We just don't know what Rutherford has cooking. If he thinks he can do better than Bonino for a little bit more, he needs to go for it. I just can't see something better out there for around that price, and Bonino is clutch, and clutch is everything in life.
- hardnosed

I have a lot of faith in Rutherford to find value. He's done it every offseason here. I'm definitely not upset to see Bonino walk for that much, but the old man needs to make one of his patented value finds because, as you said, that's not a terrible deal.

I have a lot of faith in Rutherford to find value. He's done it every offseason here. I'm definitely not upset to see Bonino walk for that much, but the old man needs to make one of his patented value finds because, as you said, that's not a terrible deal.
- Victoro311

Then he trades for Ryan Reaves. I hope to god he's not trying to find some "gritty, tough" 3C.

I have a lot of faith in Rutherford to find value. He's done it every offseason here. I'm definitely not upset to see Bonino walk for that much, but the old man needs to make one of his patented value finds because, as you said, that's not a terrible deal.
- Victoro311

Could be an old man holding an ace up his sleeve?? Trying to get him cheaper or sending a message to other possible targets. I think 4 years fits into our window very well, but if he (Boner), does decline it's a very expensive 4C.

Any Horny rumours......

RIP Dave Semenko, probably the best "protector" of all time.

Then he trades for Ryan Reaves. I hope to god he's not trying to find some "gritty, tough" 3C.
- j.boyd919

Like Brian Boyle, for example.

Like Brian Boyle, for example.
- ab1

Boyle at the right price wouldn't be horrible. And by right price, i mean no more than what he was making last contract.

Boyle at the right price wouldn't be horrible. And by right price, i mean no more than what he was making last contract.
- cap1681

Boyle is a 4c though, not a 3c.

It's going to be David Desharnais on the cheap, and people are going to freak out.

Boyle is a 4c though, not a 3c.

It's going to be David Desharnais on the cheap, and people are going to freak out.
- hardnosed

I wouldnt freak out about that.

Like Brian Boyle, for example.
- ab1

Boyle isn't even tough, or gritty. People just think that cause he's big. I watched him here in Tampa, dude is pretty meh.

Boyle isn't even tough, or gritty. People just think that cause he's big. I watched him here in Tampa, dude is pretty meh.
- j.boyd919

Totally agreed that he's not tough/gritty, but I'm afraid GMJR will think he is and that (nonexistent) trait will make him stand out over the other UFA centers and get him a contract with the Pens.

Boyle isn't even tough, or gritty. People just think that cause he's big. I watched him here in Tampa, dude is pretty meh.
- j.boyd919

I've always thought the same thing. One of the softer big guys in the league. He would occasionally have a nice game, but I never thought much of him with the Rags.

He's a 4C and we need a value 4C.

If Bones wants 4 years at 16, where do I sign? I would take that, honestly. Get Dumo, JS and Shears all in under 10 mil and they still have money to spend on defense. I would let Daley walk, he is probably the 6th dmen in this core. I still think DP gets every chance to win a spot in camp this year.

If the Pens are going to let Bonino sign elsewhere at 4/$16, the Pens definitely have something solid pending. That is a bit expensive but still a fair contract.

Free agents it would have to be one of Gagner, Thornton or Hanzal.
Trade maybe Duchene, Bozak or Anisimov?

Any updates on Cullen? Since I don't think he plays for the money anymore it would be cool if he took the summer to recover and then signed during the season so he is fresh for the back half of the year.

Hearing about what McDavid, Draisaitl, Eichel, Matthews and Laine are going to get paid makes me feel REALLY good about the Malkin and Crosby contracts.

Sounds like McDavid at $13M and Draisaitl around $8M for Edmonton for upwards of $21M vs Crosby and Malkin at $18.2M. I sure as hell know which pairing I would prefer over the next several years...

