News Article: "We've got to go in a different direction with our young guys," Tallon said

[Laus723]

ATF already stated this more or less, but if Tallon had money to do more, we wouldn't be talking about what he MIGHT do to save the team in the coming couple of months. It would already have been done.

The bottom line is that SSE makes more money from their non-hockey entertainment, and they have apparently decided to do hockey on the cheap.

My fear isn't that our young guard won't become good and elite players in the league. My fear is that they'll be doing so elsewhere because I don't see this team's ownership (the entire group, not Viner) ever having a firmly pro-hockey attitude.

Who that's been gobbled up in FA would have been an overwhelming improvement on what we have? Vinny? I agree, but we supposedly pursued him and he made his choice. Horton? Lmao, no. Brierre? Slightly, no overwhelmingly. I'm not gonna list every name, but who was out that there that the Florida f'in Panthers could have gotten had they just not been cheap?? Who?

Didn't we know two years ago that right around now the kids would be coming up? How many are actually coming up and taking spots anyway? 3?

I've asked it before and will again, what is so different from the team that got us into the playoffs? No Weiss? Garrison? Role players like Sturm? Yeah, there's a difference and they're missed, but the biggest difference from last season was the plethora of injuries and the drop in net. And the poor role players we had. We're coming in a lot more healthy, Markstrom is in net, and we've improved the 4th line.

Right now, and honestly after whatever is done before game 1, I think we're missing the playoffs, but I don't think we're coming in last. But still, there are guys out there we can get and that won't hamstring us moving forward. Nate would've done just that. Most of these guys would have.

Jugs, Howden, Petro (likely), and a host of others are all either getting started in the A or will be developing somewhere, as it should be. I'm not worried about these kids becoming elite elsewhere either.

 

[King Panther]

Hell no! What kind of real fan sits around and excepts failure???? We've dealt with failure for over a decade and were tired of it. What the hell good is gathering ALL of these top end talents if their going to either bust because they were overworked or leave because the organization doesn't know how to manage a pro sports team??

im guessing you meant accepts. the kind that understands that you have to be really bad before youre really good. dean lombardi sat the kings fans down in his first year and said were gonna be bad for several years, and then were gonna win the cup. they werent happy about it. but i bet they didnt mind these last two years. theres only one winner and 29 losers. being losers 1-15 versus losers 16-29 isnt that big of a deal imo.

and our rookies arent being rushed imo. DT knows how to develop players and wont let them get hurt by playing too early. i havent seen any direct evidence that this is motivated by cash problems. just paranoid, the sky is falling type, conclusions. if DT says its time to let them earn their spots, then its time to let them earn their spots.

 

[Panteras]

we're competing agains't perception/reputation, which only a ridiculous amount of money can erase...

even if we could offer 25 million to Lecavalier, chances are he'd still settle for 22 in Philly...just the facts guys

 

[SufferingCatFan]

DT knows how to develop players and wont let them get hurt by playing too early. [B]i havent seen any direct evidence that this is motivated by cash problems. just paranoid, the sky is falling type, conclusions. [/B] if DT says its time to let them earn their spots, then its time to let them earn their spots.

If you have not seen any direct evidence, then you are not looking too carefully. For example, the Panthers are currently in the bottom 3 teams (Islanders, Jets, Panthers) in dollars spent on salary, although the number is inflated for cap purposes by the unearned bonuses of players on ELC.

 

[LUUUUUIS]

Who that's been gobbled up in FA would have been an overwhelming improvement on what we have? Vinny? I agree, but we supposedly pursued him and he made his choice. Horton? Lmao, no. Brierre? Slightly, no overwhelmingly. I'm not gonna list every name, but who was out that there that the Florida f'in Panthers could have gotten had they just not been cheap?? Who?

Didn't we know two years ago that right around now the kids would be coming up? How many are actually coming up and taking spots anyway? 3?

I've asked it before and will again, what is so different from the team that got us into the playoffs? No Weiss? Garrison? Role players like Sturm? Yeah, there's a difference and they're missed, but the biggest difference from last season was the plethora of injuries and the drop in net. And the poor role players we had. We're coming in a lot more healthy, Markstrom is in net, and we've improved the 4th line.

