Another list of buyout candidates, plus updates on Marc-Andre Fleury, Ben Bishop, Tyson Barrie and more in your NHL rumor mill.
More buyout candidates.
Could the New York Rangers buy out defenseman Dan Girardi?
ESPN.COM: Craig Custance recently listed New York Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi, Dallas Stars goalies Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi, Minnesota Wild left wing Thomas Vanek, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Fedor Tyutin, Florida Panthers center Dave Bolland and Los Angeles Kings left wing Dustin Brown as possible contract buyout candidates.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: On May 25, the New York Post’s Larry Brooks reported the Rangers don’t intend to buy out Girardi. On June 1, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Stars GM Jim Nill doesn’t intend to buy out Lehtonen. It’s unlikely he’ll buy out Niemi, the guy he signed only a year ago. On June 14, Sportsnet’s Luke Fox cited a source claiming Bolland failed his physical and is thus ineligible for a buyout, though there’s no confirmations yet from the Panthers. I thought Vanek was a goner, but the Wild’s hiring Bruce Boudreau as their new head coach could change that. The Blue Jacket will try to trade Tyutin, but failing that, a buyout by the end of June is possible. The Kings could buy out Brown but it will be expensive and run through 2027-28.
Updates on Fleury and Bishop.
CALGARY SUN: Eric Francis believes the Flames should pursue Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury via trade this summer. He claims Flames GM Brad Treliving’s been in touch with Penguins GM Jim Rutherford regarding Fleury. Francisbelieves the cap-strapped Penguins have no choice but to move the 31-year-old netminder, who lost his starter’s job in the playoffs to Matt Murray. He feels Fleury will be more affordable than Tampa Bay’s Ben Bishop, who could command over $7 million annually as a UFA next summer, while Anaheim’s Frederik Andersen will be pricey to acquire and re-sign. He doubts the St. Louis Blues will move Brian Elliott while the jury’s still out on San Jose’s James Reimer as a starter. Fleury is signed through 2018-19 at $5.75 million annually. While he has a partial no-trade clause, Francis thinks the Flames could be a good fit.
TRIBLIVE.COM: Jonathan Bombulie reports Penguins GM Jim Rutherford’s preference “in a perfect world” is to retain Fleury and Matt Murray for next season, but he acknowledges it’ll be tough doing so. Bombulie cites Fleury still being in the prime of his career and likely unwilling to share the starter’s job plus the threat of an expansion draft on the horizon could complicate matters.
TAMPA BAY TIMES: Tom Jones believes the time is now for the Lightning to trade goaltender and 2016 Vezina Trophy nominee Ben Bishop. He cites Bishop’s frequent injuries, salary ($6 million next season, perhaps more after that as a UFA), the presence of promising Andrei Vasilevskiy and the possibility of losing him to a possible expansion draft next summer as reasons to move him now.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given the Penguins cap situation and Murray’s playoff performance, I now think it’s quite likely Fleury gets moves this summer. The Flames could be a destination, but we don’t know if they’re even considering making a pitch for him. Bishop could get moved this summer, but if the Bolts don’t re-sign Steven Stamkos, they could keep Bishop for one more season and another shot at a Stanley Cup.
Avalanche not trading Barrie.
SPORTSNET: Luke Fox cites Denver Post hockey columnist Mike Chambers claiming Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic saying he’s not trade restricted free agent defenseman Tyson Barrie. Sakic said they prefer re-signing him to a long-term deal, but they could go to arbitration. “Either way, he’ll be here” – Sakic.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Of course, this wouldn’t be the first time a general manager claims he’s not trading a restricted free agent only to turn around and do just that (Hello there, Bruins GM Don Sweeney with defenseman Dougie Hamilton). Still, I’m willing to take Sakic at his word. Perhaps he asked around to see what market Barrie had and the type of return he could get. which would explain why his name surfaced in the rumor mill in recent weeks. If so, Sakic couldn’t have liked the offers.
Update on the Red Wings.
THE DETROIT NEWS: Ted Kulfan reports Red Wings GM Ken Holland acknowledged trading goalie Jimmy Howard might be good for the goalie and the organization. Howard, who’s earning nearly $5.3 million annually through 2018-19, lost the starter’s job to Petr Mrazek. Holland also said keeping his tandem intact could be a nice luxury. Kulfan points out moving Howard this summer won’t be easy, citing a lack of teams in the market for a netminder, Howard’s contract, the possible flood of goalies with contract issues (Tampa Bay’s Ben Bishop, Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury, Anaheim’s Frederik Andersen) on the market this summer plus the return teams will want for those goaltenders.
