GDT: *OFFICIAL* 2015 Free Agency Frenzy III

[Dellstrom]

No one is going to give him a long term contract. He's too inconsistent. He's played like a bona-fide top pairing D at times, at others, he's a healthy scratch.

He can wait all he wants for a longer term but I'm guessing no team is going to give him more than 2 years... 1/2 years at ~4m. His best bet at this point. It's a buyer's market this year.

 

[BB88]

Buckle up boys and gals.

Buffalo has Ristolainen and Bogosian as their top2 right hand D's, they need left handed D's.

Pens have 4.6M in cap with just 9 forwards.

Buffalo will give him the most money, but with us he'd have the biggest job. Atleast we wouldn't lose our 1st round pick.

 

[DitClapper]

Buffalo has Ristolainen and Bogosian as their top2 right hand D's, they need left handed D's.

Pens have 4.6M in cap with just 9 forwards.

Buffalo will give him the most money, but with us he'd have the biggest job.

All valid points. Things should get interesting very soon.

 

[ORR2Sanderson2ORR]

I'd honestly rather go with the youth instead of tie-ing up term and Money on Franson.

 

[Danton Heineken]

I'd honestly rather go with the youth instead of tie-ing up term and Money on Franson.

If Franson signs here, could be a precursor to a trade of Seidenberg. Donny the Dealer has certainly shown the creativity.

 

[BB88]

All valid points. Things should get interesting very soon.

I would just want this Franson thing to be over, it's been going on for so long

But again who'd be out from our team if we sign Franson, we have about 3.3M room to sign him and if K.Miller is gone then a bit over 4M, that's not going to be enough and Buffalo will offer him something crazy.

I'd still say Seidenberg, Chara-Krug-Irwin/Morrow left side and Franson-x-McQuaid right side, do not lock 5/6 spots for 2-3years with these kids we have growing up.
If Seidenberg is gone then C.Miller would have a chance to win a spot and Trotman to be the 7th D. I'm hoping C.Miller to get a chance to develo in the NHL next year so he can be a bigger weapon for us in 2016- when we should be much much stronger.

 

[DitClapper]

If they sign Franson, they will most likely move out a body or two.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

If Franson signs here, could be a precursor to a trade of Seidenberg. Donny the Dealer has certainly shown the creativity.

Unless another asset gets added to Seidenberg and he goes for a younger D, you are just creating another hole by dealing him.

I continue to not understand this rationale at all. People are saying a Franson signing means Krug or Sides dealt...I think it means one less rookie in the Top 4.

 

[Sheppy]

If they move a body... it has to be Kelly, no?

 

[ORR2Sanderson2ORR]

If Franson signs here, could be a precursor to a trade of Seidenberg. Donny the Dealer has certainly shown the creativity.

I could live with that replacing one with the other and considering Franson is younger but seids and 4 mil per may-not be that easy to get rid of.

 

[ashnathan]

That team is still a lottery pick next year and for a few more years. McDavid or not they don't have goal tending and they don't have defense.

Agree. Talbot is gonna get lit up when he doesn't have D like NYR's in front of him. Always the risk when signing back up goalies to big deals as if they're a true #1, Talbot is good theres no doubt, but nobody knows how good yet.

You look at Dubnyk and he did it in reverse, absolutely awful in Arizona with shoddy D in front of him, goes to Wild and people are calling for Vezina's until he once again shat the bed in the play offs.

 

[DitClapper]

Unless another asset gets added to Seidenberg and he goes for a younger D, you are just creating another hole by dealing him.

I continue to not understand this rationale at all. People are saying a Franson signing means Krug or Sides dealt...I think it means one less rookie in the Top 4.

I agree. As of now, there is a glut of bottom forwards here. I would expect Kelly or Talbot to be moved. And maybe someone like Kevan Miller, considering the addition of Matt Irwin. Definitely won't be Krug traded, and I really don't think it makes sense moving Seidenberg right now. Adding a guy like Franson doesn't force Colin Miller to make a huge jump. Call it a stop gap as you will.

