Can't wait for Puerto Rico Pirates inaugural season
- TheMussel

won't be the Pirates.. they'll save money and take the Pheonix/Arizona jerseys and just shrink the dog/coyote head...

instant winner ... Puerto Rico "Wild Dogs" or the Mexico City "Chiuahuas" (sp)

If I'm correct, Detroit only have 16 guys signed for coming season with 13mln left.
That's actually 15 guys (not counting Datsyuk).
They need to resign 3 d-men (DeKeyser, Marchenko) and Mrazek + at least 2 forwards for the 13mln. That's not going to work.

So unless Detroit somehow works miracles and trades Howard + Datsyuk + something really interesting to Carolina for nothing, Detroit is in a lot of problems.
As is, if Datsyuk indeed does not play for the team this season, they might be the worst of team in NHL. (Datsyuk eating up 7mln capspace, Howard one of the worst goalies in league with bad caphit, Franzen, Abdelkader, Ericsson on bad contracts as well).
- MaximusAurelius

let’s see how the datsyuk situation plays out.

I suspect they’ll be able to move that contract.

None of Lovejoy, Cullen were on the list, Dupuis being put on LTIR does not completely eliminate his salary from cap issues.

Salary cap situation Dupuis is placed on injured reserve with two-thirds of the season remaining, which means two-thirds of his salary can be applied to the LTIR exemption. His $3.750 million salary still counts against the team’s upper limit but $2.500 million of it is able to be used towards the exemption. Prior to his being placed on injured reserve the team had $153 thousand in available salary space remaining, thus by exercising the LTIR exemption option the team is allowed to exceed the salary cap by $2.247 million.

Add Bonino instead of Dupuis to my original list and you are still looking at $55 million for 10 players - so the Pens have $16.4 million to spend on 13 roster players just over a million per. That's tighter than a bull's ass at fly time.
- winsix

If we go by your numbers for Dupuis,
the Pens cap hit for next season assuming no trades is $70.2 with 13 forwards, 6 defensemen, 2 goalies signed. Assuming Sprong/Guentzel/another prospect joins the forwards that's only another 0.7 million.

This is where a trade of either Fleury or Kunitz puts them nicely into place.

Absolutely.

Hell, their best move right now would be to move Abdelkader... he's on just as bad a contract as Howard (perhaps worse when you consider term).
- lumlums

Agreed. Benning will probably traded the 5OA for JA and a 2nd.

Varly forgot how to goalie...
Bishop is always hurt
Crawford I've never been overly impressed with, but might be an option.
Fleury... while I think he's a good choice, its not hard to turn this thread into a Fleury hatefest..


We need a Cujo or Belfour... not a Toskala or Giguere...
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Yes, we need a guy to win us a few games we shouldn't win, and make sure we win the games we should win because we outplayed the competition.
Problem on this blog is most people don't want to give up any of the A list prospects to get him.
You get what you pay for and it's going to hurt if Lou decides to pull the trigger, but we will be happy in the long run.

what would it cost to get Tristan Jarry out from Pittsburgh

Blackwood is still a year or two away from full-time starter duties, IMO.

If we are going that route, I might rather Samsonov from Washington
- WingmanWillie

If they go for a veteran goalie, Andersen makes the most sense for me, Blackwood as a future or backup would solve goalie issues long term. He's solid. I would think that the offensively challenged NJ Devils are sniffing around the Leafs and JVR being from NJ might net a nice price. JVR, Dermott, Pitts pick, 2nd round pick for Blackwood and Larsson

i smile when people post their projected lineups and line one is JVR Matthews and Marner

there is 0 chance Babcock builds his top line using two 19 year old rookies

maybe in a year or two sure... but not this season
- Dozzer

I think you'll see Connor Brown or Nylander on Line 1 before you see Marner.

Varly forgot how to goalie...
Bishop is always hurt
Crawford I've never been overly impressed with, but might be an option.
Fleury... while I think he's a good choice, its not hard to turn this thread into a Fleury hatefest..


We need a Cujo or Belfour... not a Toskala or Giguere...
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I'd dangle a 2nd rounder to the B's and Av's for Subban and Pickard. With Rask and Varlamov they won't be able to protect those two in the expansion draft.

Subban v. Subban would fuel the media drama for years.

This is exactly why it doesn't make sense to trade for a player's rights anymore; Leafs can already talk with Stamkos pre-1st of July; no added value (since no option for 8y contract). btw Leivo is still in Leafs' plans.
And nobody cares about saving Yzerman's face.
Trade only makes sense for Toronto if it's giving them a week more to speak with Stamkos; e.g. trading Grabnar/Parenteau/Cowen to Tampa.
- MaximusAurelius

Is that a (m4)?

You don't really know, and neither do I

If we go by your numbers for Dupuis,
the Pens cap hit for next season assuming no trades is $70.2 with 13 forwards, 6 defensemen, 2 goalies signed. Assuming Sprong/Guentzel/another prospect joins the forwards that's only another 0.7 million.

This is where a trade of either Fleury or Kunitz puts them nicely into place.
- DeflatedPucks

Remember you said no trouble at all - not entirely so is it? Trading Fleury and not getting back any salary will be close to impossible. Every team and GM saw what he did and didn't do in the playoffs. He might be packaged with a sweetener for a bag of pucks - but I am not convinced he is at the top of any list of goalie acquisitions. Kunitz might have to be a deadline deal. At almost $4million per for a 36 year old that scored 40 points playing with top flight players is not something that other teams will do somersaults for.

