The SJS are one of the best teams in the league and most consistent at making the postseason where as, FLA is most consistent at making the postseason. Saying FLA has a better shot, when can't even make the Playoffs over a playoff team is a big stretch. Wouldn't be surprised to see NYR, NJD go after JT as well. Close enough he could not have to move.
You have to keep in mind that long term Thornton is gonna be gone either this year through UFA, or the year after that via retirement, Couture is likely to walk UFA after next year, and Pavelski is up in the air being a UFA after next year too. SJS's future is very, very questionable after next season. Now that they've been eliminated tonight, they have one more season of their cup window being even remotely open.
I’d love to have Tavares obviously, but Center is not really a position of need for us.
But if there is one position to have overabundance in, is it not the pivot? Especially if Borgstrom can play wing. And doubly especially with how often Barkov gets injured.
this is a dream lineup and I've also toyed with it in my mind just for fun but its hard to imagine barkov as our #2C and tavares would require us to spend to the absolute new cap ceiling which we never even did with the old cap. if I had to bet I'd say tavares will get 10.5 mil per season and he'll go to NJ or vegas if he doesn't stay on the island. he's never expressed any interest in coming here and has no ties to florida. but I do agree that more players should want to come here. its an awesome place to live and their contracts are worth more actual $. we need management that will take advantage of those things.
It's a dream, and it's a bit weird to picture Barkov as our 2c, but look at the past cup winning teams (sans Chicago). Malkin is a top 20 C all time playing 2C, Carter in LA is 1C playing behind Kopitar, Krecji was at the level of 1C when Boston won the cup, and Vancouver (whom Boston beat) had a 40 goal, Selke contender Kesler behind Sedin.
I think 10.5m is a little much, especially for if he signs in FLA. I know that McDavid, Eichel, and Draisaitl broke the C market, but those signings were done by the two worst run organizations in hockey, and they were paying for potential and prime years. Stamkos is a much better comparison (similar age, similar production, same state), and he got 8.25. But that is why I would look to get JT's rights. So we can lower the price tag by getting that eighth year.
But agreed on how its all up to Viola and co.
Cant agree with all of your Points, but that joke is ridiculos. Next Year we need another Goalie and that Goalie must find the Way to the Team.
Toronto, Oilers all on a long term time. In the next 3 Years, Tampa, Nashville the best Teams, Jets show impressive improve.
When you say here complete serious, with a new starting Goalie needed, depth and a top #4 Dman needed and maybe also another Top6 Forward.
But yeah we play for the Cup in 5 Years, i would be happy if we are a steady PO Team in the next 5 Years.
Luongo is better than Talbot, so not sure what you mean on the goaltending front.
The Oilers are an absolute mess with their cap structure, and Toronto (while not having millions and millions and wasted cap like the Oilers) are already lined up for a cap crunch. They aren't getting Tavares. Fact.
And if we got Tavares and a top 4 D, I think we would be in that same elite tier along with Nashville, Tampa and Winnipeg.
