Yep.

Offseason mantra: "We have a lot of good prospects, let's be patient and build a solid defense."

Preseason mantra: "Morin/Ghost/Hagg look great, he/they should be in our lineup now instead of these overpaid bums!"
- jmatchett383

I love when people say we should keep them up because "They didn't look out of place."

Thats one of my favorites.

I think Niskanen will cost more than $6M. I still want him though. If they sign Niskanen, they would need to trade a defenseman. Likely Grossmann or Schenn.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think Grossmann is gone, barring a setback from his ankle, regardless. Niskanen is most likely gonna be $7-$7.25 for long years (5+).

I think Grossmann is gone, barring a setback from his ankle, regardless. Niskanen is most likely gonna be $7-$7.25 for long years (5+).
- jmatchett383

Ouch really, for a one hit wonder?

I think Grossmann is gone, barring a setback from his ankle, regardless. Niskanen is most likely gonna be $7-$7.25 for long years (5+).
- jmatchett383

I think he add a dimension this teams really needs. I wouldn't go above $7M thought. $7M is even pushing it for me and I'm part of the Niskanen fan club.

I love when people say we should keep them up because "They didn't look out of place."

Thats one of my favorites.
- PhillySportsGuy

"Hey dude, I'm getting married."

"Really, wow...I didn't know you were dating anyone."

"I'm not, but I met this girl the other day and I don't hate her, so I figured it was a good idea."

Followed promptly by people getting impatient with their learning curve and strong likelihood that their development involved some "backward steps" along the way.
- bmeltzer

Bill, adding my thanks to the chorus for all your work and excellent blogs.
So very much appreciated.
I start my day reading your daily piece!

Quick question, is today the day when they announce which players were playing through their various injuries?

I'm interested in hearing the infirmary roll call, to sort of confirm some things that are guessed at during the Rangers series.

Ouch really, for a one hit wonder?
- FlyersSteve118

For a one-hit wonder who played huge minutes for a good team in a contract year in a fairly weak FA market where the top defenseman always gets overvalued...yes.

And the organization has shown a clear focus on attempting to correct it. Nothing to do about it at the moment.

FWIW, I think one of Alt/Lauridsen will have a good shot at making the lineup this year. So you could have:

Coburn 4.5 Streit 5
Mac 5 Schenn 3.6
Streit 5 Alt/Lauridsen ~$650K

Brings it down to about $7.9M per pair. Not great, but a step.
- jmatchett383

I think Alt or Lauridsen get the 7th D spot. I really think Gustafsson get a shot before those two guys. Just got to find a suitor for Grossmann. At least he doesn't have a NMC

Meszaros is gone, Kimmo is probably gone, Grossmann will hopefully be gone, and we have four young and cheap defensive prospects to look forward to.
- Feanor

The future is so bright, you need some shades!

For a one-hit wonder who played huge minutes for a good team in a contract year in a fairly weak FA market where the top defenseman always gets overvalued...yes.
- jmatchett383

So it is pretty much a bidding war and there will be quite a few teams that are going to just try and drive up the price...

I think Alt or Lauridsen get the 7th D spot. I really think Gustafsson get a shot before those two guys. Just got to find a suitor for Grossmann. At least he doesn't have a NMC
- FlyersSteve118

Crap, I forgot to add Gus. I meant to. So yeah, he's probably looking at $1M or around there.

"Hey dude, I'm getting married."

"Really, wow...I didn't know you were dating anyone."

"I'm not, but I met this girl the other day and I don't hate her, so I figured it was a good idea."
- jmatchett383

So it is pretty much a bidding war and there will be quite a few teams that are going to just try and drive up the price...
- FlyersSteve118

More or less, yes. He and his agent are very lucky that Girardi resigned.

More or less, yes. He and his agent are very lucky that Girardi resigned.
- jmatchett383

Do you think the pens flyers rivalry comes into play and takes us out of the bidding?

Do you think the pens flyers rivalry comes into play and takes us out of the bidding?
- FlyersSteve118

no. Money talks

Followed promptly by people getting impatient with their learning curve and strong likelihood that their development involved some "backward steps" along the way.
- bmeltzer

Couldn't be truer but hey despite many people hating on Schenn I like having him

Do you think the pens flyers rivalry comes into play and takes us out of the bidding?
- FlyersSteve118

No. Like Talbot, he'll follow the money.

This year is going to be

High Price UFA (Niskanen, Boyle, Markov, Timonen) 6M Coburn 4.5
Mac 5 Schenn 3.6
Streit 5 Grossmann 3.5
- FlyersSteve118

Thanks for the scoop, Homer. Or are you actually Hextall?

Couldn't be truer but hey despite many people hating on Schenn I like having him
- 2Real

Schenn is very good when he's on, but is a problem when he's off. If he could be in the first category more consistently, he'd be much more valuable.

Thanks for the scoop, Homer. Or are you actually Hextall?
- Feanor

Why couldn't you just allow Yvanna to have the Silmarils?

Followed promptly by people getting impatient with their learning curve and strong likelihood that their development involved some "backward steps" along the way.
- bmeltzer

For sure. But even if all those guys are gone there's only one spot in the top 6 for a young player if they resign Gus.

Hopefully that will be Alt, so Ghost and Hagg can play together in Allentown and Morin can go back to Junior.

Thanks for the scoop, Homer. Or are you actually Hextall?
- Feanor

Do you expect something different?

Why couldn't you just allow Yvanna to have the Silmarils?
- jmatchett383

+1

Damn hotheaded handsome devil!

Just to reiterate, last night's Vikings season finale was one of my favorite television episodes of forever.
- jmatchett383

That show is my next show to binge on after I'm done with Season 2 of "House of Cards".