Future Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 They aren't putting 23 million in to two centers as well as paying Jamie Benn and Radulov. He's not going to Dallas. That would leave them with nothing on the blueline. I stand by the teams I noted. Unless he really doesn't give a fuck about winning, or the teams are interested in a 10 million dollar 2C. Klingberg is signed long term and Heiskanen is coming...but besides Dallas, there's no real rationale in who you're saying isn't an option. Why Colorado but not Detroit? Why St Louis but not Nashville? Why NJD but not Boston? Why not Vegas or CGY? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giacomin Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Well Detroit and Boston have cap issues. Boston also has a 1 and 2C. Calgary is another place with an arena issue, Monahan the beast, and also way da fuke in the Tundra. Would you go there? Dunny may have missed a team or two, and maybe Dallas or someone unexpected goes balls out for JT. That said, the choices are still probably in the single digits versus 26 teams. Still a bidding war and the odds are too long to modify a plan around JT coming here. If he was 2 years younger and he didn't need max years, I'd consider, but that's not reality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giacomin Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Colorado has an issue because Nate is the beast among beasts and isn't moving to the wing or 2nd line. Secondly, though they can afford it, they are trying to work a salary structure throughout the team, which is why they traded O'Reilly. JT will require an overbid and blow up their structure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Future Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 I mean we can nitpick all day, but I'll just say that I think a team having another #1C is a reason why JT would go somewhere, not a reason why he wouldn't. Teams like Detroit and Boston have to dump, essentially, one piece (Zetterberg, Krejci) and JT fits easy. The cap going up $5m next year gives most teams enough flexibility if they want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giacomin Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 I mean we can nitpick all day, but I'll just say that I think a team having another #1C is a reason why JT would go somewhere, not a reason why he wouldn't. Teams like Detroit and Boston have to dump, essentially, one piece (Zetterberg, Krejci) and JT fits easy. The cap going up $5m next year gives most teams enough flexibility if they want. Not meaning to nitpick, I'm just trying to get a realistic idea about which teams (and how many) may be interested and which destinations make sense. The best way to do this is to consider, roster construction, Cap space and teams that have center needs and any other mitigating circumstances. Many are also trying to anticipate his cap cost and term. Just discussion. Honestly, I don't think about Tavares as a Ranger, or don't allow myself the indulgence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Tavares is a weird dude, too, so I'm loathe to make a prediction but I think you can objectively consider the Rangers a front runner if he's not sold on remaining with the Islanders and assuming the Rangers FO wants to go that direction. I watched the TSN program on the Ranger/Flyer/Lindros fiasco last night and Neil Smith just says it, he didn't even really want in on it but when you're the Rangers you're in on it whether you like it or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 I'm also on board with Mikey's assertion that this franchise isn't just going to sit on their hands in this rebuild and write the year off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albatrosss Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 we should have a poll for rep to see where he signs. I say he stays with piles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LONG LONG LONG TIME FAN Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 In answer to the OP, he would be a bigger fool to sign with the Rangers. And vice versa. Just sign with any of his hometown Canada teams (probably Canadians) and call it a career. When Ralph Kiner wanted a raise, Branch Rickey said; "no, son......we could've finished in last place without you". Kind of relevant here. If the Rangers go ahead and overpay for Taveras, does that really help the rebuild? Or, would it be a promotions move while NOT really going full throttle with the original plan? He would instantly bring us back to mediocrity, with an aging goalie and a horrible defense. Is that really that much different from where he is leaving? Stay away John, for the good of both parties. Simply put......you don't put the new roof on, until you have laid the groundwork and the 4 solid walls. You add the roof (John or the likes) AFTER the team is pretty much constructed. Imo. It would be very different than when we added Nasher. At least Nasher was being brought into an "already PO bound team and was supposed to be the missing piece", Taveras wouldn't be that. Just saying. Ralph Kiner is one of the greatest to ever have played, and played in an era when the owners actually owned the players. He would've made countless millions in the age of free agency. Comparing a HOF'ER to john Tavares - at this point of his career - is misleading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 