Wow, Harding can't catch a break. Quite a carousel they've had going on in the crease over there the past few years.
- hereticpride

According to a report it was an altercation with a teammate that cause his latest injury

Nope. I think Sanheim will be a better all around player.
- Jsaquella

They can high five at the all star game perenially.

There is a middle ground but both sides seem to be standing firm, you'll see if they open the season and it doesn't go well how fast they cave for him & his offense.
- ob18

I side more with Columbus on this one. Look at Johanson's numbers before last season. I like him a lot, but he's not in the superstar class yet. If Columbus caves on the bridge deal, it will just make his next deal even more difficult to negotiate.

http://www.thehockeynews....rrels-on-johansens-agent/

Columbus has pretty much drawn a line in the sand. They won't trade him and they will play the season without him if he doesn't come back to earth.

They are smartly attacking the agent and not the player.
- PhillySportsGuy

Good for Davidson, he is 100% correct here. I think 3.5M is a little low, but his premise is dead on.

Or more... there's rumours that were discussed today on the radio that he's asking for 42 over 6 yrs.

CBS is coming in low but his agent is pretending he's a 25 yr old UFA. I don't see how it gets done soon.
- mayorofangrytown

It's on Johanson. He either agrees to the deal or sits out. Columbus may budge a little, but 2yr $6M is fair in my opinion. He didn't produce nearly as much as Duchene in his first 3 years.

I side more with Columbus on this one. Look at Johanson's numbers before last season. I like him a lot, but he's not in the superstar class yet. If Columbus caves on the bridge deal, it will just make his next deal even more difficult to negotiate.
- PhillySportsGuy

Just remember a 2 year deal with the player remaining a RFA at the end of it, is basically a 3 year deal.

Good for Davidson, he is 100% correct here. I think 3.5M is a little low, but his premise is dead on.
- MJL

They're making a lot of noise though. Training camp hasn't even opened up yet. If I'm an agent I might smell a little blood in the water.

It's on Johanson. He either agrees to the deal or sits out. Columbus may budge a little, but 2yr $6M is fair in my opinion. He didn't produce nearly as much as Duchene in his first 3 years.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think the Giroux bridge deal is a good comparison, and have to allow for a little salary inflation.

They're making a lot of noise though. Training camp hasn't even opened up yet. If I'm an agent I might smell a little blood in the water.
- mayorofangrytown

I think I would go the opposite direction if I was the agent, and become more reasonable. I don't think Davidson is going to cave on this one.

I think the Giroux bridge deal is a good comparison, and have to allow for a little salary inflation.
- MJL

I just think Johanson's camp believes he's one of the elite players in hockey like a Toews, Crosby, Giroux, Stamkos, Kopitar etc. He's not at that level yet. He had 63 points and 33 goals in one season.

Ghostisbehere... He can have second.
- mayorofangrytown

I think Sanhiem is the most "sure thing" we have in a D prospect. Also the furtherest out in the pipeline though.

Morin I view as an NHLer just based off that frame and skating ability. But he could end up being a 3rd pairing journeyman just as easily as he could be a 25+ minute a night guy. The next two years are huge for his development. Will he fight every game or will he work on the offensive side of the game just as much?

Ghost, regardless of his chances I just have a good feeling about him. He's small but the game is always changing and I think a guy his size, with his speed and his skill can make it work.

This year, I'm going to keep a close eye on Ghost and MDZ. Hexy will have an interesting choice to make next year if both these guys perform to their abilities.

It's on Johanson. He either agrees to the deal or sits out. Columbus may budge a little, but 2yr $6M is fair in my opinion. He didn't produce nearly as much as Duchene in his first 3 years.
- PhillySportsGuy

He has nothing to gain sitting out. He's just losing money. CBS is low I think given the increasing market share and there's no room to negotiate if the agent is looking for a 7+ a yr deal.

My sole argument against CBS is that they're low. The agent is reaching for the stars to the detriment of his client. There's no defending that guy.

I'm really surprised the Jackets went to the media so loudly with this.

According to a report it was an altercation with a teammate that cause his latest injury
- Jsaquella

Jesus. If he isn't a "name" player something tells me the Wild will have an extra roster spot popping up in the next few days.

I just think Johanson's camp believes he's one of the elite players in hockey like a Toews, Crosby, Giroux, Stamkos, Kopitar etc. He's not at that level yet. He had 63 points and 33 goals in one season.
- PhillySportsGuy

Exactly, I posted that earlier. He has not earned that kind of deal both in terms of production, or in service time. And he is not a generational type player that would skip over a reasonable bridge deal straight to a mega deal like a Crosby would.

No let's force them all right into the NHL as soon as they are drafted
- ob18

It worked for Grigorenko!

I think Sanhiem is the most "sure thing" we have in a D prospect. Also the furtherest out in the pipeline though.

Morin I view as an NHLer just based off that frame and skating ability. But he could end up being a 3rd pairing journeyman just as easily as he could be a 25+ minute a night guy. The next two years are huge for his development. Will he fight every game or will he work on the offensive side of the game just as much?

