First deal of the Offseason about to happen?

[apuszczalowski]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=240927&amp...=headlines_main

 

TSN is reporting that as early as today, a trade may be finalised that will send Malone to the Jackets for maybe a 2nd or 3rd, and that they could offer him a $4.5 - 5 mil/5 year deal

[apuszczalowski]

Also says that the Canucks and Wild might be in the mix for him too

[shrader]

I don't understand why they'd report that a deal is close, but then throw in that "oh yeah" portion about Vancouver and Minnesota. What exactly constitutes a deal being "close" these days?

[apuszczalowski]

I don't understand why they'd report that a deal is close, but then throw in that "oh yeah" portion about Vancouver and Minnesota. What exactly constitutes a deal being "close" these days?

It happens al the time

 

It just means that a deal is probably in its final stages of being approved with one team, but there are a couple of other teams still interested that still have a chance at stepping in and making a better offer, or are next in line in this deal falls through. Usually TSN doesn't jump the gun when it comes to these rumors

[tom webster]

I don't understand why they'd report that a deal is close, but then throw in that "oh yeah" portion about Vancouver and Minnesota. What exactly constitutes a deal being "close" these days?

 

 

Blogs and rumor mills like Ecklund have completely shift the way transactions happen these days. In the NBA, you have owners and players openly talking about possible trade acquisitions and destinations and now, even respectable sites like TSN and ESPN have taken to openly discussing rumors.

One thing is clear in the NHL, teams are becoming much more creative and thinking outside the box when it comes to building the team. It will be interesting to see if we hear another off season lament about the changing market place or if we see a team leading the change.

[stenbaro]

It happens al the time

 

It just means that a deal is probably in its final stages of being approved with one team, but there are a couple of other teams still interested that still have a chance at stepping in and making a better offer, or are next in line in this deal falls through. Usually TSN doesn't jump the gun when it comes to these rumors

If this happens it wouldnt shock me..I thought about this 4 yrs ago when we let Satan and Zhitnik walk..I couldnt understand why we wouldnt have signed them to a contract then trade them and get something for them..Its not like they were totally useless..I have a feeling that the Sabres are just starting to realize the value a player has even if there contracts are up or about to be. In this case Malone isnt even signed yet..It doesnt seem like a hard thing to figure out..If you have player you wont be able to sign why let him walk without nothing in return after your playoff run is over..Its like there is a trade deadline for non playoff teams in March and one for the playoff teams after the season ends.

[Bmwolf21]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=240927&amp...=headlines_main

 

TSN is reporting that as early as today, a trade may be finalised that will send Malone to the Jackets for maybe a 2nd or 3rd, and that they could offer him a $4.5 - 5 mil/5 year deal

That would be a good deal for Columbus - he's a good two-way player who will be playing in a defensive system (so he's not being asked to come in and throw a ton of points on the board); he can play the PP and PK; and he has some talented guys to play alongside in Nash and Zherdev (those two accounted for most of Columbus' offense last year.)

[apuszczalowski]

If this happens it wouldnt shock me..I thought about this 4 yrs ago when we let Satan and Zhitnik walk..I couldnt understand why we wouldnt have signed them to a contract then trade them and get something for them..Its not like they were totally useless..I have a feeling that the Sabres are just starting to realize the value a player has even if there contracts are up or about to be. In this case Malone isnt even signed yet..It doesnt seem like a hard thing to figure out..If you have player you wont be able to sign why let him walk without nothing in return after your playoff run is over..Its like there is a trade deadline for non playoff teams in March and one for the playoff teams after the season ends.

The deal would be pittsburgh trades him to Columbus who then signs him, not Pittsburgh signing him and then trading him away, just like what Nashville and Philly did last offseason

[shrader]

If this happens it wouldnt shock me..I thought about this 4 yrs ago when we let Satan and Zhitnik walk..

 

Zhitnik was a slightly different situation. He was already unrestricted at that point and they couldn't do a thing about it. They had the chance to keep Satan but didn't make him a qualifying offer (someone correct me if it was something other than no QO).

 

 

That would be a good deal for Columbus - he's a good two-way player who will be playing in a defensive system (so he's not being asked to come in and throw a ton of points on the board); he can play the PP and PK; and he has some talented guys to play alongside in Nash and Zherdev (those two accounted for most of Columbus' offense last year.)

