Barkov is going to be a top-6 forward in the NHL. Jones might reach his potential. I am not a fan of Drouin.

MacKinnon, Barkov, Jones, Lindholm, Droiun...is my order.
- Blackstrom2

Mine is: MacKinnon, Barkov, Jones, Drouin, Nichushkin
I think it will go: MacKinnon, Jones, Drouin, Barkov, Nichushkin

Mine is: MacKinnon, Barkov, Jones, Drouin, Nichushkin
I think it will go: MacKinnon, Jones, Drouin, Barkov, Nichushkin
- Michael_Stuart

Carolina looks to be the wildcard there. I'm not really sure what they're looking to do. I've heard they plan on trading out and some have said they might go D with that pick.

I hope they take Nichushkin for the sole purpose of ensuring he doesn't end up with our new division foe (sabres). A Grigorenko/Nichushkin pairing (if the comparisons hold up) could be as good as our future duo.

Carolina looks to be the wildcard there. I'm not really sure what they're looking to do. I've heard they plan on trading out and some have said they might go D with that pick.

I hope they take Nichushkin for the sole purpose of ensuring he doesn't end up with our new division foe (sabres). A Grigorenko/Nichushkin pairing (if the comparisons hold up) could be as good as our future duo.
- Icegirl94

Absolutely scary to think about.

Absolutely scary to think about.
- Michael_Stuart

either of them will be lucky to achieve half the success of Stamkos.

Malone should bring the short-term relief necessary. I still worry about Lecavalier's contract in 5 years. Will he be a $7.7MM player at that point?
- Michael_Stuart

In 5 years, the cap will be like 80 million and our farm system stocked with young studs. In 5 years, 7.7 mil will be pretty much average for a guy like Vinny. Don't forget where Yzerman wants this team to be in the future: a fast skating (youth youth youth) hardworking (couple thumpers) skilled (stammer, drouin) team with good leadership (vinny). St Louis will have retired. Other big contract will be gone and Yzerman will depend on his farm system to fill out the lines. I doubt TB will ever be in the market for big time FA. Detroit never really was. Detroit always drafts and develops great players that just seem to seamlessly slide into the lineup. Thats what Yzerman wants. Stammer and Vinny will be rocks in centers for years to come. Hedman and Carle on D. Vasilevski in net. You guys think the farm system is nice now? Wait until after this year's draft. Al Murray knows what he's doing

either of them will be lucky to achieve half the success of Stamkos.
- Blackstrom2

Individually,obviously. But both those guys have been compared Malkin/Kovalchuk/Spezza...it'd be a scary duo to see in our division.

Malone is gone no matter how. Sorry Bugsy but your days in Tampa have come to an end. However I'd be shocked if we can deal him. Briere had a similar contract with lower salary than cap hit so I'm not sure with the decreasing cap there is a market. Maybe we can flip him for a late round pick but that's about all we can get IMO

Drouin is my pick if Jones is gone. I'm scared of Nichuskin. For all of his size he plays soft. Maybe Antropov with a little more creativity in his game.
- uf1910

Shultz asked for a trade so....

In 5 years, the cap will be like 80 million and our farm system stocked with young studs. In 5 years, 7.7 mil will be pretty much average for a guy like Vinny. Don't forget where Yzerman wants this team to be in the future: a fast skating (youth youth youth) hardworking (couple thumpers) skilled (stammer, drouin) team with good leadership (vinny). St Louis will have retired. Other big contract will be gone and Yzerman will depend on his farm system to fill out the lines. I doubt TB will ever be in the market for big time FA. Detroit never really was. Detroit always drafts and develops great players that just seem to seamlessly slide into the lineup. Thats what Yzerman wants. Stammer and Vinny will be rocks in centers for years to come. Hedman and Carle on D. Vasilevski in net. You guys think the farm system is nice now? Wait until after this year's draft. Al Murray knows what he's doing
- TBolts4

They tried for Suter this year and in past years were in on other big FA's and signed guys like Hossa and Rafalski. Can't build your entire lineup through the draft, eventually you'll have to make a big signing or trade to put your team over the top.

Look at the two teams competing for it right now. They established their core of top draft picks and supplemented them with some key trades and signings.

In 5 years, the cap will be like 80 million and our farm system stocked with young studs. In 5 years, 7.7 mil will be pretty much average for a guy like Vinny. Don't forget where Yzerman wants this team to be in the future: a fast skating (youth youth youth) hardworking (couple thumpers) skilled (stammer, drouin) team with good leadership (vinny). St Louis will have retired. Other big contract will be gone and Yzerman will depend on his farm system to fill out the lines. I doubt TB will ever be in the market for big time FA. Detroit never really was. Detroit always drafts and develops great players that just seem to seamlessly slide into the lineup. Thats what Yzerman wants. Stammer and Vinny will be rocks in centers for years to come. Hedman and Carle on D. Vasilevski in net. You guys think the farm system is nice now? Wait until after this year's draft. Al Murray knows what he's doing
- TBolts4

In 5 years, Vinny will be very, very old.

That's the problem.

In 5 years, Vinny will be very, very old.

That's the problem.
- Atomic Wedgie

Yup.

In 5 years, Vinny will be very, very old.

That's the problem.
- Atomic Wedgie

Buy Vinny out in 3 or 4 years. Lower payments for dead weight.

Buy Vinny out in 3 or 4 years. Lower payments for dead weight.
- Artyukhin76

But then it counts against the cap.

But then it counts against the cap.
- Michael_Stuart

Are these buyouts only good for this season?

so was lee playing with a torn acl?

Are these buyouts only good for this season?
- Artyukhin76

No, we can use them this year or next year.

This Canucks thread is killing me slowly .....

This Canucks thread is killing me slowly .....
- Michael_Stuart

Why would you got into that Loonie bin?

Yup.
- Michael_Stuart

Yes but he can still be useful even at 37-38. He's taking care of himself pretty good and should, should be able to play out the contract. No he's not going to be a 70-80 pts score then. By then he'll be the only bad contract on the roster probably. I think he's worth more to this team and community than a few extra million in cap space. Thats my opinion. Tampa fans tend to get really pissed when fan favorites get traded... hell, they're still female doging about Lynch leavinbg

This Canucks thread is killing me slowly .....
- Michael_Stuart

That thread is a death trap and a majority of their fans are so arrogant and annoying. Their playoff misery has brought me so much happiness.

Yes but he can still be useful even at 37-38. He's taking care of himself pretty good and should, should be able to play out the contract. No he's not going to be a 70-80 pts score then. By then he'll be the only bad contract on the roster probably. I think he's worth more to this team and community than a few extra million in cap space. Thats my opinion. Tampa fans tend to get really pissed when fan favorites get traded... hell, they're still female doging about Lynch leavinbg
- TBolts4

At that cap hit, no thanks. Love vinny but even with a higher salary cap that contract will hurt us more than anything his intangibles can do

Can Tampa afford to?

Malone should bring the short-term relief necessary. I still worry about Lecavalier's contract in 5 years. Will he be a $7.7MM player at that point?
- Michael_Stuart

To play devil's advocate by the time 5 years rolls around he isn't making $7.7. I think the last few years are $2M and $1M or something like that. Hopefully by then the cap has gone up which makes the hit not as bad.

tampa can't and won't buy out Vinny. If they do the next 5 years will be miserable

This Canucks thread is killing me slowly .....
- Michael_Stuart

Seriously I just gave up. Thanks for the backup though, I needed some more sanity in there

Can Tampa afford to?
- t_leafs21

Yes. Vinik is worth almost $1B and just put $45M of his own cash into arena improvements the past 2 years.