Darren Dreger reporting Lightning close to deal with Matt Carle.

[Sean]

5.5 is too much for Carle. Period. 6 years? Don't like this contract.

[Hoek]

About what I expected, not pissed, but this wasn't a SFY deal. I would've been upset if Salo was our only signing for the D. I think he will look a lot better in our system this time around.

[Acehawk74]

I'll say this...I do think the cost and term is too much. However...Carle is often good when not required to be "The guy". He did well in Philly being a supporting role #4 d-man. Frankly though, this is kind of what we deal with when we don't have the depth in the system (prior to recent developments) to bring along guys to fill the roles. When you have to dip into a Free Agent Market that's been this out of control, you almost have no choice but to overpay, or go with youth.

I'd certainly contend that you could argue going with the youth movement would've been a good idea, but at the end of the day, relatively speaking, this is roughly the going rate right now for younger top-4 d-men.

Regardless, he's a Lightning, and I'm hoping this signing pans out.

[BurnTHalO]

Jesus, this is terrible. Guy looked decent one year, the year he had Pronger with him. And he gets $5.5 mil?

[Acehawk74]

Originally Posted by Hoek

About what I expected, not pissed, but this wasn't a SFY deal. I would've been upset if Salo was our only signing for the D. I think he will look a lot better in our system this time around.

Much more consolidated than my long winded thoughts. Identical to what I feel.

[aapbolt]

Not impressed, overpay for guy who makes too many mistakes in his own end. Maybe if we get a good D coach that will help. But I am not pleased with his addition.

[Sean]

Hey Feaster, thanks for that Wideman deal.

[Acehawk74]

Cap Hit comparables - Capgeek

[BurnTHalO]

Originally Posted by Acehawk74

I'll say this...I do think the cost and term is too much. However...Carle is often good when not required to be "The guy". He did well in Philly being a supporting role #4 d-man. Frankly though, this is kind of what we deal with when we don't have the depth in the system (prior to recent developments) to bring along guys to fill the roles. When you have to dip into a Free Agent Market that's been this out of control, you almost have no choice but to overpay, or go with youth.

I'd certainly contend that you could argue going with the youth movement would've been a good idea, but at the end of the day, relatively speaking, this is roughly the going rate right now for younger top-4 d-men.

Regardless, he's a Lightning, and I'm hoping this signing pans out.

You can't sign a guy to a 6 year deal at $5.5 mil and have him be a #3/4. Not to mention, we don't have other top dmen to bail him out on the second/first pairing like he did in Philly. I mean, what is he bringing that a Salo/Mickelson/Bergeron don't already bring?

[ChaseSpace]

Not thrilled but not overly upset.