Players the Devils should target this summer, how next season’s salary cap could affect the Sabres’ dealings and potential interest in Andrew Hammond.
Possible forward targets for the Devils.
NJ.COM: Rich Chere recently speculated over which forwards the New Jersey Devils could have on their radar this summer to bolster their offense. Chere lists Toronto’s James van Riemsdyk and Phil Kessel, Anaheim’s Matt Beleskey and Kyle Palmieri, Edmonton’s Jordan Eberle, Calgary’s Sean Monahan and Arizona’s Sam Gagner.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Beleskey could be available via the UFA market. Doubt the Ducks want to move Palmieri. The Leafs could consider trading Kessel or van Riemsdyk but the asking price could be more than the Devils are willing to pay. Forget about landing Eberle or Monahan, as I don’t believe their respective teams have any intent of moving them. Gagner’s probably available if the Devils want to make a pitch for him.
Could a rise in the cap affect Sabres’ trade targets?
THE BUFFALO NEWS: John Vogl reports a projected increase of the salary cap from $69 million to $71.5 million could reduce the number of teams looking to shed salary, thus reducing possible trade targets for Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray. Even with that increase, however, Vogl speculates there will be a few teams (Philadelphia, Chicago, Tampa Bay and Los Angeles) who could be squeezed for future cap space, forcing them to make salary-dumping deals.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I would also add Boston and Pittsburgh to that list. I also think Murray’s biggest problem won’t be the number of teams he could target for trades, but competition from other clubs with plenty of cap space next summer and a willingness to take on salary. The Arizona Coyotes, Nashville Predators, New York Islanders, Florida Panthers and New Jersey Devils could also employ the “vulture strategy” this summer.
Latest on Andrew Hammond.
NICHOLS ON HOCKEY: TSN’s Pierre LeBrun recently speculated on possible destinations for Ottawa goalie Andrew Hammond if the Senators fail to re-sign him before his UFA eligibility on July 1. The Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars could be in the market for goaltending depth this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Hammond continues his solid play over what remains of this season, the Sens could face a difficult decision. They’ve already got two goalies under contract for next season in Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner. Management must decide if “The Hamburgler” is for real or just an average goalie on a hot streak. If they believe he’s the real deal and re-sign him, they’ll have to move Anderson or Lehner this summer.
Although I do understand why it would be preferable not to carry three starting tenders how is it that the Sens could not do it?
I realize when the Sens had Biahop, Lehner and Anderson they all were not on one way contracts however I can invision a similar situation where Hammond is given a long term deal beginning with a two way contract to provide security for his future. Although he could try and cash in on a two or three year deal and hope he himself is not a flash in the pan and risk having a short caeer. How much do you think Hammond would be offered in a co tract by a rival team?
However if you all are correct and the Sens will need to move a tender upon signing Hammond I’d suspect that it would be Anderson who would be moved allowing the Sens to have Hammond and Lehner fight it out with healthy competition.
@ Jeff Noel
I think that Hammond will probably get a three year / $4.5 Million deal , at $1.5 Million per year , maybe the first year on a two way until they can figure out what to do with Anderson / Lehner.
If they assess that Hammond is the real deal , I think they would put Lehner on the block for a more solid return and have Anderson mentor him.
11 games does not make a goalie and he couldn’t do nothing for binghamton
@ johnny
” couldn’t do nothing ” ?
So by your double negative , he could do lots ?
sorry a beach ball he could not stop
Why do I get the impression that whatever team you cheer for is experiencing the throes of losing agony and that the recent Sens success – and Hammond’s – is nothing more than petty, childish jealousy?
Good thing Binghampton is not in the NHL.
Excellent point that people keep missing… Great example…
Remember Jim Carey, The Net Detective? Nobody does…
It takes a body of work to know just how good a goalie is. If he comes in Next season and has the same kind of success, he may be more of the real deal. He may just be in the right situation at the right moment to have success.
Regardless of anything, truly an amazing story and start to a career.
