Todd Cordell: Blue Jackets Working To Re-Sign Saad, Letestu; Talking To Martin

Think it'd cost CBJ as much as the rumored OS the 'Hawks could have received; $6M AAV?

Congrats on the trade. Tough to swallow. Lotsa ledge jumpers in HawkNation. But there's no way CBJ trades those assets and lets Saad get away.

CBJ must get Letestu signed. He and Arty were the best penalty killers last year and can't afford to lose both of them.

Think it'd cost CBJ as much as the rumored OS the 'Hawks could have received; $6M AAV?

Congrats on the trade. Tough to swallow. Lotsa ledge jumpers in HawkNation. But there's no way CBJ trades those assets and lets Saad get away.
- blackhawk24

I think we can get him for cheaper then his demands , because if anyone OS'S we can match and he has no choice but to speak with the cbj .

you think CBJ can get him cheaper than his demands?

what makes you think he'll be cheaper in CBJ when he wasn't going to be in Chicago?
He wants 6+ per year. Something Hawks couldn't realistically give him with an entire roster to fill and some FA's next year in Seabrook and Shaw...

Pretty sure he'll be your highest paid player really soon.
How much of that 'talent' was him playing with Toews and Hossa?
Guess we're all about to find out.

Not that happy about Saad being gone, but happy with the return in Dano.

Great get on B Saad. He's going to be awesome for you guys.

But Martin on a short term deal at a reasonable price? He's going to leave Pittsburgh to give you a gift?

you think CBJ can get him cheaper than his demands?

what makes you think he'll be cheaper in CBJ when he wasn't going to be in Chicago?
He wants 6+ per year. Something Hawks couldn't realistically give him with an entire roster to fill and some FA's next year in Seabrook and Shaw...

Pretty sure he'll be your highest paid player really soon.
How much of that 'talent' was him playing with Toews and Hossa?
Guess we're all about to find out.

Not that happy about Saad being gone, but happy with the return in Dano.
- TheShaman

That cracks me up. A few weeks ago it was, "Saad is the greatest, he's the next premier young forward in the league AND he's gonna take a hometown discount!! Yaaaaayyyy!!!!"

Now it's, "(frank) saad, how much of his success came from playing with toews and hossa?"

Who cares if he was dependent on his linemates to score. Plenty of good players in the league like that (hartnell, neal, kunitz, lucic). Plus, if that really is thecase that he is dependent on his center, it's a damn good thing CBJ has a world class playmaker in ryan johansen

That cracks me up. A few weeks ago it was, "Saad is the greatest, he's the next premier young forward in the league AND he's gonna take a hometown discount!! Yaaaaayyyy!!!!"

Now it's, "(frank) saad, how much of his success came from playing with toews and hossa?"

Who cares if he was dependent on his linemates to score. Plenty of good players in the league like that (hartnell, neal, kunitz, lucic). Plus, if that really is thecase that he is dependent on his center, it's a damn good thing CBJ has a world class playmaker in ryan johansen
- benjichronic

Hey even old man Hartnell got 28 goals playing with either Duby or Wennberg.

you think CBJ can get him cheaper than his demands?

what makes you think he'll be cheaper in CBJ when he wasn't going to be in Chicago?
He wants 6+ per year. Something Hawks couldn't realistically give him with an entire roster to fill and some FA's next year in Seabrook and Shaw...

Pretty sure he'll be your highest paid player really soon.
How much of that 'talent' was him playing with Toews and Hossa?
Guess we're all about to find out.

Not that happy about Saad being gone, but happy with the return in Dano.
- TheShaman

Yes I think the cbj will get him cheaper for the reasons stated above , what do want his agent to do , if he wants to pull a Johanson and miss training camp and pay go ahead , usually that backfires for players.

It's funny that all of a sudden Hawk fans are quick to turn the knife on their own or players who snubbed them (Reilley comes to mind) , Saad is only 22 yes he played with good players but I don't see how playing with RJ is a downgrade, as for Dano i'm not gonna diss him because I was a fan of his game ,but sometimes he can get very streaky and his defensive game still needs some refining . Hopefully Q and playing with Toews or another of your numerous stars might help him in that matter.

