The Devils have cap space...what to do with it?
by DownGoesAvery on Aug 1, 2011 2:48 PM EDT
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In case you haven't heard, Lou Lamoriello announced that Colin White and Trent Hunter have been waived, and will be bought out. That clears $3.3 million of additional cap space to the 2011-12 cap, plus the $2.5 million already remaining (roughly $5.8M total cap space). Oh yeah, and Zach Parise is signed. It seems that the Devils now have some options with what to do in the near future. Of course, Martin Brodeur's contract expires at season's end, and long-term, Clarkson, Elias and Zubrus will come off the cap to open space for Tedenby, Josefson, Larsson and others. But in the short-term, the Devils could be adding a player for the short-term. So, what should the Devils do with the cap space they now have for this coming season?
The first thing I'm sure most of us thought is that Lou may bring in another player right now, either via trade or free agency (The market doesn't really have anyone that would demand that kind of cap hit). Some people mentioned bringing in a Chris Drury, or Chris Campoli or a veteran defenseman, but I personally hope the Devils stay with what they have and let the kids learn at the NHL level. Volchenkov, Tallinder, Larsson, Taormina, Fayne, Urbom is a potentially young group, but they're all talented defensemen (Yes, I left Salvador out of the equation). Should the Devils need a defenseman, the trade deadline could solve that problem.
At forward, the Devils seem to be set. Parise, Zajac, Kovalchuk, Elias, Clarkson, Zubrus, Pelley, Tedenby, Josefson, Steckel, Boulton and Janssen are the likely forwards that will make the Devils lineup. I've often brought up the subject of bringing in a strong offensive center, but there is no room for a center on the current roster. Unless Lou is ready to unload the youngster Josefson, the Devils are set down the middle. It's a young group, with only Boulton, Zubrus and Elias exceeding the age of 30.
I assume most people view the last few days (trade of Rolston, re-signing Parise and buying out White and Hunter) as a good thing. I have found Lou to be interesting this summer. Many of these transactions seem to have come out of left field...unless I'm completely clueless. I was under the assumption that the Devils were stuck with Rolston and White for one more year. I'm curious, though: what should the Devils do with the current cap space that remains?
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You left out Greene on Defense
If Salvador isn’t able to play and White is indeed gone, having just 3 Veteran Defensemen on the roster would not sit well with me. Someone needs to be brought in IMO.
Yes I did. Mark Fraser is also on a 1-way deal…
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by DownGoesAvery on Aug 1, 2011 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe he is leaving room for a possible Parise extension during the season. However having this many youngsters play on D have me a little nervous going into next year.
Fan of: New Jersey Devils, Tennessee Titans, New Jersey Nets, New York Mets, and the U
by NJD28 on Aug 1, 2011 4:01 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
You make a valid point- the tagging rules would prevent the Devils from signing an extension if Parise signs one that puts the Devils over the cap for the 2011-2012 season.
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by Kevin Sellathamby on Aug 1, 2011 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
An interesting exercise would be to look at the teams at or near the cap ceiling, and figure out which expensive pieces might be available. For example, Washington is about a million over the cap (per CapGeek)…. and Mike Green could be expendable. If you take the currently available cap space and add in the space that would be obtained by buying out Hunter and White…. you do have enough space to fit a $5 million salary in. Whether or not Green would be an ideal fit in New Jersey, whether or not the Devils have the necessary pieces to complete a trade…. that’s another question entirely.
You could repeat the same exercise with Buffalo (way over the cap according to CapGeek), but I don’t see anyone who jumps out at me from their roster that would fill a “need” the Devils might have. In addition, Lou has never consumated a trade with the Sabres during his tenure….
Wouldn’t shock me, as Lou signed a pair of Grossman clients prior to re-signing Kovy.
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by DownGoesAvery on Aug 1, 2011 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions
So Radulov's coming to Newark too.
Ok….Sorry !
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Aug 1, 2011 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I would love to have Mike Green on the team, He’s one of my favorite D-men in the league. We could have a D pair called the green line
"Its the letter D"
by Rory B. Bellows on Aug 2, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
I have to say bring in a veteran d man, but only if it is a bigger name. Campoli… that makes me cringe. Dont bother if thats the case.
