Darth Vitale
Dark Matter
Inevitably, in the coaching and post-apocolyptic post-game threads after these kinds of losses, thoughts turn to "what happens if". Here are my predictions IF we get swept or "lose ugly in 5":
Bylsma and Assistants - canned
Won't hazard a guess on replacement but I fear it won't be Dave Tippett.
Fleury - traded / bought out
I believe he will be gone regardless, unless he literally does a 180 and shuts our opposition down the rest of the way / makes tons of big saves. But, I don't think his value is as low as some people think. There is likely at least one or two teams out there who would look at this guy and say "It's all mental; he's got the talent and experience; just needs a change in venue." And give us a couple of valuable prospects or picks for him. Possibly Edmonton, Calgary, maybe even the Islanders. Can you imagine that ****-storm if he went there and did a 180? Red-panda-monium.
Letang - traded
I don't like it on a gut level (you just don't trade guys with his set of skills), and it's hard to believe, but I suspect Shero would trade Letang if it could guarantee him the ability to keep Geno and Iginla. We have the prospect depth to replace him, in the end analysis. Short term it never makes sense. Long-term, it might. He may be Norris quality in the regular season but he is erratic at best in the playoffs. Undisciplined at the worst times. Talent is undeniable, but so is his lack of brains at this point. Although part of me wants to put that on the coaches too / believe that with good coaches Letang wouldn't make so many stupid mistakes. Unfair? I don't know but if we did trade him Letang gets us a Top 10 pick in this draft, easy... and probably a lot more.
Niskanen - traded
We've revived his career and gotten all we can get out of him. He doesn't fit the mold of what we need long-term (namely someone bigger / tougher in our own zone) and he could easily fetch a 2nd round pick, which we need.
Orpik - stays
Changed my tune on this one. He's definitely had some bad times this year and he's definitely not "Candyman Brooks" anymore, but he's shown his value in the playoffs, even during crappy games... and he's a no BS type player and now a grizzled, grinding veteran, likely to take a modest salary when the time comes. I can't see Shero cutting him loose in light of current roster and cap situation. Shero traded for Hall Gill for Chrissakes. Orpik now is still miles better than Gill was then.
Martin - stays
Best overall and most consistent D right now, simple as that. Earned the right to stay.
Murray - signed
I believe we'll give Murray a two year deal. If it doesn't work out, he'll be easy to move. He is slow but does a good job at his role and is not likely to fall off in that role the next year or two. He brings an element we need, assuming we can surround him with some better defensive talent.
Eaton - let go
Beyond that not sure what will happen with guys like Engo and Bortuzzo. They're sort of on the margins and could go either way IMO. They're not the core of the problem / solution.
----------------------
Crosbar & Neal / Geno & Kunitz - staying / extended
Nuff said. Great core forwards, zero reason to F with it, statistically or otherwise.
Dupuis - extended
Shero magic: 3 years, $2.5M. I believe in Liver-Eating Dupuis and his mountainous beard. He'll stay / won't be a ****** when it comes to salary. Give him a fair raise and term and he'll stay without asking maximum dollars. That last year might be a little painful if he slows down but considering his current age and showing zero signs of anything but being a fast, effective player... I'm giving the benefit of the doubt.
Iginla - signed
Sold his house, has played well despite mis-use, great in the room. I think he'll take a reduction if it's reasonable and with Fleury gone we'll have the room for something like 3 years $4M. Iggy isn't going in for maximum dollars. He wants Cups and I think he likes it here hopefully, despite the bad result that is looming (but by no means guaranteed... we're still in it if we win Game 3).
Sutter - extended
A good and affordable 3C who brings a lot to the table even if he isn't Jordan Staal. He's young enough that he might do 2 years, $3.5M ballpark for the two seasons after next. Then have a shot at a bigger pay day, still in his prime after that.
Kennedy - let go
As per the usual discussions.
Morrow - let go
Clearly a rental only type player.
Cooke - extended
Two years and with his age and reputation, he'll take what we offer IMO. Probably $1.5M.
