Makes zero sense.
- mxgsfmdpx

You're right, calling Soupy a better all around player makes zero sense.

Come on now. Do you really think Suter would settle for $500,000 to $1 million more than what Paul Martin makes just to play with the Penguins?

Quit fooling yourself.
- EKolb13

Martin happened to turn out to be a bad signing, so I don't think the comparison is fair. Why not compare to Komiserek on Toronto at 4.5, Suter is worth more than double him, easy...so should he get 9mil+??

Why would you dump a better all around d man in Brian Campbell (remember him, he helped win you a cup) just to turn around and sign a worse player, for almost as much money?

Makes zero sense.
- mxgsfmdpx

Well maybe that is part of the reason for signing Suter... It could be possible that they thought they could compete without Campbell but now realize that they need another very good D man,and now they might try and make up for that mistake...and if Suter's cap hit is a little less than Campbell's and the salary cap goes up,it would pu them in a better situation as far as cap flexibility is concerned...not saying it is going to happen for sure,but it is possible...I really am not a baseball fan,but Prince Fielder signed with Detroit because they could offer him cash,a chance to compete and his old man playing for them had an effect too

Martin happened to turn out to be a bad signing, so I don't think the comparison is fair. Why not compare to Komiserek on Toronto at 4.5, Suter is worth more than double him, easy...so should he get 9mil+??
- mventres

Who said anything in life was fair?

No, trying to logically explain that "Suter is twice the player that Komisarek is, so he should get double his salary" is crap.

Seriously, is Suter worth Crosby/Malkin money? No. Is Suter the best defenseman on the free agent market this summer? Yes. Is Suter a top paring guy? Yes. Top guys like Suter, especially with an extremely low supply of these players being available, will be asking for about the same salary (or cap hit) as the top 5 salaries in the league are paid for the position. That's what makes sense, at least from Suter's standpoint in negotiating.

Who said anything in life was fair?

No, trying to logically explain that "Suter is twice the player that Komisarek is, so he should get double his salary" is crap.

Seriously, is Suter worth Crosby/Malkin money? No. Is Suter the best defenseman on the free agent market this summer? Yes. Is Suter a top paring guy? Yes. Top guys like Suter, especially with an extremely low supply of these players being available, will be asking for about the same salary (or cap hit) as the top 5 salaries in the league are paid for the position. That's what's fair and makes sense.
- EKolb13

Not even close, but when a player hits unrestriced free agency the logic behind what a player is "worth" gets thrown out the window. It comes down to which team wants a player more. If Chicago wants Suter they'll pay more than anyone else, whatever that happens to be. If Suter was an RFA he'd likely get $5 - $5.5 million, but since he's a UFA he can command whatever the market bears.

Well maybe that is part of the reason for signing Suter... It could be possible that they thought they could compete without Campbell but now realize that they need another very good D man,and now they might try and make up for that mistake...and if Suter's cap hit is a little less than Campbell's and the salary cap goes up,it would pu them in a better situation as far as cap flexibility is concerned...not saying it is going to happen for sure,but it is possible...I really am not a baseball fan,but Prince Fielder signed with Detroit because they could offer him cash,a chance to compete and his old man playing for them had an effect too
- captainserious

If I'm not mistaken, I thought Fielder and his father didn't have much of a relationship.

If anything, the signing of Fielder in Detroit came down to a lack of solid offers for the money and years Fielder was looking for.

Unless one of Keith, Kane, Hossa, or Sharp are leaving this off season, I have very little interest in signing another player to a long term, big $ contract. Pass.

Not even close, but when a player hits unrestriced free agency the logic behind what a player is "worth" gets thrown out the window. It comes down to which team wants a player more. If Chicago wants Suter they'll pay more than anyone else, whatever that happens to be. If Suter was an RFA he'd likely get $5 - $5.5 million, but since he's a UFA he can command whatever the market bears.
- DarthKane

I think you summed it up better than I did.

Unless one of Keith, Kane, Hossa, or Sharp are leaving this off season, I have very little interest in signing another player to a long term, big $ contract. Pass.
- Ogilthorpe2

Would your opinion change if the league raises the cap?

