Interesting opinion piece by Peter Tessier:

 

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Peter-Tessier/The-Frolik-Conundrum-What-Comes-Next/161/69044

 

A couple of snips for discussion:

 

it is rumoured that the player wants 5 million for each of 5 years and if the market stays the same it’s likely that he will get it, if not more.

 

. Even the national media pundits are seeing a Jets team with no Frolik next season. If this is the case who comes in?

Starting with age similar or younger

#1-The first option, at least by simple logic, is Alexander Burmistrov but he is not a right wing but he does possess a two way game and excels in some specialty roles.

#2- Erik Condra- he is believed to be leaving Ottawa and while there might be suitors he may be a cheaper option and he is only a year older. Frolik is the more complete player of the two, by a significant margin, and brings far more offensive upside but if dollars are an issue Condra would not be the worst alternative.


#3- Brad Richardson- he is useful but still a downgrade compared to Frolik. His underlying numbers peg him between a 3rd and 2nd line player and if that where the Jets feel they want to use Frolik why not pay a player the correct salary who fits that role- that would be Richardson.

Above age

#4- Joel Ward at age 34 is much like the Drew Stafford scenario, you like the guy but you’re not sure for how long. For two years at the right salary Ward could take his second line numbers and be a huge upgrade and mentor for the developing third line on the Jets.

#5- Justin Williams- speaking of mentors is there any available player who can bring the playoff experience and ‘intangibles’ of Justin Williams? Intangibles? Remember all those things we can’t quantify that make players seem really great! Williams has them all by some accounts and at age 33 he too would fit the same role as Ward.

#6- Mike Santorelli. While not a true RW he is a right shot and he’s younger than the above two players at 29. Santorelli was a Jet briefly in 2013 but either he had no interest in returning or the Jets had none in him but does that change now?

Both of course.

I'm still just hoping for one of Stafford or Frolik.  Not sure which is better for the team.

He's a UFA, of course he wants that much, if not more even... 

 

THE UFA crop this year is weak.. Frolik if not re-signed by July 1st or even June 25th, he's gonna cash in on the open market cuz somebody gonna overpay..

 

In mine and probably the Jets world, they seem him as a future 3rd line winger playing with Lowry.. 5 million for the first few years while the young prospects develop and what have you and then 4.5 in the last 3 is probably fair, I think Frolik is good but he's not worth more than 5 million when on a really good team, he's 3rd line winger and PK guy, Ideally that's what he becomes here too. 

Cant blame Frolik.  Make the money you can while you can.  Cant begrudge him that.  I'd suspect if they were closer there would be wiggle room on both sides.  Doesnt sound like they are close enough and someone will "overpay" Frolik so he is probably gone.

 

Between Stafford and Frolik, I'd pick Frolik because he's more versatile.  But losing Frolik makes signing Stafford a larger priority because we need that offensive depth.  I just hope we dont give Stafford too much cash or too much term.

 

Still think Buff is the key because trading him could re-stock the shelves in several key areas.

If Fro is playing 3rd line, that's way too much cash...would love to see him stay but not at that price.

He's a better two-way player than Staf but Staf probably plays more 1st/2nd line minutes than Fro.

I am guessing Fro walks.

I wonder who the Hawks are going to unload?

If Fro is playing 3rd line, that's way too much cash...would love to see him stay but not at that price.

He's a better two-way player than Staf but Staf probably plays more 1st/2nd line minutes than Fro.

I am guessing Fro walks.

I wonder who the Hawks are going to unload?

Patrick Sharp.

Sharpy and Roszival for sure....possibly Seabrook....possibly one of their goaltenders, too. Cap goes up 2-mil, but they're still in a world of hurt. Good thing for them, Stan Bowman might be the league's best cap-management GM, in terms of being able to constantly retool his roster without losing the most important pieces.

Will be very curious to see what kind of return they get on these higher priced contracts. The Leddy deal last year was fantastic for the Islanders. The return will likely be less to take on the higher priced contracts.

 

I don't think Crawford is at all the same goalie on a weaker team and would be shocked if they could trade him.

 

Sharp has to be on the block for sure. I think they try to find a way to keep Seabrook.

