Speculation: 2025 Trade/Free Agency Thread

[JAHV]

Then type in all lower case. Anything is better than this.

No, upper case is far preferable to lower case. Lower case is unreadable.

 

[mightyquack]

No, upper case is far preferable to lower case. Lower case is unreadable.

True, I can't read any of this.

 

[Arthuros]

True, I can't read any of this.

You guys read?

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Some of you have no faith….

Step 1- new coaching staff across the board
Step 2- free agency moves and trades + draft

Draft a RHD with upside…. I expect the line up to look like

Gauthier Carlsson Marner
Zegras McTavish Colangelo
Vatrano bennet terry
Killorn strome Gaucher

-vet gritty winger if Gaucher/nester need days off

Lacombe Gudas
Mintyukov Trouba
Zelly helly
- vet 7th dmen

Dostal + vet back up not named Gibson

 

[The Duck Knight]

Some of you have no faith….

Step 1- new coaching staff across the board
Step 2- free agency moves and trades + draft

Draft a RHD with upside…. I expect the line up to look like

Gauthier Carlsson Marner
Zegras McTavish Colangelo
Vatrano bennet killorn
Nesterenko strome Gaucher

-vet gritty winger if Gaucher/nester need days off

Lacombe Gudas
Mintyukov Trouba
Zelly helly
- vet 7th dmen

Dostal + vet back up not named Gibson

Terry? Do you have faith in PV actually firing Cronin and finding the right coach? Pass big time on Marner. Trouba in the top 4 is instafail. Bennett is going to be too expensive for what he brings production wise. I think we're going to see a very similar roster next year. Need to find a 4C faceoff/PK guy. And then look into a move for a prime aged 2nd line RW that won't cost a lot asset/money wise. A guy like Tuch or Rakell.

Cutter-Leo-FA/Trade
Zegras-McT-Colangelo
Vatrano-Strome-Terry
Killorn-FA/Trade-Kid/FA/Trade

The D is pretty obvious but I don't like it at all unless Minty takes a big step in all 3 zones like Lacombe.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Terry? Do you have faith in PV actually firing Cronin and finding the right coach? Pass big time on Marner. Trouba in the top 4 is instafail. Bennett is going to be too expensive for what he brings production wise. I think we're going to see a very similar roster next year. Need to find a 4C faceoff/PK guy. And then look into a move for a prime aged 2nd line RW that won't cost a lot asset/money wise. A guy like Tuch or Rakell.

I fixed it I knew I was forgetting terry,


Idk…. I think he’s going to aim at an impact player…. Marner/ehlers prob best options. I’d easily take marner he’d be our best forward by a country mile

 

[The Duck Knight]

I fixed it I knew I was forgetting terry,


Idk…. I think he’s going to aim at an impact player…. Marner/ehlers prob best options. I’d easily take marner he’d be our best forward by a country mile

Which is exactly why I DON'T want to spend 13 or 14 million per year for him. If he is your best forward you aren't winning diddly squat. Hell Toronto has proven you can't win with him as the 2nd best forward. Just too perimeter oriented for playoff hockey. I'd prefer to make a move to improve the team that also isn't a 7 year commitment.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Draft a RHD with upside…. I expect the line up to look like

We are probably going to have a pick between 6-12. Then our next pick is projected to be 55 of the 2nd round.

If we're dead set on RHD with upside and be with the NHL club sooner than four or five years later, then it has to be with our first round pick. If we win the lottery, then I'd make an exception for LD Schaefer. Otherwise, it will be a choice between Mrtka (picks 6-12) and Hensler (if Mrtka is gone and we own the 12th pick).

But if McQueen, who is heating up again with 6 points in the past three games, is there at 6 - 8th, then I might have a difficult time passing up McQueen.

I still think prospect RD Moore has offensive upside that has been suppressed in the past two season with Harvard due to being in a rebuild and his coaches putting him into a shutdown role. I'd rather sign Moore than to wait another four or five years to find another defenseman with upside by trading his rights.

 

[Gliff]

Which is exactly why I DON'T want to spend 13 or 14 million per year for him. If he is your best forward you aren't winning diddly squat. Hell Toronto has proven you can't win with him as the 2nd best forward. Just too perimeter oriented for playoff hockey. I'd prefer to make a move to improve the team that also isn't a 7 year commitment.

Marner would be the best player this team has had in a decade, and probably top 5 all time in the franchise.

Toronto hasn't won because they are a top heavy team that never invested in goaltending or defense, the 2 most important thing in the playoffs.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

We are probably going to have a pick between 6-12. Then our next pick is projected to be 55 of the 2nd round.

If we're dead set on RHD with upside and be with the NHL club sooner than four or five years later, then it has to be with our first round pick. If we win the lottery, then I'd make an exception for LD Schaefer. Otherwise, it will be a choice between Mrtka (picks 6-12) and Hensler (if Mrtka is gone and we own the 12th pick).

