Updates on the potential offseason plans of the Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators and New York Islanders in your NHL rumor mill.
Dallas Stars
Could the Stars part ways with Kari Lehtonen (left) or Antti Niemi this summer?
DALLAS MORNING NEWS: In the wake of the Dallas Stars recent playoff elimination, Mike Heika examined potential offseason moves by GM Jim Nill. Some of their UFA defensemen (Alex Goligoski, Jason Demers, Kris Russell and Jordie Benn) could be replaced by younger blueliners from within their system. He could also target a cap-strapped team in need of shedding salary for a blueliner. Veteran forwards Travis Moen, Vernon Fiddler and perhaps Patrick Eaves could depart via free agency.
If Nill decides to replace one of his goalies (Kari Lehtonen or Antti Niemi), Heika lists Cam Ward, James Reimer or Carter Hutton as possible free-agent options or Marc-Andre Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ben Bishop of the Tampa Bay Lightning or Frederik Andersen of the Anaheim Ducks as potential trade targets.
Of their potential free-agents. Heika suggests Moen, Eaves, Demers and Benn as the most likely to depart. They could let Fiddler test the market and then revisit him if he remains unsigned. Goligoski could be expensive (over $5 million annually) to re-sign.
DETROIT FREE PRESS: Helene St. James suggests the Red Wings should try to offer up Jimmy Howard to the Stars, noting Nill knows Howard from his days as Wings assistant GM. “Maybe a three-team deal can be worked out, in which the Wings move Howard to Dallas in return for (Antti) Niemi, who then gets traded to a team that needs a veteran goaltender, such as Toronto, Calgary or Carolina.” Failing that, she suggests Niemi could still be a good fit for the Wings, as he carries less annual salary and a shorter term than Howard.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nill’s priority (once again) has to be an improvement in goal. If he can find a taker for Lehtonen or Niemi, even if it means retaining some of the cap hit, he should do it. If he has to buy out one or the other and take on four years of dead-cap space, so be it. The Stars cannot continue with their current tandem. Of the clubs that entered the playoffs and advanced to the second round, Dallas had the worst goaltending stats.
Of the UFA options, Reimer is the best one. They could get him on an affordable one-year “show me” contract (between $3.5 – $4 million) with the understanding he gets a larger deal should he reach or exceed expectations. Fleury could be available if the Penguins decide to trade him this summer instead of later next season or leading up to an expansion draft. Bishop might also be available if he proves too expensive for the Lightning to re-sign next year. However, that’s only guesswork right now. The easiest trade target is Andersen, who is expected to be dealt by the Ducks this summer. As for Howard, his inconsistency in recent years should be a giant red flag for Nill. Acquiring Howard won’t resolve the problem in goal.
Nashville Predators
ESPN.COM: Following the Nashville Predators elimination from the second round of the playoffs, Craig Custance suggests they re-sign winger Filip Forsberg to a long-term contract, take a run at signing Boston Bruins winger Loui Eriksson via free agency in July and trade inconsistent left wing Colin Wilson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Re-signing Forsberg to a long-term extension seems a no-brainer. While the Preds are traditionally a budget club and could try to go the bridge-deal route, the 21-year-old Forsberg’s established himself as a proven top-line winger. He’s only going to get better in the coming years, which will certainly make him more expensive to re-sign. Best to lock him up no to a long-term deal at more favorable financial terms. Custance offers up St. Louis Blues winger Vladimir Taransenko (eight years, $7.5 million) as a comparable. Forsberg might not get that much, but I can see him getting up to $6 million annually on a six- or seven-year deal.
Pursuing Eriksson is a good idea, but I’m not sure Preds GM David Poile is keen to fork out over $6 million annually for him. As for Wilson, his strong playoff performance could improve his trade value, but it could also give Poile reason to give him another chance.
