Possible free agent targets for the Stars and Canucks, plus the latest Oilers trade speculation.
Free-agent targets for the Stars.
Should the Dallas Stars pursue Milan Lucic via free agency?
DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Listed Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, Boston Bruins right wing Loui Eriksson, New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo, New York Rangers defenseman Keith Yandle and goaltenders James Reimer of the San Jose Sharks and Cam Ward of the Carolina Hurricanes as possible free-agent targets for Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill.
Mike Heika, responding to a reader’s question about the Stars perhaps pursuing Los Angeles Kings left wing Milan Lucic, believes signing him would leave the Stars top heavy in money invested in their forwards.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Heika’s comment about Lucic can apply for those proposed UFA targets of Stamkos, Eriksson and Okposo. Not saying they shouldn’t look at adding another scoring forward, but they’ll have to consider more affordable options. Besides, I think their biggest need is to upgrade their goaltending and improve the blueline. Adding Yandle is an expensive replacement for Alex Goligoski so I don’t see that move happening. Reimer could be a great fit but they first have to shed Kari Lehtonen or Antti Niemi. Given their contracts, that won’t be easy.
Latest Oilers speculation.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: If the Edmonton Oilers are to trade defenseman Mark Fayne, Jonathan Willis wonders if the Toronto Maple Leafs might be interested. He suggests Fayne’s advanced stats could interest the Leafs’ analytics department and points out Fayne skated for the Devils when Lou Lamoriello (now the Leafs general manager) was their GM. Willis also points out the Leafs lack depth in right-shooting defensemen.
Willis also recently offered up reasons why it seems more likely than not the Oilers trade the fourth-overall selection in the 2016 NHL draft. He noted Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli has made it clear he’s willing to move that pick for a return that helps his club.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Leafs management believe Fayne’s performance can improve under head coach Mike Babcock, I suppose it’s a possibility they could look at him. A major sticking point, however, is his $3.625-million annual cap through through 2017-18. Depending on the Leafs plans for the UFA market (and how much cap room they can free up), they might not be keen to take on that much salary without the Oilers taking some back or absorbing part of Fayne’s cap hit.
Why the Canucks should pursue Brouwer.
THE PROVINCE: Jeff Paterson makes the case for the Vancouver Canucks to pursue St. Louis Blues right wing Troy Brouwer via free agency. He cites Brouwer’s wealth of playoff experience, his right-handed shot, size, versatility, durability, work ethic and leadership among the positive assets he’d bring to the Canucks. With Brouwer completing a three-year, $11-million contract, Paterson believes the 30-year-old will command a slight raise on the open market, which he thinks the Canucks can afford on a three- or four-year deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I concur. Brouwer might get as much as $4.5 million annually on a three- or four-year contract on the open market, but that’s still much more affordable than what Loui Eriksson might cost the Canucks if the rumors of their interest in the Bruins winger are serious. Of course, there’s no guarantee Brouwer would be interested in joining the Canucks, but it’s certainly worth exploring that possibility
Wow I had no clue Fayne was making that much… Who signed him to that?
It was signed pre-McDavid. There’s some cold tax on that dollar amount for sure.
For the Dallas Stars I don’t see the team going after any of those big named unrestricted free agents… at least out of the main group of forwards. This team needs big upgrades in goaltending and then on the blueline.. in that order. Adjusting anything with the forwards should be the very last priority for the Stars this offseason IMO. The team ranked 1st in the league for goals for, but ranked 11th in GA (228)… the team doesn’t struggle with scoring or offense, it’s with keeping the puck out of the net. Tough to win those 3-1, 2-1 type games when you’re constantly relying on your high-powered offense to put a lot of goals because you can’t keep the puck out. The Stars also have only a few forwards who require being resigned, Nichushkin (RFA) might be one of the biggest… the others they can certainly workout or can be replaced. The others are really 4th liners anyways… I see this Dallas forwards group staying very much the same as ’15-16 season… they certainly didn’t struggle putting up goals!
Vancouver Canucks will likely pursue Troy Brouwer… but be prepared because a number of teams this offseason will likely call him and offer contracts. I agree that Brouwer most certainly will be a more affordable option than Eriksson… don’t be surprised if the Bruins get in on those sweepstakes. Or just add any team to the list of suitors who’ve also heard in the rumors surrounding Eriksson. Any of those free agent wingers will have a number of different teams going after them in the offseason… almost certainly will drive the prices up.
