Yohe was on MM today and specifically talked about Belesky. Pens management thinks his style does not work with Sid or Malkin. They, unlike previous ground, feel that not everyone can play with those two and thrive. Yohe also mentioned that GMJR feels Tlusty would play well with either start.
- mmonana120

I figured Tlusty, a former Cane, would have an inside track. FWIW, Tlusty and Frolik are also close friends too. I'd still prefer Frolik, but Tlusty is better offensively and should cost less. I'd probably make Tlusty the #4 UFA target after Soderberg and Fehr (would be number 3 if Soderberg signs in COL).

Yohe was on MM today and specifically talked about Belesky. Pens management thinks his style does not work with Sid or Malkin. They, unlike previous ground, feel that not everyone can play with those two and thrive. Yohe also mentioned that GMJR feels Tlusty would play well with either start.
- mmonana120

at the very least, i think its good they arent just chasing names and are looking at fits.

i think both 87 and 71 have shown thats important. big name guys have looked sort of lost, whereas both have made careers out of meshing just with random guys. malkin in his prime didnt have the best wings, but had great fits.

i think maybe frolik could be sort of like jussi? maybe a little less stick stills, but a little bit better in his own zone.

Yohe was on MM today and specifically talked about Belesky. Pens management thinks his style does not work with Sid or Malkin. They, unlike previous ground, feel that not everyone can play with those two and thrive. Yohe also mentioned that GMJR feels Tlusty would play well with either start.
- mmonana120

I believe Yohe also mentioned GMJR likes Skinner - they were talking about GMJR likes to talk about old Carolina players. I would hope management would also have some say and Nix Tlusty or Skinner. The risk reward is not there on the price of those guys.
The only former Carolina player that is a top 6 winger guy at a reasonable price is Andrew Ladd. GMJR would love him, but we probably can't get him (even though Ladd only has one more year in WPG).

I figured Tlusty, a former Cane, would have an inside track. FWIW, Tlusty and Frolik are also close friends too. I'd still prefer Frolik, but Tlusty is better offensively and should cost less. I'd probably make Tlusty the #4 UFA target after Soderberg and Fehr (would be number 3 if Soderberg signs in COL).
- jfkst1

I would forget about Soderberg. Lebrun says deals is close, probably done before draft tmr.

I think Fehr is good (as I said - if Sutter is gone). The one problem with Fehr is that he had some injuries at the very end of the year. He actually played on the 4th line for Wash. in the playoffs in a limited role.
Beagle played great in the playoffs and is great on face-offs (60%) and can play C or RW and is actually very good on the PK (I believe 2nd in PK time of Washington forwards). He can hit a little also. I think Beagle would be better than Winnik or Downie for the money.
- so_buzz11

What is this? Are we signing a F'n dog now?

You know if you click on the Flag next to some of these Toronto posters - they might go away!

agreed.

i think frolik is worth 4 mill. but id be willing to give him the 5 per most likely. im not happy about it. but i just think its what may have to be done.

i like his 2 way game the more ive looked into him. hes young. and i think malkin will squeeze more out of him, whereas with belesky i think you will be paying him and hoping he matches what he did this year, at his best case scenario.
- stayinthefnnet

I don't think anyone here would be happy with Frolik at 5 or 5.5, but he is benefitting from a poopty UFA class. I just think he is more skilled to be with Malkin than Belskey.

I would forget about Soderberg. Lebrun says deals is close, probably done before draft tmr.
- mmonana120

Time to move on to Frolik then. Tlusty I'm thorn. How much Would he want? 2nd/3rd line player I guess. Tikhonov is a must now.

I figured Tlusty, a former Cane, would have an inside track. FWIW, Tlusty and Frolik are also close friends too. I'd still prefer Frolik, but Tlusty is better offensively and should cost less. I'd probably make Tlusty the #4 UFA target after Soderberg and Fehr (would be number 3 if Soderberg signs in COL).
- jfkst1

I really don't want to make this Carolina North. Hell, I feel we are that already. Adding more of that smells failure to me. Skinner is a bad investment, like Kessel. Not bad players, but it would create more holes. Tlusty doesn't do anything for me. Very pedestrian career ... a lot of eh to his game.

