Here's a idea ???

Lou signs Parise to a LTC (30M$ for 7 years) and Martin (16M$ for 5 years). We forget the whole Sheldon Souray crap and we give a offer sheet to Joni Pitkanen. I would offer Pitkanen a 7 year deal worth 32.8M$.

The worst case scenario would be that we would give up a First-round, second-round and third-round choice for a YOUNG puck moving defensemen.

link for the brackets: http://www.nhl.com/news/freelist07.html

What do you guys thinks about the idea ???

P.S. I know that giving more $$$ to Pitkanen rather then Parise would be wrong, but "c'est la vie".

Pitkanen was just traded to EDM, they aren't going to give him up after just acquiring him.

Pitkanen was just traded to EDM, they aren't going to give him up after just acquiring him.

It's still worth a try... NO ???

Well if they go after Parise, we should kick them in the balls by giving Pitkanen an offer sheet.

He's also going to (or being taken to) arbitration making an offer sheet impossible for now. Lowe made sure of this before making the offer to Vanek or else he would have looked pretty stupid if someone stole his RFA away.

EDIT - The flyers took him to arbitration before trading him..
http://blog.canoe.ca/drhockey/2007/06/22/ (bottom of the page)

haha nice avatar

Lou signs Parise to a LTC (30M$ for 7 years) and Martin (16M$ for 5 years). We forget the whole Sheldon Souray crap and we give a offer sheet to Joni Pitkanen. I would offer Pitkanen a 7 year deal worth 32.8M$.

The worst case scenario would be that we would give up a First-round, second-round and third-round choice for a YOUNG puck moving defensemen.

link for the brackets: http://www.nhl.com/news/freelist07.html

What do you guys thinks about the idea ???

P.S. I know that giving more $$$ to Pitkanen rather then Parise would be wrong, but "c'est la vie".


Parise doesn't deserve more than Gointa at this point. Your scenario has Parise taking a $4.3 million cap hit each season.

Martin would then be the highest paid defenseman on the team...he's not up to that point yet IMO.

As for the Pitkanen thing...."if" he signed with the Devils, he'd be the highest paid D-man on the team (third highest salary on the team) and I think it would be 2 or 3 first rounders for Pitkanen.

IMO, I don't like this scenario.

Parise doesn't deserve more than Gointa at this point. Your scenario has Parise taking a $4.3 million cap hit each season.

Martin would then be the highest paid defenseman on the team...he's not up to that point yet IMO.

As for the Pitkanen thing...."if" he signed with the Devils, he'd be the highest paid D-man on the team (third highest salary on the team) and I think it would be 2 or 3 first rounders for Pitkanen.

IMO, I don't like this scenario.


1) Who's more important for the Devils right now and for the future... Parise.
2) Who's better then Martin on our blue line TODAY... no one.
3) We don't have to give Parise 4.3M$ every year for the next 7 years. What we are oblige to do is give Parise 30M$ OVER the next 7 years.
4) I don't have a problem with Pitkanen being the highest paid d-men on our roster because if you look at the rumors, Souray might be the highest paid d-men on our roster... and that bothers me alot more then Pitkanen.
5) "If" we get Pitkanen for the amount that I put up, we would loose our 1st, 2nd and 3rd picks in next years draft. And I really think that trading away our picks for Pitkanen would be a smart move... no ???


I know that my "proposal" is maybe crazy, but I don't understand why you wouldn't be happy with all of this.

from my understanding the next 2 drafts are supposed to be deep, thats why teams were asking for 08 and 09 picks rather than 07 picks so id rather prefer to keep 1sts for the next 2 drafts and maybe trade bergfors who with the youth on our top 2 lines (langs excluded if you put him there) may not see top 6 time anytime soon

1) Who's more important for the Devils right now and for the future... Parise.
2) Who's better then Martin on our blue line TODAY... no one.
3) We don't have to give Parise 4.3M$ every year for the next 7 years. What we are oblige to do is give Parise 30M$ OVER the next 7 years.
4) I don't have a problem with Pitkanen being the highest paid d-men on our roster because if you look at the rumors, Souray might be the highest paid d-men on our roster... and that bothers me alot more then Pitkanen.
5) "If" we get Pitkanen for the amount that I put up, we would loose our 1st, 2nd and 3rd picks in next years draft. And I really think that trading away our picks for Pitkanen would be a smart move... no ???


