Speculation: Armchair GM Thread

[Armourboy]

I see your point, the Predators might draft someone pretty good in the next 3-4 years maybe even a top line center of the caliber of oh I don’t know maybe Johnston. The other maybe is that they end up with middling middle 6 wingers or centers or players that get waived or traded before they get a chance or maybe even a fourth line energy guy like they’ve done throughout their entire franchise history. Don’t forget even though there’s a new GM and coach, the scouting department is still the exact same scouting department.

Yeah but then you are also expecting that same group to believe he is worth spending that number of picks on and Trotz being willing to do it to begin with. We know Trotz wants a 1C whether he believes he is that guy is anyone's guess.

 

[Top 6 Spaling]

Last night's loss should, for any rational person, take the playoffs this year off the table. We aren't going 23-4-4 or something like that.

We have quite a few guys that have the right intangibles and "playoff style game" to get bigger return than their play would justify. Sissons, Lauzon, and Schenn would be at the top of my trade list. In a perfect world, we can get some promising, NHL ready guys a la Tomasino, Kakko, Frost, etc. If not, picks and clearing cap space are fine.

ROR would be the best center available now that Miller has been traded. He's still really good, but if we can get a potential game changer for him, you take it. I wouldn't trade him for a package of smaller pieces.

 

[Armourboy]

Trotz has a whole host of guys he can move to get back either picks or maybe other prospects with but I think its more likely everyone of them are still here when camp opens next season.

 

[Predation]

I bet Nyquist gets moved, but I would be surprised if anyone else gets traded. We already have three picks in the first round so it’s not like we need more draft capital. We’ll probably be shitty next year too, so there’s no need to rush shipping guys out for picks this year.

 

[Armourboy]

I bet Nyquist gets moved, but I would be surprised if anyone else gets traded. We already have three picks in the first round so it’s not like we need more draft capital. We’ll probably be shitty next year too, so there’s no need to rush shipping guys out for picks this year.

I think its more likely Nyquist gets an extension than gets moved cause I have zero confidence in Barry Trotz to do anything that makes a lick of sense at this point.

 

[Predation]

I think its more likely Nyquist gets an extension than gets moved cause I have zero confidence in Barry Trotz to do anything that makes a lick of sense at this point.

You’re probably right, but I hope you’re wrong.

 

[ShagDaddy]

I think its more likely Nyquist gets an extension than gets moved cause I have zero confidence in Barry Trotz to do anything that makes a lick of sense at this point.

Gotta keep that 3 year window open

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

I think its more likely Nyquist gets an extension than gets moved cause I have zero confidence in Barry Trotz to do anything that makes a lick of sense at this point.

He'll probably get injured in the silly tournament, out until past the TDL, then extended.

I don't even actually have much of a problem with Nyquist... just, for all the icetime and linemates he gets, he's not a productive player at all. I have no doubt if you force-fed ANY of the youngsters we have on hand or threw away, they'd have been able to top his 0.4 ppg. I understand after what he did the previous season, he earned the look to start this one. But that ship has sailed now. Or it should have... of course you are correct that he's more likely to get extended.

 

[Scoresberg]

I think the key thing for us heading into next year is to get faster. Removing Nyquist from the lineup already takes us one step closer to that goal, he is slow. You still have Forsberg, ROR, Josi and Saros next year so playoffs shouldn't be completely out of reach. Whether Trotz and co. can get us there is completely different question, however.

Forsberg - ROR - Evangelista
Marchessault - Hagens/Misa - Stamkos
L'Heureux - Svechkov - Novak
Smith - X - X

Josi - Barron
Skjei - X
Molendyk - Lauzon
Wilsby/Statsney

Traded or otherwise not brought back:

Nyquist
Sissons
McCarron
Schenn

I think one top-four D and one middle-six winger should be on the shopping/trading list. We're pretty well-covered in the depth section and we have to start relying more and more on the youth. ZLH and Svechkov already look like good players who can help filling out the bottom-six.

Some random ideas:

- I do believe Trotz is going to make a push for Marner should he hit the market. Talking about close to $14 mil.

- Would love Chychrun on that blueline, although I do think the Caps re-sign him. Marcus Pettersson would be a good consolation prize.

- Trade for a guy like Zegras or Cozens. Target those types of players who could be on the outs from their teams. Brandt Clarke comes to mind as for defensemen.

 

[wmupreds]

Nyquist's speed seems to have really fallen off between last year and now, and that was always an important part of his game. Who knows if he's nursing some kind of injury, but at his age I don't see it getting any better. It seems like a no brainer that extending him is a bad idea, but you never know with this FO.

