Possible off-season moves for the Kings, Rangers, and Red Wings,.
What next for the Kings?
What does the offseason hold for the Los Angeles Kings?
LOS ANGELES TIMES: Lisa Dillman reports a shaky defense was the undoing of the Los Angeles Kings in the 2016 playoffs. Addressing that problem won’t be easy for GM Dean Lombardi, who has limited salary-cap space for 2016-17. There appears to be mutual a mutual desire between Lombardi and pending UFA left wing Milan Lucic to get a deal done. Find room to re-sign defenseman Luke Schenn (also eligible for UFA status) could be difficult. Re-signing head coach Darryl Sutter is also on Lombardi’s to-do list this summer.
ESPN.COM: Craig Custance lists re-signing Lucic and bolstering the blue line among the off-season keys for the Kings. He also wondered if the Kings could find any takers for winger and captain Dustin Brown if they offered to retain half of his $5.875 million annual cap hit through 2021-22.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman also reports Lucic wants to re-sign with the Kings. He expects the two sides will try to hammer out an agreement but it won’t be easy.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings currently have over $65.9 million invested in 20 players for 2016-17. They’ll get another $2.25 million back when Vincent Lecavalier honors his pledge to retire after this season. Still, with just over $10 million of available cap room, there won’t be enough to re-sign Lucic and bolster the blueline. Assuming Lucic accepts a discount of $6.5 million annually, that leaves just $3.5 million to address the defensive needs. Peddling Brown would help, but I don’t see any takers even by picking up half his salary without adding something else of value (top draft pick or prospect) into the mix.
What next for the Rangers?
ESPN.COM: Craig Custance lists re-signing defenseman Keith Yandle, letting Eric Staal depart via free agency and locking up key RFAs J.T. MIller, Chris Kreider, Dylan McIlrath and Kevin Hayes as his three offseason keys for the New York Rangers
NEW YORK POST: Brett Cyrgalis wonders what the future holds for Rangers veteran defenseman Dan Girardi, who has logged a lot of miles and played through injuries during his tenure with the Blueshirts. With the club dealing with a cap crunch, however, his $5.5 million annual cap hit for the next four season (with a no-movement clause) is a problem. He suggests a buyout if that was the only way out of his contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buying out Girardi would only count as $1.75 million in 2016-17 against their cap. The cap hit rises for 2017-18 to $2.75 million, followed by $3.75 million for each of the next two seasons, after which it drops to $1.25 million annually for the remaining four seasons. They would be better off trying to move him, provide they could get him to agree to waive his NMC. Even then, finding takers won’t be easy. If he can be left unprotected in next June’s expansion draft (depending upon the rules for players carrying NMCs), an expansion club might take him and his full cap hit off their hands.
As for Custance’s list, letting Staal go is a no brainer. Re-signing Yandle, however, could cost over $6.5 million annually. With over $15 million already tied up in Girardi, Marc Staal and Ryan McDonagh, that would be a huge investment in their top-four defenders. It would also bite deeply into their projected $17 million of available cap space, potentially hampering efforts to re-sign their key RFAs.
More on the Red Wings.
THE DETROIT NEWS: Ted Kulfan includes trying to trade the remaining year of Pavel Datsyuk’s contract (if he heads to Russia after this season) among his 10 critical offseason issues for the Red Wings. If the Wings shed Datsyuk’s contract, he thinks they could pursue Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos via free agency, but they could face competition from Toronto, Vancouver, Buffalo and Boston. It’s easy to suggest trading goalie Jimmy Howard, but his $5.3 million annual cap hit through 2018-19 could be difficult to move. Calgary, Buffalo and Toronto could be candidates for Howard. Kulfan also includes forwards Tomas Tatar, Gustav Nyquist and defenseman Brendan Smith as possible trade chips. He also expects the Wings to shop for size up front, noting the Kings’ Milan Lucic, St. Louis’ David Backes and Troy Brouwer and Chicago’s Dale Weise could be available via free agency. Pending free agents Brad Richards and Joakim Andersson won’t be back, Drew Miller could be on his way out and Darren Helm might decide to test the free-agent market.
