Sam Hitchcock: Are Any of the UFA Defensemen Worth Retaining?

Dont retain, keep going young unless a vet signs cheaply

Cobe's going to get more than 2 on a contract, Not flashy but I still bet he's good to find a home at 2.5-3M

So with these recommendations, the D would look something like

Hedman - Cernak
McDonagh - Sergachev
Coburn - ______
Rutta

Is Cal Foote ready to take that open spot?
Is Sergachev really a 2nd pairing RD?

With the rumored trade at the TDL for Ristolanien, where would he slot in ideally? Would he make Sergachev expendable if they could take on say a Callahan?

Not even a bolts fan in any real sense, but this One of the best and most informative blogs I’ve read on this site in ages

So what would the recommendation be to sign out of available UFA dmen?

So what would the recommendation be to sign out of available UFA dmen?
- kaptaan

Apparently they like the idea of adding E Karlson.
But at say $8.5m-$9m per after the No State Tax discount...wow does that get complicated after Kuch and Gourde renewal contracts kick-in, and a $8.0 - $9.0m contract for Point.

I just don't see them pulling that off.
I think the money in/money out trade route is their best option.

Cant quote IonSabres for some reason.

I think the Erik Karlsson situation is pretty easy. He holds the keys to his next team. If he wants to come to Tampa then Tampa would be fools to not entertain the thought. If they feel that they can make it work I'm sure they would do it. I'm not sold on Karlsson over the long term but he is a massive upgrade on most Dman.

If they go the trade route and say they offer one of Yanni Gourde or JT Miller they need to get back RHD with Term. To me that would be a Brett Pesce who is not happy in Carolina. I dont see how Risto from the Sabres would make the Bolts better. Trouba would just cost too much.

The guy I like in free agency for a great 3rd pair guy is Oscar Fantenberg from Calgary. You can pair him with Rutta on the 3rd pair and move Sergachev into the top 4. He would also come pretty cheap.

Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

even Palat has a NTC, why do they do it to themselves?

even Palat has a NTC, why do they do it to themselves?
- jimbro83

No trade clauses are movable. The Lightning moved both Bishop and Filppula a couple years ago even though they both had full NTC.

All the NTC does is allow the player some choice with the ability to in a sense pick his next team, the Lightning had a deal in place to send Filppula and Boyle to Toronto but Val vetoed it so they moved him to Philly instead which he accepted.

If the GM goes to the player and says we need to move you to another team could you give me a list of teams you would be willing to look at. Also know if you don't want to move there is a chance you wont play. The Lightning pulled that trick with Eric Brewer a few years back where they sat him until he waived his NTC.

Sucks but its the business. Will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Let Girardi walk. Good riddance.

Keep Stralman on a one-year, prove-it deal - he's been good to us, let's give him one more chance if he will sign short and cheap.

Keep Coburn if he will sign short and cheap also.