sounds strange to value him that high, but i dont think id give them rust. i want to take a flier on yakupov, but its not worth moving out guys that were key components on cheap deals. no, i dont think rust will ever score at that rate he did in the three game span in the playoffs, but its not out of the question to think he could become a 15 goal guy. he can play up and down the lineup, can fly, and works his balls off. he is homegrown and embodies everything that made the team successful.

sure some edmonton guys will be incredulous, but id pass if thats the deal. how about you?
- stayinthefnnet

See I dont understand this logic, yeah Rust is a nice player but you're saying you wouldnt trade a guy who might score 15-20 for a guy who might score 30+

Other than Sid, Horny, Geno, Hags, Bonino, Phil I would trade any forward in our system for Yakupov without a second thought.

the issue is that the third pairing there can become an absolute tire fire if pouliot is a (frank) up. but, to a certain extent, at what point do you just have to try the kid? its going on what, year 3 or 4 now? if the guy cant play an offensive role in sheltered minutes on the third line at this stage in his career, or you arent of the belief he can, then you need to chalk it up as a bust and move on.

the only thing i will say, is come playoff time, defensive depth was huge.
- stayinthefnnet

Yeah the depth was definitely important, it was crucial to our run to have Schultz in the back pocket when Daley went down, and I have all the same concerns you do about Pouliot. But there isnt a whole lot we can do on defence, we dont have the cap to sign anyone who would be an upgrade over Pouliot even if he is a bust. I hope Schultz re signs at 2ish.

Which defenceman are you looking to upgrade?

Letang Dumo
Maata Daley
Cole Pouliot

Where is the need? A depth 7 dman isn't a tall order at all. Sign Bartowski for 800K, he fits what we are looking for, fast, can skate the puck out of the zone, ok puck mover, decent shot.

I never saw a game in the playoffs where I thought our defence was an issue. I didnt really see any issue, so what I am looking for is a way to push us over the top. Another top 6 threat does that, I want opposing coaches having seizures on the bench trying to figure out how to match up against our top 9.
- stackthepads

We have just shy of 3 mil in cap space right? Yakupov hits 2.5 against that. We can't even sign someone at vet minimum. And yes, we need more than 6 defensemen especially when one of them is Derrick Pouliot.

I honestly think Bartowski gets more than vet minimum. He's 28 and had an ok season last year. For some reason I thought he was older when people kept mentioning him.

We have just shy of 3 mil in cap space right? Yakupov hits 2.5 against that. We can't even sign someone at vet minimum. And yes, we need more than 6 defensemen especially when one of them is Derrick Pouliot.

I honestly think Bartowski gets more than vet minimum. He's 28 and had an ok season last year. For some reason I thought he was older when people kept mentioning him.
- Victoro311

Yak would replace a roster player even if its Sheary at 600K that puts us in the 1M available region.

I dont think Bart gets more than a million, if he does then maybe its one of the WBS guys that needs to fill in and we look to add someone at the deadline or with a in season trade. The idea that we can acquire a player like Yakupov on the cheap is driving me nuts.

Yak would replace a roster player even if its Sheary at 600K that puts us in the 1M available region.

I dont think Bart gets more than a million, if he does then maybe its one of the WBS guys that needs to fill in and we look to add someone at the deadline or with a in season trade. The idea that we can acquire a player like Yakupov on the cheap is driving me nuts.
- stackthepads

I honestly think it's overblown. I just can't see Yak going for a second. Sure that might be the original starting price but I see no way that a bidding war doesn't happen due to upside.

See I dont understand this logic, yeah Rust is a nice player but you're saying you wouldnt trade a guy who might score 15-20 for a guy who might score 30+

Other than Sid, Horny, Geno, Hags, Bonino, Phil I would trade any forward in our system for Yakupov without a second thought.
- stackthepads

i do get what youre saying. the bottom line is im just not willing to take the risk. we all have our opinions and thats totally cool, and im definitely intrigued by yak but i get the impression hes probably a little bit higher in your book than mine.

i think the odds of rust hitting 15 are much higher than yak hitting 30. granted, that is sort of an unfair comparison, but still. even if rust marginally improves or barely at all, he still will be a really good value at his deal. and i know if push comes to shove we can plug him on the 3rd, 4th, line in that checking role and he can be a demon.

if they traded rust for yak i wouldnt be up in arms, but if picking between the two i think id lean cost controlled certainty and go with rust.

