Updated list of remaining UFAs plus latest on the Oilers, Red Wings, Bruins and Jimmy Vesey in your Sunday NHL rumor roundup.
UPDATED NHL UFA LIST.
Kris Russell is among the few notables still remaining in the NHL UFA market.
TSN: Kris Russell, Jiri Hudler, Luke Schenn, Justin Schultz, Sam Gagner, Radim Vrbata, James Wisniewski, Kris Versteeg, Brandon Pirri and Alex Tanguay are among the notable players still remaining in the NHL free-agent market.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The UFA pool is getting shallower, which could perhaps lead to some trade activity later this month. College star left wing Jimmy Vesey tops the list, but he’s not available until Aug. 15. The list also includes winger Teddy Purcell, but he reportedly signed a one-year, $1.6 million contract on Friday with the LA Kings.
LATEST ON THE OILERS AND WINGS.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples believes the Oilers aren’t done looking to improve their blueline. “Until Colorado Avs defenceman Tyson Barrie and Avs hockey boss Patrick Roy both declare all is well between them it’s evident that Edmonton will continue to seek a trade for Barrie.” However, he doesn’t believe they’ll pursue him at any price. Staples also feels they could target the Anaheim Ducks, who have a surplus of young blueliners and a need to bolster their offense. Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli said he’s good to go with his current defense corps.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Avalanche GM Joe Sakic maintains the only place Barrie is headed to is salary arbitration. Unless Chiarelli is targeting someone who hasn’t popped up in the rumor mill (as he did with his acquisition of Adam Larsson), the best place to find what the Oilers seek appears to be Anaheim. However, that could also turn out to be an expensive undertaking.
DETROIT FREE PRESS: Helene St. James reports the Red Wings remain on the hunt for a defenseman outside the free-agent market. She notes there’s been trade chatter regarding Anaheim Ducks blueliner Cam Fowler, speculating it could take Tomas Tatar or Gustav Nyquist and a high second-round pick to land him. “St. Louis’ Kevin Shattenkirk is better on the power play than Fowler, but Shattenkirk is unrestricted next summer and he’ll command in the $6-7 million range. Winnipeg’s Jacob Trouba is 6-foot-3 and shoots right, which is why the Jets want to keep him.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I said several days ago it could cost the Wings Tatar or Nyquist if they hope to pry Fowler out of Anaheim. It’s sounding like the Blues will retain Shattenkirk for at least the start of 2016-17. I doubt the Jets intend to trade away Trouba.
UPDATES ON THE BRUINS AND JIMMY VESEY.
CSNNE.COM: Joe Haggerty reports a league sources claims the Boston Bruins are “kicking the tires” on free-agent defenseman Kris Russell. He also reports there’s an expectation the Bruins “will dangle either David Krejci or Ryan Spooner to get some defensemen help over the next few weeks.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Krejci has a full no-movement clause, a $7.25 million annual cap hit through 2020-21 and an injury history. He won’t be the most desirable trade bait for the Bruins. The 24-year-old Spooner, who netted 49 points last season, is more affordable, but on his own he might not be enough to land a quality blueliner. Depending on who they’re chasing, the Bruins could be squeezed to add a first- or second-round draft pick or a promising prospect in the deal.
THE BOSTON GLOBE: Kevin Paul Dupont reports pending UFA college prospect left winger Jimmy Vesey still intends to test the free-agent market on August 15. The Buffalo Sabres acquired Vesey’s NHL rights from the Nashville Predators but have been unsuccessful thus far in attempts to sign him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vesey’s critics consider him a spoiled brat for taking this stance. What he’s actually doing is using free agency to his advantage just like every other player. It’s a rare opportunity for a promising young prospect to sign wherever he wants, rather than having no control over where he begins his NHL career. Remember, it’s not about money, as he’s going to get an entry-level contract regardless of where he signs. It’s about joining the team he believes is the best fit.
Vesey to Pittsburgh! No other team can offer him the opportunity in camp that Pittsburgh can.
I’m a Leaf fan and my opinion is he will choose to go where his style of play, coach, current and future players signed will weigh in on his decision! He seems to be analytical and is confident in what he brings to a team.
I think he will choose either the Rangers, Detroit, Montreal or Islanders!
His best fit though are Florida “Toronto” and Nashvile!!
Best fit would be a team that he has a chance to play top minutes that is also an immediate contender. Pitt, Dallas, maybe Chi… those would be the top teams. Nash was a good one too.
The best fit for Vese is in Philadelphia. A team on the rise with a young, player-friendly coach who has a reputation for getting the most out of young players.
He could be penciled into Andrew Shaw’s spot in Chicago but Boston seems logical
Nashville offered him a top 6 role, Buffalo has done the same. He could have signed with either. Had he in Nashville the team that drafted him he would have done so in the NHL playoffs. This has to do with where he wants to play. Any & all will promise him the same opportunity, same money. Pittsburgh isn’t it.
My money is on Boston. My reasoning is he grew up a Boston fan & his best friend drafted by the Bruins just signed there.
Just like Stamkos wanting to play at home… wait.. he wanted to play for a contender (which Boston isnt right now). Pittsburgh should be in the top of his list. Opportunity for top 6 with two of the best talents in the league, just won the cup, window to win again open for years…
although with the way Chi-town pulls rabbits out its bum I could see him being swayed to them as well.
I never made those comments.
