Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanCharles
Do you think there is any way they can dump Bob?
Serious question cause that has to be the worst contract in the league.
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I think it highly unlikely, but it's possible a deal could be worked out for a team desperately in need of a goaltender with lots of cap space. Bobrovsky isn't outright terrible, but he isn't in the top half of the league for starting goaltenders anymore. He'll still give you wins most nights if you play okay in front of him, but more and more he's letting soft goals in.
I look at a few teams that you could make a deal with, but you'll probably have to include a good prospect or a high pick to make a deal.
Detroit Red Wings only have Thomas Greiss signed for this year and he only has 1 year left. They have almost $50 million in cap space for next year and a ton of old UFAs coming off the books (M. Staal, Helm, Filppula, Glendening) who they likely won't re-sign and they don't have a lot of RFAs that would command any large dollars. They have the room for him both at the position and their cap, and they aren't likely to be anywhere near the cap anytime soon. Quite frankly, they may have trouble reaching the floor without a big contract. I think if you offered them a good pick or someone like Denisenko to take Bobrovsky, they may consider it.
The other team that may consider it is Buffalo. Again, over $30 million in cap space heading into next year, but they have some key RFA contracts to work out (Dahlin, Reinhart, Mittlestadt). I know, I know...can you really convince that team to take on another bad contract? Maybe. They currently have nobody signed to start in net or possibly even back up next season. Both Hutton and Ullmark are UFA and I don't know that the club really wants either back, but maybe Ullmark. However, there's just not enough experience or ability in net to make them anywhere near competitive. I think this would be contingent on them moving Eichel for futures. At that point, they would have the room to take on Bobrovsky as long as Florida gave them some assets for a new rebuild without Eichel. It really depends on what they see as their plan going forward.
It isn't going to be easy, but it could be done if the GM sweetens the pot enough. I don't know that they have to even move Bobrovsky this year since they have the room to keep him next year with only a few RFAs to sign. I think they ease Knight into a tandem role with Bob next year and then give him the starting job the following season if he performs well. It would be disastrous to trade Bob this season and rely only on Knight and a journeyman backup to fill the net. Goalies are voodoo. Don't count your chickens before they...blah blah blah. You get the point.
I don't even know that I want them to move Yandle because he's an excellent PP QB and he is passable on the 3rd pair in limited minutes 5 on 5. However, it seems as though the coach hates him and wants him gone. I think they have to find a taker for him this off-season.