That's why some competent GM will sign him. We are on the same page on this matter, it seems.
I have very few ideas Is Kulemin UFA? My last joker.
EDIT: 5,5M? Wideman got that. Girardi should do better. ****.
He's basically been a lock for 21+ minutes a game, 180 blocked shots and 25 points for the last 6 full seasons.
If you have to overpay by $1M-$1.5M to get exactly the type of player the Caps have needed for a decade, you do it. He's like a better, Canadian Dennis Seidenberg.
I sincerely doubt the return on Erat, Brouwer, Laich or Neuvirth is anything more than a comparably bad contract.
Honestly, I think Girardi is pretty overrated. He's spent his whole time in NY paired with either pre-injury Marc Staal or Ryan McDonagh, in a very defensive system, and in front of Lundqvist. That does a lot to cover up mistakes. His style of play also doesn't lend itself to a long, healthy career, so signing him to the long term contract he's sure to get as a 30 year old isn't very appealing.
I think it also says a lot that the Rangers, who always spend to the cap and have nearly 30M in cap room for next season, have already seemingly given up on resigning him. It sounds like his demands are pretty ****ing outrageous.
If we're going to sign a defenseman, I'd try MacDonald, although I'd rather avoid the big UFAs completely. With the cap going up the contracts they're going to get will be insane.
Kulemin is the last player we need. His role is already filled by the likes of Laich, Brouwer and Ward. We need goalscorers, not grinders.Btw, somehow I think Shero will sign Kulemin to play with Malkin.
What realistic trade targets are out there?
Depends on who we're making available and how the rest of the season goes. There are still a lot of Habs fans who like Brouwer for Gorges. If Canucks fans can be believed, Edler's available. If guys like Johansson or Orlov are on the block, I think there are a lot of options.
Like 25 minute guys?...which is what I think Girardi is. I'm asking not to be a ****** but because I have no idea.
Kulemin is the last player we need. His role is already filled by the likes of Laich, Brouwer and Ward. We need goalscorers, not grinders.
Edler gets 23+ minutes a night, Gorges gets just under 21. I don't think we need a new first pairing though. I'd settle for a 1A, 1B set up where each pairing plays ~22 a night, with a 3rd pairing that's not a rotating door of scraps and prospects and can play ~16 a night, and who can fill in up the lineup without being totally out of place.
To armchair GM for a bit, a Canucks fan offered Edler for Green, since they need a righty PP guy. Do that, sign Mark Fayne, then you've got this:
Alzner-Carlson
Edler-XXX
Orlov-Fayne
Shame Klein just got traded, because he would've been my first choice to fill Green's spot. Not sure who my next choice would be (honestly, I've been looking for lefties so long that everyone I can think of is a lefty), but if you're offering Johansson and Brouwer I think you could find someone decent.
Kulemin scored 30 playing with Grabo a few years ago. He may not be that guy any more, but free him from the crazy hard minutes Carlyle has him playing (you know, the same ones he fed to Grabovski right before they bought him out?) and play him next to Grabo and I think he could be a 20-20 guy, which in our present state is nothing to scoff at. If he's cheap, say 2M or less, I'd gladly sign him. Worst case scenario you have a slightly expensive 4th liner who's great defensively.
I personally don't see how Green for Edler is an upgrade.
Green can't score or defend and he makes $6.1. Getting rid of Green for a cheaper contract is a win.
Kulemin is the last player we need. His role is already filled by the likes of Laich, Brouwer and Ward. We need goalscorers, not grinders.
That's why some competent GM will sign him. We are on the same page on this matter, it seems.
I have very few ideas Is Kulemin UFA? My last joker.
EDIT: 5,5M? Wideman got that. Girardi should do better. ****.
Kulemin is a UFA indeed. He'd be a deft signing if some of the winger depth is traded to shore up the defense. Similar to Grabo in that he goes hard and has above-average skill.
And yeah, I see Girardi approaching Suter's cap number.
Well Kuznetsov is coming
I can't agree. Kulemin is possibly 1st line player for Russian team in 2 weeks. Who can play at any other line too. Because he is not Laich or Brouwer.
He is a goalscorer. In the past at least.
[/B]
I agree with this. GMGM with Dale at the helm, opted to hold on to both Semin and Wideman at the TDL knowing full well that he was not going to resign either of them. Another example of his mismanagement of assets. In George's mind, its a successful season if you make it into the playoffs, how you perform in the playoffs is inconsequential.
Honestly, I think Girardi is pretty overrated. He's spent his whole time in NY paired with either pre-injury Marc Staal or Ryan McDonagh, in a very defensive system, and in front of Lundqvist. That does a lot to cover up mistakes. His style of play also doesn't lend itself to a long, healthy career, so signing him to the long term contract he's sure to get as a 30 year old isn't very appealing.
The guy is essentially an NHL Iron man...
Prediction
1. How many consecutive loses will it take to get George fired.
I say 8. Do we hit it? I hope so.
Volchenkov was almost an Iron Man too before his last contract. But the writing was on the wall there at the time. Just as with Girardi nowadays.
IMHO