The goal of GMs is to win the Cup. Giving up Brandon Sutter, a #8 and a 2nd round D prospect is a high price to pay to have Staal on the team for one extra year. Like I said in a previous post, it's a rent-to-own situation. If I was a 'Canes fan I'd be pissed.
- 1979AD

Watch Eric Staal getting back to elite status and the Canes getting back in the playoffs, Canes fans will be very happy with the trade.

As for the bolded, you're missing the point.

Will Jared play in the NHL at some point?

Will Jared play in the NHL at some point?
- deadpoulet

Granted, he's done a great job slimming down, but I'm just not sure he has the stickhandling skills and top end speed needed for the big leagues.

Will Jared play in the NHL at some point?
- deadpoulet

No. He doesn't have the skills of either brother who plays forward and he lacks the Staal work ethic. I know that after his Wolves career was done, while still with Phoenix, he was sent for a 6 week stint to prove he was worth signing. He was dealt to Carolina during this stint.

Couple quick comments:

1) On waiting. Canes would have been in a good position next summer, but a couple things: What if the Rangers wanted in? Or what if he wins another cup in Pit and has a change of heart? Or...?

Take a look at the last 10 years of #8 picks. You get a Braydon Coburn (in a very very deep draft year), Devin Setoguchi, Peter Mueller and very few NHL games played other than that (realizing that things are still early for Couturier who looks promising). That far down starts to become a bit of a dice roll.

2) On Gaustad. Canes needs right now are a 3rd line center to replace Sutter and a top 4 dman. Due to budget, my best guess is that they spend reasonably (think $3-3.5M to keep Bryan Allen not enough to bid on Suter) to fill the D and are forced to go cheap at center (think $1-1.5M for Dominic more not >$2.5M for Gaustad). Such is the life of a small market team on a less than salary cap budget.

The idea of a Staal-Staal-Goose game down the middle makes for great TV though!

I will go through the numbers in detail in the next week or so, but right now the Canes sit about $1.6M below last year's opening day budget. If you allow $3.5M for a real dman and about $1.2M for a checking line center, they enter the season plus $2M from last year. This is probably near the limit at least for commitments past next year. Next year, the Canes have a "built in" cost increases of about $2.4M from escalating contracts plus JStaal's increase (from $4.5M this year) plus Skinner's new RFA deal (from $1.4M this year). I think Rutherford could get more for 12-13 ONLY budget to try to win, but that is hard to come by with UFAs and better spent at the trade deadline when rentals are available via trade.

Watch Eric Staal getting back to elite status and the Canes getting back in the playoffs, Canes fans will be very happy with the trade.

As for the bolded, you're missing the point.
- oniremosewa

If I were a Canes fan, I'd be much happier with status quo this year, and then going into the following year with Brandon Sutter, Jordan Staal, and a top 10 pick prospect.

Who's playing 2nd line C on this year's playoff team?

If I were a Canes fan, I'd be much happier with status quo this year, and then going into the following year with Brandon Sutter, Jordan Staal, and a top 10 pick prospect.

Who's playing 2nd line C on this year's playoff team?
- 1979AD

We've covered this in the thread already. Eric, Jordan, Tuomo, Jussi, and Skinner all play center. We are covered perfectly fine.

We also covered why we think the deal worked out fine.

I can only assume you are a troll at this point.

We've covered this in the thread already. Eric, Jordan, Tuomo, Jussi, and Skinner all play center. We are covered perfectly fine.

We also covered why we think the deal worked out fine.

I can only assume you are a troll at this point.
- T_Cane0

Nope, he's clearly Tony Fernandez.

If I were a Canes fan, I'd be much happier with status quo this year, and then going into the following year with Brandon Sutter, Jordan Staal, and a top 10 pick prospect.

Who's playing 2nd line C on this year's playoff team?
- 1979AD

.......... Jordan Staal...........

.......... Jordan Staal...........
- FinAddict

He's expected to centre the first line with Eric at RW.

We've covered this in the thread already. Eric, Jordan, Tuomo, Jussi, and Skinner all play center. We are covered perfectly fine.

We also covered why we think the deal worked out fine.

I can only assume you are a troll at this point.
- T_Cane0

Anyone with a different opinion can only be assumed as a troll, huh? I'm simply looking for the reasoning behind paying such a big price for a player who's coming for free in one more year anyway. I didn't find anything adequate, so I tried digging a little deeper - still nothing. The best I could come up with is that this will help their chances of making the playoffs this year and thus stopping the franchise from moving because the fanbase isn't smart enough to realize they could suck for one more year and have Staal AND everything they gave up for him the following year. There, I have my answer, so I'll stop expressing an opinion different from the groupthink, or trolling, as you put it.

