Nashville Predators salary & free agent outlook for 2011-12
by Dirk Hoag on May 10, 2011 5:26 PM EDT
in Nashville Predators Analysis
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With the Nashville Predators season over, it's already time to start speculating about the changes that might come over the summer (my son was already talking about that as we walked out of Bridgestone Arena last night). The biggest opportunity for change obviously comes with the number of players finishing their current contracts.
Follow after the jump as we review which players are signed for next season, how much money they'll take up, and which players are eligible for free agency...
This season, the salary cap was $59.4 million, and it's likely that for 2011-12 it could bump up to somewhere in the $62-64 million range (I've speculated that it could go even higher). With the Preds likely to spend $8-10 million below the cap, let's peg them for a theoretical budget of $52 million for next season. In the table below, RFA refers to Restricted Free Agents (other teams can make offers, but the Preds have the right to match), and UFA are Unrestricted Free Agents (totally up for grabs). All numbers below come from NHLNumbers.com and CapGeek:
Forwards
| Player | Cap Number | 11/12 Salary |
| David Legwand | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Martin Erat | 4.5 | 6.0 |
| J.P. Dumont | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Steve Sullivan | UFA | |
| Matthew Lombardi | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Patric Hornqvist | 3.1 | 3.0 |
| Colin Wilson | 1.7 | 0.9 |
| Joel Ward | UFA | |
| Mike Fisher | 4.2 | 4.0 |
| Jordin Tootoo | 1.3 | 1.4 |
| Nick Spaling | RFA | |
| Marcel Goc | UFA | |
| Jerred Smithson | 0.7 | 0.8 |
| Cal O`Reilly | RFA | |
| Sergei Kostitsyn | RFA | |
| Matt Halischuk | RFA | |
| Blake Geoffrion | 1.1 | 0.9 |
| Total | 28.9 |
We're likely to see some significant change here, starting with Steve Sullivan. Given the decline in performance and injury concerns, there's no chance that he returns at close to the $3.75 million he made this year. The other unrestricted free agents, Joel Ward and Marcel Goc, present interesting situations. How much of a raise will Ward receive for his outstanding playoff run? Too much for Nashville to fit him within their budget?
With Goc, one wonders what his prognosis will be as he comes back from shoulder surgery, and whether a spot remains for him after the Mike Fisher acquisition, and return to health of Cal O'Reilly. Even without relying on Matthew Lombardi's recovery, you could have a center depth chart of Legwand-Fisher-O'Reilly-Goc, with guys like Spaling, Smithson & Geoffrion available as reserves. I like it, I love it...
With the restricted free agents, I would expect all of them to return at roughly their previous salary, with the exception being Sergei Kostitsyn's next contract. Leading the Preds in goal-scoring could lead to some pricey salary demands, but I hope David Poile doesn't bank on him scoring 20 again. As I've said for months, SK74 is a nice complementary player, but he doesn't shoot the puck enough to be relied upon as a major contributor.
Defense
| Player | Cap Number | 11/12 Salary |
| Shea Weber | RFA | |
| Ryan Suter | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Shane O`Brien | UFA | |
| Kevin Klein | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Francis Bouillon | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Cody Franson | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| Jonathon Blum | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Total | 7.9 |
That guy at the top of the list will surely command a pretty hefty fee this summer, and my guess is that we won't know how it turns out until Drew Doughty gets his deal in Los Angeles. The stunning development here is how smoothly Jonathon Blum stepped into a major role on the 2nd pair in 5-on-5 hockey with Kevin Klein.
Assuming that Francis Bouillon is able to return to duty in the fall, the Preds may be able to let Shane O'Brien hit the free agent market and not require another veteran to fill out the roster. I could, for example, see them run with 6 defensemen on the roster on a regular basis, while dipping into Milwaukee as needed for short-term injury replacements.
Goaltending
| Player | Cap Number | 11/12 Salary |
| Pekka Rinne | 3.4 | 4.0 |
| Anders Lindback | 0.9 | 0.7 |
| Total | 4.7 |
It looks like this picture is pretty set for next season.
The Next Wave
| Player | Cap Number | 11/12 Salary |
| Mark Dekanich | RFA | |
| Ryan Ellis | 1.5 | 0.9 |
| Chet Pickard | 1.3 | 0.8 |
| Austin Watson | 1.1 | 0.9 |
| Roman Josi | 1.0 | 0.8 |
| Taylor Beck | 0.9 | 0.7 |
Mark Dekanich has proven pretty much all you can at the AHL level, and I have to wonder if the best thing for all sides involved here is for the Preds to trade his rights in order to regain some value at this summer's NHL Entry Draft, where Nashville already traded away its 1st-round selection this year in the Mike Fisher trade. The Predators do have New Jersey's 2nd-round pick, courtesy of the Jason Arnott deal, so perhaps a package of that Devils pick plus Dekanich might get David Poile back into the 1st round.
So with $41.5M already committed to existing players, and the need to sign Shea Weber to a new deal, what do you do up front, folks? Feel free to discuss in the comments below...
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I'll sort of touch on some things I talked about on my blog
I think that Spaling and Halischuk are solid pieces to bring back. Neither will be terribly expensive, and both offer some versatility. I can’t help but label Halischuk as the type of player that Trotz flat out loves, and Spals…. we all love Spals.
I’m curious about what happens with Ward. Despite a few exciting moments, Ward had a pretty low-key season. I wonder if a good playoff run is enough to justify bringing him back for more money.
The whole Goc and O’Reilly situation is pretty tricky. Goc can center about any line, but excels in that 2nd-3rd line position. O’Reilly isn’t going to do all that well outside of a scoring line, and I could see him working as a 1a 1b with Fisher next year. Of course all this ignores the status of Lombardi, which would change everything around. I personally don’t want to see Goc go because he’s been one of my favorite players for a several seasons now, but I’m uncertain about the future of either center.
I see no reason why you wouldn’t want Sergei back since he still has the ability to improve his game.
I’m definitely up for re-signing Spaling and Goc. Perhaps Halischuk if he’s willing to play in the AHL if need be.
I’m a little concerned with paying Ward too much, and I don’t think O’Reilly will pan out. Fisher/Legwand/Goc are sure things, and you can plug Boomer in that 4C spot without spending money on Cal. Good kid, but a square peg in a round hole, especially if Lombardi comes back.
Lemme quote the late, great Colonel Sanders. He said "I'm too drunk to taste this chicken."
by Chris Burton on May 10, 2011 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Ward is undervalued by our fans.
