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

[PlayOn]

But we were also a basement team... Dorion thought "ok I can't just have young players playing" which was the right thought but the problem is he had guys like Artem Anisimov, Alex Galchenyuk, Cedric Paquette, etc playing instead...

Balcers was injury prone and maybe not strong enough for the NHL but his play with and without the puck was good, Sharks fans liked him. He was a placeholder for Grier who wanted a lineup with more muscle as he was rebuilding. I would have gladly watched Balcers try to prove himself in the NHL instead of Cedric "f*** I don't want to be in Ottawa" Paquette.

And I'm a bit confused, you seem to talk about him and Joseph at the same time lol

I was talking about Joseph for all of it outside of the one line about Balcers

 

[Xspyrit]

I was talking about Joseph for all of it outside of the one line about Balcers

Yeah but he was young in Tampa Bay and they were stacked. He's not getting more ice-time in St. Louis probably because he has a down year but they also have a deep forward group.

We wouldn't really need him anymore (although maybe for the PK) with the Zetterlund add and the fact that we replaced an injury prone forward by a guy who doesn't miss much (Cozens, knock on wood)

Zetterlund - Stutzle - Cozens
Tkachuk - Pinto - Batherson
Perron - Greig - Giroux

 

[Cosmix]

Of course it's very unlikely but if we could ever sign Nikolaj Ehlers as a UFA, this team could be really set. I think that'd require to move both Perron and Amadio but :

Zetterlund - Stutzle - Ehlers
Tkachuk - Pinto - Cozens
Giroux - Greig - Batherson
Reinhardt - Gaudette - Cousins
MacEwen

Sanderson - Zub
Chabot - Jensen
Kleven - Matinpalo
Guenette

Ullmark
Merilainen


Contender? Ehlers just turned 29 so 8 years would bring him to 37 years old, which is risky, particularly with him having been injury prone in the past. But if we want to attract a player of that caliber, we'd have to take a huge risk and pay him something like 8 x 8. I just did this on puckpedia and it would fit (Giroux at 3.5 though and Kleven at 2.2, Matinpalo at 1.1). Not sure if possible or how much it would cost to move Perron and Amadio but this Top-9 is absolute FIRE



Sorry for bringing it back but there's still the 1st round pick to forfeit and an absolutely dreadful prospect pool that should take years to rebuild. But I get what you're saying, Staios is progressively removing the Dorion's stink. It was always going to be an extremely hard job, which is incredible when you're in the middle of a rebuild, Dorion had the easy parts and still messed up.



I'm in the camp that doesn't see it with Ostapchuk. I think he won't pace for more than 20 pts in many seasons, maybe a few times like Curtis Lazar for example. A guy like Nick Paul was a late bloomer and is completely in another tier that I can't see Ostapchuk reaching at the NHL level.

I think we killed it with this trade because Zetterlund is RFA and unless his asks are unreasonable, we could hold unto that player for years. We only gave up a mid 2nd round pick and a young 4th line Center to get him.

Trading Perron and Amadio would only gain us ($4M + $2.5M) $6.5M, so we would have to find the $1.5M elsewhere such as from Giroux's $6.5M and the cap increase in 2025-26 to pay Ehlers $8M. Doing able? Yes; however, I think Ehlers will want more than $8M AAV. Ehlers would definitely be a great addition to our top 6. 8 years though would be too long.

 

[Xspyrit]

Trading Perron and Amadio would only gain us ($4M + $2.5M) $6.5M, so we would have to find the $1.5M elsewhere such as from Giroux's $6.5M and the cap increase in 2025-26 to pay Ehlers $8M. Doing able? Yes; however, I think Ehlers will want more than $8M AAV. Ehlers would definitely be a great addition to our top 6. 8 years though would be too long.

Yeah but the 8 years might be the argument to attract him in Ottawa vs others teams that wouldn't go above 6 years let's say.

