2023 Free Agency/UFA Targets

[Holden Caufield]

People want to ‘back up the truck’ for 34 year old Alex Killorn ?

Trade a 1st + for DeBrincat who is going to get a massive contract.

Hard pass on these options.
If you move that kind of draft capital or sign any vets over 5.5 M per it better be franchise altering stars. We’ve already allocated enough cap space to middling vets who are temporary roster fillers.

Killorn and DeBrincat are the type of players you sign when you already have your 4/5 star players in place that are going to carry the team to Stanley cup contentions. Signing them at this stage is Ken Holland Energy to try and make the playoffs.

 

[DamonDRW]

What's about trying to get Lindholm out of Calgary if they will go for a rebuild? He is center, somewhat similar to Larkin and good for 70+ pts a season.

 

[norrisnick]

What's about trying to get Lindholm out of Calgary if they will go for a rebuild? He is center, somewhat similar to Larkin and good for 70+ pts a season.

Calgary is a very interesting team. They could very well blow it up.

 

[jkutswings]

Calgary is a very interesting team. They could very well blow it up.

Agreed. I think trading with a bubble team and/or somebody in a cap crunch might be the best chance to add a high end forward in the short term. (Hopefully to go with some long term impact via the draft.)

 

[Frk It]

People want to ‘back up the truck’ for 34 year old Alex Killorn ?

Trade a 1st + for DeBrincat who is going to get a massive contract.

Hard pass on these options.
If you move that kind of draft capital or sign any vets over 5.5 M per it better be franchise altering stars. We’ve already allocated enough cap space to middling vets who are temporary roster fillers.

Killorn and DeBrincat are the type of players you sign when you already have your 4/5 star players in place that are going to carry the team to Stanley cup contentions. Signing them at this stage is Ken Holland Energy to try and make the playoffs.

I think we are exactly the type of team that should be looking at adding DeBrincat.

We need a 30/40 goal scorer and elite shot generator.

I don’t think a team with 5 stars already on there team could afford DeBrincat.

 

[NickH8]

I think we are exactly the type of team that should be looking at adding DeBrincat.

We need a 30/40 goal scorer and elite shot generator.

I don’t think a team with 5 stars already on there team could afford DeBrincat.

No we have to not add anyone of real value because what if we overpay, and then complain when we only add placeholders.

Seriously, we have riches of prospects and picks. We can't just sit on them like Smaug. We need to add some real difference makers if we want to go anywhere. If it costs a mil or two more than market value or some prospects we love, then so be it.

 

[Holden Caufield]

I think we are exactly the type of team that should be looking at adding DeBrincat.

We need a 30/40 goal scorer and elite shot generator.

I don’t think a team with 5 stars already on there team could afford DeBrincat.

Probably not. That’s why he will likely end up on a middling team, who will continue to middle.

You don’t spend 9M long term (plus 1st rd assets) on DeBrincat.
I would rather spend the extra 4M and try to shock Pasternak with a 13M offer and get a real star. And keep the 1st round pick while we are at it.

Give me Pastrnak (13M), Mazur (850K) and keep the 1st.

Rather then DeBrincat (9M), Killorn (5.5M) and burn the 1st.

 

[Barry Amsterdam]

Probably not. That’s why he will likely end up on a middling team, who will continue to middle.

You don’t spend 9M long term (plus 1st rd assets) on DeBrincat.
I would rather spend the extra 4M and try to shock Pasternak with a 13M offer and get a real star. And keep the 1st round pick while we are at it.

Give me Pastrnak (13M), Mazur (850K) and keep the 1st.

Rather then DeBrincat (9M), Killorn (5.5M) and burn the 1st.

pasta has already resigned

 

[Holden Caufield]

pasta has already resigned

I definitely missed that one.
Trade route is the only hope it seems. This free agent class is so bad for a team that has ‘weaponized’ their cap space.

More likely to shoot yourself in the foot .

 

[Frk It]

Probably not. That’s why he will likely end up on a middling team, who will continue to middle.

You don’t spend 9M long term (plus 1st rd assets) on DeBrincat.
I would rather spend the extra 4M and try to shock Pasternak with a 13M offer and get a real star. And keep the 1st round pick while we are at it.

Give me Pastrnak (13M), Mazur (850K) and keep the 1st.

Rather then DeBrincat (9M), Killorn (5.5M) and burn the 1st.

I’m not in that camp that wants to sign Killorn or O’Reilly.

