I guess I would rather just resign Ribiero, since the Stars have the flexibility to feed him favorable zone starts. Maybe 3 for 12m?
I get the feeling Ribeiro would do that, but it also seems that Ribs in Dallas' group of veterans they are looking to move on from. I could be wrong, but for whatever reason he and Ott seem much more committed to Dallas than the team is to them.
It'd be nice if they actually got something of value for a guy rather than just dismissing him when the contract was up.
The hard thing to figure out is what is GMJN and Gaglardi's baseline to do a move. It seems picks aren't enough based on Gaglardi saying they had a chance to "sell" a veteran at the deadline and chose against it. However, he then immediately said that he didn't care if a trade hurt their current team as long as it was good for the future.
So you could make the argument that picks are good for the future, but the obvious risk of draft picks isn't enough for them to make the team weaker (though I wonder if a 1st rounder was offered if they'd change their tune). Basically, it seems the only moves they are OK with is for young roster players which means they are severely limiting their ability to make a trade. Most teams aren't going to give up that type of asset for 1 year or maybe 2 of a veteran.
It's going to be interesting to see if they stick to their guns or find some way to work the type of deal they envision.
If you're willing to spend some big money to makeover the Bottom 6 again, I think maybe you do target Jarret Stoll and Jim Slater.
Jarret Stoll: 4 years for $11 million ($3.75 million/year)
Jim Slater: 3 years for $5.4 million ($1.8 million/year)
Slater IMO gives you everything Steve Ott does minus the shenanigans (which admittedly can be useful at times). Stoll is just a good reliable pivot IMO, and he's probably worth spending a bit too much on. Plus, he's another really good faceoff guy.
"When he's slotted right where he is [3rd line center], he's awesome like that," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said.
Quote:
Stoll became a rock for the Kings once he permanently took over the No. 3 center job -- providing excellent play at both ends of the ice while being a key penalty killer and top faceoff man.
Quote:
To win a championship, you need players who sacrifice. Stoll was a 40-goal scorer in junior, had a career-high 68 points with the Oilers in 2005-06 and he's capable of being a No. 2 center in this league, no question.
"Everybody's got to play well to win," Stoll said. "It doesn't matter where you are in the lineup. Whether you're playing five-to-six minutes a night or 18-to-19 minutes a night -- it doesn't really matter. As long as you're playing your role and contributing and doing the things you do well for the team. Right now we've got everybody on that same page."
Fewer minutes and fewer points, a more defensive role, all in a year in which his contract is expiring. He'll be an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Not sure every player in the league would sacrifice that much.
Slater is still a good replacement for Ott from the wing, but IMO, in terms of using Ott's salary, Stoll is an upgrade. I do tend to be more cautious predicting free agent money so $3.75 is probably the high end, but I do expect him and Chris Kelly to be in that neighborhood ($3-$4). That is the cost of very good two-way centers though.
Like the article stated, Stoll produced offensively with better wingers in the Top 6. With the way Dallas has drafted wingers, I don't think it's unreasonable to think 3 to 5 of them could be come excellent Top 9 wingers along with Eriksson (and potentially Benn depending on how the Top 2 centers are addressed) giving Dallas three scoring lines. Most of Dallas' winger prospects also have a strong two-way game so you could build a scoring checking line.
Since landing either Parise or Semin is going to be unlikely and rather difficult, I think it would be smart to shore up another important position ... one the owner confirmed is a big concern. It could be done by signing Chris Kelly as well though, but Stoll is just the guy I've seen more of. I have a bigger appreciation for his play.
In the long run, I think a big center that can play on one of the Top 3 lines is not currently in Dallas' system, and it's something that you need right now as opposed to 3 or 4 years down the line via drafting.
Equally as important IMO, Dallas might finally start rolling 4 lines. They've been preaching that since they hired Crawford, but neither coach has seemed to have the confidence in the players to do it. I know Fiddler can work as a 3rd line center, but on a good team I do believe he's a top PKer and 4th line center.
The right things are being said, but now it's all about going out and doing them.
Lites mentioned today the Stars need two top six forwards and a #1 defenseman. Biggest priority is getting a #1 defenseman who can run the powerplay.
Also it was mentioned the team didn't have plans to add bottom six forwards, if there's any addition to the bottom six it will be someone like Ott demoted to this role or a player comes at a bargain.
