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Winnipeg got knocked out on Monday. In this series of teams who are done in the post season, teams like the Jets are tough write ups. They have very good players that I’d love to get ahold of, but they’re probably not likely to move them for what Detroit has to offer. It could very well happen anyway (Yzerman is in the boiler room) but it’s easier to make deals with teams who are going to shut it down and reset. Those are the teams that will value draft picks and prospects much more.
Well, now Carolina is out. To me this is a similar situation to Winnipeg. The team has a young core and wants to build. The wrench in the works is the “frugality” of ownership. Rod Brind’amour signed an insanely team friendly deal (teams were ready to offer up to $5m on the open market if you believe the insiders). Rod took the discount with the understanding that the entire staff got their renewals done. He literally took less money to make sure everyone else had a job. That’s not just a coach, that’s a rare human being. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it in pro sports.
It’s that passion from the coach that makes the players want to play. Carolina had a very good regular season, and in a tough division. They finished third overall in the league (only 2 standings points behind Vegas and Colorado). Unfortunately, Tampa Bay had a couple miracle healings and they possess a post season prowess that is going to be difficult to get past. Carolina will have to get older, wiser, more disciplined and tougher. Goaltending could use a boost, but this is still a young team. They are getting serious playoff matchups that will make them develop into a more and more difficult opponent. They should probably be taking a look at Gibson out in Anaheim, and they have a very good defenseman ready to become a UFA.
Carolina has roughly 27 million in cap space with 6 RFAs (including Svechnikov and Foegle) and 12 UFAs (with Hamilton and Pacquette).
Here is Carolina’s Cap Friendly page. Hamilton, if he goes to market, will likely be the top UFA defenseman this year. He’s a player that many teams would be interested in, and even in the flat cap could do very well. Jake Bean is an RFA defenseman in need of a deal.
Defense is where something will likely have to give. There’s about $20 million tied up in the 5 returning defensemen. If Hamilton can get a Krug type deal, not really sure where Jake Bean is going to land, that number could start creeping toward 30 million. Jake Gardner is 30 and has 2 more years as 4 million. This isn’t an exciting grab from a player perspective, but this is a deal where you get draft picks tacked on. It would behoove ownership to try and move that money out. Jordan Staal has 2 more years at 6 million and is 32. He’s important to the franchise, but if they can move him and Gardner they can get 10 million back into the budget.
I’ve said before that I’d love to have Hamilton, but he’s going to want term and dollars that will see him into his mid 30s. Krug and Faulk are both making 6.5 for St Louis and I have to think Hamilton will try for north of that number. Simply because the market is what it is. Teams will probably be looking at he and Seth Jones and trying to grab one or the other. Jones’s next deal could push north of 7 million as well, but he’s a little younger than Hamilton.
If Detroit is “steady as she goes” in draft/development, then Hamilton will be 30 once the team is really coming together. That’s not the same as competing for the cup, it just means that the framework is in place and there’s some more roster stability. I just get a bit nervous committing high dollars in that age range at this point in the rebuild. Some of you will think I’m dead wrong, some won’t. Just my opinion.
If there were any way to grab Pesce away from Carolina, I would. I just don’t see how it could be done (please don’t list Cholowski in any deal that would acquire Pesce). Svechnikov will be looking for a significant raise, and I don’t think the organization wants another offer sheet situation. Yes, they really don’t work for the team that presents them, but they help the players a good deal.
If the add ons were right, would you take on Staal or Gardiner? Again, it’s not for the players necessarily, it would be for the other part of the return in picks or prospects. The team needs goalies (all are expired) and I doubt they want Hamilton to walk. They need to shed some $, and Detroit has cap space. No one gives that up for charitable reasons, so what would you charge? Let me know in the comments.
Check out some of my previous posts
I asked how your brackets are doing after Montreal swept Winnipeg
(M)Over Achiever - Seider getting accolades
setting the limits on trades
Moritz Seider reminds me of Jiri Fischer
Mo Seider is getting good ice time at the IIHF Worlds Championship.
There may be some blockbuster deals coming.
Yzerman signs Wyatt Newpower
Carly has coffee with Joe Veleno 
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