Rumor: 2026 Free Agent Frenzy

[Foppa2118]

I don't hate the idea of adding Drouin, but my issue is if they're adding someone like that, they're probably not adding anyone else that has top 6 potential, and it's unlikely they have the assets to trade for an impact player at the deadline.

So they have to make these off season additions count and that they fill the needs they have.

They could use Drouin's supplementary offense, but more than that, they need some scrappy wingers that can skate well, go to the net and battle, and score goals, and none of that is really Drouin's game.

He's more of a finesse, perimeter, playmaking winger, which they already have with Marty, and Marty struggles in the playoffs in large part because of that style IMO. They need different types of players to have success in the playoffs with the same coach.

If they're going with the same type of players, playing for the same coach, then they're setting themselves up to possibly get the same result.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Any interest in Anthony Mantha? 31 years old. 33 G, 31 A for Pittsburgh last year.

He’s going to get like $6m-$7m per season.

 

[Balthazar]

I'm glad someone else asked him

 

[Balthazar]

Would it work?

Would Dallas trade Harley straight up for Knies?
I think the Leafs say yes and even add a sweetener to Columbus
Columbus we already know the answer, they'd agree.

 

[Cypher]

Dumb as rock
Drunk driver
Seems to have finally settled in somewhat in Edmonton
Let them have him

Kasperi Kapanen is signing in the US. His wife all but confirmed they are out of Canada on insta.

 

[landstuhltaylor]

I'm ready to boo Werenski with the same pathetic energy Seattle boos Makar the next time I make it to a game.

 

[landstuhltaylor]

Would it work?

Would Dallas trade Harley straight up for Knies?
I think the Leafs say yes and even add a sweetener to Columbus
Columbus we already know the answer, they'd agree.

CBJ definitely wants more in the package, Dallas I'm not sure if they say yes as-is. Probably some cap shenanigans required.

 

[Foppa2118]

Carolina made a similar aggressive puck hounding style work against Vegas, by sacrificing some skill for more scrap and grit. Stankhoven for example instead of Marty. Staal instead of Nelson.

The Avs have high level skill, but when they can't score on the nice plays, they have trouble winning in the playoffs, because if they don't put up 3 or so goals, they rely more on goaltending, and somewhat flawed defenseman not making mistakes at key times, in order to win.

They can win the low scoring games on occasion if they have to, but if they have to win every game like that against a good opponent, they need the D core and the goaltending to be consistently perfect, and that's a tall order for the guys they have. Eventually one or both seem to make costly mistakes every year.

So in order to overcome that and win, IMO they either need to bring in a true #3D to improve the D core, and reduce other guy's roles, or they need to find ways to score goals in a different way then they did against Vegas, so they don't get shut down offensively, and in order to do that, they need more scrappy wingers like Carolina has, so they can score more greasy goals in front of the net.

Ideally they'd add both, but they need to do at least one IMO.

 

[The AntiBob]

Replace Kivi with a Kapanen signing, give him a two year deal..

Declan Carlile @ 850k
Tolvanen 2.5/ Maccelli 2.5
Kapanen 2/1.5

 

[Balthazar]

Read this if you want spoilers

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Drouin
Maccelli
Tarasenko
Giroux
Zuccarello
Bunting
Jenner
Kurashev
Tolvanen
Kuzmenko
Kapanen
Roslovic

I think we will sign 1 of these guys.

Can’t afford the likes of Marchment, Mantha, Bjorkstrand, Arvidsson, Lee, Mikheyev.

Not interested in P.Kane, E.Kane, Laine.

 

[Balthazar]

Read this if you want spoilers

One rumour making the rounds Tuesday night is that Werenski’s camp is so upset at recent developments that all trade possibilities will be rejected.

Brutal

 

[LOFIN]

One rumour making the rounds Tuesday night is that Werenski’s camp is so upset at recent developments that all trade possibilities will be rejected.

Brutal

What the f*** does that even mean? He's being upset that he's being traded after telling a team that yeah you can trade me?

 

[Balthazar]

What the f*** does that even mean? He's being upset that he's being traded after telling a team that yeah you can trade me?

Probably upset that it got out and it makes him look like the bad guy.

 

[LOFIN]

Kasperi Kapanen is signing in the US. His wife all but confirmed they are out of Canada on insta.

Interesting. I thought he fit well in Edmonton.

 

[LOFIN]

Probably upset that it got out and it makes him look like the bad guy.

"Oh no, I'm perceived as the person I am!"