I think it would be a mistake for the bruins to add FAs at this point they should be looking at getting rid of some of the guys that aren’t living up to the contract and start getting younger. 2 yrs of not making the playoffs with no major injuries in the weak east time for moving out some contracts
I agree the Bruins need to get younger, although one could argue they did play with some bigger injuries this year. One that jumps out is Krejci playing on one hip for the majority if not whole of the season
bigbear,
well I think it’s inevitable that they’ll sign at least one free agent, if not a few. I do agree with you though that they should move out some contracts… first on my list would be Seidenberg… and If I were a betting man I’d bet the Bruins management are feeling the same thing. He’s probably high up on the list of contracts they’d like gone. Hopefully they can get it done.
With you on that bigbear. Unfortunately the Bruins show all the signs of doing the opposite. The fact that they traded away prospects at the deadline and are trying to resign Louie tells you that they want to try and win now. I get that they have some good players to work around in Bergeron, Rask, Krecji Marchand, etc. but they are not a true contender. Adding a Yandle and a decent right wing will get them exactly where they were last year; a bubble team.
Their forward group is solid and good enough to contend. The blueline is brutal with the exception of a declining Chara and an upcoming Krug. Chara was a true number 1 but isn’t any more. Krug is a good player but not a top pairing guy. Adding a Yandle or Shattenkirk will help but it will not make them a contender.
Can they make the playoffs next year with one of those guys? Maybe if they stay 100% healthy, but not a real contender.
The Jacobs want to make the playoffs and make money. The Vets like Bergeron want to try and win now (of course). Sweeney will be a good soldier and do his job and the Bruins will be a bubble team whose window to actually win passed. The option to reload on the fly passed when Seguin and Hamilton left for not enough in return.
As a Bruins fan I hope I am wrong.
Boston dressed 1/2 a roster of kids in key roles last season. I have listed the 10 repeatedly. They are young & need time to develop.
1 more will be added next aseason. Vesey. Let the rest continue to develop.
If eriksson isn’t resigned he will bwe replaced in some way. Add a #2 Dman. Last summer saw a serious change of direction to youth now let them advance & address the 2 needs. Eriksson & the #2 d spot.
Striker, agree that is exactly what they will do and that is what they did last year. I like the fact they played their young guys.
I don’t think it is the correct thing to do to spend big $ or trade valuable young assets and or picks for the now. They will continue to be a bubble team. They will only get a top tier blue line through the draft. If Sweeney can pull it off, it will be impressive. Yandle or Shattenkirk won’t be enough.
If Sweeney signs Yandle or trades for Shattenkirk, do you think they will contend next year or the year after that?
I think they are a band aid on a serious wound.
That is my frustration.
As long as Sweeney doesn’t go out this offseason and overpay big time on a free agent and that includes this Eriksson situation and basically ruin what they worked hard for last offseason (cap space) I’ll be content with the offseason lol. I think just winning the Vesey sweeps would be considered a win for Sweeney and Neely.
Also, would love for the Bruins to not get heavily involved with Sami Vatanen and what will most certainly be an overpayment of sorts for his services. Anaheim is almost definitely going to come out the winner in any trade involving Vatanen. I’d caution the Bruins to stay far away.
I’d also very much like to see the Bruins make a decision between Hayes and Connolly. I know both players aren’t the same type and play different styles but when I see both play I see repetition/complacency in what both brings to the team. They fail to show up many nights, I’ve yet to see either be any type of impact player… giving either time in the top 6 is asking for your team to fail, and what they bring even to the 3rd line isn’t enough IMO. Keep one, lose the other/trade, whatever but I’d much rather see a younger Bruins prospect come up. Even when Claude sat them both down (different times) throughout the season I still didn’t see any edge the first game they came back… like it obviously didn’t do anything having them watch from the 9th floor. I think they’re very much average players… nothing more.
Would love to see Vesey in Boston. Young talented guy with his best years in front of him.
Continue to give the young guys playing time, including Colin Miller full time, Vatrano full time, Griffith full time, Morrow full time and in an expanded role. Koko? Let him play and find out for sure he can or can’t be an effective NHL’er or not and accept the losses that will come from playing the youth.
Do not sell any of the 6 players drafted last year in the top 2 rounds, keep both first rounders and their 2nd this year.
Start the rebuild now, not 2 years later than they should have, and like every team does.
