Article: Can Justin Brazeau Become the Player He Was Earlier This Season?

[mnfaninnc]

3 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

but again - i am not sure why he had to be used. just send him to iowa, and if you realy want that Braz guy - just give him Lauko for him. 

Yes overpay, but yes solid. For the player, $975k or $80k is a big difference. MaRat also had bonuses attached to this year, which may be for points or may also be for games played. If Guerin wasn't going to use him next season could he have gotten something more on the side? Lauko + 6th should have landed Brazos. Could MaRat have brought us a 3rd to cash in next TDL? I think the answer there is yes.

[OldDutchChip]

5 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Yes overpay, but yes solid. For the player, $975k or $80k is a big difference. MaRat also had bonuses attached to this year, which may be for points or may also be for games played. If Guerin wasn't going to use him next season could he have gotten something more on the side? Lauko + 6th should have landed Brazos. Could MaRat have brought us a 3rd to cash in next TDL? I think the answer there is yes.

yes the money is a big diff, but was that truly the reason? and we are not in the business of doing players a solid. you send him down to iowa (i think 80K is still enough to have a good time in Des Moines) and next year come hungry to camp. but instead - we sent him to boston PLUS lauko PLUS pick for basically a guy that won't be resigned (shouldn't be - we already have trenin, don't need any more). 

[Pewterschmidt]

12 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

and we are not in the business of doing players a solid.

I see people post this ALOT to explain/justify bill's decisions.  This ain't a YMCA rec league.

bill needs to be in the business of drinking other GM's milk shake, and he's repeatedly proven that he's not savvy enough to do that.  Need a big off-season from bill (97 re-sign, 2 legit top 6 fwds) or it's time for Don Meredith to start singing "turn out the lights..."

[mnfaninnc]

12 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

and we are not in the business of doing players a solid.

This can be argued all the time. However, Guerin is a believer in "good will" and that it comes back to him too. He's not greedy Lou who tries to squeeze a dime out of a nickel. If I were the GM, I'd have probably done as you suggested, rest him in Iowa for a bit to work on specific things, like driving the net with more frequency. But, I can see the other side too, especially if the "agent" is Kaprizov's.

[mnfaninnc]

Just now, Pewterschmidt said:

Need a big off-season from bill (97 re-sign, 2 legit top 6 fwds)

P-Shooter, does this include Yurov?

[OldDutchChip]

2 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

I see people post this ALOT to explain/justify bill's decisions.  This ain't a YMCA rec league.

bill needs to be in the business of drinking other GM's milk shake, and he's repeatedly proven that he's not savvy enough to do that.  Need a big off-season from bill (97 re-sign, 2 legit top 6 fwds) or it's time for Don Meredith to start singing "turn out the lights..."

he is going to do Kap a solid by sending him to Philly for Konecny. i called it first! (and seeler!)

Edited March 21 by OldDutchChip
added seeler

[OldDutchChip]

2 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

This can be argued all the time. However, Guerin is a believer in "good will" and that it comes back to him too. He's not greedy Lou who tries to squeeze a dime out of a nickel. If I were the GM, I'd have probably done as you suggested, rest him in Iowa for a bit to work on specific things, like driving the net with more frequency. But, I can see the other side too, especially if the "agent" is Kaprizov's.

when is that good will coming back to us? 

[OldDutchChip]

5 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

P-Shooter, does this include Yurov?

if yurov's team gets eliminated in R1 of Gagarin cup - can we bring him over and boot Braz? 

[MacGyver]

I think the upcoming Kaprizov negotiation drama is going to be more exciting than watching the playoffs! Kaprizov's agent is a hard driver and he represents a lot of the Russians in the league. He likes making his players (Panarin) the highest paid in the league.  Kaprizov has already shown he stays in the background and lets his agent do the talking. And nobody can stay in a dark background better than Kaprizov. For the face of a franchise you don't see his face much.  

The first go around the Wild held all the cards. Play here or no NHL for you!! This time Kaprizov and the agent holds all the cards and OCL has already telegraphed his strategy. Nobody will outbid us for Kirill!! I think Theofanaus has that audio bite as the ring tone on his phone. 

