General rule for this off-season

Let's just analyze the organizational situation right now:

1 - The Devils will have a lot of cap room this summer, and have a lot of flexibility for the next couple years thanks to LL's restraint with Gomez and Rafalski.

2 - The Devils have a depleted prospect pool that, while underrated, cannot take many losses without further hampering New Jersey down the road.

If we throw in the qualifier that almost all UFA's are ridiculously overpriced and underperform, what is the logical conclusion?

The Devils need to buy-low with trades.

Forwards:
Todd Bertuzzi, Alex Tanguay, Martin Havlat, Tim Connolly, Maxim Afinogenov, Andy McDonald

Defense:
Mathieu Schneider, Adrian Aucoin, Marek Zidlicky, Filip Kuba, Bryan McCabe

Not all of the above options are pretty, but most would be low risk and could develop into high reward. Everyone who wants mid-range guys like Rolston are off their rocker in my opinion. Rolston will command $4.5M+, over 3-4 years, not worth it for a guy on the down side of his career (let alone someone subject to the Malakhov rule). Prospal is great but he'll rake in $5M easily, especially after his post-season surge. John-Michael Liles had a bad 07-08, but will still receive offers in the $3-4M range long-term. Brad Stuart sucks and will cost more than he's worth. There are no real good options in UFA. I'd throw the money at Hossa or Campbell, and if he miss on them, then go the trade route. Lou did a great job by showing some fiscal restraint last summer. He should not ruin that by overpaying some middle of the road forward or defenseman.

STAY OUT OF UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENCY

I'd just like to add that my dream situation would be a trade for McDonald as well as Schneider. Neither will require a significant piece in return and they are both off the books by summer '09. McDonald is the center the Devils need - supreme speed and good playmaking ability. Schneider gives the Devils an absolute cannon from the point.

Parise - Elias - Langenbrunner
Zubrus - McDonald - Gionta
Pandolfo - Madden - Zajac
Rupp - Vrana - Brylin

Martin - Oduya
White - Corrente
Salvador - Schneider
Vishnevski

Brodeur
Weekes

This team fits under a $56M cap with ease.

Why do people INSIST on keeping Martin and Oduya together on the top pairing while playing better defenseman who will make 10 times more than Oduya on the 3rd pairing? Why?

Hey guys, let's get Phaneuf, Weber, and Suter this summer.

Oduya-Martin
White - Corrente
Phaneuf - Weber
Suter

Why do people INSIST on keeping Martin and Oduya together on the top pairing while playing better defenseman who will make 10 times more than Oduya on the 3rd pairing? Why?

Hey guys, let's get Phaneuf, Weber, and Suter this summer.

Oduya-Martin
White - Corrente
Phaneuf - Weber
Suter

Talk about nit-picking. The order of the pairings is very arbitrary. I'd rather spread the wealth since the Devils will not have any true #1 defenseman next year. Each of my three pairings could be rolled out in any situation at any time.

That still doesn't explain why everyone wants to keep Martin and Oduya together. Martin had a great season. We were able to pass him off as a top pairing guy, imagine how much better he'd look with Hainsey, Redden, or dare I say it, Suter.

I don't get it? Band aid solutions. I rather sign young players Like Orpik, Malone and Liles, than sign a bunch of old players and be a bubble playoff team. I know I've mentioned Rolston, but that's because he's a former Devil draft pick and player and he still has great wheels and is a 30 goal scorer. Just my opinion.

I agree BD, Orpik FTW.

I don't get it? Band aid solutions. I rather sign young players Like Orpik, Malone and Liles, than sign a bunch of old players and be a bubble playoff team. I know I've mentioned Rolston, but that's because he's a former Devil draft pick and player and he still has great wheels and is a 30 goal scorer. Just my opinion.

You critique me for band-aid solutions and then mention signing Brooks Orpik and John-Michael Liles? Orpik is awful defensively. Liles would be good if he could revert to 05-06 form, however he'll be overpriced and will probably underproduce. Malone will be the biggest disappointment to any team that signs him. If he only manages 51 points with Malkin or Crosby, how many is he going to get on our second line? Everyone on the Malone band-wagon realizes Pittsburgh fans wanted to run him out of town at this point last season?

Mathieu Schneider had a good 07-08 and fills a need. So does McDonald. Both of them are better than the players you suggested, and neither of them will hog tie use down the road. How would we be a bubble team with those guys?