Loui Eriksson Jamie Benn Brayden Schenn
Jannik Hansen Mike Ribiero Mike Ryder
Steve Ott Jarrett Stoll Jim Slater
Max Lapierre Vern Fiddler Tom Wandell/Radek Dvorak
Ex: Garbutt, Vincour-or in minors/ Nystrom
Daley-Goligoski
Larsen-Souray
Robidas-Fistric
7th -Pardy/Oleksiak/Dillon
*Or maybe we draft Morgan Reilly
We get Brayden Schenn for Scott Glennie+Pat Nemeth+one of our 2nd Rounders
We sign Stoll and Slater as free agents for 3 year deals
We trade Brenden Morrow+3rd Rounder to Vancouver for Hansen+Lapierre
Loui Eriksson Jamie Benn Brayden Schenn
Jannik Hansen Mike Ribiero Mike Ryder
Steve Ott Jarrett Stoll Jim Slater
Max Lapierre Vern Fiddler Tom Wandell/Radek Dvorak
Ex: Garbutt, Vincour-or in minors/ Nystrom
Daley-Goligoski
Larsen-Souray
Robidas-Fistric
7th -Pardy/Oleksiak/Dillon
*Or maybe we draft Morgan Reilly
We get Brayden Schenn for Scott Glennie+Pat Nemeth+one of our 2nd Rounders
We sign Stoll and Slater as free agents for 3 year deals
We trade Brenden Morrow+3rd Rounder to Vancouver for Hansen+Lapierre
Yes to Stoll and Slater but not to 3 year deals. Also wouldn't want to up Nemeth.
Loui Eriksson Jamie Benn Brayden Schenn
Jannik Hansen Mike Ribiero Mike Ryder
Steve Ott Jarrett Stoll Jim Slater
Max Lapierre Vern Fiddler Tom Wandell/Radek Dvorak
Ex: Garbutt, Vincour-or in minors/ Nystrom
Daley-Goligoski
Larsen-Souray
Robidas-Fistric
7th -Pardy/Oleksiak/Dillon
*Or maybe we draft Morgan Reilly
We get Brayden Schenn for Scott Glennie+Pat Nemeth+one of our 2nd Rounders
We sign Stoll and Slater as free agents for 3 year deals
We trade Brenden Morrow+3rd Rounder to Vancouver for Hansen+Lapierre
The right things are being said, but now it's all about going out and doing them.
Lites mentioned today the Stars need two top six forwards and a #1 defenseman. Biggest priority is getting a #1 defenseman who can run the powerplay.
Also it was mentioned the team had no plans to add bottom six forwards, if there's any addition to the bottom six it will be someone like Ott demoted to this role.
Loui Eriksson Jamie Benn Brayden Schenn
Jannik Hansen Mike Ribiero Mike Ryder
Steve Ott Jarrett Stoll Jim Slater
Max Lapierre Vern Fiddler Tom Wandell/Radek Dvorak
Ex: Garbutt, Vincour-or in minors/ Nystrom
Daley-Goligoski
Larsen-Souray
Robidas-Fistric
7th -Pardy/Oleksiak/Dillon
*Or maybe we draft Morgan Reilly
We get Brayden Schenn for Scott Glennie+Pat Nemeth+one of our 2nd Rounders
We sign Stoll and Slater as free agents for 3 year deals
We trade Brenden Morrow+3rd Rounder to Vancouver for Hansen+Lapierre
If you're going to go out and get Schenn, I'd honestly rather not give up Glennie.
Who knows, maybe their chemistry could be what takes Glennie to the next level.
Seems to be an interview between Jim Lites and Norm on the Ticket in Dallas. Per the Dallas Stars twitter, Jim Lites said the only restriction on Dallas' spending will be the salary cap.
I'd tell you what minute to start at, but it seems like something is wrong with my player. I had to guess ... since I knew the interview was scheduled for 10:30 AM (1/4 of the way into Norm's show). It seems to be just past a 1/4 of the show on my player. Sorry I can't be more specific ... listening now.
N: How much money do you feel, when you look at the budget, do you have to spend on free agents this year? Enough to truly matter?
