Me too. Good thing all these guys got bought out because the other FAs might get less attention with the big money being thrown at Briere, Lecavalier, and so on
- bobert836

status quo

status quo
- shvingter88

Pretty much. I believe our current roster looks something like

Zubs-Lokti-Kovy
Teddy-Zajac-Bernier
Carter-Gio-Barch
Equipment boy-Chico-Hedberg

When all is said and done, getting a great goalie for the future is far more valuable than getting one very good forward.

If Nichushkin ends up actually reaching his potential then maybe we'll look back at this negatively, but that's a big if, there might be a reason so many teams passed on him considering his apparent skill and upside.

Besides him, any other forward we could have taken at #9 could have possibly been a great top 6 forward, but finding a solid top 6 forward is easier than a franchise goalie.

Granted, Schneider still has to prove he can be a franchise goalie, but I think playing in our system and getting a year with Marty will only help. When all is said and done, a goalie like that is far more valuable to a team than 1 top 6 forward.
- MannySilvers

With russian players, teams have no leverage after the ELC. Bobrovsky got offered 10 million and pretty much a guaranteed an olympic spot. Its hard to keep the second contracts reasonable when the players actually have leverage.

As much as I hate myself for saying this, I feel like Lou will more actively pursue UFA's this year than in previous years. Last year was bad, but I feel like they put so much effort into retaining Parise, once he left most other good UFA's were gone and the wind was sort of taken out of their sails. If anything maybe having the solid future in goal will help allure potential UFA's?

If they're actually announcing some signings tomorrow, we'll have a better idea of where this team is at cap wise, etc. If we retain Elias, Zubrus, and Henrique (I think we will), we really only need one good top 6 forward for next year.

With russian players, teams have no leverage after the ELC. Bobrovsky got offered 10 million and pretty much a guaranteed an olympic spot. Its hard to keep the second contracts reasonable when the players actually have leverage.
- rmdevil313

Something must have been scaring those teams off. Everyone claims he has the skill of Malkin/Ovechkin, but nobody hesitated to pick them...

I also think Dallas is a bad landing spot for him, Lindy Ruff isn't particularly known for getting the best out of those types of players. Of the teams drafting 5-10 I actually think we would have been the best landing spot for him, playing on the top line with Kovy could have been magic, but oh well.

We really are in need of forwards, especially if clarky leaves.
- shvingter88

I'm not used to seeing this emotion from u

Something must have been scaring those teams off. Everyone claims he has the skill of Malkin/Ovechkin, but nobody hesitated to pick them...

I also think Dallas is a bad landing spot for him, Lindy Ruff isn't particularly known for getting the best out of those types of players. Of the teams drafting 5-10 I actually think we would have been the best landing spot for him, playing on the top line with Kovy could have been magic, but oh well.
- MannySilvers

No one ever questioned his skill, the problem was he is inconsistent with when he uses it

As much as I hate myself for saying this, I feel like Lou will more actively pursue UFA's this year than in previous years. Last year was bad, but I feel like they put so much effort into retaining Parise, once he left most other good UFA's were gone and the wind was sort of taken out of their sails. If anything maybe having the solid future in goal will help allure potential UFA's?

If they're actually announcing some signings tomorrow, we'll have a better idea of where this team is at cap wise, etc. If we retain Elias, Zubrus, and Henrique (I think we will), we really only need one good top 6 forward for next year.
- MannySilvers

I think Briere is a Devil on july 5, just a gut feeling. Also think we're gonna move Henrique to the wing full time to give JJ an opportunity, although it would be interesting to see what JJ could do on the wing with his speed and forecheck.

Pretty much. I believe our current roster looks something like

Zubs-Lokti-Kovy
Teddy-Zajac-Bernier
Carter-Gio-Barch
Equipment boy-Chico-Hedberg
- bobert836

You forgot Kostopolous! But this is great.. And so sad.

I think Elias and Henrique are back. I'll be blown away if we sign Clarkson, and for anything around 4.
What about Brunner? LW with Loktionov and Kovy?
Best case scenario is..
Brunner-Loktionov-Kovalchuk
Elias-Zajac-Horton
Tedenby-Henrique-Zubrus

Realistically, I hope for at leeaasst either

Brunner-Loktionov-Kovalchuk
Elias-Zajac-Zubrus
Tedenby-Henrique-Stalberg

Orr
Zubrus-Loktionov-Kovalchuk
Elias-Zajac-Ryder
Tedenby-Henrique-Stalberg

I'd rather Zubrus on the 3rd line in both scenarios, but I just can't imagine signing either a Ryder/Clarkson AND a Brunner. Just don't see it.

