Comments on: Kaberle yet to cash in on unrestricted free-agent status

By: DannyLeafs

DannyLeafs — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 18:41:28 +0000

I keep referring to it as next off-season, but I ralize it's the one after that. Also, a lot of this is trying to project value at that time. Malkin is worth more than what I said if you trade him now, but if he has a single year left on his deal, and isn't back to being a Hart Candidate, I think his value will diminish. I also think that Oshie and Pietrangelo would be more established and have more value. Kind of a sliding scale thing.

Either way, could be a very interesting offseason.

By: Boston_Bruins

Boston_Bruins — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 11:52:36 +0000

Power Forward is a tough one to define. The prototype is Neely and I think the only player that fits that mold right now is Lucic, and, to a bit of a lesser extent, Clowe and Byfuglien (when he was a forward). Lucic isn't even half as good, but he does do everything Neely used to do, only at a lesser level. But even Lucic has gotten away from some of the tougher aspects of his game this season when he became more relied upon for offense.

By: DannyLeafs

DannyLeafs — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 09:50:54 +0000

I made mention of this before, and while I think many will be re-signed, the money required to do so will likely make for some interesting movement. I mean, if Both Crosby and Staal get raises, what happens in Pittsburgh. They likely won't let them walk, but with Malkin with just a year left after that, it makes sense to re-sign both and actually explore moving Malkin. If he has a great season, you have to think he wants a raise too, making him unaffordable and maybe you need to move him before he walks. If he has a mediocre season, I think you need to add value before it's too late.

Also, Perry & Getzlaf could be hard to keep in the mix if Anaheim isn't a winning team. This team may not be able to afford to spend to the cap much longer if things don't turn around, and Perry and Getzlaf could get very substantial raises.

Guys like Iginla, Alfredsson, Morrow could go on to shorter term deals with teams to try and get a cup.

I am not a Pittsburgh fan (not that I dislike them, but I don't usually think too much about them), but who wouldn't love to see Iginla take a one year deal to play with Crosby and get another shot at the cup?

Think about the overhaul Pittsburgh could pull off in a single summer. A couple of Morrow, Alfredsson, or Iginla could be huge additions via free agency. Retain Staal and Crosby, and move Malkin for a good return. Say a current young top six forward with even more upside, a high pick, and great prospect.

Think about the possibilities if they moved Malkin for a package like Oshie, Pietrangelo, and a 1st. I know people would think it would have to be more, but I think with just a year left on his deal for a big cap hit, it could work. If Malkin has a huge season, they could probably get a Massive return.

Pittsburgh could come out of the offseason next year with a team looking something like this.

Iginla - Crosby - Kunitz
Morrow - Staal - Neal
Depuis - Oshie - Kennedy
Cooke - Letestu - Adams

Letang - Pietrangelo
Marin - Orpik
Michalek - Niskanen

This team looks fantastic as is, but the real appeal is the pure number of guys that just play well in the playoffs. This team is built for the playoffs, and realistically, there could be room for another veteran signing, or the possibility of getting even more for Malkin.

I have never been a big dump Malkin kind of guy, I have spitballed about it, but I always thought it made sense to keep him. But, if there was ever a time to pursue moving him, I think next off-season is it, depending on what guys make it to free agency.

By: mojo19

mojo19 — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:25:18 +0000

Ya I was basing that off the 'next MacArthur' comment. u get credit.

Anwyay's I hope that is the case. I know we re-signed Boyce today, and Lashoff, all the scrubs to fill out the end of the roster/be top callups seem to be coming back, but I still hope Burke makes a play for one more solid forward. Andrew Cogliano would have been a nice addition but hopefully we can bring in a bigger player.

By: mojo19

mojo19 — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:19:21 +0000

Khristich we got for money but to make roster room for him we were forced to put someone on waivers, and that ended up being Steve Sullivan.

And thank you for your comments. Also just wanna say that its not all about Connolly and Lombardi being better than Bozak, as much as Kulemin being better than Kulemin '11. Kessel being better than Kessel '11. Lupul for the whole year (and hopefully healthy). Schenn being better than Schenn '11. Kadri being better etc..... you get the point. Young team, I think had we kept the status quo (we basically did) we were going to be a slightly better team anyways, now just throw some depth into the mix.

By: reinjosh

reinjosh — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:31:03 +0000

Yeah sorry about that. I saw his list and forgot about your comment.

By: TheOnlyIslesFan

TheOnlyIslesFan — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 21:54:24 +0000

I actually still would take Komisarek over here - hard to believe just a few short years ago I was praying nightly for God to somehow bring Higgins and Komisarek home - oh my...

By: Jets_Back

Jets_Back — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 19:59:43 +0000

Actually if you read two comments above his, you will see I mentioned how Toronto could be seeking the next Clarke MacArthur.

I mentioned that in context of Schenn not being re-signed yet and perhaps Toronto waiting to see if another MacArthur would be around, then fitting Schenn afterwards.

I see that highly possible....that at least there will be 1 or 2 guys who will be cut loose.

By: MystifoLeafs

MystifoLeafs — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 16:23:57 +0000

Agreed, with such a deep draft coming I say let the likes of Edmonton offer sheet him.

By: reinjosh

reinjosh — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 15:52:18 +0000

Mojo mentioned this the other day and I actually really liked the idea of potential picking up an RFA arbitration cast off. I know Mojo put down a full list but these are a couple guys I would really like to target, hoping that they get offers that their respective teams won't match.

Ryan Wilson - He has decent size, can hit and has a nice penalty kill ability. Wouldn't be in the same situation as Mac last year but could be a nice 4th line add.

Brian Boyle - Another guy with size, albeit much more than Wilson. Had a nice season last year but was his only real season. Could be a flash in the pan, could be a nice top 9 secondary scoring option.

Ted Purcell - Another guy with some great size at 6 foot 3. Put up some nice numbers getting only 14 minutes a game and was great in the playoffs. Probably unlikely the Lightning let him go but he would be a great third line add. Last season was his only real good season though so it could be a fluke or the benefit of playing behind Stamkos, Vinny and St Louis.

The two guys I really want though, are Jannik Hansen or Blake Comeau.

Hansen is probably the most like Mac. He played mostly third line time and put up some decent numbers. He has some great speed, and is a killer on the penalty kill. At 6 foot 1, he's not a bad way to add some size to the team either. He actually has some nice skill that doesn't really get shown often. He would be a low key addition that wouldn't hurt and could add some MacA upside if he was give the right ice time.

Comeau is probably unlikely to move. NYI does still need to hit the floor so they might just be fine with overpaying him. At 6 foot 1 and 205 he isn't big but isn't small. He's improved the last two seasons (which likely point to NYI wanting to keep him) but hasn't played fully healthy. He has some real nice upside, with the potential to hit 30 one day. If NYI somehow doesn't accept the arbitration award (assuming they don't sign him before hand), I would love for Burke to grab him.