I'm also on board with Mikey's assertion that this franchise isn't just going to sit on their hands in this rebuild and write the year off. From a very close source, they’re not going to sit on their hands. They will try to make this a playoff team next season, and if things go as planned (Idk what that consists of), they will be a contender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myusername Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 They can want whatever, but unless they hit the jackpot with Dahlin the defense is still going to be bottom 5 next season. At best they may sneak in if one of Andersson or Chytil have a big rookie season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 They can fix the D with some UFA signings. Which scares me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myusername Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 They can fix the D with some UFA signings. Which scares me. What's available? Wonder if they will give Smith another chance next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gravesy Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 What's available? Wonder if they will give Smith another chance next season. 1. JOHN TAVARES, C, 27 2017-18 cap hit: $5,500,000 Just as Steven Stamkos shaped up to be the most significant UFA in NHL history two years ago, the same goes for Tavares if he makes it to July 1 unsigned. He has a strong chance to surpass Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane’s $10.5-million cap hits and become hockey’s second-richest player behind Connor McDavid. Will Tavares leave the Islanders? It’s no sure thing. He’s comfortable in that market. Really boosting the odds of him staying are Matt Barzal’s mammoth rookie year and the Isles’ winning the Belmont Park arena bid. 2. JOHN CARLSON, D, 28 2017-18 cap hit: $3,966,667 The decimation of Washington’s ‘D,’ with Kevin Shattenkirk and Karl Alzner gone as UFAs and Matt Niskanen sustaining an early-season injury, likely made Carlson a lot of money. He has logged a career-best 25:54 per a game in a bellcow role on defense. Carlson is also a right-handed shot. He’s 2018’s equivalent of Kevin Shattenkirk, poised to break the bank. Losing Carlson would be devastating for the Caps. 3. JAMES VAN RIEMSDYK, LW, 29 2017-18 cap hit: $4,250,000 ‘JVR’ appears to have hit his peak, but it’s a nice peak. He offers a floor of about 25 goals and 50 points, can slide in on any scoring line and makes life difficult around the net with his hand-eye co-ordination and athleticism. He should attract a bushel of suitors. The question now is whether the Leafs, too deep at forward, might be better off dealing him before the month is up. Demoting JVR to their third line felt like a harbinger of a trade. 4. MIKE GREEN, D, 32 2017-18 cap hit: $6,000,000 The Caps must find the money to re-up Carlson, and it’s a decent bet they will, so it’s likely Green enters the summer as the top free agent blueliner. He could wind up signing an identical deal to his previous one in term and money: three years, $18 million. He’s helped his cause a lot with stellar scoring numbers this season on a middling Red Wings squad. 5. JOSH BAILEY, RW, 28 2017-18 cap hit: $3,300,000 Playmaking winger posting his best scoring numbers ever, but is he merely the product of playing with Tavares? That’s always the question with Bailey, who could wind up overpaid if he leaves the Isles. Tavares has gotten a point on 52.6 percent of Bailey’s 57 points this season. 6. JAMES NEAL, RW, 30 2017-18 cap hit: $5,000,000 Representing the shocking, first-place Golden Knights in the All-Star Game, Neal has enjoyed his best season since his halcyon days in Pittsburgh. Vegas has already begun rewarding its players for this record-breaking expansion year, handing out mid-season extensions to Jonathan Marchessault, Brayden McNabb and Jon Merrill. There’s a decent chance Neal isn’t going anywhere, either. 7. MIKAEL BACKLUND, C, 29 2017-18 cap hit: $3,575,000 Backlund is a poor man’s Patrice Bergeron, excellent defensively, elite in the possession game and skilled enough to center a second line. The Flames would be wise to re-sign him before he gets to open market, as he’d be attractive to pretty much every team. 8. EVANDER KANE, LW, 26 2017-18 cap hit: $5,250,000 Talent has never been the issue for Kane. He’s big, strong, mean and gifted, like a young Todd Bertuzzi. Kane is also quietly just 26 and on pace for a career year. As long as his head’s on straight, which is never a guarantee, he’s a high-impact UFA. 9. ILYA KOVALCHUK, RW, 35 2017-18 cap hit: $6,666,666 Shows absolutely zero signs of slowing down in the KHL, where he continues to light it up, and he’s a proven NHL talent, one of the best goal scorers of his generation. Teams will still likely take a prove-it approach given his age, though. Something like a two-year pact sounds likely. 10. JOE THORNTON, C, 38 2017-18 cap hit: $8,000,000 ‘Jumbo’ won’t win the Hart or scoring title again but remains a great playmaker and elite two-way center. The fact San Jose had to overpay him at $8 million last summer suggests he considered leaving. Might he actually do it next time, like buddy Patrick Marleau did in 2017? 