Speculation: Armchair GM Thread

[herzausstein]

Agreed. And, just my opinion, if we're going to spend/continue rebuild, I want to start with defense and go from there. With Josi getting another year older, we really don't have any solid defenders.

Definitely would need a rhd. I think Skjei will rebound in a real system which helps things as well

 

[AintLifeGrand]

I would definitely say only focus on guys under 30, and those are the two best UFAs and both under 30.

The main problem is that with the new Cap risers, they are probably going to require eye-popping salaries if they make it all the way to UFA. Marner might temporarily become the highest paid player in the NHL... $14M? Maybe $8M for Chychrun? Both on 7-year terms with full NMCs. Our lineup...

2025-26 Nashville Predators

Forsberg ($8.5M) - Stamkos ($8M) - Marner (UFA - $14M)
Evangelista (RFA - $1.5M) - O'Reilly ($4.5M) - Marchessault ($5.5M)
Smith ($1M) - McCarron ($0.900M) - Sissons ($2.857M)
L'Heureux ($0.8633M) - Svechkov ($0.925M) - Novak ($3.5M)
Jankowski ($0.800M)

Josi ($9.059M) - Chychrun (UFA - $8M)
Skjei ($7M) - Barron ($1.15M)
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: $101.8374M
2025-26 NHL Cap: $95.5M
REMAINING CAP SPACE: (-$6.3374M)

So we'd certainly have to cut some players to get that extra $6.3M in Cap... but I think this Trade Deadline is an excellent opportunity to do that. Sissons, Lauzon, and Schenn ought to be very marketable to playoff teams and are very easily replaced from within... so that puts us in shooting distance just with those 3...

2025-26 Nashville Predators

Forsberg ($8.5M) - Stamkos ($8M) - Marner (UFA - $14M)
Evangelista (RFA - $1.5M) - O'Reilly ($4.5M) - Marchessault ($5.5M)
Jankowski ($0.800M) - McCarron ($0.900M) - Smith ($1M)
L'Heureux ($0.8633M) - Svechkov ($0.925M) - Novak ($3.5M)
Wiesblatt ($0.775M)

Josi ($9.059M) - Chychrun (UFA - $8M)
Skjei ($7M) - Barron ($1.15M)
Wilsby (RFA - $0.825M) - Blankenburg ($0.775M)
Stastney ($0.825M)

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

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

TOTAL: $95.7804M
2025-26 NHL Cap: $95.5M
REMAINING CAP SPACE: (-$0.2804M)

wtf Mccarron and Smith on the 3rd line above Svechkov, Novak and L'hereux???

Also, Novak much better fit for 2nd line wing than Evangelista

 

[Scoresberg]

wtf Mccarron and Smith on the 3rd line above Svechkov, Novak and L'hereux???

Also, Novak much better fit for 2nd line wing than Evangelista

I think he was being realistic rather than what the lineup should ACTUALLY look like.

 

[ShagDaddy]

 

[Scoresberg]

I don't really like Dobson as a player. He's purely an offensive defenseman but not particularly good at that. Not a good skater, not physical. Obviously would have a different opinion of him in case he had a lower cap hit, but for now, no thanks.

 

[Armourboy]

Only way I'd come close to giving Marner that kind of money is if we draft a 1C this year and even then I think it's way too much for a winger, I don't care if the cap is going up.

On the defensive side of things we need good ones that can play good Defense and have a decent first pass. Kind of tired of all of these offensive minded Dmen

 

[Roman Yoshi]

My usual source has indicated Trotz is trying to get a move done before 4 nations. We will see. Didn't get a name but just said a vet.

 

[Scoresberg]

Didn't get a name but just said a vet.

Crosby? Malkin?

 

[Armourboy]

Crosby? Malkin?

I'm assuming he means moving one of ours because nothing else makes sense. I'd say its probably Nyquist.

 

[BigFatCat999]

My usual source has indicated Trotz is trying to get a move done before 4 nations. We will see. Didn't get a name but just said a vet.

I will believe it when I see it, though I frankly think it will be underwhelming like neck quiz to someone for a pic

 

[Scoresberg]

I'm assuming he means moving one of ours because nothing else makes sense. I'd say its probably Nyquist.

Yeah, was joking anyways. Even Trotz isn’t that stupid that he’d buy this TDL, lol.

 

[Roman Yoshi]

Yeah, was joking anyways. Even Trotz isn’t that stupid that he’d buy this TDL, lol.

Yeah no. Haven't heard anything yet on a name. But we will see. Usual source was also pretty confident about Cozens and that didn't happen. There was a LOT of smoke tho on that one. And not just from one person.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

My usual source has indicated Trotz is trying to get a move done before 4 nations. We will see. Didn't get a name but just said a vet.

You nailed it. We just acquired Mark Friedman from Van for FC. Assigned to Milwaukee.

 

[Softball99]

I will believe it when I see it, though I frankly think it will be underwhelming like neck quiz to someone for a pic

Gotta love talk to text...Neck-Quiz .. Nyquist

 

[Armourboy]

You nailed it. We just acquired Mark Friedman from Van for FC. Assigned to Milwaukee.

I'm laughing if that was actually it

 

[herzausstein]

My usual source has indicated Trotz is trying to get a move done before 4 nations. We will see. Didn't get a name but just said a vet.

Was the dman for future considerations it?

 

[BigFatCat999]

Gotta love talk to text...Neck-Quiz .. Nyquist

Hey, I’m having a bit of a flareup with my MS. You think that’s bad if I had to type with my hands right now, it would be the text version of Doctor scroll.

Also can’t wait for the hockey guy video about this trade

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Seravrlli says we waived Hino in anticipation of Friedman deal. Presumably he will come up soon (after 4N?).

 

[Bringer of Jollity]

Seravrlli says we waived Hino in anticipation of Friedman deal. Presumably he will come up soon (after 4N?).

We...waived Hino so we could acquire a guy that we sent down but will probably bring up later? Like...was the market for bottom pairing d-men that tight we couldn't just wait til after the tourney?

Related, why are we acquiring another bottom pairing d-man?