2024/25 Trade Rumours, Speculation etc Thread

[JetsFan815]

If Ehlers leaves, I'm worried that the Jets will go from having a 2a/2b line situation to a 3a/3b situation.

I think there's often too much optimism around rookies making a big impact, unless they are real stars. Even top AHL prospects like Stankoven and Bourque translated into 40- and 30-point forwards as rookies. That's a big drop from a consistent 60-70 point F like Ehlers, especially considering Ehlers' most consistent linemates and usage.

Yep Ehlers is CRITICAL to keeping this Scheifele/Helle window open that has looked so promising this season. I think the Jets should essentially let him name his price and lock him in for 8 years and worry about the last few years of that contract later.

 

[Gm0ney]

Everyone is talking about Connor and how he is going to get between 10-12 million.

Using the NHLPA's estimates of a cap ceiling of $104M in 2026-27, a $9.6M AAV contract is equivalent to Conner's current deal when he signed it.

If you give him a raise equivalent to what Scheifele & Hellebuyck got in 2023, it's $10.6M AAV under a $104M cap.

 

[voyageur]

Yep Ehlers is CRITICAL to keeping this Scheifele/Helle window open that has looked so promising this season. I think the Jets should essentially let him name his price and lock him in for 8 years and worry about the last few years of that contract later.

Let's see what he does in the playoffs first. If Ehlers has a negative impact playoffs, I think he's closed the window here.

The Jets got 2 goals in 4 games from Chibrikov without him. PP struggled with Perfetti, but PP is struggling a little with Ehlers, and no big man Vilardi on the back post.

It's entirely possible that Arniel's grinding system can fit with bigger players like Barlow and Walton who can get to the net. Combined with dashers like Lambert and He.

You could argue that a PMD who plays 22 minutes a night, most of any d-men on the right side is equally critical to keeping the window open.

 

[10Ducky10]

Like you said, Lambert and Chibrikov do not fit a dedicated top line shut down unit. They do fit well if Ehlers leaves and a top six wing spot opens up. Also opens up a PP spot with Perfetti almost surely moving up to PP1.

I'd bet on Chibrikov winning out next fall but no one knows for sure. I imagine the winner of that competition would trade off and on with a bottom six vet like Iafallo (if back) or a UFA. Runner up would be back to the Moose.

Didn't Ehlers play on the Lowry line his first season?

 

[Whileee]

Let's see what he does in the playoffs first. If Ehlers has a negative impact playoffs, I think he's closed the window here.

The Jets got 2 goals in 4 games from Chibrikov without him. PP struggled with Perfetti, but PP is struggling a little with Ehlers, and no big man Vilardi on the back post.

It's entirely possible that Arniel's grinding system can fit with bigger players like Barlow and Walton who can get to the net. Combined with dashers like Lambert and He.

You could argue that a PMD who plays 22 minutes a night, most of any d-men on the right side is equally critical to keeping the window open.

You mention a few prospects that might be effective in the future, but how does that help the Jets in the next couple of seasons? The Jets have won 103 games and counting over the past 2 seasons, tops in the NHL. Now is not the time to do a mini-rebuild. The Jets need to add to this core (including Ehlers), not subtract.

 

[Flair Hay]

Didn't Ehlers play on the Lowry line his first season?

No that it matters a whole lot, I am going more off of how that line has functioned for the last 8 years or so...

Ehlers most common lines in 2015-16 were Scheif/Wheeler and Scheif/Perreault then Burmi/Thorburn.

Basically since Copp-Lowry-Tanev that line has been all grinders.

 

[10Ducky10]

No that it matters a whole lot, I am going more off of how that line has functioned for the last 8 years or so...

Ehlers most common lines in 2015-16 were Scheif/Wheeler and Scheif/Perreault then Burmi/Thorburn.

Basically since Copp-Lowry-Tanev that line has been all grinders.

Ok.
I thought I remembered him playing with Lowry and Thorburn maybe?

 

[Flair Hay]

Ya, both would need to make a big step and I hope they do. Lambert being a potential 2C would be great.

This is probably why I'm seeing Ehlers as blocking Lambert where others aren't. To me Lambert is going to be a winger at the NHL level. Especially so the way the Jets structure their lines. And the type of players they have targeted at past trade deadlines.

I think Yager is the guy who will likely be taking over for Namestnikov. And probably not for a couple years. A lot can change in two years though.

