Speculation: 2026-27 Trade/FA thread - Waiting for the SCF to be over….

[robbieboy3686]

I would be shocked. This administration has been pretty adamant about some sort of veteran leadership on each pairing

+1000

 

[lwvs84]

Leafs have the chance to do the funniest thing.... Bye Gudas! Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

I read that as "don't let the floor hit you on the way out" and thought it was hilarious... I think I'm tired from being out in the heat all day. Or the last memory of him is falling getting back on D.

 

[Static]

I would be shocked. This administration has been pretty adamant about some sort of veteran leadership on each pairing

Further to this, we have no defensive dmen on the roster, really. Nobody who can clear a crease. I really doubt that is allowed to stand.

Helleson doesn't seem long for this roster, either.

 

[FiveTacos]

There's just no way we make the playoffs with that dcore though, in my opinion.

But no one says that the blueline you start with has to be the one you go through the whole season with.

 

[Static]

But no one says that the blueline you start with has to be the one you go through the whole season with.

No, but you're counting on so much falling into place for that to work out.

 

[duckpuck]

That’s the appealing part of parayko. He’s signed already through 2030. Don’t have to worry about him not re signing. If Risto was our guy, beeker would’ve just traded the 1st at the deadline for him instead of for Carlson.

Parayko is exactly the type of big/slow Dman who doesn't age well. I don't view his contract as adding much if any value though the actual cash is less than the AAV. That being said, with the rising cap, in a few years it won't be the worst thing to pay your bottom 6 d man $6.5M

If the coach isn't going to play him Verbeek isn't going to keep him. Q clearly favored Hinds (with no experience) down the stretch in must win games.

+1000 unless the beeker goes out of his way to convince coach Q that he must play zell because he’s here to stay. I don’t see how zell isnt gone

I think Carlson leaving significantly increases the chances the ducks keep him. Zell's value on the PP was eliminated when Carlson was given that role. Zell was scratched because there were other guys (notably Hinds) who were better suited to playing on the bottom pairing/pk. Zell will never be that guy . . . but he still has a ton of value in a different role where his offense can shine. Personally, I'd be fine if they trade him in a "hockey trade", but also think there's a real chance he can become a valuable contributor for the ducks in future years.

 

[Static]

Parayko is exactly the type of big/slow Dman who doesn't age well. I don't view his contract as adding much if any value though the actual cash is less than the AAV. That being said, with the rising cap, in a few years it won't be the worst thing to pay your bottom 6 d man $6.5M



I think Carlson leaving significantly increases the chances the ducks keep him. Zell's value on the PP was eliminated when Carlson was given that role. Zell was scratched because there were other guys (notably Hinds) who were better suited to playing on the bottom pairing/pk. Zell will never be that guy . . . but he still has a ton of value in a different role where his offense can shine. Personally, I'd be fine if they trade him in a "hockey trade", but also think there's a real chance he can become a valuable contributor for the ducks in future years.

Parayko is a fabulous skater.

 

[duckpuck]

Parayko is a fabulous skater.

For a guy his size, yes. How do big dmen typically do as they age above 34?

 

[robbieboy3686]

For a guy his size, yes. How do big dmen typically do as they age above 34?

The elite dmen always age more gracefully. And can extend their careers longer. I would guess, he’s at least good for 2 more seasons as a legit top pair dman

 

[Static]

For a guy his size, yes. How do big dmen typically do as they age above 34?

He's a great skating dman, period, actually. His mobility is his calling card. I mean, I don't know how he will age. He's kind of exactly what we need, though

 

[KaseMeOutside]

I would be fine with Murphy replacing Trouba. You won't get the goals or offense but you get an upgrade defensively

 

[FiveTacos]

No, but you're counting on so much falling into place for that to work out.

I see it more as, you're leaning on some playoff tested young D and staying flexible until you see what you have, or you can find a better solution.

This isn't a few years ago where we were icing 3-4 1st or 2nd year guys who were mostly U22 and largely unknown. Lacombe and Helleson will turn 26 during next season, Moore 25, Minty and OZ will be 23 entering their 4th NHL seasons. All now have been playoff tested (and for the most part held up well).

It's not perfect, we would need some guys to progress, but I look around and see a number of teams who will be icing dmen who are worse than anything we have.

 

[Leo2Cutter]

I would be fine with Murphy replacing Trouba. You won't get the goals or offense but you get an upgrade defensively

I’m just curious how PV sees the defense…. I’m guessing he’s pretty confident the kids will be better, and the guys like Luneau/moore will step up a bit.