???? there is 2 Strikers? people dont always want to go home… any and all cant offer him the same opportunities.
Not here I don’t believe. My comments on Stamkos were if he wants more than 8.5 to stay in TB then Yzerman should let him walk. I even condoned potentially 9 mil tops but never engaged in where he was going. Nor did I ever say he wanted to play for a contender as I really don’t care where he plays. I wanted TB to let him walk & trade Bishop, to where I could care less.
I did repeatedly state that he didn’t deserve to be paid in the top 15 players in the NHL as he simply isn’t 1 today. I did state that 8.5 TB might be able to make everything work moving forward if they could find away to get Bishop, Filppula & or Callahan’s contract off the books. Time will tell.
You go back & find those comments & cut & paste. They didn’t come out of my mouth or did I type such so good luck there but please spend the time to do so. For the most part I try to stay out of the meaningless BS discussions that have no basis in fact or potential of actually happening. A waste of everyone’s time especially my own. On occasion I weigh in as the comment is so stupid it requires some form of response.
I believe Chrisms was stating what many other were, which was that Stamkos wanted to play at home, and it turns out that he did not and that could be the same for Vesey.
Anyways, Stamkos is at least a top 10 forward in the league still, no question. Go up and down the list, you can’t name 10 better forwards. I know you said top 15 in the league but regardless, his market value is more than $8.5 mil.
I think Pittsburgh is a good fit as well. Boston feels like a middling team right now, not on the rise, trying to float in that area.
Toronto offers a team on the rise, but if he is looking for a sure thing, they have a lot of forwards vying for 2 top 9 wing positions to start the season. I know Vesey is looking for top 6 minutes, but Toronto will likely roll 3 lines to spread around the skill, youth, experience as to not expose a line or player to too much pressure as they are trying to develop.
Right now Komorov, Nylander, JVR and Marner (at least for 9 games) look to be locks to start the season on the wings in the Leafs top 9. You have Kapanen, Rychel, Brown, Soshnikov, Leivo, Hyman and Holland also looking to nab those spots. Throw in Martin, who may get a spot just to ride shotgun with some younger guys, and at the very least it will feel like a lot of competition. Also Babcock doesn’t strike me as the type of coach who will feel he owes it to a player to give him the spot, so in terms of guranteed icetime Toronto may not be a fit.
I think Vesey could be better than any of those mentioned above, but if he is looking for a slam dunk guarantee to get 15+ NHL minutes a night, the log jam may not feel like a sure thing.
Pittsburgh would be intriguing. Could play for a cup soon, ride shotgun with Malkin or Sid, really make a name for himself very quickly. Less internal competition as the Pens are more in win now mode, and don’t have the depth in prospects that other teams do. Seems like a fit from the outside looking in, but it’s always hard to guage what certain players are thinking of. The Leafs will likely court him hard, that is managements job, and they have been pretty good at it.
Home is where the heart is he is going to Boston….
You make great points. There is still risk though. When we look at Plotnikov last year, he did everything right with signing a cheap deal, buying out his contract in the KHL and saying he wants to play here and win here and all that. Everything looked promising in that his game would be an excellent fit with what Malkin does. He was a stellar fit in pre-season but completely crapped out once the regular season starts. By November he was basically getting a free ticket to games from the press box. Any hype he brought (at least with Pens fans) is long gone and he likely settles into a career as a serviceable back 6 option. I worry Vesey could end up in the same boat – good hype, skills are there, looks like he could be a fit, cheap contract (assuming) – but then can’t find success in the NHL and falls off and ruins any reputation he has now.
I can see the this loophole being a problem at the next CBA that and the new way players are circumventing contacts through signing bonus to make them
lockout/ Buyout proof.
Absolutely. The NHL will slam the door on those loopholes
This isn’t a loophole……..understand the logic and rules.
Players draft rights generally last about 4 yrs.
Junior players drafted at 18 if they don’t sign, reenter the draft at 20. Then 2 yrs later they are free to sign anywhere.
European players rights are thru 4 yrs till 1 june draft yr plus 4 then they are a free agent.
If a player goes to collegethey usually start their college right after the draft so rights last to graduating yr then till August 15. If they leave early it reverts to 4 yrs till June 1 or 30 days to sign..which ever is later.
This situation isnt the problem… the problem is the embarrassing CHL contract that enables blackmail.. (the ncaa isnt any better btw… but at least the players get a free education). get rid of that contract, let the CHL sink or swim and let the players be put in the appropriate level that the market dictates.
@chrisms clearly you know very little on how the jr. and college system works. Scholarships in the ncaa are not necessarily free, as a matter of fact, very few kids get a full scholarship. In the chl, every year played in jrs. you earn a yr. in coll/university paid. The monies put aside by the CHL, Jr.A and Jr.B teams is immence. The system isn`t perfect, but it`s hell of a lot better than you think or your suggested alternative.
correct yogi… often it is only a partial discount on the ed. but it coincides with their time working their way up in the hockey world… not delayed. the point remains accurate. the fact these players can’t sell themselves to a proffesional league, i.e. AHL ECHL etc. when they are ready for those leagues is an abomination. At least the NCAA players can play and get educated and then be FA, should they choose. that is how it should be.
I hate this rule/loophole so much, it makes no sense.
But, the Blake Wheeler situation was before this past CBA and they didn’t fix it.
