Hamhuis was in a class with Martin and Michalek. Martin was the most sought after. Hamhuis and Michalek probably had identical interest.
Goalie...no basis of comparison.
Goalie...no basis for comparison.
Ehroff was an unrestricted free agent
Barker was in the middle of a contract when he fetched Leddy
The players you listed are a terrible comparison for Niskanen's value. I think Niskanen could fetch a 2nd or a 3rd round pick, both because he's young and a RFA, but also because he still has some potential left and he'll be cost controlled. He'll probably get a deal in the 2-2.25 range which a very good deal for a 4-5 defenseman.
The market for defensemen who can move the puck and play a quick game are highly sought after these days, as can be seen with the Goligoski deal.
I still think the best course of action is to sign him to a 2 year deal since the cap will be going up, and then trading him next season.
The point is franchise goalies are more important than bottom 3 defenders, rfa or ufa. And who cares about the order of hamhuis, martin, etc. Niskanen isn't close to their value even if hes an rfa.
And leddy wasnt traded so minny could get barker, he wasnt even signed. Leddy was traded because he wasnt signing in minny for some reason and barker was the best they could get, which wasnt much. Ended up terrible for minny. The point was a young, unsigned, defender with potential only garnered a struggling, semi-washed up, defender.
I kinda doubt that. Hamhuis fetched Ryan Parent and a 7th from Philly, then a late 3rd from us.
There's no way niskanens value is more than hamhuis, even if hes an rfa. Hamhuis was the most sought after defender last year.
Varlamov drew a 1st and 2nd as a rfa franchise goaltender who was 23 and had several teams bidding. And while I like the deal for Colorado, most of their fans thought that was a huge overpayment caused by a bidding war. There won't be a multi-team bidding war over niskanen.
Bryzgalovs rights cost Philly a 3rd and a ufa bum prospect.
Ehroff cost the isles a 4th and the sabres a 4th.
Nick leddy cost cam barker.
I doubt another year or 2 of rfa makes niskanen any more valuable than any of the players listed. And I doubt anyone offer sheets him when they think we arent going to sign him, and they could have had him for peanuts at last years deadline. Niskanen isn't a player worth risking a lot on.
If someone wants to give that much, id gladly take it. But his value is certainly being inflated around here by the struggles of other members of our d.
The point is franchise goalies are more important than bottom 3 defenders, rfa or ufa. And who cares about the order of hamhuis, martin, etc. Niskanen isn't close to their value even if hes an rfa.
And leddy wasnt traded so minny could get barker, he wasnt even signed. Leddy was traded because he wasnt signing in minny for some reason and barker was the best they could get, which wasnt much. Ended up terrible for minny. The point was a young, unsigned, defender with potential only garnered a struggling, semi-washed up, defender.
You're really not comparing anything that even resembles Niskanen's situation. You're using both guys who play different positions, and have vastly different contract statuses.
Cam Barker was 23 when he got traded, and had just put up 40 points. Semi washed up? The **** you say really gets better and better. I have never heard that Leddy was traded because he wouldn't sign with Minnesota. Everything I've ever read stated that he was traded because there was an influx of defensive prospects in the Wild's system and they needed some more NHL ready help. Leddy was unsigned in Minnesota because he was still playing college hockey.
I doubt he would bring a 2nd round pick. I would hope that Shero would snap that up in a heartbeat.
He won't as a RFA, but like I said, my ideal scenario is Shero locking him up for 2 years, use him next season as the cap is going to go up (potentially significantly), and then trade him next season when the cap is going to allegedly drop, and our prospects will be ready to take over his role.
He won't as a RFA, but like I said, my ideal scenario is Shero locking him up for 2 years, use him next season as the cap is going to go up (potentially significantly), and then trade him next season when the cap is going to allegedly drop, and our prospects will be ready to take over his role.
You have the timing wrong. Revenue is going up, but the new CBA almost certainly will lower the HRR %. Potentially, the cap goes up going into the offseason due to revenue (I believe cap is calculated in late spring), but if the new CBA is concluded prior to the season starting, all the teams will have to adjust to the new cap due to a lower HRR% prior to the start of the season.
You have the timing wrong. Revenue is going up, but the new CBA almost certainly will lower the HRR %. Potentially, the cap goes up going into the offseason due to revenue (I believe cap is calculated in late spring), but if the new CBA is concluded prior to the season starting, all the teams will have to adjust to the new cap due to a lower HRR% prior to the start of the season.
