Jesusberg

This. If Quincey wasn't signed, I would have taken Morris as someone to stabilise one of the kids, but it would be pointless to grab him now.

Are you sure? I remember some deals reaching near 3+ or so, with bonuses included. For example, MacKinnon's deal is his base of 925K, plus a 2.8 million dollar bonus. Just saw this on CapGeek, too: Performance bonuses, or Exhibit 5 bonuses, cannot exceed $2,850,000. These bonuses are divided into two categories: Schedule A and Schedule B.

Not sure if it's been cleared up, but I'm pretty sure the deal is a one-way. I don't think it matters, though... as the only difference between the one and two-way deals is how much a player is paid in the NHL vs AHL.. I think I saw in all of the Twitter stuff that they'd get cap relief, anyway, since it's not a multi-year deal. The real issue is him taking up space on a 23 man roster, which can be remedied if management has the fortitude to do so. I'm also 99% sure that two-way deals can include bonuses - players like McKinnon, etc. any kind of superstar, really have performance and signing bonuses in their ELC's. So I would assume that the deals can include bonuses.

I agree with this. He doesn't really have a future with Detroit, but I think he could push for a back-up job somewhere around the NHL. He might have to prove himself in another system for a year or so, but I could see him landing somewhere.

If memory serves me correct, Sobotka is Czech. I think with Stastny signing there, he realized he'd be the fourth line centre.

The thing is, I really don't think Mrazek is going to be splitting a ton of time. I think McCollum is more of an insurance factor than anything. I really believe Mrazek will play the large majority of the GR games, unless he's called up due to injury.

I'd buy into the whole, "the best players will play" thing if last year didn't go down the way it did - with some of this team's best talent in the AHL... *sigh*

It's like watching someone hang on too long and become a shell of their former self. This is the Dan Cleary I'm going to remember...

The worst part about this is that it puts Jurco in the AHL, unless Alfie doesn't re-sign or someone like Andersson is moved. Awful.

...huh. Welp.

I think the bottom line right now is that the perceived price for Green is a wee bit high - management (specifically Trotz) is maintaining that Green factors into their future plans. Posturing or not, it's being done to give the guy more value. I think the only way Detroit gets him right now is by prying him away from Washington via overpayment. If that means moving Tatar+, or any of the bigger names, count me out for now. If Green could be had for, let's say, Andersson, Pulkkinen + 2nd that would be the maximum that I would want to pay, personally. And giving up that 2nd is scary, as Detroit is already without a 3rd rounder. That may not be enough in Washington's eyes, and it likely isn't right now. I actually like what Green brings, but he comes with a lot of risks - risks that should bring his price tag down. The issue is that the Caps don't have to move him right now, and Detroit is clearly desperate for a RH, offensive defender. At this moment, Washington has the leverage. IMO, it would be silly to make a move for Green until/if his price goes down some.

I'll be going into great detail examining Kent Huskins' exit next week.

1. Discussing the Legwand trade isn't "beating a dead horse". Around here, bringing Franzen into every single discussion/post would be a much better example of that. The trade happened in March, and is comparable to the situation the team is in now. There is going to be a fear that Holland will overpay in a trade for quite some time - a fear that has some legitimacy for those who see the Jarnkrok move as an overpayment. 2. Who the hell said Jarnkrok was bad defensively? That's a load of bull. The Z comparisons were there, and Blashill was quoted throughout the year saying that Jarnkrok was solid defensively. Just a quick Google search shows, “He’s such a complete player, so, so well-rounded in his game, that he never cheats at all offensively,” said Griffins head coach Jeff Blashill. 3. No one, not a single person can say whether or not Jarnkrok would have been given a chance to play for the Red Wings this season. He was moved because management was desperate for a center, but who knows what would have happened if the team kept him around. It's impossible to say what would have happened for certain - it's not common sense, it's speculation.

Not to say it kills the rumor, but Trotz says Green factors into his plans for the Caps. Doesn't end the speculation, but unless Detroit makes them a realgud offer... http://www.csnwashington.com/hockey-washington-capitals/talk/barry-trotz-mike-green-part-plan-capitals

To be honest, I'm not sure if Frk's ever going to get his positioning together, but I do think he can fit into a niche if he puts in the proper off-season work. I agree that he benefited from his teammates, and his skating and lackluster two-way play hurt him. I still think he's going to have a better season than last - although, I do believe that he's going to have to impress Blashill right off the bat to get minutes. If I'm Frk, I bust my hide in the gym and turn into a puck hound. He's still got that wicked shot, but I think he's the kind of guy who'd be smart to become a "piano puller" on a line - dig for pucks in the corner, get in front of the net, etc. He's never going to be the catalyst on a line, but I think he could be a good complimentary piece/PP guy.

