David Backes, C
- RHS, leadership, offense, size, grit, flexibility, and costs only money. Where do I sign? He's a big pricetag, so moving out salary would have to happen, but adding him would be a no-brainer, even at 31.
Okposo, RW, FA,
- A lot of the same qualities as Backes, with the exception of being able to play C. Adding him only makes sense if we have a deal in place for Eberle and/or Yakupov. I like the player, but not as much as Backes, and bringing him in would have to be under more specific circumstances. Paying that big price is a little harder to justify on a FA winger than a player who can play C too.
Lucic, LW, FA
- Depends on the price. He's a little more one-dimensional than the first two names on this list, and isn't likely to come any cheaper. They all have question marks about their bodies holding up in the long term, but he's still young. But him being a LW and LHS reduces my interest a bit (the latter more than the former). Again, I do like the player though.
Andrew Ladd, LW, FA
- Basically the same situation as Lucic for me, and I'd be more worried about term with Ladd. Good player, but doesn't fill a need, and isn't the best use of cap space.
E. staal, C, FA
- He reminds me a lot of Brad Richards in that his salary has always been near the max allowable under the cap, but rarely did much to justify it. He's going on reputation and will probably be one of the worst FA buys in the league this year. I don't want the team saddled with his albatross deal to be us. Pass.
Jagr, RW, FA
- In the zombie apocalypse, the only people left alive will be Jaromir Jagr and people that look like Jaromir Jagr. This guy is going to play until he's 100. I'd easily add him if he was willing to come for a year or two.
Yandle, D, FA
Even though he's a LHD and plays the left side, I don't think we're in a position defensively to turn our noses up at any capable defenseman. We also don't have any Dmen that excel on the powerplay, so he'd definitely be of use to us.
Eriksson, RW, FA
- One way or another, it appears we'll be needing to add a forward to play the right side. Maybe we get this in the draft via Finland, but we could do a lot worse than Eriksson. Depends on cost (FA players come with FA contracts) and what other moves we make. Not a priority or a need in our current situation.
B. Campbell, D, FA
- Fills a need (if on the wrong side), but is a little long in the tooth and is sure to cost a lot. Ultimately, I think I'm passing here.
Rusell, D, FA
- Flames were wise to move on. Overrated and soon to be overpaid.
Hudler, C/RW, FA
- Not a need, and definitely not the best use of cap space for us.
Vrbata, RW, FA
Could do worse, but I don't think he'd be interested. He'd be a stop-gap anyway until we found something better/more permanent. Pass
W. Simmons, RW, PHI
- Can't see the Flyers wanting to move him (unless I missed something), which means he'd take an enormous asset cost to acquire. Love the player and the fit, but don't see how we make it work.
Fowler, D, ANA
- Undecided. Haven't noticed much from him in the few games we played them, but he has the reputation of a puck mover and good on the powerplay. If any of those things are reality, then he could be worth a look, but I'll suspect he'll cost too much in assets to justify the add in the one position we have a surplus in (young LD). Then we'd just need to get Henrique out of NJ and we can have the whole Windsor MC gang together again.
Vatenen, D, ANA
- Love the player and the fit, but wonder about the cost. Still, he's worth a pretty big price, so I would absolutely see what it would take.
Zibanejad, OTT
- Decent player, but not a big enough upgrade to justify pursuing. If he was a FA, I'd be interested, but adding him means sending value the other way.
Turris, OTT
- Ditto.
Hoffman, OTT
- Like the player, and if his contract demands are reasonable, I'd definitely look at it.
Ceci, D, OTT
- I must be missing the news out of Ottawa (aside from they're bad this year), because it seems you have a lot
Weircioch, D, OTT
- Never understood the infatuation around Oiler Country with this player. I'd look in many other places to fix the D before turning to Weircioch to solve anything.
Lazar, OTT
- Again, what? Is he on the block? Good player, obvious connection to the Oilers, and seems like a great guy to have in the lockerroom, but he's not a priority. I'd have to think they'd only move him because of what they could get for him. Are we desperate to add another C/LW?
Hartnell, CLB
- Once upon a time, I would've been for it. Now he's just an aging PF with a bad contract. No thanks.
Drouin, TB
- Not interested
Hamhuis, D, FA
- Maybe a few years ago, but not anymore.
Stempniak, FA
- He's older, but shouldn't cost much and has actually managed to remain a fairly effective player. He'd be a decent short-term addition.
P.A. Parenteau, FA
- Not unless other moves were made
Brodin, D, MIN
- No thanks. Too high an asset price, and isn't as good as his reputation (at least on HF)
Schlemko, FA
- If we don't re-sign Gryba, it would be a decent 6/7D add.
Z. Michalek, D, PHX
- I've always liked him, and would be ok bringing him in for his final year if we decide to trade Fayne, but his NTC might make it a moot point anyway.
Connor Murphy, D, PHX
- No thanks. Adding more youth to the defense doesn't interest me.
Stone, D, PHX
Hamonic, D, NYI
- Pretty much the ideal fit. Like Vatanen, he'd cost a hefty price, but he's also worth it. Great contract too.
Burrows, VAN
- Zero interest. Absolutely none.
Brouwer, RW STL
- He's a FA, no? If the price was right, he fits the need. I'd look at it for sure.
Trouba, D, WPG
- He definitely seems like a good piece to add, but I would question why he's available in the first place. If he's asking for more than he's worth, is it wise to pay it and also give up significant assets to do so?
Shattenkirk, D, STL
- Getting the guy we hoped we'd one day have in Schultz would be great. Good on the powerplay. He checks a lot of boxes, but what's the ask?
Stamkos, C, FA
- I'm of the mind that if you have an opportunity to add an elite player in his prime, you do it. Yes, I'd be interested in Stamkos.
Erik Johnson, D, COL
- Yes, absolutely. Why, is he available?
Lecavelier, C/RW, LA
- It's one thing to rejuvenate your career on a contending team in a complementary role. It's another to do it on a basement dweller. This is Doug Weight in Carolina. Not Doug Weight in his early years of St. Louis. No thanks.
Jackman, D, NSH
- No thanks. Like the player type, but not the 35 year old version of the player.
R. Ellis, D, NSH
- Fills a need in some respects, but Nashville won't give him away. I'd look elsewhere first, but he's not a bad backup plan.
Hjalmarsson, D, CHI
- Does he waive his NTC to come here? I'd love to find out.
Chara, D, BOS
- OK, maybe Jagr and Chara. I know he's old, and I know he's expensive, but at almost 40 years old, the man still gets it done. I'd bring him in all day. He's just one of those players who makes everyone else better.
