What does it take to trade TB for rights to Kucherov or one of their other RFAs? Someone isn't getting signed so they might as well get a return for it. Is next year's first too much for Kucherov?
- Phatjohnsn

IMO Ben Bishop and one of Carle/Harrison will be moved.

Stevie Y will use the Chicago model.

Stamkos, Kucherov, and Headman are going nowhere.

I'd make a call to see if Drouin is available. I know he had a big playoff, but TB's cap situation is going to get messy. I'd offer a 1st + a player. What that player is I have no guess what TB would want in return. Prospect or current player?
- jzabawaj

Drouin redacted his trade request. Even when it was out there, his price was high. His price is undoubtedly higher now. Liam Neeson wishes you good luck.

I'd do two firsts...
- Cup Crazy '07

Yeah, isn't it 4 first for a $7mil RFA offer?

Ya lets over pay some guys for far too long to be top 6 guys that won't be top 6 guys in 2yrs and oh yeah fvck expansion and their protect list.
- dadeadhead

Everyone is way to concerned about losing ONE player in expansion. It will be a non core player that makes very little. How many big time players can Vegas even take. They have a cap also.

Brian Compton ‏@BComptonNHL 3m3 minutes ago
Andrew Ladd is here. #Isles

There for PHI seems fitting.

http://www.tsn.ca/the-dua...r-sheet-strategy-1.518357

This is a good read on the option of offer sheets, which sadly never happens.
But I am all for calling up TB and asking about the availability of these guys, namely Kucherov. If Yzerman is unwilling to talk about a trade for rights, or a sign and trade, I would use the completely legal offer sheet tactic

I'd make a call to see if Drouin is available. I know he had a big playoff, but TB's cap situation is going to get messy. I'd offer a 1st + a player. What that player is I have no guess what TB would want in return. Prospect or current player?
- jzabawaj

It seems like the Stamkos deal and Kucherov needing a contract is going to make someone in Tampa available. Drouin would be good and fits the mold. How bout Tyler Johnson?

I didn't say anything about over paying for a free agent. I would rather make a trade with one of the teams in cap hell. For example the Chicago Carolina trade.
- Carubba-Kaleta

That time has come and gone.

The next window for that is late July-mid August.

Yeah, isn't it 4 first for a $7mil RFA offer?
- Phatjohnsn

Nope it's 2 firsts a second and third. Anything over 9.25 million is four firsts.

Vesey signing, and being what we hope he is would be a turning point in Buffalo being desirable to free agents, and a contender IMO. McGinn would be a GOOD signing.

I am also kind of in this company as well.

however... Maybe the Vesey's take a yearly trip to somewhere for 4th of July every year and they will just get the paperwork signed when they get back.

I don't know.
- JVince11

I won't feel good if we get through tomorrow without a deal. Frankly, I feel like if he's signing he should be the first off the board.

Everyone is way to concerned about losing ONE player in expansion. It will be a non core player that makes very little. How many big time players can Vegas even take. They have a cap also.
- Carubba-Kaleta

Well they are starting at ZERO.

That time has come and gone.

The next window for that is late July-mid August.
- dadeadhead

How so free agency hasn't even opened guy. A team will put themselves in cap jail by signing players.

IMO Ben Bishop and one of Carle/Harrison will be moved.

Stevie Y will use the Chicago model.

Stamkos, Kucherov, and Headman are going nowhere.
- dadeadhead

The will be OK this year, but next year they are in trouble. Tyler Johnson, Hedman, Drouin all due bit time raises. Even losing Bishop and Carle, they simply can't do it without losing key pieces.

Keep in mind, the Chicago model saw them losing Saad, Byfuglien, Shaw, etc.

Yeah, isn't it 4 first for a $7mil RFA offer?
- Phatjohnsn

Yeah. I'd do 2 without even blinking...

The will be OK this year, but next year they are in trouble. Tyler Johnson, Hedman, Drouin all due bit time raises. Even losing Bishop and Carle, they simply can't do it without losing key pieces.

Keep in mind, the Chicago model saw them losing Saad, Byfuglien, Shaw, etc.
- bmhumby

Trade compliments to keep elites. It's not a terrible model.

Nope it's 2 firsts a second and third. Anything over 9.25 million is four firsts.
- Carubba-Kaleta

So if you're Yzerman and I call and offer a 1st and a 2nd for Kuch's rights... Does that even get the convo started?

How so free agency hasn't even opened guy. A team will put themselves in cap jail by signing players.
- Carubba-Kaleta

Teams can go 10% over the cap.

It seems like the Stamkos deal and Kucherov needing a contract is going to make someone in Tampa available. Drouin would be good and fits the mold. How bout Tyler Johnson?
- Hatboro_Swords

Why wouldn't they just unload Filppula or buyout one of those overpriced DMen?

Not get rid of your most promising pieces

So if you're Yzerman and I call and offer a 1st and a 2nd for Kuch's rights... Does that even get the convo started?
- Phatjohnsn

I doubt TB trades anyone this offseason. I'm sure they feel all of these pieces are necessary for a cup run now. Next year will likely be a different story.

Vesey signing, and being what we hope he is would be a turning point in Buffalo being desirable to free agents, and a contender IMO. McGinn would be a GOOD signing.
- Paulfromny

Not one for retreads.....I would be looking at Ladd and Boedker on 4 year deals although Ladd is on the decline. Would also be interested in Backes if he would take a 2-3 year deal.

Have a feeling guys are going to get crazy deals tomorrow.

So if you're Yzerman and I call and offer a 1st and a 2nd for Kuch's rights... Does that even get the convo started?
- Phatjohnsn

Nope.

Their big 3 are

Stamkos(signed)
Kucherov
Hedman

You will see other parts moved (like Chicago) for picks and plug in players. Also you will start to see those aging yet still good UFA vets sign on the cheap to go there.

Vesey signing, and being what we hope he is would be a turning point in Buffalo being desirable to free agents, and a contender IMO. McGinn would be a GOOD signing.
- Paulfromny

I would rather sign Stempniak to a 2 year deal than sign McGinn to a 4 year deal

Teams can go 10% over the cap.
- dadeadhead

Ya only for a certain amount of time. Then they make a trade.

I would rather sign Stempniak to a 2 year deal than sign McGinn to a 4 year deal
- Stripes77

Stempniak at 1 year 2 mil.

IMO you are going to see vets like him take 1 yr deals for more cash.

Teams will offer this to make the expansion draft protect list easy as a player must have term left.