2012-13 If I Were GM

[grecohab]

I think that Mark Bergevin has done what had to be done via free agency. Any moves from now on, to further improve the roster, are considerable trade options. We have about 8M in cap space left, and assuming all of Subban, Eller, Geoffrion, Palushaj, and Diaz resign, i don't expect to have any cap space available at the beginning of the season.

Our roster as it is, although upgraded, still has two glaring holes. A top-6 left winger, and a top-4 big defensemen. Many can suggest that these holes can be filled from within either from the emerging of young players, or from come back seasons of underperforming units. Realistically, either option is high risk options, with very little chance of working out.

Our biggest problem in adressing these needs, is that we don't have the space to do so. We do have though, a big amount of salary locked up in players that won't play a huge role in the team next year (Gomez, Kaberle). The difficult, but not impossible, thing is to trade these players, and adress your needs at the same time. Here is where Bergevin's creativity might be necessary.

TRADE SCENARIO A

Lets take a look at the Flames roster as its taking shape, after free agency

Cammalleri-Backlund-Iginla

Tanguay-Cervenka-Glencross

Hudler-Stajan-Stempniak

Comeau-Jones-Jackman

ex.Bouma,Aliu

Wideman-Giordano

Butler-Babchuk

Sarish-Brodie

ex.Boumeester,Smith,Hannan(if resigned)

I intentionally have moved Bouwmeester at the expendable defender spot, because he is exactly that, expendable. They can live without him, and they want to get rid of his salary. Their prime plan was to use his salary, and sign a highly touted UFA via free agency, but moving a salary like this, is a hard task to overcome. Taking a closer look, this actually is a decent lineup that lucks experience down the middle. No matter how good Cervenka is, he hasn't yet played an NHL game, and Backlund is a sophomore. Can you rely on those two players going 1-2 at center? Their No3 center is also a mediocrity option, and thats why until the end, they tried to resign Olli Jokinen, without success though. Resuming, they can move a highly paid defender for a highly paid centerman. Trade benefits both parts, an almost salary swap, and is quite obvious to me:

Gomez+Kristo+CGY 2nd round in 2013 (MTL) for Bouwmeester (CGY)

TRADE SCENARIO B

Lets take a look at the Stars roster as its taking shape after free agency

Eriksson-Benn-Ryder

Whitney-Roy-Glennie

Nystrom-Fiddler-Smith

Vincour-Eakins-Wandell

ex.Morrow,Garbut

Goligoski-Daley

Robidas-Larsen

Fistric-Rome

ex.Dillon

Decent lineup with great top-lines but a very weak defense. Larsen is a sophomore, Fistric and Rome are grinders at best, and if one of Goligoski or Robidas goes down they are in deep trouble. They need some experience at defense, have a lot of cap space but i dont think any of Sutter or Carle signing there and there are not many puck moving defensemen avilable at free agency, left. I intentionally have moved Morrow at the expendable forward spot, because i feel they don't actually need him. He is their captain, but i think they need to take a step forward. Morrow at the other hand can bring a temporary solution (1 year) in our lineup (LW) with grit and heart and soul performance

so why not a trade (salary swap) one on one with Kaberle? The best part for us that we can use the 4,1M that comes off the books next year to resign Pacioretty and Desharnais.

Kaberle (MTL) for Morrow (DAL)

I think that both trade scenarios are worth consideration, absolutely realistic options, and will improve our team next year and in the future:

Price-Budaj

Pacioretty-Desharnais-Gionta

Morrow-Plekanec-Cole

Moen-Eller-Bourque

Prust-White-Armstrong

ex.Geoffrion, Leblanc (if recalled from Hamilton)

Markov-Gorges

Subban-Bouwmeester

Emelin-Bouillon

ex.Diaz, Weber

[Jbaker8787]

I like both those trade options Greco, especially the Gomez for Bouwmeester, 2 highly paid players that their team doesnt want so might as well do a swap

[BigTed3]

I like both those trade options Greco, especially the Gomez for Bouwmeester, 2 highly paid players that their team doesnt want so might as well do a swap

I still don't see the interest in trading JayBo for Gomez. Calgary is already going to be tight against the cap, and JayBo is both a younger more useful player in addition to making less money on the same length of contract as Gomez. If they wanted to dump Bouwmeester for little to no return, I don't see it being a problem. And if they wanted a center, why not just pay Jokinen less money than Gomez to score more points and have chemistry with Iginla?