Trade the vets that don’t want to be part of it. I hope both Chara and Bergeron would want to stick around and retire Bruins as they can help the young guys and have earned it. If they don’t, respect their decision and move them where they have a chance of success now and will accept moving to.
some of these bruins comments, make me scratch my head! need to get younger? trade away the old guys, get, keep some for experience, trade Hayes, trade Connolly, trade Seids. Yikes gloom and doom. As striker has pointed out lots of youth on this team. I’m not giving up on Hayes or Connolly and the bruins certainly were not doom with Connolly playing with Patrice and Brad. Unfortunately his goal scoring wasn’t there. The offense isn’t the problem and the goaltender shouldn’t be the problem but the defense is. Now will we see a progression in C.Miller and J.Morrow i hope so, but i’ll have to wait and see. Seidenburg and Chara both need to play less and Chara focus should now be in the back end, doing a shut down role. Boston needs a stud on d and they don’t come cheap if at all. Last season i was hoping for Seabrook and Byfuglien to end up in Boston via ufa’s this summer but they both signed with their respective team. Now if i could get Boston to trade Krug to Winnipeg for Trouba and then sign Yandle via free agency then this team would start looking better.
Caper,
Hayes, Connolly, and Seidenberg were more of the problem not the solution in Boston. Barely contributors on any given night… Certainly not when the Bruins need an impact the most. I think there’s other options between Hayes and Connolly that can come in… Keep 1 of the 2… Seidenberg I feel should give a slot up to a younger defenseman.
Thanks Caper, that is my point.
“Boston needs a stud on d and they don’t come cheap if at all. Last season i was hoping for Seabrook and Byfuglien to end up in Boston via ufa’s this summer but they both signed with their respective team.”
It never happens and they always sign with their respective teams.
They actually need 2 D. One stud and another really good one, as all true contenders have.
If Sweeney pulls that off, I will eat my words.
Ray Bark.
Koko has signed to play in the KHL
I don’t want Boston to do anything but sign Vesey, a #2 UFA Dman; Yandle or Goligoski & if Eriksson can’t be retained a player like Brouwer to replace him.
Keep everyone else until expansion eliminates at least 1 if not 2 players.
Boston is a playoff team next season. All that youth will be better & help is coming in Yandle & Vesey.
Vatrano, Griffith are still waiver exempt so baring trades only play in the NHL when injuries hit. C. Miller needs to clear waivers so he will be with Boston full time next season although not necessarily as a regular. He may rotate in & out with Morrow if a solid top 4 is added.
For the most part what you see in Boston is what you get next year.
I think Brower will want to go to a contending team, one that will get to playoffs. That’s where he does some of his bet work.
Makes sense.
Brower exceeding expectations will have bidding war on his services
I’d think Vcr would be best served if they thought Jamie McGinn rather than Brouwer. Stats basically the same ( although JM scored 4 more goals), size the same, and McGinn plays the left side where there’s a problem on the roster. Brouwer is a local guy while McGinn is not
McGinn had a nice comeback year this year –
Fayne to the Leafs? Not unless the Oilers withhold dome of that cap hit. In a recent article Jonathan Willis of the Edmonton Journal wrote: “He lacks any offensive dimension on a team filled to the brim with low-scoring defenders. He’s not a crash-and-bang defender and has thus been given the dreaded “soft” label by some fans of the team. For those with this viewpoint, he’s a soft, slow, non-scoring defenceman on an ugly $3.625 million contract which runs for two more seasons. It’s not an appealing picture.”
The article did go on to point out that he did fairly well statistically (CORSI) while playing “tough minutes” against the opposition’s best – but that’s still a helluva cap hit for a below-average defender even for a team with plenty of cap space.
George O.
I’m not a big fan of all these advanced statistics that people track or use to show how a player that on the surface everyone visually sees isn’t GOOD, but yet somehow these advanced statistics prove the opposite or something… just give me the plain straightforward facts about the player. It’s almost like I’m being sold on a used car that deep down inside I know isn’t good but the salesman is talking it up like it’s a ferrari.
LOL. Good analogy.
George this isn’t directed at you just an appropriate spot to yet again raise the expansion issue. Teams need to retain some players making salary to expose in expansion. Everyone has to expose 25% of what the spend in salary the season prior to the expansion draft. Fayne fits this bill perfectly in Edmonton.
Having reveiwed all 30 teams situations with expansion looming these new dynamics in this round of expansion make it very interesting.