11. PATRIC HORNQVIST, RW, 31 2017-18 cap hit: $4,250,000 Underrated. Hornvqist shoots the puck a ton, he hits, he agitates, and he scores a decent amount. His style does bang him up, though. He’s old for his age. A contract longer than a few years would be a risk for any team chasing him. 12. ZDENO CHARA, D, 41 2017-18 cap hit: $4,000,000 Odds are he keeps playing – and in a Bruins uniform. He hasn’t worn out his usefulness as a shutdown D-man and mentor to the youngsters like Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo. Chara has been a huge part of Boston’s success this year. 13. DAVID PERRON, LW, 30 2017-18 cap hit: $3,750,000 David Perron, point-per-game stud? Dreams come true in Sin City. He’s played his way into a nice extension theoretically, but if Golden Knights GM George McPhee pays every player for his 2017-18 performance, he’ll run out of money. Someone will end up the odd man out and walk as a UFA. Maybe it’s Perron? 14. RICK NASH, LW, 34 2017-18 cap hit: $7,800,000 After being asked to submit a no-trade list to Jeff Gorton leading up to the Feb. 26, deadline, Nash won’t be a Ranger for long. He still brings a big, strong, athletic skill set to a scoring line, but he’s also a name brand who may never have a 30-goal season again, let alone a 40-goal season. It’s tough to see him earning more than a two- or three-year commitment on the open market. 15. HENRIK SEDIN, C, 37 2017-18 cap hit: $7,000.000 & 16. DANIEL SEDIN, LW, 37 2017-18 cap hit: $7,000,000 They’ve made it pretty clear that, if they do come back, it will only be to Vancouver. They’ve been effective this season with new coach Travis Green trimming their minutes. 17. PATRICK MAROON, LW, 30 2017-18 cap hit: $2,000,000 If Maroon’s no longer joined at the hip with Connor McDavid on the Oilers’ top line, it feels like Maroon’s days are numbered. The Oilers have Milan Lucic and Zack Kassian, rendering Maroon’s big-man-with-a-scoring-touch skill set redundant. Maroon is a prime trade candidate this month if Edmonton can’t climb into realistic playoff contention. 18. CALVIN DE HAAN, D, 27 2017-18 cap hit: $3,300,000 Not flashy, and he doesn’t log monster minutes for the Isles, but de Haan is a sturdy, physical top-four defender who blocks shots and isn’t a zero on offense. Any team could use that. 19. PAUL STASTNY, C, 32 2017-18 cap hit: $7,000,000 He was overpaid the day he signed that deal in St. Louis with a $7-million AAV. Maybe he stays in his hometown at a discount. It will have to be a major pay cut, though. We’re talkin’ millions. 20. MICHAEL GRABNER, RW, 30 2017-18 cap hit: $1,650,000 A handy specialist who brings speed, penalty killing acumen and tremendous even-strength scoring on bottom-six assignments. He can find work two ways: (a) on a short-term deal with a rebuilding team who can flip him to a contender at next year’s deadline or (b) on a contender looking to shore up its depth and penalty killing. 21. THOMAS VANEK, LW, 34 2017-18 cap hit: $2,000,000 A true gun for hire now but still an effective one. He’s been such a nice mentor for Brock Boeser that I wonder if, even if they sell Vanek as a rental this month, the Canucks consider bringing him back for cheap this July. 22. LARS ELLER, C, 29 2017-18 cap hit: $3,500,000 He’ll never hit the offensive ceiling he was once perceived to have, but he’s settled in as a good No. 3 pivot. He’s big, he can score a little bit, and he’s responsible defensively. 23. ERIK GUDBRANSON, D, 26 2017-18 cap hit: $3,500,000 New-school hockey minds see him as too slow to be an effective modern-style defender. Old-school thinkers like the big body, mean streak and righthanded shot. We can debate forever whether Gudbranson is overrated, but someone’s going to give him decent money and term. If we believe GM Jim Benning, that team may again be the Canucks. 24. TYLER BOZAK, C, 32 2017-18 cap hit: $4,200,000 Fits as a third-liner on a good team and can fill in as a second-liner on a rebuilding team. Likely expendable in Toronto, so he could wind up in the latter scenario. 25. ANTTI RAANTA, G, 29 2017-18 cap hit: $1,000,000 Look through the smoke of Arizona’s tire fire and you’ll see Raanta has quietly enjoyed a good year, with a save percentage above his career mark. He’s been just good enough to earn a shot to compete for a starting gig somewhere. 26. AARON DELL 2017-18 cap hit: $625,000 Money talks. We can claim Dell has pushed Martin Jones for playing time this year, but Jones’ six-year, $34.5-million extension, which kicks in next year, tells us he’s entrenched as the long-term No. 1. San Jose will have to overpay Dell to keep him, as he’ll likely try to find starting work or at least a true platoon somewhere. 27. IAN COLE, D, 29 2017-18 cap hit: $2,100,000 Plays a simple, meat-and-potatoes game and offers Stanley Cup experience, but winding up a healthy scratch at times this season will cost him money on the open market. 28. CARTER HUTTON, G, 32 2017-18 cap hit: 1,125,000 A remarkable story this season, pushing Jake Allen into a timeshare, but isn’t it safe to say this will be Hutton’s career peak? It’ll be risky to gamble on a 32-year-old career backup expecting him to continue his Tim Thomas-like trajectory. 29. TOMAS PLEKANEC, C, 35 2017-18 cap hit: $6,000.000 Will never touch $6 million again. Still signable as a third-line pivot who wins draws, kills penalties and can handle a scoring-line assignment in a pinch. 