Leafidelity
Best Sport/Worst League
Matthews - Kadri is a strong centre core to build with, even if Nylander doesn't shift to the middle. A proper 3c is something we can draft or sign from a playoff position.
I don't mind Bozak. He's not very good in transition and very bad defensively, but he works well with offensive wingers and puts up points himself.
We're spoiled with him as our 3C as there are many teams that have to suffer with garbage players. There's no internal upgrade for him, but there also is no obvious potential FA we can sign that can replace his production at his price or less. I mean, we'd be looking at guys like Plekanec, Eller, and Filppula who are all worse. Backlund would be nice, but are you willing to spend $5-6M on your 3C?
I'd like even less going into next season like Pittsburgh using Gregg McKegg as their 3C, or trading good assets in a position of weakness.
We can't afford to pay that much for a #3C and Lou won't. I think somebody will be willing to pay more for TyBo than we would be willing to. We either have to sign or trade for a big fish to play #2C or a smaller fish to play #3C.
That's the problem. Most 3C in the league are either not worth acquiring, or they're too expensive. Best way to find one is either internally or FA.
Bozak just had a son, and his wife is from Toronto. It'd be strange to see him uproot his family and walk away for $1m/year extra after he's already made $25M in his career. He knows he's on an up and coming team, with a position/coach/teammates we can assume he's comfortable with.
FA isn't looking too good as I doubt we'll be in the running for Tavares, Thornton, Sedin, Stastny, and Backlund. That leaves Filppula, Eller, Plekanec, and Bozak. If he's willing to take a discount, why not?
Anybody think we've got a legitimate shot at Tavares?
Nope. He'll ruin any cap structureAnybody think we've got a legitimate shot at Tavares?
personally I think if Nylander is staying at wing without ever getting an extended look as a center, that means that the brass feels like they have enough center options to warrant not splitting Matthews and Nylander up. Marleau as an internal option, and lots of other ways to acquire one.
Backlund is interesting, he'd be expensive but he'd save a considerable amount from Nylander's cap hit too by keeping him on the wing. Ideal shut down center that could let Kadri return to the offensive role that I think he's better suited for:
Hyman-Matthews-Nylander
Marleau-Kadri-Marner
Kapanen-Backlund-Brown
that looks pretty dangerous to me
I would guess $5-6M, and that contains the Nylander contract to Ehlers money rather than Draisatl money so in effect we get a little back of whatever Backlund costs.Backlund is gonna command 6mil+
with nylander,marner, and matthews all due for a big raise, how can they justify that on a 3c?
Our center depth with Willy is bad. Without him, it looks dreadful. Note that I'm talking about depth here, obviously Matthews and Kadri is a very good top two. But behind them there'd be nothing but guys who fight for the #4C spot.
Even with Willy as center, I'm not comfortable with our center depth.