Bring Back The Bruise Bros

Luke Schenn to the 'Yotes. http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/coyotes-sign-defenceman-luke-schenn-two-year-deal/ I hear Helm doesn't change the toilet paper roll after he uses the last of it. His contract is not going to leave Mrazek sleeping on the streets. He'll get paid. It's nonsense to demand $5 million after one full NHL campaign anyway.

The only way I'd be down with Streit would be if we got rid of Ericsson or Howard. He's not worth Jurco or any of the younger players.

Rangers re-sign Dylan McIlrath and sign Josh Jooris to one-year deals. http://www.northjersey.com/sports/rangers-sign-three-players-including-dylan-mcilrath-1.1631098

I'm not so sure Miller and Ott will be waived. Miller has a spot on the 4th line whether we like it or not. I can see Ott starting the season on the 4th line to begin the year and likely being scratched as the season goes along. Ott is more likely to get waived than Miller. That defense will simply not get the job done. Up front looks decent, but nothing spectacular - Lots of variations to be expected considering all of the forwards we have under contracts. I'm hoping we make a few changes to the roster before opening night, especially on the blueline.

I like Glendening, but the money and term on this one have got to leave you scratching your head. Why did he need that big of a pay raise? Howard and/or Ericsson need to get dealt and at least one defenseman needs to be brought in, otherwise this summer is looking like a major bust. A fourth liner making just shy of $2 million/year might not be as easy of a sell as one might think.

I'm not super opposed to what has happened so far this offseason, but we're toast if we start the season with what we've got right now. We've got to make a move or two to build the defense.

http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/ducks-jared-boll-signs-two-year-deal-with-ducks/ Jared Boll to Anaheim. 2-year, $1.8 million. I honestly didn't think Boll was going to get a deal in the NHL.With Carlyle behind the bench again, it's plausible that he may be a regular on Anaheim's fourth line.

He's over the hill, but there's potential that he could help us offensively; particularly on the powerplay. He's generally slow and bad defensively, so this is really a toss up.

I generally like Helm, but the term on this contract is too long. I think KH would've been better off cutting ties. Helm isn't a top 6 player and I don't see him turning into one over the course of this contract.

I've had a love/hate relationship with Ott, but I'm looking forward to the physical element that he'll bring to the fourth line. It's too early to tell what his role will be on the team, but I think he's capable of playing regular fourth line minutes. With Miller returning from injury and Pulkkinen out to start the season, it seems like he'll see some playing time. I'm excited about this.

We're going to need to do more than sign Okposo if we're serious about remaining relatively competitive.

Though it's not the most pressing issue facing the team, bringing Miller back was unnecessary. He's not particularly good at anything and we have a lot of guys who can play PK. While I don't disagree that depth is integral to challenging for the Cup, I don't think we're anywhere near the point of our fourth liners being overqualified third liners. We got beat by Tampa in part because our powerplay was atrocious, but we also got taken to the cleaners along the boards. Tampa was able to win a lot of 50/50 physical battles down low. The Pens, while not a mean team by any stretch of the imagination, were able to win a lot of puck battles along the boards against the Sharks. We need players that can do this all throughout the lineup. I share your expectations for Larkin and Athanasiou.

I think it's safe to say that we're out of the running for Lucic. I'm cool with it.

Tortorella scratched Boll a lot last year - not surprised that he got bought out. I think it'll be difficult for him to find another NHL contract. Guys like him have dropped like flies these past few years.

No, but I'm surprised that Jackman got bought out. I thought he had a solid season with the Preds.

This is what I'm thinking: - I'd be cool with Andrew Ladd or David Backes (preferably a shorter contract) - Especially for his asking price, I don't want Nielsen. - We should be taking a good look at Jamie McGinn. He isn't getting a ton of attention but he can play throughout the lineup and adds physicality up front. - If we're seriously looking at dealing a defenseman, Ericsson should be the prime candidate to ship out of town. Smith, while he isn't going to wow anyone with his offensive capabilities, had a decent season last year. - Helm isn't a top 6 player. More power to him to find a spot on someone else's second line. - We've obviously got to add to our blueline. Guys like Tatar/Nysuist, Jurco and Pulkkinen should be pieces sent in return. - Rather than overpay for a guy like Matt Martin, bring in Mike Brown. He'll basically do the same thing, skates pretty well, and would be a lot cheaper. If Martin could be had for the right price, absolutely close the deal. Bottom line is the 4th line could use a different element. - Stay away from Filppula and Hudler, for crying out loud.

Nashville made out like bandits here. While Weber is still a legitimate offensive threat, he isn't the greatest skater anymore and his defensive positioning suffers because of it. Having his defensive partner change from Josi to Andrei Markov likely won't help him. This move doesn't make much sense for Montreal.

Meh, I'd rather sign Mike Brown for less than half that amount and get basically the same deal: A guy who runs around and hits everything in sight. Brown is a decent skater and plays some PK.

I'd like to see KH bring in Jamie McGinn. Watched a decent amount of his play last year and he's capable of playing throughout the lineup. Plays a fairly physical game and can produce offensively.

I'd love Martin for the right price. Someone else will overpay, so I'm not really getting my hopes up.

Currently trying to put plans together for a trip to the Joe. Would be awesome if I could hit a Lions game as well.

He brings a physical element, but the term is not going to be reasonable. He's only going to get slower at this point, and he was noticeably slower than his linemates last year. He'll be looking for at least 5 years at $5 mil + per year. No way Holland throws the bank at this clown.

Detroit is rumored to be interested in Lucic. As much as I think we need to get heavier and more difficult to play against, throwing a 6-year contract at Lucic would be an idiotic move. I just don't see Holland doing it. I don't see his production rising much, if at all, for the rest of his career. Let Edmonton or Vancouver make that mistake.

Some thoughts: - I'm confident the contract will be dealt. I don't think Pulkkinen has a future here and it'd be great if he was a part of the package. If Jurco has to go, so be it. - It's clear that Richards won't be back, which is the right move as far as I'm concerned. - I could stand to see Quincey walk, though I thought he played well last year. - I think Miller needs to be let go. - Helm isn't a top 6 player on this team. It'll be really interesting to see what takes place with him. - Backes and Lucic are going to be looking for 5+ years, so it's best we stay away. Their game will likely decline after a couple more years. - I'm not really into speculating about Stamkos, but adding him to the lineup would instantly put us in a better place than last year. - Matt Martin is a guy that this team needs in the bottom 6. Hits hard, can contribute offensively, and generally plays a disciplined game. One of the reasons Tampa was able to win in 5 was because they established a forecheck that got the defense in trouble and they were able to muck it up in the corners and win puck battles. Martin adds these elements. - I'm open to the idea of trading Nyquist or Tatar. Not sure what Holland would be looking to get in return.

If anything, Bickell adds size to an otherwise soft Carolina lineup.