Commandant

Why does that make a smart agent? Alll other things being equal, the player is always advantaged when more money is front loaded.

No one is suggesting taking the Steinbrenner approach of trading our young talent for veterans, but the reality is while we have some nice prospects, I don't see any who will be 100% for sure NHL ready on October 1st The idea of signing a stop gap in free agency for 1 year or 2 max, isn't going to hurt the guys we have.

I've been all for giving Gomez another chance in the past, but I'm done with him.

I do like the signing... But it is what it is, a starting goalie for Hamilton, nothing more than that. I just think Roloson and Thomas who became NHLers this late in their careers are the exception, not the rule. He hasn't been able to win a backup job since leaving, (and was in two different organizations), so I think the complaints when he was traded 3 years ago that we were holding him back and he was NHL capable were unfounded. Again, he's good in the AHL and I don't mind him at all, but lets not lose our minds on this and think he could steal Budaj's job or anything. Dell hasn't signed yes AFAIK

I agree it isn't happening. MB made that clear, and I agree with him, the cap hits on Gomez's buyout never made sense. Just discussing the hypotheticals with dlblair here.

I'd sign someone to a one year deal. If they impress, they can always juggle the lineup to get a rookie into the top 9. Bump one of our newest signings to the fourth line, and one of Noke/White end up on waivers for the purposes of sending them to Hamilton... or you make a trade.

Eric Johnson gets 4 years 15 million from the Avs. I expect this sets a nice market for PK (though PK should get more)

"For Clubs who have Club or Player elected Salary Arbitration filings pursuant to Article 12, within the forty-eight (48) hour period beginning on the third day following the later of: (i) the Club's receipt of its last salary arbitration award; or (ii) settlement of its last case (provided such award was received or such settlement occurred after 7:00 p.m. New York time; awards or settlements that occurred or were received after 7:00 p.m. New York time will be deemed to have occurred or received the following business day for purposes of this provision)." So we have 48 hours after signing Price to buy out Gomez.

I thought it re-opened for 7 days after we sign Price (who was scheduled for arbitration). I don't think we are gonna get the August window, I think its open right now.

A lot of the offseason signings and trades are being held up by Parise and Suter making their decisions right now. What to look forward to once they sign. http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/07/03/logjam-what-happens-after-parise-and-suter-sign/

Desjardins will start in Hamilton. Lets not get crazy on him though, he'll be 27 years old when the season starts. He is what he is, an AHL journeyman starter... but that does fill a need for us.

Buy out? No, MB said they won't. However he was also less than enthusiastic about him having a spot after training camp though. Seems to me Hamilton is a legitimate option here.

Check the retweets by Huddle and Damien Cox yesterday and you'll see some crap.

Question is: Who will go crazy when Bergevin deals him?

Not exactly. Bergevin made it clear that Gomez will not be bought out. He said, "we'll wait and see what happens after he shows up to training camp" That doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement either.

With both Diaz and Weber we are at 8 D. One needs to go. I vote Weber

Good move Just PK, Eller, and Diaz of the notable RFAs Still need a top 6er though

According to Stubbs.... Bergevin picked Daigneault, Lets place blame where it belongs, instead of promoting an agenda

I like Emelin but I'm not comfortable handing him a top 4 spot

He'll still get ~50 games with injuries and such

Now normally I’m the first guy to jump on Brian Burke, but the criticism he’s taken today is completely unfair. Check Damien Cox’s twitter feed to see some of the disgusting things said about him by Leaf fans for the fact he marched in the gay pride parade. So for one day only… in defence of Brian Burke. http://lastwordonsports.com/2012/07/02/have-some-pride-in-defence-of-brian-burke/

Every year fans complain that the new free agents are overpaid. But thats because fans don't adjust for inflation. The cap has risen 14 million in 2 years. Of course the free agents signed today are getting paid more than the free agents signed 2 years ago.

Nah, given our injury history a 13th forward is still gonna get 55+ games. Armstrong has a history. Moen had a rough year. Who knows with our other guys.

Not that I've seen, but how do we have the roster space.

Great,.great signing. A tough guy who can actually play hockey. As for those saying overpayment. Cap has gone up $14 million in 2 years. Inflation happens no surprise there. I like our bottom 6 now. Moen/Armstrong - Eller - Bourque Moen/Armstrong - Noke - Prust White in pressbox Works for me.