im not saying let him walk, and im not saying trade him, im just thinking that the top priority at this point will be Hughes and Petey next summer. Whatever happens over the summer, they must be kept in mind during all negotiations with any other players. Im thinking that Markstrom DOES get re-signed to a semi reasonable cap hit, and Benning tries to sign all players to either cheap longer term contracts (Jake and Leivo come to mind for those), and a bunch of cheaper "show me" (1 year) contracts for players like MacEwen, Goldobin, Bailey, Gaudette). I dont know what he does with Stecher/Tanev. - Codes1087
im not saying let him walk, and im not saying trade him, im just thinking that the top priority at this point will be Hughes and Petey next summer. Whatever happens over the summer, they must be kept in mind during all negotiations with any other players. Im thinking that Markstrom DOES get re-signed to a semi reasonable cap hit, and Benning tries to sign all players to either cheap longer term contracts (Jake and Leivo come to mind for those), and a bunch of cheaper "show me" (1 year) contracts for players like MacEwen, Goldobin, Bailey, Gaudette). I dont know what he does with Stecher/Tanev. - Codes1087
For sure, Petey and Hughes have to be the top priority, but again their extensions come into play after next year, when close to 20 mil will be coming off the books.
I see a good chunk of Schallers money being used on JV, Gaudette is a tough one to call on how much they will have to pay him.
It probably makes sense to walk away from Stecher this summer if he asks for anything over 2 mil, he's not really needed at that kind of hit anymore, especially if you resign Tanev(which I think they will, he's been great this year)
You have to have a big contingency for next summer, as Hughes and Petey wont come cheap, at all.
UFA's they will look to re-sign are probably:
Virtanen, Gaudette, MacEwen, Bailey (given what he has shown), Tanev, Stecher, Brisebois, Markstrom, Leivo,.
Maybe's: Fantenburg, Motte, Graovac
Gone: Schaller
that 19 million isn't very much when you should probably allow yourself, at minimum, 12 million in open space next summer to sign Quinn and Petey. (just guessing to the figure) - Codes1087
Guys like MacEwen and Bailey will get minimal raises, so not a pressing issue with them. Fantenberg, Leivo, Motte.. those guys you can replace with guys from Utica, as we are seeing now. I also think it would be easiest to ship off Sutter (4.375) to a team needing some depth C, even if you have to retain 1 mill.
Edler will retire and someone will be picked by Seattle. It will be interesting to see who they resign, and who they let walk, as there are going to have to be some decisions made. That year is also when the cap could see a significant bump with the TV deal, and Loui becomes easier to offload as he's on his last year... or goes down with some LTIR disease.
It's going to be tricky with a lot of moving parts, but I do believe the organization has a ton of contingencies in place to make everything slide into place.
True, Edler/Sutter/Pearson/Benn will all be gone. I think what Don is trying to say though, is that you aren't locking up a bunch of expiring contracts on cheaper 1 year deals than what they were making prior. - Codes1087
Baerschi as well. Also LE will only be owed 1m and carry a 6m cap hit. Some teams will see value in that and he can be dumped a lot cheaper than some people think. Marleau was owed good money at the time he was traded, and it was a trade that was a guaranteed buyout as well. That is why he cost so much.
I think Benning likes him and wants him in the organization. I would be trading him for any pick that a team is willing to pay for him, but thats just me. I think Benning will try and keep him.
Guys like MacEwen and Bailey will get minimal raises, so not a pressing issue with them. Fantenberg, Leivo, Motte.. those guys you can replace with guys from Utica, as we are seeing now. I also think it would be easiest to ship off Sutter (4.375) to a team needing some depth C, even if you have to retain 1 mill.
Edler will retire and someone will be picked by Seattle. It will be interesting to see who they resign, and who they let walk, as there are going to have to be some decisions made. That year is also when the cap could see a significant bump with the TV deal, and Loui becomes easier to offload as he's on his last year... or goes down with some LTIR disease.
It's going to be tricky with a lot of moving parts, but I do believe the organization has a ton of contingencies in place to make everything slide into place. - NewYorkNuck
Baertschis contract and the Spooner buyout are also done after next year.
Baerschi as well. Also LE will only be owed 1m and carry a 6m cap hit. Some teams will see value in that and he can be dumped a lot cheaper than some people think. Marleau was owed good money at the time he was traded, and it was a trade that was a guaranteed buyout as well. That is why he cost so much. - Retinalz
there is a reason im a couch GM and not a actual GM, but I would be looking at trading one or two of: Benn/Stecher/Tanev/Fantenburg and bringing up Rafferty + Brisebois/Sautner.
There are obviously going to be players who are walking in the summer, and I would rather get something for them than let them go for free.
I think he's pretty bang on. Virt put up 10g/10a before he signed a 1.25 contract. Gaudette is at 10g/17a for the year so far, so probably signing for 1.5 or so.
Virt is about 20g/20a this year, so Brooks' comparables are pretty bang on for about 3.5.
That can absolutely fit under the cap, and they will resign him. Aren't you the one who's been poopting on Demko for months now? The team finally has a solid starting goaltender who wants to play here and you want to ditch him because he's (theoretically) asking for a reasonable amount of money based on the quality of his play.
You're the one taking bath salts on this one. - NorthNuck