Parise is Lowe's next target.

There has been a lot of talk in the Edmonton media about Lowe offering RFA contracts this past week, and Parise is a name that is often brought up. Obviously Kevin made a big error in trading down the pick in the first place at the draft. However, do not be surprised if the next big RFA contract is to Parise and by the Oilers or another rogue GM out there.

For the Devs sake, I hope Lou signs him ASAP.

Anyway, I hope Lowe does make Parise an offer, because if there 4 first rounders involved Lou may take the picks and run and if not, Lou will match, but won't pull a Darcy. Lou will make Lowe sweat, while he uses up the whole week to decide.

There has been a lot of talk in the Edmonton media about Lowe offering RFA contracts this past week, and Parise is a name that is often brought up. Obviously Kevin made a big error in trading down the pick in the first place at the draft. However, do not be surprised if the next big RFA contract is to Parise and by the Oilers or another rogue GM out there.

For the Devs sake, I hope Lou signs him ASAP.

If he is interested, I suspect that Parise could get 25 million over the 5 years from somebody this week.

Kevin Lowe is the stupidest GM in the history of hockey if he gives an offer sheet to Paries above $5 million and gives up 4 draft picks. Their team stinks. Save the draft picks and get a top 5 draft pick next year in a very strong draft. Their pick will probably be better than Parise anyway.

Their pick will probably be better than Parise anyway.

Have you seen how the Oilers have drafted in the last 10+ years? I'm convinced that that's the reason why they've been a playoff bubble team during that period, not really because of the "small market" excuse.

1990: Scott Allison
1991: Tyler Wright
1992: Joe Hulbig
1993: Nick Stajduhar
1994: Jason Bonsignore
1995: Steve Kelly
1996: Boyd Devereaux
1997: Michel Riesen
1998: Michael Henrich
1999: Jani Rita
2000: Alexei Mikhnov
2002: Jesse Niinimaki

They got Arnott, Smyth, and Hemsky in that period.....but man, that's just an utter waste land of high draft picks right there.

----------------

And regarding Vanek, another thing to consider is that the 7 year contract also covers the first 3 potential UFA years. If a 32 year old Paul Kariya can fetch 6 million in 2007, how much did a 26 year old Vanek stand to make in 2011?

But for sure, the offer sheet is huge compared to the 6 year / 24 mil deal that Nathan Horton signed.

Their pick will probably be better than Parise anyway.

I don't know about that, but 4 picks is a killer high price to pay. And yeah, they'd be pretty high picks. I'd let Parise go...

Future franchise players who are already really good are more important than draft picks, guys. I'd keep Parise at whatever cost, it's not like the Devils don't have the cap space to do it.

I'm more worried about someone doing this to Paul Martin.

If we take Parise to arbitration, would we be vulnerable to an offer sheet by Lowe?

If we take Parise to arbitration, would we be vulnerable to an offer sheet by Lowe?
We can't take Parise to arbitration. But if we could and did, we wouldn't be vulnerable.

yea Parise wasnt eligible and the deadline was yesterday anyways i believe


come on Lou get this deal done! lock the kid up

We can't take Parise to arbitration. But if we could and did, we wouldn't be vulnerable.

Aren't we allowed to take 1 player to arbitration. I heard this from somebody, was he right or just lying to me?

the only player that was eligible was Paul Martin, and he declined.

Correct me if i am wrong, but if Lowe does go after Parise and give him an offer sheet, Parise does not have to sign it. Right?

the only player that was eligible was Paul Martin, and he declined.

Ok thanks for the clarification.

Aren't we allowed to take 1 player to arbitration. I heard this from somebody, was he right or just lying to me?

Yes the team is allowed to take a player to arbitration but who are they going to take? I don't see any RFA that have grossly underperformed their contract.

What is all this talk of going for the draft picks instead of Parise? Are you people insane? The draft is pot luck... you never know if who you get will be a bust, a mediocre player, or a superstar. The superstars are far and few between, and when you land one, like Parise, you hang onto him not exchange him for another go at pot luck. Parise has proven himself and is a known quantity in being a big part of our future. The only way you should be willing to part with him is for another known quantity that could be a bigger part of our future. Aside from being a score in the talent department, Parise fits the Devils mold in every other way... I can almost guarantee that we wouldn't land anyone like him with the 4 extra first round picks.

As for the arbitration thing... I wouldn't be surprised if Lou took Zach to club-elected arbitration (the deadline for which is 5pm today I believe) as that would prevent any offer sheets and allow us to negotiate with him unfettered until the arbitration date.

Correct me if i am wrong, but if Lowe does go after Parise and give him an offer sheet, Parise does not have to sign it. Right?

No one forces one to sign a contract. Signing an offer sheet is the same as signing a contract. So no he does not have to sign it. The thing is we only hear about offers that are signed.

As for the arbitration thing... I wouldn't be surprised if Lou took Zach to club-elected arbitration (the deadline for which is 5pm today I believe) as that would prevent any offer sheets and allow us to negotiate with him unfettered until the arbitration date.Parise can't be taken to arbitration. He just came off his freaking ELC.

Correct me if i am wrong, but if Lowe does go after Parise and give him an offer sheet, Parise does not have to sign it. Right?

Yeah, this is true, but if Lowe offers Zach that kind of money this early in his career, I would not blame him for signing it... it would basically set him for life financially and he wouldn't have to worry about a potential career-ending injury ruining his chances at a payday.

Have you seen how the Oilers have drafted in the last 10+ years? I'm convinced that that's the reason why they've been a playoff bubble team during that period, not really because of the "small market" excuse.

1990: Scott Allison
1991: Tyler Wright
1992: Joe Hulbig
1993: Nick Stajduhar
1994: Jason Bonsignore
1995: Steve Kelly
1996: Boyd Devereaux
1997: Michel Riesen
1998: Michael Henrich
1999: Jani Rita
2000: Alexei Mikhnov
2002: Jesse Niinimaki

They got Arnott, Smyth, and Hemsky in that period.....but man, that's just an utter waste land of high draft picks right there.