 

[herzausstein]

Next season: we currently have roughly 78 million tied up in current contracts. Evangelista and Wilsby as RFA, Nyquist , Del G, and Livingstone as UFA. Projection of 95 million for cap. So roughly 17 million in cap space and maybe a little more if we trade a Schenn or Lauzon. Could fit a Marner tier contract if they wanted too. The year after the UFAs are all in the bottom 6 (McCarron, smith, sissons, Jankowski, Hinostroza, schenn, lauzon) only exception is Blankenburg. Cap is supposed to go up close to 104M at that point so whatever... capspace isnt an issue.

really wouldnt pencil Hagens or Misa in for next season. This is an organization that loves to overcook when possible.

 

[Top 6 Spaling]

NMCs: Josi, Forsberg, Stamkos, March, Skjei, soon to be Saros.

I think it's highly likely one of them asks out. Not sure who, but I doubt six players that good want to stick around for whatever this is. I expect one of those first five names, at least, gone before the deadline

 

[AintLifeGrand]

Hopefully all of them

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

NMCs: Josi, Forsberg, Stamkos, March, Skjei, soon to be Saros.

I think it's highly likely one of them asks out. Not sure who, but I doubt six players that good want to stick around for whatever this is. I expect one of those first five names, at least, gone before the deadline

This seems unlikely. Maybe over summer they reassess, but unless there is issue behind scenes I can’t see any of them asking out at this point.

 

[Roman Yoshi]

NMCs: Josi, Forsberg, Stamkos, March, Skjei, soon to be Saros.

I think it's highly likely one of them asks out. Not sure who, but I doubt six players that good want to stick around for whatever this is. I expect one of those first five names, at least, gone before the deadline

One would hope. I have a feeling Saros actually gets delt as well. No source, no proof. But a gut feeling.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

I don't believe any of the NMC players, or Saros before his NMC kicks in, will ever get moved. That's kind of the point when you give players those types of contracts. Even some players like O'Reilly who you don't give those types of contracts are treated that way by Trotz.

As much as I'd love to see some of them move, we should realize that is pure fantasy. In a season where there isn't a lot else to cheer about, I don't think it's wrong to indulge in a little bit of fantasy, explore even the most unrealistic "what-ifs" for the sake of a little extra entertainment. But we can do that without fooling ourselves into thinking it might actually happen, right?

Trotz really does believe he can push a reset button and roll out a contender next season featuring these same players. Heaven help us.

 

[herzausstein]

Unless Saros has a rebound next season, he will never be easier to move then right now. The massive jumps in cap ceiling over the next couple offseasons will make his contract easier to handle in the long term and his trade protection hasnt kicked in.

I dont think he gets traded but now is the time if you are going to.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

Unless Saros has a rebound next season, he will never be easier to move then right now. The massive jumps in cap ceiling over the next couple offseasons will make his contract easier to handle in the long term and his trade protection hasnt kicked in.

I dont think he gets traded but now is the time if you are going to.

I would still be all over Edmonton for that. Look how great Ekholm has turned out for you guys... Saros is the exact next step that gets you a Cup. And getting you a Cup makes McDavid want to stay. And that's your franchise set for the next decade. They honestly should be all over picking up Saros, as much as we should be all over sending him there.

 

[herzausstein]

I would still be all over Edmonton for that. Look how great Ekholm has turned out for you guys... Saros is the exact next step that gets you a Cup. And getting you a Cup makes McDavid want to stay. And that's your franchise set for the next decade. They honestly should be all over picking up Saros, as much as we should be all over sending him there.

That is the team id be eyeballing as well. We could retain 50% on his current contract that ends at the end of this season and take back skinner to make cap work. Alternatively, could probably do something with E. Kane.... bleh. Either way, even with the cap rising keeping up with Bouchard and McDavids pay raises are gonna keep money tight

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

That is the team id be eyeballing as well. We could retain 50% on his current contract that ends at the end of this season and take back skinner to make cap work. Alternatively, could probably do something with E. Kane.... bleh. Either way, even with the cap rising keeping up with Bouchard and McDavids pay raises are gonna keep money tight

Skinner seems to be alright. I'd be totally fine running Skinner-Annunen and even taking the last year of Evander Kane's contract back if that's what it would take to get out of the Saros contract. Alas...

