Por (Don in St. Pete) on September 16, 2008 (Suggest removal)

What a shame! Here we have a legitimate top 2 guy fall in our lap with no compensation except the salary required, and we can’t pull the trigger because of salary concerns. Signing Recchi and Roberts are looking plain dumb right now as we could have a top 2 d and veteran leadership in Schneider.

Por (Steve) on September 16, 2008 (Suggest removal)

Too old and too much money for this team, he might make sense for a team with salary cap room trying to win it all this year (Montreal) or a team like LA that needs to reach the salary cap floor. On re-entry waivers he would make sense and I believe we’d have first crack at him. Signing Roberts and Recchi adds much needed depth and experience/leadership to our forwards for 1/2 the price of Schneider so I don’t think they are the reason we won’t claim Schneider.

Por (Bolts Rule !!) on September 16, 2008 (Suggest removal)

I do agree that 5.62 million is alot to pay for a 39 year old Defensemen, if for some miracle he does clear waivers, I would expect the lightning to be going after him, only costing about 2.8 million, I believe he is worth that kind of money. But again there are several teams that need to add money just to get to the league minimum and this guy would help in two ways, a good defensive player and some salary filler. If by some miracle he goes through I do hope the lightning give him a shot, the experience would help the young defense alot.

Por (Aaron Sherwood) on September 16, 2008 (Suggest removal)

No doubt, Schneider would add veteran leadership…but a top 2 defence?  I’m not sure he brings all that.  I like the leadership in signing Gary Roberts.  It finally looks like we have a smashmouth hockey team again!  Game On!!!!!  18 more days….

Por (Goalman) on September 16, 2008 (Suggest removal)

Don,
Really have to disagree with you. At best,Schneider is a steady player at this time in his career.With his advanced hockey age his speed has diminished and he is prone to injury.Recchi and Roberts were great pickups. I would say O.K. to Schneider at the waiver price ,but no way is he worth 5+ million

Por (Mike Joyce) on September 17, 2008 (Suggest removal)

I don’t know about too old.  Gordie Howe played well into his 50’s and was still a top scorer.  You might look at a current player - Chris Chelios - who is still effective on defense for the Stanley Cup Champs.

What is too old?  Maybe he’s too expensive, but only his play can tell if he’s fit to play - at any age.

Por (Ken Knaebel) on September 17, 2008 (Suggest removal)

If Anaheim needs the complete $5.75M in cap relief, they won’t want a team to pick him up on re-entry waivers. They may need the full amount and never recall him.

Por (Geografer) on September 17, 2008 (Suggest removal)

Ken - they would still prefer paying half his salary then all of it. Because he is on a one-way contract his salary still counts towards their cap even if he is in the minors.

It is a moot point really as you will see at noon that Schneider will just be moving across town to the Kings who are needing salary just to meet the league minimum plus need the help (lots of it).

Por (Ken Knaebel) on September 17, 2008 (Suggest removal)

Geografer - That may be true about willing to pay only half, however, I think the Ducks need the entire salary to come off the books in order to sign Selanne. The Kings need to get to the minimum of the cap and that’s the logical place for Schneider to end up.

Por (Nancy Pacini) on September 17, 2008 (Suggest removal)

Schneider’s contract does count against the cap, but not because it’s a one-way contract.  That has no bearing on it, it only means he gets paid the same whether he is in the NHL or the AHL.  The reason it counts against the cap is because it is a multi-year deal signed after the player reaches age 35.

Interestingly, Darren Drager is now reporting that Schneider cleared waivers, so the speculation can continue.

Por (BOLTS RULE !!!!) on September 17, 2008 (Suggest removal)

I do agree that 5.75 mill is high, and dont really like the thought of what we would have to give up to get him for that price.

He passed waivers, and if we took him on the re-entry waiver it would cost us 2.875, or put us 0.333 over the cap.
We should have first choice on him since we finished dead last.

NHL clubs have until the last day of the regular season to get themselves over or under the salary cap, so we still can trade jokinen and others for the draft picks and get us under the cap. Plus the owners seem to like bringing in good older players to help lead the younger players, this would be a good chance.

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