I really like the signing and they have the cap space

Agreed! I think they should definitely make a serious push if he gets to Free Agency. Getting a #1C to play with Laine should be top priority and like you said, they have more then enough cap space to do so!

CBJ should definitely have their eyes on Nuge if he becomes a free agent this off-season, I like the look of that.

I would just hate to see a line with that much offensive potential be ruined by Tortz coaching style. Not saying he’s a bad coach, just not the right coach.

After all, you still need goals to win a hockey game and limiting your best goal scorers’ ice time doesn’t help you to score those goals.

I agree with absolutely everything you just said!

Might want to take another look at that Cap Space you think they have. Werenski, Laine, Jones, Roslovic, Domi, Jenner, Foligno, Texier and Both goaltenders are RFA or UFA after the first year of that RNH Contract and the Salary Cap is not expected to go up. Unless you plan on losing or trading most of those guys. The contract itself isn't hateful, seemed a bit long at first but RNH seems so much older than he is since he's been around for 10 years.

True, I'm not a big CBJ fan so I did not look ahead to see who they have to re-sign just next season. RNH would be an excellent fit in my opinion but perhaps the money doesn't work as well as I thought!

the problem here is that RNH isn't a 1C. If he is your 1C you aren't talking about a serious contender. Yes it's an upgrade, but what did you just give up to get it.
7 x 7.8 is a lot for RNH and if that is what it takes to get him, I think CBJ should pass. As that contract is a mistake in the waiting.
7.8 is money they could use to try to get Barkov. Who is a legit 1C.
Either way it's hard to find a 1C, and trying to over spend to get guys who clearly aren't is a bad move.

Agreed. Besides, he's staying in Edmonton

RNH as I'm sure you could see is the only decent 1/2C available in Free Agency which is why I targeted him. Would there be better options to target in a trade? 100%! CBJ needs to make a move to acquire SOMEONE but I couldn't really think of any realistic targets via trade that wouldn't cost a fortune.

Honest question, would you rather keep RNH at around $7m or use that money to go out and acquire a scoring winger to play with McDavid?

It would be interesting to see what Columbus could get Danault to sign for, if he comes between 6 and 6.5 mil, he wouldn’t be a bad target. He doesn’t get the respect as it, but he has been a number one center and it seems that what he wants again. He won’t get that in MTL with Kotkaniemi or Suzuki there, so maybe he takes the shot with Columbus as he is better than anything they have on the team now.

Also if it were up to me I’d drop Folingo, yes Hes the captain but it’s time for a changing of the guard in Columbus. I also don’t see anyway Columbus brings Tortorella back, they need a new message weigh the team, I’d be looking at someone like Travis Green if he gets canned from Vancouver.

it's like that old tv commercial and they guy is like "any hair cut" and he walks out with some totally whack haircut....
Just throwing money at whoever is "available" is usually a bad way to do things.
Yeah they need a center, we agree on that. But you sign RNH to a 7x7.8 deal, and you'll still need a 1C and be 7x7.8 lighter when you are out there trying to find it.

Appreciate the feedback! I agree that Danault would be a decent target for CBJ as well...and he would most certainly come in cheaper than RNH! I was on the fence with Foligno as well (although admittedly I don't know a whole lot about CBJ) but gave him the benefit since he is their captain and re-signed him. I don't think it would be a huge loss however if he was replaced like you said. One thing I know for certain is that Tortorella better not be back next season...for CBJ's sake!

Wait a second...you mean not all people walk in and ask for a random haircut?! Lol, yes I know what you mean. I still think RNH is a good target but perhaps not at that price tag...a trade could be more viable.

RNH isn't a #1C. He's not the guy I'd want there.

Who WOULD you want there?

Who would i want there is a different question than.........who do i think we could get? Unfortunately PLD was our guy but that didn't work out. There aren't a lot of options in free agency so I think we need to make a trade.

Haha very true! I agree that a trade might make the most sense as RNH is really the only guy worth targeting in Free Agency but may not be the best fit.

I'll be honest...I wasn't too thrilled with the PLD/Laine swap for WPG when it happened but boy am I a huge PLD fan now, he's so good. I truly hope Laine thrives in CBJ and finds some consistency under a new coach perhaps.

It depends on who the winger is