Speculation over offseason moves by Canadian NHL teams and the latest on Mike Green.
What moves could Canadian NHL teams make this summer?
Could the Vancouver Canucks pursue Jeff Petry this summer?
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch recently speculated about offseason moves by the Canadian NHL teams. The Montreal Canadiens could attempt to bolster their offense by targeting cap-strapped teams. The Ottawa Senators would like to add a top-six winger plus decide which of their goalies (Craig Anderson, Robin Lehner, Andrew Hammond) stays or goes. The Toronto Maple Leafs need to hire a new GM before they make any significant moves as they need help everywhere. The Winnipeg Jets could shop one of their two first-round picks for a scorer and have a decision to make on UFA winger Drew Stafford. Former San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan seems to be the front-runner as the next coach of the Edmonton Oilers. Garrioch suggests perhaps the best move for the Calgary Flames is not to make any bold moves. The Vancouver Canucks need to upgrade their defense and could perhaps target pending UFA blueliners like Jeff Petry or Mike Green.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s the Victoria Day weekend in Canada, so there’s not a lot of trade and free-agent rumors in the Canadian press. While Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin downplayed the possibility of acquiring a top-line center I expect he’ll be making calls to see if there’s any deals to be had with teams looking to dump salary. No, I don’t believe he’ll pursue a fading Vincent Lecavalier. If the Senators re-sign Hammond, Lehner is likely a goner. I’ll be surprised if the Jets don’t re-sign Stafford, who quickly meshed with his new teammates after joining the club in mid-February. The Canucks don’t have a lot of cap space so I doubt they’ll be chasing Petry or Green this summer. If they pursue a defensemen it’ll likely be via trade for younger, more affordable options.
Who will overpay for Mike Green?
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks wonders who will overpay this summer for Washington Capitals UFA blueliner Mike Green, noting Green is a shell of himself who was a non-factor in the Capitals series against the Rangers. Brooks doesn’t consider the Edmonton Oilers a destination.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s a fair question. Though Green has improved his defensive game, avoided serious injury over the past two years and had a good regular season, he wasn’t among the Capitals top defenders and had a quiet postseason. I doubt he gets any offers at or above the $6 million-plus annually of his current contract. He might get a two- or three-year deal worth around $5 million per. If the Caps want to keep Green, he’ll have to accept a pay cut.
Bruce Garrioch and Mike Green?
Slow newsday indeed, so I’m just going to name some random NHLers I remember of EA Sports 90s fame starting on ‘M’:
Mike Lalor
Mike Krushelnyski
Michael Peca
Mark Fitzpatrick
Mike Eastwood
Marc Bergevin
Matthew Barnaby
Hey but for once I hope Bruce is right with one of his thoughts….the Flames should avoid any “bold” moves….but Burkie is still there so who knows.
Can’t wait for the Nyets to overpay and over term Stafford. Drew plays for the money, as he did the second half of the past season. Has little to do with meshing with his new mates.
Jets sign him to a long term deal and he’s on the 3rd line by next spring. Jest shopping his overpaid contract by the end of next season.
this is way too easy to predict.
Hehe. Watching Joel Ward in the playoffs, I was astonished to see how good he was. He was so freaking good but won’t repeat that performance for however signs him. That guy really plays for the money too. 24goals/49points in regular season + 9points in playoffs. Double his amount on a non-contract year. Some poor GM will saddle his cap with Wards huge cap hit and desperately trying to rid himself of it one year from now (when he finds out Wards projection was too optimistic). Too easy to predict.
I like Joel Ward alot, but yep he is going to be another 5 million dollar plus, 12-15 goal guy on a team looking for grit…sound familiar?
Re: Joel Ward
The thing is, Joel Ward made 3 million and 19 goals and 34 points and a minus four…so, at his current 3 million dollar rate that is fine.
And you get an excellent lunch pail attitude shift after shift and the fact that he is pretty thick and sturdy to bang around makes him attractive.
Brian Bickell makes three and there are some who would argue he is overpaid.
That’s the thing about journeymen guys like this, they are fits UNTIL they are UFAs and then as much as their teams would love to keep them, they have to fit in the long term scheme and have to CONTINUE being succesful or a team is painting themselves into a corner until the Canadien dollar and the Cap expand to make breathing room.
