Question to all: who will be the highest paid rfa? Ufa? How much?
Rfa- I think Matthews wins this category. I'll go with 11-11.5.
Ufa- Panarin might win this one as well. 10-11.

https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/free-agents/

I was scrolling through this site to make my predictions.
- I Am The Breadman

No way, even with Karlsson having a "down" season, he'll still make more $$ than Panarin because he's a defenseman and former Norris winner....
In value, it goes:
Top line centers
1st pair defense
"Top 5-7" goalies
1st line wingers

Well, I'm not convinced true #1 centers are worth more than #1 defenseman, but I'm taking the comparable that McDavid, Crosby, Toews (in his prime) etc etc are worth more than Karlsson, Hedman, Doughty, Keith (in his prime) and Burns etc etc

Sorry, my first reply was while I was using my cell phone and I hate toggling between webpages on my phone. Using a laptop now. I've never been good at estimating salaries (I'd fit right in being a bean counter for Stan!) but here are a few guesses so flame away:

UFAs
Karlsson $10-11M
Panarin, $10-11M
Stone, $9-10M
Duchene, $8-9M

Karlsson may have commanded more than $11M if he wasn't having a less than stellar season. Still pretty good but not up to his past standards.

RFAs
Matthews, $12-13M
Marner, Laine, Aho, Tkachuk, Rantanen, Provorov, Trouba, and Werenski should all get some hefty raises especially Marner, Laine, Aho, and Rantanen.

Don't forget Schmaltz will finally get his lucrative contract!
- AEL_Fox

Don't be sorry. Hahaha, we all play bean counter every now and then.

I see Duchene wanting more. He strikes me as a guy valuing himself as an 8 figure guy.

Laine could usurp Matthews. Aho and Werenski will be paid handsomely, but not like those two.

Schmaltz, haha, maybe making OEL money? Or just wanting OEL money?

Sitting games and skating 9mins / game certainly didn't help his cause and his skating isnt that egrigious.

Hes been able to dominate every level before that on skill alone.

Hes been working out with a skating coach - want to say the same guy tavares worked with - and he's still built kind of like a kid and it takes some guys longer to fill out and some people need the right person to push them to the next level.

Not everyone can step on the ice and be close to a finished product right after juniors.
- fattybeef

I think your analysis is spot on. But hey according to some it was a terrible trade. Strome is a bust and a horrible skater. Too slow etc etc. Seems to be he’s been very solid since coming over and he wins board battles and goes to the net.

No way, even with Karlsson having a "down" season, he'll still make more $$ than Panarin because he's a defenseman and former Norris winner....
In value, it goes:
Top line centers
1st pair defense
"Top 5-7" goalies
1st line wingers

Well, I'm not convinced true #1 centers are worth more than #1 defenseman, but I'm taking the comparable that McDavid, Crosby, Toews (in his prime) etc etc are worth more than Karlsson, Hedman, Doughty, Keith (in his prime) and Burns etc etc
- Slofire94

I did think hard on EK before coming up with my own guess, it was really close, but I think Panarin gets the big bucks in NY, but I could totally be wrong. I have a feeling EK won't stay a Shark, do you think he leaves?

I really liked your position synopsis and values.

I did think hard on EK before coming up with my own guess, it was really close, but I think Panarin gets the big bucks in NY, but I could totally be wrong. I have a feeling EK won't stay a Shark, do you think he leaves?

I really liked your position synopsis and values.
- I Am The Breadman

Yeah, I think Panarin will end up with the Rangers and so will Tarasenko. Tank may get to NYC first via trade this season, then Breadman to follow as a UFA signing. Wonder what the trade package would be between the Rangers and Blues?

Agree, my guess is Karlsson will end up elsewhere in free agency.

Don't be sorry. Hahaha, we all play bean counter every now and then.

I see Duchene wanting more. He strikes me as a guy valuing himself as an 8 figure guy.

Laine could usurp Matthews. Aho and Werenski will be paid handsomely, but not like those two.

Schmaltz, haha, maybe making OEL money? Or just wanting OEL money?
- I Am The Breadman

I see both Duchene and Schmaltz both asking more than they're worth. Schmaltz is younger so it does make sense for him to do a bridge deal for 2-3 years then cash in on the next contract. Duchene is further along in his career and so he may ask for the moon now to finally get his pay day.

Yeah, I think Panarin will end up with the Rangers and so will Tarasenko. Tank may get to NYC first via trade this season, then Breadman to follow as a UFA signing. Wonder what the trade package would be between the Rangers and Blues?