I understand it's "sexy" to go after the highly talked about free agents, however it doesn't make sense in the end.

That still doesn't explain why everyone wants to keep Martin and Oduya together. Martin had a great season. We were able to pass him off as a top pairing guy, imagine how much better he'd look with Hainsey, Redden, or dare I say it, Suter.

I certainly agree Martin would look better with another top pairing guy. If Oduya played with White or Salvador, players who aren't fast and agile enough to cover his mistakes, how much worse would he look?

I'm not saying the situation I proposed is ideal, however I think it's realistic given our assets and the salary cap.

You critique me for band-aid solutions and then mention signing Brooks Orpik and John-Michael Liles? Orpik is awful defensively. Liles would be good if he could revert to 05-06 form, however he'll be overpriced and will probably underproduce. Malone will be the biggest disappointment to any team that signs him. If he only manages 51 points with Malkin or Crosby, how many is he going to get on our second line? Everyone on the Malone band-wagon realizes Pittsburgh fans wanted to run him out of town at this point last season?

I said Malone because if he is on our team he won't score against us...like he always seems to do.

Face it we need someone like Hossa and it won't happen. Most of what is out there is either overpriced or won't want to play here. Welcome to the new NHL where players that are wanted are overpaid.

Let's just analyze the organizational situation right now:

1 - The Devils will have a lot of cap room this summer, and have a lot of flexibility for the next couple years thanks to LL's restraint with Gomez and Rafalski.

2 - The Devils have a depleted prospect pool that, while underrated, cannot take many losses without further hampering New Jersey down the road.

If we throw in the qualifier that almost all UFA's are ridiculously overpriced and underperform, what is the logical conclusion?

The Devils need to buy-low with trades.

Forwards:
Todd Bertuzzi, Alex Tanguay, Martin Havlat, Tim Connolly, Maxim Afinogenov, Andy McDonald

Defense:
Mathieu Schneider, Adrian Aucoin, Marek Zidlicky, Filip Kuba, Bryan McCabe

Not all of the above options are pretty, but most would be low risk and could develop into high reward. Everyone who wants mid-range guys like Rolston are off their rocker in my opinion. Rolston will command $4.5M+, over 3-4 years, not worth it for a guy on the down side of his career (let alone someone subject to the Malakhov rule). Prospal is great but he'll rake in $5M easily, especially after his post-season surge. John-Michael Liles had a bad 07-08, but will still receive offers in the $3-4M range long-term. Brad Stuart sucks and will cost more than he's worth. There are no real good options in UFA. I'd throw the money at Hossa or Campbell, and if he miss on them, then go the trade route. Lou did a great job by showing some fiscal restraint last summer. He should not ruin that by overpaying some middle of the road forward or defenseman.

STAY OUT OF UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENCY

Buy low??? Not with the players you mentioned. And who on our current roster do you expect to trade to take on the high salaries of Bryan McCabe ($5.7 million), Todd Bertuzzi ($4 million), Alex Tanguay( $5.2 million), Maritn Havlat ($6 million), Adrian Aucoin ($4 million), Mathieu Schneider ($5 million)?


Mathieu Schneider had a good 07-08 and fills a need. So does McDonald. Both of them are better than the players you suggested, and neither of them will hog tie use down the road. How would we be a bubble team with those guys?

I understand it's "sexy" to go after the highly talked about free agents, however it doesn't make sense in the end.

Who do you expect to trade for Schneider & McDonald? What do we have that Anaheim & St. Louis need? They certainly need offense and we certainly don't have that.

And who says every UFA is "sexy"?

Buy low??? Not with the players you mentioned. And who on our current roster do you expect to trade to take on the high salaries of Bryan McCabe ($5.7 million), Todd Bertuzzi ($4 million), Alex Tanguay( $5.2 million), Maritn Havlat ($6 million), Adrian Aucoin ($4 million), Mathieu Schneider ($5 million)?

Berutzzi, Tanguay, Havlat, Aucoin, and Schneider are all UFA's after next season. There is no risk. The Devils will have $15M in cap room this off-season.

What is your problem?

Berutzzi, Tanguay, Havlat, Aucoin, and Schneider are all UFA's after next season. There is no risk. The Devils will have $15M in cap room this off-season.

What is your problem?

That your band aid solution stinks as you want to trade half the team for aging players, as if this team is a Matheiu Schnieder and Andy McDonald away from winning a Cup.

Actually, I wish we were, but we're not.

