Brad Richards is going to sign a retirement contract. Don't think temporary is in the cards here.
- Tomahawk

Yea I understand that, I was thinking in terms of a leadership role, I dont think bringing in Richards would stunt the growth of Giroux or JVR in defning their roles on the club..........but you're right I wouldnt want to break the bank for Richards.

Because the current lineup -- no matter how you spin it -- isn't Cup caliber. Add Brad Richards into the mix and 1) there's much less immediate pressure on Schenn and 2) you replace a bigger chunk of the lost offense.
- bmeltzer

I usually see things from your perspective, but let's at least get a peek at what Schenn can do before we do a repeat of what happened before with overpaying Briere before we saw what we really had with Richards and Carter.

Well, that would be contingent on 1) moving out about another $3 M of salary AND 2) moving up into the top 3 (no lower than top 4) of the draft but if they do that, then yes, it's quite plausible.
- bmeltzer

Bill what do you think Brad Richard's and Landescog's cap hits would be? Just a guess.

i didn't say i want to overpay for him
but i'm not adverse to getting another center
- Don'tForgetTocchet

he's the #1 forward available in free agency. someone is going to overpay for him.

Could you possibly have imagined this scenario yesterday morning?
- funmaster18

Not in a million years. Not saying it will come to fruition, but simply the fact that we're discussing it -- and it is not too far-fetched --- is astounding.

Bill what do you think Brad Richard's and Landescog's cap hits would be? Just a guess.
- Turner21

Landeskog probably wouldn't crack the roster in that scenario. Unless Leino wasn't re-signed.

I would almost rather see Gagne at say 2.5-3 mill then Leino at 4. What kind of contract do you think Gagne could get? I know its a tough question to answer... sorry lol
- jak521

I don't think anyone here is interested in Leino at $4mm.

For the love of Christ... people need to drop the Gagne thing already.

I cant see Carter and Nash on the same line. Both are guys who want the puck and neither are known for their passing/setup abilities. Nash would be better with a nik backstrom type center.
- BradTardforGM

vorachek would have been a better fit

Because the current lineup -- no matter how you spin it -- isn't Cup caliber. Add Brad Richards into the mix and 1) there's much less immediate pressure on Schenn and 2) you replace a bigger chunk of the lost offense.
- bmeltzer

With Brad Richards do you believe they are? My only concern is why make these deals if we have Pronger and Timmo on the back end of the careers. I am not saying I don't like the deals, will all have to see where the chips settle in a few years to declare a winner but can this team have realistic Stanley Cup expectations this year?

I don't think anyone here is interested in Leino at $4mm.

For the love of Christ... people need to drop the Gagne thing already.
- Number23

At 2.5 million i would take Gagne 8 days a week. Especially with him on a line with JvR and Giroux

he's the #1 forward available in free agency. someone is going to overpay for him.
- bradleyc4

You could say he's overpaid now... He's gonna get a ridculous deal especially if you have the likes of NYR and the Leafs in the bidding war.

EDIT: Also, don't we have a ton of our own FA's to sign too in the near future??
JVR, Coburn, etc... not to mention the guys we just dealt for?

Bill what do you think Brad Richard's and Landescog's cap hits would be? Just a guess.
- Turner21

Hard to guess in Richards' case, but I think it will right around where he was on his last contract (unless it's ultra front-loaded ala Bryzgalov). For Landeskog's ELC, I would say about $2.5 M with all bonuses figured.

i didn't say i want to overpay for him
but i'm not adverse to getting another center
- Don'tForgetTocchet

With Toronto and the Rangers involved, the cost is going to be astronomical.

he's the #1 forward available in free agency. someone is going to overpay for him.
- bradleyc4

he was already overpayed once, i am curious to see what he gets this time

we went from being stacked at center to me being already scared of having one injury to a center
i wouldn't mind having one more
- Don'tForgetTocchet
- jak521

We had 4 All Star Caliber Centers above Blair Betts.
Richards, Carter, Briere, Giroux.
With that amount of talent at one position you're looking at positional displacement or reduced minutes.

After the playoffs? I don't want to see JvR getting reduced minutes this coming year (please strike this from the record in the event of a down year for JvR (which I highly doubt happens, kid bought his offseason house in correlation with training regimen))

Hard to guess in Richards' case, but I think it will right around where he was on his last contract (unless it's ultra front-loaded ala Bryzgalov). For Landeskog's ELC, I would say about $2.5 M with all bonuses figured.
- bmeltzer

Thanks.

Not in a million years. Not saying it will come to fruition, but simply the fact that we're discussing it -- and it is not too far-fetched --- is astounding.
- bmeltzer

talk about extreme makeover

i hope they dont resign leino, waste of money..id rather have gagne at 2.5-3mil

With Toronto and the Rangers involved, the cost is going to be astronomical.
- Tomahawk

if he signs in toronto it's because they overpaid and he will not live up to the contract the leafs will sign him for

With Toronto and the Rangers involved, the cost is going to be astronomical.
- Tomahawk

even if we dont get him it cant hurt to jack his price up big time for the Rangers. Put them in more cap hell

i hope they dont resign leino, waste of money..id rather have gagne at 2.5-3mil
- mydoglicks

sign gagne!

With Brad Richards do you believe they are? My only concern is why make these deals if we have Pronger and Timmo on the back end of the careers. I am not saying I don't like the deals, will all have to see where the chips settle in a few years to declare a winner but can this team have realistic Stanley Cup expectations this year?
- Pat MaGroin

The D is built to win now. The forward corps is now built to win a few years down the road. Adding B Richards and a defense prospect would better bridge that gap.

brad richards is looking for a 8 year deal worth 55 mil

i hope they dont resign leino, waste of money..id rather have gagne at 2.5-3mil
- mydoglicks

Id love Leino at 2.5

I'd love Gagne at a cap hit under 2M

We had 4 All Star Caliber Centers above Blair Betts.
Richards, Carter, Briere, Giroux.
With that amount of talent at one position you're looking at positional displacement or reduced minutes.

After the playoffs? I don't want to see JvR getting reduced minutes this coming year (please strike this from the record in the event of a down year for JvR (which I highly doubt happens, kid bought his offseason house in correlation with training regimen))
- Ferrarimn7

i was ok with the thought of losing ONE of our centers
losing two has me munching tums today