Why on Earth should a team lose their #5 overall pick just because he stays in college for the normal length of time?
Teams should own a player’s rights two years after he leaves college.
Players who choose to go the university route shouldn’t start on the clock to UFA status until they leave University. You can’t sign a player well in University, he would lose his amateur status & have to leave to play pro. A Jr player can be signed & play JR hockey for years, even collecting his signing bonus & all the benefits players in Major junior receive daily plus the benefits provided by the team. University players can’t. Rest assured this will get modified in the next CBA in some way.
The comment was made more towards players signing bonus laden contracts with guaranteed monies whether the NHL is playing or not. This undermines the spirit of the CBA & I wouldn’t be surprised to see the NHL bring some form of punitive damages to play on teams that have signed these contracts like they did with the penalties in cap recovery fee’s on contracts that circumvented the last CBA; 2005-05, but were written into the 2012-13 CBA after the fact. The NHL doesn’t like these shenanigans & players shouldn’t be allowed to earn monies if not playing.
It’s with in the existing rules so nothing the NHL can do about it but i will be addressed in some way come the next CBA negotiations. No way are we not facing another lock out, strike, work stoppage what ever it may be when this CBA expires. That’s just how collective bargaining works. It’s all about leverage & forcing each others hands. No common sense. Greed is alive & well on all sides.
@chrisms you can do that in jrs. too and even at an earlier age. Who`s gonna decide which player is ready for a higher league, YOU. The various pro leagues would rape, pillage and plunder the kids. The agents they`re worse than the leagues for gawds sake. Give your head a shake, you`d destroy hockey in no time
Not a chance he is a Boston kid waiting until August 15 to test free agency and sign with the bruins…it would be nice but not happening… I’m a die hard Penguins fan….but no
Just like Stamkos went home right? or for a pens fan… just like saad and trocheck held out to go home to the pens. or how about lucic going home to Van… the list goes on and on…
Might as well learn to dive from the best
Spooner, a high end prospect, and a 2nd rounder will net a defenseman. The question is whether or not a team will trade a defenseman. In this market I doubt it. The Vesey rumors are getting silly. He has not played a game in the NHL.
Kids from Boston hate Pitsburgh he will play with Krech Bergie or Backes not a bad start to your career.
Krech Bergie or Backes… or Malkin-Crosby? Making the former choice says something about kids from Boston… not necessarily that they hate Pittsburgh. “oh man, they once had Ulf on their team… I’ll play with far less talent… that’ll show em!”
I have no idea where he will end up all I know is the track record of kids doing this out of college hasn’t been great recently
I agree. Its a long shot for the kid. Pens have limited options for upgrading (not that they need to many upgrades) and taking a flyer on a college kid who is either a late bloomer or just dominated against younger competition is something they should look into. He would still have to earn his spot in camp though.
Bruin fans will never forgive Ulf for his Knee on knee cheap shot on Cam. Remember the Iggy signing and then Chara and the boys sweeping Sid and his merry men. Vesey will be a Bruin or Leaf both teams will beable to afford him once he turns 25.
what does it matter one iota what happens when he is 25… he’ll sign with the highest bidder if he wants… in the meantime he could have a ring or two… something he wont get with boston or leafs. oh… dont forget cooke on savrd either…
Wow kids from Boston growing up hate Pittsburgh…kind of harsh thought that was reserved for Yankees (New York) and the Redsox Boston. I know growing up in Pittsburgh we didn’t even think of Boston they weren’t a factor..we hated Philadelphia….
There is no real natural rivarly there… Redsox-Pirates no…Bruins-Penguins a little rivarly recently….. OH yeah Penguins won the 2016 Stanley Cup this year we aren’t thinking about Boston. Steelers-Patriots some Patriots have had our number recently but we still have two more super bowls than you so….
go hate montreal/Buffalo will ya..
Dude what a hater….. you should hate new yorkers… LOL
Obe true that Ulf’s hit was weak for sure..and you did swept and injury depleted team in 2013…where were you this year huh….didn’t even qualify for the playoffs. The Penguins have won 4 cups since 1991 and the Bruins one so you lose there…the Penguins are a better organization face it…..at least you are out of that dump Boston garden….
i agree with you read my post Vessy to Pittsburgh is a pipe dream he will go to Boston, Toronto or Buffalo (jack Eichel is there)
you talk of Ulfee yeah cheap hit i agree I really liked Cam as a player…but the losers the Bruins have had Oreilly, Cashman, Cheevers..that F***ing slug Mike Millbury (NBCSN JOKE) Stan Bleeping Jonathan there’s a winner. Stoner Derek Sanderson nothing but a goon squad so careful throwing stones
OBe…oh yeah can’t forget the rat Ken Linesman who will slew foot you any chance he got…..and the douch bag (forget his name)who sucker punch Orpik from behind during a scrum only a couple years back..then hit him when he was down that’s classy sums up Bruins hockey….
outside the flyers no one players a cheaper brand of hockey than Boston…. period
Well if we want to compare cities – how many Cups , how many World Series & how many NBA titles…..oh that’s right the little town of Pittsburgh don’t got an NBA team ?
Lyle what do you think about Cam Fowler and possibly more for either Matt Duchene or Gabriel Landeskog?
