Paul McCann: Lord Grant Me Patience... NOW!!!

Could argue the Nisk deal wasn't that silly... considering many expected him to get 6 mil, or even more after that Orpik deal went down.

Under six seems good for how high he was being valued.

Two years with no playoff appearance.

I am done being patient.

Now hat the 2 million bonus has been paid how about a Vinny for Stalberg trade

Two years with no playoff appearance.

I am done being patient.
- PoileRulezzzYo

Wow - fair weather fan?

Try to imagine being a Leaf fan.

Paul McCann: Lord Grant Me Patience... NOW!!!
- pmccann

Cammalleri was a little pricey but I'd rather have him at that number than pouliot. What a joke that was.

Paul McCann: Lord Grant Me Patience... NOW!!!
- pmccann

How did Engellynd get 2.9? Who did he sleep with?

How did Engellynd get 2.9? Who did he sleep with?
- J35Bacher

One signing that was never even mentioned on this site, that I believe took the cake for worst signing "ever" was the Ducks signing Clayton Stoner to a 4 year deal worth 13 million. CLAYTON STONER!!!! a 6th or 7th d-man on any team getting that kind of money?

- magmoo

Thats some probing there for ya

Could argue the Nisk deal wasn't that silly... considering many expected him to get 6 mil, or even more after that Orpik deal went down.

Under six seems good for how high he was being valued.
- Guile

That's a great deal considering he was the premier defensman in this crazy market. Compared to some of the other deals people have gotten (Quincey getting $4.5 millon WTF) the last few years it's a great deal.

The silly part is that this guy has only had one good year and that was playing with Crosby and Malkin. I wanted the Wings to get him but he's anything but a sure thing.

There are so many teams that have given out ridiculous contracts the last few years and most of them have been saved by the buyouts. It will be interesting to see what happens to the teams spending big this year.

Hey Engellynd can play Wing too, that's worth an extra million.

Hey Engellynd can play Wing too, that's worth an extra million.
- noffsin6

Yeah... the 10th or 11th winger on the Pens depth chart... and the 8th/9th defensemen at the end of the season.


Who the hell were his and Orpik's agents? (frank)ing agent of the year nominees there.

One signing that was never even mentioned on this site, that I believe took the cake for worst signing "ever" was the Ducks signing Clayton Stoner to a 4 year deal worth 13 million. CLAYTON STONER!!!! a 6th or 7th d-man on any team getting that kind of money?
- KxKodiak47

I thought the Orpik deal was a joke .... 5 years at 5M plus!

Paul, I think you have to put Calgary's excessive contract to Engelland into perspective.

They needed to add toughness to their lineup. They only have McGrattan, Westgarth, and recently acquired Bollig as one-dimensional tough guys. They didn't have any for the 3rd defense pairing yet!

Paul, I think you have to put Calgary's excessive contract to Engelland into perspective.

They needed to add toughness to their lineup. They only have McGrattan, Westgarth, and recently acquired Bollig as one-dimensional tough guys. They didn't have any for the 3rd defense pairing yet!
- maaddmike

They could have gotten him for half the price, even a third...

I truly thought it was just a typo here, and it was 2.9 over three years... still a nice raise from last year at that.

While I know this "frenzy" isn't over just yet, I would like to know why we seem to have so much trouble getting a top forward ? Seriously ! Is this ownership not willing to spend? Is this Poile to slow on the draw,or having a tough time making a decision? No offence to Dallas but why is everyone flocking to Dallas and not Nashville? They haven't been close to the playoffs for years except last season. What am I missing ?

Looks as though it's tough times ahead for this franchise, have to suffer through some lean years, draft some top picks and build a team with some great center's. No one seem to want to play there, so build from within.

And yes I know we are heading in that direction as well.

