Sean Maloughney: Free Agent Targets

Thanks Sean, I’d say DO NOT sign any of the pending UFAs on day 1, you will always over pay and there are no must have players available. In a few years if they feel they are close I could get behind signing a Pietrangelo type player but for now I’d prefer Francis to do more of what he did last off season.

You REALLY want Victor Olofsson.

Honestly pass on all those listed.

Starters we have a pretty set roster barring trade, with a LOT having M/NTC clauses as is. Add in prospects pushing to make the jump and grab a roster spot we already have a pretty set team.

As far as pests go, we have Tanev already and our style makes everyone a real pest with the aggressive forecheck and gap control. IF we look at adding someone, I'd rather Barbashev and or Accari, or a physical deterrent to protect the likes of Beniers in someone like Reaves for the bottom pairing. That said there is Kartye, McCormick, Wright all looking to push in. We already are losing some of our pest bottom in Donato, and we also likely lose Sprong just to make room.

Defence most is locked up and have to think we get Borgen locked up too. Dunn is the real big question mark there, but assuming we do lock him up, you know Soucy walks. Evans is pushing for a job already so if anything we likely just add a depth guy nobody big.

Big name UFA stuff is flashy but we aren't in a position where we have to retool/rebuild coming off a VERY successful season and the majority of the roster returning and locked up.

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- HenryHockey

The rights to Carson Soucy and 5th round pick?

The rights to Carson Soucy and 5th round pick?
- 1970vintage

Yeah like that is going to get it done I would do it if it was that but they will want our picks/young players and that is just an outright hell no there.

It's rather funny everyone tosses out the big names a lot but fit, cost, and cost of acquisition really aren't getting considered.

Yeah like that is going to get it done I would do it if it was that but they will want our picks/young players and that is just an outright hell no there.

It's rather funny everyone tosses out the big names a lot but fit, cost, and cost of acquisition really aren't getting considered.
- Roadrunner75

Obviously I’m kidding around, you don’t get a good young(ish) player like that for nothing, but if he’s one year away from UFA, has a huge QO and won’t sign longer term in Ottawa then they’re kind of in a pickle.

I’d prefer a bit more center depth, and sort out the goaltending.

I wonder if Dunn would consider a short deal knowing the cap will be going up in a couple/few years? Something like the Gavrikov deal.

Obviously I’m kidding around, you don’t get a good young(ish) player like that for nothing, but if he’s one year away from UFA, has a huge QO and won’t sign longer term in Ottawa then they’re kind of in a pickle.

I’d prefer a bit more center depth, and sort out the goaltending.

I wonder if Dunn would consider a short deal knowing the cap will be going up in a couple/few years? Something like the Gavrikov deal.
- 1970vintage

Only way it really would work is if you could move out one of the NTC guys with a decent sized contract + Dreidger but don't think Ottawa is going to go for that at all.

I think if he takes 6-8mil a season boom we are done. Borgen gets a small raise, same with Geekie and really the rest should be fine. The couple spots open then just get filled with prospects in house. I don't see a lot of massive and big changes.

I agree on center. I think if anything if we could upgrade on Wennberg you might look at that but again means moving him out or not bringing back Geekie to drop him down and get someone in and move Wenny to 3C. And that is assuming you have given up on Wright being a center, which I don't think they have at this point. You don't want big money in there locked up longterm blocking his path. You have Wright and McCormick coming in behind Benny in a year or two here after all.

So far though we have had Konecky, Garland, and DeBrincat tossed out as coming here while return is what? Our top end young guys? HIGHLY unlikely and the money and roster space just doesn't add up. Fr4ancis clearly has a plan and when you look at it, older guys like Wennberg, Eberle etc are all 1year to 2 years from being UFA. Key players locked up and the prospects first drafted starting to get to where they can push in.

Only way it really would work is if you could move out one of the NTC guys with a decent sized contract + Dreidger but don't think Ottawa is going to go for that at all.

I think if he takes 6-8mil a season boom we are done. Borgen gets a small raise, same with Geekie and really the rest should be fine. The couple spots open then just get filled with prospects in house. I don't see a lot of massive and big changes.

I agree on center. I think if anything if we could upgrade on Wennberg you might look at that but again means moving him out or not bringing back Geekie to drop him down and get someone in and move Wenny to 3C. And that is assuming you have given up on Wright being a center, which I don't think they have at this point. You don't want big money in there locked up longterm blocking his path. You have Wright and McCormick coming in behind Benny in a year or two here after all.