Beyond that who knows... but I do think a couple big pieces are going to go and I think they'll be defensive pieces. And I think we'll have a draft worth paying attention to after all (because we'll get picks in the trades).
Bylsma and Assistants - canned
Won't hazard a guess on replacement but I fear it won't be Dave Tippett.
Fleury - traded / bought out
I believe he will be gone regardless, unless he literally does a 180 and shuts our opposition down the rest of the way / makes tons of big saves. But, I don't think his value is as low as some people think. There is likely at least one or two teams out there who would look at this guy and say "It's all mental; he's got the talent and experience; just needs a change in venue." And give us a couple of valuable prospects or picks for him. Possibly Edmonton, Calgary, maybe even the Islanders. Can you imagine that ****-storm if he went there and did a 180? Red-panda-monium.
Letang - traded
I don't like it on a gut level (you just don't trade guys with his set of skills), and it's hard to believe, but I suspect Shero would trade Letang if it could guarantee him the ability to keep Geno and Iginla. We have the prospect depth to replace him, in the end analysis. Short term it never makes sense. Long-term, it might. He may be Norris quality in the regular season but he is erratic at best in the playoffs. Undisciplined at the worst times. Talent is undeniable, but so is his lack of brains at this point. Although part of me wants to put that on the coaches too / believe that with good coaches Letang wouldn't make so many stupid mistakes. Unfair? I don't know but if we did trade him Letang gets us a Top 10 pick in this draft, easy... and probably a lot more.
Niskanen - traded
We've revived his career and gotten all we can get out of him. He doesn't fit the mold of what we need long-term (namely someone bigger / tougher in our own zone) and he could easily fetch a 2nd round pick, which we need.
Orpik - stays
Changed my tune on this one. He's definitely had some bad times this year and he's definitely not "Candyman Brooks" anymore, but he's shown his value in the playoffs, even during crappy games... and he's a no BS type player and now a grizzled, grinding veteran, likely to take a modest salary when the time comes. I can't see Shero cutting him loose in light of current roster and cap situation. Shero traded for Hall Gill for Chrissakes. Orpik now is still miles better than Gill was then.
Martin - stays
Best overall and most consistent D right now, simple as that. Earned the right to stay.
Murray - signed
I believe we'll give Murray a two year deal. If it doesn't work out, he'll be easy to move. He is slow but does a good job at his role and is not likely to fall off in that role the next year or two. He brings an element we need, assuming we can surround him with some better defensive talent.
Eaton - let go
Beyond that not sure what will happen with guys like Engo and Bortuzzo. They're sort of on the margins and could go either way IMO. They're not the core of the problem / solution.
----------------------
Crosbar & Neal / Geno & Kunitz - staying / extended
Nuff said. Great core forwards, zero reason to F with it, statistically or otherwise.
Dupuis - extended
Shero magic: 3 years, $2.5M. I believe in Liver-Eating Dupuis and his mountainous beard. He'll stay / won't be a ****** when it comes to salary. Give him a fair raise and term and he'll stay without asking maximum dollars. That last year might be a little painful if he slows down but considering his current age and showing zero signs of anything but being a fast, effective player... I'm giving the benefit of the doubt.
Iginla - signed
Sold his house, has played well despite mis-use, great in the room. I think he'll take a reduction if it's reasonable and with Fleury gone we'll have the room for something like 3 years $4M. Iggy isn't going in for maximum dollars. He wants Cups and I think he likes it here hopefully, despite the bad result that is looming (but by no means guaranteed... we're still in it if we win Game 3).
Sutter - extended
A good and affordable 3C who brings a lot to the table even if he isn't Jordan Staal. He's young enough that he might do 2 years, $3.5M ballpark for the two seasons after next. Then have a shot at a bigger pay day, still in his prime after that.
Kennedy - let go
As per the usual discussions.
Morrow - let go
Clearly a rental only type player.
Cooke - extended
Two years and with his age and reputation, he'll take what we offer IMO. Probably $1.5M.
Beyond that who knows... but I do think a couple big pieces are going to go and I think they'll be defensive pieces. And I think we'll have a draft worth paying attention to after all (because we'll get picks in the trades).
Last edited:
