Schultz and Lu, One Last Time
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Schultz
Perhaps, this is the last I write of him all summer or maybe this is just the beginning. Schultz is expected to let either the Oilers or Canucks know today where he will be signing. Numerous fans of both teams, that claim to have the inside scoop and say he is going to their team. I for one don’t buy that any of them know what is going on.
My guess is we find out today the that Justin is staying in B.C. I’m basing this logic on the fact that the only UFA’s that go to Edmonton get dramatically overpaid to do so. Since the Oilers can’t do that here, I’m guessing he is picking anyone but the Oilers, like UFA’s generally do.
I do still give the Ducks a 5% chance in this race if they can get Scott Niedermayer to give Schultz a jingle today and tell him how wonderful his five years in Anaheim were. You just know that when Shultz got off the phone with Gretzky and Coffey he was like, “Dad the guys from the Tylenol commercial just called to tell me all about how good the Oilers were 25 years ago. Would have it been rude to let him know that I wasn’t even born the last time they won a Cup?” I just get the feeling that Niedermayer carries more weight with Schultz.
Either way, this drama that is called “Schultz Watch 2012” should be over today and Schultz can start getting ready for 29 team’s fans booing him come October. The reason I say that is because fans have good memories, and when you thumb your nose at their team, they will remember that.
Luongo to Florida?
Numerous, unreliable, unidentified sources are claiming that Luongo to the Panthers is done. I still stand by the belief that until TSN announces the deal, it’s still not done. I’m hoping we see the deal get done in the next 24 hours because I believe it is in both team’s best interests.
Vancouver- will know what they are getting in return and how much money they have to spend on July first. By getting it done now, Vancouver, will also be able to add a veteran goalie to the mix (unless one is coming via the deal). While I do like Lack a lot, I’m a big believer that you don’t just hand him the job. You have to make your players earn their jobs and by having an Ellis, Theodore, or Clemmensen it does that.
Florida- while they are a team that doesn’t ever have to worry about having the cap space to slot a guy in, they do still have a budget. They need to know going into July 1st if they are spending 5.3 million on a starter, or 1.5 on one. Right now they have roughly 14 million to spend to get to the cap floor. My guess is 7-9 of that will go to Kulikov and Versteeg. So that leaves them 5-6 million to spend on July 1st. Bring in Luongo and they maybe don’t spend on “X” player on July 1st.
I also wonder if the supposed lack of traction in the Kulikov and Versteeg deals is causing some of the rumours. Gillis has tried in the past to land Versteeg, so you know Vancouver would be interested in him. Kulikov is in my opinion, one of the best young D in the NHL so you would have to think Gillis would at least have an interest in him.
I don’t think either has filed for arbitration yet, so that leaves them open to offer sheets in a day. I could see both of these guys attracting offer sheets in the 4-4.5 million range and that may be a little rich for Florida’s blood. If Florida feels that they can’t sign both, maybe they pick one and ship the other out for Luongo. That would kind of make some sense for a team that wants to win now. Luongo will help Florida a lot more than a couple of draft picks right now.
Then again, there is the possibility that Gillis is the one threatening the offer sheet. If Gillis has an idea what the Panthers want to spend on Versteeg and Kulikov, he could have already let Dale Tallon know that he feels they are worth more, and he will give them more on the 1st. Overpay for Versteeg and Kulikov or take the deal for Luongo, which one do you think the Panthers prefer? It's tough to say.
Say a deal centred around- Raymond and Luongo for Versteeg, Theodore, and McFarland
Raymond fills some of Versteeg’s place in Florida and Luongo gets to go home, while upgrading Florida’s goaltending. Vancouver gets a bit more cap room, a grittier forward in Versteeg, a backup goalie and a prospect.
That’s a wrap
Ian
P.S.- I’ll have my 10 Targets for July 1st up tomorrow.
Five Hole For Food
Five Hole For Food is coming to a town near you this summer. For those of you that don't know, the concept was brought forward by some friends in Vancouver, who decided they would travel the country setting up street hockey games. The price to play in the game is a can of food or donation to the local food bank.
To date Five Hole for Food has raised over 70,000 pounds of food for food banks and is continuing the fight against hunger all over North America!
2012 Tour Dates
St. John’s – July 3rd
Halifax – July 5th
Charlottetown – July 6th
Saint John – July 7th
Montreal – July 9th
Ottawa – July 10th
Toronto – July 12th
Winnipeg – July 14th
Regina – July 15th
Calgary – July 17th
Edmonton – July 18th
Victoria – July 20th
Vancouver – July 21st
So get out and support this great cause this summer. For more information on Five Hole For Food
CLICK HERE
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