I remember reading something that said the most important thing is to get us to the playoffs and if we sign Kovalchuk we make the playoffs this season guaranteed!!! That thought might have changed after we made Tallon GM but why can't we still follow his plan and get into the playoffs this season. I know some of you won't agree giving that much to one player but here is what I figure. We are currently 11.431mil under the salary cap. We gain 19.542mil back in cap space from expiring contracts of Vokoun(6.3Mil), Stillman(3.5Mil), McCabe(4.150Mil), Dvorak(1.8Mil), Higgins(1.6Mil), Paetsch(.525mil), Taffe(.600Mil), Wilson(.500Mil) and McLean(.567Mil buy-out). That's 20mil we can use on key FA and signing of our youngsters(likely start out with low contracts) not yet in NHL. Some of that would have to be used for re-signing of Frolik(deserves at least an Olesz type deal to this point), Grabner(?) and Matthias(?).
I think signing Kovalchuk solves about 70% of our scoring problem. Which is fine since we still have Vokoun this yr. Next year our youngsters will be a year better and we can add more scoring. If Markstrom still not ready add a 1yr goalie(D. Ellis type). And if anyone can get Kovalchuk to sign here Tallon can maybe by telling him we will have 20mil in cap space to sign players next yr even after signing kolvy to that monster deal! Signing Kovy IMO would also wow all other NHL fans and give Panther fans something positive to gloat about after 10years of disappointment and mockery from other teams fans. And, I seem to remember that last time we made the playoffs we had a high scoring Russian playing for us. Wouldn't that be ironic! And man wouldn't Kovalchuk look good in a Panthers jersey!
Offer Kovalchuk an 8yr 80mil contract:
1st yr: 11.0
2nd yr: 11.0 (we gain 19.542mil in cap from expiring contracts)
3rd yr: 10.5
4th yr: 10.0
5th yr: 9.5
6th yr: 9.5
7th yr: 9.5
8th yr: 9.0
Answer: we are the Panthers - we do not sign big names like Kovy, period. We won't even sign a top 6 forward let alone a star. This team will be built through the draft & will maybe make a splash in a few years if the prospects grow as expected.
He's a great talent.. but honestly... hie is very one dimensional... I get it.. we need the one dimension he brings... but he is the absolute opposite of the kinda guy Tallon wants..... Why have Kovy when you can have Toews... sure Kovy will put up 20 more points but look who has been in the league for three years... a "C" on his sweater and the guy is all team oriented. If kovy asked to play in florida i don't think tallon would want him. I am not saying he is not worth something good.. I just think he's not in our bag.... a guy like Hossa... that's the kinda you want in the locker room
I remember reading something that said the most important thing is to get us to the playoffs and if we sign Kovalchuk we make the playoffs this season guaranteed!!! That thought might have changed after we made Tallon GM but why can't we still follow his plan and get into the playoffs this season. I know some of you won't agree giving that much to one player but here is what I figure. We are currently 11.431mil under the salary cap. We gain 19.542mil back in cap space from expiring contracts of Vokoun(6.3Mil), Stillman(3.5Mil), McCabe(4.150Mil), Dvorak(1.8Mil), Higgins(1.6Mil), Paetsch(.525mil), Taffe(.600Mil), Wilson(.500Mil) and McLean(.567Mil buy-out). That's 20mil we can use on key FA and signing of our youngsters(likely start out with low contracts) not yet in NHL. Some of that would have to be used for re-signing of Frolik(deserves at least an Olesz type deal to this point), Grabner(?) and Matthias(?).
I think signing Kovalchuk solves about 70% of our scoring problem. Which is fine since we still have Vokoun this yr. Next year our youngsters will be a year better and we can add more scoring. If Markstrom still not ready add a 1yr goalie(D. Ellis type). And if anyone can get Kovalchuk to sign here Tallon can maybe by telling him we will have 20mil in cap space to sign players next yr even after signing kolvy to that monster deal! Signing Kovy IMO would also wow all other NHL fans and give Panther fans something positive to gloat about after 10years of disappointment and mockery from other teams fans. And, I seem to remember that last time we made the playoffs we had a high scoring Russian playing for us. Wouldn't that be ironic! And man wouldn't Kovalchuk look good in a Panthers jersey!