Right now, and honestly after whatever is done before game 1, I think we're missing the playoffs, but I don't think we're coming in last. But still, there are guys out there we can get and that won't hamstring us moving forward. Nate would've done just that. Most of these guys would have.

Jugs, Howden, Petro (likely), and a host of others are all either getting started in the A or will be developing somewhere, as it should be. I'm not worried about these kids becoming elite elsewhere either.

THIS is my whole point and I thought it was the point of the thread (see title). People keep muddying it up with the owners being cheap. None of our prospects are being rushed.

 

[KW]

Who that's been gobbled up in FA would have been an overwhelming improvement on what we have? Vinny? I agree, but we supposedly pursued him and he made his choice. Horton? Lmao, no. Brierre? Slightly, no overwhelmingly. I'm not gonna list every name, but who was out that there that the Florida f'in Panthers could have gotten had they just not been cheap?? Who?

Didn't we know two years ago that right around now the kids would be coming up? How many are actually coming up and taking spots anyway? 3?

I've asked it before and will again, what is so different from the team that got us into the playoffs? No Weiss? Garrison? Role players like Sturm? Yeah, there's a difference and they're missed, but the biggest difference from last season was the plethora of injuries and the drop in net. And the poor role players we had. We're coming in a lot more healthy, Markstrom is in net, and we've improved the 4th line.

Right now, and honestly after whatever is done before game 1, I think we're missing the playoffs, but I don't think we're coming in last. But still, there are guys out there we can get and that won't hamstring us moving forward. Nate would've done just that. Most of these guys would have.

Jugs, Howden, Petro (likely), and a host of others are all either getting started in the A or will be developing somewhere, as it should be. I'm not worried about these kids becoming elite elsewhere either.

Example: Ryan.

When people say that this is not a serious hockey market, it's no less serious than LA, Dallas, Tampa or Raleigh, but those teams are able to pull fans and win championships. Any given season they can legitimately make the argument that they'll be competing for the cup.

We can't because the owners won't because they don't care about hockey like Arison cares about basketball. This is what is coming through from DT as has changed his tune from the original blue print to "we'll play the young guns". It's not that hard to put the puzzle together if you just think honestly and dispassionately. It's just the way it is.

Having said that, miracles do happen, and DT is capable of being a miracle maker. Let's see if Dineen is equally capable -- DeBoer wasn't. I'm still gonna go to my seats and cheer on the team because want these young guns to succeed and surprise everyone.

But it all won't be thanks to the owners. It'll be despite the owners.

 

[LUUUUUIS]

Example: Ryan.

When people say that this is not a serious hockey market, it's no less serious than LA, Dallas, Tampa or Raleigh, but those teams are able to pull fans and win championships. Any given season they can legitimately make the argument that they'll be competing for the cup.

We can't because the owners won't because they don't care about hockey like Arison cares about basketball. This is what is coming through from DT as has changed his tune from the original blue print to "we'll play the young guns". It's not that hard to put the puzzle together if you just think honestly and dispassionately. It's just the way it is.

Having said that, miracles do happen, and DT is capable of being a miracle maker. Let's see if Dineen is equally capable -- DeBoer wasn't. I'm still gonna go to my seats and cheer on the team because want these young guns to succeed and surprise everyone.

But it all won't be thanks to the owners. It'll be despite the owners.

That statement is kinda funny, because I think a lot of the paranoia I see on these boards comes from thinking passionately.

 

[Pantherfan12]

im guessing you meant accepts. the kind that understands that you have to be really bad before youre really good. dean lombardi sat the kings fans down in his first year and said were gonna be bad for several years, and then were gonna win the cup. they werent happy about it. but i bet they didnt mind these last two years. theres only one winner and 29 losers. being losers 1-15 versus losers 16-29 isnt that big of a deal imo.

and our rookies arent being rushed imo. DT knows how to develop players and wont let them get hurt by playing too early. i havent seen any direct evidence that this is motivated by cash problems. just paranoid, the sky is falling type, conclusions. if DT says its time to let them earn their spots, then its time to let them earn their spots.