Normally I’d definitely it would take Cam Fowler “plus” to get it done, because Landeskog and Duchene are both better players today, but Fowler plays a more valuable position than Landeskog, has as much potential as either Landeskog or Duchene if he can learn how to use his elite skating to impact the game more offensively, like Duncan Keith, and the market is so thin on defense that we just saw Adam Larsson net Taylor Hall back in return. To top it off, Fowler is beloved in the locker room, while Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy are looking to make a culture change in Colorado. We’ve seen time and time again, from the Hall trade to the Subban trade to the Seguin trade, GMs willing to take slightly below equal value back in the trade if it means getting the culture change they are really after.
So Avs fans might not love it, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see Fowler go for Duchene straight up. However, as a Ducks fan who just wants to see a better, more exciting team next season with the Ducks cup window winding down, it’s easy for me to throw greater offers out there over the internet if it takes more, and I’m happy to do that.
Lyle, could you see Cam Fowler and a 1st round pick for Landeskog? Or Cam Fowler and either a 1st round pick, or Nick Ritchie, and/or Nick Kerdiles, or a 2nd round pick, and/or Marcus Pettersson who played very well for Team Sweden at the WJCs last year and is a 6’3, smooth skating Swedish defensive prospect picked in the 2nd round?
The problem I foresee is Bob Murray may not be willing to give up a 1st round pick, even if it makes his team better, because the only time he ever gets fair value for anything he does anymore is when he lets his amateur scouts pick defensemen for him in the 1st round. Also, Bob Murray may not be willing to trade Nick Ritchie either because Bob Murray is obsessed with big, strong, Canadian power forwards. I’m not kidding I saw him crying in the rain alone in the back alley outside of Honda Center two days ago after it was announced that Milan Lucic signing with Edmonton was official.
But maybe I’m wrong. Can you see this happening? The Avs want a young top 3 left defenseman with #1 – #2 potential who can help now and in the future, and who is good in the room. They also want a culture change. The Ducks want a young top line forward who can help now and in the future, and preferably one who makes them faster. Whether it’s Duchene or Landeskog, either way seems like a match made in heaven for both teams. No doubt that Bob Murray would prefer Landeskog because if you squint your eyes, both Landeskog and Lucic start with “L,” plus Landeskog is left wing which the Ducks really need, but I would be happy with either one.
What do you think Lyle? Please just tell me it’s going to happen… this is Bob Murray’s one obvious chance to make a good trade, and I don’t think he knows how to do anything that’s not obvious, so if this chance goes by, I don’t think Ducks fans are going to get a good trade at all.
Unless the Avs decide to part ways with Barrie, they might not be moving Duchene or Landeskog for Fowler.
Barrie is RHD, Fowler is LHD, but I see your point regardless.
If they do move Barrie, do you think it will happen for Fowler straight up? If they don’t move Barrie, do you think Ducks could get it done anyway if they added a 1st or other future assets to sweeten the pot?
Rudy:
At first I dismissed this as Ducks have Getzkaf, Kessler & Rackell at center so don’t see how Duchene fits. That being said I’ve always liked Duchene and also it’s not just the Aves who need a culture change, so do the Ducks. Now the Aves have not made the playoff much lately and with the young talent they have are beginning to look like the Oilers, add young talent, miss the playoffs so seeing some of the shocking deals lately lets shakes things up. Getzlaf and Perry for Duchene, Landeskog, plus a lottery protected #1 ( if Aves get the 10th or better pick in 2018 then Ducks get 2018 #1- if 11th or higher Ducks get 2017) Now this is just having fun, Murray would never do it and Getz’s and Perry have no movement clauses but how many of us thought Weber would be in Montreal and Hall in Jersey ?
You must be a ducks fan, 2 aging former stars for 2 young up and coming stars. Plus you want Colorado to throw in their 1st rd pick too. Are you sure that’s enough, you might also want to ask for Mackinnon and Barrie, you could even things out by maybe sending Anaheims 7th rd back to Colorado (only if you have to). I`m not a Colorado fan and I`m sure every one that is will respond if they ever stop laughing and you guys criticize leaf fans for dreaming
Yogi
Your right about the age range, MD is 25 / GL is 23 whereas RG & CP are 31, Declining ? Perry Goals last 3 years are 34-33-43 where as GL is 20-23-9, GL looks like a 2nd liner in the making. As far as the centers points MD 59-55-43 versus RG 63-70-87 but Getzlaf is a much better defensive Center. For Colorado it becomes how many more years do you want to miss the playoffs ? While MD will most likely be a point producer in the future, does not look like GL is going to be a PERRY TYPE goal scorer so perhaps an exchange of Silfverburg instead of Perry is more equal. Then adding a young D-man not named Sami V – nor Flower would even it out.
Colorado is not making playoffs with this roster and Ducks are not winning cup with current chemistry.
If you`re Colorado and you make any of those deals you suggest, they won`t be making the playoffs for the next 10 yrs. never mind the way they are now. The change Colorado seems to need right now is in the coaching department more than the players. I like Perry and Getzlaf and there`s no way I`d ever make those deals. In another year you`ll be begging teams to take them off your hands let alone asking for young stars and a 1st to boot.
alforDucks, I agree with Yogi, that deal isn’t fair to the Avs because of the ages of the players.
The reason I think Fowler for Duchene or Landeskog is realistic is because the players are in the same age range, with similar upside, and Fowler plays the hardest to find position and is the cheapest against the salary cap.