I know he didn’t show up on the scoreboard as much, but I promise you he did what was asked of him. The reason I know he did was because you never heard Trotz call him out in the press for lack of production. He was assigned a specific role, which was shut down the other teams top line. People love to say that attaining Fisher helped Legwand, but I think it helped Ward even more. The attention that the Canucks had to spend on shutting down Fisher"s line allowed Leggy and especially Ward to play offense like geniuses. I think Ward is a huge asset and will be sad to see him go. I just hope he goes to a team we never have to play.
Give Weber whatever he wants.
I don’t care what it takes. He’s too important for the future of this team. When is the last time this team had a bonafide national NHL superstar? Pekka is certainly on his way as well, but Weber is already there. A superstar means more national exposure, which means more potential fans, which means more money. You do the math.
When is the last time this team had a bonafide national NHL superstar?
Never.
Weber is the first. Rinne and Suter are just a cut below.
The three of them should be signed long-term for ~21 M combined, and the remaining 30 M should be enough to fill out a quality roster. The Arnott/Sullivan/Dumont/Legwand/Erat albatross contracts are now 2/5ths done, with dumont a potential 3rd if they buy him out/trade him for one dollar (CDN, worth more these days). GMDP can now invest those dollars elsewhere with a premium on top six forwards, since guys like Geoffrion/Halischuk/Blum/Spaling are all NHLers for the foreseeable future, and for cheap.
by DontfeedtheBelak on May 10, 2011 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions
sometimes you are so full of crap, and sometimes you make some good points.
PS. Thanks for being my ticket rep for this year! The Preds front office really is good cause I am pretty sure you worked for free
I'm sent here by the chosen one
by Creeping Death on May 10, 2011 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Hopefully as the Captain he would want whats best for him...
but also for the future of the team. If he could give us kind of a break on the teams wallet, it could go a long way to long term success of this team. He knows Suter and Rinne need to be re-signed next year. He harped on how Defense can only get a team so far so he needs to allow some pay room to go toward signing some kind of scorer.
That sounds all fine and dandy, but then you get to talking money who wants to lose out on a million dollars a year or several million (8 million? 10 million?) over the course of their lifetime. Money talks a lot sadly. It’s easy for us to tell them to talk a million less to help a team, but what if your boss asked you to take 1/7 or 1/8 your salary/wages to help the company out? Doesn’t sound so good now does it? This is a business for these guys and it really is about the money. It’s easy to say take a pay cut to help the team but hard to do.
That's all good and well...
but you don’t really care about the welfare of this club. Like you’ve said earlier you’d trade Bob Ryan for him. He’s a captain and he has a long prosperous career ahead of him leaving 1 million or so for a buddy is what a leader does and as a captain it would be a noble thing for him to do.
He’s a captain and he has a long prosperous career ahead of him leaving 1 million or so for a buddy is what a leader does and as a captain it would be a noble thing for him to do.
I understand I don’t care about the welfare of the Preds, but if he leaves 1 million over the course of his career, that’s not going to help the team. He’s going to have to take a 1ish million cut each season to do any good. That’s where the money starts adding up and that’s what it seems you’re asking him to do. Sure it’s the “noble thing” to do, but Weber has to provide for he and his family (if he has one yet or in the future). He could suffer a career ending injury tomorrow (not likely, but it can happen) and he needs that security. I know I don’t see it the same as you guys, but I understand that it’s a business for these guys. That’s what happened last summer with Bobby Ryan for us. He needed the security of the money and couldn’t just settle for less than he thought he could get. This is their life and job. It’s a lot easier said than done.
Now if the Preds can pull that off, good for them. But I don’t see it happening easily and because it would be the “noble thing for him to do.”
I'm just saying the money he will accept won't be over the moon money.
You might be right but I was making a point that needed to be made. I don’t like duck fan correcting me. In fact I’m not wrong or right I’m just making an opinion. You are not a fan of this team so why do you care how much he makes. If i’m right you can just apologize or something. He doesn’t have to make ultra money to prove he’s the best d-man in the NHL. He’s young. 6 million is providing for his family! We will have more income because of the Comcast deal so it really doesn’t matter. But if Zetterberg will take a little over 6 million for a bazillion years why can’t we see Weber making roughly around that?!
Seems like everyones like, “we’ll be lucky if he does 10 years at 7”. Maybe I’m optimistic but somebody’s gotta be!
Well I apologize I’m not a fan of the team, but what one player signs for one your team can have an effect on my team which is why I do care some. Sure it’s not life or death for me, but one signing in the league can have an impact throughout. Players use each other as benchmarks and comparisons. And I apologize for making it seem like I was trying to correct you, I wasn’t. I was simply pointing out that this is a business for these guys and it’s not necessarily easy to take less than what you can squeeze out.
I’m glad you’re optimistic about his contract. I was about Ryan’s last year and it was a bit of a letdown how it played out, but this one very well may be different.
I think 5 million for 5 years is a sweetheart deal for a high scoring 1st liner!
I’d rather have that than Martin Erat next year at 600,000 less! A lot of people were thinking he could’ve had more. especially for a medium term deal like that.
Agreed. Letting go of the NHL’s best defenseman would be the epitome of foolishness.
Lemme quote the late, great Colonel Sanders. He said "I'm too drunk to taste this chicken."
by Chris Burton on May 10, 2011 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I tend to agree about Weber....
…..but only if he’s in the $6M range. If he’s more, then we’re gonna have to let Suter go. That would be a mistake in my opinion.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on May 11, 2011 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I would think we could go close to 7
But when your hitting 8 million it becomes harder. Unless you start low and go up after a year.
6mil 7mil 7.5 mil 7 mil 6mil 5 mil ?
:(
Where are you all getting some of these numbers from?
First off, people need to be more specific if they are talking about the cap hit or the actual amount being paid to the players each year. As for the cap hit, people are throwing out numbers like a minimum of $2 million per year for Kostitsyn and at least $7.5 million for Weber? Lets face it, Kostitsyn made $550,000 this year and yes he did have 23 goals and 50 points but he had 0 goals and 5 assists in the playoffs. I would think he would get something more like a 2 year deal worth ~$2.5 and see how he does over that time.
I agree with most others that Dumont and Sully will not be returning. Ward did well in the playoffs and is a great defensive forward but I dont see him getting any more than $2.5 million from us. Spaling and Halischuk should be relatively cheap to resign and then pick between O’Reilly or Goc and let the other one go.
Defense is another story. Bouillon counts $1.35 million against the cap next season but with concerns about his concussions and the fact that our defense was solid even without him, I think that we are better off trying to trade him or put him in a package deal. Shane O’Brien is an UFA and counted $1.6 against the cap last season. Of course im not David Poile but the size and physical play of O’Brien and our heavy use of him on the PK is warrant enough to resign him for ~$2 million per year granted Bouillon is gone. Our Power Play has been terrible and the arrival of an offensive play making d-man in Ryan Ellis might have an immediate impact on team scoring. The thought behind this is to run 7 defenseman, 4 of which would cost just over $4.56 million COMBINED, and possibly gain more offense from this than having another filler forward.