TSN 690 (via TODAY’S SLAPSHOT): Darren Dreger reports Wings GM Ken Holland is working overtime to renovate his roster. The Wings are among the clubs with interest in KHL forward Alexander Radulov, though his salary demands ($7 million annually on a two-year deal) are hurting his value as a free agent. The Wings prefer a one-year deal worth between $4.5 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I think Howard returns with the Wings next season, after which they’ll leave him exposed in the expansion draft in hopes Las Vegas takes him off their hands. Howard’s only a modified no-trade clause through 2017-18. As for Radulov, if he’s unwilling to reduce his asking price, he won’t be joining the Wings or any other NHL club.
Correct on a perfect world in Pittsburgh – Pens should want to retain Fleury just to make sure Murray doesn’t fall back. The kid played extremely well in playoffs, but he also let in a soft goal here and there. Pittsburgh wishes they could keep MAF in the short term, just to make sure Murray is the real deal.
Not sure what they will get back for him now, or even if they hold him another year. I get concerned when goaltenders have concussions especially more than one.
He’s worth the most at the draft, Toronto is best positioned to get MAF, probably Pits 1st rounder, TO’s 2nd and Bernier with salary retained.
MAF would be good for the Leafs – great locker room guy. I think they can get him for less – but if Rutherford can get that then good for him.
And MAT doesn’t let in soft goals? That’s the most frustrating thing about him, that and when he tried to play the puck. Murray is the real deal. He dominated the AHL as a rookie and he’s done the same in the NHL. He’s only going to get better. The Penguins can re-sign Zatkoff as a backup or take another teams goalie in trade for MAF to make available for the expansion draft. The Penguins have another blue chip goalie prospect in Jarry who will become the backup after the expansion draft and they have Maguire and Desmith who both look like they could be NHL caliber. MAF has become a commodity now and it’s Rutherfords job to get the best return for him.
I believe Murray is the real deal, but in a perfect world you might get a little more time for him to totally prove himself. It helps when you know in the back of your mind that you have a Stanley Cup winning keeper (MAF) behind you. Zatkoff is a perfect backup.
Works for me. I have Murray stashed on 2 of my prospects lists in 2 of my 3 fantasy leagues & he doesn’t need to be activated until playing 25 regular season games which means I don’t have to protect him this summer & when activated I can easily look to trade him & or Lundqvist or Jones my other 2 starters currently in each of those leagues.
Good point. I didn’t think about it that way.
If Holland really wants Radulov – well then we have over-rated Holland’s judgement. I would not touch Radulov.
Holland’s “judgement” has been over rated since about sometime in 2009… If Cleary being on the main roster for two more seasons than necessary, losing Filppula and Hudler for nothing, and the Samuelsson, Gustavsson, Weiss, Richards, Green, Ericsson and Kindl signings don’t illustrate that, I don’t know what will.
As a Wings fan, I’d welcome a Radulov signing, but at a reasonable cap number and term. IMO, the potential reward is much greater than the potential risk. The team desperately needed offense, and now they need it even more with Datsyuk gone. Size wouldn’t hurt either… Radulov was scoring at a 20+ goal per year pace at the NHL level before he turned 22. He’s also out produced Panarin in the KHL, who basically immediately became a top line forward in the NHL.
If he doesn’t pan out and/or resorts to his previous ills, he can quietly go back to the KHL with nothing lost on the Wings, or they could even dump him off at the trade deadline for something at least measureable in return.
Holland has made and WILL continue to make worse judgement calls than taking a risk on Radulov. Wings fans should be sweating bullets over what Holland might sacrifice to get rid of Datsyuks contract, and what he might do in panic if he opens up that space and misses out on the very limited # of big names on the UFA market… (Hint: Remember the last time a Red Wings star player retired…)
I have thought Holland’s skills to be average for some time – but Wing fans normally jump on you when you make such a statement. Thanks for your support.
Detroit needs offense, but please pass on Radulov. He walked out on the Preds with a year left on the deal, then came back and proceeded to break curfew – during playoffs!
