You be Jim Rutherford - Building the 06-07 Hurricanes Roster

[ssangste]

OK.... As much as I am still reveling in the glow of our first Cup here in Carolina (and I can finally touch the Cup again... I felt like I couldn't touch it once I shifted allegiances from my Oilers to the Canes upon moving to the area 8 years ago), I'm already focusing on next year and doing it all over again! So with that in mind, and because I love playing GM, I'm trying to get a handle on who will and who won't be on the roster next year.

I mentioned this in another thread, but I was a little startled at the reaction, which didn't really have anything to do with the questions at hand.

What we know: Budget will be ~$40 million (cap is $44 million)

Last year, until we added Weight and Recchi, we ran at ~$28-29 million payroll before you factor in all the bonuses that Staal earned. His contract is up for renewal and he will now be compensated based on the new CBA (i.e we don't have to guess as to what is in his contract anymore). However, Ladd's contract is still on the old CBA rules and he has performance bonuses that must be considered if he sticks for a whole year next season (and I'm at least expecting that to happen). So we've realistically got ~$11 million extra to get our restricted free agents resigned, give raises to them, resign some of our UFAs, and/or add new, different pieces to the puzzle. Given that Staal made less than $1million, Commie $450K, and Willie and Cole were $1.2-$1.3 million, there isn't going to be a lot of money left over from that extra $11 million once those guys are signed to long term deals. Knowing that, do you resign them long term? Remember, you're the GM....... and the guy you are anointing your #1, possible franchise goalie (who won the Conn Smythe this year), is currently only earning <$700K and is up for contract renewal after this upcoming season. How much does that play into your thinking?

Current players under contract for 2006-2007 season: 11

Current salaries counting towards the salary cap: $18,200,700.00

Current players signed and their 06-07 compensation:

D Babchuk, Anton $675,500.00
G Ward, Cam $684,000.00
C Adams, Kevyn $725,000.00
LW/RW Ladd, Andrew $984,200.00
C/LW Vasicek, Josef $1,150,000.00
LW Whitney, Ray $1,500,000.00
LW Stillman, Cory $1,750,000.00
D Kaberle, Frantisek $2,200,000.00
D Hedican, Bret $2,432,000.00
D Tverdovsky, Oleg $2,500,000.00
C Brind'Amour, Rod $3,600,000.00


Restricted free agents that were just qualified and their qualifying number:

Justin Williams $1,347,500
Erik Cole $1,254,000
Eric Staal $1,036,640
Mike Commodore $495,000
Chad LaRose $495,000

So how would you build the roster? Who would you re-sign and what do you think will be the numbers for these guys? Who do you put and still fit under the $40 million dollar number? Remember to have enough depth to deal with injuries (cause we had a lot this year and if the 03 season after our last cup run is any indication, we will have more next year as well).

Let the fun begin :)

[caveman]

Unfortunately the website I've been using to track the free agents league-wide is down:

http://www.geocities.com/floridapanthers2000/free2006.html

Any other good free agent listings around? TSN usually gets one going eventually but I haven't seen it go live yet.

Our RFAs:
Babchuk
Cole
Commodore
Kowalski
Larose
Peat
Staal
Walser
Williams

Our UFAs:
(Type II:)
C. Adams
Gerber
Cullen
Kaberle
A. Ward
Wallin
Wesley
Weight
Recchi (*)

(Type VI:)
Hutchinson
Aucoin
Dwyer
Gove
Hajt

* There is a player option and a team option involved.

[caveman]

In any case, to replace one or more of the departing (Kaberle, A. Ward, Wallin, Wesley) or retiring (Wesley, Hedican, Wallin) defensemen, my sights are squarely on a former Hurricane acquisition, Danny Markov. To maintain defensive depth in the organisation I would look at another former Hurricane, Bruno St. Jacques. Both are UFAs. Bruno might be a problematic contract at this point because he might not be eligible for waiver-free trips between Carolina and Albany. The other options are more games and playing time for Anton Babchuk and Andrew Hutchinson (who I would like to re-sign), and seeing if Derrick Walser would be interested in coming back to the NHL from Europe. Hajt is not a valid option to be in our top 6, and hopefully not our top 7 or 8, although having him on emergency status is not a bad thing.

[corylav]

There's no way Hutch is a UFA ... he's only 26.

The one guy I'm curious about is Derrick Walser ... it seems he's forgotten in everything that happened over the past year, but we gave up a 4th last year for him (and got a 4th this year, too). I'm not sure where his rights stand, but he's intriguing.

[caveman]

There's no way Hutch is a UFA ... he's only 26.

The one guy I'm curious about is Derrick Walser ... it seems he's forgotten in everything that happened over the past year, but we gave up a 4th last year for him (and got a 4th this year, too). I'm not sure where his rights stand, but he's intriguing.

Hutch is a Group VI UFA because he has not played in enough NHL games IIRC. At least that is what I've seen at a couple free agent tracker websites. The "New CBA" lowers the bar for the age where you become an unrestricted free agent if your team isn't playing you. Hutch might have made it to 80 career NHL games had he not been injured, but as it stands he has only played in 54 career NHL games, which is under the bar. I'm fairly certain Aucoin and Gove qualify as UFA under the same rule. The Giglio (http://www.newsobserver.com/796/story/454897.html) article mentions 10 unrestricted free agents, by which I would assume he means the 9 "main" ones and Hutch.

www.geocities.com/floridapanthers2000/free2006.html+group+V+free+agent&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=5]The (http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:NPcoPFz7GhYJ:[url) Google Cache[/url] of the free agent tracking site I mentioned shows:

CAROLINA
Craig Adams, (III)
Matt Cullen, (III)
Martin Gerber, (III)
Frantisek Kaberle, (III)
Mark Recchi, (III)*
Niclas Wallin, (III)
Aaron Ward, (III)
Glen Wesley, (III)
Doug Weight, (III)

Keith Aucoin, (VI)
Gordie Dwyer, (VI)
David Gove, (VI)
Chris Hajt, (VI)
Andrew Hutchinson, (VI)

Anton Babchuk, (II)
Erik Cole, (II)
Mike Commodore, (II)
Craig Kowalski, (II)
Chad Larose, (II)
Stephen Peat, (II)
Eric Staal, (II)
Derrick Walser, (II)
Justin Williams, (II)

* - Option held on Contract (Player/Team)

This list falls into the following categories:

- Group II (restricted; original team has right to match or accept draft-pick compensation);

- Group III (unrestricted; original team has no right to match)

- Group IV (restricted; players who have never signed a contract and are considered defected players)

- Group V (unrestricted; a player who has played in 11 professional games in each of the last 10 years, and makes less than the average salary of $1.312 million can declare for unrestricted free agency once in his career)

- Group VI (unrestricted; a player who is 25 years or older, has completed three or more professional seasons and in the case of a player other than a goaltender has played fewer than 80 NHL games, or in the case of a goaltender has played fewer than 28 NHL games).

- UFA (Unrestricted; a player who has played in at least 8 professional seasons, or a player who has been released from their current contract by a buyout, a 2/3 of remaining salary option all teams carry with all contracts, or Group II restricted free agents not offered a contract by their teams become Group III unrestricted free agents.)

[caveman]

I don't excercise the club option on Recchi. I don't think he's that interested in excercising his own player option, so I think he heads back to Pittsburgh.

I try to sign Cullen to a 2- or 3-year deal ASAP, probably in the $1M to $1.5M range per year.

I don't try terribly hard to re-sign Weight. If the asking price is over $2M to $2.5M, or more than 2 or 3 years, then I'm willing to let him sign for more elsewhere, which he probably can. If Cullen wants to sign elsewhere for whatever reason (money, homecoming, whatever else) then Weight becomes more of a priority if he can be re-signed. Weight is very, very skilled and the Weight-Whitney-Ladd line can really be something pretty awesome going forward.

I beg and plead with Hedican not to retire.

Depending on how the other defensemen turn out (Hedi, Wesley, Wallin, A. Ward, Kaberle, Commodore) I might flightingly consider buying out Tverdovsky. If everyone's coming back, he is a lot of cash and cap to be the 7th defenseman in reserve, despite his obvious offensive talent. If Wesley retires and the other 5 starters are returning, you'd have to think long and hard about whether you want Babchuk, Hutch, or Walser to be able to have a look at the 6th defenseman spot as well.

A. Ward, Wallin, and Kaberle are absolutely wanted back unless it breaks the bank.

I had posted somewhere my going through every team's free agent list and highlighting the folks of interest, either ex-Canes to watch or players we might look at:

http://letsgocanes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=180751#180751

[caveman]

I'm just not seeing how we get this team back for under $40M.

We start with $16M (rounded up) for the 9 current signed. Even granting the big contracts to Staal ($4M?) Cole ($3M?) Williams ($2.5M?) and Cullen ($2M?), giving Commodore a 100% raise to $1M, that brings the RFAs and Cullen and Craig in at $13.5M (LaRose at $500K, Craig at $500K). That's a total of $29.5M for 15 players, leaving $10.5M for the remaining signings. Assuming Wesley retires, A. Ward, Wallin, and Kaberle all sign for $5M combined leaves us at $34.5M for 18 players, still leaving several players needed.

Let's say we can re-sign Weight at $2.5M, now we're at $37M and 19 players. We need a backup goaltender, probably another defenseman for depth, and preferably a winger for one of the scoring lines. With $3M that's probably a hard sell to get Danny Markov, a decent backup, and a winger as well, so perhaps we look at a bargain $500K for someone like St. Jacques or bringing Walser over from Europe, $1M for a good backup goaltender, and $1.5M to look for someone at a bargain price to plug into the offensive lines.

Other options to free up more salary are, I guess, some kind of deals involving Joe and/or Oleg, but I don't see any takers who would have much of what we'd want in return. More options are to straight-out buy out those contracts, but I don't see us just burning money in that fashion.

[Guyute]

don't ignore the option of adding bonuses to contracts to keep the cap #'s low. easiest way to beat the cap.

[nccanes]

I'm rusty, but don't those bonuses get rolled over into next year's payroll towards the cap?

[VandyCane]

Good question regarding the bonuses. Staal had a very bonus laden contract this past year. Given his numbers this year it would be fascinating to know what his actual compensation for this year was and where that money gets listed for cap purposes.

[ssangste]

I'm rusty, but don't those bonuses get rolled over into next year's payroll towards the cap?

See... this is where I *love* now having a copy of the new CBA.... the answer is.... no...

If you earn a bonus in one year, it counts towards the cap in that year. Even if you get a "deferred bonus" where the club doesn't pay you until the contract is up, the portion of the deferred bonus that was for the current year is counted in the current year, regardless of when the player gets paid. This eliminates the biggest loopholes of the NFL salary cap leaking into hockey. If you sign for $500K per year for 2 years, but with a deferred $10 million bonus, then your cap number each year would be $5.5 million.... the only way you do a deferred bonus is if the club can't make payroll and wants to push off some expenses... but even then they have to pay interest to the player or the cap hit is even higher than the deferred amount (25% higher to be precise).

The only way deferred bonuses don't count towards the cap is if they were earned prior to the new CBA being put in place but only paid in the current CBA period... those are ignored for purposes of the cap.

I think that's right based on my quick scanning of the CBA just now.... I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong :)

[Guyute]

bonuses count towards the cap??? wow, I had no idea. that kind of defeats the purposes of doing bonuses.

[corylav]

don't ignore the option of adding bonuses to contracts to keep the cap #'s low. easiest way to beat the cap.

I'm pretty sure the only people who can get bonuses in this new cap era are entry-level guys, veterans over 35 (? not sure in the age) and guys coming off a serious injury/games missed (not sure on the actual numbers).

I think we saw a big way to beat the cap with Roddy's deal (tho he may play it out and while I don't believe it was the thinking behind his deal, the structure's there). Give contracts to guys for longer that you expect them to play, and give more money in the early years. If they choose to retire, you're free of those years from the cap, but were still only charged the average of the whole contract in earlier years. Sure, it's not much, but those can add up.

[ssangste]

don't ignore the option of adding bonuses to contracts to keep the cap #'s low. easiest way to beat the cap.
I think we saw a big way to beat the cap with Roddy's deal (tho he may play it out and while I don't believe it was the thinking behind his deal, the structure's there). Give contracts to guys for longer that you expect them to play, and give more money in the early years. If they choose to retire, you're free of those years from the cap, but were still only charged the average of the whole contract in earlier years. Sure, it's not much, but those can add up.

Actually that's not totally correct. If the player was 35 or older when they signed the contract, the club is on the hook for the entire amount of the contract towards the cap, even if the player retires. We are on the hook for Brindy's entire contract, even if he retires tomorrow. Tampa has to pay for Andreychuk's contract next year even though he retired. NJ is on the hook for Mogilny's full contract even though he isn't playing there anymore.

Also, it doesn't matter what the amount of money is that is paid each year. The cap takes the average dollar amount per year of the total contract. So Brindy's cap value each year is actually $3,600,000.00 per year (I need to edit my first post because I forgot about that until just now).

