Kaberle to..........where?, Where will Kaberle start the 09/10 camp

[Quick_Stick]

Hey guys,
To get the ball rolling, I thought I'd start by seeing where everyone thinks/wants Kabs will end up, and for kind of return.

Philly over paid pretty big for Pronger IMO, so I'm not sure that will greatly effect Kabs value on the open market. I think some teams may start to get a little more concerned once the deadline approaches for his NTC to kick in. I would imagine there's quite a bit of interest, with Bos, LA, Van, StL, and a few other teams apparently quite interested. Personally, I think if something can be worked out for Kessel, or a young gun, we should try and pull the trigger. While I'm not sure Kessel is franchise player material, he should be a star for years to come in the NHL.

There was also a rumor floating around with Kabs going to LA (with other pieces) for Schenn and Frolov. This trade would take some doing for Burke to pull off, but it would be a pretty sweet deal to make, depending on what else we had to cough up.

[teppy1954]

I can't help but wonder what LA would want to part with their first round draft choice. We do have an awful lot of pieces on the back end that would be available for a trade. The following is a c&p from Eklund's site. LA is in need of defensive depth (which we have bags of) and could stand to lose a forward or 2.

PS-check out the Sporting News for a prediction that if true is what both Burkie and Wilson are looking for:

http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/IowaHeel/193837


Anyway, for now, here are all 30 teams..

Anaheim
Rough Cap Space: 5 million
Players Needed: 0
Need: Forwards 0
Should Sign None
Other Notable RFA's: None
Conclusion: Rob Niedermayer is a UFA, but I am hearing the Ducks are trying to make a move to free up space for him. Like many teams, even though the Ducks have 5 million left they are trying to keep around 5 million under the cap.

Atlanta
Rough Cap Space: 17 million
Players Needed: 4
Need: 2 Forwards 2 D-man
Should Sign RFA's: Lehtonen, Armstrong
Other Notable RFA's: Stapleton, Valabik
Conclusion: Obviously Lehtonen will be the interesting negotiation and in a year where not so many goalies were available still could be poached. The Thrashers MUST retain Armstrong as well and get someone to play with Ilya. The Thrash have an outstanding young D and a great coach.

Boston.
Rough Cap Space: 4 million
Players Needed: 2
Need: Defense 2
Should Sign RFA's: Kessel, Hunwick
Notable UFA's: Axelsson,Yelle
Conclusion: Hunwick will fill one of the D needs, but If they are going to sign Kessel they will have to move someone up front for defensive help.

Buffalo
Rough Cap Space: 8 million
Players Needed: 4
Need: Forwards 3, an experienced D-man
Should Sign RFA's: Stafford, Mancari, MacArthur, Sekera
Other Notable UFA's RFA's: Afinogenov, Numminen, Moore, Peters, Kaleta
Conclusion: They can fill out their roster with their RFA's, if they don't bring back Teppo they will need to find an experienced D.

Calgary
Rough Cap Space: 2 million
Players Needed: 2
Need: Forwards 2
Should Sign RFA's: Boyd, Chucko
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Flames have the most expensive D in the NHL, could use forward help but will have to look for someone internally to step up from the system.

Carolina
Rough Cap Space: 9 million
Players Needed: 6
Need: Forwards 4, D 2
Should Sign RFA's: Ruutu, Babchuk
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Hurricanes look to be waiting until the supply demand curve breaks in their favor and they can grab a player like a Jason Williams who can give you numbers for around 1- 1.5

Chicago
Rough Cap Space: 1 million
Players Needed: 0
Need: none
Should Sign RFA's: none
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: More than any other team, the Hawks are pretty much set. Leave tomorrow for tomorrow.

Colorado
Rough Cap Space: 10 million
Players Needed: 3
Need: Forwards 3
Should Sign RFA's: none
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Avs really should try to get it together and sign Tanguay to play with his old linemates.

Columbus
Rough Cap Space: 12 million
Players Needed:2
Need: defense 2
Should Sign RFA's: none
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: Bergeron, Zubov...that's what the Jackets need and will get. Howson has done a great job at cap management.

Dallas
Rough Cap Space: 11 million
Players Needed:1
Need: Forward
Should Sign RFA's: none
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Stars have the money to make something happen here, but I keep hearing they are involved on the fringe with Heatley. I wonder if that picks up.

Detroit
Rough Cap Space: 2 million
Players Needed:1
Need: Forward
Should Sign RFA's: Hudler
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Wings will either get Hudler done if the KHL thing is worked out or they will look to a player like Kyle Calder to fill space.

Edmonton
Rough Cap Space: 6 million
Players Needed: 2
Need: 1 forward, 1 D-man
Should Sign RFA's: Grebeshkov, Smid, Dubnyk, Brule
Other Notable RFA's: Shremp
Conclusion: The Oilers are either going to have to ship 3 players for 1 (hmm if only such a scenario existed) or they will be seriously in danger of having some RFA talent poached.