MLIVE.COM: Datsyuk’s status is an issue. The Wings could be hesitant to invest upwards of $10 million annually into a player like Stamkos when they have more needs and others to sign. More realistic free agent options could include Chicago’s Andrew Ladd and St. Louis’ Troy Brouwer, In need of an elite defenseman, they could pursue someone like Winnipeg’s Jacob Trouba or St. Louis’ Kevin Shattenkirk via trade, though the asking price could be pricey. Tomas Tatar could have more trade value than Gustav Nyquist, while Brendan Smith could be the most likely trade candidate among their defensemen. The Calgary Flames might have interest in goalie Jimmy Howard if the Wings retain part of his salary or take back someone like Dennis Wideman ($5.25 million).
DETROIT FREE PRESS: Helene St. James doesn’t expect the Wings to engage in a roster overhaul but does feel big changes could be in store. She suggests going the trade route, rather than free agency, to add a top-pairing defenseman, suggesting they offer up Jimmy Howard to the Calgary Flames in a package deal might pry away Mark Giordano or Dougie Hamilton. Kevin Shattenkirk is another option, but the Blues asking price included Dylan Larkin, who’s untouchable. It might be worth the cost of parting with a high draft pick or top prospect in a trade of Datsyuk’s contract if it could free up money to improve the roster, especially for someone like Steven Stamkos.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As I suggested yesterday, the Wings might be better off going the trade route to improve rather than blowing their financial brains out via free agency. Howard, Nyquist and Tatar are decent trade chips that might fetch a good return. I don’t see them prying Jacob Trouba away from the Jets. They won’t get Giordano or Hamilton from the Flames. Wideman is a more likely return and he’s not a long-term solution for their defensive needs. Shattenkirk would be a better one, and perhaps the Blues might be more reasonable if Tatar or Nyquist were part of the pitch instead of Larkin. If they’re going to go the UFA route, it would be wiser to use the savings from a hypothetical trade of Datsyuk’s contract to invest in a couple of affordable under-30 free agents.
Eric Staal – 6 points in 25 games for NYR. He will be a mid-August UFA pickup. Maybe.
-7 with 7 SOG against the Pens.
The Staal trade proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’s no longer an elite player. It certainly dispelled the myth that all he needed to regain his mojo was to play for a better club than the one he started this season with.
eric is on his last legs for sure! I think the rangers could be active in the summer trying to unload some guys and get picks and prospects
Trading for him wasn’t even a bad move in retrospect, it was a prayer at the time. Spent force (as a top-six forward, anyway)
This may sound very simple,. But what the Rangers need is a real number one center. Nobody on this roster resembles a number one.
He really wasn’t brought in to be a top 6 forward. He was brought in for a 3rd line center and to put Hayes back at wing. It didn’t work out so well.
You know I didn’t like this deal from the start. I’d seen enough of him in Carolina to know his tank was empty. He’s not even up to the task of being a bottom six forward.
He’ll get signed pretty quickly by a team lookng for depth at center IF he recognizes he is a third line center who maybe steps into top 6 if injuries occur. If he accepts that and a shorter deal maybe 2 years 5 mil or something teams will pick him up. All the “intangibles” etc.
Not unless he swallows his pride and signs for a bargain-basement salary. I don’t see that happening.
I think it does. I doubt even he is unaware of his decline. I think he looks for a contender and signs relatively cheap… chi town lookin at you
The only thing Eric brought to the team was strong faceoff skills. Vigneault should have used him solely in that role & then got him off the ice as quickly as possible. How he finished 6th in TOI/GP at forward & 8th for PP TOI/GP for all players is not positive. His minus 7 is a serious red flag no other player was even close but Vigneault kept putting him out there which was fine but as soon as the pucks dropped get him the hell off the ice.
