Take out the guys who are either going to re-sign or retire (Brodeur, Lidstrom, Selanne) the guys who will be out of our price range (Parise, Suter, Semin) and the guys who are just plain washed-up (Rolston, Avery, Blake) and there's not much to get excited about. Hudler, maybe Parenteau up front and that's about it.
I'd honestly rather keep Wellwood on a 2-year deal at this point, since I think he'd sign any 2-year deal you stick in front of him after living out of a suitcase since 2009.
Teams are really going to overpay for some mediocre "talent" on July 1.
Random thought, it'd be unbelievably awesome that if Phoenix (to whereever, it's not important) but Doan decides to play one more year and signs with us. I'd be freaking stoked
Also, @Guerzy/Jet, yes in general overpaying for mediocre talent or BUILDING a team via UFA is a bad way to go about it. But supplementing homegrown talent via UFA is key. Right now the Jets are on the cusp of playoff team, and have room to grow. Adding a star to take pressure off the young kids (ala Marian Hossa in CHI) would be HUGE, beyond HUGE for this team. Or adding a prime defenseman to log big minutes (ala Zdeno Chara in BOS) to guide a young team to new heights could equally be huge. UFA done right can be one of the best tools in a GM's toolbox...or as you say it can be disastrous, especially for small market teams (obviously look at Redden, Gomez, Drury, Leino, etc).
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2012 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS LA KINGS!!! GO JETS GO!
100% agree, Holden. Every once and a while there are legitimate, marquee talents that are worth every penny and year given in their contracts. Parise and Suter would fall into this category. These guys could be considered cornerstones, generational UFA's, the best of the best, if you will. On top of it all, they're at a prime age too.
It's the Upshall's, Ward's, Leino's, etc. of the world that I am talking about, which you refer to, Holden. We see eye to eye on this one.
As for this offseason, ya, I'd like to upgrade with some UFA's, fill some holes, build and add on to this already stable, up and coming team, and it would be nice to add to this group. With that being said, I only want this to occur within reason, not just for the sake of doing something. I feel more than confident management will go this route, which in return may piss some fans off, but so be it.
100% agree, Holden. Every once and a while there are legitimate, marquee talents that are worth every penny and year given in their contracts. Parise and Suter would fall into this category. These guys could be considered cornerstones, generational UFA's, the best of the best, if you will. On top of it all, they're at a prime age too.
It's the Upshall's, Ward's, Leino's, etc. of the world that I am talking about, which you refer to, Holden. We see eye to eye on this one.
As for this offseason, ya, I'd like to upgrade with some UFA's, fill some holes, build and add on to this already stable, up and coming team, and it would be nice to add to this group. With that being said, I only want this to occur within reason, not just for the sake of doing something. I feel more than confident management will go this route, which in return may piss some fans off, but so be it.
There is a happy middle ground between Leino/Ward type overpayment and dumpster diving for projects (Wellwood, Miettinen) to find a legitmate fit for the team at a good price, without it being an overpayment. Look at, say Michael Ryder from last year. Smart savvy signing to add scoring depth. Even if the Jets miss out on Suter/Parise (probably) they are going to need to bolster the roster a little bit with at least one of those type of signings as well, IMO. There are actually good contracts out there to be had that aren't dumpster diving reclamation projects (Wellwood) or elite players (Hossa/Parise/Kovalchuk things). Jets are going to need to find at least one, if not two of those next year, IMO.
Enstrom - Byfuglien
Hainsey - Bogosian
Clitsome - Stuart
5
Pavelec
Mason
That is assuming manage to resign all of Glass, Slater, Stapleton, Mason to reasonable deals.
1 - Another top 6 center is needed. No doubt about that at all in my mind. There are some possibilities in system (Scheifele, Burmistrov) but no guarantees that they will be ready. I HATE handing spots to youngsters, successful teams make them earn it. We need another player here. I wanted Grabovski TBH, even at his overpayment of 5.5 he would have been a good fit there.
2 - A second third line tweener is probably neccessary. Wellwood might actually be the best option, IF we can get him on a decent deal that is not too long. I love what Wellwood has brought, but he is not a guy I want to tie into long-term at all. In system Machacek could fill this role, or even Klingberg or Telegin have a chance to step up here.
3 - With Antropov and Burmistrov we have the makings of a VERY good shutdown line with some offensive upside, but we need a real 3rd line winger for them to work with. Machacek is a natural RWer or I would have had him here easy. Jordin Tootoo might even work here.