30. LEO KOMAROV, LW, 31 2017-18 cap hit: $2,950,000 Value has taken a hit this year. Defensive metrics have slipped, as has his offense. Still a good depth piece as a physical agitator. OTHER UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS TO WATCH: Mark Letestu, Jonathan Bernier, Lee Stempniak, Antoine Roussel, Jan Rutta, Scott Hartnell, Patrick Sharp, Jack Johnson, Jay Beagle, Valtteri Filppula, Drew Stafford, Antoine Vermette, Jannik Hansen, Mike Cammalleri, Nick Holden, Joel Ward, Chris Kunitz, Benoit Pouliot, Luca Sbisa, Jaroslav Halak, Johnny Oduya, Thomas Hickey, Ryan Reaves, Jussi Jokinen, Toby Enstrom, Derek Ryan, Luke Schenn, Andrej Sustr, Radim Vrbata, Jaromir Jagr, Brian Gibbons, Riley Nash, David Desharnais, Blake Comeau, Dan Hamhuis As per The Hockey News. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Long live the King Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Skjei - Carlson De Haan - Shattenkirk Smith - Rookie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuc Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Besides top two there's a lot of meh. The only good players will probably resign (Neal, Backlund, Carlson, Bailey already has). Besides De Haan and Green there is no one there we really need and De Haan is coming back from injury and Green will cost way too much. Didnt know the Sedin's were UFAs this year. Interesting to see if they come back, and for how much/long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 De Haan is the only real D man available. Carlson doesn't make sense for the money he's going to get. Something about Cole makes me puke in my mouth when I see his name. I had no idea Carter Hutton was 32 years old. Wow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myusername Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Carlson makes little sense with Shattenkirk here anyhow... they're both the same type of player and you can only have one on the main PP unit. Wouldn't mind DeHaan though to stabilize the D a bit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Future Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 There isn't one UFA D who makes sense for the Rangers next year, because none of them make this team better. Plus, with $15m, tied up in Smith, Staal, and Shatty, plus whatever extension Skjei gets, there really isn't room anyways. If you're going to make a splash, it has to be for a Karlsson/Doughty. Those are the only guys even close to worth the contracts they'll get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giacomin Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 There isn't one UFA D who makes sense for the Rangers next year, because none of them make this team better. Plus, with $15m, tied up in Smith, Staal, and Shatty, plus whatever extension Skjei gets, there really isn't room anyways. If you're going to make a splash, it has to be for a Karlsson/Doughty. Those are the only guys even close to worth the contracts they'll get. Unlike the UFAs you have to trade a ton of your assets for the priveledge to pay them big bucks on the downside of their career. Didn't we just trade McD because of this and to add young assets? Agree though, beside de Haan, who could be more affordable due to the injury and choose to stay local, there is not much else. Just add de Haan at 4 x 4 if his medicals check out and I'd be very happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giacomin Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Also, it is a bit of bad investing if we consider Smith an investment in the D. The same way you don't think the D has money tied up in Girardi. If they are not in NY, they are lost cap space and might as well be goalies. Same with Belesky. As for Shatty, it goes back to the discussion on the other thread. If we are preventing him from achieving his goals, we should accomodate him. Likewise, if he is the reason we can't sign a defenseman who can actually play defense, maybe we should initiate a conversation with him. We have to stop overcomplicating things. It gets in the way of reshaping this team into a contender. If we can trade McD and maybe Zuc, then I'm not worried about being loyal to Shatty. Our situation has changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Other teams defensemen RFA's should be targeted. Both lower level and upper. Dangle Zuc/Spooner or in hopes of acquiring a decent RFA, or offer a draft pick for Theodore or something like that. Maybe an offer sheet? Obviously not for anyone making big bucks, but for a lower level guy, thay a team may have a buget set forth on what they want to spend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThirtyONE Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Free Agents are no longer exciting. I see "30" and I want nothing to do with it. Funny how that's changed. There's not a single player on that list I want for 5+ seasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Long live the King Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Free Agents are no longer exciting. I see "30" and I want nothing to do with it. Funny how that's changed. There's not a single player on that list I want for 5+ seasons. In 5 years Tavares will be the same age as the current NHL leader in goals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThirtyONE Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 In 5 years Tavares will be the same age as the current NHL leader in goals. John Tavaras isn't even playing the same sport as Alex Ovechkin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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