Jurco had a rough rookie season as a pro, too. While Frk is a different player, I imagine he'll have a much better season this year. Speaking of Jurco: http://i.instagram.com/p/qPeVbkgiTO/

Ba-Dum Tss!

As Kip mentioned, it's part of negotiating. They likely ask for Mantha, Detroit replies with Ferraro. And for the record, I'd take Red Green for comedic relief on the 4th line. The Legwand trade was made out of desperation. Poile had Holland over a barrel there.

You couldn't have gone with, "is a lot like taking your cousin to prom" instead? EDIT: If the Red Wings' starter offer actually does involve Ferraro, then I'm optimistic the two could meet somewhere around Andersson, Frk + 2nd. I'd be really happy with that, but I fear that Frk could be "upgraded" to Pulkkinen. Regardless, bringing in a top 4 guy who's going to quarterback the PP without giving up Mantha, Nyquist, Jurco or Tatar would be a huge win in my eyes.

At this moment, I don't see what incentive the Caps have for moving Green - at least not until near the beginning of the year. Why move an asset when you don't have to? They'll likely try to drive his price up all off-season. I would assume that unless Detroit knocks MacLellan's socks off with an offer, he won't be moving Green any time soon. As much as people think that Green's injury issues, Washington's number of defenders and closeness to the salary cap give Holland some leverage, I would have to think that MacLellan knows Holland is desperate for a RH guy. I don't see much leverage on Holland's end of this - just perhaps a chance to pay a little less because of those issues. It's the difference between giving up Nyquist/Mantha in a deal and Tatar/Jurco/Pulkkinen in one.

Not re-signing Legwand is the least of this team's problems. A $3 million dollar center isn't an insurance policy - it a 2nd/3rd line guy. All the C's going down last season, despite how injury plagued this team has been the past number of years, was a total freak occurrence. As has been stated, the team grabbed a few guys (Porter, Miele) for center depth. They're nowhere near as good as Legwand, but with a healthy line-up, Legwand doesn't fit into this team. How often were people around here complaining about Samuelsson sitting on the bench while earning $3 million last year? A good portion of that was because he was taking up a roster spot, but you just don't have that kind of money sitting out of the line-up for good chunks of the season. Dats, Weiss, Sheahan, Helm, Glendening and/or Z and Mule if necessary... as others have said, we have solid center depth right now. There just wasn't a fit for Legwand here.

I wouldn't mind the guy - he's a good offensive defenseman/forward hybrid. Although, I think there are other serviceable options with less baggage.

Agree, and I think Helm would be an attractive piece in Winnipeg's eyes. Though, I'd always hoped he'd be part of a Bogosian deal, not a Byfuglien one. I remember the fitness issues, but I agree with the race-based judgement stuff. That really seems to have no bearing on his play on the ice. If he really is a rap artist, I do believe it would be "2Phat".

Leino? Commodore? Huskins? I may be mistaken on Leino, but I thought that was because he wasn't meeting expectations and they wanted to give him a shot in Philly. In the case of the latter two, it was to make room for younger guys. Huskins was moved to make room for DeKeyser. Ironically, I remember Commodore being moved to make room for Kindl and Smith.

Honestly, let's say they move Kindl for a pick, then bring up one of the kids. I wouldn't want one of those defensive prospects to be the 7th guy, but I would like them to swap into that #6 spot. I really think the defense should be more about balance, and not pairings based on "skill" or cap hit. As much as I hate the Quincey signing, it wouldn't be a total loss if we started the year with something along the lines of: Kronwall-Smith DeKeyser-Quincey Ericsson-Sproul/Marchenko Lashoff I think it's more about balance than anything. I know some would see Ericsson on the "3rd pairing" as a demotion, but really the minutes played are getting closer and closer for various defense cores. In my estimation, these pairings would be a better indicator of Smith's upside, and give those younger prospects a stable partner in Ericsson.