Pass – not what a winning franchise needs.
Downey,
I agree with you, Holland has been nothing more than mediocre since the cap era. However, I don’t agree with your assessment of Radulov vs. Panarin. I don’t think anyone has ever questioned Radulov’s scoring abilities or that he could produce at this level. With him, it has always been his unwillingness to play night in and night out the NHL way. It is all mental with this kid and for that I would stay away. Also, Panarin playing with Patty Kane definitely helps
I think Detroit will be one of the more active teams coming up to draft day. They need to find a taker for Datsyuk’s contract but like you stated, at what expense? Nyquist is another player I’d watch who might be moved this summer as well
Agreed whole heartedly
Radulov has a history of off ice issues. I’d stay away. They guy is too risky
Clearly, Tom Jones (Tampa Times) thinks the rest of the league’s GMs have been functioning under the proverbial “cone of silence” when he says he “believes the time is now for the Lightning to trade goaltender and 2016 Vezina Trophy nominee Ben Bishop … ” citing “Bishop’s frequent injuries, salary ($6 million next season, perhaps more after that as a UFA) …” Why would ANY team ham-string themselves with a goalie who could demand $7 mil per but who has shown a penchant for injuries> Can anyone say Rick DiPietro?
Bit of a stretch here George. lol
When he plays a season without coming down with an injury at the most inopportune time, I’ll withdraw the comparison. In the meantime, if the shoe fits …”
Firstly, Bishop’s current deal was arrived at with the consideration of (short – 2 years) term. A substantially longer contract would likely bring him in around (if not under) $5 mil AAV.
Secondly, three freak injuries – albeit, sustained as a result of an aggressive goaltending style – do not make Bishop an injury-prone player. He’s in top physical condition (doesn’t spend his off-season wallowing in poutine, pierogies and hard liquor) and (to date) hasn’t exhibited any recurring, degenerative hip, knee, back issues (as is the hallmark of so many declining goalies.)
Thirdly, the guy is a bona fide *franchise* goaltender – probably the single greatest reason the Bolts even made it to the postseason. And though his record, superficially, seems unspectacular, he held opponents to two goals or less over a looking stretch when the Lightning were struggling to score even a single goal per game. He. Is. A. Rock.
Finally, Tom Jones is a local pot-stirring, click-bait driven hack who, in another market, would be howling for the ouster of Carey Price, or PK Subban, or Henrik Lundquist, or some such other irrational, knee-jerk, sky-is-falling nonsense.
The Bolts are much, MUCH better *with* Bishop onboard than they could hope to be without him.
…Grain of salt, and a shred of common sense.
Durned autocorrect: “looking” = “loooong”. Thx.
Sonny Chiba – the “shred of common sense” here has NOTHING to do with his obvious ability and nowhere did I question that, but rather the fact he has been injured three times (how does a “freak” injury differ from any other kind in terms of games lost and WHEN they are lost?) and, if he and his agent are seeking $7 mil a year, the fact that NO goalie is worth that much. Are you suggesting he’ll re-sign with TB at a much lower cap hit? And if so, how much would YOU pay him? In the meantime, climb down off your high-horse.
This is why teams would want Bishop.
2013-14 63 GP 63 GS 37 wins 14 losses 7 OT losses 2.23 GA .924 SV% 5 SO
2014-2015 62 60 40 13 5 2.32 .916 4
2015-2016 61 60 35 21 4 2.06 .926 6
Very few goalies play over 60 games a season in the NHL & do so posting these lofty #’s. Getting injured is unfortunate & his timing for doing so poor but it won’t impact his value what so ever. None were career threatening. In the last 3 seasons since Bishop became TB’s stater here are the top 5 goalies in the league for GP during the regular season. Rask 192, Quick, 189, Holtby 187, Bishop & Fleury 187. Playoffs top 3 for GP are Lundqvist 49, Crawford 46 & Bishop 36.
Numerous teams will happily pay Bishop 7 million per for 5+ years. At 6’7″ 220lbs he’s huge & if goalie equipment is in fact streamlined to a goalies body his will still be huge.
Yes. But as you said elsewhere you wouldn’t pay a goalie $7 mil per. Neither would I and I’m betting Tampa doesn’t intend to either.