Whether it’s Fowler straight up for Duchene, Fowler and Ritchie straight up for Duchene, Fowler and Ritchie straight up for Landeskog, or Fowler, Ritchie, and a 1st or 2nd for Landeskog, that’s for Murray and Sakic to negotiate. But I think Fowler for one of those two, at least as a starting point, would be good for the Ducks. As for the Avs, I don’t think trading Duchene or Landeskog is good for them regardless, but since Sakic and Roy seem set on trading one, you won’t find a better young defenseman available in return than Fowler.
Ok dude Da Bear wasn’t even talking to you beeaccthhh…was talking to an Boston fan…..
Ok you opened your mouth
since 1990 Penguins 4 Cups Blackhawks 3 Cups
Steelers 2 Super Bowls Bears 0 will give ya 1985 1
Pirates well 5 world championships Cubs cursed billy goat all that so 0 oh yeah 1862 was it they won
pirates have been a playoff team three years in a row and we were good in the early and middle 90’s all playoff seasons..and the Cubs
let me see now whats there name again oh yeah the lovable losers Bartman…list goes on… LOL
They are good this year ill give it to you….
cant compare teams (basketball) if you don’t have one
so Pittsburgh has been the better championship teams wise since 1990 4 to 3 your was all in one sport too….
have a great 4th man…
Actually Da bear just woke up (mistake last message)
since 1990 Pittsburgh 6 championships
Chicago 3 (all in one sport….not counting the White Sox because every knows the Cubs are Chicago’s team just as the Lakers are Los Angeles team…
So you said lets compare teams there you go…
I completely agree with Vesey. You almost never choose who you play with. If you got a choice, why would you go to Buffalo when you could go to Mtl, Pit, Det ect.
He’s just being smart.
Why not Buffalo ?
Still a couple years away from stanley cup contenders… at least.
Sabres wasted a 3rd for Vesey to chose his landing spot.
Could be.But its a gamble. But how many 3rd rd picks actually work out ?
I’d be more ticked if it was a 2nd.
They had 4 3rd picks I think wasn’t much of a waste
It was a worthwhile gamble. Still may even pay off.
I don’t find it a waste since they had 4 3rd’s you just can’t sign all those contracts when you have 12 picks so Murray took a shot to get a 2 month jump on the rest. Having the opportunity to get in his ear for 2 months beats a 15 min chat on Aug 15th. Nothing ventured nothing gained. I applaud Murray for being aggressive, beats having Darcy here. Vesey may sign elsewhere but at least Murray is willing to take a gamble and one of four 3rd’s is worth it in my book.
Pitt yes, as MB stated nobody wants to sign with Mont and Det is on a downward spiral. The only reason Det made the playoffs is due to Bost spitting the bit down the stretch. Bost has the hometown angle but his father has said he preferred he not go to Bost. Tor and Buff are on the upswing, Buff is probably a year or two ahead in their rebuild. Buff will probably give him top six minutes. He can sign there get 2 years of experience and if not happy he is a UFA in two years and leaves. He probably will get the same money where ever he goes so that isn’t a consideration. He has a sit down with Murray after the holiday so we’ll have a better feel if Buff has a chance. Personally I can see an UTR team come in and sign him
I don’t know what team he ends up on but if I’m him buff,Bos,ducks would be my choices the leafs are just too far away
Vesey comment in Kevin Paul Dupont article for the Globe
“I have a couple of teams in mind, but my dad’s said he is going to let me make the decision,” said Vesey. “I think that’s fair. I am 23 years old at this point, so I am a man on my own and . . . I think I’d like to be in the Northeast a little bit.
So Montreal ottawa?
With the recent signing of Polak hopefuly that means that the Leafs have moved on from Russell…if not it might mean they are perhaps moving a couple steps off the analytical path and Lou is having more influence than he has up to now judging by some ofthe decision s recently.
Ya that might explain why Stamkos resigned with Tampa within hours of meeting with the Leafs reps.
As it stands right now we’re carrying too many defensemen. I don’t think Marincin, Corrado or Connor Carrick (Imo the best prospect of the three) are waiver exempt, so unless we carry 8 defenceman we’re probably going to lose one already. A big “no thanks” to Russel.
None of them are waiver exempt, but outside of keeping Marincin or Carrado for the expansion draft, I don`t think anyone will lose any sleep over it, if any of the 3 got claimed on waivers. Russel is one of those guys where advanced stats is wrong in his overall abilities. He`s not 3 d-man, but he`s not as bad as analytics says he is. I agree with you tho on the no thanks. He`s just not the type of d-man that T.O. needs at this time. T.O. needs a more physical presence in front of the net, especially now with Andersen in net.
It`s been reported that Lou made a substantial multi yr. offer to Kris Russell. Russell`s agent Allain Roy denies that the Russell camp has turned it down. Lou what are you doing? It`s becoming pretty plain to see why Lou`s no longer in charge in N.J. Never liked Lou`s hiring
I’m with you on that, Dubas and Hunter were doing pretty good before Lou got there. The only FA I want at this point is Vesey. If he goes elsewhere then let’s stick with what we got.
It’s been said that Anaheim need 2nd line scoring. How about Krejci for Lindholm and Despres? If THE BRUINS sign Vesey, change Krejci to Marchand. Either trade. the Ducks get the best player.
