GDT: UFA Frenzy 2024 - We're ALL Gonna Die

[Daeavorn]

So I guess we will be seeing 2nd line Martinook?

Seems like it's gonna be a lot of 2-1 wins this year.

If Necas can't be retained we'll have to find an entire second line.

Do we have any prospects that project as top 6 guys?

 

[Stickpucker]

There’s really nothing left in free agency whatever they do now will have to be via trade

Isn't Tarasenko still out there?

Most likely to resign in Fla.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

In other news, Jack Johnson still has an NHL job!

https://x.com/i/web/status/1808301751436468388

 

[Cardiac Jerks]

I think we’ve got our defense set. I’d bet we pick up a tweener or two to carry a seventh and have one in Chicago.

We’ve got Coghlan and Smith who can probably fit this role.

 

[Unsustainable]

In other news, Jack Johnson still has an NHL job!

https://x.com/i/web/status/1808301751436468388

He still exists.

 

[bleedgreen]

We’ve got Coghlan and Smith who can probably fit this role.

That’s right, then we’re probably done with the D.

 

[Francis10]

So I guess we will be seeing 2nd line Martinook?

Seems like it's gonna be a lot of 2-1 wins this year.

If Necas can't be retained we'll have to find an entire second line.

Do we have any prospects that project as top 6 guys?

At this point, it’s pretty much a guarantee FUS gets a long look at start of year.

 

[Identity404]

Delete

 

[MinJaBen]

Delete

Ctr Alt

 

[Blueline Bomber]

Isn't Tarasenko still out there?

Most likely to resign in Fla.

So Pittsburgh accidentally released a presser saying Tarasenko signed there. But theres’s been no official announcement.

And given that the last time a team leaked his signing, Tarasenko fired his agent and refused to sign there, well…

 

[User13452]

I know it’s way too early to be looking ahead to the trade deadline but I’m just thinking of the type of return Orlov could bring us. Doubtful he gets resigned after this season. Basically have the left side of the defence set with Slavin ghost nikishin after this year. Would not shock me to see Orlov moved at the deadline

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

I know it’s way too early to be looking ahead to the trade deadline but I’m just thinking of the type of return Orlov could bring us. Doubtful he gets resigned after this season. Basically have the left side of the defence set with Slavin ghost nikishin after this year. Would not shock me to see Orlov moved at the deadline

With the KHL season basically matching the nhl season now that seems unlikely. Nikishin may not be done with his season until late April/ early may

 

[Unsustainable]

I know it’s way too early to be looking ahead to the trade deadline but I’m just thinking of the type of return Orlov could bring us. Doubtful he gets resigned after this season. Basically have the left side of the defence set with Slavin ghost nikishin after this year. Would not shock me to see Orlov moved at the deadline

My understanding was that big 2y contract was a lead in for a longer cheaper contract

 

[User13452]

With the KHL season basically matching the nhl season now that seems unlikely. Nikishin may not be done with his season until late April/ early may

It’ll depend where they are in the standings and what offers would look like but I have a hard time seeing them let a asset like Orlov walk for free when it’s almost certain he won’t be resigned

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

It’ll depend where they are in the standings and what offers would look like but I have a hard time seeing them let a asset like Orlov walk for free when it’s almost certain he won’t be resigned

We just did it with 4 players

Ska will be towards the top.

 

[SlavinAway]

I just realized there's no post on the main board about Slavin's contract.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I really don't think anyone cares how close they are to missing the playoffs as long as they make it at this point. I know I dont.

They will make the playoffs. Slim chance they contend for the Presidents trophy this year but they will again win at least one round in the playoffs.

Nothing about this roster says they’re a lock to make the playoffs. Better groups than this have missed the cut with a couple of key injures or down seasons.

There’s so much that can go wrong here it isn’t even funny. For years they’ve been carried by depth down the lineup which no longer exists. We’re a Sebastian Aho injury away from having arguably our worst center group since, what, the 1996 Whalers? That alone would take them out of the playoff race.

 

[Elsker]

I just realized there's no post on the main board about Slavin's contract.

Second page.

Confirmed Signing with Link: - [CAR] D Jaccob Slavin signs extension with the Hurricanes (8 years, $6.46125M AAV; begins 2025-26)

forums.hfboards.com

 

[tarheelhockey]

Counterpoint 1: That same team that had the 2nd best winning % in the NHL from Dec 1st on (60 games) and the best winning % from Jan 1st on (45 games). It took a while for a new team with a new coach to hit their stride.

Counterpoint #2: Scott Darling was still our goalie and had 2 wins in 8 starts.

Counterpoint #3: Nino, who was part of the team that got to the ECF, wasn't there in there during that bad stretch.