That was the Glenn Sather's regime when Barry Fraser was the head scout (he lived in Mexico).
Kevin Lowes crew is a bit more succesful. Hemsky, Stoll, Pisani, Bergeron as well as some really good prospects in the last few years that are yet to be determined.

Parise can't be taken to arbitration. He just came off his freaking ELC.

Gah, that's right, I forgot he's not eligible for arbitration yet... perhaps it was just wishful thinking on my part looking for a way to stop what seems like impending doom, haha.

No one forces one to sign a contract. Signing an offer sheet is the same as signing a contract. So no he does not have to sign it. The thing is we only hear about offers that are signed.

Yeah, this is true, but if Lowe offers Zach that kind of money this early in his career, I would not blame him for signing it... it would basically set him for life financially and he wouldn't have to worry about a potential career-ending injury ruining his chances at a payday.

Pretty much what i thought....
This was one of the reasons that Lou signed Jordan I bet.....
I am guessing that if Lowe does offer something to Zach, there will be a ton of discussion, and we will see zach signed by end of day. On top of that, they were talking long term here.

You never know though.
Lowe should go after Lunqvist......

What is all this talk of going for the draft picks instead of Parise? Are you people insane? The draft is pot luck... you never know if who you get will be a bust, a mediocre player, or a superstar. The superstars are far and few between, and when you land one, like Parise, you hang onto him not exchange him for another go at pot luck. Parise has proven himself and is a known quantity in being a big part of our future. The only way you should be willing to part with him is for another known quantity that could be a bigger part of our future. Aside from being a score in the talent department, Parise fits the Devils mold in every other way... I can almost guarantee that we wouldn't land anyone like him with the 4 extra first round picks.

Think about it: EIGHT first round picks over the next FOUR years! And a good chance some of them could be top ten picks. You could use those picks to stock up on a lot of good prospects, or trade a couple of first rounds picks for a player, or toss one in there with another player to sweeten a trade proposal. Don't forget the Devils scouting staff and the fine job they've done picking 20+ for ten years. Throw in a couple of top ten choices and you're pretty darn near guaranteed to get a star player sometime.

And, while Parise has shown himself to have a lot of promise and potential, he also hasn't proven himself to be anything other than a 30-40 goal scorer yet. Will he be an star in this league? Yes! Superstar? I don't know - yet to be seen.

Think about it: EIGHT first round picks over the next FOUR years! And a good chance some of them could be top ten picks. You could use those picks to stock up on a lot of good prospects, or trade a couple of first rounds picks for a player, or toss one in there with another player to sweeten a trade proposal. Don't forget the Devils scouting staff and the fine job they've done picking 20+ for ten years. Throw in a couple of top ten choices and you're pretty darn near guaranteed to get a star player sometime.

And, while Parise has shown himself to have a lot of promise and potential, he also hasn't proven himself to be anything other than a 30-40 goal scorer yet. Will he be an star in this league? Yes! Superstar? I don't know - yet to be seen.

That's just it though.... those are a lot of "maybes" with the picks, and then there's the whole question of what we do in between now and when any of those picks are ready to contribute. Parise is a big, important part of this team... just look at how many times he came through for us last season when we thought all was lost. The combination of his attributes (skill, grit, hard work, speed) and the fact that he has come up through our system and remains defensively responsible while leading our team in goalscoring in his second season is something we'd be very hard pressed to find with any amount of first round picks over the next 4 years. And to be completely honest, I like the kid's character. We were very lucky to land him and we'd be very stupid to let him go and take a chance at getting something better in the future when we are a team that always plays to win now.

Remember how this team was built - we started off with a few draft picks in the top-10. John MacLean, Brendan Shanahan, Scott Niedermayer, Kirk Muller... from them, we built the franchise. In the event Parise receives an offer sheet and we let him go and take the picks, we're looking at what could very well become "the event that shapes the franchise for the next ten years."

It'll be the Shanahan/Stevens compensation debate all over again.

I just hope, that Lowe leaves us alone, we have already enough problems other than that offer sheet... anyways, if we lose Parisé through an offer sheet, i think then we can go easily for that number one pick, we cant build the future of the franchise on 3 people - Zajac, Bergfors and Corrente. And we all know what Parisé will be capable of, so we would be in a very deep hole if we lost him.

If I was Lowe, the team in the toughest spot and the guy who would really give them a good foundation to build off, is Lundqvuist. Rangers would be pressed to match and Henrik would give them an excellent goalie for years. That would be the smartest move to be honest.

If I was Lowe, the team in the toughest spot and the guy who would really give them a good foundation to build off, is Lundqvuist. Rangers would be pressed to match and Henrik would give them an excellent goalie for years. That would be the smartest move to be honest.

The Oilers are trying to be competitive immediately, and in that respects they have a goaltender in Dwayne Roloson, that's pretty well paid already.

What's the most you think Lou would match IF an offer was put out for Parise??

The Oilers are trying to be competitive immediately, and in that respects they have a goaltender in Dwayne Roloson, that's pretty well paid already.

Lundqvuist is better than Roloson immediately and long term I think. And Roloson could be moved either know or at the trade deadline.

From what I gathered... the contract with Parise was all ironed out and ready to go, with Lou going out to Minnesota next week to sign it.

Same with Paul Martin.

Is Pitkanen under contract?

If not, why not force Lowe's hand, sign him to an offer sheet. (I wouldn't be shocked if someone did this.)

Forget Souray, lock-up Parise and Martin. :)

Id guess Lowe will offer Parise $4,687,530
which would be a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.

Conveniently.. the oilers just got back their 3rd round pick yesterday. :sarcasm:


Is Pitkanen under contract?

