Nashville basically has no one top six capable behind O'Reilly if they dealt him. But the reports they are listening is encouraging. Even if it's other teams leaking this to piss of O'Reilly so he may consider leaving, Lol.
I dont think Yager is fair, but him going the other way has to be what Preds would try to insist on. Not sure how he gets moved otherwise. They need a plug and play C back. Value is another question but they need someone back that fits a retool. Not sure Lambert fits that criteria. Maybe Lambert and an "NHL" center like Gus would be in the ballpark. Probably not if I was them.
This team is so damn good this year I'm struggling with how much is too much when it comes to getting O'Reilly on this team. No one else is a tough matchup center that adds plus defense (and a strong plus in his case) and can score like a top line guy.
He brings so much of what we don't have. His skill set shines in the playoffs compared to some of our top guys. Speed is not great but the overall package fits so well for who we are lining up to face in the playoffs. Two way play and hockey IQ always ages better than tools do.
I dont know what the right fit is, maybe someone has some suggestions? Chevy never gives up close to NHL prospects so I dunno. If Barlow and a 1st got it done we probably all would. But that not realistic imo.
We would have to overpay if we keep Yager, but maybe that is the right play if we are getting term. Like a 1st and Lambert but we get a defenseman and a 3rd back type of thing.
This team is too good to not take a chance on. I like ROR as a fit a fair bit more than Neslon. Even if the price is higher.
I'll give you credit Flair, you've been on the ROR train since day #1.
It does seem odd for the Preds to trade him now that he has re-emerged as their #1 C, with a bit of chemistry built with Forsberg.
The Predators moved a bunch of salary already so who know what direction they go next year. Getting a player like Hagens at the draft would have an impact on their center depth. There's definitely going to be some centers at their draft position come June.
I just see it being a near impossible sell to convince ROR to pack up his family to Winnipeg for the next 3 years. If he doesn't like paying taxes, and likes being under the radar, he's probably not willing to move.
Because this year might be a write off but the Preds probably try to bounce back next year. Where the Jets stand next year is uncertain, especially if Ehlers, who also sells a fair amount of tickets, moves on.
I'd say going into this season, probably only 2 teams were definitely not trying to make the playoffs, and those 2 teams were the Hawks and the Sharks, who acquired other teams castoffs. They are committed to rebuilds at the moment. Every other GM I believe thought they had a team that could compete at the start of the season, and whether it be injury or performance half those GMs now have to reassess their teams.
Be interesting to see who is committed to rebuilding at the deadline. Maybe no one. The Jets late 1st probably does not move the needle on a lot of players, maybe some of their prospects do, but that's not usually what Chevy's uses as capital in trades. Maybe he feels this is the year, and it's worth it, or maybe if you listen to the way the group from the inside talks, they just want to battle together, and add depth as necessary.
I do think Schenn being from Saskatoon, with a wife from Saskatchewan, and a former Wheat King, probably views Winnipeg more favourably than a lot of players out there. But that's not insight, just a guess.