I know that my "proposal" is maybe crazy, but I don't understand why you wouldn't be happy with all of this.

I agree with your whole deal with Parise and Martin, but why would you give up 3 picks for Pitkanen if you can sign a free agent (not necessarily Souray) and give up no picks at all? No go.

from my understanding the next 2 drafts are supposed to be deep, thats why teams were asking for 08 and 09 picks rather than 07 picks so id rather prefer to keep 1sts for the next 2 drafts and maybe trade bergfors who with the youth on our top 2 lines (langs excluded if you put him there) may not see top 6 time anytime soon

Bergfors will never get you a "Pitkanen" type player without adding a #1 pick. I REALLY don't understand why you guys are so hyped up about a 25th, a 50th and a 75th pick (give or take on the draft order). HELLO PEOPLE... we would be getting a young #1 puck moving defensemen.

What's the problem ??? :shakehead

I agree with your whole deal with Parise and Martin, but why would you give up 3 picks for Pitkanen if you can sign a free agent (not necessarily Souray) and give up no picks at all? No go.

Because I'd rather have a young #1 puck moving d-men then 3 prospects that will MAYBE turn out to play in N.J. or Lowell.

Seems like a no brainer... no???

Bergfors will never get you a "Pitkanen" type player without adding a #1 pick. I REALLY don't understand why you guys are so hyped up about a 25th, a 50th and a 75th pick (give or take on the draft order). HELLO PEOPLE... we would be getting a young #1 puck moving defensemen.

What's the problem ??? :shakehead

Hmmm...let's see Bordeur 20th overall (not quite 25th)
Elias 51st overall, Gionta 82nd overall.

I think that is 3 pretty good reasons why we shouldn't do it.

I would rather have Souray then Pitkanen and sacrifice picks when we are shollow in prospects and a near future strong draft. I also would not lock up that much money on someone that Paul MArtin is capable of being as good as.

This team needs more offense.

If we sign Souray he will propel the PP and also have that point shot we need. He shoots the puck.

His little defensive issues will be solved if he comes to a team that he went +18 and +5 with when he was here.

It is more the team he played for that is indicative of his -28 last season (which by the way Lou will use to negotiate and get his salary down). Souray will play much better defensively for NJ. And he is also like another forward on the blueline for the Power Play and lets face it this is a Special Teams game now.

I have a feeling that Lou will sign Souray for $4.5 million per year for 4 years (and beleive me he will be lucky to get that the longer he goes unsigned because teams Cap Space will be tightening). And I think he will accept it and play with his buddy MArty on the team that made him an NHL defenseman.

And he will have 15-44 for 59 points and be a +6 because he plays for the Devils. Who have Stevens, Robinson and Laparriere to work with him at practice and he will be an effective Defenseman on the team.


I would not be surprised if he is signed and Lou advised to keep it hush hush by now.

Do you honestly think Sheldon Souray (with such a demand for Power Play help in a power play game would go unsigned this long? 1 year or not he had more pointsthen Scott Gomez last season.

I will not base this on nhlline.ca though. This is just my gut that a rare rumor happens.

This team needs more offense.


If we sign Souray he will propel the PP and also have that point shot we need. He shoots the puck.

His little defensive issues will be solved if he comes to a team that he went +18 and +5 with when he was here.

It is more the team he played for that is indicative of his -28 last season (which by the way Lou will use to negotiate and get his salary down). Souray will play much better defensively for NJ. And he is also like another forward on the blueline for the Power Play and lets face it this is a Special Teams game now.

