Top UFA Targets for the Habs

[Habaneros]

I don't get this , what is the source? Contracts can't be discussed until tomorrow.

A 1 yr deal for Vanek seems quite extreme..lol but seems to be the "plan".
I expect no top Ufa's to sign in Minny this yr..if one does it's desperate for sure...



http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_26058456/wild-arent-looking-long-term-commitment-free-agency

One day separates Chuck Fletcher from the busiest day of the NHL offseason.

At 11 a.m. Tuesday, free agency begins, but as the Wild general manager spent Sunday going over final preparations and discussing possible options, Fletcher indicated that he would be more inclined to offer short-term contracts to the top free agents, namely Montreal winger Thomas Vanek and Pittsburgh defenseman Matt Niskanen.

It's likely that both could garner long-term contracts, if desired.

But the Wild already have Zach Parise and Ryan Suter signed through the 2024-25 season, Mikko Koivu signed through 2017-18 and Jason Pominville signed through 2018-19.

Because of that, Fletcher seems more inclined to offer short-term deals to the top free agents.

"Every time you go out and sign these long-term contracts, you just have less flexibility, you have more long-term commitments, and sometimes those long-term commitments can turn into liabilities and you start to box yourself in," Fletcher said. "To me, I'd almost rather be a little lean this year and maintain a little more flexibility than just pushing it right to the max."

 

[le_sean]

I don't get this , what is the source? Contracts can't be discussed until tomorrow.

Well their source might be in the Minny front office?

Either way, we can't be naive. While technically teams cannot offer formal numbers, you know it's being done. There is zero accountability in this process.

 

[Analyzer*]

Well their source might be in the Minny front office?

Either way, we can't be naive. While technically teams cannot offer formal numbers, you know it's being done. There is zero accountability in this process.

Pretty much.

Does anyone remember when Sergei Gonchar signed with Ottawa as soon as 12pm hit ? And that was before the negotiation period.

 

[Habaneros]

Pretty much.

Does anyone remember when Sergei Gonchar signed with Ottawa as soon as 12pm hit ? And that was before the negotiation period.

How NHL ‘interview period’ improves free agency


http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/how-nhl-interview-period-improves-free-agency/

But they can go down every other road, like getting a feel for whether or not one side is talking two-year deal and the other is talking six years. With as much money at stake as there is on July 1, is it hard not to agree that the “interview period” is a far more civilized way of doing business.

“From a player’s perspective,” begins agent Stephen Bartlett, who represents one of the top UFAs this July 1 in Tomas Vanek, “it used to be the team saying, ‘You have one hour [to decide on a six-year commitment], or we’re going elsewhere.

“The idea to get a head start on finding out who is interested, to talk about potential destinations, for a player and his wife to know that, ‘All things being equal, this would be our first choice, this would be our second choice…’ This period has really taken away the shotgun element to this process.”

 

[le_sean]

Pretty much.

Does anyone remember when Sergei Gonchar signed with Ottawa as soon as 12pm hit ? And that was before the negotiation period.

Yup. Ohlund to Tampa was the same thing.

The catch in the period before this is that agents have multiple clients. You can talk to them about one player then say "oh by the way, would your other client be interested in this?" It's a business and businessmen always find advantages.

 

[That Habs Fan]

Jamie McBain not qualified? I would go hard after him

 

[Habs100]

A lot of good pieces available:

-Steve Ott
-Jussi Jokinen
-Ehrhoff
-Hemsky
-Statsny
-Volchenkov

 

[danyhabsfan]

A lot of good pieces available:

-Steve Ott
-Jussi Jokinen
-Ehrhoff
-Hemsky
-Statsny
-Volchenkov

Volchenkov

 

[Analyzer*]

Jamie McBain not qualified? I would go hard after him

You like players who aren't very good offensive and would make me rather have Bouillon back ?

 

[MD thaivuN]

Jamie McBain not qualified? I would go hard after him

I'd rather have Diaz back.

 

[TT1]

cool T.J. Galiardi wasnt qualified by Calgary, i like him alot

 

[WeThreeKings]

So far we've expressed interest in:
Brian Boyle (don't want, we need a RH Center for the 4th line)
Dan Boyle (if he comes at short term, helps our RD situation)
Stephane Robidas (see Boyle)
Jarome Iginla (gives us a bona-fide top line RW with size)
Radim Vrbata (gives us a good 2nd line RW for Plekanec).

 

[S Bah]

Bergevin has positioned the Habs well for the UFA's, Iginla RW would be a great signing for 2-3yrs @ $5.5 mil. instead of Gionta RW @ $5 mil. The Habs get bigger with Jarome, having him on the wing with Pacioretty & DD, if he can also get C.Ehrhoff to replace Gorges for the same $3.9 mil. even better.

Gorges & Prust + for E.Kane would be a solid addition for the future, then the Habs would boast 3 of the better LW's in the NHL. Pacioretty, Galchenyuk & E.Kane with Iginla, PAP, Gallagher RW's and Scherbak coming, the Habs are really building a solid team. Stastny somehow? Plekanec, DD, Eller & Stastny @ Center with all of the good young Dmen & goalies the Habs would step into the Elite within 3yrs.then!

 

[ECWHSWI]

Bergevin has positioned the Habs well for the UFA's, Iginla RW would be a great signing for 2-3yrs @ $5.5 mil. instead of Gionta RW @ $5 mil. The Habs get bigger with Jarome, having him on the wing with Pacioretty & DD, if he can also get C.Ehrhoff to replace Gorges for the same $3.9 mil. even better.

Gorges & Prust + for E.Kane would be a solid addition for the future, then the Habs would boast 3 of the better LW's in the NHL. Pacioretty, Galchenyuk & E.Kane with Iginla, PAP, Gallagher RW's and Scherbak coming, the Habs are really building a solid team. Stastny somehow? Plekanec, DD, Eller & Stastny @ Center with all of the good young Dmen & goalies the Habs would step into the Elite within 3yrs.then!

come on now...

 

[Monctonscout]

I think a Gorges for Lupul trade would be really interesting.

Or maybe we can add to get JVR..

JUST WAIVE GORGES COME ON.

Why would anybody want Lupul?

Overapaid, 4 year term, injury prone plus plays LW.

If you move Gorges for cost cutting, you don't more him for a more expensive guy.

 

[S Bah]

When Bergevin wants a player, he has to give to get and defence is the Habs biggest depth position in their system. Lots of interest in Josh I'm sure of that. Any team watching the playoffs can see the value in him, especially the ones with young defences, like Edmonton, Calgary etc.

 

[Whitesnake]

Always thought Halischuck would amount to something....Winnipeg let a trio of well-known guys that "could of" in Ellerby, Wright and Halischuck without qualifying offers...

 

[Scintillating10]

Only problem I have with Boyle is he is well on the down swing. Had worst year in his career last year in San Jose...likely be another Briere. We are buying what once was not what he is now

 

[MrNasty]

I would be ok with any of the following

Iginla
Ott
Ehrloff
Richards
Stastny
Boyle x 2
Legwand
Koivu
Vrbata
Winnik
Jokinen
Moore
MacKenzie
Orpik
Bolland
Engelland