He's saying the same thing about Parise. I didn't really consider that their contracts would be so heavily front-loaded, which pretty much guarantees that we won't be signing either of them.
That's true. Obviously it won't be to the same scale, but I suspect that Garrison will want a pretty big signing fee. Having not earned a massive amount in his career, I wouldn't be surprised if he would want a $5m signing fee and $4m per year for 5 years. Hopefully that wouldn't be a problem for us.
I actually fear the Red Wings signing Semin more than Parise.
If whoever signs Semin can get him playing with his head in the game every night, then he will be an outstanding addition and likely at a far more reasonable rate than Parise. I think the Wings might actually be able to get the best out of him.
The thought of a line with Semin playing like he does when doing well, and Dyatsuk has to be scary for anyone to face down.
If this team isn't even willing to offer something to a big player, what happens when Pietrangelo wants his money? What if Tarasenko does end up being a legit scorer? This isn't only for the fans. You have to show your current players that you're willing to pay to compete or you end up in a bad situation like Nashville is now.
I want to see us go after McClement as a third or fourth line center (idealy fourth) I know signing nichol makes that unlikely but the Avs just signed Mitchell so they may not re up Jay McC. If we could get him for 1.5 or less I think it would be totally worth it.
I want to see us go after McClement as a third or fourth line center (idealy fourth) I know signing nichol makes that unlikely but the Avs just signed Mitchell so they may not re up Jay McC. If we could get him for 1.5 or less I think it would be totally worth it.
I'm pretty sure he was already making around 1.75 so he'll probably get 2 or more from somebody.
If this team isn't even willing to offer something to a big player, what happens when Pietrangelo wants his money? What if Tarasenko does end up being a legit scorer? This isn't only for the fans. You have to show your current players that you're willing to pay to compete or you end up in a bad situation like Nashville is now.
If they don't sign a big star, then the will have the money to sign Petro. If Tratsenko does end up being legit, then the Blues are probably going to be a contender...so why would he leave. I think we are in a better position than Nashville.
If this team isn't even willing to offer something to a big player, what happens when Pietrangelo wants his money? What if Tarasenko does end up being a legit scorer? This isn't only for the fans. You have to show your current players that you're willing to pay to compete or you end up in a bad situation like Nashville is now.
exactly. The Blues are a couple of pieces away from being a special team. I'm certian it's been frustrating for the players as well as the fan the previous regime being cheap. No they don't have to spend to the cap ceiling like Boston or Philly, but they need to spend to improve the roster.
The Blues will have the money to sign their players. That's always the number one priority with Doug Armstrong and I don't see that changing. Also, the only big money player we have is Pietrangelo. Whatever dollar amount he commands, the Blues will find the money to give him. He's a star player that doesn't come around too often. Tarasenko could end up being a legit scorer too, in which case the Blues will sign him too. We are not Phoenix or the Islanders. We get fans to the building, and they are very supportive. The money will be there to sign our players, there just might not be enough to go out and sign a big free agent every offseason. The core of this team is solid, with very few guys that are going to be making a lot of money. We probably will stick with this core as long as possible and add stop gaps every offseason or two in areas of weakness until be can fortify them long term. Jason Garrison would likely help solidify the left side for the near future if we can sign him. Garrison, Russell, Cole/Jackman, and Fairchild will be solid. Without Garrison, or someone comparable, the left side is a major weakness.
Ray Whitney is a freak of nature. He's 40 years old, yet just led his team in scoring. Very underrated player. Stars fans should be happy to sign him, although I don't think that helps their playoff chances a whole lot.
The Blues will have the money to sign their players. That's always the number one priority with Doug Armstrong and I don't see that changing. Also, the only big money player we have is Pietrangelo. Whatever dollar amount he commands, the Blues will find the money to give him. He's a star player that doesn't come around too often. Tarasenko could end up being a legit scorer too, in which case the Blues will sign him too. We are not Phoenix or the Islanders. We get fans to the building, and they are very supportive. The money will be there to sign our players, there just might not be enough to go out and sign a big free agent every offseason. The core of this team is solid, with very few guys that are going to be making a lot of money. We probably will stick with this core as long as possible and add stop gaps every offseason or two in areas of weakness until be can fortify them long term. Jason Garrison would likely help solidify the left side for the near future if we can sign him. Garrison, Russell, Cole/Jackman, and Fairchild will be solid. Without Garrison, or someone comparable, the left side is a major weakness.
I think we will have money for them as well. We are a bigger market than Nashville and Pheonix. We are just starting to gain revenue traction buy pushing higher ticket prices, while our owner is trying to rectify our business structure issues and we are going to start getting better TV revenue.
Don't get me wrong; I love Whitney, and he's saved my ass the last couple of years in my fantasy league. But 9 million over 2 years for a guy who is one injury away from retirement? It's insanity.
Also: Brad Boyes get 1 year, $1 million from NYI. Dude is Cheechoo v.2.