I also have to vote against the trade deadline option. If you actually look at what rental players have brought their teams in the past, generally its not overwhelming. Bring someone in from the get go so they can fit in some place on the roster from the begining, and not be a piece that doesnt fit the puzzle so great.
Finally the room we need for Yashin!!!!!!
by Zelepukin on Aug 1, 2011 7:02 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
If the Devils sign Yashin, I will blame you along with Lou.
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R Shea weber or drew doughty options? Or we could sign Chris drury and have Elias play wing
by ALECDK on Aug 2, 2011 12:21 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
The Blue-Line is not okay
Salvadore hasn’t been hit since suffering a concussion a year ago.
Larsson has never played a minute in the NHL.
Fraser is a healthy scratch on most nights, and a situational presence on a match-up basis.
Taormina had a promising 18 games or so before injury.
Urbom played a handful and demonstrated nothing more than that he wasn’t ready for the NHL.
Fayne had a very solid year, was it a one-shot, or due to the presence of JL.
Merrill has never played an NHL minute.
Seriously, people banking the season on a bunch of too young or unproved D men scares the hell out of me, and folks around here are far too eager to do so because its convenient, and probably likely. I hope they succeed, as a lifer Devil’s fan, I have to. But I’ve also payed attention enough to the rest of the league to know that individually, a young, talented Defenseman can succeed in the NHL. A team with half their blueline combining for less than half a season of experience cannot.
If this space gets “spent” before the trade deadline, or spent at all (budget concerns?!), I certianly hope its to make that blueline a little more…mature.
The question is not how far. The question is, do you possess the constitution, the depth of faith, to go as far as is needed? - Il Duce
Merrill’s not even signed- he can’t play with the Devils until he does.
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by Kevin Sellathamby on Aug 2, 2011 7:03 AM EDT up reply actions
you don’t even list corrente there, which is interesting. i think the devils will add a veteran of some sort, but even so, the devils’ blueline is going to be rather young, and it’s likely to be pretty darn good.
http://drivingplay.blogspot.com - the blog with three first lines
That’s because I’ve seen Corrente play O more than D. And I don’t think he’s very good at either.
They CAN be very good, but they are still a pile of unproven talent. I’d much rather take that chance one or two at a time, rather than three.
My experience with coclear concussions is that they are a problem forever after you’ve had one. While I like the guy, I don’t Salvs plays the whole season. Volchenkov hasn’t played a full season yet because of they way he plays. I kinda think Fayne is the real deal, he learned a lot, and got plenty of time with JL. I wish Tao had the same time with him, but he got hurt in the dark times. Larsson is an alleged stud, but until he shows it, he’s just another highly touted prespect with the same chance to bust as any other.
Yeah, they can be good. They could also be very bad. I guess I’d like to hedge a bet or two and limit the chances at the latter.
The question is not how far. The question is, do you possess the constitution, the depth of faith, to go as far as is needed? - Il Duce
Yeah, they can be good. They could also be very bad. I guess I’d like to hedge a bet or two and limit the chances at the latter.
but that’s just it. you didn’t even mention urbom. while i think the devils should enlist some veteran help, you’ve got 6 legit guys competing for 3 spots. for all of them to go belly up just isn’t that likely.
http://drivingplay.blogspot.com - the blog with three first lines
fayne isn’t a rookie, and he didn’t play like one last year. the panicky petes about fayne are ridiculous. he played like an average defenseman last year, and that’s being modest.
http://drivingplay.blogspot.com - the blog with three first lines
Fayne still COULD take a step back, I don’t expect him too. Still without salvador you are expecting Taormina Larsson Corrente and Fraser to play NHL regular time on the third pairing. That’s a high task.
that’s without salvador – yeah, i don’t think salvador will be good, nor do i think he’ll last particularly long, but i think the devils are counting on him being back, at least for now.
i am expecting taormina to play 3rd pairing time because he was fine there last year
larsson may or may not make the team. corrente may or may not make the team. urbom may or may not make the team. but all of these guys will probably be capable of playing in the nhl without dying. then to bide some time before the deadline. or the devils could go out and sign one of mccabe, campoli, stralman, hannan, etc.
http://drivingplay.blogspot.com - the blog with three first lines
I think Urbom should be in the AHL just so he can totally be ready there playing lots of minutes instead of the NHL. Corrente should be better than Fraser if he an get his head straight and Larsson is an X factor. We will see I suppose, I think Taormina can do alright with more time in the NHL improving his positioning/defense, he put up 50 points in the AHL as you know, which is an awesome amount for a defense man.
