Bring Back The Bruise Bros

On top of his offensive prowess, Voracek could probably take any Wing in a scrap:

Coming off his first career point-per-game year. This is quite the gamble. He's still young and important to the future of the team, but this is a massive gamble, in my opinion.

I don't see us moving either of them. Weirder things have happened though. Added a few names to the list. Lots of household names still out there.

Is Miller's contract up after this coming season?

A lot of familiar names still out there. Any predictions on where these guys end up? -Brenden Morrow: Heart and soul guy who'll hit 1,000 games this coming season. Still hits hard and not afraid to drop the gloves. His offensive production has steadily declined, but he's still a capable 4th liner. I think a young team like Carolina could use him on their 4th line. -Daniel Briere: Considering retirement. He'll receive interest if he decides to come back for another year. -Curtis Glencross: Under-performed for Calgary last year and didn't blow anyone away in Washington. He's a decent role player but I'm not sure he's top 6 material for much longer. -Jim Slater: Solid 4th liner with speed and can kill penalties. Pretty good on the forecheck, too. It'll be interesting to see where he ends up. -Tomas Fleischmann: Traded from Florida to Anaheim at the deadline. Had his breakout year with Florida in 2011/2012 with 61 points, but hasn't come close to that production since. -Jan Hejda: 37 years old. Doesn't look like Colorado is bringing him back. -Brad Boyes: His play has declined over the past few years. He's a bottom 6 forward at this point. -Eric Brewer: 36 years old and a veteran of over 1,000 NHL games. His offensive production has declined over the years. Bounced around three teams last year. Maybe someone will give him a PTO. -Sean Bergenheim: Didn't live up to expectations in Florida and was dealt at the deadline to Minnesota, where he registered 1 point in 17 games. He's fast, but consistency is obviously a problem. -Cody Franson: Probably pricing himself out of a deal. After discussions about him in 30 threads this summer, I think we all know what he's about. -Ryan Wilson: He's been plagued by injuries throughout his career. Played in only 3 games for Colorado due to a season-ending shoulder surgery. He's only 28, so someone may give him a one-year deal. He plays a physical game but probably won't put up much offense. Not sure if he's an NHL-caliber defenseman anymore. -Scott Hannan: Veteran of over 1,000 games. Doesn't put up the points he used to, but I think he's still decent defensively and would provide veteran experience to a young blueline. -Lee Stempniak: He's bounced around. Pretty fast, but not the most consistent. -Jiri Tlusty: He's still young at 27, and he puts up decent enough numbers that someone will probably take a flyer on him. -Tim Gleason: Physical presence. I think he's still effective on the 3rd pairing, but he's not going to put up a ton of points. -Christian Ehrhoff: Didn't perform offensively for the Pens last year, which is what he's primarily known for. Some team will probably take a chance on him. -Bryan Allen: Has seen AHL demotions the past 2 years. He turns 35 in August. He's slowed down a bit and prone to errors defensively. He might play in the AHL from here on out. -Sergei Gonchar: Veteran of well over 1,000 NHL games. Not sure whether there's interest for him or not. -Bryce Salvador: 39 years of age. Hasn't played a full season in a few years. Pretty physical guy who'd be good veteran presence for a young blueline. -Andrej Meszaros: Still young at 29. He's bounced around during his career. Has a good shot but I'm not sure he's great defensively. -BJ Crombeen: Scrappy 4th liner and a good forechecker. He's deteriorated in the fighting department but he's still willing. I can think of a few teams who could benefit from having some physicality on their 4th line. -Anton Volchenkov: Physical shot-blocker who would be a solid 7th defenseman to shake things up on any blueline. -Dainius Zubrus: Veteran of over 1,000 NHL games. New Jersey recently parted ways with him. Would bring experience to a young team, but his production has declined in recent years. Just 10 points in 74 games this past season. -Patrick Kaleta: Played 42 games for Buffalo after being demoted to the AHL in 2013/14. He's known for his lack of discipline and borderline (and sometimes overtly) dirty play. Physical and a decent forechecker. Good on the PK, as well. Wonder if anyone will take a flier on him at this point. -Marek Zidlicky: Hell of a shot, but play is declining at 38. -Dan Carcillo: Not nearly the type of player he used to be, but is still physical and will occasionally drop the gloves. He's got postseason experience and he seems to have matured a lot since the passing of Steve Montador. A young team lacking physicality on their 4th line would benefit from bringing him in. -Scottie Upshall: Had a bad season with Florida last year. 31 years old and he's been plagued by injuries in years past. -Dan Paille: Coming off a long tenure with Boston. 31 years old and would be a good addition to any fourth line for his speed alone. -Devin Setoguchi: Known diver who under-performed for the Flames last year. 0 points in 12 games for Calgary last year and was demoted to the AHL. He's still pretty young at 28, so someone may take another shot at him, but he's had a string of bad years. -Tom Sestito: Fell victim to the changes that came along with the firing of Tortorella in Vancouver. He's made it clear he wants to play in the NHL next year. We'll see if anyone takes a flier on him. -Matt Cullen: Veteran who indicated he's looking for one last season in the NHL. Over 1,000 games played and Stanley Cup experience (Carolina in 2006). At this point in his career he's a 3rd or 4th line center. -Craig Adams: Told by Pens management that he won't be brought back next year. He could be valuable veteran presence for a young team. -Eric Boulton: Healthy scratch most of last year for the Islanders. No word on whether he intends on retiring. One of the better scrappers in recent time. He'd be a decent guy to have as an extra forward. I'm pretty sure all of Colton Orr, Matt Carkner, Frazer McLaren, and Jay Rosehill are UFAs. All were in the AHL last year and they're likely to stay there. I'm sure I missed a few interesting names.

