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

[Indy18]

Also sidebar...I WOULD NOT pay 3 1sts and a 2nd for a guy who probably thinks 2+2=football...

 

[Banana duck]

We were in on McMann during the season who just re-signed (and probably pushed Marchment up to a 7x6 with that signing)

We are now linked to McCann but he isn't following Waddell's strategy of trading with term. He only has 1 year remaining.

Thats what I thought but I left it open in case there was something on McCann I hadn’t seen.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

I know goaltending is what it is in the current NHL but that the Panthers traded for Brady and not Hellebuyck (I know it takes two to tango) is kinda comical to me. He’s the crappiest player I thought they might add.

 

[Indy18]

I know goaltending is what it is in the current NHL but that the Panthers traded for Brady and not Hellebuyck (I know it takes two to tango) is kinda comical to me. He’s the crappiest player I thought they might add.

Yeah...this was 100% a misplay. Hellebuyck would had sealed the deal.

Also ironically now Larkin's superteam window is closing quick.

 

[Banana duck]

Yeah...this was 100% a misplay. Hellebuyck would had sealed the deal.

Also ironically now Larkin's superteam window is closing quick.

I think it would be hilarious if Stevie Y was extremely petty and just sat him for awhile.

 

[stevo61]

I think it would be hilarious if Stevie Y was extremely petty and just sat him for awhile.

Not like the Yzerplan is making the playoffs anyway

 

[Indy18]

I think it would be hilarious if Stevie Y was extremely petty and just sat him for awhile.

I find it funny the person who started the TEAM USA shitshow this summer is still the bridesmaid and the Wild don't have the assets to pull it off, Florida is now out, Tampa looks out, Vegas you can never say are out but they don't have the assets.

Hey Larkin if the choice is between the Ducks and Utah there's another team with your good buddy who legit just had the same out of points that those two just had too

 

[Indy18]

OOOOOOOF

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

View attachment 1257236
OOOOOOOF

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

You can maybe trace this to Team USA but this is a Tkachuk bro thing. No way we think of this as anything but pure nepo stuff if Team USA hadn’t happened. So that may have accelerated things to set things in motion but this is no Larkin or Matthews or whatever else.

 

[GoJackets1]

You can maybe trace this to Team USA but this is a Tkachuk bro thing. No way we think of this as anything but pure nepo stuff if Team USA hadn’t happened. So that may have accelerated things to set things in motion but this is no Larkin or Matthews or whatever else.

Yeah, the Tkachuk brothers are just assholes. Who could’ve thought.

 

[Indy18]

While I am still a big believer we should push to make a strong push for Z especially is a weaker metro division I wouldn't be afraid to cut bait on Z for 3 1sts (or equivalent) and a 2nd if his ego overtakes him like the rest of Team USA

I truly believe Mateychuk has the potential to be a true 1D in this league at the end of the day:

Both at 21 years old:
GP/G/A/Pts/PPG/Dif/ATOI
M-75/13/18/31/.41/+12/19:11
Z-82/11/33/44/.54/-12/22:54

Mateychuk also isn't QBing a PP unit yet and has better defensive metrics than Z at their 21st birthdays.

Mateychuk is going to be a solid 2way defender and a strong contender to be a true 1st defensemen on a team in the league.

 

[Banana duck]

While I am still a big believer we should push to make a strong push for Z especially is a weaker metro division I wouldn't be afraid to cut bait on Z for 3 1sts (or equivalent) and a 2nd if his ego overtakes him like the rest of Team USA

I truly believe Mateychuk has the potential to be a true 1D in this league at the end of the day:

Both at 21 years old:
GP/G/A/Pts/PPG/Dif/ATOI
M-75/13/18/31/.41/+12/19:11
Z-82/11/33/44/.54/-12/22:54

Mateychuk also isn't QBing a PP unit yet and has better defensive metrics than Z at their 21st birthdays.

Mateychuk is going to be a solid 2way defender and a strong contender to be a true 1st defensemen on a team in the league.

When Zach is out, I notice Provorov tends to really elevate his game too. He always ends up having monster games when Z sits.

Whether it’s sustainable long term, who knows, but I think we could figure things out.

 

[AnonCommentary]

I’m sure this will be a really unpopular opinion which is fine.

I would slightly considering trading Z for a Quinn Hughes-esque return. Not picks but NHL ready prospects / players. Build around Fantilli. I just don’t think we have the players / talent to compete in this sort of situation right now.

Unfortunately, Don has doubled down and decided now is the sort of window we are pushing for playoff contention in.