Matt Karash: Jordan Staal trade - Part 3: Canes math and filling out the roster

I know it would only save us a little money, but getting rid of Stewart might be a good move. He hasn't really performed and almost seems like a waste of a roster spot if Bowman, Boychuk or Samson have a great camp.

Hey hey whatdoyasay, canes are looking pretty decent this year if you ask me.

$3-5 million more to spend?? The Canes have to spend $6 million just to reach the Cap floor.

Expect signings. Wouldn't be surprised if Suter or Garrison ended up in a Canes jersey.

$3-5 million more to spend?? The Canes have to spend $6 million just to reach the Cap floor.

Expect signings. Wouldn't be surprised if Suter or Garrison ended up in a Canes jersey.
- psoneill

We'll see, but I think 1 of the things that comes out of the CBA is a lower floor for small market teams. With the Canadian $ strengthening, the rate of escalation has been brutal on smaller market teams. In 05-06, the ceiling was about $40M right? Only 6 years later ceiling will be $70M which something like 10%/year.

I think Rutherford builds his team in July for what makes sense considering what happens next summer, so that is about $53-54M. Then he adjusts in August if the new CBA does not adjust the salary floor math.

Rutherford should worry about 2 things: the CBA (and it's effects) and signing jStaal long term. Me thinks he should do that before filling holes.

Jordan's been shown $60 million and turned it down. Sure, it was to play more offense and be with his family, but he knows what a team who couldn't pay him top dollar thought he was worth. Also, how long should his contract be? Longer than Eric's I assume. That'll help resign Eric for money he's actually worth (won't be worth $9.5 million by then).

Also Marc is available in 2015, so prep for that or getting him at the draft in 2014 when the Rangers realize he's going to pull a Jordan.

Just throwing this out there. But Joe Corvo is a UFA. We could probably get him for 2mil or less. Then that leaves a decent amount of space for a decent winger to suite up on the top line. We know how JR likes former players. Especially ones who didn't have a great year the season before. Then we'd have Corvo/McBain/Faulk options for 2nd line. Wonder if we could get Ray Whitney to fit in if we got a cheap option like Corvo. Not sure Corvo would fit what we want though.

Other options?
Carle - not sure I'd want that, but I guess i wouldn't be bothered if we did. Depends on his salary demands, would we go 4mil for him?
Kubina - Not sure what his salary would look like, it was 3.85 last year. But he's a big top 4 guy and has stanley cup experience with Tampa.
Commodore - Haha what if he returned? he only made 1mil last year. That could be a cheap signing to try out. If it doesn't work out, it was super cheap.

I wonder what we could get for McBain in a trade.

Free Agent D we could pick up at the trade deadline that I like in particular:
Toni Lydman 3mil salary and I'm a big fan of his.
Tobias Enstrom 3.75mil salary and would be good on the power play for us.
Those would be my top 2.

I didn't include Allen because I have a weird feeling he's going to ottawa. I think they'd over pay him.

I didn't include Allen because I have a weird feeling he's going to ottawa. I think they'd over pay him.
- T_Cane0

Why do you say that? His name gets tossed out here now and then but nothing more than talk.

Just throwing this out there. But Joe Corvo is a UFA. We could probably get him for 2mil or less. Then that leaves a decent amount of space for a decent winger to suite up on the top line. We know how JR likes former players. Especially ones who didn't have a great year the season before. Then we'd have Corvo/McBain/Faulk options for 2nd line. Wonder if we could get Ray Whitney to fit in if we got a cheap option like Corvo. Not sure Corvo would fit what we want though.

Other options?
Carle - not sure I'd want that, but I guess i wouldn't be bothered if we did. Depends on his salary demands, would we go 4mil for him?
Kubina - Not sure what his salary would look like, it was 3.85 last year. But he's a big top 4 guy and has stanley cup experience with Tampa.
Commodore - Haha what if he returned? he only made 1mil last year. That could be a cheap signing to try out. If it doesn't work out, it was super cheap.

I wonder what we could get for McBain in a trade.

Free Agent D we could pick up at the trade deadline that I like in particular:
Toni Lydman 3mil salary and I'm a big fan of his.
Tobias Enstrom 3.75mil salary and would be good on the power play for us.
Those would be my top 2.
- T_Cane0

Can we just please try to forget this was ever brought up. I had enough of "Oh No Corvo" to last a lifetime no matter how cheap he could be signed.

