Rumor: 2021-22 Trade Rumors and FA Part V: To Giroux or not to Giroux

[Richard88]

Yup next year is going to be really difficult to maintain a 2nd and 3rd line... and then there is the situation in net too. This is why I really wouldn't mind grabbing a guy like JT Miller with retention... cheap and can maintain some depth in the middle 6 when we lost 1/3-1/2 of it this summer.

I agree that JTM's contract and versatility would be a very smart fit given the Avs roster situation.

Presumably a trade would need to look something like 2023 1st + Barron (the RHS Dman they crave) + Jost + another B prospect. You down for that?

 

[Gruyeriev]

Lol. I just like to pick on Chambers. He’s so bad he makes Dater look good.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

Not a fan of giving up Barron for Crouse.

I'm not a fan of getting Phat Phil either. Seems like the last guy they need.

 

[Gruyeriev]

Not a fan of giving up Barron for Crouse.

Me neither. They can keep Kessel and we can keep Barron

 

[Balthazar]

Here's how I'd rank their chances of getting traded at the deadline:

Not available: Byram, Newhook

Very unlikely: Barron

Possible, but unlikely: Olausson, Annunen

On the table: Kaut, Foudy, Bowers, Ranta, Helleson

 

[Perratrooper]

Not a fan of giving up Barron for Crouse.

Its definitely a steep price, but ultimately our organizational depth is the back end. I think there’s arguments to be made that Behrens and Helleson are close to or on par with him as a prospect (at least based on Avs fans opinions). Couple that with Makar, Toews, Girard and Byram and I think it’s very evident that we can afford to move Barron. I don’t want use moving Barron for a pure rental, but here we’re getting a middle 6 player that is young and provides a playoff style or play who we can retain.

Who would you target with Barron?

 

[Balthazar]

Who would you target with Barron?

No one. We need a RHD on ELC. That's exactly why they drafted him.

 

[John Mandalorian]

If Giroux turns it into a bidding war, then Joe will bow out rather quickly. He knows he can't afford to give up cost-controlled young players he needs for his roster in the next few years in Newhook, Barron, Byram, etc., and a few decent prospects and/or picks for a guy that will only be on his roster for 4 months.

Timing is a huge part of this. There are other options but conversations about other players aren't necessarily waiting for the outcome with Giroux. It's easy to say JS can pivot to Pavelski (or someone else) but if Pavelski is 98% on his way to being traded, it can be tough luck.

 

[Gruyeriev]

Its definitely a steep price, but ultimately our organizational depth is the back end. I think there’s arguments to be made that Behrens and Helleson are close to or on par with him as a prospect (at least based on Avs fans opinions). Couple that with Makar, Toews, Girard and Byram and I think it’s very evident that we can afford to move Barron. I don’t want use moving Barron for a pure rental, but here we’re getting a middle 6 player that is young and provides a playoff style or play who we can retain.

Who would you target with Barron?

Legit 3C like Copp, Gourde, etc.

This is all assuming Barron isn’t the plan to replace Byram in the meantime.

 

[Richard88]

Ottawa is looking for a "Veteran" guy in his mid-late 20s that can potentially play a Top 6/9 role for them. And they're looking for someone who they hope could turn into a bit of a reclamation project similar to how Duclair worked out in Florida. And preferably a Right Shot.

IMO Compher fits pretty much everything they're looking for. And in a bigger role he might produce closer to a Top 6 forward as well.

If that's the case moving JTC for a ~5th rounder to Ottawa could be a crafty way for Joe to free up the space needed to get Guroux without having to dump salary to Philly as well.

Thanks for elaborating a bit.

Not sure I see the draw from Ottawa with Compher. They're going to want to start being competitive in the next 1-2 years just as Compher hits UFA so his contract probably wouldn't align well with their timeline. As an American I doubt he's very interested in going to Ottawa either (unless he has a offseason trucking hobby I'm not aware of...).

That said, if they are interested in Compher, maybe we could take Nick Paul as the return instead of a pick? His defensive metrics and PK'ing are good; he's 50.4% on faceoffs; has a low $1.35m caphit, and at 6'3'' 220lbs he'd beef up that bottom 6 enough that @Hasbro will approve for sure.

 

[Richard88]

Giroux (50%) for 1st + Helleson
Nick Paul for Compher

Comes in just over the cap with Byram on the roster but that could probably be navigated without needing to pay anything extra for double retention on Giroux.

That 4th line would be a lot tougher to play against, and Paul would solve the 4th line/PK face-off issue.

 

[Richard88]

There is likely to be a step back at that point anyway... seems like the prime time to me. Give the best chance over the next two years worry about year 3 after you hopefully win a couple Cups... ala Tampa.

It's risky to go too all-in given Mackinnon's UFA status. If Sakic empties the cupboards completely in the next two playoff runs and doesn't win a cup, Mackinnon could be looking at the roster and asset pool and thinking that he likely won't win a cup if he re-signs. Given how competitive he is there's a decent chance he decides to leave in that scenario, to sign with a team with a better outlook from 2023 onwards.

