Speculation: Trade Ideas and Free Agency

[Jarick]

My only issue with that is Suter seems to drop off paired up with anyone else. In theory, Suter-Spurgeon should be good, but it never is. And nobody else outside Spurgeon and Brodin can move the puck without being a complete liability in the defensive zone (Ballard).

 

[this providence]

With the way the defense is shaping up, I don't see how Girardi gives the team another dimension. He's rock solid in the defensive end, but that's never been a glaring issue with this team and it certainly isn't right now. Investing significant money on the back end without getting a guy who is a factor on the score sheet just seems counter productive to me.

From my perspective, the first pairing is set for eternity for all intensive purposes. Scandella and Spurgeon are playing some of the best hockey that they have shown and are a very fine second pairing; at 23 and 24 respectively. I think they can win at a pretty high level with what they have in the top 4.

I don't think they can win at a high enough level from what they're getting in terms of scoring. The kids just aren't ready to take a starring role in that department. I believe it's pretty crucial to address that this offseason if Vanek is kicking around the front door. It stands to reason that within the next two to three years that you're going to need to take advantage of Koivu, Parise, Pominville, Suter, goaltending, etc and try to make a run at things. I think that's best accomplished by adding fire power over adding more depth on the back end.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

With the way the defense is shaping up, I don't see how Girardi gives the team another dimension. He's rock solid in the defensive end, but that's never been a glaring issue with this team and it certainly isn't right now. Investing significant money on the back end without getting a guy who is a factor on the score sheet just seems counter productive to me.

From my perspective, the first pairing is set for eternity for all intensive purposes. Scandella and Spurgeon are playing some of the best hockey that they have shown and are a very fine second pairing; at 23 and 24 respectively. I think they can win at a pretty high level with what they have in the top 4.

I don't think they can win at a high enough level from what they're getting in terms of scoring. The kids just aren't ready to take a starring role in that department. I believe it's pretty crucial to address that this offseason if Vanek is kicking around the front door. It stands to reason that within the next two to three years that you're going to need to take advantage of Koivu, Parise, Pominville, Suter, goaltending, etc and try to make a run at things. I think that's best accomplished by adding fire power over adding more depth on the back end.

I don't think he adds another dimension, but they idea would be to allow Brodin to elevate his own pairing, while not losing any reliability in the top 2. It also depends very highly on the contract terms... Vanek at $49m/7 yrs or Girardi at $25m-$35m/5-7 yrs? I still think I'd rather lock into the defenseman.

I do agree about how Spurgeon/Scandella are playing right now, but imagine how good of shape we'd be in if they were our 3rd pairing.

 

[AKL]

I don't see either Vanek or Girardi being the guys that put us into contention, to be honest.

 

[PariseSuterKoivu]

If Granny is out an extended period, I would love to see us trade for a guy like Steve Ott from Buffalo. He'd be excellent centering Nino and Pommenville and bring some grit, toughness and attitude that we need.

 

[Bullrun]

So an Orpik type is what we are aiming at this summer?

No way Phanuef makes it to FA right?

 

[Engebretson]

So an Orpik type is what we are aiming at this summer?

No way Phanuef makes it to FA right?

If people are balking at taking Girardi due to lack of offensive production, then Orpik isn't really going to make anyone swoon. Girardi is 4 years younger and has been putting up a point total around the high 20's for a few years. Orpik's highest point total was 25 points 4 years ago. The only real advantage that Orpik will give you over Girardi is that he will probably cost less.

I'd be all for the Dr's idea of putting Suter and Girardi on the top pairing and letting Brodin run the 2nd line with a Ballard or Scandella.

 

[Vashanesh]

If people are balking at taking Girardi due to lack of offensive production, then Orpik isn't really going to make anyone swoon. Girardi is 4 years younger and has been putting up a point total around the high 20's for a few years. Orpik's highest point total was 25 points 4 years ago. The only real advantage that Orpik will give you over Girardi is that he will probably cost less.

I'd be all for the Dr's idea of putting Suter and Girardi on the top pairing and letting Brodin run the 2nd line with a Ballard or Scandella.

