Yes it is a lot but the Brock Nelson contract set the trend. your 50-60 point guys are going to be this much going forward. It is an over payment but it isnt a large one.

This is the market.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Nelson, like Turris, is another good comparable to Hayes. They both got 6M.

I like trying to find underlying value as much as anyone, but I don't like paying for it up front because now you're hoping he improves his totals just to be worth his contract on the front end, let alone as he ages.

If we do move Kessel I would love Connolly from Washington. One of my favorite UFA's this year. Last season he was given a 150% increase in ice time at 5v5 and his production doubled! His shooting percentage was at his career average too. He was able to generate twice as many shots in a top 6 role and was rewarded without seeing a drastic increase in his shooting%. 40+ 5v5 points is very good
He is also 6'3 and isn't a bad skater. I'd be more than fine with signing a guy like that if Phil is moved for cap space.
- burgh4life87

I wonder what the price is for Connolly. That guy has a crazy shooting percentage but this was the first year he took 100 shots. That's a guy who might benefit playing up the line up with a star center.

As far as I know. Hayes contract comes without an NMC. I’d too gladly give him 500k more per and an extra year in order to expose him at the entry draft. What would skinners deal have been without an NMC? 10 mil per? People are overreacting to this deal. Hayes is a versatile player

If we do move Kessel I would love Connolly from Washington. One of my favorite UFA's this year. Last season he was given a 150% increase in ice time at 5v5 and his production doubled! His shooting percentage was at his career average too. He was able to generate twice as many shots in a top 6 role and was rewarded without seeing a drastic increase in his shooting%. 40+ 5v5 points is very good
He is also 6'3 and isn't a bad skater. I'd be more than fine with signing a guy like that if Phil is moved for cap space.
- burgh4life87

I’m a big Connolly fan too. I liked watching him when he was in Tampa. He’s got some good hands and a good shot. I think he’s a little slow but he’s a good player.

Mike - I get what you’re saying. They’re definitely less talked about but I don’t think they’re lost on GMs around the league

Vic - I think you’re right, $4MM for Donskoi would be a steal. Imagine how his production might explode (relative to what it’s been) if he got a bump in TOI

Rino - I don’t get your logic. If free agents are going up in dollar amount, then the value of guys already signed for less become more valuable. So if Hayes as a rental goes for a 1st, a roster player, and a pick/prospect then why would JT Miller be worth less?? Miller has a higher pts/60 by 10 basis points, he’s younger, has higher possession quality. What am I missing?

Tojo - I think Hayes is better than Nelson and Turris. Than Nelson: better in the dot, seems to drive play at a higher rate relative to his teammates, it seems like their point shares are similar. Nelson definitely has the higher QoT often playing with Bailey, Lee, and Eberle. His pts/60 is 2.2 relative to Hayes at 2.5 which is a decent gap. Last 5 years Hayes pts/60 lowest was 2 and highest was 2.6, for Nelson it’s 1.4-2.2. I think Hayes is more valuable

I would definitely give Perry 1 mill for 1 year after he's bought out if I was a GM...Perry in your bottom 6 for cheap and not expected to produce at elite levels could be effective.

Kessel for Caleb Jones, swapping 1st rounders, and Edmonton's 3rd rounder.

Kessel gets to play with McDavid so he says yes.

Mike - I get what you’re saying. They’re definitely less talked about but I don’t think they’re lost on GMs around the league

Vic - I think you’re right, $4MM for Donskoi would be a steal. Imagine how his production might explode (relative to what it’s been) if he got a bump in TOI

Rino - I don’t get your logic. If free agents are going up in dollar amount, then the value of guys already signed for less become more valuable. So if Hayes as a rental goes for a 1st, a roster player, and a pick/prospect then why would JT Miller be worth less?? Miller has a higher pts/60 by 10 basis points, he’s younger, has higher possession quality. What am I missing?

Tojo - I think Hayes is better than Nelson and Turris. Than Nelson: better in the dot, seems to drive play at a higher rate relative to his teammates, it seems like their point shares are similar. Nelson definitely has the higher QoT often playing with Bailey, Lee, and Eberle. His pts/60 is 2.2 relative to Hayes at 2.5 which is a decent gap. Last 5 years Hayes pts/60 lowest was 2 and highest was 2.6, for Nelson it’s 1.4-2.2. I think Hayes is more valuable
- WSCTeton17

I respect your opinion and understand why you like him better, I just wouldn't give him an extra 1M plus for that. We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

Kessel for Caleb Jones, swapping 1st rounders, and Edmonton's 3rd rounder.

Kessel gets to play with McDavid so he says yes.
- coohill

Kessel for who?

This sounds like a terrible deal.

Perry bought out. You never know with buyouts if they’re willing to take lower contracts since they’re still getting paid, but I would totally take Perry for one or two years at $1.5/$2M if he’s willing to go that route.

