Latest on Milan Lucic, Mike Richards and Antti Niemi, plus updates on the Colorado Avalanche.
Milan Lucic on the trade block?
Could the Bruins shop Milan Lucic this summer?
THE BOSTON GLOBE: Fluto Shinzawa reports the Bruins biggest decision this offseason is whether to trade left wing Milan Lucic, who is coming off a disappointing 44-point season. Lucic, 26, has a year remaining on his contract at a cap hit of $6 million plus a no-trade clause. He’s eligible for UFA status in July 2016. Center David Krejci’s injury-shortened season may have contributed to Lucic’s decline this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Lucic is willing to accept a pay cut on his next contract to remain a Bruin, they’ll keep him. If not, they’ll have to shop him this summer or risk his contract status becoming an unnecessary distraction through next season.
Latest on the Avalanche.
THE DENVER POST: Terry Frei reports Colorado Avalanche forward Ryan O’Reilly’s contract status will be a priority for GM Joe Sakic, who hopes to re-sign O’Reilly before the start of next season. The 2014 Lady Byng Trophy winner has a year remaining on his contract at an annual cap hit of $6 million and is eligible for UFA status next July. Mike Chambers reports better puck-moving defensemen are also on the Avs’ wish list this summer, though they currently have six blueliners under contract for 2015-16. That need could be addressed via their farm team as well as free agency.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If O’Reilly is willing to accept a modest raise on a long-term deal, the Avs will likely re-sign him. If he seeks $7 million or more, I don’t think Sakic can justify that expenditure. As for their defense, they’ll likely seek affordable short-term options via free agency in hopes their current blueliners under contract for next season can improve.
Buyout an option for Mike Richards?
NBC SPORTS: Ryan Dadoun reports the possibility of the LA Kings trading center Mike Richards cannot be ruled out, though it will be difficult finding teams willing to take on his lengthy and expensive contract. Kings GM Dean Lombardi admits a contract buyout is also a possibility.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t believe the Kings really have any other choice. Richards is no longer worth his contract and I doubt they’ll find any takers via the trade market because the deal has five more season left at an annual cap hit of $5.75 million. They cannot go through another season of uncertainty over Richards’ future.
What next for Antti Niemi?
CSNBAYAREA.COM: Kevin Kurz recently reported San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi was mum on his future. Niemi is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I believe the Sharks will turn the page. Niemi will hit the UFA market and the Sharks will consider other goaltending options.
Niemi will have a new deal with a new team on July 1. I don’t see the Bruins trading Lucic, they don’t have anyone to replace him in their lineup – why trade a player whose trade value is the lowest it has been in years? Krejci’s injuries definately played a role in his point reduction this season. I think they will be back together again next year and Lucic will have a new deal this summer.
I think Lucic staying all depends on Chiarelli and Julien staying, if they fire both then there might be an expected shakeup or mini rebuild. The bruins looked flat down the stretch, certainly age is caught up with their core this year.
Bigger problems in Boston are related to Chara’s age and Siedenberg’s injuries. Boston has to decide what to do with Malcolm Subban; their improvement may be directly related to his trade value.
the entire Bruins team stumbled this year , Hamilton, Krug, Pastrnak and Spooner performed up to or exceeded expectations , everyone else did not make the grade. Some faltered due to injury, some due to age, some I can’t explain. Priorities should be to resign the young RFAs. It would take a great offer but I think the Bs could entertain moving Rask or Krejci if the offer was substanital. Lucic is the Bruins prototype, he had an off year but I like others think that was partly due to Krejci being hurt, he also missed Iggy on the wing. Can’t see him moved unless it is a substantial offer from Western conference team. Players like Lucic are hard to come by.
Should the Broones ship Savard + a pick to some team to get him off the books? Teams like Buffalo and Arizona won’t be ready to compete next year, so they have alittle time to carry dead money until they have to start ponying up to pay their talent.
Because they are so tight against the cap they may need to give that a go. Until the Clarkson Horton deal I honestly had never given any thought to trading LTIR players.
What would the Bruins do if they traded Rask? Subban can’t stop a beach ball. If the Bruins could somehow sign the kid playing in BU than maybe.
