The CapGeek Thread

[Guest DeGraa55]

Some of you are assuming a lot in thinking that Clarkson will continue to thrive. Just two seasons ago, he scored only 12 goals.

How do you plan to get Neal and Murray out of Pittsburgh?

Could be a later bloomer. Still brings more than just scoring though.

[Crashnburnluder 385]

Some of you are assuming a lot in thinking that Clarkson will continue to thrive. Just two seasons ago, he scored only 12 goals.

How do you plan to get Neal and Murray out of Pittsburgh?

Well I'm not the poster but good chance Murray hits the market but 3.5 for a bottom pairing damn in my mind is too much... Especially when our d wasn't the problem... It was putting the puck in the net.

Also I heard a rumor that Neal could be move to make room for letang... Could you imagine pittburghs d with Martin as their number 1 lol terrible!

[Jesusberg 1,256]

Some of you are assuming a lot in thinking that Clarkson will continue to thrive. Just two seasons ago, he scored only 12 goals.

This is one of the reasons I've said I'd pass on Clarkson. He's going to cash in big time, but I highly doubt he's going to match some of the numbers he's posted. By the admission of several Devils fans over at HF, he's been described as a slow and clunky skater, who will shoot the second he gets the puck - even from impossible angles. On the positive end, he's got a wicked wrister and if a great net-front presence. However, I think for the amount he's going to get paid, plenty of fans around here would lose their patience pretty quick with him.

[Guest Crymson]

Also I heard a rumor that Neal could be move to make room for letang... Could you imagine pittburghs d with Martin as their number 1 lol terrible!

Given the value of Neal's contract, I find that unlikely.

[Crashnburnluder 385]

Given the value of Neal's contract, I find that unlikely.

I understand that but Neal is probably the only signed tradable player on their team. Then you have to ask your self at the end of the day, "what's more valuable to your team?" Neal or Letang? Pittsburgh will be awful if they have to rely on Martin as their main go to on D... Yes highly I likable but probably there beat option...

[Guest Crymson]

I understand that but Neal is probably the only signed tradable player on their team. Then you have to ask your self at the end of the day, "what's more valuable to your team?" Neal or Letang? Pittsburgh will be awful if they have to rely on Martin as their main go to on D... Yes highly I likable but probably there beat option...

The Penguins have plenty of good defense prospects in their system. They're not about to trade away a 40-goal scorer who makes only $5m per year. Letang is more expendable than Neal is at this stage, especially given the ridiculous salary he's likely to demand.

Letang is substantially overrated; he's a one-way defenseman.

[Donohue75 17]

Some of you are assuming a lot in thinking that Clarkson will continue to thrive. Just two seasons ago, he scored only 12 goals.

How do you plan to get Neal and Murray out of Pittsburgh?

I head Neal was possibly being moved, was just playing around on capgeek (I said it was a slow day at work)

lol not like i really expect any of that roster to happen was just a thought....

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

this is a tad bit off topic, but how did boston manage to get Charas cap hit in the final year drop from 6.9 to 4mil?

http://capgeek.com/player/216

[puckbags 863]

The Penguins have plenty of good defense prospects in their system. They're not about to trade away a 40-goal scorer who makes only $5m per year. Letang is more expendable than Neal is at this stage, especially given the ridiculous salary he's likely to demand.

Letang is substantially overrated; he's a one-way defenseman.

The Penguins are about winning now, they have no desire to wait for their d prospects to mature. I do agree that Letang is overrated but I don't think they can afford to let him go.

[FlashyG 1,799]

this is a tad bit off topic, but how did boston manage to get Charas cap hit in the final year drop from 6.9 to 4mil?

http://capgeek.com/player/216

That is the Ilya Kovalchuk rule coming into affect.

Any long term contract (5 Years or more) that extends past the players 40th birthday, will have its cap hit adjusted.

You can read about it here, it actually uses Chara's contract as one of the examples.

[Travis 576]

Okay, my turn, I guess.