Counterpoint #4 (related to 1) : It was an entirely new coaching staff that came onboard in 2018 with a new system and a ton of new players: Ferland, Hamilton, Svechnikov, Martinook, Wallmark, Foegele, de Hann, Mckegg, Maenalanen, Nino, Mrazek, McElhinney.

So far this year we have: Walker, Gostisbehere (who was here before though so not completely new), Robinson, and Carrier and probably 2 rookies as new players (depending on Necas situation). That's half as much turn-over as 18-19.

I fully anticipate there will be a step back this year, not arguing that, just that there are a lot of factors that are significantly different than the start of the 18-19 season.

And a lot of factors that don’t project to be anywhere near as favorable as the second half of that season. That group was uniquely cohesive, bought-in, had the new team energy. Justin Williams energy. And importantly, they had a ton of depth up and down the lineup. The current team does not.

If everything goes perfectly to plan, sure, they could be a mid-range playoff team. If they get .920+ goaltending down the stretch, if a 39 year old Brent Burns plays like a 25 year old Dougie Hamilton, if Staal looks like he’s still 30, if it turns out that we have hidden gems in the lineup. That’s a lot of hopes and prayers right now.

As it stands, there’s no actual reason to think this team has a miracle streak in them. Maybe something major changes the look of the roster between now and October, but at least for now, this is a group that looks like it’s going to be a ghost of what we’ve seen since Whalers Night 2018.

 

[Svechhammer]

Still have a lot of questions about how good our top 6 really is in the forward lines. Really hope we can get that sorted out, and at this point it looks like a trade is our only path. I just don't think we have the firepower to legitimately contend right now.

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

I feel like had Orlov been acquired this Summer, therefore ending up on the add/subtract list, rather than graduating up the lineup, the perception about the team would be different. They’re not replacing an entire 2nd pair in quality. He’s an established Top 4 D. A year into the system and with a big contract on the line, he’s primed for a good season.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

I was just thinking about a team who would be a great fit for Necas: the LA Kings. They have zero right shots in their top-6 at the moment. Kempe or Fiala would be great fits for us after the Guentzel saga. If I was Tulsky, I would call up Rob Blake, offer up Necas and a good draft pick or prospect for Fiala, and see if he bites. Again, don't laugh at me, I'm just riffing a bit before I go to bed.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

And a lot of factors that don’t project to be anywhere near as favorable as the second half of that season. That group was uniquely cohesive, bought-in, had the new team energy. Justin Williams energy. And importantly, they had a ton of depth up and down the lineup. The current team does not.

If everything goes perfectly to plan, sure, they could be a mid-range playoff team. If they get .920+ goaltending down the stretch, if a 39 year old Brent Burns plays like a 25 year old Dougie Hamilton, if Staal looks like he’s still 30, if it turns out that we have hidden gems in the lineup. That’s a lot of hopes and prayers right now.

As it stands, there’s no actual reason to think this team has a miracle streak in them. Maybe something major changes the look of the roster between now and October, but at least for now, this is a group that looks like it’s going to be a ghost of what we’ve seen since Whalers Night 2018.

I remember you flipping out in 2018 after all the trades saying “who is going to score goals?” Particularly after the Skinner trade. Yet we know what happened.

You didn’t think that team had team had a miracle streak in them in the offseason either.

Maybe you are right and this team will struggle, that’s clearly possible given the changes, but overreactions are par for the course this time of year.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I remember you flipping out in 2018 after all the trades saying “who is going to score goals?” Particularly after the Skinner trade. Yet we know what happened.

You didn’t think that team had team had a miracle streak in them in the offseason either.

Maybe you are right and this team will struggle, that’s clearly possible given the changes, but overreactions are par for the course this time of year.

Right, and that freakout happened in the context of a team that did indeed fall flat on its face as almost everyone expected. You’ll recall that several months later they traded for Nino, who spent the rest of the season scoring at the 30+ goal pace. Prior to replacing that Skinner-level scoring contribution, they were 22-20-5 and 8 points out of the playoffs. Meanwhile, Skinner scored 30 goals during that same time period.

Thankfully, Nino had 4 multi-goal games down the stretch. In 3 of them, his scoring accounted for the winning margin. Canes made the playoffs by 3 points. You can pretty much draw a straight line between replacing Skinner’s scoring and ultimately staggering over the finish line.

Which is to say — if at some point in the near future they add a player who will make contributions similar to a Guentzel or a Skjei, the freakout will subside. But they’re probably not going to do that, so it’s fully justified to point out the reality that this team just got a lot worse in 24 hours, and not be particularly interested in a “remember that one time?” miracle narratives.

 

[BadgerCane58]

Personally, my target next year would be Konecny, and rather easily, in fact. Unlike what happened with Guentzel, I hope they learn their lesson and have an extension ready before the trade is made. I think the Avs and Oilers will find a way to keep Rantanen and Draisaitl, because normally teams like that do so.

I like Konecny too, but Necas playing for Torts isn’t happening.