I truly think he knows Fiala is gone and he’s building the team that the trade will be for futures

Fiala was always gone. Last summer was the only time to sign him given his RFA years. I am actually starting to wonder if BG isn’t just trying to recreate the cup he won with the same players. This is really a baffling move.

It still doesn’t make sense, even in the context of moving Fiala. 2nd game in a row being healthy scratched. We have a glut of LHD as is.

Really rough signing IMO

If you really start to think about it, it means Addison is gone. Which is really a curious move.

This is a moronic move!!

Is Kulikov better than him? I gotta think Kulikov also gets traded now

or does it mean dumba is gone? they can keep fiala if so

Yeah gotta believe Kuli gets dealt. Im salty over this, I may have to table it.

Is Midds just a 1 year and trade RFA rights move now?

Yeah I was thinking the same. Idk I’m bitter over this one, guess I have to just hope I’m not seeing the full picture.

Was really hoping not, but now who knows.

It makes sense to roll with 7 decent Dmen into next season but not with a healthy scratch getting paid 2 mill for a team in cap trouble

He's a D who plays LD and RD well
He's actually better on his off hand
That isnt as common as people like to pretend on here
Some players can play their off side without being a liability or just ok enough to not get yelled at
But few can play both sides as competently as he has for Years

He's cheap and you can always flip him due to Term if he struggles as there's no shortage of teams who will bite
Its smart no risk move , not sexy but practical given their cap situation and Fiala leaving

It's the 2nd questionable extension on the D imo. I didn't like the Merrill extension and now that makes even less sense with this extension.

Agreed

Im guessing Kulikov is gone. I doubt Middleton will be signed with a number that starts with a 2, especially if he is an RFA. Guerin would definitely qualify him at 787,500. My guess is Middleton will sign an extension similar to JM. D-Pairs next year being Middelton-Spurgeon, Brodin-Dumba, Merril- Goose with Addison as 7th D or we trade addison. also could see a dumba trade now, gives BG certainty that he has 4 D-men locked in after next year, and I would guess a 5th with Middelton re-signing.

He's way better then Kulikov
He's old we get it

All i got to say is Kimmo Timmonen
39 i believe on IR when Traded completely wrote off by everyone but those with a clue involved in the trade.
We all laughed at the Two 2nd's they paid for an IR player
They laughed at us while he skated with the Cup

Just saying Old players on a team Young enough not to need to rely on him for big minutes
That's a great combination many great teams have utilized in all positions from Mark Reechi in BOS, Huet in CHI and Cullen in PIT
Sometimes the old guy eveyone counts out end up being key in a time of need