I don't see him being a point per game player. He is a great player, don't get me wrong, but his style of play is not inducive of racking up points. He will be a solid 60-70 point player, who will be mentioned in the Selke race every year.
- cap1681

Agreed with this. I think that is what the majority of canes fans are hoping for.

Since this is a Hurricanes board I'd like to know how good was Bryan Allen last year. How much is he asking this year? What are his weaknesses and strenghts?
- Orpik44

1st - he's a tough guy to play against, physical and blocks a lot of shots!
2nd - a good team mate
3rd - biggest weakness probably is lack of speed (not a pilon, but not fast)

I'm the guy who said it was a bad trade and I even think he'll be close to a point per game player. I'd say he'll be in the 60-75 point range (assuming healthy). All that extra ice time is going to do wonders for him in Carolina.

Since this is a Hurricanes board I'd like to know how good was Bryan Allen last year. How much is he asking this year? What are his weaknesses and strenghts?
- Orpik44

I think he makes a good 3rd pairing, but i wouldn't want to pay him more than 2.5. That's just my personal opinion. He had a relatively large contract that he got in Florida. I'm not sure how much of a salary cut he is going to want to take. I think Ottawa is going to end up going for him.

I think the thing you're not taking into consideration is the likelyhood Jordan will BE playing with Eric (on the 1st line) quite a bit, and if not w/ eric, then with Skinner!
He's gonna get a lot of assists (BOOK-IT)!!!
In addition he'll see quite a bit of PP and PK time!
We're talking a lot of ice-time!
And finally he's just 23 (going on 24), A KID!!
The sky's the limit!
- randycane

The thing about Jordan is that he brings so much more then an offensive game to your team. There is nothing wrong with a 60-70 point player, but saying he is a pt per game player (80-90 points) is a big jump. There just aren't that many of them in the NHL who can do it on a consistant basis.

1st - he's a tough guy to play against, physical and blocks a lot of shots!
2nd - a good team mate
3rd - biggest weakness probably is lack of speed (not a pilon, but not fast)
- randycane

Sounds exactly like what the Pens are looking for in a free agent D-man. They have all the O-minded D-men they need, but need one of those good, shut down type.

As much as I'd love Whitney back, I think the first three lines are slotted and set now.

Tlusty-Staal-Staal
Skinner-Ruutu-Jokinen
Dwyer-X-LaRose

JR is going to look to spend on the third line center. Someone to essentially fill that defensive role lost by Sutter.

If he's able to bring in a Moore or a Gaustaud the Canes are a significantly better team at forward this season than last.

Depending on how comfortable the Canes are with Sangunetti as a regular this season, they may even have more money than we think to spend on the 3rd line center. They could potentially go into next season with these top 6 at D
Pitkanen-Gleason
Faulk-McBain
Harrison-Sangunetti

Also, still have the wild card in Ryan Murphy.

Sounds exactly like what the Pens are looking for in a free agent D-man. They have all the O-minded D-men they need, but need one of those good, shut down type.
- cap1681

That's right cap1681....EXACTLY what we need on our D. If we could sign him for 2.5 I'd do it. Sounds like a younger Hal Gill type (kinda)

That's right cap1681....EXACTLY what we need on our D. If we could sign him for 2.5 I'd do it. Sounds like a younger Hal Gill type (kinda)
- Orpik44

It would probably take in the range of 3-3.5 to get him.

As much as I'd love Whitney back, I think the first three lines are slotted and set now.

Tlusty-Staal-Staal
Skinner-Ruutu-Jokinen
Dwyer-X-LaRose

JR is going to look to spend on the third line center. Someone to essentially fill that defensive role lost by Sutter.

If he's able to bring in a Moore or a Gaustaud the Canes are a significantly better team at forward this season than last.

Depending on how comfortable the Canes are with Sangunetti as a regular this season, they may even have more money than we think to spend on the 3rd line center. They could potentially go into next season with these top 6 at D
Pitkanen-Gleason
Faulk-McBain
Harrison-Sangunetti

Also, still have the wild card in Ryan Murphy.
- Gossler1

welsh will fill the 3rd line center, at least out of camp and he will be given a chance to lose the job.

welsh will fill the 3rd line center, at least out of camp and he will be given a chance to lose the job.
- nickgregory

It's way too early to assume that, based on one game in the NHL!!
I'll be surprised if he's even the 4th line center to start thew year!!

Canes tried to rely on the young guys last year. Won't happen this season. If some of them surprise out of camp or make a big leap, it will be gravy.

I'd be shocked if Canes don't spend for a legit third line center who can potentially play above his slot for stretches. Welsh will not be that guy.