I would definitely give Perry 1 mill for 1 year after he's bought out if I was a GM...Perry in your bottom 6 for cheap and not expected to produce at elite levels could be effective.
- MattStrat

Hmmm.... I wonder who I would choose in my bottom 6. ZAR or Perry?

I respect your opinion and understand why you like him better, I just wouldn't give him an extra 1M plus for that. We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.
- Tojo.

I was thinking 6.75 post Skinner trade. As another brave soul eluded to there’s no trade protection, I would give up the extra 400K for that. Essentially underpaying Coutourier makes overpaying Hayes much easier to swallow

You could argue the top 6 quality forwards in Philly now include: Giroux, Voracek, Hayes, JVR, Coutourier, Patrick, Konecny. They’re set on D and Hart looks legit. Wouldn’t surprise me if they move Ghost and Schlemko

I would definitely give Perry 1 mill for 1 year after he's bought out if I was a GM...Perry in your bottom 6 for cheap and not expected to produce at elite levels could be effective.
- MattStrat

What happened to Perry? Injuries? Seems like he scored 50, got paid and disappeared.

My guess: Perry signs in the $4MM range. His career points/60 ranges from 2.1 to 3.2 over the last 9 years. Last year was 1.3 on a horrible team, the prior two years was 2.3 and 2.2. He’s still a 10% shooter. Wouldn’t surprise me one bit if COL takes a shot

I was thinking 6.75 post Skinner trade. As another brave soul eluded to there’s no trade protection, I would give up the extra 400K for that. Essentially underpaying Coutourier makes overpaying Hayes much easier to swallow

You could argue the top 6 quality forwards in Philly now include: Giroux, Voracek, Hayes, JVR, Coutourier, Patrick, Konecny. They’re set on D and Hart looks legit. Wouldn’t surprise me if they move Ghost and Schlemko
- WSCTeton17

It'd be a shame if they moved Ghost as he's probably their best defenseman.

What happened to Perry? Injuries? Seems like he scored 50, got paid and disappeared.
- sammy87

Age regression. Scored 50 at the age of 25. He's now 33.

It'd be a shame if they moved Ghost as he's probably their best defenseman.
- j.boyd919

Yeah, I'd be real broken up if the Flyers moved Ghost. 😉

Hmmm.... I wonder who I would choose in my bottom 6. ZAR or Perry?
- madmike71

I think Perry can do better than our 4th line.

It'd be a shame if they moved Ghost as he's probably their best defenseman.
- j.boyd919

Yeah I dont get them souring on him. Last year wasnt good, and never hit the goal total of the rookie season (they might view him like Maatta in that mindset)... but his rel corsi is good. Possession stats good. Plus minus is bad, but on a middle of the road team with goalie "fun" some years.

If we could deal JJ or Gud for the cap space I'd want to see where they value Ghost at in a trade. Especially if we aren't keeping Schultz after next year.

Perry bought out. You never know with buyouts if they’re willing to take. lower contracts since they’re still getting paid, but I would totally take Perry for one or two years at $1.5/$2M if he’s willing to go that route.
- Rinosaur

I could see Perry interested in playing for Pittsburgh but not on a bottom 6 role. He has very good skills even though I hated his antics. Could he work with Malkin or Crosby? I’d say yes, as long as you plug a hard working guy like Rust or McCann on his line.

Yeah, I'd be real broken up if the Flyers moved Ghost. 😉
- Tojo.

He’s great but Provorov is the #1 on the left side moving forward, they should absolutely keep Ghost for the second pairing but they’ve got Hagg and the more promising Morin, and in a couple years they’re very high on Zamula who just had 56 pts in 61 WHL games. They shouldn’t move ghost because there’s no immediate need as far as a return and his contract is a steal

I think Perry can do better than our 4th line.
- Tojo.

My bet is he wouldn’t sign with Pittsburgh if he won’t have a chance with Sid or Geno. The guy was very good and has hand eye coordination off the charts.

I could see Perry interested in playing for Pittsburgh but not on a bottom 6 role. He has very good skills even though I hated his antics. Could he work with Malkin or Crosby? I’d say yes, as long as you plug a hard working guy like Rust or McCann on his line.
- Barnaby36

I actually think that he could work on a Guentzel-Sid-Perry line, but at what price? That's the problem.

Things to know about Perry: he’s over the hill, he plays strictly RW, just because one team is still paying him doesn’t mean he’s going to go for $1MM when teams like AZ would love for him to come in and score 20/20 (even if that’s his basement), and he got bought out because of his NTC which would’ve required Seattle expansion protection this next offseason (correct me if I’m wrong, I don’t think that’s wrong)

Anaheim couldn’t find anyone to take him because of the NTC with the expansion draft coming

I actually think that he could work on a Guentzel-Sid-Perry line, but at what price? That's the problem.
- j.boyd919

$3M should do the trick imo. He can’t be greedy after getting bought out and having 3 straight bad seasons for his standards.