As for Weber we should look at the salaries of comparable players. Mike Green of the Capitals is $5.25 against the cap, Duncan Keith is $5.5 million and Brent Seabrook is $5.8. Three other names that usually come up are Lidstrom ($6.2) Chara ($6.9) and Dan Boyle ($6.6). I would like to see him settle for something like $6.0-$6.7 per year for 6-10 years, but I dont see him commanding upwards of $7 million when he has already said he will remain a Predator and understands the situation. We also have to think ahead at least 1 year because at that time we have to resign Suter and Rinne which will cost us a good chunk more than they do now.
Thats just my thinking, sorry if I was rambling. Go Preds!
Some very good points!
You have me thinking that Weber might realistically come in at under 7M now. Any savings there is money that can be added to the savings on letting Sully go and buying out JP and spent on an offensive talent at forward.
by Grizzledbear on May 13, 2011 6:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I wouldn’t read into that too much. The three big names (Lidstrom, Chara, and Boyle) are all at least 34 years old. They are about past their prime. Weber is just working into his. Keith would be a good comparision, but he has a 13 year contract. I don’t see the Preds giving a contract at that length. The last years of Keith’s contracts are dirt cheap. For the first 6 years, they are paying a minimum of 7.5 million and a max of 8 million. You can’t just look at the cap hit of these guys and compare that to what the Preds will have to pay Weber. They aren’t in cap space trouble because they aren’t a cap team. It’s the actual dollar amount that the Preds are worried about. You can look at CapGeek for the top salaries (you can look up cap hits but this is salary) for the top D in the league. That’s a much better indicator of the money Weber will likely be looking for.
The Cap hit really is the key for us due to the cap mid-point essentially being our salary cap. As with Erat’s contract, the actual dollar amount each year of the contract can fluctuate, but it’s how it effects our effective cap space that’s at issue.
Anything under a 7.5M cap hit will be a good deal for us. If Weber’s camp wants more than that, then you could have some issues.
by Grizzledbear on May 13, 2011 7:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
RFA for Weber
My concern is that some team will REALLY throw out a high number to get him with the intention of forcing Nashville to let him go, or blow up their roster to keep him. I hope I’m wrong…
TN Sports fan in Hoosier Country....
Only so many teams could pay out 8 Mil for another player
Plus that would be 4 first rounders? Not sure if I see a team giving this up. But it is still something to worry about
:(
It doesn’t have to be 8mil in my mind. If it averages just about 7.5mil (2 firsts, 1 second, 1 third) over a longer time than the Preds want to pay (8 years? 10 years? 12 years? 14 years?), the Preds might not be willing to match that offer simply because of length. I don’t think they can or would take on that length of contract. I could be wrong, but that’s just how I see it. Weber is younger than Chara and has more potential in my eyes. He could easily get 7.5 mil average I think.
See:
Erat and Legwand’s contracts. Those are both baaaaad, and I think we should stay away from that length. On the other hand, Weber is faaaaaar better than them so 7 years could make more sense for him.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on May 12, 2011 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not a huge fan of long contracts either, but some players I can see it for. The Ducks usually limit it to 5 years, but there are teams who are willing to go all in for someone like Weber. If Kovy in NJ can get 14 years or whatever it was, I can definitely see Weber getting offered 10+ years. He’s only what? 25? He is only getting close to his prime. He will be good for a long time. That’s where I see an offer sheet being a problem for the Preds. They have the money to match 7.5ish million, but I don’t know if they have it to match that amount over a contract length they aren’t comfortable with. The Preds seem to play it safe as opposed to a team like NJ or Vancouver. They can’t just eat that money if Weber signs a 10 year contract and ends his career next season. It’s just not in the books for them or for a team like my Ducks. That’s just the way the cookie crumbles.
Injuries
With the guys that we have had out for big chunks of the regular season we have had to call guys from from Milwaukee. These guys have stepped up and now we have a problem that I feel most people would love to have. With all the guys that we have in our forward line both healthy and new youth movement we will have some tough choices to make as to who we keep up. The plus side here is that we have young guys that can still play in Milwaukee and be called up for injuries. The defense is solid with Weber and and Suter then Blum and Franson now with SOB and Kline those two spots can be filled by two of the young guys from Milwaukee thought he question becomes which two should we let SOB go and trade Kline away. Goaltending well no need to mess with what we have. We can get rid of Dekenich and get something good out of him.
The interesting part comes when free agency starts and to see who is out there and if we go after anyone because we do not really HAVE to have anyone. Now would it be nice to pick up someone who can go out and score 25-30+ goals yes but i do not think we will go after anyone like that.
Ward; big splash for a 30 goal scorer
First, I am pretty sure Nashville has its 3rd round pick this year,
leaving them only short a first. The third Ottawa gets is NEXT year’s 2012 pick.
Second, trading Pickard, Dekanich, or Smith is a wise thing to do, since goaltending is set,
but what are you going to get for unproven minor league goaltending? Certainly not the top six or top three sniper that is needed.
the real trade value is in Wilson, Ellis, Blum and Franson. Wilson should be kept since we are thin at young fwds, but Franson is slow as molasses, yet other teams probably find his potential desirable. Ellis is blue chip. Blum, same.
Its a gutsy thing to do, but Dallas gave up James Neal (and a D) for Goligoski, the Avs gave up Chris Stewart for Erik Johnson (with picks exchanged). We have great D prospects, but need goal scoring forwards.
Finally, Ward for ~2 M a year is a steal. Size and boardplay by a winger, to offset Erat/SK74.
by DontfeedtheBelak on May 10, 2011 6:38 PM EDT reply actions
Thanks for the correction, I'll note above.
Managing Editor of On the Forecheck, SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators. Catch me on Twitter, or join our site on Facebook!
Absolutely -- Use our depth on D to fill our holes on O
All we hear/read about is how great our defensive prospects are (I’m including Blum and Franson ‘prospects’). In contrast, we as Preds fans are aware of our offensive shortcomings and our painfully inefficient PP, so using our defensive strengths to counterbalance our offensive weaknesses seems obvious. I’m all for maximizing our speed on D (one of Weber’s few weaknesses) to limit damage from defensive-zone turnovers (as we saw from all of our Dmen this postseason), so trading Franson and ignoring SOB is fine by me. I’m going to be very upset if I don’t see R. Ellis out there with Blum (or Franson if we keep him) on our #2 PP pairing.