I’m still amazing, actually flabbergasted that NYR traded two 2nd round picks and a prospect for Staal… yet it was mentioned by Cam Neely himself that they were never offered even two 2nd round picks for Loui Eriksson. AMAZING.
i think neely is lying lol they made a mistake not moving loui and they would have gotten atleast 2 seconds
bigbear,
Absolutely 1000% agree… there is no way that the Bruins weren’t offered at the very least two 2nd round picks. Bruins management were covering and blowing smoke up every fans A** by telling the fanbase that they weren’t offered a 1st or two 2nd round picks. Eriksson was worth every bit of the Andrew Ladd deal… which means there had to have been plenty of teams out there offering at least two 2nd round picks. I wouldn’t taken a grade A prospect and no picks lol
would’ve* damn autocorrect
It was 2-2nds. No prospect went anywhere in that deal.
Arizona might be a fit
I think Gorton will start tearing away the core of this team this summer. I won’t be surprised to see them ship out Staal, Girardi or even McDonagh. And / or possibly Brassard, Stepan, Zuccs or Nash. I think there will be some major changes coming.
what did you think about hank the last couple of games nyr4life? he looked like his head wasn’t in it?
I think he looked absolutely out of it. Not only in the playoffs, but in the end of the regular season as well. He seemed to show his frustration with the lack of defensive effort in front of him on many occasions.
I’m starting to wonder if both ny and Henik are regretting his deal. I wouldn’t be shocked if he asked to be moved in the near future. Not saying that would be an easy task. But I think it’s a possibility the marriage is over.
Moving any of the players… Nash, Girardi, Staal, or even Lundqvuist would require retaining salary or moving futures which rangers dont really have much of. they are in quite a pickle.
After watching some of the insane trades this year, I’m not sure. But I don’t think they’re holding more than 2 per on Nash or Lundqvist. And much less than 2 on Staal. It could still be beneficial to move one or more of them either way.
No one is questioning that moving would be benificial to the rangers… but the move has to benefit the other team. Nash isnt spent buy he isnt worth close to what he makes… girardi is similar to scuderi in stats but more years at 5.5! ouch. Lund would be of interest to a team that wants to contend now with cap space… who is that? Cal? Again… holding 2 mil might not be enough to unload the guy… though he would potentially have the most interest in the market. Maybe in a deal to Dallas for lehtonen or niemi coming back, some salary retained by ny and a good pick or prospect from dallas.
nyr I agree about hank haven’t saw him act like that before! chrisms dallas makes sense for hank could be a good fit
What are they going to have to hold on lundqvist….. 4-5 million? That’s beyond reasonable, find a goaltender of his caliber for 4-5 million in ufa. 2 would be more than enough.
I agree 2 million would be enough to garner a good return for hank
hence the dallas idea. they could hold a couple mil and take back a shorter bad contract to make it work for the other team… financially. in return get a decent return on what could be a declining asset. but if rangers dont take back a bad contract then yes it will take more than 2 mil to have a team interested. if he was only signed for 3 years or less then no… but the back end of that contract looks like (insert famously fat person) mooning the teams looking to trade for the man. ugly is being kind.
That’s crazy talk. You honestly believe a team will expect to pay one of the top goaltenders in the league less than 6.5 per? His deal has 4 years left on it, that’s not a huge jump from the 3 you’re talking about. And unless we are going to judge his entire career on the last few games, there is no reason to think he could not still be elite in 4 years at 37 years old.
crazy talk? If you were a gm would you chance a flyer on a guy who got scorched… and not entirely due to the d in fornt of him as many want to believe, in a playoff series for 4 more years at 8.5 million? thats crazy talk. unless ny really really sweetens the deal with taking a bad contract back (and salary retained depending on the contract) they would have to practically give him away.