Signing 35 or older players to long term deals is now a big risk because of how it could hurt your cap flexibility should they not play out their contracts....

[ssangste]

TSN is listing Babchuk as being under contract for us. I see that he wasn't one of the restricted free agents.... is he really under contract?? Great if he is because his number isn't totally out of whack....

They're also listing Ladd at an odd number. I know this season he played for an odd number, but I thought the remaining 2 years on his rookie deal were at the rookie max for his draft class? Anyone know?

[corylav]

Thanks SS ... like I said, I wasn't sure of the specifics and didn't think it was the thinking with Brindy's deal. But the structure for it is there ... and I think a lot of 32-34 y/o players could sign deals like this to save their team money under the cap. Not many guys get big contracts in their mid- to late-30s like Brindy.

I, also, knew that the contracts were averaged per year, but there is cap space to be found there. For example:

Joe Caniac is 34 years old. He signs a four-year deal for $14 million, with him getting $4M the first two years and $3M the final two. The cap number, per year, would be $3.5M. If he only plays three seasons and retires, he would be paid $11M, but his cap number would only be $10.5M. If he played two years, he would've been paid $8M but only had a $7M cap number.

It's not a lot, but to save $500K to $1M over two or three years can be significant.

Like I said above, it doesn't give you a lot of money, but some.

[ssangste]

I, also, knew that the contracts were averaged per year, but there is cap space to be found there. For example:

Joe Caniac is 34 years old. He signs a four-year deal for $14 million, with him getting $4M the first two years and $3M the final two. The cap number, per year, would be $3.5M. If he only plays three seasons and retires, he would be paid $11M, but his cap number would only be $10.5M. If he played two years, he would've been paid $8M but only had a $7M cap number.

It's not a lot, but to save $500K to $1M over two or three years can be significant.

I'm with you and agree that it if there is enough trust between the organization and the player, and a belief that the player really isn't going to play beyond a certain point, then doing deals like that make a great deal of sense and I'm sure there will be a few teams that do this. You can take it to extremes and have a couple years on the back side of the contract tacked on solely to bring the average cap number down. The only problem is that if the player wants to keep playing, he then has to play for peanuts on those last years or hope that the team will renegotiate the contract with him at that time.... I have a feeling that it will only take a couple people to do this before they have an amendment to the CBA.... but it's a great idea that I'm sure GMs and players will explore to try and fit guys on the roster and stay under the cap when they otherwise wouldn't have been able to afford them....

[corylav]

I love that we have our own capologist :D

[nccanes]

Thanks for the clarification on the bonuses SS. I thought I'd read about the "on next year's books" in regard to Jason Allison and the Leafs. It was probably my anti-Leafs obsession, because the idea of Allison doing well enough to get the bonuses, have them apply to next season, and the Leafs not making the playoffs was too fun to think about. :evil:

[corylav]

This Allison fell under the "severe injury" rule concerning his bonuses.

[SoCalcaniac]

TSN is listing Babchuk as being under contract for us. I see that he wasn't one of the restricted free agents.... is he really under contract?? Great if he is because his number isn't totally out of whack....

ss- um, yep, he's under contract, cause this is his entry level contract, I believe next year is the last year of it.

And yeah, Jason Allison's contract - holy cow- he missed that "# of games played" bonus of what $1Million by 1 game :crazy: after he broke his wrist. Good thing we didn't sign Allison.

[Alicia]

I couldn't be GM, 'cause all this stuff is making me crazy. :crazy:

[ssangste]

ok... figured out the deal with Ladd... he signed a rookie max contract for his draft year. It's just that he is guarenteed some of the money because instead of signing for $982,200.00 in salary for the first two years, he signed for $688,940.00 for the first two years and got a signing bonus of $590,520.00 that is paid out in two equal installments over the first two years of the contract. Since his entry level contract is a two-way contract with a salary of $70,300.00 at the AHL level, this ensures him that even if we played him for two straight season at the AHL level, he would earn $365,560.00 in guaranteed money. I need to look at the CBA again. But I think that also means we're on the hook for his signing bonus even if he isn't on the roster ($295,260.00). I'll check and edit this post if necessary.

So for cap purposes, Ladd will cost us $984,200.00 against the cap if he plays all season, even though his salary is only $688,940.00 for this upcoming season. He also has $850,000 in performance bonues written into his contract that follow the new CBA rules. Depending on how well he plays, that could have an impact on our cap as well. Does that make sense? :)

TSN isn't factoring bonuses or anything into the salary numbers they have on their website (they're also listing Brindy at $4 million... so they aren't listing cap hit, just salary..... or are they?? They correctly list Big Joe at $1.15 million even though his salary this upcoming season is actually $1.3 million..... who the heck knows?? It looks like they are right and wrong on the same page :)

[ssangste]

TSN is listing Babchuk as being under contract for us. I see that he wasn't one of the restricted free agents.... is he really under contract?? Great if he is because his number isn't totally out of whack....

ss- um, yep, he's under contract, cause this is his entry level contract, I believe next year is the last year of it.

Thanks SoCal... much appreciated!!!

[caveman]

I asked Joe Giglio about Babchuk:

What about Babchuk, Kowalski, Peat, and Walser? Do you know if the Canes are planning to tender qualifying offers to these group II RFAs? Or... if I'm wrong about any of those being Group II... well that would be nice to know as well!

Babchuk has one year remaining on his entry-level contract. The minor-league guys are not classified at Group IIs.

[sticker]

I love this discussion of who we can resign and for how much and how to save money against the cap but I'm sure glad I'm not the GM who has to figure all this out. No predcitions from me.

[BlueLine]

Well, I'll take a stab and lay out some of my thoughts (though this will kinda ramble a bit....)

I certainly hope (for the sake of the team's cap space) that Brindy's 4Mil is a signal to the rest of the team...

Staal - 4 Mil x 5 years
Cole - 2.75 - 3 Mil x 3 - 5 years
Williams - 2.75 Mil x 3 - 5 years
Cullen - 1.5 Mil (to match Whitney - I see them w/ similar value) x 2 years
Commodore - 1.5 - 1.75 Mil x 3 years
Wallin - 1.25 - 1.5 Mil x 1 - 2 years

I'd certainly try to keep A Ward, and Hutchinson as well (and Hutch would be comparatively cheap).

I figure that Glen will retire. If Bret also retires (I hope not), then I'd use his 2.4Mil and see how much more it would take to land Danny Markov back here.

With Cole's injury, can this qualify for a bonus-laden contract? I seem to remember that a player returning from injury was one of the few ways to be able to use bonuses anymore. Then again, would that be desirable, since then you're trying to stay below a cap, but can't ever know what to really plan on....

I'd certainly be trying to move Oleg, and to a lesser extent, Joe.

The problem is that all these numbers that are trying to climb over 1.5 Mil, things are just fine for next year. We get Babchuk and Cam Ward for relatively cheap. When Cam comes up for a new contract, and we (hopefully) add Jack Johnson--- we start running out of room fast!!!

[gocanes0506]

our salary as of right now
Brindy 4,000,000
Tverdovsky 2,500,000
Hedican 2,432,000
Kaberle 2,200,000
Stillman 1,750,000
Whitney 1,500,000
Vasicek 1,150,000
K. Adams 725,000
Ladd 688,940
C. Ward 684,000
Babchuk 675,500
a total of 18,305,440

I would sign Staal for 4 million, Cole for 2.75, Williams for 2.75, Commodore for 1.6, Cullen for 1.75, Gerber for 2, Ward for 1.8, Wallin for 1.6, C.Adams for 600,000, Larose for 500,000, Hutchinson for 500,000. That makes a salary of 38,155,440. Then i would sign then rest of FA's. Leaving us at around 40 million. As Rutherford, I would wait till camp and see if he could convince Jonhson to play for Carolina this year. If so, I would trade Tverdovsky and a pick to Pittsburg for Staal. Sign Staal and Johnson for the max of 900,000 a piece contracts. Leaving the canes with about 39.3 mil payroll. Also, buy a younger guy that didnt have a good season last year that would sign for about 900,000 Gives the Canes with 15 fowards, 8 defensemen, and 2 great goalies. Would never have to worry about injuries in the playoffs. Lines would be:
Whitney-Staal-Cole
Stillman-Brindy-Williams
Ladd-Cullen-Vasicek
Larose-Adams-Adams

with Staal, Aucoin, and ? as reserves

Defese would be
Hedican, Wallin, Kaberle, Commodore, Ward, and Johnson/Babchuk

Backups are Johnson/Babchuk and Hutchinson

[SoCalcaniac]

As Rutherford, I would wait till camp and see if he could convince Jonhson to play for Carolina this year. If so, I would trade Tverdovsky and a pick to Pittsburg for Staal. Sign Staal and Johnson for the max of 900,000 a piece contracts. Leaving the canes with about 39.3 mil payroll. Also, buy a younger guy that didnt have a good season last year that would sign for about 900,000 Gives the Canes with 15 fowards, 8 defensemen, and 2 great goalies. Would never have to worry about injuries in the playoffs. Lines would be:
Whitney-Staal-Cole
Stillman-Brindy-Williams
Ladd-Cullen-Vasicek
Larose-Adams-Adams

with Staal, Aucoin, and ? as reserves
Defese would be
Hedican, Wallin, Kaberle, Commodore, Ward, and Johnson/Babchuk

Backups are Johnson/Babchuk and Hutchinson



GoCanes- your work is admirable as far as figures go- but your 'strategy' is a bit flawed-

If theoretically you would be able to "trade" straight up Tverdovsky for Jordan Staal, (which I'm sure JR tried to 'throw in' when he had his little chat with Shero about Jack Johnson for J. Staal during the draft this weekend) that would be quite a feat, but in saying that, say we did get Jordan, you're saying he'd be a 'reserve'? e.g. a healthy scratch, which would do the kid no good, as he needs to play, and would be best served by being returned back to his Junior team in Peterborough, so that wouldn't address the team for 2006-07;

Then you indicate that as Rutherford, you'd go to JJ and his people/parents and try to persuade them (oops freudian slip) to leave Michigan,(again) sign an entry level contract, and then he'd be a 'back up'. Again, a situation whereby a 19yr old kid is being scratched, or relegated to not playing- and not a good idea for development. Additionally,we're not sure Hedican doesn't do the retirement thing so that defense situation is iffy at best.

Very complicated this here playing the GM thing. I don't know how JR is gonna do it, but he will........................

[gocanes0506]

Well im not saying that JJ will be a reserve. He can be the 6 spot in the lineup. Have babchuk and hutchinson as backups. Carry hutchinson as a healthy scratch and have babchuk in the minors. Your right about Staal, we could trade straight up for Tverdovsky. Clearing 2.5 mil of salary. Have the rights of staal but just let him keep playing in petersborough. Try to a good offensive player with the 2.5 mil. That way we could have larose, Aucoin, and ? as reserves

If Hedican retires, trade tverdovsky to pittsburg still. Sign JJ and tell him that he will start. Use 2.5 mil to sign Bouillon. And use the 2.4 mil from Hedican's salary to sign a decent offensive and defensive players that dont mind playing the minors but know that they will get playing time when we have injuries.

[corylav]

Well im not saying that JJ will be a reserve. He can be the 6 spot in the lineup. Have babchuk and hutchinson as backups. Carry hutchinson as a healthy scratch and have babchuk in the minors. Your right about Staal, we could trade straight up for Tverdovsky. Clearing 2.5 mil of salary. Have the rights of staal but just let him keep playing in petersborough. Try to a good offensive player with the 2.5 mil. That way we could have larose, Aucoin, and ? as reserves

If Hedican retires, trade tverdovsky to pittsburg still. Sign JJ and tell him that he will start. Use 2.5 mil to sign Bouillon. And use the 2.4 mil from Hedican's salary to sign a decent offensive and defensive players that dont mind playing the minors but know that they will get playing time when we have injuries.

I don't think Pittsburgh would want anything to do with another high-priced d-man when they're rebuilding. They would dump Gonchar now if they could.

As for "players that dont mind playing in the minors" ... the new NHL doesn't allow for that ... most guys can't be sent up and down w/o clearing waivers.

[gocanes0506]

us the 2.4 mil to sign a offensive talent and let vasicek and larose fight for the last spot. We may even be able to get weight to sign for that cheap with the promise at a chance to repeat. Shoot Kariya did it for the Avalanche, he took a 6 mil paycut at chance to win the cup.

[Alicia]

us the 2.4 mil to sign a offensive talent and let vasicek and larose fight for the last spot. We may even be able to get weight to sign for that cheap with the promise at a chance to repeat. Shoot Kariya did it for the Avalanche, he took a 6 mil paycut at chance to win the cup.

