Pokecheque wrote:
Okay, cooler heads prevailed and the Isles are not losing consecutive captains after all. 7 years, $49 million for Anders Lee. That's some decent change and massive term, but not nearly as bad as the $9 million being rumored.
Pardon me, I've been puking since like 11:30.
So, first it sounds like Panarin was dicking the Isles around all along, trying to get the Rangers to up their offer. Not to literally outbid the Isles, who supposedly offered 7 years @ $12 million. He took $11.67 million from the Rangers. Said his wife really wanted to be in Manhattan. So once again, the top UFA dissed the Isles to take less money elsewhere.
So once that bomb dropped, Lou ran back to Lee, whom he had been lowballing all along. Lee wanted term, Lou didn't want to give it. Well, he fucked himself in the ass pretty good, because Lee supposedly had an offer of 7 years @ $9 million from the Habs. Once the Habs heard Lee was off the table, they offer sheeted Sebastian Aho, because they heard the Isles were going to do it. The Canes matched, so that's over with. But Lee for 7 years @ $7 million/year is insane. But, Lou painted himself into a corner with his hardball bullshit.
Then, there was Lehner, who Lou was hardballing, with a 2 year deal @ $5 million/year. Lehner was obviously pretty pissed about it, because he took 1 year @ $5 million from the Blackhawks. Lou said he did all he could to bring Lehner back. I have no idea wtf that means, when the guy took 1 year less for the same money, and said all along he wanted to be back. He loved it on Long Island.
Then Lou signed Varlamov for 4 years @ $5 million/year. Fucking really? How the fuck is he a step up from Lehner??? Lou's master plan is supposed that Varlamov and Sorokin are good friends, and he'll help get Sorokin over after next season, when his KHL contract is up. How close are they? When Varlamov was asked by NY press if Sorokin is coming over he said "I don't know. Ask his agent. I'll tell you he's a great guy." They have the same agent. But yeah, sounds like he really knows him well... Call his agent. BFFs, for shizzle.
Fuck July 1st. Lou has repeatedly shown that he sucks dog balls at free agency. I like most of his ideas and moves. But he can't close a deal for shit.
They still need help at Center. Brian Boyle for 4 years? Why the fuck not. They need more 4th liners.
And they re-announced the Kuhnackl signing today. Why? To make it seem like Lou did something else.
Lou was asked when the Belmont groundbreaking will be- "very soon I won't have to answer that question". yay.