Yup, and later that same week it was Carlyle working directly with him.
- mykokes

All I'm saying is people forget that part and that was this season not last.

I like Letang, i really do man, but 7M is a lot to use on a d-man. Especially with the way this city rips into them. We'd overpay for him, then a year or two later, we'd be saying he sucks, and now we have to dump him because he's ruining our cap.
- mykokes

Exactly! His numbers are inflated, due the the Penguins firepower. He is a good defenceman, but at 7 million a copy, we're better off keeping our young offensive D Men and adding a minute eater defense first defenceman. It's all in the cap management. The difference between contracts for Gardiner and Letang, is 6 million a year. We could actually get a good first line center for the difference. We should keep our youth, back-fill with UFA's and see what's out there for a player like Reimer.

Exactly! His numbers are inflated, due the the Penguins firepower. He is a good defenceman, but at 7 million a copy, we're better off keeping our young offensive D Men and adding a minute eater defense first defenceman. It's all in the cap management. The difference between contracts for Gardiner and Letang, is 6 million a year. We could actually get a good first line center for the difference. We should keep our youth, back-fill with UFA's and see what's out there for player like Reimer.
- PrinceLH

I really want Vinny right now.

Exactly! His numbers are inflated, due the the Penguins firepower. He is a good defenceman, but at 7 million a copy, we're better off keeping our young offensive D Men and adding a minute eater defense first defenceman. It's all in the cap management. The difference between contracts for Gardiner and Letang, is 6 million a year. We could actually get a good first line center for the difference. We should keep our youth, back-fill with UFA's and see what's out there for a player like Reimer.
- PrinceLH

with the difference we can sign lecav

That's right. I guess Bozak is probably wishing that he'd signed on for 3.75, instead of playing the market. For now, he's probably the 5th best alternative out there, and dropping. Lecavelier is my first choice and would pass on Brad Richards. He's got Rangers disease, bright lights, big cash and living large. We want hungry guys that'll go to the wall and through it!

Exactly! His numbers are inflated, due the the Penguins firepower. He is a good defenceman, but at 7 million a copy, we're better off keeping our young offensive D Men and adding a minute eater defense first defenceman. It's all in the cap management. The difference between contracts for Gardiner and Letang, is 6 million a year. We could actually get a good first line center for the difference. We should keep our youth, back-fill with UFA's and see what's out there for a player like Reimer.
- PrinceLH

Here's the thing. We need the lineup to keep moving up the ladder. If you have an upgrade you do it. We have no idea what Gardiner can do but we do know what Letang can do. He's only 26. Three years older then Gardiner. If he was 30 plus then I'm with you but man he's still young and just coming into his prime.

Here's the thing. We need the lineup to keep moving up the ladder. If you have an upgrade you do it. We have no idea what Gardiner can do but we do know what Letang can do. He's only 26. Three years older then Gardiner. If he was 30 plus then I'm with you but man he's still young and just coming into his prime.
- honesthockey

The problem is HH, its going to cost us more than Gardiner, and I don't mean a 2nd round pick. Heck the 7th overall, MPS and Klefbom is viewed as a lowball offer by the Penguin fans. I'm not saying don't do it, but if 7M plus is the asking price, I'm not sure this is a good thing. (frank), just let him hit fa, and make a pitch then.

I really want Vinny right now.
- mykokes

If you're Vinny and you want to win and perhaps stay in the East where do you go? There really aren't alot of options when you consider $, cap space, a chance to win, and a need at centre.

The problem is HH, its going to cost us more than Gardiner. I'm not saying don't do it, but if 7M plus is the asking price, I'm not sure this is a good thing.
- mykokes

Yeah I'm just not interested in the dollars. Teams know how to make it work. I'm not convinced Letang goes anywhere unless someone is willing to cough up. Pittsburgh will make it work. You don't lose key YOUNG players that are part of your main core.

We as fans get way to caught up in cap space. IMO you see a player that makes you better that is available you go do it. It's why I don't give poop what they pay Clarkson. He is needed in this lineup.

Jesus, what a waste of 6 shutout relief innings. Can we please get some god damn starting pitching. When the hell is Hutchinson and Drabek back?

So for a team looking to get better down the middle the UFA market is deeper than it's been in years. Deeper with old centre's from the Q'.

Lecavalier
Briere
Ribeiro
B. Richards (maybe)

...

Bozak

Jesus, what a waste of 6 shutout relief innings. Can we please get some god damn starting pitching. When the hell is Hutchinson and Drabek back?
- mykokes

Yeah that one inning really burnt them

Yeah that one inning really burnt them
- AngryWhiteMale

Wang sucks... I turned the game on for the first time in 2 months, Sox put up 7 in the 2nd inning, turned off the TV and went on a hunt for some beef jerky

If you're Vinny and you want to win and perhaps stay in the East where do you go? There really aren't alot of options when you consider $, cap space, a chance to win, and a need at centre.
- The Law

Consider the teams that do fit that criteria, and delete the ones he can't get a #1 center job on.. And maybe Toronto is a bit appealing to him.

He was just bought out. He needs a job he can prove he's still got it.

now who won that trade
- DoubleDown

Leafs.

Consider the teams that do fit that criteria, and delete the ones he can't get a #1 center job on.. And maybe Toronto is a bit appealing to him.

He was just bought out. He needs a job he can prove he's still got it.
- joel878

Or maybe he figured he was going to be in TB all his life and liked it that way.

I'd like to have him, but I can't see him begging to come here from Florida. A lot of guys know they'd get chewed up here.

Or maybe he figured he was going to be in TB all his life and liked it that way.

I'd like to have him, but I can't see him begging to come here from Florida. A lot of guys know they'd get chewed up here.
- Leeman4Gilmour

He was willing to come here last time Toronto wanted him.

He was willing to come here last time Toronto wanted him.
- mykokes

I hope he's willing to take a steep pay cut this time, though.

What's a fair price for a 60 point, 33 year old center? I would love to get him for 4 years, 16 million.

Jesus, what a waste of 6 shutout relief innings. Can we please get some god damn starting pitching. When the hell is Hutchinson and Drabek back?
- mykokes

next spring prob, they both had tommy john surgery

jays

I hope he's willing to take a steep pay cut this time, though.

What's a fair price for a 60 point, 33 year old center? I would love to get him for 4 years, 16 million.
- Leeman4Gilmour

I'd to 5M (3). Might even go to 5.5M (3) if we can unload Liles. 54% faceoff percentage, and even at his worst he's still a 25 goal scorer with size up the middle.

next spring prob, they both had tommy john surgery
- MetroidPrime

I heard they were on track for September in the spring, and then like a month ago that both were ahead of schedule. Did ummm, Perez;s? setback change the plan?

I heard they were on track for September in the spring, and then like a month ago that both were ahead of schedule. Did ummm, Perez;s? setback change the plan?
- mykokes

its possible, i havent heard much lately, but it would make sense to call them up if theyre available when rosters expand since the odds are they will be out of the playoff hunt by then

I like Letang, i really do man, but 7M is a lot to use on a d-man. Especially with the way this city rips into them. We'd overpay for him, then a year or two later, we'd be saying he sucks, and now we have to dump him because he's ruining our cap.
- mykokes

Guaranteed to happen.

7.5 a year he has to lead the league in everything and win multiple Norris trophies.

Let's say there are 120 defensive minutes. Dion plays about a half an hour a night. 1/4 of our D. If you are looking for problems with our D look for the guy who is responsible for more of it than anyone else.
- MapleLeafsFTW

he's overworked because the coach trusts him most, The only thing Dion cost us this year was a chance at the draft lotto.