If Eddy Lack shows well in the play-offs it might just be enough for them to send Miller to SJ. Variety of reasons but Miller wants to be as close to Hollywood as possible for his wifes acting career …and Vcr like other is getting close to Cap problems
I believe the best option for LA is to assign Richards to the AHL. That would mean no cap hit. Yeah, tough thing to do but Richards will still get paid millions.
No, by sending Richards to the AHL the Kings only save $925,000 of his $5,750,000 cap hit. Personally, I think Richards will be bought out as it is the safest solution long term for the Kings cause if they trade him, which is still possible if Clarkson was trade able, they have to worry about the recapture rule if he retires early.
Exact situation the Sabres had with Ehrhoff which ended up the Sabres buying him out
I think the Richards to Toronto rumuors will ramp up again. LA probably has another 2 years to be a cup contender, but they need to get rid of his contract. With Robin Regehr announcing his retirement, and the possibility that Slava Voynov does not return to the team, LA could take on Phaneufs contract if Richards went the other way. Other pieces / picks would have to be involved, but I think it is a strong possibility. The Leafs could also buy out the balance of Richards contract if and when they wanted to.
Why would the Leafs want to put themselves back in that situation again with a toxic contract especially since there is 5 yrs left on it? If it was a year or two fine but not 5. If Toronto really wants him they should be patient and let LA make that move to buy him out and then sign him to a more reasonable contract.
I truly believe the balance of Richards contract is worse than Clarksons. Some fans see the 2010 version of Richards. He has to be bot out. He is now a role player who should be making $1.5 Million on a short term contract. No way the leafs need to take his contract back in order to trade Phanuef.
It is literally impossible to take you seriously when you start your comment with “I truly believe the balance of Richards contract is worse than Clarkson’s”. I can guarantee you that the Kings won’t have to take back a ridiculous contract like Horton’s to get rid of Richards. Kings can buy out Richards contract but the way Nonis had structured Clarkson’s, he was virtually impossible to buy out. So no, Clarkson’s contract is much, much worse than Richards.
Not sure what it matters whos worse, it is like chosing between drowning and burning really but I will say someone was willing to pick up Clarksons contract no matter for what, and as of yet the same cant be said of Richards, perhaps some view the recapture penalty and his age as more of a detriment than the buy out proofness of Clarksons? Again not that it really matters both are bad contracts.
And the same can’t be said for Phaneuf too, so whats your point?
I knew it was just a matter of time that schticky came riding in on his white horse to save the honour of his precious Leafs. I love how the Leafs are literally one of the worst franchises in sports and this year has been rock bottom, but yet their players can do no wrong.
Thats not what I am saying at all King and I think we both know that, they are both bad contracts, whats the point in a pissing contest? The Leafs were lucky enough to dump Clarksons, as 8f yet the Kings havent been able to move Richards, thats all. How long have we been comming here now? I ag4ee the Leafs are terrible have been for sometime and have said it repeatedly…not sure how that equals they can do no wrong?
And elsewhere in this thread I likened Hammond’s situation to those of Bower and Thomas ONLY in reference to their advanced ages when they entered the NHL, yet you chose to call me a hypocrite for suggesting his talent equaled both when in fact I said no such thing. Talk about pissing contents. Maybe now you can see my frustration with your constant twisting of things actually said to suit your sanctimonious retorts.
And isn’t it funny how YOU can say “the Leafs are terrible have been for sometime ..” but if anyone else says the same thing in questioning proposed trades involving Leafs players they are “haters” or “trolls.”
Saying that they are both bad contracts is very accurate.
@ Canadian King-my point is when taking out the buyouts or recapture penalties-who would you want in the line up for the next 5 years @ $5.5M per year. I would take Clarkson.
Are you and Schticky on crack? Leafs had to take on Hortons contract to get rid of Clarkson. If the Leafs weren’t such a joke, the Horton contract would be a HUGE burden moving forward for cap reasons at the start of each year. If the Kings were willing to do something similar or even half as dumb, then Richards would be easily movable too.
