Rumor: Trade Thread XVIII: Brace Yourselves. Friday Is Coming.

[NYR Viper]

Seems like the general consesus is that most of us dont want to sign Statsny. If we buy out Richards, going into the season with Miller penciled in at 3C isn't the smartest decision. Who are some guys we could target via FA to fill that 3C role?

Legwand
Bolland
Ott
Goc

That's pretty much it.

Stastny and Richards will be the top center UFA's barring anyone else being amnestied.

At wing, the list is much deeper:


LW:
Vanek
Moulson
Cammalleri
Heatley (ew)
Jokinen
Whitney
Michalek
Penner
Pouliot
Raymond

RW:
Callahan
Vrbata
Gaborik
Iginla
Alfredsson
Hemsky
Jagr
Setogouchi
Kulemin
Downie
Stempniak

 

[NewLife]

Yes at this point I also say that Stastny is a better player than Richards, scoring is about equal but Paul's defensive game and skating is just better. He isnt a $7m player and even if our center depth is kind of weak with Stepan, Brassard, Miller, Moore or something like that he isn't worth overpaying for and like RB said the Rangers would look like fools hardballin their captain just to throw a big dollar bag at another outsider.

 

[DutchShamrock]

Is the implication Florida or buffalo may trade a conditional pick for Callahan? The quote do want specify if they have intrest in a trade or free agency.

 

[NewLife]

Is the implication Florida or buffalo may trade a conditional pick for Callahan? The quote do want specify if they have intrest in a trade or free agency.

Buffalo at least is supposed to be ready to meet his contracts demands as a FA but don't want to give any assets for him. Florida, don't know.

 

[DudMan28]

Legwand
Bolland
Ott
Goc

That's pretty much it.

Stastny and Richards will be the top center UFA's barring anyone else being amnestied.

At wing, the list is much deeper:


LW:
Vanek
Moulson
Cammalleri
Heatley (ew)
Jokinen
Whitney
Michalek
Penner
Pouliot
Raymond

RW:
Callahan
Vrbata
Gaborik
Iginla
Alfredsson
Hemsky
Jagr
Setogouchi
Kulemin
Downie
Stempniak

What are your thoughts on Bolland? I think him, Step and Brass down the middle would be pretty solid. Then I just see a need to upgrade at LW.

Kreid-Step-Nash
?-Brass-Zucc
Hags-Bolland-Fast/Stewart/Cally?
Dors-Moore-Boyle

 

[NYR Viper]

I know it isn't the "sexiest" line-up ,but would people be all that upset going into next season with something like this:

CAPGEEK.COM ARMCHAIR GM ROSTER
CapGeek Armchair GM Roster
FORWARDS
Chris Kreider ($1.750m) / Derek Stepan ($3.075m) / Rick Nash ($7.800m)
Mats Zuccarello ($3.500m) / Derick Brassard ($3.800m) / Chris Stewart ($4.150m)
Carl Hagelin ($2.250m) / J.T. Miller ($0.894m) / Jesper Fast ($0.805m)
Brandon Bollig ($1.200m) / Marcel Goc ($2.500m) / Derek Dorsett ($1.633m)
Daniel Carcillo ($0.825m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Ryan McDonagh ($4.700m) / Dan Girardi ($5.750m)
Marc Staal ($3.975m) / Matt Greene ($2.500m)
John Moore ($1.500m) / Kevin Klein ($2.900m)
Conor Allen ($0.925m) /
GOALTENDERS
Henrik Lundqvist ($8.500m)
Cameron Talbot ($0.563m)
BUYOUTS
Wade Redden ($0.000m)
Brad Richards ($0.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2014-15)
SALARY CAP: $71,100,000; CAP PAYROLL: $65,495,000; BONUSES: $1,295,000
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $5,605,000

Sign Goc as a 3/4c. That allows AV to have a solid defensive center who can provide some offense. Very underrated player around the league.

