Maybe I was misunderstood, I don't WANT to give an offer sheet(with our potential to be a high pick next year), I'm merely stating that it is a "conceivable" notion. How many OS have been signed since the CBA, 2-3 (Bernier/Backes/Penner?). Simply put it rarely, if ever occurs. If a trade couldn't be brokered then this is a mere possibility.
I still like Fowler a lot and the skillset he brings to the table but Gudbranson is FLA property now and you can't help but love the kid.
The Ducks got exactly what they needed even though it was a long-shot at the beginning of the day. Made me sick to see that..
1. Sign Lombardi
2. Trade Vokoun, Stillman, Reinprecht, Dvorak, and hopefully, Olesz at the deadline.
Thats pretty much it. As long as we are willing to spend like we have the past few seasons, I want us to be as low as possible, payroll wise, entering next offseason. Lets get one of Couturier, Larson, or Hopkins in the draft, and put Tallon in a financial position to really improve this team.
OT: Could you imagine a top four defense of Gudbranson, Kulikov, Larson, and Robak
I disagree a little.
I'd like us to engineer a trade with the Oilers and get a center or two. They have minimal depth on the wing, and are loaded down the middle with over a dozen centers to the point where they are playing them out of position. Evgeni Dadanov for a 3rd/4th liner like Pouilet or O'Marra gets rid of a problem and gives us a little depth.
If Markstrom does well in the AHL then trade Vokoun and maybe Stillman. Keep Reinprecht because we are light in the middle, Dvorak for experience, and use Olesz properly. His record before he was drafted shows he didn't have a goalscoring record, but used properly could be as effective as Ladd. We'll get less for him, anyway and he's only 24 so lets see.
Winning becomes a habit, so I don't want a top pick because it means failure.
However we must upgrade our scouting on both sides of the Atlantic. They two most successful teams on the last 20years, the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings, have found too many gems there for it to be a coincidence - the Devils usually spend at least a quarter of their picks on Euros, the RedWings over a third.
We need to find ourselves a number-one center and sign him to a multi-year deal. And if that means trading some high prospects then i say go for it.
Dandonov + Ellerby for Spezza I WISH! Unfortunately, I doubt we make any big splashes like this during the offseason. I am, however, optimistic for an active trading deadline from DT. He seems to be pretty decent at working the phones.
No free agent signing is better than an overpriced one. Lombardi will not be worth it. I wish we could Savard.
Our team is already shaping up to be different than last years. Wait till next year, when Stillman, Dvorak, McCabe, and Vokoun are gone. That is a ton of money off the books. We better make a splash in free agency and put that money towards a legit center. I'm okay with not spending money on free agents this year since the crop is so bad.
There are some decent d-men available. At the right price I would take them, Paul Martin, Kubina, and Volchenckov. Although, I would imagine their asking price will be beyond what we want to spend.
probably a bit premature but just to give an idea of quality players who will be free agents after this season;
Patrice Bergeron, Zedno Chara, Brad Richards, Mikko Koivu, Andrei Markov, JP Dumont, Simon Gagne, Joe Thornton, David Backes, Martin St. Lous(34), Christian Ehrhoff, Alexander Semin, Brooks Laich
Those are the best guys out there, imo. I would think Boston tries to sign Chara, same with Markov. Everyone else I could see making it to free agency. Obviously a little early to be speculating but a good reason to why we shouldn't waste money to get a guy like Lombardi.
probably a bit premature but just to give an idea of quality players who will be free agents after this season;
Patrice Bergeron, Zedno Chara, Brad Richards, Mikko Koivu, Andrei Markov, JP Dumont, Simon Gagne, Joe Thornton, David Backes, Martin St. Lous(34), Christian Ehrhoff, Alexander Semin, Brooks Laich
Those are the best guys out there, imo. I would think Boston tries to sign Chara, same with Markov. Everyone else I could see making it to free agency. Obviously a little early to be speculating but a good reason to why we shouldn't waste money to get a guy like Lombardi.
Not quite sure everyone else makes it to free agency. Backes will be resigned as will Koivu. Bergeron probably will as well if the Bruins move Savard.
probably a bit premature but just to give an idea of quality players who will be free agents after this season;
Patrice Bergeron, Zedno Chara, Brad Richards, Mikko Koivu, Andrei Markov, JP Dumont, Simon Gagne, Joe Thornton, David Backes, Martin St. Lous(34), Christian Ehrhoff, Alexander Semin, Brooks Laich
Those are the best guys out there, imo. I would think Boston tries to sign Chara, same with Markov. Everyone else I could see making it to free agency. Obviously a little early to be speculating but a good reason to why we shouldn't waste money to get a guy like Lombardi.
I'd be very comfortable betting at least half those guys don't make it to free agency.
-Markie full time
-Gudbranson full time
-Big name FA signings ()
-All vets off the books
can't wait
Thats what I am saying. We need to just wait until next offseason. Maybe we get a shot at a top pick again, which wouldnt be a bad thing, and add the pieces through free agency. We have a cap hit of $22 million next offseason, and if Tallon is allowed to spend $25-30 million to sign our RFAs and some UFAs, we could really see the end of a decade+ drought. I just think its foolish to go out and try to patch things up this offseason, when its evident that would be in a much better position come next offseason. Next offseason should be what this offseason means to the Miami Heat.
)
