It could be for a winning culture, it could also be for depth, a good character player to insert in case of injuries.
This makes sense on many levels, cap space, vet leadership, depth in case jvr and bozak go elsewhere. When the deal is about to expire, the big bucks will begin to flow towards, (matthews,nylander,marner).
Has anyone watched Marleau the last 3 seasons. He can still shoot the puck, but his skating to vacant spots is funny. He doesn't hit, doesn't block shots and is frigging 37. I do not see this signing ending well. He scored 46 pts last year on a good shark team, playing 1st line minutes and PP. This is probably my worst free agent signing.
The salary cap did not go up but, Price for 10.5 and 8. Kusnetsov 8 years at 7.5. Marleau for 3 years at 6.5. He will end up on LTIR even though he never gets injured. That third year will show a problematic girly syndrome. PGS is a serious disease, please donate today.
BREAKING: Capitals trade Marcus Johansson to?Devils in exchange for a second-round pick and third-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. Sent to hell... I mean the Devils.
Jvr and bozak don't hit or block shots either, only way to fill the void in case of jvr's departure. I see this as part of a trade sending jvr packing for a d-man. Lupul will be off the books in a year, so if it doesn't work out, PM will be in LITR heaven.
Best goalie in the league, best player on the team, lost without him. McD's deal sets the bar, and Price is worth at least 11M. He has leverage on the term, he has them in a corner, they have no other options.
No comparison, I couldn't care less about the habs. They could trade him for another goalie, what sense would that make? He's also the face of the team, I don't see much options.
No doubt, this would've been ideal, under the new CBA, 8 yrs is the max, and his agent was gunning for the max. An 8 year deal will take him until he's 37, guaranteed money, if the habs tried to play hardball with the term, it would've went south.