We have 15 nhl forwards right now
I don't see us signing anyone unless some moves are made
- jdfitz77

We have 12 signed, Larsson will make 13. I doubt McCormick will be here. We might want one more but you're probably right, re-sign Larsson and we're done. We need 2 D and a goalie but Murray did say that Chad Johnson will be the back up.

agreed as long as it pushes gionta down a line
- homiedclown

any reason u want him on the 4th line?

agreed as long as it pushes gionta down a line

and as long as the rw is not named staff
- homiedclown

Gionta on the 3rd is not the worst case scenario. It's him in the top 6

any reason u want him on the 4th line?
- feetontheair22

I am fine with gionta on the third line


for this team to be decent, he needs to be playing no more then 15 minutes a night

I would still like a top line RWer...

This Kessel saga continues and I am sitting here watching and wondering.

What if you could get him and move out Hodgson?

Hodgson, Foligno, 2016 first? I am spit balling here.

Kane ROR Kessel
Girgensons Eichel Ennis
Moulson Reinhart Gionta
McGinn Legwand Larsson
Deslauriers
- Stripes77

I just don't see us getting Kessel or a Buff-Tor trade at all. We might want to wait till next year. Maybe go after Voracek or Okposo in free agency.

Gionta on the 3rd is not the worst case scenario. It's him in the top 6
- Stripes77

Agreed...he showed at the end of the year he can still contribute every so often...plus sticking your C on the 4th line isn't the best look for the team

I just don't see us getting Kessel or a Buff-Tor trade at all. We might want to wait till next year. Maybe go after Voracek or Okposo in free agency.
- mhp

I could see us waiting until Free Agency in 2016 as well, I am just curious as to what TM is thinking. Adding Kessel makes this team as he says "a little better each day"

posted on spector

Shattenkirk on the trade block?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cites a report from colleague Jim Matheson claiming St Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk might be available, citing the high salary being taken up by other Blues defensemen Alex Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Shattenkirk’s earning $4.25 million annually for the next two seasons, but is also coming off an all-star performance this season. My guess is the Blues are willing to listen to offers but I have my doubts they’re seriously thinking of moving him.

I could see us waiting until Free Agency in 2016 as well, I am just curious as to what TM is thinking. Adding Kessel makes this team as he says "a little better each day"
- Stripes77

I know you want Kessel and I respect your opinions on here but not sure we would want that contract, especially with the upcoming ROR contract.

posted on spector

Shattenkirk on the trade block?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cites a report from colleague Jim Matheson claiming St Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk might be available, citing the high salary being taken up by other Blues defensemen Alex Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Shattenkirk’s earning $4.25 million annually for the next two seasons, but is also coming off an all-star performance this season. My guess is the Blues are willing to listen to offers but I have my doubts they’re seriously thinking of moving him.
- homiedclown

Man I wish he was a lefty

The only thing that troubles me with Beauchemin is that he's 35 yrs old. Makes sense tho in a Teppo-type role.

A 2 yr deal for a guy like Johnny Odyuya (33 yrs old) wouldn't be bad, but he's prob looking to "win now".


Sekera would be a nice addition, but I see him looking to cash in this offseason ( big $$$ & big term). Sekera is good, but not elite. I wouldn't want to pay him "elite" money tho, cuz he's not a bonafide "top pair" D-man.

posted on spector

Shattenkirk on the trade block?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cites a report from colleague Jim Matheson claiming St Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk might be available, citing the high salary being taken up by other Blues defensemen Alex Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Shattenkirk’s earning $4.25 million annually for the next two seasons, but is also coming off an all-star performance this season. My guess is the Blues are willing to listen to offers but I have my doubts they’re seriously thinking of moving him.
- homiedclown

I doubt the Blues move any D, seems like Oshie will get traded and that should save them some cap space.

The only thing that troubles me with Beauchemin is that he's 35 yrs old. Makes sense tho in a Teppo-type role.

A 2 yr deal for a guy like Johnny Odyuya (33 yrs old) wouldn't be bad, but he's prob looking to "win now".