Reiterating a lot of your opinions here ... Phat Phil with Sid and Hornqvist would be the most exciting line in hockey without a close second. It makes no sense to give up the assets or take on the cap hit, doesn't really solve anything for Geno (except let him have Perron), but the entertainment factor would be through the roof.

Crosby could turn Phil into a perennial 40+ goal scorer. Even more important, having someone defenses have to pay attention to opens up space for Sid to be Sid. I've always been an advocate for a winger that helps Sid/Geno play to the level they are capable, rather than a winger that Sid/Geno can turn into a decent player.

Ive already made my armchair team with Kessel, but gave up a lot less than what is being rumored out there...if this was the asking price I would go for it

https://www.hockeyscap.com/armchair-gm/team/4170

Otherwise, dont overpay, sign Frolik...hope for the health.

What is this? Are we signing a F'n dog now?
- Barnaby36

With all the female doging going on. I thought I would talk about a good dog - Jay Beagle.
He might be cheap, but he can play and fill-in very well when needed.

I really don't want to make this Carolina North. Hell, I feel we are that already. Adding more of that smells failure to me. Skinner is a bad investment, like Kessel. Not bad players, but it would create more holes. Tlusty doesn't do anything for me. Very pedestrian career ... a lot of eh to his game.
- Oneonta Penguin

I dislike Skinner immensely. Someone made a good point that he hasn't been the same since his concussions. He really hasn't been good in the last three years.

I don't think anyone here would be happy with Frolik at 5 or 5.5, but he is benefitting from a poopty UFA class. I just think he is more skilled to be with Malkin than Belskey.
- Oneonta Penguin

5 mil isn't that bad. He simply takes Martin's cap hit. Trading/buying out scuderi would also help a ton. It would also help if tikhonov and plotnikov sign here for cheap and are capable of playing in the top 9. Sutter trade would be nice too

Perron-Sid-horn
Kunitz-Malkin-Frolik
Dupuis-tik-plot
Comeau-sund-AHL call up

I don't think anyone here would be happy with Frolik at 5 or 5.5, but he is benefitting from a poopty UFA class. I just think he is more skilled to be with Malkin than Belskey.
- Oneonta Penguin

5.5 is really starting to get me to push it.

i think with frolik, theyd be getting a guy that would be right around 25 goals with malkin, probably around 55ish points. nothing earth shattering. but i mean thats a good second line winger, who would also help with good 2 way play.

its better than anything malkin had last year. and thats vital to this team. its imperative malkin gets help.

5 mil isn't that bad. He simply takes Martin's cap hit. Trading/buying out scuderi would also help a ton. It would also help if tikhonov and plotnikov sign here for cheap and are capable of playing in the top 9. Sutter trade would be nice too

Perron-Sid-horn
Kunitz-Malkin-Frolik
Dupuis-tik-plot
Comeau-sund-AHL call up
- drummer829

I like the lineup there, but the only thing I'd change is move Kuni to third line and Plot to second. Isn't the thought of bringing in one of the Russians to play top six. I know Tik doesn't project there, but thought Plot did.

So, according to EK, Nashville really trying to bring back Ribeiro, but are quite a bit apart. If they can't get that done, if I'm JR, I'd be on the phone with them about Sutter.

https://www.todaysslapsho...ktor-tikhonov-in-the-nhl/

interesting take on Tik

I like the lineup there, but the only thing I'd change is move Kuni to third line and Plot to second. Isn't the thought of bringing in one of the Russians to play top six. I know Tik doesn't project there, but thought Plot did.
- Oneonta Penguin

I put him there just in case he doesn't pan out in the top 6. Of course the lineup could be tweaked. Just a general look at the overall roster. I'd like to try the hockey's cap site and see what the cap hit would look like

So, according to EK, Nashville really trying to bring back Ribeiro, but are quite a bit apart. If they can't get that done, if I'm JR, I'd be on the phone with them about Sutter.
- Oneonta Penguin

Yep. Trouble is, what is NSH gonna give up? They don't have much in way of wingers either.

