IMO, Kreider, Zuccarello and Stralman are priority #1 among our FAs. What these 3 players did on the ice for the team is almost irreplacable. Stralman was probably the most calm poised dman next to McDonagh for most of the year. His ability to make the simple play and WIN the puck when he goes in for it is simply too valuable. I don't think there was ever a moment during the year when I was worried when Strals went to play the puck. Its almost like Kreider (in the offensive zone) and Zucc, when they have the puck, its almost a guarantee a good play will follow. Whether its a tape to tape pass to the open team mate or a decent shot on goal. You almost never worry about turnovers or a nervous bad judgement from these guys. Kreider still has some to learn about the Dzone though.

my only concern with Zuccarello is being lowballed to a point where some KHL swoops in and offers him crazy money, or an offer sheet
- jimbro83

This off-season seems frought with peril. Don't have enough money to get several guys signed. Seems like a heightened danger of offer sheets. Nothing done on any contracts before free agency starts. It could be bad, and while it was going to be real tight at $71 million, the $2 mill extra that the salary cap decreased by really makes it more difficult.

It seems Zuccarello's heart is and will only ever be playing for the Rangers. He's indicated that several times in the past few seasons and he's taken major concessions in his salaries to stay here. I need a Zuccarello Jersey, the kid is pure Loyal Blueshirt through and through.

It seems Zuccarello's heart is and will only ever be playing for the Rangers. He's indicated that several times in the past few seasons and he's taken major concessions in his salaries to stay here. I need a Zuccarello Jersey, the kid is pure Loyal Blueshirt through and through.
- xcheckmajor

I agree. I do not think Zuccarello is the type of guy that will try to extract every last penny out of this contract. I also think that New York is where he wants to play, and couldn't see him wanting to play for some bottomfeeder to make more money, even if he had the opportunity to do so. But, with that said, there is a limit to anyone's loyalty. The Rangers have to be fair with him, especially considering that he played for relative peanuts last year.

Nashville blog:

http://www.tennessean.com...ville-predators/11765623/

I agree. I do not think Zuccarello is the type of guy that will try to extract every last penny out of this contract. I also think that New York is where he wants to play, and couldn't see him wanting to play for some bottomfeeder to make more money, even if he had the opportunity to do so. But, with that said, there is a limit to anyone's loyalty. The Rangers have to be fair with him, especially considering that he played for relative peanuts last year.
- Pete V

I just fear sather will offer him $10M over 4 years and drag it out.

Not for nothing Jan but would you have actually resigned Boyle, Moore, or Pouliot in January let alone give them raises? Lets face it, they atarted to play better in the second half of the season and you are going to resigned anyone while making a run at the playoffs. I hate Sather and his comments are stupid but I dont blame him for not signing the UFA's

I just fear sather will offer him $10M over 4 years and drag it out.
- rangerdanger94

I fear the same thing. I think Slats will attempt to take advantage of Zucc's desire to return, and some of the statements that he is making that make him seem soft on the number he would return for. I appreciate Zucc's honesty a great deal, but I think it may actually make his negotiations harder.

Here ya go TJ

Nick Kypreos ‏@RealKyper 2m
Sounding like #Flames will use compliance buyout on Shane O'Brien. He owed 2.2M for 2014-15

Here ya go TJ

Nick Kypreos ‏@RealKyper 2m
Sounding like #Flames will use compliance buyout on Shane O'Brien. He owed 2.2M for 2014-15
- KreiderBomb

And TJ wanted to give up John Moore for him to

Devils amnesty Volchenkov

overpaying for star players is one thing, but overpaying for fringe players is even worse. love zuccarello and i think he should get a pay raise because he was the best player on the team the second half of the season. brassard,moore, and boyle are good role guys, but can you really give them each 3+ million a year just to have a solid 4th line?

edit: brassard is not just a role player because we've seen what he can do in the playoffs. but he's very streaky and goes ice cold for stretches.

Devils amnesty Volchenkov
- jimbro83

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 41s
Tim Gleason, Anton Volchenkov and Shane O'Brien put on unconditional waivers today

Glad to see some more defensive options out there, 1. I think it may make it easier to resign Stralman 2. If not then we may not have to look far

Devils amnesty Volchenkov
- jimbro83

Does that make Fayne re-signing there more likely (as the Rangers seem to have significant interest in him)?