Remind me where I said that a gm would take him at 8.5???? He averages 8.5, I’m saying 2.0 is plenty to retain. That 6.5, which I’ve been saying all along. And you honestly believe he fell off a cliff in the last week? That this Is the end of him? That’s more crazy talk. How many goals did Roy allow in his final game in Montreal? I guess that was the end of his career? I’d say the 2 cups he won in Colorado would say different. I think writing any player off because of a bad game or games is a little premature
And I’m not sure what defense you seen in front of him against Pittsburgh. But I think you should watch those last couple of games again, and maybe again after that….
I agree that defense didn’t help at all!! awful
Moving Nash should be Priority number 1, period.. His old buddy Hitchcock in SL should be Gortons first call. If u can get somebody to take Girardi/some of his cap number then the rest will fall into place.. I’m NOT paying Yandle 6 plus to keep turning the puck over in the D Zone, no thanks
I’m not so certain you are going to see wholesale changes. NYR is really a very young team with a few old players. Boyle is gone for sure & will be replaced by Skjei. That brings NYR’s average age down significantly.
Miller, Fast, Lindberg, Kredier, & Hayes are just kids. They will be joined by Hrivik next season. Stepan, Zuccarello & Brassard are in their mid to late 20’s. That’s 9 of your 12 forwards. All well under the age of 26 but Brassard & Zuccarello.
I think NYR will look to try & trade Nash & I don’t see them eating a dime of his salary. They may take a significant contract back or he may simply be left exposed come the expansion draft so NYR can rid themselves of his contract. He’ll only have 1 season remaining should expansion teams start play in the 20171-18 season.
As for the D Yandle’s gone. What happens with Staal & Girardi may also just tie into expansion which I’ll address separately. With Boyle & Yandle gone, Skjei & MciLrath in, moving anyone of Staal, Giradi or McDonaugh seems unlikely this summer. Klein rounds out the top 6.
NYR simply needs to replace 2 forwards & 2 depth Dman. Moore & Stalberg may possibly be retained. Doing much else; bringing in any other players that would need to be protected, is problematic with expansion right around the corner. Factor in you need to expose 25% of your previous seasons cap hit NYR appears set at least post expansion.
Wholesale changes I definitely see coming. I’m not talking about Kreider, Miller, or Fast. Although I think Fast’s ceiling (offensively) is about capped out. But I doubt you’re going to see the same exact team that has fallen short the last fews years intact come the fall. Something has to give. As far as Hayes goes, we’ll see. Not exactly a guy high up on AV’s buddy list.
Sather really painted the team into a corner with his “roster building”, I wonder if he retired because he realized what a mess he had created.
For all the negatives about Sather, he actually did some good as well. They have been solid contenders the last 5 years, they have missed the playoffs once in the cap era. And they only missed that one year because of a game 82 loss. We’re not exactly talking about an Edmonton type failure here.
Sather didn’t do the Rangers any favour by trading away so many first round draft picks – they haven’t had a first round pick since 2012! What a disaster, in terms of building a solid prospect pool. This is a team in gradual decline, as the past three playoff appearances have indicated.
The last 3 playoff appearances? The went to the sc finals and the eastern finals game 7???? That’s a show of decline?
And I’m not saying trading away every 1st rounder is a good idea by any stretch. But then look at Edmonton? What good has stockpiling 1st rounders done for them.
Or handing those 1st rounders 6 million per to sit at the bottom of the standings. In no way shape or for am I claiming Sather has been some sort of genius. God knows Ufa’s signings were not his thing ( Redden, Drury, Gomez etc.) Although the Gomez signing was wiped away by bringing in McDonagh.
But again, playoffs every year, and the guy was a master at keeping cost controlled players cost controlled as long as possible. Outside of McDonagh , they all pretty much went through the same process to get their payday. Past and present players.
It IS a sign of decline when you go to the cup final, then the conference final then to a first-round exist. How else can you look at it?
For the last month we have read about all these non playoff teams dangle this or this forward to secure a good not that old top three defender…
In my opinion, the Kings are probably the team that could secure one because they have really forwards that could GET them one…
Example? Which forwards are you referring to?