But if McQueen, who is heating up again with 6 points in the past three games, is there at 6 - 8th, then I might have a difficult time passing up McQueen.

I still think prospect RD Moore has offensive upside that has been suppressed in the past two season with Harvard due to being in a rebuild and his coaches putting him into a shutdown role. I'd rather sign Moore than to wait another four or five years to find another defenseman with upside by trading his rights.

You may be right on moore, he’s been pretty tough to gauge. Him being something in the NHL will be a nice hit for us

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Marner would be the best player this team has had in a decade, and probably top 5 all time in the franchise.

Toronto hasn't won because they are a top heavy team that never invested in goaltending or defense, the 2 most important thing in the playoffs.

The marner hate nowadays is so rediculous

 

[The Duck Knight]

Marner would be the best player this team has had in a decade, and probably top 5 all time in the franchise.

Toronto hasn't won because they are a top heavy team that never invested in goaltending or defense, the 2 most important thing in the playoffs.

That isn't saying much. And definitely would not be top 5 all time. Getz/Perry/Kariya/Selanne/Nieds/Prongs are 6 HOF'ers right off the top.

Do you honestly believe a team with Marner at 14m AAV can win a Stanley Cup? Because that is my goal. I don't want to make a big splash just to make the playoffs. I think a big deal like that should be reserved for a franchise cornerstone C or D.

None of this is me saying Marner is not a very good player or that he wouldn't make us instantly a better team. I just don't think he makes enough of a difference in the long run to justify the kind of contract he will get.

 

[Deuce22]

Which is exactly why I DON'T want to spend 13 or 14 million per year for him. If he is your best forward you aren't winning diddly squat. Hell Toronto has proven you can't win with him as the 2nd best forward. Just too perimeter oriented for playoff hockey. I'd prefer to make a move to improve the team that also isn't a 7 year commitment.

You don’t bring a Marner here for that kind of money to play for Greg Cronin.

 

[Gliff]

That isn't saying much. And definitely would not be top 5 all time. Getz/Perry/Kariya/Selanne/Nieds/Prongs are 6 HOF'ers right off the top.

Do you honestly believe a team with Marner at 14m AAV can win a Stanley Cup? Because that is my goal. I don't want to make a big splash just to make the playoffs. I think a big deal like that should be reserved for a franchise cornerstone C or D.

None of this is me saying Marner is not a very good player or that he wouldn't make us instantly a better team. I just don't think he makes enough of a difference in the long run to justify the kind of contract he will get.

14 mil is only like 14.5% of the cap next year. The Ducks won with Scotty taking up like 18% of the cap.

Marner is 7th in the league in points over the last 6 years in the NHL. Ahead of Matthews, Rantanen, Crosby, Tkachuk, Barkov, Point, etc. For comparison, Kariya was 6th in the league in points during during his best 5 year stretch. This is insane to think he wouldn't be in the conversation for top 5 player in franchise history.

The cap is projected to go up 29% in the next 3 seasons. Terry would be getting 9+ mil just increasing his 30%. Top line players are going to be making 10+ mil regularly. The chance to get a legit 27 year old superstar that would be the best offensive player, the best PKer, and probably the best defensive forward on the team is too good to pass up. I would feel differently if our kids were progressing and it looked like we were going to pay them all 8+ mil next summer. At this point I expect them all to get bridges.

 

[ohcomeonref]

If Marner is willing to sign here we back the Brinks truck up for him and fire Cronin out of a cannon

 

[MCB]

Some of you have no faith….

Step 1- new coaching staff across the board
Step 2- free agency moves and trades + draft

Draft a RHD with upside…. I expect the line up to look like

Gauthier Carlsson Marner
Zegras McTavish Colangelo
Vatrano bennet terry
Killorn strome Gaucher

-vet gritty winger if Gaucher/nester need days off

Lacombe Gudas
Mintyukov Trouba
Zelly helly
- vet 7th dmen

Dostal + vet back up not named Gibson

Excuse me while I go change my pants

 

[ADHB]

That isn't saying much. And definitely would not be top 5 all time. Getz/Perry/Kariya/Selanne/Nieds/Prongs are 6 HOF'ers right off the top.

Do you honestly believe a team with Marner at 14m AAV can win a Stanley Cup? Because that is my goal. I don't want to make a big splash just to make the playoffs. I think a big deal like that should be reserved for a franchise cornerstone C or D.

None of this is me saying Marner is not a very good player or that he wouldn't make us instantly a better team. I just don't think he makes enough of a difference in the long run to justify the kind of contract he will get.

Yes I think most would agree with this, but how often does a "franchise cornerstone" 1C or 1D become available via FA? Once every 5 years? And if one does, what's the chances they'd sign here? That's a unicorn you can't afford to wait for. So when impact players are available, you do everything you can to sign one if you have the space and the need.