I honestly think it's overblown. I just can't see Yak going for a second. Sure that might be the original starting price but I see no way that a bidding war doesn't happen due to upside.
- Victoro311

You're probably right, but if he goes to someone for the equivalent of a 2nd then I'll be pretty heart broken, I've been dying to see him with Sid since he joined the league.

i do get what youre saying. the bottom line is im just not willing to take the risk. we all have our opinions and thats totally cool, and im definitely intrigued by yak but i get the impression hes probably a little bit higher in your book than mine.

i think the odds of rust hitting 15 are much higher than yak hitting 30. granted, that is sort of an unfair comparison, but still. even if rust marginally improves or barely at all, he still will be a really good value at his deal. and i know if push comes to shove we can plug him on the 3rd, 4th, line in that checking role and he can be a demon.

if they traded rust for yak i wouldnt be up in arms, but if picking between the two i think id lean cost controlled certainty and go with rust.
- stayinthefnnet

I have the highest opinion of Yak on our board thats for sure. As for Yak hitting 30, he hit 26 his rookie year.

Other than Nich are there any other RFAs you would want to offersheet

McLellan left San Jose and less than a year later they're playing for the cup. Todd didnt improve one thing on the Oilers, they still stunk and they added Draisaitl and McDavid!

Maybe call a spade a spade when talking about the coaching staff Edmonton has employed.
- stackthepads

Sharks added Ward & PMarts also had their young guns come through big time, but you would still have to think coaching made a difference - how big a difference doubt we will ever know.

Now the Oil adding McD & having Draisaitl in his 2nd year, you would think they would/could/should have done better (given McD was injured), as well as their D getting better. I just think it's a poop fight that needs blowing up big time. Too many too long losing is the norm - I think McClellan probably fell backwards into the pit of death going there! Doubt this elusive #1 D man is going to change anything soon!(that's even IF they can get 1) they probably need to trade for 2 high end D & break the bank open doing it, keep their C strength & get rid of most all else. Start again this time with the tools in the box that only need the nuts & bolts (which they can pick up), to build their castle!

You're probably right, but if he goes to someone for the equivalent of a 2nd then I'll be pretty heart broken, I've been dying to see him with Sid since he joined the league.
- stackthepads

this i agree with. maybe i'm just a big fan of what i think rust might grow into. i wouldnt move rust for a second rounder.

Other than Nich are there any other RFAs you would want to offersheet
- nh4442

Tanner Pearson, although now Lucic has gone it's easier to sign him $ wise for the Kings.

I honestly think it's overblown. I just can't see Yak going for a second. Sure that might be the original starting price but I see no way that a bidding war doesn't happen due to upside.
- Victoro311

Yeah. If Beau can get a 3rd...Yak has to be worth more. I'd like to have him but not at the expense of Rust. I'd be happy with a 2nd + Kuhnhackl if that got it done.

If only Yak was a natural LW, I might be willing to part with a little more.

Other than Nich are there any other RFAs you would want to offersheet
- nh4442

Offersheets just dont happen. We don't have excess cap space laying around to go offersheeting anyone. In theory there are plenty of guys I would offersheet in the $1.8M-5.6M range. But we'd have to dump Kunitz and/or Fleury for it to even be possible.


Calculated Offer Sheet Amount Draft Pick Compensation
$1,239,226 or below None
Over $1,239,226 to $1,877,615 Third Round
Over $1,877,615 to $3,755,233 Second Round
Over $3,755,233 to $5,632,847 First Round & Third Round
Over $5,632,847 to $7,510,464 First Round, Second Round, and Third Round
Over $7,510,464 to $9,388,080 Two First Rounds, Second Round, and Third Round
Over $9,388,080 Four First Rounds

Offersheets just dont happen. We don't have excess cap space laying around to go offersheeting anyone. In theory there are plenty of guys I would offersheet in the $1.8M-5.6M range. But we'd have to dump Kunitz and/or Fleury for it to even be possible.


