Michael Stuart: If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em

Stephens dealt to Detroit for a 6th - https://www.nhl.com/light...-from-detroit/c-325875806

Barre Boulet signed for 3 years - https://www.nhl.com/light...year-contract/c-325875702

Stephens dealt to Detroit for a 6th - https://www.nhl.com/light...-from-detroit/c-325875806

Barre Boulet signed for 3 years - https://www.nhl.com/light...year-contract/c-325875702
- GalacticStone

I’m gonna need you guys to trade Sergachev to Detroit okay.

I’m gonna need you guys to trade Sergachev to Detroit okay.
- Feds91Stammer

Honestly, a 6th pick is not a bad return on Stephens. He's a fourth-line grinder who is decent at faceoffs and that's about it.

Honestly, a 6th pick is not a bad return on Stephens. He's a fourth-line grinder who is decent at faceoffs and that's about it.
- GalacticStone

Agreed he’s just a guy. Plays hard. Get what ya can. He’s 24 y/o he is what he is.

Raddysh just signed the same deal as Barre-Boulet so I would expect the same from Boris Katchouk as well.

So that leave Ross Colton left to sign.

I also wonder if they will try and sign Ben Thomas two a similar deal. He has improved and they are still thin at RD.

Raddysh just signed the same deal as Barre-Boulet so I would expect the same from Boris Katchouk as well.

So that leave Ross Colton left to sign.

I also wonder if they will try and sign Ben Thomas two a similar deal. He has improved and they are still thin at RD.
- stammerman

Ben was steady, not flashy but with the rest of the D on this team he doesn’t need to be!

Ben was steady, not flashy but with the rest of the D on this team he doesn’t need to be!
- Justbecause

If we get to see much of Ben Thomas this season, then that means we have problems.

If we get to see much of Ben Thomas this season, then that means we have problems.
- GalacticStone

Well yeah, I thought that was understood. Need depth on D 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

Katchouk and Raddysh sign identical 3-yr deals that match Barre-Boulet's contract - https://www.nhl.com/light...ear-contracts/c-325883922

Katchouk and Raddysh sign identical 3-yr deals that match Barre-Boulet's contract - https://www.nhl.com/light...ear-contracts/c-325883922
- GalacticStone

JBB is smart. If you look at what he has done in regards to next year as well. Even with Points extension kicking in next year he still basically has an entire 20 man team mostly signed for next year (once Colton signs) even if Palat leaves for free agency. Just need resign Joesph, a backup goalie, another affordable D man and he is set.

Where it gets interesting is the year after when Serg, Cernak, Foote, Cirelli are all up for extensions. Better hope for an increase in cap space and possible the captain going on LTIR and retiring or having to move him that final year.

JBB is really playing some chess to keep this team as competitive as he can while he has Vasy, Kuch, Point, Hedman all while doing it in a flat cap world.