Salary Cap: Dr Dubas Cap Thread: He wants the Nurse

[Empoleon8771]

I would love KJ at the right price.

My issue with KJ is that I kinda don't see what kind of "successful" top-6 forward he is. He's extremely slow and avoids contact, and is coming off just a downright dreadful season where he was an absolute liability.

His underlying numbers in 2024-2025 weren't much better either:



It's just like what exactly is he doing for you offensively? Even in his good 2024-2025, he was more benefitting from unsustainable finishing than actually playing well.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Something for Rust/Rakell around 20 makes a lot of sense to me. I think that's about as high as a pick as you'd get for one of them. And with 20 and 22, you could move up somewhere interesting. Not Bjorck interesting, but maybe the Lawrence/Belchetz/Cullen/Gustafsson range.

I might just stay put. Not really convinced the difference in prospect is worth the premium.

 

[TojoP]

If I'm being completely ruthless, I'm seeing what Chinakov would return. He has a ton of potential, and chemistry with Malkin, however he didn't really fit with Sid, they're not using him on PP1 because of Sid, Rust, Rakell... With the overpayments for young forwards with his skill set, I bet he could command quite a return. Now I'm not saying they have to do this... But if some team offers a top 5 pick in a trade that has more moving parts, it'd be stupid not to look at that.

From a pure asset point of view, I'd say you don't move Chinakhov before you give him a run as a top PP and get his numbers inflated. He should get that this year, but not sure the Pens agree.

Right now you could flip him for a better return than we paid, but he's only got half a productive year. Let him accumulate more value.

 

[K Fleur]

No way CBJ would get burned trading us a young struggling forward with lots of potential.

 

[deakka]

I would like Dubas to wheel and deal some.
Not necessarily in the same trades but:

Novak out, Wright in

One of R/R out to get another 1st round pick to either use to move up, or just use in the draft.
And try to get some buy low candidate to replace R/R

 

[Empoleon8771]

I might just stay put. Not really convinced the difference in prospect is worth the premium.

I'd be more tempted to use #20 and #39 to move up and keep #22. Maybe move up to like #14 and snag Gustafsson if he falls to #14.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I’m not a analytics hater but not everything can be captured with a JFresh chart.

On a basic level Johnson is legitimately talented and if the price was right I’d give him a shot. The problem is with his pedigree and peak season the price may not be right. But who knows. NHL also doesn’t value that player type too heavily.

 

[eXile3]

My issue with KJ is that I kinda don't see what kind of "successful" top-6 forward he is. He's extremely slow and avoids contact, and is coming off just a downright dreadful season where he was an absolute liability.

View attachment 1259144

His underlying numbers in 2024-2025 weren't much better either:



It's just like what exactly is he doing for you offensively? Even in his good 2024-2025, he was more benefitting from unsustainable finishing than actually playing well.

I think the downsides are fair. That’s why I’m not throwing a ton for him. I think I’ve mentioned that Columbus has become a second team for me because I spend a lot of time there for work.

The high end talent is there. You would need to put him in the top 6 and power play time. Pump his stats up and then trade him for higher return.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I'd be more tempted to use #20 and #39 to move up and keep #22. Maybe move up to like #14 and snag Gustafsson if he falls to #14.

Yeah I’d do that for him of all guys.

Not convinced another team lets you move up if hes the guy that falls but then again Philly let Minny snatch Buium for nothing lol.

 

[TojoP]

I'd be more tempted to use #20 and #39 to move up and keep #22. Maybe move up to like #14 and snag Gustafsson if he falls to #14.

If not Gustafsson, I think I'd do that for Hemming. One should be there.

Isles at 13 would probably pass on Gustafsson after drafting Schaefer and Aitcheson last year. That’s also potentially a good spot to target.

 

[BrookswasHere44]

My issue with KJ is that I kinda don't see what kind of "successful" top-6 forward he is. He's extremely slow and avoids contact, and is coming off just a downright dreadful season where he was an absolute liability.

View attachment 1259144

His underlying numbers in 2024-2025 weren't much better either:



It's just like what exactly is he doing for you offensively? Even in his good 2024-2025, he was more benefitting from unsustainable finishing than actually playing well.

Slow and avoids contact makes me wants to die. Pass

 

[Empoleon8771]

I’m not a analytics hater but not everything can be captured with a JFresh chart.

On a basic level Johnson is legitimately talented and if the price was right I’d give him a shot. The problem is with his pedigree and peak season the price may not be right. But who knows. NHL also doesn’t value that player type too heavily.

Even taking out the JFresh chart, it's more of a "undersized guy who can't skate and is afraid of contact" part that scares me. You have to be absurdly talented to make up for that kind of profile and most guys can't cut it.

I just can't think of many guys in his mold that actually cut it long-term as NHLers without having massive playstyle changes.

 

[Pancakes]

We can't pay that. Or well we can, but Dubas won't.

 

[Ugene Magic]

I mean, using imaginary picks to move up is, well... something.

 

[eXile3]

We can't pay that. Or well we can, but Dubas won't.

It’s a fair ask from Dallas and it’s also too much.

 

[deakka]

That's like 2 firsts (and even if protected they usually just slide, so might be lottery picks either way)
Kindel
And some spare picks?

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Even taking out the JFresh chart, it's more of a "undersized guy who can't skate and is afraid of contact" part that scares me. You have to be absurdly talented to make up for that kind of profile and most guys can't cut it.

I just can't think of many guys in his mold that actually cut it long-term as NHLers without having massive playstyle changes.

Sure.

I need to make a sign to tap but like I said it is a function of the price

All things are.

Like I don’t think of Nikishin like you do but I’d do it for 22OA straight up.

If Kent only takes 54OA, I’d do it.

 

[Pancakes]

It’s a fair ask from Dallas and it’s also too much.

Yeah fair ask for sure just not one we're in a position to pay

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

That's like 2 firsts (and even if protected they usually just slide, so might be lottery picks either way)
Kindel
And some spare picks?

I really wonder if on some level they’d prefer something like

EK retained at 50% + Rust + McGroarty

 

[Lust for Life]

Kent Johnson is infinitely more interesting than Connor Zary

 

[Pancakes]

I really wonder if on some level they’d prefer something like

EK retained at 50% + Rust + McGroarty

Their right side isn't super sick but even with that I don't think there's a chance.

They'd want Kindel for sure.

 

[deakka]

We are in no position to give up any firsts except this season. Wheels can fall off any second tbh. And last thing we need is having to give away our upcoming high 1sts...

That's why we need to lower the expectations and go the bargain route again, think more Chinakov and less Robertson

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Their right side isn't super sick but even with that I don't think there's a chance.

They'd want Kindel for sure.

Yeah they’re prob eyeing assets for Larkin

Idk, was just thinking they are in competitive window and EK is a big time add. Rust backfills some goals.

 

[Koivunsons]

feels like no major moves this summer for us if we don’t see them today or tomorrow tbh.

 

[eXile3]

I would not say KJ is slow. I would say he’s a decent skater without being blazing fast.

I also think he did some of his best work at center a few years ago but they’ve been using him on the wing for a while now.