New York Islanders
NEWSDAY: Arthur Staple reports New York Islanders GM Garth Snow intends to have a busy summer. “Whether a winger for John (Tavares), the addition of a goalie, upgrading our defense, we leave no stone unturned to improve our club,” Snow said. “I’m not going to get into specific positions, those opportunities will unfold here, especially leading up to the draft.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Finding a top-line winger for Tavares is the priority, especially with Kyle Okposo likely departing via free agency in July. Snow could go with a tandem of Thomas Greiss and J-F Berube in goal for next season and peddle Jaroslav Halak, though the latter’s injury history could make him difficult to move. Travis Hamonic rescinding his trade request means Snow doesn’t have to shop for a replacement, but he could use more experienced depth among their bottom-three defense.
I don’t think it’s the money that would scare Nashville away from pursuing Loui Eriksson as a UFA but rather the 5-year deal he reportedly wants. He turns 31 in July and it’s more likely the prospect of having a 35/36 year-old $6 mil per F whose best years are behind him that deters them – and others. It shouldn’t. He’s been pretty durable so far in his career and seems to be one who avoids serious injury. I’d love to see Ottawa go after him.
Loui concerns me, giving him $$$ and term. He may be worth the dollars in years 1-3, but more of a burden in years 4 and 5 .
Probably some felt that way when Jagr hit 35/36 what ? – 6 years ago? I’m not saying Eriksson is another Jagr, but he does seem to stay fit and is, to boot, one helluva two-way winger. If he’s seen as the piece to maybe elevate some team to a championship level, then I suspect he’ll get his 5 years.
I think the same can be said about Boston. I think the Bruins would resign Eriksson yesterday at or around $6-6.5 mil if it meant a 3 year deal but I think the Eriksson camp is dead set on 5 years being the benchmark. I doubt they move off of that unless of course the off-season brings low ball offers from other organization in which it forces Loui and his agent to come off of their terms. I think it was last reported that the Bruins had moved up around $24 mil and 4 years but that was months ago (sometime in or around March)…
Betcha the Broones will go hard at Okoposo
I would not want the Bruins to go after KO for that amount of money. I’ve been saying what I’d like to see them do was to trade Krejci in a package deal for a #1 defenseman and then go hard after David Backes in free agency. Bringing in Backes would give the Bruins an absolutely nasty 1A/1B center combination alongside Bergeron and would also shake up the leadership core that has let them down down the stretch the last two seasons. This would have been a lot more realistic if the Blues had dropped the series two nights ago because I don’t think Backes goes anywhere now, but who knows. A guy could dream…
4th Hanson brother,
I’d actually prefer the Bruins not go after Okposo. As much as there is a need at wing … I think he’s going to be in the same ballpark that Eriksson will be in terms of contract. I don’t know if the Bruins are prepared to go that far especially with other prospects knocking at the door in the next couple of seasons. Just my thought.
Shawn,
As much as I’d prefer the Bruins trade Krejci for the best return, even if that meant packaging with a 1st round pick to grab a defenseman … I’m not sure his value is at a high point right now, especially after this 2nd hip surgery. If they ask him to waive to move to another team I’d expect it to be during the season after teams have seen him play and HOPEFULLY rebound from the hip. Also, I do like Backes but I think it’s time to give Spooner a shot as a full time center, 2nd line… when Krejci was out last season and Spooner filled in he really fit in nicely. I know he’s not the 2-way player people typically correlate with centerman but he’s absolutely a playmaker, lots of speed, good hands and vision. He would be an offensive threat, no doubt. Also, cheaper option…
I am a huge Backes fan and he would be idea in a Bruin uniform, he would fit the bill. I feel Okoposo would also be an idea Bruin, younger than Loui – I would have no issue giving him the full 5 year term.
Chad,
I’m a huge Spooner fan and agree that AT TIMES he filled in nicely in that second line center spot. But AT TIMES he was also invisible. He’ll be a RFA after next season and will obviously be the cheaper option to resign than signing Backes this offseason, I was just on the path of bringing in more of a vocal leader that has obviously been missing from that locker room
Love reading this site, rarely have time to comment, but love all the Bruins comments lately.
I really hope the bruins do not resign Lou. His contract at any length will be a burden to the team. And I would love for them trade Krejci is any capacity. I don’t care what they get for him, I would love to get rid of his contract, and acquire another quality leader for there team.
They need to sign Marshy sooner rather then later.