My apologizes for the grammatical error.
When comparing the Kings to the Panthers, I'm sure their fans and players were more accepting to the whole "being bad then winning a Cup" because they didn't have to sit through a playoff-less DECADE of hockey!
We Panther fans are tired of losing with empty promises from whomever is the GM, head coach, or Owner at the time. I do trust in Tallon because he has done wonders for this organization as compared to the past but I won't lie when I say I worry. Forget the free agency so far this year, I'm worry about going into the season, in a new division with harder opponents, with Matthias and Barkov as our #1 and #2 centers. I like both of them, excited to see what Barkov can do for our team and hope Mattthias takes the next step, but we are going into the season pretty much without a true #1 center as well as #2. Those are big holes to have.
I belive Barkov will live up to the hype but I just hope being thrown into a 1a/1b situation,too soon, won't overwhelm him and stunt his development. I hope having Clemmer backing up Marky doesn't put too much pressure on Marky considering Clemmer is garbage and not much of a mentor who could step in to help Marky get comfortable.

 

[Laus723]

Example: Ryan.

When people say that this is not a serious hockey market, it's no less serious than LA, Dallas, Tampa or Raleigh, but those teams are able to pull fans and win championships. Any given season they can legitimately make the argument that they'll be competing for the cup.

We can't because the owners won't because they don't care about hockey like Arison cares about basketball. This is what is coming through from DT as has changed his tune from the original blue print to "we'll play the young guns". It's not that hard to put the puzzle together if you just think honestly and dispassionately. It's just the way it is.

Having said that, miracles do happen, and DT is capable of being a miracle maker. Let's see if Dineen is equally capable -- DeBoer wasn't. I'm still gonna go to my seats and cheer on the team because want these young guns to succeed and surprise everyone.

But it all won't be thanks to the owners. It'll be despite the owners.

Did you sit next Tallon prior to the trade? Ryan's not an example, that's a reach on your part.

Don't think we're off from the blueprint, as I've stated.

 

[King Panther]

My apologizes for the grammatical error.
When comparing the Kings to the Panthers, I'm sure their fans and players were more accepting to the whole "being bad then winning a Cup" because they didn't have to sit through a playoff-less DECADE of hockey!
We Panther fans are tired of losing with empty promises from whomever is the GM, head coach, or Owner at the time. I do trust in Tallon because he has done wonders for this organization as compared to the past but I won't lie when I say I worry. Forget the free agency so far this year, I'm worry about going into the season, in a new division with harder opponents, with Matthias and Barkov as our #1 and #2 centers. I like both of them, excited to see what Barkov can do for our team and hope Mattthias takes the next step, but we are going into the season pretty much without a true #1 center as well as #2. Those are big holes to have.
I belive Barkov will live up to the hype but I just hope being thrown into a 1a/1b situation,too soon, won't overwhelm him and stunt his development. I hope having Clemmer backing up Marky doesn't put too much pressure on Marky considering Clemmer is garbage and not much of a mentor who could step in to help Marky get comfortable.

i know that a decade of losing sucks. but getting us to be competitive (aka mediocre) this year would not help this franchise. we have to face the facts that we do not have enough talent just yet to build a team that is a winner and capable of winning the cup. huby and barkov aint gonna cut it. we need at least one more blue chip prospect imo. the good news is this. this will be the last, and worst season (imo). but it gets better from here on out. jugs, shore, petro, trochek, and howden will all be graduating soon and theyll start growing together as a team. after that well see 1-3 DT prospects graduating each year and this team will start getting better. imo, this year is about watching huby and barkov start to grow together as probably the best and most exciting line this franchise has ever seen as well as watching marky mark start to prove that he has what it takes to be elite in the nhl. theres also the evolution of guds and kulikov to keep an eye on. and watching the development of shore, jugs, and maybe even petro will be cool too. we probably wont win a ton of games, but we will see whether these guys have what it takes to win the cup. well see how bad they hate losing and how hard they will work to get better. so for me its an exciting year.

 

[Android 16]

The Kings sucked for years and slowly acquired talent through the draft. They drafted players like Brown, Kopitar, Doughty and Quick. Once those core guys emerged as better than average players, Lombardi was able to attract talent through trades & free agents to fill out the rest of the team. Until, guys like Huberdeau, Barkov, Gudbranson and Markstrom find their games we're going to continue to pick at the top of the draft. I hope we wind up in a position to draft McDavid. If anybody has seen him play, he completely dominates his age level. He's the best prospect since Tavares & Stamkos, imo.