Several teams are going to need to bring on salry solely for the purposes of meeting this requirement. Edmonton isn’t 1 of them, just the opposite in fact.
Both the article and me were referring to this coming season re Fayne. For sure he’d be the type left open for the expansion draft, but that won’t happen until next year at which point he’ll only have 1 year left on that hefty contract. Which he’ll never see again after 2017-18.
My argument is simply Edmonton needs his salary to expose come expansion. He & Pouliot are a huge part of the 18 mil Edm will have to expose.
Fayne is ice cold on the trade front.
Brouwer to the Canucks would be interesting. Even at 4.5 per, I think that would still be acceptable compared to 6 per on Eriksson or *gulp* 7 or more per season for Lucic. But I get the feeling the Blues will resign him.
IF DAL needs a to work on their blue line do they offer up Niemi to CGY for Wideman? A temp fix for both teams…short 2 yr No lose for either club but does address both teams temp needs and provides a new look.
thoughts?
Would be a good trade for Dallas. Not sure if Calgary would want any part of Niemi tho. Maybe if they cant land Reimer or Andersen
Dallas has 17 mil in cap space; 15 players signed, if the cap comes in at 74 mil. They need to sign 8 players, 2 of which need to be top 3 Dman to replace Goligoski or Demers. That’s going to cost at least 11 million even if they just resign both those UFA’s.
The only way your moving either Dallas goalie is if you eat 1/2 their respective salary’s. Example. Niemi eating 1/2 his salary to Pittsburgh with some other asset to acquire Fleury.
Dallas is in cap hell. After fixing the D never ming the goalied issue which would require getting both those salaries off the books & replacing both with a better #1 & back up Dallas doesn’t have enough money to sign almost anyone especially none of the big name UFA’s.
So Dallas goes after MAF who has a 5.75 cap hit ? If you move Niemi and retain 2 million you now have 7.5 mil on the books. I cant see Pitts taking any of Dallas other large contracts…….even if they took Hemsky ( which they wont ) his cap hit is 4 mil so Dallas is still adding salary.
They need to buy out Let em in, a savings of 4 mil then 3 mil.
I cant see any other way around their cap issues besides buying out Lehtonen.
Pittsburgh isn’t in a position to add salary… they don’t necessarily need to dump salary but it wouldn’t hurt. MAF for niemi with some salary held and a draft pic or decent (not top 1 or 2 on depth chart) prospect would likely get the job done. I still think Tor might be best with bernier coming back wih a decent pick or prospect.
striker you think every team is in cap hell! lol to move one of the goaltenders they wouldn’t have to eat salary give up a prospect not a blue chipper but a b prospect with one of those goalies to a rebuilding team and its done!
WHO would want one of those goalies ? So many other options.
any team that knows they wont be competitive and want another young prospect??
Not at that price ! Lol
I don’t always concur with Striker but his assessment of Dallas’ cap situation is correct. They have little cap room if looking big picture. You can’t shed those goalie salaries in today’s NHL unless you eat a significant portion or buy them out for a substantial retroactive cap hit. Gone are the days where you could fleece the Mike Milburys, Glen Sathers’ and Mike Gillis’ of the world. The new crop of GMs are not taking on any of those goalie cap hits by choice.
denne… nows there is bennings… they always exist.
a bunch of teams that know they wont be competitive for a few yrs that would take a prospect for a contract
Lol smh no Dallas prospect is worth a team taking 9 mil in salary lol
Are you daft Yankee? Who said anything about 9 million?? Lmao
As I said Yankee it can only work if they can get both salary’s off the books. Fleury that is.
There is no solution to their cap hell. Having to replace a #2 & 3 Dman leaves no room to do anything else but flush out their roster with rookies & borderline NHL players.
Dallas will be worse next season. They’ll go from 1st in the west 2nd overrall to about 5th at best. Terrible defensive team & painted into a serious corner both in net & at D.
I agree there is no solution to their cap hell. No one is taking a bad contract with any of Dallas’ goalies unless a bad contract comeback and then Dallas is still in the same boat.
Buying out Lehtonen helps.Saves them 4 mil for 2016-2017. Not resigning Moen, Fiddler and Eaves clears up a little over 3 mil. Add in Lehtonens buyout they now have 7 mil. Thats if the status quo remains.
It looks like Dallas is at 57.5 mil and need to sign replace the D the will lose. Add the 4 mil on the buyout and they are at 53.5 mil, needing 3 solid d men, a backup goalie. Overall they need to replace/retain 10 roster players with lets say 20 mil. Looks like they will be bargin bin shopping, maybe signing 1 prominent D but thats it.
