Shero's gonna sign Alexander Frolow, Alex Phrough-lough, A. Frolob, Alexi Alexiovich Fralov and Al "Jiggle Teats" Frolov to form the Fearsome Five Frolovs for Freedom.
Unfortunately for him and Red Rover, none of those will be The Aleksandr Frolov, of "Where the hell did Frolov go?" fame.
But, back on topic, I'm going to think optimistically:
Gonchar - 2 years, 4.5 million
Hamhuis - 6 years, 3.75 million
Side bets: Kunitz is traded for a pick/prospect. Ladd is brought in.
Tallinder will be overpaid so I would've picked Hamhuis and "other" had I checked first. With about $11 million to spend ideally I want $7 million spent on defense and the rest on a couple wings. Done.
I think Gonchar wants to be a Penguin and that it will eventually come out that way too, because Shero doesn't have any candidates or assets to genuinely replace him.
Hamhuis seems a long shot by now, but looking at Shero's comments the last days, it would seem very likely that he'd bring in a second pairing D-man also. A guy like Lydman would be very welcome. Add to that a cheap vet-rival to Lovejoy among the ones not finding deals in the first couple of days.
Problem is, you don't compete for Cups without a #1 defenseman. It just doesn't happen. That's not to say that Gonchar is a true #1 anymore, or that Hamhuis could fill that role, either. But if we go into next year with neither of them this team will have holes on defense, crappy wingers, and an inconsistent goalie. It will not be a particularly upbeat scenario.
Gonch is walking according to his agent. Someone will give him the money.
I voted Hamhuis and other (Leopold). Hamhuis I think will sign at some point this weekend.
Martin is going to be too expensive.
Foster doesn't fit our need at all really; not sure how this came up the last couple days. Rossi probably posts here under a nickname / started floating that one, since he now mentions it in his column. Anyway they're trying to toughen up the D and all he adds is a shot from the point and 6'5" of soff, maxing out at 18 min. a game.
The other guys all have about an equal shot but sounds like Michalek is working out a deal with Phoenix (also according to Rossi so take it FWIW (not much)).
I'd probably rather RS overpay Hamhuis a little, than get nobody. If we don't get either him or Sarge, RS has a lot of money to spend, but there's not a whole lot else out there that fits. If I have to overpay a bit, I'd rather overpay for Hamhuis than for Volchenkov.
I'd probably rather RS overpay Hamhuis a little, than get nobody. If we don't get either him or Sarge, RS has a lot of money to spend, but there's not a whole lot else out there that fits. If I have to overpay a bit, I'd rather overpay for Hamhuis than for Volchenkov.
You don't look at guys like Michalek and Martin as legit options?
I have a weird feeling that Volchenkov is going to be a penguin. I think the door has been closed and Hamhuis is going to sign elsewhere, if he really wanted to be here he would have signed by now I would think.
Gonchar is gone too, it is going to be weird seeing him sport a uniform that doesn't have a flightless bird on it. I think its going to be Volchenkov and leopold/eaton, then we go after offense.
I would also be happy to see one of Martin/Michalek on this team too.
Martin is going to cost close to $6.5M a year IMO (in the most expensive years of any deal), so no, not a legit option unless it's very long term. Michalek would be fine but remains to be seen if PHX can get a deal done for him before 12:00.
You don't look at guys like Michalek and Martin as legit options?
I dunno. Martin made $4.5 million last year, and I suspect he wants a raise. Do we want to pay him well over $5million/yr? I guess that's OK if we decide he's a true #1, but I don't think he is. Michalek? He's at best a #4 on a true contender.
I'd rather overpay Hamhuis a little, as a first option. Just my opinion.
Gonch is not signing with the Pens before 12:00, according to his agent. You can pretty much forget it because someone will offer him 3 years at an average of $5.5M or something like that.
Gonch is not signing with the Pens before 12:00, according to his agent. You can pretty much forget it because someone will offer him 3 years at an average of $5.5M or something like that.
I think Gonchar will want to play for a legit contender. I don't know how many of them can afford 5.5 per for 3 years.