I'm a fan of Bollig and what he brings. He can still play the game and bring some nastiness to the team.

Carcillo has been pretty good. I'd bring him back as a 12th/13th forward. Should be cheap.

I have always like Matt Greene. Solid, hard-hitting, no nonsense defensive d-man. I think he will get a shorter term contract due to the injuries he has had. Even is he plays 40 games, which would be a stretch, that allows for 42 games of slowly developing Allen/McIlrath which is a good thing.

I like the look of the 3rd line. Speed, 2-way play, Miller provides some size.

Thoughts?

 

[NYR Viper]

What are your thoughts on Bolland? I think him, Step and Brass down the middle would be pretty solid. Then I just see a need to upgrade at LW.

Kreid-Step-Nash
?-Brass-Zucc
Hags-Bolland-Fast/Stewart/Cally?
Dors-Moore-Boyle

I like Bolland, but I think you end up with (2) 3C's anyways. I'd rather let Miller/Lindberg fight for it in camp and go that route honestly. If it was Bolland for a year, sure. But he will get a longer contract.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

I completely disagree, but the point stands that he's not worth what he'll get in UFA.

I worded that poorly. Stastny is a better player right now. At the time of signing, Richards was a better player.

 

[Raspewtin]

I know it isn't the "sexiest" line-up ,but would people be all that upset going into next season with something like this:





Sign Goc as a 3/4c. That allows AV to have a solid defensive center who can provide some offense. Very underrated player around the league.

I'm a fan of Bollig and what he brings. He can still play the game and bring some nastiness to the team.

Carcillo has been pretty good. I'd bring him back as a 12th/13th forward. Should be cheap.

I have always like Matt Greene. Solid, hard-hitting, no nonsense defensive d-man. I think he will get a shorter term contract due to the injuries he has had. Even is he plays 40 games, which would be a stretch, that allows for 42 games of slowly developing Allen/McIlrath which is a good thing.

I like the look of the 3rd line. Speed, 2-way play, Miller provides some size.

Thoughts?

I'm very bothered by Brassard at 2C.

But this lineup is very solid outside of that. Lots of size. Skill throughout, would actually like it.

Edit: Just saw you have Matt Greene in it. Eh..........I'd rather Stralman.

 

[NYR Viper]

I'm very bothered by Brassard at 2C.

But this lineup is very solid outside of that. Lots of size. Skill throughout, would actually like it.

I'm not a "fan" per se, but I don't see a viable option out there. If he can provide 40-50 points, it would be fine. The hope would have to be that MZA and Stewart can provide the offense on that line. 20-25 goals a piece.

 

[JimmyG89]

I'm very bothered by Brassard at 2C.

But this lineup is very solid outside of that. Lots of size. Skill throughout, would actually like it.

Edit: Just saw you have Matt Greene in it. Eh..........I'd rather Stralman.

He's the 2nd right now. Richards is clearly not that type of option. Stepan is the #1. Brass line is producing like a 2nd line right now. Bolland is an upgrade over Richards at 3C, he fits that role better.

 

[DudMan28]

I know it isn't the "sexiest" line-up ,but would people be all that upset going into next season with something like this:





Sign Goc as a 3/4c. That allows AV to have a solid defensive center who can provide some offense. Very underrated player around the league.

I'm a fan of Bollig and what he brings. He can still play the game and bring some nastiness to the team.

Carcillo has been pretty good. I'd bring him back as a 12th/13th forward. Should be cheap.

I have always like Matt Greene. Solid, hard-hitting, no nonsense defensive d-man. I think he will get a shorter term contract due to the injuries he has had. Even is he plays 40 games, which would be a stretch, that allows for 42 games of slowly developing Allen/McIlrath which is a good thing.

I like the look of the 3rd line. Speed, 2-way play, Miller provides some size.

Thoughts?