Bottom line is that the only teams who might have any marginal interest in Gomez will be those who need to reach the cap floor or those who have last-minute injuries to their own centers and need a fill-in that won't cost them assets to acquire. Calgary fits neither description.

[FirstStar]

I still don't see the interest in trading JayBo for Gomez. Calgary is already going to be tight against the cap, and JayBo is both a younger more useful player in addition to making less money on the same length of contract as Gomez. If they wanted to dump Bouwmeester for little to no return, I don't see it being a problem. And if they wanted a center, why not just pay Jokinen less money than Gomez to score more points and have chemistry with Iginla?

Bottom line is that the only teams who might have any marginal interest in Gomez will be those who need to reach the cap floor or those who have last-minute injuries to their own centers and need a fill-in that won't cost them assets to acquire. Calgary fits neither description.

Calgary never got the offense out Bouwm that they paid for. Still, he's a reliable stay at home dman that plays an 82 game season.

We can't say the same for gomez. Forgetting the cap hit, I don't see Calgary trading gomez for Bouwm. I'd much rather keep a reliable, young dman with size, who plays night in, night out against top lines. Even if you're not getting the offensive you were expecting. He seems to be turning into a Hamrlik, payed as an offensive forward, but turning into a reliable shut down dman.

Despite the price of the contract, flames are getting more out of him, than the leafs got out of Komi.

[fansince1975]

Why not Semin for 2 year contract? With the assumption that Molson via the ticket sales, TV revenue, and other hockey revenue uses the huge profits from the fans to put Gomez in Hamilton or Europe eating his $7.3 million cap hit but actually costing less real money as the final 2 years of the Gomez contract are for less money. I would be shocked if it takes more than $13 million to get Semin for 2 years. Pleks would then have Gionta and Semin for his wingers which should give Montreal two top lines.

[FirstStar]

Why not Semin for 2 year contract? With the assumption that Molson via the ticket sales, TV revenue, and other hockey revenue uses the huge profits from the fans to put Gomez in Hamilton or Europe eating his $7.3 million cap hit but actually costing less real money as the final 2 years of the Gomez contract are for less money. I would be shocked if it takes more than $13 million to get Semin for 2 years. Pleks would then have Gionta and Semin for his wingers which should give Montreal two top lines.

Don't think the fans here and media will appreciate his laid back approach. I think he'd frustrate fans more than anything. He actually had it good in Wash, Ovy takes all the heat.

[MIASUN]

Don't think the fans here and media will appreciate his laid back approach. I think he'd frustrate fans more than anything. He actually had it good in Wash, Ovy takes all the heat.

Or he'd be the next Kovy.

[grecohab]

I still don't see the interest in trading JayBo for Gomez. Calgary is already going to be tight against the cap, and JayBo is both a younger more useful player in addition to making less money on the same length of contract as Gomez. If they wanted to dump Bouwmeester for little to no return, I don't see it being a problem. And if they wanted a center, why not just pay Jokinen less money than Gomez to score more points and have chemistry with Iginla?

Bottom line is that the only teams who might have any marginal interest in Gomez will be those who need to reach the cap floor or those who have last-minute injuries to their own centers and need a fill-in that won't cost them assets to acquire. Calgary fits neither description.

They should of resigned Jokinen, but they didn't. After their UFA acquisitions, it is clear that they are willing to make a run at the playoffs, this year. It will be a huge mistake though, if the enter the season relying on Cervenka and Backlund at center. They are in dear need to acquire an experienced centerman but they don't have any money. Dumping Bouwmeester's salary for such an acquisition, makes all the sence in the world. At least i think it does, and i hope management will target options like this.

I agree that Gomez's salary might be an option for teams that need to add salary to reach the limit (this year around 52-54M), but that is exactly what we thought last year, and Gomer is still around. The only likely scenario to me is that Phoenix uncertainity situation remains after the 9th of July, so the won't be able to resign there own or any other UFA from the market. Then, as the offseason proceeds they find a solution, but have to spend 12M to reach the cap floor, with the UFA pool almost empty and the only RFA to resign Kyle Chipchura. Then we may (long shot) see a desperate trade like:

Yandle (5,25M) for Gomez+Kaberle+Bourque (almost 15M)

[jennifer_rocket]

I have rarely watched Alexander Semin, but I do know he has an amazing shot. I'd have been fine signing him, but I think the team needs to be careful handing out long-term contracts right now. Cole is around for three more years; Plekanec, Bourque, Moen, and Prust for four more years; Pacioretty needs to be renegotiated soon and you can be sure that will be a long-term deal; Carey Price just signed for six years and that keeps him here as long as Josh Gorges is; and I am assuming P.K. Subban is about to get locked up for five to seven years as well. Sure, none of these deals are really LONG like some teams throw around, but we need to be confident in who we're building around. Is Semin someone we would see as the core of the team? I am assuming his agent is seeking that type of deal. Somewhere he can go and make big money for a long time.