I have a feeling that Lou will sign Souray for $4.5 million per year for 4 years. And I think he will accept it and play with his buddy MArty on the team that made him an NHL defenseman.

And he will have 15-44 for 59 points and be a +6 because he plays for the Devils. Who have Stevens, Robinson and Laparriere to work with him at practice and he will be an effective Defenseman on the team.

Your salary on Souray is too low. He shot down a deal for 22mil. He will probably sign for 5.5 mil over 5 years.

Not a bad plan, but as already posted Pitkanen can't be offered a contract. Plus Lou is old school, so I doubt he goes that way until someone try's to raid his RFA's.

Hmmm...let's see Bordeur 20th overall (not quite 25th)
Elias 51st overall, Gionta 82nd overall.

I think that is 3 pretty good reasons why we shouldn't do it.

I agree with you. The Devils are not desperate for a defensman like Pitkanen to give up picks and a huge chunk of the Cap.

However, for every 3 good picks at 20, 25 and 51, I am sure someone can come up with bad picks as well.

I just see no need when Lou is very serious about getting bigger why he would not sign Souray.

Also can you imagine Lou Lamoriello who always tries to do what is best for the game of hockey as well as his team would go against what is sort of a gentleman's agreement amongst GM's to not talk with any RFA's or offer them any contracts? In the rules or not he will not do that.

Your salary on Souray is too low. He shot down a deal for 22mil. He will probably sign for 5.5 mil over 5 years.

He turned the $22 million deal down for a team he has no intentions of signing with.

I think Souray wants to play for the Devils. I really do.

Hmmm...let's see Bordeur 20th overall (not quite 25th)
Elias 51st overall, Gionta 82nd overall.

I think that is 3 pretty good reasons why we shouldn't do it.

That has tobe the worst argument i've ever seen. It's luck... plain and simple. You mentionned 3 players out of maybe 28 others that we drafted at the same position. So according to your comments, we have about 11% of chances to draft a #1 guy like Brodeur, Elias or Gionta.

11% !!! :amazed:

I agree with you. The Devils are not desperate for a defensman like Pitkanen to give up picks and a huge chunk of the Cap.

However, for every 3 good picks at 20, 25 and 51, I am sure someone can come up with bad picks as well.

I just see no need when Lou is very serious about getting bigger why he would not sign Souray.

BECAUSE HE CAN'T PLAY DEFENSE :sarcasm:

I agree with you and also feel that Souray wants to play with the Devils. I posted last evening even though it may be a stretch, I really do think his deal is all worked out and they are jusy waiting for Martin and Parise to get worked out as well. This avoiding any last minute, outside offers that could possible screw soemthing up.

By not announcing a Souray deal it does noty allow a j-off like Kevin Lowe to come in and offer a contract to Parise, knowing exactly the figure the Devils would have a hard time matching.

BECAUSE HE CAN'T PLAY DEFENSE :sarcasm:

Sheldon Souray is not Vladimir Freakin Malakhov defensively.

HE is not terrible.

If he played well for us 7 years ago he can play well again as a defense man.

That has tobe the worst argument i've ever seen. It's luck... plain and simple. You mentionned 3 players out of maybe 28 others that we drafted at the same position. So according to your comments, we have about 11% of chances to draft a #1 guy like Brodeur, Elias or Gionta.

11% !!! :amazed:

Relax man. Take a look three mesaages back. An offer to Pitkanen is not an option. Besides if you really know how Lou operates, you could see how he would never make such an offer bases on the the three reasons I already gave.

Keep in mind who our top scout is....that 11% is cr@p.

That has tobe the worst argument i've ever seen. It's luck... plain and simple. You mentionned 3 players out of maybe 28 others that we drafted at the same position. So according to your comments, we have about 11% of chances to draft a #1 guy like Brodeur, Elias or Gionta.