I like the way it looks, but hoping that both Miller/Fast are ready for 3rd line duties could be trouble if they aren't there yet. It puts a lot more pressure on those first two lines if that third line cant score. I havent seen Goc play much, would he be able to slide into that 3c role if necessary, or is that a bit of stretch?

 

[DudMan28]

He's the 2nd right now. Richards is clearly not that type of option. Stepan is the #1. Brass line is producing like a 2nd line right now. Bolland is an upgrade over Richards at 3C, he fits that role better.

The way I see it, if we can't throw out a bonafire 1st line, try and put together 3 "2nd lines" and roll with the depth. Pretty much what were doing this year. With some extra cap space I think we can improve in some areas.

 

[RangerBoy]

Craig Custance mailbag

Hey Craig, with all the hullabaloo about Miller and Callahan, which of those two do you think would serve the Blues best to acquire? Callahan would be a rental in every sense of the word, as the cost would probably be Chris Stewart and a draft pick, and the Blues have Dmitrij Jaskin ready to fill in next season. Miller would provide a much more stable and consistent, not necessarily better statistically, upgrade in goal. Personally, I think it's doable to acquire both, but I will defer to an expert, what are your thoughts?
Nathan, St. Louis

I would be very surprised if the Blues acquired both, and I believe that GM Doug Armstrong would be more inclined to acquire a player at the deadline he believed fit into the long-term plans of the club rather than a rental.

As much as I like Callahan, he's a luxury that the Blues don’t necessarily need. Think about their strengths: They’re deep at forward, with a bunch of gritty, defense-minded forwards whose sum of the parts are greater than the individuals. He fits the identity, but I wouldn’t call Callahan a need in St. Louis. If they can swing a deal where he's swapped for Stewart, I'd do it, because he's a better fit under Ken Hitchcock. But I'm not giving up futures for him, nor am I giving him $6.5 million per season for the next seven years if I’m Doug Armstrong.

Miller, to me, fills more of a need. He would provide consistency and big-game experience in goal for the Blues. Plus, he's a guy it would make sense to commit to long term, with both St. Louis goalies currently unrestricted free agents after this season. It's an intangible, but with Miller in goal, I think that group would play with even more confidence against the Western Conference powers this spring.

http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/craig-custance/post/_/id/1255/what-is-san-joses-deadline-strategy

The Rangers need more than Stewart. Dreger reported that. The Blues aren't paying Callahan.

 

[NYR Viper]

He's the 2nd right now. Richards is clearly not that type of option. Stepan is the #1. Brass line is producing like a 2nd line right now. Bolland is an upgrade over Richards at 3C, he fits that role better.

I agree Bolland is a better 3C than Richards, although on a team looking for offense, I'm not sure that's the way to go. The problem starts with the length of the contract Bolland will get. Would you give him 4 years? I doubt he signs for 1 or 2.

I like the way it looks, but hoping that both Miller/Fast are ready for 3rd line duties could be trouble if they aren't there yet. It puts a lot more pressure on those first two lines if that third line cant score. I havent seen Goc play much, would he be able to slide into that 3c role if necessary, or is that a bit of stretch?

Eh, I think Fast and Miller are close right now, Give them another off-season and I think they will be fine. Kristo and Lindberg will be pushing for spots as well. Same with Hrivik. Open competition between the 5 of them for the (2) spots.

 

[NYR Viper]

Craig Custance mailbag



http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/craig-custance/post/_/id/1255/what-is-san-joses-deadline-strategy

The Rangers need more than Stewart. Dreger reported that. The Blues aren't paying Callahan.

Not surprising really. The + would have to be substantial too.

