As a Canes fan, I'm super excited (and surprised) at our signings this year. I don't know that we've ever made such bold moves like this in the past. Latest rumor is that we've somehow landed...
As a Canes fan, I'm super excited (and surprised) at our signings this year. I don't know that we've ever made such bold moves like this in the past. Latest rumor is that we've somehow landed Tarasenko as well which would be insane.
Love the Orlov signing. And honestly not as bad of a deal as it looks at first glance since it’s so short. Looks like nothing has moved yet with Tarasenko, fingers crossed. Have we lost anyone so...
Love the Orlov signing. And honestly not as bad of a deal as it looks at first glance since it’s so short.
Looks like nothing has moved yet with Tarasenko, fingers crossed.
Have we lost anyone so far that you’re sad to lose? (Calvin de Haan, Shayne Gostisbehere, William Lagesson, MacKenzie MacEachern, Max Paciorrety, Maxime Lajoie, & Zack Sawchenko are the confirmed outgoing free agent losses so far) Most of the news I’ve seen has been about how we’re crushing free agency with our new incoming players, but of course we have some outgoing ones as well. I don’t see any names that make me hurt too badly inside, personally, but I’m a pretty casual hockey fan.
Honestly, not really. It might have been nice to keep Ghost, but not at the price that he eventually ended up getting. I think Orlov was an upgrade for sure. None of the outgoing players were...
Have we lost anyone so far that you’re sad to lose?
Honestly, not really. It might have been nice to keep Ghost, but not at the price that he eventually ended up getting. I think Orlov was an upgrade for sure. None of the outgoing players were high-impacting on our roster last year, which is kind of a rare position for us to be in. Usually we really struggle with FA signings, but we were able to lock in the ones that mattered (Anderson, Raanta and even Fast).
I'm not going to be too upset if we don't land Tarasenko, but I do hope that we manage to find that power forward that we lack.
I'm sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the new to drop that DET ended up with DeBrincat from OTT. From the rumor mill the only point of contention is DeBrincat wants a longer-term deal at...
I'm sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the new to drop that DET ended up with DeBrincat from OTT. From the rumor mill the only point of contention is DeBrincat wants a longer-term deal at nearly Larkin money and term, and that's asking too much.
I'm expecting to be down next year's first, or multiple seconds, plus a short stack of prospects.
I'd be shocked if Detroit gave up their first, especially if they'd have to sign him to a Larkin-esque contract. Yzerman will pay a trade deadline price, which means something like a late first....
I'd be shocked if Detroit gave up their first, especially if they'd have to sign him to a Larkin-esque contract.
Yzerman will pay a trade deadline price, which means something like a late first. Value wise, that's a lot closer to Detroit's second than their first, though of course they'd have to add to it.
Keep in mind you’re dealing with Pierre Dorion. You may emerge UP a second 🤦♂️ Ottawa’s best hope may be to recoup some of Debrincat’s value through free agency. I have little faith in Dorion’s...
Keep in mind you’re dealing with Pierre Dorion. You may emerge UP a second 🤦♂️
Ottawa’s best hope may be to recoup some of Debrincat’s value through free agency. I have little faith in Dorion’s ability to negotiate a fair trade with Yzerman, especially given that it’s been clear from the start that ADB wanted Detroit.
It's clear both Stevie and ADB are playing hard to get. Stevie doesn't want to overpay OTT for the rights because he wants to leave, AND not overpay/term the player for obvious reasons. I hope ADB...
It's clear both Stevie and ADB are playing hard to get. Stevie doesn't want to overpay OTT for the rights because he wants to leave, AND not overpay/term the player for obvious reasons.
I hope ADB settles for 4-5yrs at $8mil. That's close to Larkin money, for someone I would say is of a similar level.
You're in luck. Not only does Detroit have their own first round pick next year, but they also have a much worse than last season Boston squad's first round pick. Even if they part with a 1st,...
