Contracts :
I expect Crawford to get a 1 or 2 year contract, 4M probably being the highest he would get at this point. If he got a 1 year he probably gets signed again if he performs well, if not he probably goes.
Kubalik and Strome probably get similar contracts, 4M deals that take them to a year before they go on UFA so we have that extra year of control potentially and we can use that control to sign them to long term contracts here if we so desire
Hagel, Kampf, and Caggiula stick around on short term deals that are likely inconsequential "prove yourself some more" deals for 4th liners with middle 6 potential.
I think Carlsson gets a deal that keeps him around a little bit longer, as I think he still has potential, but i am not sure about the cap on that one, likely depends on his performance next SZN.
The most potentially controversial contract here is the Nylander one. I think it heavily depends on next season. If he performs well, he probably gets a solid bridge contract to take him to a couple years before UFA to prove if he can become that superstar he was supposed to be or if he is a middle 6 guy. If he doesnt do well, he likely gets a 1x1 to prove himself again.
Situational Context : This would be the year the Smith contract expires, so if we cant move it for a positive return and we can fit anyone under next season anyway, theres no rush there.
One of Maatta and De Haan likely gets traded in 2020 offseason, and the other the 2021 offseason, doesnt really matter, both of which expire after the 2021-2022 season.
I think Brandon Saad likely does not get re-signed, and if we are not contending next season he gets traded at the deadline. This would especially be more likely if Nylander emerges as a solid top 6 player or we can add a significant piece through FA or the draft, but I am not counting on either.
I think there is a chance Murphy gets moved after the 2020-2021 season, especially if the believe in Regula as a guy who can come on and make a difference because he will require a raise that we may not be able to afford with Dach, Boqvist, and Kubalik expiring at the same time, but as of right now he is our best stay at home defenseman so it wont happen for a while.
I think by the 2021-2022 season Carlsson and Beaudin will have emerged as reliable bottom 4 defenseman and Kurashev and Barratt prove to be solid middle 6 forwards, which is why we have the flexibility to not keep Saad.
Tried to make this without any outside action, just keeping everyone we have, and it seems like we are in a pretty good position, but seeing Saad and/or Murphy having to leave at some point is kind of unfortunate but it could be worse.
Is Barratt good enough to play 3C and as such can we move strome? If so we should re-sign Saad. Will be interesting to see where this team is in another year.
Is Barratt good enough to play 3C and as such can we move strome? If so we should re-sign Saad. Will be interesting to see where this team is in another year.
Thats an interesting approach. I dont think he would be good enough for it right off the bat, but maybe in a year or so he could be good enough, and that definitely wouldnt be a bad idea. Maybe try to get Tierney from Ottawa and be a stopgap for a year until Barratt is ready. It could be interesting if they decided to move them BOTH this offseason and potentially miss the playoffs/be a lottery team and then bounce back HARD the next year. I can mess around with something like that and see what I come up with.
Thats an interesting approach. I dont think he would be good enough for it right off the bat, but maybe in a year or so he could be good enough, and that definitely wouldnt be a bad idea. Maybe try to get Tierney from Ottawa and be a stopgap for a year until Barratt is ready. It could be interesting if they decided to move them BOTH this offseason and potentially miss the playoffs/be a lottery team and then bounce back HARD the next year. I can mess around with something like that and see what I come up with.
Barratt is playing pro this coming season 2020/2021...so either he is ready in 2021/2022 or he likely won't be much more then a 4th liner if anything. Don't forget, Barratt is already 21 years old and turning 22 in February so with this AGM he will be going on 23 years old...at that point a player either has potential or doesn't especially for a forward.
Barratt is playing pro this coming season 2020/2021...so either he is ready in 2021/2022 or he likely won't be much more then a 4th liner if anything. Don't forget, Barratt is already 21 years old and turning 22 in February so with this AGM he will be going on 23 years old...at that point a player either has potential or doesn't especially for a forward.
I am a big believer in him and I think he is going to be a good player for sure. I just think itll take a year to get used to playing against pros. He already has the playstyle, as he was an absolute pain in the butthole against my Badgers, but I just think once he learns to win faceoffs hes gonna be ready because realistically thats all he has left.
I am a big believer in him and I think he is going to be a good player for sure. I just think itll take a year to get used to playing against pros. He already has the playstyle, as he was an absolute pain in the butthole against my Badgers, but I just think once he learns to win faceoffs hes gonna be ready because realistically thats all he has left.
The other negative with him is a lack of speed to play at the NHL level. We'll see how he does in Rockford this season and might get called up as well. I'm very curious in Barratt as well as Kurashev and Hagel. We have guys like Smith and Carpentar blocking some of this young talent IMO. Highmore is a good example who has shown, he can be a good 4th liner...fast, high energy, gritty and strong on the forecheck. We really need to buyout Smith and look for a trade partner for Carpenter. Let guys like Highmore, Kurashev, Hagel, Barratt all get a handful of games in this season at the pro levels.
The other negative with him is a lack of speed to play at the NHL level. We'll see how he does in Rockford this season and might get called up as well. I'm very curious in Barratt as well as Kurashev and Hagel. We have guys like Smith and Carpentar blocking some of this young talent IMO. Highmore is a good example who has shown, he can be a good 4th liner...fast, high energy, gritty and strong on the forecheck. We really need to buyout Smith and look for a trade partner for Carpenter. Let guys like Highmore, Kurashev, Hagel, Barratt all get a handful of games in this season at the pro levels.
Smith's contract is only for one more season, so it isnt too big of an issue if we can get under the cap this offseason.
Smith's contract is only for one more season, so it isnt too big of an issue if we can get under the cap this offseason.
Just buy the damn thing out please bowman! Smith coming off of back surgery and out for 6 plus months? The guy already looked like he was skating on rollerblades and now with a low back injury he's going to look like he's skating through mud out there i have a feeling.
Just buy the damn thing out please bowman! Smith coming off of back surgery and out for 6 plus months? The guy already looked like he was skating on rollerblades and now with a low back injury he's going to look like he's skating through mud out there i have a feeling.
Oh for sure if we need to in order to fit under the cap, but I wouldnt want the buyout on the books if we dont need it.
Strome should stay with Debrincat or be traded in my opinion. Maybe we draft Lundell this year and he's our replacement, or maybe barrett/kurashev can take over. If not Strome stays but he stays on a line with cat. If we move saad at the deadline that's fine, but we will have to find a replacement winger to play with Kane and Dach at some point.I defeintly think we need to find a way to get a top 4 LHD (maybe Brodin), because realistically in 2 years Kieth should not be playing on the top pair. Our options are eigther to bring someone in over Kieth or let the kids play and prolonge the rebuild