Really you're 2nd highest scoring defenseman is #4 or 5?
- JoeRussomanno

Yes, really. You would rather lose Timonen, Meszaros, or Coburn than Carle?

I'm with you. If Suter is available he has to be the main priority. You just don't know when another top pairing guy will become available.
- PLindbergh31

And you two will probably be the biggest critics of the guy when and if he actually becomes a flyer by spring. He's very comparable to the guy you're ripping and plays with one heckuva partner. I almost hope they do this now.

True, my point is if Suter get to FA, he should be a top priority. You can't forecast when another top pairing guy will become available.
- PLindbergh31

I'm not convinced Suter hitting the market is even the most likely thing to happen. I'm with you on taking him over Carle, at the suggested $2m premium, if that's the choice we're able to make; but I'm just not convinced it'll be as easy as that.

Timonen 1
Meszaros 2
Coburn 3
Carle or Kubina 4 or 5
Grossman 6

I can't see the value in committing big money to a 4th or 5th d-man. Better to wait and leave open the possibility of acquiring a better player. You can get a guy to fill Carle's role in the meantime for much less.
- hobo

And many will say Mez isn't a #2, Too many think Carle isn't worth anything, again, do not realize what we have until they are not here, Carle is not a Norris trophy guy, but he's not a 3rd pairing recycle guy either

Yes, really. You would rather lose Timonen, Meszaros, or Coburn than Carle?
- hobo

I'd rather lose none of them, but If I had my pick, you could take Coburn and Timmonen. Coburn is really inconsistent and Timmonen's career is winding down. Put carle out there with the top guys like Timmonen plays behind and you will see a better player, he showed us as much in 2010.

I'm not convinced Suter hitting the market is even the most likely thing to happen. I'm with you on taking him over Carle, at the suggested $2m premium, if that's the choice we're able to make; but I'm just not convinced it'll be as easy as that.
- BulliesPhan87

Yep. Who knows what will happen. For all I know Suter could re-sign with Nashville, or he can be traded tomorrow.

Yea but he will have the cap space to do it next year when Kimmo comes off the books. You don't know that Kimmo won't extend for another year either.
- JoeRussomanno

Those two statements sort of contradict themselves though. Kimmo might, might come back for another year but I can't see him taking any less than 4. And honestly if they don't get another 1-2 guy Kimmo has all the leverage in the world to ask for more than they offer.

As for the "you just don't let Carle walk" argument I think you do. We have two capable 3-4 defenseman. We don't need to be paying another one in the 4-5 range. We really don't.

Allright Im done arguing about Matt Carle. every week it's take turn killing someone in here. For whatever reason it's rip off Carle's head today, who basically puts up the same numbers as the guy some of you are ready to blow up the team for, whatever.

You really believe Mez and Coby are better than Carle? I mean in time they may ne... but from what I've seen this year Carle is our #2. Seems like you're completely undervaluing what he does for the team in a nightly basis.
- fecondo

All three tend to be inconsistent. But when at their best, Coburn and Mez are more valuable than Carle at his best. I have seen more positive impact from Coburn and Mez than from Carle in the last 2 years.

And you two will probably be the biggest critics of the guy when and if he actually becomes a flyer by spring. He's very comparable to the guy you're ripping and plays with one heckuva partner. I almost hope they do this now.
- JoeRussomanno

Oh stop. I know the guys game just as much as you do.

Yes, really. You would rather lose Timonen, Meszaros, or Coburn than Carle?
- hobo

I don't think Meszaros is our #2 defenseman, he's been inconsistent with some rather poor play when he's off, especially for the cap hit. Timonen I would more than likely part with at the end of his contract, and I'm not opposed to trading Coburn if it's a good deal.

Of course it makes sense. Suter isn't head and shoulders above Carle. It's like buying a camaro instead of a corvette. You save money and still have a badass ride. I think you're overvaluing Suter and undervaluing Carle.
- JoeRussomanno

suter, similar to kimmo, is clearly better than carle...~1.5-2MM per yr better in the long term given kimmo's impending departure. if we acquire another top pairing guy, I would pass on suter and pay carle mkt rate w/in reason.

Allright Im done arguing about Matt Carle. every week it's take turn killing someone in here. For whatever reason it's rip off Carle's head today, who basically puts up the same numbers as the guy some of you are ready to blow up the team for, whatever.
- JoeRussomanno

Since when is saying I'd rather let him walk to upgrade to an All Star considered ripping a guy's head off? You're taking this all the wrong way.