If not, why not force Lowe's hand, sign him to an offer sheet. (I wouldn't be shocked if someone did this.)


Pitkanen is going to arbitration. Do you really think Lowe is THAT dumb?

From what I gathered... the contract with Parise was all ironed out and ready to go, with Lou going out to Minnesota next week to sign it.

Same with Paul Martin.

Out of curiosity, where did you hear that?

Lundqvuist is better than Roloson immediately and long term I think. And Roloson could be moved either know or at the trade deadline.


yeah, a guy who loves playing in the spotlight is going to sign in Edmonton as opposed to staying in NYC where he is beloved?

Not happening.

What's the most you think Lou would match IF an offer was put out for Parise??
Lou will match any offer for Parise until it hits the 4 first round picks compensation (about $5.8M). After that he'll consider letting Parise walk, I think.

Kevin Lowe is the stupidest GM in the history of hockey if he gives an offer sheet to Paries above $5 million and gives up 4 draft picks. Their team stinks. Save the draft picks and get a top 5 draft pick next year in a very strong draft. Their pick will probably be better than Parise anyway.
The Problem with Edmonton, is they can't draft for ****.. so they might as well try their luck with RFAs.

Out of curiosity, where did you hear that?

It was in an article in one of the local papers in NJ... the link is somewhere here on the Devils boards... but with all the chaos, I cant find it.

Pitkanen is going to arbitration. Do you really think Lowe is THAT dumb?

I actually did think he'd be that dumb.

My point still stands, Lowe has basically declared war on 29 other teams. I think someone will fire back. He better watch his assets. ;)

yeah, a guy who loves playing in the spotlight is going to sign in Edmonton as opposed to staying in NYC where he is beloved?

Not happening.



He would be beloved in Edmonton just as much if not more. He would be a household name up there instead of being known to just the minority in NY who follow hockey. ;)

He would be beloved in Edmonton just as much if not more. He would be a household name up there instead of being known to just the minority in NY who follow hockey. ;)

yeah but he just saw how Edm can't get aNYBODY to sign on with them where as the NYR's will always be a top choice amoung UFA's available.

Another team maybe would be able to convince him if the offer were ridiculous enough, but not Edmonton, nobody wants to play there...nobody.

yeah but he just saw how Edm can't get aNYBODY to sign on with them where as the NYR's will always be a top choice amoung UFA's available.

Another team maybe would be able to convince him if the offer were ridiculous enough, but not Edmonton, nobody wants to play there...nobody.

Vanek was ready to...

What.. you think Jersey is wonderland? :biglaugh:

Vanek was ready to...

What.. you think Jersey is wonderland? :biglaugh:

He's a stRanger fan... so he thinks NY is wonderland.

If Lowe was to offer Zach $5.85 PER, he would only have to part with 2 firsts, 1 second and 1 third. Anything over $5, 895, costs 4 first rounders. I'm sure Lou would probably match, but he would be paying Parise more than he intended and would leave the Devs with last cap space.

Vanek was ready to...

What.. you think Jersey is wonderland? :biglaugh:

I think Vanek saw $50 million reasons to fall in love with Edmonton, Buffalo, or any other city that tossed that big of an offer his way.

For $50 million Jersey is the freakin' Garden of Eden.

yeah but he just saw how Edm can't get aNYBODY to sign on with them where as the NYR's will always be a top choice amoung UFA's available.

Another team maybe would be able to convince him if the offer were ridiculous enough, but not Edmonton, nobody wants to play there...nobody.

Jr. Let's face it; a guy like Vanek would be loved throughout the city of Edmonton, where here in the NY, people wouldn't even recognize him. Shanny walked right by me last year on Madison Ave and no one gave him a second look. I'm a hockey fan and recognized him immediately. There's only one New York as a City, but it's far from some hockey Mecca. Now, I guess no one wants to freeze there butts off anymore, because I can't really understand all the griping about the City of Edmonton, unless it's more on the organization than the City.

Cmon BD, nobody wants to live in Edmonton and the last 2 yrs have proven that.

And the appeal to NYC for a player is that it is the best city in the world for alot of reasons but while there are plenty of hockey fanatics here it is also big enough that you can enjoy the city and not get noticed but yet you get the same level of affection from the hardcore NYR fans, especially when suited up in MSG...unless you're Malik.

Cmon BD, nobody wants to live in Edmonton and the last 2 yrs have proven that.

And the appeal to NYC for a player is that it is the best city in the world for alot of reasons but while there are plenty of hockey fanatics here it is also big enough that you can enjoy the city and not get noticed but yet you get the same level of affection from the hardcore NYR fans, especially when suited up in MSG...unless you're Malik.


Actually, I get the feeling the many NHL players prefer the West Coast. Me personally, I like the West coast, but I'm an East coast type of guy.

Pretty ironic that Lowe traded the Parise pick to the Devils and now he wants to trade four 1st rounders for him...way to go Kevin!

plus pay 6m/yr!

Id guess Lowe will offer Parise $4,687,530
which would be a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.

Conveniently.. the oilers just got back their 3rd round pick yesterday. :sarcasm:




Pitkanen is going to arbitration. Do you really think Lowe is THAT dumb?
The Oilers had to get the pick back or they couldn't offer anyone an offer sheet.

The Oilers had to get the pick back or they couldn't offer anyone an offer sheet.

No they didnt

They aquired their 3rd round pick back.


In their offer to Vanek.. they would have only needed 4 first rounders.

lets say lou made an offer to pitkänen(which would make my year), considering the arbitration.....could he still TECHNICALLY be attainable?

If Lowe tries this with Parise Lou should just use his magical influence on the league and get the Oilers demoted to the ECHL where they can compete.

lets say lou made an offer to pitkänen(which would make my year), considering the arbitration.....could he still TECHNICALLY be attainable?
You can't offer-sheet someone who's going to arbitration.

yeah but he just saw how Edm can't get aNYBODY to sign on with them where as the NYR's will always be a top choice amoung UFA's available.