4 - Extra forward spot, might be Cormier/Machacek but also might be Miettinen. We will see what they would do with this
5 - I really really hope that they give this to Kulda. He has earned his chance, if people can somehow like slow immobile can't make a pass Jones, they will love a player who DOES EVERYTHING JONES DOES WELL, BUT can actually skate very smoothly, plus has a very very good first pass.
Last edited by Holden Caulfield: 03-08-2012 at 03:47 PM.
There is a happy middle ground between Leino/Ward type overpayment and dumpster diving for projects (Wellwood, Miettinen) to find a legitmate fit for the team at a good price, without it being an overpayment. Look at, say Michael Ryder from last year. Smart savvy signing to add scoring depth. Even if the Jets miss out on Suter/Parise (probably) they are going to need to bolster the roster a little bit with at least one of those type of signings as well, IMO. There are actually good contracts out there to be had that aren't dumpster diving reclamation projects (Wellwood) or elite players (Hossa/Parise/Kovalchuk things). Jets are going to need to find at least one, if not two of those next year, IMO.
I certainly agree with this. This is one of the things I am really looking forward too, actually. Who does Cheveldayoff and co. target? How do they go about it, and is there certain players they'll stay away from, etc. I really want to see what type of players we will pursue.
There is a happy middle ground between Leino/Ward type overpayment and dumpster diving for projects (Wellwood, Miettinen) to find a legitmate fit for the team at a good price, without it being an overpayment. Look at, say Michael Ryder from last year. Smart savvy signing to add scoring depth. Even if the Jets miss out on Suter/Parise (probably) they are going to need to bolster the roster a little bit with at least one of those type of signings as well, IMO. There are actually good contracts out there to be had that aren't dumpster diving reclamation projects (Wellwood) or elite players (Hossa/Parise/Kovalchuk things). Jets are going to need to find at least one, if not two of those next year, IMO.
Enstrom - Byfuglien
Hainsey - Bogosian
Clitsome - Stuart
5
Pavelec
Mason
That is assuming manage to resign all of Glass, Slater, Stapleton, Mason to reasonable deals.
1 - Another top 6 center is needed. No doubt about that at all in my mind. There are some possibilities in system (Scheifele, Burmistrov) but no guarantees that they will be ready. I HATE handing spots to youngsters, successful teams make them earn it. We need another player here. I wanted Grabovski TBH, even at his overpayment of 5.5 he would have been a good fit there.
2 - A second third line tweener is probably neccessary. Wellwood might actually be the best option, IF we can get him on a decent deal that is not too long. I love what Wellwood has brought, but he is not a guy I want to tie into long-term at all. In system Machacek could fill this role, or even Klingberg or Telegin have a chance to step up here.
3 - With Antropov and Burmistrov we have the makings of a VERY good shutdown line with some offensive upside, but we need a real 3rd line winger for them to work with. Machacek is a natural RWer or I would have had him here easy. Jordin Tootoo might even work here.
4 - Extra forward spot, might be Cormier/Machacek but also might be Miettinen. We will see what they would do with this
5 - I really really hope that they give this to Kulda. He has earned his chance, if people can somehow like slow immobile can't make a pass Jones, they will love a player who DOES EVERYTHING JONES DOES WELL, BUT can actually skate very smoothly, plus has a very very good first pass.
I typed out big response about what I thought regarding free-agency that came to very similar conclusions, glad I re-checked the thread before posting it
Where we differ:
Burmistrov in my opinion has shown enough progression this year in his all-around game that I'm fairly comfortable with penciling him in as 2nd line center next year. Ideally Antropov would be pushing him harder for that spot, but with his apparent decline and the lack of realistic free agent options I think Burmistrov's gotta be that guy.
Miettenin I think is pretty much a lock for 13th forward since he's got the NMC so we cant even send him to St. John's.
Basically just think that a veteran 2nd/3rd line winger is the only UFA shopping they're going to be looking to do.