Hammond would have to pass through waivers. Even on a two way deal. If he keeps it up, someone will offer a one way. Probably not for a lot of money, but he’ll sign for one or two years for around $1.5-2 mil.
forget making trades for expensive players, Devils need to start developing their young players. There best player is Adam Henrique and that’s pretty much it. Schneider is obviously good but they didn’t draft him. Luckily they’ll get a good player this year to build around but need more then 1.
I mean don’t get me wrong if they want to give the leafs their first for the next couple years in a deal id take it
Ehh the Devils dont like to draft anyway (Lou would have to get his Beta Max fixed so he could scout some game college tape)…for sure Id take the Devils first plus something else for JVR. The 4th 7th and currently the 25th first round picks would be a good way to start the rebuild in Toronto.
@ Schticky Re : JVR
I highly doubt JVR would even get Jersey’s first pick let alone extra.
Evandro kane gets Myers + in season but jvr won’t get a first? Yep ok got it..
It was tounge in cheek mongo but JVR is worth a first fround pick. 50-60 point guy young with a 4.5 mill cap hit.
Re JVR
Umm I hate to break it to you Toronto fans but you are comparing apples to oranges once again. JVR a 50-60 point guy? Sure. But he’s also a big minus player or you wouldn’t even be thinking of moving him. He’s still young. But he doesn’t back check. Kane is a two way gritty forward who is young and can score. He’s more of the “full package” guy. So comparing the return for JVR to the return for Kane is just silly. Might JVR get a first rounder at the draft? Sure he may. But forget all the +++. He may get you a decent roster player. But you won’t get the same return Kane got and he was out for the season. Lol
The ammount of people who bring up plus minus on a team like the leafs thos year are amusing, beside this year in which that big gritty 2 way forward (Kane) has played all of less than half a season, his plus minus over his career is worse than JVR, he also has huge attitude issues, less goals less assits and has missed more time to injury, seems like slot more people just show up here to slsg on
Leaf players…Perron got a first, Coburn got a
first, connolly got 2 2nds Yandle who was -32
D man in Arizona this year got DuClaire a firs and a second….ever think that bad teams are
going to have players with a bad plus minus?
Previous to this year JVR has never been
worse than a minus 8, and as much as a plus
15 this year he is minus 32, so this year is the
one that is accurate? Players coaches management all say the same things as analytical guys when it comes to plus minus…its a useless stat over the course of 1 season. JVR would get a first round pick, regardless of what his plus minus is on a team like the Leafs this year is. Again Yandle was -32 ask the Rangers if they care what his plus minus was on the Coyotes.
It’s a waste of time trying to defend a leaf players value. The team is a disaster this year an so there are endless reports of attitude, character, effort, out there. Which on a team like Arizona, would go unnoticed because of lack of exposure. Based on other moves made around the nhl there are conparables to use. It’s just everyone has to take off there leaf hate or leaf lover glasses.
@ Schticky Re: JVR
I don’t dispute JVR can garner a 1st round pick , I just don’t think JVR will get Jersey’s first round pick this year is all.
its a waste of time trying to explain to leaf fans that there players are not gonna get as much as they think! it doesn’t matter how low they go they still think the team has mailed it in and when they trade those players it doesn’t matter that they are part of the team that is bottom 5 in the league
Look at EVERY Arizona player, Ironically at the time of the Yandle trade, John Moore was a +7 and that was the best +/- in that trade (and in Arizona). Since then he is a -8 in 8 games. Is ANYONE going to convince ANYONE John Moore was the best player in that trade because of his +/-?…..+/- does not mean very much when you are on a garbage team. Actually, I don’t think it means much at all.