11% !!! :amazed:

Just a few more examples...
Brylin - 42nd Overall
Langenbrunner - even though not drafted by us 35th overall
Martin - 62nd Overall
Pandolfo - 32nd Overall
Parise - 17th Overall
White - 49th Overall
Zajac - 20th Overall

Just a few more examples...
Brylin - 42nd Overall
Langenbrunner - even though not drafted by us 35th overall
Martin - 62nd Overall
Pandolfo - 32nd Overall
Parise - 17th Overall
White - 49th Overall
Zajac - 20th Overall

And 5 of them have Won Cups.

I totally agree with you on this one.


When a team has a strong scouting staff, just lost two key players, and is some what shallow in prospects when they are accustomed to building within, I would not trade picks that could end up being another Pitkanen. And in the process tie up that much Cap Money.

I would rather have Souray. And I think he takes less to play here then his offer by Montreal. Remember I said that.

Are you guys seriously already pissed at us because you're all EXPECTING Lowe to give Parise an outragous offer sheet(like he should do)? I don't know about this board, but our board was talking about it so much this season how this was going to happen a lot more. Yeah, we fully expect teams to come after us and try to get us back in the future, but we can avoid that problem by locking up our youth long term. Now obviously you won't be able to be as cheap with your RFA's as you used to be, but you can still avoid the problem. Plus it's not as if you can't retain the player, you just might have to overpay for him. But in this cap world where prices will go up in one area they will have to come down in another, it all even's out. I would fully expect Lou to try to get one of Lowe's guys if we send Parise an offer sheet for say 7 years/42 million, but Lowe can stay ahead of the game by locking up his RFA's, just like Regier SHOULD have done. I mean, how do you leave a 23 year old 43 goal scorer in any way exposed like that??? Regier might be the most overrated GM in the last 2 years because he got bailed out by how the game changed IMO. Had it not changed, that team would have been a 5th-8th place team and bounced in the 1st round the last 2 seasons while YOU GUYS would have kept winning cups;)

1) Who's more important for the Devils right now and for the future... Parise.
2) Who's better then Martin on our blue line TODAY... no one.
3) We don't have to give Parise 4.3M$ every year for the next 7 years. What we are oblige to do is give Parise 30M$ OVER the next 7 years.
4) I don't have a problem with Pitkanen being the highest paid d-men on our roster because if you look at the rumors, Souray might be the highest paid d-men on our roster... and that bothers me alot more then Pitkanen.
5) "If" we get Pitkanen for the amount that I put up, we would loose our 1st, 2nd and 3rd picks in next years draft. And I really think that trading away our picks for Pitkanen would be a smart move... no ???


I know that my "proposal" is maybe crazy, but I don't understand why you wouldn't be happy with all of this.

1) I agree, Parise is very important to the Devils future...but at this time, he's not worth the money you are talking about...but it's important to sign him long term.
2) Martin is good and one of our top blue liners...but he's not worth the money you are suggesting....again...important to sign long term.
3) If you propose that Lou give a 7 year $30 million contract to Parise, it's the average of the contract...which amounts to $4.3 million a year.
4) Pitkanen had a really off year last year...you don't want to give him $4 or 5 million a year until he redeems himself.
5) With draft picks...I'm pretty sure it's only first rounders that we'd lose when signing another team's RFA...not 2nd or 3rd rounders.

http://www.nhlscap.com/offer_sheets.htm

There is a compensation system that involves 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rounders.

This doesn't work because it wouldn't be a good idea for the Devils, but it doesn't work for a much more fundamental reason too...

...that being Pitkanen is going to arbitration and we can't offer him a contract, period.

1) I agree, Parise is very important to the Devils future...but at this time, he's not worth the money you are talking about...but it's important to sign him long term.
2) Martin is good and one of our top blue liners...but he's not worth the money you are suggesting....again...important to sign long term.
3) If you propose that Lou give a 7 year $30 million contract to Parise, it's the average of the contract...which amounts to $4.3 million a year.
4) Pitkanen had a really off year last year...you don't want to give him $4 or 5 million a year until he redeems himself.
5) With draft picks...I'm pretty sure it's only first rounders that we'd lose when signing another team's RFA...not 2nd or 3rd rounders.


