I don't disagree. My biggest issue with Lou isn't any one move he's made - in every specific instance, what he's done is defensible. Its more of the collective approach that I take issue. One 30+ contract, two....even three is ok. But our team is now rife with guys over 30. At some point that's gonna bite us in the ass. Likewise, I've got no major problem with rewarding loyal grinder types to a low cost deal. But when you look at Martin and Clutterbuck and Johnston and (to a lesser extent but still counts) Cizikas, you are limiting your flexibility with respect to roster spots. Each of those guys individually doesn't hamstring us, but having all those guys take up spots prohibits us from filling out our roster with upside guys, like you suggest.
I like(d) Clutter and would always take him on my team. But I'm not sure that move made the most sense for our squad long term. Same with the other guys. Its doubly important when you have relatively little organizational depth. Fasching may not be a full time starter, but we're kinda lucky that we have him and he's doing what he's doing. Cause we don't got much else.
I don't see a huge problem with the 30+ contingent on the Isles. I see one "bad" contract for this season, and that's Bailey. But his $5M goes away after next season when he's 34 (if he can't be made to go away sooner), and Holmstrom is a built-in replacement. Re: others:
Lee: he's playing up to his $7M salary right now at 32, and he has 3 more years so he'll end at 35. I could see him still scoring 20+ goals at that point.
Nelson: he's playing above his $6M salary at 31, and he has 2 more years so he'll end at 33. If he's still healthy and productive, maybe you re-sign him (but being very careful about the salary/term). Nelson plays a style that could see good productivity to 35 and beyond.
Palmieri: I might like him more than most, but I'm okay with what he provides at 32 for $5M. He's a guy you hope is more valuable in the playoffs than the regular season. He has 2 more years after this and will end at 34. With his size and style of play, maybe you look to trade him in his final season.
JGP: Tough to gauge him right now, but the whole package he brings seems worth $5M at 30 to fill the important 3C position, PK and win faceoffs. When his contract ends in 3 years at 33, you probably move on.
Cizikas: Mr. Intangibles is worth his $2.5m at 32, IMO. His contract may be an issue by the end when he's 36, but then again it's "only" $2.5M.
Clutterbuck & Martin: probably worth $1.75M and $1.5M for this and next season just for intangibles and "the room", and Martin has been really good of late. We'll see what happens during the offseason and if they continue playing (CC anyway), but their cap hits are in the 2% of total cap space area - not a huge deal.
Mayfield, Valamov, Parise: we'll see what happens with the UFAs. If Parise is willing to sign the same deal, why not, right? Would Varly come back at a pay cut? Would Mayfield sign at a discount, maybe in exchange for an extra bit of term? We'll see.
If I were GM, the plan would be to move on from most of these guys as they get to the end of their contracts. I'd be interested in re-signing Parise now for sure. I'd also like to re-sign Mayfield and Varlamov if they'd agree to reasonable deals. I'd wait and see on Nelson, but I'd definitely leave the door open to extending him during his last season. The rest, Bailey, Lee, Palmieri, JGP, Cizikas, Clutter and Martin, would not be in my plans past their current contract and could be moved sooner if there's a market and it's beneficial.
…. To me, these are dime-in-a-dozen players.