I agree George you know I don’t; pay any goalie that kind of money but numerous GM’s will & do. Like you I advocate for trading Bishop & turning the reins over to Vasilevsky bringing in 1 of the numerous solid veteran back ups available as a UFA & I do so whether I resign Stamkos or not, another player I think TB should just move on from, ideally trading his rights for something before July 1st.
As crazy as it sounds it’s impact to TB is nominal & the savings are substantial. 10 mil for Stamkos & 7 mil for Bishop give or take a few million. That’s a ton of coin & the money saved can be redistributed to all the other assets facing new contracts over the next 2 years & get Hedman locked up for 8 years this summer at in or around 8 mil per for 8 years & would leave money to bring in another asset to address their need at D.
These are the tough decisions that need to be made in this cap world. If TB didn’t have the quality of depth they do this wouldn’t even be a consideration but the do.
I’m with you Striker. Trade Bishop for the best return and let Stamkos walk (or trade his rights to at least get a draft pick back). Signing Hedman long term is much more important to this team as well as getting guys like Kucherov, Killorn signed this year and Sustr, Johnson, Palat, Drouin (?) next year. You can’t do that with the money Stamkos is looking for on your books
That’s not unusual for him !
No mention of Goligoskis rights going to Arizona?
Oooops news section, my bad
Nice move by the “kid GM” in Arizona – IMO
Absolutely. Get him locked up for 5 or 6 years. It won’t be cheap but Arizona can afford the cap hit. What a solid foundation piece for Arizona. It would really solidify their top 4 with OEL, Stone & Murphy. If word about them looking for another right handed D are to be believed, Arizona could take a big step up next season.
The future in Arizona looks very bright. They have a ton of stud forwards coming; The Hockey News Future watch has them with the best prospect pool in the NHL currently & they will be a good hockey team very soon, especially if they add Goligoski. They also have another 2 1sts & 2nds this season to continue adding to the prospect pool or use to buy assets.
The pens once had a really young goalie with super high potential but was known to struggle on the big stage and allow soft goals from time to time. His name? Marc Andre Fleury. And he didn’t turn out so bad. Pens need a left wing for the top 6 real bad, I’d move him for one of those and try to get a veteran backup for support. Being able to have the full attention of the goalie coach should help to it didn’t wonders for Fleury and his technique. Look at the past few seasons wayyyy less scrambling in the cage! Murray just needs to get out a bit more and square up he will be fine. With the Pens firepower they should be able to pick him up as well.
I think nail yakupov is the perfect left wing this kid has a motor that wont quit, high skill set, and put him with Malkin and Rust…talk about speed. This kid just needs a change of scenery and he will thrive…..I see him out here in la with Kings and Ducks telecasts wow….. If they do move Fluery there is the cap space they need not sure Edmonton needs a goalie? Plus his $2.5 million dollar cap hit friendly and Yakupov is 22….
The Leafs should be pouncing on the rights to Vatanen as he is set to become a UFA (same situation as Goligoski)!
To Toronto: Vatanen
To Anaheim: 4th round pick (via Col)
Then at the Draft, they should trade for Frederik Andersen.
To Toronto: Andersen
To Anaheim: Pit’s 1st + Kapanen + Wash’s 2nd (or Dermott)
Vatanen is a Rfa, and you’re dreaming if you think a 4th is enough
lol, crap, yup you’re right, for some reason I was thinking he was a UFA.
Or they could submit an offer sheet on Andersen, something along the lines of what Miller/Holtby/Crawford gets ($6M range), but high enough that the Ducks wouldn’t match. So maybe a $6.5M (what Price gets, but Price only has 1 more year where he’ll get $6.5M and then he’ll be getting a HUGE raise). So maybe submit a 7 year, $45.5M = $6.5M AVV. Would be better than giving up picks and prospects.
That would require Toronto to give up their 1st, 2nd & 3rd round picks in 2017. Toronto doesn’t have their 3rd round pick in the 2017 draft so unless they require it that’s not even an option. If Toronto reduced the offer to below that draft pick threshold, $5,478,986; a 1st & 3rd, Anaheim would match & then trade him else where.
People can talk about RFA offer sheets all they want but there is a reason they never happen & not being able to front load contracts like you were before the 2012-13 lock out with unlimited term; years, you can buy the rumors about players like Hamilton or Saad potentially being offer sheeted or not; I’m on the not side, but the system is so punitive it just isn’t happening.