1) How much $$$ would you give Parise in order for him to sign a LTC... 2.5M$ per season for 6 years ?!?!?!? I bet chy'a he'll jump all over that offer :biglaugh: If you want your players locked up long term, you need to dish same cash today in order to save later. For instance, Elias will be a bargain for the last 3 years of his deal at 5M$ per but he's costing Lou 7.5M$ this year.

2) Same thing goes for Martin

3) We have the cap space to give Parise a LTC so that means that Lou can absorb a big part of the contract this year (like 5M$) and settle for less in the years to come.

4) So you're saying that a player that had 43 points in 77 games playing on the 2nd worst team in the league is "having a off year" ??? WOW, I can't wait to see the kind of stats that he'll put up once he gets his A-game back !!!

5) Here's the link: http://www.nhl.com/news/freelist07.html

Over $3,515,647 to $4,687,530 will cost you: First-round, second-round and third-round choice.


I know it'll never happen, but I just don't understand why people are against this :shakehead

1) How much $$$ would you give Parise in order for him to sign a LTC... 2.5M$ per season for 6 years ?!?!?!? I bet chy'a he'll jump all over that offer :biglaugh: If you want your players locked up long term, you need to dish same cash today in order to save later. For instance, Elias will be a bargain for the last 3 years of his deal at 5M$ per but he's costing Lou 7.5M$ this year.

2) Same thing goes for Martin

3) We have the cap space to give Parise a LTC so that means that Lou can absorb a big part of the contract this year (like 5M$) and settle for less in the years to come.

4) So you're saying that a player that had 43 points in 77 games playing on the 2nd worst team in the league is "having a off year" ??? WOW, I can't wait to see the kind of stats that he'll put up once he gets his A-game back !!!

5) Here's the link: http://www.nhl.com/news/freelist07.html

Over $3,515,647 to $4,687,530 will cost you: First-round, second-round and third-round choice.


I know it'll never happen, but I just don't understand why people are against this :shakehead
I have no problem with either of your suggested long term contracts to Parise or Martin. If they'll take those contracts, sign em up today. Signing Pitkanen is a horrible idea for a lot of reasons, even if it were possible (which it isn't).

1. Pitkanen is overrated. Last season he was terrible, terrible defensively. I've never been a fan of him and I really just don't like him as a player. If he wants to be a star, he'll be a star, but he has never shown the drive to be one in the NHL. We don't need that kind of player.

2. I'm not giving up my first round picks. Look what our last three first round picks have gotten us: Parise, Zajac, and Corrente. I'm sorry, but I'm not giving up a pick in an extremely, extremely deep 08' draft or in what's supposed to be another deep 09' draft unless I'm getting a bonafide star in return. Pitkanen is not. He's worth neither the $4.5M contract nor the picks.

For that price, in this market, I'd rather sign Souray and not have to give up any picks. He might be more cash, and he's probably even worse defensively, but he'd be a good lockerroom influence and add physicality, especially when compared to Pitkanen. And I don't want to sign Souray, although I admit I'm warming to the idea.

Besides, I guarantee Edmonton would match any offer that wasn't completely insane. They just got him, and if he's playing well he's exactly what the Oilers needed.

1) How much $$$ would you give Parise in order for him to sign a LTC... 2.5M$ per season for 6 years ?!?!?!? I bet chy'a he'll jump all over that offer :biglaugh: If you want your players locked up long term, you need to dish same cash today in order to save later. For instance, Elias will be a bargain for the last 3 years of his deal at 5M$ per but he's costing Lou 7.5M$ this year.

2) Same thing goes for Martin

3) We have the cap space to give Parise a LTC so that means that Lou can absorb a big part of the contract this year (like 5M$) and settle for less in the years to come.