Can we just please try to forget this was ever brought up. I had enough of "Oh No Corvo" to last a lifetime no matter how cheap he could be signed.
- Barbecued Hockey

LOL at "Oh No Corvo". I don't hate him but yeah he doesn't really fit what we need to anymore. Faulk and McBain are like the "new" Corvo's, bringing that offensive threat from the blueline. If we lose Allen we definitely need to add another shutdown guy.

Can we just please try to forget this was ever brought up. I had enough of "Oh No Corvo" to last a lifetime no matter how cheap he could be signed.
- Barbecued Hockey

I don't think it's a lock, but I think the odds are good he returns. The thing is that things can happen, and a team can decide to go in another direction.

Matt, From what i've heard, i think your #s are pretty low! JR has said he's planning on getting a "veteran d-man" -early July, and then try to sign another forward... if available! I take that to mean one of the better free agent forwards!
soooooo it sounds like money isn't a major problem (to a point)??!!
options- Whitney, Gaustad, Paranteau, Boyes, Stempniak...?

Matt, From what i've heard, i think your #s are pretty low! JR has said he's planning on getting a "veteran d-man" -early July, and then try to sign another forward... if available! I take that to mean one of the better free agent forwards!
soooooo it sounds like money isn't a major problem (to a point)??!!
options- Whitney, Gaustad, Paranteau, Boyes, Stempniak...?
- randycane

I would love to see us pick up Stempniak. I like him. I'd be equally happy with Whitney.

Never know about PA Parenteau. I could see him getting a big offer from Montreal though.

I'd be cool with taking a shot at Boyes for a decent salary for 1 or 2 years. More to test him out. He'd be a buy cheap, hope he bounces back type deal. Would make sense for him, let him play on a line with Eric Staal and prove he can be a top line winger. I like the idea the more I think about it actually.

I can definitely see Whitney coming back to Carolina to finish his career.

$3-5 million more to spend?? The Canes have to spend $6 million just to reach the Cap floor.

Expect signings. Wouldn't be surprised if Suter or Garrison ended up in a Canes jersey.
- psoneill

Paul Martin anybody? Yes he's overpaid to some degree, and yes he had a less than stellar season (even though his numbers don't look bad), but his first year in the burgh was very solid. Additionally, Bylsma's system seems to be ruining some of these guys. I'm not convinced Paul Martin and Michalek turned into lousy players in 1 year.

I really think Bylsma's "system" is fraying at the edges and I fully blame him for that travesty of defense the pens displayed in the playoff's this year. I think Martin will have no problem re-establishing himself with the right team. Just so that team doesn't expect him to be Paul Coffey......Every time Martin joins a rush, you can guarantee an odd man break the other way.

Paul Martin anybody? Yes he's overpaid to some degree, and yes he had a less than stellar season (even though his numbers don't look bad), but his first year in the burgh was very solid. Additionally, Bylsma's system seems to be ruining some of these guys. I'm not convinced Paul Martin and Michalek turned into lousy players in 1 year.

I really think Bylsma's "system" is fraying at the edges and I fully blame him for that travesty of defense the pens displayed in the playoff's this year. I think Martin will have no problem re-establishing himself with the right team. Just so that team doesn't expect him to be Paul Coffey......Every time Martin joins a rush, you can guarantee an odd man break the other way.
- madmike71

Ha! Next to obviously getting Jordan I was the happiest from that trade since we didn't get saddled with Martin as I expected Shero to require Martin to go the other way as that was the only way i thought someone would take on that ridiculous contract

No thanks.

Ha! Next to obviously getting Jordan I was the happiest from that trade since we didn't get saddled with Martin as I expected Shero to require Martin to go the other way as that was the only way i thought someone would take on that ridiculous contract

No thanks.
- nickgregory

I know the perception out there is that Martin is joke, but the guy was solid two years ago. I'm sort of surprise the analysis of his game has been so limited in the blogger world, but Shero says he has several offers for him right now. His rep took a hit this past season, but he's largely had a nice career and I'm telling you, he'll regain his form under a little more conservative system (wish the Pens would play a little more conservative actually). I think most people in Pittsburgh feel he was paid about a mil too much and a team looking to get above the cap floor isn't going to hate themselves for adding him. He'll easily slide back into lots of teams top 4. He makes some nice, slick little plays in his own end and makes that nice first pass.

Martin's downfall has been Bylsma system which allows the D to join the play at will. His decision making in that regard is brutal.....he's an odd man break machine. Keep it simple and he's a top 4 on most teams.

Wow!!! 17 comments!!
I see how excited the Carolina's fans are about this trade!

Wow!!! 17 comments!!
I see how excited the Carolina's fans are about this trade!
- Sabresfan88

3 part blog smart guy.