Loui at 3-4 years really isn’t bad but it won’t happen because there are other teams out there that will offer more.
Krejci I would hope brings in a decent return… so I would absolutely care what they’re getting back. I hate to move the player just to move him, if he stays somewhat healthy (even missing 10-15 games) each season he still puts up around 60+.
I do hope they resign Marchand NOW
Marchand isn’t going anywhere. He will be locked up long term on July 1st or not that long after. Another player I hope they took a look at in free agency is Matt Martin. He would be an awesome fit on this team and slide in perfectly in a bottom 6 role
The cap being what it is, I still can’t imagine the Lightning letting Bishop walk. They should pony up Lundquist type money. Obviously that probably means no Stamkos, but hey, they’ve done pretty darn good without him so far these playoffs, and a good portion why is Bishop.
It also probably means no Vasilevskiy in the long term plan for the Bolts. At 29 Bishop will probably want at least a 5 year term. Will the Russian be content in a back-up role for the foreseeable future.
He’d only be the backup in Tampa for next season. He’ll either get traded at the deadline, traded before the expansion draft, or get drafted by an expansion team(s)
Correct me if I’m wrong, but if they resign Bishop they cannot protect Vasilevskiy in an expansion draft correct? I would assume after resigning Bishop, you would then protect him and I believe teams would only be able to protect one goalie. The only other way to keep him would be to work out a deal with the expansion club that they will not take him in a draft. Similar to the PIT MAF/Murray situation we’ve been hearing about
@Shawn – that’s right. The Bolts are in a tough spot. You’ve got to think an expansion club would be happy to start building a team with a highly touted 22 year-old goalie. BUt that’s a costly loss for TB, especially given that he was drafted 19th overall in 2012. If they lose Vasilevskiy and Bishop falters later in his contract it will sting all the worse. I’ll be interested to see how Yzerman manages that situation.
As a TO fan I’m trying to imagine a way the Leafs could acquire him but I just can’t see it. They could offer the Penguin’s first plus a 2nd but I don’t see that as very wise asset management.
I am surprised we have not heard more Ducks’ rumors. They are the team most worthy of a significant makeover from all teams that exited early from playoffs. Just cutting the coach isn’t enough.
I’m beginning to think the same way, not sure that some of the core for the Ducks are what they once were.
I thought Kesler would seal the deal in Anaheim. Ducks need a real #1 shut down defenseman like the Kings’ have, a leader on the back line. Fowler is their closest #1 and they may not be attached to him long term.
Lindholm is the #1 dman on the Ducks and he’s going to be OEL good. The Ducks are blessed with a very strong blueline and they can afford to trade Vatanan for a good forward and having Shea Theodore take his spot in the lineup without losing any potency. They need to get rid of the dead weight Bieksa and Stoner. Play Lindholm, Theodore, Despres, and Fowler as their top 4.
Despres will give them top pairing quality for a game or two then 4th pairing quality for 4-5 games. talents there… not consistency.
Thanks Deee – I don’t get enough of the Ducks to know Lindholm was their #1 guy. Still think they might move Fowler?
I don’t know, seemed to work in San Jose, where apparently Thorton and Marleau were the problem. Seem the issue was more Todd Mclellan. Who knew a coach could have that much effect look at Pitts and look at Edmonton oh, never mind don’t look at Edmonton.
Some early morning antics towards the Oilers… makes me laugh
Sharks have been unbelievable last 2 games at home. Seems like a balance between the old and new players that never existed before. It’s rare that you can take the “C” away from a player and he can still be useful in the same lineup. Jumbo Joe throwing checks in the neutral zone – new stuff like that.
4th Hanson brother,
Makes you wonder why the Bruins haven’t stripped Chara of his “C” and given it to Bergeron. I saw more times last season or even season prior where Bergeron was yelling at players down the bench… and yet there’s Big Z sitting at the end, looking dazed and confused after a bad stretch of play from his team. He’s still an important player but no longer a 1st pairing defenseman in the NHL unless on a weak blue line/core (Bruins) and also doesn’t seem to have that pop that captains should have but also I don’t know what he does in the locker room so I could be wrong.
