GDT: Free agency madness, brought to you by the letter G

[h2]

RD market seems scarce. Even though he can play RD, even getting Chychrun and playing him at LD isn't too bad in my opinion (depending on cost ofc). We aren't top level contenders next year, we will be much better, but we could run:
Chabot-Zub
Chychrun-Holden
Sanderson-Hamonic

LD is stacked - reduces Chabot's high minutes of recent years, insulates Sanderson for at least the start of the season. If a top level RD comes on the market in the next 12-24 months, we could even use Chychrun as a 1 for 1 swap or close to.

Agreed. Our coach is obsessed with this whole LD/left shot - RD/right shot thing, but it doesn't have to be that way. Brannstrom case in point.

Chychrun is still the best option.

 

[Micklebot]

Dorion doesn't need to rush a move if the right one isn't available. The defense corps will already be significantly better than it was last year.

The second and third pairs pre-deadline were basically:
2nd: Holden 19:51 (76 gp) - Zaitsev 18:59 (62 gp)
3rd: V.Mete 14:37 (37 gp) - J.Brown 13:59 (46 gp)

Hamonic came in after Brown was sent out and bumped Zaitsev down to the bottom pairing (19:27, 19 gp). This was while Chabot missed 18 of the last 22 games.

By the end of this season, the pairings may be:
2nd: Sanderson - Hamonic
3rd: Holden - Zaitsev

The new 2nd pair may only be a minor upgrade for now, but bumping Holden-Zaitsev to the bottom pair over Mete-Brown is a massive upgrade.

I don't see zaitsev being on the roster by the start of the season little lone on the third pair by the end of it.

 

[xVolchenkov]

I’d gladly add Klingberg but as others mentioned, he’s probably going to be overpaid and isn’t the perfect fit by any means.

The idea of adding:
- Giroux
- DeBrincat
- Talbot
- Klingberg
- 2nd Round Pick
- Future Considerations

For:
- Murray
- Gus
- Brown
- 7th Overall
- 39th Overall
- 3rd Round Pick
- 3rd Round Pick
- 7th Round Pick

Seems like an unreal offseason.

 

[StutzMeister]

I don't see zaitsev being on the roster by the start of the season little lone on the third pair by the end of it.

The correct term is let alone not little lone...like people say ekcetera over etcetera...or all the sudden instead of all of a sudden....but i agree - he will not be here.

 

[Cosmix]

Live vicariously through the groundhog? That would get complicated

It would be deja vu all over again. (stolen from Casey Stengel)

 

[H2O]

I’d gladly add Klingberg but as others mentioned, he’s probably going to be overpaid and isn’t the perfect fit by any means.

The idea of adding:
- Giroux
- DeBrincat
- Talbot
- Klingberg
- 2nd Round Pick
- Future Considerations

For:
- Murray
- Gus
- Brown
- 7th Overall
- 39th Overall
- 3rd Round Pick
- 3rd Round Pick
- 7th Round Pick

Seems like an unreal offseason.

Not to mention addition by subtraction like Tierney and Zaitsev (hopefully). And also good we don’t have a plethora of journeymen like Ennis, Sanford, and Gaudette to fill holes anymore.

 

[IranCondraAffair]

As much as I usually trust fans when they discuss a player and how much Dallas fans seem to be done with Klingberg, there's a strong possibility that coaching at play here

JFresh even did a post about how quickly he fell off once Dallas switched systems. The guy was one of the best offensive defensemen in the NHL and solid in his own zone. Then a coaching, partner, and system shift and suddenly he dropped like a stone in every category of play? No major injury to account for it, no off-ice issues, etc.. ?

I'm not going to say he will turn things around in Ottawa if we signed him, but the chance to get a top pairing defensemen, without major injury concerns, at 29, for or no assets, at a reasonable long term cost should be seriously considered.

 

[trentmccleary]

I don't see zaitsev being on the roster by the start of the season little lone on the third pair by the end of it.

Dorion has had a great offseason and I'm sure he'd like to get that last piece.
I'm just saying that if the right move isn't there, he doesn't need to force it because the D-crops has already been upgraded significantly.

 

[Cosmix]

I don't see zaitsev being on the roster by the start of the season little lone on the third pair by the end of it.

I hope Zaitsev is replaced by a much better D'man however I am not confident that Dorion will acquire one nor be able to trade Zaitsev with out giving up something of value, or taking a bad contract back.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

Some guys who are still available who could be worth adding as depth:
- Johan Larsson, C/LW (rumoured to Pittsburgh)
- Tyler Motte, W (probably too expensive, but he could be a sneaky good add at low dollar with term)
- Sam Steel, C/LW
- Danton Heinen, W
- Juho Lammikko, C/LW
- Buddy Robinson, RW
- Riley Nash, C/RW

I hope Zaitsev is replaced by a much better D'man however I am not confident that Dorion will acquire one nor be able to trade Zaitsev with out giving up something of value, or taking a bad contract back.

I keep coming back to the idea of a Zaitsev + for Myers swap. Nucks need to clear cap, especially for next year, and I could see Rutherford being someone who is higher on Zaitsev than most.

 

[Micklebot]

Dorion has had a great offseason and I'm sure he'd like to get that last piece.
I'm just saying that if the right move isn't there, he doesn't need to force it because the D-crops has already been upgraded significantly.