As stated originally, Urbom played like he didn’t belong in the NHL last year. He didn’t really do anything in Albany to change my mind afterwards.
In a worst case world, Volchenkov misses another 20 games, and Salvador is out indefinitely with another concussion. That leaves Greene, Tallinder and Fayne as the three best Defensemen you’ve got who’ve proved they can play. I think Larsson will be fine after a dozen games or so of aclimation. I think Tao could even be a stud offensive D guy if he isn’t fragile (I really, really liked what I saw of him last year). Can Urbom, Fraser or Corrente be counted on to fill the 6th spot? Probably one of them, I guess. I’d rather not see it though.
Then again, for all we know, Salvs will be fine for the rest of his career, Volchenkov will put in his healthiest season yet, and the young talent will have trouble time. To me, that scenario means we’ve got possible movers to actually do some damage at the deadline, rather than start the sale. I’d much rather that be the case.
I see your point. We could be fine. But there’s something that could be done now to it so we will be fine. I’m a bit risk averse and try to mitigate where possible.
The question is not how far. The question is, do you possess the constitution, the depth of faith, to go as far as is needed? - Il Duce
As stated originally, Urbom played like he didn’t belong in the NHL last year. He didn’t really do anything in Albany to change my mind afterwards.
he was given top minutes there and didn’t drown. just the fact that he made the team was huge. and he wasn’t that bad in the NHL either.
http://drivingplay.blogspot.com - the blog with three first lines
oops, i meant, just the fact that urbom made the team out of camp was huge. although NJ might’ve not been able to afford anyone else.
http://drivingplay.blogspot.com - the blog with three first lines
Fraser can play in Albany, can’t he?
by undersuspicion426 on Aug 3, 2011 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions
His deal is one-way, so any movement to Albany and back again would expose him.
The question is not how far. The question is, do you possess the constitution, the depth of faith, to go as far as is needed? - Il Duce
It’s generally not – if he goes on waivers, you risk having someone else claim him and you’re stuck with half of his cap hit without having the player; and if he passes through, then it’s because other teams think he’s not good enough at half of his cap hit.
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog
Yeah, I know how that works. I highly doubt any team is gonna claim Fraser off waivers though.
by undersuspicion426 on Aug 3, 2011 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions
eh, 40 games in when a team gets wrecked by injuries (and there were more than a few last year), giving the Devs the ole high hard one for a half-price D isn’t hard to imagine, even if it is for Fraser.
The question is not how far. The question is, do you possess the constitution, the depth of faith, to go as far as is needed? - Il Duce
Weber
I do not want to necessarily throw more flame on the speculation fire, but Weber has indeed gone to arbitration which most certainly means a contentious meeting and the possibility of wanting to sever ties, hehe
Weber and Predators go to Arbitration Hearing.
Even if he does accept a 1 year deal from the Preds, he’ll still be an RFA after his contract expires.
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by Kevin Sellathamby on Aug 2, 2011 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions
No. Pretty sure it’s a 27-7 thing.
Weber isn’t 26 yet, so a one year deal would make him 26 on July 1, next year when a one year contract would expire. I also think that his first season doesn’t count against the 7 since he only played 28 games. So at the end of next season, he’ll be 26-6, meeting neither the age or seasons played requirement for UFA.
ZP on the other hand just turned 27 (fortunately only 26 on July 1), making him a UFA by age when his current contract expires.
The question is not how far. The question is, do you possess the constitution, the depth of faith, to go as far as is needed? - Il Duce
This point about Weber is also important regarding a certain Devil- Jacob Josefson- he played 28 games this season, so instead of going UFA at 26, he will go UFA at 27 because the 28 games he played doesn’t count as an accrued season.
