Proposal: Free agency edition Trade Rumours/Proposals [MOD - Stay on Topic] 5

[frightenedinmatenum2]

The "rebuild" argument is void because it's also a rebuild in Pittsburgh. So he is in the same situation regardless. At least with Montreal, he has geographical benefits.

If it is true that his family desires to live in Ottawa, Montreal is the closest possible team geographically. By private jet, they probably aren't that different, but Montreal is 2 hours away by plane or car with no border crossing.

Karlsson is going to be difficult for Pittsburgh to trade. If Karlsson was a free agent next year, I could see him getting 2 years x 5M or more, which is the same as Pittsburgh retaining half. So his contract has gotten to the point where at half-retained he is not making more than market value. The problem is, Karlsson has a NMC. So even if a dozen teams would sign him at 2x5M, how many of those teams will he accept a trade to, and out of that small list, how many will give up major assets when there is no trade market to compete with?

Look for either contenders that have a multi-year bad contract of 5M or more that could be dumped to Pittsburgh, or a way for him to go to Montreal or Toronto. Those are probably the trades that make sense.

The only way I think that we acquire him is if Pittsburgh buys him out, or if we miss the playoffs and Brady is traded somewhere else. In that scenario, we're doing a major reshuffle of the roster, and bringing in Karlsson could be something they use to placate the season ticket base.

 

[Hale The Villain]

I was thinking a team like NYI could try acquiring him. Lou loves his aging/declining vets while stunting the development of younger guys and EK would fit in perfectly there lol

Any team acquiring EK would be doing so to have him run their top PP unit.

If he's not doing that he's not going to justify his salary, even at full retention.

Isles have Dobson to run their PP, plus Pulock and Mayfield also on the right side.

Definitely no fit there.

Matheson will be moved for real value and Karlsson will cost very, very little. Theres also some value in throwing a colleague a bit of a bone, especially if you can do so while benefitting your team as well

There could be value for the Habs in doing that, provided those numerous assumptions hold.

Kent Hughes has done an annoyingly good job at acquiring value for his team by taking on bad contracts.

Got a 2nd "taking on" a 26 year old Patrik Laine that was one season removed from a PPG season and ended up getting multiple 1sts from agreeing to acquire Monahan from the Flames.

 

[DackellDuck]

I was the biggest Karlsson fan, but the fit would make zero sense here, especially with Yakemchuk coming up. We'll have 3 guys who can QB the PP (Sanderson, Chabot, Yakemchuk), so even with significant retention, there's no reason to add Karlsson.

There are only two places that make sense, to which he'd agree to go, IMO.

Florida and Tampa.

Obviously there'd have to be some real big cap machinations to make it possible, but other than those cities, I think he's stuck in Pitt and Pitt is stuck with him.

The problem Dubas will have is that all of the guys who may have value have full NMCs. And guess what? They'll have the same list as all the other players: warm cities with no taxes.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

I would see a Karlsson to Montreal trade looking something like Karlsson @ 5M for Josh Anderson with Montreal giving up a 2nd or 3rd round pick and some conditional elements that might be good from an optics POV for Pittsburgh, but almost certainly won't transfer.

If you're Montreal, it's cap neutral. Montreal's D-core is very young. They need veterans who can eat up minutes. Adding Karlsson puts them in a better position to sell high on Matheson if they go down that road. They can go to free agency next year and try to find someone, but they are likely giving up more term for a 22-24 minute a night defenseman than 2 years, and there is no guarantee any one player signs with them.

Then Pittsburgh can buyout Josh Anderson in the summer, and they effectively saved money and got some sort of draft pick.

Montreal might also assume that Karlsson would be open to a trade to a contender at the 2026-27 deadline. Karlsson @ 5M on an expiring contract with Montreal taking back a bad contract could get them back whatever pick they gave up for him. Even if it's just a third.

 

[Wallet Inspector]

I doubt they will but, IF the Islanders decide to blow it up

To Ottawa:
Mat Barzal

To Islanders
2025 1st
Greig

Although I dunno what the rules would be with trading a 1st given the league penalty on us.

 

[SpezDispenser]

I doubt they will but, IF the Islanders decide to blow it up

To Ottawa:
Mat Barzal

To Islanders
2025 1st
Greig

Although I dunno what the rules would be with trading a 1st given the league penalty on us.

That's all they could get for Barzal? No chance imo

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

That's all they could get for Barzal? No chance imo

Plus cap space wouldn't work. I'd trade Norris, Greig, and a 1st for Barzal though.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

We don't need Barzal.