You're in luck. Not only does Detroit have their own first round pick next year, but they also have a much worse than last season Boston squad's first round pick. Even if they part with a 1st, they will still have another unless Boston finishes in the bottom 10. Were that to happen then the Wings would get an unprotected 1st the following year.
Regardless, Ottawa is in a terrible cap situation. If they were to sign DeBrincat then they'd almost certainly have to ice an AHL third and fourth lines. They'd lose a promising young player in Pinto. They'd lose out on getting Tarasenko. And Steve Yzerman knows all of this. He won't be sending a first round pick. Not for a player that simply wants to play in Detroit, all other considerations be damned.
The author said it all WRT Korpisalo and the Sens. $4M is fair value... but 5 years is a lot. I'd add that, after our musical chairs goaltending last year, you'd like to see someone with more than...
The author said it all WRT Korpisalo and the Sens.
$4M is fair value... but 5 years is a lot.
I'd add that, after our musical chairs goaltending last year, you'd like to see someone with more than 2 really good seasons in his last 5. At least at 29 years old he's coming into his prime as a goaltender, though, and he did have an excellent year in 2022-2023.
For what it's worth, Kevin Woodley really likes Korpisalo's underlying numbers. Said he was the sleeper of the goalies this year. But yeah. Crazy contract.
For what it's worth, Kevin Woodley really likes Korpisalo's underlying numbers. Said he was the sleeper of the goalies this year.
A few of the deals don't make sense to me. This is a retirement contract. Add a fourth year, drop the AAV, and you can bury the whole thing in a year or two. $1.35m makes no sense. He's already...
A few of the deals don't make sense to me.
RW, Ryan Reaves, Toronto
Contract: Three years, $1.35 million AAV
This is a retirement contract. Add a fourth year, drop the AAV, and you can bury the whole thing in a year or two. $1.35m makes no sense.
C Ryan O'Reilly, Nashville
Contract: Four years, $4.5 million AAV
He's already slowed down a lot. In three or four years Nashville could be contending and paying their fourth line centre $4.5m.
D Justin Holl, Detroit
Contract: Three years, $3.4 million AAV
RD, solid on the PK... I guess each of those gets a third pair guy an extra million?
G Mackenzie Blackwood, San Jose
Contract: Two years, $2.35 million AAV
This. Is. Bananas. Yes, he has a pedigree, but the last time he was good was 4 seasons ago. He has been awful for years and had COVID and attitude issues. Grier was an odd hire and has nothing to change my mind.
LW Pierre Engvall, New York Islanders
Contract: Seven years, $3 million AAV
Lou has lost it. Yes, Engvall is worth more than $3m, but giving him 5 years would already be generous to bring that AAV down.
D Scott Mayfield, New York Islanders
Contract: Seven years, $3.5 million AAV
Yep. Lost it.
G Tristan Jarry, Pittsburgh
Contract: Five years, $5.375 million AAV
Signing goalies is not Dubas' strong suit. Too much money and too much term.
RW Alex Killorn, Anaheim
Contract: Four years, $6.25 million AAV
They aren't going to contend within 2 years. They'll surely need the cap space within 4 years.
LW Jason Zucker, Arizona
Contract: One year, $5.3 million AAV
This seems criminally cheap. He's going to bring back a first at the deadline.
O'Reilly is the one I was really hoping to stay in Toronto. He has playoff grit that we desperately need. Even if he is slowing down, you don't need a 50 goal scorer in the playoffs. Also, could...
O'Reilly is the one I was really hoping to stay in Toronto. He has playoff grit that we desperately need. Even if he is slowing down, you don't need a 50 goal scorer in the playoffs.
Also, could the Leafs please just get a real goalie?
I don't mind Samsonov and Woll. Two guys who can share the load. I don't think there's a guy out there that makes more sense than that tandem atm. Though anyone mourning the loss of Dubas after...
I don't mind Samsonov and Woll. Two guys who can share the load. I don't think there's a guy out there that makes more sense than that tandem atm. Though anyone mourning the loss of Dubas after that awful trade for Matt Murray should give their head a shake.