Florida
Rough Cap Space: 7 million
Players Needed:4
Need: 3 d-men 1 forward
Should Sign RFA's: none
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Panthers are likely to fill from within the system. I could see them signing 1 D-UFA. A guy like Alberts.

LA Kings
Rough Cap Space: 12 million
Players Needed:4
Need: 3 D men, 1 Forward
Should Sign RFA's: Jack Johnson
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Kings traded away defensive depth to get grit with Ryan Smyth, so they must replace. Jack Johnson could also still be dealt.

Minnesota
Rough Cap Space: 6 million
Players Needed:3
Need: Mostly Forward
Should Sign RFA's: Harding, Puliot
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Wild are still hoping to get in on Heatley, but could also make a move for a forward.

Montreal
Rough Cap Space: 7 million
Players Needed:4
Need: 3 Forwards
Should Sign RFA's: Plekanec, Latendresse
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Habs should make some moves this coming week to bolster the offense. Another move should be bringing back Schneider on the D-end to captain this crew. The Habs have lost their captains and both assistants in this off-season. I never remember this ever happening.

Nashville
Rough Cap Space: 17 million
Players Needed: 6
Need: Forwards, Scoring, scoring, scoring
Should Sign RFA's: none
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: Scott Nichol, a UFA could likely be signed, the Preds are in on Tanguay and are reportedly talking to the Kings.

New Jersey
Rough Cap Space: 12 million
Players Needed: 7
Need: Forwards, and 1 D
Should Sign RFA's: Zajac
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Devils have a lot of players to sign, but are still threatening a major deal through trade.

NY Islanders
Rough Cap Space: 23 million
Players Needed: 6
Need: 3 forwards, 3 D
Should Sign RFA's: none
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: Tons of cap space due to a young team It is even more remarkable when you consider that no one in the NHL has 8 million tied up in goaltenders. They are going to get some talent to play with Tavares. This we know.

NY Rangers
Rough Cap Space: 7 million
Players Needed: 5
Need: Defense 3, Forwards 2
Should Sign RFA's: Korpikoski, Dubinsky, Zherdev,
Other Notable RFA's:
Conclusion: So the Islanders have 23 million to sign 6 players and the Rangers have 7 million to sign 5. The Rangers made a great move ridding themselves of the Gomez deal, but then spent that credit on Gaborik. I love Gabby, but his injuries will be VERY much scrutinized in the Big Apple. The Rangers need to make a trade or send Redden down.

Ottawa
Rough Cap Space: 0
Players Needed: 2
Need: 1 forward, 1 defenseman
Should Sign RFA's: none
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Sens picture is of course muddied by Heatley, but if they do bring him back and play him on the big squad other deals will need to be made.

Philadelphia
Rough Cap Space: 1.5 million
Players Needed: 3
Need:1 D, 2 Forwards
Should Sign RFA's: none
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Flyers may have to make a move to make this work. But fortunately they have their key roles filled and could get away with signing 3 500k deals.

Phoenix
Rough Cap Space: 19 million
Players Needed: 2
Need: Forwards, Scoring.
Should Sign RFA's: Upshall
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: They are possibly moving Jovo out, signing Tanguay, but there needs to be a transfer of ownership to gain true long-term stability

Pittsburgh
Rough Cap Space: 2 million
Players Needed: 3
Need: 2 Defense, backup
Should Sign RFA's: none
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Penguins are likely losing Sykora, Satan...picking up another D would help, but likely they just bring folks up through the system and not mess with a potential dynasty. They do need a quality backup in my opinion.


San Jose
Rough Cap Space: 1 million
Players Needed: 6
Need: Forwards
Should Sign RFA's: none
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Sharks are in big trouble and they are playing it down, but 6 guys to sign with a million bucks only works in "real world" business. Cheechoo unfortunately will have to be sacrificed unless they are willing to bury guys.

St. Louis
Rough Cap Space: 9 million
Players Needed: 0
Need: 0
Should Sign RFA's: none
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Blues are in a fantastic position. They are more likely to try to improve via trade in camp.

Tampa
Rough Cap Space: 8 million
Players Needed: 2
Need: Forwards
Should Sign RFA's: Downie, Karsums, Lashoff,
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Lightning have had a phenomenal off season, bolstering their defense to go with a potent and up and coming group of forwards.

Toronto
Rough Cap Space: 3 million
Players Needed: 2
Need: Forwards
Should Sign RFA's:Pogge
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The other "T" team really made out well and shored up their defense as well. They will move Kaberle, and put in a pitch or two..


Vancouver
Rough Cap Space: 4 million
Players Needed: 2
Need: more scoring
Should Sign RFA's: Wellwood
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Canucks need some stability, and tying up Luongo could help. They are in the market for a D man as well. Kaberle.

Washington
Rough Cap Space: 4 million
Players Needed: 1
Need: more scoring
Should Sign RFA's: Morrisonn, Jurcina, Schultz, Fehr, Bourque
Other Notable RFA's: none
Conclusion: The Caps do have to make a move at some point to open up space for their RFAs and possibly bring in Afinogenov.