Good deal. This year was Bonino's best, but if it's not a fluke then he's a good piece to have. Sbisa is only 24 + the pick. Good return.
Agreed 31. That is going to be an issue. We'll see how it goes, but if our two top C's are Stepan and Brassard I see that as trouble. We really need to add a # 1 C this summer if we want to be a top team going into the season and not just a team that has talent and can make a run, but we'll see. Brassard's best season is 47 points (he went 18 and 45 this past season). Stepan's best season was 57 points this past season. Even if we want to say Brassard and Step get better next season, we can say Brassard is a 50 point guy, and Stepan is a 60 point guy. Just not sure that is enough. And now with the report that the cap may not even get to 70 mill, there is less chance we can really add an impact C. Could be an issue.
The salary cap may be under $70 million and the NHLPA may not invoke the 5% escalator to increase it. (John Shannon) $68 million is the number right now but the NHL and NHLPA are still working on a final number. (Renaud Lavoie) This would be bad for us. Only a 3.7 mill jump from last season. Even with BR gone, we are right up against it. That extra 2 or 3 mill to get the cap to 70 or 71 would be huge for us.
If we're serious about getting a #1 C, Brassard will probably have to go just to make the money work. Maybe Thornton - Stepan - Miller down the middle with a package built around Brassard? I dont know anymore, Kesler was the best fit cap-wise.
It simply might be unlikely at this point. Thornton still wants to stay in SJ he says. Plus we may not have the chips. And if the cap is 68 mill or so, we may not have the money either. Sticky situation. I just don't know if I truly eel comfortable with Step and Brass as our 1 and 2 C's. Same as this past season just minus the 20 goal scoring Richards.
Folks I dont see a C coming here. The other problem with going to the Finals is you had a year with a lot of RFA's plus UFA's in Stahlman, Pouliot, Moore and Boyle who had good seasons/playoffs and now everyone wants to get paid. They are going to have to pay guys just to return most of last years team....Not to mention the huge gap we have at 1C. Not looking good IMO, even moreso if the cap doesnt go up
If cap stays under 70 not only can't see how we afford fa center but strahlman (hnless staal traded) and boyle pretty much gone for sure as richards money will be spent on the raises for rfa.'s and ufa's we want. Almost assures 2 or 3 new low cap players added to the team for next year probably 1 d and 2 forwards which if they work out might not be the worst thing for us going forward.
And we have to sign Pouliot as well. The struggles of the SCF losing team is also hanging over us. Bad track record recently. Maybe we'll have a July surprise though.
Looks like they may only have enough to add a lesser replacement for Stralman or a solid experienced 4th liner. If the cap goes to 69m.
I dont see a 1-2m difference in total cap make them suddenly only able to add a grinder and a lesser replacement for Strahlman. The cap news is not good but really it's about $1m less than best case scenerio and still $5m more than last year