A guy that I have thought of before was Jannik Hansen but a trade never really made sense for VAN, however with the acquisition of Kassian moving Hansen may be more feasible for the Canucks. Assuming the top line is pretty much set in stone with Sedin/Sedin/Burrows and the C depth is set with Kesler, Malhotra, Lepierre that leaves 4 wing spots on lines 2/3. One of those has to go to Booth as hes signed for several more years and Kassian should get another one of those spots. That leaves 2 wing spots for Raymond, Higgins, and Hansen allowing VAN to move one of those 3 pretty easily without really affecting the team. Considering Raymond's potential and his production in the NHL to date I can see them holding onto him in the hopes that an injury free off-season will allow him to regain his 20+ goal form. That leaves Higgins and Hansen as trade bait for ether prospects to restock their farm system or a top 4 Dman to replace Salo/Ballard. Hainsey would actually be a decent fit, but without moving money out first I can't see him fitting in the cap. Maybe a mid season move to bolster their defense? Ether way I think Hansen fits well with the Jets hes a former True North player, loves Winnipeg lives in the area over the summer, and he fills the 3rd line RW role perfectly with excellent speed and defensive/PK ability. Basically exactly what the Jets need on the 3rd line.
I think Chris Kelly would be a nice pickup for our 3rd line. He'll get a pretty good payday around 3mil or so. I like the versatility, leadership, grit/work ethic, consistent 15+goal/30+ point guy, not to mention he's a proven Stanley cup winner. How do others feel about his game and possibly adding him next year?
I think Chris Kelly would be a nice pickup for our 3rd line. He'll get a pretty good payday around 3mil or so. I like the versatility, leadership, grit/work ethic, consistent 15+goal/30+ point guy, not to mention he's a proven Stanley cup winner. How do others feel about his game and possibly adding him next year?
Kelly would be a good pickup for my #3 spot (see post above). Does kinda depend on the contract though, Kelly is more of a 1.5-2.5 million guy, wouldn't pay above that.
Kelly would be a good pickup for my #3 spot (see post above). Does kinda depend on the contract though, Kelly is more of a 1.5-2.5 million guy, wouldn't pay above that.
He'll get a good offer from another team, it is after all FA.
One forward I would like the Jets to pursue, and I think they could have a chance at, is RW David Jones from the Avalanche. He's got good size and could pop 20 goals.
Not a Jones fan, will get paid way to much for what he brings and his advanced numbers look bad would rather have Glass on the 3rd line RW to be honest.
I think Chris Kelly would be a nice pickup for our 3rd line. He'll get a pretty good payday around 3mil or so. I like the versatility, leadership, grit/work ethic, consistent 15+goal/30+ point guy, not to mention he's a proven Stanley cup winner. How do others feel about his game and possibly adding him next year?
Watched him as a Sen a lot. He's the ideal 3rd line center - kills penalties, wins face-offs, matches up against the top guys in the league all the time. He can slide up into the Top 6 if you really, really need him to (but don't count on consistent offense). Great teammate, too.
Having said that, I don't think we need to sign him. He'll work out well next year (especially if Slater walks) but after next year I think we have some combination of Little, Burmistrov and Schiefele up the middle. Not sure where Kelly fits in, unless one of the above 3 moves to the wing.
Watched him as a Sen a lot. He's the ideal 3rd line center - kills penalties, wins face-offs, matches up against the top guys in the league all the time. He can slide up into the Top 6 if you really, really need him to (but don't count on consistent offense). Great teammate, too.
Having said that, I don't think we need to sign him. He'll work out well next year (especially if Slater walks) but after next year I think we have some combination of Little, Burmistrov and Schiefele up the middle. Not sure where Kelly fits in, unless one of the above 3 moves to the wing.
Watched him as a Sen a lot. He's the ideal 3rd line center - kills penalties, wins face-offs, matches up against the top guys in the league all the time. He can slide up into the Top 6 if you really, really need him to (but don't count on consistent offense). Great teammate, too.
Having said that, I don't think we need to sign him. He'll work out well next year (especially if Slater walks) but after next year I think we have some combination of Little, Burmistrov and Schiefele up the middle. Not sure where Kelly fits in, unless one of the above 3 moves to the wing.
That's one of the things I like about Kelly, his ability to play all 3 forward positions. It's not like we want Scheifele to take face offs, he's brutal. He could take the draws for his line and then move to the wing if need be. I think it's important for the Jets to establish depth on all 4 lines and this would definitely help in that area.
Fabian Brunnstrom
Born Feb 6 1985 -- Jonstrop, Sweden
Height 6.01 -- Weight 206 -- Shoots L
and...........wait for it.............Played one game with the MOOSE
Perfect AHL FA signing for us!!
But in all seriousness there are some good mid level players available as mentioned above D. Jones, Hudler and Kelly. I also like Toots and Kostitsyn but they will both be resigned by Nash.
Our D is pretty solid and the only guy out there that I would be interested would be Garrison who is starting to develop but Florida will be resigning him.