 

[JetsFan815]

Let's see what he does in the playoffs first. If Ehlers has a negative impact playoffs, I think he's closed the window here.

The Jets got 2 goals in 4 games from Chibrikov without him. PP struggled with Perfetti, but PP is struggling a little with Ehlers, and no big man Vilardi on the back post.

It's entirely possible that Arniel's grinding system can fit with bigger players like Barlow and Walton who can get to the net. Combined with dashers like Lambert and He.

You could argue that a PMD who plays 22 minutes a night, most of any d-men on the right side is equally critical to keeping the window open.

Why are we talking about Barlow and Walton? They are not gonna be able to contribute in a meaningful way for atleast 2 years in the best case scenario, more like 3 years, that is if they even pan out at all. That is too slow for the Jets window. And Barlow is not a grinding player, Walton hasn't even signed an ELC yet. Both of these players may not even be in the Jets org in a year's time. We certainly can't count on them replacing Ehlers production in this window.

The Jets should be focused on extending the window with known quantities, rather than projecting which prospect in the minors may or may not fit in the big club's system.

I agree about having a right shot PMD but that's a separate point. We don't have a great one available, and can't sign one in UFA. We gotta hope Elias pans out. But in the mean time, I'd rather find a way to keep our elite winger with the club for the rest of this window.

 

[voyageur]

You mention a few prospects that might be effective in the future, but how does that help the Jets in the next couple of seasons? The Jets have won 103 games and counting over the past 2 seasons, tops in the NHL. Now is not the time to do a mini-rebuild. The Jets need to add to this core (including Ehlers), not subtract.

I'm not against keeping Ehlers. I just think he's ready to move on. So you have to take a step back then just like the Jets did when Trouba, Myers, Tanev all were ready to move on.

Part of being a top team is every other team in the league gets to pick from your grapevine when all the fruits of labour have ripened.

This is the year for this group. I expect Chevy to have to make some tough choices this offseason. He'll make them with more insider information than you and I have...

There is a strong case that can be made for re-signing Ehlers that I am not trying to refute, but if we got 10 good years out of him and move towards younger drivers it's important they get developed properly. And contribute.

 

[bustamente]

Jets don't have anyone that can replace or do on the ice what Nik does in the pipeline atm, losing him will create a huge hole in the top six. Nik hold all the cards, if he wants to stay he will but I'm unfortunately in the camp that thinks he is moving on and that's to bad.

 

[surixon]

Jets don't have anyone that can replace or do on the ice what Nik does in the pipeline atm, losing him will create a huge hole in the top six. Nik hold all the cards, if he wants to stay he will but I'm unfortunately I'm in the camp that thinks he is moving on and that's to bad.

While I really like Nik and feel he will be missed I think the group can withstand it if the right moves are made in the offseason. We've seen all the other top contending teams weather impact players leaving.

Florida lost Montour and haven't missed a beat, Tampa said so long to Stamkos and are better. Vegas elected to move on from some key pieces and are still great.

I think a bit too much doom and gloom is being made over Fly. The org will still have its core with or without him which will lead them to still being a good team. If Chevy can build something around Cole then we could continue to be a contending team.

 

[Buffdog]

Jets don't have anyone that can replace or do on the ice what Nik does in the pipeline atm, losing him will create a huge hole in the top six. Nik hold all the cards, if he wants to stay he will but I'm unfortunately in the camp that thinks he is moving on and that's to bad.

I think Perfetti can up his production to Nik's numbers (I'd love to see him in the bumper on PP1) and then backfilling Perfetti's production with Lambert and maybe a UFA won't leave us too far away of where we are now

As long as Helle can keep his GA numbers in the ballpark that they're in now, we don't need to be the offensive juggernaut that we are this season

 

[Gm0ney]

I'm not against keeping Ehlers. I just think he's ready to move on. So you have to take a step back then just like the Jets did when Trouba, Myers, Tanev all were ready to move on.

Part of being a top team is every other team in the league gets to pick from your grapevine when all the fruits of labour have ripened.

This is the year for this group. I expect Chevy to have to make some tough choices this offseason. He'll make them with more insider information than you and I have...

There is a strong case that can be made for re-signing Ehlers that I am not trying to refute, but if we got 10 good years out of him and move towards younger drivers it's important they get developed properly. And contribute.

