What Wilson needs to realize is 3 million is the new 1 million

If a guy has a modicum of a skillset, experience and some intangibles outside of a fancy stat bar graph, he's getting 3 million

Losers, unproven youth (AHL RFA's), ELCs, and guys who are hanging on (regular healthy scratch) are the guys who get the 1 million dollar throwaway contracts now

Also, the fact you can't get over how there is literally no downside to the Cullen contract is baffling, especially given how FLAT OUT WRONG you were about it the first time around
- RoloTahmasee

Which first time? The first time in 2015 when RW loved the signing?

I understand what you are trying to say, but some of your examples are just wrong.

Bolland was huge contributor in one of the cup wins. He had 16 points in 22 games. What made his contract ridiculous wasn't because they overpaid because of his cup wins, but because when the panthers gave him the contract he was already a walking band-aid.

Ron Hainsey is making 3 million to play in the top 4 for the leafs, plays in all situations, and the improvement that Rielly had with him was also great. He also was 2nd in ice time on the pens during their cup run. It's laughable to say he isn't providing value, or that his contribution was minimal.

Yeah I would agree, but wouldn’t you put Hayes and Brass in relatively the same category? If one could get it can’t the other?
- kfinl170

To an extent, but Hayes is 4 years younger and is a UFA, whereas Brassard has 1 more year left. I think they'd like to get Hayes and lock him up through his prime.

I still don't think either is worth DeBrusk straight-up.

Dumb is to judge the player from a 1 year sample in Minnesota. I respect the player and hope he gets a roster spot anyway.
- Barnaby36

He was already breaking down the second half of his second year here. Its a traceable and predictable decline for literally the oldest player in the league. Once you reach a certain age, its not smart to say "He was good 3 years ago, so he'll be good now."

He was already breaking down the second half of his second year here. Its a traceable and predictable decline for literally the oldest player in the league. Once you reach a certain age, its not smart to say "He was good 3 years ago, so he'll be good now."
- Victoro311

#Jagr-pre2016

He was already breaking down the second half of his second year here. Its a traceable and predictable decline for literally the oldest player in the league. Once you reach a certain age, its not smart to say "He was good 3 years ago, so he'll be good now."
- Victoro311

^^Yep.

Look at the 3 year decline, not the one year in Minny.

Trade Kessel!!!!

Guentzel
Hornqvist
Rust
Kessel
Sprong
Hagelin

Throw in the possibility of ZAR, Simon, and maybe Brassard playing wing and......

We need Wingers?
- RoloTahmasee

Absolutely excellent write up.

Trade Kessel!!!!
- Street00

- j.boyd919

Because if we trade all of the ones for more of the other the ones, we will be more better because the current the ones we have aren't as good as the other the ones.

I thought Matt Cullen looked rather strong in the playoffs and Minny relied on him more than normal. The season obviously wasn't great... but the former is always more important.

If the Pens can keep him at 50 games or so and not wear him down I think he'll be fine for playoffs, lets be honest he is a very reliable guy to have as a replacement. No issues with having centre depth as the cost will be a premium if you need it later.

Quotes not working...

jmachett: If GMJR could get DeBrusk straight up for Brassard, he wins life.

Could not agree more on this. Hell if he can make this trade work I would personally drive him to the airport!

I find it hilarious RW said the Canucks are one of the worst run teams... its pretty easy to pick on a team in a down year. They are developing some young pieces, Benning is very good at identifying young talent. He does often sign free agents for higher than normal, but that can also be due to the willingness to go to Vancouver. Beagle may be overpriced but there are no guarantees Gaudette or Petersson flourish this year. I would take Beagle at 3 over Rowney at 1.1, at least one player is worthy of the NHL.

I find it hilarious RW said the Canucks are one of the worst run teams... its pretty easy to pick on a team in a down year. They are developing some young pieces, Benning is very good at identifying young talent. He does often sign free agents for higher than normal, but that can also be due to the willingness to go to Vancouver. Beagle may be overpriced but there are no guarantees Gaudette or Petersson flourish this year. I would take Beagle at 3 over Rowney at 1.1, at least one player is worthy of the NHL.
- nelson911

Wait wait wait. You are defending Benning?

I find it hilarious RW said the Canucks are one of the worst run teams... its pretty easy to pick on a team in a down year. They are developing some young pieces, Benning is very good at identifying young talent. He does often sign free agents for higher than normal, but that can also be due to the willingness to go to Vancouver. Beagle may be overpriced but there are no guarantees Gaudette or Petersson flourish this year. I would take Beagle at 3 over Rowney at 1.1, at least one player is worthy of the NHL.
- nelson911

I gotta say... Rowney getting a 3 year deal at 1mil is possibly the worst/strangest contract given out this summer.

I gotta say... Rowney getting a 3 year deal at 1mil is possibly the worst/strangest contract given out this summer.
- madmike71

Reaves is worst imo

The Stanley Cup tax is alive and well. This is when general managers fawn over players who happened to be on a Stanley Cup winning roster. They don’t take into consideration that their contributions were minimal and that a bevy of players could have done the same thing if put in the same situation. Sometimes it is the team they won with that gives the extension and other times these players leave because other general managers want some of that sparkly Stanley Cup glitter dust in their locker room.

Some examples are extreme like when Dave Bolland signs for five years and 25M based on his Chicago sample. Bryan Bickell is another example from Chicago who earned a 4M AAV. It cost Chicago Teuvo Teravainen to unload the Bickell contract.
- Ryan_Wilson

Except Bryan Bickell was amazing in his Stanley Cup run. He should have won the Conn Smythe trophy that year. His play suffered because he started suffering from symptoms of MS, not because he was a bad player.

Bolland and Bickell don't belong in the same paragraph.

Except Bryan Bickell was amazing in his Stanley Cup run. He should have won the Conn Smythe trophy that year. His play suffered because he started suffering from symptoms of MS, not because he was a bad player.

Bolland and Bickell don't belong in the same paragraph.
- tkecanuck341

- Feds91Stammer

John Jaeckel and I used to have this conversation on his blog before he left. He agreed with me that the Conn Smythe for their first two wins should have gone to Byfuglien and Bickell, respectively, rather than Kane and Toews. They finally got it right with Justin Williams on the Kings in 2014.

Reaves is worst imo
- Feds91Stammer

John Jaeckel and I used to have this conversation on his blog before he left. He agreed with me that the Conn Smythe for their first two wins should have gone to Byfuglien and Bickell, respectively, rather than Kane and Toews. They finally got it right with Justin Williams on the Kings in 2014.
- tkecanuck341

Toews won the first time,Kane won the second time. Just saying.

John Jaeckel and I used to have this conversation on his blog before he left. He agreed with me that the Conn Smythe for their first two wins should have gone to Byfuglien and Bickell, respectively, rather than Kane and Toews. They finally got it right with Justin Williams on the Kings in 2014.
- tkecanuck341

nah

Toews won the first time,Kane won the second time. Just saying.
- jmatchett383

I didn't say respectively after the actual winners. Just saying.

- jmatchett383

Rowneys deal is at least mostly buriable.