Speculation: Armchair GM - 2026 CBJ Offseason Roster Moves, Rumors, and Discussion

[MissADD]

Well that sounds like nothing major is happening to the roster? also doesn't sound promising that Z with be happy with no major moves.

It's a catch-22. Z wants something to happen before he commits, but for something big to happen, Z needs to make a commitment.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

He traded for Coyle and Wood last year.

And then had to massively overpay Provorov when he whiffed on Dobson.

He traded for Marchment and Garland to try to help when we thought they were washed up early season. It was help.

Not everything is perfect and we have nothing that says Dobson would have actually made a difference.

Making excuses to say he's not trying to win is kind of irrelevent. He's trying and in fact maybe could just be a touch more willing to take risks but we just don't know what is being offered on the other side as well. I don't want deal made just to make a big deal. It needs to make some sense without getting completely ripped off.

 

[Indy18]

My gut feeling is that ZW will not ask out before the deadline, I think that's just what he thinks would be appropriate, if thing go south this season.

And personally I wouldn't want a ticking time bomb in my locker room. Personally if it's me I just cut bait, ask for his list and get prime assets even if they are draft picks. We are alot better off than what many people think we are without Z (this aint a fold the franchise transaction) but it might take 2-3 year retool. If you select forwards a 2OA and a 9OA forward would probably be available on an ELC at that point where we can use those cheaper contracts to help cost control a roster in 2029-2030

 

[Banana duck]

That takes....

Wait for it....

Juice.

Me right now pouring myself a glass of OJ

 

[Banana duck]

He traded for Coyle and Wood last year.

And then had to massively overpay Provorov when he whiffed on Dobson.

Dobson was just listed on the list of “worst value contracts” list. Provorov was not.

 

[Indy18]

Dobson was just listed on the list of “worst value contracts” list. Provorov was not.

The only reason I don't consider Provorov an extreme overpay is he's always available. Guy can be hit by a non-existent COTA bus 4 hours before game and still suit up

 

[Cheddarcheese]

And personally I wouldn't want a ticking time bomb in my locker room. Personally if it's me I just cut bait, ask for his list and get prime assets even if they are draft picks. We are alot better off than what many people think we are without Z (this aint a fold the franchise transaction) but it might take 2-3 year retool. If you select forwards a 2OA and a 9OA forward would probably be available on an ELC at that point where we can use those cheaper contracts to help cost control a roster in 2029-2030

would be sweet to get ivan and verheoff/rudolph or misa for Z

 

[SC Cannon]

And personally I wouldn't want a ticking time bomb in my locker room. Personally if it's me I just cut bait, ask for his list and get prime assets even if they are draft picks. We are alot better off than what many people think we are without Z (this aint a fold the franchise transaction) but it might take 2-3 year retool. If you select forwards a 2OA and a 9OA forward would probably be available on an ELC at that point where we can use those cheaper contracts to help cost control a roster in 2029-2030

You ain't wrong to think that, but it can be coached around the issue.

Torts handled the Bob and Bread situation masterfully.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[majormajor]

Kent Johnson + 14 OA for

Regarding top picks - Not this year. You could make an argument for Chase Reid developing into a #1 D but that's years away and as such is far from a sure bet. Besides the outside shot of Malhotra becoming a good #1 C there aren't really any pieces to build a team around in the 2026 draft.

With the way 1st rounders are getting moved this year, I don't think it's strange that the meeting is happening post-draft. Much rather get unprotected 1st's in 2027 and 2028 even over a top-5 pick this year.

What?

This draft is not bad at all. It doesn't have a clear cut #1 superstar but other than that it's a good draft.

You're much better off with the #2 pick this year than a mystery box in the next two years, which might not even be close to the top. Malhotra has a very good chance of becoming a #1C. Stenberg is excellent too and is going to be good in the NHL next year. Those are top line guys and could even be better than Dupont or anybody else in the next two years.

If Z wants to win in the next 3-5 years, he's not going to a team that's been in the lottery the last few years, he's going to a team that's been contending the last few years...

