UFA Day around the corner; will Panthers be active?
by Donny Rivette on Jun 29, 2010 8:20 PM EDT
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The final blast of summer hockey headlines are due for arrival Thursday afternoon, otherwise known around our circuit as UFA Day (and, as well, Canada Day for our northern-based buds).
Though this is not a particularly banner crop of unrestricted free agents (Kyle Wellwood, anyone?) one name above all will undoubtedly have hockey fans across the continent salivating in anticipation: winger Ilya Kovalchuk, whose previous $7.5M salary is likely to escalate by well more than a third. Lots of talk about Los Angeles posting the inevitable winning bid. It sure as Shinola woun't be Atlanta. Whichever franchise marries itself to the 338 goal scorer will certainly need a Master of Capology to navigate those murky financial waters. Think the Panthers can hack it? And would you want him considering the cap restrictions he would burden the team with? Or is passing up a shot at one of the world's five best forwards simply too tasty? Is it even remotely realistic?
Semi-related: for a very well-written explanation of restricted free agency, check out Sean's excellent article at Nucks Misconduct.
We'll be going live with our 2010 UFA Day Open Thread of Calamity around 11am EST Thursday; join us throughout the day as we follow Dale & Da Boyz via the usual outlets.
In Panthers "news", Ville Koistinen cleared waivers today. You may exhale.
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We dont need Kovalchuk. Not now at least. It would give us cap problems and that wouldnt help in rebuilding. Once we shed salary and have good young players then we could get a guy like him.
Just not worth nuking the salary structure, unless you plan to build around him. And he’s not historically been one of those “makes the players around him better” guys, though Rich Peverley might be the exception.
by Donny Rivette on Jun 29, 2010 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions
No team should be salivating over Kovalchuk. Unless, they are a player away from the cup, he is not worth the salary cap nightmare. Everyone thought that the Devils were a player away, and it got them nowhere in the playoffs with Kovalchuk.
Don’t forget that Hossa and Kovalchuk were on lowly Atlanta and still could not pull them out of the basement. Caps have Ovechkin and seem to not make it out of the first or second round the each year. Thus, why spend the money!
I think the Panthers will make a run on Frolov, Verseeg, Ladd and maybe even Savard. They need some guys in uniform that can score some goals and show the kids how to put the puck into the net.
I also think the trading is not finished for the Panthers. They will wait until training camp and see what they got (or maybe a few games into the season). . Then, I expect to see Stillman, McCabe, and Weiss traded. Sorry, Weiss value on the trade market can only decline without Horton around. Trade him now!
I disagree about Weiss. He’s a fantastic two-way center and an absolute stud as a second-line center. No way Florida should move him. What would they get back in return that would address the team’s needs? The main need is depth at center and he’s a big part of that.
Agreed on Weiss. Not leaving. For the reasons stated.
by Donny Rivette on Jun 29, 2010 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, but you agree that he is a second line center. What if the Panthers get a first round pick and a Verseeg in a trade for Weiss?
Oh, completely; he’s a top-3 second-line center on a very good club.
As for the deal you proposed…Versteeg’s a winger. Doesn’t replace the spot. And the Cats are suddenly rather tight on centers.
by Donny Rivette on Jun 29, 2010 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I still don’t think that’s worth it. Versteeg is good but we need depth down the middle.
Let Tallon find a top center via free agency or a trade, let Weiss play 2nd line center, Matthias 3rd and Reinprecht 4th. Not exactly awesome depth, but better than we’ve ever had at center in the last 3 or 4 seasons.
Top-10 centers still available (ranked by 2009-10 salary)
Olli Jokinen 30 NYR $5,500,000
Saku Koivu 34 ANA $3,250,000
Matt Cullen 32 OTT $2,800,000
John Madden 36 CHI $2,750,000
Matthew Lombardi 27 PHO $2,350,000
Mike Modano 39 DAL $2,250,000
Chris Higgins 26 NYR $2,250,000
Jeff Halpern 33 LA $2,000,000
Eric Belanger 31 MIN $1,750,000
Jason Williams 28 DET $1,500,000
Thin.
by Donny Rivette on Jun 29, 2010 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Per Sportscity.com (which is more-or-less updated).
by Donny Rivette on Jun 29, 2010 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
For some reason I thought Versteeg was a center and was centering the fourth line in the playoffs. My mistake. The Panthers could use a talented winger though.
But I still think Weiss will be dealt. It may not happen until after the season starts. I think Weiss is also a good second line center. But the Panthers need a first line center. It will probably only happen through a trade/salary dump by another team.
Speaking of rumors, I heard on NHL Live that if Gonchar does not sign with Pens. He may go to Tampa Bay, Florida, or maybe a canadien team.
1. Weiss isnt moving until we get a better center infront of him so get that out of your head.
2. why would gonchar come here? hes not gona win anything and do we have room for defense? nope
NHL Live 12pm-2pm on XM radio stated that apparently Gonchar has a home in Florida. I think it is more likely that he would go to Tampa Bay. However, it would be nice to have a veteran like Gonchar on the team to help the kids.
As far as I remember Pavel Bure acquisition didn’t turn Panthers into the serious contenders. I heavily doubt that one player can turn franchise around. Anuway Kovalchuk is overpriced and overhyped. No go for this one IMHO.
Any chance in the panthers signing Lebron and Bosh?
by milhouse on Jun 30, 2010 11:35 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Athough I’ve been critical of Tallon so far I won’t form an opinion of him for a while. One thing is for sure though: players are much more likely to put pen to paper with Tallon than Sexton, regardless of factors like organizational stability, team quality etc. I think we can be more optimistic than usual knowing that this off-season our GM will better be able to lure players to such a historically undesirable place to play, a factor that surely made JM and Sextons jobs harder.
Another point to consider is, based on his 09-10 numbers he would fully replace Horton’s production and perhaps even expand on it. He put up 64 points for the Avs last year and is younger than Horton at 22. Mueller on the other hand could be that center that everyone keeps talking about 6’5" 205 pounds, except his point production last year leaves something to be desired, one point more than the previous season at 37.
I have a feeling that his brother wouldn’t have too many positive things to say about a team that gave up on him.
Atlanta
signed Stewart but he ended up playing for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL last year. The whole NHL appears to have given up on him.
Mike Van Ryn
has announced that he will not be playing this season.
Has he even played a game for Toronto?
Tallon on xm-sirius right now, 4:50pm
by Donny Rivette on Jun 30, 2010 4:52 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Hopefully my recording works; will transcribe it tonight.
by Donny Rivette on Jun 30, 2010 4:54 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Came out perfectly. Tallon’s an awesome interview. Stay tuned this evening.
by Donny Rivette on Jun 30, 2010 5:04 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
55 | 27 | 17 | 11 | 65 |
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Washington
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56 | 28 | 23 | 5 | 61 |
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Winnipeg
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New York Rangers
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Boston Bruins
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Florida Panthers
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Philadelphia Flyers
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Pittsburgh Penguins
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New Jersey Devils
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