Speculation: 2024-2025 General Discussion III

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I'd rather split that money used on Rantenen and get quantity, we already have quality in Kuch, Point, Hagel and Guentzel. Ehler's is a good target for a versatile winger, Bennett if you want a crash and bang player that this team severely lacks, or Morgan Geekie for a solid 3C and have a Geek Squad line with his brother, you could get 2/3 of those guys for Rantenen's asking price.

Only 4 players have scored more than Rantanen in the last 5 years, McDavid, Draisaitl, Kucherov and Mackinnon, he's already refused to re-sign in a favorable position in Colorado, you know he's going to want to maximize his contract, it'd be dumb not to after getting traded.
 
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I’ve found myself falling into thoughts of delusion that we’re a third line away from being a top contender in the East. Other teams are either underperforming or are injured. Our underlying numbers have been good all year and now Vasy is really getting into a groove.

Reality check - finding three forwards is easier said than done and will be costly. We also have to get through both Florida and Toronto who have had our number in recent history.
 
I’ve found myself falling into thoughts of delusion that we’re a third line away from being a top contender in the East. Other teams are either underperforming or are injured. Our underlying numbers have been good all year and now Vasy is really getting into a groove.

Reality check - finding three forwards is easier said than done and will be costly. We also have to get through both Florida and Toronto who have had our number in recent history.
There's no delusion about it. Tampa is definitely a contender in the East. They can certainly add a couple of forwards at the deadline who can provide a positive impact, and the team's underlying numbers are good enough.

As long as the team remains relatively healthy, Vasy continues to play well, and the team gets a boost from any adds, they'll be set. It's not a forgone conclusion either that Tampa will have to go through both Florida and Toronro (which is also not an impossible task), as the Atlantic is far from decided.
 
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I just realized the deadline is next week Friday. Shit needs to start moving before idiotic bidding wars start up.

Here are some of my idiotic targets + some players who were rumoured to be available:

PlayerTeamSalary (AAV)Years Remaining After This Season
Oliver BjorkstrandSeattle$5,400,001
Jared McCannSeattle$5,000,0002
Eeli TolvanenSeattle$3,475,0001
Brayden SchennSt. Louis$6,500,0003
Alex TuchBuffalo$4,750,0001
Trevor ZegrasAnaheim$5,750,0001 (RFA)
Matias MaccelliUtah$3,425,0001 (RFA)
Morgan GeekieBoston$2,000,0000 (RFA)
Brad MarchandBoston$6,125,0000
Claude GirouxOttawa$6,500,0000

As much as I hate Marchand, I keep thinking of a line of Hagel - Cirelli - Marchand and just imagine what kind of asshole grinding line that would be.
 
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I just realized the deadline is next week Friday. Shit needs to start moving before idiotic bidding wars start up.

Here are some of my idiotic targets + some players who were rumoured to be available:

PlayerTeamSalary (AAV)Years Remaining After This Season
Oliver BjorkstrandSeattle$5,400,001
Jared McCannSeattle$5,000,0002
Eeli TolvanenSeattle$3,475,0001
Brayden SchennSt. Louis$6,500,0003
Alex TuchBuffalo$4,750,0001
Trevor ZegrasAnaheim$5,750,0001 (RFA)
Matias MaccelliUtah$3,425,0001 (RFA)
Morgan GeekieBoston$2,000,0000 (RFA)
Brad MarchandBoston$6,125,0000
Claude GirouxOttawa$6,500,0000

As much as I hate Marchand, I keep thinking of a line of Hagel - Cirelli - Marchand and just imagine what kind of asshole grinding line that would be.
In addition, other forward names that have been mentioned have been Luke Kunin, Scott Laughton, Tyson Foerster, Luke Evangelista, Joel Armia, Kyle Palmieri, Brock Boeser, Ryan Donato, Jake Evans, and I'm sure there are others. I'm hoping for a 2RW and a 3rd line winger to make a 3rd line of Goncakves-Paul-x or something comparable.
 
I like the idea of Boeser for the 2nd line. Another right handed shot, isn’t undersized (compared to the other options), had a good playoff run last year. Bjorkstrand could work too.

Add in two bottom-six forwards and things look a lot better.
 
Care to elaborate? Curious what it is people don’t like. I don’t watch a ton of him outside of a few playoff games last year.
Streaky. Doesn't shoot nearly enough. Hasn't been the same since a family member died. I think his dad? Quoting DistantThunderRep over here
Exactly this. And his injuries have killed his shot. He was shooting at 20% last year. This year he is at 17% with 18 goals and his shot numbers have come down. He's a shell of last season and it doesn't seem like its just an off year, it looks like this is going to be his norm. I might be wrong, but even last season with his 40 goals, it looked more like he was over-achieving rather than it being anything consistent.
 
