He can also trade 3rd round picks to talk to Vesey, 2nd for Josh Gorges, but won't trade one to take a chance on a 1st overall pick
- sbroads24

maybe he just doesn't like the player, Right or wrong.

maybe he just doesn't like the player, Right or wrong.
- gordong

That's obviously what it is, and chances are Murray is right, but I'm still waiting on any type of low profile move to work out for him. Maybe Grant or Nelson are it.

Everyone he's brought in cost a ton, so they come with big expectations.

It would be nice to trade a 3rd rounder for someone and have him come in and be a real contributor

Everyone forgets, the big stupid contracts for Moulson, Gorges, and Gionta were all at a point when:

1. We needed to spend more money to not be near the salary cap floor

2. We were trying to "not win"

Gorges and Gionta specifically were signed mostly as role models for the youngins coming in. Moulson was more of the "if he does well, what a bonus!" I am pretty sure that he was there as a roster filler and no one expected him to do very well. Without Johnny T working his magic and Mouslon being the beficiary, He is not nearly as good.

I would still personally expect at $6M for six years. That is reasonable and not at all over-priced for what he brings to the table. The effect of playing hard-ball right now is as was suggested, for the benefit of Jack's, Samson's, and Nylander's agents.

Also, WOW! Once Lehner had proper time to rehab and get healthy, He is looking like he was billed to be. I like the possibility this has. If we can keep a healthy defense in front of him, I think that we could be looking at "Playoffs?!?!"

Everyone forgets, the big stupid contracts for Moulson, Gorges, and Gionta were all at a point when:

1. We needed to spend more money to not be near the salary cap floor

2. We were trying to "not win"

Gorges and Gionta specifically were signed mostly as role models for the youngins coming in. Moulson was more of the "if he does well, what a bonus!" I am pretty sure that he was there as a roster filler and no one expected him to do very well. Without Johnny T working his magic and Mouslon being the beficiary, He is not nearly as good.

I would still personally expect at $6M for six years. That is reasonable and not at all over-priced for what he brings to the table. The effect of playing hard-ball right now is as was suggested, for the benefit of Jack's, Samson's, and Nylander's agents.

Also, WOW! Once Lehner had proper time to rehab and get healthy, He is looking like he was billed to be. I like the possibility this has. If we can keep a healthy defense in front of him, I think that we could be looking at "Playoffs?!?!"
- ChicmjBuffalo

Solid. This is exactly where I am.

That's obviously what it is, and chances are Murray is right, but I'm still waiting on any type of low profile move to work out for him. Maybe Grant or Nelson are it.

Everyone he's brought in cost a ton, so they come with big expectations.

It would be nice to trade a 3rd rounder for someone and have him come in and be a real contributor
- sbroads24

Did you mean "high profile move to work out?" Because, as SabreWest pointed out McCabe, Foligno, Larsson and Girgs all seem to be low profile wins, and you're right - it looks like we can add Grant and Nelson to that list, too.

The price for Yak does seem insanely low, but I wonder if Murray just didn't see a spot for him with Okposo, Reinhart, Bailey, Fasching, and Gionta. But I probably would have tried to put something together if only to collect the asset.

That's obviously what it is, and chances are Murray is right, but I'm still waiting on any type of low profile move to work out for him. Maybe Grant or Nelson are it.

Everyone he's brought in cost a ton, so they come with big expectations.

It would be nice to trade a 3rd rounder for someone and have him come in and be a real contributor
- sbroads24

But don't you want him to restock the prospect pool that you feel he has decimated?

28 other GM's didn't pull the trigger. The Blues are hoping he is going to mesh with Hitchcock? That's funny...

Let's not forget about filling the backup goalie spot with Anders Nilsson, I was at camp when Allen and Bylsma walked behind me, Allen said that Nilsson is moving as well as he ever has and Bylsma responded with "that is what we were hoping for".
In my mind, I see no reason that Foligno can't play on a higher line, He, in my opinion should be the first choice to play with Eichel and Reinhart, he is fast enough to keep up with them, he has become very responsible in his own end and he will protect the two of them like nobody's business. I think that would make us three lines strong with Ennis riding shotgun with Girgensons and maybe Grant for the time being.

Did you mean "high profile move to work out?" Because, as SabreWest pointed out McCabe, Foligno, Larsson and Girgs all seem to be low profile wins, and you're right - it looks like we can add Grant and Nelson to that list, too.

The price for Yak does seem insanely low, but I wonder if Murray just didn't see a spot for him with Okposo, Reinhart, Bailey, Fasching, and Gionta. But I probably would have tried to put something together if only to collect the asset.
- Der Kaiser

Not one of McCabe, Foligno, Larsson or Girgensons were acquired by Murray.

Did you mean "high profile move to work out?" Because, as SabreWest pointed out McCabe, Foligno, Larsson and Girgs all seem to be low profile wins, and you're right - it looks like we can add Grant and Nelson to that list, too.

The price for Yak does seem insanely low, but I wonder if Murray just didn't see a spot for him with Okposo, Reinhart, Bailey, Fasching, and Gionta. But I probably would have tried to put something together if only to collect the asset.
- Der Kaiser

Not one of McCabe, Foligno, Larsson or Girgensons were acquired by Murray.