Agree, my guess is Karlsson will end up elsewhere in free agency.
- AEL_Fox

Not sure, because they are rebuilding. Those two definitely help speed along that process. I wouldn't even know where to begin. Their (NYR) first this year is a mid-rounder, which is where Vladdy fell, I think. They also have a few firsts from last tdl.

I think there was a rumor of EK wanting to go to TB. Can't remember where I heard it or if it was accurate.

Schmaltz agreeing to a bridge deal, then cash in ... he's doing well (so far) in Ari, but he has a lot to do to prove his worth. Glad the change of scenery was beneficial for him and Strome.

I did think hard on EK before coming up with my own guess, it was really close, but I think Panarin gets the big bucks in NY, but I could totally be wrong. I have a feeling EK won't stay a Shark, do you think he leaves?

I really liked your position synopsis and values.
- I Am The Breadman

I could see Panarin getting the big bucks as well, I just think that relatively, whatever price GM's set come 7/1/2019, that EK > Panarin by .5M or so.
Worst case, they're even.
Some have said EK wants comparable to Doughty money (and Doughty signed for 88M total... 8*11) which puts 88/7=12.5M-ish AAV
(edit, that would mean EK signs for roughly 12M AAV.. relatively, and I'm referencing what Stamkos signed for in comparison to his UFA offers, taking taxes and ability to "win now" into consideration)...
Panarin on the other hand, is a "small"... "one-dimensional"... dynamic scoring winger with little defensive ability and a very short NHL playoff resume. That may change in May/June 2019, but until then, A former Captain, Norris winner, #1 defenseman named Erik Karlsson is worth more on the open market than a former Calder winner and #1 LW in Panarin.
Plus, both have alleged "off-ice baggage" in Panarin's alleged racist video that surfaced and EK's alleged disagreements with Hoffman etc etc

Note: I'm a huge Panarin fan and was super annoyed when we traded him for Saad. Panarin is "fun" to watch. But he's no Karlsson...

Don't be sorry. Hahaha, we all play bean counter every now and then.

I see Duchene wanting more. He strikes me as a guy valuing himself as an 8 figure guy.

Laine could usurp Matthews. Aho and Werenski will be paid handsomely, but not like those two.

Schmaltz, haha, maybe making OEL money? Or just wanting OEL money?
- I Am The Breadman

I'd bet that Aho gets suckered into one of the best "value" bridge deals (2-3 years) then hits a home-run mega deal after. He didn't start out as a huge star, but in his third season he's definitely keeping pace with other young stars, he just lacks the consistency for a budget team like Carolina to want to mega-commit to him for the next 8 years X ~9-10M

I did think hard on EK before coming up with my own guess, it was really close, but I think Panarin gets the big bucks in NY, but I could totally be wrong. I have a feeling EK won't stay a Shark, do you think he leaves?

I really liked your position synopsis and values.
- I Am The Breadman

Yeah... I think he will.
SJ is a nice place to play (CA native here)
But, there are too many teams and GM's desperate for a game-changer like EK that Doug Wilson won't be able to compete given SJ's cap constraints and EK's mis-fit of use in the Sharks system.
I just can't see a guy signing with a team (for 7-8 years) that he's not excelling with the same way he did the Sens
I also can't see the Sharks prioritizing giving him a max/competitive contract offer when they have 11 UFA/RFA's to deal with after this season is over.
Hawks fans female dog about "cost certainty" but man, the Sharks are SCREWED
https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/sharks

I'd bet that Aho gets suckered into one of the best "value" bridge deals (2-3 years) then hits a home-run mega deal after. He didn't start out as a huge star, but in his third season he's definitely keeping pace with other young stars, he just lacks the consistency for a budget team like Carolina to want to mega-commit to him for the next 8 years X ~9-10M
- Slofire94

Yeah, I could see this happening, too. The show-me-you-are-worth-it bridge deal. I like Aho, he's going to be great for years to come, but I think most young players sign a bridge deal, then go after monster sized contracts.

I like Panarin too. Every July 1st is crazy for too much term and too much aav, but it also sucks we don't get to be a part of it. I am not expecting anything big out of the season, so I'm set on the draft and free agency day. I can see crazy offers on EK for the reasons you state. He's a fun guy to watch. I can see your worst case scenario happening in relation to the 2 players. Reports are Panarin is getting better defensively.

