Pretty much the ONLY way Detroit can go for him is if Lidstrom retires, and I heard recently he is leaning toward coming back again. Understand this, if he wants to play, he is not going to retire so they can get in on Suter. Furthermore, the Wings would be incredibly foolish to want him to do so—only so they can lose Suter to someone else.
- John Jaeckel

I'd be jacked if Suter and Karlsson were our number 1 pairing for the next 5+ years. I won't lie. Parise is my favorite player in the NHL, and I'd love him to sign with the Sens but if our team could only have one impact FA signing, clearly it's be the D. Suter would help us elevate to that next level with the development of some of our young ponies. We already proved our worth in that 7 game series with the Rags which also was able to highlight our deficiancies in our own end. Suter solves that the moment he signs the deal.

I'd be jacked if Suter and Karlsson were our number 1 pairing for the next 5+ years. I won't lie. Parise is my favorite player in the NHL, and I'd love him to sign with the Sens but if our team could only have one impact FA signing, clearly it's be the D. Suter would help us elevate to that next level with the development of some of our young ponies. We already proved our worth in that 7 game series with the Rags which also was able to highlight our deficiancies in our own end. Suter solves that the moment he signs the deal.
- Lohaus

I dunno, Cowen-Karlsson should be a very good pair to build around for the next 5-7 years if you're a Sens fans. No need to go after Suter at this stage.

I dunno, Cowen-Karlsson should be a very good pair to build around for the next 5-7 years if you're a Sens fans. No need to go after Suter at this stage.
- andru2797

I like the idea of Cowen on a more defensively minded pairing, to be honest. Cowen is showing off why he was projected a top 3 pick prior to hurting his knee. He's developed into a beast of a player and will only get better in time. Cowen also has a bit of a 2 way game as well and isn't afraid to make the jump when needed, but I'd rather he and Karlsson have their own pairs. With Suter, you have a responsible player who has a higher IQ for playing defense than 95% of his peers which will allow Karlsson to continue to show off why he is a ridiculous talent without worry of whats happening behind him. Plus, I'd love to see the one timer show with he and Suter hammering pucks at the NHL's finest netminders.

JJ, believe it or not I don't disagree with a whole lot of what you've posted the last few days, so here goes.

PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT my prediction of what will happen, but merely what I would try and do if I were the GM.

Here would be my ideal summer as GM of this team:

The summer of the 3 big, aggressive moves; 1 big change at each: goaltending, defense and at forward.

1. Goaltending

PLAN A: A lot of people will probably scoff at this one, but here goes. Big acquisition of the summer: Roberto Luongo.

I honestly believe he will give whatever team he goes to a chance to win a Cup in the next 3-5 years, which I believe are the years in which he will still be able to perform at an elite level, and the years in which the Hawks core will be in their prime. Deal with his contract after that. For the first time in his career, Luongo will be out to prove everyone that says he can't win the big game wrong. He'll be playing with a chip the size of the Chrysler building on his shoulder. That kind of motivation can sometimes be enough to get a player over the hump. Of course the question then becomes, how do you acquire him? Well, I know that, because of his contract, there is no way the Canucks get market value for him.

The deal: Corey Crawford, Michael Frolik, Niklas Hjalmarsson for Roberto Luongo and Chris Higgins

What the Canucks get

Corey Crawford: Cory Schneider will need a capable backup, and Crawford will both push and take pressure off Schneider. CC would be able to give the Canucks a solid 25-30 starts without missing a beat, and although he's not as athletically gifted as Luongo, plays a very similar style so the players wouldn't have a huge adjustment.

Michael Frolik: he gives the Canucks a good offensive presence on the wing, consistent effort, if not production, and good defensive awareness. Coming off a very good playoff for the second year in a row should be enough to attract attention from a team who is starving for playoff performers.

Niklas Hjalmarsson: solid, if unspectacular top 4 defenseman with big hit potential and elite shot blocking skills. Would be an asset to the Canucks defense and brings Stanley Cup experience on the back end.


- andru2797

Well....

Luongo is > than Crawford.

I hate to say this but I would entertain the idea. As long as they take salary back to negate the cap effect it would make a lot of sense. To think Luongo wearing our jersey. It would be like eating broccoli, take time to get use to but good for you.

I dunno, Cowen-Karlsson should be a very good pair to build around for the next 5-7 years if you're a Sens fans. No need to go after Suter at this stage.
- andru2797

Love your call on Jim Slater. Totally under the radar guy who fills every need. I have been a big proponent of going after Greg Campbell, but Slater might even be better. Bolland and Stalberg won't fetch Staal, though, IMO. Maybe have to throw in a prospect.

Well....

