Draft being held in Chicago. Will be on NHL Network and NBCSN. Round 1 tonight at 7pm. Remaining rounds conducted Saturday.
Devils have #1 pick. Current thinking is they go Hischier but some smoke Patrick still in play. Unlikely to trade pick and trade down unless bowled over. Some rumors Vegas may try to trade for pick. Devils supposedly very active in trade talks as well. Rumored to be talking to MTL about Galchenyuk and also Hawks about Hjalmarsson/Anisimov. Some thought Henrique may be in play.
Rangers have #21 pick. Not clear who is being targeted but could see them targeting a defenseman prospect. Quite a few should be available around there. Rumors out there Rangers also in on Galchenyuk and are dangling Stepan around the league.
Isles have no 1st rounder. Rumors abound of trying to trade Hamonic for a 1st rounder in a package. Rumors of Flames being very interested.
It's a relatively weak UFA class. Most players of value are going to have 10+ teams after them.
This is the type of UFA class that can set a franchise back. You end up overpaying for mediocrity.
This is why I am confident that the Devils could get something decent in return for Kovalchuk.
As for Alzner I wanted NJ to go after him in free agency but with the news that there is likely to be a bidding war I think they should pass rather than get stuck overpaying with a long term deal.
@TheFourthPeriod
There is a lot of interest in Dan Girardi. Hearing he's highly sought after. Will be interesting to see the type of deal he gets post-buyout
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@CraigCustance
No city visits planned right now for Kevin Shattenkirk but that could change as the week progresses.
I think the door is pretty much slammed on the NHL participating, and players like Kovy, Ovie, Datsyuk, etc. have made it clear they want to play in the Olympics. IN fact Ovie laughed when the report came out and he said "I don't care what they say, I'm playing in the Olympics".
If Kovalchuk plays in the KHL this year he can play in the olympics and then is free to sign anywhere in the NHL next year.
he's getting up there in years so no idea where he feels more pressure (money of the NHL or Olympics), but it could be a factor.
He was also playing hurt this past season, IIRC. Which would explain the production dip (though also possible that he's just getting old and hitting a wall)
He was also playing hurt this past season, IIRC. Which would explain the production dip (though also possible that he's just getting old and hitting a wall)
San Jose pressure is different than NY or BOS pressure.
I doubt a guy who has played in the NHL for two decades really gets all that rattled by pressure at age 37. He's been around and seen everything by now.
I doubt a guy who has played in the NHL for two decades really gets all that rattled by pressure at age 37. He's been around and seen everything by now.
I don't think he gets rattled by it per se, but given his options and his age I'm not sure he wants it either. I can see him staying in SJ, going to CHI or MIN just as happily. I've even read Boston (which I doubt since they ran him out of town once already).
I think his preference is to stay in SJ. And he or Marleau will stay, but not both.
That's an old team with Thornton, Marleau, Pavelski, Ward, Burns, Paul Martin being core players.
I'd guess they might be the oldest team in the league with one of Marleau or Thornton.
With that said, Thornton can certainly be a much better play the next couple years. It's just enormously risky.
I think he'll be more productive than Stepan over the course of the next 2 seasons if he's healthy though. I also think he can be had for a little less than 5 per.
Thornton turns 38 next week.
Remember how quickly the end came for Jarome Iginla. He was the ageless veteran until he wasn't and it was right around the same age as Thornton is now. And from what I know Iginla didn't have the injury like Thornton does.
I would not rely on Thornton being better than Stepan. And if that's the play, save the 6.5M on Stepan to give 5.5M to Thornton over two years it's even more of a head scratcher.
In that contest I take Stepan 10 times out of 10 for the next two years.
I'm not saying Stepan can't be upgraded, of course he could he was a borderline 1C to begin with, but I don't think Thornton is upgrading him - even if he is the best available C on the market that fits the Rangers.
If I were a Rangers fan I'd hope that wasn't the plan to replace Stepan and there is actually a plan (and that plan isn't Zibenajad either).
It's a really high risk move, but I can see why they'd do it if they just don't think Stepan could ever elevate his game in April/May/June.
Thornton was also playing hurt last year and was still about as productive as Stepan was.
Like I said, it's possible that Thornton just hits that wall now and that's it sort of like MSL did. But Joe's game is different. He's still a really good playmaker.