No, it's true...there's no time for a step-back year at this point. Hellebuyck, Scheifele, Lowry are all going to be 34 in a couple of seasons. At that point, Pionk and Morrissey will be 32. Ehlers will be 31 if he stays. Connor will be 30.

All your skill guys under 30 two years from now: Samberg (28), Vilardi (27), Perfetti (25) and whoever pans out from the prospect pool (maybe 2 or 3 of Salomonsson, Chibrikov, Lambert, Rashevsky, Yager, and Barlow).

It's go-time this year, next year and, if we're lucky, 2026-27.

 

[voyageur]

No, it's true...there's no time for a step-back year at this point. Hellebuyck, Scheifele, Lowry are all going to be 34 in a couple of seasons. At that point, Pionk and Morrissey will be 32. Ehlers will be 31 if he stays. Connor will be 30.

All your skill guys under 30 two years from now: Samberg (28), Vilardi (27), Perfetti (25) and whoever pans out from the prospect pool (maybe 2 or 3 of Salomonsson, Chibrikov, Lambert, Rashevsky, Yager, and Barlow).

It's go-time this year, next year and, if we're lucky, 2026-27.

It's such a crapshoot to predict when players will fall off. At any given time a player could get injured and never fully recover. There is a mileage I believe analytically would be considered.

So much of building this team comes from they way they bond that's what makes them fight for one another, step up when another goes down.

Lowry I think is the first to slow, where he will become a 4th line center or 3rd line winger in the next couple of years. I don't see him winning matchups easily past 35 years old even 34 he'll show signs. Scheif will too. Hellebuyck is efficient as long as the game plan provides enough speed to attack and defend without breaking down. I think he's good for a few.

For all that has to be considered maybe Chevy looks again for a top 6 C, filled with Ehlers Cap space if he moves on, with prospects and picks. I don't have the crystal ball.

But I do agree the window closes by the end of Josh's contract, which was the team friendliest you could ask for in terms of real money dispersal and AAV.

 

[DRW204]

While I really like Nik and feel he will be missed I think the group can withstand it if the right moves are made in the offseason. We've seen all the other top contending teams weather impact players leaving.

Florida lost Montour and haven't missed a beat, Tampa said so long to Stamkos and are better. Vegas elected to move on from some key pieces and are still great.

I think a bit too much doom and gloom is being made over Fly. The org will still have its core with or without him which will lead them to still being a good team. If Chevy can build something around Cole then we could continue to be a contending team.

tampa went stamkos->guentzel
vegas stephenson->hertl
FLA is pacing worse than last year and eventually traded for Jones who replaces montour.

they didn't just get rid of these players and replace them w/ nothing.

who are the Jets signing or trading for like the other teams if you want to bring those examples up?

Yeah this is a really good summary. Ford does fit that 4th line energy role like a glove. I cant imagine we don't bring back at least 2 of Iafallo, Appleton and Tanev if Ehlers leaves.

Like you said, Lambert and Chibrikov do not fit a dedicated top line shut down unit. They do fit well if Ehlers leaves and a top six wing spot opens up. Also opens up a PP spot with Perfetti almost surely moving up to PP1.

I'd bet on Chibrikov winning out next fall but no one knows for sure. I imagine the winner of that competition would trade off and on with a bottom six vet like Iafallo (if back) or a UFA. Runner up would be back to the Moose.

i see that for lambert, not sure about chibrikov. i think he can be that skilled grinder role that could fit w/ lowry.

just my view, i think the Jets may suffer a log-jam and a heinola-like situation with a couple prospects that don't have that 3 or 4-line versatility. my prediction is that 5/6 top-6 fwd spots will be occupied for the next 5+ years, with 2C the sole one having an opening which would be for either lambert or yaeger. & other than chibrikov idk who fits with Lowry (& i think TNSE will make Lowry a forever-Jet).

ofc things change, players can adjust roles etc.... however, id be interesting in seeing the Jets either do a RD prospect swap with a Fwd prospect, or Fwd prospect+ for RD rumored to be on the block this year (ie: dobson, clarke). it'd alleviate the Fwd log-jam and since the long-term top-6 is occupied, i think it could be beneficial to trade them for an area of need a year or 2 early, rather than try to fit them in a spot that may not work (for example vesalainen w/ lowry was a terrible casting), or 4th line playing under <10m a night for a 1st rd caliber prospect.

i also am hesitant on thinking everything is unicorns and rainbows with these prospects like HF predicts.... once upon a time, folks thought the Jets may be ok at D with Poolman, Niku waiting in the wings, how'd that turn out? Roslovic at 2C, Perfetti at 2C? id be cautious to label any of these prospects dropping 60pts - ~PPG at 16ish TOI.

