Speculation: Armchair GM - 2025 Offseason Thread

[Iron Balls McGinty]

He used low taxes, an owner looking to make a splash, and the bevy of cap space as the reason for Utah.

For Carolina he said they were after him at the deadline and the owner wants a superstar.

From the TurboTax website for 2025:

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I could make a case our mangement could be looking to make a splash. That is subjective. We obviously also have cap space.

I read the article on The Athletic. Both teams are up and coming but there seems to be favoritism towards Utah because they are the league's shiny new toy.

 

[cbjthrowaway]

So long ago, it's easy to believe Mailloux isn't that person anymore.

easy to convince yourself, sure.

easy to sell to a market on behalf of an organization that just tried to convince everyone babcock had been fully reformed, only to fire him before training camp? i don’t think so.

probably a much harder sell if jarmo’s still in the big seat, but that doesn’t mean the new regime should have the stomach for that kind of move at this point.

people are entitled to believe, based on stories from habs-friendly writers, that mallioux has reformed.

i’m similarly entitled to my opinion that i simply do not want to have to do the “actually he promised he’s not an asshole anymore so it’s fine!!!” schtick given how poorly it turned out the last time.

 

[Banana duck]

easy to convince yourself, sure.

easy to sell to a market on behalf of an organization that just tried to convince everyone babcock had been fully reformed, only to fire him before training camp? i don’t think so.

probably a much harder sell if jarmo’s still in the big seat, but that doesn’t mean the new regime should have the stomach for that kind of move at this point.

people are entitled to believe, based on stories from habs-friendly writers, that mallioux has reformed.

i’m similarly entitled to my opinion that i simply do not want to have to do the “actually he promised he’s not an asshole anymore so it’s fine!!!” schtick given how poorly it turned out the last time.

Mailloux shared photos without someone’s consent with his team in the locker room.

Do we really need a “show me your photos guy” scandal *again*

 

[KJ Dangler]

Mailloux shared photos without someone’s consent with his team in the locker room.

Do we really need a “show me your photos guy” scandal *again*

You guys are naive if you don’t understand this happens very frequently these days . Cancel Culture warriors though , you can never move on from a mistake . Even if it was 5 years ago.. his only off ice issue he’s had . Nevermind he’s rumored to be a great teammate . Sorry for the rant , I can’t stand that garbage . He was an 18 yr old kid , made a mistake , owned up to it , and has done nothing but put his head down and work .

 

[CBJWerenski8]

let’s keep it civil in regards to this Mallioux debate. I personally hate “cancel culture” debates because they always go off the rails. Always.

We don’t need to bring the hockey Canada trial into this.

 

[stevo61]

I just don't want Mailloux because I don't want more defenders who don't defend. NHL ready is relative I guess but he's not exactly NHL ready if your teams goal is to avoid being scored on

 

[Aaaarrgghh]

If Utah sign Marner, maybe Columbus can make a move for Schmaltz?

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[GoJackets1]

Personally, the Kings wouldn’t be my first choice if I was trying to win or keep most of my money away from taxes. So that’s interesting I guess.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Personally, the Kings wouldn’t be my first choice if I was trying to win or keep most of my money away from taxes. So that’s interesting I guess.

It would seem, from reporting, that the tax thing is not high on Marner's list of priorities.

 

[GoJackets1]

It would seem, from reporting, that the tax thing is not high on Marner's list of priorities.

Yeah, this makes it easy to point out that for all of the hand-wringing on the tax topic, it’s clear that a large portion of UFAs have other reasons in mind when choosing a destination. Shocking, I know.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Yeah, this makes it easy to point out that for all of the hand-wringing on the tax topic, it’s clear that a large portion of UFAs have other reasons in mind when choosing a destination. Shocking, I know.

Yeah but LA has beaches, which is the other thing that "everyone" says matters to players. (Except Panarin, of course. He's a garage guy.)