Ghost, regardless of his chances I just have a good feeling about him. He's small but the game is always changing and I think a guy his size, with his speed and his skill can make it work.

This year, I'm going to keep a close eye on Ghost and MDZ. Hexy will have an interesting choice to make next year if both these guys perform to their abilities.
- hereticpride

First thing I have to state, is I'm not sure how any fan can come to an informed opinion on these players, and what they'll become. Just don't see them play enough. It's hard enough for the professionals who intensely scout these players to get it right. It's fun to talk about and discuss, but it's just guessing on a fans part, and gut feelings.
I've seen very little of these players actually playing, and all I really know about them is what I read about them. So with that disclaimer given, my gut feeling is that Morin is going to be a flat out stud and a dominating monster back there. I hope my gut feeling is correct.

First thing I have to state, is I'm not sure how any fan can come to an informed opinion on these players, and what they'll become. Just don't see them play enough. It's hard enough for the professionals who intensely scout these players to get it right. It's fun to talk about and discuss, but it's just guessing on a fans part, and gut feelings.
I've seen very little of these players actually playing, and all I really know about them is what I read about them. So with that disclaimer given, my gut feeling is that Morin is going to be a flat out stud and a dominating monster back there. I hope my gut feeling is correct.
- MJL

My gut and yours are in agreement.

He has nothing to gain sitting out. He's just losing money. CBS is low I think given the increasing market share and there's no room to negotiate if the agent is looking for a 7+ a yr deal.

My sole argument against CBS is that they're low. The agent is reaching for the stars to the detriment of his client. There's no defending that guy.

I'm really surprised the Jackets went to the media so loudly with this.
- mayorofangrytown

I've negotiated on behalf of clients and they always want to go in and low ball an offer. They feel 'what do they have to lose?'

The problem is that there are emotions in every negotiation. If you insult the other party with an unreasonable offer, they may not even want to make a deal for a reasonable offer. I've seen it happen before.

First thing I have to state, is I'm not sure how any fan can come to an informed opinion on these players, and what they'll become. Just don't see them play enough. It's hard enough for the professionals who intensely scout these players to get it right. It's fun to talk about and discuss, but it's just guessing on a fans part, and gut feelings.
I've seen very little of these players actually playing, and all I really know about them is what I read about them. So with that disclaimer given, my gut feeling is that Morin is going to be a flat out stud and a dominating monster back there. I hope my gut feeling is correct.
- MJL

Well all any of us can do is go off what we've seen and what the majority of scouting reports tell us. Obviously there are going to be cases where people are flat out wrong. Taking Zherdev with a first round pick, then a guy like Datsyuk or Timonen who falls to the 7th round.

I do think there is enough out there though to get a good feeling about where some of these guys project and the odds that they might just get there. Here's hoping the big four D prospects all reach their NHL level potential. Even if only two of them do that's still pretty damn impressive for two 1st rounders, a 2nd and a 3rd rounder.

minimum draft age should be 21

(frank) this waiting 4 years for a pick to be nhl ready

i cant take it
- Crimsoninja

dig it! anyone know whatever happened to lauredson?

6+ million for a dude to grab a broom, chase a piece of rubber and put on shoes with knives at the bottom.
- flyer_nutter

reductive much?

I've negotiated on behalf of clients and they always want to go in and low ball an offer. They feel 'what do they have to lose?'

The problem is that there are emotions in every negotiation. If you insult the other party with an unreasonable offer, they may not even want to make a deal for a reasonable offer. I've seen it happen before.
- PhillySportsGuy

And even more then that, the points Davidson brought up are accurate. Johansen's agent is basically trying to re-negotiate the CBA with the way he approaching the negotiations for a new deal. I'm normally pro player on these issues, but I favor management on this one. I think even though Davidson says he's not going higher, I think there is a little wiggle room if his agent would sit down at the table and negotiate fairly.

I think Sanhiem is the most "sure thing" we have in a D prospect. Also the furtherest out in the pipeline though.

Morin I view as an NHLer just based off that frame and skating ability. But he could end up being a 3rd pairing journeyman just as easily as he could be a 25+ minute a night guy. The next two years are huge for his development. Will he fight every game or will he work on the offensive side of the game just as much?

Ghost, regardless of his chances I just have a good feeling about him. He's small but the game is always changing and I think a guy his size, with his speed and his skill can make it work.

This year, I'm going to keep a close eye on Ghost and MDZ. Hexy will have an interesting choice to make next year if both these guys perform to their abilities.
- hereticpride

I think Morin has the highest potential, but Sanheim's confidence, calm demeanor and skating skills will give him a smooth ride...plus, his ceiling is pretty high on it's own. Ghost also has a shot to be a special player

dig it! anyone know whatever happened to lauredson?
- mydoglicks

Yeah, he plays in the AHL

Nope. I think Sanheim will be a better all around player.
- Jsaquella

I agree sir.