Hearing about what McDavid, Draisaitl, Eichel, Matthews and Laine are going to get paid makes me feel REALLY good about the Malkin and Crosby contracts.

Sounds like McDavid at $13M and Draisaitl around $8M for Edmonton for upwards of $21M vs Crosby and Malkin at $18.2M. I sure as hell know which pairing I would prefer over the next several years...
- MacPatty

If someone was smart, they would offer sheet Draisaitl at 9.5M as soon as the FA window opens. He is worth 2 1sts, a 2nd, and a 3rd, and it would put the Oilers in an interesting position.

Hearing about what McDavid, Draisaitl, Eichel, Matthews and Laine are going to get paid makes me feel REALLY good about the Malkin and Crosby contracts.

Sounds like McDavid at $13M and Draisaitl around $8M for Edmonton for upwards of $21M vs Crosby and Malkin at $18.2M. I sure as hell know which pairing I would prefer over the next several years...
- MacPatty

Here's the way I look at it...

If those players can put up numbers, it's worth it for those teams. It only becomes a problem if the player doesn't post numbers commensurate with his salary.

Plus, the cap has risen since the Sid and Geno deals. It would be interesting to do an analysis based on percentage of cap hit and percentage of production. This is where a player like Toews really hurts his team.

This is where drafting and having young kids playing on value contracts is so important. We had cap issues in the past with very little production from young "value" players.

What are your expectations for a 3C?
- hipcheck_goalie

i was referring to that time crosby was mic'ed up and was talking to one of the leafs and said "kadri is garbage, you tell him"

Jarry will not be the backup this year, confirmed today. Will start with Wilks. I am ok with this, if MM gets hurt for an extended period of time, I think he will become the #1 though.

Hearing about what McDavid, Draisaitl, Eichel, Matthews and Laine are going to get paid makes me feel REALLY good about the Malkin and Crosby contracts.

Sounds like McDavid at $13M and Draisaitl around $8M for Edmonton for upwards of $21M vs Crosby and Malkin at $18.2M. I sure as hell know which pairing I would prefer over the next several years...
- MacPatty

I believe they broke the deals down cap % wise and they are basically the same as what Sid and Geno took back when they signed. So it's all about even at the end of the day.

I believe they broke the deals down cap % wise and they are basically the same as what Sid and Geno took back when they signed. So it's all about even at the end of the day.
- Zac_O

Difference is the cap has gone up by 25% since Sid signed that deal (5 years ago). The cap raises have kind of slowed over the past 2 years, and the growth it is at now, it would only go up by about 14% in the same time span for McDavid's contract.

Edit: Crosby is now at 11.6% of the cap. If McDavid signs the 13.5M contract, in 5 years (same time span as where Sid is now), his hit will be 15.6% of the cap.

Hearing about what McDavid, Draisaitl, Eichel, Matthews and Laine are going to get paid makes me feel REALLY good about the Malkin and Crosby contracts.

Sounds like McDavid at $13M and Draisaitl around $8M for Edmonton for upwards of $21M vs Crosby and Malkin at $18.2M. I sure as hell know which pairing I would prefer over the next several years...
- MacPatty

The younger pairing obviously right?

The younger pairing obviously right?
- Feds91Stammer

In the next few years, i'll take the cheaper and equivalent group, considering at this point in their careers, Sid and Geno are better than McDavid and Draisaitl. Obviously in the long run you take the younger guys.

In the next few years, i'll take the cheaper and equivalent group, considering at this point in their careers, Sid and Geno are better than McDavid and Draisaitl. Obviously in the long run you take the younger guys.
- cap1681

I'll take the younger group that had more points last season and doesn't have quite the injury history as the older pair.

I'll take the younger group that had more points last season and doesn't have quite the injury history as the older pair.
- Feds91Stammer

Over the duo that have won back to back Stanley Cups, one of which is the reigning back to back Conn Smythe winner? And Malkin only had 5 less points than Draisaitl in 20 less games.