IMO, that's not a fair fight between Vasicek & LaRose...Chaddy would win on hustle alone. :beatup:

[ssangste]

I updated the first page, but just in case, here's the latest until we hear more news out of the org:

Current players under contract for 2006-2007 season: 11

Current salaries counting towards the salary cap: $18,200,700.00

Current players signed and their 06-07 compensation:

D Babchuk, Anton $675,500.00
G Ward, Cam $684,000.00
C Adams, Kevyn $725,000.00
LW/RW Ladd, Andrew $984,200.00
C/LW Vasicek, Josef $1,150,000.00
LW Whitney, Ray $1,500,000.00
LW Stillman, Cory $1,750,000.00
D Kaberle, Frantisek $2,200,000.00
D Hedican, Bret $2,432,000.00
D Tverdovsky, Oleg $2,500,000.00
C Brind'Amour, Rod $3,600,000.00

[puck_it]

how do you have rod at 3.6.... dudes making 4.

edit: ohhh wait isnt it something liek the average of the contract is what counts towards the cap? they should have thrown a 1 million player option on the end to hack the number down

[VandyCane]

Hey ssangste, are you going to do a webpage with all the signings like you did last year? I still have mine bookmarked from last year so when people asked "how much are we paying and for how long" I always had a quick answer! :D

[ssangste]

Hey ssangste, are you going to do a webpage with all the signings like you did last year? I still have mine bookmarked from last year so when people asked "how much are we paying and for how long" I always had a quick answer! :D

yeah, I likely am... I'm working on updating it right now.... but someone else took the format and improved on it and posted their own. There's a thread about it here that got posted to in the last day or so.... let me find it....

[ssangste]

I know it's supposed to be us playing GM and doing whatever we want. But there's some virtual certainties that will happen, so I would rather look at things from a realistic perspective right now and maybe give an out of left field kind of plan later.

In addition to our players under contract, these are virtual locks to be on the roster come training camp:

Staal, Cole, Williams, Larose, C Adams, Commodore

I think these guys will likely be on the roster, but they aren't locks for various reasons (money to go around, possible other offers, etc.)

Cullen, AWard, Wallin, Hutch


Now it becomes the issue of how much and how long. Staal is actually the trickiest situation.

The whole point of the new CBA, lowered UFA ages, and the salary cap is to allow teams to keep their young players for a set period of time and control their costs, knowing that they are going to have to seriously pay for them or lose them in free agency at an earlier date than in the past.

Staal is 21. He's broken out and we definitely are seeing the emergence of a franchise type player for us, hopefully for a long time. But he also has 5 seasons to go before he hits UFA status. By rewarding him now with franchise type money, we're defeating the system that was put in place and somewhat hurting our cap position. Is he worth the money? Sure. Is it a good idea to give it to him now? That's a discussion I'd like to have. I wouldn't go more than $4million a season for 5 years, but that's just me.

Cole is actually likely to be the most difficult to sign long term. He is one year away from UFA status (he's 27 now, turns 28 in November, and next year the Group 3 UFA age drops to 28). There is the injury concern. But lots of folks are going to covet him. Given how he has negotiated in the past, if we are going to lock him up long term, it's going to take some bucks after his breakout season. I'm still not convinced he's an elite goal scorer in spite of last season. I'd lock him up for 5 years at $3 million per year. I think that is a risk on our end and a risk on his end that he couldn't continue to improve and get a big payday by a dumb GM on the open market...... I have concerns about durability, not only because of the neck injury.... but how many times per game do we see Cole limping to the bench and grimacing there? What really set him apart this year was speed and toughness on the puck. Does anyone else have concerns that 5 years of pounding won't take an edge off that speed? I doubt we get him at $3 million per.... I don't know why, but I just think he's gonna be tough to sign. It'd be great if I'm proven completely wrong though.... I do know he'll want a longer term contract... he did last off season...

Willie is in that 'tweener' stage. He's got 2 years to go until UFA status (based on service, not age). He does a lot of things and compliments Brindy very very well on that line and on the PK. I think we saw out of Willie this year what you can best expect out of him (tenacity, good 2 way play, timely scoring, good skater and good speed). He's got a better release and is more of a pure goal scorer than Cole. I'd lock him up for 5 years at $3 mill per year as well...

Larose gets a 2 year deal at $550K. I think he would sign that deal and I think he is very very good value at that price filling a 4th line role (when not scratched for a 7th Dman) and taking some time on the PK.

Commie is another interesting situation. He essentially played 1st pairing minutes at various times last year. He certainly was top 4 the whole year and really came into his own. While his skating has improved dramatically, he's still not Bret Hedican and he can and still does get beat on the rush to the outside. But he's the guy I want out there (of our current roster) on the PK to clear the front of the net, and when he wasn't completely beaten by faster opponents, he's positionally very good. I'd lock him up long term as well if he would go for it (which I think he would). 4 years, $1.25 million per (but I think it's going to take at least $1.5+ mill to get him signed for that long, especially after the Frank deal). I don't think Commie is going to magically turn into Scott Niedermayer or Lidstrom, but I think there's still room for improvement and that's good news for a guy who's still pretty young and has a number of good years left to play...

Craig Adams gets a 2 year deal at $700K max (prefer $600K, but it may take $700K to get it done). The Adams boys do seem to have a chemistry and when they are sent out there to do the energy thing, they get the job done more often than not. They aren't going to score goals (which the playoff proved), but they do generate opportunities and make the other team work...

I think you try and lock up Cullen as your 3rd line center at $1.5 million per for 3 years (Whitney money for the same line). If he is seeking $2 million plus, as much as I like the guy, that's too much for our third line for him, no matter how flexible he is. I'd pay $2 million for Weight before I'd pay $2 million for Cullen, only because of what Weight can do on the power play from a puck possession and passing perspective (and that does take into consideration what Cully does on the point). I like Cullen better 5 on 5 because of the difference in speed which helps defensively.

I think you sign Hutch, if willing to a $600K deal for 2 years and he provides depth or plays as a 7th Dman, hopefully working up to a spot in the 5-6 spot, depending on who else we have.

Unfortunately, Frank kind of set the bar for AWard. I love the guy, no question. I like what he does on the rush and in the corners/sidewall to take players physically. He's got a job in broadcasting the minute he hangs up the skates. He's fantastic in the community. He plays tough minutes. He blocks shots like few others and puts his body on the line. But I can't pull the trigger if it's going to cost me $2.2 million or more to resign him. I know he has mentioned staying in the area. But I want A Ward for 2 years at $1.6M per. Otherwise, I'm looking for alternatives.



wow... I'm starting to run out of money already....

I'm trading Big Joe and Tver at the first taker (depending on what is coming back my way of course!) for salary relief. But as things stand now, if I have to keep them, here's what I got:

4th Larose, Adams, Adams
3rd Whitney, Cullen, Ladd
2nd Williams, Brindy, Stillman
1st Staal, Cole, **Vasicek

1st pair - Hedican*, Commodore
2nd pair - Kaberle, AWard
3rd pair - Hutch/Babchuk/Tver

for a total of $34,400,700.00.

* - assuming he plays. If he retires, the search begins anew
** - does not fit here, but he's under contract and I have to put him somewhere :) he could be depth again if we fill out the roster... although a $1.15 million cap hit for a depth guy is a bit pricey. I'd like to replace Tver with a physical Dman whose mobile and can somewhat handle the puck (JJ would obviously fit, but I honestly don't believe we'll see him wear the uniform).

I still need a backup goalie, a top line left winger (because Cole is MUCH better on the right side than the left, even though Stillman is better on the right as well and they seemed to switch up at points last year) and another depth forward and Dman if Tver and Vasicek are traded. I've still got budget.... I'd like Wallin back if he decides to stay here in North America.

[puck_it]

weight for 2-2.5 ish...

i dont think its too unreasonable considering his age and his injury-proneness

or even at 3...

plug him in and keep our lines the way they were.


4th Larose, Adams, Adams
3rd Whitney, Weight, Cullen,
2nd Williams, Brindy, ladd
1st Cole, Staal, stillman

[nccanes]

I'm still stuck on that Cullen playing wing issue. And playing wing on what would amount to the 3rd line (or the line that matches up with the opponents 3rd line). That's a great "3rd line" and nothing to sneeze at being a member, but if this is Matt's chance to cash in and set himself up to be a #2 center somewhere, not sure he wouldn't take it.

I think the Laviolette (and thus the Canes) get a little discount for Cullen, but getting discount AND have to play wing - maybe less than others can offer.

I really want DW to return, but I do think that maybe it's an either/or proposition between he and Cullen in some ways. Sometimes I think Recchi may be more likely.

If the pecking order implication is real, it sounds like Cullen's contract will be resolved (one way or the other) before they get to Weight anyway.

God, I'm rambling - just ignore me. :lol:

[VandyCane]

I think Cullen and Cole will be the two toughest ones. I actually see Cullen getting a little more than what y'all are predicting and Cole getting less. Cole is my favorite Cane but he always seems to get less than I think he should come contract time. Back when we had Jaro Svoboda he made more than Cole did at the time. Big Joe has always made more than Cole. At one point Cole wanted a two year deal--Big Joe got it but not Cole. It always seems like he gets a little less than you would expect, but maybe I'm just biased. I hope this time we lock him up for a long time.

[puck_it]

you know im cool with whatever so long as joe isnt here

[caveman]

I mentioned this over the the "Other NHL" thread but how about this: Colorado is having tons of cap issues. Svatos has had some injury troubles (ok a lot of injury troubles) but he can flat-out score.

Offer sheet: 2-4 years, $1.85M per year with around $1M in incentives for games played and goals scored.

Colorado has trouble matching because of their cap issues, the penalty is one second-round pick.

We get a right-hand-shooting 30-goal scorer (in 60 games...) to play wing on one of our top 2 lines.

(Oh, and the hatred of the Colorado GM and a well-deserved fear at one of our own RFAs being sniped...)

While I'm at it, we snipe Budaj from them as well for our backup if Gerbs wants a starting job somewhere. And we take a look at J-M Liles...

[caveman]

Since Jersey (Moginly) and Tampa (Andreychuk) have some cap issues this year, figured I'd take a look at their RFAs.

Jersey:
Gionta. Gomez. Paul Martin. Colin White. Meh. Nah. Maybe Martin would be interesting to take a look at.

Tampa:
Fedotenko and Craig maybe only ones worth looking at for any interest. Alexeev, Artyukhin, Cibak, and Afanasenkov can stay in TB.

[Alicia]

Gionta.

:evil:

[caveman]

Gionta.

:evil:

Problem there is that he's the kind of player that's going to get a pretty sizeable deal, the kind where the compensation under the CBA starts to hurt. Plus we're really only looking for $1M to $2M, maybe just maybe a $2.5M player and I think Gionta will go for a pretty penny higher, probably in the $3M to $4M ballpark. The guy did score 48 goals last year!

[ssangste]

I mentioned this over the the "Other NHL" thread but how about this: Colorado is having tons of cap issues. Svatos has had some injury troubles (ok a lot of injury troubles) but he can flat-out score.

Offer sheet: 2-4 years, $1.85M per year with around $1M in incentives for games played and goals scored.

You can't do that... no incentives for him because he doesn't qualify under the hurt player coming back requirements/restrictions. Other than entry level contracts and old/hurt players, contracts are straight up with no performance bonuses permitted whatsoever. The only bonuses that are permitted are signing bonuses, roster bonuses, and reporting bonuses.

I don't know if I'd take him given his history... but great idea to start looking at other rosters to see what's out there....

[Cool Hand Luke]

(intentionally left blank...mis-read something).

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I'd pay $2 million for Weight before I'd pay $2 million for Cullen, only because of what Weight can do on the power play from a puck possession and passing perspective (and that does take into consideration what Cully does on the point).

Yeah, but are you forgetting the shoot-out? How many points did we get off shoot-outs this season? Weighter can't even compare in that category.

[Turbulence]

Only 8 extra points off of shootouts this past year...based on 8 SO wins.

[puck_it]

I'd pay $2 million for Weight before I'd pay $2 million for Cullen, only because of what Weight can do on the power play from a puck possession and passing perspective (and that does take into consideration what Cully does on the point).

Yeah, but are you forgetting the shoot-out? How many points did we get off shoot-outs this season? Weighter can't even compare in that category.

you do remember that doug did win that one shoottout for us...

[SoCalcaniac]

I'd pay $2 million for Weight before I'd pay $2 million for Cullen, only because of what Weight can do on the power play from a puck possession and passing perspective (and that does take into consideration what Cully does on the point).

Yeah, but are you forgetting the shoot-out? How many points did we get off shoot-outs this season? Weighter can't even compare in that category.

I'll take Cullen on this one too SHC....

Turby you say "only 8 points" last I checked all points mattered, so I'll take the 8 points.

Cullen brings alot to the table- Doug can too, but we did pretty fine without Doug Weight on the roster, and before people get their panties in a wad and throw flames at me over a Doug Weight comment, I'm just saying Cullen was an integral part of this team from the start of the season to the end of the season--he flourished under Laviolette; doesn't take away what Weight brings to the table and what he's done over a long career- but Matt Cullen is exhibit A on how a player and a coaches style completely mesh, and we saw a career year for Cullen with the Canes. Add to that, he's money in the shootout, and Lavi's trust in him in the shootout, he's a piece of the puzzle I'd like to keep right here.

