Peter Tessier: Jets Free Agent Primer, Morrow and Contract Rumour Rumors on Trouba deal, the Jets cap and signing Stastny and the smart Morrow signing.

Great news about Trouba. Thanks Pete.

I say give up on Paul and send him back home to the avalanche! 😂 wishful thinking but I would take him!

Great news about Trouba. Thanks Pete.
- RFawkes

Still a rumour, hopeful true but take with salt

I wonder how Perreault and little’s numbers would look if they switched positions? I’d guess you’d see a bump in little’s and a decrease in Perreault’s as he struggled playing Center last time he was called upon to do so.

Trading little and signing Stasny for anything longer than 3 years is a lateral move and an equal mistake. Now trading little and signing Stastny to only three or less years would be a win!! As long as contract dollars are similar.

What are the chances that Kulikov ends up like Grant Clitsome and winds up on LTIR? Two back surgeries in 2 years sounds almost like the same story. That could be some salary relief.

Would love to see Stastny back at a reasonable amount and term. Problem is. "Reasonable amount and term" gets thrown out the window when Tavares re-signs with the Islanders or July 1, whichever happens first. As soon as Tavares is off the market, formerly sane GM's pull out the 7 year x $7 million contracts. The Jets want Stastny and Stastny doesn't seem to mind the idea of returning but who in their right mind would turn down the kind of money that GM's who lose out on Tavares will throw at the second best UFA centre

Still a rumour, hopeful true but take with salt
- Peter.Tessier

Take with salt. Now would that be a grain or the whole damn shaker. 😀😀😀😀😀

Never mind all of the stats. It was obvious to everyone that Stastny meshed with Laine and Ehlers, better than Little did.
That is not to say that Little is not a valuable player, because he is.

The Kulikov stats might be more telling if they didn't include the Buffalo years. If healthy he can help the team and there may still be an upside that has been veiled by injury.

In a perfect world or on the fantasy team the Jets could swap out Little for Stasny and maybe be a better team for it. If management is convinced that Stasny is the fit they are looking for then cap space needs to be found - we will lose a good player and someone's favourite Jet. I think we have the most depth to surrender at RD - if Trouba is signed look for movement at RD to create cap space.

Reasons for not signing Stasny - cap space costing another good player (Perreault/Myers), and, Roslovic. He shouldn't be expected to deliver as much as Stasny immediately but will develop game and grow into the role, appleton will gain some much needed play time with the Jets.

Moving Little before July 1st would create discord between players and management - they need trust to continue consistently.

Moving Kulikov leaves a bit of a gap on the left side and his cap space will be clear next year when we need it again - not a critical move to make.

Moving Mason's 4m in reality will only save about 2m by the time another backup is signed but maybe if the right opportunity is there.

The Kulikov stats might be more telling if they didn't include the Buffalo years. If healthy he can help the team and there may still be an upside that has been veiled by injury.

In a perfect world or on the fantasy team the Jets could swap out Little for Stasny and maybe be a better team for it. If management is convinced that Stasny is the fit they are looking for then cap space needs to be found - we will lose a good player and someone's favourite Jet. I think we have the most depth to surrender at RD - if Trouba is signed look for movement at RD to create cap space.

Reasons for not signing Stasny - cap space costing another good player (Perreault/Myers), and, Roslovic. He shouldn't be expected to deliver as much as Stasny immediately but will develop game and grow into the role, appleton will gain some much needed play time with the Jets.

Moving Little before July 1st would create discord between players and management - they need trust to continue consistently.

Moving Kulikov leaves a bit of a gap on the left side and his cap space will be clear next year when we need it again - not a critical move to make.

Moving Mason's 4m in reality will only save about 2m by the time another backup is signed but maybe if the right opportunity is there.
- 2.0

The Kulikov vs Morrow stats were 2017-18 and did not include the Buffalo adventure.

So many moving pieces. Lots of ways to sign Stastny for a couple years. Trade Mason, sign Morrissey to a bridge deal and then pay him when other contracts come off the books. Keep Perreault for now then ship him off to Seattle in the expansion draft in a couple of years as we will need cap room then too.

A lot will clear up once they get a couple guys signed. Great if Trouba puts pen to paper.

Thanks for the clarification - it says 2016 to 2018 Wpg/Buf in the stats preamble.

Since I have been pushing in my posts that the best scenario is for Little and Kulikov to be traded and sign Stastny , I therefore completely agree that this needs to happen , even if the return is not what we'd like.

Get it done Chevy.

As for Mason. I'm of the opinion you keep him for one more year. If Helle ever got a major injury we can't be left with someone that is less than capable of handling the workload. An injury to Heel without Mason as a backup could cost the Jets their season. Consider his premium as insurance.