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by Kevin Sellathamby on Aug 2, 2011 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
This point about Weber is also important regarding a certain Devil- Jacob Josefson- he played 28 games this season, so instead of going UFA at 26, he will go UFA at 27 because the 28 games he played doesn’t count as an accrued season.
this is incorrect – a season is considered an accrued season if a player spends 40 games on the roster. josefson played 28 games but he was also hurt for more than 12 games, meaning that season counts and he will be a UFA at 26 (assuming the rules stay the same).
http://drivingplay.blogspot.com - the blog with three first lines
really? I should really read the CBA (even though it makes absolutely no sense)
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by Kevin Sellathamby on Aug 2, 2011 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Right I should have clarified, the remainder of his (Weber’s) first season was in the AHL, rather than an injury. That is the reason it didn’t count towards his 7 for UFA status.
The question is not how far. The question is, do you possess the constitution, the depth of faith, to go as far as is needed? - Il Duce
He’s 26 when his contract expires and he’ll only have 6 years of NHL experience (29 games in 05-06 doesn’t count because it was less than 40 games)
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by Kevin Sellathamby on Aug 2, 2011 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
So unless the Preds think they won’t resign him after
Well, that’s the point, the decision over his salary is no longer in their hands, the arbitrator could handcuff them a bit. Gotta think Weber is getting north of $6.5M
I’m thinking 1 Year $7M. The guy was a beast. That’s right. I said it. Beast!
The question is not how far. The question is, do you possess the constitution, the depth of faith, to go as far as is needed? - Il Duce
This is meaningless
Remeber, most importantly, it’s not going to be your decision. So what you or anyone else here suggests will be meaningless.
STOP SUGGESTING MOVES, ITS LOU’S CALL NOT YOURS
by Zubrus for Hart on Aug 2, 2011 3:10 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
If we had to rely on Lou's moves only
there would be no content to this site other than post-news grumblings.
I believe this is a reaction to other fan shots…
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by MikePelusoTears on Aug 2, 2011 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Why are you on this blog if you won’t speculate?
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by DownGoesAvery on Aug 2, 2011 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
NEED another defenseman.
I admit to not being the biggest fan of Colin White over the last decade, but the truth is he was one of the ONLY players who played like a man in front of the net. His strong defense and experience will be missed.
That said, I think this team needs another shutdown, crease clearing, defender. I’d like to see a big name come in another trade, but that is unlikely.
The Devils have a pretty packed house in the farm system, I’d like to see it get used along with SOME of the cap space now available.
You're playing worse and worse every day and right now you're playing like it's next month.
- Herb Brooks
by Michael Gianetti on Aug 2, 2011 4:17 PM EDT reply actions
Do they really need one? Forget Bryce Salvador.
You figure Taormina, Greene and Larsson could get power play time, so after that, your “shutdown” pairing would be Volchenkov-Fayne. Larsson has strong shutdown skills as well. Sure, it’s a young team, but this is a long-term project…
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by DownGoesAvery on Aug 2, 2011 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m all for having “projects” I would just like to see them on a third pairing, not the top defensive line. Fayne and Volchenkov sounds nice, but can we really trust Fayne to be one of our top 2 defenseman?
Greene is now the most defensively minded player after A-train. I’m sorry but that makes me uneasy.
Also, I’m not trying to knock our new golden boy, but I have never seen Larsson play so I just take the word of the experts on this site. John says Larsson should stay in Sweden another year.
IMO the Devils would be in better shape if they had one more veteran, top four defenseman.
You're playing worse and worse every day and right now you're playing like it's next month.
- Herb Brooks
by Michael Gianetti on Aug 3, 2011 9:08 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
John says Larsson should stay in Sweden another year.
I think John’s made the point repeatedly that the main reason he wants Larsson to stay overseas is so his ELC doesn’t start. He’d also get 1st line minutes in all situations over there.
That’s not to say he wouldn’t be ready to play here, and if he is one of the top 6 he should.
Sort of. The main argument for Larsson to stay at Skelleftea was that there is an opening for a first pairing defenseman with the departure of David Rundblad. Given that Larsson was on their second pairing and has played a sizeable role on their defense, I feel that he has a real shot at taking Rundblad’s own spot. This way he gets prime minutes in the SEL, he can develop further in a big role and do so without affecting New Jersey or Albany.
Of course, I wrote all that before the signing. Now I’m resolved to the idea he’ll be in North America; but I do not want his ELC burned right away. Albany is where he should be unless he absolutely sparkles.
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog
I might have to go up to Albany once this year and check out a game. Regardless of my point that we need another veteran, I am EXTREMELY excited about the talent Lou has amassed at our blueline.
