2017 Free agency thread.

Lots of quality RFAs this summer. Not banking on any offer sheets but just in case-

$8.45-10.57 nets 2 1sts, 2nd and 3rd
$10.57+ nets 4 1sts

Marner, Point, Raantanen, Laine, McAvoy, Aho, Werenski, Tkachuk, Meier, Boeser, Connor, Trouba, Karlsson, Binnington

 

A lot of important players there, and there might be a lot of interesting negotiations this offseason.

Trouba stands out to me because, if I remember correctly, he's already indicated that he wants to be elsewhere. While a team would need to send the given picks for an offer sheet in a certain range, that doesn't preclude two teams working out a deal to trade the players for other compensation. He also stands out because there are a list of teams that need valuable defensemen, and if he wants out, he'll be in demand.

 

Ya Trouba is only a year away from unrestricted free agency so Id think he's either flipped and signed long term or he signs a 1 year deal.
Wouldnt be mad if the Bruins threw a $9m offer sheet at either Marner or Point. Strengthen yourself in the immediate while weakening division foes or make them pony up.
Fluto Shinzawa reported that the Bruins tried to sign McAvoy to an 8 year deal worth $7.5, Chuckie declined. this could be a sticky situation.

 

Definitely going to be a jewel for some teams, and likely a top story all offseason.

A solid strategy, and both great players. You'd be good with trading them the set compensation?

Ouch. Yeah, that doesn't bode well, unless the team is willing to pay more, and that was just the starting point.
We'll trade you Matheson - you get him for 7 years, and at only at $4.5 mil. Come on...

 

I had enough of Matheson from his 3 years at BC. I know you’re kidding tho

I’d be ok giving up the compensation for a star like Marner or Point. Sell out for now if you’re the Bruins and bank on those 2 1st being in the 20s+

 

Please take him. Please. I'm begging you. Someone - anyone - just take him.

I think that's the right approach. I'm always about teams going all-in when the opportunity is right, and the assets given up are minimized.

 

Alright, kids - I know the Finals is now underway, but unless you're a fan of the Blues or Bruins, you're well underway thinking about next season. We still have draft day, and any trades that may take place during, but most players eyeing free agency are eager to see what contracts they can get.

Excluding players that you hope your team re-signs, I'm eager to find out:

What player reaching free agency are you most hoping that your team acquires?

 

Id like the Bruins to add skill and/or size up front.
the easy answer is Panarin but thats not gonna happen from a financial standpoint and it seems that the guy just straight up doesnt want to play in Boston anyway.
So my answers will have to be value-dependant but Id like to see a Michael Ferland, Wayne Simmonds or Anders Lee. Krejci could use a bigger guy on his right with Debrusk on his left.

 

More grindy grit in Boston, lol.

 

This can be a fun conversation, because all I can do is dream.

The Red Wings need a defenseman... Karlsson is out of the question, but maybe a Steve Yzerman ran organization might be able to real in a Tyler Myers or Alexander Edler type. They wouldn't be cheap as far as a Cap hit goes, but you get what you pay for.

Larkin could use 'consistent' help on the wings also. Maybe a Skinner or Eberle kinda guy would work. What pisses me of is, getting rid of good players that excel elsewhere... Nyquist would have worked with a Larkin if the higher-ups at the time had more patients.

Im really looking forward to seeing how the Wings do in FA signings under Yzerman… I have high hopes... he's a good one.

 

SY certainly raises hope in Motown. Their solid drafts over the past couple of years will help too. But, I'd be careful about Myers. He has never lived up to the expectations set after winning the Calder. While he brings some O, he is a defensive liability, and at 6' 8" is is the least intimidating player ever - if measured per the inch.

 

I want the Sabres to go lightly into FA. I think they need another year for players like Mittlestadt, Nylander, Thompson, and Olofsson to establish themselves.

There's the possibility of a nice D with Dahlin, Montour, and Ristoleinen. They have some complimentary types in the system like Will Borgen and Mathias Samuelsson. There's no reason to chase any names on D. They are probably better of sloughing off a Scandella and buying time with cheap short term players like Brad Hunt.

I'd like to see them try to reaquire Mark Pysyk if Florida doesn't ask too much.

The biggest FA for the Sabres needs to be Jeff Skinner.

 

i like that kind of player keeping their eye out for grandma Krejci. and when the real season begins the value of those guys really comes out.

 

Totally agree... ive been of that mind-set since the beginning of time. Its the grinders that can win you some late season games when they really count. Teams with all scorers and no grit get pushed and shoved around come playoff time and just cant win it. But, if you have a combo of scorers, solid D, goaltending and the guy's that can hit and grind it out, you win championships.

PS - Loved seeing Backes in there. Is he the kind of guy were talkin' about? I love the player that can hit, throw em and score... that's why as a Wings fan I was a huge Darren McCarty fan. I miss those types of players.

 

Ya I like Backes too and he is that kind of player. I fear the cliff is already approaching and it’s gonna be a steep fall for him though, actually typically is for the physical players. My biggest reservation with D.B. is that horrible contract.

 

flyers need scoring. i don't care who it is, just as long as they can score and i'll take him. the D could use a solid vet to mentor the young kids since ghost and prov are too young to lead on their own. i do not shop for a goalie. carter hart is the answer. they had 9 goalies this year. pick one as the backup to hart and that's it. don't waste money on a veteran goalie and waste the playing time of hart.

 

Lots of great stuff in here. Just chiming in at work while I have a chance. I'll come back to discuss all the answers given in here, because I think they paint an interesting picture of the league year to come.

While I'm here, quickly:

Florida needs G and D, first and foremost. Their F group is fine on their own, though I'm interested to see how the bottom 6 shakes out. McGinn isn't the most valuable player, but he was a sparkplug coming back from injury late in the year. He's a more physical player, and this team doesn't have any F's that fit that bill. We'll see if the re-sign him / sign FA F's of value.

The two big names thrown around are, of course, Bobrovsky and Panarin. The former is more necessity for the team, the latter a luxury. Both would cost big money, but would fit under the cap. While I respect Panarin, I'm not sure taking on his contract is necessary for this team. They have said that they're going all-in this year, so maybe he's part of it.

 

Nilsson signs two-year contract with Senators
Goalie gets $2.6 million annually, could have been UFA on July 1

 

Isn't that about $600k/per too much for this guy?

Not ragging. I'm really asking.

Fuck Ottawa! (Now, that is ragging.)

 

It's gonna be spensive, but it looks like Jeff Skinner is returning to Buffalo. He'll get the max. 8 year term with an AAV between $8.5-9.5MM.

Real spensive.

But the Sabres really had little choice - maybe "leverage" is the better word.

We Sabres fans better hope Ralph Krueger instills a team identity real quick. And, he better install a system that meshes with the talent and acknowledges just how young this team is. With Skinner, an identity, and a system, the Sabres have a chance to break out of their decade-long cycle of inconsistency* and suckitude. (* One may challenge that the Sabres have been consistent; consistently bad. I'm really referring to there lack of continuity - roster, coaching, and F.O.)