Yep. Trouble is, what is NSH gonna give up? They don't have much in way of wingers either.
- jfkst1

id take D back for him if they can work something out. i dont think sutter is enough to get ellis.

but if they did, it makes other pieces more expendable.

id take D back for him if they can work something out. i dont think sutter is enough to get ellis.

but if they did, it makes other pieces more expendable.
- stayinthefnnet

Depends how they view Sutter. If they think he is a legit 2C, Sutter with some conditional picks if he doesn't re-sign should be enough for Ellis. A 2nd pairing dman for a 2C is fair.

Reiterating a lot of your opinions here ... Phat Phil with Sid and Hornqvist would be the most exciting line in hockey without a close second. It makes no sense to give up the assets or take on the cap hit, doesn't really solve anything for Geno (except let him have Perron), but the entertainment factor would be through the roof.

Crosby could turn Phil into a perennial 40+ goal scorer. Even more important, having someone defenses have to pay attention to opens up space for Sid to be Sid. I've always been an advocate for a winger that helps Sid/Geno play to the level they are capable, rather than a winger that Sid/Geno can turn into a decent player.

Ive already made my armchair team with Kessel, but gave up a lot less than what is being rumored out there...if this was the asking price I would go for it

https://www.hockeyscap.com/armchair-gm/team/4170

Otherwise, dont overpay, sign Frolik...hope for the health.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

i just cant see the leafs gaining by making that trade. theyre gonna want younger, more future oriented assets than perron and sutter.

im fine with keeping perron aboard. even if the team could pull off kessel. putting him with malkin could work.

in no way shape or form would i entertain moving maatta in the deal.

id actually be willing to include pouliot, but the leafs would have to maintain salary, and the asset pool going back would likely be smaller overall.

i just cant see the leafs gaining by making that trade. theyre gonna want younger, more future oriented assets than perron and sutter.

im fine with keeping perron aboard. even if the team could pull off kessel. putting him with malkin could work.

in no way shape or form would i entertain moving maatta in the deal.

id actually be willing to include pouliot, but the leafs would have to maintain salary, and the asset pool going back would likely be smaller overall.
- stayinthefnnet

Pouliot, Scuderi (if he'll go there), Harrington, 2016 1st rounder is the minimum I could see Dubas agreeing to. I really can't see them retaining salary since Kessel's contract is so long there is no way they are gonna agree to having a couple million against the cap when they are competing again.

Depends how they view Sutter. If they think he is a legit 2C, Sutter with some conditional picks if he doesn't re-sign should be enough for Ellis. A 2nd pairing dman for a 2C is fair.
- jfkst1

Someone needs to remind me on the scouting report on Mattias Ekholm, the Swede blue liner. Could he be a target for Sutter, if not Ellis, or is he redundant? I recall liking him at some point, but ...

https://www.todaysslapshot.com/from-the-ice/lets-talk-about-viktor-tikhonov-in-the-nhl/

interesting take on Tik
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I am totally okay with Tik if he ends up being a 3c or even a 3rd line winger is Sundquist is a better faceoff guy. I think Plotinkov will be a decent #6 in the top six with Malkin.

Malkin always seems to work best with guy who goes to the net (Malone, Kunitz) and a sniper on other wing (sykora, neal). I think Plot is that net front guy, I don't think Malone was that much of a better skater that what I have seen of Plot. I think Sharp is the player type but not for that money. I still kind of like Sutter for Vrbata deal. Vrbata is more of that type and he is a one year deal, just like Sutter. If Kap seems ready, let Vrbata walk and give that money to Maatta.