Ongoing NHL thread - Part deux

[jstewismybastardson]

 

[dash]

Pretty good reffing tonight all around

if you ask me if I'd rather have a 4-on-3 powerplay for 1:30 or a penalty shot, I'll take the powerplay.

 

[esls79]

Bobby Lou just made a glove save with his blocker hand.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Speaking of dummies

Does he play for the Redwings? Should be good then. Wait. Expansion team? He's fucked.

^

Hockey play?

Does he play for the Senators? No? He should be fine and not fined.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

I don't usually lean on Kypreos, but this morning on 590 he said Stamkos hadn't even been given a contract offer yet. Not even an offer.

Also said he's expecting to be paid in the $11 million range, and that TB likely can't commit that.

From a trade standpoint in-season, that's anybody's guess. If Stamkos is dead-set on heading to free agency, no matter at what point he's traded it will be as a rental so Yzerman would likely either move him soon or not at all (might as well keep him at the deadline as your own rental if you can't move him earlier).

Looking at teams with space and need, and obviously things could change by July 1, it seems 5 teams in particular would have both the cap space and the position open for Stamkos - Calgary, Detroit, Florida, St. Louis and Toronto. Some have more space than others (Florida and Toronto both will have $30 mil+ to play with), some are closer to contention than others (St. Louis and Detroit would probably become Cup faves overnight with Stamkos on board), some have things to spend their money on first (Gaudreau and Monahan are both RFA and I doubt they're taking bridge deals and Calgary will have to do something about their goaltending and try to re-sign Russell, while Florida is going to need 3 or 4 defencemen).

This is going to be very interesting to watch.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

I don't usually lean on Kypreos, but this morning on 590 he said Stamkos hadn't even been given a contract offer yet. Not even an offer.

Also said he's expecting to be paid in the $11 million range, and that TB likely can't commit that.

From a trade standpoint in-season, that's anybody's guess. If Stamkos is dead-set on heading to free agency, no matter at what point he's traded it will be as a rental so Yzerman would likely either move him soon or not at all (might as well keep him at the deadline as your own rental if you can't move him earlier).

Looking at teams with space and need, and obviously things could change by July 1, it seems 5 teams in particular would have both the cap space and the position open for Stamkos - Calgary, Detroit, Florida, St. Louis and Toronto. Some have more space than others (Florida and Toronto both will have $30 mil+ to play with), some are closer to contention than others (St. Louis and Detroit would probably become Cup faves overnight with Stamkos on board), some have things to spend their money on first (Gaudreau and Monahan are both RFA and I doubt they're taking bridge deals and Calgary will have to do something about their goaltending and try to re-sign Russell, while Florida is going to need 3 or 4 defencemen).

This is going to be very interesting to watch.

If a guy like Stamkos is going to hit UFA, you make a need for him. Obviously there's a lot of teams that simply couldn't afford him under the cap, but if you could, you make an opening if he's willing to come play for you.

It's not often that a top 3-5 player in the world hits UFA in his prime.

 

[dash]

Regarding Stamkos, I've changed my mind regarding including Bennett in a package based on his play this last week. The Flames need to hold onto this guy, I think he's going to be really good.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

If a guy like Stamkos is going to hit UFA, you make a need for him. Obviously there's a lot of teams that simply couldn't afford him under the cap, but if you could, you make an opening if he's willing to come play for you.

It's not often that a top 3-5 player in the world hits UFA in his prime.

True, but just glancing over rosters and cap hits. Teams like Philly, Boston, Montreal and NYR that would usually be in on him simply don't have the space, the Sharks are still tied down by Thornton and Marleau for another year, Buffalo has the centre position set for the next decade etc.

As I said lots can change by July, but as of today I'd say those 5 would be the favourites in the UFA market.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Regarding Stamkos, I've changed my mind regarding including Bennett in a package based on his play this last week. The Flames need to hold onto this guy, I think he's going to be really good.

At this point, bringing in Stamkos wouldn't help Calgary much. They need a goalie; everything else rides on that. Trading for him wouldn't make any sense.

 

[DragonfromTO]

If a guy like Stamkos is going to hit UFA, you make a need for him. Obviously there's a lot of teams that simply couldn't afford him under the cap, but if you could, you make an opening if he's willing to come play for you.

It's not often that a top 3-5 player in the world hits UFA in his prime.

This. A hundred times this. It's not like goaltending where there's only one job on the team, everyone can fit another #1 centre.

