Hope Fletcher has some creative ideas. Niskanen and overpaying Hayes doesn't move the needle, nor does it make this team a contender.

Pierre LeBrun
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@PierreVLeBrun
15m15 minutes ago
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Further to @TSNBobMcKenzie's report on Erik Karlsson, I'm told the deal is indeed done: 8 years max deal, north of $11 million per season... the Sharks with a huge move in keeping the superstar D from hitting the market.

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- JW98FlyerFan

Gardiner going to get paid.

San jose has Burns at 8 per, Vlasic at 7 per and ow Karlsson at 11.

All with multiple years and over 30.
- J35Bacher

Even Couture is 30 now.

But it's too late for them to turn back now. They'll be a lottery team in 3-4 years no matter what, basically. Gotta make the most of what little window they have left.

San jose has Burns at 8 per, Vlasic at 7 per and ow Karlsson at 11.

All with multiple years and over 30.
- J35Bacher

Right now, using $83M as the upper limit, they have $13M in cap space with 7 forwards signed. They have the following mentionable forwards unsigned:

Pavelski
Labanc (RFA)
Donskoi
Thornton
Nyquist
Meier (RFA)

Unless they make some serious moves, I don't see how Pavelski and Thornton come back unless they take big-time discounts.

Different sport but the Raptors took the risk and it worked out.


I think the price drops a little and you see a 1st rounder and youngish cheap roster player.
- J35Bacher

I don’t follow the NBA too much but the trades and deals in that league make my head spin!

Right now, using $83M as the upper limit, they have $13M in cap space with 7 forwards signed. They have the following mentionable forwards unsigned:

Pavelski
Labanc (RFA)
Donskoi
Thornton
Nyquist
Meier (RFA)

Unless they make some serious moves, I don't see how Pavelski and Thornton come back unless they take big-time discounts.
- jmatchett383

Donskoi is testing the market i read. Actually like him as an underrated guy.

I know we keep saying that we don't want to lose this player or that player, but at a certain point, we have to start shedding some salary. AMac move was purely for cap relief. Tells me that Fletch is preparing to make more moves. If his "Plan A" starts to fall into place we might get right back up to the cap ceiling quickly. Still have our RFAs to sign. Hayes (2C), Trouba (RHD), winger, goalie, etc...

Pierre LeBrun
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Verified account

@PierreVLeBrun
15m15 minutes ago
More
Further to @TSNBobMcKenzie's report on Erik Karlsson, I'm told the deal is indeed done: 8 years max deal, north of $11 million per season... the Sharks with a huge move in keeping the superstar D from hitting the market.

81 replies 351 retweets 547 likes
Reply 81 Retweet 351 Like 547
- JW98FlyerFan

Good Lord that term is insane

I know we keep saying that we don't want to lose this player or that player, but at a certain point, we have to start shedding some salary. AMac move was purely for cap relief. Tells me that Fletch is preparing to make more moves. If his "Plan A" starts to fall into place we might get right back up to the cap ceiling quickly. Still have our RFAs to sign. Hayes (2C), Trouba (RHD), winger, goalie, etc...
- cdearth23

I think part (not all) of the AMac buyout was doing him a solid. He knows h'es like 8th on the depth chart and was destined for the AHL, and the dude's been a trooper through it all. Buys us cap relief for this year with a small hit next year and lets him try to find an NHL job.

Donskoi is testing the market i read. Actually like him as an underrated guy.
- J35Bacher

I would be down with that.

I'd argue that he WAS one of them. Not sure he still is.

Definitely worth more than Toews, though.
- jmatchett383

He's still a dominant possession player, even being injured and 'struggling' and all. Think he'll probably last as long as Lidstrom, Schneider, and Rafalski did.

Speaking of Toews, Captain Overrated just got taken 1st-overall in one of those stupid NHL.com redrafts. G was taken #3.

I know we keep saying that we don't want to lose this player or that player, but at a certain point, we have to start shedding some salary. AMac move was purely for cap relief. Tells me that Fletch is preparing to make more moves. If his "Plan A" starts to fall into place we might get right back up to the cap ceiling quickly. Still have our RFAs to sign. Hayes (2C), Trouba (RHD), winger, goalie, etc...
- cdearth23

After Niskanen I don't think they are really in on Trouba as much. Now i think the focus is on Hayes and if not Hayes plan B maybe Kadri or even possibly Anders Lee.

4.5M for the next 4 years looks pretty amazing right now for Ghost...