I was under the impression that the current CBA will be used until June 30 2013. After that the new CBA will be in place, and the % to the players will drop by 7 points.
I've been very pleased with Nisky and would like to see him retained if it's reasonable. I'm just not sure how likely it is unless we move a top 4 guy (Martin) with then influx of dman next year (Strait, Bort, Despres).
I was under the impression that the current CBA will be used until June 30 2013. After that the new CBA will be in place, and the % to the players will drop by 7 points.
The CBA expiration is expiring Sep 15 2012 after the NHLPA exercised the option to extend it a year. The NHLPA is now trying to move the expiration to June 30 2013 in hopes of avoiding a lockout.
I've been very pleased with Nisky and would like to see him retained if it's reasonable. I'm just not sure how likely it is unless we move a top 4 guy (Martin) with then influx of dman next year (Strait, Bort, Despres).
I think they'll keep him and it shouldn't be hard to do so. Seems like management holds all the cards: he is not arbitration eligible (I believe), has a low qualifying tender, and the organization has plenty of D depth to put him on the backburner if he really decided to play hardball. Plus he's playing some of the best hockey of his career in a comfortable role, gotta think he would want to stay in Pittsburgh. I think Shero nabs him for a very favorable price and sees how things shake out the rest of the off-season, maybe work a trade or two with our depth guys (Lovejoy, Strait, Bortuzzo, maybe even Martin or Michalek).
I really like what I've seen from Niskanen this season. I had low expectations for him at the beginning of the year and he's certainly exceeded them. I understand that he's been 'protected' via matchups and minutes but I have been consistently more comfortable with his puck handling decisions in the defensive zone all year than either Orpik or Martin. At age 25 I think he may still have more to show than what we've seen so far and would love to see him re-signed.
Having said that, since cap space is limited and with the (inexpensive) depth that the Pens have with Strait, Depres and Lovejoy I think Nisky's chances of returning are slim unless one of Orpik, Martin or Michalek is dealt. I doubt the Pens make a move like that or pay Niskanen his expected salary unless they feel he can effectively move up to take one of the top 4 spots.
I think Niskanen's future hinders on what the organization feels about Bortuzzo. I think Strait has shown that he's ready for the NHL. He's done nothing but play well. Bortuzzo has been hurt, so it's hard to get a read on him. I think Despres will just fall victim to numbers. Keeping him in WBS for another year won't hurt him though, I think. He still has some room to grow at that level. I definitely think Lovejoy could be dealt to make room.
I have always been a proponent of keeping Niskanen and letting him turn his game around. I think signing him to a 2 year deal makes a good bit of sense, and then trade him next offseason, or deadline. Maybe package Bortuzzo with a pick to move around in the draft? Like package Bortuzzo and our 2nd to move up in the 2nd? I don't know? Not entirely sure what Bortuzzo's value will be this offseason since he hasn't played.
I think Niskanen's future hinders on what the organization feels about Bortuzzo. I think Strait has shown that he's ready for the NHL. He's done nothing but play well. Bortuzzo has been hurt, so it's hard to get a read on him. I think Despres will just fall victim to numbers. Keeping him in WBS for another year won't hurt him though, I think. He still has some room to grow at that level. I definitely think Lovejoy could be dealt to make room.
I have always been a proponent of keeping Niskanen and letting him turn his game around. I think signing him to a 2 year deal makes a good bit of sense, and then trade him next offseason, or deadline. Maybe package Bortuzzo with a pick to move around in the draft? Like package Bortuzzo and our 2nd to move up in the 2nd? I don't know? Not entirely sure what Bortuzzo's value will be this offseason since he hasn't played.
I'd hate for us to lose Bortuzzo and where he hasn't played many NHL games yet i'm not sure we would get fair value for him. I know i've read in the past that many teams have interest in him. Maybe they are trying to showcase Strait for a trade at the draft. Like i've said in the past, I think we are going to lose one of them. Neither one will pass through waivers next year so we will have to move one of them. I don't think we will want to start next season with 2 rookies on the roster. I agree that Despres may fall victim to the numbers and have to start the season in WBS again.
Ah yes Despres will fall victim to Tangradi syndrome where the board won't shut up about how he should definitely be playing more even tho another year in the minors wouldn't hurt in the least. Can't wait!
Ah yes Despres will fall victim to Tangradi syndrome where the board won't shut up about how he should definitely be playing more even tho another year in the minors wouldn't hurt in the least. Can't wait!
dude prospects are always better off in the NHL, otherwise they'll never learn to play
