Trade deadline day you be the GM

[North East Goon]

I would re-up Begin on trade deadline day AND that's about it!

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by North East Goon

I would re-up Begin on trade deadline day AND that's about it!

People keep bringing this up but considering the asking price for forth liners with grit, through trades and UFA, signing Tim Jackman was not a bad decision.

[Flashpoint]

Originally Posted by AR_Six

Anyone speculating about a buy-out is an idiot.

Actually it makes a lot of sense from the Ranger's perspective.

The 32-year-old center is in the second season of a nine-year, $60 million deal, of which all but $3 million is paid out in the first six years. It also comes with a full no-movement clause.

With next season's salary cap dropping to $64.3 million, Brooks observed the Rangers would have roughly $10 million to re-sign restricted free agents Ryan McDonagh, Carl Hagelin and Derek Stepan, leaving little room for other roster moves.

Richards' numbers since joining the Rangers in 2011 (66 points in 82 games last season, 11 points in 17 games this year) are not those expected of a first-line center with a cap hit of $6.7 million per season.

Considering the centers potentially available this summer via free agency (Ryan Getzlaf, Stephen Weiss, Mike Ribeiro) or trade (Ryan O'Reilly), it might be worthwhile to buy out Richards and put the savings toward a more affordable option.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/article...-Richards.html

He hasn't performed to expectations, has a no movement clause, and there are other guys they can sign who provide comparable upside for less money.

It's the one chance the Rangers have to potentially rid themselves of a contract that rapidly appears to be becoming an albatross.

Thank goodness the Flames didn't get him.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

For it to be simply the cost of doing business, there would have to be a significant sample size of players with similar contracts, but there really isn't - at least not enough to say that it represents the norm. The Gomez contract was similar, but we saw how that turned out. LeCavalier might be the only other one, given his age, that really compares (and not too many people are happy with that one either).

We are talking about a 32 year old player that signed for that amount. Sure, other #1 centres like Staal, Stamkos, Crosby and Malkin who signed similar contracts that took them beyond free agency, but they also have youth on their side.

We're also talking about one of the very few #1 centers to reach free agency. They simply don't get there (usually), and it's because they're so rare. So anytime one does hit the market like Richards (or like Gomez was perceived to be), there's a ridiculous bidding war.

It's the price you have to pay if you can't develop and then sign young high end centers.

[North East Goon]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

People keep bringing this up but considering the asking price for forth liners with grit, through trades and UFA, signing Tim Jackman was not a bad decision.

I am not making fun of the signing, it's the lack of doing anything else that was amusing or not amusing I should say.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

I'd gladly deal with 2-3 years of painfully overpaying Richards if we won a Stanley Cup with him. It beats the alternative of dwelling in irrelevancy and never being able to draft high enough to net a true #1 center.

This isn't 2008. Where are the other 3-4 front-line players the Flames need to become a Cup contender? Sorry, we aren't trading our way into the league elite anytime in the next 2-3 seasons. We're about as far away from having all the pieces to the puzzle as the Panthers.

[dissentowner]

If I am the GM and we are still in the race to be a playoff team I have to buy and not sell at the deadline. Why? Because that is the mandate given to me by ownership and they are the ones employing me. This is what Feaster is facing, ownership has told him to push for the playoffs, not to rebuild. I think many of us forget that. Would I rather get a kings ransom for Iginla and deal of other vets for a brighter future? Yes. Would I even attempt it if I am Feaster and we are close to a playoff spot? No.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

This isn't 2008. Where are the other 3-4 front-line players the Flames need to become a Cup contender? Sorry, we aren't trading our way into the league elite anytime in the next 2-3 seasons. We're about as far away from having all the pieces to the puzzle as the Panthers.

Florida has a young stud goalie and a potential top pairing defender in Gudbranson and what looks like a #1 centre in Huberdeau.

[North East Goon]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Florida has a young stud goalie and a potential top pairing defender in Gudbranson and what looks like a #1 centre in Huberdeau.

This! They are way ahead of us if it's a re-build plan going forward.

[bluloc]

Nothing that will hinder the future. If we are way out of a playoff spot come the trade deadline I seriously start to think about trading these vets. But most likely we will be around 9th or 10th spot by then.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Florida has a young stud goalie and a potential top pairing defender in Gudbranson and what looks like a #1 centre in Huberdeau.

Huberdeau is a LW

Doesn't take away from your point though, just pointing it out is all.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Huberdeau is a LW

Doesn't take away from your point though, just pointing it out is all.

Huh.

Seems to take the centre lane and position a lot.

I haven't watched many Florida games this year, so thanks.

[$ven27]

^ when he was drafted he was a center, but played the wing quite a bit too. I'm sure he could be converted back to center once gets a feel for the NHL level.

[CaramonLS]

I'd sooner pay Getzlaf 8.5 million per season for the same number of years than take on Brad Richard's contract.

[SofaProfessor]

If they were to trade away Iggy or Kipper at the deadline I would want some serious picks or prospects coming back. I think the only way you consider a roster player is if they're a solid centre. We have plenty of depth at the wings and down the middle it's a joke.

[Icon]

Plan of attack at the deadline should be to (finally) be sellers... the only exception would be if we're in the middle of the playoff pack (4th-6th) or better. "Just making the playoffs" in my mind isn't worth being buyers at the deadline yet another year and sacrificing another opportunity to start seriously turning this team around.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by jg13

if not in a playoff position (even if 9th by one point)

move iginla (if hes not signed) to the team offering the best package. (expect a 1st + decent prospect)

move cammellari for a 2nd

potentially move bouw/gio if theres a huge offer (1st 2013 + 2nd 2014 + prospect)

try to move one of butler/sarich/babchuk for a lower pick

kiprusoff isn't going anywhere till at least the off season.

Why don't you just trade the whole team? Isn't that make easier for you rather than mentioning every single player(pretty much) in this team.

[Flame Man12]

Even if they were in eighth, I would make some moves. Kipper would be the first and biggest move. If they make the playoffs, they are not good enough to even compete against a top seeded team.

[blender]

Originally Posted by SofaProfessor

If they were to trade away Iggy or Kipper at the deadline I would want some serious picks or prospects coming back. I think the only way you consider a roster player is if they're a solid centre. We have plenty of depth at the wings and down the middle it's a joke.

Quoted for truth.