4) So you're saying that a player that had 43 points in 77 games playing on the 2nd worst team in the league is "having a off year" ??? WOW, I can't wait to see the kind of stats that he'll put up once he gets his A-game back !!!

5) Here's the link: http://www.nhl.com/news/freelist07.html

Over $3,515,647 to $4,687,530 will cost you: First-round, second-round and third-round choice.


I know it'll never happen, but I just don't understand why people are against this :shakehead

1 & 2) $2.5 million or $3 million would be fine.

3) The cap hit for a team on a LTC is the average of the contract which I'm sure you know. For example, Gomez is getting $10 million this year from the Rangers...but only $7.5 or something like that is the cap hit.

4) If you look at Pitkanen's stats from the previous year and compare them to last year...yes...it was an off year. As for Pitkanen's salary from last year...it was $2 million. To more that double his salary from your proposal....not worth it.

5)Thanks for the info...good to know.


Yes, I know some of your proposals would never happen....I'm just giving you the "devil's advocate" opinion on the topic. Wouldn't be much of a message board if everyone agreed on every topic posted.

1 & 2) $2.5 million or $3 million would be fine.

3) The cap hit for a team on a LTC is the average of the contract which I'm sure you know. For example, Gomez is getting $10 million this year from the Rangers...but only $7.5 or something like that is the cap hit.

4) If you look at Pitkanen's stats from the previous year and compare them to last year...yes...it was an off year.

5)Thanks for the info...good to know.


Yes, I know some of your proposals would never happen....I'm just giving you the "devil's advocate" opinion on the topic. Wouldn't be much of a message board if everyone agreed on every topic posted.

The insane Vanek contract makes this completely impossible. Many young unproven players will be getting much more than they have earned on the ice. Young RFA's will be highly over-paid to ensure they stick around.

I have no problem with either of your suggested long term contracts to Parise or Martin. If they'll take those contracts, sign em up today. Signing Pitkanen is a horrible idea for a lot of reasons, even if it were possible (which it isn't).

1. Pitkanen is overrated. Last season he was terrible, terrible defensively. I've never been a fan of him and I really just don't like him as a player. If he wants to be a star, he'll be a star, but he has never shown the drive to be one in the NHL. We don't need that kind of player.

2. I'm not giving up my first round picks. Look what our last three first round picks have gotten us: Parise, Zajac, and Corrente. I'm sorry, but I'm not giving up a pick in an extremely, extremely deep 08' draft or in what's supposed to be another deep 09' draft unless I'm getting a bonafide star in return. Pitkanen is not. He's worth neither the $4.5M contract nor the picks.

For that price, in this market, I'd rather sign Souray and not have to give up any picks. He might be more cash, and he's probably even worse defensively, but he'd be a good lockerroom influence and add physicality, especially when compared to Pitkanen. And I don't want to sign Souray, although I admit I'm warming to the idea.

Besides, I guarantee Edmonton would match any offer that wasn't completely insane. They just got him, and if he's playing well he's exactly what the Oilers needed.

How can you say that Pitkanen is overated ??? The guy is only at his 3rd season in the NHL and he's averaged a little more then 1 point for every 2 games played (206 GP, 116 PTS and he's +12). He's only 23 so his full potential hasn't been reached yet.

On the other hand, we know for a fact that Souray sucks on D (SUCKS BIG TIME), he's 7 years older then Pitkanen and he only put up one better season (last year) then Joni in his 8 year career.

I'm sorry but Pitkanen is >>>>>>>>>>>> then Souray.

I know Edmonton needs a puck moving d-men but there team isn't a SCP contender (sorry Oilers fans). We, on the other hand are. We have all the tools except a puck moving defencemen. Souray is great on the PP because he has a rocket from the point but he isn't the guy you want breaking out of the zone or the guy making that 1st outlet pass.