I believe Weber was the last player offer sheeted in the former world, July of 2012, 14 years at 114 million, with 56 million being paid in the 1st 4 years, Nashville matched with out the slightest hesitation.
Offer sheets may come but I’ll wager any & all are matched as the system favors the team with the player substantially. The cost to potential acquire an asset through this system is so punitive it just doesn’t make sense to the team trying to do so.
Amount Compensation Due
$1,205,377 or below None
Over $1,205,377 to $1,826,328 3rd round pick
Over $1,826,328 to $3,652, 659 2nd round pick
Over $3,652,659 to $5,478,986 1st and 3rd round pick
Over $5,478,986 to $7,305,316 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round pick
Over $7,305,316 to $9,131,645 Two 1st’s, one 2nd, one 3rd round pick
Over $9,131,645 Four 1st round picks
They have to be your own picks. They can’t belong to another team.
Goligoski is a UFA, Vatanen is a RFA. Big difference. Seeing that Sakic went public and said they are not trading Berrie, the value just went up on Vatanen.
Dude! No. Vatanen is set to become an RFA. The compensation would be much higher.
Re: Anderson, you’ve basically given up the return from the Kessel trade plus the return in the Winnik trade for a goalie who’s set for a big raise and doesn’t fit the Leafs long term plan. This trade would go down along with the Toskala trade and the Raycroft trade as one of the worst in franchise history.
Leafs don’t need either of those players right now. They need to continue rebuilding through the draft!
I support Toronto going after Andersen. I don’t see Toronto being 5 years away from being a playoff team. They will be far better this season, the rebuild & asst accumulation will continue but I can see them being in the playoff mix the season after next, post expansion & the seasons following being a solid playoff option with the rebuild continuing & young players slowly replacing older players.
You still need good goaltending even on a rebuilding team & Andersen could easily play another 10 years. He’s just hitting the age most goalies even fully lock down starters roles.
With all due respect Striker, you may “support it” but if you were a long time Leafs fan you might think differently. Remember Raycroft? That does not bring back fond memories of us as it does for you. Remember Toskala?
Whether the Leafs are 3 years or 5 years from a playoff push makes no difference. The Leafs can’t risk giving up so many futures. Particularly for a guy who is set to receive a big raise. Particularly for a guy who is not amongst the league’s elite. The only way to really improve the asset depth of the organization is through drafting and developing players. 12 picks next week will build upon an already impressive start.
Moving picks and prospects for RFAs is the kind of thing they’ve been doing for the entire cap era. We talked about not getting distracted by shiny objects. This is the first real test. You can see many of the fans are failing.
Well they need a decent goalie. Losing because of goaltending doesn’t help the rebuild. As I stated I’m not moving either Marner, Nylander or the 1st this season. Moving a player like Komorov & say Pittsburgh’s 1st this season isn’t going to set the rebuild back.
I consider Andersen to be a top 12 to 15 goalie & he is young by goalie standards. He is coming off year 2 as essentially a starter in Anaheim.
It shouldn’t break the bank to sign Andersen. I’m thinking Talbot, Dubnyk, Halak, type money. Toronto needs a goalie to protect come the expansion draft. No point wasting the keeper spot.
Komarov is a valuable leader who can be moved for futures at an upcoming trade deadline or re-signed at the end of his contract. Giving up him and the 30th pick for a (by your own admission, 12th To 15th) mediocre starting goalie Makes no sense. They would be much further ahead to keep their picks, keep Komarov and let Bernier play out the final year of his contract. He could very well have a bounce-back year. They can sign a guy like Enroth as insurance and beyond that there’s Sparks. Bottom line, there is a good chance Anderson would be a bust moving to a last-placed team. And an excellent chance the pick turns into a star player (its the keafs). We’re going to be a lottery team the next two seasons anyway. Makes no swnse.
I don’t consider the 12th to 15th best goalie in the league to be mediocre. Just the opposite if fact bordering on star status. Andersen’s .919 SV % for goalies that stared at least 41 games, 1/2 a teams games played ranked him 13th this season, .02 out of the top 10. In the playoff’s for goalies that played at least 3 games his .947 SV% ranked him 2nd to Neuvirth who played 3 games to Andersen’s 5.
