Speculation: 2025 Trade/Free Agency Thread

[Leonardo87]

I think Pat will be active at the TDL simply because it is easier for him to acquire players via trade than convince them to sign here.

This could be the first TDL where they actually improve the roster. Fabbri and Dumolin have been meh. It’s an opportunity for the young players to take their ice time.

Vatrano has been locked in for more seasons, he is not going anywhere, so yeah I think it’s time to try and at least push for a playoff spot. This draft sucks anyway.

 

[tomd]

Maybe I should have clarified - I think he'll be more active in trading before the TDL, not necessarily trying to make typical TDL moves like acquiring a vet to push us over the limit.

I don't think he will go for high end players, I think he will just aim for improvements.

I'm sure he'd like to take a big swing in UFA but I have to imagine he's learned by now that it probably won't work out well for us and I think he knows he has to do something this year.

I'll still come back to the fact that the TDL is generally not where you'll find players to build your future roster with. That will have to happen around the draft and into FA.

 

[robbieboy3686]

Most of the players traded at the TDL tend to be older guys who are going to be UFA's in the summer. Not sure how getting one of the guys at the TDL helps the Ducks unless Verbeek is a buyer b/c he thinks the team can make the playoffs.

Definitely at the very least we need to start replacing mcginn lundy leason vanilla types with actual dudes who can play. The ones top teams know they can’t pay because they se up against the cap

 

[ZegrassyKnoll]

I'll still come back to the fact that the TDL is generally not where you'll find players to build your future roster with. That will have to happen around the draft and into FA.

I agree with you it isn't the ideal place to do it.

But it's more ideal than getting rejected in FA and ending up with nothing, like what just happened with Stamkos, Marchessault, and a few other players.

And the benefit of trading now instead of in the off-season is that Pat wants to be playing meaningful games this year, and this would help them do that.

 

[tomd]

I agree with you it isn't the ideal place to do it.

But it's more ideal than getting rejected in FA and ending up with nothing, like what just happened with Stamkos, Marchessault, and a few other players.

And the benefit of trading now instead of in the off-season is that Pat wants to be playing meaningful games this year, and this would help them do that.

Sometimes you get lucky in FA by NOT getting players...just ask Nashville about that.

I would just say about the TDL that playoff teams aren't looking to shed players from their roster...quite the opposite...they are trying to add to their roster w/o giving up talented players. Non-playoff teams are ok shedding roster players...as long as you are will to overpay for them. It's just not a great time to make trades for teams in the middle and I don't expect Verbeek to do anything earth shaking at the TDL.

 

[DavidBL]

Sometimes you get lucky in FA by NOT getting players...just ask Nashville about that.

I would just say about the TDL that playoff teams aren't looking to shed players from their roster...quite the opposite...they are trying to add to their roster w/o giving up talented players. Non-playoff teams are ok shedding roster players...as long as you are will to overpay for them. It's just not a great time to make trades for teams in the middle and I don't expect Verbeek to do anything earth shaking at the TDL.

Pretty sure no one expected what happened to Nashville this season. Nor is it really fair to blame those players.

 

[tomd]

Pretty sure no one expected what happened to Nashville this season. Nor is it really fair to blame those players.

Pretty sure I agree with you. The players deserve their share of blame but so does the GM and the pro scouts. That said, if Trotz doesn't tear it all down this summer they may be better than expected next year.

 

[WhyVerbeekWhy]

Sometimes you get lucky in FA by NOT getting players...just ask Nashville about that.

I would just say about the TDL that playoff teams aren't looking to shed players from their roster...quite the opposite...they are trying to add to their roster w/o giving up talented players. Non-playoff teams are ok shedding roster players...as long as you are will to overpay for them. It's just not a great time to make trades for teams in the middle and I don't expect Verbeek to do anything earth shaking at the TDL.

I agree fully with your TDL stance. I don't see PV doing much at all and for this season, I am totally fine with that. Team is starting to roll (small sample size ofc) and you don't want to mess with chemistry or come off as sellers at all on them and ruin that. The chance you get a clear upgrade by TDL is slim to none.

That said, if a team makes a big all-in push out there and for cap reasons have to move out a good player they ARE upgrading in said all-in move, there may be opportunity if the receiver doesn't want/need that player or prefers futures, etc...whether it ends up as domino moves or a three-way.