Something must have been scaring those teams off. Everyone claims he has the skill of Malkin/Ovechkin, but nobody hesitated to pick them...

I also think Dallas is a bad landing spot for him, Lindy Ruff isn't particularly known for getting the best out of those types of players. Of the teams drafting 5-10 I actually think we would have been the best landing spot for him, playing on the top line with Kovy could have been magic, but oh well.
- MannySilvers

For whatever its worth, Adam French said that players like Tarasenko and Kuznetzov were more talented at 18 than Nich. Consistency was also an issue so it wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't just the Russian factor that cause the slip. That's not to say I wasn't hoping we picked him with the 9th though.

I think Briere is a Devil on july 5, just a gut feeling. Also think we're gonna move Henrique to the wing full time to give JJ an opportunity, although it would be interesting to see what JJ could do on the wing with his speed and forecheck.
- rmdevil313

I completely agree, unfortunately. And Lou will feel all good about it when I really don't think it's the answer.

Josefson+urbom+39 maybe could've moved us to 25. Maybe he tried and it didn't work, but I think Lou overvalues these 2 guys.

You forgot Kostopolous! But this is great.. And so sad.

I think Elias and Henrique are back. I'll be blown away if we sign Clarkson, and for anything around 4.
What about Brunner? LW with Loktionov and Kovy?
Best case scenario is..
Brunner-Loktionov-Kovalchuk
Elias-Zajac-Horton
Tedenby-Henrique-Zubrus

Realistically, I hope for at leeaasst either

Brunner-Loktionov-Kovalchuk
Elias-Zajac-Zubrus
Tedenby-Henrique-Stalberg

Orr
Zubrus-Loktionov-Kovalchuk
Elias-Zajac-Ryder
Tedenby-Henrique-Stalberg

I'd rather Zubrus on the 3rd line in both scenarios, but I just can't imagine signing either a Ryder/Clarkson AND a Brunner. Just don't see it.
- MartysBetter88

Is Kostopolous signed for next season?

I completely agree, unfortunately. And Lou will feel all good about it when I really don't think it's the answer.

Josefson+urbom+39 maybe could've moved us to 25. Maybe he tried and it didn't work, but I think Lou overvalues these 2 guys.
- MartysBetter88

Its not often that teams are willing to drop 10+ picks. Don't really know what it would take. I think lou also wanted to add a 3rd rounder and we still got a nice pick with our 2nd. The more I read about this guy the more it seems like a solid pick. Good skating and defensive instincts are a great combination to make the NHL.

You forgot Kostopolous! But this is great.. And so sad.

I think Elias and Henrique are back. I'll be blown away if we sign Clarkson, and for anything around 4.
What about Brunner? LW with Loktionov and Kovy?
Best case scenario is..
Brunner-Loktionov-Kovalchuk
Elias-Zajac-Horton
Tedenby-Henrique-Zubrus

Realistically, I hope for at leeaasst either

Brunner-Loktionov-Kovalchuk
Elias-Zajac-Zubrus
Tedenby-Henrique-Stalberg

Orr
Zubrus-Loktionov-Kovalchuk
Elias-Zajac-Ryder
Tedenby-Henrique-Stalberg

I'd rather Zubrus on the 3rd line in both scenarios, but I just can't imagine signing either a Ryder/Clarkson AND a Brunner. Just don't see it.
- MartysBetter88

Kostopolous isn't under contract. The guys I put down are the ones that are actually signed for next year.

I was looking at the UFA list and what about a guy like Morrow? Fills pretty much everything Clarkson does and more for pretty much the same price I would think. Filppula and Raymond are two others I would prefer to Ryder and Stalberg

Its not often that teams are willing to drop 10+ picks. Don't really know what it would take. I think lou also wanted to add a 3rd rounder and we still got a nice pick with our 2nd. The more I read about this guy the more it seems like a solid pick. Good skating and defensive instincts are a great combination to make the NHL.
- rmdevil313

Either way, massive potential long-term decisions were made tonight. Don't take the stud forward and get a stud goalie. Maybe one of our goalies will be a stud, maybe Boucher will be a star. 4 variables there.. Just hope it pans out for our best in the next decade.