 

[Richard88]

Its definitely a steep price, but ultimately our organizational depth is the back end. I think there’s arguments to be made that Behrens and Helleson are close to or on par with him as a prospect (at least based on Avs fans opinions). Couple that with Makar, Toews, Girard and Byram and I think it’s very evident that we can afford to move Barron. I don’t want use moving Barron for a pure rental, but here we’re getting a middle 6 player that is young and provides a playoff style or play who we can retain.

Who would you target with Barron?

Having depth on D doesn't mean that those assets should be spent frivolously, like on Crouse.

I'd listen to offers on Barron involving higher end players like Giroux or JT Miller but ultimately I'm not sure I pull that trigger. Helleson isn't even under contract yet so it would be quite risky to move Barron.

Legit 3C like Copp, Gourde, etc.

This is all assuming Barron isn’t the plan to replace Byram in the meantime.

Given how highly regarded he is by Sakic and Bednar it wouldn't be that surprising if the plan is to get Barron some games down the stretch and into the playoffs.

Also, Makar, Newhook, and Ranta all got playoff games straight out of college so perhaps the plan is to do the same with Helleson if he needs some convincing to sign.

 

[John Mandalorian]

The Kraken need prospects (good or bad). It's hard to rebuild purely through the draft. And some of the contracts on their roster aren't really congruent with what their timeline seems to be.

I know Jarnkrok has been mentioned but what about Mason Appleton?

 

[Balthazar]

The Kraken need prospects (good or bad). It's hard to rebuild purely through the draft. And some of the contracts on their roster aren't really congruent with what their timeline seems to be.

I know Jarnkrok has been mentioned but what about Mason Appleton?

Yes, he was awesome in Winnipeg last year.

Good read about Appleton here:

https://thehockeywriters.com/seattle-kraken-2021-22-roster-mason-appleton/

tl;dr: Good shutdown C, shines in the playoffs, never give up, has offensive upside in the bottom 6.

 

[willy702]

I'm not a fan of getting Phat Phil either. Seems like the last guy they need.

We need a Super Like option for this one. Kessel is a joke, scored 3 5v5 goals this year in 45 games and yet people are asking which contender is trading for him??? The guy really shouldn't be on the ice except in power plays when you are even or behind, I wouldn't even trust him on the PP when leading. How much ice time does that equate to?

 

[John Mandalorian]

Yes, he was awesome in Winnipeg last year.

Good read about Appleton here:

https://thehockeywriters.com/seattle-kraken-2021-22-roster-mason-appleton/

tl;dr: Good shutdown C, shines in the playoffs, never give up, has offensive upside in the bottom 6.

He's having a down year, no? What do you think he would cost?

 

[willy702]

The Kraken need prospects (good or bad). It's hard to rebuild purely through the draft. And some of the contracts on their roster aren't really congruent with what their timeline seems to be.

I know Jarnkrok has been mentioned but what about Mason Appleton?

Offer them JTC and Jost and see how excited they get? Really not a bad idea to work with a team like this to refresh the roster and move off of guys with term that you'd rather open up a spot for. Only problem is someone will say if only you kept those guys you would have won more games this year with zero evidence of it being true.

 

[Balthazar]

He's having a down year, no? What do you think he would cost?

Not much I guess.

He makes only 900k and is RFA at the end of the year.

 

[John Mandalorian]

Not much I guess.

He makes only 900k and is RFA at the end of the year.

I was thinking of a combination of Kaut, Bowers, Compher, and a third for Appleton and a 4th coming back. It's a potentially good trading partner for change of scenery players since they have limited draft picks (compared to Vegas). Cap space isn't an issue obviously.

 

[henchman21]

Last year there were significantly less sellers. I agree I don't think 1st + JTC + Kaut is going to get it done, but I also don't think Sakic is willing to do Barron + 1st for only Giroux. Maybe Barron + 1st for Giroux + Braun.

Barron + 23 1st won’t land Giroux alone

 

[henchman21]

It's risky to go too all-in given Mackinnon's UFA status. If Sakic empties the cupboards completely in the next two playoff runs and doesn't win a cup, Mackinnon could be looking at the roster and asset pool and thinking that he likely won't win a cup if he re-signs. Given how competitive he is there's a decent chance he decides to leave in that scenario, to sign with a team with a better outlook from 2023 onwards.

It is much more likely the MacK leaves if Sakic sits on his hand than if he pushes chips to the middle.

 

[Balthazar]

Barron + 23 1st won’t land Giroux alone

We definitely aren't getting Giroux then. The team that will pay that kind of price will re-up him and it won't be us.

Go get Lehkonen, Appleton and a 3rd pairing dman instead. We have enough firepower, let's get more depth.

 

[PAZ]

Why does everyone think Mack is going to leave? He has put his heart and soul into this team, when is the last player of Mack's caliber left? Tavares?

IMO there is a significantly higher chance Mack signs at a discount than actually leaves the Avs.

 

[Freaky Styley]

I'd love to replace Compher with Nick Paul