2013 NHL Off-Season Thread

OK, I'll fire this one up.

The Lightning announce they're going to buy out Vinny Lecavalier. Is this the first time a team has bought out its captain?

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=675442&navid=DL|NHL|home

There was a story that made the rounds yesterday about the Lightning and Leafs working on a trade where TB would send Lecavalier to Toronto with another asset (likely a pick), after which Toronto would promptly buy him out, after which TB would promptly re-sign him at a reduced salary. The league caught of wind of it and threw cold water on the whole thing.

 

Out of Boston, Jaromir Jagr and Andrew Ference are looking for work. Nathan Horton is accepting offers.
I'm just thankful Patrice Bergeron didn't tear an ACL or suffer his umpeenth concussion, since he got injured in almost every other way possible in the final two games.

 

And I'm not sure how JR is going to feel about this, but the Blackhawks are reportedly shopping Stanley Cup hero Dave Bolland.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=426445

 

Doesn't the 2014 preseason start next week? Short time to have an Offseason thread! </sarcasm>

 

Nope. With trades already being made, contracts being signed and players being bought out, the off-season is in full swing.

 

Salary cap expected to drop? What do you think the magic number will be? I'm guessing if the cap drops, talent gets more spread around unless guys are willing to (1) take a bit less as free agents or (2) restructure their existing deals.

 

I think it's already been established (as in, before this past season even started) that the cap for 2013-2014 would drop from $70 million to $64 million or so.

And with the cap dropping by almost 10%, I think you'll see more low-end free agents hurting than mid or high-end ones. More FAs being forced to take deals for around a million per.

Also, existing deals can't be restructured. If they could be, Luongo would no longer be a Vancouver Canuck and Vinny Lecavalier would likely still be in Tampa.

 

It seems the MO is what Chicago has done and what other good teams in salary cap leagues have done: pay your stars what you have to in order to keep them and fill in around them with bargain role players.

 

Lots of rumours swirling as the draft approaches.

Oilers seem to have an insider track on getting Coburn form the Flyers. Offering up Paajarvi, who was arguably their best forward not named Hall down the stretch. Finally figured out how to play in the NHL. Sounds like Philly wants more, they want to move up in the draft, so maybe a swap of first round picks as well?

Also Cory Schnider is suddenly on the block as the Canucks apparently cannot move Luongo, refuse to buy him out and obviously have no desire to enter next year with the same clusterfuck between the pipes that they had this season. Oilers again are rumoured to be in the mix as are the Islanders. They apparently are looking for a first rounder and a top prospect.

MacTavish says he wants to make a splash this off-season, already has with the firing of Krueger and hiring of Eakins. A Schider/Coburn trade would be huge if either happen. He has a lot of assets to work with. Refreshing to see. Tambellini would just hold their current course and miss out on just about everything while signing under-performing bottom six players.

Also, in the first 24 hours of Lecavlier hitting the open market, his agent was reportedly contacted by 15 different teams, according to Darren Dregger. Says he will whittle down his list of preferred destinations shortly.

Also Letang turned down a massive long term offer from the Penguins, in the range of $8 mil a year. Likely to be dealt, Pens could also sit back and let him hit the open market next year as well. But major trading chip in the meantime.

Flames have also made no secret of wanting to move up in the draft.

Horton says he will test the free agent market as well, and there is some talk the Bruins could move Seguin, but would take a huge offer to do so.

Already shaping up to be an exiting off season.

 

Vancouver trades Cory Schneider to New Jersey for the No. 9 overall pick.

Not too surprised that Schneider got traded. Given his age and contract, it was becoming apparent that it was going to be much easier to trade Schneider than Roberto Luongo. If Martin Brodeur only plays one more season, could be a good pickup for the Devils.

 

I would be surprised if Brodeur plays more than one season. At the very least, the two should platoon this year and Schneider take over full time next year.

 

Agreed.