Chad – whose gonna have the guts to walk up to Chara and take his “C”? Rehire Milbury for a day just to give him that job!
Very true! He’s a big dude… but honestly feel it would elude to a bit of a culture change in the locker room by having Bergeron be the new captain. I know the opted not to fire the coach, although I felt they should’ve of even for just a change in face and culture around the team… this (changing the captain) would be the next option.
Bad coaching decisions, facing a goalie in Rinne that stole 2 games & some bad luck cost Anaheim. This was the best team in the NHL for 2 3rd’s of the season following a terrible start. Changes are coming but they won’t be all that significant depending upon your perception of such.
Dressing Gibson over Anderson for games 1 & 2 was the biggest issue with Anaheim not advancing followed by sitting Theodore in game 7 & dressing Stoner who had been injured. He & Despres got brutally split on Nashville’s 1st goal in game 7 by Wilson. Despres was a shadow of himself since returning from injury but he & Stoner barely played following that shift. Had Andersen played right out of the gate there would have been no game 7. Andersen posted the best save % of any starter in the playoffs at .947. Only 4 goalies posted better. Vasilevsky, Berebube, Allen all of who played briefly in 1 game in relief & Neuvirth who played 3 after Philly yanked Mason out of the starters role.
Andersen & Vatanen will be moved this summer. A top 6 forward will be returning & futures; prospects or picks. The only possibly UFA that will be retained is possibly Perron & only if he accepts no more than 4 mil per on about a 3 year deal. Stoner will be retained they need him to expose come expansion to help meet the 25% threshold of salary that is required to be exposed based on next seasons total cap monies spent. If not selected & why would he, he will be bout out following expansion in that window.
Ritchie, Pirri; who barely played due to injury since acquired & Theodore will all be regulars next season. Anaheim is 1 of the top 5 if not top 3 teams in the NHL now & will continue to be a serious cup contender as essentially built for the next 3 to 5 years.
Not sure the Leafs would have any interest at all in Neimi.
I do wonder tho with the make over in the Smoke and some younger guys play like Shoshnikov Liepsic Levio Johansen on top of Liach and Komarov on LW if it wouldnt make a guy like JVR avaliable. He would look pretty good on the leftside of Taveres. Would be a high price for the Islanders but…
Idk shticky, I see shosh, Levio and Liepsic as bottom 6 forwards still (at least for another couple of years). I think JVR is the only legit LW we have, there would be nobody to replace him unless Mathews starts out on wing (doubtful)
I guess maybe if Vesey signs, but even then. I think after the draft/free agency we’ll be especially deep at centre, I can see bozak being the most likely to be dangled…again.
Ehh I get what your saying but I dont think Shoshnikov is going to be starting next year as a third liner more like a second line guy and with Komarov as another LW And the abundance of others that play the leftside Im not so sure…. I love JVRs game and would be in no rush to move him youre right legit top line guy but depending on the price I definitely dont think he should be considered untouchable at this stage forthe Leafs
Personally the only way I’d move JVR is for a top pairing right shooting defenceman, or an up-and-coming one. But like you said, there’s no rush to move him. For now I’m happy with him flanking Stamkos haha
I still think Vesey will sign with the Bruins.
4th Hanson brother,
So many conflicting reports, as expected with situations like the Vesey one… tough to say where he signs. I definitely think the Bruins are high up on the list and have a legitimate chance… I don’t think the list is very long either. If he turned down Nashville who are a legitimate playoff team I would say there are many teams that don’t have a chance to sway him in the off season
levio shosh and liepsic are looking like career bottom 6 guys just don’t have the offensive skill it will take in the nhl
I would like to see Nashville sign Schenn to an offer sheet.
What will Nashville do about Mike Fisher then? Isn’t Schenn primarily a center… and Fisher has another year at $4.4 mil, trade him or slot him down to 3rd line duties?
Schenn spent most of the year on the wing.
scott,
Then I guess that answers the question… I think the Predators though would be better off sending an offer sheet to an RFA defenseman. They have the picks this year and next year to send off sheets and Anaheim and Minnesota are in a position to move a defenseman out. Especially, if a team decides to send a sizable off sheet to one of the guys.
