How can we afford Cernak? Bolts won't take a cap dump, and we would need to clear probably at least 4.5m to sign him.
- Retinalz

It would probably start with one of Pod, Hog and a first.

It would probably start with Pod or Hog and a first.
- VanHockeyGuy

Cernak isn't worth more then Miller. We could easily OS him for a 2nd and they can't match it without paying heavily to get under cap. And if they did, say good by to Sergachev and Cireli. I would wager a crap ton that TB would rather keep Sergachev than Cernak.

How can we afford Cernak? Bolts won't take a cap dump, and we would need to clear probably at least 4.5m to sign him.
- Retinalz

Cernak isn't worth more then Miller. We could easily OS him for a 2nd and they can't match it without paying heavily to get under cap. And if they did, say good by to Sergachev and Cireli. I would wager a crap ton that TB would rather keep Sergachev than Cernak.
- Retinalz

Yes unless cap space is more valued which it might very well be given their position.

Cernak isn't worth more then Miller. We could easily OS him for a 2nd and they can't match it without paying heavily to get under cap. And if they did, say good by to Sergachev and Cireli. I would wager a crap ton that TB would rather keep Sergachev than Cernak.
- Retinalz

There's a premium on young D and JB isn't shy about throwing assets at someone he likes.

There's a premium on young D and JB isn't shy about throwing assets at someone he likes.
- VanHockeyGuy

You're right, but these last couple years have proven that he is not incompetent. He knows the pickle TB is in and if he went after Cernak, he wouldn't be paying our 1st or one of our top 2 prospects. If we can clear the cap for Cernak, he is definitely our best option. Benn and Sven could probably both be dumped fairly cheap, retain a bit on Sven to make it work as well.

It would probably start with one of Pod, Hog and a first.
- VanHockeyGuy

Wasn't the same thing said about Schmidt.

Wasn't the same thing said about Schmidt.
- Makita

You're right, but these last couple years have proven that he is not incompetent. He knows the pickle TB is in and if he went after Cernak, he wouldn't be paying our 1st or one of our top 2 prospects. If we can clear the cap for Cernak, he is definitely our best option. Benn and Sven could probably both be dumped fairly cheap, retain a bit on Sven to make it work as well.
- Retinalz

Cernak would be a nice fit on this team.

- VanHockeyGuy

It was a real question but glad it amused you, we need more laughter and happiness in the world..

Wasn't the same thing said about Schmidt.
- Makita

It was stated that he wouldn't be traded to a divisional rival.
The salary cap is never an issue.

Tanev is a defensive beast, offensively he is absolutely terrible. He would probably stay healthy/we would get shot on less if he knew how to pinch(an issue I have had with him for years). I am glad I no longer need to watch as he starts skating back instead of trying to keep the play alive with a board battle. Especially when he could easily be first to the puck, but decides to turn tail and prepare to defend.
Tanev was great for us, provided a steady partner for Hughes, but 4 years is too long and we upgraded with Schmidt.

EDIT: So to say Tanev was the most intelligent is completely wrong. The guy only knew defense and was always an offensive liability.
- Retinalz

Now that he’s got some back checking forwards on his team, his game will evolve.

You're right, but these last couple years have proven that he is not incompetent. He knows the pickle TB is in and if he went after Cernak, he wouldn't be paying our 1st or one of our top 2 prospects. If we can clear the cap for Cernak, he is definitely our best option. Benn and Sven could probably both be dumped fairly cheap, retain a bit on Sven to make it work as well.
- Retinalz

If an offer sheet would be a 2nd, I would assume it would take just a slight bit more for them to trade him. A 2nd plus a prospect (Raffert/Rathbone/Juolevi/Lind/whoever from that tier)

I wonder what would happen if 3 GMs got together and all schemed to offer sheet Cereli, Cernak, and Sergachev on the same day. What the hell would Tampa do?

It was a real question but glad it amused you, we need more laughter and happiness in the world..
- Makita

Kelly McCrimmon reached out to JB after Tavev & Stecher walked, needing to dump Schmidt for the Pietrangelo deal. Even a fool get's lucky once in awhile.

If an offer sheet would be a 2nd, I would assume it would take just a slight bit more for them to trade him. A 2nd plus a prospect (Raffert/Rathbone/Juolevi/Lind/whoever from that tier)

I wonder what would happen if 3 GMs got together and all schemed to offer sheet Cereli, Cernak, and Sergachev on the same day. What the hell would Tampa do?
- NewYorkNuck

Do you really think Benning would do an offer sheet, let alone threaten one?

TB is in a real pickle. Which domino 1st?

As much as I enjoy taking the piss out of JB, I'd be over the moon if that idiot could land Cernak.

Do you really think Benning would do an offer sheet, let alone threaten one?
- VanHockeyGuy

No, but I don't think there are many GMs in the league that would – hence why no one is offer sheeting Tampa. Or offer sheeting at all recently. Not only a JB thing, but a league feeling.

And I was just saying 3 GMs, not our GM plus another two

Hockeu IQ is the most subjective argument in hockey, i believe the most useless..
If you believe in Hockey IQ, then we just let the most intelligent player sign with Calgary...Tanev.
Now if you are talking skill, Hoglander will be a super duper star and Hughes will own the Norris for a decade.
- Reubenkincade

Pettersson has the highest hockey IQ on the team, followed by Hughes. Don't know how anyone could argue otherwise.

Pettersson has the highest hockey IQ on the team, followed by Hughes. Don't know how anyone could argue otherwise.
- NorthNuck

JB has the highest IQ on the team.

No, but I don't think there are many GMs in the league that would – hence why no one is offer sheeting Tampa. Or offer sheeting at all recently. Not only a JB thing, but a league feeling.

And I was just saying 3 GMs, not our GM plus another two
- NewYorkNuck

There is no rush for an OS which so much up in the air. TB is in a big bind whether or not now or later. Nobody is lining up to take on cap.

There is no rush for an OS which so much up in the air. TB is in a big bind whether or not now or later. Nobody is lining up to take on cap.
- Nighthawk

Agree, but if you can land Cernak at a reasonable price, act now.

There is no rush for an OS which so much up in the air. TB is in a big bind whether or not now or later. Nobody is lining up to take on cap.
- Nighthawk

Maybe. Or, there is a rush for an OS with so much up in there air: no one knows what's going on, so they're less likely to make moves, so sending an OS to Tampa puts them in an even bigger bind.

If an offer sheet would be a 2nd, I would assume it would take just a slight bit more for them to trade him. A 2nd plus a prospect (Raffert/Rathbone/Juolevi/Lind/whoever from that tier)

I wonder what would happen if 3 GMs got together and all schemed to offer sheet Cereli, Cernak, and Sergachev on the same day. What the hell would Tampa do?
- NewYorkNuck

Offer sheets aren’t a thing

Offer sheets aren’t a thing
- CanuckDon

Then a GM isn’t doing his job if he ignores an opportunity that helps his team.