Proposal: Free agency edition Trade Rumours/Proposals - 2025/26 Part II

[DJB]

For real. I'm barely awake, and I want some trades. Gimme some of those juicy rumors. I need it man. Give it to me man. Come on, just a taste!

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Where are you getting that Lafreniere has speed issues?

He's always looked a bit slow to me. But I haven't watched the Rangers much at all this past season.

 

[DJB]

This was from 2025 so unsure what it looks like for 26

 

[Relapsing]

 

[KevinRedkey]

Would love JJ but I've spoken to some Utah fans and they son't think he'll be made available.

J.Quinn may be a more realistic target.

 

[Micklebot]

This was from 2025 so unsure what it looks like for 26

The stats these cards are built off got worse from last year, but his first year from that card which is the worst would drop off, not sure how they weight it, but I suspect it comes out similar perhaps down a touch if they weight it towards the most recent years. .

 

[BigRig4]

This was from 2025 so unsure what it looks like for 26

The problem with any of these card sites is they use Patreon as their subscription system which uses a monthly calendar. I'm sometimes tempted to get a month around the draft/FA but you pay full price for the last week of June and then it renews on July 1st. It's kind of a scam.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

Just looking at the remaining picks from the Tkachuk trade;

25 OA
2029 1st (lets value it as though it's 26 OA)
2027 2nd rd pick, (lets put it at at 45, mid round)

what kind of value does that hold? Basically a top 10 pick.

View attachment 1258479


Now, because some of the picks are future years, their value is a bit more difficult to judge, this years picks might be less valuable than next years if the draft class is better, but teams value getting it now rather than in two years. But the point remains, that's a lot of remaining value. It's not nothing. It's actually pretty similar value to what it took to get Eklund



EDIT: Decided some might think I'm being too generous with where I put the picks, so here's the absolute worst case with the assumption that Florida wins the presidents trophy in 2027 and the Stanley cup in 2029 giving us 25oa, 32oa (2029) and 64oa (2027)

View attachment 1258498

Drops the value of our remaining Tkachuk return (not including the two prospects from SJ) as 13oa.

We also have whoever we pick at 32 that we could flip before the start of the season, our 1st in 2027, our 2nd in 2027 ect.

I just don't think it's enough for Lafreniere.

I think people wildly underrated his value due to not recontextualizing his contract against the rising cap, and over correcting for him not being what he was advertised at the draft.

It's all a big puzzle to me because we want to end up with one extra F, on big RHD, and one #2 goalie.

Maybe a bigger deal with Schneider and Lafreniere for Yak, 25, and other pieces?

Then depending on the value of Spence, we flip him for Karlsson either directly or indirectly (Spence for picks, those picks go to PIT for Karlsson?)

Let's say Karlsson has a few years left in him as a top 4D. He will certainly re-sign here.

Sanderson-Zub
Chabot-Schneider
Kleven-Karlsson

Guys can move around and minutes can be fluid, but that would give us three strong pairs that can play 20+ minutes in different roles.

 

[Blotto71]

I don't know if Peterka is the type of player Staios and Green want to add, same goes for McTavish. Green values defensive acumen and neither of these two really demonstrate it consistently, unlike Eklund who plays a 200ft game. Jared McCann is a Travis Green-type player - what's a deal for him look like?

Regarding improving the D, if the ask for Brandon Carlo is mid-round picks, I'd suggest he is a good target and could be very effective paired with Chabot.

That leaves the 25th, 2029 1st, any of Ottawa's 2027 and forward picks to improve up front.

 

[Silencio]

Unless one of Pinto or Cozens is going the other way where does McTavish fit in our top 6?

 

[NyQuil]

I don't know if Peterka is the type of player Staios and Green want to add, same goes for McTavish. Green values defensive acumen and neither of these two really demonstrate it consistently, unlike Eklund who plays a 200ft game. Jared McCann is a Travis Green-type player - what's a deal for him look like?

I think the only way that we can import skill is with some flawed but talented players that we can hopefully mould into two way guys in our system.

Two-way skill guys just won't be available.

McCann is a lot older than Peterka and McTavish at 30. I think there's less room for improvement there and at some point he's going to decline.

I wouldn't necessarily mind either guy, I just think Peterka and McTavish may be bigger risks but are younger with potentially a higher ceiling.

But I do think you're right in that Staios and Green probably do not want to gamble, but it's one I wouldn't mind doing.

If you can somehow get another core player into the mix who thrives here, at the same age as Stutzle and Sanderson, then we have something to build on.

 

[Qward]

I was thinking. UTA needs a centre, Ducks need a RHD, Ottawa needs a winger.

Maybe a deal around McTavish to Utah, JJ to Ottawa, Spence to the ducks?

Before I would have said that we would have to include the 25th, but after what Chicago gave up for Byram....

 

[RyCam]

Don't think we can get Laf without the 9OA pick unless we give up a significant piece from the roster(think Kaako trade ++). Not sure if the Rangers want to part ways with Lafreniere either way, I feel like they see him as a key piece to their rebuild.

 

[ottawagm]

Garrioch said that the Ducks are looking for a 1st round pick and a prospect for McTavish in his article today.

That's interesting. Figured they'd be looking more for immediate help.

25OA and Hensler, or the guy we got yesterday!

