nfreeman

TW -- I completely agree that Chicago is a major threat to sign him, and that he would definitely have the opportunity to play good minutes with their big guns. Very nice. Outstanding. While I would normally support this type of levelheadedness, we're very close to officially being in the dog days of summer. Cam Fowler ain't walking through that door tomorrow. Time to crank the hysteria up to 11. Or crank Eleven up to hysterical. Or something. They can, but they never would. Quenneville wouldn't consider it for a second.

Worth remembering that he's one of the few Darcy draftees that GMTM liked enough to keep and give an extension to. I think if healthy he'll have a good season. He's fast, creative, exciting and he plays with an edge.

Regarding the puck hog who doesn't see his linemates allegation-- he did have 42 assists last season. KO said in his conference call yesterday (which is on the WGR audio vault) that the islanders never made him an offer. That is kinda strange. He also said that he and Moulson are godfathers to each other's kids.

I just think it's kinda premature to assume Vesey is going to be in the top 6 this year.

good stat!

Oooooooohhh. That stings.

Couple more tidbits on KO: - His career started in the USHL -- same league as Zemgus - After 1 year in the USHL, in which he put up 58 pts in 50 games, he was drafted #7 overall. - He then went to the U. of Minnesota for 2 years. He had a big scoring year as a freshman, with 19-21-40 in 40 games. It looks like he was injured and missed half the season during his 2nd year. - He then turned pro. In his first pro season, he may have been recovering from the prior year's putative injury, as it looks like he only played half the season -- mostly in the AHL. - After that season, he was full-time in the NHL, with 18 goals in his first season and 19 in his 2nd.

Very nice. Separately: if they add Vesey and Fowler, then, with the additions of KO and Kulikov (and perhaps a fire lit under the meatheaded Kane), that is a big offseason. Kane-ROR-Ennis Reino-Eichel-KO Vesey-Larsson-Gionta Deslauriers-Schaller-Bailey Kulikov-Risto Fowler-Bogo McCabe-Gorges (Foligno & Zemgus & other pick/prospect traded for Fowler)

Here are some non-fancy stats: - 6'0", 217. - Age 28 -- turns 29 next April - Averaged over 22 min per game in ice time in 11 playoff games this year, in which he scored 2-6-8 (including 4 PP pts and a SHG), with 44 SOG. - In the last 4 non-lockout seasons, he had 24, 27, 18 (in 60 games) and 22 goals. - Last year, in the regular season, he had 22-42-64, with 202 SOG, in just over 18 min per game. That is a legit top-6 winger.

I'd say this qualifies as a big move -- any dissenters?

Dude -- you do understand that there is a salary cap, yes? And that every dollar that is spent on player X is a dollar that is not available to be spent on player Y? Exactly -- there will always be budget teams with plenty of cap space who, if bribed sufficiently with other assets, will take on a player with a lower cash cost. But I've seen some very nice things about KO's fancystats -- do you disagree? Quite possibly, but the risk for the last couple of years is mitigated by the tradeability of his contract due to front-loading.

Both of your statements are true, and fair -- and he needs to understand them and act accordingly. His failure to do so doesn't make him a bad guy, but it could do substantial harm to his career and income -- so it's very much in his interest to figure it out.

The bolded should probably be revised to say "...can't go to Chippewa and stay out until 3:00 AM, when most of who's left are either wasted or skeezy, and not get messed with." He should know by now that the risk curve after midnight looks like a hockey stick.

As always, the question is whether it will happen, not whether you want it to happen/not happen. I voted "yes," although I have no idea what it will be. I just think GMTM knows his team isn't currently where he wants it to be, and he doesn't believe in sitting back and hoping it will get better on its own.

Right, but my point is that he gets $68MM for 8 years from TB, less taxes, as opposed to $84MM for 7 years from Buffalo/Toronto, less taxes. So, if we are determining the best economic move from Stamkos' perspective, we have to remember that the Buffalo/Toronto deal would be 7 years, after which he'd be able to sign another contract under which he'd be paid additional amounts for that 8th year. The calculator that WBOE linked to compared the 7-year Buffalo/Toronto deals to the 8-year TB deal -- not the 7-year Toronto/Buffalo deals plus a hypothetical 8th year.

This is fair, but at the same time they are both good, young, all-around defensemen who are/were RFAs. I agree that Krug's numbers justify a higher contract than Risto's do.

Another solid Risto comparable.

OK -- I just listened to the interview. Laraque said that an agent called GMTM to inquire about one of the agent's clients, a forward, and that GMTM told him in response that the Sabres were devoting all of their attention first to Stamkos, so GMTM couldn't have a serious conversation about the agent's client. Then, GMTM allegedly told the agent that the Sabres are looking to unload Kane. That agent then relayed the conversation to Laraque. This sounds pretty far-fetched to me -- I don't see why in the world GMTM would offer that up to an agent -- but I can totally see a different GM planting that with the agent, or the agent fabricating it to advance his clients' interests.

Well yes -- I am assuming that he would be worth at least $5MM as a 33-year-old. I recognize that this is a questionable assumption -- but I can also see him getting more than that per year on a short-term deal.

I'd like Backes, but have no interest in a deal longer than 2 years for him -- and I think someone will give him 4 years. I think Nash is now my preferred target for a forward upgrade -- he's a proven scorer and the risk is limited as he's only under contract for another 2 years. I'd still be happy with a trade for Fowler, but am skeptical in light of market costs for defensemen.

I'm hoping that this is classic Canadian hockey media frenzied rumormongering, and I think it's at least 50/50 that that is the case, but I certainly have to acknowledge the possibility that it is true. It's also quite possible that it's untrue and planted by a rival GM.

Thanks. Again, though, the extra year needs to be considered -- that's probably at least another $5MM for NYS.

Interesting.

No chance.

I don't think the bolded is accurate. Stamkos probably confirmed that Toronto and Buffalo were willing to pay him $12MM x 7 years, and he already knew that TB was willing to pay him $8.5MM x 8 years. The tax differences between NYS and FLA do not make up for the $16MM difference in total contract value or for the extra year.