Another team maybe would be able to convince him if the offer were ridiculous enough, but not Edmonton, nobody wants to play there...nobody.

It's a great city and Rexall Place has the best ice surface in the league. The only reason why I see players shying away from here is because of the -35 to -40 days during the winter.

If Lowe tries this with Parise Lou should just use his magical influence on the league and get the Oilers demoted to the ECHL where they can compete.

Why?!?!...because Lowe is playing within the rules? Think about it...that offer he gave Vanek, had the Sabres declined, Lowe had to sign him...you just don't throw out that kind of money if you are not serious.

This whole situation upsets me. Not even the fact that Parise is involved, the fact that Kevin Lowe offered a ridiculous amount of money to Vanek, who has had only 1 good year. What was the lockout for? Why did we lose a whole season of hockey? The player salaries were going out of control? Smaller market teams couldn't compete? Then what the hell are you doing Kevin Lowe!??! Now all these group 2 free agents are going to see dollar signs in their eyes, when they shouldn't be thinking about that until they are UFA. I know what Lowe did is within the rules of the CBA, but it is just unethical, IMO.

About Lowe signing Parise, I truly believe Zach will refuse to sign any offer sheet. He is a man / kid of great character and wants to finish what he started, in NJ. He's a natural leader. He is our future captain. Lou will sign him at any cost.

I'll go bonkers if this happens. No way Lou won't match it though.

This whole situation upsets me. Not even the fact that Parise is involved, the fact that Kevin Lowe offered a ridiculous amount of money to Vanek, who has had only 1 good year. What was the lockout for? Why did we lose a whole season of hockey? The player salaries were going out of control? Smaller market teams couldn't compete? Then what the hell are you doing Kevin Lowe!??! Now all these group 2 free agents are going to see dollar signs in their eyes, when they shouldn't be thinking about that until they are UFA. I know what Lowe did is within the rules of the CBA, but it is just unethical, IMO.

About Lowe signing Parise, I truly believe Zach will refuse to sign any offer sheet. He is a man / kid of great character and wants to finish what he started, in NJ. He's a natural leader. He is our future captain. Lou will sign him at any cost.

If you are going to bring up the point of the lockout and the money thrown around...the perhaps you should also bring up the names of Sather and Holmgren.

If you are going to bring up the point of the lockout and the money thrown around...the perhaps you should also bring up the names of Sather and Holmgren.

Gladly.

Sather and Holmgren!

We are devils fans remember? We don't like the rangers.

This whole situation upsets me. Not even the fact that Parise is involved, the fact that Kevin Lowe offered a ridiculous amount of money to Vanek, who has had only 1 good year. What was the lockout for? Why did we lose a whole season of hockey? The player salaries were going out of control? Smaller market teams couldn't compete? Then what the hell are you doing Kevin Lowe!??! Now all these group 2 free agents are going to see dollar signs in their eyes, when they shouldn't be thinking about that until they are UFA. I know what Lowe did is within the rules of the CBA, but it is just unethical, IMO.

I disagree. I think it would be unethical of Lowe not to try to improve his team in any way possible.

As for salary escalation: the cap makes this a beautiful move. Lowe has essentially accelerated the maturation of the cap system today. He's forced other teams to consider both RFA and UFA contracts -- which means that as more money is being spent on RFA signings because of the fear/use of offer sheets, less money is being spent on UFAs. The cap means that no overall salary escalation will occur -- only a salary redistribution.

It means EVERY team, including the Devils, will have a fairer shot at both RFA, UFA and trading now. jmo.

Gladly.

Sather and Holmgren!

We are devils fans remember? We don't like the rangers.

...but the rules are in place for GM's to do that. Everyone seems to think that there is an "un-written rule" that a GM cannot offer another team's RFA's an offer sheet. As I stated before, if Lowe wasn't serious about trying to bring an RFA to Edmonton, he'd look pretty silly giving the offer sheet just to try to screw over another team (and that's what everyone here is thinking he's doing).

Does anyone remember that ridiculous contract offer Rutherford offered Sergei Federov a few years back? The Wings matched, but Federov made about $20,000 a minute for the remaining games of that season.

Would I be upset if Lowe gives Parise and offer sheet that Lou can't meet...you darn rights I would be....but the rules are there and there's nothing we can do about it.

I disagree. I think it would be unethical of Lowe not to try to improve his team in any way possible.

As for salary escalation: the cap makes this a beautiful move. Lowe has essentially accelerated the maturation of the cap system today. He's forced other teams to consider both RFA and UFA contracts -- which means that as more money is being spent on RFA signings because of the fear/use of offer sheets, less money is being spent on UFAs. The cap means that no overall salary escalation will occur -- only a salary redistribution.

It means EVERY team, including the Devils, will have a fairer shot at both RFA, UFA and trading now. jmo.

I don't see it that way. By doling out huge contracts to 2nd year players, imagine what their salary will be when they hit UFA status. People will be getting huge contracts too early. As a team, you enjoy while your players are young because you don't have to pay them a lot yet. Fans get to love their team's players. You can't just have players leaving teams after only 2 years. This is how it is in all 4 major sports. You pay your dues, then you get your big payday when you hit UFA status. Why not just make everyone a UFA? That will even out your salary distribution!

I don't see it that way. By doling out huge contracts to 2nd year players, imagine what their salary will be when they hit UFA status. People will be getting huge contracts too early. As a team, you enjoy while your players are young because you don't have to pay them a lot yet. Fans get to love their team's players. You can't just have players leaving teams after only 2 years. This is how it is in all 4 major sports. You pay your dues, then you get your big payday when you hit UFA status. Why not just make everyone a UFA? That will even out your salary distribution!