I’d also rather have Pastnak for 13m, but that’s a pipe dream bud…. Lol

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

Seriously, we have riches of prospects and picks. We can't just sit on them like Smaug.

Challenge accepted.

 

[Holden Caufield]

I’d rather have Pastnak for 13m, but that’s a pipe dream bud…. Lol

more than a pipe dream. Apparently I missed that memo

No we have to not add anyone of real value because what if we overpay, and then complain when we only add placeholders.

Seriously, we have riches of prospects and picks. We can't just sit on them like Smaug. We need to add some real difference makers if we want to go anywhere. If it costs a mil or two more than market value or some prospects we love, then so be it.

I’m all for going big and getting a difference maker. I’m afraid you and I have very different definitions of a difference maker.

These are just Kenny H vibes. If you strike out on big fish…. just grab the low hanging fruit because there is money/picks/prospects to spend.
Killorn and DeBrincat don’t move any needles. Basically just replacing Bertuzzi and Vrana. Probably doesn’t even get us into the playoffs.
Then like 30% of the cap is spent on Killorn, DeBrincat, Copp and Chiarot.

 

[NickH8]

more than a pipe dream. Apparently I missed that memo



I’m all for going big and getting a difference maker. I’m afraid you and I have very different definitions of a difference maker.

These are just Kenny H vibes. If you strike out on big fish…. just grab the low hanging fruit because there is money/picks/prospects to spend.
Killorn and DeBrincat don’t move any needles. Basically just replacing Bertuzzi and Vrana. Probably doesn’t even get us into the playoffs.
Then like 30% of the cap is spent on Killorn, DeBrincat, Copp and Chiarot.

Vrana and Bertuzzi dream of being as effective as DeBrincat is. Even this years DeBrincat who was adjusting to life without Kane and a new system scored more points than Vrana or Bert ever have in their career.

Nobody, and I mean nobody, is going to be available for trade/free agency without warts. There's always something naysayers can point to and go this won't work. I personally believe we're in no position to nitpick, it's time to get that talent.

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

Vrana and Bertuzzi dream of being as effective as DeBrincat is. Even this years DeBrincat who was adjusting to life without Kane and a new system scored more points than Vrana or Bert ever have in their career.

Nobody, and I mean nobody, is going to be available for trade/free agency without warts. There's always something naysayers can point to and go this won't work. I personally believe we're in no position to nitpick, it's time to get that talent.

Ok.

What's the cost for Debrincat?

 

[JohanFranzenstein]

Ok.

What's the cost for Debrincat?

Way more than most Wings fans (myself included) would be willing to pay.

 

[NickH8]

Ok.

What's the cost for Debrincat?

It's tough to tell with the fact that he now won't sign there and trade value is not something I'm good at, however, anything not involving Raymond, Seider, Edvinsson, Kasper, or Larkin I'd look at.

 

[Bench]

It's tough to tell with the fact that he now won't sign there and trade value is not something I'm good at, however, anything not involving Raymond, Seider, Edvinsson, Kasper, or Larkin I'd look at.

He was moved last year for #7, #39, and 3rd in 2024.

Considering he's coming off a less impressive season, he's a year older, due for a big contract, and will likely influence his trade destination (by indicating if he will sign a new deal with said team)...

We can reasonably assert his value has dropped some. Not tanked, but less, right?

My top offer would be a 1st rounder from the Islanders and a 2nd round pick. I feel that would be competitive.

I think that saves Ottawa some face that they recoup a 1st and 2nd, even if they aren't as high of picks. It means they moved back in the 1st and gave up a future 3rd for a rental. That's not that terrible. Most teams never get a 1st back for their rental player.

 

[Snuggs]

He was moved last year for #7, #39, and 3rd in 2024.

Considering he's coming off a less impressive season, he's a year older, due for a big contract, and will likely influence his trade destination (by indicating if he will sign a new deal with said team)...

We can reasonably assert his value has dropped some. Not tanked, but less, right?

My top offer would be a 1st rounder from the Islanders and a 2nd round pick. I feel that would be competitive.

I think that saves Ottawa some face that they recoup a 1st and 2nd, even if they aren't as high of picks. It means they moved back in the 1st and gave up a future 3rd for a rental. That's not that terrible. Most teams never get a 1st back for their rental player.

I was going to say a similar offer, but I actually do think we've got to throw in a prospect that'll make people kind of squeamish if wings are serious. ( Islanders 1st, 2nd, Prospect ).