[ssangste]

I'd pay $2 million for Weight before I'd pay $2 million for Cullen, only because of what Weight can do on the power play from a puck possession and passing perspective (and that does take into consideration what Cully does on the point).

Yeah, but are you forgetting the shoot-out? How many points did we get off shoot-outs this season? Weighter can't even compare in that category.

I'll take Cullen on this one too SHC....

Turby you say "only 8 points" last I checked all points mattered, so I'll take the 8 points.

Cullen brings alot to the table- Doug can too, but we did pretty fine without Doug Weight on the roster, and before people get their panties in a wad and throw flames at me over a Doug Weight comment, I'm just saying Cullen was an integral part of this team from the start of the season to the end of the season--he flourished under Laviolette; doesn't take away what Weight brings to the table and what he's done over a long career- but Matt Cullen is exhibit A on how a player and a coaches style completely mesh, and we saw a career year for Cullen with the Canes. Add to that, he's money in the shootout, and Lavi's trust in him in the shootout, he's a piece of the puzzle I'd like to keep right here.

I'll agree on all points stated about the merits of Cullen. I want him back over Weight as well... just not at too high a price... admittedly when Cullie had to start playing wing later in the season, his production went downhill a bit.... playoffs as well.... he works better at the center position...

he's younger, better skater (i.e. a LOT faster than Dougie), is versatile, is money in the shootout to help earn us a few extra points, etc. etc. He fits what this team was originally about as far as style of player and style of play. Doug brings different things to the table and is a completely different kind of player. I think Dougie sees the ice better, is a bit tougher on the puck, is a better passer, and makes his linemates a bit better) If the money starts to get up there, and we're talking a 2 year deal, I'd just rather have what Doug brings to the table than Cullen... but if we're talking 3+ years and the money fits better, I'd take Cullen.... jmho....

I think Cullen is going to get some interesting offers from folks to play #2 center if he waits until this weekend and tests UFA. At best he is going to be a #3 center here for the foreseeable future (barring any catastrophic situation with our top 2 centers... knock on wood, crosses fingers, etc.). So it will be interesting to see what we want to pay versus what everyone else out there will be offering....

[corylav]

For me, Cullen and Kaberle are very similar. If we can get a bit of a home team discount in exchange for maybe tacking on one year more than we want, I'm all for it. I love Weighter, but I think we need to offer around $1.5M if he wants to stick around here. It's an absurd amount of money (almost insulting) for a guy with his talent, but I think we can only go to maybe $2M before we say "thanks for the memories."

Cullen is a perfect example of cashing in after having your breakout year in a contract year. Someone out there is going to be willing to give him $3M, I'd bet, and make him a solid second-line guy. There's no way he's worth that much, IMO, but i'd like to have him around. I think if we're to keep him, it'll have to be a year longer contract than he should get (five years?), but if we do that he has to be willing to take around $2M per.

While it would be great to have the same team mostly intact for 06-07, I think JR has shown he's quite cunning in getting some big-time value out of the FA market. I think our org shows a lot of loyalty to our guys, but JR remembers what happened the last time we tried to keep a team intact (I know, totally different circumstances, but still ... ) and in this cap environment you can't make mistakes with long-term deals b/c it can cripple your team for years. If Cullen goes too high, I think JR can find a similar player at a cheaper price who might thrive with our talent around them (Pascal Dupuis, a natural winger on our third line??).

[Turbulence]

Turby you say "only 8 points" last I checked all points mattered, so I'll take the 8 points.

Cullen brings alot to the table- Doug can too, but we did pretty fine without Doug Weight on the roster, and before people get their panties in a wad and throw flames at me over a Doug Weight comment, I'm just saying Cullen was an integral part of this team from the start of the season to the end of the season--he flourished under Laviolette; doesn't take away what Weight brings to the table and what he's done over a long career- but Matt Cullen is exhibit A on how a player and a coaches style completely mesh, and we saw a career year for Cullen with the Canes. Add to that, he's money in the shootout, and Lavi's trust in him in the shootout, he's a piece of the puzzle I'd like to keep right here.

Never said all points didn't matter...8 points could easily be what wins a team a division title or a playoff berth in any given year. Just don't want to make it out like the 8 points that Cullen helped the team earn via shootouts is overly important...or perhaps better put, that Weight's supposed lack of ability in the shootout compared to Cullen automatically makes Cullen the superior choice.

I would go with Cullen if it comes between the two, however. Throughout the year he was theclutch player for the team. Who was the player who always scored the goal when the team really needed it, to win a game, or to gain back momentum after a timely opposition goal? Always Cullen. Automatic on the shootout, great team player without an ego and a big catalyst to our success this year, no doubt. I guess the thing he has going for him is his age...get this guy to a longish term contract and you'll be good for years. Weight's a bit older and you never know how long he'll play, or want to play.

[caveman]

I mentioned this over the the "Other NHL" thread but how about this: Colorado is having tons of cap issues. Svatos has had some injury troubles (ok a lot of injury troubles) but he can flat-out score.

Offer sheet: 2-4 years, $1.85M per year with around $1M in incentives for games played and goals scored.

You can't do that... no incentives for him because he doesn't qualify under the hurt player coming back requirements/restrictions. Other than entry level contracts and old/hurt players, contracts are straight up with no performance bonuses permitted whatsoever. The only bonuses that are permitted are signing bonuses, roster bonuses, and reporting bonuses.

I don't know if I'd take him given his history... but great idea to start looking at other rosters to see what's out there....

If he doesn't qualify, then who does? In 2003-2004 he played 4 games before missing the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. In 2005-2006 he played 61 games and then missed the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Seems like he would be tailor made for a generic "injured player coming back" bonus because signing him is a risk due to his injuries. But I'm guessing you've read the CBA on that issue, and I haven't! :)

[corylav]

Who was the player who always scored the goal when the team really needed it, to win a game, or to gain back momentum after a timely opposition goal?

Actually, it was Brind'Amour :D

I think when Cullen was in a groove, he was *very* dangerous. But he was far and away our streakiest player, and I think at times it hurt us in the playoffs. He was in a down slump in the finals, then had a great Game 7. I think if we were still playing right now, he'd be on one of his 12 goals in 10 games runs.

[ssangste]

If he doesn't qualify, then who does? In 2003-2004 he played 4 games before missing the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. In 2005-2006 he played 61 games and then missed the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Seems like he would be tailor made for a generic "injured player coming back" bonus because signing him is a risk due to his injuries. But I'm guessing you've read the CBA on that issue, and I haven't! :)

Article 50.2.B.1.C.2.III:

Performance Bonuses shall be allowable under this Agreement only for:

(iii) Players who are "400-plus game Players" for pension purposes, and who: (i)in the last year of their most recent SPC, spent 100 days or more on the injured reserve list; and (ii) have signed a one-year SPC for the current or upcoming League year.

not applicable in this situation and we could only sign the player for a year even if he was eligible...

[corylav]

If he doesn't qualify, then who does? In 2003-2004 he played 4 games before missing the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. In 2005-2006 he played 61 games and then missed the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Seems like he would be tailor made for a generic "injured player coming back" bonus because signing him is a risk due to his injuries. But I'm guessing you've read the CBA on that issue, and I haven't! :)

CBA

Players who are 400-plus game players for pension purposes, and who: (i) in the last year of their most recent SPC, spent 100 days or more on the injured reserve list; and (ii) have signed a one-year SPC for the current or upcoming League Year.

First off, he hasn't played 400 games. This was put in place for veteran players. Also, if I'm reading this right, it needs to be a one-year deal.

[ssangste]

Ha! Beat ya! :)

[corylav]

Ha! Beat ya! :)

grrr ... did you paste yours? b/c it wouldn't allow me to paste and I had to type it in :cry:

[ssangste]

Ha! Beat ya! :)

grrr ... did you paste yours? b/c it wouldn't allow me to paste and I had to type it in :cry:

I had to type it.... morons blocked some basic PDF features when they created it so you can't do anything with it. It's a password protected PDF as well. I'm trying to get it open in Adobe Designer now to see if I can publish a "fixed" version... any ideas on what I should try as a password?

[corylav]

You know ... I could probably drop each page in InDesign and re-export as PDF ... but that would probably take hours given that it's a gazillion pages long.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Excellent discussion going on about who to keep, Cullen/Weight. I think this is one thing Rutherford is really thinking about himself. I doubt we can afford both of them, most likely we can not.

I agree with almost all the points brought forward already. They are very different types of players. Cullen had an unbelievable year for us this year, a career year for him. Is it realistic to expect that kind of production from him next year? I think JR should be cautious with him, and it appears that he is being so. My guess is that JR offered him about 1.5 million and that figure will certainly be beat out on the market by teams more desperate for scoring and with more money to offer than we have. Cullen should also be cautious for automatically jumping ship for more money. Lavi believed in him and that's why he's here. Cullen might not be as successful elsewhere as he was here.

I believe Doug Weight is a more consistent, game to game player than Cullen. He's certainly had a more illustrious career and more consistent career. But again, I think JR should exercise caution since I think Doug is on the downside of his career. I doubt JR has even offered anything to Dougie at this point, waiting to see what happens with Cullen.

Cullen would be my first pick if we could sign him for another year at 1.5 to under 2 million, since I think Doug Weight commands more money than that. If the money was even and both players would stay here for 2 million a year and you had to choose one of them, I would choose Weight. Personally, I would not sign either of them to a long term deal though, 2 years at the most.

[corylav]

Backup goalie ... Chris Mason??

I think he'd be a perfect fit, b/c he's pretty solid, great lockerroom guy and he'd probably enjoy being a backup that plays more often ... Vokoun's really a workhorse in the Irbe mold.

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

I think Cullen will eventually sign with the team. Remember the comment he made about money and Florida? For all we know, there could be an offer on the table. He could be waiting to see if any 'cant refuse' offers come in. For example, if we offer him 1.5 mil, Leafs offer 1.7 mil, Wings offer 2.0 mil, and Stars offer 3.5 mil. I don't think he could turn down the Stars. Now if the Stars don't offer 3.5 mil and offer 1.7 mil, I think he signs here.

Hope I made sense.

[VandyCane]

Here's what Cullen had to say about it in today's N&O:
Cullen, who signed with the Canes in August 2004, said his first choice is to stay in Raleigh.

"I don't know what's going to happen," said Cullen, who has played for three teams in eight NHL seasons. "If it means waiting until July 1, then I'll wait, but by no means does that mean that I'm not coming back."

It also mentions Aaron Ward waiting until after July 1st to make a decision.

Here's the link to the whole thing:
http://www.newsobserver.com/796/story/455582.html

[gocanes0506]

who do we think will sign today? JR said he expected business to pick up today, after there were no deals yesterday. With our UFA's, Cullen, Ward, and Gerber are gonna test the market, JR is gonna get Wallin and Hutchinson deals on friday, so who does that leave? C. Adams? Weight? Reechi?

[Turbulence]

Backup goalie ... Chris Mason??

I think he'd be a perfect fit, b/c he's pretty solid, great lockerroom guy and he'd probably enjoy being a backup that plays more often ... Vokoun's really a workhorse in the Irbe mold.

Interesting guy...I think he would fit nicely. Looking at his stats, his .913 over the season is pretty solid through 20-some games. He had to shoulder an unexpected load in the playoffs with Vokoun out, and he only won one game, but honestly I recall him doing admirably in losing efforts. Could be a good solid guy to pick up, for cheap.

[e2ipiand1]

I don't know how much I believe this, but Slam! Sports is reporting that the Oilers may let Georges Laraque go (he's an UFA on 7/1)

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Edmonton/2006/06/29/1659642-sun.html

If this happens, we need to make him an offer ASAP!

[puck_it]

I don't know how much I believe this, but Slam! Sports is reporting that the Oilers may let Georges Laraque go (he's an UFA on 7/1)

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Edmonton/2006/06/29/1659642-sun.html

If this happens, we need to make him an offer ASAP!

uhhh yeah, no thanks.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Just don't want to make it out like the 8 points that Cullen helped the team earn via shootouts is overly important...or perhaps better put, that Weight's supposed lack of ability in the shootout compared to Cullen automatically makes Cullen the superior choice.


Just for clarification's sake, that is not at all what I was saying. I was throwing out the shootout record simply because it was an aspect that ssangste (forgive me if that wasn't whose post I was originally replying to) did not address at all in his comparison of the two players.

And yes, I remember Weight's shootout win, thanks. And I remember Cullen finishing near the top of the league in shootout percentage for a good chunk of the season. I think Cullen wins that match-up on that one aspect hands down. And, IMO, it's an important aspect that should not be forgotten when discussing what a player has to offer. Which is why I brought it up.

