GDT: THE 2023 FREE AGENT FRENZY!!! Will we see a 2016 repeat of overpayments?

[Zwui21]

This is BIG

That guy is a big Bolts fan, but no he isn't a reliable source or something. That post is a meme, sadly

 

[Zwui21]

I'm going to throw this out there...just an observation from reading the boards. We seem to trying to rationalize or convince these replacement moves are equal to what we had. Does anyone honestly think this team is BETTER? I'm not even talking about improving...just close to last year. I'm hoping the other guys are rested. Lots of teams improved. Lots to prove.

The bottom 6 is gonna be 100% better than last year. No doubt about that.

Unless Perbix and Raddish are gonna have some sort of sophomore slump, the Dcore will be better than last year. Rookies have gained some experience and Sergy improves his play every season. We lost Cole (who was good the firsthalf of the season and then got worse), but De Haan is as good as a 3LHD as we could have hoped for, especially for that cheap. He could be a positive surprise, his analytics seem to agree.

Many will be surprised of how good we'll be next year compared to last season IMO. All those writing us off already saying we aren't at the top anymore are in for a surprise.
Beside the fact that our bottom 6 is objectively stronger than it was last season and our core of superstars is still intact, there is the long offseason factor. The extra rest and the extended time for offseason training is so crucial and can have such a high impact on the players, if you played hockey competitively I'm sure you feel the same. Especially for players that had some lingering issues (Hedman comes to mind more than anybody else).

I'm convinced next season we'll see Hedman back close to his Norris trophy levels of hockey, that alone will put us back on top of the food chain.

 

[DMB06]

If this report from "Big Glucks" or whatever it is (lmao btw) turns out true and the Lightning snag Tarasenko, this will be one of the best off-seasons they've ever had. DeHann is boring and effective, Glendening is a very good faceoff specialist, Sheary is no worse than Colton, Essymont has a full off-season and regular season to incorporate himself and Jeannot is going to be healthy. And if Archibald cracks the roster this is gonna be a bitch of a team to play against. We will have not only rebuilt the bottom 6 but will have replaced Killorn with an elite talent

You bet your ass this team is gonna be better

We need depth scoring and we just signed a bunch of guys who can't score. I'm all for a defensive team as it's what I prefer from every team across all sports that I root for, but I think we're really going to struggle. Stammer and Hedman also aren't what they used to be, though maybe the rest will lead to both of them having solid years offensively. We're gonna need it. If we turn into a one line team it's possible we don't even make the playoffs. If Vasy has another down year and we need to win via offense we're 100 percent not making the playoffs.

 

[These Are The Days]

We need depth scoring and we just signed a bunch of guys who can't score. I'm all for a defensive team as it's what I prefer from every team across all sports that I root for, but I think we're really going to struggle. Stammer and Hedman also aren't what they used to be, though maybe the rest will lead to both of them having solid years offensively. We're gonna need it. If we turn into a one line team it's possible we don't even make the playoffs. If Vasy has another down year and we need to win via offense we're 100 percent not making the playoffs.

I completely understand how you can come to this conclusion. We don't know what we're getting and I think I wailed the loudest about the one line team crisis. But I don't think that's going to happen here this time. The fact the Lightning lost Killorn is going to force them to find new ways and methods to attack that teams haven't seen before. Other than Vasy (no team wins when their goalie is that bad) the biggest problem was being predictable with an old 4th line that went from great to terrible in one year.

It's clear JFBB is doing everything he can to convince one more guy who can bag 20/30 goals to come here at a discount and I trust we can do it.

 

[The Gongshow]

This is BIG

JBB reached out initially via TikTok

I completely understand how you can come to this conclusion. We don't know what we're getting and I think I wailed the loudest about the one line team crisis. But I don't think that's going to happen here this time. The fact the Lightning lost Killorn is going to force them to find new ways and methods to attack that teams haven't seen before. Other than Vasy (no team wins when their goalie is that bad) the biggest problem was being predictable with an old 4th line that went from great to terrible in one year.

It's clear JFBB is doing everything he can to convince one more guy who can bag 20/30 goals to come here at a discount and I trust we can do it.

We don't have the cap ans there's not any 30 goal scorers left available unless we make a trade.

Jeannot still isn't signed, so even the Kane and Tarasenko options aren't viable unless they take 1mil, which isn't happening, unfortunately

 

[Flat Ronnie]

 

[MattM92]

This is all going to be silly when Jeannot signs for $2.5x8 and scores 35 next year.

 

[Steazy Doo]

Delete

That’s what I thought

 

[Felonious Python]

Delete

 

[ccman68]

You're talking like Raddysh is something special he's a career AHLer but hey maybe we should play him more than Hedman this upcoming season and see how that goes.

maybe raddysh sucks. the point is that Cooper sees him as a top 4 D for us and you thinking bogosian is better isn’t gonna change who will play for us

 

[Steazy Doo]

Looking at some options for a top six winger…

Kane would be cool but he wouldn’t get the PP time I imagine he’d look for here. Would he take a Wheeler deal?