After reading that article by KHAAAAAAAN, discussing the Wings' options at the draft and the possibility of moving Colaiacovo, Emmerton, or Tootoo and perhaps buying out Bertuzzi or Samuelsson I started to get curious as to what exactly that could look like.

As far as I'm concerned, those are the extra pieces that - with the exception of Tootoo - need trimming, so it was certainly an encouraging article - even if it is all conjecture at this point.

FORWARDS

Michael Ryder ($3.500m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m)
Damien Brunner ($1.350m) / Stephen Weiss ($3.100m) / Johan Franzen ($3.955m)
Tomas Tatar ($0.840m) / Darren Helm ($2.125m) / Gustav Nyquist ($0.788m)
Justin Abdelkader ($1.800m) / Joakim Andersson ($0.605m) / Drew Miller ($1.350m)
Jordin Tootoo ($1.900m) / Patrick Eaves ($1.200m)

DEFENSEMEN
Niklas Kronwall ($4.750m) / Jonathan Ericsson ($3.250m)
Kyle Quincey ($3.775m) / Brendan Smith ($0.827m)
Danny DeKeyser ($1.350m) / Jakub Kindl ($1.050m)
Brian Lashoff ($0.725m)

GOALTENDERS
Jimmy Howard ($5.292m)
Jonas Gustavsson ($1.500m)

-
Buyout: Todd Bertuzzi ($0.000m)
Buyout: Mikael Samuelsson ($0.000m)

--------

SALARY CAP: $64,300,000;
CAP PAYROLL: $57,813,920; BONUSES: $1,010,000

CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $7,496,080

I know, it looks just like everyone else's.

Ignore the $7mil+ cap cushion, because I made no attempt to calculate the salaries of the UFA/RFA signings. I'm terrible at that, so there's no point. Feel free to substitute Ryder with any of the power forwards that have been mentioned here throughout the off-season, if you'd like.

In my perfect scenario, Colaiacovo is somehow moveable - perhaps packaged with Filppula's rights - and Sameulsson and Bertuzzi can be bought out. While, I like what Bertuzzi can bring to the line-up; he and Samuelsson are the most obvious buyout candidates and I don't see that changing at any point over the course of the next year.

I've accepted that the fact that this team will likely be unable to acquire a worthwhile defenseman and that they will move forward with the core that we saw in place at the end of last season.

[SaCkaveli20 275]

My perfect off season would consist of

1. Part with Bert, Sammy, Tootoo, Emmerton, Cola

2. Sign Horton.

3. Trade for Weiss' Rights (4th-7th round pick, whatever it would take) If not, Re Sign Brunner

4. Trade for Bobby Ryan & late round pick (Smith, Jurco, 18th overall this year, 2nd round next year and another late round pick)

5. Sign Zidlicky for depth.

Offensive problems gone. Defense not any worse, although Zidlicky in a career decline should be solid enough.

FORWARDS
Johan Franzen ($3.955m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Nathan Horton ($6.250m)
Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Stephen Weiss ($3.900m) / Bobby Ryan ($5.100m)
Gustav Nyquist ($1.111m) / Darren Helm ($2.125m) / Tomas Tatar ($0.840m)
Drew Miller ($1.350m) / Joakim Andersson ($0.705m) / Justin Abdelkader ($1.800m)
Patrick Eaves ($1.200m)
DEFENSEMEN
Niklas Kronwall ($4.750m) / Jonathan Ericsson ($3.250m)
Marek Zidlicky ($2.850m) / Danny DeKeyser ($1.350m)
Jakub Kindl ($1.050m) / Kyle Quincey ($3.775m)
GOALTENDERS
Jimmy Howard ($5.292m)
Jonas Gustavsson ($1.500m)
OTHER
Buyout: Todd Bertuzzi ($0.000m)
Buyout: Mikael Samuelsson ($0.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $64,935,045; BONUSES: $1,010,000
CAP SPACE (21-man roster): $374,955

[Guest The Axe]

Emdog getting no love. Dang

[SaCkaveli20 275]

Emdog getting no love. Dang

I think just because a recent article stated he may be on the move.