Also, in my scenario, I dropped Giroux salary from 6.5 to 3.5. Don't know if he would accept but I'd be fine letting him go if he wants too much. We should only give him a 3rd line role now.

I think the NHL reinstates the 1st round pick, or a compromise comes into effect where the Sens have to trade it.

I have no idea what will/could happen but I'm not holding my breath for a happy turn of events.

 

[Cosmix]

We will have quite a few players to negotiate with for next season:
Giroux, Zetterlund, Cousins, Gaudette, Hamonic (maybe as the coach likes him), Gilbert, Robins, Forsberg (probably will be released), Matinpalo, & Klevin.

We will also have to address 2 other players with NHL contracts who are not likely wanted: Sogaard and MacEwen.

 

[Qward]

I could see the NHL giving us the pick back if we immediately trade it, for say Peterka

 

[DrEasy]

Trading Perron and Amadio would only gain us ($4M + $2.5M) $6.5M, so we would have to find the $1.5M elsewhere such as from Giroux's $6.5M and the cap increase in 2025-26 to pay Ehlers $8M. Doing able? Yes; however, I think Ehlers will want more than $8M AAV. Ehlers would definitely be a great addition to our top 6. 8 years though would be too long.

I don't think we're trading Perron or Amadio. I would love Ehlers if he's ok with signing here, but for that we'd have to re-allocate Giroux's contract + whatever we have left, knowing that next year they also probably want to keep a bit of cap space for flexibility's sake. Don't think that'll be enough.

According to puckpedia, we have $18M worth of cap space next year that we can use to replace about 7 UFA (includes Giroux, but also Cousins, Hamonic, Forsberg, Gaudette, etc.) and sign 3 RFAs (Zetterlund, Kleven, Matinpalo). I have no clue how RFA amounts get decided, but that would help us figure out how much we'd have left to bring in one good top 9, whether that's Giroux or hopefully an upgrade, and fill the rest with $1M/yr guys or internal options.

Tkachuk - Stutzle - UFA
Zetterlund - Cozens - Batherson
Perron - Pinto - Amadio
Crookshank/Reinhardt/UFA - Greig - MacEwen

Sanderson - Zub
Chabot - Jensen
Kleven - Matinpalo <- need an upgrade here too, ideally Matinpalo is our 7th D.
Sebrango, Yakemchuk

Ullmark
Merilainen
UFA

Zetterlund's addition is huge for our top 9 already. Adding a top UFA, if there's room, would make us very competitive next year.

 

[TheNewEra]

We will have quite a few players to negotiate with for next season:
Giroux, Zetterlund, Cousins, Gaudette, Hamonic (maybe as the coach likes him), Gilbert, Robins, Forsberg (probably will be released), Matinpalo, & Klevin.

We will also have to address 2 other players with NHL contracts who are not likely wanted: Sogaard and MacEwen.

the bolded can be buried without any cap implications. If they get claimed they get claimed

in terms of your first list i figure we are definitely going to bring back the following
Giroux, Zetterlund, Matinpalo and Kleven

On the bubble
Cousins, Gaudette, Hamonic

- want cousins back and really dont want hamonic back but dont think either player is a lock

we let the rest walk

Baring a significant change we have room to add one forward and will most likely be a middle 6 forward or someone who had a bad year this year and wants to try and bounce back

 

[Blotto71]

I don't think we're trading Perron or Amadio. I would love Ehlers if he's ok with signing here, but for that we'd have to re-allocate Giroux's contract + whatever we have left, knowing that next year they also probably want to keep a bit of cap space for flexibility's sake. Don't think that'll be enough.

According to puckpedia, we have $18M worth of cap space next year that we can use to replace about 7 UFA (includes Giroux, but also Cousins, Hamonic, Forsberg, Gaudette, etc.) and sign 3 RFAs (Zetterlund, Kleven, Matinpalo). I have no clue how RFA amounts get decided, but that would help us figure out how much we'd have left to bring in one good top 9, whether that's Giroux or hopefully an upgrade, and fill the rest with $1M/yr guys or internal options.