Regardless of what happens, I love this team
by Chris Tedder on May 10, 2011 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions
our D
Well I kinda disagree here. I think our D (with exception of Klein and SOB) is very good for the price. I believe that SOB will be gone with Bouillon coming back and the signing of Weber. That leaves us with a great Defensive core. Which is Trotz style of play and also what got us into the 2nd round with great goaltending.
Weber-Suter
Blum-Klein
Cube-Franson
I agree with Ellis and Blum. I would absolutely love to see Klien go and Ellis come up. Its hard to argue that this is not the best D guys that we have ever had though.
We have an interesting problem at Forward for next season. Expecially at the Center position. I have been looking at this for a while now. A healthy Lombardi makes us a much better team, with quality Centers on all lines. Smithson rolls down to the RW spot while taking faceoffs on the check line. So where does this leave Goc? I love Goc and wish that we could keep him. But I do not see any room for him. Honestly I would love to see Leggy go and us keep Goc. But most would disagree with me on that I am sure. Money/talent wise this would be a great move,. But Leggy is already signed and Goc will probably be gone. At the wing, JP is a huge thorn in our side with his 3.5 million that we wish we could use else where. I think that his status at the start of the season along with the signing of Weber (will be more than 7 million over time-watch and see) will determine wether or not we go after a quality winger. Sully in my mind will not be here next season. Ward will be back. I still think he takes around what he has been getting.
"I had all my own teeth and I wanted to keep it that way." - Tom Glavine
All hockey players are bilingual. They know English and profanity.
Gordie Howe
I think just because Joel Ward was the lead scorer to this point in the playoffs...
doesn’t mean he’s worth more than 2.5 million a year. It’s still weird seeing Joel Wards face on the NHL Playoffs stats page! :) What he did during the regular season just wasn’t near enough! I say somewhere in the 2.5 million range is where that contract needs to be.
Lombardi....
….does not exist. He is a figment of your imagination. He’s never coming back.
:)
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on May 12, 2011 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm bustin' his chops....
…..it’s not good news, just a fact.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on May 13, 2011 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I am bound by the doctor-patient relationship not to answer that.
But when a dude can’t exercise for the past 8 months because of a concussion. Why do you think its gonna get better in the next 4 months? Cause its the offseason? He’s been in the offseason for the past 8 months.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on May 15, 2011 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Not really too too worried about the situation. Weber- will get 7-8 Million SK should get about 1.75 M Ward would be a nice pick up at 2 m. What becomes interesting is Lombardi and Dumont. If Lombardi is done what can be done? Could Nashville find a way to move him to a cup max team to help them clear salary space. (He could be put on LTIR for a cap max team) There is the message board rumblings of a buyout for Dumont which wouldn’t hurt the team too much. If Lombardi is not healthy then you make an effort to sign O’Reilly and Goc.
And get rid of Sullly, that's $3.75M.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on May 12, 2011 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions
54M my guess at where we'll be in salary next season......
That’s about where the cap midpoint will be next season if all goes as I think it will, so I would invision us spending about 3M more in salary next season. That takes care of Weber’s likely increase over his current deal, so that’s a good starting point. Sully is to injury prone and has clearly lost a lot of his game this past season, so it’s time to say goodbye to him as a player here (maybe a job with the team would be the next step). That free’s up 3.75M. Ward had a great playoff run, but I’m not sure he’ll get huge $ thrown at him in the UFA market either (could happen though). I think he can be re-signed at roughly his current salary level. Goc I would let go just due to us having good depth as far as 2nd thru 4th line centers go, though I wouldn’t mind having him back at his current salary level. O’Reilly is a guy I would look to move as part of a trade package for the scorer that we need, really don’t see where he fits with this team now. SK74 should come in at a reasonable price, so I’m not to worried about his situation. I’ve mentioned before that I would buyout Dumont’s remaining year, so that gives us a savings of 2.66M next season as well.
On defense, the condition of Cube’s noggin will determine whether to try and keep O’Brien or not. SOB did better for us (with some exceptions) than I thought he would. But with Blum a full timer now and Josi likely to challange for a spot as well (and maybe Ellis, but probably not just yet), it would seem one of our bottom 4 Dmen will likely be gone, whether that be by trading one of them or just not re-signing SOB. No real increase on the blueline for salaries except for Weber.
Lombardi’s situation is the real inigma this off-season. I think it best to assume he won’t be coming back and plan accordingly. Bottomline is, we need to add a solid offensive weapon to our team next season. Don’t really see that player in the UFA market that we could afford without moving major pieces to sign (and moving those pieces is easier said than done). The trade route is what we need to look at and we certainly have the assets to make a significant move this off-season. Would a package of Wilson and Ellis get the Devils to part with Parise if they have trouble signing him? Who knows, but we need to explore that type of deal. I don’t see help coming from the prospect pool at forward next season, so it really is either trade or UFA for us this summer. Guys like Upshall and Ryder could help, but they’re not the go to guy that we need.
by Grizzledbear on May 10, 2011 7:00 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Dumont buyout
Could somebody educate me on how exactly we would go about buying out Dumont’s current contract? Is our ownership willing/able to do that? Does a buyout count towards our cap space?
Thanks (I’m all for parting ways with JP)
by Chris Tedder on May 10, 2011 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Per Capgeek.com
Dumont’s buyout cap hit would be
11-12: 1,333,333
12-13: 1,333,333
Cash savings: $333,334
Preds don’t really care about the cap hit since the midpoint is based on salaries spent.
Not sure where you’re getting that cash savings number. The total savings over the course of the two seasons of the buyout are 1.33M but it will be 2.66M for next season when compared to what his 4M salary would cost. It helps us out a lot next season but does add 1.33M to the 12/13 budget. Worth it, IMO.
by Grizzledbear on May 10, 2011 7:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
1. I don’t think Sully or Dumont are due back on the roster next year. They’re production compared to their are/injury is just not good enough for how much young talent we have in the system.
2. I think we can put together a good trade package using some combo of (Klein, O’Brien, Wilson, Dekanich, Ellis, Josi) and get a top flight scoring winger. It’s the missing piece for this team that is entering its prime. It needs to get done.
3. There are a lot of good center’s on the roster. A lot depends on Lombardi. Obviously we know that Fisher and Legwand are going to be on the Preds roster next season full time. If Lombardi can’t go then I think we re-sign Goc and go with him and Smithers as the last two centers. I just can’t see O’Reilly taking Smithson out of a roster spot. I think Spaling will unfortunately be in the AHL most of next year.
