Speculation: Free Agent Frenzy Part III - Will EK stay or will EK go?

[bobbop]

Andersson is a much better prospect ainec. Cirelli has a few years on him as well. Cirelli doesn’t play with the grit that Lias does and Cirelli isn’t a leader type. Lias has a much better shot and defensive play. Lias’ IQ is slightly better (both have absurdly high hockey IQ) Cirelli is a better playmaker, but isn’t as gritty and doesn’t go the dirty areas as much. I don’t get why we’re comparing them though, they play nothing alike. Lias is a net front guy and more of a shooter. No bias even here but Lias is much better as a prospect now and even when Cirelli was at Lias’ age he wasn’t a better prospect

I agree with you. I'm not the outlier here. Follow backwards.

I posed this question to my AHL eyes earlier and he just laughed.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

That's certainly an interesting take on Cirelli, to say the least. Can't say I agree with anything that he said, but it happens.

This was after a Ranger game against the Bolts. Must have been an anomaly performance.

https://www.tampabay.com/blogs/ligh...g-like-he-belongs-for-lightning/?template=amp

"His game wasn't flashy, but that's not what Cirelli is. He's smart and scrappy, a grinder who can surprise with his skill. Cirelli beat a few Rangers to a loose puck to set up Adam Erne's first-period goal. Cirelli, 6 feet and 180 pounds, went to the dirty areas in front of the net to deflect a Mikhail Sergachev shot for his second-period goal. And then, late in the second, Cirelli was active on the forecheck, creating a turnover behind the net and setting up Chris Kunitz for the eventual winner."

"He plays way more mature than his age," said wing Cory Conacher, Cirelli's teammate in AHL Syracuse and Tampa. "He scored a lot of his goals this year in Syracuse right around the net. He's not the thickest boy, but he's not scared to go into the corners. He's taking big faceoffs and is on the penalty kill.

"It looks like he's going to be a big part of this team, and I'm not surprised."

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Karlsson was married before, to a Swede. Despite having been together for years prior, the marriage lasted a year. Certainly don't want to judge, but that's fairly unusual. (Not as unusual as the cyber bullying story from last month)... but still unusual.

Each hour that passes without an (official) Karlsson trade, the more bizarre the entire Karlsson situation becomes. Given that this player is the second most gifted hockey player in the game, I'm highly curious as to why he's not the most desired trade target since Lindros.

Is there an understanding behind the scenes that he's a more risky proposition than most will stomach?

Oh. Now his personal life is an issue. I was married for a year at age 22 as well. Sometimes marriages don't last. Doesn't make the people involved any less credible, trustworthy or whatever you were going for here.

I wish you were joking, but ik afraid you're dead serious.

It's poker. Gorton flinched first. If Yzerman said no and they lose in Round 2 or 3, he might be more desperate at the draft.

It's a matter of opinion. Trading a star should bring a star or potential star back.

I'm glad McDonagh's gone. He was brutal and declined fast. Just wish they got one elite stud rather a bunch of good to very good prospects. It wasn't bad trade. Just wish it brought back something real exciting.

Ifs and buts, maybes and mights aren't really the strongest argument to prove a point. The return MIGHT have been better in the off season? Yeah, McDonagh might have suffered a concussion and forced to retire from hockey, leaving us without any trade return. See what I did there? I made up some bullshit hypothetical to validate my opinion. I can do it too.

And McDonagh isn't a star. He's a 1st pairing D on the decline for the last 4 years so this "trade a star for a star" narrative is irrelevant

 

[mrmovies779]

I'm glad McDonagh's gone. He was brutal and declined fast. Just wish they got one elite stud rather a bunch of good to very good prospects. It wasn't bad trade. Just wish it brought back something real exciting.

it did bring back something exciting-potential pieces of our next core for the next 10+ years.

 

[BBKers]

I usually have a very differing opinion to AK27. And not to say he is correct here in his analysis. Let it be said. EK65 is a great player. Unique. But I have heard whispers from several people in the NHL community that know of some off ice issues that could be troubling for both Ottawa and whoever acquires him. Not going to say more.

