proposal an overpay.

 

[doublechili]

As I said recently, don't discount the possibility that Lou offers Mayfield a Cizikas-like deal for longer term/lower annual salary. Something like 7 or 8 years at under $4m per. Not saying Mayfield would sign, but it would be a Lou thing to do.

 

[The Real JT]

Something we haven't really discussed here is whether Lambert will spread out the ice time to the same extent as Trotz. Under Trotz what you said was absolutely true. We'll have to see if Lambert also caps guys at around 21 minutes a game or if he plays the top 4 more. But yeah, in any event Mayfield will get extra shifts on the PK. If he wants closer to top 4 salary on an extension, and if the team thinks Hutton can play, then we may see Mayfield go.

I agree regarding Hutton but barring injury how will we know if he’s ready to step in? Sitting in the press box or getting more ice time in Bridgeport won’t answer that question. One thing’s for sure, it’s a leap of faith to say he can step in seamlessly and take over Mayfield’s spot. Frankly, we don’t even know if he’s good enough to be an NHL regular.

I have mixed emotions here. I love what Mayfield brings to this team but I’d hate to sign him for 5 or more years at $5+M. Knowing Lou, he’ll sign him to a long contract that slightly lowers his AAV.

Fast forward 3 years and we’ll be talking about how to dump his contract, Lee’s and Cizikas’s. That’s a worry for another day I suppose.

 

[Mike C]

I agree regarding Hutton but barring injury how will we know if he’s ready to step in. Sitting in the press box or getting more ice time in Bridgeport won’t answer that question. One thing’s for sure, it’s a leap of faith to say he can step in seamlessly and take over Mayfield’s spot. Frankly, we don’t even know if he’s good enough to be an NHL regular.

I have mixed emotions here. I love what Mayfield brings to this team but I’d hate to sign him for 5 or more years at $5+M. Knowing Lou, he’ll sign him to a long contract that slightly lowers his AAV.

Fast forward 3 years and we’ll be talking about how to dump his contract, Lee’s and Cizikas’s. That’s a worry for another day I suppose.

We don't know if any of the 3 D, Hutton, Salo or Aho can be viable NHL regulars

I'm big on keeping the bird in hand right now and see if we are in playoff contention as we go along. If so, all well and good. If not, we can start the rebuild and see what we have in the youngsters and clean house of the oldsters

 

[Throttle]

I agree regarding Hutton but barring injury how will we know if he’s ready to step in? Sitting in the press box or getting more ice time in Bridgeport won’t answer that question. One thing’s for sure, it’s a leap of faith to say he can step in seamlessly and take over Mayfield’s spot. Frankly, we don’t even know if he’s good enough to be an NHL regular.

I have mixed emotions here. I love what Mayfield brings to this team but I’d hate to sign him for 5 or more years at $5+M. Knowing Lou, he’ll sign him to a long contract that slightly lowers his AAV.

Fast forward 3 years and we’ll be talking about how to dump his contract, Lee’s and Cizikas’s. That’s a worry for another day I suppose.

I would say high probability that Czikas contract ends up a LTIR candidate. All those Martin, Czikas, Clutter deals are easier to bury, buy out, or LTIR. I don't get the angst over them. Here you finally have guys committing to this team - something fans have yearned for for years - and now, that's not good enough.

 

[WangMustGo]

Mayfield is better than a 5D. He also gets 19-22 minutes a game. That’s not 3rd pair minutes.

I agree that Mayfield is better than a #5D, hes a good middle pairing player that can step up when needed.

Having said that, Dobson will likely start taking some minutes away from him, i expect Dobson to be playing 23-24 minutes a night, Pulock eats up another 20 minutes, that leaves Mayfield with 16-17 minutes a night.

I think we have to see how the season progresses. If they are in a playoff position I think you have to resign him. If we are on the outside you have to move him at the deadline, get a 1st round pick for him, this draft is loaded and would help to build up the farm.

 

[MJF]

I agree that Mayfield is better than a #5D, hes a good middle pairing player that can step up when needed.

Having said that, Dobson will likely start taking some minutes away from him, i expect Dobson to be playing 23-24 minutes a night, Pulock eats up another 20 minutes, that leaves Mayfield with 16-17 minutes a night.

I think we have to see how the season progresses. If they are in a playoff position I think you have to resign him. If we are on the outside you have to move him at the deadline, get a 1st round pick for him, this draft is loaded and would help to build up the farm.

Disagree. I think Dobson takes the minutes away from Pulock.

 

[Mike C]

I would say high probability that Czikas contract ends up a LTIR candidate. All those Martin, Czikas, Clutter deals are easier to bury, buy out, or LTIR. I don't get the angst over them. Here you finally have guys committing to this team - something fans have yearned for for years - and now, that's not good enough.

When it comes to Martin and Cizikas last year, It's the play on the ice that's not good enough

 

[leeroggy]

It does. What should end up as a 12-17th pick in a deep draft makes your proposal an overpay.

With Huberdeau I'd bet we finish higher in the standings than that. 30 goals, 85 assists (38 PP points!).

FOUR straight years of OVER a point per game

103G/243A in 286 games!

How does he NOT move the needle substantially?

 

[leeroggy]

I would say high probability that Czikas contract ends up a LTIR candidate. All those Martin, Czikas, Clutter deals are easier to bury, buy out, or LTIR. I don't get the angst over them. Here you finally have guys committing to this team - something fans have yearned for for years - and now, that's not good enough.

The angst isn't the MONEY, it's the PRODUCTION

We need to give kids a shot to produce. The 4th line was dreadful last year. Would a 4th line of Raty centering Holmstrom and Bellows not be as good for even less money?

The 4th line is burned out

 

[Throttle]

The angst isn't the MONEY, it's the PRODUCTION

We need to give kids a shot to produce. The 4th line was dreadful last year. Would a 4th line of Raty centering Holmstrom and Bellows not be as good for even less money?

The 4th line is burned out

The Isles are giving the kids a shot to produce. How's that working out so far?

 

[MJF]

With Huberdeau I'd bet we finish higher in the standings than that. 30 goals, 85 assists (38 PP points!).

FOUR straight years of OVER a point per game

103G/243A in 286 games!

How does he NOT move the needle substantially?

We’d likely be getting him for his age 30-36 seasons. I like Huberdeau a lot but not enough to bet on him making us 3rd in the Metro.

Trade the other players. Keep the pick. I’m sure that would get it done.