Michael Stuart: Mission Impossible

Buying out Malone makes the most sense..

Buying out Malone makes the most sense..
- poohcrumbs

I'd agree.

Say homer boy have you noticed that since 2007 Vinny's production has gone down every year. That in the last 3 years with one being a shortened season that he has missed 44 games. Have you noticed that in the last 3 years when the trading deadline comes about Vinny's on the IR. Vinny's salary was a dumb move by the previous owners. Vinny's slowing down every year and sooner or later they have to do something. This amnesty option is Christmas in July to make the move now. We all love Vinny's charity golf outings but its time to turn the page.

It would be nice to trade Malone/Brewer and get something in return.

Those two should open up some cap space in addition to Ohlunds injury.

It would be nice to trade Malone/Brewer and get something in return.

Those two should open up some cap space in addition to Ohlunds injury.
- Damo_97

From a leaf fan, how about a swap of possible amnesty buyouts? say Liles for Malone, we need a big forward

Say homer boy have you noticed that since 2007 Vinny's production has gone down every year. That in the last 3 years with one being a shortened season that he has missed 44 games. Have you noticed that in the last 3 years when the trading deadline comes about Vinny's on the IR. Vinny's salary was a dumb move by the previous owners. Vinny's slowing down every year and sooner or later they have to do something. This amnesty option is Christmas in July to make the move now. We all love Vinny's charity golf outings but its time to turn the page.
- cheeselanders

If you're going to argue, at least make sure your facts are correct. Vinny's production last season was 32 points in 39 games for a 0.82PPG clip. The year before he put up 49 in 64 for a 0.77PPG clip. Lots of people would have stopped reading after the insulting intro, but luckily I continued and found that mathematical gem. Is the contract great? No. Would it be better if he had a $5MM cap hit? Absolutely. Who do you replace Vinny with if you buy him out? There's nobody in the system who's ready for that role. Have you looked at the free agent market? There's not a whole lot there that'll come cheap either.

The amnesty option would cost a whole lot of money. So, not only does it have hockey implications, but Vinik may not like the idea of paying a still serviceable player while he suits up for another club. What owner would?

It would be nice to trade Malone/Brewer and get something in return.

Those two should open up some cap space in addition to Ohlunds injury.
- Damo_97

I've thought a long while about Brewer, and I just can't see him departing. I think he's a better player than he showed us this past season.

From a leaf fan, how about a swap of possible amnesty buyouts? say Liles for Malone, we need a big forward
- scottiegee

As stupid as this might make me sound, what about Komisarek? The Lightning need someone who can play physically on the back end, and I'm not sure Liles is the guy. Komisarek, though, could be. I honestly feel like he's a better hockey player than he's shown in Toronto. It's a shame, because I really liked him in MTL. I doubt that Yzerman would ever make a Malone for Komisarek deal straight across, though.

EDIT - I'm not sure that I'd even make that deal, but I do like Mike. His cap hit still positions him for a buyout, though. If only he were making $2MM.

I'd agree.
- Michael_Stuart

We'll give you Tallinder.

You're right that Yzerman has little money to spend and will be forced to go young with this team. There are no win now moves for this team to make.

That's not such a bad thing. Stay young for a year or two and get out from under Malone's contract and see how good Stamkos and Hedman are by then.

Trade Vinny to CGY and we'll buy him out for you. But, your 3rd overall will have to come with Vinny.

Basically, CGY is buying the 3rd overall for about $40mil

You in?

Malkin extension 8 years $76 million

Trade Vinny to CGY and we'll buy him out for you. But, your 3rd overall will have to come with Vinny.

Basically, CGY is buying the 3rd overall for about $40mil

You in?
- TandA4Flames

Not in a million years.

You're right that Yzerman has little money to spend and will be forced to go young with this team. There are no win now moves for this team to make.