There is still a cap though. If 2nd year players get huge contracts and maintain that salary when they hit UFA status, that means OTHER players will have to be let go to fit under the cap. Which means other teams will get a chance to acquire those other players. It means there is more freedom of player movement around the league.

I guess we differ in opinion about that. I think that's a good thing -- your POV is that fans should be able to enjoy their young players. I think that's also a valid point and I can certainly understand your opinion but I disagree with it somewhat. Teams should be able to keep their young players but not at significantly below market value.

But in the other major sports with a cap? Offer sheets are commonplace. NBA/NFL for example.

Why?!?!...because Lowe is playing within the rules? Think about it...that offer he gave Vanek, had the Sabres declined, Lowe had to sign him...you just don't throw out that kind of money if you are not serious.

Because the Oilers are a desperate joke of a team.

Has Parise been with Sheehy all his career?. That's kind of funny because I've met Sheehy a few times.

Because the Oilers are a desperate joke of a team.

Wow, what a come back.
:shakehead

There is still a cap though. If 2nd year players get huge contracts and maintain that salary when they hit UFA status, that means OTHER players will have to be let go to fit under the cap. Which means other teams will get a chance to acquire those other players. It means there is more freedom of player movement around the league.

I guess we differ in opinion about that. I think that's a good thing -- your POV is that fans should be able to enjoy their young players. I think that's also a valid point and I can certainly understand your opinion but I disagree with it somewhat. Teams should be able to keep their young players but not at significantly below market value.

But in the other major sports with a cap? Offer sheets are commonplace. NBA/NFL for example.

I agree with all the points above. From my POV, if you had to pay $7MM a year for 7 years for either Briere, Gomez, Drury & Vanek who would you want? I would pick Vanek, because he has tremendous talent, youth and still upside potential. Because the cap is still a hard cap, if people start actively going after RFAs, UFAs have less of the pool of money left for them. It becomes harder to offer 34 year old defenseman a 5 year, $6MM per contract if you know your 24 year old dman is worth the same or more and could get a a market value offer from another team.

I understand it is not ideal with 2nd/3rd year players essentially making a ton of money, but baseketball works essentially the same way.

Moreover, who do you think is more important to our team - Parise/Martin or Gomez/Rafalski?

I agree with all the points above. From my POV, if you had to pay $7MM a year for 7 years for either Briere, Gomez, Drury & Vanek who would you want? I would pick Vanek, because he has tremendous talent, youth and still upside potential. Because the cap is still a hard cap, if people start actively going after RFAs, UFAs have less of the pool of money left for them. It becomes harder to offer 34 year old defenseman a 5 year, $6MM per contract if you know your 24 year old dman is worth the same or more and could get a a market value offer from another team.

I understand it is not ideal with 2nd/3rd year players essentially making a ton of money, but baseketball works essentially the same way.

Moreover, who do you think is more important to our team - Parise/Martin or Gomez/Rafalski?

My pick would be Parise and Martin....that's our future.

Wow, what a come back.
:shakehead

But hasn't Lowe just rasied the salaries for RFA's including his own? I know there's a cap, but that doesn't mean every team can afford the max and hasn't Lowe cried rich team, poor team. I think it was a disperate move on his part. His fans can claim genius all they want but I'm not buying it.

It's a great city and Rexall Place has the best ice surface in the league. The only reason why I see players shying away from here is because of the -35 to -40 days during the winter.

Good excuse,lame answer.Calgary gets same weather,live South of the Oil fields + bring in better talent or better answer...actually living breathing hockey players.

N.J. ***** them up if they go after Parise.

Good excuse,lame answer.Calgary gets same weather,live South of the Oil fields + bring in better talent or better answer...actually living breathing hockey players.

N.J. ***** them up if they go after Parise.

True enough...Calgary gets the same weather...but I don't see anyone going to Calgary just after having career year or of the All-Star caliber nature with the likes of a Chris Pronger. Edmonton still doesn't know the whole reason why Pronger wanted out of town.

Why can't Calgary and Edmonton attract big name players like Gomez, Briere, Vanek and Drury via the UFA route?!?!

But hasn't Lowe just rasied the salaries for RFA's including his own? I know there's a cap, but that doesn't mean every team can afford the max and hasn't Lowe cried rich team, poor team. I think it was a disperate move on his part. His fans can claim genius all they want but I'm not buying it.

He has, but that just means that salaries for UFAs will likely go down. Both have to fit under the cap. Every team will now have better shots at every player, whether they are RFA or UFA.

But hasn't Lowe just rasied the salaries for RFA's including his own? I know there's a cap, but that doesn't mean every team can afford the max and hasn't Lowe cried rich team, poor team. I think it was a disperate move on his part. His fans can claim genius all they want but I'm not buying it.

As I have mentioned before he'd look pretty silly had the Sabres said "Go ahead, Kevin....sign Thomas for that amount"...only to then have Lowe crap his pants if he wasn't serious about signing Vanek for that amount. All the papers and TV here are pretty much freaking out that this team cannot attract any big name UFA's. Is some cases the media have hinted that Lowe can't hack it....probably hence why he tried to attract Vanek to Edmonton.

Good excuse,lame answer.Calgary gets same weather,live South of the Oil fields + bring in better talent or better answer...actually living breathing hockey players.

N.J. ***** them up if they go after Parise.

What in the bleep are you talking about. If you are referring to the Oilsands .... the oilsands are 250 miles away from Edmonton and Calgary is 180 miles from Edmonton. To put that in perspective, it is approxiatemately the same distance from the meadowlands to Buffalo. Are you aware of the weather, etc in Buffalo right now.........of course not. Jersey has ZERO players more talented than Ales Hemsky. Let me repeat that: the Devils have no one as talented as Hemsky so quit beaking off about "living breathing players"

What in the bleep are you talking about. If you are referring to the Oilsands .... the oilsands are 250 miles away from Edmonton and Calgary is 180 miles from Edmonton. To put that in perspective, it is approxiatemately the same distance from the meadowlands to Buffalo. Are you aware of the weather, etc in Buffalo right now.........of course not. Jersey has ZERO players more talented than Ales Hemsky. Let me repeat that: the Devils have no one as talented as Hemsky so quit beaking off about "living breathing players"
Martin Brodeur is more talented than Hemsky.