While I know this "frenzy" isn't over just yet, I would like to know why we seem to have so much trouble getting a top forward ? Seriously ! Is this ownership not willing to spend? Is this Poile to slow on the draw,or having a tough time making a decision? No offence to Dallas but why is everyone flocking to Dallas and not Nashville? They haven't been close to the playoffs for years except last season. What am I missing ?
- wrister

Dallas made the playoffs that last season, and had a good showing against the Ducks. They have a pretty good roster that looks like it's going to be improving. The Preds haven't made the playoffs the last two seasons, and are perceived as a non-contender. There's also a Trotz hangover effect going on where we're still viewed as a defensive team that has a hard time scoring. This team is going to have to prove itself.

The ownership group is willing to spend. One of the problems with this particular free agent class is that several of them knew exactly where they wanted to go before they were signed. Stastny and Vanek took less money to go to their hometown clubs. Nothing Poile can do about that.

The Preds are going to have to make trades to get the players they want, and they're going to have to try to trade for guys who are willing to come here. Having Spezza flat out refuse to come here doesn't help the perception.

Be patient. If we still suck this upcoming season we have a good shot at McDavid. If we don't we'll all be pretty happy, so it's not worth fretting over right now.

I'm pretty sure Poile isn't done yet.

when i read it the first time, i thought engellend got 3 yrs/2.9M. thinking that he got a raise to earn $1M/yr. then when i found out it was 2.9 per year....hahhahahahaha

dont get me wrong, orpik, niskanen and engellend seem like nice enough guys and i would sign for those #s too but 'wow' sums it up. i do not see orpik lasting the length of his contract. lots of injuries because of the way he plays. orpik will be great in the locker room. should wear the A if AO is the C.

For niskanen, he played the 5th toughest minutes on the team last year and did well. for that $ in washington, he needs to be 'the guy'. not sure if he is cut out for that.

in next year's cap situation, engelland + orpik=crosby

how about orpik+ niskanen make more than AO's cap hit

Same old chit different foot-sick to death of Poile. It should have been a package deal getting rid of Trotz and Poile.

It's hard as a fan to watch the Preds be inactive on Day 1. I was hopeful something would break our team's way. In some ways, however, I'm glad GMDP stood his ground. There was indeed some stupid money thrown around. I mean, Washington is paying it's top two defensemen almost $12M per year. Nashville is paying less than that. And I'd certainly rather have Weber/Josi than to have Green/Niskanen.

Stastny & Spezza were never coming to Nashville. That's pretty clear in the aftermath of yesterday. But that doesn't mean the offseason is a bust.

Poile could come away with a C, RW & D over the next few days & we might all feel much better about the situation. I am personally pulling for the following:

Grabovski: 4 years @ $5M (Can play 1st or 2nd line Center - depending on Smith)
Vrbata: 2 years @ $3M (Fills a need for a RW - until young forwards grow)
Boullion: 2 years @ $1.5M (Vet Dman at a discount rate)

Don't have to be those exact players, but that's less than $10M against the cap - with almost $9M to spare so Poile can extend some of the upcoming RFA's, and maybe nab a good value at the trade deadline.

If you told me a few weeks back that the Preds would walk away with James Neal (plus Grabovski, Vrbata, Boullion or some combination like that)...and that they got Fiala, Kamanev, Kirkland and others in the draft...I would've said Poile had a great offseason.

The rest of the Cental keeps improving. Can't deny that. But this might shape up to be one of Poile's best offseasons. Of course, it could go completely sideways...and then we're in the McDavid sweepstakes!

Engelland... You can't put a price on Truculence.....

Obviously Burkie still pulling the strings there

Treisling: - Hey Brian, I got Derek Engellands guy on the phone, what do you want me to do?

Burke: - Offer him 2.9 for 3 Years

Treisling: - Sure thing Brian, sending the offer paperwork now!

Treisling: - Great news Brian! He accepted! -I got a signed contract here, 2.9 Million per year for 3 years!

Burke: -Whoa, 2.9 for three oer per year for 3?

Treisling: - Uh.. Um... I thought you meant.....

Burke: Doh!

After last year, I'm glad the fax machine was broken yesterday. Offer sheet Wednesday!