Dumont, Wards, Sully
1. Dumont probably won’t be back. I didn’t see him turn it up a notch to playoff intensity.
2. Same goes for Sully; though one of my favorite players, he is past his prime and we need tougher players with more size to make it through the playoffs. I’d like to see him stay with the organization in some capacity as he has great character, leadership, and would be a great advisor/coach to young guys coming up.
3. Ward had very mediocre regular season. If he could play 75% of the regular season like he did in the playoffs, I’d keep him. I have never liked the fact that he rarely plays a physical game, though he is one of our bigger guys. Skill and speed are great, but come playoff time we need more physical presence and the ability to compete with the big, tough teams in our conference who have traditionally just pushed us around.
Dumont will probably be bought out... which is a shame.
I hope Sullivan retires a Predator. He meant the world to us. He is the man behind the franchises’ upswing. I would love to see him in some kind of leadership role in this organization. I still need his autograph! :)
Ward
A huge asset in any role given to him, he’s also extremely smart. Both him and Poile know that his playoff production will not change much in his negotiations. DP loves him and he’s comfortable in his role here, I don’t see him going anywhere nor do I see him returning with a ludicrous salary spending a lot of time on a scoring line.
Ward and Legwand, I hope, will start next season on a line together again. They will continue to shut down top talent until given opportunities when lines are mismatched. The 4th line stepped up so much at the end of the year with minutes and zone control, that Ward and Leggy really became dangerous.
EASports' NHL 11 doesn't suck; in fact, it's really damn good! Wait, what!?
Go Predators!!!
So, when adding all the potential contracts up.......
I come up with the following roster at just a hair over 50M……
Forwards: 29.68M including Dumont’s buyout.
Legwand
Fisher
Erat
Lombardi
Hornqvist
Wilson
Tootoo
Smithson
Ward (at 1.75M)
Geoffrion
Spaling (at .75M)
Kostitsyn (at 1.25M)
Defense: 16.5M
Weber (at 7.5M)
Suter
Cube
Klein
Franson
Blum
Josi
Goalies: 4.3M
Rinne
Lindback
In my world of math, that leaves about 4M to add a solid forward to our roster and whatever we could send out in salary in a given trade. We’re not in a bad situation at all as far as going after the scoring that we need…….
by Grizzledbear on May 10, 2011 8:13 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
4M for a solid forward
may be tough to do on the UFA market.
Bidding wars and such.
I am all for buying out Dumont, and the resignings in the ballpark of what you estimate.
I still think the way to go is a splash trade with our very desirable D prospects.
by DontfeedtheBelak on May 11, 2011 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions
As I said in my previous post, it really doesn’t look like what we need (and could afford) is out there on the UFA market, so a trade is definately option #1 for us. Being able to offer up kids like Wilson and/or Ellis should get other GM’s attention at the very least.
There is the option of instead of going after one big fish, we instead bring in two 20 goal scorer types in the 2M range for each. Not really the ideal solution, IMO, but certainly better than the status quo.
by Grizzledbear on May 11, 2011 11:23 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I still wonder if Weber would take a little less here...
since money goes further here in TN and he is the captain, and might not be elsewhere? I don’t know. It’ll be interesting to see.
"My, my, here's one for the (no) neck. Don't relax, 'cause you're next for the check!"
That’s an excellent point that is never brought up by the national press when numbers are tossed around for Weber. You definitely have to consider location; taxes and cost of living are all a part of the formula. His role as captain is another great point, and I would imagine he’d prefer to stay on a line with Suter. They definitely have good chemistry out there.
online 24/7 at www.chas-e.net
I think he does take a little less to stay.
He understands the need for offense. Sometimes you have to meet halfway. I hope and think he does.
And he's gonna make a shitload of money one way or the other :)
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on May 12, 2011 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Ideal situation in my mind.
Wingers: 10, 27, 74, 25, 22, 29, 33, sign a 2nd line winger, trade for a legit big scoring threat (don’t know how possible both of those moves would be)
Centers: (Big Question with Lombardi, but ideally) 15, 12, 11, 9 (16)
Defense: 6, 20, 8, 7, 4, 51, call-ups from the Ads
Goalie: 35, 29
Anyone know which players on the current roster are two-way next year? I like the idea of having Spaling and Boomer ready to be called up and jump right in to NHL level play.
Everything hinges on Lombardi’s status and our ability to get 1 good winger (preferably two), but good luck to other teams if we can.
"It's not so much that this show is bad, as it's hurting America...."
Spaling's a legit NHLer now.
He’s too important on the PK and 3rd line. The Smithson / Tootoo / Spaling line was a force in the Ducks’ series and late in the regular season. He should be up here.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on May 12, 2011 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Well in that case.
We need a legit first line winger. A thirty goal guy. There’s no other acceptable option.
"It's not so much that this show is bad, as it's hurting America...."
Couldn't agree more with ya Greenster.
Maybe we let Ward go? Or Tootoo?
Get a center maybe? And get rid of Goc and O’reilly?
Problem is, we got a buhcha ho-hum guys. Some of them need to be dropped, even if they have potential. Cause nobody but Wilson has the potential to be great.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on May 13, 2011 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Parise
How much do you guys think it will take to land one of the best American wingers in Zach Parise? According to NHLnumbers.com, he was paid $5m in 10/11, and he’s a RFA this summer.
Any chance Weber would be willing to take a pay cut (from the predicted ~$7.5m) to build a better team?
Are you talking about how much money woulod it take to sign him or what players/prospects/picks would it take to trade for him? Honestly, I don’t see Lamirello letting him go, so we’re all probably setting ourselves up to be let down, but the thought of getting Parise is quite a nice thought. :)
I would imagine Parise would be in the 6.5M range to sign and it would take an offer of something like Wilson, Ellis and another player/prospect to get Lou’s attention if he were willing to hear some offers.
by Grizzledbear on May 10, 2011 11:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah I was wondering how much money. $6.5m sounds about right, and I’m assuming he wants a long-term deal. And yeah, I’m probably being too optimistic. O well…
by Chris Tedder on May 10, 2011 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions
It would likely be a trade as it’s been rumored that the Devils will initiate arbitration proceedings in order to keep ZP off the open market.
As far as a trade, I am one Devils fan/blogger who would be more than willing to listen to offers for Parise although dealing with Dave Poile and his Jedi Mind Tricks scare the bejesus out of me.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
by Tom Stivali on May 11, 2011 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
He's a restricted free agent so we wouldn't necessarily have to trade.
I don’t think he re-signs with NJ next year. I think we could see some rumors for the young star like a couple of years ago with Kessel.
Parise
I do not know if I like Parise as an option. He has played along side Kovy. Kovy may have boosted his numbers alot. Plus, didn’t he miss like half the season last year with an injury?
"I had all my own teeth and I wanted to keep it that way." - Tom Glavine
All hockey players are bilingual. They know English and profanity.