EDIT: Yay 1000 posts!

Edited June 26, 2013 by SaCkaveli20

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

Okay, my turn, I guess.

After reading that article by KHAAAAAAAN, discussing the Wings' options at the draft and the possibility of moving Colaiacovo, Emmerton, or Tootoo and perhaps buying out Bertuzzi or Samuelsson I started to get curious as to what exactly that could look like.

As far as I'm concerned, those are the extra pieces that - with the exception of Tootoo - need trimming, so it was certainly an encouraging article - even if it is all conjecture at this point.

FORWARDS

Michael Ryder ($3.500m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m)

Damien Brunner ($1.350m) / Stephen Weiss ($3.100m) / Johan Franzen ($3.955m)

Tomas Tatar ($0.840m) / Darren Helm ($2.125m) / Gustav Nyquist ($0.788m)

Justin Abdelkader ($1.800m) / Joakim Andersson ($0.605m) / Drew Miller ($1.350m)

Jordin Tootoo ($1.900m) / Patrick Eaves ($1.200m)

DEFENSEMEN

Niklas Kronwall ($4.750m) / Jonathan Ericsson ($3.250m)

Kyle Quincey ($3.775m) / Brendan Smith ($0.827m)

Danny DeKeyser ($1.350m) / Jakub Kindl ($1.050m)

Brian Lashoff ($0.725m)

GOALTENDERS

Jimmy Howard ($5.292m)

Jonas Gustavsson ($1.500m)

-

Buyout: Todd Bertuzzi ($0.000m)

Buyout: Mikael Samuelsson ($0.000m)

--------

SALARY CAP: $64,300,000;

CAP PAYROLL: $57,813,920; BONUSES: $1,010,000

CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $7,496,080

I know, it looks just like everyone else's.

Ignore the $7mil+ cap cushion, because I made no attempt to calculate the salaries of the UFA/RFA signings. I'm terrible at that, so there's no point. Feel free to substitute Ryder with any of the power forwards that have been mentioned here throughout the off-season, if you'd like.

In my perfect scenario, Colaiacovo is somehow moveable - perhaps packaged with Filppula's rights - and Sameulsson and Bertuzzi can be bought out. While, I like what Bertuzzi can bring to the line-up; he and Samuelsson are the most obvious buyout candidates and I don't see that changing at any point over the course of the next year.

I've accepted that the fact that this team will likely be unable to acquire a worthwhile defenseman and that they will move forward with the core that we saw in place at the end of last season.

You used common sense and managed to use your 2 buyouts, 2 signings and you have a Cup contender. Full points on this one dude. And I hope like hell that our 3rd line is exactly that next season.

[Nyquistfan14 489]

Okay, my turn, I guess.

After reading that article by KHAAAAAAAN, discussing the Wings' options at the draft and the possibility of moving Colaiacovo, Emmerton, or Tootoo and perhaps buying out Bertuzzi or Samuelsson I started to get curious as to what exactly that could look like.

As far as I'm concerned, those are the extra pieces that - with the exception of Tootoo - need trimming, so it was certainly an encouraging article - even if it is all conjecture at this point.

FORWARDS

Michael Ryder ($3.500m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m)

Damien Brunner ($1.350m) / Stephen Weiss ($3.100m) / Johan Franzen ($3.955m)

Tomas Tatar ($0.840m) / Darren Helm ($2.125m) / Gustav Nyquist ($0.788m)

Justin Abdelkader ($1.800m) / Joakim Andersson ($0.605m) / Drew Miller ($1.350m)

Jordin Tootoo ($1.900m) / Patrick Eaves ($1.200m)

DEFENSEMEN

Niklas Kronwall ($4.750m) / Jonathan Ericsson ($3.250m)

Kyle Quincey ($3.775m) / Brendan Smith ($0.827m)

Danny DeKeyser ($1.350m) / Jakub Kindl ($1.050m)

Brian Lashoff ($0.725m)

GOALTENDERS

Jimmy Howard ($5.292m)

Jonas Gustavsson ($1.500m)

-

Buyout: Todd Bertuzzi ($0.000m)

Buyout: Mikael Samuelsson ($0.000m)

--------

SALARY CAP: $64,300,000;

CAP PAYROLL: $57,813,920; BONUSES: $1,010,000

CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $7,496,080

I know, it looks just like everyone else's.