 

The contract seems like a bit much though. The pick seems a bit high though, but if there's the competition that TSN suggests, then a 2nd/3rd makes sense.

 

But then again, if you're Malone and you hear these reports, you know there's interest in you. Why not head to the unrestricted market and cash out on that demand?

[stenbaro]

The deal would be pittsburgh trades him to Columbus who then signs him, not Pittsburgh signing him and then trading him away, just like what Nashville and Philly did last offseason

I understand that..But it is all the same either way..A team who wasnt going to keep a player did what it had to to protect an assett..Whats even better for Pitrtsburgh is they recieved full value on a contract and then will still get more out of it after it expires..

[tom webster]

Zhitnik was a slightly different situation. He was already unrestricted at that point and they couldn't do a thing about it. They had the chance to keep Satan but didn't make him a qualifying offer (someone correct me if it was something other than no QO).The contract seems like a bit much though. The pick seems a bit high though, but if there's the competition that TSN suggests, then a 2nd/3rd makes sense.

 

But then again, if you're Malone and you hear these reports, you know there's interest in you. Why not head to the unrestricted market and cash out on that demand?

 

I am not sure if it was a qualifying offer or a one time thing out of the lock out, but either way, I made the point in a previous post that they should have signed him and dealt him. After the 24% rollback, he was a pretty hot commodity as more then three or four teams were interested before he signed with the Islanders.

[stenbaro]

I am not sure if it was a qualifying offer or a one time thing out of the lock out, but either way, I made the point in a previous post that they should have signed him and dealt him. After the 24% rollback, he was a pretty hot commodity as more then three or four teams were interested before he signed with the Islanders.

I watched the 99 Series against the Leafs and he was just outstanding in that series..I believe all that Peca and Hasek controversy really screwed this teams chemistry up and turned some players into negatives rather than positives

[apuszczalowski]

I understand that..But it is all the same either way..A team who wasnt going to keep a player did what it had to to protect an assett..Whats even better for Pitrtsburgh is they recieved full value on a contract and then will still get more out of it after it expires..

Not really, right now what they are doing is trading away the right to negotiate early with a player. If Buffalo signs the player then trys to trade them, the team the player is going to would have to also be in agreement to the deal, which they might not be.

 

I understand what you mean though about trying to trade away a players rights before you just let them walk for nothing, especially if there is known interest in the player, cause then other teams might be more willing to deal for the early exclusive rights. If you really covet a player and think there will be a bidding war for them, make a deal for whatever you can get to control where the player goes (so they don't wind up with a rival) and you atleast get something in return.

[apuszczalowski]

I watched the 99 Series against the Leafs and he was just outstanding in that series..I believe all that Peca and Hasek controversy really screwed this teams chemistry up and turned some players into negatives rather than positives

Satan is one of those players that could be great, if is heart is in it and he wants to, but it seems like he is unmotivated to reach his potential

[Bmwolf21]

The contract seems like a bit much though. The pick seems a bit high though, but if there's the competition that TSN suggests, then a 2nd/3rd makes sense.

 

But then again, if you're Malone and you hear these reports, you know there's interest in you. Why not head to the unrestricted market and cash out on that demand?

So outside of the contract and Columbus' draft pick offer it's a good deal? ;)

 

I think Malone would get somewhere near that on the open market anyway, and a 2nd or 3rd for an established player like Malone? A no-brainer IMO. I'd much rather have an established NHL'er than a 2nd or 3rd pick that might or might not pan out.

 

EDITED to replace an incorrect smiley.

[Goodfella25]

That dollar figure is laughable! Give me a break--yeah, the guy had a nice playoffs, but he certainly isn't the next Cam Neely. Making that kind of deal would be yet another example of why Columbus has never made the playoffs to this date. Stupid drafting, stupid signings.

[Bmwolf21]

That dollar figure is laughable! Give me a break--yeah, the guy had a nice playoffs, but he certainly isn't the next Cam Neely. Making that kind of deal would be yet another example of why Columbus has never made the playoffs to this date. Stupid drafting, stupid signings.

