All About July 1 wishes

[Weave]

Crosby hasn't progressed beyond riding an exercize bike. I'd love for Buffalo to aqcuire Malkin but I don't see P-burg moving Malkin until they know they have a healthy Sidney.

 

I like the idea of Spezza, but man, I do NOT want to trade with Ottawa. And I sure as hell don't want Kassian to end up in Ottawa.

[dEnnis the Menace]

Crosby hasn't progressed beyond riding an exercize bike. I'd love for Buffalo to aqcuire Malkin but I don't see P-burg moving Malkin until they know they have a healthy Sidney.

 

I like the idea of Spezza, but man, I do NOT want to trade with Ottawa. And I sure as hell don't want Kassian to end up in Ottawa.

 

 

I'd have to agree with you on both accounts. It's so difficult to see when Cindy will be healthy again, so I don't think Pitt will move Malkin until they know. Then again, the Pens did ok without both players, so who knows.

[Kristian]

Crosby hasn't progressed beyond riding an exercize bike. I'd love for Buffalo to aqcuire Malkin but I don't see P-burg moving Malkin until they know they have a healthy Sidney.

 

I like the idea of Spezza, but man, I do NOT want to trade with Ottawa. And I sure as hell don't want Kassian to end up in Ottawa.

 

Only if team toughness improves radically around him.

[spndnchz]

Only if team toughness improves radically around him.

 

Seeing as Philly is one of the more physical teams and the way we handled them (their own words "we got beat up by the Sabres") and the addition of a Kassian et al. The direction of team toughness is fine in my book. Add a west coast guy like Regehr even better.

 

Also, how many times did we see Miller get pushed around in 2009-10 vs 10-11? Big difference.

[SabresFan526]

I would argue that with the Bryzgalov trade and likely signing, the Flyers are going to have to trade one of their centers. I know they could get rid of a defenseman, but who would they get rid of? They aren't getting rid of Timmonen or Pronger, and those are the only two guys that will give them any cap relief. They have absolutely no depth at defenseman, so they really can't trade anyone and I'm not sure anyone in their system is ready for NHL duty aside from maybe Oscar Bartulis. They really only have 5 defenseman total (all 5 are pretty good, but they don't have anyone else after Carle, Meszaros, and Coburn). If they got rid of a defenseman, they'd have to pick one up, just no depth there.

 

And if you think about it, they have 4 centers who can score in Carter, Richards, Briere, and Giroux. In addition, they still have Betts centering the fourth line. Offensively, they would be fine if they traded one of the other four and upgraded in goaltending. I just can't see them moving a defenseman, a place they lack a lot of organizational depth in order to keep Bryzgalov. I really think either Carter or Briere are going to get traded. There really isn't anyone else to free up the cap space. Buffalo should be going after one of Philly's Centers aggressively because they are up against the cap.

 

Sekera or Butler, and a 1st or 2nd round pick might be enough to get one of them depending on which center it is. They are going to have to trade someone.

[Weave]

I would argue that with the Bryzgalov trade and likely signing, the Flyers are going to have to trade one of their centers. I know they could get rid of a defenseman, but who would they get rid of? They aren't getting rid of Timmonen or Pronger, and those are the only two guys that will give them any cap relief. They have absolutely no depth at defenseman, so they really can't trade anyone and I'm not sure anyone in their system is ready for NHL duty aside from maybe Oscar Bartulis. They really only have 5 defenseman total (all 5 are pretty good, but they don't have anyone else after Carle, Meszaros, and Coburn). If they got rid of a defenseman, they'd have to pick one up, just no depth there.

 

And if you think about it, they have 4 centers who can score in Carter, Richards, Briere, and Giroux. In addition, they still have Betts centering the fourth line. Offensively, they would be fine if they traded one of the other four and upgraded in goaltending. I just can't see them moving a defenseman, a place they lack a lot of organizational depth in order to keep Bryzgalov. I really think either Carter or Briere are going to get traded. There really isn't anyone else to free up the cap space. Buffalo should be going after one of Philly's Centers aggressively because they are up against the cap.

 

Sekera or Butler, and a 1st or 2nd round pick might be enough to get one of them depending on which center it is. They are going to have to trade someone.

 

I don't have the time to go looking for a link right now but in an interview last week Holmgren insisted that he wasn't going to move any of his forwards. That pretty much leaves moving a defenseman as his only option. It'll be interesting to see if he ends up forced to move a forward or not.