Ignore the $7mil+ cap cushion, because I made no attempt to calculate the salaries of the UFA/RFA signings. I'm terrible at that, so there's no point. Feel free to substitute Ryder with any of the power forwards that have been mentioned here throughout the off-season, if you'd like.

In my perfect scenario, Colaiacovo is somehow moveable - perhaps packaged with Filppula's rights - and Sameulsson and Bertuzzi can be bought out. While, I like what Bertuzzi can bring to the line-up; he and Samuelsson are the most obvious buyout candidates and I don't see that changing at any point over the course of the next year.

I've accepted that the fact that this team will likely be unable to acquire a worthwhile defenseman and that they will move forward with the core that we saw in place at the end of last season.

I love that lineup! Adding Ryder and Weiss makes perfect sense. I think having Ryder play with both datsyuk and zetterberg is a good move. He would score 35 goals no doubt in my mind. I think Z could also notch 30 on that line.

A second line of mule- Weiss- nyq/brunner/Tatar would be very lethal and a very solid line going up against 2nd pairing d-men.

A third Line of two of Nyq/brunner/Tatar centered by helm would make for the best third line in hockey.

Then you role a 4th of Abby- Andy- eaves/miller

I love that lineup and ill throw it up against any other forward group in the league today.

[amato 3,210]

I love that lineup! Adding Ryder and Weiss makes perfect sense. I think having Ryder play with both datsyuk and zetterberg is a good move. He would score 35 goals no doubt in my mind. I think Z could also notch 30 on that line.

A second line of mule- Weiss- nyq/brunner/Tatar would be very lethal and a very solid line going up against 2nd pairing d-men.

A third Line of two of Nyq/brunner/Tatar centered by helm would make for the best third line in hockey.

Then you role a 4th of Abby- Andy- eaves/miller

I love that lineup and ill throw it up against any other forward group in the league today.

i would be shocked if holland pulls that off but I do agree that would be one hell of a lineup..

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Here's my shot at it:

FORWARDS
Johan Franzen ($3.955m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Justin Abdelkader ($1.800m)
Tomas Tatar ($0.840m) / Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Nathan Horton ($5.000m)
Gustav Nyquist ($1.788m) / Joakim Andersson ($1.605m) / Damien Brunner ($3.050m)
Drew Miller ($1.350m) / Darren Helm ($2.125m) / Patrick Eaves ($1.200m)
Cory Emmerton ($0.533m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Niklas Kronwall ($4.750m) / Danny DeKeyser ($1.350m)
Jonathan Ericsson ($3.250m) / Brendan Smith ($1.827m)
Jakub Kindl ($2.050m) / Kyle Quincey ($3.775m)
Brian Lashoff ($0.725m) /
GOALTENDERS
Jimmy Howard ($5.292m)
Jonas Gustavsson ($1.500m)
OTHER
Buyout: Mikael Samuelsson ($0.000m)
Buyout: Todd Bertuzzi ($0.000m)
------

Trade: Carlo Colaiacovo

Trade: Jordin Tootoo

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $60,547,254; BONUSES: $1,010,000
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $4,762,746

Notes: Blue font denotes transactions/re-signings I made, red font denotes UFA signings from outside the organization.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's a nice, young roster (only 4 people that are 30 years of age or older and 4 players aged 29).

I assigned large costs to re-signing UFA and RFA players just to be safe. Holland can likely get better numbers than the ones I assigned.

Ideally I'd like to ditch Quincey and pick a true top pairing offensive defenseman up somewhere but the pickings are very, very slim. I'd avoid the UFA pool of offensive defensemen all together and look at RFA players.