Now, who the heck do you expect to be traded for Schneider and McDonald???

Who do you expect to trade for Schneider & McDonald? What do we have that Anaheim & St. Louis need? They certainly need offense and we certainly don't have that.

And who says every UFA is "sexy"?

Anaheim, first and foremost, needs cap space to sign Perry. Schneider is a good candidate to get dealt. They already have $52.3M committed for next season. He would not cost a ton.

McDonald is less likely to get dealt, however he did not have a sterling 07-08. If St. Louis can sign a Langkow-esque player then it is a distinct possibility. I listed numerous other options. Connolly would be a solid one.

Why is everyone so enamored with overpaying in dollars and years for mediocre UFA's?

Anaheim, first and foremost, needs cap space to sign Perry. Schneider is a good candidate to get dealt. They already have $52.3M committed for next season. He would not cost a ton.

McDonald is less likely to get dealt, however he did not have a sterling 07-08. If St. Louis can sign a Langkow-esque player then it is a distinct possibility. I listed numerous other options. Connolly would be a solid one.

Why is everyone so enamored with overpaying in dollars and years for mediocre UFA's?

Who says you have to sign an UFA for such a long duration?

They can be had for a cheap 1 or 2 year contract.

That your band aid solution stinks as you want to trade half the team for aging players, as if this team is a Matheiu Schnieder and Andy McDonald away from winning a Cup.

Actually, I wish we were, but we're not.

Now, who the heck do you expect to be traded for Schneider and McDonald???

Why does it stink? You have presented no convincing evidence that it does.

I'd rather band-aid the solution with good players such as Schneider and McDonald than overpay for crappy UFA's like Malone and Liles.

Yeah, I think this team could be a #2 center and a second pairing defenseman away from winning the cup. So I guess, in your book, we shouldn't try to improve the team at all then? Let's just waste away Brodeur's remaining years.

Who says you have to sign an UFA for such a long duration?

They can be had for a cheap 1 or 2 year contract.

:laugh:

Good one. Who do you suppose we sign to a one or two year contract?

You understand that Dainius Zubrus and Cory Sarich netted six year deals right? Gomez was signed for seven years. Briere for eight. Hartnell for six. Timonen for six. Rafalski for six.

Um, btw, where did I mention trading "half the team" for aging players? Obviously if Schneider and McDonald involved us trading significant pieces I would not be interested. That is the point of "buy-low".

Why does it stink? You have presented no convincing evidence that it does.

And you have presented no convincing evidence either.

Anybody can sit here and say that we need to trade for Player A, B, C, D, etc.

You continue to avoid answering the all important question that I have now asked you 3 times: Who do you expect to give up for Schneider & McDonald and what do we have that Anaheim and St. Louis really need?


:

Good one. Who do you suppose we sign to a one or two year contract?


Well, here's a list of last years UFA and not everyone signed a Gomez type of contract. Hey, you asked :sarcasm:

http://proicehockey.about.com/od/nhlfreeagents/a/07nhlfreeagents.htm

And you have presented no convincing evidence either.

Anybody can sit here and say that we need to trade for Player A, B, C, D, etc.

You continue to avoid answering the all important question that I have now asked you 3 times: Who do you expect to give up for Schneider & McDonald and what do we have that Anaheim and St. Louis really need?

I answered the Schneider question already. Maybe you didn't see it. Anaheim has $52.3M committed and Schneider makes a large chunk of cash. They need to re-sign Perry and it'll be tough unless they move significant salary. On top of that, Burke has also vowed to bring in another top six piece via trade. Where's the cap money coming from? Someone's gotta go.

McDonald is trickier, however St. Louis will be in the market for someone like Langkow or Prospal (who can play center). If they sign a player like that, McDonald could conceivably be on the block. Anyway, forget McDonald, it's just one example. I also listed numerous other players.

All I'm doing is trying to promote FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE moves for this off-season. Lou is not going to get roped into giving out more long-term deals to mediocre players.

You critique me for band-aid solutions and then mention signing Brooks Orpik and John-Michael Liles? Orpik is awful defensively. Liles would be good if he could revert to 05-06 form, however he'll be overpriced and will probably underproduce. Malone will be the biggest disappointment to any team that signs him. If he only manages 51 points with Malkin or Crosby, how many is he going to get on our second line? Everyone on the Malone band-wagon realizes Pittsburgh fans wanted to run him out of town at this point last season?