@jello thank you for proving my point
Omg my bad I actually used the term plus/minus. How stupid of me. Ok let’s just say that JVR. HAS NEVER BEEN and WILL NEVER BE a two way forward. Never will he back check efficiently. He will always need someone on his line to backcheck when a rush goes bad. He’s just not that guy. Never was never will be. Also. I said he would prob get back a num 1 pick OR some roster plays but not both. He’s one dimensional. God forbid I use the term plus minus without someone trying to justify that JVR is something that he’s not. And the reason his career stats are better plus/minus is because in philly he played with players who backcheck (or at least they used to lol philly hasn’t been the best at such things this Yr either lol). Kane value > JVR And im not a buff fan or a peg fan. Fyi
plus minus and analytics don’t mean anything good teams win bad teams lose the only stat that matters is wins losses
JVR has been on the same line for the past few years, besides this year last year he was a -8 Kane was a -7…now how does that translate into 1 backcecks andthe other doesent? JVR put up 60 points, Kane put up 40….not saying JVR is a great defensive forward, but if you want a scoring left winger he is a pretty good option considering he makes abouut a million dollars less than most top line wingers and puts up as ma y points. If you want a 30 point defensive forward to play a top line minutes and powerplay time good luck….they have a name for those guys, its third liners.
patches plays the pk good defensive player puts up as many points as jvr makes the same amount of money is he a third liner??
Seriously jello do you have some kinda mental condition? Why do you feel the need to write jibberish after everything I say. I said guys that put up those kind of points are good top line wingers, do you think anyone would be saying what a great player Pacioretti is if he didnt put up those kind of points? No he would be a thirdline type guy if he put up 30 points…doesnt matter how
good a guys defensive game is of he doesnt
put up points he is not going to play on a top
line. Lots of guys canplay “a 2 way game” the
leagie is full of em, not many put up 50-60
points. You think tthe Habs are trading Patches?
I think you have the mental condition shticky I just proved you wrong with patches comparison yet you come back twisting everything around?? its time to upgrade your doc!!
Calgary moving monohan isn’t going to happen. I can see Eberle shopped. As for JVR-he is over rated, who has proven by quitting on his team that he lacks character. To put him on a re-building team would be toxic.
Eberle is in the top 40 point getters of all the NHL since coming into the league. His season is back on track since Eakins was fired and he’s showing how much of a dynamic playmaker he can be. Great to see him putting up points again. It’d take quite the deal to pry Ebs out of Edmonton in my opinion. The Seabrook/Raanta rumours have not included Eberle so I really doubt he’ll be shopped. But with Mac T’s history of “bold moves” maybe he’ll get traded for Tim Thomas.
With Monahan and Bennett the Flames are set down the middle, for years. Since Bennett has come back to my home town Frontenacs he has been a 1 man wrecking crew, 11 goals and 11 assits 22 points in 11 games, kind of nasty and great defensively, been something to watch.
I’ve hear good things about Bennet since going back, anyone heard anything on reinhart?
I would not add pittsburgh to that list actually. With the likely departures of Christian Ehrhoff and Paul Martin and hopefully the buyout of Rob Suckderi, all replaced from within, will give the Penguins over 10 million in cap space. And with Kapanan and Sundquist both likely making the team( they both almost did this season and are both on ELCs). They should be able to resign Comeau and Downie and even Winik all with raises and still be 10 mill under the cap, which is really nice for a change. Hopefully they use some of that cap space to help a team like Chicago out and take Bickell or Sharp(better option). Maybe they can even get a first round pick from someone for said help as they do not have one this year.
Pens have nearly 60 mill spent on 13 guys for next year…not sure how you figure they are going to have 10 mill in space they have 11 mill to sign 9 players. Even buying out Scuderri it saves just over a mill but gives a 2 mill hit and adds a player to be signed… in other words the Pens would be around 57 mill and 12 guys signed, add your 2 guys on elcs and you are right back to 14 guys signed at nearly 60 mill, 11.5 mill to fill 7 or 8 spots on the roster… Sharp is nearly a 6 mill cap hit. This makes no sense.