John, has there ever been an organized trip to Albany through ILWT?
You're playing worse and worse every day and right now you're playing like it's next month.
- Herb Brooks
by Michael Gianetti on Aug 4, 2011 9:06 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
but can we really trust Fayne to be one of our top 2 defenseman?
by the end of the year, Fayne was getting 20 minutes a game.
If Salvador isn’t ready, they should get a depth guy, but I don’t think another veteran top 4 guy is needed.
http://drivingplay.blogspot.com - the blog with three first lines
by the end of the year, Fayne was getting 20 minutes a game.
Yeah. You gotta love what this kid did ALL year. I’m really excited to see if he can get even better this year. If he is able to perform that well this year, my point is probably mute.
If Salvador isn’t ready, they should get a depth guy, but I don’t think another veteran top 4 guy is needed.
That’s kind of where my trepidation stems. I was never a big fan of Salvador to begin with but I think the team could really use him. If he isn’t good to go, I think it would be necessary to get another veteran player.
As presently constituted, and not including Salvador, arguably half of the Devils defense would be young and/or unproven. I wouldn’t be upset if that’s the way it has to be, but I’d be more comfortable knowing for sure that our blue line was solid.
You're playing worse and worse every day and right now you're playing like it's next month.
- Herb Brooks
by Michael Gianetti on Aug 3, 2011 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
by the end of the year, Fayne was getting 20 minutes a game.
Sophomores tend sometimes to have a struggle to be (at least) the same player they were one season earlier. We should be very prudent with Fayne in my opinion.
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Aug 3, 2011 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Sophomores tend sometimes to have a struggle to be (at least) the same player they were one season earlier. We should be very prudent with Fayne in my opinion.
I don’t think this is true. Sophomore players are generally better than rookies.
http://drivingplay.blogspot.com - the blog with three first lines
I loved what he did last year, and am looking forward to seeing him again this year. My only concern is how much of his success was due to the Lemaire influence, and if it is a persistent effect, or left when JL did.
The question is not how far. The question is, do you possess the constitution, the depth of faith, to go as far as is needed? - Il Duce
Sophomore players are generally better than rookies.
That’s quite logical, but I’m very suprised you never of the "sophomore slump,"
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Aug 4, 2011 8:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Veteran D-Man
I too would like a veteran D-man…
What about Scott Hannan becoming a Devil – not for 4.5 million as was his salary last year – but for say 2.5? Although, is he a vast improvement over Colin White? Scott is a hard nosed, stay at home D-man. Wait… so is Whitey.
Chris Campoli – 3 million is probably what he is seeking. Would he be a positive addition?
Who else is available?
by hundred acre wood on Aug 5, 2011 8:48 PM EDT reply actions
If you feel the need to bring in a veteran defenseman, and you’re budgeting anything more than the League minimum, it would beg the question why Colin White was bought out in the first place.
As for Chris Campoli, he’s not worth anywhere near $3 million. The reason he’s a UFA right now is because he and the Blackhawks were going to go to arbitration, and they “settled” on a high number award ahead of time ($2.5 million) that allowed Chicago to exercise their walkaway rights. If the ‘Hawks weren’t interested in paying him anything close to that number, why should we?
They’re different players (obviously), but I think signing Campoli at this point would be a slap in the face to Colin White. Just my opinion.
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by DownGoesAvery on Aug 7, 2011 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Good Points Acasser…
I can understand if Lou bought out Colin White to free cash to chase a player. Perhaps at a later date? He must have confidence in the remaining D-Men as White was solid.
Question: Can a RFA choose to be signed by another team?
by hundred acre wood on Aug 6, 2011 7:26 PM EDT reply actions
Question: Can a RFA choose to be signed by another team?
RFAs are free to sign offer sheets with other teams, although it isn’t quite as simple a procedure as that sounds like. There are rules regarding draft pick compensation, depending on the cap hit of the contract being signed…. and the RFAs team retains matching rights to the contract. There’s also something of a gentleman’s agreement among NHL General Managers that tends to keep offer sheets from happening very often as well (especially to high end players, e.g. Drew Doughty who remains an RFA at this point).
At this point in the off-season, the Devils (and just about everyone else, for that matter) aren’t about to float an offer sheet to a restricted free agent. Teams planning on poaching another club’s talent through that avenue will do it early, as to have the ability to work a fallback move if the offer sheet is matched (and it almost always is).