I want nothing to do with Orpik. He's older, he's slowing down and from what I've been hearing/seeing/reading, he's not hitting anywhere near as much as he used to.

I'd be happy with Girardi, though, for the right price. He's a guy who anchors a 2nd pairing, or bumps up a top pairing. He would give us a decent amount of flexibility in the top-4 D. No, he's not an offensive dynamo, but he's not worthless, either.

 

[Eple]

If Granny is out an extended period, I would love to see us trade for a guy like Steve Ott from Buffalo. He'd be excellent centering Nino and Pommenville and bring some grit, toughness and attitude that we need.

Yes, we need another universally hated player in our team!

jk

 

[DeuceMN]

No to Orpik or Niskanen.

Girardi maybe.

No to Phaneuf, even though he is pretty much the type of player that could really help out our blue line.

Phoenix doesn't need all their great d right

I wonder who else Fletch can fleece this summer.

Nice package of Brodziak, Prosser, and maybe Zucker? Yeah, that could be REAL nice. I'm sure Fletch could make someone bite on that.

 

[Engebretson]

I might grow to like Phaneuf, like I did Cooke, but he's not my first choice.

Although having Mrs. Phaneuf in the stands at the X would nice

 

[tomgilbertfan]

I might grow to like Phaneuf, like I did Cooke, but he's not my first choice.

Although having Mrs. Phaneuf in the stands at the X would nice

Alright, I'm sold.

 

[nickschultzfan]

Girardi marginal benefit is not worth his marginal cost. And there is little reason to think he would come here.

 

[BigT2002]

No to Orpik or Niskanen.

Girardi maybe.

No to Phaneuf, even though he is pretty much the type of player that could really help out our blue line.

Phoenix doesn't need all their great d right

I wonder who else Fletch can fleece this summer.

Nice package of Brodziak, Prosser, and maybe Zucker? Yeah, that could be REAL nice. I'm sure Fletch could make someone bite on that.

Dude....Keith Yandle. In a heartbeat.

 

[mezcal]

Idk, Phaneuf might just end up killing one of our goaltenders in practice

 

[SwimToTheMoon]

Idk, Phaneuf might just end up killing one of our goaltenders in practice

Phanoof

 

[StoneColdGMJN]

Stars fan here, wondering if Stoner would be available, and if so what you would be looking for in return.

 

[57special]

Just saw that you lost Daley. Didn't look good. I looked at your line up, and don't see much in the way of forwards that ;

A- we'd want

Or

B- you'd want to part with for Stoner.

If Daley's injury is as bad as it looked, you might be better off with Ballard, who is an upgrade over Stoner, though it could be argued he is just a completely different type of player.

 

[StoneColdGMJN]

Just saw that you lost Daley. Didn't look good. I looked at your line up, and don't see much in the way of forwards that ;

A- we'd want

Or

B- you'd want to part with for Stoner.

If Daley's injury is as bad as it looked, you might be better off with Ballard, who is an upgrade over Stoner, though it could be argued he is just a completely different type of player.

Yeah, we would really need more of a defensive oriented defenseman than Ballard, and Stoner seemed like a fairly reasonable player to pursue given his upcoming UFA status.

 

[AJ Thelen]

Dude....Keith Yandle. In a heartbeat.

Yes, please.

 

[BigT2002]

Yes, please.

Seriously, that gets me giddy just thinking about it

Suter-Yandle
Brodin-Scandella
Ballard-Spurgeon
Dumba

 

[Sneaky Priest]

Because we don't talk about Vanek enough.....

Been thinking a lot about Vanek possibly joining the Wild next year. How much will the asking price be for Vanek's services if you guys had to guess?

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Been thinking a lot about Vanek possibly joining the Wild next year. How much will the asking price be for Vanek's services if you guys had to guess?

He's going to be looking for something ~ $49m/7 years, IMO.

 

[llamapalooza]

He's going to be looking for something ~ $49m/7 years, IMO.

I think the per-year salary's about right but I could see him getting more like 5 years.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

He's going to want as many years as possible, and somebody out there will definitely be willing to give it him (see the Clarkson and Horton contracts).