LA is in cap hell. Have huge holes to fill especially at D & Lucic is a UFA.
LA’s D this season was brutal & it’s going to get worse, well if it can worse.
The way cap money is currently distributed & with pending contracts coming up LA’s in a serous pickle.
It will be interesting to see what Lombardi does to wiggle out of this jamb if even able.
Sorry I should qualify that. LA’s D is fine & was solid during the regular season if their top 3 are healthy & they were all year right up until the end. Losing Martinez was devastating as it forced Scuderi & Schenn to log minutes in situations they simply aren’t qualified for nor did Doughty play like Doughty.
Quit being a drama queen, the Kings Defense was far from Brutal. And yes it could get a lot worse, it could’ve been the Bruins d core.
I wouldn’t call the team with the 3rd best goals against in the league, being only 3 back of winning the Jennings, brutal.
i thought quick struggled in this series more than the d did? the fact is sj just played better all around
I know its only one game, but, the game Shattenkirk had last night, doesn’t make me a fuzzy and warm to see him in a bruins uniform.
He was aweful. It happens. Even Doughty looks bad some times. Hahahaha
& no I’m not comparing Shattenkirk to Doughty other tham to say it happens to everyone.
I don’t think the bruins should be looking at a shats or yandle type dman both aren’t great in the defensive end!
Goligoski would be my 1st choice but I would take Yandle if the salary & term aren’t excessive; 5 or 6 years at or near 6.5. I don’t see Boston trading for Shattenkirk. You can find a Dman to play solid D minutes much easier than what a Yandle costs to help drive offense & although numerous defensive warts not a total train wreck defensively. Chara, Sedenberg & McQuad can all play defensive minutes & we do have the 2 kids C. Miller, Morrow & possible Trotman although like the other Miller, Kevin, he is a UFA.
Agree Striker Boston has a decent defensive core just need to add a pretty solid guy to help suck up some of Chara’s minutes. Yandle would be OK since he’s from the area but not for the money he’s gonna get. Shattenkirk would cost way too much via trade. I also like Kevin Miller I don’t know why so many people are against him. He’s physical and pretty good defensively and can probably be resigned for decent money. Not sure if he wants to stay though.
I agree Dave. Maybe you let Trotman walk as a UFA, replace him with Goligoski or Yandle & retain K. Miller as well. D looks something like this.
Chara, Krug, Goligoski/Yandle, Sedenberg, McQuad, K. Miller, Morrow & C. Miller.
Expansion & how NMC’s will be addressed make it all very murky but we will know soon enough how the NHL plans to address all.
Dave, i’ll tell you why I don’t like K.Miller. 1. He’s suppose to be tough as nails, I rarely seen it, except the last game against LA in which he was excellent. 2. cannot not make a tape to tape pass 3. Cannot not hit his teammate on the fly with a pass. 4. When going into the offensive zone, always the same play, scoot down the right side, then lose the puck or blindly throw it out front.
i agree caper hes a dime a dozen 3 pairing dman
No way does Buffalo go after Howard. He’s overpriced & an average starter. He excelled in the past with Detroit under a strong defensive team & now his true talents are coming out with their porous D. Buffalo has Lehner, looking to sign Johnson & have a stud in Ullmark who may need another season or two on the farm. Murray isn’t the type who’ll go after the mid 30’s overpriced on a decline free agents. I think he’ll throw all his marbles in trying to get Stamkos. Stamkos should prefer Buffalo over Toronto due to them being on the upswing while Toronto will be at the bottom for a few more years.
Agreed. Lehner is their #1. If he could just stay healthy that would be great. The fact he hasn’t been able to do so yet in his career is a serious concern especially considering the cost paid to acquire him. Although being only 24, 25 in July lots of time for that to correct it’s self but it has to be troublesome to Buffalo & their fans.