What in the bleep are you talking about. If you are referring to the Oilsands .... the oilsands are 250 miles away from Edmonton and Calgary is 180 miles from Edmonton. To put that in perspective, it is approxiatemately the same distance from the meadowlands to Buffalo. Are you aware of the weather, etc in Buffalo right now.........of course not. Jersey has ZERO players more talented than Ales Hemsky. Let me repeat that: the Devils have no one as talented as Hemsky so quit beaking off about "living breathing players"

What does this have to do with anything. You have to know this guy is not a Devils fan, right? The guy has Pantherfan in his screen name. You are a moron. :(

Wow, what a come back.
:shakehead

Not a comeback.

He has, but that just means that salaries for UFAs will likely go down. Both have to fit under the cap. Every team will now have better shots at every player, whether they are RFA or UFA.


You know what this also tells me is that clubs that draft well are the teams that will get hurt the most by what Lowe did. Devs for instance, don't draft high but yet add a parise here and a Zajac there, now they have to cough up big contracts to keep them because teams like the Oilers or say the Bluejackets that draft poorly will come after your young and brightest. Now you know why certain GM's are pissed with Lowe, because a Getzlaf will command 6 to 7 million next season and that to me isn't right. Hey, but Lowe just helped out all 29 NHL teams by his action today.

You know what this also tells me is that clubs that draft well are the teams that will get hurt the most by what Lowe did. Devs for instance, don't draft high but yet add a parise here and a Zajac there, now they have to cough up big contracts to keep them because teams like the Oilers or say the Bluejackets that draft poorly will come after your young and brightest. Now you know why certain GM's are pissed with Lowe, because a Getzlaf will command 6 to 7 million next season and that to me isn't right. Hey, but Lowe just helped out all 29 NHL teams by his action today.

I think the draft will still be of utmost importance. And so will player evaluation, both at the pro and amateur levels.

There is still a cap. Teams can't just run around signing talented RFAs/UFAs for big money and then just have crap on the bottom end of the roster. The Lightning tried that -- it didn't work. The draft will be used to keep good young talent on entry level and second contracts for relatively cheap so that you can actually ice a deep roster under the cap.

And then when you make a choice to no longer keep a player because you think his cap hit exceeds his value to your team, the draft will still be important to ensure you have good young talent bubbling underneath to replace those players.

RFA offer sheets don't mean you can't keep your talent. It just means you have to pay for them accordingly, or deal them for assets in return to help your team stay under the cap.

I may have exaggerated a bit I admit -- Lowe isn't a saviour to the league by any means. But I think redistribution was going to happen sooner or later. Lowe just happened to be the one who started it.

I think the draft will still be of utmost importance. And so will player evaluation, both at the pro and amateur levels.

There is still a cap. Teams can't just run around signing talented RFAs/UFAs for big money and then just have crap on the bottom end of the roster. The Lightning tried that -- it didn't work. The draft will be used to keep good young talent on entry level and second contracts for relatively cheap so that you can actually ice a deep roster under the cap.

And then when you make a choice to no longer keep a player because you think his cap hit exceeds his value to your team, the draft will still be important to ensure you have good young talent bubbling underneath to replace those players.

RFA offer sheets don't mean you can't keep your talent. It just means you have to pay for them accordingly, or deal them for assets in return to help your team stay under the cap.

I may have exaggerated a bit I admit -- Lowe isn't a saviour to the league by any means. But I think redistribution was going to happen sooner or later. Lowe just happened to be the one who started it.

Tell that to Brian Burke when next season he has to cough up 6 million for Getzlaf and five million for Perry. ;)

Tell that to Brian Burke when next season he has to cough up 6 million for Getzlaf and five million for Perry. ;)

Hey, all's fair in love and war... ;)

What in the bleep are you talking about. If you are referring to the Oilsands .... the oilsands are 250 miles away from Edmonton and Calgary is 180 miles from Edmonton. To put that in perspective, it is approxiatemately the same distance from the meadowlands to Buffalo. Are you aware of the weather, etc in Buffalo right now.........of course not. Jersey has ZERO players more talented than Ales Hemsky. Let me repeat that: the Devils have no one as talented as Hemsky so quit beaking off about "living breathing players"

Ales Hemsky????? are you kidding????

Brodeur is more talented as Classic said, Elias is Gionta, Parise are you kidding??

Ales Hemsky????? are you kidding????

Brodeur is more talented as Classic said, Elias is Gionta, Parise are you kidding??
Ah.... I would respectfully disagree. In pure talent, Hemsky beats pretty much the entire Devils lineup.

Ah.... I would respectfully disagree. In pure talent, Hemsky beats pretty much the entire Devils lineup.

No way does a player with 50 career goals get the nod over Patrik Elias.

No way does a player with 50 career goals get the nod over Patrik Elias.
In terms of pure talent, I think Hemsky gets a nod over most of the league.

Ah.... I would respectfully disagree. In pure talent, Hemsky beats pretty much the entire Devils lineup.

no way think about if Elias, Gio, parise played on a team that didnt make there fowards as defensivly responsible as the devils do. Such as the Lightning the Thrashers, the Sabres etc.

Elias would be a 40 40 guy and Gionta and Parise would be in the running for the Rocket Richard trophy every year.

with that in mind look at last years stats
GP G A PTS
Hemsky Season Totals: 2006-07 64 13 40 53

Gio- Season Totals: 2006-07 62 25 20 45

Elias- Season Totals: 2006-07 75 21 48 69

Parise- Totals: 2006-07 82 31 31 62

BTW

the Devils were 4th in GAA last year at 2.35
the Oilers were 17th in GAA last year at 2.99

so dont say that the Oilers play as good defence to defend Hemsky's numbers

In terms of pure talent, I think Hemsky gets a nod over most of the league.