@ Canadian King Thanks for educating me on NHL contracts. I appreciate your professional and constructive comments
Wondering (not arguing iit could be) but how would the Horton contract be a huge burden? Aside from the fact it adds a contract to the limit, it either goes on LTIR in which case it doesnt counttowards the cap simmilar to Pronger Savard Ohlund….or it doesnt go on LTIR and they are under the cap anyway. Either way not as much of a burden as being capped out with 4 mill in dead space with a 5 million dollar player in the ahl…that to me seems like more of a burden
If Richards get bought out he may get another chance in the nhl. He can be a serviceable player just not making that amount. Now that la has missed the playoffs I doubt they will be adding a pick to a team willing to take that contract. Teams should let them buy him out and be handcuffed with the penalty.
As for lucic, unless they get defence then I wouldn’t trade him. I would be happy seeing them move chars and ds this summer and rebuilding their defence and offencive prospect pool. I don’t hold a lot of hope for subban becoming an nhl goalie for some reason, I respect that I don’t have a lot of reasons for this, just his history. Hey have a good core in place offensively but they need to rebuild their defensive pool.
I believe trading Krejci is a better option than Lucic. We are deeper at center than LW and the CAP savings would be bigger. Maybe to the AVs for their 1st this year plus, thus freeing them up to trading O’Reilly.
Why would the Avs trade for Krejci? They have O’Reilly, Duchene and McKinnon at center. No need for Krejci! The Avs need at least one top-4 d-man!
“Rumor” has it 2 ways, one they want to keep O’reilly, the other they won’t be able to resign him and want to trade him. Time will tell which way it goes.
Maybe (hopefully) Murray can interest whoever is running the Sharks this summer in Craig Anderson. Next year his 3-year deal kicks in at $4,200,000 cap hit per year and compared to Niemi’s current $3,800,000 deal the difference isn’t all that onerous to take on, and it only lasts until 2017-18. Murray shouldn’t expect a whole lot in return since he needs to clear the decks to begin signing those RFAs like Stone, Hoffman, Zibanejad, Pageau and Chiasson (if he doesn’t include the latter in some other kind of deal). Then there’s UFAs Hammond and Condra.
Just curious, but if you were going to deal a goalie just to clear some cap space, wouldnt it maybe be woser to dump Lehner on someone providing you could maybe fi d a partner who is interested in his potential, say Dallas where he could be kind of mentored and split time? Alls I am getting at as great as Hammond has been would you really feel good about putting all youre eggs in that basket for a full season already? Anderson is fairly cheap short term, seems like a great insurance policy.
Lehner STILL hasn’t recovered from that concussion so there’s very little chance any team would take a chance on a guy who won’t show if he’s fully recovered until at least training camp. And yes, just as the Leafs found an “old”goalie way back in Johnny Bower who went on to have a pretty good career and as the Bruins did with Thomas a few years back, I’m comfortable with going with Hammond. His record of 20-1-2 with 3 SOs in the heat of a playoff race where every game was do-or-die tells me he’s no flash in the pan. As for a back-up if Lehner shows he’s not recovered, they are a dime a dozen. As for Anderson, I think he’d be attractive to a team seeking a goalie with considerable NHL experience (408 gp and carrer averages of .913 save % and 2:72 ga average.
Hammond still could be a flash in the pan! look at jim carey won the vezina than done in the nhl
And just like that .. Shticky and Jello shared the same opinion .. Thats how you know your wrong George either that or its really cold in hell right now
The Bruins had a goalie like Hammond back in the 70s he was done in 3 years
The Bruins also had a goalie named Thomas who did all right – what part of Hammond’s game do you think likens him to the goalie you mention? Or the one mentioned by jello? The alternative is not to re-sign him, watch him go somewhere else, and continue his excellence. Like Dubnyk.
And the also had a goalie named Andrew Raycroft who won the Calder he had a great first season…then what?, Jim Carrey John Casey, Cristobal Huet Nathan Gerber Patrick Lalime Micheal Leghton….lots of goalies look great for the first season…not saying Hammond is going to be like that he may turn out to be great, but for every Johnny Bower there is a pile of others that didnt work out, I wouldnt be dealing Anderson quite yet.
Leaf fans are the only fan base with grand expectations? Not even 40 starts and he is like Thomas and Johny Bower ahhh the hypocrisy.
I seem to recall quite a few Leafs fans with great expectations for a guy named Bernier who, when they got him, had played all of 54 games in the NHL over the course of 5 seasons. Is he not the # 1 goalie there now?
