Hamhuis is certainly a top four guy. He can play 21 minutes a game and would be able to fill the void left by Willie. I'm not against that swap at all, nor do I think re-upping Willie is the best option. My concern is with the salary, that if we pay North of four million we'll be looking at a defense that costs nearly 20 million and still lacks a proven number one guy (I say proven because another season from Ehrhoff like the one he had and we'll be set there).Fred wrote: I see Mitchell as a injury prone player. So he's not even a possibility IMO, he's aging and still suffering serious injury, not a gamble I would take. I see both Hamhuis and Morrison as top 4 players.
Armstrong maybe his best days are passed him & Asham is certainly not worth more than a 1 year deal ( he made lesss than a million last season with the Flyers) but both have experience. Idon't see either as big money players Maybe trade to Bernier now ( he's a fixed salary) to Atalnta for Armstrong and get his rights to sign in the summer
I'm not sold on Morrisonn. His 17 minutes/game ranked sixth on Washington, and would rank the same on Vancouver. He's not a Mitchell replacement, and I don't see us wanting to pay him top four money.
Armstrong is 27 years old. He's in prime-time years and this contract could be the biggest he's gotten. I'm all for replacing Bernier with him... but he's going to cost more than Bernier.
I'm fine with Asham, Scott Nichol, Shawn Thornton or even a return of Matt Cooke. Sandpaper is what this team needs, and these guys can offer it.