Pratt just said...

"To this day I don't understand why they fired Mike Gillis"


- VanHockeyGuy

Well Pratt is an idiot. Makes sense it is hard for him to understand things.

They haven't improved?
- neem55

84-96-88 and 48 points in 44 games.

Helped how? Lol 4-13-2

14-10-4 when they were 4th liners. Just look at VGK and NJ. SPEED!
- manvanfan

Because there is zero depth on this team when the twins are the primary point getters.
When they played middle six numbers the team was doing fine.
The twins arn't the problem.
Are they better players then Chaput and Guance?

And cap hit isn't an issue this year so dont cross reference that.

Hextall was hired as Philly's GM the same as Benning, spring of 2014.
- LeftCoaster

Just busting your philly loving balls 😄

No. No Tumbleweed. No!
- neem55

if you play your cards right, you can have him this year too!

The only player worth pursuing on that entire list is Backlund. Maybe Hornquist if he accepts short term, but why would he?
- neem55

yeah, backlund will get a long-term deal.

edit: de haan and atkinson are both pretty good players too.

Could look at players like Backlund, Atkinson, Hornqvist, De Haan, Eller, Komorov, Bozak, Cole, Cogliano, Perron...just really scratching the surface. Lots of players out there that can get you 40 pts for less cash than probably what the Sedins are gonna want. Plus most, if not all are more defensively responsible...just takes some creative thinking on Jimmy's part. The list is long.
- LordHumungous

How many do you see signing a 1 year deal?

84-96-88 and 48 points in 44 games.
- manvanfan

Is that supposed to make sense on it's own? They are currently 3 points out of a playoff spot. If they were in our division instead of the Metro, they'd be in a playoff spot already.

Well Pratt is an idiot. Makes sense it is hard for him to understand things.
- Retinalz

Because there is zero depth on this team when the twins are the primary point getters.
When they played middle six numbers the team was doing fine.
The twins arn't the problem.
- Pres.cup

Lack of elite talent would be the problem. Golatending a close second.

The only player worth pursuing on that entire list is Backlund. Maybe Hornquist if he accepts short term, but why would he?
- neem55

Hard to say. I like Backlund as well but Cogliano or Perron might fit with the youth/speed here next year. Gaudette, Pettersson, OJ, Dahlen 'if' they make the club next year things will look very different. Lots of options.

How many do you see signing a 1 year deal?
- Marwood

Which...of course is the problem. Even the Sedins might want two years

But I'd be willing to bet a few would go one year like vanek did.

How many do you see signing a 1 year deal?
- Marwood

This.
Just about all the better free agents will get 3-4 or even 6 year deals. Not sure why people can't grasp that.

Which...of course is the problem. Even the Sedins might want two years

But I'd be willing to bet a few would go one year like vanek did.
- LordHumungous

The Sedin's have gone on record saying they would evaluate after this contract and if they were to re-sign iþ would be one year at a time.

This.
Just about all the better free agents will get 3-4 or even 6 year deals. Not sure why people can't grasp that.
- Reubenkincade

Mainly the bad contracts get that length. I would open to signing free agents to two year contracts and under 4 mill. Josh Bailey and Mikael Backlund both making less than 4 mill aav. Not sure they accept 2 years, but if not, benning just has to hang up the phone

Who?
- Marwood

It's the old sign a better player for cheaper argument of old, I tried to draw lefty into this conversation last night.

It's the old sign a better player for cheaper argument of old, I tried to draw lefty into this conversation last night.
- Pres.cup

The free agent market is slim pickings. Gap between fringe nhl free agents who will get offered 1 year "show me" contracts and the players who demand 5 mill plus term is big. Marwood is right, likelihood of replacing sedins with players who sign for 1 or 2 years is going to be a tough task.

Mainly the bad contracts get that length. I would open to signing free agents to two year contracts and under 4 mill. Josh Bailey and Mikael Backlund both making less than 4 mill aav. Not sure they accept 2 years, but if not, benning just has to hang up the phone
- Codes1087

backlund is worth more than that imo.

bailey is the land mine to avoid.

problem is holland will surely give bailey a 6x6 contract to play for the canucks.

Could look at players like Backlund, Atkinson, Hornqvist, De Haan, Eller, Komorov, Bozak, Cole, Cogliano, Perron...just really scratching the surface. Lots of players out there that can get you 40 pts for less cash than probably what the Sedins are gonna want. Plus most, if not all are more defensively responsible...just takes some creative thinking on Jimmy's part. The list is long.
- LordHumungous

I dont see a single player on that list that meets the Sedins criteria.

Cheaper then they'll resign for (speculation I'd say under 4 million per)
More points (2x50 point players)
Short term deal (1 year deals)
Willing to play third line minutes
Center and a left winger

Find them please because i can't.

Is that supposed to make sense on it's own? They are currently 3 points out of a playoff spot. If they were in our division instead of the Metro, they'd be in a playoff spot already.
- neem55

So you see improvement there?

Van was in a playoff spot for a while there too 👍

I dont see a single player on that list that meets the Sedins criteria.

Cheaper then they'll resign for (speculation I'd say under 4 million per)
More points (2x50 point players)
Short term deal (1 year deals)
Willing to play third line minutes
Center and a left winger

Find them please because i can't.
- Pres.cup

Maybe Van doesnt need to find players on one year deals. Why is it a must for 1 year deals only?

The only player worth pursuing on that entire list is Backlund. Maybe Hornquist if he accepts short term, but why would he?
- neem55

I could totally see jb signing Backlund and hornquist to one year deals at under 4 million each.

I just can't figure out why they'd do it, but that's why I'm not a GM

Let's remember, teams were allowed to start discussions with pending free-agents starting January 1st, just over 2 weeks ago. Players like Cogliano have already been re-signed by their teams, expect too see many more drop off the list.
Most of the decent talent will get 3+ year deals, unless they are 30+ year olds, who are hoping too revitalize or hang onto their careers, like Del Zotto(2years) and Vanek.

Mainly the bad contracts get that length. I would open to signing free agents to two year contracts and under 4 mill. Josh Bailey and Mikael Backlund both making less than 4 mill aav. Not sure they accept 2 years, but if not, benning just has to hang up the phone
- Codes1087

Exactly....people seem to think there are only 6mil/6yr UFA's out there...lots of options for players making under 4mil per to sign for under 2-3 years. People need to realize we aren't getting 'value' by keeping the Sedins here on one year deals, and there are players to be had out there that can give us more defensive responsibility on the ice plus put up 40 pts or so...and they won't break the bank or want term.

This.
Just about all the better free agents will get 3-4 or even 6 year deals. Not sure why people can't grasp that.
- Reubenkincade

Exactly, the list of FAs next year that could potentially replace the Sedins, production wise is...
Stastny, Perron, JVR, Neal, Backlund, Hornqvist
Maroon, Grabner, Gibbons, Ryan, Eller, Nash - not quite

The oldest being Ststny at 32 - the rest are between 28-31 - so why any of these guys would accept a 1 or 2 year deal is just not realistic. And the price tags are gonna be fairly high for all of them, minus the last 6 on the list.

Grabners ok, Maroon is terrible, I'd love to steal Gibbons for his speed but i'd wager NJ will re-sign him before year end, Ryan's ok, Eller and Nash couldnt match the Sedins numbers.