JL: I would say yes. We are kind of without budget. As crazy as that sounds … Tom … we’re restricted only really by the CBA and the need to fit short and long term inside that structure which is a little bit up in the air Norm because you know the CBA is up … expires in September … we kind have to have a new one … we have a system that was negotiated previously through the heat of losing a hole season. So we kinda know where we are, but I’m telling you Tom Galardi is a different … it’s a different situation than they’ve been in over the course of the last four seasons which is we have an owner that is willing to spend. We’re not runt by the league, and Tom is cerebral … and gets it … and in fact we just had four full days with him here … he’s been here since Monday and just left last night. We’re prepared to spend what we need to spend, but it’s got to be spend wisely in anticipation of changes in the system.
N: There are two ways to wade into free agency … well there are several ways, but I’ll give you the two ways. A you can take a big chunk of money and throw it at one player … say Zach Parise is a player that’s going to get a lot of money thrown at him …
JL: Absolutely.
N: Maybe Suter the player in Nashville.
JL: Really good player.
N: Good player … or you can go to the next level down and maybe we say, “I might be able to get three players for that amount.” Do you have a leaning for the Stars which way you might go this off-season?
JL: I think it depends completely on how it fits into our structure. I will tell you the perception of our team is … is that we feel we need two Top 6 forwards … we need two Top 6 forwards.
Norm: You need to add two?
JL: We need to add two in our current set or create them through our system from the minor league system. We have candidates for that, but there are a lot … it’s a little early … you can not assume that you’re going to get with the people we have … that are now coming to the system.
Norm: Well as Darrell Royal once said, “Potential means you haven’t done it yet.”
JL: You haven’t done it yet … exactly right. So I mean we think we need to add two Top 6 defensemen [I think he meant forwards] and we probably need a number one … if you’re perfect world you need a number one defenseman on this team. I think that’s pretty fair to say so we need three high end pieces to make ourselves a true Stanley Cup Champion. By hook or by crook that’s what we need. We like the way our Bottom 6 forwards look out of what we have and what we could put together. It might mean taking a player or two that played up in the Top 6 down. Steve Ott for instance that type of player and better define his role and keep working it. So we feel we need to look at the top end of free agency potentially and the bottom end of free agency as well. Looking for adds or other things …
N: Or bargains?
JL: Or bargains.
N: Like the great bargain you got in Ryder last year.
JL: Exactly right. I mean if there is a Michael Ryder out there … I’ll tell you what there is now Norm because of changes in the CBA … there’s the Brad Richards type. Remember we got Brad Richards because in the mind of the Tampa Bay Lightning they had … after they had won the Cup and he had been the MVP … I’m trying to remember … 2006 or 2005 might have been 2004 Stanley Cup Finals? … They signed Richards to a long contract and then after the team kind of fell apart and wasn’t doing well, Brad became available for prospects at that time. Now Mike Smith has become a pretty good player in this year’s playoffs, but Mike Smith was the cornerstone of our trade for Richards back in 2007.
N: Wait a minute … you have now prospects to deal.
JL: Exactly right.
N: This is a system pretty ripe with prospects.
JL: Well … there are quality young players who other players may have lost flexibility and we may want to move that guy, and you’ve really got three … you’ve got unrestricted free agents at the high end … you’ve got unrestricted free agents in the middle who are players who have reached that point in their contract … in their career where they are going to be available to the highest bidder pretty much. Then you’ve got what I’ll call contracted players who either have … don’t have no trade clauses or have not trade clauses they might waive to come to a place like Dallas which is very attractive to hockey free agents or to hockey players in general, and you may be able to work things through trading existing players for that type of guy who might have a burdensome long-term contract that might be out there … for instance you see Jeff Carter now playing in Los Angeles and got caught up in that situation where he got dealt to the LA Kings … now potentially the Stanley Cup Champion … because of the length of his contract that Columbus couldn’t eat or didn’t want to eat.
N: Lets try … I’m going to try and narrow down a single priority. If you can add one thing … a really good forward … or a really top defenseman … you can only add one of those things … what would it be for you?
JL: Sergei Zubov. A number one ..
N: He’s too old.
JL: I’m kidding … A number one defenseman that can eat 25 minutes and lead your power play
N: And preferably with a little size also?