He's still a dominant possession player, even being injured and 'struggling' and all. Think he'll probably last as long as Lidstrom, Schneider, and Rafalski did.

Speaking of Toews, Captain Overrated just got taken 1st-overall in one of those stupid NHL.com redrafts. G was taken #3.
- Tomahawk

He's still a really good player, I just don't know if he's "elite" anymore...but I only watched a handful of their games this year.

If you take his first few years and championship resume, I'd take Toews...but if you're talking individual career, I don't know how you take him over Giroux.

4.5M for the next 4 years looks pretty amazing right now for Ghost...
- JW98FlyerFan

Agreed.

Let's trade him ASAP when his trade value is lowest.

4.5M for the next 4 years looks pretty amazing right now for Ghost...
- JW98FlyerFan

Yep...

Well the sharks are actually willing to spend money to bring in quality players what is fletch going to do

4.5M for the next 4 years looks pretty amazing right now for Ghost...
- JW98FlyerFan

Thinking ghost is in the same class as ek is insane

Hope Fletcher has some creative ideas. Niskanen and overpaying Hayes doesn't move the needle, nor does it make this team a contender.
- PLindbergh31

Both those players add depth and fill perceived holes in the line up. Having a competent 2ndC that is a good PKer takes a ton of hard minutes and pressure of of Couts and Giroux, and allows Patrick to develop into his role.

Niskanen is going to play with Provy, which will hopefully help Provy and allow Sanheim to thrive getting 2nd pair minutes rather then hold his own or struggle a bit against top lines.

Getting guys into better spots vs their competition helps a lot, and taking away some hard PK minutes from G and Couts is also invaluable in a long season.

Having an above average PK and a full season of Hart in goal would have been the difference in getting in the playoffs in all likelihood last year.
Adding Niskanen and Hayes and a full season of Hart should fix the PK this year.
It’s a league where little moves can be the difference in making the playoffs so it moves the needle is a positive direction. Neither makes them Cup contenders but there isn’t a trade or UFA signing out there that can do that either.

Both those players add depth and fill perceived holes in the line up. Having a competent 2ndC that is a good PKer takes a ton of hard minutes and pressure of of Couts and Giroux, and allows Patrick to develop into his role.

Niskanen is going to play with Provy, which will hopefully help Provy and allow Sanheim to thrive getting 2nd pair minutes rather then hold his own or struggle a bit against top lines.

Getting guys into better spots vs their competition helps a lot, and taking away some hard PK minutes from G and Couts is also invaluable in a long season.

It’s a league where little moves can be the difference in making the playoffs so it moves the needle is a positive direction. Neither makes them Cup contenders but there isn’t a trade or UFA signing out there that can do that either.
- Marc D

I don't think acquiring Justin Williams moved the needle for the Canes but it was a move that had very good positive effects.

I think part (not all) of the AMac buyout was doing him a solid. He knows h'es like 8th on the depth chart and was destined for the AHL, and the dude's been a trooper through it all. Buys us cap relief for this year with a small hit next year and lets him try to find an NHL job.
- jmatchett383

I wonder if he'll get a shot with another team or go overseas.

After Niskanen I don't think they are really in on Trouba as much. Now i think the focus is on Hayes and if not Hayes plan B maybe Kadri or even possibly Anders Lee.
- J35Bacher

I know he was part of that horrible rumor with Shaw for Ghost but I'm intrigued by Paul Byron. Can flat out fly and when he played a full season he scored 20 goals (twice). Habs are said to be looking at young D and willing to part with pieces.

Not sure that Byron is the 2C answer, but the 3rd line wing and PK, sure. What would we be willing to part with? Hagg? Freidman?

Not sure what else Habs have to make it a larger deal.

I wonder if he'll get a shot with another team or go overseas.
- Hextall271

I could see a team like maybe Ottawa or Arizona grabbing him on the cheap for that "veteran experience" that he has.

I know he was part of that horrible rumor with Shaw for Ghost but I'm intrigued by Paul Byron. Can flat out fly and when he played a full season he scored 20 goals (twice). Habs are said to be looking at young D and willing to part with pieces.

Not sure that Byron is the 2C answer, but the 3rd line wing and PK, sure. What would we be willing to part with? Hagg? Freidman?

Not sure what else Habs have to make it a larger deal.
- cdearth23

Hope Fletcher has some creative ideas. Niskanen and overpaying Hayes doesn't move the needle, nor does it make this team a contender.
- PLindbergh31

They where not considered a contender in 2010 either! According to you and some other fly experts. I just took a deep back read of Billy’s blogs.