Oh, I agree, but I think Brannstrom, JBD and Thomson push Zaitsev out of the lineup before the season starts.
Holden can play his offside, so can Brannstrom if we're looking for more offense. JBD and Thomson might not be ready out of camp but by the end of the season or deadline I'm confident at least one will be.

Zaitsev in gone as soon as we can find a way to dump him...

 

[kellmuff96]

can it really be that hard to dump him? Gudbranson just got 4x4 ffs.

Surely sending him to Zona/Chicago with like a 2nd and 4th round pick isnt that hard to do?

We HAVE to get rid of him.

 

[DaveMatthew]

I wonder if Klingberg is getting to the point where he'll take a 1-year deal in a situation that'll enable him to pump his stats a bit and try again at a big deal next year?

There are always a couple of players left without a seat after the UFA musical chairs.

I just can't think of a team that will give him a 3+ year deal at a big number at this point, if you go through the list and look at cap space and needs. Unless someone makes a big trade to open up room.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

I wonder if Klingberg is getting to the point where he'll take a 1-year deal in a situation that'll enable him to pump his stats a bit and try again at a big deal next year?

There are always a couple of players left without a seat after the UFA musical chairs.

I just can't think of a team that will give him a 3+ year deal at a big number at this point, if you go through the list and look at cap space and needs.

I think he will find a deal but he is definitely a guy we should be exploring & trying to find a fit for. He's not exactly what we need but he is damn effective at what he does.

 

[kellmuff96]

I wonder if Klingberg is getting to the point where he'll take a 1-year deal in a situation that'll enable him to pump his stats a bit and try again at a big deal next year?

There are always a couple of players left without a seat after the UFA musical chairs.

I just can't think of a team that will give him a 3+ year deal at a big number at this point, if you go through the list and look at cap space and needs.

Seattle and Anaheim have lots of cap space. Probably a better fit in Seattle as the Ducks have Drysdale and Shattenkirk already but like, I always assumed he'd end up there.

We also cant write off him just returning to Dallas.

 

[DaveMatthew]

Seattle and Anaheim have lots of cap space. Probably a better fit in Seattle as the Ducks have Drysdale and Shattenkirk already but like, I always assumed he'd end up there.

We also cant write off him just returning to Dallas.

Dallas doesn't look to be happening:

A little over an hour into the start of the free agency period on Wednesday, the relationship between the Stars and John Klingberg appeared to have new life. Four hours later, when Stars assistant general manager Scott White met with the media, the door on the Klingberg era in Dallas was unofficially closed.

“We’ve had constant communication with John Klingberg for a long time,” White said. “At the end of the day, we have a salary cap to deal with. It just didn’t work.”

I could see Anaheim or Seattle though.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

From LeBrun's latest Rumblings blog:

The Sens have also kicked tires on Jakob Chychrun, who would come at a high cost if there’s even a trade fit with Arizona.

MacKenzie Weegar would have been a big score for the Sens, but I believe the Panthers have decided to keep him after losing Ben Chiarot to free agency.

Whatever the case is, if Sens GM Pierre Dorion can acquire that missing piece on the blue line, he will have had quite the offseason.

 

[kellmuff96]

Feels like Marino can be had for a modest return. Like maybe JBD or Thomson + ?

Not sure I want us to break the bank on Chychrun tbh. Especially if it's an unprotected 1st going the other way.

 

[Arogie]

What does everyone think it will take to move Zaitsev? Washington's 2nd and a 2023 5th?

 

[Tuna99]

What does everyone think it will take to move Zaitsev? Washington's 2nd and a 2023 5th?

Seems like a Calgary type player, maybe just a salary dump like the Patches trade

 

[2CHAINZ]

What does everyone think it will take to move Zaitsev? Washington's 2nd and a 2023 5th?

After we moved Brown for nothing a smart GM probably realizes we are desperate because of our budget. I think GM's are smart and realize this and probably ask for the moon, I don't think this is going to be an easy or cheap move

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Agreed. Our coach is obsessed with this whole LD/left shot - RD/right shot thing, but it doesn't have to be that way. Brannstrom case in point.

Chychrun is still the best option.

Chychrun can run a pair on his own. He’s the guy. If Chabot or Sandy get hurt chychrun solidifies a pairing

 

[Very Stable Genius]

I'm fine paying Klingberg, if we can get rid of Zaitsev.

 

[Dingleberry]

Feels like Marino can be had for a modest return. Like maybe JBD or Thomson + ?

Not sure I want us to break the bank on Chychrun tbh. Especially if it's an unprotected 1st going the other way.

Canucks entertaining a JT Miller for Marino swap. Marino won't come cheap.

 

[swiftwin]

As much as I usually trust fans when they discuss a player and how much Dallas fans seem to be done with Klingberg, there's a strong possibility that coaching at play here

JFresh even did a post about how quickly he fell off once Dallas switched systems. The guy was one of the best offensive defensemen in the NHL and solid in his own zone. Then a coaching, partner, and system shift and suddenly he dropped like a stone in every category of play? No major injury to account for it, no off-ice issues, etc.. ?

I'm not going to say he will turn things around in Ottawa if we signed him, but the chance to get a top pairing defensemen, without major injury concerns, at 29, for or no assets, at a reasonable long term cost should be seriously considered.

Yeah, I always wondered what the heck happened to Klingberg. I remember how there used to be Karlsson vs Klingberg debates. But this actually kinda makes sense. Dallas has swapped to a very defensive system in the past few years, which is not great for an offensive defenseman like Klingberg.