Excellent point Striker, most games he has played in a season was in the AHL and that was 40. I also agree Ullmark still needs some time to progress in the Roch. Johnson may be hard to re-sign as he wants to be a starter and with Lehner’s track record for injuries he would probably get a starter’s compliment of games if he stayed put in Buffalo.
If GMTM goes after Stamkos, ROR will probably agree to move to the wing because it seems Stamkos isn’t fond of playing the wing. Personally I hope Buffalo stays out of the Stamkos race…they are better ways they can spend 10-11 mil considering they have some holes to fill on defense. If Mike Hoffman becomes available I try and work a trade with Ottawa.I think Ennis and Girgensens may be moving on this summer along with Pysyk…Murray earns his bones this summer as the playoffs are now a realistic goal.
It’s going to be an incredibly interesting summer for hockey fans. Especially those of us that are incredibly active fans.
We have 1 of the best UFA markets in years if not ever. The slower accelerating cap in the last 2 years has put a ton of teams in cap hell, which teams need to try & resolve. Players contracts that were signed long term in a different cap world just 2 or 3 years ago for many teams have become a serous burden in this cap world & expansion is right around the corner.
I can’t wait to see how this is all going to play out. I think we are going to see significant player movement this summer, more than we have seen for a very long time as teams try to address all these factors. Add in the influx of a bunch more players jumping from the KHL to the NHL & boy are we in for some surprises.
Yep! As a Habs fan, there’s been nothing to be excited about since December. But I am genuinely looking forward to how this off-season plays out!
First I’ve seen of Boston in a Stamkos article.
I really don’t see that happening.
Bruins need defenseman and right wing.
Agree Yandle isn’t the best choice.
Brower would be a good option. Like his game.
I think Bostons best option is to get 2-3 decent veterans on low salaries to mix in with the veterans and young guys. Will be a lot of guys like that available. Like Stepniak,Lyles,Chris Stewart,Eaves,Russell,Luke Sheann guys like that. Although Okposo would be the best RW option.
I would like to see Boston continue the rebuild & developing youth. Chara & Sedenberg will be gone very soon & will need to be replaced.
Sign Vesey, Brouwer, Goligoski & Enroth. Goligoski would be my 1st priority, if he can’t be signed for the right term & $ or simply chooses an alternate team then plan B would be Yandle. I wouldn’t mind Polak either just not sure how you fit him into the existing mix. Good defensive Dman; 4/5 guy, that hits, blocks shots & could help the penalty kill.
If LA is willing to eat half the cap hit for BROWN….does it make sense for BUFF to bring back the hometown kid? For roughly 2.5 even for 5 years I think that is a good deal for Brown….. Thoughts?
It’s not bad. Brown is still a serviceable NHLer, so $2.5M isn’t too bad. Definitely has some leadership for a young squad.
For me the question isn’t whether he’s worth it so much as whether that money could be better spent. (Which might actually be the same question, I guess. lol)
If I were the ‘Yotes new GM I’d offer NY Mike Smith and Vermette for Nash and King Hank =). With the potential to get Matthews….Marketing Hank (not injury prone) and Nash (helps with meeting cap requirement) might work.. Yotes can let many UFA go and bring up the young kids….
Also quiet no media Zona might be best for NASH who seems to really be the same since he came to NY vs CMB
Arizona has no issue’s making the cap. Never have, never will, nor has any other team for that matter since the cap came into existence. All a bunch of BS peddled by people who seem to like regurgitating such BS.
That said they don’t want to spend much above the cap, this team is bleeding red ink, not as bad as it was; 30 million annually, but still very bad; lost 4.5 in 2014-15. Even eliminating Pronger’s cap hit Arizona was comfortably over the cap last season by 4 million. They will be well in excess of that this year with so many UFA’s, & RFA’s to resign or replace. Factor in Strome’s ELC cap hit; possibly Dvorak’s & just not even remotely an issue.