 

[The AntiBob]

Drouin
Maccelli
Tarasenko
Giroux
Zuccarello
Bunting
Jenner
Kurashev
Tolvanen
Kuzmenko
Kapanen
Roslovic

I think we will sign 1 of these guys.

Can’t afford the likes of Marchment, Mantha, Bjorkstrand, Arvidsson, Lee, Mikheyev.

Not interested in P.Kane, E.Kane, Laine.

And no NTCs, NMCs

 

[dahrougem2]

Read this if you want spoilers

His Skinner prediction is strange. No reason for Utah to sign him and lighten the load for Vejmelka; they are doing that already with Cossa. You don't trade a 1st then sign him 2x2 just to play him in the AHL.

Drouin
Maccelli
Tarasenko
Giroux
Zuccarello
Bunting
Jenner
Kurashev
Tolvanen
Kuzmenko
Kapanen
Roslovic

I think we will sign 1 of these guys.

Can’t afford the likes of Marchment, Mantha, Bjorkstrand, Arvidsson, Lee, Mikheyev.

Not interested in P.Kane, E.Kane, Laine.

In order of who I prefer:

1) Zuccarello
2) Jenner
3) Giroux
4) Drouin

 

[Murzu]

Drouin
Maccelli
Tarasenko
Giroux
Zuccarello
Bunting
Jenner
Kurashev
Tolvanen
Kuzmenko
Kapanen
Roslovic

I think we will sign 1 of these guys.

Can’t afford the likes of Marchment, Mantha, Bjorkstrand, Arvidsson, Lee, Mikheyev.

Not interested in P.Kane, E.Kane, Laine.

Want one of the bolded ones (even if some are unrealistic like Tolvanen), fine with one of the italicized.

 

[AnimalMother73]

I don't hate the idea of adding Drouin, but my issue is if they're adding someone like that, they're probably not adding anyone else that has top 6 potential, and it's unlikely they have the assets to trade for an impact player at the deadline.

So they have to make these off season additions count and that they fill the needs they have.

They could use Drouin's supplementary offense, but more than that, they need some scrappy wingers that can skate well, go to the net and battle, and score goals, and none of that is really Drouin's game.

He's more of a finesse, perimeter, playmaking winger, which they already have with Marty, and Marty struggles in the playoffs in large part because of that style IMO. They need different types of players to have success in the playoffs with the same coach.

If they're going with the same type of players, playing for the same coach, then they're setting themselves up to possibly get the same result.

Problem is the Avs philosophy is to favor speed and skill over physicality. It’s perfect for the regular season but unfortunately it doesn’t work nearly as well in the playoffs. They’ve been this way for their whole existence in Co. It obviously can work I just feel like it’s much harder to win with this style in the playoffs, everything needs to go absolutely right, like in ‘22, for them to win it all.

 

[Foppa2118]

Problem is the Avs philosophy is to favor speed and skill over physicality. It’s perfect for the regular season but unfortunately it doesn’t work nearly as well in the playoffs. They’ve been this way for their whole existence in Co. It obviously can work I just feel like it’s much harder to win with this style in the playoffs, everything needs to go absolutely right, like in ‘22, for them to win it all.

I don't actually think they need to add big physical players though.

When I say scrappy players, I just mean guys that are willing to fight though the traffic tying to box them out, go hard to the net, not get pushed around, and battle for rebonds. More gritty than physical if that makes sense.

I actually think a smaller, but fast winger, that plays a tenacious style would fit best for Bednar. Easier for them to hound pucks on the forecheck at the pace Bednar wants, and still have the energy to battle in front of the net, then a lot of the bigger guys, that might gas themselves out trying to do both. If they're willing to hit or play an agitator role, even better.

Sounds like Sakic may realize they need players like this too, saying they wish they had a guy like L’Heureux in the playoffs. Sounds like he's more of an average skater though, who hasn't proven he has enough skill to work with top 6 guys yet, so I'd like to see them add another guy in that mold.

 

[MacKaRtin]

CBJ definitely wants more in the package, Dallas I'm not sure if they say yes as-is. Probably some cap shenanigans required.

Dallas is trading an Olympic defenseman and severely weakening their blue line. I don't see why Harley for Knies works for them, especially with the Robertson situation unresolved

 

[forsbergavs32]

With the way money is being thrown around like nothing, it may be best to stick with some potential cheaper options for a top 9 forward and depth D (like Drouin) then try to make some moves closer to the deadline next year.

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

Werenski rejecting Dallas. Did not see that one coming. Good for Dallas teams morale. Haha