You’re talking symantics now. Being 12th to 15th in a league with 30 teams is the definition of mediocre. More concerning, his “high danger” save percentage, defined by War on Ice as shots taken from high danger areas was 0.824. The League average was 0.825. He looks to me like a player who has benefited from playing behind a very good team. Bottom line, he’s a little old, not an elite goalie and the price is high. The sacrifice of assets is not worth the upgrade on Bernier.
…not to mention signing Anderson would handcuff our ability to be bidders on Stamkos. Don’t forget Horton, Robidas, etc must clear the cap on the final day of training camp. And we know no one is taking Bernier’s contract off our hands.
…not to mention there’s a high likelihood a buyer’s market develops for goaltenders over the next 12 months due to the expansion draft
…not to mention the expansion draft might shake loose a younger goalie with equal or higher upside like Vasilevsky, Pickard, M Subban, Grubauer, or Korpisalo who would fit the timeline of the rebuild.
…not to mention teams would probably pay you to take the likes of Howard, Niemi or Lehtonen off their hands.
…not to mention Pittsburgh virtually has a gun to their heads when it comes to the MAF/Murray situation, meaning they likely move MAF at an extreme discount.
…not to mention that in the trade proposed above by LeafsAdvocate the Leafs pay roughly 3x as much for Anderson as Carolina gave up for Teravainen and Bickel. Think about that for a minutwe. Teravainen that was ranked two years ago as the 5th best prospect in hockey. Now before you say how does that relate to Anderson, well the Ducks, like the Hawks need to move out salary. Anderson is going to get somewhere around $4 million. There are not a lot of teams that can absorb that hit. In fact I think very few. If I am Lamoriello my offer would be a 4th round pick in this Friday’s draft. Take it or leave it. Conversation closed.
I don’t think the 4th overall pick would get you Vatanen.
I think the d-Man that will be traded would be Fowler versus Vatanen. Vatanen is a right handed offensive dman that laed the team in blocked shots. Fowler is still under contract at a good contract. $4m a year for the next 2 years. And if the ducks were offered that trade for Anderson, the NHL would announce it before bob murray said yes and hung up the phone.
I would like to pry JVR away in any deal for Anderson.
What if the Ducks offered Fowler and Anderson for JVR, Kapanen Pitts 1st and a TOR 2nd?
Uh, no. That would be the STUPIDEST POSSIBLE move the Ducks could make. That stuff offered gets one of the two. Not both. Maybe
Tor Gets
C Fowler
F Anderson
Ana 3rd
Ana Gets
K Kananien
Pit 1st
Tor 2nd
W Nylander
Actually Vatanen finished 4th for D in blocked shots in Anaheim. Lindholm #1, Fowler #2, Bieksa #3. Vatanen is going to cost 5 mil+ to sign for 5 plus years, the reason he’s moving & Folwer with 2 years left a 4 per will stay. Well that & the fact that Fowler is Anaheim’s current #1 although the minutes for the top 4 is very balanced.
Fowler lead the team in TOI/GP, PP TOI/GP & was 3rd for SH TOI/GP 5 seconds behind Despres at #1 for D in Anaheim. Theodore will easily replace the skills Vatanen brought to Anaheim.
That trade works well on paper, because writing is easy.
Cap management people. Cap management.I said a while ago I read Fowler would be the D to move.
Fowler 2 yrs left at 4 mil. Sign Vatanen for 5 x 5. Equals 3 extra years of a good d man at 1 mil more per year. Fowler is looking at 6+ IMO a year so the smart cap thing to do is sign Vatenen and trade Fowler. Theodore replaces Fowler.
The return on Cam would be huge as how many teams are looking for a top 4 d man ? These teams do not have internal caps like ANA.
My thought back then was the Leafs would have to include JVR in any deal for CF as it is well documented ANA is looking for a winger. The cap hit is fairly close and JVR will not be a 6+ mil guy in 2 years.
Now i’m not sure if Toronto is looking at that type of deal. Guess we wait until FA season starts before any deal like this occurs.
I agree Yankee fan. And Fowler and Theodore are both L handed shots.
All will be cleared up soon enough & 1 of us will be right & 1 of us will be wrong.
Or we will all be wrong, like we are 99% of the time, lol.
Well something has to give cap wise & moving Fleury is a start. They don’t want to take any salary back so forget the LW option. Pittsburgh currently has zero cap space with a cap of 73 million. The want a draft pick & a prospect not ready for NHL duty nor needs to be exposed in the expansion draft.