More and more I think you will see teams relying on promotions from within their organization. Look at the Winnipeg Jets promotion of Dave Lowry’s son, Adam, a “centre” who makes $828,333. I honestly am not trying to compare all three players as much as illustrate the paths teams can go. If you aren’t in the top echelon and feel like you are knocking on Lord Stanley’s door, do you go after UFA Ward, resign the “Ward-like vet” you already have abd reward him, or hope that there is a good chance a guy in your system can be that guy…
very accurate assessment, I was saying that yesterday
you could almost build a team of these good 28 year old 3rd liners (ward) because the are getting pushed out of the league due to salary cap, FA status, and raise (as you said).
Unfortunately these are the guys that score in hustle in playoffs and without them you lose! (ward not stafford)
With them you dont make the playoffs; without them you dont win
Joel Ward vs. Drew Stafford-
The difference?
Ward will go to the front of the new and score clutch goals, like game one of the Rangers’ series and game 7 vs the Bruins a few years back. Stafford doesn’t do that – give me a player who will go in the tough areas, any time, any day.
you should look at your history pal. He played well, for what 6 weeks? Let’s talk again after the Jets re-up this guy for years.
I really think after watching the OHL playoffs and the Worlds that Eichle may not have the offensive ceiling of McDavid but boy his all around game is good, wouldnt surprise me if he makes a little bigger impact earlier on in his career. Sabres have a treat there, the kid is amazing. What a draft class.
Yeah, Eichel looks very promising. He should be among the very best american centers in just a couple of years, rivaling Stastny, Backes, Kesler, Pavelski.
So strange by Murray to pout over no2 draft slot at the draft when the optics of it was 80% Eichel anyway.
I wonder if Murray’s bad mood at draft day was due to the increased chances Buffalo had for the last lottery ball? Buffalo had a 3/11 chance of winning (27%) but still came up short.
I hope Murray has mend some amends with the Eichel camp since because that guy will be important to them.
I really think the level of talent in the players around them may be stretching some opinions, with all things being equal Im not sure there is any huge disparity between the 2.
mcdavid is the true generational talent in this draft murray knew that hence the pouting! eichel will be good but not near what mcdavid will be
Eichel in the #1 spot, Reinhart in #2 and Girgensons in #3 – all young. I don’t think too many teams would be too upset to have Buffalo’s problem.
Yeah. I notice drafting really high for a number of years will get you no1 type centers. If drafting outside of top 5, there will still be nice D, LW, RW and goalies left…but not projected no1 center prospects.
At 5th or below, draft nothing but dmen and goalies, then trade excess for offense. Fill holes after that
#30 pick will get you #1 Goalie
I don’t think people are oil haters. I think Oiler fans think McDavid is going to cure EVERYTHING! He can play d, goaltender, center, left wing, right wing on all 4 forward lines,and all 3 d lines every game! I think some people here are total star lovers. And that is strange in today’s nhl. Zero players in the top 10 scoring are still in the playoffs. 17 out of the top 20 either didn’t make it or are out in the finals round.This isn’t exactly a one year thing, It has been going on a while. You need 4 lines, solid D, and a goaltender that at least gives you a chance to win.
Huh? No in English?
Strangely enough watching Connor McDavid’s Erie Otter get knocked out in the OHL finals and in particular being shut down by a third round pick Cole Cassels …make you wonder how he’ll fair against NHL level players ? I was surprised. Eichel is playing against men in the World Championships and is looking very mature
McDavid was not shut down. His team was beat by a better team.
OK so McDavid wasn’t shut down, he just didn’t come through 🙂
kessel for oreilly
and case of finest irish whiskey
That trade isn’t as far fetched as it appears at first blush.
That would be great for both teams.
why on earth would the avs want kessel? so many reasons why that makes no sense! so your a team that struggles at defence but you trade a good two way center for guy that makes 8 million and only thinks of offense? jeezus
Jello, your just jealous I thought of it first.
You want defense; I got defense
Here take Phaneuf for free
Hope your happy now