Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: WJC Camps, Alumni Golf and More

Hi Bill ,

I dont remember what forced their hands on the Gagne trade? Why did they have such a money issue?

Where have you gone, Phil Crowe?

re Gagne:

From what I remember, they were right up against or perhaps a bit over the cap going into that season and Gagne was the only 2 million plus salary that they felt they could afford to do without.

Any unsigned guys still out there that might interest you guys on the cheap?

Would Vrbata fit on a 1 year deal?

I know Pirri's name has been mentioned.

I am probably in the minority but I wouldn't be against Mike Richards. Could fill a 3rd line center roll with wings like Raffl and Weise who have more speed. Also can kill penalties and was a solid PP player so he could help on the 2nd unit.

Any unsigned guys still out there that might interest you guys on the cheap?

Would Vrbata fit on a 1 year deal?

I know Pirri's name has been mentioned.

I am probably in the minority but I wouldn't be against Mike Richards. Could fill a 3rd line center roll with wings like Raffl and Weise who have more speed. Also can kill penalties and was a solid PP player so he could help on the 2nd unit.
- J35Bacher

We can sign someone else to be our 17th forward

Hi Bill ,

I dont remember what forced their hands on the Gagne trade? Why did they have such a money issue?
- opeth_pa

I think it was the trade for Meszaros that put them over the edge.

We have 14 forwards, plus prospects like Leier & veterans like McDonald in the AHL who can be called up. This also assumes Konecny goes back to Junior.

Giroux
Voracek
Simmonds
Schenn
Couturier

Raffl
Weise
Read
Cousins
Laughton

Bellemare
VdV
Big Boyd Gordon
Lyubimov
Weal

I think it was the trade for Meszaros that put them over the edge.
- Baxter27

That sounds right.

We have 14 forwards, plus prospects like Leier & veterans like McDonald in the AHL who can be called up. This also assumes Konecny goes back to Junior.

Giroux
Voracek
Simmonds
Schenn
Couturier

Raffl
Weise
Read
Laughton
Cousins

Bellemare
VdV
Lyubimov
Weal
- Feanor

Yeah, I don't see them signing anyone else this offseason other than Schenn and Manning. I do still think there is at least some chance that a veteran Dman could be moved before the start of the season, but even that is probably unlikely.

Yeah, I don't see them signing anyone else this offseason other than Schenn and Manning. I do still think there is at least some chance that a veteran Dman could be moved before the start of the season, but even that is probably unlikely.
- BiggE

Who sneaks into the top 6? I assume you have:

Schenn - Giroux - Simmonds
(player) - Couturier - Voracek

I would almost rather have Konecny in the top 6 and then follow up with some combination of bottom 6 role players

Johansson requesting 5.25, Caps are trying to get him at 3.85.

Will this be a comparable for Schenn?

I feel like that is probably where Schenn will be looking. The 5.25-5.75 range

^ I personally would like to give Laughton a look with Couts and Jake before Konecny. Konecny will really have to amaze the coaches and management to not only fill a top 6 spot, but to just make the team itself.

I think it was the trade for Meszaros that put them over the edge.
- Baxter27

Ah right I had forgotten about that deal..

^ I personally would like to give Laughton a look with Couts and Jake before Konecny. Konecny will really have to amaze the coaches and management to not only fill a top 6 spot, but to just make the team itself.
- arichardson22

I would be ok with Laughton in the top 6.

ScHenn - Giroux - Simmonds
Laughton - Couturier - Voracek

Asking out of curiosity and ignorance,

Matt Pfeffer mentioned a goal differential metric when comparing Weber and Subban. Is it likely this metric would be crossed referenced with a very specific quality of competition metric? Considering Weber played in the best division and Subban in the worst, I would think it would be necessary to do so. How specific would a QOC metric get? I would hope it can tell the difference between the top line of the Toronto Maple Leafs vs the Chicago Black Hawks?