Sekera would be a nice addition, but I see him looking to cash in this offseason ( big $$$ & big term). Sekera is good, but not elite. I wouldn't want to pay him "elite" money tho, cuz he's not a bonafide "top pair" D-man.
- SuperCat

Petry got 5.5 per

IMO that is the going rate now for established second pair d men

I doubt the Blues move any D, seems like Oshie will get traded and that should save them some cap space.
- mhp

I think Oshie and Jaybow are the 2 they move

http://bleacherreport.com...-martin-st-louis-and-more


Although he hasn't been linked to them yet, look for the Buffalo Sabres to make a strong run at Mike Green. They are an improving team, thanks to the additions of Jack Eichel and Ryan O'Reilly, and they could use a big-time defenseman after trading Nikita Zadorov in the O'Reilly deal.

Buffalo doesn't have a great offensive defenseman currently, but it will get one when it puts together the best offer for Green.

My top 2 lines

Kane-ROR-Girgs
Moulson-Eichel-Ennis

I like the idea of Kane playing with Girgs, terrorize the opposition with the forecheck in the offensive zone and physical play which will create scoring chances and the speed and playmaking ability of Eichel and Ennis together on the 2nd line.
- mhp

Bylsma made it seem like they've (he & Murray) been talking line combos for a couple weeks now.
Specifically how ROR would fit in, who would move to wing, and presumably whether or not Hodgson would slot in

I know you want Kessel and I respect your opinions on here but not sure we would want that contract, especially with the upcoming ROR contract.
- mhp

I think by adding ROR, the only way they get another upgrade up front is on a short term contract

st louis, eriksson, sharp


honestly Vrbata or Simmonds would look really good right now on this team

I know you want Kessel and I respect your opinions on here but not sure we would want that contract, especially with the upcoming ROR contract.
- mhp

I was thinking about the whole contract thing last night.

Kane $10.5
Toews $10.5
Hossa $5.25
Keith $5.5
Seabrook $5.8
Crawford $6

$43.55 Million

I didn't include the guys that should be moved, like Bickell and Sharp

ROR $7.5
Kessel $8
Eichel $7 when due
Reinhart $6 when due
Girgensons $6 when due
Risto $5 when due (his contract is up at the end of next year)
Kane $7 when due (3 years)

$46.5 total and the Sabres have 1 more player signed. It's possible to keep these guys are your core players IMO

Edit: You also need to plan smartly and hope the cap increases close to the $80 million mark (with expansion I don't think that is out of the question)

Petry got 5.5 per

IMO that is the going rate now for established second pair d men
- homiedclown

Man, if I can get Sekera for under $5 mill, I'm all over it!

Man, if I can get Sekera for under $5 mill, I'm all over it!
- SuperCat

With what Sekera had to say about Buffalo when he was traded I am not sure he would return.

Sure those were the Darcy days but still...

Man, if I can get Sekera for under $5 mill, I'm all over it!
- SuperCat

Tho, Cody Franson wouldn't be a bad fit for us either;


A 6'5", 215lbs, 27 yr old, RH, puck moving d-man, with a big shot...

Looks like a poor man's Tyler Myers!

I think Oshie and Jaybow are the 2 they move
- homiedclown

Seems like the draft was the time to strike on trades. I think it starts to quiet down, especially with Wednesday and free agency right around the corner.

I can't see how there are 29 other teams in the NHL and you mean to tell me that we can't trade Hodgson to a team that needs him without buying him out ? This kid is worth something if they decide to cut him loose.
- SABRES 89

Yes, but if you know a team is going to buy a player out if they can't trade him, why would you give up assets for him, when you can sign him without trading for assets, and pay him less than what his current contract is at now?

With what Sekera had to say about Buffalo when he was traded I am not sure he would return.

Sure those were the Darcy days but still...
- Stripes77

I'm torn a bit on Sekera.

He's a nice a player, but if we're gonna pay a UFA D-man over $5 mill, I'd like him to be better than Bagosian.

Imo, if we're gonna bring in a guy and make him our highest paid blue liner, & it'd be nice if his play reflected pay...

Tho, Cody Franson wouldn't be a bad fit for us either;


A 6'5", 215lbs, 27 yr old, RH, puck moving d-man, with a big shot...

Looks like a poor man's Tyler Myers!
- SuperCat

I like Franson, the big beef with him is he is a righty...