To think Luongo wearing our jersey. It would be like eating broccoli, take time to get use to but good for you.
- scorerstouch

Ahhhh....no

I'd be jacked if Suter and Karlsson were our number 1 pairing for the next 5+ years. I won't lie. Parise is my favorite player in the NHL, and I'd love him to sign with the Sens but if our team could only have one impact FA signing, clearly it's be the D. Suter would help us elevate to that next level with the development of some of our young ponies. We already proved our worth in that 7 game series with the Rags which also was able to highlight our deficiancies in our own end. Suter solves that the moment he signs the deal.
- Lohaus

hey Lohaus .... what would you give up to get Hossa back in a Sens uniform - assuming he recovers from his injury???

If Chicago were desperate to get rid of him in order to get Suter would I have my Sens coloured glasses on to think we could do a one for multiple player deals???

That said, I agree that getting Suter would be a better for Ottawa than Hossa...

Ahhhh....no
- Return of the Roar

Oh ok you would rather have Crawford still between the pipes? Yeah that makes sense. Luongo is better, you can't argue that.

Ahhhh....no
- Return of the Roar

Gillis would probably be laughing his a s s off if we took Bobby Poo off his hands.

Something else to consider where Suter is concerned: I don't think the Hawks necessarily give him a bigger contract than Keith in terms of total value, and maybe slightly more than Seabrook, so 7 million is out of the question. I could see them however giving him 6-6.5 on a shorter term than Keith, say 6 or 7 years.

A lot will depend on what number Weber is signed at. That will set the bar. If Weber gets an annual of 7.5, then Suter at 6.5 makes a lot of sense.

That said, 3 5.5+ million dollar dmen? That's hard to swallow...

Speaking of long contracts, is anyone else hoping for an LA-PHI final, with Carter scoring in OT of game 7 assisted by Richards and Williams? I know I am.

hey Lohaus .... what would you give up to get Hossa back in a Sens uniform - assuming he recovers from his injury???

If Chicago were desperate to get rid of him in order to get Suter would I have my Sens coloured glasses on to think we could do a one for multiple player deals???

That said, I agree that getting Suter would be a better for Ottawa than Hossa...
- GadesnSens

Best avatar i've seen today....hubba hubba

hey Lohaus .... what would you give up to get Hossa back in a Sens uniform - assuming he recovers from his injury???

If Chicago were desperate to get rid of him in order to get Suter would I have my Sens coloured glasses on to think we could do a one for multiple player deals???

That said, I agree that getting Suter would be a better for Ottawa than Hossa...
- GadesnSens

I'd love to have Hossa back, oh lord. Such a dumb situation here that got him shipped out. Muckler. meh.

As for what I'd deal, I have no idea really. It'd really have to do with Hossa' health. I'd welcome him back with open arms though. He was nothign but a pro here.

Again... Muckler. Meh.

Gillis would probably be laughing his a s s off if we took Bobby Poo off his hands.
- philco28

I dunno...I'm not convinced Schneider would do any better in the playoffs. I mean Lu has to leave VAN at this point, but he's still a quality G. Schneider has never won a series.

hey Lohaus .... what would you give up to get Hossa back in a Sens uniform - assuming he recovers from his injury???

If Chicago were desperate to get rid of him in order to get Suter would I have my Sens coloured glasses on to think we could do a one for multiple player deals???

That said, I agree that getting Suter would be a better for Ottawa than Hossa...
- GadesnSens

Hossa was our leading scorer and best offensive threat, We're not losing Hossa to get Suter. JJ said it best we lose Bolland and Hammer makes up for the Suter contract. If we do a 10 year upfront contract the cap hit will be lower too.

Something else to consider where Suter is concerned: I don't think the Hawks necessarily give him a bigger contract than Keith in terms of total value, and maybe slightly more than Seabrook, so 7 million is out of the question. I could see them however giving him 6-6.5 on a shorter term than Keith, say 6 or 7 years.

A lot will depend on what number Weber is signed at. That will set the bar. If Weber gets an annual of 7.5, then Suter at 6.5 makes a lot of sense.

That said, 3 5.5+ million dollar dmen? That's hard to swallow...

Speaking of long contracts, is anyone else hoping for an LA-PHI final, with Carter scoring in OT of game 7 assisted by Richards and Williams? I know I am.
- andru2797

I figure Weber will get 8 mill, he's at 7.5 right now and if he stayed in Nashville, one has to assume a raise. Suter will get 7+, thats my feeling.

I dunno...I'm not convinced Schneider would do any better in the playoffs. I mean Lu has to leave VAN at this point, but he's still a quality G. Schneider has never won a series.
- andru2797

Schneider no great shakes to me...but Luongo here....NO THANKS.

>Many thanks for this, JJ
>In an era when the most dollars usually prevail, the "human element" is often overlooked as an important influence
>Maybe Suter is tired of playing hockey in a non-hockey town, tired of playing for a "Bettman-manufactured" franchise -- a franchise that couldn't even hit 100% in attendance (97.5%) in the regular season -- their most exciting year ever
>Maybe the last minute addition of Russians to the roster is also not helping
>But, family trumps all -- most hockey players are thisclose with their fathers