Schmidt had a modified no trade clause, so theres nothing Fitz could've done if we were on that, and its pretty likely we were if we're being honest. Fitz has a plan laid out, and that plan doesnt include bringing in a 31 year old forward on a mult-year deal. He's been very clear about what he's looking for and that he was staying out of the big market for F/D. Hard pass on Hoffman, i want no part of him on this team. AA and Duclair would be fine im not hard pressed on adding them. Fitz has had a very solid offseason and i hope he sticks to his plan, look for trades from cap strapped teams(preferably for a D) and avoid free agency. There's zero reason to spend to the cap.


He needs to justify buying out Schneider? It seems pretty clear to me. How about Schneider has been completely washed and shown he cant be a competent backup for the last 2 seasons? And with the upcoming condensed schedule we needed somebody who can actually play half of the games and give us quality starts. Its really not that difficult to understand. Lets be real, Cory should've been bought out last year
- vlongo4419

That's a pretty naive take on Schneids. Guy was a top 5 goalie in this league for 5-6 seasons and had some major injuries. He started playing better down the stretch, but hip surgery takes time to rehab. Our D core sure didn't do Cory any favours. Yes we are better with Crawford, but is that going to make the difference between a cup, not likely. If anything, it would have bettered our draft pick? Potentially. I think the smartest move would have been to rehab the guy. We have Blackwood back to backup if needed, and Daws in the system. Adding Crawford and keeping Schneids on the payroll for an additional 2 years was not the right move.

And you would prefer to play this season with over 12M cap space rather than add a consistent 25+ goal scorer? I'd be happy if we added Hoffman on a term not exceeding 3 years. We can always trade him with cap retained for some more 1st rd selections.

I have defended Fitz plenty, but Dadanov was an absolute steal on a 3 year deal, and I would have loved to have added him to our weak RW

That's a pretty naive take on Schneids. Guy was a top 5 goalie in this league for 5-6 seasons and had some major injuries. He started playing better down the stretch, but hip surgery takes time to rehab. Our D core sure didn't do Cory any favours. Yes we are better with Crawford, but is that going to make the difference between a cup, not likely. If anything, it would have bettered our draft pick? Potentially. I think the smartest move would have been to rehab the guy. We have Blackwood back to backup if needed, and Daws in the system. Adding Crawford and keeping Schneids on the payroll for an additional 2 years was not the right move.

And you would prefer to play this season with over 12M cap space rather than add a consistent 25+ goal scorer? I'd be happy if we added Hoffman on a term not exceeding 3 years. We can always trade him with cap retained for some more 1st rd selections.

I have defended Fitz plenty, but Dadanov was an absolute steal on a 3 year deal, and I would have loved to have added him to our weak RW
- bikeguy99

Its not naive at all actually. Whats naive is thinking Cory will magically bounce back 3 years later and not suck for a 3rd straight season. This season you need 2 competent goalies who can roll out on a nightly basis with the condensed schedule they're going to play. The dumb move wouldve been to keep a guy you cant rely on in Cory, and need to overwork Mac and potentially put him at risk of getting hurt. Fitz absolutely made the right move to buy him out and bring someone in who can be thrown in on any night and give this team a chance to win, Cory couldnt be that guy. Cory being on the payroll will not having affect on this team for those 2 extra years.

As for free agents i guess you didnt listen to Fitz when he said he was staying out of the big free agent market? You did you just ignore it and then get upset when we didnt sign one of them? Hate to break it to you but Hoffman wont be coming here either unless he takes 1 year deal, and even then i dont want him unless we just plan on moving him at the deadline for futures. But yes i would absolutely rather go through the next 2-3 months of having 12M in open cap space in case a potential trade arises from a cap strapped team. Im not wasting that space on a 30+ year old forward and missing out on an opportunity to get a player that could actually fit what Fitz is trying to build and be a piece of this team in the future.

Fitz has said multiple times hes going to be patient and see what comes of the potential trade market. And i agree with what he's doing, stay the hell out of free agency when it doesnt fit what we're building. Plain and simple. If you dont agree and want to sign any and every player that becomes available, thats on you for not understanding/seeing the plan he has.