We need high compete type players. Specifically someone who can set the tone in the top 9 and a big mean #5 RHD who can play as a complimentary guy in the top 4 when needed. Basically, the role they use Hamonic in.

In a sense, it's ironic for Greig to be in that trade because a finished product with Greig's ceiling is what we need.

I understand it is ironic since the last 4 pages have been Karlsson return pitches.

 

[Bileur]

We don't need Barzal.

We need high compete type players. Specifically someone who can set the tone in the top 9 and a big mean #5 RHD who can play as a complimentary guy in the top 4 when needed. Basically, the role they use Hamonic in.

In a sense, it's ironic for Greig to be in that trade because a finished product with Greig's ceiling is what we need.

I understand it is ironic since the last 4 pages have been Karlsson return pitches.

If we’re bringing back any former sens, I’d be more interested in Pageau with retention.

Moved to RW he’d be an incredible mentor for Pinto.

 

[2CHAINZ]

I doubt they will but, IF the Islanders decide to blow it up

To Ottawa:
Mat Barzal

To Islanders
2025 1st
Greig

Although I dunno what the rules would be with trading a 1st given the league penalty on us.

This trade would be declined in NHL Gm mode set to easy.

 

[SpezDispenser]

Plus cap space wouldn't work. I'd trade Norris, Greig, and a 1st for Barzal though.

Knee jerk reaction is yes, definitely. But....if norris is legit healthy, he's damn good in his own right, let alone what will be a 50 point player and a 1st

 

[Sun God Nika]

I know its the wrong move to make but I would absolutely trade for EK65, and that is why I am not a GM.

 

[Carl Karlsson]

Montreal is a world class city. Karlsson enjoys the finer things in life and Montreal delivers those things beautifully, in a way that few cities in North America do. I could see Karlsson loving the lifestyle there, and he has the disposition & style to become a fan favourite.

I could absolutely see it.

Went to Vieux Montréal last summer, smelled like pee in so many places, was dirty, saw a naked dude on one of the main blvd clearly on drugs, street people everywhere and other beautiful things like this .. didn't see much world class there other than a few fancy restaurants. Again, I'm not a millionnaire hockey player, clearly they would not be walking around in the streets ! Lol

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

Karlsson makes no sense. Even though him and Alfie are my favorite players of all time, it would not be a good fit for him here. He's only good when he has to carry a team. You can't give him limited minutes in a diminished role and expect results. He is a guy who needs to play 27 minutes a night while holding the puck the whole time.

He'd probably be great for Utah or a team like that, where they don't really have any elite players to drive the offense.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

Went to Vieux Montréal last summer, smelled like pee in so many places, was dirty, saw a naked dude on one of the main blvd clearly on drugs, street people everywhere and other beautiful things like this .. didn't see much world class there other than a few fancy restaurants. Again, I'm not a millionnaire hockey player, clearly they would not be walking around in the streets ! Lol

Still can't believe you didn't come over to say hi.

 

[DrEasy]

Still can't believe you didn't come over to say hi.

You were not recognizable without your Ceci jersey.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Would Sanderson be the best partner karlsson ever had?

I am
Not advocating for a karlsson deal just musing.

 

[HoweHullOrr]

Been away for a couple of days, but see Karlsson trade talks have been resurrected. In my mind, we might as well talk about McCartney getting together with Lennon again. The future is Yakemchuk and in the extremely unlikely event that a return of EK would even be considered, he’d have to get paid at a ELC rate. In short, its not happening.

Barzal seems like another dream, but hey, what do I know.

As for this year, I think it boils down to coaching taking root and players developing good habits and consistency, and maybe JBD in for Hamonic although Green still is running with Hamonic. I think the goal has to be a the 3rd divisional seed in the Atlantic with Tampa and Boston being our competition. I’m preferring to be a little more optimistic because it's sports and a release versus all of the drudgery the world already dishes up anyhow.

Hey (Hey), you (You), get off of my cloud
Hey (Hey), you (You), get off of my cloud
Hey (Hey), you (You), get off of my cloud
Don't hang around, baby, two's a crowd
On my cloud

 

[TheNewEra]

If we’re bringing back any former sens, I’d be more interested in Pageau with retention.

Moved to RW he’d be an incredible mentor for Pinto.

Pageau would be solid, there is an issue with term because i dont see the Islanders retaining for 2 years since Lou is never going to rebuild

 

[GoSenatorsGo]

I am of the mindset of, let’s let this team cook and grow. No need to make any moves.

Green has them buying into what he is selling and you can see the chemistry is really starting to build.