I think Dumo does move because we need both Zelly and Minty getting that experience in and he's already expressed he would like to be on the east cost.

Fabbri I am fine keeping until off-season, he has motor and I'm sure good work ethic and you can never have too much of that rubbing off on youngsters.

 

[DavidBL]

Pretty sure I agree with you. The players deserve their share of blame but so does the GM and the pro scouts. That said, if Trotz doesn't tear it all down this summer they may be better than expected next year.

The players play so the some of the blame is always on them. I'm honestly not sure what happened with them. Can you imagine if they get a top pick though and their guys figure it out and get back to last years level of play? I have to admit I'd be a bit bitter if that happened.

 

[ADHB]

I think you might see Pat make some change of scenery trades. Not for typical rentals, but shipping out guys who don't appear to have a future here (Lundy, Leason, etc.) for guys who are in similar spots elsewhere but might be a better fit for this roster. If it doesn't work, you're not really losing anything.

But other than that, I don't expect to see any earth shattering moves.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I think you might see Pat make some change of scenery trades. Not for typical rentals, but shipping out guys who don't appear to have a future here (Lundy, Leason, etc.) for guys who are in similar spots elsewhere but might be a better fit for this roster. If it doesn't work, you're not really losing anything.

But other than that, I don't expect to see any earth shattering moves.

Ya i mean rentals doesnt make sense... but if we can find a decent player signed through next year +... im guessing were kicking tires.

Load up on what we can with what fat we have let.... and use those assets to help chase a bigger fish in the offseason.

 

[TheDarkWingThatDucks]

Ya i mean rentals doesnt make sense... but if we can find a decent player signed through next year +... im guessing were kicking tires.

Load up on what we can with what fat we have let.... and use those assets to help chase a bigger fish in the offseason.

I think the crossroads of this deadline lead down 2 paths.

Slightly sellers : trade Fabbri / barring an injury Dumo too, call up Pasta or Colangelo and plop with mct / cutter

DMT level hope : when was the last time a former top 5 pick prospect (or player) requested a trade and then won a gold medal for a USA team on foreign soil getting his trade value to an all time high.

So i think there may be a chance Brady T wants out of Canada (his brother forced his way out of Calgary albeit he had more leverage.)…..so but, if Canadiens boo during the US national anthem, BT has the easiest trade request of all time. He goes to the Senator’s brass and hand them this press release, which will be released in 48 hours (im sure they can bargain on time frame). “I love the city and citizens of Ottawa and considered this place my second home for the last 5 years. With the political turmoil surrounding our countries, as an American citizen the emotional response however valid, causes me fear for the safety of my family. I have expressed my feelings with the senator’s organization and they are looking to move me to a team immediately.”

would a Z / + our 1st round pick this year be the start of a package big enough to get him ?

Making zero line changes you’ve got the following :

BT / Leo / Killorn
Vats / Strome / Terry
Cutter / McT / Fabbri

Obviously dumping Fabbri you call up Pasta ? Colangelo ? Trade Pasta and a 2nd for a Kevin Fiala type opportunity that arrives ?

This would be the ultimate all in move a GM on the hot seat would 100% try to pull off if BT became available. I think if BT becomes available the best package Ottawa can get would be Sabres / Ducks / Sharks / Blackhawks….. with Chicago and Buffalo being the only team really desperate enough to win soon to blow some shit up. But Chicago doesn’t have a Z level NHL ready player to offer. If Ottawa wants to try and win now (for some reason), can use Nashville and Philly as options for teams who can offer something maybe appealing.

In all honesty, I’d hate to do this because I love Z, but if BT becomes available and it cost us only Z of current NHL core (maybe a LHD d man)+ plus a combo of picks and prospects….you kinda have to do it. Especially if you have faith in Pasta / Sennecke / Sidorov / Colangelo knocking on the door as middle 6 and top 6 options.

Edit: hypothetically this would this give us a better shot at signing Marner or Miko too !

 

[robbieboy3686]

I think the crossroads of this deadline lead down 2 paths.

Slightly sellers : trade Fabbri / barring an injury Dumo too, call up Pasta or Colangelo and plop with mct / cutter

DMT level hope : when was the last time a former top 5 pick prospect (or player) requested a trade and then won a gold medal for a USA team on foreign soil getting his trade value to an all time high.

