Rumor: 2026 Trade Rumors and Free Agency: Offseason Edition

[hockeyfish]

The parallels between Byram and Jones are really starting to stack up, including a shocking trade to Chicago.

 

[LOFIN]

The parallels between Byram and Jones are really starting to stack up, including a shocking trade to Chicago.

And Jarmo being at the other side of the deal

 

[The Abusement Park]

The parallels between Byram and Jones are really starting to stack up, including a shocking trade to Chicago.

Jones peaked wayyyy higher than Byram has so far.

 

[Balthazar]

I really don't understand the narrative that Chicago needs to speed things up for Bedard. Bedard is the oldest part of their rebuild and the team was going to start to turn the corner this year anyway. Sure

They really do, and it's easy to understand when you look at history. Teams that stay bad for too long often struggle to get back on track. A losing culture sets in, players want out, and all kinds of locker room issues start to surface. The Hawks have been bad long enough. They have their core pieces now, and they need to start moving forward. Bedard can't wait another 3 years to play on a competitive team.

Anaheim got out of the basement quickly, and Montreal did too. Chicago is next.

Grier knows it as well. I bet he trades his top picks before the end of the week.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

The parallels between Byram and Jones are really starting to stack up, including a shocking trade to Chicago.

That’s racist.

 

[NOTENOUGHRYJOTHINGS]

Byram got that swagger. He's a winner.

He doesn't hide at home holding his shoulder while his coach questions his integrity.

 

[Balthazar]

Jones peaked wayyyy higher than Byram has.

He was also older, and the Hawks were starting a rebuild, not trying to come out of one. That's a terrible comparison.

 

[landy92mack29]

It's just easy to play the hindsight hero and ignore any and all context. It's not worth it to discuss any of this anymore. People are mad and want to yell at someone. Might as well let them yell at Cmac if it makes them feel better.

It was obvious the moment the trade happened it was horrible for the Avs. But on hfavs people thought hench knew everything and he loved mittelbust which swayed the non prospect people. Byram has always been a stud and finally will get PP1 to put up the numbers his talent has always been. Chicago also misses a lot on high picks lately(could've told them Korchinski was going to bust). Cmac made so many awful trades but the Byram trade will always be the cherry on top

 

[Freaky Styley]

They really do, and it's easy to understand when you look at history. Teams that stay bad for too long often struggle to get back on track. A losing culture sets in, players want out, and all kinds of locker room issues start to surface. The Hawks have been bad long enough. They have their core pieces now, and they need to start moving forward. Bedard can't wait another 3 years to play on a competitive team.

Anaheim got out of the basement quickly, and Montreal did too. Chicago is next.

Grier knows it as well. I bet he trades his top picks before the end of the week.

Anaheim and Montreal got out of the basement by making smart moves and keeping high picks. Anaheim in particular picked up undervalued vets and still drafted their high picks like McQueen. Montreal added Dobson without moving Demidov - that's a perfect parallel.

It's not a parallel situaiton. Chicago could have easily added some more useful forwards this year and improved or moved that pick/prospect for a top end forward. Byram isn't moving any needle significantly for them IMO. Basically, there were many ways Chicago could have still improved to compete for a playoff spot this season without moving that pick. It's just an unnecessary panic move - one you don't see the Sharks making, who are on the same timeline.

Grier will select Stenberg and the best D available at 9 and laugh all the way to the bank, while still adding someone like Morgan Rielly who could have a better season than Byram and be making much less money next season.

 

[hockeyfish]

He was also older, and the Hawks were starting a rebuild, not trying to come out of one. That's a terrible comparison.

Jones I think was a year older when he got traded to Chicago.

 

[Freaky Styley]

I feel like NJ will send us some of that Nemec return for Nuke.

 

[hockeyfish]

That’s racist.

 

[The Abusement Park]

He was also older, and the Hawks were starting a rebuild, not trying to come out of one. That's a terrible comparison.

By 23 Jones had a 57pt season and a top 4 Norris voting season as a 1D. Byram at 25 has 1 season over 40pts and is still a mess defensively. Jones and Byram up to age 25 aren't comparable, Jones was far better than Byram up to equal parts of their careers.

 

[Balthazar]

By 23 Jones had a 57pt season and a top 4 Norris voting season as a 1D. Byram at 25 has 1 season over 40pts and is still a mess defensively. Jones and Byram up to age 25 aren't comparable, Jones was far better than Byram up to equal parts of their careers.

Jones was already on the decline when he was traded, and Chicago needed to rebuild. Now they get a guy to try to get out of the basement, a guy who (they think) hasn't played his best hockey yet.

Again, these two situations are not the same.

 

[AnimalMother73]

By 23 Jones had a 57pt season and a top 4 Norris voting season as a 1D. Byram at 25 has 1 season over 40pts and is still a mess defensively. Jones and Byram up to age 25 aren't comparable, Jones was far better than Byram up to equal parts of their careers.

I’m glad somebody said this. Aside from being very effective as EJ’s partner in the 22 finals I’ve never been impressed at all with the way he defends.

 

[Pokecheque]

Sometimes teams have to make moves. Bedard has been there for 3 years and needs better players around him. They can't rely on draft picks who won't make the team competitive for another 2 or 3 years at best.

Wait, Mr. Rebuild is now on the side of a team trying to rush the process!?

 

[Balthazar]

Wait, Mr. Rebuild is now on the side of a team trying to rush the process!?

That's not rushing the process. They got their franchise player and a few core pieces, now GTFO of the basement.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Jones was already on the decline when he was traded, and Chicago needed to rebuild. Now they get a guy to try to get out of the basement, a guy who (they think) hasn't played his best hockey yet.

Again, these two situations are not the same.

Sure, I'm just pointing out at least the Hawks were adding someone with a track record of legit 1D/top pairing ability at that point. Byram has never done that consistently and now their risking a ton of major assets on a player that's a major question mark.

 

[The AntiBob]

I feel like NJ will send us some of that Nemec return for Nuke.

Just get Gritsyuk then use Drury to get a 1st(to turn into a Dman)

 

[Pokecheque]

That's not rushing the process. They got their franchise player and a few core pieces, now GTFO of the basement.

Oh but I think they are. Their franchise player didn’t play like a franchise player until this year and the GM has struck out repeatedly with free agent signings and trades to try and bolster the depth (though he made the right call on Dach). He’s also on what, his third coach? He’s scrambling to make up for his previous mistakes.

Yeah I don’t think Davidson is all that good of a GM. Which, if that holds, is good for the Avs.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Oh, it’s a possibility but probably isn’t happening tonight at 15 minutes to midnight.

Good reporting.

 

[Balthazar]

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Jarmo: “Alright, it’s a deal. Byram for pick #4 and Crevier, but you’re going to have to take Greenway, too.”

Davidson: “Fine, but you’re going to have to take pick #45 then!”

 

[zxczxczxczxczxcz]

It was obvious the moment the trade happened it was horrible for the Avs. But on hfavs people thought hench knew everything and he loved mittelbust which swayed the non prospect people. Byram has always been a stud and finally will get PP1 to put up the numbers his talent has always been. Chicago also misses a lot on high picks lately(could've told them Korchinski was going to bust). Cmac made so many awful trades but the Byram trade will always be the cherry on top

I hated it too when it happened. I was a Byram fan and still am. Byram demanding a trade forced it to happen and nobody was out there offering a package like the one from today. It can be a horrible trade and still be the best possible move at that time under those circumstances with the information they had at that time.

 

[NOTENOUGHRYJOTHINGS]

I wonder if the Sharks were dangling 9th overall and the late first for Byram.

And Chicago decided to get into a bidding war with themselves.