 

[KevinRedkey]

This was from 2025 so unsure what it looks like for 26

Here ya go:

 

[NyQuil]

Don't think we can get Laf without the 9OA pick unless we give up a significant piece from the roster(think Kaako trade ++). Not sure if the Rangers want to part ways with Lafreniere either way, I feel like they see him as a key piece to their rebuild.

It would basically be signalling to the fan base that they are officially pulling the plug on the team.

I'm not sure they are at that point - particularly if Dolan is trying to sell the team.

 

[KevinRedkey]

I was thinking. UTA needs a centre, Ducks need a RHD, Ottawa needs a winger.

Maybe a deal around McTavish to Utah, JJ to Ottawa, Spence to the ducks?

Before I would have said that we would have to include the 25th, but after what Chicago gave up for Byram....

I'm cool with that but man we'd REALLY have to find a way to add a RD after it. Big time.

 

[Blotto71]

I think the only way that we can import skill is with some flawed but talented players that we can hopefully mould into two way guys in our system.

Two-way skill guys just won't be available.

McCann is a lot older than Peterka and McTavish at 30. I think there's less room for improvement there and at some point he's going to decline.

I wouldn't necessarily mind either guy, I just think Peterka and McTavish may be bigger risks but are younger with potentially a higher ceiling.

But I do think you're right in that Staios and Green probably do not want to gamble, but it's one I wouldn't mind doing.

If you can somehow get another core player into the mix who thrives here, at the same age as Stutzle and Sanderson, then we have something to build on.

I like the rationale, and I believe that Green has demonstrated his ability to coach the system into players. He will also benefit from having a core that has seemingly embraced his system - that goes a ways to convincing new players to buy in, I think. Just need Steve and Travis to believe in what they've built so far, I guess

 

[Blotto71]

I'm cool with that but man we'd REALLY have to find a way to add a RD after it. Big time.

I've read that Carlo is available for a package of mid-round picks. The Sens gave 2 2nds next year and 3 3rds this year... (I'm not suggesting all of them, just that there is a selection)

 

[KevinRedkey]

FWIW and if you want a card like this, PM me.

 

[Micklebot]

I just don't think it's enough for Lafreniere.

I think people wildly underrated his value due to not recontextualizing his contract against the rising cap, and over correcting for him not being what he was advertised at the draft.

It's all a big puzzle to me because we want to end up with one extra F, on big RHD, and one #2 goalie.

Maybe a bigger deal with Schneider and Lafreniere for Yak, 25, and other pieces?

Then depending on the value of Spence, we flip him for Karlsson either directly or indirectly (Spence for picks, those picks go to PIT for Karlsson?)

Let's say Karlsson has a few years left in him as a top 4D. He will certainly re-sign here.

Sanderson-Zub
Chabot-Schneider
Kleven-Karlsson

Guys can move around and minutes can be fluid, but that would give us three strong pairs that can play 20+ minutes in different roles.

My point isn't that we can get Laf with 25, the 2029 1st and the 2027 2nd, it's just that we actually still have a lot of trade capital left.

just top 3 rounds;
2026: 25OA, 32OA (can't be traded directly), 72oa, 87oa, 91oa
2027 1st rd, 2x 2nd rds, 3rd rd.
2028 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rd.
2029 2x 1st rd, 2nd, 3rd.

Then there's roster players; Halliday, one of Pinto or Greig, Zetterlund (maybe not after getting his best bro Eklund), Spence,

And prospects: Yakemchuk, Hensler, the guys we just got from SJ, ect.

Getting Lafreniere isn't crazy, certainly not if we're already willing to give the ask for McTavish.

Personally, I'd go after Lafreniere for futures, extend Spence to a shorter deal (arbitration if you have to), and flip the mid round picks Tor wants for Carlo.

Heck, there's even room to try and upgrade one of Zetterlund or Grieg, maybe put them in a package with something extra, or reduce the futures needed for Lafreniere but including one of them in that deal.

Lafreniere-Stutzle-Batherson
Eklund-Cozens-Greig
Giroux-Pinto-Amadio
Foegele-Halliday-Zetterlund/Malenstyne/Greer type

Sanderson-Zub
Chabot-Carlo
Kleven-Spence

 

[ottawagm]

Is there a forward available that has grit and is not afraid to defend his teammates? You know, like fat head Brady did many years ago. I feel that is what we should add next. Otherwise, our team could be a little fragile and unfeared going into battle.

Lets get Olivier if CLB decide to rebuild further.

 

[Yak]

Is it just me, or has McTavishs stock dropped a fair bit over the last year or two? It really feels like 25th overall by itself should be good enough.

And even then, I'm not really sure if he's a fit here.

Dude is not worth the pick he was drafted at. Getting a first back should be a win for the Ducks.

I would take a lot of other players before McTavish, he has been over-hyped because he is a local guy. I am okay on him but we need more finish or more grit and size.

 

[Micklebot]

Here ya go:

View attachment 1258514

I guess they must not weigh the most recent years all that heavily. He seems to be trending down slightly, but the old card was skewed by his rookie year, and now it's being skewed (albeit less so) by his strong 23-24 performance, which tbh is a bit of a failing of these cards.

 

[KevinRedkey]

I guess they must not weigh the most recent years all that heavily. He seems to be trending down slightly, but the old card was skewed by his rookie year, and now it's being skewed (albeit less so) by his strong 23-24 performance, which tbh is a bit of a failing of these cards.

Utah fans told me he was actually quite good last yeat 5-on-5 FWIW