Even after getting Fleury off the books there isn’t enough money to replace Lovejoy, Schultz & Cullen. Another asset will need to be moved taking back little.
They will get cap relief for Dupuis but not until opening day. His salary & roster spot on the 23 man roster submitted the day before the season count.
Whowould Calgary move back for MAF ? I would think a blue chip prospect and a decent pick for sure.
Don’t think the flames have what Pit wants for MAF. I would think that the flames would be looking to trade Wideman to get a goalie. He is their best trade chip, but brings with him salary, but he is a UFA after this coming up season.
That brings us back to my Howard & Detroit eating $1,291,667 of Howard’s contract for the each of the final 2 years giving Calgary a goalie at 4 million per over the final 2 seasons of Howard’s contract. In year 1 Wideman & Howard’s contracts wash. It addresses a need for both clubs both in personal but helps both with cap issues.
lol, yes it does.
Wideman for Howard does make sense. Wonder if Wideman waives his NMC.
What I dont like is CAL getting stuck with Howard at even 4 mil a year for 2 more years after this season , as he is a declining asset.
With Ward taking 3 a year if CAL doesnt get MAF ( more expensive then Howard but worth it ) they should sign a Reimer etc for less then 3 a year.
Wideman comes off the books giving CAL that all important cap space.
I was more in the thought would Howard have Calgary on his list of teams allowed to be traded to. Also with the news yesterday that Ilya Bryzgalov wants to come back to the NHL and his agent stating that:
“With Ilya prepared to play for a modest salary and take most of his compensation in bonuses, this will be a unique opportunity for a team looking for an experienced goaltender to challenge for a starting job.”
That would be right down Calgary’s alley. At the worst Bryzgalov would make a decent back up, and the flames should still have Ortio if they decide to resign him as well.
I agree Yankee Fan, with your assessment, Pitts not going to want $$ back and I certain there is picks and prospects the penguins would want but are the flames willing to give it up.
Kevjam I think Howard wants to start and he’d be willing to accept a trade to be a starter again.
Yankee fan. Calgary needs to get Wideman off the books if they take on Fleury’s salary. Pittsburgh won’t want Wideman’s cap hit & moving it in this market won’t be easy.
If Howard doesn’t work out you expose him in the expansion draft. Looking at Calgary’s protectors as their roster is currently constructed he would be their best asset exposed. They are set up very well currently for expansion & really lose nothing of consequence other than possibly Howard if acquired & exposed if the gamble fails.
No guarantees Howard gets picked in expansion. Its a risky gamble but one that may work.
I categorized Wideman as a salary dump trade candidate like Bickell. He requires a sweetener or a bad contract in return. Howard’s contract is much worse and he’s not a good goalie. I’m not considering that trade any longer. But with the fearless Burke at the helm, you never know.
Ily Bryzgalov wants to be back in the NHL? I want to be in the NHL too…
Sundqvist slots in for Cullen and Pouliot gets a crack on defence. They probably try to dump Kunitz if possible since he only has a year left. Pens are overloaded on right wing with Sprong and Bennett too something has to give. Maybe sprong can make it at left wing and then fleury could be shed for futures
Agreed. Bennett can play LW but his ability to stay healthy is a serious concern, 3 years & serious games missed. Kunitz could be moved potentially if Pittsburgh offers a nominal sweetener or a team might even take him if free. Say a 4th or 5th round pick as it’s only 1 more year at 3.85 but I wouldn’t expect any return. The return is the cap space moving him would provide.
The perfect fit for MAF, would be in Dallas. Yes, they would need to move or buyout 1 of the current goalies, but MAF would solidify the position, and put Dallas up there with the elite of the west.
Not with that D or playing style. Nor can they afford him even if they buy out Niemi. Dallas is in serous pinch cap wise. They were the 11th worst team in the NHL last season for goals against. How do you think the current plan of dressing, Lindell, Jones, Nemeth & Oleksiak is going to play out?
Sorry Johns
If I’m MAF I’m going nowhere near Dallas unless they add some serious pieces to that D
Using the word renovate regarding the Wings roster and mentioning the possibility of picking up a head case Russian player who has already left the NHL once is totally indicative of the problems in Hockeytown. We have 2-3 forwards ready to make the jump to NHL yet, we’re talking about signing a retread. One of the only F’s Wings shoukd be looking at is Lucic. Backes fits but doesn’t allow Larkin to move to his natural center position with the supporting cast he needs to build on his success last season. Preparing to be completely underwhelmed in the offseason again.