[Jbaker8787]

Does anyone know when the deadline is for teams to hit the cap floor?

[Guest habs1952]

Does anyone know when the deadline is for teams to hit the cap floor?

I believe it is right at the start of the season.

[BobbyMertz]

Didn't Bergevin say the other day that Gomez is a part of the team and will start off the year in Montreal?

[Jbaker8787]

Didn't Bergevin say the other day that Gomez is a part of the team and will start off the year in Montreal?

Yes but if he gets an offer for him before then I'd hope he'd consider it

[jennifer_rocket]

Didn't Bergevin say the other day that Gomez is a part of the team and will start off the year in Montreal?

I would have to believe he's just 'saying all the right things' currently. I'm sure the Gomez saga is not over just yet. However, like several board members have previously mentioned, if we don't need to save cap space, and Gomez is still a Hab, then there's not much reason to demote him. He's not a locker room cancer.

[BigTed3]

I agree that Gomez's salary might be an option for teams that need to add salary to reach the limit (this year around 52-54M), but that is exactly what we thought last year, and Gomer is still around.

Last summer, Gomez had 3 seasons left on his contract and his salary was close to his cap hit. His salary goes down this coming year and the one after, so it makes more sense for a team to acquire Gomez now than a year ago. A team that's on a budget will now only have to pay out 4-5m but they get credit for 7.4m towards the cap, which means their owner pockets the other 2-3m. It's still not a great option, but it's at least feasible that someone could bite.

[kinot-1]

He's not a locker room cancer.

True enough JR,,,but if I were on his line or digging ditches with him,,,,,,,,right off the hop, I wouldn't be too thrilled. IMO, he would demoralize his line-mates. I know he tries, but he just doesn't get the job done.

[jennifer_rocket]

True enough JR,,,but if I were on his line or digging ditches with him,,,,,,,,right off the hop, I wouldn't be too thrilled. IMO, he would demoralize his line-mates. I know he tries, but he just doesn't get the job done.

Agreed. We shall see what happens, I suppose.

[gunnerdunner]

If I was gm I would be calling Nashville seeing if they want Kaberle for a late draft pick they only have 4 D under contract 5 when they sign Weber and are about 12 million short of the floor at the moment maybe they are willing who knows.

[MIASUN]

If I were GM, I would do exactly what Bergevin has done up until now with the roster. I would sit and wait now for the rest of the chips to fall around the league and for the next round of salary cap handcuffing moves to be made for Semin and Carle.

At this point, we are not cup contenders or even 1 signing away. Eller, Leblanc, Gallagher, Galchenyuk, Bournival, Collberg, Kristo: Based on probability, 2-3 of these kids will become impact top 9 forwards in due time.

For Eller hopefully this year, the rest its the next 1-3 years, there is no point on blowing the cap space we're going to gain when Gomez and Kaberle's deals come off the books in 2 years, especially since Pax is going to be RFA next year. Sure, if Semin was available at a reasonable price (<7 million, while Gomez goes to the AHL for 2 years) that would be one thing but he's going to want a long term deal for big money. Forget it.

On defence, Beaulieu, Tinordi, Bennett, Ellis, Nash, Thrower, Nygren: Based on probability 2-3 of these kids will be impact NHL defenceman and hopefully one will be a top pairing defenceman. Carle is going to want BIG money and a long term deal. Also, he doesn't appear worth it at the cost of development and future cap space.

So, If I was GM, I would try to calm the fanbase and get them onboard with my vision of the future:

Homegrown top end talent supported by character pieces in appropriate roles.

It's not going to be easy or a short climb but this time it feels like their is a vision for us to scale Stanley Cup mountain in the next few years.