Mathieu Schneider had a good 07-08 and fills a need. So does McDonald. Both of them are better than the players you suggested, and neither of them will hog tie use down the road. How would we be a bubble team with those guys?

I understand it's "sexy" to go after the highly talked about free agents, however it doesn't make sense in the end.

Don't take it personally. I just don't want Schneider, who's to old and McDonald, who is a good player, but just makes us smaller then we already are. As for Orpik, he's been a beast in these playoffs and so has Malone. But those guys may not add skill, but do add toughness and grit. And this year's Devils team was not as gritty as it should have been. Liles, I'm really not to high on him, however, he would add some offense to the blue line.

Don't take it personally. I just don't want Schneider, who's to old and McDonald, who is a good player, but just makes us smaller then we already are. As for Orpik, he's been a beast in these playoffs and so has Malone. But those guys may not add skill, but do add toughness and grit. And this year's Devils team was not as gritty as it should have been. Liles, I'm really not to high on him, however, he would add some offense to the blue line.

I'm not really taking personally I was just sort of taken aback that you would suggest Orpik and Liles after not wanting Schneider. Schneider played well this past season. Orpik is notoriously known for being bad in his own zone. Liles is intriguing but will come at a high price.

I think people need to look for more short-term answers. It's not at all smart to give a long-term, high-paying deal to someone like Malone or Liles. The Devils are ahead of the curve in that they aren't hogtied long-term like Anaheim or Philadelphia or Tampa.

I answered the Schneider question already. Maybe you didn't see it.

No you didn't. You only present it as a salary dump from Anaheim's perspective.

Who do you want to send to Anaheim for Mathieu Schnieder?

And as stated earlier, we need more than a Mathieu Schneider. If we were one or two depth players away from a Stanley Cup, then perhaps it might be a good move.

But we are not in the business of solving Anaheim's cap problems. We need long term solutions, not 1 year rentals.

I'm not really taking personally I was just sort of taken aback that you would suggest Orpik and Liles after not wanting Schneider. Schneider played well this past season. Orpik is notoriously known for being bad in his own zone. Liles is intriguing but will come at a high price.

I think people need to look for more short-term answers. It's not at all smart to give a long-term, high-paying deal to someone like Malone or Liles. The Devils are ahead of the curve in that they aren't hogtied long-term like Anaheim or Philadelphia or Tampa.

Take it with a grain of salt.

Nobody here liked McCabe and Chara last summer and some people didn't like Phaneuf this year, as there were trade rumors of his leaving Calgary earlier this season.

If one doesn't like these players, then they certainly wouldn't like Brad Stuart, Mathieu Schneider, Brooks Orpik or JM Liles.

But then again, keep in mind that this a Forum where people said Lecavalier was bad because he's not good defensively and takes too many penalties, or that Joe Thornton is not good because he has never won a Stanley Cup or my favorite: Travis Zajac is a young Rod Brind'Amour. :shakehead

Some Devil fans can be very conceited when it comes to judging other players who are not on the Devils. I believe a lot of that has to do with the spoiled success of winning, but we are in certainly no position to take such a critical stance on other players, especially when this soft, wimpy team can't get out of the 2nd round of the playoffs over the last 5 years.

Let's just analyze the organizational situation right now:

1 - The Devils will have a lot of cap room this summer, and have a lot of flexibility for the next couple years thanks to LL's restraint with Gomez and Rafalski.

2 - The Devils have a depleted prospect pool that, while underrated, cannot take many losses without further hampering New Jersey down the road.

If we throw in the qualifier that almost all UFA's are ridiculously overpriced and underperform, what is the logical conclusion?

The Devils need to buy-low with trades.

Forwards:
Todd Bertuzzi, Alex Tanguay, Martin Havlat, Tim Connolly, Maxim Afinogenov, Andy McDonald

Defense:
Mathieu Schneider, Adrian Aucoin, Marek Zidlicky, Filip Kuba, Bryan McCabe

Not all of the above options are pretty, but most would be low risk and could develop into high reward. Everyone who wants mid-range guys like Rolston are off their rocker in my opinion. Rolston will command $4.5M+, over 3-4 years, not worth it for a guy on the down side of his career (let alone someone subject to the Malakhov rule). Prospal is great but he'll rake in $5M easily, especially after his post-season surge. John-Michael Liles had a bad 07-08, but will still receive offers in the $3-4M range long-term. Brad Stuart sucks and will cost more than he's worth. There are no real good options in UFA. I'd throw the money at Hossa or Campbell, and if he miss on them, then go the trade route. Lou did a great job by showing some fiscal restraint last summer. He should not ruin that by overpaying some middle of the road forward or defenseman.