You’re being nice… I think using the word “renovate” in the same sentence as “Red Wings GM Ken Holland” is the problem…
I’m already having nightmares about the press conference welcoming Brian Campbell, Eric Staal and Jiri Hudler as the newest Red Wings….
If Tampa Bay is going for the cup next year and their cap issues are two years away why wouldn’t they keep Bishop, even if they lose him for nothing at the end of the season.
What ever asset they would get for him in return right now would likely be spent trying to acquire a good reliable veteran back-up goalie for the playoffs.
There are a ton of solid back up goals available this summer. Make the moves now well the market is better. The closer we get to the expansion draft the lower the value of the goalies & with Carolina re uping Ward now only 2 teams really need a #1. Toronto & Calgary. Several others could use an upgrade but supply & demand isn’t in teams favors that have an extra goalie today.
If Jim Nill is to be believed he’s standing pat with Lehtonen & Niemi.
why would anyone want howard ? he was mediocre when he was at his best with a good defense led by lidstrom….if im calgary i want detroit to give me valuable assets to take him
Calgary has to sign Gaudreau, Monahan, Colborne, Jooris, Shore & Ortio. That’s 17 to 19 million. With a cap of 73 million, that would get Calgary to 22 players still needing a #1 goalie & about 5 million give or take in cap space. That’s tight. Moving Wideman solves that problem.
Howard is still a decent goalie, in the 15 to 25 range. His play down the stretch of the regular season was instrumental in Detroit making the playoffs. The D in front of him in Detroit left alot to be desired & Detroit is in serous need of help at D.
This trade makes sense to me for both teams. Calgary’s only other real options are Fleury who they can’t currently afford or Reimer if he’ll take about 4 on a short term deal no more than 3 years. Calgary would still need to get some salary off the books as that would again leave no wiggle room to cover for short term injuries.
Who would you prefer. Reimer with Wideman still on the books at or near 4 or Howard at or near 4 with Wideman off the books?
howard is not credible any longer and his contract is too long……id take Halak over Howard, Id take bernier over Howard id even keep ortio over howard…..but forst id try and get andersen
Howard is finished the reason Mrazek got the job in detroit was because Howard was no longer dependable physically or athletically
I love Halak if he could only stay healthy. Bernier & Ortio, I’ll pass. The only things we can agree on are Andersen & Calgary needing a goalie.
Unless Calgary can dump salary they can’t afford Andersen, my 1st choice for any team looking for a goalie, or Fleury. By the time they get everyone else signed unless they can dump Wideman’s cap hit they have very little cap room to try & make it work.
The reason Mrazek got the starting job is that he is better than Howard and has a higher ceiling for potential. This is a similar situation from what the Canucks had with Schneider and Luongo (not comparing the goalies really). I don’t think Howard is horrible or anything but Mrazek is better and the future. With the Wings crappy defense they need the goalie to steal games more often then they ever have and Mrazek has more of that ability then Howard. He might not be the best option for a starter for the Flames but he’s far from the worst given the circumstances both teams are in and what they both need.
Wideman and Smid solve that problem. Howard is a lateral movement from Ramo at best and is signed for 3 years. I doubt a backup goalie like Reimer gets 4 years. 2 sound more reasonable? Don’t forget Chad Johnson.
Chad cant handle being a number 1
I think he can. Calgary’s got decent D. In theory they just need a guy that can make the stops you’re supposed to make. He’s solid enough to do that.
I said no more than 3 years for Reimer.
haha, I don’t know, seen a couple 4’s only one 3!
Why is Calgary’s cap room an issue exactly ? 4 key pieces to sign- A goalie, Johnny & Monahan who could sign a bridge deal and Colborne . Currently sitting at $46m . They have at least 4 younger cheap- first rounders -coming up for depth
I’m a huge Pens fan and love Flower. If I am a Leafs fan he’d be fantastic, but another great cheap option is Calvin Pickard. The kid is gonna be gravy!
Pulling out my crystal ball…Howard will end up in Calgary and Detroit will eat some of his salary unless they take Wideman back in a deal, the rest of it will be a shuffle of picks.