 

[bustamente]

Nik is going to finish with over 70 pts. this year, that's a lot of pts. out of your top six going forward and the options of making that up are extremely limited.

 

[surixon]

Nik is going to finish with over 70 pts. this year, that's a lot of pts. out of your top six going forward and the options of making that up are extremely limited.

To be fair this would be his first time in 10 years accomplishing that point feat. An average year for him is 55 to 60 points. So even if we kept him chances are he doesn't pot 70 himself with any regularity.

 

[Whileee]

While I really like Nik and feel he will be missed I think the group can withstand it if the right moves are made in the offseason. We've seen all the other top contending teams weather impact players leaving.

Florida lost Montour and haven't missed a beat, Tampa said so long to Stamkos and are better. Vegas elected to move on from some key pieces and are still great.

I think a bit too much doom and gloom is being made over Fly. The org will still have its core with or without him which will lead them to still being a good team. If Chevy can build something around Cole then we could continue to be a contending team.

Other teams can attract good players and keep them. The Jets, not so much.

 

[surixon]

Other teams can attract good players and keep them. The Jets, not so much.

Yes it's harder for us but Chevy has some prospect and draft capital that he could potentially pull off one of his good moves for a forward piece that could help us if Fly elects to move on.

I'm juat saying there will be some options that don't involve needing to rely on a rookie on the second line if Fly leaves.

 

[voyageur]

I think Perfetti can up his production to Nik's numbers (I'd love to see him in the bumper on PP1) and then backfilling Perfetti's production with Lambert and maybe a UFA won't leave us too far away of where we are now

As long as Helle can keep his GA numbers in the ballpark that they're in now, we don't need to be the offensive juggernaut that we are this season

I wonder about replacing him with a bigger winger. If the Jets are going forward with Perfetti and Yager is Ehlers the complementary piece for those 2 with his perimeter game, are those 2 pieces the down low battle type?

A bigger winger who can grind would allow the Jets to play 4 lines that can grind behind the goal line. Maybe if the Jets generate more possession they generate more goals.

The recent stretch of 3 regulation wins, 3 OT wins and 3 losses without Pionk is an affirmation that the Jets need to re-sign him. Because that 15-1 start didn't start with Ehlers driving the bus. It was the top and checking line combined with Samberg and Pionk playing as the Jets best pairing most nights.

 

[Flair Hay]

I wonder about replacing him with a bigger winger. If the Jets are going forward with Perfetti and Yager is Ehlers the complementary piece for those 2 with his perimeter game, are those 2 pieces the down low battle type?

A bigger winger who can grind would allow the Jets to play 4 lines that can grind behind the goal line. Maybe if the Jets generate more possession they generate more goals.

The recent stretch of 3 regulation wins, 3 OT wins and 3 losses without Pionk is an affirmation that the Jets need to re-sign him. Because that 15-1 start didn't start with Ehlers driving the bus. It was the top and checking line combined with Samberg and Pionk playing as the Jets best pairing most nights.

I like the idea of looking for a guy with a little more grit to play with Perfetti and Namestnikov if Ehlers isnt around. It's a tough skill set to find in the top six but if you can find it those guys are worth their weight in gold in the playoffs.

I think attributing team success in the first 15 games and the last 10 games to Pionk is a stretch. We have a good fit there and that matters. A bird in the hand... as long as the cost is reasonable. He eats a lot of minutes for us, great on the PP this year.

He is a guy who can provide really good offense if he has someone who can pull weight defensively and share responsibility to move the puck (ie: a top pair D).

He is a good player and I'm all for keeping as many as we can.

 

[WPGDEVILS]

Any news or optimism around Vilardi and Pionk?

 

[Gm0ney]

Any news or optimism around Vilardi and Pionk?

Pionk was skating yesterday so he's pretty close. Vilardi is not close.

 

[Thechozen1]

I don't see one post about people worried about him leaving after next year and they shouldn't be.
I don't even know why they are talking about Ehlers anyways.
Jets are pushing for 1st place with 8 games to go with playoffs right around the corner ... enjoy it worry about Ehlers after winning the Cup I say.

Ehlers will be a senior citizen by then.