I really liked what ROR brought to the table. He was a guy with the pedigree to lead the Core Four. Friedman said he thought he preferred a smaller market though.
I agree there isn't a goalie out there but this revolving door of hoping we find an ascending talent is frustrating. How did the Habs beat us? Defence. We have not had a goalie who can steal us a...
I agree there isn't a goalie out there but this revolving door of hoping we find an ascending talent is frustrating. How did the Habs beat us? Defence. We have not had a goalie who can steal us a game. I was hoping Murray would be it as he has at least won a cup.
Montreal was a fandom-altering defeat for me. So deflating. But IMHO they won because we were out coached and out worked. We couldn't defend their rush, especially after turnovers. We aren't...
Montreal was a fandom-altering defeat for me. So deflating. But IMHO they won because we were out coached and out worked. We couldn't defend their rush, especially after turnovers.
We aren't getting an elite goalie unless we do something like trade Nylander and Samsonov to Winnipeg for Hellebuyck +. But does that make us better? And do we want to block Woll?
It looks like Trotz is doing something between a rebuild and a retool; maybe he wanted O'Reilly around for leadership qualities? He's very much an old-school, Trotz kind of player; defensively...
[O'Reilly] He's already slowed down a lot. In three or four years Nashville could be contending and paying their fourth line centre $4.5m.
It looks like Trotz is doing something between a rebuild and a retool; maybe he wanted O'Reilly around for leadership qualities? He's very much an old-school, Trotz kind of player; defensively responsible, hard-working, physical, etc.
The term on those Lou contracts make me feel better about Korpisalo, hahaha.
It's so hard to judge contracts without knowing how much the cap is going to jump the next few years. The pandemic has thrown everything off, including the NHL.
That's exactly what Trotz said in his press conference. Lou is nuts. He gave away two years for free, though maybe he figures the window is slammed shut after five years and he'll trade Sorokin...
maybe he wanted O'Reilly around for leadership qualities? He's very much an old-school, Trotz kind of player; defensively responsible, hard-working, physical, etc.
That's exactly what Trotz said in his press conference.
The term on those Lou contracts make me feel better about Korpisalo, hahaha.
Lou is nuts. He gave away two years for free, though maybe he figures the window is slammed shut after five years and he'll trade Sorokin with three to go.
It's so hard to judge contracts without knowing how much the cap is going to jump the next few years. The pandemic has thrown everything off, including the NHL.
It has, but until this week it's been an exaggerated point — especially in Toronto. Everyone has been dealing with the exact same cap constraints. The Leafs didn't get screwed because the cap didn't go up because that depressed salaries across the league. They got screwed for other reasons. Drives me nuts when blame gets placed on COVID.
Re: Blackwood This is a two-year tank contract. They have no need for good goaltending right now, but if the change of scenery helps, maybe he becomes a useful piece at the trade deadline. (With...
Re: Blackwood
This is a two-year tank contract. They have no need for good goaltending right now, but if the change of scenery helps, maybe he becomes a useful piece at the trade deadline. (With any luck they learned their lesson from not trading Reimer two years ago, when he wasn't terrible.) If Blackwood is bad, it's Celebrini time in San Jose. Plus it buys some time to see if Mäkiniemi or a wild card like Chrona pans out.
I think Grier has done a decent job considering how hamstrung he was by a barren prospect pool plus a bunch of big contracts with term. Doug Wilson did a great job of keeping the team in the mix for a long, long time, but needed to pull the trigger on a rebuild. Last year was pretty much Grier in "get through this" mode. He's only now getting to cupboard-stalking and longer-term thinking. At least, I hope that's what's been happening.
Oh I definitely agree a rebuild has been necessary for a while. I don't think Grier deserves credit for that, however — any other GM hire would be doing the same. I don't have an issue with...
Oh I definitely agree a rebuild has been necessary for a while. I don't think Grier deserves credit for that, however — any other GM hire would be doing the same.