 

[Chino Oscar]

I don't know how long you've been following the Panthers but what was being idea behind this is we don't have money to bring in free agent or even keep our own players and were forced to bring in youngsters much faster than needed. Like we have done before and it has blown up in our face time after time. Stating our financial situation is pretty dim and were close to being up for sale once again. Not to mention how long will Dale Tallon stick around if he has no way building a winner here?

Where do you get this information? Is it another one of many assumptions made by posters on this forum? People think throwing money away on overpriced free agents is the solution? Look at what teams are paying for these veterans that offer nothing great. Yes, there were some great players available, but did they want to come here to begin with? I am pretty sure they took a bit less money to go to the teams they wanted to go instead of coming to Florida (like was mentioned about Weiss, likely the case with Vinny and who knows how many others?). Relax people. We are not fielding a team of rookies (barring the ridiculous number of injuries we had last year). Next couple of years we will have to spend some serious money to keep all the young talent we have with the team (look at expiring contracts of our young players). We were able to extend Mattias and Markstrom this year, next year will be others. If they start letting all these young players go, then I would agree that this team has been lying to us... not until then.

 

[Chino Oscar]

Who that's been gobbled up in FA would have been an overwhelming improvement on what we have? Vinny? I agree, but we supposedly pursued him and he made his choice. Horton? Lmao, no. Brierre? Slightly, no overwhelmingly. I'm not gonna list every name, but who was out that there that the Florida f'in Panthers could have gotten had they just not been cheap?? Who?

Didn't we know two years ago that right around now the kids would be coming up? How many are actually coming up and taking spots anyway? 3?

Excellent response. I don't know what people keep crying about. They just want ANY player signed... lets hamstring our finances with over-prized veterans so that we can't keep the youngsters in two years!

 

[angry_treefrog]

I wish people would read through the thread before posting.

 

[CHGoalie27]

I wish people would read through the thread before posting.

I'm happy we didn't out and sign every has-been-POS available.

I don't see how playing in the NHL wouldn't be the best preparation for...playing in the NHL. Either a kid's got it, or he doesn't. Period.

We want our kids getting used to playing within the AHL level?

Y'know how some batters wont to the Home Run Derby because it messes with their in-game timing? Same sentiment.

Either we drafted correctly or we didn't. If we did, then all the complaining is useless. If we didn't draft correctly, then we'll all become SA fans and the Cats will move to the Colisee Pepsi!

(I know my post seems completely anti-farm team, I assure everyone-it isn't. We're not talking about Boston or NY here.)

 

[SufferingCatFan]

I'm happy we didn't out and sign every has-been-POS available.

I don't see how playing in the NHL wouldn't be the best preparation for...playing in the NHL. Either a kid's got it, or he doesn't. Period.

We want our kids getting used to playing within the AHL level?

Y'know how some batters wont to the Home Run Derby because it messes with their in-game timing? Same sentiment.

Either we drafted correctly or we didn't. If we did, then all the complaining is useless. If we didn't draft correctly, then we'll all become SA fans and the Cats will move to the Colisee Pepsi!

(I know my post seems completely anti-farm team, I assure everyone-it isn't. We're not talking about Boston or NY here.)

Most prospects (even if drafted correctly) take time to develop with a few notable exceptions. Most franchises (ex. Detroit) with a proven track record of drafting and developing well do not rush their prospects to the NHL. In contrast, many prospects are ruined by being prematurely rushed to the NHL by inpatient teams.

That said, Florida does not even have much available space on any of its top 3 lines beyond an opening at center. Most teams feel that prospects benefit more from playing full-time in the AHL than limited 4th line minutes so it seems doubtful that the Panthers will place top prospects on the 4th line, especially after signing cheap, 4th line types in free agency.

On defense there appear to be 2 openings likely to be filled by two d-man with substantial AHL experience.

Bottomline is that there do not appear to be many openings...

