Potentially. But even if you look as his shots on goal, that was also down. Just don't think he's going in the right direction. Especially as he gets older.
- blacksheep1

Is there any chance that it was just a down year and worth finding out? Especially if he ends up on the third line because one of the younger guys sticks or we make a splash at the deadline?

Kakko had no goals vs Florida either. Smith didn't have any playoff points last year.
- blacksheep1

I'm not advocating making a 4 year commitment to any of them though

I'm not advocating making a 4 year commitment to any of them though
- jimbro83

That's how you keep cap hits down. Either offer a clause, or more term, or both.

Is there any chance that it was just a down year and worth finding out? Especially if he ends up on the third line because one of the younger guys sticks or we make a splash at the deadline?
- Bean_Dip

Of course there is chance. But this goes back to the problem not being Reilly Smith.

That's how you keep cap hits down. Either offer a clause, or more term, or both.
- blacksheep1

it's a terrible cap hit for Duclair though

fail

That's how you keep cap hits down. Either offer a clause, or more term, or both.
- blacksheep1

But that’s also a commitment to an underperforming player. And we know exactly how that would go 3 years in…

Of course there is chance. But this goes back to the problem not being Reilly Smith.
- blacksheep1

my favorite part of this whole thing is that we both know if the Rangers did sign Duclair to that contract you'd take completely the opposite take you have now

I truly don't believe Smith is the answer on the Zib/Kreider lovefest line. My hope is that he's on the third line. That could mean that Kakko is packaged for a RW for Mika/Kreider or, also not very likely, Othmann somehow comes out and earns it. It would APPEAR that this is the group we've got heading into next season with the idea that we will have plenty of room to add at the deadline. That's not sexy to me but there's no reason that roster won't be in good position come deadline time. I'd love for an out-of-left-field trade right now, though.

If your (the collective "your", not the person i am replying to) response to this is going to be any form of "Drury sux we suck everything sucks i tell everyone that i hope we lose because i have a need to feel any kind of connection to someone on here even if it is hate because i am a sad person" just don't please. i beg of you.
- picklerick

If Smith ends up being our third line winger, then I would be thrilled because it likely means our 1RW issue has been resolved. I'm just starting to think its less and less likely that we are going to trade for someone unexpected, but it would be a nice surprise. I am on the side of while unsexy, sitting and waiting until the TDL is the right move. We will be in a playoff spot, and will have a better understanding of our team build

it's a terrible cap hit for Duclair though

fail
- jimbro83

You thinking singing a 20+ goal player for less than 4 million dollars is bad?

But that’s also a commitment to an underperforming player. And we know exactly how that would go 3 years in…
- Bean_Dip

You're probably right.

Of course there is chance. But this goes back to the problem not being Reilly Smith.
- blacksheep1

I don’t follow.

If Smith has a good year, Drury did a good job getting a depreciated asset at the price he did. If he doesn’t have a good year, then we move on next year. Given Smith’s play history, playoff experience, and need on our roster I’ll take that gamble every day of the week.

You thinking singing a 20+ goal player for less than 4 million dollars is bad?
- blacksheep1

Ive said it multiple times now, that contract gets bought out after year 1

Ive said it multiple times now, that contract gets bought out after year 1
- jimbro83

Seems like they got him for under market value based on over dozen similar contracts signed by players of his caliber. Very odd take by.

https://hockeycomparables...lairs-four-year-contract/

Seems like they got him for under market value based on over dozen similar contracts signed by players of his caliber. Very odd take by.

https://hockeycomparables...lairs-four-year-contract/
- blacksheep1

I don't want him in the way of the young wingers we have coming up

fail

I don't want him in the way of the young wingers we have coming up

fail
- jimbro83

but you're with an older Smith taking away a spot for this year, after GM ___ traded 2 draft picks for him?

I don't understand.

but you're with an older Smith taking away a spot for this year, after GM ___ trade 2 draft picks for him?

I don't understand.
- blacksheep1

Gabe Perreault is not on the team yet

fail

Gabe Perreault is not on the team yet

fail
- jimbro83

Othmann, Berard, Sykora are on the team though.

I think it's fairly obvious Drury didn't want to sign anyone/trade for anyone for more than 1 year. With Laf and Igor deals coming due, that seems to be the smart move. Also, having a winger for an additional 3 years after this who essentially needs to play top 6 minutes to be effective doesn't seem logical with GP in the pipeline. Everyone here I think agrees he is going to need top 6 minutes when he is introduced to the NHL

Othmann, Berard, Sykora are on the team though.
- blacksheep1

additionally, I anticipate Lafreniere making over 7 million starting next year and don't want a bloated Duclair contract making a problem then either

keeeeeeeep failing

Othmann, Berard, Sykora are on the team though.
- blacksheep1

So in win now mode, we should ride with 2 of those 3 players rather than 1 and Smith?

So in win now mode, we should ride with 2 of those 3 players rather than 1 and Smith?
- Bean_Dip

they've got one year left with Shesterkin and Lafreniere making relative peanuts than what they will be making combined starting next season

I really don't know why so many people find this hard to grasp

So in win now mode, we should ride with 2 of those 3 players rather than 1 and Smith?
- Bean_Dip

No, Jim is saying that replacing Smith with Duclair makes that impossible. Also trading Kakko (something supported by a member of James's family) also would create some cap space for this year.

But James is so hyper focused on Duclair that he can't see that Duclair could have potentially been a better option.

That's ok. We'll see in roughly 12 months, right or wrong.

they've got one year left with Shesterkin and Lafreniere making relative peanuts than what they will be making combined starting next season

I really don't know why so many people find this hard to grasp
- jimbro83

I’m not going to sit here and act like it’s been a fun, incredible offseason. But the moves make sense to me and I can rationalize why they were made. Not going to female dog about it, because it’s not like we can change it.

No, Jim is saying that replacing Smith with Duclair makes that impossible. Also trading Kakko (something supported by a member of James's family) also would create some cap space for this year.

But James is so hyper focused on Duclair that he can't see that Duclair could have potentially been a better option.

That's ok. We'll see in roughly 12 months, right or wrong.
- blacksheep1

you literally read nothing I said

you literally read nothing I said

- jimbro83