YA! Oh wait... it was posted on HF Boards.
- kneught

Apparently the guy knows Higgins brother or something and has been right before. This is a done deal folks.

The actual cap hit isn't horrible, I would have preferred 3 years. The NTC is going to be criticized, but limited doesn't really matter IMO since I bet only playoff teams and contenders are usually only interested in those types of guys(if Gillis or whoever the GM is in a couple of years wants to move him). Again, I don't think it's a bargain, but it's not awful either.
- Nucker101

I wouldn't give Higgins a cent more than $2 million per and I'd have trouble giving him that much.

Apparently the guy knows Higgins brother or something and has been right before. This is a done deal folks.
- Nucker101

He knows Aaron Ward's brother.

Higgins did have an extra step tonight, maybe that was 10 mill

I wouldn't give Higgins a cent more than $2 million per and I'd have trouble giving him that much.
- DrChristianTroy

I expect the cap to increase back up pretty high again after next year like it has increased every season until the lockout and new CBA. 2-3 million is the going rate for solid third liners these days.

Apparently the guy knows Higgins brother or something and has been right before. This is a done deal folks.
- Nucker101

Again, it's a yawn of a deal. We need so much more than this. To his only credit, Gillis does seem to be working the phones.

He knows Aaron Ward's brother.

Higgins did have an extra step tonight, maybe that was 10 mill
- Scooby_Doo

Apparently the guy is actually his(Higgins) brother.

Again, it's a yawn of a deal. We need so much more than this. To his only credit, Gillis does seem to be working the phones.
- AlexF

Yup, we'll all be disappointed if this is the only move made by Wednesday afternoon. I don't hate the contract though like some here do.

I expect the cap to increase back up pretty high again after next year like it has increased every season until the lockout and new CBA. 2-3 million is the going rate for solid third liners these days.
- Nucker101

None of that makes locking up Chris (frank)ing Higgins for 4 (frank)ing years necessary... What a stupid commitment to make, especially at this point in time.

None of that makes locking up Chris (frank)ing Higgins for 4 (frank)ing years necessary... What a stupid commitment to make, especially at this point in time.
- DrChristianTroy

Too soon to call it a bad signing, if he keeps up his current level of play I see it as a fair deal, but I do agree that there's probably more downside than upside with this contract which isn't too exciting.

None of that makes locking up Chris (frank)ing Higgins for 4 (frank)ing years necessary... What a stupid commitment to make, especially at this point in time.
- DrChristianTroy

Well, considering the fact that Higgins is only 29 years old, the four year term isn't exactly horrendous.

I'm not really sure why you are so vehemently against this deal. He's a solid two-way player that can score 20 goals a season while playing on the 3rd line.

I'm not really sure what you expect for 2.5 million per year. Can you suggest some potential trade targets or upcoming UFA's around a similar price point that you would rather have?

Yup, we'll all be disappointed if this is the only move made by Wednesday afternoon. I don't hate the contract though like some here do.
- Nucker101

Unlike the previous few seasons, this year will require a much bigger push/gamble than adding a Lapierre, Higgins, Pahlson (forward depth). We need a Holmgren-like GM at this juncture, Gillis is too conservative.

Even if, say, Luongo was traded for Bozak (throw in a pick for good measure), this team will still be a ways off from back on track.

Higgins is a discount @ 2.5, as long as his NTC is fairly limited.

Unlike the previous few seasons, this year will require a much bigger push/gamble than adding a Lapierre, Higgins, Pahlson (forward depth). We need a Holmgren-like GM at this juncture, Gillis is too conservative.

Even if, say, Luongo was traded for Bozak (throw in a pick for good measure), this team will still be a ways off from back on track.
- AlexF

I've always been a fan and preferred the more aggressive GM's, I'd put Tallon in that category as well. Gillis hasn't been as conservative as guys like Nonis and Tambellini are, but he's going to have to make some big changes between now and the start of next season.

Higgins is a discount @ 2.5, as long as his NTC is fairly limited.
- whosyodaddy

Disagree. It might be a discount at 2 years, not at 4.

Higgins is a discount @ 2.5, as long as his NTC is fairly limited.
- whosyodaddy

I have a feeling that the majority of the regular guys on this site aren't going to like this deal. I'm probaby coming off as someone who thinks it's a good deal, but honestly it's not a discount IMO but not an overpayment either. The 2.5 number isn't a discount, but it's fair but it might just be one year too long of a deal for a third liner. The limited NTC doesn't have a big impact IMO. I'll only be pissed if Gillis doesn't move Raymond now and lets him walk this summer for nothing.

I have a feeling that the majority of the regular guys on this site aren't going to like this deal. I'm probaby coming off as someone who thinks it's a good deal, but honestly it's not a discount IMO but not an overpayment either. I'll only be pissed if Gillis doesn't move Raymond now and lets him walk this summer for nothing.
- Nucker101

Who's to say he won't re-sign Raymond too?

Disagree. It might be a discount at 2 years, not at 4.
- AlexF

Years 3 and 4 the cap will rise, he'll still be a discount. He's also a tradeable player and cap hit.

Who's to say he won't re-sign Raymond too?
- AlexF

The cap next year, unless he's ready to give up on Booth and can also get rid of Ballard and Luongo without taking on a significant contract in return. Plus he'd have to trust Raymond to be a full time top 6 forward.

If Higgins is worth $2.5, what's Hansen worth?

If Higgins is worth $2.5, what's Hansen worth?
- DrChristianTroy

More, but his contract won't kick in until after cap purgatory.

More, but his contract won't kick in until after cap purgatory.
- whosyodaddy

Thank God for that.

Years 3 and 4 the cap will rise, he'll still be a discount. He's also a tradeable player and cap hit.
- whosyodaddy

He's only a tradeable player if he performs at his peak. I rate Jussi Jokinen higher and he cleared waivers at $3m with only 1 more year on this contract. Again. there is no discount in this deal.

The cap next year, unless he's ready to give up on Booth and can also get rid of Ballard and Luongo without taking on a significant contract in return. Plus he'd have to trust Raymond to be a full time top 6 forward.
- Nucker101

If Gillis doesn't use both amnesty buyouts this summer it'll be for ego reasons only and he should be fired. There's no logic to do otherwise. Ballard will trade for a 7th rounder or bought out. Booth, not too sure but the option is there. Luongo (or Schneider) will be gone by this summer one way or the other.

He's only a tradeable player if he performs at his peak. I rate Jussi Jokinen higher and he cleared waivers at $3m with only 1 more year on this contract. Again. there is no discount in this deal.
- AlexF

Just because we are tight to the cap doesn't make Higgins at 2.5 a bad deal. He's a guy that plays both ends of the rink and a good veteran presence. It's paying so much on defence, goaltending, and Booth that's killing us.

Unlike the previous few seasons, this year will require a much bigger push/gamble than adding a Lapierre, Higgins, Pahlson (forward depth). We need a Holmgren-like GM at this juncture, Gillis is too conservative.

Even if, say, Luongo was traded for Bozak (throw in a pick for good measure), this team will still be a ways off from back on track.
- AlexF

A center and Jagr would help this team tremendously.