I might as well mention it, as I have mentioned it in my fanpost, how about Ryan Suter? He has a small enough cap hit at 3.5 mil, but can probably be acquired for a defensive prospect and a late round pick. Nashville won’t want to lose him for nothing in the offseason, although they might not want to trade him if they are having a good season. It would be a good way to have him like the team and have a greater chance of him signing with us in the offseason What do you think?
I don’t mean before the season. That would be way too expensive as you said. If Nashville isn’t in contention they will want to trade him, as they don’t have the deepest pockets in the league, and thus won’t be able to sign him. Plus, this can be a good way to entice Shea Weber to the Garden State… Just a thought. I felt that I should throw that in there due to all the talk of him in this fanpost. He is a really good player and could be part of a plan to get another really good player.
Pipe? Meet Dream
Nashville will be able to choose which of their pending free agents they are interested in re-signing — there are a ton of RFAs and UFAs for them after the season, and they only have $21 million and change committed in cap space for next season as of right now.
If the Predators decide to shop Ryan Suter, it won’t be for the bargain basement price of a late-round pick and a prospect. They’ll be able to reap good value for him even at the trade deadline and even with Suter being a UFA after this season. Good defensemen are always in demand, and $3.5 million is in the neighborhood of the “going rate” for solid D-men.
Shea Weber is an RFA again after this season, so there shouldn’t be any discussion about “luring him to the Garden State”. The cost to bring Weber in would be prohibitive…. not just in terms of the money required to make the deal work, but also in terms of compensation to Nashville. If you load up an offer sheet for Nashville not to match, you’re probably looking at Ovechkin-type money and then have to fork over a large number of 1st-round picks as compensation — and that would oblige the Devils to have already given up their #1 this year to satisfy the Kovalchuk judgment from last summer (otherwise, they don’t have the pick available and legally cannot float an offer sheet per the CBA rules). If you try and swing a trade for Weber, Nashville will rightfully demand multiple top prospects.
The offer sheet isn’t a realistic possibility…. and I doubt Lou Lamorello is inclined to go that route when most NHL GMs won’t consider the same possibility. I doubt Lou would meet the trade price, either. Either way, I think Weber isn’t going to be a Devil.
Getting back to Ryan Suter, while the price wouldn’t be quite as high there is no reason to pay it. If the idea was to have a solid second-pairing defenseman, there was no reason to buy out Colin White. A Suter trade only works if you sign him to a multi-year extension…. and I don’t see why Suter would give up his opportunity to get paid when you factor in what defensemen have gotten on the FA market in recent years. Suter would be in high demand, if not the top UFA defenseman available…. short of overpaying him to stay, he’ll play the market.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand everything you’re saying and I’ve already contemplated it well beforehand. Just for the sake of speculation I posted about this. I as well highly doubt that Weber, who is one of the top defensemen in the league will wear our Jersey in the coming years. Again I’ll say, I really only threw that tibbit in due to the fact of the conversation of him here. More towards a rational idea is the fact of Nashville potentially shopping Suter halfway through the season, as what they will receive in return would be very attractive. It would be attractive to any team of course depending on what it is, but especially to them. Again, they don’t have the deepest pockets in the league, and most of their talent is homegrown that they developed. Losing Suter through free agency would be a blow to them, and quite frankly, depending on their situation in the standings, I don’t see them taking that risk. Losing him with no compensation? That would be horrible to them. Suter is a solid player.
If teams would make a push to land him, especially us, we would have to give up prospects, and most likely picks along with that. When you look at our farm system, we have a lot of unproven young defensemen. Players like that is what Nashville has thrived on in the past, and unless they are willing to open up the wallet to resign Suter at a higher price, let alone their future predicament with Shea Weber, I feel that they will take the trade route for compensation. We could trade one or two of our prospects like Eric Gelinas, maybe Urbom, a few offensive kids like Sesito and the likes, even through in Salvador if he’s healthy and playing right, and maybe a second round pick, and I think that would make them really happy. Of course, any deal like this is only speculation, and I’m only throwing a few names out there. It would also be contingent on a multi-year extension for Suter with us of course like you stated.
Again, I’m beginning to be redundant, but it’s only speculation, and that is just about all we can do right now.
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