The Sharks are going to be better than the Knights and Stars, maybe as soon as this year. They just need a couple D. Players can be a little behind the times but everyone should be able to see the juggernaut that is coming.

would be sweet to get ivan and verheoff/rudolph or misa for Z

There's a couple mentions of "Ivan" in this thread. Are you talking about Ivar Stenberg?

I have Malhotra #1, but Stenberg is right behind him. He should be in the NHL next year, and good right away.

 

[MissADD]

Here is an idea. If DW wants to make a splash, and a lot of us want him, what doesn't he see if the Matthews trade rumors are true. I know they aren't hot and heavy, but they are out there. See if he is willing to give it at least a season and half with Z. Both their contracts expire in 2028. I'm not saying do it if the rumblings are true and the cost is insane, but check in at least. If it doesn't work, trade them at the 2028 deadline, you deffo won't recoup what it cost to get Matthews, but if blows up and you end up trading both, it might be close.

 

[BigBoss614]

The Sharks are going to be better than the Knights and Stars, maybe as soon as this year. They just need a couple D. Players can be a little behind the times but everyone should be able to see the juggernaut that is coming.

I don't disagree, but it might take a year or two for them to figure it out and get over the hump, obviously Z helps in that situation, but also if they want Z, one of those key pieces will be coming back to Columbus

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Me right now pouring myself a glass of OJ

Can't have SOJ without it

 

[Banana duck]

I don't disagree, but it might take a year or two for them to figure it out and get over the hump, obviously Z helps in that situation, but also if they want Z, one of those key pieces will be coming back to Columbus

Going off the Hughes trade - it’s going to be more than one.

 

[Jaxs]

And personally I wouldn't want a ticking time bomb in my locker room. Personally if it's me I just cut bait, ask for his list and get prime assets even if they are draft picks. We are alot better off than what many people think we are without Z (this aint a fold the franchise transaction) but it might take 2-3 year retool. If you select forwards a 2OA and a 9OA forward would probably be available on an ELC at that point where we can use those cheaper contracts to help cost control a roster in 2029-2030

I get what youre saying about the uncertainty in the room and having the looming question of what will Z do. I agree it would be a better most likely haul to trade him now than at the TDL. Saying that I am split betrween the team being very close and having to have improvement from the players mentioned like KJ, DV, Monty etc. Do we think this team could win a couple of rounds or peter out after one. Will a player signed in FA like Arvidsson or McCann along with a stout 3rd pair D get us over the top? I wish we knew.

 

[Indy18]

I don't disagree, but it might take a year or two for them to figure it out and get over the hump, obviously Z helps in that situation, but also if they want Z, one of those key pieces will be coming back to Columbus

Honestly...at this point just do the deed

*conspiracy theory* WHAT IF THIS IS THE REASON WHY THERE WAS NO DRAFT PARTY

*DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN*

 

[LoneFunyan]

The biggest need is 2 or 3 Marchenkos (preferably the first 50 game Marchenko).
So unless 2 or 3 Marchenkos are coming back in the overpay, why would CBJ give up the one Marchenko that they already have?

Maybe someone will gladly pay us 2 Marchenkos tomorrow for 1 Marchenko today?

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Maybe someone will gladly pay us 2 Marchenkos tomorrow for 1 Marchenko today?

Sounds like a nothing burger, wimpy

 

[majormajor]

One possibility we're not putting enough weight on here is that Werenski isn't willing to commit AND isn't willing to be traded this summer. I'm itchy to be pull the trigger on a deal, but he might rather stay in Columbus another year and move on next year. He has a full NMC this year.

 

[cbjthrowaway]

One possibility we're not putting enough weight on here is that Werenski isn't willing to commit AND isn't willing to be traded this summer. I'm itchy to be pull the trigger on a deal, but he might rather stay in Columbus another year and move on next year. He has a full NMC this year.

also opens up the possibility of his list changing or expanding mid-season if a team like utah gets off to a strong start

 

[Indy18]

Sounds like a nothing burger, wimpy

Do people still get that reference?

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

Can't have SOJ without it

 

[Ice9]

Do people still get that reference?

I do!

 

[Banana duck]

Friedman just said on THE FAN that we are “weighing things with Marchenko” and “he likes Montreal for him”

What is happening?????

 

[Jovavic]

Do people still get that reference?

I'm 45 and I got it