Still, I'm in complete aggreement with thsoe who have said that if we're getting up to the $2 million range and either of them would sign for that, Weight is probably the better deal between the two. But, with his repuation and stats, I don't see Weight signing for $2 million. Could easily be wrong, though.

[Cool Hand Luke]

I don't know how much I believe this, but Slam! Sports is reporting that the Oilers may let Georges Laraque go (he's an UFA on 7/1)

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Edmonton/2006/06/29/1659642-sun.html

If this happens, we need to make him an offer ASAP!

why? *L*

The Flyers are letting Brashear go as well. We could sign Laraque, Brashear, and Boulerice. We would have the toughest but slowest 4rth line in hockey! The only problem is, there would be very few other tough guys in the league to fight against!

Looks like it might be the end of the road for tough guys in the new NHL. The Canes proved you can win the Cup without one.

[corylav]

Be fair ... Brashear's a very good skater.

:D

[caveman]

Guerin? Roenick? (We're talking a bit about the latter in the "Other NHL" rumors thread.)

[ssangste]

Guerin? Roenick? (We're talking a bit about the latter in the "Other NHL" rumors thread.)

I wouldn't touch Guerin.... got supremely overpaid for an average NHLer who had a very good year and a few good years... he was not very good last year and doesn't really fit our system at all... I think he's on the downside of the career....

Roenick.... hmmm.... I'm not convinced I want him here. I just don't think that the "me me me me me" thing is gone for good. Would Brindy keep him in line and focused? or would he do his own thing and mess with the chemistry in the room? all of our guys have spoken to what a wonderful experience it was this year and how much every single person bought into the team concept and family concept.... would JR really fit in and swallow the personality for an entire season?

I honestly think that even his base salary is going to be out of line for what we want to pay.... and it sounds like he wants significant bonuses built into the contract.... interesting one year flier..... but I'm not so sure I'd take the risk......

[Cool Hand Luke]

JR wants to play for a Canadian team, and we aren't located in Canada so that leaves us off his short list anyway. :evil: I would also pass on Guerin, in my opinion.

Speaking of enforcers earlier, it's rumored the Leafs are going to buy out Tie Domi's contract. Another tough guy bites the dust. I wish I owned an AHL team, I would sign all the ex-NHL enforcers and have a whole team of them. We might not win many games but it would be fun to watch!

[ssangste]

With three new signings, the updated numbers:

Current players under contract for 2006-2007 season: 14

Current salaries counting towards the salary cap: $22,775,700.00

Current players signed and their 06-07 compensation:

Hutchinson, Andrew - $475,000.00
Adams, Craig - $600,000.00
Babchuk, Anton - $675,500.00
Ward, Cam - $684,000.00
Adams, Kevyn - $725,000.00
Ladd, Andrew - $984,200.00
Vasicek, Josef - $1,150,000.00
Whitney, Ray - $1,500,000.00
Stillman, Cory - $1,750,000.00
Kaberle, Frantisek - $2,200,000.00
Hedican, Bret - $2,432,000.00
Tverdovsky, Oleg - $2,500,000.00
Williams, Justin - $3,500,000.00
Brind'Amour, Rod - $3,600,000.00

I honestly don't think JR is coming anywhere near Raleigh... way too small for him.... I'm sure he's thinking TO, Vancouver, or Montreal.... I doubt the Western Canada cities are appealing, although he's likely thinking Calgary might step up for him.....

[caveman]

Roenick is likely thinking Calgary might step up for him.

Well he'd be reunited with Amonte there if nothing else, and I could see the two of them and Darren McCarty having a lot of fun.

[caveman]

Well, we've got 5 d-men under contract now. You figure either Babchuk or Hutch (or both?) will be below the eventual 6-man group of starters, so we're probably still on the hunt for 3 top-6 defensemen. I sure hope we can get Aaron Ward and Wallin back in the fold, because I don't think I'm really ready to see both Babs and Hutch playing 80 games of regular minutes for us.

I'm really, really, really ready to see some news on Cullen, Staal, Cole, and Williams.

[puck_it]

the way im seeing it is Cole, Staal, and Cully will eat up about 10-11 million

that bring it to about 34 million... 6 million to sign the rest of the team.

in taht would be Commodore, Wallin, Ward, Larose, Weight, Wesley Gerber.

[ssangste]

Based on signings, some guesses as to how our lineup is filling out:

1st - Open - Open - Open
2nd - Stillman - Brindy - Williams
3rd - Whitney - Open - Ladd
4th - C Adams - K Adams - Open

Depth - Vasicek**

1st pair - Hedican* - Open
2nd pair - Kaberle - Open
3rd pair - Babchuk - Open

Depth - Tverdovsky** - Hutch -

* - still a question mark on retirement
** - trade potential - Tver definitely so as we have reports of JR shopping him

I see Staal and Cole eating upwards of $8 million. I think we resign Cullen or Weight, with Cullen's offer that's on the table right now for ~$1.6-$1.7 million. Whether he signs it or not remains to be seen this weekend. If he doesn't the price goes a fair bit higher for Weighter...

[Fghtr4jc]

i agree with the lines except stillman will be on the 1st line. even mactavish said he feared the staal-cole-stillman line during game 6 and 7.

[caveman]

Wallin signed for $1.75M per year for 4 years.

Williams signed for $3.5M per year for 5 years.

Awesome, but to me this means that:

Aaron Ward's contract will be at least $1.75M likely $2M or upwards of that.

Commodore's contract will be $1.75M ballpark, likely $2M.

Cole's contract will be $3.5M ballpark.

Staal's contract will be $5M ballpark.

Cullen's contract will be $1.75M to $2M.

That's about $14M.

(PS: response to couple posts above: LaRose is already signed. Gerber will sign for $2M+ in another city. I think Wesley will retire.)

[puck_it]

(PS: response to couple posts above: LaRose is already signed. Gerber will sign for $2M+ in another city. I think Wesley will retire.)

not accoriding to NHLPA site... LaRose-unsigned

[corylav]

LaRose is qualified, and I think expected to just accept his q. offer.

[raleighcanesfan]

TSN reports that we, along with 3-4 other teams, are in the market for Peca. I guess they have that due to Lavi. Don't see it happening myself...

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=9658&hubname=nhl

[Canesluver]

Reality starting to set in......

http://www.newsobserver.com/796/story/456591.html


<snip>

"In Matt Cullen and Aaron Ward, we tried to figure out a way to keep them, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen," Rutherford said.

<snip>

Neither spot would be filled immediately in free agency, said Rutherford, who is instead focusing his immediate attention on finding a backup goalie.

[ONeillsNo1Fan]

:sad: I don't understand why...
I was under the impression that AWard really liked it here.

[talkingcanes]

:sad: I don't understand why...
I was under the impression that AWard really liked it here.

because you can love it someplace, but not be able to work out a situation to stay there. professional athletes are in the enviable position of being able to work one place and still maintain homes in another if they chose. not that I think Ward will keep a home here if he leaves, but he could. this is not home for him and maybe Detroit will come calling and that is truly home. maybe another team, but it's about money and he is going for a big payday that he won't get here. if he can get what he thinks he's worth, then he should go for it. that's the name of the game. his children are also very young so if he's going to make a move, it's the perfect time. the players who have older (middle/high school aged) children have a tougher time of it imo.

I really like AWard and think he's brought much to this team, but I don't think he is a crucial piece for the future.

[Mona]

Losing Aaron and Matt makes me feel sick. Especially Aaron. That guy has done so much for us. Playing through the injuries..being solid on every shift. Saddens me a great deal. :sad: :cry:

[apolinar]

I think Matt should stay here because he won't get the same ice time on other teams. Florida really overlooked his talent and I think if he goes elsewehere that talent will still be overlooked.. However JR can find that obscure player ready to break out to fill his spot.

A Ward on the other hand is a huge sock to the gut. I thought after being relegated out of the playoffs in Detroit, then allowed to show what he's got here, that he would remain here. But it's true, he's earned the ability to test the market. So once again can't blame him for that. We need a spot for a Michigan player who hasn't been traded yet when he decides he's had enough college.

[nccanes]

I'm not surprised that Matt and Aaron are testing the waters. They've earned that right as a player of their age, experience, and accomplishment. I can't put myself in the position of a millionaire pro athlete that thinks (for example's sake) that 2.2 mil is more important than 1.8 in a place you love and have flourished. But they aren't the first to do so.

My regret (for lack of a better word) is the comments in the media by JR. Whether it's posturing for negotiations sake or frankness - it always make me uncomfortable.

I hope 1 or both do return, but I won't fault JR or either of them if it doesn't work out.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

My regret (for lack of a better word) is the comments in the media by JR. Whether it's posturing for negotiations sake or frankness - it always make me uncomfortable.


Same here. It just stings. And if it stings me, how must Aaron and Matt feel? It seems like rather than pressuring them into signing their offers, it might instead push them away since they might now believe they really aren't that wanted/important here.

What a way to ruin a Saturday.

BTW, if we lose Cullen and sign Peca.....well, I might just not care whether I miss a few games this season the way I've cared in years past. :sick:

[SouthernCaniac]

It's times like right now that I think my girlness makes a negative difference. Rationally, I understand that Cullen and Ward leaving will be okay, but damn, I cannot get the lump unstuck from my throat. Ward is such a part of the franchise...I can't imagine him not being here. I'm so pitiful that i even got mushy-like this morning remembering his old "I ate a 6 million pound steak" bit. (Although at the time that spot always sort of creeped me out) I hope he ends up back home in Detroit. Otherwise I'll feel even more sad. He should end his career here, so as to make me more comfortable.
And Cullen...This team was so good for him. I wish he could settle here...
No other fan base will be as accepting of those furry cheek chinchillas as we were. We were willing to politely look the other way, knowing in the back of our minds that we had a bearded Aunt Myrtle or a 3-toed Cousin Bucky somewhere in the family tree. Those things happen, and we could get past it. Try flying that kind of thing in snobby Montreal or celebrity lovin L.A. kings country, Matt. You would be more comfortable here :wah:

[Bonbonsgrrl]

And Cullen...This team was so good for him. I wish he could settle here...
No other fan base will be as accepting of those furry cheek chinchillas as we were. We were willing to politely look the other way, knowing in the back of our minds that we had a bearded Aunt Myrtle or a 3-toed Cousin Bucky somewhere in the family tree. Those things happen, and we could get past it. Try flying that kind of thing in snobby Montreal or celebrity lovin L.A. kings country, Matt. You would be more comfortable here

:laugh:
In all seriousness I absolutley LOVE Matt Cullen...he has that personality that I love. He's not overly confident, and it still seems he gets a bit shy with all the fan attention we give him..but still somehow he loves it.
He's a great player with GREAT energy on the ice, and i will definatley be devastated if we let him go to another team...who only wants him for what they saw with him on OUR team. OUR team had chemistry that obviously only the Oilers had, but ours was just a bit stronger. Who's to say Cullen will have that chemistry with another team? What if he doesn't? Then we're all screwed in the end..possibly.

[SouthernCaniac]

Yeah, I was being serious when I said this team was good for him. He really blossomed here, and I think he would continue to be happy here. It's really hard to see our players go.

[Cool Hand Luke]

I'd rather have Cullen and Ward instead of Vasicek and Tverdovsky, but you can't rip up contracts because you don't like them. It's too bad if they move on.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I'd rather have Cullen and Ward instead of Vasicek and Tverdovsky, but you can't rip up contracts because you don't like them. It's too bad if they move on.

Yep.

Well, that whole honeymoon thing was nice. If we lose my favorite (AGAIN) and get stuck with the contracts that were mistakes, IMO, then I'm back to somewhat hating JR. :lol: Figured my love for him couldn't last. JR's job isn't to make me happy, it's to do what's best for the team. That makes him hard for me not to have nasty feelings about once in a while.

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

I never even thought of Peca. Honestly, I don't think he would be such a bad fit under PL's system. A good defensive player, who did well under PL before.

My 1.5 cents.

[Mona]

Where did the Peca talk come from? I saw enough of him in the series to know I don't like his dirty little cheap shots. I do not want to see him here. But I guess I don't make the decisions do I?

[Zamboni]

^I'm with you. Just say NO to Michael Peca.

[agentpreppie]

As of the Commie, Staal signings, we're at $31mil according to TSN (backing out Recchi). Wonder what the internal cap is this year? I haven't heard any mention of it but you have to figure Cole will be in the 3-4 mil range so we'll be close to $40mil by the time it's all said and done.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I thought $40 million had been stated somewhere to be the internal cap.

I think the Peca rumors are just that: rumors. Wasn't he on the side against Lavi in Long Island? I thought they made a big deal out of that during the finals...asking each of them about the other. Peca said all the nice polite stuff, and I know Lavi hugged him real big after we won (and Peca pretty much stood there stiff and looking uncomfortable) but I don't know that that means the hatchett is buried, from either side. I don't see us bringing in a player that has revolted from our coach once before.

