Salary Cap: Salary Cap + Roster Building | Cap Details + Links in First Post | We can't pay the D this much...

[Riptide]

I would not rule out anything. Did JR trade for Kessel? Why can’t he trade him again? Or trade for another elite winger. Was JR not in on Duchene? Is JR not mandated to win cups?
Nothing is a given, but signing a FA winger is certainly not some fantasy land pie in the sky suggestion.
Freeing cap space is not hard, Kessel and a D goes a long way. We still have other salary that can/could be moved if needed as well.

I would take Duchene at 8.5 or Skinner at 7.5 ahead of Kessel in a heart beat.

Yes Kessel+ a D goes a long way - but it doesn't get you there. And if you trade Bjugstad or JJ/Gudbranson, while that would give you what you need, you also need to replace those players, which in turn simply adds more complexity to the scenario. And of course that's assuming that you're moving these player's without bringing back salary - which is far from a guarantee.

 

[ChaosAgent]

We need a dedicated Phil thread again. I'm too biased to be the thread-starter but it should be done. Then again empo started the thread on JMFJ so anything is possible.

It should be no surprise that a player with a history of being divisive for fans & commentators is...well, divisive.

 

[Nakawick]

Yes Kessel+ a D goes a long way - but it doesn't get you there. And if you trade Bjugstad or JJ/Gudbranson, while that would give you what you need, you also need to replace those players, which in turn simply adds more complexity to the scenario. And of course that's assuming that you're moving these player's without bringing back salary - which is far from a guarantee.

You can add Hornqvist to the list as well. He is a 5.3mil bottom 6 pp specialist, middle 6 at best who doesn’t PK or play in all situations. He plays a hard nosed style that has a history of slowing down players as they get past 30, we may already be seeing his decline. I love his energy, but that magic 25 goal shovel has to accompany it.

Kessel is a fussy eater. Ron Wilson called him uncoachable. He isn’t going to change for anyone. His 5 on 5 play has been dreadful and he is over 30. His speed and shot have noticeably declined and I don’t think our PP% suffers with Bjustad or Jake in his place.

 

[Riptide]

You can add Hornqvist to the list as well. He is a 5.3mil bottom 6 pp specialist, middle 6 at best who doesn’t PK or play in all situations. He plays a hard nosed style that has a history of slowing down players as they get past 30, we may already be seeing his decline. I love his energy, but that magic 25 goal shovel has to accompany it.

Disagree. There have been multiple examples of player's like him who have long standing career's well into their mid/late 30s. Hornqvist's biggest advantage is that his game doesn't depend on his skating or his hands, and typically these are the quickest things to go, and neither of these are major risks for him.

 

[Nakawick]

Disagree. There have been multiple examples of player's like him who have long standing career's well into their mid/late 30s. Hornqvist's biggest advantage is that his game doesn't depend on his skating or his hands, and typically these are the quickest things to go, and neither of these are major risks for him.

I hope you are right Rip. Hopefully he can right the ship and avoid injuries, particularly concussions.

 

[Riptide]

I hope you are right Rip. Hopefully he can right the ship and avoid injuries, particularly concussions.

I mean if he's getting concussed on a monthly basis that's obviously going to change things, and his style doesn't exactly help him there. But if he stays healthy-ish and we're just talking about age or the odd injury here or there I'm not all that worried.

 

[EightyOne]

As long as a coach isn't getting in the way of a roster's success, I'm not going to ***** about it. Sullivan has done way more good than bad here.

Overall positive effect? Yes.

Last two years? Not buying that.

 

[Trade]

The first person I ask about Kessel with is Minnesota for Zucker. He is literally an even more skilled version of a Rust/McCann- type player.

 

[Gurglesons]

Overall positive effect? Yes.

Last two years? Not buying that.

Weird. Was his hate of Kessel last year a fuel for Kessel’s career season or just a matter of luck?

 

[Honour Over Glory]

You're saying that like it's a given. It's not.

But if Phil-Geno-Rust plays like the $20M line they'll be and outplays its ES competition by a good margin, I'd consider keeping him.

I personally don't like your negative attitude you negative Nancy.

 

[pokey10]

This summer I want to see JR look all around the league for players that have missed the least games over the past 3 years and hand them a blank check. I'm exhausted of constant, debilitating, season changing injuries.