Weirdly enough I think a trade for a RD is more likely than a free agent. Seems like a good amount of playoff contenders have a need there and the space to sign those guys, but there could be a few cap casualties that better teams can’t make work. I doubt this team is going to find a long-term solution in free agency so a band-aid is more than fine.
I'd go one step farther and also add another vet RHD (but through trade on a 1 year deal (like the Lybushkin deal) IF the plan isn't to play any of the kids on their off side. Luneau missed a LOT of time, let him get his game and energy back in the AHL. Move the rental D at the deadline if the team is out of playoffs or Luneau is ready. We don't really have anyone else on the right side that's going to be ready by the end of next year, the year after is the last year of the Gudas contract (and we may not have anyone ready at that point either, pending how the draft goes).
Stopgap guys that you overpay for a short period are fine. Long term UFA that you overpay significantly get you a Tavares to Toronto situation where you never get a team discount afterwards from any of your young players.
I agree with this up to Trouba. Do not want. Especially not coming back from a broken ankle in a guy who already throws elbows because he’s not fleet of foot.
He’s definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. I do like him, aside from the obvious stuff, but I bring him up more because he immediately jumps off the page as a big minute RHD who could be available and are tough for better teams to make fit. Other potential options are a lot harder to forecast at this point, a lot of moving parts.
There's nothing rushed, the point of PV selling off the veterans he inherited was to build the team with the players he wants to bring in, both internally through the draft/prospect trades and externally with veterans. This is nothing more than a direct continuation of what he's already been doing
Maybe it's a little gamble after his injury, but man, Trouba seems really nice. Top pairing vet RD that hits and blocks shots, and only 2 years left right? Perfect stopgap.
What’s the prospect pool look like? If I remember correctly you took saliyev, mbn and jiricek?
He was on the top 4 of one of the best teams in hockey and most likely would be the #1 here until Minty in a couple of years. That's how bad this defense is but Trouba is a great #4
If Trouba is on a top pair that team is finishing bottom 5.
I will take Gudas over Trouba 100% of the time at this point in their careers. Neither belongs on a top pairing though.
Not bad haul…. I’m still not high but getting jiricek Jecho and mbn out weights my dislike of silayev
I guess he's fallen off a lot. I admit most of my knowledge is coming from fantasy hockey, but we count hits and blocked shots and Trouba is always highly rated for that reason. Isn't that and minute crunching basically the same as what we'd get with Roy? Only a year apart too.
If Trouba is on a top pair that team is finishing bottom 5.
I would hate it. Well, I love Gudas, but have no desire for Trouba.
I would love Roy or Pesce. Demelo is a decent option. As for trade targets, I don't know who might be available. I just know I don't want Trouba.
Yeah that wasn’t really meant to you in particular and I noticed you mentioned Roy earlier. Generally we have pretty high standards around here for free agents. Basically we will have to overpay for someone, but being thrifty isn’t always the right decision.