I expect us to get a top 4 rhd…. And run with that for a little while and see how they do and adjust accordingly

 

[Leo2Cutter]

I see it more as, you're leaning on some playoff tested young D and staying flexible until you see what you have, or you can find a better solution.

This isn't a few years ago where we were icing 3-4 1st or 2nd year guys who were mostly U22 and largely unknown. Lacombe and Helleson will turn 26 during next season, Moore 25, Minty and OZ will be 23 entering their 4th NHL seasons. All now have been playoff tested (and for the most part held up well).

It's not perfect, we would need some guys to progress, but I look around and see a number of teams who will be icing dmen who are worse than anything we have.

Yep…. I think I’d rather see Luneau Moore etc over some 33 year olds making a ton of money and looking like shit

 

[KaseMeOutside]

I’m just curious how PV sees the defense…. I’m guessing he’s pretty confident the kids will be better, and the guys like Luneau/moore will step up a bit.

I expect us to get a top 4 rhd…. And run with that for a little while and see how they do and adjust accordingly

Luneau seems ready to be a regular. I like Moore on defense his awful game 5 mistakes vs Vegas not withstanding. If we could bring in one competent veteran and see how things shake out that would be okay. Not optimal but we should avoid desperation moves if possible

 

[The Duck Knight]

Parayko is exactly the type of big/slow Dman who doesn't age well. I don't view his contract as adding much if any value though the actual cash is less than the AAV. That being said, with the rising cap, in a few years it won't be the worst thing to pay your bottom 6 d man $6.5M



I think Carlson leaving significantly increases the chances the ducks keep him. Zell's value on the PP was eliminated when Carlson was given that role. Zell was scratched because there were other guys (notably Hinds) who were better suited to playing on the bottom pairing/pk. Zell will never be that guy . . . but he still has a ton of value in a different role where his offense can shine. Personally, I'd be fine if they trade him in a "hockey trade", but also think there's a real chance he can become a valuable contributor for the ducks in future years.

Zell wasn't playing the PP for a long time even before the Carlson trade. It was Lacombe and Minty, sometimes even Trouba.

 

[robbieboy3686]

Zell wasn't playing the PP for a long time even before the Carlson trade. It was Lacombe and Minty, sometimes even Trouba.

Little zell is on his way out.

 

[FiveTacos]

Zell wasn't playing the PP for a long time even before the Carlson trade. It was Lacombe and Minty, sometimes even Trouba.

Yeah but honestly, while Minty has some offensive flashes, he doesn't look nearly as decisive or comfortable on the PP as Zellweger. OZ seems to me to be the better bet to be a PP contributor, although Mintyukov is clearly the better option for a well rounded guy. In the long run, I'm actually not sure the two wouldn't make a nice pairing actually.

 

[Dr Johnny Fever]

Even if Mac is nothing more than a 50 point dumb ass, I cannot see value in trading a 23 Y/O who still could surprise on the upside, for a 33 Y/O. That's just bad business given where this team currently is. We aren't one Parayako away from making the finals next year.

 

[Leo2Cutter]

Even if Mac is nothing more than a 50 point dumb ass, I cannot see value in trading a 23 Y/O who still could surprise on the upside, for a 33 Y/O. That's just bad business given where this team currently is. We aren't one Parayako away from making the finals next year.

Ya Mac for Parayko doesn’t make a ton of sense…. If we’re trading a young high pick I’d prefer it to be more like a change of scenery type move.

I know hab fans are against Reinbacher+ type trade… but I do wonder if that is appealing to PV… gives us another RHD with upside, that should be able to play on both sides… might fall under the change of scenery type player. Habs have been a team consistently in on Mac.

 

[2faded]

We aren't one Parayako away from making the finals next year.

Yea we didn't go from rebuild to contender in 1 year. I won't say we are still "rebuilding" but we are definitely still in the "building" stage. There's too many holes to fill on both forward and defense. It will take multiple offseasons to round out the team completely. And it will take both free agents, trades, and internal promotions. Let's not rush it.

 

[The Duck Knight]

Yeah but honestly, while Minty has some offensive flashes, he doesn't look nearly as decisive or comfortable on the PP as Zellweger. OZ seems to me to be the better bet to be a PP contributor, although Mintyukov is clearly the better option for a well rounded guy. In the long run, I'm actually not sure the two wouldn't make a nice pairing actually.

I actually agree with you but the point is the coaching staff doesn't seem to. If Q and Woodcroft don't even want to use Zell on the PP when he is in the lineup that doesn't bode well for him.