J-P

OEL said in his interview today that "I know I haven't been good enough" and also expressed that it was natural that trade rumours etc. occurs if you don't live up to your contract. He's still put up 0.5 PPG during the last 4 years, and I'd imagine there are a lot of players that would look at the issue as being something other than themselves. I like that attitude - although the 4 years might indicate he sees Tocchet as part of the problem - and also that he seems genuinely anxious to get over and start skating right away!

I like Garland's quote that OEL had a monster playoff in the bubble but the following debacle with the trade that didn't happen last summer probably ended all enthusiasm he had left for Arizona (not to mention the rift with Tocchet, anyone know what that was about?). Tells me a motivated and liberated OEL might be a treat for us, although it's hard to be sure what his somewhat decline the last 2-3 seasons really means. If he was able to really step it up in the bubble when games meant more that says at least something. Also don't buy the soft or bad defensively take, I think it's quite the opposite in both cases, but time will tell.

He's not but paired with a setup man like EP he can do damage in any game and his cap hit is low considering what he brings with scoring, experience, board play etc. That said - he's too old to play a vital part of our contending roster so although I'd like him here i respect the decision to not prioritize his negotiation (although with hindsight it could have been done of course).

If true, seriously one piece of good news for our team during this expansion draft day...

So will it really be 4x4 in Seattle? Is the topic really correct = it's a confirmed signing? Makes no sense for me for two reasons. 1) why Seattle? There might be reasons i don't know about but Larsson's preference at this point would likely be a contender or an up and coming team imo. There's a difference between having a good team - regardless of whether Seattle plays the long game or try right away - and actually being a team that could make it. 2) why 4x4? Unless the injury issues mentioned are serious - and seems strange that that would surface this late - he for sure would be getting better offers from us as well as other teams.

Thinking Seattle will select MacEwen. He's proven he can play 12/13F in the NHL while Lind and Gad likely needs more time in the minors. The smart pick is Gadj though, lots of upside (but might also bust). If Seattle picks Holtby or MacEwen I'll be satisfied although it would be sad to see MacEwen go.

Also said he knew our lineup and felt it was clear to him he'd fit in and how he could contribute right away. I like that attitude.

Ha ha I agree with your logic, but then again, there's a reason why you had to put "first time ever" in there... As for Eichel, if a team feels the injury situation is manageable (and that's a big if) and the NHL players + prospects are not top calibre + they lower their asking price a bit down the line, it's not unreasonable. Not saying we should do it regardless, but someone will.

Motte is a 4th liner in the top 10 teams of the league. Highmore is not an NHL player on most rosters in the NHL. Beagle if healthy has regressed but is maybe a 4th line center on the bottom 10 teams. Of course chemistry matters, beagle/rousell/Motte was for an example way better as a unit than individually. But like i said that top 9 you proposed is really good but the 4th line is really bad.

I really like Hyman and would love him on our team. Dependent on the contract of course. As for your projected lineup, the top 9 is top 5 in the league but the 4th line is bottom 5 imo.

Two things I'm thinking about regarding Edler. 1) don't think he'll consider Seattle or anything but a true contender, the agent's comment about the long time losing getting to him hurts but also tells something about why he after all this time might move on. 2) when Reiily Smith tried to take EP:s head of last playoffs, who "accidentally" happened to steamroll Smith from behind with a crosscheck to the back/neck on the next Line change between the whistles without even getting a penalty although Smith was clearly in a lot of discomfort (refs get that kind of payback within the limits)? You know who.

Totally agree. He couldn't find a better fit than to play with QH and neither can we. So unless he's destined to resign or he wants more term than five years let's get him! Will be north of 5 mil though IMO, but I'm ok with 5.5 and max five years but no more than that.

I think he's coming back too but it's still strange. The rumours are GL would sign for something like 6x7 (with the Avs) and even in this climate that's kind of a no-brainer as a starting point (maybe with some negotiations on clauses or a few 100k), so letting it go this far is not a good look. GL is on record saying he's disappointed this wasn't done quite some time ago.

Agree. Usually you get a little less for longer term, but in this case it's the opposite. E.g. 5.3x3 is a fair deal for both parties. I don't see him getting much more than that on a bridge deal. 7x8 on the other hand is risky for both player and team but with great reward potentially for the team and a nice garuanteed income for the player (although it might be very below market value after a few years).

MH is a far superior player vs QH at this point and probably always will be a more complete player. Maybe it will look different in a few years, but right now QH should be nowhere near those numbers IMO. A bridge deal around 5 mil would be my guess.

He he that's the intriguing part right? Deadline getting close for the protection lists...

Not sure about that. Last time my interpretation was the agent wanted to continue negotiations and get a better deal and Alex just said "enough, get what you can for two years and close the deal". This time the vibe is different, the part about Alex making the decision on his own doesn't feel like something the agent could put in his mouth as a negotiation tactic. Torn about this though - would love him to return and retire here while at the same time he'd be much more vaulable on the second pairing on a contender and we also need to push the younger LD:s on our team.

Well he took 2x6 to remain in Vancouver when he easily could have gotten say 5x5 on the open market, so there's that...

Yeah that trade looks really bad in this context. Or penguins counting on Zucker not being a good fit (which I would agree on)?

I agree. I don't think this is about money at all as many believe. I think that incident made it obvious he just isn't a core piece going forward. And on the ice I think it's a bad look. The other part though, away from the ice, is more understandable. He's too old to be part of our window and so we need to prioritize other players. Combine that with the Simmonds incident and I can understand why Eddie would consider moving to a contender instead. Will miss him. Think this will hurt more than people realize short term, but maybe OJ and/or Rathbone seizes the opportunity making it worth it in the long run.

Agree, well put, that was my point sort of.

About Boeser, he's a valuable asset but for me it comes down to the facts that he will always be average defensively at best and is not someone driving play on his own. He's a good finisher but not on the level of Ovi/Laine/Matthews or even EP , so that ability in itself is not worth 7 mil+ in current climate. Does that mean he's a bad player or should automatically be traded or that he can't be a big part of a contender? No, but it means he's not a deciding factor on a contender and that his QO is about what you can pay him - and maybe it's still a bit much - without disrupting cap structure going forward. And hence the speculations. It should be noted though that his contract is not bad considering when it was signed (quite the opposite). If he has a big season along EP maybe he'll sign around the QO for a few years and it's a win for everybody, but if he wants more than that it becomes a problem.

IMO McCann is not someone I want on the team. Serviceable NHL player after a few years but nothing special and also has a history of reported character issues (too many to be just rumours). I'm sure Benning is even more firm on this point than me though ;-)

Maybe. I want neither on the team. Think Mac, Bailey, Gadj, Graovac (if resigned), Highmore (if here after ED) and Lind are the unestablished players that should be rotated in and out in the bottom 6. Think we can do better in FA this year than Boyd if we want a cheap 4th line replacement.

Right, didn't think about that, thanks!