For instance, if Calgary seriously decides they can't be in on Stamkos simply because they need to re-sign Russell and/or get some goalie who's not likely to be a star I expect Poonerman to re-emerge and fire away with no mercy.

 

[dash]

For instance, if Calgary seriously decides they can't be in on Stamkos simply because they need to re-sign Russell I expect Poonerman to re-emerge and fire away with no mercy.

lol - One of Wideman or Russell won't be with the team next season. My preference would be Wideman (the way things are going, move him at the trade deadline).

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

True, but just glancing over rosters and cap hits. Teams like Philly, Boston, Montreal and NYR that would usually be in on him simply don't have the space, the Sharks are still tied down by Thornton and Marleau for another year, Buffalo has the centre position set for the next decade etc.

As I said lots can change by July, but as of today I'd say those 5 would be the favourites in the UFA market.

Yeah, there's definitely teams that can't afford him under the cap and wouldn't really have any chance of making the space.

But even teams that seem to be set, like Buffalo, would make it work, IMO. A few of their centres (ROR, Ennis, Girgensons) are all capable of playing the wing. So imagine having the option to put Stamkos, Eichel, and Reinhart (who would probably be the odd man out when it comes time for the big raises) as your top 3 centres down the middle.

I'm not saying that they would actually make a play for him, but if they could make it work under the cap, I'd be all in favor of it.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

This. A hundred times this. It's not like goaltending where there's only one job on the team, everyone can fit another #1 centre.

For instance, if Calgary seriously decides they can't be in on Stamkos simply because they need to re-sign Russell and/or get some goalie who's not likely to be a star I expect Poonerman to re-emerge and fire away with no mercy.

Gotta factor in RFA deals for Monahan, Gaudreau and (the year after) Bennett. That's gonna likely be somewhere between $15-20 mil combined. Leaves Calgary in the same position Tampa is in right now.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Yeah, there's definitely teams that can't afford him under the cap and wouldn't really have any chance of making the space.

But even teams that seem to be set, like Buffalo, would make it work, IMO. A few of their centres (ROR, Ennis, Girgensons) are all capable of playing the wing. So imagine having the option to put Stamkos, Eichel, and Reinhart (who would probably be the odd man out when it comes time for the big raises) as your top 3 centres down the middle.

I'm not saying that they would actually make a play for him, but if they could make it work under the cap, I'd be all in favor of it.

I'm sure Buffalo would make a play for him if they saw it as logical. I'm just not sure it's very logical - that would leave one of Eichel or Stamkos as a second line centre. That's a pretty tough sell to either player.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

I'm sure Buffalo would make a play for him if they saw it as logical. I'm just not sure it's very logical - that would leave one of Eichel or Stamkos as a second line centre. That's a pretty tough sell to either player.

Agreed, but I'd be willing to bet that if they had a chance to win multiple Stanley Cups (I'd happily settle for one for starters ) it would make it a little easier to get over.

 

[DragonfromTO]

lol - One of Wideman or Russell won't be with the team next season. My preference would be Wideman (the way things are going, move him at the trade deadline).

Why not both?

Honestly, Russell feels to me like he might get one of those Andy MacDonald deals.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Agreed, but I'd be willing to bet that if they had a chance to win multiple Stanley Cups (I'd happily settle for one for starters ) it would make it a little easier to get over.

That's what they said about Sid and Geno, and, um....

 

[dash]

Why not both?

Honestly, Russell feels to me like he might get one of those Andy MacDonald deals.

I would be okay if the Flames re-sign Russell to a 3 year deal for 3.5 million dollars per season. I'm sure he would get more on the open market, but I think he likes playing in Calgary and that's still a pretty nice chunk of change.

 

[DragonfromTO]

I'm sure Buffalo would make a play for him if they saw it as logical. I'm just not sure it's very logical - that would leave one of Eichel or Stamkos as a second line centre. That's a pretty tough sell to either player.

Neither one would be the best player ever to suit up as a "2nd line centre". Hell, neither would even be the best 2nd line centre in the league right now. Good teams win with strength and depth down the middle, and teams with two great centres don't usually seem to have any trouble getting both of them enough ice time.

I mean, you've mentioned Toronto too but they also already have a #1 centre in Young Bozak.

 

[DragonfromTO]

That's what they said about Sid and Geno, and, um....

I haven't seen anything suggesting that Geno is unhappy with his usage though, which (I think) is the detail under discussion.