 

[Trxjw]

If we look at the bare bones roster for next year (no signings, Girardi and Callahan released without return) here is what we have (All UFA released, all RFAs resigned)

Kreider-Stepan-Nash
xxxxxx-Brassard-Zuccarello
Hagelin-xxxxxx-xxxxxx
Carcillo-xxxxxx-Dorsett

McDonagh-xxxxxx
Staal-Klein
Moore-Falk

That's the template. 5 spots to fill, 6 if we don't want Falk in the top 6. I think we will re-sign Stralman, Pouliot, and one of Moore/Boyle. Now we're down to 3 spots. 3C, 3RW, 1RD. If my estimations for player salary are correct, with a 70 million dollar cap, we'd be looking at about 10 million for those 3 spots. Girardi at 5.5 cuts it to 4.5 for 2 spots. Acquire Stewart in the Callahan deal, play Miller at 3c, and it about works.

Pretty much the way I see it as well. We have some kids who should be pushing for spots in the near future. I think Fast is close to NHL ready if he isn't already, and Miller should be a viable 3C in the fall. However, I don't see that as a reason to pass on a deal that gets us a viable NHLer like Stewart. Maybe Fast comes in and pushes him out of the lineup. Great, then we can trade him for another piece. If not, he at least provides a buffer for Fast, Kristo, or whomever to come up and earn a spot.

I think ultimately we'll see Girardi signed and Stralman traded or let go. He and Staal have been playing very well together, but we need a viable PMD on the blue line. Even more so if Richards is bought out. Between that and the cap crunch, I could see Stralman being the casualty. It's easier to find a 2nd pairing PP specialist than it is to find a top-pairing guy like Girardi.

 

[BarbaraAlphanse]

I don't want turnover on the 4th line unless we decide to really commit to retooling.

The problem with this team these past 2 years has been the massive overturns both offseasons.

2 years ago we lost like 6-7 players. This offseason the entire coaching staff and several more players.

Both years we've had very poor starts.

We're a team that is in win-now mode and the massive overturns actually stunt the success of this team, especially during the early months.

If we commit to trading Callahan and Girardi and amnestying Richads then sure. Boyle, Moore, even Brassard can be shipped off to create a new core... but that would be called a rebuild. And management would have to commit to that rather than trying to assemble bandaids and offer unfair expectations on the coach, players, and fans.

Other than that, if it's only Cally we're losing before the end of the season, I want more familiarity amongst the locker room than new personalities and faces.

Try and fill slots with rookies that the veterans will take under their wings where you can. Our 4th line has been excellent this year and I don't see why we need to lose all 3 of the players that make it that successful - or even 2.

The only guy I can fathom to lose (in a non-rebuild situation) is Moore, and that is only if Lindberg is ready. The reason is they have similar skill sets and playing styles. I'd even say Lindberg may be an improvement over Moore if he fully develops.

I'd really only look to acquire 2 players via FA/trade, a 2w and a 2c. The depth guys, the grinders, the checkers... they should come from our own organization. Fast, Miller, Lindberg for the forwards. Allen or McIlrath for the defender. Resign Boyle and Carcillo.

 

[DudMan28]

I don't want turnover on the 4th line unless we decide to really commit to retooling.

The problem with this team these past 2 years has been the massive overturns both offseasons.

2 years ago we lost like 6-7 players. This offseason the entire coaching staff and several more players.

Both years we've had very poor starts.

We're a team that is in win-now mode and the massive overturns actually stunt the success of this team, especially during the early months.

If we commit to trading Callahan and Girardi and amnestying Richads then sure. Boyle, Moore, even Brassard can be shipped off to create a new core... but that would be called a rebuild. And management would have to commit to that rather than trying to assemble bandaids and offer unfair expectations on the coach, players, and fans.

Other than that, if it's only Cally we're losing before the end of the season, I want more familiarity amongst the locker room than new personalities and faces.

Try and fill slots with rookies that the veterans will take under their wings where you can. Our 4th line has been excellent this year and I don't see why we need to lose all 3 of the players that make it that successful - or even 2.

The only guy I can fathom to lose (in a non-rebuild situation) is Moore, and that is only if Lindberg is ready. The reason is they have similar skill sets and playing styles. I'd even say Lindberg may be an improvement over Moore if he fully develops.