So i think there may be a chance Brady T wants out of Canada (his brother forced his way out of Calgary albeit he had more leverage.)…..so but, if Canadiens boo during the US national anthem, BT has the easiest trade request of all time. He goes to the Senator’s brass and hand them this press release, which will be released in 48 hours (im sure they can bargain on time frame). “I love the city and citizens of Ottawa and considered this place my second home for the last 5 years. With the political turmoil surrounding our countries, as an American citizen the emotional response however valid, causes me fear for the safety of my family. I have expressed my feelings with the senator’s organization and they are looking to move me to a team immediately.”

would a Z / + our 1st round pick this year be the start of a package big enough to get him ?

Making zero line changes you’ve got the following :

BT / Leo / Killorn
Vats / Strome / Terry
Cutter / McT / Fabbri

Obviously dumping Fabbri you call up Pasta ? Colangelo ? Trade Pasta and a 2nd for a Kevin Fiala type opportunity that arrives ?

This would be the ultimate all in move a GM on the hot seat would 100% try to pull off if BT became available. I think if BT becomes available the best package Ottawa can get would be Sabres / Ducks / Sharks / Blackhawks….. with Chicago and Buffalo being the only team really desperate enough to win soon to blow some shit up. But Chicago doesn’t have a Z level NHL ready player to offer. If Ottawa wants to try and win now (for some reason), can use Nashville and Philly as options for teams who can offer something maybe appealing.

In all honesty, I’d hate to do this because I love Z, but if BT becomes available and it cost us only Z of current NHL core (maybe a LHD d man)+ plus a combo of picks and prospects….you kinda have to do it. Especially if you have faith in Pasta / Sennecke / Sidorov / Colangelo knocking on the door as middle 6 and top 6 options.

Edit: hypothetically this would this give us a better shot at signing Marner or Miko too !

I would take Zegras all the way to Ottawa myself for BT

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I would take Zegras all the way to Ottawa myself for BT

If we were to make a play for BT it’s going to be mctavish imo

I assume they’ll be more comfortable bringing in a home town ish kid rather than a big city American… that will likely want to leave for a bigger market, or American city

 

[Boo Boo]

I think the crossroads of this deadline lead down 2 paths.

Slightly sellers : trade Fabbri / barring an injury Dumo too, call up Pasta or Colangelo and plop with mct / cutter

DMT level hope : when was the last time a former top 5 pick prospect (or player) requested a trade and then won a gold medal for a USA team on foreign soil getting his trade value to an all time high.

So i think there may be a chance Brady T wants out of Canada (his brother forced his way out of Calgary albeit he had more leverage.)…..so but, if Canadiens boo during the US national anthem, BT has the easiest trade request of all time. He goes to the Senator’s brass and hand them this press release, which will be released in 48 hours (im sure they can bargain on time frame). “I love the city and citizens of Ottawa and considered this place my second home for the last 5 years. With the political turmoil surrounding our countries, as an American citizen the emotional response however valid, causes me fear for the safety of my family. I have expressed my feelings with the senator’s organization and they are looking to move me to a team immediately.”

would a Z / + our 1st round pick this year be the start of a package big enough to get him ?

Making zero line changes you’ve got the following :

BT / Leo / Killorn
Vats / Strome / Terry
Cutter / McT / Fabbri

Obviously dumping Fabbri you call up Pasta ? Colangelo ? Trade Pasta and a 2nd for a Kevin Fiala type opportunity that arrives ?

This would be the ultimate all in move a GM on the hot seat would 100% try to pull off if BT became available. I think if BT becomes available the best package Ottawa can get would be Sabres / Ducks / Sharks / Blackhawks….. with Chicago and Buffalo being the only team really desperate enough to win soon to blow some shit up. But Chicago doesn’t have a Z level NHL ready player to offer. If Ottawa wants to try and win now (for some reason), can use Nashville and Philly as options for teams who can offer something maybe appealing.

In all honesty, I’d hate to do this because I love Z, but if BT becomes available and it cost us only Z of current NHL core (maybe a LHD d man)+ plus a combo of picks and prospects….you kinda have to do it. Especially if you have faith in Pasta / Sennecke / Sidorov / Colangelo knocking on the door as middle 6 and top 6 options.