That's not such a bad thing. Stay young for a year or two and get out from under Malone's contract and see how good Stamkos and Hedman are by then.
- Coburns_Nose

Yeah, this is most likely what'll happen. Though, I'm not even sure that icing a full roster is going to be possible without more cap space

Malkin extension 8 years $76 million
- poohcrumbs

That's a lot of money.

Not in a million years.
- Michael_Stuart

Why not? You can then reup Vinny for 4 years, 20mil. You save almost $3mil in cap space, retain your solid 2nd line C and can sign a D. Tough decision, hiving up the 3rd overall, but you'd be dumb not to. How do you think the owner would feel about saving all that dough?

Other suggestion, Mark Giordano and the 6th for Malone, Brewer and the 3rd overall.

Why not? You can then reup Vinny for 4 years, 20mil. You save almost $3mil in cap space, retain your solid 2nd line C and can sign a D. Tough decision, hiving up the 3rd overall, but you'd be dumb not to. How do you think the owner would feel about saving all that dough?
- TandA4Flames

Trading away the third overall pick to save some cap space doesn't seem like a sane, long-term hockey option. Re-signing Vinny for $5MM per season saves the team just over $2.5MM per year over the course of the new contract you've proposed. Is that worth the third overall pick? Not really. The team would be smarter to keep the third overall pick, draft a potential franchise player, keep Vinny, and deal with Vinny's contract if and when the time comes that it needs to be dealt with. Mr. Vinik wants to build a winning team. There are better ways to create cap space.

Other suggestion, Mark Giordano and the 6th for Malone, Brewer and the 3rd overall.
- TandA4Flames

Much more intriguing, but I still couldn't see it happening.

Say homer boy have you noticed that since 2007 Vinny's production has gone down every year. That in the last 3 years with one being a shortened season that he has missed 44 games. Have you noticed that in the last 3 years when the trading deadline comes about Vinny's on the IR. Vinny's salary was a dumb move by the previous owners. Vinny's slowing down every year and sooner or later they have to do something. This amnesty option is Christmas in July to make the move now. We all love Vinny's charity golf outings but its time to turn the page.
- cheeselanders

This is what Lead paint does . Don't you have small animals to mame ?

This is what Lead paint does . Don't you have small animals to mame ?
- Artyukhin76

I like when people bring factually correct information to the table.

Trading away the third overall pick to save some cap space doesn't seem like a sane, long-term hockey option. Re-signing Vinny for $5MM per season saves the team just over $2.5MM per year over the course of the new contract you've proposed. Is that worth the third overall pick? Not really. The team would be smarter to keep the third overall pick, draft a potential franchise player, keep Vinny, and deal with Vinny's contract if and when the time comes that it needs to be dealt with. Mr. Vinik wants to build a winning team. There are better ways to create cap space.
- Michael_Stuart

Sure, but they're pretty limited for you guys. Everyone knows you're up against it, your not going to come close to winning a trade.

Also, you save a lot more than 2.5 a year on the buy out. 1st off, it's 2.7 per but you also save on the last 3 years of Vinny's current contract, 7.7 per for those 3 years = $23.1mil

Other than your own buy outs, what other methods do you see possible for gaining cap space?

Sure, but they're pretty limited for you guys. Everyone knows you're up against it, your not going to come close to winning a trade.

Also, you save a lot more than 2.5 a year on the buy out. 1st off, it's 2.7 per but you also save on the last 3 years of Vinny's current contract, 7.7 per for those 3 years = $23.1mil

Other than your own buy outs, what other methods do you see possible for gaining cap space?
- TandA4Flames

I said 'just over $2.5MM' and 'over the course of the new contract..." with regards to the deal you've proposed. I understand that there would be more money in the later years. There aren't many ways to gain cap space. That's why the blog is titled 'Mission Impossible'. It's not pretty in Lightning land. I just don't see buying out Vinny as being the way to go.

I like when people bring factually correct information to the table.
- Michael_Stuart

Who gives a flying (frank) about facts when you have opinion and enjoy being a douche?