Ok stupid question.. does this mean the current team, or new teams...

Renaud Lavoie ‏@renlavoietva 15m
Wednesday teams will be allowed to talk to UFA/RFA players. They can talk about $ but it's impossible to sign a contract before July 1st.


and if that is the case of new teams, then shouldnt all of our rfas be qualified?
- nh4442

current teams can talk anytime

It's Free Agency starting early without the ability to sign any contracts

Did last year
- ChrisMS

Not in 5 of the 7 Ranger games.

Yeah....maybe he wouldn't be fired. A good tongue-lashing then! Seriously though, Okposo has good chemistry with Tavares and is a more complete player then Neal. The Isles are/should be in playoff form with the return of Tavares and a couple good moves July 1. Neal doesn't help them. I would love him on our team but it ain't happening.
- Topshelf Mountain

Neal is more of a scoring threat than Okposo is. If they are looking for pure offense, they might consider it.

current teams can talk anytime

It's Free Agency starting early without the ability to sign any contracts
- TheGame316

Sutter
Gibbons
Depres
Samuelsson
Sill
Harry
Machacek

Man that's a long list of guys to talk to.

Neal is more of a scoring threat than Okposo is. If they are looking for pure offense, they might consider it.
- cap1681

I hope you'd be right. But this last year was Okposo's coming out party, almost a point per game. Also an alternate Captain.

Not in 5 of the 7 Ranger games.
- Ryan_Wilson

In 2 of those 5 games, he only gave up 2 goals. The Penguins should win every game where Fleury only gives up 2 goals.

In 2 of those 5 games, he only gave up 2 goals. The Penguins should win every game where Fleury only gives up 2 goals.
- cap1681

The massive amount of stat filled confusion graphs that are about to come crashing down on you!

In 2 of those 5 games, he only gave up 2 goals. The Penguins should win every game where Fleury only gives up 2 goals.
- cap1681

Didn't go higher than .900% in any of those games. Not good.

I hope you'd be right. But this last year was Okposo's coming out party, almost a point per game. Also an alternate Captain.
- Topshelf Mountain

Yeah, and he scored the same amount of goals as Neal in 12 more games. I understand what you're saying, but if the Islanders are looking for a pure scoring winger for Tavares, in that aspect, Neal is better than Okposo. Will it happen? probably not. Just speculating.

Sutter
Gibbons
Depres
Samuelsson
Sill
Harry
Machacek

Man that's a long list of guys to talk to.
- Topshelf Mountain

Sutter and despres are the big ones. ... They should be exploring sutter'a rights either way ... I like gibbons but where does he fit in? ( and please don't create a 4th line of gibbons sill megna

Yeah, and he scored the same amount of goals as Neal in 12 more games. I understand what you're saying, but if the Islanders are looking for a pure scoring winger for Tavares, in that aspect, Neal is better than Okposo. Will it happen? probably not. Just speculating.
- cap1681

Cool! Your avatar is annoyingly depressing.

Sorry already packaged Neal and Fleury to WPG for Kane and their 1st. :-)
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I would take Okposo over Kane, he is roughly half the price, 3 yrs remaining, similar style, none of the off ice issues that may or may not be a problem.

Neal has tremendous value, he scored 40 2 seasons ago, on pace for the shortened season for 40, on pace for 37 this year. Those are similar #'s to Corey Perry the last 3 years. Not to mentioned tied up for 3 yrs at 5 mil is a tremendous value.

Sutter and despres are the big ones. ... They should be exploring sutter'a rights either way ... I like gibbons but where does he fit in? ( and please don't create a 4th line of gibbons sill megna
- Brianandr1

I keep hoping Gibbons is hockeys version of Moonlight Graham. He had his great shift, now it's time to walk across the gravel stones. He doesn't belong in the top six and doesn't work on the fourth. Third line? Maybe. But I'd want different.

I would take Okposo over Kane, he is roughly half the price, 3 yrs remaining, similar style, none of the off ice issues that may or may not be a problem.

Neal has tremendous value, he scored 40 2 seasons ago, on pace for the shortened season for 40, on pace for 37 this year. Those are similar #'s to Corey Perry the last 3 years. Not to mentioned tied up for 3 yrs at 5 mil is a tremendous value.
- sammy87

Would you trade Neal for Okposo? Straight up? Do you think Snow would do it?

I keep hoping Gibbons is hockeys version of Moonlight Graham. He had his great shift, now it's time to walk across the gravel stones. He doesn't belong in the top six and doesn't work on the fourth. Third line? Maybe. But I'd want different.
- Topshelf Mountain

This is so the truth!!

I keep hoping Gibbons is hockeys version of Moonlight Graham. He had his great shift, now it's time to walk across the gravel stones. He doesn't belong in the top six and doesn't work on the fourth. Third line? Maybe. But I'd want different.
- Topshelf Mountain

My issue with Gibbons is that for his size he lacks any skill (Martin St Louis). So he cant play top 6 nothing to contribute, So he becomes a grinder/bottom 6. Then again look at his size, how durable can he be? He lasted like 2 playoff games and was done.