[fansince1975]

I believe that MB was referring to not buying out Gomez contract in the recent interview. He then said the correct thing that Gomez is part of the team. It certainly did not indicate that Gomez was going to be part of the team for 2012-13. I think that some teams like the Islanders might jump at the chance to have Gomez for a prospect as the Islanders would have to pay $10 million for the remaining two seasons but get a cap hit of $7.3 per year. I think it is critical to remove Gomez from our team ASAP even if the $7.3 million if not spent this moment on a UFA player. We have seveal players that can play center. All with lower cap hits than Gomez. I believe that Doan and Semin are the two best UFA forwards still without a contract. I wonder if Montreal could land AK46 with a low one year offer. Something like $2 million for one year. Right now AK46 seems to be looking for a team and IMHO before the trade to Nashville there were some good games for AK46. What is the asking price for Rick Nash? I don't understand how it can be high considering the cap hit for Nash but maybe I simply do not understand the value that Nash brings to the team that signs him. Is he a 1st line winger or on several teams just a 2nd line winger? All things equal I would take Rick Nash over Semin. However Nash would likely require a 1st round draft pick, young player and roster player. So lets play that trade game. Our 1st round pick in 2013, Eller, and Gionta. Our team would get Rick Nash. With the salary going back to Columbus it should be fairly easy to fit Nash within the cap. Is Nash worth giving up our 3rd line center? Probably yes now that we have just drafted a center that will become the 1st or 2nd line center within 2 years. I would even consider trading DD instead of Eller depending on the skills shown by AG27 at camp last week. 1st round draft pick should be 20th to 30th overall with the new players and less injuries in 2012-13 so the draft pick is not a top end pick so the loss if likely not much to Montreal. Gionta is our captain but he is small, big cap hit, and coming off a serious injury. However Gionta would bring leadership to a young Columbus team.

I think that a few teams would give up a 1st round draft pick or two 2nd round picks for Kaberle now that very few defenceman are still available this summer. I believe that Montreal has enough NHL experienced defenceman along with 4 potential NHL rookies playing in Hamilton to keep our team filled with 6 defencemen this coming year.

Subban, Markov, Gorges, Emelin, Diaz, Weber, Bouillon gives our team 7 NHL defencemen. I am assuming that RFA Subban and Diaz are re-signed this summer.

St. Denis, Nash, Tinordi, Beaulieu, Ellis, and a few other young defencemen will be fighting for roster spots or learning in Hamilton giving our team lots of depth making Kaberle or Diaz or Weber very tradeable. However I would have to believe that Kaberle has by far the most trade value even with his high cap hit. His long history of putting up offensive numbers should make him attractive to a few teams that need offensive defencemen. I believe that at least one rookie will make our team out of training camp. Not sure if it will be Tinordi or Beaulieu. But one of them should be Montreal. I think Beaulieu has to play NHL or junior in 2012-13 not AHL but I would not be shocked if Gallant will "tell" MT how to handle the rookie.

[Habitom]

If I was gm I would be calling Nashville seeing if they want Kaberle for a late draft pick they only have 4 D under contract 5 when they sign Weber and are about 12 million short of the floor at the moment maybe they are willing who knows.

My idea is to trade for S. Weber, by offering some combo of 5 players from these groups.

D-men: 2 of Emelin, Diaz, Y. Weber or Kaberle.

F-men: 2 of Bourque, Nokes, Blunden or Gomez.

Others: 1 of LL, Eller or 1st pick.

This would have our D set for a long time when factoring in the young prospects.

[Jbaker8787]

My idea is to trade for S. Weber, by offering some combo of 5 players from these groups.

D-men: 2 of Emelin, Diaz, Y. Weber or Kaberle.

F-men: 2 of Bourque, Nokes, Blunden or Gomez.

Others: 1 of LL, Eller or 1st pick.

This would have our D set for a long time when factoring in the young prospects.

I think they would want Emelin, Tinordi or Bealieau, LL and a spare part(weber, nokes, Kaberle, blunden) or Subban, LL or Eller and Tinordi or Bealieau. Too many spare parts in that proposal IMO, Shea Weber is an elite defenseman

[Habitom]

I think they would want Emelin, Tinordi or Bealieau, LL and a spare part(weber, nokes, Kaberle, blunden) or Subban, LL or Eller and Tinordi or Bealieau. Too many spare parts in that proposal IMO, Shea Weber is an elite defenseman

I think I'm missing your point, because i think you are offering less. My idea is that Nashville picks the 5 they want from the 3 catagories. 2D, 2F and one of 1st pick, LL or Eller.

[Nine1One]

they only trade him if they dont tthink they can keep him

[Habitom]

they only trade him if they dont tthink they can keep him

My money says Weber wants to be where hockey matters and Nashville doesn't have enough money to keep him. They couldn't keep a US boy so I doubt the Canadian boy wants to stay.