Agreed. And if he only had a goal scorer, he'd be putting up points in boatloads.

In terms of pure talent, I think Hemsky gets a nod over most of the league.
Pure talent, yes. But I'll take the elite winger and 48 goal scorer over (struggling) pure talent on my team more times than not. I'm not sold on Hemsky untill he starts consistently producing at an above average rate.

I see the point of the redistribution of salaries with the hard cap.

But I still am of the philosophical stance that young players should pay their dues and not make a lot of money until UFA status. Why? Well this statement pretty much sums it up:

"Everybody does things differently," said Sabres managing partner Larry Quinn. "We have a philosophy that you draft your players, you develop them, you coach them, you make them part of a team. Other people think you buy other team's players. We don't see where that's ever been successful in this league."

2 years is too soon for a player to be leaving the team that drafted them. Why the hell do we have a draft then? Why don't we just make everyone free agents from the start? I compare it to drug companies, how they have patent rights to their product for several years before the drug goes generic. They put so much time and effort to develop and research the drug, that they should enjoy the profits of the drug for a little while. Same goes with players you draft. You develop them, coach them, fans grow to love them. You should be able to keep them for a while, more than just 2 years.

Maybe the salary redistribution works out in the long term. But right now, teams aren't braced for this kind of salary escalation for group 2 free agents, so they may not be able to just match the offer like the sabres did today. And unfortunately, a team will lose a beloved player prematurely.

Had someone offered Briere an offer sheet last year of 6 years 32 million dollars, he'd still be Sabre. Briere left the Sabres because he wanted to play elsewhere. Nothing Buffalo could do about it. I think the Vanek thing might be a blessing in disguise for the Sabs. They now have him locked up for 7 years as opposed to losing him to a Philadelphia 3 years from now when he'd be eligible for Unrestricted Free Agency.

That's just it though.... those are a lot of "maybes" with the picks, and then there's the whole question of what we do in between now and when any of those picks are ready to contribute. Parise is a big, important part of this team... just look at how many times he came through for us last season when we thought all was lost. The combination of his attributes (skill, grit, hard work, speed) and the fact that he has come up through our system and remains defensively responsible while leading our team in goalscoring in his second season is something we'd be very hard pressed to find with any amount of first round picks over the next 4 years. And to be completely honest, I like the kid's character. We were very lucky to land him and we'd be very stupid to let him go and take a chance at getting something better in the future when we are a team that always plays to win now.

+1 times infiniti.

In terms of pure talent, I think Hemsky gets a nod over most of the league.
So does Pavel Brendl. Pure talent doesn't mean much to me, its what you do with that talent. Hemsky is a great playmaker, but he doesn't do much else.


I can't see Lowe giving Parise an offer sheet, as that would basically mean that Lowe is admitting he made an enormous mistake in 2003. Lowe has too much foolish pride to give up 4 first rounders for a player he should have drafted himself.

having read most of this thread I think I should paste some info about 'offers sheets' or rather RFA contracts, came across this info in the 'Lundqvist arbitration thread'..

from Hockeyrodent.com:

"If another team sends Henrik an offer sheet does Henrik need to accept the offer before NYR would need to match?"

This is not quite the way it works. An Offer Sheet is not a "sealed bid" mailed or telegraphed to the player for consideration.

G/Ms of other clubs are just as free to speak with Henke's agent as was Glen Sather free to speak with Drury's agent. The Ranger netminder is a real free agent. He has no professional contract at this time. He can negotiate with any team or combination of teams he wishes to. Concerns over "tampering" are irrelevant because Henke has no contract.

For example, Philly's Paul Holmgren could sit down with Lundqvist and negotiate to pry him from Gotham. The parties can haggle all they want until the dollars and terms of their agreement are settled. The contract is written up in the form of an offer sheet which is submitted to NHL HQ.

The offer sheet isn't sent to the player, it's sent to the NHL. Before that it's a bona fide contract.

Ah.... I would respectfully disagree. In pure talent, Hemsky beats pretty much the entire Devils lineup.

In terms of pure talent I still wouldn't take Hemsky over Elias.

In terms of pure talent I still wouldn't take Hemsky over Elias.

Agree.. Hemsky is very good but Elias is Great..

Kevin Lowe is the stupidest GM in the history of hockey if he gives an offer sheet to Paries above $5 million and gives up 4 draft picks. Their team stinks. Save the draft picks and get a top 5 draft pick next year in a very strong draft. Their pick will probably be better than Parise anyway.

Dude I get that logic, but take a look at our depth in the organization, maybe the best in hockey. We've got 8 1st rounders in our system since 03, and have drafted very well in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rounds since Lowe took over(Stoll, JDD is finally getting a chance to play this season, Matt Greene, Slava Trunko, Brodziak was a 7th rounder if I'm not mistaken, JF Jacques, Danny Syvret). 4 1st's is a lot for one player, but to me personally I would pay it, and I would offer Parise a 7 year/45.5million deal because the kid is a franchise player who's as blue chip as they come. Parise is a better player to me then Vanek because while Vanek will get 40-50 goals a year, Parise will win Cups.

Dude I get that logic, but take a look at our depth in the organization, maybe the best in hockey. We've got 8 1st rounders in our system since 03, and have drafted very well in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rounds since Lowe took over(Stoll, JDD is finally getting a chance to play this season, Matt Greene, Slava Trunko, Brodziak was a 7th rounder if I'm not mistaken, JF Jacques, Danny Syvret). 4 1st's is a lot for one player, but to me personally I would pay it, and I would offer Parise a 7 year/45.5million deal because the kid is a franchise player who's as blue chip as they come. Parise is a better player to me then Vanek because while Vanek will get 40-50 goals a year, Parise will win Cups.