STAY OUT OF UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENCY

I hope you know getting RFA's wont help our prospect situation. Signing RFA's means losing draft picks.

You understand that Dainius Zubrus and Cory Sarich netted six year deals right?

And I'm glad Zubrus got a 6 year deal. Unlike the NYR who are built small down the middle, Lamoriello is putting us in a perfect position to have among the biggest Centers in the league, especially if Zubrus moves back to Center.

Only 2 of the 8 teams in this 2nd round of the playoffs have smallish Centers: The NYR and Montreal, and they are not doing to well by the way. All the other teams have big or decent sized Centers.

I'm not really taking personally I was just sort of taken aback that you would suggest Orpik and Liles after not wanting Schneider. Schneider played well this past season. Orpik is notoriously known for being bad in his own zone. Liles is intriguing but will come at a high price.

I think people need to look for more short-term answers. It's not at all smart to give a long-term, high-paying deal to someone like Malone or Liles. The Devils are ahead of the curve in that they aren't hogtied long-term like Anaheim or Philadelphia or Tampa.

First, Shneider isn't even UFA. Do you really believe trading for him would be better than giving up zero asstes and signing Liles and Orpik? Jeez, thank goodness you're not our GM.

I hope you know getting RFA's wont help our prospect situation. Signing RFA's means losing draft picks.

Where did I call for poaching RFA's...?

Well, here's a list of last years UFA and not everyone signed a Gomez type of contract. Hey, you asked

Muttley, you admit that we need more than a Schneider to cure our ills. What players of a Schneider or better caliber are receiving one or two year deals? Schneider himself received a two-year deal, but that was because of his age. Most highly regarded players are signing long-term deals when they hit UFA.

And I'm glad Zubrus got a 6 year deal. Unlike the NYR who are built small down the middle, Lamoriello is putting us in a perfect position to have among the biggest Centers in the league, especially if Zubrus moves back to Center.

Only 2 of the 8 teams in this 2nd round of the playoffs have smallish Centers: The NYR and Montreal, and they are not doing to well by the way. All the other teams have big or decent sized Centers.

I'm in full agreement. Dainius is a versatile player who can play any position on any line. His game goes beyond just stats.

Characteristically though, if you keep dolling out long contracts like that, it will come back to bite you, either through injuries or natural player regression. Daymond Langkow has had great back to back seasons feeding Iginla the puck, however I don't want him on a 5/25 type contract, because he won't be worth it in the end.

We're lucky. Lou has us set up very well, at least in cap terms, for the future.

First, Shneider isn't even UFA. Do you really believe trading for him would be better than giving up zero asstes and signing Liles and Orpik? Jeez, thank goodness you're not our GM.

When did I say Schneider was an UFA?

Schneider would not require much. 2nd + mid prospect at the most. I'd be willing to pay that small price in order to a) get a superior player for next season and b) to have cap flexibility down the road. Are you oblivious to the salary cap? So here's your ideal situation...we sign Malone for $4.5M, Liles for $3.5M, Orpik for $3.0M. That's $10M committed for the next three to four years at least. What if Gaborik or Bouwmeester hits UFA next summer? Wouldn't you like to have the cap space for one of them? What if a Brad Richards-esque trade opportunity comes along. Wouldn't you want to have the room? Malone, Liles, and Orpik are all marginal guys who are not worth the long-term deal.

Orpik stinks. He's had a good playoffs, so what? He has never been good. He's AWFUL positionally. Vishnevski 2.0 except more of a battler. Worse, he'll require more money and years than Vish.

Liles is intriguing but is coming off a very bad year. Offensive defensemen like him should put up more than 4 goals and 30 points. If we can get him at no more than $3M for no longer than 3 years, fine, but that won't be the case. I'd much rather trade for a player like Zidlicky.

When did I say Schneider was an UFA?

Schneider would not require much. 2nd + mid prospect at the most. I'd be willing to pay that small price in order to a) get a superior player for next season and b) to have cap flexibility down the road. Are you oblivious to the salary cap? So here's your ideal situation...we sign Malone for $4.5M, Liles for $3.5M, Orpik for $3.0M. That's $10M committed for the next three to four years at least. What if Gaborik or Bouwmeester hits UFA next summer? Wouldn't you like to have the cap space for one of them? What if a Brad Richards-esque trade opportunity comes along. Wouldn't you want to have the room? Malone, Liles, and Orpik are all marginal guys who are not worth the long-term deal.