If I'm not mistaken, I thought Fielder and his father didn't have much of a relationship.

If anything, the signing of Fielder in Detroit came down to a lack of solid offers for the money and years Fielder was looking for.
- EKolb13

I know they had a rocky relationship,but I thought I read that last year they were talking much more and actually were mending the fence or what not..and I clearly remember reading somewhere Prince saying it was surreal playing in the city where he grew up...Maybe his old man didn't have that effect on him,but I think Prince getting all nostalgic about being able to play in Detroit did...and that could be a good reason Suter signs in Chicago,I'm pretty sure he get's a little nostalgic too,and playing close to home for a team you grew up rooting for,your uncle played for and still has ties to,being paid well and being able to contend could all very well influence his decision,even that dbag Hamhuis signed with Vancouver because of some of these reasons,so i don't see a reason why Suter wouldn't sign in Chicago

Unless one of Keith, Kane, Hossa, or Sharp are leaving this off season, I have very little interest in signing another player to a long term, big $ contract. Pass.
- Ogilthorpe2

I tend to agree with what you are saying,but if you trade Hammer and Frolik,and the cap goes up,then you can sign Suter,and find another shot blocking dman for a lot less than Hammer makes,and even have a little money to fill out the roster with some size...just for the record i am a Hammer and Frolik supporter,not saying that it is that easy to trade them,just hypothetically speaking

I know they had a rocky relationship,but I thought I read that last year they were talking much more and actually were mending the fence or what not..and I clearly remember reading somewhere Prince saying it was surreal playing in the city where he grew up...Maybe his old man didn't have that effect on him,but I think Prince getting all nostalgic about being able to play in Detroit did...and that could be a good reason Suter signs in Chicago,I'm pretty sure he get's a little nostalgic too,and playing close to home for a team you grew up rooting for,your uncle played for and still has ties to,being paid well and being able to contend could all very well influence his decision,even that dbag Hamhuis signed with Vancouver because of some of these reasons,so i don't see a reason why Suter wouldn't sign in Chicago
- captainserious

It's an angle that I would think helps Chicago's chances in signing Suter.

What about Sharp and Crawford for Lucic and Thomas. Sharp could step in if Horton is not 100%. Crawford will replace Thomas' spot. Have money to sign Rask.

For everyone who is thinking they can get Suter for 5-6 million, keep dreaming..Maybe for 1 or 2 years, but you would have to give up so much to get that, it would be worth it. Trust me, Poile will trade Suters rights before he become as UFA.

I would venture to say, if he leaves, he is looking at 7.0 million. If he stays in NSH, he may accept as much as 6.5, no lower. And that is because he knows that the team still needs money left over to bring in more talent.

Now, the wild card is Weber. If Weber ends up signing for more then 7.5 Suter will want at least 7.

only flaw in the spending argument is that it was Dale Talon who overspent for campbell and huet.. Bowman hasn't shown the balzz to make any moves other than signing aged vets and premature rookies.

For everyone who is thinking they can get Suter for 5-6 million, keep dreaming..Maybe for 1 or 2 years, but you would have to give up so much to get that, it would be worth it. Trust me, Poile will trade Suters rights before he become as UFA.

I would venture to say, if he leaves, he is looking at 7.0 million. If he stays in NSH, he may accept as much as 6.5, no lower. And that is because he knows that the team still needs money left over to bring in more talent.

Now, the wild card is Weber. If Weber ends up signing for more then 7.5 Suter will want at least 7.
- dgutzman

I agree with the highlighted.

Is Weber still arbitration elegible? If he ends up there again, I wouldn't doubt he gets awarded $7.5 million again. If Weber ends up going to arbitration again, I'd have to think his relationship with Nashville may be damaged beyond repair.

only flaw in the spending argument is that it was Dale Talon who overspent for campbell and huet.. Bowman hasn't shown the balzz to make any moves other than signing aged vets and premature rookies.
- ge1002

It might be McDonough pushing for this.

It might be McDonough pushing for this.
- EKolb13

That is exactly what I thought

For everyone who is thinking they can get Suter for 5-6 million, keep dreaming..Maybe for 1 or 2 years, but you would have to give up so much to get that, it would be worth it. Trust me, Poile will trade Suters rights before he become as UFA.