Who sneaks into the top 6? I assume you have:

Schenn - Giroux - Simmonds
(player) - Couturier - Voracek

I would almost rather have Konecny in the top 6 and then follow up with some combination of bottom 6 role players
- J35Bacher

Really hard to say. Konecny will need a huge camp to win that spot. Laughton could step up and take it too. If not, it will likely go to Raffl.

I would be ok with Laughton in the top 6.

ScHenn - Giroux - Simmonds
Laughton - Couturier - Voracek
- J35Bacher

If Laughton can succeed in that role, that would be my preference. It would also free up Raffl to be 3C if Cousins struggles. That being said, hopefully Cousins plays well and the bottom six look something like:

Raffl-Cousins-Weise
Gordon with some combo of Lyub, Read, Bellemare, VDV or perhaps Bardreau or Leier.

Bardreau and Leier will only be kept up if they are in the top 12, they won't be carried as spares. Weal probably has little chance to make the team other than as a spare forward if they carry 14.

Where have you gone, Phil Crowe?


- BiggE

I know one poster on here who will think he was a good player. Still better than Roman Vopat.

I was a big Geoff Sanderson fan and was happy when the Flyers signed him. I was wrong.

If Laughton can succeed in that role, that would be my preference. It would also free up Raffl to be 3C if Cousins struggles. That being said, hopefully Cousins plays well and the bottom six look something like:

Raffl-Cousins-Weise
Gordon with some combo of Lyub, Read, Bellemare, VDV or perhaps Bardreau or Leier.

Bardreau and Leier will only be kept up if they are in the top 12, they won't be carried as spares. Weal probably has little chance to make the team other than as a spare forward if they carry 14.
- BiggE

Should be fun to watch to bottom 6 guys battle.

I agree with Badreau and Leier. Could see them up if they out play Cousins or Read. But also could see them up if players are moved out.

I see Read being moved this year. I think Vandevelde will be in Lehigh Valley.

Will be interesting to see what guys battle for those bottom 6 roles.

Johansson requesting 5.25, Caps are trying to get him at 3.85.

Will this be a comparable for Schenn?

I feel like that is probably where Schenn will be looking. The 5.25-5.75 range
- J35Bacher

Yeah, I think so. Just add $0.6m to each number.

Johansson requesting 5.25, Caps are trying to get him at 3.85.

Will this be a comparable for Schenn?

I feel like that is probably where Schenn will be looking. The 5.25-5.75 range
- J35Bacher

After last season Schenn has a better chance of getting 5 than Johansson does.

^ I personally would like to give Laughton a look with Couts and Jake before Konecny. Konecny will really have to amaze the coaches and management to not only fill a top 6 spot, but to just make the team itself.
- arichardson22

The first three games will be very interesting because with Schenn serving that absurd suspension, two of Raffl, Laughton, Weise, etc. will be in the top 6.

Raffl-Giroux-Voracek
Laughton-Couturier-Simmonds
Read-Cousins-Weise
Lyubimov-Gordon-Bellemare
VdV or Weal as extra forward
Schenn - suspended

I left Gordon off my earlier list of forwards...

Giroux
Voracek
Simmonds
Couturier
Schenn
Read
Raffl
Weiss
Gordon
Bellmare
Laughton
Cousins

Maybe Konecny sneaks in? I would venture those 12 will be on the ice opening day. I don't know who's playing with who or what multiple position forwards are playing wing/center, but that's an educated guess for October.

The first three games will be very interesting because with Schenn serving that absurd suspension, two of Raffl, Laughton, Weise, etc. will be in the top 6.
- Feanor

I forgot about that.

I know Hextall is against the 9 game thing but would you keep Konecny if he has a great camp and see what happens?

Raffl - Giroux - Voracek
Konecny - Couturier- Simmonds
Laughton - Cousins - Weise
Read - Gordon - Bellemare

Unless Leier has a great camp or maybe someone like Abul-Kabel really surprises.