If he plays 2 full seasons this year and next, I'd be pretty willing to bet that he's just as productive if not more productive than Stepan is.
It also depends where he goes. But I think a healthy Thornton could easily be a 65 pt pivot on this Rangers team. Something Stepan never accomplished.
It's a really high risk move, but I can see why they'd do it if they just don't think Stepan could ever elevate his game in April/May/June.
which would be the height of irony and showing everything Thornton coming full circle since that is the exact reason the Bruins traded him at 26 years old.
So the Rangers trade 26-year old Stepan because he doesn't have the playoff intensity/game elevation and replace him with Thornton who was traded at 26 because he couldn't elevate his game in the playoffs.
26 year old Thornton is obviously immensely better than 26 year old Stepan, but still ironic if it happens.
I wanted to roll the dice on him when he left EDM but I'm starting to think it's just never going to click for this kid. I'd pass.
Quote:
Former 1st overall who's failed to live up to it is right up Sather's lane. Hope Gorton can resist.
I wanted to roll the dice on him when he left EDM but I'm starting to think it's just never going to click for this kid. I'd pass.
Major pass. Maybe on a PTO, but even then probably not.
He's due a raise from the sub-$1m he was making, but probably doesn't require big number or term.
"I dont know that the Rangers are as eager for Shattenkirk as everybody thinks they are." #NYR
Thornton turns 38 next week.
Remember how quickly the end came for Jarome Iginla. He was the ageless veteran until he wasn't and it was right around the same age as Thornton is now. And from what I know Iginla didn't have the injury like Thornton does.
I would not rely on Thornton being better than Stepan. And if that's the play, save the 6.5M on Stepan to give 5.5M to Thornton over two years it's even more of a head scratcher.
In that contest I take Stepan 10 times out of 10 for the next two
I'm not saying Stepan can't be upgraded, of course he could he was a borderline 1C to begin with, but I don't think Thornton is upgrading him - even if he is the best available C on the market that fits the Rangers.
If I were a Rangers fan I'd hope that wasn't the plan to replace Stepan and there is actually a plan (and that plan isn't Zibenajad either).
Don't forget the special rules for signing a free agent over 35 years old. I believe you are stuck with that player for the entire contract. Maybe someone can correct me on this.
"I dont know that the Rangers are as eager for Shattenkirk as everybody thinks they are." #NYR
Here's an article on some of his comments.
Fan Rag Sports - ( New Window )
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Former 1st overall who's failed to live up to it is right up Sather's lane. Hope Gorton can resist.
I wanted to roll the dice on him when he left EDM but I'm starting to think it's just never going to click for this kid. I'd pass.
I wanted the Devils to give him a chance also. Now I am not sure I want him around the young prospects.
He wasn't even good in the AHL. 2012 draft strikes again.
Joe Thornton may be turning 38 years old on Sunday, but the veteran center may have no shortage of suitors for his services should he opt to go the unrestricted free agent route.
I think the most interesting guy this week is going to be Joe Thornton, said NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman during a Monday evening appearance on Sportsnet 590.
Host Damien Cox thought Friedman was going to say Alex Galchenyuk.
I get the sense hes staying, Damien, replied Friedman of the Montreal Canadiens forward. I dont think the trade possibilities materialized as much as they hoped.
Galchenyuk had been heavily-thought to have been on the move, so itll be interesting to see how that situation plays out over the next week or so in particular.
Friedman then continued on with his point about Thornton.
I dont know if hes ready to move, but I think theres a lot of teams that are going to reach out to him to gauge his interest. Joe Thornton may not be the captain in San Jose anymore, but hes a huge part of that community. He likes it there. He likes his teammates. Hes still a dominating presence in the room. I mean, there are guys who know him who say they cant see him leaving.
But he wants some term. And its always dangerous with a guy his age to give him term. The belief is that San Jose has some extensions done on July 1 Martin Jones, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, who are unrestricted in a year from now, but I think theyre going to get those done.
So whats left. Whats left for Thornton. I think theres a lot of teams Nashville, maybe Toronto, Montreal, Rangers I even wouldnt be surprised if a team like Columbus, who are all-in in the next two years, would call and say, What would it take.