If Franson's signed:

Chara-Franson
Seidenberg-Trotman
Krug-McQuaid
Irwin

 

[GloryDaze4877]

I agree. As of now, there is a glut of bottom forwards here. I would expect Kelly or Talbot to be moved. And maybe someone like Kevan Miller, considering the addition of Matt Irwin. Definitely won't be Krug traded, and I really don't think it makes sense moving Seidenberg right now. Adding a guy like Franson doesn't force Colin Miller to make a huge jump. Call it a stop gap as you will.

If Franson's signed:

Chara-Franson
Seidenberg-Trotman
Krug-McQuaid
Irwin

The B's seem to really like Trotman with Chara, so even if Franson and Z don't have chemistry, let Trots and Miller battle it out for one spot and put Sides - Franson together. Competition is a good thing and I don't want two rookies in the Top 4...recipe for disaster.

 

[BB88]

Unless another asset gets added to Seidenberg and he goes for a younger D, you are just creating another hole by dealing him.

I continue to not understand this rationale at all. People are saying a Franson signing means Krug or Sides dealt...I think it means one less rookie in the Top 4.

Krug will get re-signed next year and if they sign Franson then we have 5/6 D spots locked up, Sweeney says kids need to step up but how are they going to get their chance?, Also we have ton of kids pushing into lineup next year and somepoint during the next season/offseason Seids should be traded.

Also if you keep Seids who is past his prime over young prospect who will only get better then that 3-3.2M difference may stop us from signing a new player/stop us from doing a bigger trade for our picks because we don't have the cap room. A singing/trade that could have made us contenders.

Chara
Krug
Irwin/Morrow
LD group is set for next year, now I really don't want to see Fanson-Seids-McQuaid right side,

Franson
x(one of our prospects)
McQuaid
Trotman right side.

With Franson+Seids we will have zero rookies on the team, and this team is not good enough to fight now and when we can be next year if Rw kids can find their game then we would be pushing rookies into the lineup to learn and develop, I'd rather do it this year and pay the price and have them making an impact 2016-.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Krug will get re-signed next year and if they sign Franson then we have 5/6 D spots locked up, Sweeney says kids need to step up but how are they going to get their chance?, Also we have ton of kids pushing into lineup next year and somepoint during the next season/offseason Seids should be traded.

Also if you keep Seids who is past his prime over young prospect who will only get better then that 3-3.2M difference may stop us from signing a new player/stop us from doing a bigger trade for our picks because we don't have the cap room. A singing/trade that could have made us contenders.

Chara
Krug
Irwin/Morrow
LD group is set for next year, now I really don't want to see Fanson-Seids-McQuaid right side,

Franson
x(one of our prospects)
McQuaid
Trotman right side.

With Franson+Seids we will have zero rookies on the team, and this team is not good enough to fight now and when we can be next year if Rw kids can find their game then we would be pushing rookies into the lineup to learn and develop, I'd rather do it this year and pay the price and have them making an impact 2016-.

My math must be different from yours?

Currently:

Chara-XXX
Sides-XXX
Krug-McQ

Trotman, C Miller, K Miller, Irwin, Morrow

Even if the B's sign Franson, there is still a hole in the Top 4 that needs to be filled by a rookie or guys that have traditionally been 6-7 D, and TWO holes if they don't sign him. You don't just hand a spot to a rookie because that's all you have, they have to force their way onto the ice and earn it.

I don't want Boston to break the bank for Franson, but if they don't sign him, I would still like to see Sweeney trade for a legit Top 4 on the front 9 of his career (I would actually prefer that). Scouts who I trust have said that Zboril, Lauzon, and Carlo are at least a year or two away, so the B's need to do something in the interim, and I don't think they have the answer internally.

The D line up you proposed would be one of the worst in the East IMO. You sign Franson and then watch the kids closely in Camp. If (and I think this is a huge stretch) you think that C-Mill and Trots are ready, what's to stop the B's from trading Sides, ala JB55? I just don't think it's a wise move to go into camp without Sides, even if Franson is added.

 

[81ragnaH]

My math must be different from yours?

Currently:

Chara-XXX
Sides-XXX
Krug-McQ

Trotman, C Miller, K Miller, Irwin, Morrow

Even if the B's sign Franson, there is still a hole in the Top 4 that needs to be filled by a rookie or guys that have traditionally been 6-7 D, and TWO holes if they don't sign him. You don't just hand a spot to a rookie because that's all you have, they have to force their way onto the ice and earn it.

