Peter Tessier: Then there were two... Actually the Jets need more than 2 deal signed but Laine and Connor remain the biggest concern and there might not be as much cap space as people think.

make something work out with buffalo

Let's not forget Comrie is out there to be signed/extended ... if we want to keep the goalie funnel alive

Silent & deep ... a Chevy trademark ... I have no doubt he's workin it

Letestu played the entire year in the AHL last year, he will not be dressed and active for more than 7-10 games this year.

Peter, doesn’t Chevy have to keep enough $ aside to cover end of year bonuses etc?

A key issue for Chevy will be to ensure these deals get wrapped up before the start of the regular season. As we saw with Nylander last year, cap calculation rules prorate the cap hit for the first year of any deal based on the number of days missed in the regular season. Nylander signed a 6 year deal with a $7.5M AAV, but because he signed at the deadline on Dec. 1 and missed approximately 30% of the season, his cap hit was increased dramatically for year 1 to $10,277,778 and then dropped to $6,962,366 for the last 5 years of the deal. That actually worked favorably for the Leafs as they had a ton of cap space last year with Matthews and Marner on entry level deals so allowing for a higher cap hit when they had the space and lower hit when they needed it for their RFAs. That logic will NOT work for the Jets. If either Connor or Laine negotiations slip into the season, even if Chevy can get them for $7.5M AAV like Nylander, the cap hit in 2019/20 goes up every day that goes by and will make it less and less likely to fit them both in under the cap.

Peter,
When do we start talking about the Seattle expansion draft? Any first year player (Vesalainen etc) that play a minimum of games this year will have to be protected. So is it smart to bring up the kids this year?

D'ya want Frolik back?
Call Brad.

I don't like the idea of buying out Kulikov and would much rather see a trade with a sweetener to get it off the books and free some cap space.

His play has been closer to a 1.5m defenseman than a 4.3m player and on the surface of it a buyout would reduce cap hit by about 3m/year. Replacing him will cost about 1-1.5m for a similar quality player and saves only 1.5-2m cap space. That is not so bad but then you have to do it again next year when cap space is also tight, maybe tighter.

A trade frees the entire 4.3 for this year and next (there wont be another 1.4 cap hit next year) and is worth a significant sweetener to move.

Peter,
When do we start talking about the Seattle expansion draft? Any first year player (Vesalainen etc) that play a minimum of games this year will have to be protected. So is it smart to bring up the kids this year?
- Tommycasino

Actually Vesalainen is exempt from expansion draft. His first year doesn't kick in until this season. That is a huge plus.

make something work out with buffalo
- tyler46

whats your offer?

Peter,
When do we start talking about the Seattle expansion draft? Any first year player (Vesalainen etc) that play a minimum of games this year will have to be protected. So is it smart to bring up the kids this year?
- Tommycasino

Vesalainen will not have to be protected.

D'ya want Frolik back?
Call Brad.
- MABster

No

I don't like the idea of buying out Kulikov and would much rather see a trade with a sweetener to get it off the books and free some cap space.

His play has been closer to a 1.5m defenseman than a 4.3m player and on the surface of it a buyout would reduce cap hit by about 3m/year. Replacing him will cost about 1-1.5m for a similar quality player and saves only 1.5-2m cap space. That is not so bad but then you have to do it again next year when cap space is also tight, maybe tighter.

A trade frees the entire 4.3 for this year and next (there wont be another 1.4 cap hit next year) and is worth a significant sweetener to move.
- 2.0

Problem being the “sweetner” would be extremely high ask to take kuli. I firmly believe the jets would have traded Perreault to anyone for even a 5th rounder and there were no takers because they all wanted a sweetener added for even Perreault

Peter, doesn’t Chevy have to keep enough $ aside to cover end of year bonuses etc?
- Tommycasino

Yes he needs to have space.

Peter,
When do we start talking about the Seattle expansion draft? Any first year player (Vesalainen etc) that play a minimum of games this year will have to be protected. So is it smart to bring up the kids this year?
- Tommycasino

I think if they are on entry level deals they are exempt.

I think if they are on entry level deals they are exempt.
- Peter.Tessier

Anyone (Vesalainen) that is just on year one of their Entry Level contract this season does not have to be protected in the Seattle draft. Less than the three years, you do have to be protected when the time comes for draft.

Anyone (Vesalainen) that is just on year one of their Entry Level contract this season does not have to be protected in the Seattle draft. Less than the three years, you do have to be protected when the time comes for draft.
- grahamzky

Guess I should have stated - Less than the three years, you do have to be protected when the time comes for draft "or you will be exposed to draft."

make something work out with buffalo
- tyler46

Or....