[puck_it]

we're at like 32.5... thats 7.5 to sign Cole, Cully, Ward, Weight.and apparantly cully and ward are lost...

[VandyCane]

Where did the Peca talk come from? I saw enough of him in the series to know I don't like his dirty little cheap shots. I do not want to see him here. But I guess I don't make the decisions do I?

I'm with you Mona. I hated him as a Sabre, didn't care for him as an Islander and certainly haven't liked him anymore as an Oiler! :beatup: I'm going to be very grumpy if he ever became a Cane.

[Fghtr4jc]

well, changing the subject from peca, what would you do with tverdosky? i mean, 2.5 mil is a lot of money for a benchwarmer, do you keep him, hoping for improvement, or trade him for another d-man?

[StormShaman]

well, changing the subject from peca, what would you do with tverdosky? i mean, 2.5 mil is a lot of money for a benchwarmer, do you keep him, hoping for improvement, or trade him for another d-man?

Trade him to the Rangers.

[goalie33]

Trade him to the Rangers.

For Jason Strudwick. Right?

:beatup: :evil:

[ssangste]

everyone sure Hill isn't coming back?

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=170274&hubname=nhl

no indications as to why they bought him out.... didn't have terrible numbers statistically, but I honestly don't recall paying him much attention last year when we played them and I certainly didn't watch much Panther hockey :) with how they played... I thought he was on the top D pairing though and logged a lot of minutes last year...

probably could be had cheap as a psuedo AWard substitute.... different players, but if we can't afford Ward......

[agentpreppie]

everyone sure Hill isn't coming back?

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=170274&hubname=nhl

no indications as to why they bought him out.... didn't have terrible numbers statistically, but I honestly don't recall paying him much attention last year when we played them and I certainly didn't watch much Panther hockey :) with how they played... I thought he was on the top D pairing though and logged a lot of minutes last year...

probably could be had cheap as a psuedo AWard substitute.... different players, but if we can't afford Ward......

His wife is from the area. Best memory of him is laying some Deadwing out on the blueline and then just standing over him with a "you want some more of this?" look on his face.

[dakuwan]

I did walk by Sean Hill on the concourse at Game 5, but wouldnt you know it I forgot to ask him :beatup: . Just did my player head nod and got one back.

[SoCalcaniac]

I saw that last night just before I went to sleep and I take a pass.....


He was serving as mentor to Bouwmeester- and at times he seemed ok, and I did watch quite a few games on CI of the Panthers- but they're a hard team to watch.... that Jacques Martin style ewww...

I personally think the ship has sailed on Sean Hill- not that he hasn't been good for us in the past, but that was the past, frankly, and I'd rather us get a little younger if Aaron is not going to come back; and that's still an IF right now. I know Hilly has ties to the area and all that, but I'm not sold that he completely adjusted to the 'new NHL' like Aaron did- he took those infamous Sean Hill penalities last season in the games I saw, and I'm not sure he'd be a fit into Lavi's style. JMO.

[nccanes]

It'll be interesting to see what happens to Hill. With the buyout, it means he's already getting around 700k of his 1.2. I wonder how tempting it is to JR to sign him on the cheap. Not sure how I'd feel about it, but I guess that would be a decision after Ward and Wesley make their decisions.

I'm with you ss, I have no real recollections of Hill when we played against them and the Panthers don't get much of my attention otherwise. :beatup:

[talkingcanes]

I agree with SoCal, I don't think the new NHL is Hill's game. I hope that if there is any temptation to take a look at him, they fight it really hard. I'm one who thinks it's rarely a good plan to drag players back at the end of their careers, especially when the game has changed so drastically and the team has moved on so beautifully.

I will be surprised if Wesley doesn't retire (he is older than dirt ;) ), but it would be nice to have that stability and game sense for another year with the young guys.

[corylav]

Petr Cajanek ... that's our third line center. I'll say two years, $1.5M per. That doubles his salary and gets us a poor man's Doug Weight.

Thoughts?

[stef]

I have to agree. I think that he would be a great addition to the Canes. If we can get him at 1.5 million, than I am all for it.

[SoCalcaniac]

I like Cejanek's game as well- he'd be a great addition, and the price would be right.

Um, who is Patrick Dwyer???



Sunday, July 2, 2006
Looking ahead to the lineup

With three months to go until Opening Night, the Hurricanes' roster is pretty much set. They hope to have an answer from Glen Wesley on Monday whether he'll return or retire, but if he's back the only hole that needs filling is a right wing on the third line, and there's plenty left in the budget for that:

Stillman-Staal-Cole
Ladd-Brind'Amour-Williams
Whitney-Vasicek-OPEN
LaRose-K. Adams-C. Adams

Hedican-Commodore
Kaberle-Wallin
(Wesley)-Tverdovsky

Anton Babchuk and Andrew Hutchinson would provide defensive depth, the Canes are trying to sign Thrashers prospect Patrick Dwyer as their 13th forward and Cam Ward and John Grahame will be in goal.

[corylav]

wow ... really had to search for that one:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid%5B%5D=63232

Pretty good numbers in the A ...

Edit: Also, Cajanek — like Cullen — can play anywhere up front.

[SouthernCaniac]

Thinking of Big Joe as our third line center makes my teeth hurt. There's no way that's Coach L's plan. I have a feeling other stuff is on the horizen.

[Mona]

As of the Commie, Staal signings, we're at $31mil according to TSN (backing out Recchi).

Speaking of Recchi, will there be any discussion about him returning here or is it a done deal to be a Penguin again? Maybe I should have asked him at the Eye last week. :)

[talkingcanes]

Thinking of Big Joe as our third line center makes my teeth hurt.

amen.

if Joe is going to be the 3rd line center, I hope they spend the offseason padding the back of the seat in front of me so when I bang my head on it I won't do too much harm.

[brindy17]

Thinking of Big Joe as our third line center makes my teeth hurt.

amen.

if Joe is going to be the 3rd line center, I hope they spend the offseason padding the back of the seat in front of me so when I bang my head on it I won't do too much harm.


tc, you all but made me cover the computer screen with the water I was drinking. Too funny. can't say I don't agree but just the way you said it, priceless. Yeah, I hope JR and Lav have a different plan because I'm not sure the RBC center has enough beer to get me through each of big V's shifts.

[CANESFREAKinDET]

I would LOVE it if Recchs stays with us now that Dougie left. :sad: AWard would be GREAT to have back here seeing as how he hasn't went with anyone else yet, to me he's such a big piece. And come on Erik *still telepathically tries to convince him to sign for multi-years*! :beatup:

[nccanes]

Back to the former Dman discussion.

My first thoughts about Markov vs Hill are definitely wanting to see Danny back - SO much more fun to watch. But I decided to look up the 05-06 stats just to see.

Markov 58 GPs 0 goals, 11 assists +9 62 PIMs
Hill 78 GPs 2 goals, 20 assists +3 80 PIMs

Not all that different.

From Lord Stanley's Blog

Sean Hill was on his way from Raleigh to his offseason home in Minnesota when he found out the Florida Panthers had bought out the final year of his contract Saturday. He'd like nothing more than to come back to Raleigh to finish out his career.

The 36-year-old defenseman played more than 300 games for the Hurricanes in two stints with the team before leaving for Florida as a free agent in June 2004. His roots run deeper than that — his wife is from Raleigh and he remains connected enough to the team to attend Games 5 and 7 of the Stanley Cup finals.

The Hurricanes aren't necessarily in the market for a defenseman unless Glen Wesley retires or Oleg Tverdovsky is traded, but if they are Hill would love to be considered.

"If I ever had a chance, I would definitely be very interested," Hill said Sunday. "How can you not be? It was the best team in the league this year. I enjoyed playing there, I have a lot of real good friends on the team and family in the area. It's definitely something I would be very interested in if it came about."

At his age and career status, Hill knows he's not going to be first on any team's list, but he's willing to wait to see what's out there later in the summer. Although the Panthers didn't see a future for him — he saw little power-play time last season and ranked a surprising ninth on their depth chart — he thinks he can still contribute.

"I'm not ready to retire by any means," Hill said. "I still think I can play. With the ice time and the role they had me in last year, I felt like I had a solid year. I played against the other team's top line a lot of nights, I was a plus player and with hardly any power-play time I still had 20 points."

Hill, who had 13 goals and 39 points with the Hurricanes in 2003-04, had two goals and 18 assists with the Panthers last season.



If Wes and Ward are gone - I could live with Hill as a depth/experience/cheap dman. He played well under Laviolette and obviously would be very happy to be here.

[ssangste]

With all the new signings, the updated numbers:

Current players under contract for 2006-2007 season: 19

Current salaries counting towards the salary cap: $32,125,700.00 (or $32,350,800.00 if Babchuk's number is really the NHLPA site number)

Current players signed and their 06-07 cap numbers:

Larose, Chad - $475,000.00
Hutchinson, Andrew - $475,000.00
Adams, Craig - $600,000.00
Babchuk, Anton ***- $675,500.00
Ward, Cam - $684,000.00
Adams, Kevyn - $725,000.00
Ladd, Andrew - $984,200.00
Vasicek, Josef - $1,150,000.00
Commodore, Mike - $1,250,000.00
Grahame, John - $1,400,000.00
Whitney, Ray - $1,500,000.00
Wallin, Niclas - $1,725,000.00
Stillman, Cory - $1,750,000.00
Kaberle, Frantisek - $2,200,000.00
Hedican, Bret - $2,432,000.00
Tverdovsky, Oleg - $2,500,000.00
Williams, Justin - $3,500,000.00
Brind'Amour, Rod - $3,600,000.00
Staal, Eric - $4,500,000.00

It now seems a foregone conclusion that AWard will not be back. Cole is likely to sign a 1 year deal (I would estimate $3 million if it's only a one year deal, although it could go to arbitration and cost the Canes upwards of $5million based on open market numbers).

It also seems like JR has no intention of trading Big Joe (although JR is notorious for not talking about a player and then trading them when we least expect it. But I think he is definitely being slotted into the 3rd line center role until further notice. That may be out of necessity because no one wants him in trade???). Oleg is even apparently going to be back and be given more ice time.

The Dwyer kid appears like he's gonna be signed for depth. Size is apparently an issue with him (so we'll continue our little people trend for depth guys).

Based on the way things are being discussed, Ladd is going to play on the left side, either on Brindy's line or with the top line (and Stillman will be in the other position).

Based on articles, here's how it appears things are shaping up. I don't anticipate a great deal of movement out of us for the next little bit:

1st - Ladd - Staal - Open
2nd - Stillman - Brindy - Williams
3rd - Whitney - Vasicek - Open
4th - C Adams - K Adams - Larose

Depth - Dwyer?

1st pair - Hedican - Commodore
2nd pair - Kaberle - Wallin -
3rd pair - Tverdovsky - Open (Wesley?)

Depth - Hutch - Babchuk

*** - TSN and now the NHLPA website is reporting a different number for Babchuk ($900,600.00) when they were previously reporting the above number. Since I don't know the details of his contract, could the TSN/NHLPA number include signing bonus money? Anyone know??

[SoCalcaniac]

With all the new signings, the updated numbers:

Current players signed and their 06-07 compensation:

Larose, Chad - $475,000.00
Hutchinson, Andrew - $475,000.00
Adams, Craig - $600,000.00
Babchuk, Anton - $675,500.00
Ward, Cam - $684,000.00
Adams, Kevyn - $725,000.00
Ladd, Andrew - $984,200.00
Vasicek, Josef - $1,150,000.00
Commodore, Mike - $1,250,000.00
Grahame, John - $1,400,000.00
Whitney, Ray - $1,500,000.00
Wallin, Niclas - $1,725,000.00
Stillman, Cory - $1,750,000.00
Kaberle, Frantisek - $2,200,000.00
Hedican, Bret - $2,432,000.00
Tverdovsky, Oleg - $2,500,000.00
Williams, Justin - $3,500,000.00
Brind'Amour, Rod - $3,600,000.00
Staal, Eric - $4,500,000.00


ss- I'm amazed you keep up with all the $$ details-me, I'm good for the rounded figures- lol- but I wanna give you back $500K- Staal's 06/07 compensation is 'only' $4,000.000.00; he gets 4.5 in 07-08 and then the bump to $5,000,000.00 in 08-09. We need all the $$$ possible eh? ;)

I've not read through all the posts cause I'm off today and I'm seriously goofing around- but if we're voting for D-men if in the horrible event that A Ward is lost to us, then I vote for Danny Markov. :kiss:

[nccanes]

I think ss is putting the number that apply to the cap, rather than the actual pay for the season -- thus Staal's 4.5.

[x]

Current payroll: 32.3

Defense:

If Wesley returns...

Pay him 1.0 (Hutchinson and/or Babchuk are good enough to play, meaning Wesley could avoid playing back-to-backs, and play limited minutes)

Sign Sean Hill for 1.0 (Use him as a power play specialist- he's good on the point, but give him limited even strength minutes)

If Wesley retires...

