Matt Karash: Building out the roster

I see it breaking down as:

LW2: Dwyer
C3: Linholm
RW3: Jagr
And a 4th line of Westy-Nash-Bowman

I'd love to add another top 9 forward but I'm not sure if there'll be room in the budget.

I'd be curious if Muller would be tempted to pair Jagr and Tlusty together should the Canes add Jaromir. I know the two had great chemistry playing together during the lockout. Splitting up that first line could create some unique new combinations.

Matt what do you think of Skins playing the 3rd C? The way JR was talking about Lindholm being a center but could play RW, it seem to hint he would play at RW. To me if another veteran is signed they will play Staal and Ruutu as you mentioned. I think we are only looking at one more signature.

Tlusty-Staal-Semin
FA-Staal-Ruutu
Dwyer-Skinner-Lindholm
Westgarth-Staal/Nash-Staal/Bowman

Of course is Rask comes in strong we could see him on the 3rd line with a line full of centers playing all over the place. then the 4th line would be Westgarth-Nash/Staal-Dwyer

I can speculate on a trade but what the STL Blues need to clear some space. Maybe we could get Bouwmeester and Oshie for Skins, Murphy, and something else. Then move Pits to COL (who needs some D) for Jamie McGinn and Stefan Elliot. McGinn would give us that bigger body guys to play on the left side of Skins and Lindholm. Elliot would give us a younger Dman that would have organizational depth as he has NHL experience. Just pure crazy thought though.

I can speculate on a trade but what the STL Blues need to clear some space. Maybe we could get Bouwmeester and Oshie for Skins, Murphy, and something else.
- gocanes0506

Thats WAY too much to give up.

Thats WAY too much to give up.
- ward30nhl

By something else I was meaning a guy like a winger spec. I have never been high on Murphy so I am probably underselling his value. Maybe switch Harrison with Murphy then. At least Oshie is signed for 4 more seasons and does put up a good amount of points.

what happened to skinner ?? haven't really followed canes this year

How about you trade skinner to buffalo and add a veteran d men like erhoff. Maybe it can be some sort of package deal and you can take a winger like vanek or stafford. Obviously with buffalo taking back some salary.

How about you trade skinner to buffalo and add a veteran d men like erhoff. Maybe it can be some sort of package deal and you can take a winger like vanek or stafford. Obviously with buffalo taking back some salary.
- ewsmith90

I only see skins being traded to the west. I dont always trade skinner but if I do we wont play against him twice in a season.

No need to bring in another forward. Give some of the kids an actual chance, not a 10 game or less try out with the big club. Obviously the top line is staying the same, why split up one of the best even strength lines in the league. I like

Tlusty - E.Staal - Semin
Skinner - J.Staal - Lindholm
Bowman - Nash - Ruutu
Westy/Dalpe - Welsh - Dwyer/Ja.Staal /Any other Checker you want to get a look at.

This gives you the chance to have your top 2 lines with a strong center, left and right handed shot, a third line that can score and bang hard, and allows you to have a fourth line that is capable of chipping in on all fronts. Just an idea....

My lines are starting with Eric's (same as last year) -Tlusty/ Semin
Jordan w/ Morrow/ Ruutu
Nash w/ Skinner/ Dwyer
Welsh w/ Bowman/ Dalpe
xtra- Westgarth- and after camp Lindholm's spot (if any) will work itself out

my feeling is Rask isn't likely ready for NHL

D pairings are
Gleason Faulk
Pitkinen Sekera
Harrison Komisarek
2 extra Murphy, Bellemore

No need to bring in another forward. Give some of the kids an actual chance, not a 10 game or less try out with the big club. Obviously the top line is staying the same, why split up one of the best even strength lines in the league. I like

Tlusty - E.Staal - Semin
Skinner - J.Staal - Lindholm
Bowman - Nash - Ruutu
Westy/Dalpe - Welsh - Dwyer/Ja.Staal /Any other Checker you want to get a look at.

This gives you the chance to have your top 2 lines with a strong center, left and right handed shot, a third line that can score and bang hard, and allows you to have a fourth line that is capable of chipping in on all fronts. Just an idea....
- Caniac2485

Welcome Caniac2485. Don't hesitate to tell me when you see it way differently. Hopefully my yammering is reasonably well thought out and decent food to for making people think, but I realize that it is one person's opinion and NOT the only way to see it.

JR on 99.9 The Fan regarding "bigger name free agent" sounds promising.
He has to move a player out for it to happen. The free agent is patiently waiting. Willing to take less money to play here for a year. He said he hasn't been able to work a deal yet, but that UFA is waiting. It definitely sounded like maybe 50/50.

Not sure who we could move out at this point. Maybe Welsh? I still get the sense it's Jagr.

JR on 99.9 The Fan regarding "bigger name free agent" sounds promising.
He has to move a player out for it to happen. The free agent is patiently waiting. Willing to take less money to play here for a year. He said he hasn't been able to work a deal yet, but that UFA is waiting. It definitely sounded like maybe 50/50.
- BWithering

But who gets traded?

JR on 99.9 The Fan regarding "bigger name free agent" sounds promising.
He has to move a player out for it to happen. The free agent is patiently waiting. Willing to take less money to play here for a year. He said he hasn't been able to work a deal yet, but that UFA is waiting. It definitely sounded like maybe 50/50.
- BWithering

Are we talking about moving out a player to make room meaning just salary dump?

It says he's a UFA, so why would we need to trade anyone otherwise?

And welsh's salary isn't going to cut it for a "Bigger Name Free Agent"

Only big name I can think of other than Jagr that may want to take a cut in salary is Morrow.

On Defense, maybe Ron Hainsey? He used to be with Atlanta, maybe he wants to move back closer to the area? Shrug

Not sure who we could move out at this point. Maybe Welsh? I still get the sense it's Jagr.
- Gossler1

I think if it requires us to move someone, the UFA will cost more than 2.5M, so that could mean it's Grabovski who would be the most expensive of the available UFA's!
My guess is we'd move a roster player ie. Bowman or Dwyer.

Welsh has the highest salary. And the Canes don't need to clear the entire incoming UFA salary. Just enough extra cap space to fit Mystery UFA man, Lindholm and the rest of the unsigned RFAs. Welsh or Bowman would make sense.

Welsh has the highest salary. And the Canes don't need to clear the entire incoming UFA salary. Just enough extra cap space to fit Mystery UFA man, Lindholm and the rest of the unsigned RFAs. Welsh or Bowman would make sense.
- Gossler1

Maybe its Joni since he's in the last year of his deal.

JR keeps proclaiming that the D is set so I don't think it's Joni.

JR keeps proclaiming that the D is set so I don't think it's Joni.
- Gossler1

Why would you create another whole in our D? not to mention he's our best D-man! Jagr is a possibility, but why sign him for (most likely) one year, when Grabovski would fit for several years (most likely)?

God I hope not. We dont need another small forward getting paid 5mil+