Calculated Offer Sheet Amount Draft Pick Compensation
$1,239,226 or below None
Over $1,239,226 to $1,877,615 Third Round
Over $1,877,615 to $3,755,233 Second Round
Over $3,755,233 to $5,632,847 First Round & Third Round
Over $5,632,847 to $7,510,464 First Round, Second Round, and Third Round
Over $7,510,464 to $9,388,080 Two First Rounds, Second Round, and Third Round
Over $9,388,080 Four First Rounds
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Way to take the fun out of it

In theory, there are some guys that fit the offersheet bill that I happen to have a man crush on -- Chris Kreider, Nuke, Killorn, Rakell

Last year, the guy I wanted to offersheet was Anders Lee and he ended up getting paid exactly what I would have offered.

Oscar Sundquist faceoff %??? Anybody knows?
If he becames 4th line C he has it all but this (or maybe he has that to also)...

Oscar Sundquist faceoff %??? Anybody knows?
If he becames 4th line C he has it all but this (or maybe he has that to also)...
- Vitorio

46% (64 won, 75 lost). Not bad at all for a rookie. Better than Malkin's 42% last year and career 43.5%. Crosby was a shade under 46% his rookie year but is now only 51.7% for his career.

FWIW Fehr was 42% last year. Cullen is a monster on faceoffs with 55.7% last year and a career 52%.

In case you didn't notice, I think faceoff winning percentage is an underrated stat, especially in the age of possession metrics.

My BOLD prediction:

Carey Price will re-injure his knee during the World Cup Of Hockey. The Pens will trade Fleury to the Canadiens for their 1st round pick in 2017 (probably somewhere in the middle of the round). Price will go on LTIR freeing up $6.5M cap space to fit Fleury's $5.75M cap hit. The Habs can continue their pursuit of the Cup and Fleury gets to go home.

The Pens will use the cap space to sign the best available FA goalie (either Reimer or Chad Johnson if still available) and will look to sign a capable defenseman to fit their system.

46% (64 won, 75 lost). Not bad at all for a rookie. Better than Malkin's 42% last year and career 43.5%. Crosby was a shade under 46% his rookie year but is now only 51.7% for his career.

FWIW Fehr was 42% last year. Cullen is a monster on faceoffs with 55.7% last year and a career 52%.

In case you didn't notice, I think faceoff winning percentage is an underrated stat, especially in the age of possession metrics.
- T-Train

I think the analytics community decided faceoffs are completely unimportant. Though its been a while since I saw the stats.

Didn't Landon Ferraro score goals against us last season - I mean about 3 or 4 in 2 games??

24 year old C, ready & available. No idea if he's any good but managed to kick our arse twice if he's the guy that I'm thinking of. If not, well..........

if cullen retires. can't we just trade fehr and sign helm?

Didn't Landon Ferraro score goals against us last season - I mean about 3 or 4 in 2 games??

24 year old C, ready & available. No idea if he's any good but managed to kick our arse twice if he's the guy that I'm thinking of. If not, well..........
- Aussiepenguin

he had 10 points in 60 games last year. 5 goals 5 assists

he had 10 points in 60 games last year. 5 goals 5 assists
- martox

Frank Vetrano I think is the player I'm thinking of, even though Ferraro did score 1 goal against us. Pasternak also did well against us!

Didn't Landon Ferraro score goals against us last season - I mean about 3 or 4 in 2 games??

24 year old C, ready & available. No idea if he's any good but managed to kick our arse twice if he's the guy that I'm thinking of. If not, well..........
- Aussiepenguin

It seemed like it, but it was just a Gordie Howe hat trick over the course of two games (remember the bout with Scott Wilson?).