With the loss of Gomez (trap breaker) and Rafalski... who will start the rush... Oduya ???

The insane Vanek contract makes this completely impossible. Many young unproven players will be getting much more than they have earned on the ice. Young RFA's will be highly over-paid to ensure they stick around.

Good point. Using that theory....then yes....Parise could ask for up to $4.5 - 5 million a season. Lou could very well have his hands tied with him....as for Martin....he really doesn't have a basis to ask for more than $3 million a year.

How can you say that Pitkanen is overated ??? The guy is only at his 3rd season in the NHL and he's averaged a little more then 1 point for every 2 games played (206 GP, 116 PTS and he's +12). He's only 23 so his full potential hasn't been reached yet.

On the other hand, we know for a fact that Souray sucks on D (SUCKS BIG TIME), he's 7 years older then Pitkanen and he only put up one better season (last year) then Joni in his 8 year career.

I'm sorry but Pitkanen is >>>>>>>>>>>> then Souray.
Yes, but Pitkanen <<<< Souray + 1st round pick + 2nd round pick + 3rd round pick

Yes, but Pitkanen <<<< Souray + 1st round pick + 2nd round pick + 3rd round pick

Touché !!!!!

Yes, but Pitkanen <<<< Souray + 1st round pick + 2nd round pick + 3rd round pick

One other piece of the puzzle on the Pitkanen side... 2M cap space.

Just so I'm on the record, I dont want either. Though Pitkanen is much better than Souray.

I probably woudn't give Pitkanen a huge offer sheet and risk all those picks but yes, Souray is THAT BAD defensively. Granted, he might fit better in a Devils' system but this guy is a ****ing pylon with a bionic arm.

I probably woudn't give Pitkanen a huge offer sheet and risk all those picks but yes, Souray is THAT BAD defensively. Granted, he might fit better in a Devils' system but this guy is a ****ing pylon with a bionic arm.

+1 :)

I probably woudn't give Pitkanen a huge offer sheet and risk all those picks but yes, Souray is THAT BAD defensively. Granted, he might fit better in a Devils' system but this guy is a ****ing pylon with a bionic arm.
Believe me, I know. I started the "Keep Souray out of NJ!" bandwagon.

Besides, people, if you really want to pry Pitkanen out of Edmonton, it's going to take more than a $4.5M offer sheet. You'll have to go into a higher compensation range before Edmonton is going to refuse to match the offer.

But again, this is all irrelevant since Pitkanen is going to arbitration and he can't accept offer sheets regardless.

Yes, but Pitkanen <<<< Souray + 1st round pick + 2nd round pick + 3rd round pick

Maybe so, but I'd still take the chance. Souray is asking for alot of $$$ and everybody that understands hockey knows that he isn't worth what he's asking for... and especialy not for 5 years.

Picks are overated. I understand that our 1st round pick can be something decent but loosing a 2nd and a 3rd rounder for a young, proven #1 d-men... it's nothing. If our scouting system sucked, I'd say OK we need our 1st rounders. It just seems that every 2 years or so, Lou (and Conte) signs this kid outta the blue (Madden, Rafalski, Greene...) and becomes a steady player for us.

Believe me, I know. I started the "Keep Souray out of NJ!" bandwagon.

Besides, people, if you really want to pry Pitkanen out of Edmonton, it's going to take more than a $4.5M offer sheet. You'll have to go into a higher compensation range before Edmonton is going to refuse to match the offer.

But again, this is all irrelevant since Pitkanen is going to arbitration and he can't accept offer sheets regardless.

....and to pay him more that double what he made last year...and yes...compared to the previous year...he had an off year. Personally, I think Lou could find someone a little more solid and consistent than Souray and Pitkanen.

Our "D" is in pretty good shape...the final "D" I'd like to be on the team would be Brent Sopel. I like this guy. I can't see him being too expensive...and he is a career + when it comes to +/-.