Sharks are screwed, in a number of ways. A lot of guys in their final years, like you pointed out, which means decide who stays, who goes, and manage that mil and some change as cap space, very few draft picks in the good rounds (so they better get to winning), paid a lot with long term to a few older players, and they are an "old" team in terms of collective players. That could hit them hard, fast.

Don't be sorry. Hahaha, we all play bean counter every now and then.

I see Duchene wanting more. He strikes me as a guy valuing himself as an 8 figure guy.

Laine could usurp Matthews. Aho and Werenski will be paid handsomely, but not like those two.

Schmaltz, haha, maybe making OEL money? Or just wanting OEL money?
- I Am The Breadman

If Stan was going to become a true genius he would clear as much cap space move out 3 of the remaining 5 core members .

Draft Hughes, then July 1st offer sheet Matthews and put Toronto's feet to the fire.

IMO that would at least require moving out Keith, Crawford and toews.

Seabrook contract is a hot mess.

I think your analysis is spot on. But hey according to some it was a terrible trade. Strome is a bust and a horrible skater. Too slow etc etc. Seems to be he’s been very solid since coming over and he wins board battles and goes to the net.
- bhawks2241

Strome seems like the guy who doesn't do the skill drills as well or fast as a guy like Schmaltz, but put him in a game and he has more impact but doesn't look as pretty.

If Stan was going to become a true genius he would clear as much cap space move out 3 of the remaining 5 core members .

Draft Hughes, then July 1st offer sheet Matthews and put Toronto's feet to the fire.

IMO that would at least require moving out Keith, Crawford and toews.

Seabrook contract is a hot mess.
- Taylorst1

Strome seems like the guy who doesn't do the skill drills as well or fast as a guy like Schmaltz, but put him in a game and he has more impact but doesn't look as pretty.
- 6628

Works for me. He's not afraid to shoot the puck or go to the net and is only 21. I think he'll only get better.

I think your analysis is spot on. But hey according to some it was a terrible trade. Strome is a bust and a horrible skater. Too slow etc etc. Seems to be he’s been very solid since coming over and he wins board battles and goes to the net.
- bhawks2241

Thanks. I could be totally wrong too but there's some serious potential there, liked the kid his draft year and thought he'd be a perfect change of pace center from Toews. Id like to be hopeful about something this year lol.

Works for me. He's not afraid to shoot the puck or go to the net and is only 21. I think he'll only get better.
- HawkintheD

Nonsense! He sucks

Nonsense! He sucks
- dpard

Strome is on the wrong side of 20, it’s all downhill from here.

Duchene is worth 7.5 a year on a 5 year.

Strome is on the wrong side of 20, it’s all downhill from here.
- DarthKane

Panarin at 9.5 would fit best with Hawks but I dont know if he would leave 1-2 mil a year on the table though

Duchene is worth 7.5 a year on a 5 year.
- nickmo2699

I’d happily sign him to the Hawks for that...
plays all three forward positions
Supposedly prefers fishing to being “one of the boys at the club” and is a buddy of Toews
He can share Kane’s personal driver... taxis and Uber’s are beneath the hawks 🤷🏼‍♂️😂

I’d happily sign him to the Hawks for that...
plays all three forward positions
Supposedly prefers fishing to being “one of the boys at the club” and is a buddy of Toews
He can share Kane’s personal driver... taxis and Uber’s are beneath the hawks 🤷🏼‍♂️😂
- Slofire94

Yeah, I think Panarin will end up with the Rangers and so will Tarasenko. Tank may get to NYC first via trade this season, then Breadman to follow as a UFA signing. Wonder what the trade package would be between the Rangers and Blues?

Agree, my guess is Karlsson will end up elsewhere in free agency.
- AEL_Fox

Sounds like a Ranger thing. Overpay 2 players approaching their late 20's to long term contracts. Then not be quite good enough to win it all for the first couple years. Then the overpaid players stop producing as they hit their 30's. Then start over again because players are willing to come to NY and cash out at the same time.
I have watched this movie too many times.

Strome seems like the guy who doesn't do the skill drills as well or fast as a guy like Schmaltz, but put him in a game and he has more impact but doesn't look as pretty.
- 6628

I watched Tavares closely last night and his skating is not a helluva lot better than Strome's and that is after a few years of going to figure skating school.

I know they are not comparable players at this point in their careers but if Strome is willing to work hard on his physical deficiencies he can become a valuable player for Chicago in time.