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Feels like it’s either LA or Utah for Marner by the media people

 

[GoJackets1]

Feels like it’s either LA or Utah for Marner by the media people

If Marner goes to Utah, I wouldn't mind taking Maccelli off their hands for cheap.

 

[Xoggz22]

It's starting! All the rumors and things thrown out by the pundits will crescendo until July 1st. We're going to hear a lot about a lot of teams and players. Fun times. It's going to drive a few of you crazy...yes, I know that.

 

[DankoCBJ]

The Athletic has Dante Fabbros projected contract at 4 years and 4,528M AAV. If that is accurate, he should have been signed already.

 

[Jovavic]

I wonder if a team trades for Marner's rights so they can get the extra year on the contract?

I read somewhere (maybe even here) that apparently the draft will be virtual so the combine this week is the only time the GMs and scouts will be around each other?

 

[CBJWerenski8]

I wonder if a team trades for Marner's rights so they can get the extra year on the contract?

I read somewhere (maybe even here) that apparently the draft will be virtual so the combine this week is the only time the GMs and scouts will be around each other?

Correct

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

Personally, the Kings wouldn’t be my first choice if I was trying to win or keep most of my money away from taxes. So that’s interesting I guess.

Because “no tax states” is a scam excuse created by everybody else when 2 Florida teams actually got good at building and developing talent in the last decade.

 

[koteka]

I’m telling you all, it is all about the sexy ladies. Utah has entered the picture because reality tv has been focused on SLC lately. Who knew Mormons were swingers? Put an NHL team in Rio de Janeiro and watch all the free agents sign there.

 

[Jovavic]

Correct

Why is it virtual? Did they blow their budget on the Sphere last year?

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Why is it virtual? Did they blow their budget on the Sphere last year?

Funnily enough, last year teams complained about the budget of bringing all the front office staffs + scouts to locations and wondered if they should do an NFL style draft (what they’re doing this year) to save money and for practical reasons. it got enough traction that the league did a vote on it. And the teams overwhelmingly voted for a remote draft system to try it out.

We didn’t even get to the draft this year before teams already want to reverse course and go back.

There’s rumors that next year and going forward they may do an NHL “frenzy” style system where it’s an on hand draft (like before) and teams will hunker down in the city the draft is held, and hold all UFA frenzy stuff in the city a few days later as well. That way teams can meet directly with players (if they want) and deal with each other/agents face to face for the spending season.

All of this is coming from the 32Thoughts podcast over the year.

 

[ClevelandJacketFan]

Funnily enough, last year teams complained about the budget of bringing all the front office staffs + scouts to locations and wondered if they should do an NFL style draft (what they’re doing this year) to save money and for practical reasons. it got enough traction that the league did a vote on it. And the teams overwhelmingly voted for a remote draft system to try it out.

We didn’t even get to the draft this year before teams already want to reverse course and go back.

There’s rumors that next year and going forward they may do an NHL “frenzy” style system where it’s an on hand draft (like before) and teams will hunker down in the city the draft is held, and hold all UFA frenzy stuff in the city a few days later as well. That way teams can meet directly with players (if they want) and deal with each other/agents face to face for the spending season.

All of this is coming from the 32Thoughts podcast over the year.

Holy cow, that's the best idea I've ever heard. That is ingenious and allows the market to be so much more fluid and active.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Holy cow, that's the best idea I've ever heard. That is ingenious and allows the market to be so much more fluid and active.

I think they said the MLB does this? Or some version of it. But yeah. Could be pretty cool if it happens

 

[Xoggz22]

I wonder if a team trades for Marner's rights so they can get the extra year on the contract?

I read somewhere (maybe even here) that apparently the draft will be virtual so the combine this week is the only time the GMs and scouts will be around each other?

It would have to be a sign and trade to get 8 years. Just like Severson 2 years ago.

Yes, the draft will be virtual. GMDW alluded to the league looking to change that back. Many of the front office personell would prefer a live draft, but the thought would be they pick a few locations that are central and rotate. Bobby Mac thought Columbus could be one of those cities if they went that direction. I would think Nashville would be first in such a scenario.