JL: Yeah absolutely … If you said to me … and you can’t name names, but if you could add that guy that would be the most important thing of any team. You know what? I really like our team, and I’ve been away from it for a long … for four years … coming back I love where are. We have really … it smells and feels a little like 1993-94 to me when we first came to Dallas. We had this core of good young players that are just coming into their own. Benn … Jamie Benn is a terrific player … maybe as quality a player we’ve ever had here, and I’m including my favorite Mike Modano in that group. Jamie Benn is as powerful and talented a forward as this franchise has had. Loui Eriksson is … we just watched him yesterday in the quarter finals of the World Championship … Loui Eriksson was the best player on the ice in almost every game he plays in. Those are our two top guys up front, and their young and their good and their going to be here a long time. They’re the types of guys you build around. And then you’ve got Goligoski and Lehtonen and you’ve got quality guys coming up in the system … people that have excelled in every level of the AHL and the NHL … or the AHL and the NCAA and junior hockey Canada … we’ve got a bunch of guys coming … we like it, but what we’re missing … number one … top defenseman … and a centerman or two.
N: Now I’m going to get to the street of free agency coming the other direction. You have on the horizon a looming situation. Your goalie who is a terrific goalie has one more year left on his contract. You gonna try to get him pinned down long term?
JL: It’s absolutely at the top of the list of things to do. He loves it here, and we love him. I’ve got to assume that we can get that done. We like Kari Lehtonen a lot. He likes it here. He’s having babies and having a family, and raising his family here. I can’t imagine we won’t get that accomplished unless it becomes too long and too much money and it becomes problematic at which time … What’s happening Norm is you know you never know. You don’t know, but I don’t think we’re going to be held hostage by any player at any point in time.
N: I’m going to ask about the ticket buying public. They responded to the new ownership … to the reduced prices … the come on back … the wonderful … the club was interesting on the ice, but this is now 4 years without playoffs, and fans need some hype too. They need their own five hour energy drink in the course of being a fan. How important is it for you to make the playoffs next year?
JL: Pretty darn important. I mean this is an important year for our franchise big time. This is the fourth of Joe Nieuwendyk’s management of our team. He’s a unique and quality individual. Like … he’s the best. I mean he’s a terrific guy … smart … get’s it … hard working. There’s time for us really to gel, and we’ve got to do the right things. I would say making the playoffs is really important. Making sure we’re making quality long-term and short-term decisions for this franchise our key. Much like it was in 93-94, we need to create an identity, stake out our territory … our turf in this marketplace, and make people believe that we’re doing the right thing and making it happen. And I will tell you Norm the most important thing … the first step in that process in my opinion was that you know out there in front of everybody yesterday with the announcement of the signing of Bob Gainey as part of our management team again. I don’t want to sound maudlin about it … it’s a really quality guy.
N: Well … you know … Jim you’ve worked in front offices all your life. You took a little journey up to NY and worked for the Giants .. while … you left here. I don’t know why, and I don’t want this directed at any other team in the Metroplex or any other teams … I don’t know why teams don’t sit down and say, “There’s a brain. That brain is available. That brain makes us better, and to add that brain to an organization makes our organization better. Why do you think that doesn’t happen more in sports?
JL: You know I don’t know … it’s a good question Norm. You know I’m a student of sports … obviously been in it my whole life and watched it. I come … my history is in Detroit with the Detroit Red Wings, and the position that Bob has with us a position akin to that held for about the … I would say now for about the thirteenth or fourteenth year by a fellow named Jimmy Devellano. Jimmy Devellano was the architect of the NY Islanders championships in the late 70s early 80s. He was the first general manager Mike Illitch in Detroit when Illitch bought the franchise. Jimmy trained the likes of Neil Smith and Ken Holland who is now the award winning and world renowned GM of the Red Wings who’ve made the playoffs for 25 years in a row … 24, 25 years in a row … the longest string in all of professional sports. They had that guy. Devellano stepped down as GM but has always been a voice … a brain as you put it to Mike Illitch and as importantly to Ken Holland who is a senior guy they go to when they need … when there are issues … should … It’s not so much, “Who do we draft?” … but, “How do we draft?”
N: Who are we?
