The Closer's Future Blueprint
so do we sign either Santorelli or Franson back next year?
I think Franson will be too much for a guy that could be a 4th or 5th but Santorelli I would bring back on a 1 or 2 year deal depending on how he does the rest of the way and in the playoffs.
Keeping in mind, we have Fiala, Arvidsson, Aberg, Salomaki, and Kirkland (at some point) - Kirkland is further away at this time but the other 4 could compete for spots next year.
I know it's early to do this but I'm on adderall and thinking Preds- the following are UFA/RFA or a couple guys I think we will move, re-sign or let walk.
I listed who I think we'll re-sign and my idea money wise and term and who we'll let walk or trade away.
Beck (RFA) - walk
Bourque (RFA) - walk
Cullen (UFA) - walk
Fisher (UFA) - 2yrs/4-4.5 per
Jarnkrok (RFA) - 2yrs/1.25-1.75 per
Ribeiro (UFA) - 2yrs/3.5-4.5 per
Santorelli (UFA) - 1-2yrs/1.75-2.25 (1.5 is what he makes this year)
Smith (RFA) - 3-4yrs/3.25-4 per or traded in a package to TML for Kessel
Wilson (RFA) - 3-4yrs/3.25-4.25per
Bartley (2yrs left UFA) - trade for late pick at draft (6th-7th rd) or during the offseason for some pucks and a couple dimes
Franson (UFA) - walk due to amount he can bring in on open market
Volchenkov (UFA) - walk
Stalberg (3yrs left - UFA) - trade for 4th-7th rd pick at draft or sometime in the offseason
Nystrom (3yrs left - UFA) - trade with a pick for a small upgrade/physical upgrade to our 4th line? - i know he plays physical at times but other than that?? we need someone on our 4th or 3rd line that will pick up the physicality with the likes of Reaves, Desjardins, Shaw, Bickell, McLeod, the Jets s***bags.
- this is why I was a proponent of getting Chris Neil before he broke his thumb. This play could still be in the cards.
Maybe Toronto, Buffalo, Carolina, Edmonton, or Arizona will take Stalberg or Bartley to help fill out the roster. Those teams won't be in contention next year either so they may still be trying to fill out their rosters.
Also, as a discalimer and a lead proponent in adding Phil Kessel, I think we make a major run at him at draft day. Not trying to restart Kessel rumors but...
TML - Smith + Ellis + Gortz/Watson +Sissons + 2016 1st + 2016/2017 3rd
NSH - Kessel + Lupul (50% retained; making it a $2.625M cap hit vs. $5.25M)+ Polak/Robidas (35% retained on either- contracts would then be--- RP $1,787,500 & SR $1,950,000)
-disclaimer: Added a defenseman incase we do move Ellis in this deal we don't/can't re-sign Franson.
Could also sign a 4th, 5th and/or 6th d-man in FA period - listed the best available UFA's
Mike Green - probably too expensive (more than Franson)
Lubomir Visnovsky - old but still plays sound
Andrej Meszaros - not a bad pick up for 3rd pairing, with a limited/roll on 2nd pair
Paul Martin - probably too expensive (same as Franson)
Robyn Regehr - good fit IMO - would work well with Jones or Ekholm
Johnny Oduya - Hawks won't re-sign him - has play well for CHI
Andrej Sekera - guy I want, but will probably re-sign in LA
Christian Ehrhoff - Pens probably re-sign, would be nice for a 1yr deal
My wishlist for d-men
1.
Andrej Sekera - 2-3yrs/3.75-4.5
2.
Johnny Oduya - 2yrs/3-3.25
3.
Robyn Regehr - 1yr/3-3.5
4.
Lubomir Visnovsky - 1yr/2.5-3
Obviously our prospects won't all fill the roster, as some will be left for further development but I don't know who we would look to sign. Maybe Winnik for a 3rd line winger spot or 4th line. And finally, none of our d prospects IMO are close to being ready. Ishmael-Diaby is the most ready physically but Doherty is our best d prospect as far as all around talent, but he is a freshman at Wisconsin and not ready yet from what I've read.
Sorry for the long post, but I had some time and wanted to type this out. My sort of blue print for the off-season without 100% of time and thought out ideas. I just kinda took this post and started running with it. I'm not sure if my money amounts will add fit or work under the cap, I didn't do all the math' no time for that.
Our defense outlook depends upon re-signings and potential trades at draft day/during the offseason. i.e) letting Franson walk or re-siging him.
Let me know your thoughts and be kind please haha, I'm on your side and wanna see a cup in Nashville...this year would be GREAT!