Line RW C LW
#1 St. Louis Lacavalier Free Agent
#2 Free Agent Stamkos Jokiken
#3 Oulett Halpern Gratton*
#4 Tarnasky McDonald* Darche*
D-Pairings Right side Left Side
#1 Boyle Picard(RFA)*
#2 Ranger Kuba/OBrien
#3 Smaby Lundin/FA
Goalies
M. Smith
K.Ramo
Players with a * next to name are unrestricted FA but Feaster has stated he would like to keep.
This doesn’t look quite so bad if the Bolts can land Stamkos or another Center who is ready to play. Rookies make very little money. All of these players( based on 07-08 salaries except Boyle) would only make up roughly 36 million dollars. That is including Boyle’s salary next yr at 6.6 and keeping Denis contract. That would leave 6 million dollars to spend if the Bolts kept the same salary constraints of 42 million like this season. If you look at the lines I have Only 2 top 6 forwards would be needed. Now more money can be saved and re-disturbed by trading Kuba and/or OBrien(combined make 3.85 million/ Kuba 3 mil himself), but if that were to happen 1 or 2 new defensemen would be needed.(probably needed anyhow) The goalie situation seems good, with 2 guys with equal talent left to battle it out. For people thinking spending even to 42 million won’thappen, yo ucouldn’t be more mis-informed. If the salary cap goes up to the projected 56 million, the Bolts would be required to spend 40 million(which would be the minimum).
Now, in my opinion, a guy like Michael Ryder would be a great fit on the #1 line. Big body who can skate and score over 25 goals. The 2nd and 3rd lines can vary depending on who the Bolts select in the draft. Stamkos is a no-brainer if they get the #1 pick. I like Kyle Beach if they don’t get the #1 pick. He has character issues, but who didn’t at 18. He’s 6’3” and 210+ at 18 years old. He fights, score goals, and is an agitator ala Halpern. If that would be the pick, I would put him on the 2nd line with Halpern and Jokiken and then a FA checker/enforcer(which would be cheaper than a top 6 forward) could be signed for the 3rd line. Another guy I would love for the Bolts to target is Chris Kelly of the Senators. He’s capable of playing LW/C and he can put up 20 goals. He could be a great 2nd line or 3rd line guy. Another guy who goes in the corners and gets the puck.
Just random thoughts from a fan