It's not laughable by any stretch. It might be a little high, but the annual dollar figure is pretty close to what Erat just signed for in Nashville ($4.5M/year for 7 years) and Malone is younger, bigger and has scored more goals in 108 fewer games. Maybe he has benefited from playing with Crosby, Malkin et al, but he'll be playing with Zherdev and Nash, so he'll probably benefit from their skill as well, and brings PK skill, PP skill, and playoff experience.

 

The market is what it is, the cap is going up, and Columbus is a team begging for more skill. It's a very good deal, IMO, and I'd take Malone @ $4.5M in Buffalo. A 20-25 goal scorer who is gritty, tough and can play both ways? Sign him right now.

[Goodfella25]

It's not laughable by any stretch. It might be a little high, but the annual dollar figure is pretty close to what Erat just signed for in Nashville ($4.5M/year for 7 years) and Malone is younger, bigger and has scored more goals in 108 fewer games. Maybe he has benefited from playing with Crosby, Malkin et al, but he'll be playing with Zherdev and Nash, so he'll probably benefit from their skill as well, and brings PK skill, PP skill, and playoff experience.

 

The market is what it is, the cap is going up, and Columbus is a team begging for more skill. It's a very good deal, IMO, and I'd take Malone @ $4.5M in Buffalo. A 20-25 goal scorer who is gritty, tough and can play both ways? Sign him right now.

 

1. The Erat deal was a rip too, IMO. But I do get where you're coming from in terms of using other contracts to set the market.

 

2. Malone is coming off of a career year--and it just so happens that he was able to play with Malkin and Crosby most of this season. Granted he had a decent season in 03-04 before Malkin or Crosby were a factor, but to an extent you have to believe he is a product of having some top-notch talent around him. How much of his ability is a direct result of that system would be up for debate.

 

3. That is a heck of a lot of money for 20-25 goals these days. People are mad that we shell out $2.5 for Kotalik, a guy who put up 22 goals this year. That's an unbelievable bargain compared to this!

 

4. Columbus needs defense and a good center. They already have 2 good left wingers in Rick Nash and Freddy Modin. They also have Jason Chimera. How does this make sense? It doesn't. That's why I think it will be another dumb move by a dumb franchise that has been led in the wrong direction time and time again. People said signing Foote for $4.5 was a bargain and where did that get them?

 

All-in-all, I guess I just can't believe how out of control the market is getting already. And I would hope nobody tries to explain how it's nothing compared to other sports. Compared to past seasons of NHL hockey, it is crazy and only getting worse.

[Bmwolf21]

1. The Erat deal was a rip too, IMO. But I do get where you're coming from in terms of using other contracts to set the market.

I hear ya - unfortunately the market is what it is. It's the same market that is going to hand Soupy a winning lottery ticket in a couple months, and that has my head spinning.

 

2. Malone is coming off of a career year--and it just so happens that he was able to play with Malkin and Crosby most of this season. Granted he had a decent season in 03-04 before Malkin or Crosby were a factor, but to an extent you have to believe he is a product of having some top-notch talent around him. How much of his ability is a direct result of that system would be up for debate.

His scoring could be the direct result of playing with great players, or it might be that he is coming into his own as a 25-goal guy. Who knows? We'll see once he moves on to Columbus, Vancouver or Minnesota (interesting that of the three teams mentioned, two are trapping teams.) The rest of Malone's game is pretty solid, good PK'er, good in both ends, gritty, physical guy. Seems like the kind of guy you'd want to overpay a little for.

 

3. That is a heck of a lot of money for 20-25 goals these days. People are mad that we shell out $2.5 for Kotalik, a guy who put up 22 goals this year. That's an unbelievable bargain compared to this!

True, but I'd take one two-dimensional Malone than two one-trick ponies like Kotalik. If Kotalik played both ends of the ice at $2.5M he would be an incredible bargain. But he has settled into being a SO specialist with a big booming shot (who isn't scoring nearly enough on the PP) so $2.5 is pretty good for him.

 

4. Columbus needs defense and a good center. They already have 2 good left wingers in Rick Nash and Freddy Modin. They also have Jason Chimera. How does this make sense? It doesn't. That's why I think it will be another dumb move by a dumb franchise that has been led in the wrong direction time and time again. People said signing Foote for $4.5 was a bargain and where did that get them?