 

[Kovalev27]

What did I do now?

Oh wait it was the other guy

 

[Synergy27]

He's not the thickest boy

 

[cheech70]

Do you mean 2018-19 season or 2019-20 season? And you are saying Hajek will play better NHL hockey than McDonagh?

Yes 2019-20

 

[Alluckks]

I usually have a very differing opinion to AK27. And not to say he is correct here in his analysis. Let it be said. EK65 is a great player. Unique. But I have heard whispers from several people in the NHL community that know of some off ice issues that could be troubling for both Ottawa and whoever acquires him. Not going to say more.

Under the spotlight you can hear a lot of things about most athletes.

I've heard some absurd things about quite a few guys, some retired and some not, that is pretty "wow" but it hasn't effected their game, contracts, status, etc.

 

[Vinny DeAngelo]

I usually have a very differing opinion to AK27. And not to say he is correct here in his analysis. Let it be said. EK65 is a great player. Unique. But I have heard whispers from several people in the NHL community that know of some off ice issues that could be troubling for both Ottawa and whoever acquires him. Not going to say more.

I think the market for EK65 is what it is because he’s said he wants to get market value on his next deal. And with every passing moment he is that much closer to free agency.

Ottawa wants a kings ransom for a rental piece. I think they’ll end up just taking the best deal available because they have no leverage. They held their cards for too long. The duchene and brassard trades in hindsight look horrible and cost them long term success for no short term gain

 

[Siddi]

Which single malt?

Bowmore

 

[Siddi]

Delete

 

[tradenashnow]

Rangers are rebuilding. Adding EK would be beyond stupid. Having Pionk breakthrough last year was a blessing. Rangers are going to be playing a crap load of young players the next few years. If all goes well, a lot of them will start putting up numbers and become productive players. When that happens, they are going to start wanting to get paid. Tying up 8+ million in any player at this point is freakin stupid.

 

[Good Intentions]

Oh. Now his personal life is an issue. I was married for a year at age 22 as well. Sometimes marriages don't last. Doesn't make the people involved any less credible, trustworthy or whatever you were going for here.

Damn, I whiffed with this (absurd) suggestion. As I mentioned, I don't believe it. Divorce aside, the cyberbullying situation is highly unusual. I'm taking this on the chin, ridiculous suggestion on my part. No more talking about Erik Karlsson's fabio-esque jeans and girlfriends, it's not the problem:

 

[aufheben]

Rangers are rebuilding. Adding EK would be beyond stupid. Having Pionk breakthrough last year was a blessing. Rangers are going to be playing a crap load of young players the next few years. If all goes well, a lot of them will start putting up numbers and become productive players. When that happens, they are going to start wanting to get paid. Tying up 8+ million in any player at this point is freakin stupid.

So...they shouldn’t sign Erik Karlsson because of the possibility that, several years from now, a lot of prospects will not only become full-time NHLers, but excel to the point of presenting significant contract demands?

 

[AlternateSideParking]

it did bring back something exciting-potential pieces of our next core for the next 10+ years.

Agree completely. They needed it bad. Hopefully they can squeeze out an elite piece or two if they are involved as a salary taker in any Karlsson deal.

 

[Edge]

Howden will more than likely not be AHL fodder. I see his ceiling a bit higher than most and I think @Edge would agree. He also has a high floor. Hes going to be an NHL talent and playing center. He has the attributes to be a key piece of the new core with his play and leadership.

The question is will he be a 2, 3 or 4C.

I’m higher on the offensive upside as well — mainly because I think his intelligence enhances his ability — which is pretty underrated to begin with.

I could see him playing on a second line, though there are many factors that go into what line a player is featured on. It’s a big reason why I don’t pay nearly as much attention to lines, as I do to roles and use.

 

[Edge]

I agree here, I just wonder if that was even on the table.