That cracks me up. A few weeks ago it was, "Saad is the greatest, he's the next premier young forward in the league AND he's gonna take a hometown discount!! Yaaaaayyyy!!!!"

Now it's, "(frank) saad, how much of his success came from playing with toews and hossa?"

Who cares if he was dependent on his linemates to score. Plenty of good players in the league like that (hartnell, neal, kunitz, lucic). Plus, if that really is thecase that he is dependent on his center, it's a damn good thing CBJ has a world class playmaker in ryan johansen
- benjichronic

yeah and that next line in the "how much success statement" was
Guess we're going to find out...

I also said I was not happy to see him go. But liked the return...

But good on everyone lumping ALL fans of #nametheteamhere

the main reason everyone thought he was taking a 'hometown discount' is because that came straight from the horses mouth... Saad. apparently his agent told him a Hometown discount is a stupid idea, you can get a hell of a lot more money with an OS... well good on him for seeing the potential for making a ton more money in another city. So sorry for taking an an athletes word. That was shame on me.
But I'm not about to sit here an apologize for an entire fan base of any sport. And neither should anyone else lump an entire fan base as this or that... but thanks for playing.

Yes I think the cbj will get him cheaper for the reasons stated above , what do want his agent to do
- Alexzanki

so you're basically saying that an OS won't come in at over 6million.

cool. I have no doubt that the jackets will match any offer. In fact I think Bowman was counting on that when he traded him there... Quite frankly, if he has to go, I'm glad its with a young core in the East that has a chance to grow.... instead of a rival like Dallas or Ana.

so you're basically saying that an OS won't come in at over 6million.

cool. I have no doubt that the jackets will match any offer. In fact I think Bowman was counting on that when he traded him there... Quite frankly, if he has to go, I'm glad its with a young core in the East that has a chance to grow.... instead of a rival like Dallas or Ana.
- TheShaman

So the ducks out of pure rage will offer sheet Saad knowing we can match

So the ducks out of pure rage will offer sheet Saad knowing we can match
- Alexzanki

I just used the ducks as an example.

Don't be surprised if there is an offer sheet from some club somewhere... Pitt maybe even Boston...

Don't be surprised if Saad really is asking for 6.5 per year as was reported here in Chicago... Pretty sure if he was asking 4per, he'd be a Hawk right now...
Just saying

I just used the ducks as an example.

Don't be surprised if there is an offer sheet from some club somewhere... Pitt maybe even Boston...

Don't be surprised if Saad really is asking for 6.5 per year as was reported here in Chicago... Pretty sure if he was asking 4per, he'd be a Hawk right now...
Just saying
- TheShaman

Boston has cap issues and Pittsburgh has about the same cap space as we do,really no one will offer sheet just to get it matched.

Boston has cap issues and Pittsburgh has about the same cap space as we do,really no one will offer sheet just to get it matched.
- Alexzanki

you're probably right... there are some teams out there who may though
I guess we'll find out soon enough.

Either way... don't think he's signing on the cheap.

it's gonna be 5.5 and above. unless they offer him a ton of years or something.

So the ducks out of pure rage will offer sheet Saad knowing we can match
- Alexzanki

Murray should then be fired.

Saad will definitely be playing PK minutes so I wouldn't worry. Letestu was a good guy on the roster, but his skillset was very replaceable imho. Good luck to him in EDM.

"So the ducks out of pure rage will offer sheet Saad knowing we can match"

What don't you get about this situation? The Blackhawks just extended Anisimov for 5 years, 4.55 per year..... If Saad would have accepted this, he would be in Chicago right now. He obviously wants more. Hellloooo, Mcfly

[quote=Katana777]
I think your the one that is lost , now that Saad is on a team with some cap space the threat of the offert sheet is all but gone given that we can match , so basically he and his agent have no leverage right now.

That being , if the Hawks sign Arty to 4.5 mil deal , that is their right , I don't see how that effects Saad or a so called offert sheet threat for the cbj.

I think your the one that is lost , now that Saad is on a team with some cap space the threat of the offert sheet is all but gone given that we can match , so basically he and his agent have no leverage right now.