I would venture to say, if he leaves, he is looking at 7.0 million. If he stays in NSH, he may accept as much as 6.5, no lower. And that is because he knows that the team still needs money left over to bring in more talent.

Now, the wild card is Weber. If Weber ends up signing for more then 7.5 Suter will want at least 7.
- dgutzman

I don' think anyone can get him for 5 mil or 6 mil..but his cap hit can very likely be 6m if it is spread out over enough years,and that is all that matters for us Blackhawk fans that would like to see him in Chicago...a cap hit of 6.5mil and if the cap goes up they will have enough cap room to make another few moves,considering they trade out some salary

Unless one of Keith, Kane, Hossa, or Sharp are leaving this off season, I have very little interest in signing another player to a long term, big $ contract. Pass.
- Ogilthorpe2

Keith 3rd year of LT contract
Hossa 4th year of LT contract
Kane and Toews 3rd of 5yr contract
Sharp 1st year of 5 yr
Seabs 2nd year of 5 yr
Hjram 3rd year of 4 yr

7, 2, 19 and 88 have no trade or no movement clauses...81 and 10 do not.

Sharp not going anywhere with that new 30+ mil contract about to kick in and with Hossa a health ???.

The K boys...doubtful a move with either of them. Kane more likely but not for just salary clearing purposes.

So if Sutter is coming....salary clearing will most likley be #4.

For everyone who is thinking they can get Suter for 5-6 million, keep dreaming..Maybe for 1 or 2 years, but you would have to give up so much to get that, it would be worth it. Trust me, Poile will trade Suters rights before he become as UFA.

I would venture to say, if he leaves, he is looking at 7.0 million. If he stays in NSH, he may accept as much as 6.5, no lower. And that is because he knows that the team still needs money left over to bring in more talent.

Now, the wild card is Weber. If Weber ends up signing for more then 7.5 Suter will want at least 7.
- dgutzman

If Suter decides to not resign with Nashville I think he is going to test the UFA market regardless of who trades for him.

If Suter decides to not resign with Nashville I think he is going to test the UFA market regardless of who trades for him.
- hawks1921

Maybe. Unless that team is where Suter wants to be and gives him an offer that near impossible to walk away from, he may not test the market at all.

Love the idea of Sutter becoming a Hawk as a free agent acquisition. I also like the idea of the Hawk making a big splash this summer via a trade. Why not subscribe to the Branch Rickey method of trading players right at or before they begin their downside. By this, I mean trading Keith. While I would love having three studs on D, Suttet + Seabs is ok with me. Get creative and go after that stud (supposed) d-man who should go at #4 in the draft. Make a package deal. Start to secure your future.

3 way deal... Vanek to Chicago
Kane to Pittsburgh
J.Staal to Buffalo

To many quality RW in Chicago and pretty weak on the left...
Toews happy to be rid of Kane...

Crosby gets a great winger to play with... Malkin/Neal Crosby/Kane...

Buffalo gets the big center they covet... J.Staal happy to be a #1

Just the bones of a deal I am sure everyone would have a tweak here or there..

For everyone who is thinking they can get Suter for 5-6 million, keep dreaming..Maybe for 1 or 2 years, but you would have to give up so much to get that, it would be worth it. Trust me, Poile will trade Suters rights before he become as UFA.

I would venture to say, if he leaves, he is looking at 7.0 million. If he stays in NSH, he may accept as much as 6.5, no lower. And that is because he knows that the team still needs money left over to bring in more talent.

Now, the wild card is Weber. If Weber ends up signing for more then 7.5 Suter will want at least 7.
- dgutzman

THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN , the Preds. lost their leverage for a trade when he was not traded at the dead line this year, No one is going to give up any assets no matter how small for the rights to Suter when they can sign him on 7/1.

Secondly , no player takes less $ so that his team can acquire more talent. Nashville went for it this year and didn't win it. I liked their moves at the trade dead line it just didn't work out. And in a worse case senerio they lose Suter and Weber ,they 'll have a boat load of $ to spend.