Gordie Howe
He has played very little with Kovy I believe. He torn something in his knee at the start of last year making him miss most all the season. So the only time he played with Kovy as after the trade deadline when the Devils acquired him. And he laid a big egg and didn’t perform that year for the Devils. So I wouldn’t say his numbers are boosted at all.
No, they tried to play them together early in the year and besides the first 9 minutes of the season it never worked out. Kovy wasn’t a fit at RW and I think they will be on separate lines next year.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
by Tom Stivali on May 11, 2011 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
But
I thought that Zajak/Kovy/Parise was their top line.
"I had all my own teeth and I wanted to keep it that way." - Tom Glavine
All hockey players are bilingual. They know English and profanity.
Gordie Howe
when healthy
"I had all my own teeth and I wanted to keep it that way." - Tom Glavine
All hockey players are bilingual. They know English and profanity.
Gordie Howe
They tried that for the first week or so and it fizzled out. Not sure what their plans are for next year since Parise only played one game upon his return. The only item I can be sure of is that Parise/Zajac would be linemates as they have had good chemistry over the years.
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
Depth at Center
I don’t see how we re-sign Goc with the depth we have at Center. Legwand, Fisher, Smithson, Bam-Bam, Wilson and Spaling (who we need to re-sign because of PK) can all play Center. Plus there’s O’Reilly. As much as we all like Goc, I can’t see it happening.
Is it too much to ask to sign a 1st line winger? If we can do that, Ward is expendable. Otherwise we need to re-sign Ward as long as we don’t overpay.
I think we need to let more players go than we’re initially comfortable with. Sullivan, Ward, Goc, O’Reilly, SK74, Halischuk could all be gone. Especially if we can upgrade by signing a free agent or letting one of the kids play.
SK74
I really do not see him leaving. We can get him for cheap. And besides we are the team that gave him a chance that he didn’t have elsewhere. I know that buisness is buisness…but that has to count for something.
"I had all my own teeth and I wanted to keep it that way." - Tom Glavine
All hockey players are bilingual. They know English and profanity.
Gordie Howe
I’m curious… Why is it that everyone here thinks you’re going to get SK74 for cheap? He put up 17 goals and 50 points for you guys. I don’t get why people think he’s going to be as cheap as people are making it sound. I’ve seen people mention 1.25mil and such for him… I doubt it. I’d expect 2mil at the least, more like 2.5-3mil. Just curious as to why people think he’ll sign for cheap.
Two words: playoff performance.
"My, my, here's one for the (no) neck. Don't relax, 'cause you're next for the check!"
So if you don’t do well in the playoffs (SK74) it hurts you, but if you do well in the playoffs (Ward) you don’t get any help? ‘Cuz people here don’t seem to want to give Ward much of a raise, if any, even though he really well in the playoffs. I just don’t get how you can say the playoffs hurt you if you don’t do well but it doesn’t help you if you do well. And maybe you specifically are not the one who said Ward should get about the same salary, but many others have while at the same time saying SK74 should stay low.
Different people have different opinions, though I’m not sure Ward is worth almost double his current salary. He might be. $2-2.5 mil I could be ok with, but we also have bigger fish to fry like Weber’s contract. SK74 I think should be either a $2 mil/1 year deal or a $1.5/2yr deal to see if he can improve even more, especially in the playoffs.
"My, my, here's one for the (no) neck. Don't relax, 'cause you're next for the check!"
The answer to the question of what SK74 will get vs. what Ward will get is that SK is a RFA while Ward is a UFA. SK has much less bargaining power due to being an RFA and only having one productive season on his resume. Ward also is more versitile than SK is, so it’s not just about the goals. At 1.25M, SK would be getting 150% pay increase. Maybe he’ll get a bit more than that, but not that much more.
by Grizzledbear on May 11, 2011 1:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
re:SK74
"I had all my own teeth and I wanted to keep it that way." - Tom Glavine
All hockey players are bilingual. They know English and profanity.
Gordie Howe
re:SK74
Its a no-brainer as to why he will be signed for cheap. He has had one good season with us. He pooped a big goose egg in the playoffs and his past with Montreal. This all dictates a small salary from us. I think he likes it here. And he will go with whatever we offer. Im just saying.
"I had all my own teeth and I wanted to keep it that way." - Tom Glavine
All hockey players are bilingual. They know English and profanity.
Gordie Howe
23 goals, actually.
Lemme quote the late, great Colonel Sanders. He said "I'm too drunk to taste this chicken."
by Chris Burton on May 11, 2011 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions
All the more reason I don’t see him taking a low salary. He didn’t perform in the playoffs, but his 23 goals and 50 points both lead (or tied in the case of points) for the team lead.
SK74’s only real bargaining chip is to threaten to go play overseas if he wants more money than the team is willing to offer. I just do not see him getting over 2M, if that.
by Grizzledbear on May 11, 2011 10:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
ole DP
I have no doubt that Poile will come through for us. I have learned not to EVER second guess him.
"I had all my own teeth and I wanted to keep it that way." - Tom Glavine
All hockey players are bilingual. They know English and profanity.
Gordie Howe
I agree completly
What we know about GMDP is that he will not trade away a draft pick for nothing. He will not get rid of our top prospects for something questionable like some other GM’s will. He is a magician with salary cap and finding the perfect guys for our system.
With that being said other then the UFA and RFA’s that we have on the team now, some of which will be let go i am sure, I really do not see us making that big of a play in the free agency or trade market this year. Some people suggesting we get right of Ellis, Josi, Wilson, etc i just dont see it happening.
The Ellis situation is one that to me is extremely exciting because he has all the talent in the world and has the leadership that makes him almost comparable to Weber. Now I would love to see him play up here with us and see what he really has but i think he might be a season away from that just given the way we develop players and keep them in the AHL that extra year. (Not saying we hold them down but rather give them that extra time to be sure they will be ready when called upon).
Josi will make a very strong challenge for a starting 6 D spot this year. As i said earlier Weber and Suter are garenteed in so that leaves Blum, Franson, Cube, Kline, SOB? Blum and Franson I think will make the team easily but with Josi and even Ellis fighting for a roster spot would make the preseason battles interesting and fun to watch. That being said I think Josi does make the team and SOB is gone even though i feel he sometimes was the only guy on the ice trying to get the team going with energy. That leaves Cube and Kline one of which could be the nightly scratch Belak and if thats the case then i think Kline would be the scratch.