This is the season where we find out if it's really Holland that likes guys like Emmerton and Andersson on our 4th line, or if it was really Babcock. With Datsyuk and potentially Franzen out to start the year, this may be Callahan's chance. I hope Blashill goes with Callahan-Glendening-Ferraro. That line has speed, is physical, and is responsible defensively. That'd be the most well-rounded 4th line we've had in years.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2015/07/14/veteran-nhler-taylor-pyatt-ready-to-call-it-a-career/ I've had a soft spot for him since his fiancee passed. Pyatt notched 280 points (140 goals, 140 assists) in 859 NHL games. Unfortunate that concussions seemed to play a part in the decision, but good on him for knowing when to step away.

How about "The New Joe Louis Arena"?

I'm gonna start looking outside of the city for a temporary job. Was aiming for a summer internship, but that window is pretty much closed.

Yeah, it's ridiculously crowded. Also, the heat here is not talked about as much as it should. It's been very hot here this summer. There's a lot to do and a lot to see, but it's definitely not for everyone. I was so pumped to come here but oh well. At least now I know where I don't want to pursue a full-time job.

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2015/07/13/Pittsburgh-Penguins-re-sign-forward-Bobby-Farnham/stories/201507130160 Bobby Farnham re-signs with Pittsburgh. 2-way deal. Figure he'll get called up once the injuries hit the Pens.

I think Buffalo would make good use of one of Kindl/Quincey. They were in the running for Oduya but he apparently rejected an offer from them.

I would not recommend NYC. The cost of living is through the roof and the job market is insanely competitive, regardless of how much education and/or experience you have. There's a ton to do, but everything is expensive. That being said, I haven't been here that long, but it hasn't been pleasant so far.

Do we have cap room to re-sign all three?

I didn't realize LGW was stacked with so many McGrattan fans!

Barret Jackman will likely do most of that for Nashville. They just signed Cody Hodgson and already have a logjam up front. Rich Clune signed with another AHL team and Devane will be his replacement in Milwaukee. Doubt he sees much, if any, time with Nashville.

Semin would be a mistake. I know Ken likes reclamation projects, but he should steer clear. At the same time, he would be the Russian bud that Datsyuk has been missing since the days of Fedorov and Larionov.

Grant put up decent numbers last season with Milwaukee. I'm a little surprised Paetsch was brought back.

There's a lot of hype around Klingberg. He is supposed to come into his own next season. They've got a pretty young, inexperienced blueline at the moment. I think they'd benefit greatly from a guy like Oduya, though I'm not sure if they have the cap space. They've got Stanley Cup-caliber offense. I'm sure Nill recogizes that something else needs to be done for the defense before the season starts.

Devane won't see much time in Nashville, if any. Good deal for the Leafs.

Scott's deal is one-way.

Coyotes sign John Scott to one-year deal.

Offseason is now complete. Long live McGrattan! Ducks lost Beleskey to free agency and traded Palmieri and Etem. Is there actually room for him on the roster? Seems kind of redundant with Tim Jackman on the 4th line. Most likely an AHL signing.

Will Callahan see 4th line time this year?

Bet Lucic was super relieved when he found out he got traded to the Kings. He only fought like 3 or 4 times last season. Wonder if he'll be doing a little more in LA.