Stafford Signs and Jets UFA Targets
2 years at 4.35 per year for Stafford.
He got a raise. Why because he shot 20% at all strengths over his 26 games as a Jet in the regular season. Can there be another reason? It’s too much IMO and Chevy has paid from some name recognition here. Andrew Ladd must be rubbing his hands with glee though but if you are a cynic the good news is it’s only 2 years just like Jokinen.
No the Winnipeg Jets were never going to be ‘in’ on names like Hamilton, despite my hopes that much is certain. They should be in on a few players though, but like Hamilton it’s doubtful they look hard at the ones I’ll suggest.
One thing that buyouts do is allow for some interesting mercenary approach by players. Take Christian Ehrhoff and his recent statement that he does not want a long term deal. He doesn’t need it as he’s getting paid by Buffalo to go win a Stanley Cup with some one else so he can choose where he wants to do that.
Ehrhoff would be a very interesting acquisition but where does he fit on the Jets blue line and who would get moved? Might have to move some one first and it appears that is less than likely at this point.
What about some one more interesting such as recently bought out Brad Boyes?
Boyes can score and he can also feed the puck well
What you see with Boyes is that does enough that he isn’t a liability and he helps with scoring and shot suppression. He’s a decent enough player that seems to have a ‘failure’ label on him by some GMs because he can’t light it up like he did one year in St. Louis. He was slated to make 2.65 million this year and if Chevy wants to replace Frolik on the short term would a 1 year 3 million deal be worth it? He has had 35 goals the past two seasons and there could be worse decisions to be made.
Alexander Semin was also sent to waivers and soon to be bought out. This is surprising that Carolina cannot find a partner to take on part of the deal and the ‘Canes retain 2 million per year? That has to be a better poison pill does it not?
What does Semin do that’s so awful that makes Carolina not want him? That would be the first task for a GM and scouts- figure out why it’s wrong there. While he’s a bit older and maybe last season was a sign that age is catching up does he not present value? Listed as an RW could he not be another Russian to help smooth things over with Burmistrov? That might be a stretch but if a team had a need for an RW of his calibre he might be the perfect solution as a second line RW at 4 million or near that.
If Chevy is going around throwing out 2 year deals to aging players maybe taking look at Justin Williams is a better move than Semin? Coming off a deal paying him 3.65 million would a chance on him at last year’s rate be smart move? Again another RW who has playoff experience like Frolik and a two way player he could be an interesting option at the right term.
Again Wiliams is on par to Frolik if not better when considering his age and we all know about his legendary playoff corsi-hot streak! He’s the kind of player that should he be convinced the Jets are worth a short-term risk could pay huge dividends.
The other aspect to think here is that not all of the players should be signed as much as considered. Signing them all would leave no room for the youth and this team needs to see who is ready to step up out of Armia, Petan, Ehlers, Copp and others. Clogging positions associated with more skill with aging players is still too similar to retaining Peluso’s and Thorburn’s on the bottom line. The net result is can be similar damage to organizational depth and development.
Frenzy starts tomorrow and last year it wasn’t until Perreault was available the day before July 1 that Chevy had a real target- could the same be happening this year?