To Mtl: Laine, Little
To Wpg: Druin, 2020 1st rd pick

I see Mtl being a lottery team, especially if the two players we send them are on their top unit!!!! Saves a ton of money and Druin would be a great #2 C.

Or....

To Mtl: Laine, Little
To Wpg: Druin, 2020 1st rd pick

I see Mtl being a lottery team, especially if the two players we send them are on their top unit!!!! Saves a ton of money and Druin would be a great #2 C.
- bikeguy99

Absolutely not. Also, no. Additionally, f**k that. And in conclusion, I would rather gouge an unsharpened pencil into my ocular cavity than accept that deal.

Absolutely not. Also, no. Additionally, f**k that. And in conclusion, I would rather gouge an unsharpened pencil into my ocular cavity than accept that deal.
- Rexypoo

Druin is better than Little.
Laine is the Worst player 5v5 that I have ever seen
Mtl's 1st round pick this year will be a top 10, and maybe even a serious lottery contender.

I do not want to see Laine making north of 9M, combined with Little that would be over 15M AAV through till 2024. Does anyone remember the second half of last season? Both were abysmal, and account for half of the jets turnovers.

Druin is better than Little.
Laine is the Worst player 5v5 that I have ever seen
Mtl's 1st round pick this year will be a top 10, and maybe even a serious lottery contender.

I do not want to see Laine making north of 9M, combined with Little that would be over 15M AAV through till 2024. Does anyone remember the second half of last season? Both were abysmal, and account for half of the jets turnovers.
- bikeguy99

Laine, next season, will easily be the best player in the deal. You are trading him for a 2nd line winger that has struggled to adapt, to get rid of a Seattle bound player that isn’t actually a huge problem *right now*. Little is a capable 3C being overused with ill-fitting linemates. Not yet a burden.

So, your deal is to trade Laine (whom still has an unknown ceiling) for a worse final product... to ditch another NHL player, in exchange for a now 20-25ish pick that won’t make an impact until our window is closed already?

Laine, next season, will easily be the best player in the deal. You are trading him for a 2nd line winger that has struggled to adapt, to get rid of a Seattle bound player that isn’t actually a huge problem *right now*. Little is a capable 3C being overused with ill-fitting linemates. Not yet a burden.

So, your deal is to trade Laine (whom still has an unknown ceiling) for a worse final product... to ditch another NHL player, in exchange for a now 20-25ish pick that won’t make an impact until our window is closed already?
- Rexypoo

Really don't see the Habs as a probable trading partner. Most likely trading partners - Philly and Florida. (maybe the Canes)

Laine, next season, will easily be the best player in the deal. You are trading him for a 2nd line winger that has struggled to adapt, to get rid of a Seattle bound player that isn’t actually a huge problem *right now*. Little is a capable 3C being overused with ill-fitting linemates. Not yet a burden.

So, your deal is to trade Laine (whom still has an unknown ceiling) for a worse final product... to ditch another NHL player, in exchange for a now 20-25ish pick that won’t make an impact until our window is closed already?
- Rexypoo

How can you say that after the way Laine closed out the second half of the season? He was a -24, with 6 goals (give or take 2) in the final 40 games. While some players still contribute to their team while struggling to score, this is not the case with Laine. He simply smothers his linemates with turnovers, and is a liability in his own zone. Maybe he will score 35+ goals, but he and his expensive line mates will struggle mightily 5v5. Unless Gary Roberts is willing to personally train and motivate him, I see little improvement coming out of Laine.

How can you say that after the way Laine closed out the second half of the season? He was a -24, with 6 goals (give or take 2) in the final 40 games. While some players still contribute to their team while struggling to score, this is not the case with Laine. He simply smothers his linemates with turnovers, and is a liability in his own zone. Maybe he will score 35+ goals, but he and his expensive line mates will struggle mightily 5v5. Unless Gary Roberts is willing to personally train and motivate him, I see little improvement coming out of Laine.
- bikeguy99

He was terrible in most areas, linemates covering his a$$ at the expense of their own numbers.

The thing is he is only 20yrs old, really likes to score and has that shot. If he can mature even a little into a true professional he becomes a huge asset. I would like to see him progress in both off season and in-season preparation for games, train for some quickness and maybe learn to use that size/ranginess to more ways to score goals (Dave Andreychuk in close, or, 1v1 Mats Sundin wrister through d's legs)

If he signs long term at 8,5m that works, or, short term 6.5m or less.