Cormier hasn't shown enough to warrant a call up to play 3rd line center. If anything he'll replace someone on the GST line.
BTW no matter what TSN Jets say, the GST line isn't a 3rd line, it's a good 4th.
I totally agree with you on this one Paradise. The GST may have been "like" a 3rd line to the Jets this season as we have had basically nothing there (Fehr, Mittens, Jaffray, etc).
I totally agree with you on this one Paradise. The GST may have been "like" a 3rd line to the Jets this season as we have had basically nothing there (Fehr, Mittens, Jaffray, etc).
this is how i feel. i think the GST line should really be seen as the fourth line, and a damn good one at that.
I totally agree with you on this one Paradise. The GST may have been "like" a 3rd line to the Jets this season as we have had basically nothing there (Fehr, Mittens, Jaffray, etc).
Agree. It just illustrates how poor our depth is and how badly some are underperforming. There is really no reason why Antropov, Fehr and Miettinen shouldn't be able to be a real quality third line. Its a shame, really, how poorly some of these guys (Miettinen and Fehr) have performed this season.
Agree. It just illustrates how poor our depth is and how badly some are underperforming. There is really no reason why Antropov, Fehr and Miettinen shouldn't be able to be a real quality third line. Its a shame, really, how poorly some of these guys (Miettinen and Fehr) have performed this season.
100% agree if we miss the playoffs this year it falls squarely on the fact we have never had even a serviceable third line. I know our 2nd line is a reach but for the most part it's been ok.....our first line has rounded into good form with Wheeler carrying the load......GST has been a very solid 4th line.
all year whoever has been on the third line has not produced. My #1 wish for next year is a third line with an identity that goes north of 90 points collectively. If we get that we could have 96 points and be safely in the playoffs
100% agree if we miss the playoffs this year it falls squarely on the fact we have never had even a serviceable third line. I know our 2nd line is a reach but for the most part it's been ok.....our first line has rounded into good form with Wheeler carrying the load......GST has been a very solid 4th line.
all year whoever has been on the third line has not produced. My #1 wish for next year is a third line with an identity that goes north of 90 points collectively. If we get that we could have 96 points and be safely in the playoffs
Chevy's tentative wait and see approach in the offseason last year has cost the Jets a playoff spot - no doubt in my mind.
These third line problems were evident in Atlanta and needed to be addressed in the offseason signing UFAs to fill the two or three spots that the team needed and not relying on who might be available waiver wire or trading for players who have just had major offseason surgery and a history of injury problems.
Chevy's tentative wait and see approach in the offseason last year has cost the Jets a playoff spot - no doubt in my mind.
These third line problems were evident in Atlanta and needed to be addressed in the offseason signing UFAs to fill the two or three spots that the team needed and not relying on who might be available waiver wire or trading for players who have just had major offseason surgery and a history of injury problems.
You as a following fan of this team may have known that, and that is easy for you to say, but as far as the management team of this organization goes, they did not, and it is clear why. This is all part of the process.
And really, who knows what happens if a signing or two took place. Buffalo added some quality pieces and for 3/4 of the year they failed. They are currently in the same boat as we are, and that is being in the fight for a playoff spot. Florida is close to us too, so I would classify them as in the same boat in terms of being in the fight for a playoff spot as nothing is set in stone or guaranteed as of today. Sure they have improved but if they yet again fail to make the playoffs, what does it all mean? Washington added a couple players for 6.5 million a year, what did that do for them? Carolina spent 4+ million on a defenseman, how did that pan out? Columbus made a huge trade and big 5.5 million per year signing, and they're going to be a lottery team. Montreal spent 4+ million on a top 6 winger, now look at them.
Just because you sign a player or two, it does not = a playoff spot without any doubts.
I 100% respect your opinions, but your complaints are not valid towards Kevin Cheveldayoff given the context of the unique situation this team and organization was in, in my opinion.
Cheveldayoff should have watched tapes of the team he was taking over. If he really thought standing pat was a good idea, it's quite clear that he never watched the Thrashers play.
Anyways, I'd really like us to target Tootoo for the fourth line. Dump Thorburn. Tootoo can fight, he brings some well-needed grit while also having the ability to be a pest. He's also capable of producing some offense (6G, 23A on the year). Born in Churchill. I can definitely see him being interested in playing in Winnipeg if he doesn't re-sign in Nashville. It's as close to his hometown of Rankin Inlet as he's gonna get. The cold winters won't bother a guy who grew up in Nunavut.