As for “expectations” don’t look now but the Sens finished with 99 points, 1 back of Detroit and just 14 back of the Rangers. The Leafs, on the other hand, missed the last wild-card spot by 30 points, have just had their GM, coaching staff and a slew of scouts canned.
So, yes, I suppose any “expectations” Sens fans have for the players that helped get them where they are since mid-February are a bit elevated over a collection who won 9 of 42 in that same stretch, one on the road, and who, in the words of the man in charge,”give half efforts.”
Honestly not sure why people keep pointing out the Leafs when it comes to vaidating their point of veiw like that means something…yes the Leafs thought Bernier was the guy after 54 games….look what that got them, now how does that help the point that the Sens should trade Anderson?..wouldnt that be another example of why trading Anderson might not be wise?
Do you even keep t rack of your own blathering? I mentioned the Leafs because you said above “Leaf fans are the only fan base with grand expectations? Not even 40 starts and he is like Thomas and Johny Bower ahhh the hypocrisy.”
Take a break and revisit the comments. The ONLY comparison made to Bower and Thomas was in reference to their ages when they finally made it in the NHL. That’s ALL I said. Jaysus, you are something else.
George,
Guys like Lalime also come to mind.
I want Hammond to work out and feel like he is going to winthe Senators the first round of the playoffs.
Do you feel that it is truly necessary to move Anderson?
Is it more for the Sens internal budget or do you believe that they could get a piece that would help them next season?
Do you expect a coming down to earth like the avalanche next year or do you think that this is the beginning of a stretch of competitive teams over the next couple of seasons for Ottawa?
Here is hoping for an Ottawa Calgary final!
Ottawa has $58,370,000 cap $ committed next year for 18 players (new deals signed by Ryan, MacArthur and Anderson kick in next season). That includes Legwand ($3 mil), Greening ($2,650,000), Smith ($1,887,000) and Phillips ($2,500,000). They need to re-sign RFAs Zibanejad, Chiasson, Hoffman, Pageau, Stone and UFAs Condra and Hammond who now account for a cumulative cap hit of $5,083,884 and if that was left alone their total cap hit would be $63,453,834.
But of course it won’t stay at those levels (Stone alone now gets $603,000 as a cap hit – what do you think it’s going to be when he signs?). Unless they trade some of those guys like Legwand, Greening, Phillips, and Smith they are going to be uncomfortable close to the cap – especially if it stays at $69! Anderson’s deal of just over $4 mil is probably the easiest of all to deal from among those they can afford to trade away (I am convinced Hammond is the real deal – but like everyone else in here that’s just my OPINION). They can pretty much forget about trading Phillips and Legwand and Greening. Who would want them?
Thanks George
I think Lucic is more likely to go if Julien & Chiarelli stay. I think a new coach would be hired with one of the chief intents of getting more out of Lucic.
If Julien stays, that might point more to problems with Lucic (disinterest has to be a concern) and ups the odds Lucic goes.
[Personally, I think he stays either way. But would definitely stay if there’s a new coach]
A big problem for Lucic is that everyone expects him to be a banger every night. He’s a big guy in a Bruins’ uniform, the expectation is that he needs to knocking opposing defenseman thru the boards every shift. Is he a scorer or he’s a banger, which one? I am not a Bruins’ fan, so I don’t like the guy – but if Boston wants to trade him I would take Lucic on my team anytime.
I kinda agree teams need guys like Lucic for sure Id take a guy like that on my team, would I take him for over 6 mill? Ehhh not so sure about that. Could be just an off year but thinking back to last year didnt he get off to a really slow start as well? I really like the guy when he is on his game but after 2 years of consistency issues, it may give me some cause for pause going forward and his next contract.
I don’t know why on Sportsnet they were saying it’s not critical to have a GM in place by the draft since Hunter is going to be there and the draft is his to run, which is fine, but, isn’t the draft the place where some serious high end trading will take place to build the future, I would think it is very critical to have a GM in place by the draft.
Doug Wilson has flat out destroyed the Sharks! He should be gone now! He should’ve been gone like 3 years ago. Definitely after what happened against LA last year. Promise all kinds of changes & nothing. If anything the team was worse. He should be coaching a pee wee baseball team.