And you two will probably be the biggest critics of the guy when and if he actually becomes a flyer by spring. He's very comparable to the guy you're ripping and plays with one heckuva partner. I almost hope they do this now.
- JoeRussomanno

I watch a good amount of Suter, I know what my eyes tell me. He's better than Carle by a significant margin. And the same folks who said Pronger didn't carry Carle, are now using the argument that Suter is riding Weber's coattails.

This will all be settled July 1st, we will see what General Managers think of the two players. Their contracts will answer the question of what player is more valuable.

Yep. Who knows what will happen. For all I know Suter could re-sign with Nashville, or he can be traded tomorrow.
- PLindbergh31

I don't think anybody would trade for him in season. Nashville's price for the guy would have to be, "a return that improves our chances of playoffs success," a price far too high for an impending UFA (who would be at an advantage at the bargaining table with the receiving team). In my mind, it's all all boils down to how the Preds do this postseason.

Those two statements sort of contradict themselves though. Kimmo might, might come back for another year but I can't see him taking any less than 4. And honestly if they don't get another 1-2 guy Kimmo has all the leverage in the world to ask for more than they offer.

As for the "you just don't let Carle walk" argument I think you do. We have two capable 3-4 defenseman. We don't need to be paying another one in the 4-5 range. We really don't.
- hereticpride

If we learned anything this year without Pronger it's that you need depth. No you don't let Carle walk. He's very comparable to Suter who everyone is salivating over and injuries are just too much of a reality. You can't bank on MAB and Guss. Remember Bartulis and Parent? If Carle's value is 5 million there's no reason to lose him unless you know for certain you have an equal replacement waiting in the wings, Grossman and Kubina are not that. Gustafson maybe but again young dmen have wilted countless times in our very eyes. Now I'm done.

Allright Im done arguing about Matt Carle. every week it's take turn killing someone in here. For whatever reason it's rip off Carle's head today, who basically puts up the same numbers as the guy some of you are ready to blow up the team for, whatever.
- JoeRussomanno

Wanting to replace Carle with a better player is ripping Carle's head off?

And many will say Mez isn't a #2, Too many think Carle isn't worth anything, again, do not realize what we have until they are not here, Carle is not a Norris trophy guy, but he's not a 3rd pairing recycle guy either
- puckhead17

I agree. I'm not saying Mez is an ideal #2. Just that he's the second best d-man on this team. I'm not saying Carle is junk. Just that I wouldn't give him $5 million when you have to factor in the limited cap space available on a cup-contending team.

Suter 58 - 7-29 - 36 pts +11 26:39 minutes


Carle 60 4-26 - 30 pts +4 22:55 minutes


Carle is not worth 5 mill but Suter is worth 7 mill????

And who plays with Weber???

I'd rather lose none of them, but If I had my pick, you could take Coburn and Timmonen. Coburn is really inconsistent and Timmonen's career is winding down. Put carle out there with the top guys like Timmonen plays behind and you will see a better player, he showed us as much in 2010.
- JoeRussomanno

+1

Wanting to replace Carle with a better player is ripping Carle's head off?
- PLindbergh31

Yes, Joe is correct, (even though he eats too many Digiorno's), Carle is a better player than the credit he's given, & Suter is very good, but 7 million??

Yes, Joe is correct, (even though he eats too many Digiorno's), Carle is a better player than the credit he's given, & Suter is very good, but 7 million??
- puckhead17

Seravalli you puckhead

I don't think anybody would trade for him in season. Nashville's price for the guy would have to be, "a return that improves our chances of playoffs success," a price far too high for an impending UFA (who would be at an advantage at the bargaining table with the receiving team). In my mind, it's all all boils down to how the Preds do this postseason.
- BulliesPhan87

Very possible. Most likely scenario imo is Suter is free to sign with anyone come July 1.

Yes, Joe is correct, (even though he eats too many Digiorno's), Carle is a better player than the credit he's given, & Suter is very good, but 7 million??
- puckhead17

I'd give Suter 6 tops... and thats only if we have to outbud someone

Seravalli you puckhead
- JoeRussomanno

I guess it all depends on who's doing the seravelli-ing