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

Trotz gameplan for next season:

- Sign John Tavares to a 5x$10M contract as a UFA (full NMC) - there's our #1OA pick and longterm 1C solution
- extend Nyquist 2x$3M
- keep the 3rd line intact
- Svechkov needs more cooking and is still waiver exempt so he can start in Milwaukee
- since we're stuck with Evangelista he inherits the Tomasino pressbox slot for a while until we got a 2028 4th offered for him
- Wilsby and Stastney can be spare D
- and of course Bruno has earned another look, we'll see how things are at Christmas


2025-26 Nashville Predators

Forsberg ($8.5M) - Tavares (UFA - $10M) - Stamkos ($8M)
Nyquist (UFA - $3M) - O'Reilly ($4.5M) - Marchessault ($5.5M)
Smith ($1M) - McCarron ($0.900M) - Sissons ($2.857M)
L'Heureux ($0.8633M) - Jankowski ($0.800M) - Novak ($3.5M)
Evangelista (RFA - $2.5M)

Josi ($9.059M) - Barron ($1.15M)
Skjei ($7M) - Blankenburg ($0.775M)
Lauzon ($2M) - Schenn ($2.75M)
Wilsby (RFA - $0.825M)
Stastney ($0.825M)

Saros ($7.74M)
Annunen ($0.8375M)

Ekholm retention: $0.250M
Turris Buyout: $2M
Duchene Buyout: $6.5556M

TOTAL: $93.6874M
2025-26 NHL Cap: $95.5M
REMAINING CAP SPACE: $1.8126M

 

[Roman Yoshi]

The sad thing is I can see it his happening.

 

[Kat Predator]

Trotz gameplan for next season:

- Sign John Tavares to a 5x$10M contract as a UFA (full NMC) - there's our #1OA pick and longterm 1C solution
- extend Nyquist 2x$3M
- keep the 3rd line intact
- Svechkov needs more cooking and is still waiver exempt so he can start in Milwaukee
- since we're stuck with Evangelista he inherits the Tomasino pressbox slot for a while until we got a 2028 4th offered for him
- Wilsby and Stastney can be spare D
- and of course Bruno has earned another look, we'll see how things are at Christmas


2025-26 Nashville Predators

Forsberg ($8.5M) - Tavares (UFA - $10M) - Stamkos ($8M)
Nyquist (UFA - $3M) - O'Reilly ($4.5M) - Marchessault ($5.5M)
Smith ($1M) - McCarron ($0.900M) - Sissons ($2.857M)
L'Heureux ($0.8633M) - Jankowski ($0.800M) - Novak ($3.5M)
Evangelista (RFA - $1M)

Josi ($9.059M) - Barron ($1.15M)
Skjei ($7M) - Blankenburg ($0.775M)
Lauzon ($2M) - Schenn ($2.75M)
Wilsby (RFA - $0.825M)
Stastney ($0.825M)

Saros ($7.74M)
Annunen ($0.8375M)

Ekholm retention: $0.250M
Turris Buyout: $2M
Duchene Buyout: $6.5556M

TOTAL: $92.1874M
2025-26 NHL Cap: $95.5M
REMAINING CAP SPACE: $3.3126M

My only minor quibble is that Trotz will outbid himself and sign Evangelista to a $2.5M contract to sit in the pressbox. That way, when he dumps him someone will be happy to get out of a bad contract for a pressbox warmer.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

My only minor quibble is that Trotz will outbid himself and sign Evangelista to a $2.5M contract to sit in the pressbox. That way, when he dumps him someone will be happy to get out of a bad contract for a pressbox warmer.

Dammit, I actually had Evangelista at $2.5M in my last Cap look-ahead too. I should have kept him there. It also would have helped make it look like our glorious lineup was spending right to the Cap. Doh. I should actually go back and edit that...

 

[herzausstein]

Trotz gameplan for next season:

- Sign John Tavares to a 5x$10M contract as a UFA (full NMC) - there's our #1OA pick and longterm 1C solution
- extend Nyquist 2x$3M
- keep the 3rd line intact
- Svechkov needs more cooking and is still waiver exempt so he can start in Milwaukee
- since we're stuck with Evangelista he inherits the Tomasino pressbox slot for a while until we got a 2028 4th offered for him
- Wilsby and Stastney can be spare D
- and of course Bruno has earned another look, we'll see how things are at Christmas


2025-26 Nashville Predators

Forsberg ($8.5M) - Tavares (UFA - $10M) - Stamkos ($8M)
Nyquist (UFA - $3M) - O'Reilly ($4.5M) - Marchessault ($5.5M)
Smith ($1M) - McCarron ($0.900M) - Sissons ($2.857M)
L'Heureux ($0.8633M) - Jankowski ($0.800M) - Novak ($3.5M)
Evangelista (RFA - $2.5M)

Josi ($9.059M) - Barron ($1.15M)
Skjei ($7M) - Blankenburg ($0.775M)
Lauzon ($2M) - Schenn ($2.75M)
Wilsby (RFA - $0.825M)
Stastney ($0.825M)

Saros ($7.74M)
Annunen ($0.8375M)

Ekholm retention: $0.250M
Turris Buyout: $2M
Duchene Buyout: $6.5556M

TOTAL: $93.6874M
2025-26 NHL Cap: $95.5M
REMAINING CAP SPACE: $1.8126M

I hate so much that i find this completely believable.