Tatar is interesting. Scratched all playoffs with the Habs a few years ago, but has played well since. Would rather go in with him playing with Stamkos and Cirelli over Sheary. Again, probably could make more somewhere else.

A name not many people have mentioned is Asplund. Younish guy who I think could be put back on track. Definitely more of a risk then the other two but something to look at imo.

Bailey always played us well, seems age is catching up to him faster then others though.

Toews- hard pass

Nolan Patrick is a name. Not sure what his health situation is but maybe someone looking for a cheap deal after not sticking in Nash. Still potential there?

 

[Flat Ronnie]

 

[Rschmitz]

Haha there it is, the most confusing off-season signing since EK

 

[Flat Ronnie]

Honestly, what do we really have to offer him to convince him to come here over Carolina? They're in just as good, or better shape than we are to win. They can offer him at the very least as much cash as we can.

The only thing would be if he prefers to sign here for some reason.

 

[The Gongshow]

We have no money, honey!

But dont give me hope damnit

 

[These Are The Days]

We have no money, honey!

But dont give me hope damnit

Believe for me bb boii

 

[These Are The Days]

Honestly, what do we really have to offer him to convince him to come here over Carolina? They're in just as good, or better shape than we are to win. They can offer him at the very least as much cash as we can.

The only thing would be if he prefers to sign here for some reason.

We're more likely to win a Cup, we're going to have money soon and plus the Russian contingent

 

[Flat Ronnie]

We're more likely to win a Cup, we're going to have money soon and plus the Russian contingent

What do you mean about the money part? Do you think they would offer him a multi year deal? If so, how much? I doubt its like the rumored Killorn deal.

 

[Rschmitz]

Honestly, what do we really have to offer him to convince him to come here over Carolina? They're in just as good, or better shape than we are to win. They can offer him at the very least as much cash as we can.

The only thing would be if he prefers to sign here for some reason.

I bet he's looking for a multi-year offer with his injury history, and we are certainly well positioned to offer him that. We don't know what offers he's mulling

 

[These Are The Days]

What do you mean about the money part? Do you think they would offer him a multi year deal? If so, how much? I doubt its like the rumored Killorn deal.

Tank can take a 1 year prove it deal and then re-sign for more next year

 

[Flat Ronnie]

Tank can take a 1 year prove it deal and then re-sign for more next year

What does he have to prove?

I bet he's looking for a multi-year offer with his injury history, and we are certainly well positioned to offer him that. We don't know what offers he's mulling

Can you elaborate on why we are well positioned to offer a multi year deal? What do you think that would look like considering this year would be around 2.5M.

 

[MattM92]

Honestly, what do we really have to offer him to convince him to come here over Carolina? They're in just as good, or better shape than we are to win. They can offer him at the very least as much cash as we can.

The only thing would be if he prefers to sign here for some reason.

Brind'Amour is an asshole, that's probably reason #1.

 

[Rschmitz]

Can you elaborate on why we are well positioned to offer a multi year deal? What do you think that would look like considering this year would be around 2.5M.

I think we have a little more than that, 3-3.5 million if we try to squeeze the juice out of every nickel we have.

By well positioned, I mean we have a lot of cost certainty moving forward with lots of cap opening up and only a few important pieces to sign. If Hagel was a UFA after next season I think we would hesitate but controlling his rights means we still have flexibility.

3-3.5 AAV for five years, and you can add performance bonuses after this year to sweeten the deal

 

[Flat Ronnie]

I think we have a little more than that, 3-3.5 million if we try to squeeze the juice out of every nickel we have.

By well positioned, I mean we have a lot of cost certainty moving forward with lots of cap opening up and only a few important pieces to sign. If Hagel was a UFA after next season I think we would hesitate but controlling his rights means we still have flexibility.

3-3.5 AAV for five years

I could see us willing to take the risk on a long term contract of guaranteed money. Knowing he won't play that long and we will most likely buy out the remainder - much like Killorn's rumored deal. Basically, willingly eating shit in a few years to best our current chances.

I could see see them trying something like that.

 

[Rschmitz]

I could see us willing to take the risk on a long term contract of guaranteed money. Knowing he won't play that long and we will most likely buy out the remainder - much like Killorn's rumored deal. Basically, willingly eating shit in a few years to best our current chances.

I could see see them trying something like that.

JBB would be taking a bet that he can time our collapse perfectly. Hedman and Stamkos are of a similar age, it makes sense that once they are in their late 30's in 5 or so years we'd be needing to rebuild and in a position to eat dead cap.