Tkachuk - Stutzle - UFA
Zetterlund - Cozens - Batherson
Perron - Pinto - Amadio
Crookshank/Reinhardt/UFA - Greig - MacEwen

Sanderson - Zub
Chabot - Jensen
Kleven - Matinpalo <- need an upgrade here too, ideally Matinpalo is our 7th D.
Sebrango, Yakemchuk

Ullmark
Merilainen
UFA

Zetterlund's addition is huge for our top 9 already. Adding a top UFA, if there's room, would make us very competitive next year.

How about J. Drouin?

 

[DrEasy]

How about J. Drouin?

Haven't watched him in a while, but he usually left me underwhelmed. Don't think he fits the type of team Staios wants to build.

I think in free agency as usual we'll end up finding some unsexy name nobody thought of.

Looking at the UFAs here (<- there's a link here; it's not highlighting it for some reason) two names that might fit Staios' philosophy and that we could fit under our cap: Donato and Bennett. Both 28yrs old, seem intense on the ice. Bennett has some Cup pedigree now.

 

[Blotto71]

Having watched him in a while, but he usually left me underwhelmed. Don't think he fits the type of team Staios wants to build.

I think in free agency as usual we'll end up finding some unsexy name nobody thought of.

Looking at the UFAs here (<- there's a link here; it's not highlighting it for some reason) two names that might fit Staios' philosophy and that we could fit under our cap: Donato and Bennett. Both 28yrs old, seem intense on the ice. Bennett has some Cup pedigree now.

I agree with Donato, definitely need to give hard at him if he's available July 1st. I don't disagree that Bennett would be a nice addition, I think he's the least likely of the 2 to be available.

 

[Icelevel]

Bennett might like what we’ve got here with Brady.
I think he’d be my no 1 pick. Ontario boy too (can’t help but care about that at least a little now)

 

[Blotto71]

Bennett might like what we’ve got here with Brady.
I think he’d be my no 1 pick. Ontario boy too (can’t help but care about that at least a little now)

Good point, I just feel Bennett will price himself out of the Sens range.

Donato, on the other hand, I think will get a shorter-term offer from the Hawks and might be available if there is a 4 - 6 year deal on the table with some back-end trade protection (this guy is on his 5th team in 10 years and has career earnings of ~$12M). That he wasn't dealt and that tells me the Hawks were asking too much for a career 10% shooting guy that is at 16.5% this year, and nobody was willing to bet the picks and/or prospects being asked for on it continuing.

 

[Blotto71]

What about a short term deal for Radek Faska? Defensive bottom-6 center that plays a physical game.

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

Of course it's very unlikely but if we could ever sign Nikolaj Ehlers as a UFA, this team could be really set. I think that'd require to move both Perron and Amadio but :

Zetterlund - Stutzle - Ehlers
Tkachuk - Pinto - Cozens
Giroux - Greig - Batherson
Reinhardt - Gaudette - Cousins
MacEwen

Sanderson - Zub
Chabot - Jensen
Kleven - Matinpalo
Guenette

Ullmark
Merilainen

I agree we need one more top-end forward and we are really set. And I agree someone like Ehlers is perfect for that.

I might be blasphemous and allocate Giroux's 6.5 for someone like Bennett.

Bennett-Stutzle-Ehlers
Tkachuk-Cozens-Batherson
Greig-Pinto-Zetterlund
XXXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

Sanderson-Zub
Chabot-Jensen
Kleven-Mantipalo

Ullmark
Meri

7-8.4-8.5
8.2-7.1-5
3.25-3.75-4.5
1-1-1

8-4.6
8-4
2.5-1.5

8.25
1

That's about 93. With buyouts and stuff might not make it but im sure we can find someone Bennett like impact but maybe not dish the 7 million at him and something less.