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I just realized the deadline is next week Friday. Shit needs to start moving before idiotic bidding wars start up.

Here are some of my idiotic targets + some players who were rumoured to be available:

PlayerTeamSalary (AAV)Years Remaining After This Season
Oliver BjorkstrandSeattle$5,400,001
Jared McCannSeattle$5,000,0002
Eeli TolvanenSeattle$3,475,0001
Brayden SchennSt. Louis$6,500,0003
Alex TuchBuffalo$4,750,0001
Trevor ZegrasAnaheim$5,750,0001 (RFA)
Matias MaccelliUtah$3,425,0001 (RFA)
Morgan GeekieBoston$2,000,0000 (RFA)
Brad MarchandBoston$6,125,0000
Claude GirouxOttawa$6,500,0000

As much as I hate Marchand, I keep thinking of a line of Hagel - Cirelli - Marchand and just imagine what kind of asshole grinding line that would be.

Marchand would add, no doubt. This team needs more pricks. Nikita Kucherov can't carry that entire load.
 
It's hard for me to see Boston dealing significant players to us, let alone their captain. Frederic would be a good fit too, but the division rival aspect can play into things when it comes to making trades and I don't see the Bruins wanting to make us better.
 
I just realized the deadline is next week Friday. Shit needs to start moving before idiotic bidding wars start up.

Here are some of my idiotic targets + some players who were rumoured to be available:

PlayerTeamSalary (AAV)Years Remaining After This Season
Oliver BjorkstrandSeattle$5,400,001
Jared McCannSeattle$5,000,0002
Eeli TolvanenSeattle$3,475,0001
Brayden SchennSt. Louis$6,500,0003
Alex TuchBuffalo$4,750,0001
Trevor ZegrasAnaheim$5,750,0001 (RFA)
Matias MaccelliUtah$3,425,0001 (RFA)
Morgan GeekieBoston$2,000,0000 (RFA)
Brad MarchandBoston$6,125,0000
Claude GirouxOttawa$6,500,0000

As much as I hate Marchand, I keep thinking of a line of Hagel - Cirelli - Marchand and just imagine what kind of asshole grinding line that would be.
Been here since 2011, don't think I've ever seen the phrase "grinding asshole." Congratulations.
 
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Tied to Tampa Bay:
Rantanen, Brandon Tanev, Gourde, Mario Ferraro, Brock Boeser, Brian Dumoulin, David Savard, Scott Laughton, Matt Grzelcyk, Joel Armia
This list seems even more asinine than my uneducated list.

It's hard for me to see Boston dealing significant players to us, let alone their captain. Frederic would be a good fit too, but the division rival aspect can play into things when it comes to making trades and I don't see the Bruins wanting to make us better.
Apparently Boston is waiving the white flag on the season, it shouldn't matter where a UFA is going for them. Get the best value they can, and if that's JBB's offer, so be it. Also for someone like Marchand, you would think the organisation would want to do right by him and send him to a good team that really fits him and has a chance.
 
I think if Boston goes into a rebuild, it won't matter who their trading partner is. If it's a retool, it will matter.

I think Buffalo is less likely to deal with us because half of their gameplan is our window closing, thus freeing up a playoff spot.
 
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I just realized the deadline is next week Friday. Shit needs to start moving before idiotic bidding wars start up.

Here are some of my idiotic targets + some players who were rumoured to be available:

PlayerTeamSalary (AAV)Years Remaining After This Season
Oliver BjorkstrandSeattle$5,400,001
Jared McCannSeattle$5,000,0002
Eeli TolvanenSeattle$3,475,0001
Brayden SchennSt. Louis$6,500,0003
Alex TuchBuffalo$4,750,0001
Trevor ZegrasAnaheim$5,750,0001 (RFA)
Matias MaccelliUtah$3,425,0001 (RFA)
Morgan GeekieBoston$2,000,0000 (RFA)
Brad MarchandBoston$6,125,0000
Claude GirouxOttawa$6,500,0000

As much as I hate Marchand, I keep thinking of a line of Hagel - Cirelli - Marchand and just imagine what kind of asshole grinding line that would be.
Alex tuch would be the guy I’d target
 
Alex tuch would be the guy I’d target
Tuch is very, very unlikely to be acquired, as according to Buffalo fans and apparently their GM, Tuch isn't likely to be moved for a futures type package. Since Tampa isn't moving either Cirelli nor Cernak for him, I doubt he's a realistic target (if the reports on how Buffalo values him are to be believed). I'm sure JBB would overpay considerably for him with picks, lesser roster pieces and prospects, but that doesn't seem like the right combo for the Sabres.
 

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