Alex Pietrangelo is an RFA who is sure to be coveted by the entire league. St Louis has 20million in cap space to re-sign their RFA and UFA players. They'll have to get deals done for Chris Stewart, Kevin Shattenkirk and Alex Pietrangelo, though, so that money is definitely needed (all three players would command significant salaries). Pietrangelo is easily the best player on that team in my opinion and you can bet it'd be virtually impossible to pry him away from them... but hey it's worth making a note of it.

David Rundblad is an RFA in Phoenix who might be of interest. He's big (6'2", 190lbs), young (22yrs) and a right hand shot. Phoenix acquired him from Ottawa in 2011 as part of the Turris trade.

Zach Bogosian is an RFA in Winnipeg who is also big (6'3", 215lbs), young (22yrs) and a right handed shooter.

Nick Leddy is an RFA in Chicago who isn't exactly big (5'11, 180lbs), but is young (22yrs), although he has a lefty shot. Chicago is going to struggle to sign their RFA/UFA players and may be forced to let some juicey ones go. I doubt they'd let Leddy go but hey, it's possible. With the move to the East it will be easier than ever to make a deal with Chicago.

Travis Hamonic is an RFA on the NY Islanders who fits the desirable profile: big (6'2", 206lbs), young (22yrs) and a right hand shot. His offensive numbers are mind-boggling (10g, 60pts in 183 NHL games) but he's a very solid two-way player.

Edited June 26, 2013 by Drake_Marcus

[FlashyG 1,799]

Here's what I'd love to see going into next year (Note - not the line combo's but the personnel) The salaries might be a little high or low in places, but I think its conceivable we could ice this line-up with cap space to spare, especially if we trade Tootoo, then Emmerton would be one of the utility forwards.

CAPGEEK.COM USER GENERATED ROSTER
My Custom Lineup
FORWARDS
Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Gustav Nyquist ($1.200m)
Johan Franzen ($3.955m) / Vincent Lecavalier ($6.000m) / Damien Brunner ($3.350m)
Tomas Tatar ($0.840m) / Darren Helm ($2.125m) / Todd Bertuzzi ($2.075m)
Justin Abdelkader ($1.800m) / Joakim Andersson ($1.000m) / Drew Miller ($1.350m)
Patrick Eaves ($1.200m) / Jordin Tootoo ($1.900m)
DEFENSEMEN
Niklas Kronwall ($4.750m) / Jonathan Ericsson ($3.250m)
Kyle Quincey ($3.775m) / Brendan Smith ($1.750m)
Danny DeKeyser ($1.350m) / Jakub Kindl ($1.500m)
Brian Lashoff ($0.725m) /
GOALTENDERS
Jimmy Howard ($5.292m)
Jonas Gustavsson ($1.500m)
OTHER
Buyout: Mikael Samuelsson ($0.000m)
Buyout: Carlo Colaiacovo ($0.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $63,469,545; BONUSES: $1,010,000
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $1,840,455

[evilmrt 636]

Here's what I'd love to see going into next year (Note - not the line combo's but the personnel) The salaries might be a little high or low in places, but I think its conceivable we could ice this line-up with cap space to spare, especially if we trade Tootoo, then Emmerton would be one of the utility forwards.

CAPGEEK.COM USER GENERATED ROSTER

My Custom Lineup

FORWARDS

Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Gustav Nyquist ($1.200m)

Johan Franzen ($3.955m) / Vincent Lecavalier ($6.000m) / Damien Brunner ($3.350m)

Tomas Tatar ($0.840m) / Darren Helm ($2.125m) / Todd Bertuzzi ($2.075m)

Justin Abdelkader ($1.800m) / Joakim Andersson ($1.000m) / Drew Miller ($1.350m)

Patrick Eaves ($1.200m) / Jordin Tootoo ($1.900m)

DEFENSEMEN

Niklas Kronwall ($4.750m) / Jonathan Ericsson ($3.250m)