The trading of Wilson or any of our young guys im not sure on it makes me feel uneasy because i look at the guys we have coming up that we drafted and the potential they have is very exciting. Now not all of them will live up to the hype but still dosnt hurt to dream. Wilson while he could be decent trade bait I would like to see us keep him because he has shown flashes of brillance with his play and he is still young. He can puck handle very well but when he gets to his last couple of moves in front of the goalie he either loses the puck or hands it over to the goalie. I think he could be trying a little to hard or thinking too much at the end of his moves but he has the vision and if he could just keep control he will be an amazing guy to watch skate. (Franson for a D man has the hands that JP wishes he had, He can stick handle in and around guys like a winger and everytime he does he gets off a quality shot.) The rest of the trade bait like JP who is not much of a bait for any team, maybe Washington lol, but i would like to see us stand pat as far as trades because Cal will be back and healthy and we could move him to the wing ah la Wilson. Hustlechuck well come on picking him up in the Arrnott deal with NJ was a HUGE pick up for us because he has played so well and is a very good checking/energy line guy.
GMDP lets see what you have up your sleeve this off season.
Only 4 months till hockey season again in SMASHVILLE!!!!
Sticking with this philosophy is why we can't score enough goals.
The problem with even a rosey scenario with any of our young forwards is that, at best, they’ll be replacing veteran players like Dumont & Sully, not so much adding additional offense to the lineup. If we follow your suggested gameplan for next season, we’ll be right where we are now: a tough team to play against but who can’t score enough to get over the big hurdles. Counting on people like O’reilly to be the fix to our scoring issues is greatly underestimating how much work we need in that area.
As for trading away young players like Wilson and Ellis, it’s not a big problem if you’re getting back quality young players in return (e.g. Parise). Expecting to fill big holes in your lineup with just prospects gets you in the bottom 3rd in league scoring. That should not be acceptable to anyone in the organization or the fanbase.
As far as GMDP not trading away high draft picks for just anyone, Grebeshkov and Witt weren’t exactly the greatest use of 1st and 2nd round draft picks.
by Grizzledbear on May 11, 2011 6:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Well yes and i was not counting on our young guys to all of a sudden step up and figure out how to score and finding a top flight goal scorer will mean giving up some prospects and a current roster guy i’m sure. Given the recent history of the last two or three years I have a feeling it will more then likely be something of a trade for someone that can score but is not that huge number guy. The free agent market this year is not big on the scorers so it will have to be a trade but the question is for whom and at what cost.
While I do hate the idea of getting rid of someone like Ellis or O’riley it might come down to letting one of them go maybe in a package deal with JP so that we can get JP off the books and pick up a scorer.
Unless we’re taking back someone’s damaged goods in return, no GM is trading for JP. Buying him out is really the only option at this point. The trade chips we have are with the young Dmen in our system and Wilson (O’Reilly too). If nothing else, we’ll get some GM’s attention if we bring up those names.
by Grizzledbear on May 11, 2011 11:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
We can get rid of JP
A team like Montreal or Toronto could easily take on his salary and bury it in the minors. Doing so, and freeing up $4M per year in salary would be just like signing a player for just as much because that’s what we could spend the freed up money on. In that scenario, maybe send Ellis, Wilson and JP to NJ for Parise. Then NJ eats JP’s contract for us and we get our guy for a couple of prospects.
Same thing with Leggy :)
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on May 12, 2011 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
If those teams didn’t do that for us at the trade deadline this past season, why would they do it now? Dumont has about as much trade value as I do right now.
by Grizzledbear on May 12, 2011 6:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Its not about trade value. It's about them eating a contract for us.
So we load it up on their end, maybe give them a little more than is fair, and they take the contract.
I think earlier in the year at the trade deadline, the rumor was HornQ and JP for Andrei Kostitsyn. Same thing, we give up more than is fair and they take the bad contract off our hands.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on May 12, 2011 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Thank goodness that trade was never made!
You would have to give a team more than just a little to get them to eat JP’s contract. We’re talking Josi/Blum territory there. Wonder if JP would consider playing in Europe like Huet did in Chicago? Hmmmmmmm………….
by Grizzledbear on May 13, 2011 1:41 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Devils Backup Goaltender Search
Over at In Lou We Trust I make the case that the Devs should go after Dekanich in UFA this year..assuming he doesn’t get traded!
In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
UFA's
After a quick look at the list, here is who I see that would be worth looking at:
Ponikarovsky (31 yoa)- $3,2000,000
Laich (27 yoa)-$2,066,667
Frolov (28 yoa)- $3,000,000
Vrbata (29 yoa)- $3,000,000
Fleischman (26 yoa)- $2,600,000
Upshall (27 yoa)- $2,250,000
Tanguay (31 yoa)- $1,700,000
Jokinen (28 yoa)- 1,700,000
There are some good players in that list that could break out. I like Vrbata a whole lot. And how interesting would it be to get Upshall back in the line up?
"I had all my own teeth and I wanted to keep it that way." - Tom Glavine
All hockey players are bilingual. They know English and profanity.
Gordie Howe
You can add Ryder to that list as well. Problem is, these guys at best are 2nd tier type scorers, not the go to guy that we need. All of them would be plan B type moves if we fail to land a 1st tier type offensive player.
by Grizzledbear on May 11, 2011 6:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Jussi Jokinen’s really the only one I’d be interested in sinking money into, the others are too inconsistent or too expensive.
Lemme quote the late, great Colonel Sanders. He said "I'm too drunk to taste this chicken."
by Chris Burton on May 11, 2011 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions
And just think, we could have had Jussi a few years ago for a bag of pucks! Poile missed the boat on that one. But to be fair, Jussi really found a home with the Canes, which is why I think he’s likely to re-sign with them. Larose may be the odd man out with the Canes.
by Grizzledbear on May 11, 2011 8:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Josh Cooper tweeting some updates from Poile.
Among the highlights:
- “Poile not sounding confident about Lombardi for next year also.”
- “Poile said he’s going to talk with Weber and his agents in the next two weeks.”
- “Poile says Weber and his reps want to wrap up negotiations before July 1 and so does he.”
- “Poile says Fenton talked to Radulov. According to Poile, Radulov said he could get out of his contract.”
So what I’m reading into this: Lombardi looks like he’s done short of a miracle recovery in the next 4 months. Weber will be signed. Radulov might come back, nothing left to prove in the KHL, can solve our scoring forward problem without paying someone else ~$7 mil/year. But, then again who knows with that guy. He does still own his own place here.
"My, my, here's one for the (no) neck. Don't relax, 'cause you're next for the check!"
And so it begins...
The question of the day based on this information…
DO YOU WANT RADULOV BACK?
by HardCorePredFan316 on May 11, 2011 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Haha, well, that’s been asked many a time. Most would, a very vocal minority don’t.
At the price tag, why say no and at least give him a second chance?