I don't have an issue with signing Blackwood. But that AAV is crazy given his struggles. It's fine on a "Chicago is paying fourth liners double" sort of basis — it's not like the cap space is that useful otherwise — but it really feels like they were bidding against themselves given what others have signed for.
As a Canes fan, I'm super excited (and surprised) at our signings this year. I don't know that we've ever made such bold moves like this in the past. Latest rumor is that we've somehow landed Tarasenko as well which would be insane.
Love the Orlov signing. And honestly not as bad of a deal as it looks at first glance since it’s so short.
Looks like nothing has moved yet with Tarasenko, fingers crossed.
Have we lost anyone so far that you’re sad to lose? (Calvin de Haan, Shayne Gostisbehere, William Lagesson, MacKenzie MacEachern, Max Paciorrety, Maxime Lajoie, & Zack Sawchenko are the confirmed outgoing free agent losses so far) Most of the news I’ve seen has been about how we’re crushing free agency with our new incoming players, but of course we have some outgoing ones as well. I don’t see any names that make me hurt too badly inside, personally, but I’m a pretty casual hockey fan.
Honestly, not really. It might have been nice to keep Ghost, but not at the price that he eventually ended up getting. I think Orlov was an upgrade for sure. None of the outgoing players were high-impacting on our roster last year, which is kind of a rare position for us to be in. Usually we really struggle with FA signings, but we were able to lock in the ones that mattered (Anderson, Raanta and even Fast).
I'm not going to be too upset if we don't land Tarasenko, but I do hope that we manage to find that power forward that we lack.
I'm sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the new to drop that DET ended up with DeBrincat from OTT. From the rumor mill the only point of contention is DeBrincat wants a longer-term deal at nearly Larkin money and term, and that's asking too much.
I'm expecting to be down next year's first, or multiple seconds, plus a short stack of prospects.
I'd be shocked if Detroit gave up their first, especially if they'd have to sign him to a Larkin-esque contract.
Yzerman will pay a trade deadline price, which means something like a late first. Value wise, that's a lot closer to Detroit's second than their first, though of course they'd have to add to it.
Keep in mind you’re dealing with Pierre Dorion. You may emerge UP a second 🤦♂️
Ottawa’s best hope may be to recoup some of Debrincat’s value through free agency. I have little faith in Dorion’s ability to negotiate a fair trade with Yzerman, especially given that it’s been clear from the start that ADB wanted Detroit.
It's clear both Stevie and ADB are playing hard to get. Stevie doesn't want to overpay OTT for the rights because he wants to leave, AND not overpay/term the player for obvious reasons.
I hope ADB settles for 4-5yrs at $8mil. That's close to Larkin money, for someone I would say is of a similar level.
You're in luck. Not only does Detroit have their own first round pick next year, but they also have a much worse than last season Boston squad's first round pick. Even if they part with a 1st, they will still have another unless Boston finishes in the bottom 10. Were that to happen then the Wings would get an unprotected 1st the following year.
Regardless, Ottawa is in a terrible cap situation. If they were to sign DeBrincat then they'd almost certainly have to ice an AHL third and fourth lines. They'd lose a promising young player in Pinto. They'd lose out on getting Tarasenko. And Steve Yzerman knows all of this. He won't be sending a first round pick. Not for a player that simply wants to play in Detroit, all other considerations be damned.
The author said it all WRT Korpisalo and the Sens.
$4M is fair value... but 5 years is a lot.
I'd add that, after our musical chairs goaltending last year, you'd like to see someone with more than 2 really good seasons in his last 5. At least at 29 years old he's coming into his prime as a goaltender, though, and he did have an excellent year in 2022-2023.
For what it's worth, Kevin Woodley really likes Korpisalo's underlying numbers. Said he was the sleeper of the goalies this year.
But yeah. Crazy contract.
A few of the deals don't make sense to me.
This is a retirement contract. Add a fourth year, drop the AAV, and you can bury the whole thing in a year or two. $1.35m makes no sense.
He's already slowed down a lot. In three or four years Nashville could be contending and paying their fourth line centre $4.5m.