Kyle Quincey ($3.775m) / Brendan Smith ($1.750m)

Danny DeKeyser ($1.350m) / Jakub Kindl ($1.500m)

Brian Lashoff ($0.725m) /

GOALTENDERS

Jimmy Howard ($5.292m)

Jonas Gustavsson ($1.500m)

OTHER

Buyout: Mikael Samuelsson ($0.000m)

Buyout: Carlo Colaiacovo ($0.000m)

------

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)

(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)

SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $63,469,545; BONUSES: $1,010,000

CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $1,840,455

Just a small nitpick, I think you can trade Cola and actually get something.

[FlashyG 1,799]

Just a small nitpick, I think you can trade Cola and actually get something.

That would be even better, I did it this way as a worst case scenario...If we could trade him we'd still have another buyout for next year should Franzen have a terrible year or if someone else fails to live up to their contract.

[Donohue75 17]

CAPGEEK.COM USER GENERATED ROSTER
My Custom Lineup
FORWARDS
Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Justin Abdelkader ($1.800m)
Johan Franzen ($3.955m) / Vincent Lecavalier ($5.500m) / Damien Brunner ($2.750m)
Gustav Nyquist ($1.500m) / Joakim Andersson ($0.950m) / Tomas Tatar ($0.840m)
Drew Miller ($1.350m) / Dave Bolland ($3.375m) / Danny Cleary ($1.500m)
Todd Bertuzzi ($2.075m) / Darren Helm ($2.125m) / Patrick Eaves ($1.200m)
DEFENSEMEN
Niklas Kronwall ($4.750m) / Jonathan Ericsson ($3.250m)
Danny DeKeyser ($1.350m) / Brendan Smith ($1.000m)
Kyle Quincey ($3.775m) / Jakub Kindl ($1.250m)
Brian Lashoff ($0.725m)
GOALTENDERS
Jimmy Howard ($5.292m)
Jonas Gustavsson ($1.500m)
OTHER
Buyout: Mikael Samuelsson ($0.000m)
Buyout: Carlo Colaiacovo ($0.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $64,594,545; BONUSES: $1,010,000
CAP SPACE (24-man roster): $715,455

[Dave 324]

CAPGEEK.COM USER GENERATED ROSTER
My Custom Lineup
FORWARDS
Johan Franzen ($3.955m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m)
Tomas Tatar ($0.840m) / Vincent Lecavalier ($6.727m) / Michael Ryder ($4.500m)
Gustav Nyquist ($1.501m) / Darren Helm ($2.125m) / Damien Brunner ($3.350m)
Justin Abdelkader ($1.800m) / Joakim Andersson ($1.000m) / Drew Miller ($1.350m)
Todd Bertuzzi ($2.075m)
DEFENSEMEN
Niklas Kronwall ($4.750m) / Jonathan Ericsson ($3.250m)
Kyle Quincey ($3.775m) / Jakub Kindl ($1.050m)
Danny DeKeyser ($1.350m) / Brendan Smith ($0.927m)
Brian Lashoff ($0.725m)
GOALTENDERS
Jimmy Howard ($5.292m)
Jonas Gustavsson ($1.500m)
OTHER
Buyout: Mikael Samuelsson ($0.000m)
Buyout: Jordin Tootoo ($0.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $64,624,193; BONUSES: $1,010,000
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $685,807

Such a pipe dream, but whatevs...This is what I'd like to see.