Not one of McCabe, Foligno, Larsson or Girgensons were acquired by Murray.
- sbroads24

they were all signed to very low-costing, show-me deals by TM.

Not one of McCabe, Foligno, Larsson or Girgensons were acquired by Murray.
- sbroads24

There is no substantive difference between "acquiring" and "keeping under a new contract."

But don't you want him to restock the prospect pool that you feel he has decimated?

28 other GM's didn't pull the trigger. The Blues are hoping he is going to mesh with Hitchcock? That's funny...
- Stripes77

There is a big difference between trading away multiple 1st and 2nd rounders and a single 3rd rounder to acquire a former 1st overall pick.

I mean, he's probably right not to pursue him, but it just surprised me that Murray the gambler wasn't in on it

Let's not forget about filling the backup goalie spot with Anders Nilsson, I was at camp when Allen and Bylsma walked behind me, Allen said that Nilsson is moving as well as he ever has and Bylsma responded with "that is what we were hoping for".
In my mind, I see no reason that Foligno can't play on a higher line, He, in my opinion should be the first choice to play with Eichel and Reinhart, he is fast enough to keep up with them, he has become very responsible in his own end and he will protect the two of them like nobody's business. I think that would make us three lines strong with Ennis riding shotgun with Girgensons and maybe Grant for the time being.
- macman9

I partly agree with this, at least to try it out if the line looks flat. If Kane and his speed helps that line click then great, but if not I'd totally kick the tires on Marcus for the reasons you point out.

they were all signed to very low-costing, show-me deals by TM.
- LandlordTom

McCabe was a great deal. Then others were pretty typical for guys who have underachieved but feel they might sell themselves short on a multi-year deal

There is a big difference between trading away multiple 1st and 2nd rounders and a single 3rd rounder to acquire a former 1st overall pick.

I mean, he's probably right not to pursue him, but it just surprised me that Murray the gambler wasn't in on it
- sbroads24

That 3rd can turn into a 2nd can't it? Something like he scores 15?

So it would have been something like Nelson and a 3rd which could turn into a 2nd for Yak...pass

That 3rd can turn into a 2nd can't it? Something like he scores 15?

So it would have been something like Nelson and a 3rd which could turn into a 2nd for Yak...pass
- Stripes77

The blues prospect the Oilers got is an original fourth rounder (iirc) who hasn't progressed beyond ECHL.

It was next to nothing.

The blues prospect the Oilers got is an original fourth rounder (iirc) who hasn't progressed beyond ECHL.

It was next to nothing.
- Der Kaiser

Gotcha but it could still cost a 2nd?

Gotcha but it could still cost a 2nd?
- Stripes77

Yes if Yak gets 15.

I would have taken the risk. It's a former 1st rounder guy desperate to remake himself. I don't know where he fits cause I wanna see Okposo thrive, and I love Kane Eichel Reinhart - so that leaves only third line for Yak. 3rd line didnt work for him in EDM, but maybe we could get him some time on the PP to take advantage of his skills and pump up his numbers to where they were expected to be

What I don't understand about Murray is he can pay Moulson 5, Gionta and Gorges 4 and not pay Risto.
- mhp

All totally different. UFA Moulson will tons of cap room, Ginota was for leadership and tons of cap room. Gorges was a trade.

Gotcha but it could still cost a 2nd?
- Stripes77

2018 2nd though, so even more in the future. Edmonton got walked, as expected.

Yes if Yak gets 15.

I would have taken the risk. It's a former 1st rounder guy desperate to remake himself. I don't know where he fits cause I wanna see Okposo thrive, and I love Kane Eichel Reinhart - so that leaves only third line for Yak. 3rd line didnt work for him in EDM, but maybe we could get him some time on the PP to take advantage of his skills and pump up his numbers to where they were expected to be
- Der Kaiser

He can skate too. We IMO gotta roll 3 scoring lines.

Even if he were to look pretty good, but Bailey and Fasching eventually surpass him, we could get the 3rd or 2nd rounder back.

I'm glad GMTM skipped out on Yak. We have a number of young wingers coming up I would rather give a chance to develop come injuries or open spots vs having that spot taken by a project. Yak may turn it around in STL, he may not...and the price WAS low...however, given Bailey, Nylander, Fasching, Grant and perhaps Baptiste emerging as real options in the near future I think signing Yak does 3 things for you:

1) Shows a lack of faith in the young group
2) Gets you a defensive liability
3) Loses another draft pick (cupboards aren't bare but need a restocking)

Best case scenario Yak turns it around on your team, you get to trade one of the younger wingers for D help and you have to resign him to 4m plus. Personally I'd rather take the cap space, the open spot for a younger player and the defensive responsibility. Oilers were trying to move him for a long time and wasn't until now that someone bit so I'm not alone thinking this either. Just wanted to weigh in.

Sabres are at 5 or so, Risto's camp is at close to 6.5. Huge gap.

So I haven't been on much stupid hurricane crap.

- Stripes77

Was this your first?

Sabres are at 5 or so, Risto's camp is at close to 6.5. Huge gap.
- SABRES 89

That sounds to me like a bigger gap than a few days is going to solve. You think it's going to go a ways into the season to sort out?