Martin-5.5, ehrhoff-5, Scuderi-3.5 out. Replaced by Maatta-1.1, Pouliot-0.9, Dumoulin-1ish(he’s rfa). That’s 14 million out and 3 million in. That’s 11 million less than this year not even including the forwards on ELCs. Not sure what you’re talking about and the cap is going up 2 million. Will have tons of cap space to take sharp if they wanted to.
don’t argue with shticky he is never wrong
Martin is a $5.0 hit against the cap, not $5.5, Ehrhoff is a $4.0 hit not 5.0, Scuderi’s 3.37 won’t completely come off the books….compliance buyouts are gone.
Only a thord of it does, leaves over a 2 mill hit to buy out Scuderri, no matter how you cut the cake there is not enough room to be addiing Sharp amd giving those 3 guys raises from what they make now…thats very close to 10 mill between 4 guys.so close to 70 mill with a 16 man roster.
your wrong shticky
A third of 3.3 is over 2? In what mathematical world? A third is 1.1. They don’t need to add sharp it was a hypothetical. They will be just fine without him. How big of a raise do think they are looking at, I’m thinking 50% tops? That is half a million. Even if I was 1.5 wrong off the top of my head it’s still going to be a decent amount of cap space next year. But everyone loves a know it all, especially a leafs fan in everyone else’s business because the leafs are 5 years away from being 5 years away. Typical, your vast knowledge doesn’t preclude you from kidding yourself likely every year of your life.
i hear ya deeee he feels he has to chime in on stuff he knows nothing about
Scuderis buyout would be
2015-16 1.292
2016-17 1.792
2017-18 0.917
2018-19 0.917
over a million bucks for the first 2 years, since he is over 26 he gets paid 2/3 s of his salary
Flyers knew what they were doing when they dumped jvr. Only mistake was not extracting more than Luke schenn.
Agreed JVR is a one way player. He will get you points but it’s just about a wash for him in plus/minus as he gives up about the same amount of points when he’s on the ice.
jvr is very one dimensional I agree
More plus minus…teams that lose lots of games have bad plus minus, guys who are on the ice alot 8f the time in the final minutes of a game where the team loses lots are going to be a bigger minus…how many of those (-) came when the leafs were down a goal or 2 in the final minutes and the goalie was pulled? Considering they have lost 40 games and are on pace to win less than 30? Mario Lemieux some seasons where he was a minus player.
-35, -6, -18, -2, -25, -6. 6 seasons out of 14 he was a minus player and 1 season where he was even..whats that say about players who are on the ice for asmany points as they get?
Had 100 points and was -35…terrible one way player that Mario was. 123 points finnished -18 was is this guy in the hall of fame? Obviously one demensional.
Re: Beleskey
Lots of danger here. Beleskey is having a career year. Has not had any year even close to the numbers he has this year. That being said I’d like the Ducks to resign him. Got a feeling that Ducks & Beleskey are in the ball park otherwise he would have been moved at the trade deadline. Any team that goes out and gives him Clarkson money and term is asking for trouble. Something like 9 million over three years seems right ( 3 million a year) but no more. As for Palmieri, he is staying unless he is part of a BIG trade to get a scoring left wing to put next to Getzlaf.
Scoring left winger eh?? Hmm I think I know a team that probably has one of those….
I sure you do but I don’t think it happens until after July 1. First Beleskey must leave, then Second Ducks pick thru the UFA’s. 2. If Ducks come up empty on both then I’m betting Murray calls Nonis to check on the weather.
Who cares if a player is one dimensional? If that one dimension is scoring goals, that’s all that matters. There is no perfect player. Some of you are mind boggling dumb.
Go ahead, replace one dimensional Kessel for two dimensional Handzus or Vermette. See how that works out for you.
I have tickets to Arizona and will be there tonight also against Sid. The one thing you can’t say as there is no effort. Arizona work hard they just don’t have any talent unlike the Leafs who have talent but no effort or heart. There shouldn’t even be any chatter on here about Toronto until they matter.
sooo 10yrs?? maybe?
Earlier post the league is full of 2-way players….
How is it the Leafs have so few?
Ask Nonis.