I don't want Boston to break the bank for Franson, but if they don't sign him, I would still like to see Sweeney trade for a legit Top 4 on the front 9 of his career (I would actually prefer that). Scouts who I trust have said that Zboril, Lauzon, and Carlo are at least a year or two away, so the B's need to do something in the interim, and I don't think they have the answer internally.

The D line up you proposed would be one of the worst in the East IMO. You sign Franson and then watch the kids closely in Camp. If (and I think this is a huge stretch) you think that C-Mill and Trots are ready, what's to stop the B's from trading Sides, ala JB55? I just don't think it's a wise move to go into camp without Sides, even if Franson is added.

Chara - Franson
Krug - Seids
Rookie - McQuaid/K.Miller

If management thinks Krug is ready to move up to the middle pair. I know last year he spoke, after he signed that contract, that he wanted to prove he could handle being on the middle pair, or something along those lines. I'm sure he's been working towards it and I wouldn't hate seeing them try it. Seids can play both sides and Julien trusts him to, so I'd expect that's what we see. If he doesn't work, then you move the best available kid to that middle pair and Krug goes back down to play with McQuaid/Miller.

I agree about moving Seidenberg right before the year starts. If we go the JonnyB route with him, well, remember how last years trade affected the team? Seemed like every single person, to a man, said that it rattled them and the year got off to a bad start which they never recovered. I'd like to think Neely and co won't make that mistake again. If he's going to be moved, do it now or mid season next year.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

I love Krug, but I think the most effective spot for him is as the #5, and QBing the PP to the tune of about 19-20 minutes a night. I don't want to sell the kid short, but I love him in that role.

 

[BB88]

My math must be different from yours?

Currently:

Chara-XXX
Sides-XXX
Krug-McQ

Trotman, C Miller, K Miller, Irwin, Morrow

Even if the B's sign Franson, there is still a hole in the Top 4 that needs to be filled by a rookie or guys that have traditionally been 6-7 D, and TWO holes if they don't sign him. You don't just hand a spot to a rookie because that's all you have, they have to force their way onto the ice and earn it.

I don't want Boston to break the bank for Franson, but if they don't sign him, I would still like to see Sweeney trade for a legit Top 4 on the front 9 of his career (I would actually prefer that). Scouts who I trust have said that Zboril, Lauzon, and Carlo are at least a year or two away, so the B's need to do something in the interim, and I don't think they have the answer internally.

The D line up you proposed would be one of the worst in the East IMO. You sign Franson and then watch the kids closely in Camp. If (and I think this is a huge stretch) you think that C-Mill and Trots are ready, what's to stop the B's from trading Sides, ala JB55? I just don't think it's a wise move to go into camp without Sides, even if Franson is added.

You think Krug is a 3rd pairing D? Isn't the next year his chance to prove his worth and his chance in the top4? Wasn't that the plan. That is a 6.2M 3rd pairing, also there is noway we will sign Krug with 4.5M+ longterm to play in our 3rd pairing. With Franson and Seids we'd be over the cap and with that new D we'd probably be over the cap if we just trade picks/prospects. There is zero chance that I would give up Lou before Seids.

If you have ben here lately you probably have seen my hate posts towards our current D situation for next year
I would see it like this if they would bring in Franson:

Chara-Franson
Krug-Seids
Irwing-McQuaid
Trotman
and I would absolutely hate it, I don't know how I could survive next season. Also I do not want to see Trotman, Seids and Chara in the top4 at the same time, no offensive support, no strong skating, Tampas forward group would kill them for example in our D-zone with their checking.
I have high hopes/expectations for C.Miller in the pre season, I want to see that miracle and see him being ready to step up, bring some energy into our D group.

I had there, at some point trade Seids, meaning he'd be the 1st guy out.
I do not want to lock up 5/6 spots(2/5 for vets past their prime) for 2-3years with these kids we have and stopping us to spend that cap on top players. , atleast 1 of those kids will be ready after next year, probably 2-3.

