Carmel Corn

Respectfully, I hope it is Simashev. This is where my philosophy may differ from the masses, who might say BPA. I'd like to see more depth and size in our Defense pipeline and if somebody like Benson grades out .01 higher than Simashev, then I'd rather see GMKA pick the big defender vs. the guy who is .01 higher.

Agree on the liklihood Power will want a bridge deal. With that said, what do we think is a reasonable average per year amount to try and convince him to do 8 years? IMHO - less that $8 million will not be enough and therefore are we supportive of something more like $9 to $10, which is what I think it would take.

I hated to lose him as well, but we went with the 7-3-1 approach to protect more forwards....which regrettably included Bjork. Otherwise we were more at risk protecting just 8 skaters. We needed to protect Risto with the anticipation of trading him. Dahlin was obvious and the other protected D was Joki. I have mixed feelings about Joki today and if we had to do it all over again, who would you rather have.....Borgen or Joki?!?!

It was very interesting to see the efforts GMKA went through to try and move up and take Kulich after they drafted Östlund. Sometimes it is nice to get what you want without having to give up as much as you were willing to in order to get it.

I think Hagg was traded to get an asset before we were going to lose him anyway to free agency....so he was gone. Who were you going to want to sign instead of Boosh to fill the gap? Slim pickings available (without overpaying) was my recollection.

Just thinking that maybe we could sign Graves as a UFA for maybe $5 to $6 million a year and not give up more than a 3rd (using Severson's example)....wouldn't be a bad alternative IMHO.

Yup....Florida just seems so flat this series. The long break was the worse thing for them. Barkov and Sam are not generating much at all to help.

This is the guy (Simashev) that I hope we take at 13.

Agree....there can be such a thing as TOO loyal with respect to players and coaches. I know they are trying to create a new culture, but WINNING > culture.

Interesting scenario there....plus he is a right-hander....which would be ideal. I'd still like to see a Graves (lefty) UFA offer as an alternative.

IDK - I thought he was showing a more "sturdy" game towards the end. He may not become the next Zdeno Chara, but he has more tenacity then I expected.

"If" he is still there, yes....but too many teams drafting ahead of us will not pass him up.

Are you thinking with one of our 2nd rounders?

IDK - I'd prefer Graves to Severson honestly. I want a better defender vs. two-way guy. Wondering though what this means for possibly getting Graves....another 3rd rounder? With CBJ, still wondering with this addition if we could pry Jiricek from the jackets (wishful thinking), since they are loading up on defenders.

Absolutely NO without a known extension. Even with a known and say reasonable extension, I still take the long-term view vs. short-term expected benefit that comes with Helle. Long-term, I think Levi is going to be a top 10 goalie in this league (if not higher).

All these different proposals are hard to keep track of. IMHO - GMKA should stick to the principal of a 2nd round + UPL and not much beyond that for Hart. If Philly wants our first and/or a blue chip prospect, then move on and focus on improving the defense.

If I'm not mistaken, that will put him 3rd overall (per year average) behind Karlsson and Doughty. IMHO, it's a fair offer for a "new" long-term contract for a defender.

Great day if this happens for $10 million per year. It makes Edmonton look like fools for the Darnell Nurse contract.....which IMHO is a terrible contract for the Oilers.

If CBJ gets Provorov, I can't help but dream that maybe Jiricek could be had for a high, high price. Otherwise, I would think there is absolutely no chance he would be moved....again, maybe I'm dreaming.

So is this a good thing (or not) vs. playing in Rochester???

Don't forget the "Whammy Weenies"!!!

I know the prevailing strategy is BPA, but I personally wish this could be augmented to consider "need" as well. If your pipeline is already loaded with talented, but smaller forwards....I'd like to see more weight applied to draftees who can play power forward or physical defense play. Yes trades can happen, but I'd argue that they don't happen enough and the price to buy UFA's is too great. If there is a viable power forward or strong defender that is "close" to the BPA, then trade down or just take the "need" player.

Interesting. I don't know how STL can move Parayko's long-term contract without a major commitment to eating some of the salary for multiple seasons

IMHO - Joki is a 3rd pair guy, not a second....on the other hand, I'd rather have Graves instead of Severson as well....more of a shutdown top 4 than Severson.

Yes, time will tell. I am at a loss though to state if there is anything particularly strong about Joki's play that can serve as a foundation for him to build from. IMHO, he is simply "meh" at every aspect of the D-man role. I can't think of anything he does that is above average and the only redeeming quality he has is being a right hander. Is he better than Bryson or Clague, absolutely....but those two should not even be in the NHL.