Sign Aaron Ward back for 2.0 or Danny Markov for 2.0

Forwards:

Trade Vasicek (1.15), Tverdovsky (2.5) and draft picks for Daymond Langkow (2.442)

Sign Brendan Shanahan for 4.0 (3 years, 12.0)

Sign Cole for 3.0

Sign Dwyer (0.5) for depth

This comes to 40.592

Stillman/Staal/Cole
Ladd/Brind'Amour/Williams
Shanahan/Langkow/Whitney
LaRose/Adams/Adams
(Dwyer)

Hedican/Wallin
Kaberle/Commodore
Wesley/Hill
(Hutchinson/Babchuk)

OR

Markov or Ward /Hutchinson
(Babchuk)

[Alicia]

Brendan Shanahan

Um...NO!!

[Fghtr4jc]

Brendan Shanahan

Um...NO!!

i agree w/ batesb, i never want to see shanahan come back to this franchise.

[Mona]

Brendan Shanahan

Um...NO!!

i agree w/ batesb, i never want to see shanahan come back to this franchise.

:sick: :sick: :sick: a big NO to that. He is a jerk and would never fit in here.

[ssangste]

I think ss is putting the number that apply to the cap, rather than the actual pay for the season -- thus Staal's 4.5.

yes, I am... sorry for the confusion :)

I view actual salary the player is earning as a non factor.... it's only what counts towards the cap that we have to be worried about to be in compliance with the league and the CBA. Of course, I'm sure JR and PK are worried about how much in actual salary they are putting out!....

This new CBA hasn't totally reared its ugly head for everyone yet... but it certainly has the potential to do so because of the way GMs are throwing money around on players that may or may not work out... Tampa is hurting right now because of how much they spent on three players (trading Sydor for a 4th round pick when he's only counting $2million to the cap?? I would have done that deal!!!) NJ has $5.7 million counting against them for two players that aren't on the roster anymore!!

The more GMs lock up guys on long term deals for stupid money and then they don't work out.... well, either they are going to be the Islanders and eat it in the case of that useless Yashin guy and have their team suffer with sub-optimal players, or they are going to have to be very very creative with cheaper players and live with the "dead space" in the cap created by buyouts.

This stuff fascinates me.... I seriously should be a capologist... I think I'd be good at it... and since I can be a "glass half empty" kind of guy from time to time, I might be able to influence some of these GMs from doing really dumb things in free agency.... I spent 6 years as the only person that understood the entire 9000 page CBA for my last company and all the little nuances that went along with it.... for some reason I'm drawn to these types of things... yes, I am officially weird....

[StormShaman]

Sign Brendan Shanahan for 4.0 (3 years, 12.0)


Oh HELL no!

Clearly, somebody blithely chooses to ignore this franchise's history with that arseclown.

[ssangste]

Sign Brendan Shanahan for 4.0 (3 years, 12.0)


Oh HELL no!

Clearly, somebody blithely chooses to ignore this franchise's history with that arseclown.

/signed

[ssangste]

Current salary cap number: $32,125,700.00 to $32,350,800.00 depending on Babchuk's number

JR has said the internal cap number is $40 million.

Remember, just like Staal hit all his bonus triggers this year, if we are going to play Ladd a lot more next year, it's entirely possible he will hit the bonus triggers as well, even though the triggers are harder to obtain under the new CBA. Luckily for our cap, it's _only_ a possible $850K in performance bonuses because of the new CBA, unlike Eric's compensation this year. But up to that $850K needs to be accounted for somewhere if we truly are going to save the extra $4 million for moves later in the season....

I think you realistically have to plan for $3-$5 million for Cole (on the high side of that range if it goes to arbitration). We're now at $35.3-$37.3 million before Ladd potential bonuses.

The Dwyer kid will likely sign for $450K two way if that does happen. We're now at $35.8-$37.8 million before Ladd potential bonuses.

If Wesley comes back, I'm not entirely sure we'll get him for $1 million like we did this season..... possible, but he might want a bump given that everyone else on the line got sizable increases (or is potentially leaving for more money). let's say we get lucky and slot in another Dman for $1 million. We're now at $36.8-$38.8 million before Ladd potential bonuses.

That leaves us $1.2-3.2 million to sign a third line guy, assuming we don't make any moves with Vasicek or T-sky.

JR has still made it known that he would like to sign JJ if he was willing. But if we get Wesley back, does he play with the big club this year or hang out in the AHL? Signing JJ would most certainly mean moving a Dman because I think JR wants him with the big club....

I don't see where we can afford someone like Markov given what we've got tied up in salary at this point.... especially if cole ends up on the upper end of the salary range... a lot is dependant on what Cole's number ends up being... all the more reason to figure things aren't going to move too quickly until we can figure out the Cole situation... or JR will jump on something and worry about the consequences later...

if we're staying 4 million under the cap, how do you think some teams feel that are brushing up right against it??!! lots of uncertainty and what if scenarios, especially if these teams have restricted free agents that are due pay increases or arbitration hearings :)

[Fghtr4jc]

Trade Vasicek (1.15), Tverdovsky (2.5) and draft picks for Daymond Langkow (2.442)

for those who need some info on Langkow:
http://www.nhl.com/players/8462036.html

seems like a good trade to me

[nccanes]

It might seem convenient to package Joe and Oleg, but I'm not sure a single team is going to take on 3.5 million dollars worth of player who didn't crack the playoff roster for the Canes.

Seems like Joe and Oleg would be considered "project" players - so I doubt a team is going to take them both on at those prices.

[Cool Hand Luke]

I agree with nccanes, we might be able to trade Joe, but I doubt anyone wants to assume Oleg's remaining 5 million of salary for 2 years when we sat him on our bench for the whole playoffs. Maybe he was hurt?

I have a feeling Erik Cole wants a lot more than 3.5 million per year or the deal would have been done by now. I think he is shooting for the moon here and I won't be surprised if he doesn't get closer to 5 million a year, if he even signs.

[nccanes]

For the first time since the day of Game 7, I have a knot in my stomach. :lol:

I don't like this:

Lost from our Cup Winning team:
Gerber
Ward
Cullen
Weight

Not signed from our Cup Winning team:
Cole
Recchi

Added to our Cup Winning team:
John Grahame

Am I alone? :lol:

[Cool Hand Luke]

you're not alone but you don't expect to win the Cup every year do you? :evil:

[caneshockeychick]

For the first time since the day of Game 7, I have a knot in my stomach. :lol:

I don't like this:

Lost from our Cup Winning team:
Gerber
Ward
Cullen
Weight

Not signed from our Cup Winning team:
Cole
Recchi

Added to our Cup Winning team:
John Grahame

Am I alone? :lol:

You are not alone...I am just really not feeling too hot about all of this. I hate the off season and seeing members of the team go elsewhere.

[nccanes]

you're not alone but you don't expect to win the Cup every year do you? :evil:

:lol: No, but I don't like the small party of people on one side of the scales and the greasy (ok, maybe it's sweat) pile of John Grahame on the other. :beatup:
:p

[CaniacKikiBB13]

Am I alone? :lol:

Definitely not! Feeling pretty anxious over here...and looking at those lists - wow - does not help at all. Just gotta have faith in ol' JR...

[nccanes]

Are we supposed to hear about Glen Wesley's decision today?

We definitely need some shot-blocking Dmen.

[caneshockeychick]

I just don't understand why anyone would want to play for the Rangers :sick: :eek: :laugh:
I can understand Doug going back to St. Lou and I always thought he would but for Cullen and Ward to go to the Rangers, well that's just sick IMO.
:laugh:

[agentpreppie]

I just don't understand why anyone would want to play for the Rangers :sick: :eek: :laugh:

Here's the reason: $$$$$$$

[caneshockeychick]

I just don't understand why anyone would want to play for the Rangers :sick: :eek: :laugh:

Here's the reason: $$$$$$$

Ah, yes, reality bears its ugly head...the Almightly $$ I can't wait to see what they've decided to pay him but still....the Rangers/the Smurfs/the Rags I mean, come on...ugh
:hurl:

[Alicia]

Too bad we only had not quite 2 weeks to enjoy our Cup success. :sad:

[nccanes]

About those blocked shots (and other good stuff he did).

From the NYR press release

RANGERS, DEFENSEMAN WARD AGREE TO TERMS
7/3/2006

Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with free agent defenseman Aaron Ward.

The 6-2, 225-pounder, appeared in 71 games with the Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes last season, registering career highs in goals (six), assists (19) and points (25). His six goals tied for first among Carolina defensemen, while his 25 points ranked third among team blueliners.

Ward also led the team and tied for 13th in the league with 164 blocked shots. In 25 postseason contests, he notched two goals and three assists, along with 18 penalty minutes, helping the Hurricanes capture the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history.

[caneshockeychick]

Too bad we only had not quite 2 weeks to enjoy our Cup success. :sad:

Yep, now our team is going hither and yon....blech!!

[CaniacKikiBB13]

Too bad we only had not quite 2 weeks to enjoy our Cup success. :sad:

Yep, now our team is going hither and yon....blech!!

I know...one day you're celebrating and the next, you're watching your championship team break up :sad: ....the off-season sucks.

[CanesChic]

The title of this thread makes me laugh. Because now - I officially DON'T want to be Rutherford.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

you're not alone but you don't expect to win the Cup every year do you? :evil:

No, but I was hoping we might make the playoffs every year, lol.

[Jillsdad]

And SHC...I have absolutely no doubt that we will continue to make the playoffs. I am as upset as everyone about certain players leaving but as I sit back and think about it....we are not nearly as bad off as we could be. I know I am in the minority by saying that...but looking at this past seasons stats out of our top 10 scorers(not including Weight and Recchi who scored most of their points for other teams) we are losing #7 Cullen and #10 Ward. That means 8 of the top 10 are returning.

Now I know you cannot replace the leadership and comraderie in the dressing room...but with the likes of Brindy and Hedi and Whitney etc still here the 74 total points that we have lost COULD be very easy to replace. Ward's shot blocking ability will be a bit tougher but I think it could be replaced as well.

Good luck to Aaron and Matt and Martin and Doug...thank you for all you did to make the perfect winter and spring for us here in Raleigh. You wil walk forever together as champions!!!!!!

[Cool Hand Luke]

The high paid guys will have to step up and produce and win games for us. If they can, we'll be okay.

[Fghtr4jc]

you know, i just thought of this, but what about keith aucoin? he did pretty well in the handful of games he played w/ us, he even had a point or two if im not mistaken. he would be a cheap addition to the third line:

Stillman/Staal/Cole
Ladd/Brind'Amour/Williams
Aucoin/Open/Whitney
LaRose/KAdams/CAdams

[hyena]

Aucoin/Open/Whitney

wow. at one time the 3rd line was Recchi/Weight/Whitney. poor Ray...i feel his pain if he ends up with Aucoin and somebody Svoboda-like...:sick:

[nccanes]

Did we forget about Joe? I realize he isn't a favorite, but he certainly has more of an NHL resume than Aucoin!

In any event, I presume we'll find someone to fill out that line.

[talkingcanes]

Too bad we only had not quite 2 weeks to enjoy our Cup success. :sad:

I'm still enjoying it quite a lot myself. I can't do anything about the off season dealings so I am leaving that to JR. I hate to see these guys go, but it doesn't take away from the joy they brought to all of us, at least it doesn't for me. I'm kind of excited to see what the new season brings.

[Night Train]

I'm enjoying the heck out of this offseason. We STILL have that big silver thingy and no matter who stays or goes, that doesn't change. Personally, I'm gonna enjoy that well after all the free agents go, heck, I'll enjoy it well into next season.

All in all, we kept who we needed to keep. There was no way we could've kept everyone. JR will earn his $$$ by who he brings in to replace Cullen and Ward. Both of them had good years and were able to parlay that into good contracts. Great for them!

Can Tverdovsky, Babchuk, and/or Hutchinson fill Ward's (and possibly Wesley's and Hedican's) skates?

Was last year a trend or an anomaly for Vasicek?

Uh, I don't know the answers....

[apolinar]

Do we have any chance at Anson Carter?

I was looking at video of us against the lightning this year and how Grahame just absolutely stoned us at our best. This is a trend for JR... get the guy who made us look bad last season. The season prior it was Gerber. I think it's a good method except when talking about Desrochers.

[CaniacKak]

Keith Aucoin plays harder and "bigger" than Vasicek. As posted in another thread, the only good games that Big Joe has are after long layoffs....like the preseason (which counts for nothing) and the ONE game after he came back from his injury.

An NHL resume doesn't get us anything except words. Josef doesn't convert those words into action, and certainly not on a consistent basis. He plays lazy. It is a shame when he is taking up a spot on the ice and you can hear a murmur from the fans saying, "Slow Joe actually hit someone....but, of course, Joe's the one that fell down!"

Even if Joe is slotted as the third line center, it will still show as OPEN due to his lack of effort.