Isn’t the cap a wonderful thing ??
OUT
Moen
Fiddler
Eaves
Nichushkin *
Sceviour
Goligoski
Demers
Russell
Benn
Lehtonen
IN ( est salaries )
Nichuskin RFA 1.3
Shore .9
Stempniak 1.1
Cleary 1
Upshall 1
Demers 3
Honka .9
Goligoski 5
Lovejoy 1.1
Oleksiak RFA 1
Thoughts Striker ?
Wondering if the flyers could trade some of their defense depth (not Provorov) for the oilers #4 and take a winger. Would sanheim and their # 1 do it?
I think Sanheim and #18 is too much. Sanheim is looking like a top defender, worth too much. Flyers have a lot of depth, but I would try to go with a different defenseman and the #18, or Sanheim straight up…
There is no reason as to why Dallas should target Lucic. They need to fix the blue line and their goaltending situation. Lucic will demand way too much money for the Stars to sign him and still fix the back end. Dallas is better off getting a free agent defenseman like Hamhuis than they are with Lucic. They had the number one offense in the league, and there’s nothing Nill should do to it.
It seems to me Lucic might not only want too much money for Dallas, but for anyone interested in his services. It’s rumoured his asking price is over $8M per year on a long term contract. That is too much even in the best of times. It will be interesting to see if a bidding war ensues or if he’ll have to lower his demands. There are fewer available dollars out there. I really like Lucic, but to a limit. He usually goes through significant stretches of not scoring much also. Can a team really allocate superstar dollars to that?
Is there any way that the Caps would target Vadim Shipachyov? Maclellan said that the Caps need to get more scoring from their bottom-six, and Shipachyov has good connections with Kuznetsov. Depending on how much money he demands, I think it would be a great fit.
the last thing the caps need is another skilled forward! they have enough of those and it hasn’t been working in the playoffs very well
I just hope the Bruins aren’t serious about Eriksson resigning, hear h’s looking for around 6 mil for 4 years….just say know and invest the money in rebuilding the D
I like Loui for 4 years if their trying to win now ,they need him he does it all kills penalties works the power play. If they want a minor rebuild then play a couple more kids but then make sure Kelly also goes and maybe Seidenberg Peter would probably take him.
Not sure why goalies that are declining or never have stuck as #1 are being seen as desirable for teams that need a starter. Reimer was seen as bad in Toronto. He’s played adequately as a backup in SJ, but what would make him a great Starter in Calgary? Similarly, Niemi as been awful for Dallas, especially in the playoffs. How is he going to improve Calgary’s or Toronto’s goaltending situation? MAF and Ward have at least proven capable as starters, but both have some question marks now.
Basically no one is usually moving no1 goalies so the goalies available are at best the middle tier ones. That’s why all the names bandied about are mediocre. Reimer is right smack dab in the middle tier. Niemi, Ward also. Only a few goalies separate themselves to have higher ceilings, like MAB, Andersen, Vasilievsky, Samsonov. But are they really available, that’s the question? The expansion draft could very well expedite some moves that would otherwise not take place.
I meant MAF not MAB.
I am puzzled as to what the Leafs would want with Fayne, given his salary and that the Leafs seem set for their top 4. Fayne is a solid #4 or 5 guy, but on many teams he is more like #6. I don’t see anybody dealing for him unless the deal involves Edmonton eating the bulk of the salary or moving down a few spots in a draft round. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Lou wrangle a trade of cheap young d-man for one with a bigger contract and more current skills, but I don’t think Fayne enters that scenario.
who are the Leafs’ top 4? just asking
Currently before trades Reilly, Gardner, Zaitsev & Hunwick. Carrick is a full time NHLer next season as well.
Prior to trades & UFA signings. Toronto will be adding at least 2 if not 3 players in trade or as UFA’s.
A goalie, a top 4 Dman if not top 2 & a top 6 forward.
does TML offer up a package to NYR for M Staal to round out their top 4 for a few years?
It would definitely aide their forwards by having a better Dcore behind them and could be a #1 pair with Reilly. Gardner leads the 2nd pairing and gives time for the young D-core to grow.
TML sends Horton and 1st rd pick to NYR for NASH
Nash ends up on a line with Matthews.
NYR gets pick and cap relief with Horton on LTIR.
thoughts?