Have you seen how the Oilers have drafted in the last 10+ years? I'm convinced that that's the reason why they've been a playoff bubble team during that period, not really because of the "small market" excuse.

1990: Scott Allison
1991: Tyler Wright
1992: Joe Hulbig
1993: Nick Stajduhar
1994: Jason Bonsignore
1995: Steve Kelly
1996: Boyd Devereaux
1997: Michel Riesen
1998: Michael Henrich
1999: Jani Rita
2000: Alexei Mikhnov
2002: Jesse Niinimaki

They got Arnott, Smyth, and Hemsky in that period.....but man, that's just an utter waste land of high draft picks right there.

With a first round track record like that, I'm sure those 8 first rounders are real blue chips!

In terms of pure talent, I think Hemsky gets a nod over most of the league.

Hemsky is just a smoother version of Gomez with much better puckhandling skills. He is a guy, who like Gomez, almost never shoots and never puts up impressive numbers. Hemsky is overrated.

I guess when your team is almost devoid of talent, your best player just looks that much better.

I can't believe that some Oil fans were saying that Hemsky was the franchise player after Smyth left, even while Smyth was still there...what a crock.

With a first round track record like that, I'm sure those 8 first rounders are real blue chips!

Where did I say they were blue chips??? The point was that we got the cupboard absolutly stacked, 4 1st rounders won't hurt us anywhere near as much as most other teams(in addition, we would still have a 1st next year thanks to Anaheim). If the kids in the organization from 03-07 drafts don't pan out then why would draft years 08-2011 be any different??? And I hope you realize that Lowe only made two of those picks, Slats made the rest.

I guess when your team is almost devoid of talent, your best player just looks that much better.

I can't believe that some Oil fans were saying that Hemsky was the franchise player after Smyth left, even while Smyth was still there...what a crock.

I don't think anyone was saying that, they were saying he was the future of the franchise, and likely more important to the franchise which is true. Yeah, the Smyth trade was completely stupid of Lowe espically considering it sounded like we could have had him for 5.5 mil per. But Smyth is 31 years old and has never scored 40 goals or 80 points....Hemsky has 30 goal/100 point ability. No, he doesn't bring the grit/leadership/sheer heart that Smyth does, but our team is loaded in those area's....not saying you could ever have enough of it, but Hemsky could be a top 10 player in this league someday soon.

This whole Vanek thing was messing with my mind. Yesterday, while half asleep at 5 am, Voltron came on Adult Swim (I haven't seen it since I was a kid, so I tried to follow it). I was just staring at the TV, and thought to myself that the bad guys should just offer the black lion a huge contract to join them, then they couldn't form Voltron and would be easily defeated. Being deprived of sleep does strange things to your mind :help:

This whole Vanek thing was messing with my mind. Yesterday, while half asleep at 5 am, Voltron came on Adult Swim (I haven't seen it since I was a kid, so I tried to follow it). I was just staring at the TV, and thought to myself that the bad guys should just offer the black lion a huge contract to join them, then they couldn't form Voltron and would be easily defeated. Being deprived of sleep does strange things to your mind :help:

Jesus and I thought I had problems.

The one thing that gets me about Lowe and the Oilers trying to get themselves a top free agent, they had one 5 months ago and they traded him because of a $200,000 difference. I forget what the exact numbers were but I believe they could have had kept Ryan Smythe for less (or at least close) than what they offered Vanek. I know which of the 2 players that I would want on my roster, and it isn't Vanek.

They would have kept a good player that everyone coveted (except the Oilers), kept the face of their franchise and kept their fans happy. But now Lowe is complaining how he couldn't get any UFA's to sign, well no wonder. Who would want to sign with a team that let a player go over a difference of $200,00, a player who was with them since day one, their franchise player, a low maintenace team player and a player who liked playing there.

The one thing that gets me about Lowe and the Oilers trying to get themselves a top free agent, they had one 5 months ago and they traded him because of a $200,000 difference. I forget what the exact numbers were but I believe they could have had kept Ryan Smythe for less (or at least close) than what they offered Vanek. I know which of the 2 players that I would want on my roster, and it isn't Vanek.

They would have kept a good player that everyone coveted (except the Oilers), kept the face of their franchise and kept their fans happy. But now Lowe is complaining how he couldn't get any UFA's to sign, well no wonder. Who would want to sign with a team that let a player go over a difference of $200,00, a player who was with them since day one, their franchise player, a low maintenace team player and a player who liked playing there.

Smyth wanted out of Edmonton, aside from cash differences. You will see that Lowe offered him a $5.4 million dollar deal with a NTC (first given in Oil history) over 5 or 6 years. He ended up getting over $1 million more per year with Colarado. And at the time, paying $5.4 million for a guy like Smyth, towards the end of a 5-6 year contract, when he would be 35ish... seemed quite excessive. It seems that that is now the norm with these ridiculous longterm contracts coming out and Timmonen/Briere/Gomez will be raking in big bucks in their twilight years near their 40s.

I also think Smyth had some kind of a falling out with management and/or wanted a cup sooner which all contributed to his exit.

I'm not sure if this has already been discussed, but wouldn't it make sense that Lou take Parise to arbitration, therefore Lowe can't go after him?

I'm not sure if this has already been discussed, but wouldn't it make sense that Lou take Parise to arbitration, therefore Lowe can't go after him?
He can't. Parise isn't arbitration eligible. Neither was Vanek.

I have a question about restricted FA's.

If Parise gets an offer, but wants to stay in NJ can he simply reject the offer and sign in NJ for less than that offer?

If Parise gets an offer, but wants to stay in NJ can he simply reject the offer and sign in NJ for less than that offer?Of course he can.

Of course he can.

phenomenal.