Proposal: Islanders - Kings (Greiss as Quick replacement)

[Blue Goose]

The Kings aren't a lottery team and they're not going to give up on the 50th anniversary season no matter how much some fans want it.

I love greiss, and apparently we made a pitch for him before he went to NYI, so it makes a lot of sense--but even if the Kings aren't tossing the season, they really don't have the future assets to give, and none of the current roster assets with value are really expendable (otherwise we're just band-aiding the Quick slot and opening up another wound). Chainsaw surgery.

That's what is making this so tricky. They'd need to find a cheaper goalie (on an expiring contract) to keep them afloat, but one that won't cost much to acquire. Reto Berra is another option, but I really don't think he's that much of an upgrade over Zatkoff - but Greiss is.

Doubt the Isles FO is willing to trade Greiss. He's dirt cheap and carried the team last year, plus Halak and the FO seem to have a pretty strained relationship.

Halak can be had for 3rd + cap dump in final year.
Greiss would require 2nd + prospect (not that I think Kings should pay that, just that that's what it would take).

But that second year of Halak's contract is a killer. If they don't want to trade Greiss or risk losing Berube to waivers, they're almost better off holding onto all three for the entire season, and then seeing if they can trade Halak next summer going into his final year. But can they be that patient?

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Even then there's too many holes. What's it going to cost to fill the 3rd line center hole? What's it going to cost to get a d-man like Franson? Kings can't keep throwing away assets in hopes of making a deep run. They don't have the roster to do it even with adding new players.

Let's just say they trade for Hanzal and Franson (best case scenario). Sorry, that roster still isn't beating the Sharks in a 7 game series. Why waste assets to try? It's more likely the Kings make trades like last season where they trade a mid-round pick for someone like Lecavalier just to make it seem like they're trying to win it all again which is fine but I'm still not buying it.

The 3C hole could be filled if Gaborik comes back healthy and stays that way. Granted, that is no guarantee but it is something to take into account. At that point, you're looking at Lewis centering the 3rd line which is fine. Someone like Franson may cost a second. I don't know if they'll need a Hanzal but that will probably cost more than they're willing to give up. If Gaborik can't come back healthy and stay that way, I don't know if they would go out and make moves unless it's someone like Vanek who may be cheap and a rental depending on how Detroit does. I don't really see their forwards as the key issue for them and I don't see the goaltending being much of one either. If anything gets in the way of bringing in a good defenseman, they should probably hold off on it. Until they can square that away, the other problems really just stem from that particular issue.

 

[Chardo]

I don't see the Isles trading for a draft pick. They're in win now mode. They are more likely to package a goalie with their own picks/prospects for a top line wing.

 

[seafoam]

Greiss would carry LA, he's that good.

The price would be more than a 3rd or B level prospect to be honest.

 

[Seph]

I see your point, but I'm sure Halak is tougher to move due to his contract and injury history. It's as if the Islanders are planning to protect Berube in the expansion draft and hope that LV picks Halak, so they can re-sign Greiss before he hits the market on July 1. But to me it seems like they could always take that risk even if they trade Greiss (and what if LV doesn't take Halak?).

Honestly, I was just trying to come up with a Quick replacement that might make the most sense, and I keep coming back to Greiss.

I doubt the expansion draft is much of a factor in the whole 3 headed goalie monster, honestly. Most likely the Islanders will lose a forward or Dman, depending on which route they go with how many they can protect, as if they protect any 8 they'll have at least one of Nelson, Lee and Strome unprotected, and if they protect 3 dmen, they'll probably have de Haan and Pulock unprotected.

Plus, look at who was hired as the GM for LV and his past history with Halak -- unless McPhee and Snow have some kind of under the table deal in place, I'd expect McPhee to pass on Halak if I were Snow, given the not great relationship in his brief stint with the Caps. Then again, Snow is friends with McPhee and did give him a job while he was between GM positions, so who knows, maybe they do have an under the table deal.

Either way, I think the Islanders see Greiss as a valuable part of the team right now, and they are looking to win now. Unless you overpaid a little in terms of value, I can't see the Islanders moving him for a pick or a prospect.

 

[go4hockey]

Greiss would carry LA, he's that good.

The price would be more than a 3rd or B level prospect to be honest.

The 3rd would be the highest I would pay. If we can get Greiss for a 3rd I do it anything more I would have no interest at all.

 

[Rorschach]

If we pay for another goaltender, he needs to be significantly better than our existing goaltenders.

 

[xIsle]

The 3rd would be the highest I would pay. If we can get Greiss for a 3rd I do it anything more I would have no interest at all.

Halak for a 4th or even a 5th? A 6th could be all right too.

 

[Kale Hulls]

Greiss was instrumental to getting into the playoffs last year I seriously doubt they would drop him for a 3rd round pick. He was the reason more than anybody, including Tavares, why they were able to knock off Florida in the first round as well.