RD, solid on the PK... I guess each of those gets a third pair guy an extra million?
This. Is. Bananas. Yes, he has a pedigree, but the last time he was good was 4 seasons ago. He has been awful for years and had COVID and attitude issues. Grier was an odd hire and has nothing to change my mind.
Lou has lost it. Yes, Engvall is worth more than $3m, but giving him 5 years would already be generous to bring that AAV down.
Yep. Lost it.
Signing goalies is not Dubas' strong suit. Too much money and too much term.
They aren't going to contend within 2 years. They'll surely need the cap space within 4 years.
This seems criminally cheap. He's going to bring back a first at the deadline.
O'Reilly is the one I was really hoping to stay in Toronto. He has playoff grit that we desperately need. Even if he is slowing down, you don't need a 50 goal scorer in the playoffs.
Also, could the Leafs please just get a real goalie?
I don't mind Samsonov and Woll. Two guys who can share the load. I don't think there's a guy out there that makes more sense than that tandem atm. Though anyone mourning the loss of Dubas after that awful trade for Matt Murray should give their head a shake.
I really liked what ROR brought to the table. He was a guy with the pedigree to lead the Core Four. Friedman said he thought he preferred a smaller market though.
I agree there isn't a goalie out there but this revolving door of hoping we find an ascending talent is frustrating. How did the Habs beat us? Defence. We have not had a goalie who can steal us a game. I was hoping Murray would be it as he has at least won a cup.
Montreal was a fandom-altering defeat for me. So deflating. But IMHO they won because we were out coached and out worked. We couldn't defend their rush, especially after turnovers.
We aren't getting an elite goalie unless we do something like trade Nylander and Samsonov to Winnipeg for Hellebuyck +. But does that make us better? And do we want to block Woll?
beggars can't be choosers and DET got some holes to fill, and the cap space to overpay a little to get people to show up.
Plus it’s only 3 years. As much as I hate to say it, I don’t think the Wings will be in a position where the extra cap taken up matters in that time.
It looks like Trotz is doing something between a rebuild and a retool; maybe he wanted O'Reilly around for leadership qualities? He's very much an old-school, Trotz kind of player; defensively responsible, hard-working, physical, etc.
The term on those Lou contracts make me feel better about Korpisalo, hahaha.
It's so hard to judge contracts without knowing how much the cap is going to jump the next few years. The pandemic has thrown everything off, including the NHL.
That's exactly what Trotz said in his press conference.
Lou is nuts. He gave away two years for free, though maybe he figures the window is slammed shut after five years and he'll trade Sorokin with three to go.
It has, but until this week it's been an exaggerated point — especially in Toronto. Everyone has been dealing with the exact same cap constraints. The Leafs didn't get screwed because the cap didn't go up because that depressed salaries across the league. They got screwed for other reasons. Drives me nuts when blame gets placed on COVID.
Re: Blackwood
This is a two-year tank contract. They have no need for good goaltending right now, but if the change of scenery helps, maybe he becomes a useful piece at the trade deadline. (With any luck they learned their lesson from not trading Reimer two years ago, when he wasn't terrible.) If Blackwood is bad, it's Celebrini time in San Jose. Plus it buys some time to see if Mäkiniemi or a wild card like Chrona pans out.
I think Grier has done a decent job considering how hamstrung he was by a barren prospect pool plus a bunch of big contracts with term. Doug Wilson did a great job of keeping the team in the mix for a long, long time, but needed to pull the trigger on a rebuild. Last year was pretty much Grier in "get through this" mode. He's only now getting to cupboard-stalking and longer-term thinking. At least, I hope that's what's been happening.
Oh I definitely agree a rebuild has been necessary for a while. I don't think Grier deserves credit for that, however — any other GM hire would be doing the same.
I don't have an issue with signing Blackwood. But that AAV is crazy given his struggles. It's fine on a "Chicago is paying fourth liners double" sort of basis — it's not like the cap space is that useful otherwise — but it really feels like they were bidding against themselves given what others have signed for.