So my question to you is who is our if they sign Franson? Some cap needs to be shipped and I don't see Seids in our longterm plans, he can't be.
My thinking is that the D at best will be average, it's now a bottom5-8 D and 1 trade won't make it top10, so clear cap, let the kids step up and develop their game so when this team has a chance to be contenders then those kids could be impact players and not rookies learning their game/NHL.
Trade/sign a player who is in his prime and can/will be a strong player for us in 1-2 years time still when we can be strong enough to contend.

Average, slow D with low scoring forward group with very little cap space is not something I want to see.

(I could be okay with this but just can't see how it's going to happen:

Chara-Franson
Seidenberg-C.Miller
Krug-McQuaid
and at some point during the next 12months sell Seids. That would have meant selling Kelly now which won't happen, saying goodbye to Irwin and K.Miller and let Krug be pp specialist and to play with McQ on normal shifts.

Chara-Trotman
Krug-Seids
Irwin-McQuaid is the crazy nightmare that can very well happen, boy would our pick look good with those )

 

[Oates2Neely]

It's amazing to see so many here write off Seidenberg after one is own season in which he was recovering from major injury.

 

[BB88]

It's amazing to see so many here write off Seidenberg after one is own season in which he was recovering from major injury.

He can be stronger next year and I hope so, badly but I'm trying to look at our future and what's best for our future when we can be strong enough to fight, and the hope is 2016-.

You lock up 5/6D spots for 3years, Sweeney will bring someone in,
where are we finding roster spots for those prospects, are we just going to keep them in the AHL just for fun, what if we trade 1 vet who is past his prime and give that place to a younger player on ELC to give us over 3M in cap which we could use on top player via trade/signing? This would be nice

Or do we go into 2016 season again with limited top talent and keep the same vets who will be again 1 year older? D is a mess and how do you build our 2016- D roster with Chara-Seids-McQuaid-Krug in it and make some sense, make it better, make it strong enough to contend?
Are we doing the same mistakes as Chia did?

Sad thing is that no matter much we hope Seids is not going to find his prime form again. I don't want us to have the slowest D group in the league.

Is the cap space going to come from Lou trade and we kill our forward scoring completely.

 

[Zac Rinaldo*]

I love Krug, but I think the most effective spot for him is as the #5, and QBing the PP to the tune of about 19-20 minutes a night. I don't want to sell the kid short, but I love him in that role.

conjecture post: love him as a number 3 and the reason is i think he can cover a ton of ground in a hurry and if 'told' to be a more tenacious defender and stop hopping up the right wing wall so much, he will own defending (his pivots are insane and his positioning and strength are very good for his size). the reason i prefaced this post as i did is because i think you're asking him to be a 25 point dman when he can be a 45 point dman to do that.

i think this is part of why dougie left.

 

[alg363636]

Obviously Buffalo will out bid us, so it's about what Franson wants I guess. Money, playing time or potential cup? He'll get the best money in Buffalo, best playing time and role with us (unfortunately) and best shot at winning with Pitts.

 

[jdz]

It's amazing to see so many here write off Seidenberg after one is own season in which he was recovering from major injury.

Yup.

Plus spent way too much time in the gym and came in too heavy.

 

[BadBruins]

Obviously Buffalo will out bid us, so it's about what Franson wants I guess. Money, playing time or potential cup? He'll get the best money in Buffalo, best playing time and role with us (unfortunately) and best shot at winning with Pitts.

Maybe I'm wrong on this, but I don't see Buffalo as a fit at all. Mentioned it in the other thread. They have Ristolainen and Bogosian on the right side of their top-2 pairings. Both will likely command PP and/or PK time. Then they have the recently re-signed Pysyk, also a RH shot who just re-signed for two years at $1.2M/per. Sabres fans seem high on him. Former 23rd overall coming off entry level deal. With that contract, you'd have to think he's penciled into the 3rd pairing. Seems as though they are desperate for a veteran lefty.

 

[Artemis]

Obviously Buffalo will out bid us, so it's about what Franson wants I guess. Money, playing time or potential cup? He'll get the best money in Buffalo, best playing time and role with us (unfortunately) and best shot at winning with Pitts.

Wait, what?