Lindholm? By far the best player of those listed. Even before the d-market was upset by Charelli. Krejci has an awful contract and is injury prone, Marchand so far has only one really good season on his resume. Berg for Lindholm would be closer to actual current market value.
And that is not happening. Cap hit alone.
The market for d right now is off the charts. Its why Fowler and Shat are still with their teams. The cost for a potential top pairing guy is one of the best players on your team. or a butt load of top prospects/top picks.
That’s a ducks pipe dream. Bergy is the Bruins. Never. The Bruins don’t have to win the cup this year just make the playoffs. They have done enough to do that. Lots of good D talent maturing in Portland for the near term cup run. No way Bergy moves.
Lindholm, by far the best player of those listed? You must be dreaming. He’s got years to go, before he proves he’s a better player than Bergeron. Sure, Lindholm has great potential, but he’s still a kid, and has yet to prove that he’s a first pairing d-man, year in and year out.
Laurie… Berg wasnt listed… Lindholm is better than Krejic or Marchand. Please re-read. and if hall gets larsson… then if berg gets lindholm its a win for the bruins
paul… the only pipe dream is the bruins getting a top d man without parting with a buttload of assets. no implying berg should be traded… but thats what it would take. your assessment of the bruins as a tweener team right now is accurate… need to move krejic and charas contract for assets, hit or miss the playoffs and look to 17-18 and beyond
If Larsson gets you Hall think of what Lindholm (who’s better) will get Anahiem. You’re clearly a Bruins fan.
Yeah, but the Edmonton scaling, Lindholm gets you Crosby and a 1st.
danny… like it or not they set the market… 🙁
I wouldn’t say Lindholm is better than Larsson.
Offensively, sure, but they are defensemen after all and Larsson is a top tier defender.
Lindholm and Depres?!? You want 2 young top 4 defenders for that aging old fossil Kreci that spends most of the season hurt? That’s a joke and a half
Wasn’t everyone saying a season ago Calgary’s defence was so strong. Russell was included in that (deep strong defence) like he was the second coming. I remember everyone saying on your TSN’s and SN’s that this this guy is the real deal. SOLID. What happened all of a sudden?
Market is what you get, not what you want. St Louis asked way too much for their d man and that’s why the Oilers went another direction. The problem with asking too much is that you might be left with no takers and a d man who is not very happy. People forget the d man the Oilers got is 3-4 years younger than Shat, and about 3-4 million less a year to have under contract. In todays salary structure, that’s huge. Trading for a young d man instead of over paying for a D man that has 2-3 years of top level play before his skills and speed start to slowly go south is smart.
Trading for Webber was a huge mistake, his salary, age and the fact that he was not the #1 d man on the team anymore will haunt this team for many years.
From Veseys perspective he gets to choose a combination of a chance; to play top six minutes now, to win now, to grow with a young group, style of play, and/or the pressure of a home town or Canadian hockey city.
If he wants to win now Pitsburg, the Ducks, Hawks, Lightning, Capitals and Kings probably give him the best chance because he would also get at least 2nd line minutes. The rest of the teams could get hot and win but these are the teams with the best chance to win a cup. There is a second tier of teams that may be included if they have a good season. Boston could be one of these.
If he wants lots of ice time and to grow with a team then Leafs, Sabres, Dallas, Panthers and even NYI would fit for him.
I didn’t include most Canadian teams because he is American. It would seem that Boston has a distinct advantage due to home town and he may feel he owes something to the Leafs but I really don’t see that as a factor.
For style of play Toronto, Pitsburg, Lightning and Dalls have the advantage?
This just makes the decision harder. I think that if he considered all the factors Pitsburg, Chicago and the Lightning are his best choices with Boton and Leafs next. If he was Canadian I would say Leafs due to exposure to Babcock for future international play would be a big factor.
It will be interesting maybe playing with his buddy Eichel wins in the end. I don’t know if he has any connection to Matthews?
Pittsburgh… Duh
Lyle.
Minnespota & Columbus both still have a surplus of Dman pre expansion draft. Minnesota has 5, they have to move at least 1. Columbus could potentially protect all 4 of theirs but then need to be move a very good young forward or risk losing Jenner, Atkinson or Wenneberg.
@striker what’s your thought on Sweeney signing backes? I recall you saying Boston was in a rebuild and than they go out and sign a 32 yr old declining backes for big term and money? Imo it was another questionable move by Sweeney
I had hoped for Brouwer, we; several Bruin’s fans that visit this site discussed Backes. To be honest I didn’t see the fit as I thought term & cost would be to high. I thought he would get kesler term & money. 5 years at 6 years is steep but love what he brings to the tteam & what’s done is done.
I hate the liles signing even for 1 year. The Bruins are rebuilding but on the fly. Not a full scale tear down. Still aton of youth on this team. Backes replaces Eriksson but can play C as proficiently as RW. With Connolly gone I assume Vatrano moves up & Morrow & C. Miller will see far more minutes & games. That’s at least 3 more young players taking on more responsibility next season.
The Bruins are still a bubble playoff team.
That backes signing was terrible he has been on the decline the past two seasons and is now eating 6 million In cap till he is 37 and the dman he could get was liles? One more offseason like this and Sweeney is out the door imo
Vesey will sign with Boston I don’t care who holds his rights!
Absolutely… Just like Stamkos went home!
Very true chris ?