 

[FrolikFan67]

the prospects will start falling into place next season, and some this season at the deadline possibly. at LW we're set for this season and next season with Huberdeau/Fleischmann/Bergenheim. at center we got Barkov/Matthias/Goc for this season, and theres a high probability that goc is traded at the deadline and bjugstad takes over the 3rd line center for the rest of the season, if not, then he'll take over that spot next season. either way, next season we'll be set at center with Barkov/Matthias/Bjugstad, with one potential spot if you can replace matthias with something better, we'll cross that road when we come to it, lets see how he performs this season. we've got Versteeg and Kopecky for this season and next, but we still have a spot open. upshall will probably fill it for this season and hopefully buy him out in the off season. on top of the spots we already have reserved for our top guys, we also have spots reserved for next season and on for players like bjugstad, petrovic, maybe trocheck, so that comes into thought when considering going after free agents. i would still like to nab brunner, but besides for the 1 arguable gap at RW (depends on how you view upshall, if he stays healthy for once he could turn out to be good) we're pretty much set in all positions, i wasnt expecting much in free agency this year. with our current players and the spots we have reserved, there was very little to do other than fix the 4th line and add some depth, which we did.

 

[batting1k]

Panthers signed Robak...

Florida Panthers ‏@FlaPanthers 51s
The #FlaPanthers have signed defenseman Colby Rboak (@c_robak) to a two-year deal.
Expand

 

[Pantherfan12]

i know that a decade of losing sucks. but getting us to be competitive (aka mediocre) this year would not help this franchise. we have to face the facts that we do not have enough talent just yet to build a team that is a winner and capable of winning the cup. huby and barkov aint gonna cut it. we need at least one more blue chip prospect imo. the good news is this. this will be the last, and worst season (imo). but it gets better from here on out. jugs, shore, petro, trochek, and howden will all be graduating soon and theyll start growing together as a team. after that well see 1-3 DT prospects graduating each year and this team will start getting better. imo, this year is about watching huby and barkov start to grow together as probably the best and most exciting line this franchise has ever seen as well as watching marky mark start to prove that he has what it takes to be elite in the nhl. theres also the evolution of guds and kulikov to keep an eye on. and watching the development of shore, jugs, and maybe even petro will be cool too. we probably wont win a ton of games, but we will see whether these guys have what it takes to win the cup. well see how bad they hate losing and how hard they will work to get better. so for me its an exciting year.

I hear what you're saying, but I don't know if I agree. I think being at the bottom would hurt this franchise more than being competititive will. I think we do have talent on this team to compete and make the post season, but Tallon needs to get on it and fill some holes we have,even if it's stop-gaps until Barkov,Bjugstad,and Shore are ready to take over. Again, we've read this book before, it just has a different cover. We need an all around effort to make this club successful, now and in the future. We need good drafting, good FA signings as well as good trades. Our drafting is excellent. The FA signings have been good. They could've been better, but we brought in Mueller,Flash, Jovo, Kopecky, Bergy,Upshall, Goc and Theo. Again, I know Jovo,Kuba,Theo and Parros weren't the best of signings, especially Upshall, but Tallon brought in NHL talent to help our club and they brought us to the post season as we as our first ever S.E. Title. Trades have also been good. Not great, but good. He brought up Campbell, Versteeg, Skille, Sammelson, Sturm.... Again, I know they aren't A-listers but they helped.

All in all, we need more help to get this franchise over the hump or we will always be stuck where we are now. We'll have top end talent that will end up flopping because we either don't sign the right players or we expect our youth to take over.

 

[King Panther]

I hear what you're saying, but I don't know if I agree. I think being at the bottom would hurt this franchise more than being competititive will. I think we do have talent on this team to compete and make the post season, but Tallon needs to get on it and fill some holes we have,even if it's stop-gaps until Barkov,Bjugstad,and Shore are ready to take over. Again, we've read this book before, it just has a different cover. We need an all around effort to make this club successful, now and in the future. We need good drafting, good FA signings as well as good trades. Our drafting is excellent. The FA signings have been good. They could've been better, but we brought in Mueller,Flash, Jovo, Kopecky, Bergy,Upshall, Goc and Theo. Again, I know Jovo,Kuba,Theo and Parros weren't the best of signings, especially Upshall, but Tallon brought in NHL talent to help our club and they brought us to the post season as we as our first ever S.E. Title. Trades have also been good. Not great, but good. He brought up Campbell, Versteeg, Skille, Sammelson, Sturm.... Again, I know they aren't A-listers but they helped.

All in all, we need more help to get this franchise over the hump or we will always be stuck where we are now. We'll have top end talent that will end up flopping because we either don't sign the right players or we expect our youth to take over.

