Speculation: Acq/ Rost. Bldg./ Cap Part XXXIV: Take Ted's Money

[Brian23]

I just don't get how anyone could say we're a better team then we were before noon.

 

[Hivemind]

If I heard, out of context, that we spent $27.5 million to upgrade our defense, I would've been very excited.

If you told me we were going to spend 5x$5.5M on a single defenseman, I'd assume we'd somehow manage to get a slightly under-market deal from Ehrhoff or Niskanen.

 

[caps4cup]

I just don't get how anyone could say we're a better team then we were before noon.

Orpik>>>>>>>>Erskine/Hillen

 

[Hivemind]

I just don't get how anyone could say we're a better team then we were before noon.

We're the same team with a back-up goaltender and another NHL defenseman. So we're better. At the cost of having a significant chunk of salary cap space to address other needs, both now and down the road. Incredibly short-sighted deal loaded with a ton of risk and limited upside. Ed Snider/Paul Holmgren-esque.

 

[Blades of Steel]

Don't forget a lot of this teams woes was Oates and co.

 

[ChibiPooky]

I just don't get how anyone could say we're a better team then we were before noon.

Brooks Orpik is a better hockey player than Nate Schmidt, Cameron Schilling, or John Erskine.

They sure paid a premium for that.

 

[Brian23]

Brooks Orpik is a better hockey player than Nate Schmidt, Cameron Schilling, or John Erskine.

They sure paid a premium for that.

And none of them played past the halfway point of the season. I'd have rather had Urbom back. And I'm not convinced Orpik is that much better then Hillen now.

 

[Langway]

They're also minus Grabovski at this point. They've still got some cap space but unless it's used wisely or coupled with trades the upgrades will be fairly marginal on paper.

 

[The Instigator]

If you told me we were going to spend 5x$5.5M on a single defenseman, I'd assume we'd somehow manage to get a slightly under-market deal from Ehrhoff or Niskanen.

Haha exactly. Who know, I'm gonna be optimistic about this for the first year or two. If he trails off in the final years but plays well the first few we could've done a lot worse.

I have a feeling we're going to be welcoming an aging forward like Richards or Legwand as well before this is said and done.

 

[Brian23]

Speaking of Grabo, has anyone heard anything about him? I'm really surprised I've not heard his name linked to anyone yet. I really wonder if it'll happen like last off-season, he'll overprice himself and end up signing for nothing with someone else. Maybe he's looking for a 5.5 - 6 million type deal? Low End 1C money?

 

[strungout]

Richards to Chicago

 

[usiel]

Richards to Chicago

They were sad seeing Ducks/Dallas/Blues load up on centers, heh.

 

[caps4cup]

They're also minus Grabovski at this point. They've still got some cap space but unless it's used wisely or coupled with trades the upgrades will be fairly marginal on paper.

Grabo missed 24 games last season and only played at a 49 point pace when he did play. Johansson could most likely produce like that or better. Also, Kuznetsov is gonna be here all season.

Anyone that thinks this team isn't better right now than it was at the end of the season mugs have blind hatred...

 

[LifetimeUFA]

Richards to Chicago

He should do well there. Its going to be one heck of a battle out west next season

 

[Hivemind]

Speaking of Grabo, has anyone heard anything about him? I'm really surprised I've not heard his name linked to anyone yet. I really wonder if it'll happen like last off-season, he'll overprice himself and end up signing for nothing with someone else. Maybe he's looking for a 5.5 - 6 million type deal? Low End 1C money?

I wasn't expecting a fast deal for him (he's seemingly underrated by many around the league and somewhat contentious), but I'm surprised how slowly the center market has moved with Stastny already off the board and Spezza traded. The fact that all of Grabovski, B. Richards, Legwand, O. Jokinen, Goc, and Ribiero don't have teams yet is surprising. Perreault, Boyle, and Bolland seem like the only ones who have signed.

e; As I post that, Richards goes. lol

 

[trick9]

Speaking of Grabo, has anyone heard anything about him? I'm really surprised I've not heard his name linked to anyone yet. I really wonder if it'll happen like last off-season, he'll overprice himself and end up signing for nothing with someone else. Maybe he's looking for a 5.5 - 6 million type deal? Low End 1C money?

Only thing i've heard about him is that Edmonton is out of the running.

No surprises there.

 

[Brian23]

Grabo missed 24 games last season and only played at a 49 point pace when he did play. Johansson could most likely produce like that or better. Also, Kuznetsov is gonna be here all season.

Anyone that thinks this team isn't better right now than it was at the end of the season mugs have blind hatred...

Missed 24 games, was still our 2nd or 3rd best forward. You have blind homerism if you think the team is better without him then with him. You can't replace him with Mojo because Mojo was here, who replaces Mojo from last year? Kuzya is unproven and not something you just bank on. That is how you end up with Laich being your 2C.

 

[SimplySensational]

Grabo missed 24 games last season and only played at a 49 point pace when he did play. Johansson could most likely produce like that or better. Also, Kuznetsov is gonna be here all season.

Anyone that thinks this team isn't better right now than it was at the end of the season mugs have blind hatred...

I don't see how +Orpik, -Grabovksi is better any in world.

They are going to play either 2 young wingers at 2c or a ****** overpaid player in Laich at 2c.

 

[Hivemind]

Grabo missed 24 games last season and only played at a 49 point pace when he did play. Johansson could most likely produce like that or better. Also, Kuznetsov is gonna be here all season.

Anyone that thinks this team isn't better right now than it was at the end of the season mugs have blind hatred...

Grabovski was a good possession player and can win faceoffs. Johansson was either terrible or lukewarm possession-wise, depending on which metrics you value, despite having easier deployment. He's also been awful in the dot his whole career and has never produced that well at center.

 

[strungout]

1 year $2m for Richards

 

[Langway]

Grabo missed 24 games last season and only played at a 49 point pace when he did play. Johansson could most likely produce like that or better. Also, Kuznetsov is gonna be here all season.

Anyone that thinks this team isn't better right now than it was at the end of the season mugs have blind hatred...

Kuznetsov was on the team at the end of the season so it's not really anything new.

We also have zero idea how Johansson & Kuznetsov will fare under Trotz overall and whether either can play center under a demanding two-way style.

The difference is behind the bench. On paper the players aren't really any better currently. Maybe Trotz gets more out of them but I'm not really sure how many Trotz type forwards there are as-is.

 

[SpringfieldSkins]

1 year $2m for Richards

No way. That's nothing.

 

[Capitlols]

They're so going to sign Legwand.

 

[DanTHEMan71]

Grabo is waiting for us.

We'll get him at $4-4.5. At this point I hope we trade Laich for a 4th/5th. That would give us the space to sign Niskanen and maybe move Green at the trade deadline for a 2nd line forward.

 

[Brian23]

At this point I hope we get Niskanen because just imagine this defense next year when Green walks.

Alzner - Carlson
Orpik - ??
Orlov - ??

That's probably worse then last year.