JL: Exactly Who are we? What are we going to be? How do we want to look? How do we want to structure? How do we do this right? The moment I heard that Bob was potentially willing to talk to anybody, and more importantly us, I leapt at the opportunity … to introduce the concept, and to their credit … one phone call to Joe and one phone call to Tom Gaglardi and that process got started … this is back in January when Bob at least articulated to me that he’d consider coming to Dallas, and you know it just … it adds a dimension … as you put it a brain … I can’t imagine why people don’t do it, but every team … good teams have it, and we intend to win the Stanly Cup again Norm, and it’s a really good building block.
N: Jim … to a fan I can understand this being a very difficult situation because the brain doesn’t score a goal. It doesn’t make a save. It doesn’t kill a penalty. The brain … you never know what they do really because the brain simply sits there and helps shape your franchise. I don’t think there’s anything in any walk of life that isn’t improved by adding one more really smart person in the room.
JL: Well it’s certainly true in a situation where there’s a need, and I’ll just say this … sometimes Bob put it pretty well he said, “We’ve got to make sure that Joe has … there isn’t too much … as he put it … chatter around Joe.” Too many opinions at times can be distracting … can get you off message get you off course on a certain situation. He is … it’s one of the things he said to us … we’ve got to make sure Joe has clarity of thinking … he’s getting good information from lots of places … but we’re making sure there’s not too many voices or voices that shouldn’t matter as … or be weighed as heavily as others. He’s helping us in that regard streamline our thought process are thinking process. That’s the kind of help you get from Bob. He just … within three months now he’s been looking at getting on board and now 36 hours of meeting with the coaches and the scouts … the heads of the scouting departments … and with Joe directly with him … I mean this is Joe’s call. This is Joe’s help. I mean that’s what Bob’s here for. It’s just helped us clarify our thinking … kind of in directions I think Joe was already leaning … He gets supported in … and now you’ve got a voice to help that happen. And just as importantly … Tom Gaglardi gets to going back to Vancouver … he called me last night just when he was getting on the airplane and said, “You know I feel good about having Bob having there … being there with us in the room” It helps.
1) He didn't call them short term or long term goals, but I think by saying they need two Top 6 forwards based on their current configuration ... that was a short term/next season goal. Then ... when he says, "what we’re missing … number one … top defenseman … and a centerman or two" ... I think that's the long term goal. So yes maybe Ribeiro is in their plans next year ... adding two pieces to Benn, Eriksson, Ryder, and Ribiero. However, long term, I think he goes back to GMJN being uncertain of Benn's position saying at minimum the need 1 top centerman and possibly two.
2) They seem confident in their forward prospects … but not next year. Les Jackson in interviews with Mark Stepneski and Gaglardi a few days ago talked about giving those guys more time.
3) I didn’t get the impression they were set on the Bottom 6. He did say they like it, and Ott and Morrow (unnamed, but the heck else was he talking about in the Top 6?) will likely get added to the group should the not get traded (Foil hat on … was that why he didn’t mention Morrow specifically?) … but he said, “So we feel we need to look at the top end of free agency potentially and the bottom end of free agency as well.” Depending on the trade status of Ott and Morrow … those are probably cheaper players they’d look to add. That probably eliminates Stoll and Kelly. Assuming no trades were made … I guess the Bottom 6 is currently some mix of: Fidder, Morrow, Nystrom, Ott, Sceviour, Vincour, and Wandell. Maybe still move Morrow …..
Ott-Wandell-Vincour
Nystrom-Fiddler-Sceviour
4) They really, really seem set on going after “Brad Richards trades”, but this time contracts like Jeff Carter were specifically mentioned. Maybe I’m looking too short term at just 1 to 3 years. I was thinking basically salary dumps to get compliant …. mainly short term, but they could be looking at a major contact. They … and mainly Jim Lites … brings this up a lot.