Orpik stinks. He's had a good playoffs, so what? He has never been good. He's AWFUL positionally. Vishnevski 2.0. Worse, he'll require more money and years than Vish.

Liles is intriguing but is coming off a very bad year. Offensive defensemen like him should put up more than 4 goals and 30 points. If we can get him at no more than $3M for no longer than 3 years, fine, but that won't be the case.

Unfortunately, part of a GM's job is to try and figure out who's a good fit for the team and that also means looking at players who didn't have such a good season. If you only try and pick guys who had great seasons, you better have a lot of cap space.

Unfortunately, part of a GM's job is to try and figure out who's a good fit for the team and that also means looking at players who didn't have such a good season. If you only try and pick guys who had great seasons, you better have a lot of cap space.

It's not simply a matter of that though. Hossa didn't have a great season by his standards. However I would fully support shelling $8M per over 5 years for his services. It's a matter of making the right personnel decisions. Some players are simply sublime and worth it - Hossa and Campbell are two of those guys.

I actually agree that our primary form of asset acquisition this offseason will be in the form of trades, but we have to take advantage of the UFA market in order to fill holes. We're not going to get a Hossa or a Redden, and we shouldn't expect to. But a Brendan Morrison is not out of the question.

In order to get the defensemen we need, we have to make some trades.

Where did I call for poaching RFA's...?



Muttley, you admit that we need more than a Schneider to cure our ills. What players of a Schneider or better caliber are receiving one or two year deals? Schneider himself received a two-year deal, but that was because of his age. Most highly regarded players are signing long-term deals when they hit UFA.



I'm in full agreement. Dainius is a versatile player who can play any position on any line. His game goes beyond just stats.

Characteristically though, if you keep dolling out long contracts like that, it will come back to bite you, either through injuries or natural player regression. Daymond Langkow has had great back to back seasons feeding Iginla the puck, however I don't want him on a 5/25 type contract, because he won't be worth it in the end.

We're lucky. Lou has us set up very well, at least in cap terms, for the future.

Well I figured you meant we should pursue RFA's because you said to "STAY OUT OF UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENCY".

Well I figured you meant we should pursue RFA's because you said to "STAY OUT OF UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENCY".

No, I meant trades. :)

I actually agree that our primary form of asset acquisition this offseason will be in the form of trades, but we have to take advantage of the UFA market in order to fill holes. We're not going to get a Hossa or a Redden, and we shouldn't expect to. But a Brendan Morrison is not out of the question.

In order to get the defensemen we need, we have to make some trades.

Yeah, definitely. I'm not objecting to an UFA signing, however people need to realize that Lou will have to make some trades for less glamorous players, guys not named Ryan Suter.

Morrison is interesting, because if there's an unrestricted free agent who might sign for a discounted rate at less than three or four years, it would be him. He's coming off back to back to back down seasons in Vancouver, the last of which he missed 43 games. However, I have a feeling that a team like Atlanta will push hard for him if they miss out on the Langkow sweepstakes.

Scanning the UFA list, I think players like Morrison, Straka, Nagy, Fedotenko, Brunette, Hagman, Satan, and Ryder might be good buy-low candidates up front. I especially like Fedotenko because he can hit like a truck. Ryder would be interesting but if we don't find a second playmaking center it would be a waste. Nagy has tremendous skill and can dominate a game when he's on, however he's very inconsistent and his effort wavers. On defense Jason Smith, Mark Eaton, and Ron Hainsey stand out. I really hope we can keep Salvador though, making Smith and Eaton obsolete.

I think next years team should look like this


Malone-Macdonald-Elias
Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner
Pandolfo-Madden-Gionta
Bergfors-Rupp-Clarkson

Oduya-Martin
White-Orpik
Corrente-Rozival

Broduer
Weekes

Yeah, definitely. I'm not objecting to an UFA signing, however people need to realize that Lou will have to make some trades for less glamorous players, guys not named Ryan Suter.

Morrison is interesting, because if there's an unrestricted free agent who might sign for a discounted rate at less than three or four years, it would be him. He's coming off back to back to back down seasons in Vancouver, the last of which he missed 43 games. However, I have a feeling that a team like Atlanta will push hard for him if they miss out on the Langkow sweepstakes.