Do think if Stamkos was just starting his NHL career and had an option to pick wherever he would pick Tampa over Toronto? Stamkos is a established NHL star and signed with the team he started his NHL career with. Not saying he’ll sign with Boston, but your statement of signing with or not with the home team is not comparable when using any established NHL player.
He did go home
You may have just signed out a membership with that exclusive club that continually assures everyone that so-and-so is headed for such-and-such a place – without question. Such as Stamkos, Bobby Ryan and a host of others.
I also like what the Leafs didn’t do in free agency. Pollack was a better signing than Russell because he does everything Russell does except offence but at a lower cost plus he can be moved at the trade deadline.
If they must make a deal go after Fowler with prospects and picks as long as there is no first in there. Because Carlyle liked JVR they might be able to get Fowler and Ritchie for JVR, Corrado, a second and a forward prospect like Lievo, Lindburg or Brown. TO has to get a potential replacement for JVR back from this deal. Right now Leafs only have Corrado on defense that has to clear waivers if he doesn’t play so they are in good shape. Right now the d looks like this:
-Reilly:Zhaitsev
-Gardner/ Carrick
-marincin/Polack
-Hunwick
Good to start the year with. If they move someone they should go with a young guy or bring Schenn in on a one year deal like Polack. I consider both players the same?
Vesey’s family connection will bring him to Toronto. Play for the team that employs the old man.
As a Leafs fan I am glad they went with Polak on a 1 year deal. I don’t mind adding a vet to the group.
I am also worried about getting away from the analytics trend under Lou. At least it doesn’t seem like they are willing to break the bank on it. Russell would be an ok signing for the right price, something where he could be a stop gap top 4 and either expire or be still somewhat reasonable price wise for the bottom pairing.
The only thing about it all is that I don’t believe there were a lot of those great steal type analytic darlings out there this year. You still need to ice a roster, so I don’t mind that they were looking and am glad that they seem to have a very sensible view of their budget.
The Martin signing was worrisome for the same reason. Not that the money or term will hurt the cap situation, but he somewhat flies in the face of the analytics movement, which makes me concerned that the Leafs hopped on it when it was trendy, but now think they know better. Again, maybe it was a way of inserting some veteran leadership into the locker room without breaking the bank, but we will have to wait and see.
Somebody Catch me up on Expansion: Last I heard you could protect 4 forwards, 3 defensemen and a goalie: Has that changed ?
I look at Boston signing Backes and they have Bergeron, Krejci, Backes, Marchand, Spooner and I’m sure I have forgotten somebody,
so who do they protect and who gets a one way ticket to Vegas ?
If they take Krejci then boston should throw a parade.
You mean Vegas throw a party if Boston is stupid enough not to protect Krejci.
7F, 3D & 1G or 8 skaters & a goalie. Players with less than 2 years of NHL contractual experience which includes playing in the AHL or ECHL are exempt from having to be protected.
Jeff Finger
Here is a link to a fun tool that shows what teams may have to expose in the expansion draft. It shows what players require protection, what players are exempt and what players meet certain criteria for exposure.
http://www.generalfanager.com/teams/expansion
Just playing around with it you can see that Anaheim, Nashville, Minnesota, Tampa are all going to have to expose good young players as of today. At least one of the following players will have to be exposed from each team.
Anahaeim: Rakell, Fowler, Despres
Nashville: Ekholm, Ellis, Smith, Wilson
Tampa: Palat, Killorn, Sustr
Minnesota: Brodin, Scandella, Coyle
Columbus: Atkinson, Wennberg, Jenner
NYI: Hickey, De Haan
I’m sure there are other interesting situations, but my point would be that I wouldn’t rush into overpaying when you know the market is going to get to a point where there are going to be teams looking to get something for good assets they can’t protect, and not a massive list of teams that will have both the currency (picks, near ready prospects that don’t need protection) and the ability to protect the asset themselves to keep the prices too high. I think there could be good value there.
Some teams won’t have the cap space (chicago, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Washington) and some are at a point where protecting an extra asset just exposes something (Edmonton, Florida, Ottawa, Buffalo)
So teams like Toronto, Arizona, Carolina who have the capacity to take on an asset that you can protect but also have assets worth trading that don’t require protection should be able to snatch a good value deal out of this somewhere along the way.
I’d leave Wilson open if I were Nashville.
Danny
Thank You, that link is nifty. As it stands TODAY, it’s Silfverburg bye, bye but I would try hard to move Bieska, Even if I have give something along with Bieska. Next spring there is going to be some crazy deals.
That isn’t completely accurate. For example Anaheim doesn’t have to expose Fowler if not traded. They could choose to protect 4 Dman under the 8 skater option. Bieksa, Lindholm, Fowler & Vatanen. Columbus would only lose any of those 3 forwards if the choose to protect 4 Dman, if they protect 7 forwards they can keep everyone of those forwards & potentially lose 1 of the 4 Dman; Jones, Murray, Savard & Johnson, if 1 isn’t traded.
The best way to figure it out is to go & look then make your on assumptions. I do so almost daily. The expansion draft is a year away & most teams will have long since solved their protected roster issues by the time expansion rolls around or they will make deals with Las Vegas that help both teams.
Expansion really isn’t going to hurt teams as much as everyone is thinking teams will be able to get around it by the time it rolls around
Nelson, Strome and DalColle
For
Duchene
On Vesey….3rd round picks rarely become nhl top 6/top 4 players. Just making a career in the nhl fir 3rd rounders is under 25%. Buffalo has Eichel who knows him and owns the rights to a buffalo native and Harvard team mate who says they are very close friends in Sean Malone who is expected to return for his senior season at Harvard then sign with buffalo after the season.