I am still hoping Greig becomes our Bennett. Only 22. On pace for 30 points. Hits, PKs, pests, 2 way game etc. That would change a lot of things for us.

Greig-Stutzle-Ehlers
Tkachuk-Cozens-Batherson
Zetterlund-Pinto-Amadio

Could be a very good top 9 forward group if Greig delivers. I have faith in him. If not, we may need to look at packaging him for someone who can be.

 

[Loach]

If Joseph was so frickin great why didn't the Habs get him from us?

 

[Cosmix]

the bolded can be buried without any cap implications. If they get claimed they get claimed

in terms of your first list i figure we are definitely going to bring back the following
Giroux, Zetterlund, Matinpalo and Kleven

On the bubble
Cousins, Gaudette, Hamonic

- want cousins back and really dont want hamonic back but dont think either player is a lock

we let the rest walk

Baring a significant change we have room to add one forward and will most likely be a middle 6 forward or someone who had a bad year this year and wants to try and bounce back

You said "the bolded can be buried without any cap implications. If they get claimed they get claimed", in reference to e to Sogaard and MacEwen. I think there would be small cap implications.

 

[Xspyrit]

I agree we need one more top-end forward and we are really set. And I agree someone like Ehlers is perfect for that.

I might be blasphemous and allocate Giroux's 6.5 for someone like Bennett.

Bennett-Stutzle-Ehlers
Tkachuk-Cozens-Batherson
Greig-Pinto-Zetterlund
XXXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

Sanderson-Zub
Chabot-Jensen
Kleven-Mantipalo

Ullmark
Meri

7-8.4-8.5
8.2-7.1-5
3.25-3.75-4.5
1-1-1

8-4.6
8-4
2.5-1.5

8.25
1

That's about 93. With buyouts and stuff might not make it but im sure we can find someone Bennett like impact but maybe not dish the 7 million at him and something less.

I am still hoping Greig becomes our Bennett. Only 22. On pace for 30 points. Hits, PKs, pests, 2 way game etc. That would change a lot of things for us.

Greig-Stutzle-Ehlers
Tkachuk-Cozens-Batherson
Zetterlund-Pinto-Amadio

Could be a very good top 9 forward group if Greig delivers. I have faith in him. If not, we may need to look at packaging him for someone who can be.

Yeah but you're pushing your luck! I mean, both Bennett and Ehlers would be incredible but double unlikely. If you can sign Bennett, you play him Center 100%. There's actually many people in the NHL circle who think Cozens is better suited at Wing, which would allow him to express his offense with less defensive responsibilities. Maybe he can move back to Center later in his career as his defensive game evolves.

Bennett is actually a good career comparable for Greig, as long as he continues to develop his game, he can become as effective. Maybe he won't be as good offensively but could be better defensively.

I would not look at moving Greig, homegrown talent, plays a complete game. If he doesn't develop into a guy that can compliment a Top-6 line, no worries, you staple him on your 3rd line and pay him accordingly.

How about J. Drouin?

He has been turning his career around in Colorado, I think he will want to stay with MacKinnon and even take discounts to do so. He is actually becoming a quality player, finally.

If Joseph was so frickin great why didn't the Habs get him from us?

lol nice trolling

No one said "Joseph was so frickin great" (or if they did, I missed it)

Joseph is a 3rd line forward, he is good defensively and on the PK, can chip in offensively too. He had some very good seasons and some so-so seasons as he is inconsistent and a bit injury-prone.

Some are/were not happy to give up a 3rd round pick to move him considering Dorion's inexistent asset management over the years, some would have preferred to keep him rather than sign Amadio or Perron or for both reasons. This is as simple as that.

Now the speculation is that there was stuff going on off the ice that makes him less valuable than he normally would around the league. Some other teams, like the Habs, would have maybe taken him but for maybe a 2nd instead of a 3rd so Staios most likely moved him to the team that would cost him the less to do it.