 

[Bench]

I was going to say a similar offer, but I actually do think we've got to throw in a prospect that'll make people kind of squeamish if wings are serious. ( Islanders 1st, 2nd, Prospect ).

The missing piece of information we don't have is where DeBrincat wants to play. If he's pulling an Adam Fox and wants to play for Yzerman and his hometown Wings... I think the 1st and 2nd get it done.

If it's a matter of bidding with multiple teams, you're likely right that a promising prospect needs to be on the table. Hopefully not someone like Soderblom.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Seriously, we have riches of prospects and picks. We can't just sit on them like Smaug.

We absolutely can. Nothing is more important than taking every single chance at getting elite talent. I think Ottawa made a mistake by trading for DeBrincat, doubly-so if they can't re-sign him. Let's not make the same mistake.

 

[Holden Caufield]

Vrana and Bertuzzi dream of being as effective as DeBrincat is. Even this years DeBrincat who was adjusting to life without Kane and a new system scored more points than Vrana or Bert ever have in their career.

Nobody, and I mean nobody, is going to be available for trade/free agency without warts. There's always something naysayers can point to and go this won't work. I personally believe we're in no position to nitpick, it's time to get that talent.

DeBrincat won’t move the needle. He is a good complimentary piece.

Ottawa thought DeBrincat and Giroux could move their needle and it was proven to be a mistake. It would be the same story in Detroit. We need to think bigger.

 

[Run the Jewels]

Unfortunately we didn't see enough of Kasper in Detroit to have a good sense of whether or not he'll make the roster out of training camp. What do people think about adding JT Compher to build out our depth at center in case Kasper starts the season in Grand Rapids?

He's not a guy who is going to produce much offense, but he would make us solid and dependable down the middle with Larkin, Copp, Compher and Veleno. Again, if compete is the thing our management and coaches are focused on then he could be a good fit. Not a home run, obviously, but a guy who can raise the floor until guys like Kasper are ready to raise the roof.

 

[Snuggs]

The missing piece of information we don't have is where DeBrincat wants to play. If he's pulling an Adam Fox and wants to play for Yzerman and his hometown Wings... I think the 1st and 2nd get it done.

If it's a matter of bidding with multiple teams, you're likely right that a promising prospect needs to be on the table. Hopefully not someone like Soderblom.

IMO, you risk Ottawa just playing out the season because they're in playoff contention. Been similar this year with us and Bertuzzi, imo, if Red Wings were actually in the hunt a little more. Very doubtful he'd of been traded without a good haul when the teams in the hunt knowing he'd walk in FA, or possibly walk, whatever. If a trade doesn't happen this summer/offseason I don't think one will happen.

They'll need a pretty good prospect or player with the picks to even make real sense for them. It's better off to just contend next year which they should, imo, easily.

Realistically, Ottawa should be thinking about moving him this offseason and finding his replacement too through FA or whatever by the start of the season. Any picks/prospects they "gain" from a trade outside a player for player swap is very likely to be double backed and traded for upgrades again at the TDL. If Ottawa can't find a replacement this offseason, then, forget about it if you're Ottawa and just try to make the playoff run the teams basically ready for.

 

[Frk It]

DeBrincat won’t move the needle. He is a good complimentary piece.

Ottawa thought DeBrincat and Giroux could move their needle and it was proven to be a mistake. It would be the same story in Detroit. We need to think bigger.

If they didn’t have injuries they probably would have made the playoffs.

Crazy that 30/40 goal scorers are not impactful and just complementary guys.

You refrain from making sure fire moves that will improve your team for hopes of 1 big giant move and that’s how you go 8 years without improving your blue line at all and miss out on Ryan Suter.

 

[heyfolks]

Both 2024 1st's and Zadina for Keller, i would do that in a heartbeat. Keller turns 25 in July, signed until 2028 and 7,15 cap hit. Get it done, throw in a 2nd round pick if it's necessary. Tank is over, trade for Keller, draft Reinbacher and trade up the Isles pick and draft "Dvorsky".

Killorn - Larkin - Ray
Keller - O'Reilly - Perron
Ras - Copp - Berggren
Kubalik - Suter - Veleno
Chiasson
Fabbri(IR ?)

GR
Mazur - Kasper - Söderblom
Lombardi - Czarnik - Luff
Hirose - L'Esperance - Hanas
Spezia - Weatherby - Shine
Tyutyayev - Sawchuk - Zito

2 firsts and a 2nd for Keller?! I am not in on this one.

Zadina... no one wants Zadina. I would have let him go before Vranna.