The Kulikov stats might be more telling if they didn't include the Buffalo years. If healthy he can help the team and there may still be an upside that has been veiled by injury.

In a perfect world or on the fantasy team the Jets could swap out Little for Stasny and maybe be a better team for it. If management is convinced that Stasny is the fit they are looking for then cap space needs to be found - we will lose a good player and someone's favourite Jet. I think we have the most depth to surrender at RD - if Trouba is signed look for movement at RD to create cap space.

Reasons for not signing Stasny - cap space costing another good player (Perreault/Myers), and, Roslovic. He shouldn't be expected to deliver as much as Stasny immediately but will develop game and grow into the role, appleton will gain some much needed play time with the Jets.

Moving Little before July 1st would create discord between players and management - they need trust to continue consistently.

Moving Kulikov leaves a bit of a gap on the left side and his cap space will be clear next year when we need it again - not a critical move to make.

Moving Mason's 4m in reality will only save about 2m by the time another backup is signed but maybe if the right opportunity is there.
- 2.0

Kulikov was already trending down in Florida. Buffalo was definitely a mulligan, but it’s not exactly a massive departure from his normal level of play

Kulikov was already trending down in Florida. Buffalo was definitely a mulligan, but it’s not exactly a massive departure from his normal level of play
- Rexypoo

It always comes back to the question - Why?

Why was he trending down in Florida? injuries? moral? role?

Why was Buffalo a mulligan? role? overuse? conflict with coach? injuries?

Most of what I know about him is from Wpg. Management likes him, gave him an excellent contract. Coach likes him, chose him in contraversial decision over Enstrom/Morrow vs Vegas. More injuries. Bottom line is that he hasn't really been settled in with team since perhaps Florida and there is potential for a bit further of a rebound from Buffalo years.

I am assuming that Trouba is unofficially signed to a new contract. Have to figure that if it wasn’t imminent, that he would be traded by now.

So many moving pieces. Lots of ways to sign Stastny for a couple years. Trade Mason, sign Morrissey to a bridge deal and then pay him when other contracts come off the books. Keep Perreault for now then ship him off to Seattle in the expansion draft in a couple of years as we will need cap room then too.

A lot will clear up once they get a couple guys signed. Great if Trouba puts pen to paper.
- Muskwa

I am sure that if Chevy had a crystal ball this time last year, he wouldn't have signed Mason and would get rid of him in a minute if he could. Problem is the only GM's dumb enough to trade for Mason already have Jacob Markstrom, Cam Talbot and Carey Price as their starters.

After the year Mason had, nobody will take a chance on him as part of a hockey trade and he does not have enough term left for Arizona to take on as a way to artificially stay above the salary floor.

I was intrigued by the signing of Mason, but it was a huge mistake. I think one of his injuries occurred during his pre-game nap.

The Kulikov stats might be more telling if they didn't include the Buffalo years. If healthy he can help the team and there may still be an upside that has been veiled by injury.

In a perfect world or on the fantasy team the Jets could swap out Little for Stasny and maybe be a better team for it. If management is convinced that Stasny is the fit they are looking for then cap space needs to be found - we will lose a good player and someone's favourite Jet. I think we have the most depth to surrender at RD - if Trouba is signed look for movement at RD to create cap space.

Reasons for not signing Stasny - cap space costing another good player (Perreault/Myers), and, Roslovic. He shouldn't be expected to deliver as much as Stasny immediately but will develop game and grow into the role, appleton will gain some much needed play time with the Jets.

Moving Little before July 1st would create discord between players and management - they need trust to continue consistently.

Moving Kulikov leaves a bit of a gap on the left side and his cap space will be clear next year when we need it again - not a critical move to make.

Moving Mason's 4m in reality will only save about 2m by the time another backup is signed but maybe if the right opportunity is there.
- 2.0

I don't get this? where is this line of thinking coming from? The Jets have never done this before so its not like its a trend? business is business and things change.

I am sure that if Chevy had a crystal ball this time last year, he wouldn't have signed Mason and would get rid of him in a minute if he could. Problem is the only GM's dumb enough to trade for Mason already have Jacob Markstrom, Cam Talbot and Carey Price as their starters.

After the year Mason had, nobody will take a chance on him as part of a hockey trade and he does not have enough term left for Arizona to take on as a way to artificially stay above the salary floor.

I was intrigued by the signing of Mason, but it was a huge mistake. I think one of his injuries occurred during his pre-game nap.
- Norm.Peterson

I like Jetsnation take on it - Mason is an expensive insurance policy. He will be healthier this year.