4 years on contract
Staal, Eric - CAR - $8,250,000
Campbell, Brian » D FLA 32 $7,142,875
Kopitar, Anze » C LAK 24 $6,800,000
Ward, Cam » G CAR 28 $6,300,000
Seabrook, Brent » D CHI 27 $5,800,000
Yandle, Keith » D PHO 25 $5,250,000
Byfuglien, Dustin » D WIN 27 $5,200,000
Plekanec, Tomas » C MTL 29 $5,000,000
Kesler, Ryan » C VAN 27 $5,000,000
Bieksa, Kevin » D VAN 30 $4,600,000
Backes, David » C STL 28 $4,500,000
Hamhuis, Dan » D VAN 29 $4,500,000
Ladd, Andrew » L WIN 25 $4,400,000
Volchenkov, Anton » D NJD 30 $4,250,000
Giordano, Mark » D CGY 29 $4,020,000
Ohlund, Mattias » D TBL 35 $3,607,143
Schenn, Luke » D TOR 22 $3,600,000
Tanguay, Alex » L CGY 32 $3,500,000
Bourque, Rene » R MTL 30 $3,333,333 2016 (UFA)
Okposo, Kyle - NYI - $2,800,000
5 years on contract
Sharp, Patrick » C CHI 30 $5,900,000
Burns, Brent » D SAN 27 $5,760,000
Grabovski, Mikhail » C TOR 28 $5,500,000
Wisniewski, James » D CLB 28 $5,500,000
Umberger, R.J. » L CLB 30 $4,600,000
Laich, Brooks » L WAS 28 $4,500,000
Leino, Ville » C BUF 28 $4,500,000
Hanzal, Martin » C PHO 25 $3,100,000
6 years on contract
Nash, Rick » L CLB 27 $7,800,000
Koivu, Mikko » C MIN 29 $6,750,000 --> Fairly unrealistic to think he'd move, but left him. Tyutin, Fedor » D CLB 28 $4,500,000
Van Riemsdyk, James » L PHI 23 $4,250,000
Gorges, Josh » D MTL 27 $3,900,000
8 years left on contract
Lecavalier, Vincent » C TBL 32 $7,727,273
Franzen, Johan » R DET 32 $3,954,545
I left off guys like Steven Stamkos or Zetterberg for obvious reasons as well as guys with smaller cap hits that perform well. The only other players removed re-signed in the last few months. This summer's signings are still listed for the most part (i.e. Bieksa).
Two guys stuck out to me making that list .... one should be obvious in JVR. Despite the injuries ... despite the big money with only one good playoffs under his belt ... I don't think he'd be cheap.
However ... one that I think most people would run away from stuck out to me. Right around the trade deadline ... Dallas was scouting Tampa Bay quite a bit. I remember seeing Dallas scouts reported at their games, and I kept drawing blanks at who they could be scouting.
.... maybe it's Vincent Lecavalier?
He's due $10 million the next 4 years, and $8.5, $4, $1.5, and $1 to finish it off, but that comes with a $7,727,273 cap hit. Compared to Brad Richards, who only makes $48 million over the next 8 years ... can you really justify paying Lecavalier $55 million?
The guys production is down ... way down for a guy making his money. The only positive you can point to is how well he played in their playoff run. Well .. that and he's druable. He's played 76 games or more in 8 of the last 10 seasons. The only reason be played in the 60s the last 2 years was a broken right hand both years. It's strange the injury was the same hand ... but overall a broken hand doesn't represent a player breaking down (i.e. worried about a wonky knee, back, groin issues).
I'll say this ... trading for him has huge bust potential. I don't know that it's worth the risk at all. That said ... your new senior advisor traded for Scott Gomez, we know GMJN like big centers, and Gaglardi wants a #1 center .... I don't doubt he could convince himself that's Lecavalier.
Plus, this fits almost exactly what Lites was saying:
Quote:
ou may be able to work things through trading existing players for that type of guy who might have a burdensome long-term contract that might be out there … for instance you see Jeff Carter now playing in Los Angeles and got caught up in that situation where he got dealt to the LA Kings … now potentially the Stanley Cup Champion … because of the length of his contract that Columbus couldn’t eat or didn’t want to eat.
Just for the sake of discussion ....
To Dallas: Vincent Lecavalier
To Tampa Bay: Mike Ribeiro, Stephane Robidas + (Is that a 1st round pick, 2nd round pick, Tomas Vincour, and/or Scott Glennie? ... IDK)
I think TB fans would be upset about the return ... and Dallas fans (at least I would) should hate giving up any additional assets for the guy. That said, I think realistically Dallas would be giving up one rather significant future asset.
Why I structured the trade this way? This isn't a Brad Richards TB trade situation. It would make perfect sense to want to get rid of that contract IMO, but TB is a team willing to spend right now, and I think they want to stay competitive.