So far though we have had Konecky, Garland, and DeBrincat tossed out as coming here while return is what? Our top end young guys? HIGHLY unlikely and the money and roster space just doesn't add up. Fr4ancis clearly has a plan and when you look at it, older guys like Wennberg, Eberle etc are all 1year to 2 years from being UFA. Key players locked up and the prospects first drafted starting to get to where they can push in.
- Roadrunner75

Yeah, don’t see much (big) getting done. The Pacific division is still relatively weak. Sure, Vegas/Edmonton will be pushing again next year. Calgary is on the verge of a potential rebuild, Anaheim is still a few years away, SJ likely haven’t bottomed out yet. The Kings will probably be better, so a top three spot is going to be a challenge but not unattainable.

Another loss. 3-2 in Hershey and series tied.

Funny Coachella last series did the same thing. Couldnt win a road game.

2-2 now and going to saturday. Best 2 outta 3 now.

And the Bears are rolling. Coachella blows 3 straight to go down 3-2 in the series, losing 1-0 in OT

Do or die tonight for Coachella.

Great recent article on how Wright is finally showing his potential and growing now that he is in and playing in the A where he really belonged but couldn't be. Still no word on the status they are trying to work out for next year too.

Need a strong game tonight from D'Accord and to steal back the momentum from Hershey. Home ice has been important in even last series and continued in this one. Fingers crossed.

3 straight unanswered from McCormick, Hayden, and Hughes and its 3-1 end of 1st in the do or die.

Lind adds a 2nd period PP tally, assist to D'Accord, and its 4-2 Firebirds after 40.

Lind early in the 3rd its 5-2. Time winding down. Game 7 it is. Baby Kraken stay alive!!

Yeah, don’t see much (big) getting done. The Pacific division is still relatively weak. Sure, Vegas/Edmonton will be pushing again next year. Calgary is on the verge of a potential rebuild, Anaheim is still a few years away, SJ likely haven’t bottomed out yet. The Kings will probably be better, so a top three spot is going to be a challenge but not unattainable.
- 1970vintage

Hard disagreement on this point. The Pacific was the only division last season with four 100 point teams. San Jose will struggle for some time and the Ducks likely will too but with Fantilli as well Anaheim is starting to rise. Calgary I look at more favorably than most and see them right back in the mix this season and I can see Vancouver in the hunt, albeit still likely to miss.

Right now I would argue the only division more competitive than the Pacific is the Atlantic.

Hard disagreement on this point. The Pacific was the only division last season with four 100 point teams. San Jose will struggle for some time and the Ducks likely will too but with Fantilli as well Anaheim is starting to rise. Calgary I look at more favorably than most and see them right back in the mix this season and I can see Vancouver in the hunt, albeit still likely to miss.

Right now I would argue the only division more competitive than the Pacific is the Atlantic.
- freelancer

I'd say it is a bit weak. Vegas and Edmonton are the top two standouts, though Edmonton is pretty flawed far as overall roster. LA should be good, same with Seattle. Calgary is a question mark in who may get moved and how the front office/coach changes affect them. After that Nucks, SJ, and Anaheim are pretty weak.

It's not a lossfest for a division but would say it is pretty weak.

I'd say it is a bit weak. Vegas and Edmonton are the top two standouts, though Edmonton is pretty flawed far as overall roster. LA should be good, same with Seattle. Calgary is a question mark in who may get moved and how the front office/coach changes affect them. After that Nucks, SJ, and Anaheim are pretty weak.

It's not a lossfest for a division but would say it is pretty weak.
- Roadrunner75

Two against one, we win .

How about a new blog Sean, with all the interest that Soucy is garnering…

Two against one, we win .

How about a new blog Sean, with all the interest that Soucy is garnering…
- 1970vintage

Definitely going to be a payday and options for him. Think with this much interest long as he doesnt end up on the Nucks.

Definitely going to be a payday and options for him. Think with this much interest long as he doesnt end up on the Nucks.
- Roadrunner75

I hope they (Nucks) overpay the fuck out of him, further crippling their ability to ice a competitive team.

Game 7

All or nothing night with the Calder Cup on the line.