Anyone with a different opinion can only be assumed as a troll, huh? I'm simply looking for the reasoning behind paying such a big price for a player who's coming for free in one more year anyway. I didn't find anything adequate, so I tried digging a little deeper - still nothing. The best I could come up with is that this will help their chances of making the playoffs this year and thus stopping the franchise from moving because the fanbase isn't smart enough to realize they could suck for one more year and have Staal AND everything they gave up for him the following year. There, I have my answer, so I'll stop expressing an opinion different from the groupthink, or trolling, as you put it.
- 1979AD

The obvious answer is you can never take for granted time. You can never assume that something will happen, particularily in the sporting world, because more often than not, it doesn't.

If you have a chance to get a player you want and who wants to be there, you make the deal. Every time. If Rutherford sat on his hands for a year and the rangers (Marc Staal) came along and said that they'd add another 1.5 mill per year to a now UFA Jordan, and he accepted, then Rutherford failed as a GM, absolutely.

Guys like Jordan Staal don't come along often. He's a character guy with more verastility than 99% of the players in the league and he's set up to explode offensively. If Jordan doesn't sign on long term with the Canes, I'd say Rutherford screwed up, but I'm confident he's there for the duration because of all the details leading up to this move.

The obvious answer is you can never take for granted time. You can never assume that something will happen, particularily in the sporting world, because more often than not, it doesn't.

If you have a chance to get a player you want and who wants to be there, you make the deal. Every time. If Rutherford sat on his hands for a year and the rangers (Marc Staal) came along and said that they'd add another 1.5 mill per year to a now UFA Jordan, and he accepted, then Rutherford failed as a GM, absolutely.

Guys like Jordan Staal don't come along often. He's a character guy with more verastility than 99% of the players in the league and he's set up to explode offensively. If Jordan doesn't sign on long term with the Canes, I'd say Rutherford screwed up, but I'm confident he's there for the duration because of all the details leading up to this move.
- Lohaus

Could you imagine?

"After playing the season with Eric I remembered why I was so happy when he moved out, I'm going to test the open market"

The obvious answer is you can never take for granted time. You can never assume that something will happen, particularily in the sporting world, because more often than not, it doesn't.

If you have a chance to get a player you want and who wants to be there, you make the deal. Every time. If Rutherford sat on his hands for a year and the rangers (Marc Staal) came along and said that they'd add another 1.5 mill per year to a now UFA Jordan, and he accepted, then Rutherford failed as a GM, absolutely.

Guys like Jordan Staal don't come along often. He's a character guy with more verastility than 99% of the players in the league and he's set up to explode offensively. If Jordan doesn't sign on long term with the Canes, I'd say Rutherford screwed up, but I'm confident he's there for the duration because of all the details leading up to this move.
- Lohaus

You're absolutely right about not taking anything for granted and it goes both ways. What if Eric franks Jordan's new bride at some point this year. Still think he considers CAR when he's UFA? There's another reason it's a bad trade for CAR: it's very likely he's signing with them after next season, but it's not guaranteed. That would be a very expensive price for one year of JStaal.

You're absolutely right about not taking anything for granted and it goes both ways. What if Eric franks Jordan's new bride at some point this year. Still think he considers CAR when he's UFA? There's another reason it's a bad trade for CAR: it's very likely he's signing with them after next season, but it's not guaranteed. That would be a very expensive price for one year of JStaal.
- 1979AD

If this is scenario you come up with for making the counter argument, then this is a pretty pointless debate for me to be a part of. I'll check out of here kids.

On a related note, i do look forward to seeing the Staal borthers in actions here in Ottawa this year. I've always liked them and a nice core to build a future around.
Good luck Cane-iacs...

Anyone with a different opinion can only be assumed as a troll, huh? I'm simply looking for the reasoning behind paying such a big price for a player who's coming for free in one more year anyway. I didn't find anything adequate, so I tried digging a little deeper - still nothing. The best I could come up with is that this will help their chances of making the playoffs this year and thus stopping the franchise from moving because the fanbase isn't smart enough to realize they could suck for one more year and have Staal AND everything they gave up for him the following year. There, I have my answer, so I'll stop expressing an opinion different from the groupthink, or trolling, as you put it.
- 1979AD

We told you our opinion on it. You were digging deeper to find out what? Secretly Jordan Staal is the second coming of Gordie Howe? That our Eric Staal would want out if Jordan didn't come?

Because playing a WHAT IF game isn't something you do in real life. Because we aren't so arrogant to assume everything like yourself. You are assuming Jordan would not have a change of heart next year and would sign with us. You assumed no one else would drive up his salary cost. You are assuming both the prospect and #8 pick would end up being NHL stars.

