I'm interested in hearing why there is a belief Tom Gilbert will do well in Minnesota? Also, I'm curious what "well" means in terms of points?

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My pool
Goals = 1 point, Assists = 1/2 point, Goals Against = -1/2 point

Fowards: S. Stamkos, M. Hossa, A. Hemsky, J. Neal, M. Grabovski, M. Read, J. Jokinen, P. Berglund, M. Hanzal, N. Foligno, B. Wheeler, S. Matthias, G. Latendresse, L. Stempniak

D-men: S. Weber, PK Subban, D. Phaneuf, D. Hamhuis, T. Gilbert, M. Staal, A. Sekera, M. Niskanen, TJ Brodie, N. Prosser, C. Tanev, K. Cumiskey, M. Flood

Goalies: Nashville, Chicago, Boston

Farm: D. Rundblad, D. Orlov, B. Smith (DET), J. Muzzin, MA Bourdon, R. Smith, C. Emmerton, A. Lander, M. Reinhart, M. Mayorov, I. Makarov, P. Maroon

Sell high, not because I think he'll regress next year, but because he's easily getting 4M+ in the off-season. Would not surprise me to see him get 5 a la Paul Martin. Pretty much the 3rd best D available this off-season behind Suter and Carle.

I think some people are grossly overestimating Garrison's next salary. I'd be surprised if he's more than a $2.5 million cap hit and shocked if he goes over $3 million.

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My pool
Goals = 1 point, Assists = 1/2 point, Goals Against = -1/2 point

Fowards: S. Stamkos, M. Hossa, A. Hemsky, J. Neal, M. Grabovski, M. Read, J. Jokinen, P. Berglund, M. Hanzal, N. Foligno, B. Wheeler, S. Matthias, G. Latendresse, L. Stempniak

D-men: S. Weber, PK Subban, D. Phaneuf, D. Hamhuis, T. Gilbert, M. Staal, A. Sekera, M. Niskanen, TJ Brodie, N. Prosser, C. Tanev, K. Cumiskey, M. Flood

Goalies: Nashville, Chicago, Boston

Farm: D. Rundblad, D. Orlov, B. Smith (DET), J. Muzzin, MA Bourdon, R. Smith, C. Emmerton, A. Lander, M. Reinhart, M. Mayorov, I. Makarov, P. Maroon

why do you say that, most things point to the opposite
for one, he had a career year last year, has a big shot, and is solidly defensively, I say he can probably get 4mil or more. like Dyz said look at Paul Martin from a few seasons ago.

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"They only recognize greatness when some authority confirms it"

He turns 28 one month into the season and has only 3 full seasons under his belt. In those three seasons he has 18, 19 and 33 points. He hasn't shown nearly enough to warrant a $4 million cap hit.

Paul Martin had 400 NHL games under his belt when he signed that contract with the Penguins. And I doubt you'll find many (anyone?) who looks back on that signing and thinks, "solid deal for the Penguins."

Garrison may get lucky and find a team willing to overpay (ex/ Colorado), but I'm sure many of the offers will be for about 2 years at $1.75 per. Teams will want him to prove himself and one good season doesn't do that.


Dennis Wideman's cap hit wasn't even $4 million last season.

__________________
My pool
Goals = 1 point, Assists = 1/2 point, Goals Against = -1/2 point

Fowards: S. Stamkos, M. Hossa, A. Hemsky, J. Neal, M. Grabovski, M. Read, J. Jokinen, P. Berglund, M. Hanzal, N. Foligno, B. Wheeler, S. Matthias, G. Latendresse, L. Stempniak

D-men: S. Weber, PK Subban, D. Phaneuf, D. Hamhuis, T. Gilbert, M. Staal, A. Sekera, M. Niskanen, TJ Brodie, N. Prosser, C. Tanev, K. Cumiskey, M. Flood

Goalies: Nashville, Chicago, Boston

Farm: D. Rundblad, D. Orlov, B. Smith (DET), J. Muzzin, MA Bourdon, R. Smith, C. Emmerton, A. Lander, M. Reinhart, M. Mayorov, I. Makarov, P. Maroon

But back to the original post...

I would definitely shop Garrison around, but I wouldn't trade him for Tom Gilbert. All these opportunities that some are claiming Gilbert will have in Minnesota, well...he had plenty of opportunity in Edmonton too!

__________________
My pool
Goals = 1 point, Assists = 1/2 point, Goals Against = -1/2 point

Fowards: S. Stamkos, M. Hossa, A. Hemsky, J. Neal, M. Grabovski, M. Read, J. Jokinen, P. Berglund, M. Hanzal, N. Foligno, B. Wheeler, S. Matthias, G. Latendresse, L. Stempniak

D-men: S. Weber, PK Subban, D. Phaneuf, D. Hamhuis, T. Gilbert, M. Staal, A. Sekera, M. Niskanen, TJ Brodie, N. Prosser, C. Tanev, K. Cumiskey, M. Flood

Goalies: Nashville, Chicago, Boston

Farm: D. Rundblad, D. Orlov, B. Smith (DET), J. Muzzin, MA Bourdon, R. Smith, C. Emmerton, A. Lander, M. Reinhart, M. Mayorov, I. Makarov, P. Maroon

There's virtually no chance he signs for that little unless he takes a massive hometown discount.

Fact is, he's a fantastic defender, points aside. Add in his stellar season offensively and his bomb from the point and the weak UFA market. $3.5M minimum, and more likely $4.5M.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if he got the same deal as Leino.

He's a good D-man and won't disappoint his new employer unless they expect him to QB their power play and put up 50 points.

so with this all taken into account, is Gilbert a good return for him? also to note Gilberts salary goes down again season after next. to 3mill from 3.5mill

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"They only recognize greatness when some authority confirms it"

Garrison hasn't nearly proved enough to earn a raise from $675,000 to $4,000,000.

Kulikov is a RFA, but let's pretend he's a UFA. His salary was $1,325,000 this past season. What salary would he likely be commanding?

__________________
My pool
Goals = 1 point, Assists = 1/2 point, Goals Against = -1/2 point

Fowards: S. Stamkos, M. Hossa, A. Hemsky, J. Neal, M. Grabovski, M. Read, J. Jokinen, P. Berglund, M. Hanzal, N. Foligno, B. Wheeler, S. Matthias, G. Latendresse, L. Stempniak

D-men: S. Weber, PK Subban, D. Phaneuf, D. Hamhuis, T. Gilbert, M. Staal, A. Sekera, M. Niskanen, TJ Brodie, N. Prosser, C. Tanev, K. Cumiskey, M. Flood

Goalies: Nashville, Chicago, Boston

Farm: D. Rundblad, D. Orlov, B. Smith (DET), J. Muzzin, MA Bourdon, R. Smith, C. Emmerton, A. Lander, M. Reinhart, M. Mayorov, I. Makarov, P. Maroon