Arizona isn’t taking Nash or Lundqvist.
that trade makes no sense for either team in so many different ways!! lol
Agreed.
Expansion.
The serous wild card in what teams will be doing this summer as all we really know at the moment is that expansion is coming. When? The NHL is being vague but I would be shocked if at least 1 team isn’t added with play starting in 2017-18. I think Quebec will also get a team but I could easily be wrong. I think greed will factor in & the Canadian dollar stabilizing in the 80 cent range. Regardless at least 1 team but potentially 2.
The NHL’s stance on NMC’s currently is that they aren’t in effect for expansion. They will negotiate with the NHLPA to a point but if they can’t get the NHLPA’s consent on this issue with nominal concessions some where else in the CBA they will simply force the issue; as they always do, they take the legal stance, as NMC’s are addressed significantly in the CBA as to what they cover & expansion isn’t listed as being a protectable clause to the player’s NMC rights for expansion. If you wish to read the clauses re NMC’s the CBA is available readily on the NHLPA site.
If this plays out as such regarding NMC’s it makes this summer & the summer of the expansion draft very interesting & significantly alters what teams will or won’t do moving forward over the next 2 summers leading up to the expansion draft.
If players with NMC’s aren’t required to be protected a ton of teams can solve almost all their cap issues in a walk whether we see 1 expansion team or 2.
I’m really curious how expansion changes teams plans, too – especially when things like NMC’s haven’t even been decided.
As for the “greedy” thing, it’s interesting: I was at a conference Brian Burke put on this year and the big question with owners is whether it’s greedier to NOT vote in favour of expansion. You get a big one-time fee, but then need to split revenues with another team for the rest of time.
I agree greed will win out, but that *might* actually mean the league DOESN’T expand.
(However, my guess is that the league does expand by one team only.)
Let me state the obvious…The Wings HAVE to do something here!! Kenny Holland, you have to give your head a good shake and wake up! Just making the playoffs in a boring fashion sucks. Time to switch gears and give the Winged Wheel faithful something to get excited about! Here are some of my ideas…
– Get an answer from Pav ASAP! None of this love affair BS like with Alfredsson. If he doesn’t give a coming/going answer in the next week or two, then start peddling his contract. Use picks to make it happen, if need be.
– Find goals. Not too long ago, I’d scoff at the notion of Stamkos being paid the same amount as Toews, Kane and Kopitar! Now, after THIS season???? Not so much. Worth the $$$$, as long as it’s not more than $10 million. K…that hurt to say, but that’s likely gonna be what it takes for him. We need goals. He can provide.
– Play the friggin’ kids!!!!!!!!! Larkin showed what can happen if given a chance. Give Mantha and AA the same shot! As well as the rest! Did you lose the Griffins phone number??? You don’t have to be 25 – 30 years old to make noise in this league!! Kids are likely getting bummed out getting drafted by The Wings, knowing they’ll have grey in their playoff beards by the time they make the show!!!
– Unless his name is Jagr, quit signing the old folks.
– It’s ALL about the “D”. Sign DDK, buy out Erickson – unless you can trade him to someone looking to make up some cap space. Then see above in regards to Datsyuk contract.
– Sign size that can play. Trade for size that can play. Hear me?? Read me?? SIZE!!! Not SIGHS!!! We need players that are actually difficult to play against! Remember The Bash Brothers? The Hog Line? The Grind Line? Last I saw, toughness was still allowed in this League!
– Try to find Bryan Murray and Scotty Bowman’s number. Ask them how they built a dynasty when they were here. Quit calling Millbury and Feaster.
– Mr. Ilitch, whatever it takes…can you please bring back Jim Nill and our beloved Captain?
Rant Over.
Why would the Sabres help Detroit shed salary if both teams have intentions of going after Stamkos. Only way I do that is if Stamkos tells GMTM he has no intentions of signing with Buffalo and then I take as much as possible from Detroit to take Datsyuk’s contract or Howard in a trade.