Pros:
We have a better team going forward
Jordan is an elite talent that doesn't come around often in trades
We have a chance to make the playoffs which could translate into playoff revenue
Our Captain, Eric Staal is happy and more motivated to do well
Because waiting to let him go to UFA gives other teams an opportunity to sway him with more money or his mind could change in a year. Say another stanley cup run with Pittsburgh?
Because we weren't a fan of the options at #8

Cons:
We may have paid too much if the two D prospects turn out strong.

How is that answer not adequate for you? Sure sounds like we aren't smart enough to give you an answer.

We told you our opinion on it. You were digging deeper to find out what? Secretly Jordan Staal is the second coming of Gordie Howe? That our Eric Staal would want out if Jordan didn't come?

Because playing a WHAT IF game isn't something you do in real life. Because we aren't so arrogant to assume everything like yourself. You are assuming Jordan would not have a change of heart next year and would sign with us. You assumed no one else would drive up his salary cost. You are assuming both the prospect and #8 pick would end up being NHL stars.

Pros:
We have a better team going forward
Jordan is an elite talent that doesn't come around often in trades
We have a chance to make the playoffs which could translate into playoff revenue
Our Captain, Eric Staal is happy and more motivated to do well
Because waiting to let him go to UFA gives other teams an opportunity to sway him with more money or his mind could change in a year. Say another stanley cup run with Pittsburgh?
Because we weren't a fan of the options at #8

Cons:
We may have paid too much if the two D prospects turn out strong.

How is that answer not adequate for you? Sure sounds like we aren't smart enough to give you an answer.
- T_Cane0

Thank you for the indepth reply and way too much of your valuable time spent on it. Your argument works against you. "You are assuming Jordan would not have a change of heart next year and would sign with us."

I'm not assuming anything, I'm saying damned if you do, damned if you don't. If he has a change of heart and doesn't want to sign with CAR, then CAR paid too much for a 1 year rental. If he does still want to sign, CAR could've waited a year and gotten him for free. Obviously you think it was the right gamble, and I'm happy that you're happy. Just saying that if I were a 'Canes fan, I'd gamble the other way and wait for UFA.

He's expected to centre the first line with Eric at RW.
- 1979AD

Skinner then, who gives a (frank) it was a good trade for both teams

People keep mentioning the lack of a 3rd line C. Towards the end of the season, we signed Jeremy Welsh. The organization is VERY high on him and feels he can make an impact in a bottom 6 role.

Thank you for the indepth reply and way too much of your valuable time spent on it. Your argument works against you. "You are assuming Jordan would not have a change of heart next year and would sign with us."

I'm not assuming anything, I'm saying damned if you do, damned if you don't. If he has a change of heart and doesn't want to sign with CAR, then CAR paid too much for a 1 year rental. If he does still want to sign, CAR could've waited a year and gotten him for free. Obviously you think it was the right gamble, and I'm happy that you're happy. Just saying that if I were a 'Canes fan, I'd gamble the other way and wait for UFA.
- 1979AD

Shero admitted they were talking to 2 other teams about a trade for Jordan. Surely one was the Rangers, who I'm not sure if you know or not but they also have a Staal brother.

What if Jordan and his new wife were expecting a baby next season, and he decided to sign a 2-3 year deal to stay in Pit to settle a bit? Very possible scenario after a fresh, financially stable marriage. A lot more realistic "what if" than your Eric trying to hook up with Jordan's wife fantasy.

When you have the opportunity to get a player like that, you go after it.

Shero admitted they were talking to 2 other teams about a trade for Jordan. Surely one was the Rangers, who I'm not sure if you know or not but they also have a Staal brother.

What if Jordan and his new wife were expecting a baby next season, and he decided to sign a 2-3 year deal to stay in Pit to settle a bit? Very possible scenario after a fresh, financially stable marriage. A lot more realistic "what if" than your Eric trying to hook up with Jordan's wife fantasy.

When you have the opportunity to get a player like that, you go after it.
- BWithering

Actually, the Rangers did make a pitch for Jordan. I obviously can't confirm it, but one of the reliable local guys say they were actually dangling Gaborik and the Pens passed (thank God). FWIW, apparently Jordan is closer to Marc too. It was a fair deal. I used to be Staals biggest critic, but he is really developing into a very good player. I will say, he's not a great passer and I'm not sure he ever will be, but he's really improved his finishing and skating. He's filling out too....guys are bouncing off him.

Like I said before, if Rutherford thought he was a legit piece to build the franchise on, he had to make the deal. If he was going to sit back and wait and expect to get him for free, you can bet there's a good chance another team offers really big money that.....lets say....makes playing with his brother a little less important.