[Guest The Axe]

Here's my shot at it:

FORWARDS

Johan Franzen ($3.955m) / Pavel Datsyuk ($6.700m) / Justin Abdelkader ($1.800m)

Tomas Tatar ($0.840m) / Henrik Zetterberg ($6.083m) / Nathan Horton ($5.000m)

Gustav Nyquist ($1.788m) / Joakim Andersson ($1.605m) / Damien Brunner ($3.050m)

Drew Miller ($1.350m) / Darren Helm ($2.125m) / Patrick Eaves ($1.200m)

Cory Emmerton ($0.533m) /

DEFENSEMEN

Niklas Kronwall ($4.750m) / Danny DeKeyser ($1.350m)

Jonathan Ericsson ($3.250m) / Brendan Smith ($1.827m)

Jakub Kindl ($2.050m) / Kyle Quincey ($3.775m)

Brian Lashoff ($0.725m) /

GOALTENDERS

Jimmy Howard ($5.292m)

Jonas Gustavsson ($1.500m)

OTHER

Buyout: Mikael Samuelsson ($0.000m)

Buyout: Todd Bertuzzi ($0.000m)

------

Trade: Carlo Colaiacovo

Trade: Jordin Tootoo

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)

(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)

SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $60,547,254; BONUSES: $1,010,000

CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $4,762,746

Notes: Blue font denotes transactions/re-signings I made, red font denotes UFA signings from outside the organization.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's a nice, young roster (only 4 people that are 30 years of age or older and 4 players aged 29).

I assigned large costs to re-signing UFA and RFA players just to be safe. Holland can likely get better numbers than the ones I assigned.

Ideally I'd like to ditch Quincey and pick a true top pairing offensive defenseman up somewhere but the pickings are very, very slim. I'd avoid the UFA pool of offensive defensemen all together and look at RFA players.

Alex Pietrangelo is an RFA who is sure to be coveted by the entire league. St Louis has 20million in cap space to re-sign their RFA and UFA players. They'll have to get deals done for Chris Stewart, Kevin Shattenkirk and Alex Pietrangelo, though, so that money is definitely needed (all three players would command significant salaries). Pietrangelo is easily the best player on that team in my opinion and you can bet it'd be virtually impossible to pry him away from them... but hey it's worth making a note of it.

David Rundblad is an RFA in Phoenix who might be of interest. He's big (6'2", 190lbs), young (22yrs) and a right hand shot. Phoenix acquired him from Ottawa in 2011 as part of the Turris trade.

Zach Bogosian is an RFA in Winnipeg who is also big (6'3", 215lbs), young (22yrs) and a right handed shooter.

Nick Leddy is an RFA in Chicago who isn't exactly big (5'11, 180lbs), but is young (22yrs), although he has a lefty shot. Chicago is going to struggle to sign their RFA/UFA players and may be forced to let some juicey ones go. I doubt they'd let Leddy go but hey, it's possible. With the move to the East it will be easier than ever to make a deal with Chicago.

Travis Hamonic is an RFA on the NY Islanders who fits the desirable profile: big (6'2", 206lbs), young (22yrs) and a right hand shot. His offensive numbers are mind-boggling (10g, 60pts in 183 NHL games) but he's a very solid two-way player.

I really like this ^^^^

[Guest The Axe]

The Axe takes over. Bye Kenny. Get er done, Axe.

1) Buys out Samuelsson and Bertuzzi

2) Parts ways with UFA's Filppula, Brunner, and White

3)Trades Howard, Colaoccovo, and 2014 First Round pick to Buffalo for Thomas Vanek

4) Trades Helm, Quincey, Franzen, Tootoo, First Round pick in 2015, First Round pick in 2016 for Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin

5) Signs Vanek to 3 year extension at 7 mil per

6) Signs H Sedin to 3 year extension at 6.5 mil per

7) Signs D Sedin to 3 year extension at 6.5 mil per

Abdelkader (2) - Dats (7.5) - Vanek (7)

Sedin (6.5) - Sedin (6.5) - Zetterberg (6)

Tatar(1.5) - Andersson (1.5) - Nyquist (1.5)

Miller (1.25) - Emmerton (.75) - Eaves (1.25)

Sheahan (.75) - Pulkinnen (.75)

Kronwall (5.5) - Ericsson (3)

Dekeyser (2) - Kindl (2)

Lashoff (.75) - Smith (2)

Almquist (.75)

Mrazek (1.25)

McCollum (.75)

Payroll = 63 mil.

Cap Space = 1.3 mil.