I don't get this? where is this line of thinking coming from? The Jets have never done this before so its not like its a trend? business is business and things change.
- Ross77

When a player coming up for contract sees management digging for a loophole in a NMC before the contract kicks in they are not going to trust that the spirit of their own contract will be honored. Hometown discounts will disappear, loyalty to the team will cease. If Chevy had been fired after the playoffs the new GM could have cleaned house and it wouldn't be an issue. (i am not advocating that he should have been let go, I think he has been one of the best in the business since day 1)

When a player coming up for contract sees management digging for a loophole in a NMC before the contract kicks in they are not going to trust that the spirit of their own contract will be honored. Hometown discounts will disappear, loyalty to the team will cease. If Chevy had been fired after the playoffs the new GM could have cleaned house and it wouldn't be an issue. (i am not advocating that he should have been let go, I think he has been one of the best in the business since day 1)
- 2.0

I get what you are saying 2.0, I just see it different. If they were to trade Little before his No move kicks in I can see how it would piss off Little but who else? The Jets have also never done this before so like I said, its not like its a trend or something they have done multiple times so I wouldn't all of a sudden say their reputation is garbage.

Hoemtown discounts is a term thrown around too easily, who gave us this? not Buff, Wheeler or Enstrom on their last deals. Sheif, maybe or did Shief just sign for under value and turn it on the year after? I think we have been fair with our contracts.

I don't see loyalty being questioned at all, players want to win.

I think we are confusing how this team did business with contracts and so called loyalty when we were a basement team around the cap floor and a baron prospect cupboard. times have changed, we are now a cup favorite around the cap ceiling with a full arsenal of prospects. cant do business the same way when your team drastically different.

I get what you are saying 2.0, I just see it different. If they were to trade Little before his No move kicks in I can see how it would piss off Little but who else? The Jets have also never done this before so like I said, its not like its a trend or something they have done multiple times so I wouldn't all of a sudden say their reputation is garbage.

Hoemtown discounts is a term thrown around too easily, who gave us this? not Buff, Wheeler or Enstrom on their last deals. Sheif, maybe or did Shief just sign for under value and turn it on the year after? I think we have been fair with our contracts.

I don't see loyalty being questioned at all, players want to win.

I think we are confusing how this team did business with contracts and so called loyalty when we were a basement team around the cap floor and a baron prospect cupboard. times have changed, we are now a cup favorite around the cap ceiling with a full arsenal of prospects. cant do business the same way when your team drastically different.
- Ross77

Call it karma or whatever but it just seems right. I don't have a clear argument formed but some sayings come to mind:

dance with the one who brung ya
stay true to your school
don't go changing horses mid-stream
trend is your friend

When carving against the wind your ship needs a good keel/rudder. Players are people first, not regular assets - trust and honor matter. Honorable dealings are the basis of this.

Scheifs - Stastny - Little - Lowry down the middle

Once Roslo or Appleton are ready - give them 3rd line then, over time, move em up to 2nd ... if Little still around, move him to wing as been done in the past

Shed Myers, Mason, Enstrom, and Matthias (the latter 2 have already packed) and you free up $17.5M of cap

Friedman suggested packaging Mason up with a prospect (Petan, Dano, Spacek - one of em take your pick) and maybe a low draft pick for a high draft pick(s) ... I'm ok with that - not gonna miss any of em and Mason too expensive for a guy with a soft noggin

Myers for pick(s) and prospect(s) ... fill the cupboards without spending the big coin, now

Poolman slips in 3rd pairing at $900k with Morrow, Chariot, or Kuli ... Niku slips in 2nd pairing with the Byf at $775k

I've said this before - to go deep again next season we f_ckin need Stastny ... who else do we get ?!?!? ... Roslo and Appleton aren't ready ... Tavares won't happen ... O'Reilly is $7.5M/yr (although if there's one team we know we can trade with it would be Buffalo)

Statsny is already proven with the Jets roster ... SIGN HIM !!!!!

It always comes back to the question - Why?

Why was he trending down in Florida? injuries? moral? role?

Why was Buffalo a mulligan? role? overuse? conflict with coach? injuries?

Most of what I know about him is from Wpg. Management likes him, gave him an excellent contract. Coach likes him, chose him in contraversial decision over Enstrom/Morrow vs Vegas. More injuries. Bottom line is that he hasn't really been settled in with team since perhaps Florida and there is potential for a bit further of a rebound from Buffalo years.
- 2.0

Injuries and a change in style seem to have killed his development. He used to be like a slightly more aggressive Morrissey. Once Tallon got ahold of him, the offence and the puck rushing all but disappeared. He was programmed to be a quick Stuart. Racehorse trying to pole a field kinda thing.

*edit* I used to love Kulikov, and I do think he’ll be better going forward. Having said that, he’s still gonna top out as a high end #5 if he can have a 100% healthy year