We have a bunch of contracts like Perrault, Alberts, Hordichuk/Rypien/Glass who won't end up on the roster and therefore won't count towards the cap.
Yes but somebody has to be the 11th, 12th and 13th forwards and they will make similar money. And the current cap calculation doesn't even have 13 forwards. It has 12 including Bolduc, Hordichuk, Rypien, Perrault and Glass. Feel free to drop those guys and "free up" cap space but someone has to take those spots and they will be making similar money so there is no point.
Bieksa will be gone unless someone offers up something stupid for Ehrhoff or Edler, and there is a very good chance one of Alberts or O'Brien is gone.
From what I understand (wetcoaster can jump in here if I'm wrong )
whether a contract is one-way or two-way, the player would still have to clear waivers if sent down. It just means that if they do clear, they'd be paid the same amount in Winnipeg as Vancouver. Ownership did give MG permission to spend whatever he needed to build a winning franchise, so that means he has a bit of leeway to overspend on prospects earmarked for the AHL. That must be attractive to college players that MG has signed/attempted to sign.
From what I understand (wetcoaster can jump in here if I'm wrong )
whether a contract is one-way or two-way, the player would still have to clear waivers if sent down. It just means that if they do clear, they'd be paid the same amount in Winnipeg as Vancouver. Ownership did give MG permission to spend whatever he needed to build a winning franchise, so that means he has a bit of leeway to overspend on prospects earmarked for the AHL. That must be attractive to college players that MG has signed/attempted to sign.
More importantly, it's not like he's a total plug that couldn't get a 4th line/13th forward spot somewhere else, a 1-way contract was likely necessary.
Of course, but those are about the only holes left to fill.
I personally would like to see this line-up:
Washington/Vancouver make perfect trading partners. Malhotra would be re-united with Chimera to make a speedy, fore-checking line that are capable of putting 30 points on the board each.
It has been reported that Gillis/Gilman have been trying to acquire Perrault for two years now and I do not believe they would be that persistent on him for the Moose. Perrault would be one of the more skilled 4th liners that Canucks have had in the past. He's a RH center that can distribute the puck, score skilled goals, dish timely hits, and win face-offs. He has good size at 6'2, 217lbs and skates well. He did play on Phoenix's first line in the past and was used on the power-play. Nonetheless, I'm sure he will be competing for a job during training camp and it is ultimately up to him if he makes the team.
More importantly, it's not like he's a total plug that couldn't get a 4th line/13th forward spot somewhere else, a 1-way contract was likely necessary.
Having a better rounded farm team also helps overall player development, ex. more offensive opportunities, so it's not exactly money wasted.
Glass is a decent 4th line/13th forward type who hits, works hard and scraps. He also showed he can be a halfway decent hockey player last year too. At $625,000 per season, we could most certainly do worse.
He's a good 4th liner but i was hoping he wouldn't be resign. Not saying that because there's any issue with Glass. He's a great 4th liner and should be on our 4th line... only problem is AV for some strange reason loves playing him on the 3rd line over Hansen and even at times slotted him in the 2nd line. Glass realistically has little offensive skill and should only be on the 4th line. I hope AV finally learns that this season.
As for the signing itself, i kinda expected 550-600k (QO = 550k) so slightly higher than expect but the 25-75k isn't going to make or break the roster. With this signing and possibly Hansen, it looks like a dog fight come training camp/pre-season for the bottom 6 spots.
