Everyone is hitting the panic button on finding a back-up.. is the skill gap between Ullmark and some other fringe back up that wide?

I say give Ullmark a shot; he's been improving over time. Kasdorf can fill in for Rochester and we can sign another goalie for Rochester as well.
- awildmudkip

I bet we sign a backup but if Lehner does go down then we call up Ullmark and leave the guy as the backup.

Maybe we will get some production out of Moulson, although I don't know if Okposo was brought here to revamp Moulsons career
- lulags

Those two will never sniff the ice at the same time (hopefully).

It isn't that Ullmark couldn't do it, but it's just he would get much more time in the AHL. I think the reason why people are more obsessed about the backup situation is Lehner's health. If we had a strong #1 that could stay healthy for a full season, bet most people wouldn't really care about who our backup was.
- RhinoFan

Let's sign Bryz..

Here is an idea though.


would you trade Franson's contract for a bigger one in Howard from Detroit?

They are looking for d depth and want to move Howard. With that length of contract it could be hard. Maybe they eat a little salary on it but have an experienced guy like Howard would make me feel better about Lehner's past.

Not sure how I'd feel

I would sign Hudler.

Let's sign Bryz..
- mhp

Nabokov

Here is an idea though.


would you trade Franson's contract for a bigger one in Howard from Detroit?

They are looking for d depth and want to move Howard. With that length of contract it could be hard. Maybe they eat a little salary on it but have an experienced guy like Howard would make me feel better about Lehner's past.

Not sure how I'd feel
- JVince11

I would pass on Howard but love the idea of moving that pylon Franson out of here. If it's a trade and I know it won't happen but wouldn't mind trading for Darcy Kuemper from Minny. Seems like a Murray type of goalie.

We are definitely not looking to do a 60/40 split so we won't get someone who wants playing time. We will get an AHL caliber goalie who will share some starts with our other AHL goalie

Nabokov
- JVince11

Let's bring back Hasek..

I would sign Hudler.
- mhp

He really is going to be worth it for the kids progression alone. Very unselfish leader, great in the dressing room too.

So.. if we already don't plan on Lehner playing 60+ games, again, why would Ullmark playing as our "back up" a bad idea?

Wouldn't we split up time between Lehner and Ullmark? Wouldn't NHL game experience be more valuable than AHL game experience?

Just an idea. Save a bad contract we might not need and save cap room for a top 3 D, plus Ristos extension.

I would pass on Howard but love the idea of moving that pylon Franson out of here. If it's a trade and I know it won't happen but wouldn't mind trading for Darcy Kuemper from Minny. Seems like a Murray type of goalie.
- mhp

Pavelec is 1 year at 3.9M while Franson is 1 year at 3.25M

Helleybuck is their starter.

I'd make that trade most likely.

Let's bring back Hasek..
- mhp

Yeah, get him to chase down Gordie Howe's geezer record.

He really is going to be worth it for the kids progression alone. Very unselfish leader, great in the dressing room too.
- FLflames34

I would think he's going to sign with some team today. I haven't heard any link between us and Hudler but we have the cap space to sign him.

I would think he's going to sign with some team today. I haven't heard any link between us and Hudler but we have the cap space to sign him.
- mhp

I could still see is getting Demers today but I don't feel the need. We have enough top 4 guys who probably don't qualify as top pairing guys.

Like I said, we can afford anything you offer
- soljor09

Probably but we can at least put some heat on Murray. That creepy little man doesn't look like he deals with pressure well

Fasth
....


- FLflames34

Had high hopes for him. How quickly those were smashed.

Here is an idea though.


would you trade Franson's contract for a bigger one in Howard from Detroit?

They are looking for d depth and want to move Howard. With that length of contract it could be hard. Maybe they eat a little salary on it but have an experienced guy like Howard would make me feel better about Lehner's past.

Not sure how I'd feel
- JVince11

No thanks, 5.29 for the next 3 years.

We would be doing Detroit a HUGE favor taking him off their hands.

Here is an idea though.


would you trade Franson's contract for a bigger one in Howard from Detroit?

They are looking for d depth and want to move Howard. With that length of contract it could be hard. Maybe they eat a little salary on it but have an experienced guy like Howard would make me feel better about Lehner's past.

Not sure how I'd feel
- JVince11

That would be amazing if you guys could pull that off. Howard is much better than Lehner and would take that starting job from him

Had high hopes for him. How quickly those were smashed.
- Xaos22

We are hoping Anderson does the same for Maple Leaf fans everywhere this year like Bernier did a few years ago.

Pavelec is 1 year at 3.9M while Franson is 1 year at 3.25M

Helleybuck is their starter.

I'd make that trade most likely.
- JVince11

Is Franson that bad? Cause Pavelec is not a good goalie!

That would be amazing if you guys could pull that off. Howard is much better than Lehner and would take that starting job from him
- Xaos22

Howard was badly exposed when Detroits D regressed. He put up a 3.00 gaa this year. I mentioned him because I want someone who has starting experience with Lehner's injury history.

Lehner was very solid for us posting a 1.2 gaa for the better part of a month or so before the ankle injury that hurt him early in the year flared up again later on.

Is Franson that bad? Cause Pavelec is not a good goalie!
- Xaos22

Yes. He is about as quick on skates as Bobby Orr is presently.

He would be our 7th right now at this point.

I would think he's going to sign with some team today. I haven't heard any link between us and Hudler but we have the cap space to sign him.
- mhp

Sign Demers and Hudler to big deals. Then we offer sheet Risto

Sign Demers and Hudler to big deals. Then we offer sheet Risto
- Xaos22

and we'll still have enough cap space to match.