Im a little guy as well, so I like to cheer for them, but if you're gonna be that short you gotta have skill (St Louis, Cammilarri, Gionta)

Would you trade Neal for Okposo? Straight up? Do you think Snow would do it?
- Topshelf Mountain

Depends on who approaches who. If it's Snow looking to aquire Neal and floats out Okposo, you try to get more.

Would you trade Neal for Okposo? Straight up? Do you think Snow would do it?
- Topshelf Mountain

Absolutely! Okposo has skill, can hit, fight, up and down hockey. If Okposo only scored 30g that's fine, that's all they need. 87 and 71 are already 30-40g regulars, they don't need a 40g scorer. USA wins a medal with him and Ryan in the lineup.

No idea if it would happen or not. I can only hope!

I would take Okposo over Kane, he is roughly half the price, 3 yrs remaining, similar style, none of the off ice issues that may or may not be a problem.

Neal has tremendous value, he scored 40 2 seasons ago, on pace for the shortened season for 40, on pace for 37 this year. Those are similar #'s to Corey Perry the last 3 years. Not to mentioned tied up for 3 yrs at 5 mil is a tremendous value.
- sammy87

I agree with you. Okposo would be a great return piece for Neal. I still don't think Garth makes that deal. Too much comfort factor -- Garth knows Okposo works with Tavares and JR knows Neal works with Malkin. But I still like the other deal better because we get Kane and the 9th overall pick (yes realizing Fleury was in that deal too).

And ideally I want multiple pieces for Neal...as I've said many times. But again I would gladly take the deal you proposed. Just don't think it would happen.

I agree with you. Okposo would be a great return piece for Neal. I still don't think Garth makes that deal. Too much comfort factor -- Garth knows Okposo works with Tavares and JR knows Neal works with Malkin. But I still like the other deal better because we get Kane and the 9th overall pick (yes realizing Fleury was in that deal too).

And ideally I want multiple pieces for Neal...as I've said many times. But again I would gladly take the deal you proposed. Just don't think it would happen.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Who plays G in the Kane deal?

I actually think Neal has more value than Okposo, just looking at what the needs are. Do the Pens need a F that just scores goals? Arguable no.

I like Kane and his style a lot as well. But Kane, Crosby and Malkin is probably too many stars on the team. The Avs once had Sakic, Forsberg, Kariya and Selanne all on the same roster. Sounds great, but it didn't work out very well.

My issue with Gibbons is that for his size he lacks any skill (Martin St Louis). So he cant play top 6 nothing to contribute, So he becomes a grinder/bottom 6. Then again look at his size, how durable can he be? He lasted like 2 playoff games and was done.

Im a little guy as well, so I like to cheer for them, but if you're gonna be that short you gotta have skill (St Louis, Cammilarri, Gionta)
- sammy87

Gionta would be a nice piece for the bottom 6 at the right price ... No more then two years ... Not happening like the okposo talk lol

Who plays G in the Kane deal?

I actually think Neal has more value than Okposo, just looking at what the needs are. Do the Pens need a F that just scores goals? Arguable no.

I like Kane and his style a lot as well. But Kane, Crosby and Malkin is probably too many stars on the team. The Avs once had Sakic, Forsberg, Kariya and Selanne all on the same roster. Sounds great, but it didn't work out very well.
- sammy87

Anyone not named fleury!!! What is this least common denominator crap???...

Who plays G in the Kane deal?

I actually think Neal has more value than Okposo, just looking at what the needs are. Do the Pens need a F that just scores goals? Arguable no.

I like Kane and his style a lot as well. But Kane, Crosby and Malkin is probably too many stars on the team. The Avs once had Sakic, Forsberg, Kariya and Selanne all on the same roster. Sounds great, but it didn't work out very well.
- sammy87

Well in my world, Ryan Miller. But in theory, Hiller or Reimer or whatever free agent goalie we could get can replicate Fleury's numbers. My deal frees $5 mill in cap space so whatever goalie that can get you...and if you can get someone for 3.5, then you have more money for another FA bottom 6 winger.

Can Goc fill the 3rd line role? If he could, I wouldn't mind seeing Sutter packaged in a deal for a big return. If TK's RFA rights can be traded for a mid 2nd, sutter should be able to grab something much better

Well in my world, Ryan Miller. But in theory, Hiller or Reimer or whatever free agent goalie we could get can replicate Fleury's numbers. My deal frees $5 mill in cap space so whatever goalie that can get you...and if you can get someone for 3.5, then you have more money for another FA bottom 6 winger.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Truth!!! Anyone who wants fleury is for the least common denominator. .. 2nd or 3rd round exit is satisfactory ... It's over people... Fleury needs to go ... Do the answer to your question is preferably miller but anyone not named fleury