Edit: hypothetically this would this give us a better shot at signing Marner or Miko too !

I’d love tkachuk but our team as a whole would have to skyrocket the moment he gets here because he desperately wants playoff hockey. Ottawa is currently more competitive than us and we would only have like a 1.5 year window to sell him on staying

Also Brady and his family are like the least in danger people in Ottawa lol they adore him there

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I’d love tkachuk but our team as a whole would have to skyrocket the moment he gets here because he desperately wants playoff hockey. Ottawa is currently more competitive than us and we would only have like a 1.5 year window to sell him on staying

Also Brady and his family are like the least in danger people in Ottawa lol they adore him there

i feel like Brady coming here would put us pretty damn close to a playoff depending what we give up.

But it also gives us a shot at free agents, you def can build around a name like tkachuk

 

[tomd]

Ottawa has a great chance to make the playoffs...why are they trading BT? And why would anyone think it would cost less than Carlsson or McTavish+?

 

[robbieboy3686]

Ottawa has a great chance to make the playoffs...why are they trading BT? And why would anyone think it would cost less than Carlsson or McTavish+?

All would be based on Tkachuk wanting to come state side

 

[Hey234]

Vilardi is an RFA this summer. Especially if Winnipeg goes out of the playoffs early, I wonder if he would want to stay? Many players don't like the city, and he has a lot of connections to California.

He has some injury history but he's on pace for 35 goals. He's strong on both ends of the ice and he has size. He's a Verbeek type player, 25, and exactly what the team needs. If he doesn't want to re-sign with the Jets, the Ducks should push hard.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Vilardi is an RFA this summer. Especially if Winnipeg goes out of the playoffs early, I wonder if he would want to stay? Many players don't like the city, and he has a lot of connections to California.

He has some injury history but he's on pace for 35 goals. He's strong on both ends of the ice and he has size. He's a Verbeek type player, 25, and exactly what the team needs. If he doesn't want to re-sign with the Jets, the Ducks should push hard.

I’ve been a vilardi fan since his time in LA… but I don’t think you can invest in him…. His injury history is not great. And I do think that’ll be a constant thing for him throughout his career

 

[tomd]

"Zegras and a 1st" has become the new "LaCombe and a 2nd" for all trade proposals going forward...

 

[Mr Rogers]

"Zegras and a 1st" has become the new "LaCombe and a 2nd" for all trade proposals going forward...

Zegras, Lacombe and a 2nd can be the new Halak, Ryder and a 2nd except for other teams’ fans

 

[NWWisconsinDuck]

I have a hard time seeing Ottawa trade Tkachuk anytime even remotely soon. But if they did and Anaheim was interested, I would bet any deal requires Carlsson going the other way. Not saying I would do that, I wouldn’t; but the point is I think the price would be EXTREMELY high - rightfully so. He’s a one of one type player. They don’t make them like him anymore

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I have a hard time seeing Ottawa trade Tkachuk anytime even remotely soon. But if they did and Anaheim was interested, I would bet any deal requires Carlsson going the other way. Not saying I would do that, I wouldn’t; but the point is I think the price would be EXTREMELY high - rightfully so. He’s a one of one type player. They don’t make them like him anymore

I think the reason ott trades tkachuk at some point, is because he makes it clear he wants to go somewhere else…. You can’t lose tkachuk for nothing.

Realistically I think a deal looks like

Mctavish + Luneau/zellweger + 1st

Maybe lesser pieces, that’s a pretty tough trade package for other teams to match

 

[tomd]

I think the reason ott trades tkachuk at some point, is because he makes it clear he wants to go somewhere else…. You can’t lose tkachuk for nothing.

Realistically I think a deal looks like

Mctavish + Luneau/zellweger + 1st

Maybe lesser pieces, that’s a pretty tough trade package for other teams to match

Realistically, I don't think Luneau/Zellweger and the 1st provide much value for Ottawa. I'm sure their ears would perk up if it was McTavish and Sennecke though. Or Carlsson 1-1. Ottawa doesn't need to settle for less right now.

Your basis that Ottawa is going to be forced to trade Tkachuk b/c he demands a trade is speculative at best and he is 3.5 years away from UFA status so they aren't losing him "for nothing" any time soon.