I think it’s always important to remember that just because we want it, doesn’t mean it’s out there as a viable option.

I’m also of the mindset that a better deal for McD would NOT be out there in Summer 2018.

 

[Savant]

Agree completely. They needed it bad. Hopefully they can squeeze out an elite piece or two if they are involved as a salary taker in any Karlsson deal.

Who are these elite pieces that Tampa (or whoever) would be willing to give up, that Ottawa won't be looking for themselves? I dont think that there are enough assets to go around necessarily, but that could depend on the team. I think that's a lot easier said than done. Also I'm a prude with the cap space so it's really tough for me to see what could make a deal work that is worth taking some of those anchors back.

 

[nyr2k2]

One last thing from me about the return on Mac. I still see a lot of people say that when you trade a #1 or your #1 you should get X, Y, and Z. Look at the contract Mac signed. That's not that contract a #1 would sign. That's like what a #2/3 would sign. And that's what I think Mac is, even if he was our #1 (which doesn't change his market value). He is a #2/3 who I think might slip a little further in the next year or two--and then who knows moving forward with his history. So, if you value him as apparently the market does, the return seems a lot more fair.

And yes I know the Miller component changes things, but I don't think it changes them enough to make the deal anything else than good/fair. JMO.

 

[Vitto79]

Damn we should trade someone just so there is news...

Lol well RFA signings bound to happen soon

 

[Beer League Sniper]

Who are these elite pieces that Tampa (or whoever) would be willing to give up, that Ottawa won't be looking for themselves? I dont think that there are enough assets to go around necessarily, but that could depend on the team.

This is my issue. If we're helping TBL land Karlsson, I want a Top-5 prospect from them. But, those are the same prospects OTT is going to be (rightly) demanding. And we all know that Yzerman is tight-fisted and arrogant about giving up assets. Cal Foote was a "non-starter" for McD, which is ridiculous. We still might win that trade, depending on how Howden and Hajek develop, but the fact that we didn't get their top prospect for a #1D still irks me.

I just don't want a repeat of that feeling. Now, I'm not saying we need to get Foote in exchange for taking on a cap dump, but a Top-5 prospect from their organization is a must. Especially given that their prospect depth isn't exactly top-tier anymore.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

This is my issue. If we're helping TBL land Karlsson, I want a Top-5 prospect from them. But, those are the same prospects OTT is going to be (rightly) demanding. And we all know that Yzerman is tight-fisted and arrogant about giving up assets. Cal Foote was a "non-starter" for McD, which is ridiculous. We still might win that trade, depending on how Howden and Hajek develop, but the fact that we didn't get their top prospect for a #1D still irks me.

I just don't want a repeat of that feeling. Now, I'm not saying we need to get Foote in exchange for taking on a cap dump, but a Top-5 prospect from their organization is a must. Especially given that their prospect depth isn't exactly top-tier anymore.

Well Ottawa isn’t going to get all top 5 guys.

It’s likely they get 2, a roster player and picks.

Still room for us to get a prospect from them.

 

[NYR Viper]

We see every year, the deals that are multiple pieces for a single elite or very close to elite piece. There is nothing wrong with building depth in a system and using those assets to acquire the right pieces

 

[NYR Viper]

No. They either ignored it or pretended to ignore it. They just gave him a silly extension. They obviously wanted him bad. Especially to not let him go to Boston or Toronto. I'm sure McDonagh's reputation around the league is 10x stronger than it is around here.

Execs have their jobs on the line, which means their staff as well. Seems like they overlook the fine details to "improve the club".

Redden, Clarkson, Staal, Girardi, Ryan, Lucic etc are perfect examples of the fans being smarter than the GM.

I wouldn't have given McDonagh that extension but Yzerman is clearly gearing up for a 3-4 year window here. He is not concerned with the last few years of that deal. That's not evidence of an organization not seeing the decline of a player but rather a team not worrying about down the road when they see a legitimate window opening for them right now.