You're such an bumhole
- RickJames77

I'd dangle a 2nd rounder to the B's and Av's for Subban and Pickard. With Rask and Varlamov they won't be able to protect those two in the expansion draft.

Subban v. Subban would fuel the media drama for years.
- The Law

I think the Avs trade Varlamov before Pickard. They are cheap and Varli is on a long term deal at $5.9M. I actually think you could get him for a reasonable cost.

If they go for a veteran goalie, Andersen makes the most sense for me, Blackwood as a future or backup would solve goalie issues long term. He's solid. I would think that the offensively challenged NJ Devils are sniffing around the Leafs and JVR being from NJ might net a nice price. JVR, Dermott, Pitts pick, 2nd round pick for Blackwood and Larsson
- winsix

I used to think Andersen was the route to take too. Looking at his stats relative to the league and Bernier/Reimer over the last few years it doesn't appeal anymore. He's looking at a big dollar contract and I'm not sure he (or any goalie not named Price/Lundquist/Holtby) is really worth it. Get a good youngish 'tender on an affordable contract.

Remember you said no trouble at all - not entirely so is it? Trading Fleury and not getting back any salary will be close to impossible. Every team and GM saw what he did and didn't do in the playoffs. He might be packaged with a sweetener for a bag of pucks - but I am not convinced he is at the top of any list of goalie acquisitions. Kunitz might have to be a deadline deal. At almost $4million per for a 36 year old that scored 40 points playing with top flight players is not something that other teams will do somersaults for.
- winsix

I said it wasn't big cap trouble.

I'm saying the Pens could stand pat and as expected, promote Sprong and Poliout into roles next year. Our whole "bottom 4-5" forwards are all signed to cheap deals. With the 13 forwards, 6 defensemen and 2 goalies we're at $70 million. Obviously we're not the Coyotes in terms of cap hit, but still in a reasonable spot. A Fleury move, even if it brings us back salary will put us nicely under. Ditto Kunitz. Heck, Cole's 2.1 is a reasonable trade chip

My point is, the Pens don't need a Blackhawks style off-load. Bennett is not going to demand an increase. Qualifying Schultz and his 10% raise to $4m was never the plan. He's gone.

Is that a (m4)?

You don't really know, and neither do I
- WingmanWillie

Mathews /Marner/ Nylander

Brown/sosh/hyman

Leivo/leispic/Johnson/timashov/bracco/lindberg/goat etc.

I wouldn’t miss leivo. So far down the prospect depth chart to me.

I think the Avs trade Varlamov before Pickard. They are cheap and Varli is on a long term deal at $5.9M. I actually think you could get him for a reasonable cost.
- MacPatty

Might be right but Babcock and Lou are pretty big on 'character' and Varli's kidnapping and domestic assault b.s. might be a little outside their comfort zone.

I'd love gibson, Mrazek or Vasi, but don't see any getting moved.

A seldom talked about option is Calvin Pickard - good numbers, and could be cheap as Colorado are dumb AF....
- lumlums

Like Pickard - Not sure if he's ready to be a number one goalie though. Leafs need to add at least 3 goalies to the system by either draft, free agent or trade. I would expect one to be a veteran. Babcock hates Bernier, can't see him playing any part moving forward.

I said it wasn't big cap trouble.

I'm saying the Pens could stand pat and as expected, promote Sprong and Poliout into roles next year. Our whole "bottom 4-5" forwards are all signed to cheap deals. With the 13 forwards, 6 defensemen and 2 goalies we're at $70 million. Obviously we're not the Coyotes in terms of cap hit, but still in a reasonable spot. A Fleury move, even if it brings us back salary will put us nicely under. Ditto Kunitz. Heck, Cole's 2.1 is a reasonable trade chip

My point is, the Pens don't need a Blackhawks style off-load. Bennett is not going to demand an increase. Qualifying Schultz and his 10% raise to $4m was never the plan. He's gone.
- DeflatedPucks

Agreed. The savings you get taking back Bernier for maf will be more than enough.

Might be right but Babcock and Lou are pretty big on 'character' and Varli's kidnapping and domestic assault b.s. might be a little outside their comfort zone.
- The Law

Agreed.

It wasnt Carlyle's fault?

Apologies if this has already been posted:

https://medium.com/sports...wn-74b0021f092#.t4z8cn4pl

I said it wasn't big cap trouble.

I'm saying the Pens could stand pat and as expected, promote Sprong and Poliout into roles next year. Our whole "bottom 4-5" forwards are all signed to cheap deals. With the 13 forwards, 6 defensemen and 2 goalies we're at $70 million. Obviously we're not the Coyotes in terms of cap hit, but still in a reasonable spot. A Fleury move, even if it brings us back salary will put us nicely under. Ditto Kunitz. Heck, Cole's 2.1 is a reasonable trade chip

My point is, the Pens don't need a Blackhawks style off-load. Bennett is not going to demand an increase. Qualifying Schultz and his 10% raise to $4m was never the plan. He's gone.
- DeflatedPucks

Pens are fine. A small tweak or two. If they can move Fleury then they're laughing. The players likely vote for the "inflator" anyway and then the Cap goes up.

Pens are fine. A small tweak or two. If they can move Fleury then they're laughing. The players likely vote for the "inflator" anyway and then the Cap goes up.
- The Law

Were this the NFL, Tom Brady would vote for the "deflator".....

I think the Avs trade Varlamov before Pickard. They are cheap and Varli is on a long term deal at $5.9M. I actually think you could get him for a reasonable cost.
- MacPatty

If he’s seen as a reclamation project maybe.

I’d want to ditch a couple problems on them; mainly bernier and lupul. can’t see the av’s going for that.