Kole Lind (9-21-30) scored twice, becoming the 11th player ever to reach 30 points in a single Calder Cup postseason while Joey D'Accord (15-10, 2.21, .926) made 20 saves recording his third assist of the postseason. He's set a league record for minutes played in a postseason (1,571), and would tie another mark if he picks up his 16th win tonight.

Thinking both likely get new deals and stay next season. Dreidger gotta be moved here.

Game 7

All or nothing night with the Calder Cup on the line.

Kole Lind (9-21-30) scored twice, becoming the 11th player ever to reach 30 points in a single Calder Cup postseason while Joey D'Accord (15-10, 2.21, .926) made 20 saves recording his third assist of the postseason. He's set a league record for minutes played in a postseason (1,571), and would tie another mark if he picks up his 16th win tonight.

Thinking both likely get new deals and stay next season. Dreidger gotta be moved here.
- Roadrunner75

Donato likely gone, Sprong might be too expensive for 4th line duties.

Got to get the Dunn contract done so they know what’s left.

Have you been watching the AHL games? How is Wright looking? Think he’ll stick in the NHL next year…

Evans puts the Firebirds in the drivers seat. Lone goal of the 1st. 1-0 after 20 is a solid start.

And thank god we are on home ice. We do NOT play well on the road. Which is hysterical given the Kraken are usually better on the road than home.

McCormick 24 seconds into the 2nd!!! 2-0!! BOOM! Assists to Lind and Evans!!

Despite outshootin them bad by a 2 to 1 margin Hershey gets on the board with a PPG just over 13 min into the 2nd. 2-1 Coachella still. And a late 2nd period tally and it is 2-2

Let em back into the game. Hell of a series and going to be a wild third here. Need to score quick on Hershey and come out all over them again. Shots 34-28 Coachella Hershey 1/4 on the PP Coachella 0/1.

Third underway and the AHL having all sorts of issues from the ahltv to the website now showing the game is postponed. Third underway and Froden took a penalty.

Got the game on radio now! Just under 12 min to go. Refs letting them play, definitely back and forth. Anybody's game. Crowd all over the refs chanting loudly.

Bears get a weak call for a powerplay. Crowd on the refs again. Pretty bad after letting worse go. Weak tripping call. Bigtime kill here for Coachella now. Killed it! 5 min remaining.

3:13 to go now, D'Accord been solid. Evans and Kartye have had a couple chances but couldn't bury it. Tight fast game.

60 minutes in the books despite a late push by the Firebirds. We are going to OT in GM 7!

1:18 into OT and Firebirds PP on a tripping call.

Just under 11min left. Hershey finally pressing but D'Accord comin up bigtime. Still up for grabs and a hell of a goalie battle. 8:57 and Bears pinged the post.

Vecchioni scores for the Bears in a loose puck scramble. Hershey wins 3rd OT game and takes the Calder Cup with just 3:41 left and after Froden had thrown it on net and Wright had a chance with a tip in front.

Credit to the goalies in this one. Hunter Shepard 43 saves on 45 shots and D'Accord 35 saves on 38 shots. Phenominal season just did NOT end as wanted there. This is one that hurts.

Donato likely gone, Sprong might be too expensive for 4th line duties.

Got to get the Dunn contract done so they know what’s left.

Have you been watching the AHL games? How is Wright looking? Think he’ll stick in the NHL next year…
- 1970vintage

Dunn is the really big one. After that Borgen and Geekie for sure too as RFA. I definitely think they move on from Cale Fleury, Donato, and also Sprong. Lind should replace Sprong and get re-signed. D'Accord replaces Dreidger who is either moved or bought out. Soucy likewise is gone, he will get a pretty decent raise hitting the open market, probably a bad overpay for what he is too much as I have come to like him. I think a lot of the open spots are going to get a real hard good look at being filled from within before they go out shopping in UFA or through trade.

I have been following the games, but haven't watched them (so not paying for bad net streamed games) but Wright has been praised and has contributed pretty well in the post season. Playing 4th line and yeah makes the mistakes as expected but the growth has been touted. As for him being up, its NHL or OHL technically unless that look into and appeal gets green lit to let him play where he should in the AHL. I hope he gets into the A honestly. Needs that one more year development there, which would work given Wennberg then comes off his contract and the center spot opens up for him on Line 2 or 3 depending on how Hak sets things up.