Canes have a seriously flawed defense if you asked me. Even with 2 Staal's they aren't going far with that D, IMO.
Pitkanen is good, but I don't think he can carry that defense.
Doan would immediately change the profile of the lines.
And Give you Stafford - Pommer- Doan on the right side. Crap...that is a lot of options for two way play.
He's worth overpaying for.
Is there a better leader in Hockey? There might be as good as, but I don't think there is better. You might not get 25 goals, but you are getting much more than goals.
Besides. What free agent going forward wouldn't want to play with Shane Doan?
They are certainly top 6 talent. If only because they really aren't 3rd or 4th line players.
Ennis or Armia aren't guys you want on a checking or energy line.
Its a case of top 6 or nuttin.
I still think he's an NHL player. He's only played about 50 or so games in the NHL at defense.
Given a situation where he can get ice time, I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes 40 pt. player.
I really don't make too much of Vancouver letting him go. As playoff depth, they got a guy who could pass with some playoff experience. It might be a bit of a stretch but I wouldn't be surprised if he plays 60+ games in Raleigh this year.
But in terms of thinking hockey, imagine Hossa in his prime in Columbus playing on a different line than Nash, which line would draw top coverage? Nash's or Hossa's?....it might be different every night, but they would both benefit.
What is hard to know, however, is how taking the Parise off the Devils translates to other teams.
Brian Gionta stayed fairly consistent, Scott Gomez .....not so much.
Hmmmm.......that's the next 984 games in Pittsburgh.
104,000,000 divided by 984 divided by 3 = $35,400 or so a period. or $116,000 a game if he plays or not. :)