Maybe so, but I'd still take the chance. Souray is asking for alot of $$$ and everybody that understands hockey knows that he isn't worth what he's asking for... and especialy not for 5 years.

Picks are overated. I understand that our 1st round pick can be something decent but loosing a 2nd and a 3rd rounder for a young, proven #1 d-men... it's nothing. If our scouting system sucked, I'd say OK we need our 1st rounders. It just seems that every 2 years or so, Lou (and Conte) signs this kid outta the blue (Madden, Rafalski, Greene...) and becomes a steady player for us.
The Devils were built from first round draft picks, DATW.

John MacLean
Kirk Muller --> Stephane Richer
Brendan Shanahan --> Scott Stevens
Bill Guerin --> Jason Arnott --> Jamie Langenbrunner
Martin Brodeur
Scott Niedermayer
Jason Smith --> Doug Gilmour
Denis Pederson (Hah) --> Alexander Mogilny
Petr Sykora --> Jeff Friesen
Scott Gomez (Bah.)
Zach Parise
Travis Zajac
Niklas Bergfors
Matt Corrente

Do you know how much of our team comes from those few first round picks? Roughly half, more than that, of our first round picks have turned into someone who became a key part of the franchise. Half.

If our scouting was terrible, I'd say trade the picks and get value now. But it isn't terrible, and our picks inevitably turn into good players.

The Devils were built from first round draft picks, DATW.

John MacLean
Kirk Muller --> Stephane Richer
Brendan Shanahan --> Scott Stevens
Bill Guerin --> Jason Arnott --> Jamie Langenbrunner
Martin Brodeur
Scott Niedermayer
Jason Smith --> Doug Gilmour
Denis Pederson (Hah) --> Alexander Mogilny
Petr Sykora
Scott Gomez (Bah.)
Zach Parise
Travis Zajac
Niklas Bergfors
Matt Corrente

Do you know how much of our team comes from those few first round picks? Roughly half, more than that, of our first round picks have turned into someone who became a key part of the franchise. Half.

If our scouting was terrible, I'd say trade the picks and get value now. But it isn't terrible, and our picks inevitably turn into good players.

Hard to argue with that point.

The Devils were built from first round draft picks, DATW.

John MacLean
Kirk Muller --> Stephane Richer
Brendan Shanahan --> Scott Stevens
Bill Guerin --> Jason Arnott --> Jamie Langenbrunner
Martin Brodeur
Scott Niedermayer
Jason Smith --> Doug Gilmour
Denis Pederson (Hah) --> Alexander Mogilny
Petr Sykora
Scott Gomez (Bah.)
Zach Parise
Travis Zajac
Niklas Bergfors
Matt Corrente

Do you know how much of our team comes from those few first round picks? Roughly half, more than that, of our first round picks have turned into someone who became a key part of the franchise. Half.

If our scouting was terrible, I'd say trade the picks and get value now. But it isn't terrible, and our picks inevitably turn into good players.

You could put an ex-Devils name before that one because Nieds was acquired via trade....Lou traded Tom Kurvers to the Leafs for their No. 1 pick in '91...which still proves that the Devils scouting system did their job in picking Nieds.

Look, I'm not saying that our #1 picks are worthless... what I'm saying is that Pitkanen is worth ALOT more then the 25th (give or take), the 50th and the 75th picks in next years draft.

That's all !!!

Look, I'm not saying that our #1 picks are worthless... what I'm saying is that Pitkanen is worth ALOT more then the 25th (give or take), the 50th and the 75th picks in next years draft.

That's all !!!
You're very very optimistic if you think we're getting the 25th pick next year.

You're very very optimistic if you think we're getting the 25th pick next year.

I thought I wrote GIVE OR TAKE.

Ok... maybe not 25th but I really think that we'll be a top 10 team next year. We lost Gomez for Zubrus and Rafalski for Rachunek and maybe Sheldon "mister rumor" Souray.

Plain and simple Lou does not operate this way. Its a nice discussion, but it ends there.