Capitals are apparently looking to trade Kuznetsov, I'm not sure they'd be too interested in adding Karlsson. They're not in the best situation to be honest, I'm sure they want to provide Ovechkin with the best supporting cast possible to try and break the goal scoring record, but a rebuild looms very close.
I think that's what makes Pitt so interesting. Washington is on the downswing and they really just want to get OV the record. They've said that. But Pitt is on the downswing and wants to win one more with Crosby Malkin Letang.
I think he would for Detroit. Hockey city that is closer to wifey's family in Ottawa and has a core that is ready to start winning soon. Also have ample cap space to continue to build around said young core and himself. It won't be with 9th overall on the table, but 17th overall would assuredly be in play for him.
Yeah it would definitely be 17th. Kind of a tangential note but what even is Detroit’s core? They’ve got a Hertl level center in Larkin who’s barely even younger than Hertl, Raymond who’s coming off a disappointing year and Seider who’s a legit stud. No goaltending, one potentially elite prospect in Edvinsson and that’s about it. That team looks like it’s going nowhere.
I'd say Seider, Larkin, Raymond, Edvinsson, Kasper, Wallinder, and Berggren are their "young" core. Then they also have a quality prime aged 2/3 C in Copp and 3/4C in Zadina. I think Larkin, Copp, Kasper, Zadina would be strong down the middle in 2 years. I'd expect them to be a big suitor on some of the UFA forwards this go around with all of that cap space (plus probably some gems on account of Yzerman scouting being elite at the backend of drafts).
I like Lombardi a lot but he seems more of a bottom sixer. They have picked a ton (like 40 picks in 4 years) since Yzerman got hired in 2019. They mostly are hitting on adding core pieces, but still haven't found a true superstar yet. Seems like a sad rebuild.
Always a risk when you attempt a rebuild without getting the ping pong ball bounces. Easy to say now in hindsight but they probably should have moved futures for Eichel and tried to build around Eichel, Larkin, Bertuzzi and Raymond up front alongside Seider.
I think 17 starts with only 25% retention. If they want more that has to change to 9.
I know Seattle had a good run but I think they should stay the course instead of trying to rush it.
But do they think that is the better question while Vegas is prancing around with a cup
Well they’re already getting more from the draft picks than Vegas has in all 6 years. Francis seems intent on developing his young stars and building a team made for long term success. Vegas was desperate because no one knows what the fanbase will look like if things go sour.