IMO ... they are very competitve replacing Lecavalier with Ribs ... in fact ... I'd say they might get the better player. Dallas dumbs Robidas just to shed more money since they are adding $10 million, but IMO TB see Robidas as a decent addition to their D. TB is taking on slightly more cap its, but they are saving money. This deal still gives them cap space and cash to go after a big goalie ... even Luongo.
It's a crazy, bold move with more potential danger than good. I have to say I'd rather they not do it, but it seems at least like something they'd flirt with.
To Dallas: Vincent Lecavalier
To Tampa Bay: Mike Ribeiro, Stephane Robidas + (Is that a 1st round pick, 2nd round pick, Tomas Vincour, and/or Scott Glennie? ... IDK)
That's just TOO long of a contract to hamstring yourself with I think. I hope they're not looking at that as a good option. He's just not close to the same player he once was either. Not worth it.
Last edited by glovesave_35: 05-19-2012 at 03:09 AM.
4 years on contract
Staal, Eric - CAR - $8,250,000
Campbell, Brian » D FLA 32 $7,142,875 Kopitar, Anze » C LAK 24 $6,800,000
Ward, Cam » G CAR 28 $6,300,000
Seabrook, Brent » D CHI 27 $5,800,000
Yandle, Keith » D PHO 25 $5,250,000
Byfuglien, Dustin » D WIN 27 $5,200,000
Plekanec, Tomas » C MTL 29 $5,000,000 Kesler, Ryan » C VAN 27 $5,000,000
Bieksa, Kevin » D VAN 30 $4,600,000
Backes, David » C STL 28 $4,500,000
Hamhuis, Dan » D VAN 29 $4,500,000
Ladd, Andrew » L WIN 25 $4,400,000
Volchenkov, Anton » D NJD 30 $4,250,000
Giordano, Mark » D CGY 29 $4,020,000
Ohlund, Mattias » D TBL 35 $3,607,143 Schenn, Luke » D TOR 22 $3,600,000
Tanguay, Alex » L CGY 32 $3,500,000
Bourque, Rene » R MTL 30 $3,333,333 2016 (UFA)
Okposo, Kyle - NYI - $2,800,000
5 years on contract Sharp, Patrick » C CHI 30 $5,900,000
Burns, Brent » D SAN 27 $5,760,000
Grabovski, Mikhail » C TOR 28 $5,500,000
Wisniewski, James » D CLB 28 $5,500,000
Umberger, R.J. » L CLB 30 $4,600,000
Laich, Brooks » L WAS 28 $4,500,000
Leino, Ville » C BUF 28 $4,500,000 Hanzal, Martin » C PHO 25 $3,100,000
6 years on contract Nash, Rick » L CLB 27 $7,800,000
Koivu, Mikko » C MIN 29 $6,750,000 --> Fairly unrealistic to think he'd move, but left him. Tyutin, Fedor » D CLB 28 $4,500,000 Van Riemsdyk, James » L PHI 23 $4,250,000
Gorges, Josh » D MTL 27 $3,900,000
8 years left on contract
Lecavalier, Vincent » C TBL 32 $7,727,273
Franzen, Johan » R DET 32 $3,954,545
I've Bolded the players I would be interested in the Stars going after. Obviously they aren't all going to be on the trading block, players like Kopitar and Backes probably aren't going to be traded. JvR, Rick Nash, Sharp, Grabovski all seem like they could be traded and I would definitely be interested in them for the right price.
I wouldn't want Vincent Lecavalier, and I certainly wouldn't be interested in coughing up our 1st rounder. If the two were on the table, I would take Eric Staal instead. I don't like his contract either though.
If you're going to go out and get Schenn, I'd honestly rather not give up Glennie.
Who knows, maybe their chemistry could be what takes Glennie to the next level.
Morrow (unnamed, but the heck else was he talking about in the Top 6?)
I think it's telling that Morrow wasn't named once in the interview. For the past five years, Morrow's name was always one of the first mentioned when the Stars were trying to promote the team. In only one season, Morrow has gone from THE CAPTAIN to an afterthought.
You can add surgery to repair torn labrum in JVR's right hip to his list of unfortunate injuries this year: concussion and broken foot.
I get that JVR a guy they'll look at, but concussions and hips are tough injuries that have a chance of lingering. You'll likely be giving up quite a bit to get him as well or at least enough to make you sweat.
