Matt Karash: Scouring the remaining free agent options

Good blog Matt, I really mean it...

but it sucks when we reach the point in the summer where we are getting into the "Bargain Bin free agent" blogs.

On the bright side... one month from today I'll be at a pre-season game here in London between Toronto and Philly!

Morrow would be a great addition, but there's no reason to waste money on the d available. Hainsey would be the only one worth noting, but he might cost too much

I would still love to see a push for Yandle, but as the summer dwindles down it looks like its not gonna happen. The Canes are in desperate need of of a legitimate stud d-man that can be consistent for us on a nightly basis (something that Faulk will hopefully be if he isn't already). I read an article yesterday about how Phoenix is looking to add offense and that Yandle might still be on the block. What we would offer beats me.

With the roster we have right now this is how i picture the lineup going into training camp:
tlusty-staal-semin
ruutu-staal-skinner
(welsh? preferably not)-lindholm-dwyer
gerbe-??-westgarth

faulk-gleason
sekera-pitkanen
harrison-komi
As much as i would like to see one or two more signings to fill out the roster, filling in the empty spots with young players might prove to be successful. There is a good amount of guys in this organization who want to prove themselves (gerbe, nash, rask, welsh, bowman, dalpe, just to name a few). If they can bring intensity and speed and know their role each and every night, maybe we have a roster. I personally don't think we are there yet, but you never know until the puck drops.

This is all just my opinion, feel free to critique

I would still love to see a push for Yandle, but as the summer dwindles down it looks like its not gonna happen. The Canes are in desperate need of of a legitimate stud d-man that can be consistent for us on a nightly basis (something that Faulk will hopefully be if he isn't already). I read an article yesterday about how Phoenix is looking to add offense and that Yandle might still be on the block. What we would offer beats me.

With the roster we have right now this is how i picture the lineup going into training camp:
tlusty-staal-semin
ruutu-staal-skinner
(welsh? preferably not)-lindholm-dwyer
gerbe-??-westgarth
yandle would obviously be great, but you would have to give up too much for him as your bottom 6 is terrible. skinner for him straight up would be a steal for you guys, but u know that won't fly
faulk-gleason
sekera-pitkanen
harrison-komi
As much as i would like to see one or two more signings to fill out the roster, filling in the empty spots with young players might prove to be successful. There is a good amount of guys in this organization who want to prove themselves (gerbe, nash, rask, welsh, bowman, dalpe, just to name a few). If they can bring intensity and speed and know their role each and every night, maybe we have a roster. I personally don't think we are there yet, but you never know until the puck drops.

This is all just my opinion, feel free to critique
- Zannjusk

Once you mentioned Fat Kabs, all I heard was "Blah,blah,blah"

Mason Raymond is available and if had for 1.5 to 2M I'd do it. Still young, fast and could probably use a change of scenery in less hockey crazed market.

Brendon Morrow if the price was right. He still has gas in the tank and the Canes' could use his veteran influence and leadership.

Ryan Whitney. Yes, why not if you can get a Komisarek type deal. He could also use a change in scenery. A depth D at 5 or 6 would make sense.

Brad Boyes. A longshot, probably wants too much $$$.

As for the Keith Yandle poster. Can't ever see it happening. The Canes' don't have enough to offer in return. He is a franchise type player that won't fit into the Canes' salary structure, either. Only a dream, I'm afraid.

Marty Reasoner? Killed penalties for the Islanders. Could be cheap short term solution for 4th line center. 52.5 faceoff%. No offense, but offense isn't really what the team is lacking. Not sure what he has left in the tank.

I would still love to see a push for Yandle, but as the summer dwindles down it looks like its not gonna happen. The Canes are in desperate need of of a legitimate stud d-man that can be consistent for us on a nightly basis (something that Faulk will hopefully be if he isn't already). I read an article yesterday about how Phoenix is looking to add offense and that Yandle might still be on the block. What we would offer beats me.

With the roster we have right now this is how i picture the lineup going into training camp:
tlusty-staal-semin
ruutu-staal-skinner
(welsh? preferably not)-lindholm-dwyer
gerbe-??-westgarth

faulk-gleason
sekera-pitkanen
harrison-komi
As much as i would like to see one or two more signings to fill out the roster, filling in the empty spots with young players might prove to be successful. There is a good amount of guys in this organization who want to prove themselves (gerbe, nash, rask, welsh, bowman, dalpe, just to name a few). If they can bring intensity and speed and know their role each and every night, maybe we have a roster. I personally don't think we are there yet, but you never know until the puck drops.

This is all just my opinion, feel free to critique
- Zannjusk

Hey Zannjusk! Welcome aboard and thank you for taking the time to comment. I agree with some of your line combos/pairings and disagree with others, but like you said "you never know until the puck drops."

Skinner + for Yandle??

Morrow would be a great addition, but there's no reason to waste money on the d available. Hainsey would be the only one worth noting, but he might cost too much
- kovey27

Nothing has changed (that i'm aware of) regarding JR's interest in adding a FA "AFTER" moving a contract (Euphemism for trading a player). That addition is rumored to be Hainsey, but who might get "moved" is anybody's guess!
It's entirely possible JR will wait until training camp before deciding on adding a PK forward (or two), giving all the signed forwards a chance to win a roster spot!
My feeling is that several of the available FA's will end up being invited to various camps on a tryout basis, and at least a few of them will have to accept 2-way or VERY CHEAP 1-WAY contracts!
More than 1/2 of the teams are very near the CAP, and a few still have their own RFA's to sign. Some of the remaining teams will not spend up to the CAP. That leaves a pretty small market left for the UFA's! JR is very patient, and will probably find a cheap DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH (or two).
I just wouldn't expect this to happen real soon, though!