 

If they sign Bryzgalov and manage to keep all those forwards they are going to be a force to be reckoned with next season.

[Lanny]

They should be able to stay under the cap by moving either Carle, Coburn or Meszaros and bringing back a Dman in the trade that makes around $1M or under.

 

Also, if they're dumping a forward to make salary room I'd assume they'd prefer to do it out West.

[X. Benedict]

They should be able to stay under the cap by moving either Carle, Coburn or Meszaros and bringing back a Dman in the trade that makes around $1M or under.

 

Also, if they're dumping a forward to make salary room I'd assume they'd prefer to do it out West.

 

I think Bryzgolov wants to get paid.

 

I would look for Philly to move Versteeg and Carter. There is 8.2 million.

[HopefulFuture]

I don't have the time to go looking for a link right now but in an interview last week Holmgren insisted that he wasn't going to move any of his forwards. That pretty much leaves moving a defenseman as his only option. It'll be interesting to see if he ends up forced to move a forward or not.

 

If they sign Bryzgalov and manage to keep all those forwards they are going to be a force to be reckoned with next season.

Well, they have 6 roster d men signed now.

They have a very thin pipeline and FA market isn't going to improve their blueline if they can't spend.

 

They are going to have to move one of the big 3 (Carter, Richards, Briere) or suffer with a 20 man roster and thin depth at D.

[HopefulFuture]

I think Bryzgolov wants to get paid.

 

I would look for Philly to move Versteeg and Carter. There is 8.2 million.

This is the most realistic option for them, and I agree with you.

[Kristian]

Seeing as Philly is one of the more physical teams and the way we handled them (their own words "we got beat up by the Sabres") and the addition of a Kassian et al. The direction of team toughness is fine in my book. Add a west coast guy like Regehr even better.

 

Also, how many times did we see Miller get pushed around in 2009-10 vs 10-11? Big difference.

 

No arguments from me there, and I liked the way most of the players stepped "out of their box" so to speak, to take their game to playoff level hockey.

 

However - And that's a big however - Philly might've been beat up by Buffalo, but the team suffering the most from it ironically, were Buffaloas they were completely out of gas come game 7.

 

What this team needs is perhaps one or two more guys who play this style naturally. Adding a guy like Spezza would likely detract from team toughness, so others will need to step up in that department.

 

Obviously with Connolly gone though, it may cancel out Spezza coming in, but until Darcy comes out and says he's gone, I'm gonna keep having nightmares of his 5 mill. a year extension.

[X. Benedict]

No arguments from me there, and I liked the way most of the players stepped "out of their box" so to speak, to take their game to playoff level hockey.

 

However - And that's a big however - Philly might've been beat up by Buffalo, but the team suffering the most from it ironically, were Buffaloas they were completely out of gas come game 7.

 

More of a depth issue, than a toughness issue.

 

What this team needs is perhaps one or two more guys who play this style naturally. Adding a guy like Spezza would likely detract from team toughness, so others will need to step up in that department.

 

Though not physical...and not my favorite player...your first line players aren't the ones to dish out punishment. Hypothetically, having Spezza wouldn't really detract much.

 

Obviously with Connolly gone though, it may cancel out Spezza coming in, but until Darcy comes out and says he's gone, I'm gonna keep having nightmares of his 5 mill. a year extension.

 

I think you should be able to sleep better soon.

[Kristian]

 

Though not physical...and not my favorite player...your first line players aren't the ones to dish out punishment. Hypothetically, having Spezza wouldn't really detract much.

 

 

Very true, however I'm not necessarily talking about "dishing it out", but rather "taking it" and still put your nose in harms way. I think Vanek has this in him, for instance, while never "dishing it out".

 

I don't see Spezza having it. And I don't just mean parking yourself in front of the net, but rather playing somewhere other than just the PP and the perimeter, which is where I usually see Spezza if things get too nasty for him.

 

His 46 playoff points in 46 games do look nice, however.

[X. Benedict]

Very true, however I'm not necessarily talking about "dishing it out", but rather "taking it" and still put your nose in harms way. I think Vanek has this in him, for instance, while never "dishing it out".

 

I don't see Spezza having it. And I don't just mean parking yourself in front of the net, but rather playing somewhere other than just the PP and the perimeter, which is where I usually see Spezza if things get too nasty for him.

 

His 46 playoff points in 46 games do look nice, however.

 

I think the knock on Spezza has always been he doesn't play to his size...(much like Joe Thornton)...but he does have decent size and is easily capable of getting over 200 shots.