Offer Kovalchuk an 8yr 80mil contract:
1st yr: 11.0
2nd yr: 11.0 (we gain 19.542mil in cap from expiring contracts)
3rd yr: 10.5
4th yr: 10.0
5th yr: 9.5
6th yr: 9.5
7th yr: 9.5
8th yr: 9.0
I remember reading something that said the most important thing is to get us to the playoffs and if we sign Kovalchuk we make the playoffs this season guaranteed!!! That thought might have changed after we made Tallon GM but why can't we still follow his plan and get into the playoffs this season. I know some of you won't agree giving that much to one player but here is what I figure. We are currently 11.431mil under the salary cap. We gain 19.542mil back in cap space from expiring contracts of Vokoun(6.3Mil), Stillman(3.5Mil), McCabe(4.150Mil), Dvorak(1.8Mil), Higgins(1.6Mil), Paetsch(.525mil), Taffe(.600Mil), Wilson(.500Mil) and McLean(.567Mil buy-out). That's 20mil we can use on key FA and signing of our youngsters(likely start out with low contracts) not yet in NHL. Some of that would have to be used for re-signing of Frolik(deserves at least an Olesz type deal to this point), Grabner(?) and Matthias(?).
I think signing Kovalchuk solves about 70% of our scoring problem. Which is fine since we still have Vokoun this yr. Next year our youngsters will be a year better and we can add more scoring. If Markstrom still not ready add a 1yr goalie(D. Ellis type). And if anyone can get Kovalchuk to sign here Tallon can maybe by telling him we will have 20mil in cap space to sign players next yr even after signing kolvy to that monster deal! Signing Kovy IMO would also wow all other NHL fans and give Panther fans something positive to gloat about after 10years of disappointment and mockery from other teams fans. And, I seem to remember that last time we made the playoffs we had a high scoring Russian playing for us. Wouldn't that be ironic! And man wouldn't Kovalchuk look good in a Panthers jersey!
Offer Kovalchuk an 8yr 80mil contract:
1st yr: 11.0
2nd yr: 11.0 (we gain 19.542mil in cap from expiring contracts)
3rd yr: 10.5
4th yr: 10.0
5th yr: 9.5
6th yr: 9.5
7th yr: 9.5
8th yr: 9.0
Not anti-Panthers, they're actually my (albeit distant) second favorite team, but...
I think you would have to wait for him to become a UFA again, no? I'm 99% sure he's not a UFA until after (if) the NHLPA grieves and the arbitrator rules in favor of the NHL.
I remember reading something that said the most important thing is to get us to the playoffs and if we sign Kovalchuk we make the playoffs this season guaranteed!!! That thought might have changed after we made Tallon GM but why can't we still follow his plan and get into the playoffs this season. I know some of you won't agree giving that much to one player but here is what I figure. We are currently 11.431mil under the salary cap. We gain 19.542mil back in cap space from expiring contracts of Vokoun(6.3Mil), Stillman(3.5Mil), McCabe(4.150Mil), Dvorak(1.8Mil), Higgins(1.6Mil), Paetsch(.525mil), Taffe(.600Mil), Wilson(.500Mil) and McLean(.567Mil buy-out). That's 20mil we can use on key FA and signing of our youngsters(likely start out with low contracts) not yet in NHL. Some of that would have to be used for re-signing of Frolik(deserves at least an Olesz type deal to this point), Grabner(?) and Matthias(?).