That being , if the Hawks sign Arty to 4.5 mil deal , that is their right , I don't see how that effects Saad or a so called offert sheet threat for the cbj.
- Alexzanki

Longer the deal the more money it will be. That's really the only truth we can know for sure. A bridge deal will likely land around 4 mil/yr while a longer deal will be likely between 5-6 per year.

Longer the deal the more money it will be. That's really the only truth we can know for sure. A bridge deal will likely land around 4 mil/yr while a longer deal will be likely between 5-6 per year.
- vertigo1061

Kekka will make him sign a bridge , giving him the keys to a greater deal would make Kekka look like a hypocrite for what he made RJ go ThrouGh.

yeah and that next line in the "how much success statement" was
Guess we're going to find out...

I also said I was not happy to see him go. But liked the return...

But good on everyone lumping ALL fans of #nametheteamhere

the main reason everyone thought he was taking a 'hometown discount' is because that came straight from the horses mouth... Saad. apparently his agent told him a Hometown discount is a stupid idea, you can get a hell of a lot more money with an OS... well good on him for seeing the potential for making a ton more money in another city. So sorry for taking an an athletes word. That was shame on me.
But I'm not about to sit here an apologize for an entire fan base of any sport. And neither should anyone else lump an entire fan base as this or that... but thanks for playing.
- TheShaman

To kind of comment on both of your posts:

I don't ever recall him saying he would take a "hometown discount" - he said he wanted to stay here, not the same thing.

He may wind up with less than he could have realistically had in Chicago because he likely won't get an offer sheet now, since CBJ would be sure to match. Without an OS, he has very little leverage in the negotiations - how much hardball will CBJ be playing?

We've heard today that he was shocked, shocked to find there's gambling...uhhh...shocked that he was traded, maybe a little "buyer's remorse" - but if he didn't know that making unreasonable demand on a cap-strapped team would lead to a move, he needs to re-evaluate his relationship with his agent.

I'm ok with the move and the return - had to make it, couldn't give him $6-$6.5MM - but we will miss the man-child in Chicago - tons of potential - much of it realized in two 1/2 full seasons and three long tournament runs - but still lots to go.

Kekka will make him sign a bridge , giving him the keys to a greater deal would make Kekka look like a hypocrite for what he made RJ go ThrouGh.
- Alexzanki

I dunno about that. Different players in very different situations. RyJo was a former 1st rounder coming off one good season and had a bit of a history of under-performing the previous two seasons. That was the leverage for CBJ to force the bridge deal over a longer contract. He didn't have the track record of success. Saad does. He was also the the top LW on the team that just won the stanley cup for the 2nd time in 3 years and he has proven success in the playoffs. The dude has more career playoff goals than Rick Nash lol.

My point is simply I don't think Jarmo looks like a hypocrite by signing Saad long term when he forced RyJo into a bridge deal.

Without an OS the BJs have all of the leverage now. Saad's agent overplayed his hand. I really think one OS was coming from the Duck but reports are saying AVs and Pens. Maybe we will find out later but Murray traded that 2nd for Bieksa right after Saad went to CBJ.

Right now, I wouldn't be surprised if Saad is looking at $4 -4.5m tops if he signs and this could go to a hold out. Jarmo can't give in to Saad after holding firm on RJ last year. Lewis Gross is the goat here. Absent Dano, the Hawks could have been. Even that package from the Pens would have been too little. This seems as close to a good trade for both teams as it gets if Dano keeps playing like he finished the RS.

I dunno about that. Different players in very different situations. RyJo was a former 1st rounder coming off one good season and had a bit of a history of under-performing the previous two seasons. That was the leverage for CBJ to force the bridge deal over a longer contract. He didn't have the track record of success. Saad does. He was also the the top LW on the team that just won the stanley cup for the 2nd time in 3 years and he has proven success in the playoffs. The dude has more career playoff goals than Rick Nash lol.

My point is simply I don't think Jarmo looks like a hypocrite by signing Saad long term when he forced RyJo into a bridge deal.
- vertigo1061

I could see long term for Saad vs the bridge for RJ but nowhere near where the OS was rumored to be ($6.5). Saad's agent needs to save face so this could get ugly. I suppose someone could still take a shot at an OS. The Avs did very little today. Without it, Jarmo has solid cards. Saads regular season numbers are closer to Anders Lee than RJs. The playoff performances do merit a premium but how much?