 

The worry with Spezza is always his propensity to get niggling injuries.

 

Hypothetically, He'd be an upgrade...but I'm not in love with the idea yet.

[LastPommerFan]

From Pierre LeBrun:

 

Center Tim Connolly is UFA July 1, and while few people believe he'll be back with the Sabres, GM Darcy Regier said Wednesday he will circle back to the player's agent, J.P. Barry, before then.

 

"We'll talk to him. I think if it's the right situation, we'll look at it," Regier said.

 

Regier's primary focus in the offseason will be to add experience to his young blue line.

 

If TC signs with the sabres for anything other than a league min contract, I'll need therapy.

[Kristian]

From Pierre LeBrun:

 

 

 

If TC signs with the sabres for anything other than a league min contract, I'll need therapy.

 

Fixed.

[LastPommerFan]

Fixed.

 

Thanks.

[Weave]

From Pierre LeBrun:

Center Tim Connolly is UFA July 1, and while few people believe he'll be back with the Sabres, GM Darcy Regier said Wednesday he will circle back to the player's agent, J.P. Barry, before then.

 

"We'll talk to him. I think if it's the right situation, we'll look at it," Regier said.

 

Regier's primary focus in the offseason will be to add experience to his young blue line.

 

If TC signs with the sabres for anything other than a league min contract, I'll need therapy.

 

I'll admit, we need to get a high quality veteran presence on the blue line but if this team doesn't go out and pick up a #1 center I'll be really disappointed. This team goes nowhere with two wingers playing center.

[Kristian]

I'll admit, we need to get a high quality veteran presence on the blue line but if this team doesn't go out and pick up a #1 center I'll be really disappointed. This team goes nowhere with two wingers playing center.

 

Problem is, aside from Richards, who's available?

 

At this point, I'd be fine with them picking up another 2nd line center, as long as this player is different from Roy in almost any respect.

 

Not a knock on Roy as such, but Vanek needs someone to pass him that puck.

 

Oh, and TC needs to stay away too :thumbsup:

[Lanny]

I can live with a 1yr-$2M contract for Connolly this season and hopefully there is a better crop of UFAs next year or Adam is ready to take a center spot. Obviously another center would still need to be added.

[Weave]

I can live with a 1yr-$2M contract for Connolly this season and hopefully there is a better crop of UFAs next year or Adam is ready to take a center spot. Obviously another center would still need to be added.

 

The UFA centers available next year are no better than this year so don't get your FA hopes up. Saku Koivu, Olli Jokinen, and Patrick Sharp are the only noteables. Sharp will get a Brad Richards like payday easy, if not more. And Luke Adam was shifted to LW in the 2nd half of last season so I'm thinking he's not going to be a center for us.

 

We need a trade for a center this offseason.

[X. Benedict]

The UFA centers available next year are no better than this year so don't get your FA hopes up. Saku Koivu, Olli Jokinen, and Patrick Sharp are the only noteables. Sharp will get a Brad Richards like payday easy, if not more. And Luke Adam was shifted to LW in the 2nd half of last season so I'm thinking he's not going to be a center for us.

 

We need a trade for a center this offseason.

 

There are really two ways to do it.

 

One way is to target and trade/sign a first line center.

 

The other is to have 5 high caliber second line centers and roll 4 lines.

 

I'm really open to either, but I would prefer a first liner.

[SwampD]

There are really two ways to do it.

 

One way is to target and trade/sign a first line center.

The other is to have 5 high caliber second line centers and roll 4 lines.

 

I'm really open to either, but I would prefer a first liner.

Seems like that only works in the regular season.

[Weave]

There are really two ways to do it.

 

One way is to target and trade/sign a first line center.

 

The other is to have 5 high caliber second line centers and roll 4 lines.

 

I'm really open to either, but I would prefer a first liner.

 

The seciond is acceptable to me as well. But we still will need to go out and find all those centers.

 

I guess I'm disconcerted that Darcy seemed to have a preference for getting D-men in the offseason when we have enough D-men in the house already but only have 2 centers. IMO you prioritize the position where you are short handed and only after that is covered go out and try to upgrade the other areas.

[Weave]

Seems like that only works in the regular season.

 

In Eggs defense, several 2nd line centers seem to be working for Boston right now. It isn't ideal IMO but it can work with enough depth I should think.

 

Hell, we did it with Connolly, Roy, Briere, Drury, Goose too. I'd go back to that sort of talent at center without complaint and none of those guys were prototypical #1 centers.