Its not often that teams are willing to drop 10+ picks. Don't really know what it would take. I think lou also wanted to add a 3rd rounder and we still got a nice pick with our 2nd. The more I read about this guy the more it seems like a solid pick. Good skating and defensive instincts are a great combination to make the NHL.
- rmdevil313

A lot of people are pretty high on him. Dude was named the best Dman at the U18s without recording a point

Kostopolous isn't under contract. The guys I put down are the ones that are actually signed for next year.

I was looking at the UFA list and what about a guy like Morrow? Fills pretty much everything Clarkson does and more for pretty much the same price I would think. Filppula and Raymond are two others I would prefer to Ryder and Stalberg
- bobert836

This basically forces Tedenby into the top line lw.
Morrow-Henrique-Raymond is a nice 3rd line. But it puts Zubrus on the 2nd, which isn't bad.. And puts Tedenby on the top, unless the 2 wingers switch. I wouldn't mind filpulla, but I think he'll cost more than Brunner because he's a proven solid player.

A lot of people are pretty high on him. Dude was named the best Dman at the U18s without recording a point
- bobert836

U18s. Is that like the world JRs under 18? That's pretty impressive. All the more reason to package urbom, josefson and a smile for Ryan! Lol. I just want this to be over so we can stop speculating on names and trades.

This basically forces Tedenby into the top line lw.
Morrow-Henrique-Raymond is a nice 3rd line. But it puts Zubrus on the 2nd, which isn't bad.. And puts Tedenby on the top, unless the 2 wingers switch. I wouldn't mind filpulla, but I think he'll cost more than Brunner because he's a proven solid player.
- MartysBetter88

You have to pay for quality. Brunner seems decent but he played shotgun to Zetterberg for a lot of the season, so who knows how that boosted his numbers. I wouldn't be against it, but you gotta make sure he isn't another Leino

Either way, massive potential long-term decisions were made tonight. Don't take the stud forward and get a stud goalie. Maybe one of our goalies will be a stud, maybe Boucher will be a star. 4 variables there.. Just hope it pans out for our best in the next decade.
- MartysBetter88

Definitely. While it would have been nice to draft a forward with the 2nd round pick, I think there was a considerable drop off in talent after Zykov was taken. Lou was looking to add picks and in addition to getting a good prospect in Santini, we were able to add a good prospect with the 3rd rounder we acquired. I think our 2014 draft will be forward heavy as well.

Gillis proved his stupidity again. NJ raped him. End of story. Sure Lu is a good goalie but you gotta get a better deal than Bo Horvat...
- BodyCheckRadio

Gillis is underrated. The canucks are a cap crunched team. Ownership refused to buy out luongo, Whats there choice? I would have hoped to see clarkson in the deal , but im not gonna say gillis got fleeced yet. Bo Horvat could be a franchise centre. I love Cory Schneider and I wish him all the best, cause hes gonna be a stud no.1 goalie. Gillis had this up his sleeve when he signed joacim ericsson.

A lot of people are pretty high on him. Dude was named the best Dman at the U18s without recording a point
- bobert836

Yup. Hopefully he'll get a spot on the u20 squad. Was invited to the summer camp and his u18 performance can only help.

I just wish we could've..
9th+39+Urbom+Josefson+Wedgewood!!

for Schneider + 25th.

is that crazy? I guess that would be a bit unwise.. It's good to have the G prospects we do, it's not guaranteed any of them could pan out to be backups or starters, so it's good to have a handful.

Just think of..
Schneider+Shinkaruk
for
Wedgewood+Josefson+Urbom

meh


.. tho I am feeling more optimistic about our stay at home dman

Btw, anyone else teared up a bit watching the video of Marty selecting his son? Such a touching moment
- Twist

Lombardi essentially just gave them the pick so they could draft him, I thought that was pretty cool.

Lombardi essentially just gave them the pick so they could draft him, I thought that was pretty cool.
- bluecoconuts

Indeed it was. I think Lou was Dean's mentor... maybe a thank you

That's probably how we got Lokti for the 5th.