It would probably take in the range of 3-3.5 to get him.
- cap1681

Most likely...and somebody will pay for it.

welsh will fill the 3rd line center, at least out of camp and he will be given a chance to lose the job.
- nickgregory

I'm curious to see what he brings to the team. You can only get so much out of one or two practices and one game. I thought he played a good game against FLA and I love how he would always go to the front of the net. We really need someone who is willing to take the punishment in front and tip shots in.

It would probably take in the range of 3-3.5 to get him.
- cap1681

Can you really afford that if you're going after Parise too?

Can you really afford that if you're going after Parise too?
- ward30nhl

dont forget suter! everyone is going to take a pay cut to play with the Pens!

dont forget suter! everyone is going to take a pay cut to play with the Pens!
- nickgregory

wouldn't you

Can you really afford that if you're going after Parise too?
- ward30nhl

The Pens have about 15 mil under the cap right now. Parise is going to take 7-7.5, so that leaves about 7.5-8. The Pens have 11 forwards and 5 d-men under contract. Getting a d-man for 3-3.5 would still leave 4-5 mil to sign a few role players/guys from AHL to add depth, and leave a little room for the trade deadline.

dont forget suter! everyone is going to take a pay cut to play with the Pens!
- nickgregory

The only way they go after both Suter and Parise is if they can trade Paul Martin for draft picks (or a bag of pucks). That would free up another 5 mil in cap space.

Anyone have an idea of what Jordan's new contract would look like here? Jr said he was already talking to his agent. Obviously a paycut, right?

Anyone have an idea of what Jordan's new contract would look like here? Jr said he was already talking to his agent. Obviously a paycut, right?
- BWithering

He is making 4 mil/year this coming year, your probably looking at around 5.5-6 mil./year average cap hit.

A couple comments:

--On Allen. He has to be in the $3-4M range. That seems to be the magic # for guys who are a decent 2nd pairing option but not at all a clear 1st pairing guy. List signings in that range includes Beauchemin, Oduya, Georges, Boychuk, Jackman...who else?

I will cover it in more detail when I do my "Canes math and roster" blog tomorrow, but I actually like him back for 3 years at the middle of that range mostly because I don't think there is enough "proven" defense right now and I don't care for the other options.

--I don't get the Welsh thing. The guy was available in April because he went undrafted through 200+ picks the previous summer and I don't believe he was drafted previously (and set free when he didn't sign). He impressed last season enough to get a look and probably a minor league job, but I will be really really surprised if he steps into the opening day lineup.

2 options here: Shuffle (the Canes have plenty of guys who can play center though most are in other jobs or sign a cheap veteran checking line center. Think Dominic Moore for 2 years at $2-2.5M (total) not Gaustad who costs too much unfortunately.

wouldn't you
- Cptmjl

yes but...just having room under the cap this year...you cant use all of that now...crosby. fleury, letang and malkin all have extensions coming up...and you cant assume the cap is going up every year to accomodate for it..

so given that, no, I dont think alot of these guys are going to be willing to take the cut they would have to come to pens...if the pens intend to keep their core intact over the next 3-4 as they come up

--I don't get the Welsh thing. The guy was available in April because he went undrafted through 200+ picks the previous summer and I don't believe he was drafted previously (and set free when he didn't sign). He impressed last season enough to get a look and probably a minor league job, but I will be really really surprised if he steps into the opening day lineup.

- CarolinaMatt63

I was half joking on Welsh...the problem is this organization can get infatuated with guys sometimes...and they seem really high on him...wouldnt surprise me if they already have him slotted in the 4th line with Brent centering the 3rd...

I was half joking on Welsh...the problem is this organization can get infatuated with guys sometimes...and they seem really high on him...wouldnt surprise me if they already have him slotted in the 4th line with Brent centering the 3rd...
- nickgregory

Sorry...Too worn out today to pick up on joking.

Though it is one of the possible options, I really don't like Brent as the 3rd line center. He was 1 of the players who really thrived in a role under Muller. As 4th line center, he is always rested/ready to go for PK, and with a shortage of options for PP-capable defensemen, he proved to be a good option at the point on the power play. I don't think he brings quite enough offensively to slot full-time at 3rd line. As a good 4th-liner, you can boost his minutes when he is having a good night and/or when you need to spread minutes more evenly.

Gaustad is the stud here, but I don't see the Canes winning that bidding war. My guess is that whatever money JR has left gets spent $1Mish on another forward and the rest on a top 4 defenseman. Dominic Moore is the UFA option that seems to best match budget and skillset. Not sure what his situation is for this season. Correct me if I am wrong, but he pulled out of the playoffs early because his wife was diagnosed with a serious medical condition. Yes? So his personal life might rightfully dictate where he plays this season more than $, hockey roles, etc.