I'm fine either way I just like to watch the machinery work! 🤩

[OldDutchChip]

7 minutes ago, MacGyver said:

I think the upcoming Kaprizov negotiation drama is going to be more exciting than watching the playoffs! Kaprizov's agent is a hard driver and he represents a lot of the Russians in the league. He likes making his players (Panarin) the highest paid in the league.  Kaprizov has already shown he stays in the background and lets his agent do the talking. And nobody can stay in a dark background better than Kaprizov. For the face of a franchise you don't see his face much.  

The first go around the Wild held all the cards. Play here or no NHL for you!! This time Kaprizov and the agent holds all the cards and OCL has already telegraphed his strategy. Nobody will outbid us for Kirill!! I think Theofanaus has that audio bite as the ring tone on his phone. 

I'm fine either way I just like to watch the machinery work! 🤩

i think Leo still comes in high, maybe around 14 per, but my gut says - kap decides to not sign in July and real drama begins.....

Kaprizov has already shown he stays in the background and lets his agent do the talking. why don't we require hockey players to attend the games even if injured? park their rears in the suit next to back up goalie and enjoy the game! that way we can know that Kap hasn't been chilling in russia these last two month!

[M_Nels]

33 minutes ago, Pewterschmidt said:

I see people post this ALOT to explain/justify bill's decisions.  This ain't a YMCA rec league.

bill needs to be in the business of drinking other GM's milk shake, and he's repeatedly proven that he's not savvy enough to do that.  Need a big off-season from bill (97 re-sign, 2 legit top 6 fwds) or it's time for Don Meredith to start singing "turn out the lights..."

I know it's a big pipedream like many of the trade scenarios on here but what about going after Byfield? Kid is a stud and still very young. He'll be in the 2nd year of a 5yr extreme value contract next year so price would probably be high but hopefully Bill has some good will with LA's GM after the Faber-Fiala trade that benefitted both sides and can use it.

[Pewterschmidt]

34 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

P-Shooter, does this include Yurov?

Great question.  No, Yurov coming into the lineup next season and being able to stay in lineup (on any line) for full season is gravy.  (see: Ogzy's season for reference to another can't miss instant NHL'r performance). 2 grown ass NHL'rs in a perfect world are couple established 25 year old FA's who have gone to market and are ready to earn that next contract.  In a less perfect world, it's a 25 yo FA + 28 yr old legit NHL'r (ie: Debrinkat type, Kyrou type, J Bratt type) who's shown proven ability to be a play maker and can compliment 97.  Think Zuc's backfill.

[M_Nels]

5 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

but my gut says - kap decides to not sign in July and real drama begins.....

I could definitely see this playing out exactly like that.

[Pewterschmidt]

40 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

he is going to do Kap a solid by sending him to Philly for Konecny. i called it first! (and seeler!)

if 97 refuses to re-sign (1st choice), I wouldn't hate a package which includes Konecny in return

[Pewterschmidt]

9 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

park their rears in the suit next to back up goalie and enjoy the game!

Have them wear a helmet with bird cage mask like the injured high school kids.

[MacGyver]

10 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

why don't we require hockey players to attend the games even if injured? park their rears in the suit next to back up goalie and enjoy the game! that way we can know that Kap hasn't been chilling in russia these last two month!

I've wondered about this as well. At least show him in the press box sitting next to Billy yukking it up a game or two. Or a little video of him walking through the locker room pre game chatting up the boys. A Kaprizov sighting is almost like seeing Bigfoot these days.  He has taken lessons from Billy on how to enter the darkness and maintain radio silence.

[MacGyver]

25 minutes ago, OldDutchChip said:

i think Leo still comes in high, maybe around 14 per,

I think your a little low ODC and that's if he stays here. I do think this recent injury, surgery and lengthy time out of the line up has brought a realization to Kaprizov that his career could end at anytime. I think he would take less to be somewhere where he feels the Cup is just a year or two away. Maybe the Wild bring it home this year and all the pressure is off! Hey, it could happen. You heard it here first!

[OldDutchChip]

4 minutes ago, MacGyver said:

I think your a little low ODC and that's if he stays here. I do think this recent injury, surgery and lengthy time out of the line up has brought a realization to Kaprizov that his career could end at anytime. I think he would take less to be somewhere where he feels the Cup is just a year or two away. Maybe the Wild bring it home this year and all the pressure is off! Hey, it could happen. You heard it here first!

i agree, 14 won't be enough. 16 maybe, but i doubt Leo will go that high. 

you bring up the most important point to this - him wanting the Cup.

that's why i think he says no. he'll then be able to basically control where he wants to go. does he want a quick ring chase with his idol in WAS? does he want to pair up with Barkov? Yes, these would be at a discount but i kind of think that Kap prioritizes Wins over $, especially considering (i) he and his family is already loaded and (ii) by waiting it out he may walk into the enormous pay day with Cap increase. imagine he signs for a year with FL teams, wins a cup and then signs a contract for 18-20 per? this Cap increase may through it's own curveball in negotiation....

