The Unknown Poster

From Free Press story Jan 22nd regarding Smith: The Bombers brain trust had still not received an answer as of late Friday from Dressler, who is also being courted by the Calgary Stampeders, who lost their big play wide receiver, Eric Rogers, to the NFL this week. Regardless of what happens with the Dressler negotiations, expect the Bombers to also aggressively pursue Riders wideout Ryan Smith if he hits the free-agent market. The Bombers think Smith — who had a breakout season in 2015, hauling in 59 catches for 991 yards and seven touchdowns on a terrible offence — could actually be better value than Dressler. Smith is 24 — six years younger than Dressler — and is believed to be seeking a three-year deal, which would also give the Bombers some stability at the position. And on top of all that, Smith grew up just over the border in Wahpeton, N.D., and went to school in Fargo at NDSU. The fact he’d be playing close to home if he signs in Winnipeg, combined with the fact playing football in cold weather won’t be new to him would make a Smith signing a win-win for both the player and the Bombers. Even if the Bombers land Dressler in the coming weeks, it’s very possible they will still pursue Smith come Feb. 9. The Bombers will free up $185,000 in salary when they say goodbye to Nick Moore, who will hit free agency next month and whom the Bombers aren’t interested in re-signing, even at a reduced rate.

Well Okposo is a UFA who is younger but I imagine they'd have a tough time wanting to pay him that. Ladd & Trouba & (prospect, lower end player) vs Hamonic, Brock Nelson?

Well it's a lot of players and quite a bit of money.

Whats the motivation on the Sens' part to take this on?

Might be an option for Okposo as a UFA. What about a blockbuster. Ladd, Trouba for Okposo, Hamonic 1st?

Interesting, Phaneuf has 5 years remaining at $7m. So basically Buff and Dion are about the same now. Sure glad we have Buff and not Dion.

WTF! Holy smokes. Thats a big one. Someone more familiar with all the players, dissect this one and tell me how I should feel about it!

Another brilliant episode of X-Files. If this keeps up, it will be their best season ever.

I imagine Scheif will be easy to get done. Seems like a fair, reasonable kid. Trouba will be interesting. He could be super easy to deal with. He could be tough to deal with. If the "news" that his agent wants $7m per on a long term deal are any indication, he wont be that easy to deal with. If the Jets give him $7m on a 7-8 year deal, then they have a lot of faith that he eventually becomes and surpasses a $7m D-man because he's not there yet. If he will take under $6m then I'd say sure, lock him in. But it makes more sense from a financial standpoint to 2-3 year bridge him at $4m-ish. It gives you flexibility with Toby's contract and Morrissey's development. That might even let them bring in Hamonic and not lose any of their existing top four D. Plus, if he does become the player we all think he can be, then in 3 years you can max-term him and you buy more Free Agency time. But financially, a trade of Trouba for Hamonic makes a lot of sense if we can secure another solid asset from the Isles. Im all for keeping Trouba. But if it was Trouba for Hamonic+, thats some solid D and solid cap certainty for several years with Buff, Myers, Ham all signed long term.

Buff being off the market cant hurt his value either.