Friedman noted that he thinks Thornton might be asking for three years, to see what he gets, and guessed that Thorntons range might be in the $5-7 million area.
I dont know. It can all be negotiable, right? I dont know exactly. I cant tell you a number. But the three-year term was talked a lot this past week.
And Ill tell you this: I think theres a lot of teams that at least want to talk to Joe Thornton and say, What would it take to get you here, so they know.
Link - ( New Window )
2/10 is about the max I'd go there.
IIRC, he and Nash are close friends. Not that it matters much, but..
2/10 is about the max I'd go there.
IIRC, he and Nash are close friends. Not that it matters much, but..
If Sather was still GM, I'd have no doubt that Thornton would be a Ranger. None.
It's the money I have an issue with. $7M? GTFO.
It's the money I have an issue with. $7M? GTFO.
I'm not sure if the Rangers think their window is with Hank.
Unless there's a trade in the works or some guarantee, trading your #1 C for the chance of signing a 38 year old Thornton is asinine.
And if the team was going to make this trade and take a bit of a step back, buying out Girardi was dumb too.
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Hank has 4 years left under contract, I agree no big deal going three instead of two years if you view the immediate window as tied to Hank.
It's the money I have an issue with. $7M? GTFO.
I'm not sure if the Rangers think their window is with Hank.
Unless there's a trade in the works or some guarantee, trading your #1 C for the chance of signing a 38 year old Thornton is asinine.
And if the team was going to make this trade and take a bit of a step back, buying out Girardi was dumb too.
I've said that since they announced the trade without getting "ready to contribute" assets back.
but I also learned to have patience, and the June 26 roster isn't the October 1 roster, so need to see whatever moves happen the rest of the way.
Same thing Habs fans are dealing with. They needed a C and they acquired Drouin (a talent, but not a 1C). They need a top 4D, and they didn't trade Galchenyuk for either.
patience, but IMO I don't see an obvious way the Rangers wind up with a 1C, but who knows these GM's get paid for this for a living.
Marc Methot is a Dallas Star.
Methot to Dallas for 2nd in 2020 and Ferguson, goalie the Stars just drafted from Kamloops
Nice trade for Dallas.
Wow, the VGK are doing absolutely everything to ensure they're not any good before 2020. This is weird. #Methot
Quote:
Brian Wilde @BWildeTBD 11h11 hours ago
Wow, the VGK are doing absolutely everything to ensure they're not any good before 2020. This is weird. #Methot
They don't have a dman I'd feel comfortable having on my top pair, and only Neal/Marchessault are guys I'd be happy with in my top six.
Brendan Smith still talking to Rangers, trying to make it happen http://wp.me/p14QU5-akzS
Should be a "must sign" for NYR IMO.
Hoping 3.5-4 per is enough to get it done but I may be underestimating a bit.
The Alex Radulov camp has heard form 10-11 teams so far. Not planning site visits at this point; still want to keep Montreal in the mix, too
Аrpon Basu Retweeted J-F Chaumont
Quick summary: Alzner tells Chaumont he's interested in signing with Habs, wants long term deal, talks with Caps essentially dead right now
I like Alzner, but he's definitely an overpay waiting to happen.
top 5 by position:
RW:
5: Kunitz
4: Marleau
3. Sharp
2. Vanek
1. Versteeg
C:
5. Derek Ryan (who?)
4. Bonino
3. Gagner
2. Thornton
1. Hanzal
LW:
5. Hemsky
4. Vrbata
3. Jagr
2. Williams
1. Radulov
D:
5. Smith (I'll paste his write-up on Smith below)
4. Franson
3. MDZ
2. Alzner
1. Shattenkirk
G (who cares), no franchise goalies are free agents.
Write up on Smith:
Smith's inclusion speaks to class' low quality. He's not prolific offensively and has never carved out a consistent role for the Detroit Red Wings despite his first-round pedigree.
He arrived in New York thanks to a midseason trade and immediately slid into the Rangers' blue line. There, he continued to be the solid but unspectacular defenseman he was in Detroit.
This is as good a time as any for the 28-year-old to hit the open market, as he boasts impressive underlying numbers despite underwhelming traditional counting stats. He should find a comfortable contract waiting for him in a role he can excel in.
Link - ( New Window )