 

[The Duck Knight]

Yes I think most would agree with this, but how often does a "franchise cornerstone" 1C or 1D become available via FA? Once every 5 years? And if one does, what's the chances they'd sign here? That's a unicorn you can't afford to wait for. So when impact players are available, you do everything you can to sign one if you have the space and the need.

They don't. You draft them. Hopefully Leo/Lacombe/Minty are those guys for us. You also don't build a Cup winner in free agency. Vegas being the ONLY exception in the entirety of the cap era.

And I totally disagree. You don't just throw out 100m just because a good player is available when you're realistically still a few years away from really contending. That's the kind of thing an all in team does.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

They don't. You draft them. Hopefully Leo/Lacombe/Minty are those guys for us. You also don't build a Cup winner in free agency. Vegas being the ONLY exception in the entirety of the cap era.

And I totally disagree. You don't just throw out 100m just because a good player is available when you're realistically still a few years away from really contending. That's the kind of thing an all in team does.

Huh... could have sworn we got we landed a few FA's through a couple of summers to win us our Cup like Robbie to eventually bring in his brother Scotty. Teemu was signed on a flyer. We, of course, made big trades like Vegas to snag Pronger. Andy Mac and Kunitz were an UDFAs.

 

[ADHB]

They don't. You draft them. Hopefully Leo/Lacombe/Minty are those guys for us. You also don't build a Cup winner in free agency. Vegas being the ONLY exception in the entirety of the cap era.

And I totally disagree. You don't just throw out 100m just because a good player is available when you're realistically still a few years away from really contending. That's the kind of thing an all in team does.

Yes, exactly. You draft them. The way your post read was that you wait for one to become available in FA. If you meant that you hope Leo or Lacombe or whoever turns into one, and you sign them to a mega deal, then I agree.

 

[robbieboy3686]

They don't. You draft them. Hopefully Leo/Lacombe/Minty are those guys for us. You also don't build a Cup winner in free agency. Vegas being the ONLY exception in the entirety of the cap era.

And I totally disagree. You don't just throw out 100m just because a good player is available when you're realistically still a few years away from really contending. That's the kind of thing an all in team does.

Sennecke will rise above any duck, as the greatest duck ever

 

[Ducks DVM]

14 mil is only like 14.5% of the cap next year. The Ducks won with Scotty taking up like 18% of the cap.

Marner is 7th in the league in points over the last 6 years in the NHL. Ahead of Matthews, Rantanen, Crosby, Tkachuk, Barkov, Point, etc. For comparison, Kariya was 6th in the league in points during during his best 5 year stretch. This is insane to think he wouldn't be in the conversation for top 5 player in franchise history.

The cap is projected to go up 29% in the next 3 seasons. Terry would be getting 9+ mil just increasing his 30%. Top line players are going to be making 10+ mil regularly. The chance to get a legit 27 year old superstar that would be the best offensive player, the best PKer, and probably the best defensive forward on the team is too good to pass up. I would feel differently if our kids were progressing and it looked like we were going to pay them all 8+ mil next summer. At this point I expect them all to get bridges.

I think the issue with Marner is that he’s not the best scorer, he’s the setup guy, only 2 seasons above 26 goals in his career. We have enough setup guys, we need someone who can score reliably.

 

[Hey234]

Some of you have no faith….

Step 1- new coaching staff across the board
Step 2- free agency moves and trades + draft

Draft a RHD with upside…. I expect the line up to look like

Gauthier Carlsson Marner
Zegras McTavish Colangelo
Vatrano bennet terry
Killorn strome Gaucher

-vet gritty winger if Gaucher/nester need days off

Lacombe Gudas
Mintyukov Trouba
Zelly helly
- vet 7th dmen

Dostal + vet back up not named Gibson

I think the premise of your ideas is on the right track, just maybe a bit unrealistic. Most likely the big UFAs will avoid the Ducks like they did last season. Top 6 help seems more likely a trade situation. Unfortunately, I agree Gibson seems likely traded this summer so another goalie will need to be signed/traded as well. I don't see the defense changing unless something falls into Verbeek's lap.

IMO in an ideal world, the Ducks add two top 6 forwards. However, with Sennecke on the horizon, that seems unlikely. New coaches and trade for top 6 forward should be enough.

xxx-Carlsson-Terry
Vatrano-Zegras-Killorn
Gauthier-McTavish-Colangelo
Nesterenko-Gaucher--Strome

 

[tomd]

I think the issue with Marner is that he’s not the best scorer, he’s the setup guy, only 2 seasons above 26 goals in his career. We have enough setup guys, we need someone who can score reliably.

IMO the issue with Marner is that he likely has little or no desire to play on the west coast.

 

[Emerald Duck]

The only way Marner comes here is if his agent negotiates like Klingberg's agent and all the other chairs are occupied when the music stops.