"My, my, here's one for the (no) neck. Don't relax, 'cause you're next for the check!"
That “vocal minority” may actually be the majority opinion on Rads.
by Grizzledbear on May 11, 2011 6:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I would take him back in a millisecond
Do I ever think it’ll happen?….ha
I’ll believe Rads is back when I see his face on the Jumbotron opening night , his body skating around the ice, a tracking bracelet on his ankle 24/7 and his passport hermetically sealed behind 10 layers of bulletproof glass with round the clock guards and laser trips.
by TitanPredBearFan on May 11, 2011 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm vocal!
And I want him back! To score goals!
And think about it, most of the guys who will be on the roster next year weren’t even here when he left for Russia. And the ones that were here aren’t the prick types like Arnott was.
So he can definitely come back with arms wide open.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on May 12, 2011 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I will greet him with open arms to after I tell him which team we’ve traded his rights to! :D
by Grizzledbear on May 12, 2011 6:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
LOL!
Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on May 12, 2011 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Der bear certainly does know what he's saying........
It’s you I worry about. :D
by Grizzledbear on May 13, 2011 10:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Stop the "Radulov might come back" BS!
If there’s one thhing that will pee me off more than anything this summer, it will once again be the nonsense of teasing the fans with the thought of Rads returning when the guy has given no reason to believe he has any interest in coming back here. We need a real solution to our scoring issues, not more fantasies about a former player returning. That Poile would even bring this up is very disappointing.
by Grizzledbear on May 11, 2011 6:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Well, grind those gears away.
"My, my, here's one for the (no) neck. Don't relax, 'cause you're next for the check!"
This is the answer Rads gives every time the Preds talk to him......
He tells them what they want to hear and then tells his Russian team that he’s going nowhere. He’s simply keeping all options open for himself just in case. I would just hope that Poile and Fenton aren’t making a Rads comeback their plan A option this summer. They’ve cast enough seed on this unfertile ground for the past two off-seasons.
But I would add this too, that even if some miracle occured and Rads did come back and with his low salary that he would have to play for in the final year of his contract, his return shouldn’t preclude us from pursuing another skilled forward. You don’t turn away lobster just because you have a steak on your plate if you can have both (now I’m hungry, LOL!).
by Grizzledbear on May 11, 2011 8:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
He could also have a negative effect on the team chemistry as well. But to the Radulov faithful, those details seem not to matter……..
by Grizzledbear on May 11, 2011 10:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Nothing could damage our PP chemistry anymore than it already is. :/
by Grizzledbear on May 11, 2011 11:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Cmon dude, he wasn't a bad guy.
He was well liked on the team as far as I remember.
And you can say the same thing for anybody we bring in.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on May 12, 2011 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s not really true. We know there could be problems with Rads coming back, but players like Fisher are not going to give you chemistry problems.
by Grizzledbear on May 12, 2011 6:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Neither is Radulov.
Do you remember him pissing anyone off while he was here?
Besides Arnott and his broken noodle?
He was well liked. By the fans and by the players. He has a place to play here in Nville.
And you’ll change your tune after he scores his first goal, GrizzledOne.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on May 12, 2011 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions
How do you know how well he was liked by the players? None of us really know the answer to that.
I’ll cheer when the player they trade Rads for scores his first goal here. :)
by Grizzledbear on May 13, 2011 1:36 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think he was liked by the players. He had a zest for life.
Sure he got on some players nerves but Ithink for the most part his teammates liked him.
You’re thinking he was liked by his teammates really isn’t definitive now, is it?
by Grizzledbear on May 13, 2011 10:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I don't think Poile would bring it up if there wasn't anything to it....
….where there’s smoke there’s Radulov!!!
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on May 12, 2011 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, Poile’s brought it up the previous two summers and still no Rads. It looks to much like a smokescreen once again from my vantage point……..
by Grizzledbear on May 12, 2011 6:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You're preparing for the worst is all.
Like a jaded love!
I don’t remember anybody every really talking to Radulov in the past couple of off seasons. Nobody. And I don’t think Poile EVER talked about him coming back.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on May 12, 2011 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I would suggest you check the database (if they have one, LOL) of the Tennessean, there was lots of conjecture from Poile about Rads situation. It’s all fine and good to keep lines of communication open with him, but it should be done behind the scenes, not in public.
by Grizzledbear on May 13, 2011 1:34 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah me neither I remember the 2010 olympics but he didn't say anything to the effect that he is saying now.
He’s coming back just deal with it Russian-hater I mean Grizzledbear. :)
He'll be whistlin' dixie after Radulov's first goal :)
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on May 13, 2011 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, I’ll be happy for him when he scores his first goal for his new team! :D
by Grizzledbear on May 13, 2011 10:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I love Russian players………..they make good trade bait for a good North American kid! :)
by Grizzledbear on May 13, 2011 10:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I’d take Radulov back faster than a Shea Weber slap shot, but I’d also eat my hat if that actually happens.
Lemme quote the late, great Colonel Sanders. He said "I'm too drunk to taste this chicken."
by Chris Burton on May 11, 2011 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ll buy you some marinade.
"My, my, here's one for the (no) neck. Don't relax, 'cause you're next for the check!"
I thiink you were a Rad-hater over the past couple of years, right Chris?
My what goal scoring droughts do to even the most staunch character guys :)
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on May 12, 2011 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Rads
While he may really help us….I cannot view him as anything but a trader. I guess it would all depend on how the team would react to him. It also brings up the question, where would you put him? Who would he play with?
"I had all my own teeth and I wanted to keep it that way." - Tom Glavine
All hockey players are bilingual. They know English and profanity.
Gordie Howe
Fish and HornQ? I think that combo could do some damage, then you could have the Euro line again of SK74-Goc-Erat, which I liked a lot.
"My, my, here's one for the (no) neck. Don't relax, 'cause you're next for the check!"
then maybe Ward-Leggy-Wilson…. but who knows if Rads would come back. I would take him if thats real and if he is wanting to come back. The real question is, what will the Russian mob do??
I'm sent here by the chosen one
by Creeping Death on May 11, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm really considering making a Radulov documentary. To get to the dirt of this thing.
And I think a lot of people would be interested in getting more information about this story. It would not be without peril but maybe it could result in a return!
Sounds like a job for Geraldo! :D
by Grizzledbear on May 11, 2011 8:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Lombardi
I hope he does return. It seems like for the most part that everyone is writing him off, but he is a great player that would help us a ton. I hope he makes it back.
"I had all my own teeth and I wanted to keep it that way." - Tom Glavine
All hockey players are bilingual. They know English and profanity.
Gordie Howe
Agreed this season could have turned out even better with him on the power play.
I pray for his full recovery.
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