I don't know what is going to wake him up. Nothing ever worked with Pavel Brendl and I don't think Josef Vasicek brings anymore than Pavel did.

Personally, I've given up on Big Joe. I wish the team would just get rid of him and maybe get something for him. Oh, and if he stays, I'd love for him to prove me wrong and I will happily eat these words!

Sorry, Joe. I tried to love you, but all you ever do is coast!

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

Instead of posting in all of the other threads, I'm going to keep my ideas here after a long weekend away fom just about everything.

Our loses:
Gerber: I knew Gerber was as good as gone. He has shown he is a #1 goalie. With Ward coming into his own, there just isn't a spot for Gerber (at least at what he got from the Sens).
Weight: Same thing here. He was the 'rental' player that bolstered our roster come playoff time. He got the Cup, for himself and the team. He signed with St. Louis, be it for money or love of the team or town.
Cullen: Sad to see him go, but not totally suprized. But it isn't the end of the world, IMO. Good player, yes. Great player, no. Replaceable? Sure. With who? Time will tell.
Ward: This one hurts the most. I really thought he would have done whatever to get him back. We lost a vetern Dman here. Good all around guy.

Our gains:
Grahme: Solid backup goalie. I don't know if he can carry the load if need be.
And we picked a lot off the 'scrap heap' last year. I think we will do it again this year. I see no big name, flashy signings. Only hard workers need apply.

A lot of discussion surrounding Joe and Oleg. I am not ready to boot either of them yet. I think Oleg may needed last year to adjust. I think this year he will show us what he can do. As for Joe, he has shown potential in the past. He can do it. Will he though? I think he will this season. Perhaps that injury threw him off that much. If either of them aren't doing anything come trade deadline next year, a bag of pucks in return will suffice.

[nccanes]

Keith Aucoin plays harder and "bigger" than Vasicek. As posted in another thread, the only good games that Big Joe has are after long layoffs....like the preseason (which counts for nothing) and the ONE game after he came back from his injury.

An NHL resume doesn't get us anything except words. Josef doesn't convert those words into action, and certainly not on a consistent basis. He plays lazy. It is a shame when he is taking up a spot on the ice and you can hear a murmur from the fans saying, "Slow Joe actually hit someone....but, of course, Joe's the one that fell down!"

Even if Joe is slotted as the third line center, it will still show as OPEN due to his lack of effort.

I don't know what is going to wake him up. Nothing ever worked with Pavel Brendl and I don't think Josef Vasicek brings anymore than Pavel did.



I've heard Joe called a lot of things and certainly slow is one of them, but I've never heard him described as lazy - at least not in the sense that I'd call someone lazy. Comparing him to Brendl is certainly a huge stretch. People had doubts about Joe prior to this season, and those doubts are fair, but using this year as proof of anything is certainly unfair. There are lazy players in the manner they play, perhaps Joe could be described that way, but Pavel Brendl was a lazy and unmotivated - period. That's not Joe.

Joe's knee was rebuilt after suffering a terrible injury 1 month into the season. Anyone that expected him to come back in whatever shape and production he will ultimately achieve (or has achieved) was setting their expectations way too high.

I wouldn't be sad if Joe got traded, but I'd certainly vote for him above anyone prospect currently in our system to be in the lineup.

[CaniacKak]

Maybe I was a little hard on Joe. He just frustrates me so much, especially after that fantastic pre-season he had. I will try to love him again. It would be great if he could have a "step up" year like Justin Williams did. I'll keep trying to push him down the ice and ram him into opposing players. Maybe 06/07 will be his year. Thanks for the perspective.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I won't call Joe lazy, either. But then, I never called Brendl lazy. I'm not sure where the definitive proof of that label is. Don't really care, though, lol. Back to Joe, I don't think it's laziness. But, whatever drive many of these guys have to sacrifice and give all they have to play as hard as they can every game, IMO, Joe doesn't have that. Or at least he sure doesn't show it. And I'm not talking about after his injury. We've been hearing him compared to a "young Ron Francis" and waiting for him to pan out for quite a while now. I'm ready to give up on that particular project.

Quickness seems to be the word du jour of the "New NHL." I can hardly think of a player less quick than Joe. I've always found myself wondering during games, even when he was our giant among the munchkins "lead scorer", if he had some kind of neurotransmitter disorder that prevented him from thinking on his feet, lol. Seems like I can almost always get a 2 or 3 count in between when he touches the puck and actually does something with it. I don't know what that is, but it ain't gonna work.

He's a great guy and I hate that everything I have to say about him lately is negative. But, I know of some great guys who are also great players.

[corylav]

There are times when Joe's dominant .. i recall times when he held the puck under the hashmarks for 15, 20, 30 seconds before, just waiting for the perfect opening. The thing is, you expect SO MUCH more out of a guy who's as big as Joe. He is huge yet plays with no size. I'd go as far to say he's our least physical forward and third from the bottom out of all our players (sans goalies ... Kaberle and Tverdovsky). You should never be able to say that about the second or third biggest guy on your team.

That's where I think Joe's problems come from.

[Turbulence]

Do we have any chance at Anson Carter?

I was thinking about him as well...he was one guy that this organization tried to get when he was in Boston, and again with the Rangers it seems like. Could be a good addition to fill that '3rd line forward' role that is supposedly a hole on our team.

[corylav]

I know JR's loved Samsonov for a long time ... I hope we don't go that route.

[PeteKarmanos]

I know JR's loved Samsonov for a long time ... I hope we don't go that route.

Curious what JR sees in him.


Personally, I was a big Samsonov fan when he 1st came into the league. However, I was greatly disappointed in his play during the Edmonton series.

His game "appears" to have fallen off notably............of course, maybe it was just that his line was matched up against a tougher defensive line ;) .

[corylav]

Not that I want to see this deal, but given that both players seem less than enamored with being where they are long term, along with our inclination to trade with Philly ....

Erik Cole for Simon Gagne?

[Rodgloveswitcher]

Not that I want to see this deal, but given that both players seem less than enamored with being where they are long term, along with our inclination to trade with Philly ....

Erik Cole for Simon Gagne?

NOOOO! Lets don't talk like that yet. Has Cole said that he doesn't want to be here?

[corylav]

Not that I want to see this deal, but given that both players seem less than enamored with being where they are long term, along with our inclination to trade with Philly ....

Erik Cole for Simon Gagne?

nm ...


:nanner: :nanner: :nanner:

[ssangste]

With Cole now in the fold, the updated numbers:

Current players under contract for 2006-2007 season: 20

Current salaries counting towards the salary cap: $36,125,700.00 (or $36,350,800.00 if Babchuk's number is really the NHLPA site number)

Current players signed and their 06-07 cap numbers:

Larose, Chad - $475,000.00
Hutchinson, Andrew - $475,000.00
Adams, Craig - $600,000.00
Babchuk, Anton - $675,500.00
Ward, Cam - $684,000.00
Adams, Kevyn - $725,000.00
Ladd, Andrew - $984,200.00
Vasicek, Josef - $1,150,000.00
Commodore, Mike - $1,250,000.00
Grahame, John - $1,400,000.00
Whitney, Ray - $1,500,000.00
Wallin, Niclas - $1,725,000.00
Stillman, Cory - $1,750,000.00
Kaberle, Frantisek - $2,200,000.00
Hedican, Bret - $2,432,000.00
Tverdovsky, Oleg - $2,500,000.00
Williams, Justin - $3,500,000.00
Brind'Amour, Rod - $3,600,000.00
Cole, Erik - $4,000,000.00
Staal, Eric - $4,500,000.00

Based on the way things are being discussed, Ladd is going to play on the left side, either on Brindy's line or with the top line (and Stillman will be in the other position).

Based on articles, here's how it appears things are shaping up. I don't anticipate a great deal of movement out of us for the next little bit:

1st - Ladd/Stillman - Staal - Cole
2nd - Stillman/Ladd - Brindy - Williams
3rd - Whitney - Vasicek - Open
4th - C Adams - K Adams - Larose

Depth - Dwyer?

1st pair - Hedican - Commodore
2nd pair - Kaberle - Wallin -
3rd pair - Tverdovsky - Open (Wesley?)

Depth - Hutch - Babchuk

*** - TSN and now the NHLPA website is reporting a different number for Babchuk ($900,600.00) when they were previously reporting the above number. Since I don't know the details of his contract, could the TSN/NHLPA number include signing bonus money? Anyone know?? This wasn't his rookie contract. He originally signed his rookie contract in 2002, meaning he resigned with Chicago before the beginning of last season..... so there shouldn't be any performance bonus issues because of the CBA, right?

[corylav]

This was the best I could find SS ... from when he was with the Hawks, it says his contract expires in 2006:

http://www.chicagoblackhawks.com/display_cont.asp?cont_id=264508

[Alicia]

Well, what's the deal w/Recchi? Is he staying? going? I've seen little to no discussion involving him. I'd like to see him stay. He'd fill out the 3rd line nicely...

[Fghtr4jc]

Well, what's the deal w/Recchi? Is he staying? going? I've seen little to no discussion involving him. I'd like to see him stay. He'd fill out the 3rd line nicely...

it seems good, but recchi's family is still up in pittsburgh, i mean, i would love to see him stay since he played so well for us, but family has become so important during this offseason that i don't think JR wants to have to worry about off-ice issues. (but on a side note, isn't it nice to have players care about their families?) although, if he does stay for about 2.5 million, and we sign dwyer for about 600 thou, then we would have a little under 1 mil to sign one last defenseman, which should be plenty for a third defense pairing d-man

[apolinar]

We could be finding out that the current management in Pittsburgh doesn't want him (Recchi) back however. He had the worst Plus minus on the team (and the whole NHL I believe) when he played for them and they went on a winning tear when he was traded. He may not have a choice.

[Fghtr4jc]

We could be finding out that the current management in Pittsburgh doesn't want him (Recchi) back however. He had the worst Plus minus on the team (and the whole NHL I believe) when he played for them and they went on a winning tear when he was traded. He may not have a choice.

somehow, im ok with that

[Mona]

I would love to see Recchi stay. :)

[CANESFREAKinDET]

I've been thinking no news is good news on Recchs, like the longer he holds out, he must be really thinking of staying with us. Obviously that really didnt work with Aaron :laugh: :sad: But I think it might in this case. We'll take him, Pittsburgh! :D

[corylav]

Worth throwing this out there ... and excerpt from the Cole article today. JR basically spells out his plans:

If Wesley comes back, Carolina needs only to sign a third-line right wing to fill out the roster, with that pursuit ongoing Wednesday.

If Wesley retires, the Hurricanes will have about $3.7 million to spend on a defenseman and a forward. Carolina has 20 players under contract at a total payroll of $36.3 million, with the opening-night payroll targeted at $40 million, safely under the $44 million salary cap but $12 million more than last season -- the cost of defending the Stanley Cup.

"I hope to have all our players in place this week, which would put ourselves in a situation where we could wait and watch," Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said. "We'll have some flexibility if the right player comes along that we can take a look at it."

[ssangste]

you're absolutely right, corylav...

JR has basically tipped his hand, if you can call it that.... he hopes to have Wesley's decision one way or the other by the end of the week... then he's going to sit back and wait to see what shakes out and what he can grab at a reduced price... or what kind of deal he can swing with existing players he'd like to move....

He may have a few folks targeted, but is waiting them out to see if their demands change. He also is likely waiting to see who's going to be a casualty of the cap and who will be sprung free if teams don't accept arbitration deals....

Here's hoping he finds a few more bargains that end up being great pickups for us...

[Fghtr4jc]

Worth throwing this out there ... and excerpt from the Cole article today. JR basically spells out his plans:

If Wesley comes back, Carolina needs only to sign a third-line right wing to fill out the roster, with that pursuit ongoing Wednesday.



well, at least we know the plan for the week

and for the record, heres where the lines stand:

Stillman/Staal/Cole
Ladd/Brindy/Williams
Open/Vasicek/Whitney
LaRose/KAdams/CAdams

Depth: Open

Hedican/Commodore
Kaberle/Wallin
Wesley/Hutch

Depth: Babchuk

[devilwolf]

I cannot express how impressed I've been with Rutherford over the past year. Obviously the work he did for last season was nothing short of brilliant, but at this point in time, we are sitting back with the Stanley Cup, our young stars signed to long-term deals, our coach signed to a long-term deal, room under our self-imposed cap to sign a 3rd line winger, and additional room under the NHL cap to make deadline deals to make another run at the Cup next year. Meanwhile our main competition in the Eastern Conference, teams like Buffalo and New Jersey, are getting killed by the cap and by arbitration. I think JR has a leg up on GM of the year again next season.

[MeanGene]

I wonder if we are making a run at Leetch for a year or two?

[puck_it]

do we have updated numbers?

[VandyCane]

I hope ssangste won't mind, but here's the link to the page he keeps:
http://www.hometheaterdoc.com/hurricanes.html

He hasn't included the Vasicek trade, but it was fairly up to date up to that point (7/7/06).

[puck_it]

thanks!