I think signing Kovalchuk solves about 70% of our scoring problem. Which is fine since we still have Vokoun this yr. Next year our youngsters will be a year better and we can add more scoring. If Markstrom still not ready add a 1yr goalie(D. Ellis type). And if anyone can get Kovalchuk to sign here Tallon can maybe by telling him we will have 20mil in cap space to sign players next yr even after signing kolvy to that monster deal! Signing Kovy IMO would also wow all other NHL fans and give Panther fans something positive to gloat about after 10years of disappointment and mockery from other teams fans. And, I seem to remember that last time we made the playoffs we had a high scoring Russian playing for us. Wouldn't that be ironic! And man wouldn't Kovalchuk look good in a Panthers jersey!
Offer Kovalchuk an 8yr 80mil contract:
1st yr: 11.0
2nd yr: 11.0 (we gain 19.542mil in cap from expiring contracts)
3rd yr: 10.5
4th yr: 10.0
5th yr: 9.5
6th yr: 9.5
7th yr: 9.5
8th yr: 9.0
I just feel bad that you put so much effort into that post. Wow. Because you should know there is a snowballs chance in hell of that happening. After all, in Tallon we trust!
Look at the line combo with kovy in. It is a terrible mismatch of talent if youre going to have a kovy type player on the team at least get him some viable set up men. For example a Joe Thorton to a Dany Heatley and Marleau. Weiss is a good center but it would turn out to be the same situation as with Rick Nash in Columbus a star player whose talent goes to waste because they have no talent to help him out.
Look at the line combo with kovy in. It is a terrible mismatch of talent if youre going to have a kovy type player on the team at least get him some viable set up men. For example a Joe Thorton to a Dany Heatley and Marleau. Weiss is a good center but it would turn out to be the same situation as with Rick Nash in Columbus a star player whose talent goes to waste because they have no talent to help him out.
I don't think Kovalchuk would have any problem scoring goals if he were to become a Panther.
I just feel bad that you put so much effort into that post. Wow. Because you should know there is a snowballs chance in hell of that happening. After all, in Tallon we trust!
Look at the line combo with kovy in. It is a terrible mismatch of talent if youre going to have a kovy type player on the team at least get him some viable set up men. For example a Joe Thorton to a Dany Heatley and Marleau. Weiss is a good center but it would turn out to be the same situation as with Rick Nash in Columbus a star player whose talent goes to waste because they have no talent to help him out.
Like SV said he wouldn't have trouble scoring here. And btw that lineup would only be that way this season, then we can use part of that 20mil to sign a 1st line center and we would instantly have one of the best top lines in the NHL.
I think we're at least a year, possibly two, away from Tallon making a splash in Free Agency. We all know he has a track record for it, but this isn't the time for it. Tallon wants to build through the draft, and plug in the holes through FA.
I'm not much a Kovy fan, either, he had a similar cast in Atlanta and wasn't able to get into the playoffs, or do much in them. He wouldn't want to sign here.
__________________ Gudbranson fanboy and defender for liiiiiife!
this isnt the year for FA signings... im happy tallon isnt putting us in the ******* this summer with stupid contracts. the new cba isnt too far away, and there will be changes i promise u that. keep deals short term, continue the tanking process and do this properely
Kovy wouldn't come here and, even if he would, we should take a pass. As painful as it will be, we need to rebuild, which essentially means tanking for the next couple of seasons, going with youth and building through the draft.
Besides, we are pretty much broke and could not afford Kovy anyway...
I think this goes down as the most moot thread I've ever seen.
I think there's a 95% chance or greater Kovalchuk and the Devils take their contract to arbitration against the league's ruling. Due to the league's negligence, as Coolburn pointed out, the arbitrator is likely to find in their favor. I think the best-chance outcome is that the contract is upheld without the final two years, making it a 15-year deal for just under $101 million, ending when he's 42 and keeping it in line with deals the league accepted for Hossa and Pronger.
So the odds of Kovalchuk ever being available for this conversation to matter? Not enough to bother keeping this thread open.
__________________
"...and ultimately it doesn't matter."
True.
