Quote:
Originally Posted by jmelm
Orpik is a guy that we are going to make a decision on: we will either decide that he is a veteran presence whose leadeship we want long-term and he wants to retire here (and hence re-sign at somewhat of a discount); or we will decide that we have guys who can replace him and will be as good or better than him for the same or less money.
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That's an interesting question. I feel that Orpik is in a similar, but not same, boat to Martin, however there is more uncertainty surrounding his future.
He's not getting more than what he is on now so if he rebounds this year, how is he fit under the cap with the blueliners coming through and Letang coming off contract? In this situation, Martin's a goner to provide flexibility under the cap (
assumption: the cap is reduced to $60-odd million).
If Orpik doesn't rebound this season, do you try and resign him on a short, low-cost contract? He'd likely garner significant interest from elsewhere so you would have to think he's a goner via a trade.
Regardless, the blueline is going to be rebuilt from the bottom up in the next couple of years.