Jeremy Laura: Yzerman’s Brome-Mance?

Meh.

Over-age, undrafted European imports rarely turn out to be major difference-makers.

Brome’s last couple of seasons in Sweden imply that he’d likely be about a 35-40 point player in the NHL (per 82 games), purely based on SHL-NHL league translation factors. That's pretty much the definition of "middle six" offense.

Panarin as you pointed out was obviously an exception to the conventional wisdom about undrafted Euro imports, but you have to remember that Panarin:

- Became a full-time KHLer at 19
- Finished just outside the KHL top ten in scoring at age 22
- Finished fifth in KHL scoring at age 23 (62 points in 54 games), which is a lot more impressive than 43 points in 52 SHL games.

Panarin's numbers in his final KHL season project to be about equivalent to 76 points per 82 NHL games, using NHL equivalency estimates. In Panarin’s first season in the NHL, he had 77 in 80.

All that being said, I’m not opposed to signing Brome or any other potentially useful undrafted Euro or college player. He’s probably good enough to play third line in the NHL, you don’t have to give up any assets to get him, and we’ve got the cap space. As long as the contract terms aren’t ridiculous, why not? It’s a free asset.

That said, if it really is true that he’s turned down “millions” from SHL or KHL teams (I’m skeptical, but it’s possible), maybe the terms would be too much. $40 million in cap space or not, I’m not in favor of getting into a big bidding war for a 25-year-old middle six forward.

Meh.

Over-age, undrafted European imports rarely turn out to be major difference-makers.

Brome’s last couple of seasons in Sweden imply that he’d likely be about a 35-40 point player in the NHL (per 82 games), purely based on SHL-NHL league translation factors. That's pretty much the definition of "middle six" offense.

Panarin as you pointed out was obviously an exception to the conventional wisdom about undrafted Euro imports, but you have to remember that Panarin:

- Became a full-time KHLer at 19
- Finished just outside the KHL top ten in scoring at age 22
- Finished fifth in KHL scoring at age 23 (62 points in 54 games), which is a lot more impressive than 43 points in 52 SHL games.

Panarin's numbers in his final KHL season project to be about equivalent to 76 points per 82 NHL games, using NHL equivalency estimates. In Panarin’s first season in the NHL, he had 77 in 80.

All that being said, I’m not opposed to signing Brome or any other potentially useful undrafted Euro or college player. He’s probably good enough to play third line in the NHL, you don’t have to give up any assets to get him, and we’ve got the cap space. As long as the contract terms aren’t ridiculous, why not? It’s a free asset.

That said, if it really is true that he’s turned down “millions” from SHL or KHL teams (I’m skeptical, but it’s possible), maybe the terms would be too much. $40 million in cap space or not, I’m not in favor of getting into a big bidding war for a 25-year-old middle six forward.
- Sven22

Agreed on the bidding war. Also agree on “free asset”. We’ve seen complacency from players who “expect” to be on the roster. Anything to challenge the status quo is good

Agreed on the bidding war. Also agree on “free asset”. We’ve seen complacency from players who “expect” to be on the roster. Anything to challenge the status quo is good
- Jeremy Laura

Now that I think about it, if signing Mathias Brome is what it takes to put Abdelkader in the minors next season I'll pay any price.

Now that I think about it, if signing Mathias Brome is what it takes to put Abdelkader in the minors next season I'll pay any price.
- Sven22

Agreed. Yzerman has some interesting decisions to make. Erne, Perlini, Abdelkader all failed to contribute (in my opinion) and could be easily replaced. Glenny and Helm both worked their tails off. Don’t mind keeping them at all

Agreed. Yzerman has some interesting decisions to make. Erne, Perlini, Abdelkader all failed to contribute (in my opinion) and could be easily replaced. Glenny and Helm both worked their tails off. Don’t mind keeping them at all
- Jeremy Laura

I'm genuinely disappointed by how bad Erne has been, which is saying something given how very modest my expectations were.

Like, the book / analytics on him coming into the season was that he was an above average defensive forward at even strength, good at drawing penalties, and could probably chip in 25-30 points (per 82 games) with consistent third line minutes. For $1 million I thought that was a decent buy, plus he was coming straight from Tampa so presumably Yzerman knew his game well and was confident in him. Then again almost everyone on this squad underperformed horribly, so maybe he has a bounce back in him.

On the other hand, Perlini and Abdelkader failing to contribute in any meaningful way is no surprise IMO. Even in an ideal environment Perlini is a fourth-line quality player and Abdelkader is barely one step ahead of the beer leagues.