The earliest they could sign him was on July 1 and the last day to sign him is august 15 with 16th being when he is free to sign with other teams.
Buffalo plans to make a pitch to him this week. We will see what happens. Th8s week buffal9 has a prospect summer camp. If he doesn’t sign this week, he likely won’t sign till August 16.
He’ll probably go and sign in Boston. He all but said so in a recent interview.
Canadiens fans, how would you feel about the parameters of a trade of Cam Fowler for Alex Galchenyuk if the Ducks don’t get Duchene or Landeskog in a trade? Now that you have Radulov and Plekanec as your top 2 centers, what do you think?
Radulov isn’t a centre and I don’t think anyone would give a good young centre away for fowler
Anaheim isn’t moving Fowler straight up for Galchenyuk, Tatar, Nyquist, or these types of assets, Duchene & Landeskog are in a slightly higher class than these players. Anaheim isn’t getting a Hall for Fowler but the cost will still be higher than that. Now if Duchene can be had Murray might even sweeten the deal from his end. Folwer is a UFA after 2 more yaers at 4 mil, Duchene after 3 more years at 6 mil.
Anaheim has an internal cap. The issue is that # is a complete mystery. Murray is nothing if not secrative in his dealings with the press. Murray did say in his season ending news conference his budget increased for next season, again no actual #. Last year Anaheim’s cap hit cap in at 65.881. They have $58,167,500 committed so far with Lindholm & Rackell to resign & 5 more players to add to get to 23 players.
Even if we were to assume his cap ceiling may push 70 mil not a ton of money after those 2 players are signed to flush out this roster. These discussions about a Krejci or any player like him in a deal for Fowler are ridiculous. Not only will Anaheim not take on that big a contract unless millions are eaten by the team trading the player, the top 3 C positions in Anaheim are locked up. Getzlaf, Kesler & Rackell.
Murray will want a far cheaper player & futures, draft picks & prospects. That’s his MO but with expansion looming & players needing to be protected in really clouds the picture & reduces the options. Murray will most likely want a Dman back in that deal; moving Fowler, that is very close to the NHL but doesn’t need to be protected come the expansion draft. The LW asset may have to meet the same criteria but not essentially. It depends on whether you figure Murray is willing to potentially lose Despres in expansion , choosing the 7F, 3D & 1G option over the 8 skater & G option.
Exactly:
This is all about NOT losing a young good NHL player to expansion for nothing. That’s what trading Andersen now was all about, assets ( draft picks ) that do not have to be exposed next June. By collecting draft picks it may allow Anaheim to use one or two of those picks to pick up a rental Left Wing next February to make a cup run. Next February there just may be a bunch of players suddenly on market because (a) team they are on are out of the playoff run and (b) the team that has them can not or may not want to protect them in the expansion draft. I do not think Anaheim is worried about making the playoff’s, it looks like Ducks / Kings / Sharks will fight it out for first – Second -third and you can guess who finishes where. if Fowler or Sami V goes it will be draft picks and look for Nick Richite to get plenty of playing time on LW, it is his time to prove himself
That would be a horrible trade, we already have same type of defense as fowler, maybe not as good but better then trading away our only #1 center to barely upgrade the defense. Radulov is a rw not a center and even with radulov they need another top 6 forward so cant afford to trade one away for a defense
Read all the Vesey talk.
Montreal no way.
Don’t think just because Pittsburgh won the cup that they are the best team next year. Washington,Tampa, about 5 teams in the west are better.
I would pick Tampa if I were him. Less taxes nicer weather,Stamkos and Hedmam resigned.
Toronto if he wants to be with dad and brother
Boston if he wants to stay home and play for his favorite team
Buffalo if he wants to play with Eichel.
Read a recent interview with Vesey? He all but said he would go to Boston. He distanced himself from Buffalo, that holds his rights, and also from his father (Toronto) and said the decision would be his and that he would like to play in the north-east. Geographically that is Boston. It is the best guess at this point.
Not since January 1st no team was better than the Penguins….
They beat Washington (like they always do in the playoffs)they beat Tampa Bay in the playoffs and those 5 teams in the west only San Jose made it. so you argument has 0 merit….
All those teams you mentioned will be back the Blackhawks will be motivated…so some good hockey to come next season..
Bears haven’t been relevant since 1985….horrible organization..
Cubs have sucked forever
– well 1984 they were good, 2004 they were good then bartman happened so really so basically 2 years since 1862 even a blind squirell gets a nut… 🙂
Da bear comparing cities you lose…Cubs are really good this year so maybe the lovable losers will finally do it unless the goat or Bartman comes back….
I’m mean really your whole town wanted to crucify a man supporting your team who reached for a foul ball like any fan does…and because M. Alou has a angry reaction…the super intelligent Cubs fans go crazy…that sums it up there.
I will admit the Blackhawks have set the standard in Hockey since 2010 no doubt you have three cups now we have 2 so game on….
There is no comparison since 1990—- Pittsburgh more championships 6 to 3
and in the last 10 years of hockey (i didn’t know this) the winning franchise percentage wise were Pittsburgh and San jose like 3% points apart. 🙂