You make your point well. But I think DT's philosphy is that the change has to come from within. You can get to the playoffs very easily by spending a ton of money on free agents. But you cant really win that way. If you look at the recent cup winners, theyre usually built from inside and free agency is usually just the cherry on top to get over the hump, it isnt the meat and potatoes of the team. I know Ive seen quotes from DT saying that he believes that. Imo, getting free agents right now to keep us competitive is a one way ticket to almost winning the Cup. I think we need to suck for at least another year to get one more blue chipper. But thats just my opinion.

 

[angry_treefrog]

You make your point well. But I think DT's philosphy is that the change has to come from within. You can get to the playoffs very easily by spending a ton of money on free agents. But you cant really win that way. If you look at the recent cup winners, theyre usually built from inside and free agency is usually just the cherry on top to get over the hump, it isnt the meat and potatoes of the team. I know Ive seen quotes from DT saying that he believes that. Imo, getting free agents right now to keep us competitive is a one way ticket to almost winning the Cup. I think we need to suck for at least another year to get one more blue chipper. But thats just my opinion.

I agree that you won't build with free agents. I've been tooting that horn for years and agree 100%, but...

1. IMO, finishing dead last again will do more collective harm to the psyche of the young players than will be gained by moving up a few slots in the draft

2. Without some additions before camp (e.g. replace Clemmensen) finishing dead last is a greater likelihood than making the playoffs

3. Lots of talk about LAK in this thread, but even when they missed the playoffs for a whole 6 seasons in a row, they were generally competitive.
---

I'm of the opinion that at some point you need to start the trajectory upwards... and if you are going to give the team to the kids, you need to do everything possible to help them succeed.

I was the first to board the tank last season when it was clear that this was a very, very bad hockey team. "Tanking" again is a risky proposition though. Ultimately, the sting of losing gives way to complacency. I'm worried about that affecting players like Hubs, Kulikov and Gudbranson if we spend another year looking up at the rest of the Eastern Conference.

----

We seem to be battling between two extremes here and I'm not sure that anyone really sits on either of them.

1. Do nothing - go into the season as is. Is anyone really in favor of this???

2. Sign some free agent whatever the price. Is anyone really in favor of this???

I think most people would like to see some reasonable moves to tighten up the roster before camp. I'm sure Tallon and Santos would.

The question is whether they have the FINANCIAL flexibility to make those moves if they have the opportunity. Will ownership give them the green light?

My concern is that they will not. That's what I find disturbing.

 

[Haj]

I think what is even more disturbing is: Does ownership have the financial capabilities to keep our own prospects as they become stars ?

 

[King Panther]

I agree that you won't build with free agents. I've been tooting that horn for years and agree 100%, but...

1. IMO, finishing dead last again will do more collective harm to the psyche of the young players than will be gained by moving up a few slots in the draft

2. Without some additions before camp (e.g. replace Clemmensen) finishing dead last is a greater likelihood than making the playoffs

3. Lots of talk about LAK in this thread, but even when they missed the playoffs for a whole 6 seasons in a row, they were generally competitive.
---

I'm of the opinion that at some point you need to start the trajectory upwards... and if you are going to give the team to the kids, you need to do everything possible to help them succeed.

I was the first to board the tank last season when it was clear that this was a very, very bad hockey team. "Tanking" again is a risky proposition though. Ultimately, the sting of losing gives way to complacency. I'm worried about that affecting players like Hubs, Kulikov and Gudbranson if we spend another year looking up at the rest of the Eastern Conference.

----

We seem to be battling between two extremes here and I'm not sure that anyone really sits on either of them.

1. Do nothing - go into the season as is. Is anyone really in favor of this???

2. Sign some free agent whatever the price. Is anyone really in favor of this???

I think most people would like to see some reasonable moves to tighten up the roster before camp. I'm sure Tallon and Santos would.

The question is whether they have the FINANCIAL flexibility to make those moves if they have the opportunity. Will ownership give them the green light?

My concern is that they will not. That's what I find disturbing.

