we all know this team was going to have trouble scoring, but what I am surprised at is how easy we are to play against. This team is playing a soft, uninspired game. The hitting is minimal, and we are losing many of the one on battles. The guys who are showing up are Krieder, Zucc, Richards and McD. Girardi. Stroleman , Step and Nash have been OK, but must pick it up. Say what you will about Torts' ( he did wear out his welcome ) we were a very difficult team t0 play against the last three years, that is not the case now
Last night was pathetic. Looked like they didn't want to be there. Have to agree with what everyone else is saying, don't punt on the season just yet but start looking forward. If an opportunity arises to move Girardi for value Glen has to fire.
Stastny has to be a big target for us this summer I'd think. He would fit in nicely with Stepan. Good 1/2 punch. If we can keep Brassard that would be a strong middle. Maybe Lindberg as the 4th line C.
I like Statny too but I also worry they sign him to big contract and he is a 55 pt guy like he has been some years in Colorado Every UFA we sign plays worse here then his previous team. Having said that we have a ton of money to spend here is who I like: Statsny Moulson (under rated player I dont think he will break the bank either) Ott Vrbata Gaborik (at the right price) Unfortunately there are not any good puck moving D men who are not either super old or will be very expensive
They should just sign a stopgap #3 next year and then throw a boatload at Toews in 2015. Looking at the list I wouldn't mind Goc as a #4 in case Lindberg dosen't work out.
I agree on Stas, but I bet he is a big target for us. Just makes sense. Highly doubt the Avs bring him back. He is a C. He is young (only 28 next season). I can totally see him here to pair with Stepan for years. I think Moulson and Ott would also be good fits. If we added those 3 guys I think we'd be in much better shape. Take all the dead weight away (Pyatt, Boyle, D. Moore) and buyout Richards. Bring in those 3 guys. I like that look of those forwards. Then focus on some D. I think McD has helped lower the need for a puck moving dman. I think we need a big physical dman more. Add someone like that. Bring back J. Moore. Bring up McIlrath. MDZ is gone I would say for cap reasons (deal him for a pick if we don't deal him this season for players).
It's too bad Markov and Pitkanen are always hurt, either of them would help with the blast from the point.
If Stastny agrees for 4 y at 4 m, then yes. He's not worth more than that. I'm a huge fan of bringing Vrbata in if he's available. He's one of the most underrated players in the league. Pitkanen absolutely sucks moose dong. Never bring his name up again. I'd be in favor of adding Moulson, Ott and Vrbata. Dumping Girardi, Boyle and Brassard for picks or prospects that are close to ready.
Versteeg got a stupid contract. Don't expect that is a reason to give more stupid contracts. Stastny has been worse than Cally production wise the past 3 years. Cally IMO shouldn't get more than 4.5. Stastny is not a great player.
That might all be true but thare are not many UFA centers who can play so he will get paid. I understand if you dont want to be the team paying him but he will get alot more than $4m. His last contract he got $6 and he wasnt a UFA
As chuck calculated earlier. About 36.5 million after a Richards buyout. Hopefully we are wise enough to deal Girardi. You let Boyle, Pouliot, Pyatt, D.Moore walk. I am inclined to bring back both Cally and Brassard. Albeit at reasonable deals. Is brass RFA or UFA bc we know if hes a RFA sather will give him something like 2.5 and no more. If Cally wants anything higher than 5m I'm afraid you have to tell him to take a hike. Say we are lucky enough to bring them both back. You are left with Nash, Cally, Brass, Stepan, Hagelin, Dorsett, Zucc (RFA), JT Miller, Kreider (RFA). You hope that a Fast, Kristo, Lindberg or Hrivik is ready but you cant bank on it. You have to sign 3 solid forwards to make that group competitive. A top six center, a top six winger, and a bottom six center. Unfortunately it doesn't look like there are many top six centers out there outside of Stastny and that's only going to drive his price up. He will cost 5.5-6.5 which is too much. But when we have the cap space we tend to overpay. Don't be surprised to see him here next year. There are some nice options for a top six forward. We all have mentioned the likes of Moulson, Vrbata, and Gaborik. Others would be Cammalleri, Hemsky, Michalek, Jagr, and Steen. Glen will sign one of these. Side note: What are the chances San Jose doesn't resign one of Thornton or Marlaeu?? Probably unlikely, but if Marlaeu is out there I'd throw him a ton of money on a 4 year deal. Pure goal scorer. Bottom six center options. Stajan, Bolland, and Ott. I like Ott the most. What concerns me now is our defense. If you deal Girardi you need a young NHL ready dman in return. All we have for next year right now is McD and Staal (huge question marks surrounding his health). What do you do with RFA Del Zotto??? What kind of deal do you offer him if he isn't traded? Stralman UFA may need to be thrown another 1.5-2m type deal. McIlrath needs to be ready next year. RFA's Falk and J. Moore haven't impressed this year. All signs point to having to sign a UFA dman but not breaking the bank on one. How about Raphael Diaz from MTL? Willie Mitchell on a 1 year deal? Kris Russell from CGY? This ones tough to figure out. End of the day, this team needs 4 or 5 players off the UFA list. These decisions are the most critical ones of any off season of the past several years.
You give me Stastny, Moulson (or Vrbata or Cammalleri), and Ott and I am happy upfront. Keep Brassard as the # 3 C. I think we'd have a real solid forward group with those 3. Then focus on D. McIlrath up. Decide what you will do with MDZ and Girardi and Staal. And add another solid physical vet dman. Away we go.
Staal's stock is probably very low right now... but maybe at some point you need to give the Canes a call and see how bad they really want to do Staal brothers thing.
It's going to be tough to do this all via FA. We can win one or two bidding wars for guys like Stasny and Ott but I dont know if we can win 3. I don't want Cammalleri, we have enough smallish forwards. This season put together a package for Kane built around DZ, Miller, and any prospect other than McIlrath. Then offseason sign Stasny and Ott. That's how I go. If we can't get a Kane type then I'd throw money at Stasny and either Moulson or Vrbata, then use Lindberg as the 4th center. I'm going to hesitate on advocating for Gaborik until I see how he comes back from his latest injury
I'd love to get Kane here that would be huge for this team. That being said I still am a part of the group that cant believe WPG would ever move a player like that. I don't know where the rumblings about him moving always come from but it would just be ridiculous for them to move a franchise player like that.