Columbus has one superstar LW'er (Nash) one really good RW in Zherdev and a bunch of has-beens and might-be's filling out the roster. Modin is a good winger, nothing to write home about - sort of a slightly better scoring Kotalik -- good shot, not very physical, and missed 2/3 of last season. Chimera hasn't topped 17 goals or 36 points in three full seasons, so I don't see why they wouldn't bring in someone like Malone to give them a shot in the arm.

 

Nash and Zherdev were the only players with more than 34 points for the Jackets last season. They need wingers, centers and defense. About the only spot they are set is goaltending.

 

All-in-all, I guess I just can't believe how out of control the market is getting already. And I would hope nobody tries to explain how it's nothing compared to other sports. Compared to past seasons of NHL hockey, it is crazy and only getting worse.

See my answer to point one. I have no problem with the salaries getting crazy out of control as long as the playing field is level and everyone has the same amount of money to spend. I don't want to see a baseball system where 2/3 of the league are excluded from making a run at any top-flight FA's or are all but eliminated by Opening Day.

[R_Dudley]

Not really, right now what they are doing is trading away the right to negotiate early with a player........

 

I understand what you mean though about trying to trade away a players rights before you just let them walk for nothing, especially if there is known interest in the player, cause then other teams might be more willing to deal for the early exclusive rights. If you really covet a player and think there will be a bidding war for them, make a deal for whatever you can get to control where the player goes (so they don't wind up with a rival) and you atleast get something in return.

 

Thats where I am on this, I really think bflo blows on opportunities this (e.g with briere, they could have played Montreal against Philly for rights becaue they knew they were not going to sign him.) :rolleyes:

 

Getting another round draft pick is always better them nothing even if later round.

[apuszczalowski]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=240927&amp...=headlines_main

 

Looks like I may have posted too soon, or atleast someone forgot to talk to Malone about this

 

He says he will become a UFA on July first and when asked about the deal, he says Columbus would be stupid to make it cause he is going to test the market, which I'm guessing means he thinks he can make more then $4.5-5 mil a year on the open market

[X. Benedict]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=240927&amp...=headlines_main

 

Looks like I may have posted too soon, or atleast someone forgot to talk to Malone about this

 

He says he will become a UFA on July first and when asked about the deal, he says Columbus would be stupid to make it cause he is going to test the market, which I'm guessing means he thinks he can make more then $4.5-5 mil a year on the open market

 

That's what wasn't making sense to me. Of course Pittsburgh would love that trade, by why would Malone necessarily turn around and sign with Columbus without testing the market?

[deluca67]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=240927&amp...=headlines_main

 

Looks like I may have posted too soon, or atleast someone forgot to talk to Malone about this

 

He says he will become a UFA on July first and when asked about the deal, he says Columbus would be stupid to make it cause he is going to test the market, which I'm guessing means he thinks he can make more then $4.5-5 mil a year on the open market

I really like Malone as a player and I think he has a great future. I would love for the Sabres to make a run at him but the price seems a little steep. The only way I would sign Malone to that money is if it was a 6-7 year deal. Like Vanek's contract you maybe overpaying the first couple of years hopefully the finals years will be considered a huge bargain.

[nfreeman]

I really like Malone as a player and I think he has a great future. I would love for the Sabres to make a run at him but the price seems a little steep. The only way I would sign Malone to that money is if it was a 6-7 year deal. Like Vanek's contract you maybe overpaying the first couple of years hopefully the finals years will be considered a huge bargain.

 

Or, like Vanek's contract, you may have a big fat untradeable salary cap albatross around your team's neck for the next 7 years. I sincerely hope it's the scenario you posed. But I don't think you offer a guy a long-term deal unless you're sure about him.

[BetweenThePipes00]

Or, like Vanek's contract, you may have a big fat untradeable salary cap albatross around your team's neck for the next 7 years. I sincerely hope it's the scenario you posed. But I don't think you offer a guy a long-term deal unless you're sure about him.

 

Vanek's contract is none of those things. It was a horrible strain on the real-cash budget last season at $10 million, but this year is is $8 million and the last four years of the deal are a very reasonable $6.4 million ... the cap hit is $7.143 million ... given the way the cap is going up, that's not an albatross, even if he just levels off and averages 35 goals a year. I'm not saying the Sabres deserve any credit, because they did not craft that deal, Edmonton did ... but given the way salaries are skyrocketing, the Vanek deal is a good one.