Also all these 1 way contract doesn't make any difference beside actual money the player makes (and Glass probably deserves the money based on his play last year). These players will still need to clear waivers when travelling between the minors and NHL regardless of what they get. Don't be surprised (actually i expect) a few of our 1 way contracts to be playing in the minors. Since Glass got a 1 way, its safe to assume Hansen will as well so we have:
Hordi
Glass
Hansen
Ripper
Perrault
all on 1 way contracts competing for 3rd/4th line spots. Altho its possible they all make the team, its also quite possible at least 1 doesn't. We also have all the following fighting for the same 5 spots (not going to count Burrow's spot as he will come back)
Hodgson, Cody (he's expected to make the team, if he doesn't, i have a feeling he'll demand a trade)
Shirokov, Sergei (likely to make the team based on his performance last pre-season and in the AHL, if he doesn't make the team, he'll likely be willing to play another year in the AHL but i have a feeling he'll really make a push)
Schroeder, Jordan (long shot to make the team but he was impressive with the moose last year)
Volpatti, Aaron (long shot, but he fits the description of what MG wants to add... someone fast, who hits, tough to play against, etc also has some offensive of upside)
Oreskovich, Victor (scouts were high on him, hits, fast, supposely a 2 way game, expected to make the team's 4th line as he, like Volpatti, fits the description of what MG wants and has more NHL experience)
Desbiens, Guillaume (extreme long shot, responsible defensive player, pretty much no chance of making the team unless he has a super offensive of season)
Tambellini, Jeff (will get every chance to make the team, process a ton of offensive skill and a very good wrist shot, great @ shootouts too, basically signed as competition for Hogs/Shirokov/Sch/etc)
Rodin, Anton (extreme long shot, tons of offensive skill and actually processes a great 2 way game but is still very raw and probably needs 1-2 years in the AHL before NHL ready)
Bliznak, Mario (long shot, was probably the best defensive forward on the moose last year, so his defensive of play might earn him the 4th line center spot)
Bolduc, Alexandre (will be given chances to make the team, completes with Ripper and Bliznak for 4th line center probably, responsible defensively with a good shot)
So that's at least 10 players who might make the team as well making a total of 15 for 5 spots.
Does the 4th line look bad? It looks inexperience but with so many players competing for the spots, it probably isn't too bad. Also with so many players who don't need to clear waivers, we might be able to rotate throw them if needed. Would be most ideal if someone like Bliznak really impresses the coaches and makes the team as a 13th forward (as we don't need to pay his salary if we play him on the moose). Plus the 4th line only plays 5-8 minutes a game, doesn't matter a lot who's there. They only play more than 8 minutes during a blowout. The line probably won't produce much (if any) but who really cares? We just need them to hit, fight, and try to not give up too many goals when they are on the ice. If they have an EVEN rating, thats already an upgrade over last year and we are going to pay them at least 750k less than last year.
The 3rd line will likely have a solid center + hogs who is our top prospect. The "PLUG" might not be the best player but it will either be one of our better prospects or someone we sign for a mil/get back in a trade. Any way you look at it, the line should have some offensive skill and responsible defensively. Its not like our 3rd line was great for most of last year so it likely that the 3rd line is already better (at least on paper).
Remember players that are unknown could surprise and be solid. The Hawks 3rd and 4th line were mostly made up of prospects too and they made a name for themselves. Its pretty much the perfect model for the salary cap era.
Don't see all the hand wringing over the 4th line. You've got Johnson out of there and anyone, including Jeff Tambellini or Bolduc, would be an improvement on Johnson
Glass is a good foot soldier who provides some legit toughness. Line of Hordichuk, Rypein and Glass could supply some real nastiness.
Glass and Rypien as 12th and 13th forwards are pretty solid. Keep in mind that these guys will be battling for a roster spot and Gillis has shown he's more than comfortable with sending salary down to the minors.
IIRC we had over $1.5m in Manitoba last season and the season before that we had at least Cowan and over $0.7m salary in the minors as well.
Gillis may have handed out these one way deals but it's to add competition at training camp and it'll make for a pretty interesting camp to see who makes the bottom six.
It's safe to say that out of at least 7 spots only one is locked up(Malhotra). Six spots are up for grabs and you'd have to think that Hansen, Oreskovich, and Hodgson should be able to land 3 of those spots which leaves 3 more spots up for grabs.
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