You make valid points ATF. But I would point out that the key players who will make up our team going forward, hubs, guds, marky mark have not been losing for that long, just one season (2/3 really). Jugs, howden, petro, robak didnt even get a full season. the only players who arguably may have been around it to much and may get complacent are flash, matthias, bergy, kuli and soupy. and its debatable whether any of them will be around more than 2-3 more years. but again, you make a good point about the edmonton syndrome (like 15 number one picks it seems yet they still suck). i think this is the last year, and think each year will get better hereafter.

i will say though that the lack of expensive signings does not imo signal a lack of funds. there are a number of other reasons that would explain it. and im gonna keep my red colored glasses on and choose to beieve DT is being strategic rather than handcuffed.

 

[pantherbot]

that's what I see a lot of in this thread.

I think a lot of you are being premature and jumping to conclusions when assuming that we lack the funds to sign free agents or our own players. Just because in the past, under different ownership and different GMs, "going with our young guys" meant "we have no money" does not mean that is the case this time. I really don't think you can apply what was done during the Cohen era to what may happen with the current ownership group. I may be wrong, but looking at the current situation critically, I don't think so.

Why haven't we signed any free agents yet? Because either they cost way too much or they don't want to come here. What would you guys have said if we signed the Clowe or Clarkson contracts? Because that is the kind of money we would have to pay for a free agent to come here. I would have been unhappy that we're pissing away money on mediocre free agents that won't help us take the next step. Not to mention they still signed with a big market or good-pedigree team.

There were some reasonable deals to be had, but we are not a top destination. You think Lecavlier or Weiss wanted to sign here when they could go to Philly and Detroit?? Phoenix is the only small market or lower-tier team that I saw make a big signing with Ribiero, and that contract term would not work for us, plus we have no Dave Tippet, so that's a no-no anyways. Just go through the signings and see who would have actually worked for us.

We are going to have maybe four rookies on this team - Barkov, Markstrom, defenseman (probably Robak), plus maybe one who plays well in training camp. That's it. Our other young guys are Huberdeau, Gudbranson, Kulikov. Out of the young guys, other than Barkov, they all have had lots of junior, AHL and/or NHL experience. So I don't see this as rushing our prospects. Shore, Howden, Bjugstad, and Petro are likely going back to the AHL after having spent decent time in the NHL unless they play great in training camp. That is the opposite of rushing to me.

Our team will be competitive. We may not make the playoffs, but we won't be dead last again unless we have ridiculous injuries. Last year was an anomaly with the injuries. We had more injuries in one season, pro-rated, than any other team since the lock out. I haven't looked beyond that but I wouldn't be surprised if it goes back farther than that. We've all seen crappy rosters play competitively because they played with effort and were well coached. That's what we need, not another mediocre free agent. Show these guys some confidence, tell them to play hard, hope Dineen has improved, and we will be competitive.

Our roster is also basically set with the players we already have on the payroll. If we sign free agents, we'll have to make room somehow, probably through trades. I'd love for us to sign a RW or C, but we need to find someone willing to take Upshall or Matthias at a reasonable deal. That needs to be taken into consideration when signing someone and I don't think is that easy to do.

Look I know some of you, particularly STHers, are frustrated. But this team is on the best trajectory I have seen in the last 10 years. We are not a team that will over-pay for free agents, but that does not mean we will not pay for reasonably priced free agents or our own players. We are not rushing our players, that is quite clear considering how few NHL spots are actually available. We can be competitive if the effort is there and that's not something we can go out and buy.

 

[CHGoalie27]

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NO-WE DON'T WANT SHAWN MATTHIAS GOING ANYWHERE. HAVE YOU NOTICED THIS KID NEVER CEASES TO BUST HIS ASS?? His almost crowned goal of the year symbolizes him perfectly.

It's the weakest FA market since the Gomez/Drury/Rangers BS. I'm glad we've done what we've done so far. There's a reason these guys have been picked. I'm gonna bet it wasn't to keep us all waiting during the time they know they can't assume is theirs to wait another 3-5 sentence for another playoff. If we have contracts in their way when they're ready (keeping them down too long could also be just as bad), then what? What if they're all ready and strokin by this April?

Side note, who knows what the hell EDM is doing...whoever the hockey news (purposefully uncapitalized) says is the #1 prospect by draft week- pick em?? LOL They (some of my old NYR heroes) seem content on letting the press make their plan. Finish last, first pick, light cigar.