Scanning the UFA list, I think players like Morrison, Straka, Nagy, Fedotenko, Brunette, Hagman, Satan, and Ryder might be good buy-low candidates up front. I especially like Fedotenko because he can hit like a truck. Ryder would be interesting but if we don't find a second playmaking center it would be a waste. Nagy has tremendous skill and can dominate a game when he's on, however he's very inconsistent and his effort wavers. On defense Jason Smith, Mark Eaton, and Ron Hainsey stand out. I really hope we can keep Salvador though, making Smith and Eaton obsolete.


When you have no real assets, it's hard to make any substantial trades. We only have Gionta. Zajac, Clarkson and maybe Greene that would interest other teams. Plus, maybe a handful of prospects like Vrana, Bergfors and Halischuck. I also doubt Lou trades Zajac, who's 1 of 2 true centers on this team and only in his second year.

Lou may sign up to three free agents and may make one trade. He has no choice, except to stay pat and that'sfine with me. I'm more than happy to go with kids.

I think next years team should look like this


Malone-Macdonald-Elias
Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner
Pandolfo-Madden-Gionta
Bergfors-Rupp-Clarkson

Oduya-Martin
White-Orpik
Corrente-Rozival

Broduer
Weekes


Theres something called a cap.... and where is Zubrus? :help:

When you have no real assets, it's hard to make any substantial trades. We only have Gionta. Zajac, Clarkson and maybe Greene that would interest other teams. Plus, maybe a handful of prospects like Vrana, Bergfors and Halischuck. I also doubt Lou trades Zajac, who's 1 of 2 true centers on this team and only in his second year.

Lou may sign up to three free agents and may make one trade. He has no choice, except to stay pat and that'sfine with me. I'm more than happy to go with kids.

However the players I listed would not require any of our major trading chips. People on the Anaheim board seem content with shipping Schneider off for a 2nd round pick if Niedermayer comes back. That was the whole point, players who could be acquired for a very cheap price.

However the players I listed would not require any of our major trading chips. People on the Anaheim board seem content with shipping Schneider off for a 2nd round pick if Niedermayer comes back. That was the whole point, players who could be acquired for a very cheap price.

I'm not sure we're in a position to give up a second rounder for Matty and doubt Lou would. If Neidermayer returns, they need to dump salary because they also have to sign Perry. They let a pretty good goaltender go for no return. Sorry, I pass.

I think next years team should look like this


Malone-Macdonald-Elias
Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner
Pandolfo-Madden-Gionta
Bergfors-Rupp-Clarkson

Oduya-Martin
White-Orpik
Corrente-Rozival

Broduer
Weekes

Uhh...yea...no...:shakehead Thats atrocious.

FYI from yahoo

5/1 O. Malmivaara, NJD, D Signed with European team JYP Jyvaskyla-SM Liiga (Finland)

FYI from yahoo

5/1 O. Malmivaara, NJD, D Signed with European team JYP Jyvaskyla-SM Liiga (Finland)
That's unfortunate, but not entirely unexpected.

i agree w/ people that say malone is gonna get overpaid no matter what and the only reason he is producing is b/c he plays with malkin (and sykora). but anyways when talking about the topic of trades, one player i may look into is antoine vermette. he is a great two way player, very shift with good hands, and is awesome on faceoffs. idk what it would take but thats certainly something i would potentially look into.

i agree w/ people that say malone is gonna get overpaid no matter what and the only reason he is producing is b/c he plays with malkin (and sykora). but anyways when talking about the topic of trades, one player i may look into is antoine vermette. he is a great two way player, very shift with good hands, and is awesome on faceoffs. idk what it would take but thats certainly something i would potentially look into.

Vermette is an option that definetly should be explored.
Same with Umberger, although I dont' see Philly trade in-division.

I'd jump all over Liles for $3-$4M/per.

I think we have an excellent chance at signing Redden, because he is a defenseman. I can dream about Hossa but a top-notch forward will never come here as a UFA.

As for Redden, he would become the #1 d-man we so sorely need. He may even come a little more cheaply as he did not have a great year.

Vermette is an option that definetly should be explored.
Same with Umberger, although I dont' see Philly trade in-division.

Antoinne Vermette
Mike Fisher
Bouwmeester
Horton
Umberger
Carter
Perry

Ill take any of these 50 to 100% impossible players to get.