I'd really only look to acquire 2 players via FA/trade, a 2w and a 2c. The depth guys, the grinders, the checkers... they should come from our own organization. Fast, Miller, Lindberg for the forwards. Allen or McIlrath for the defender. Resign Boyle and Carcillo.

Can Lindberg play the wing? If we resign Moore, a 4th line of Dorsett-Moore-Lindberg could be pretty solid. Gives us more speed on that 4th line than it is currently constructed. Maybe slide Moore over to the wing if Lindberg can hold his own down the middle. Losing Boyle would hurt a bit on the PK but I'm sure we could find players to do that.

 

[Fitzy]

I do not think Stralman will command as much as people here think. What is he? He is an offensive defenseman who does not score. He has changed his game and become a good defensive defenseman, but he has not proven that he can do this consistently when not playing with Staal.

It's no coincidence that his best games have come with Staal, our 2nd best defender. What is a relatively modestly sized, decent defensive defenseman going to command on the open market? Not a hair over 3 million a year, I would imagine.

 

[iamitter]

I know it isn't the "sexiest" line-up ,but would people be all that upset going into next season with something like this:





Sign Goc as a 3/4c. That allows AV to have a solid defensive center who can provide some offense. Very underrated player around the league.

I'm a fan of Bollig and what he brings. He can still play the game and bring some nastiness to the team.

Carcillo has been pretty good. I'd bring him back as a 12th/13th forward. Should be cheap.

I have always like Matt Greene. Solid, hard-hitting, no nonsense defensive d-man. I think he will get a shorter term contract due to the injuries he has had. Even is he plays 40 games, which would be a stretch, that allows for 42 games of slowly developing Allen/McIlrath which is a good thing.

I like the look of the 3rd line. Speed, 2-way play, Miller provides some size.

Thoughts?

Why would you prefer Bollig to someone like Dominic Moore? AV loves having two natural centers on his fourth.

 

[NYR Viper]

Why would you prefer Bollig to someone like Dominic Moore? AV loves having two natural centers on his fourth.

Because I prefer someone who can wear down opposing teams defenses and defend his teammates. I like Moore as well, but I would rather grab a more unique skill-set for this team.

 

[Fitzy]

Most of you would like Brandon as a 4th line winger. He has a little Chris Neil in him. He also has an underrated shot when he gets time and space, though that isn't as frequent in the NHL.

 

[NYR Viper]

Most of you would like Brandon as a 4th line winger. He has a little Chris Neil in him. He also has an underrated shot when he gets time and space, though that isn't as frequent in the NHL.

The time is coming when McIlrath will be an everyday NHLer. IMO it's sooner rather than later. The one thing I don't want to see is him thrown out there to go at it alone. He doesn't need a protector but someone to lessen the load would be good and Bollig is more than just a fighter.

Brian Boyle has 13 points this season. Bollig has 12. Granted, he plays on the Hawks but he isn't some black hole offensively.

I understand people don't value the rough side of the game as much as I do in general. I am a proponent of a team being able to take care of things themselves and have been for a while. I don't want to dress tough guys just for the sake of dressing tough guys but I think teams play more confident, comfortable and unified when they feel players have their backs. I also understand that this is a difficult point to prove with the people who like to use stats as this is just something I have seen over my years of watching hockey.

Going into this season, I knew this team would be more of a finesse team. They win games, which is all that matters obviously. I just feel that when it comes time for the playoffs or a divisional match-up, I think having players who literally put their bodies on the line for their teammates consistently boost the morale of their teammates.

Having Bollig and Dorsett would be a good start. McIlrath in the near future will help.

 

[Punxrocknyc19*]

Most of you would like Brandon as a 4th line winger. He has a little Chris Neil in him. He also has an underrated shot when he gets time and space, though that isn't as frequent in the NHL.

so is Bollig going to be an UFA or resign with the Blackhawks?? i wont be shocked if he resigns with the Hawks, just a hunch.