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 41s
Tim Gleason, Anton Volchenkov and Shane O'Brien put on unconditional waivers today

Glad to see some more defensive options out there, 1. I think it may make it easier to resign Stralman 2. If not then we may not have to look far
- KreiderBomb

that's gotta be a regular buyout Toronto is doing on Gleason, they used their compliance buyouts

that's gotta be a regular buyout Toronto is doing on Gleason, they used their compliance buyouts
- jimbro83

Yep, 800k this year, and $1.8 million for the next three years after that on the buyout.

Figures after a SCF run, "Fire Sather sooner than later", is the morning line. Maybe we should tamper to hire Holmgren away from Philly. He likes to extend his players, early and often. Take a look at that roster flexibility and Cap constraints. Just as there are no perfect teams in Bettman's NHL, there is also no way to be a perfect GM. I wanted the majority of this team back as much as anybody. They still can be, at the right price.

I believe today is the last day the Leafs can trade Phaneuf before his 7 year no trade clause kicks in

Figures after a SCF run, "Fire Sather sooner than later", is the morning line. Maybe we should tamper to hire Holmgren away from Philly. He likes to extend his players, early and often. Take a look at that roster flexibility and Cap constraints. Just as there are no perfect teams in Bettman's NHL, there is also no way to be a perfect GM. I wanted the majority of this team back as much as anybody. They still can be, at the right price.
- TJ

i'm on board with this. the one thing i felt sather had to do this offseason was use the final amnesty on richards and he didn't waste any time on that.

Figures after a SCF run, "Fire Sather sooner than later", is the morning line. Maybe we should tamper to hire Holmgren away from Philly. He likes to extend his players, early and often. Take a look at that roster flexibility and Cap constraints. Just as there are no perfect teams in Bettman's NHL, there is also no way to be a perfect GM. I wanted the majority of this team back as much as anybody. They still can be, at the right price.
- TJ

I think there is a clamoring to see Gorton in charge and not leave for another job. I think Mess realized Gorton is next in line and therefore tried to become coach before leaving. Although, I think Gorton is much more heavily involved at this point than we realize. To the point I don't think he minds waiting for the "official" title of GM.

I believe today is the last day the Leafs can trade Phaneuf before his 7 year no trade clause kicks in
- jimbro83

You mean before Toronto begins it's run of 7 straight Cups?

I think there is a clamoring to see Gorton in charge and not leave for another job. I think Mess realized Gorton is next in line and therefore tried to become coach before leaving. Although, I think Gorton is much more heavily involved at this point than we realize. To the point I don't think he minds waiting for the "official" title of GM.
- mrhattrick27

Didn't Sather say Gorton is basically in charge of all the day to day stuff now anyway when it comes to roster management? Sather has final say I would guess but it wouldn't surprise me if Gorton is doing most of the grunt work anyway.

You mean before Toronto begins it's run of 7 straight Cups?
- KreiderBomb

once a Toronto fan on this blog told me Toskala was better than Lundqvist

Didn't Sather say Gorton is basically in charge of all the day to day stuff now anyway when it comes to roster management? Sather has final say I would guess but it wouldn't surprise me if Gorton is doing most of the grunt work anyway.
- TPC

Yea I think gorton is in charge of actually negotiating with the free agents. They probably agree to a number together or sather tells him what to get the deal done for but gorton communicates with the players/agents.

once a Toronto fan on this blog told me Toskala was better than Lundqvist
- jimbro83

Speaking of toronto, the team every hockey player wants to play for according to leaf fans, mtl had a deal with tor worked out but gorges nixed it with his limited ntc. He can pick 15 teams he doesnt want to go to, and all the canadian teams are on that list. Mtl might just put him on waivers. Hes young and solid and makes less than 4M a year. Could be an interesting replacement to stralman if he makes it to us on the waiver wire or if we can swing a deal involving mtl retaining some salart even. Left handed shooter though. If montreal agrees to retain 1.5M of his salary, id be up for dealing john moore for him maybe.