[MacGyver]

Even with next years cap increase he could get as much as 19M per if someone wanted to give him that much. Going by the 20% the cba says one player can make towards the cap. If OCL sticks to his word other GM's in the league will drive him to the highest number possible just to make him eat more of his cap.   It won't be long before someone hits that mark and it may or may not be Kaprizov.  By 27/28 they are projecting $113.5 M in cap. Some young men are going to be making some big bucks in the next few years. 

I will reiterate however that this latest injury may have decreased Kaprizov stock value some.  

[Dango]

4 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

when is that good will coming back to us? 

Could it be Pasternak in a few years if Boston doesnt look like a contender anytime soon , well give you player A prospects B,C ,   Is Pasternack a player that moves the needle  , Is Pasta gonna want to sit through a longer rebuild than what was thought.

[OldDutchChip]

46 minutes ago, Dango said:

Could it be Pasternak in a few years if Boston doesnt look like a contender anytime soon , well give you player A prospects B,C ,   Is Pasternack a player that moves the needle  , Is Pasta gonna want to sit through a longer rebuild than what was thought.

Pasta would be a monster get but as we’ve seen with Ranty, you got to be serious and not wait for him to fall in your lap.

Boston seems to be entering rebuild now….what about Boldy + zeev = Pasta?

boston - you get another native son and pay us back for all Mn to Boston trade debacles 

we loose zeev - who is a wild card here that could bite us - but Pasta+ Kap….

another scenario - Kap signs there 💩

[mnfaninnc]

On 3/21/2025 at 10:55 AM, OldDutchChip said:

when is that good will coming back to us?

Hard to say. I believe in some good will, but sometimes you've got to look out for your own best interests.

[mnfaninnc]

On 3/21/2025 at 10:58 AM, OldDutchChip said:

if yurov's team gets eliminated in R1 of Gagarin cup - can we bring him over and boot Braz?

That's a sticky question. With MaRat, the K terminated his contract early. Apparently there are new rules in place in the K where contracts expire May 31st. If eliminated from the Gagarin Cup, Metallurg would still have to terminate his contract before he could come over here. And then there is the work visa the US has to give. IIRC, that round of paperwork happens after a contract is signed here.

[mnfaninnc]

On 3/21/2025 at 11:31 AM, M_Nels said:

I know it's a big pipedream like many of the trade scenarios on here but what about going after Byfield? Kid is a stud and still very young. He'll be in the 2nd year of a 5yr extreme value contract next year so price would probably be high but hopefully Bill has some good will with LA's GM after the Faber-Fiala trade that benefitted both sides and can use it.

Would you want to be the guy who let Byfield go?

[mnhockeyfan03]

On 3/21/2025 at 1:07 PM, OldDutchChip said:

Pasta would be a monster get but as we’ve seen with Ranty, you got to be serious and not wait for him to fall in your lap.

Boston seems to be entering rebuild now….what about Boldy + zeev = Pasta?

boston - you get another native son and pay us back for all Mn to Boston trade debacles 

we loose zeev - who is a wild card here that could bite us - but Pasta+ Kap….

another scenario - Kap signs there 💩

I think we have to keep Zeev.  He has huge offensive potential.  The more I watch Faber the more he has to go.  That contract is not going to age well.  For 8.5mm you have to be elite and bring it offensively and he doesn’t bring offense and can’t clear front of net of D.  The amount if time he monkeys around with his loose helmet is crazy.  Just tighten it up and stop trying to look cool and hit someone. Spurgeon also has to go. I would do anything to get Tage Thompson from Buffalo.  Every time he was one the ice today stuff happened. He is a game changer and will change our PP.   I would give up Faber, Rossi and another pic or prospect for him.  Tuch had a tough game today. We need 2-3 top end forwards not including Yurov. Our D is solid so we can afford loose a few to upgrade forwards which we need badly.   I am not a big fan of paying over 5-6mm for D.  There are to many good guys out there in that range.