Sharp Oduya altho he might be ufa. Bickell are all options. Crawford? No chance. They need to sign saad too

They'll for sure sign Saad but I'm not too sure about Kruger.

They'd trade Bickell in a heartbeat if they had a chance.

You would think Sharp for sure because of his 5.9 cap hit for the next two years.

If they can trade Hossa, I wouldn't be surprised to see him go too.

Seabrook is a different situation. He is a 5.8 cap hit with only one year remaining on his deal. If he doesn't sign an extension, do you trade him? He'd look good in a Jets uni for the next 4-5 years.

Versteeg?

Do they try to bring Oduya back?

Their D needs help.

@frank_seravalli: Michael Frolik is not a slam dunk to hit the market on July 1. Talks ongoing between WPG and his agent. #TSN

@frank_seravalli: Michael Frolik is not a slam dunk to hit the market on July 1. Talks ongoing between WPG and his agent. #TSN

If true, it shows the patience of Chevy paying off.  Why a player would want to negotiate now with only a few days before UFA, is a mystery to me.  But if the Jets have somehow convinced him to stay here, good on them.

Bad news:

 

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
Pending UFA Michael Frolik hasn't been able to reach an agreement with WPG so he's in FLA today to meet with other interested clubs.

 

 

#SoUnfair! 

Oh well.

one of the best players we have had and he is going to bail due to negotiations falling through.

He wants too much money. He can walk then. He's not worth 5 million a year. He's not one of the best. He's just been serviceable and the tweet I saw said the door isn't closed to return to winnipeg

Bob McKenzie        ✔ @TSNBobMcKenzie

Door hasn't been closed on return to WPG but free agent shopping period begins today.

 

This isnt the end of the world either way.  But Frolik now goes out into the world to find out what he can get.  Money/term will be important.  But his happiness will be too.  If the Jets deal is not far off, maybe he wants to be here.  If the Blackhawks offered him a deal (they wont, just saying), he might take a bit less to go there.  But now he will know and on July 1st he can consider all offers including the Jets

 

That being said, I dont expect him here.

Chevy already overpaid for one allan Walsh guy in pavelec. He won't do the same with Frolik. There are other options

Going to be very disappointed if we lose both Stafford and Frolik.  We don't have the depth to absorb those losses and the free agent market is **** this year.

If we lose both, I'd assume the Jets would be in on a trade.  Maybe comes back around to Sharp when the Hawks give up their ridiculous ask for him.

 

Burmi would also be a potential replacement for Frolik at less than half the cost.  Heard Joel Ward's name mentioned too.  And Jets were interested in Jussi Jokinen in the past.

 

If they really need to fill a hole, flipping Ehlers to RW is an option but then you're gambling that he's going to be a very good NHL'er in his rookie year.

It would suck if we lose both of them, but I'd rather lose them then overpay and hurt the team cap / budget wise down the road.

 

May mean taking a step backwards next season playoff wise, but we have a bunch of young prospects coming up to fill those roles and you would hate to not be able to afford a Trouba / Scheifele / Lowry when their contracts are up because you overpaid now.

 

Many teams have had a bad hangover regret after over paying in free agency.  You really need to build a contender and able to attract free agents at a reasonable price.

If Frolik wants to be here but also wants $5 million, and the Jets feel they need him, two year max.  That way he's still tradeable at the deadline and you're not handcuffed long term.

Burmi as a replacement for Frolik is a joke.  Not even close to the same caliber of player.

Burmi as a replacement for Frolik is a joke.  Not even close to the same caliber of player.

And yet one wants $5 million and one could probably be had for $1.5-ish.  Burmi is a very good possession player.  I'd be comfortable with him at 3RW if the other option is over-paying Frolik to play 3RW and get paid like a 2RW.

 

Burmi as a replacement for Frolik is a joke.  Not even close to the same caliber of player.

And yet one wants $5 million and one could probably be had for $1.5-ish.  Burmi is a very good possession player.  I'd be comfortable with him at 3RW if the other option is over-paying Frolik to play 3RW and get paid like a 2RW.

 

 

I prefer the combination that gives us the better team.  If it all fits under the salary cap, who cares if Frolik is overpaid by a million/year.