Dallas’s goals against has just as much to do with a brutal defense as it does goalies & I’m not talking just Dman. The forwards are brutal defensively as well & it’s going to be worse next season as Dallas is potentially losing 2 of their best 2 way Dman in Goligoski & Demers. Goligoksi will cost at least 6.5 to sign Demers 4.5 both on or near 5 year terms.
I see Dallas play live a ton, as do I Edmonton & the # of defensive break downs, missed assignments & numerous players collapsing on the puck carrier hanging their goalie out to dry are shocking. I don’t care who Dallas puts in net. Play like this & your goalie isn’t going to look very good.
I agree with your assessment of the Stars, I also believe the team would be much different with a keeper that can make crucial saves. Nobody wins with average goaltender; Kari and Niemi are both average at best.
Dallas should have kept Jhonas Enroth and tossed either Kari or Niemi.
If Dallas can’t resign or replace Goligoski & Demers with exactly the same assets & plan to go with Johns, Lindell, Nemeth & Oleksiak filling out there top 6 with Klingberg & Oduya I don’t care who’s in net in Dallas, they won’t be able to stop a beachball.
Jim Nill has put this team in cap hell & it will be very interesting to see how he wiggles out of this mess if even able.
Striker – understand your concerns with the Stars’ defense, but they have to improve their goaltending if the Stars are going to go deeper next year. Doesn’t matter who is on defense, if the goalie cannot stop a wrist shot from the blue line, the team isn’t going anywhere.
Forsberg is young but his playoff stats aren’t positive in fact they were brutal. 4 points in 14 games, minus 11, no other player even close. He was completely invisible in the entire playoffs despite being 2nd for TOI/GP at forward, 3rd for PP TOI/GP at forward & 5th overall. He’ll be fine all part of the growing pains of youth.
Wilson who Custance is condoning trading was 1st in points, plus 8, the next closest player was plus 2, & he did so in a limited role for most of the playoffs before finally bumping Jarnkrok out of the LW spot on the #2 line. A problem that existed for a good portion of the season as well when Wilson was fighting an injury all season. Wilson finished 5th in TOI/GP at forward & 7th for PP TOI/GP at forward 11th overall in these playoffs. The 2nd year in a row he did his job come playoff time.
In today’s NHL if you don’t get at least top 6 TOI/GP at forward & top 10 in PP TOI/GP the chances you are going to post respectable offensive #’s are slim to non existent. Factor in trying to play through what was obviously a serious injury by Wilson for most of the season effecting his particular skill set & these are the results you get.
Now plus minus is a brutally flawed stat but it does provide a reference point & being plus 6 better than any other player on your team is impressive & to have been on the ice for 19 goals more for as opposed to against in realationship to Forsberg tells me Wilson should have been given more ice time & particularly PP time. I coaching issue.
the Wings are better off trying to package Howard with Tatar or Nyquist. Possible with the Datsyuk contract to a team that needs to hit the cap floor. They may even be a good fit with the Isles needs (not Dats contract) but see f there’s interest in Erickson, Kronwall or Smith. This fan happily takes draft picks and uses the cap space to land Erickson or make a run at Lucic.
I was thinking the isles should look at Matt Moulson,he could be had for a late Rd pick and who knows he could rekindle the magic with JT.
Then I saw that contract. Has to be one of the worst ever. Whoever put that contract together should be fired.
What realistic pitch can Dallas make to NYR for Henrik? It would definitely have to be multi player and swapping of some bad contracts. Right?
Dallas gets Hank and Girardi (ny holding 2 mil per)
NY gets Olesiak, Niemi and 2 1st rd picks?
Options were available BEFORE signing/resigning Niemi/Lehtonen. Now, not so much. In this salary cap era a team is mostly stuck with its bad contracts and has to eat them.
Bruins should pass on Eriksson decent player but hasn’t really helped the team go very far while he was here. Need changes on this team. Really need defense help and to get younger and faster.
Eriksson,Chara,Siedenberg, and Krejci are slow players Who are showing their age.
I’m watching Tampa skate circles around other teams in the playoffs.
Announcers just commented on how so many guys are 21-25 years old.