Speculation: Its going to be a seller's market at the deadline for Top 4Dmen- Who will be available??

[Sideline]

There's rumblings out of Vancouver that Allvin and JR are once again trying to get ahead of the other teams and have the cap and assets to make a splash.

Seravelli the hack named Pettersson and Anderson as the main guys they covet .
Soucy has been shockingly bad and him and Myers have no Chemistry.

I think Soucy turns it around but he's more of a #5 and Pettersson imo would be a great addition to the top four.
What kind package do you think Dubas is looking for?

Personally, I would want a 1st straight up. More if there is money with term coming back.

Based on the Guentzel trade, Dubas seems to prefer prospects that are farther along. Would not shock me if Pettersson went for a 2nd/3rd and a 19 or 20 year old prospect that was a 2nd/3rd rounder and trending well in development.

 

[leafsfan5]

*DISCLAIMER - not all of these guys are top 4 guys I'm strictly choosing teams who I believe could miss, and have guys available with less than 2 years on their deal.

My guess for defenders that will be on the market if these teams:

From Eastern Conference Teams:
Pittsburgh - Marcus Pettersson, Matt Grzelcyk
Columbus - Ivan Provorov, Eric Gudbranson?, Jack Johnson
Montreal - David Savard
Philadelphia - Eric Johnson

+ maybe

NYI - Mike Reilly
Detroit - Ben Chiarot, Jeff Petry, Olli Maatta
Ottawa - Travis Hamonic
Buffalo - Connor Clifton, Henri Jokiharju

From Western Conference Teams
Anaheim - Cam Fowler?? (unlikely), Brian Dumoulin, Urho Vaakanainen
Chicago - Connor Murphy??, Alec Martinez
Seattle - Jamie Oleksiak??, Josh Mahura, William Borgen
SJ - Cody Ceci, Jan Rutta,

+ maybe

Calgary - Rasmus Andersson?? (unlikely), Tyson Barrie
LA - Vladislav Gavrikov, Andreas Englund
Minnesota - Jacob Middleton, Zach Bogosian, John Merrill
St Louis - Nick Leddy, Ryan Suter
Utah - Ian Cole, Robert Bortuzzo

It appears OP is right, that is a horrendous crop of defenseman available

 

[TheNewEra]

Ottawa probably ends up in the market RD, would prefer a top 4 guy but if its a #4/5 dman but is good defensively its worth the consideration

hamonic should not be on the ice and for some reason he has the leg up on JBD who has been average in his role (which is huge)

getting someone with Kleven is probably something the sens target, especially as the sens prospect depth is blah. Doesnt even have to be someone with term since baring a surprise Yak probably makes the team next year

Of the names on the list that @Mitch nylander prepared I can see Murphy and Borgen being targeted

 

[miscs75]

pipe dream but would love for Dobson to be available.

Canucks pov id give up a kings ransom for him.

1st, 2nd, Willander,

That still wouldn’t even be enough for Dobson. Teams will easily beat that offer for a 70pt 23 year old defenseman who’s an RFA.

 

[Henkka]

The cap would currently work with the DET-NYR Trouba-trade if Chiarot goes another way.

It's a 3.25M difference in value (8.0M vs. 4.75M) and we have 3.46M of cap room.

Also interesting, that NYR has four righties, thanks to growth of Mancini (all Fox, Schneider, Trouba, Mancini are righties) and they are missing an experienced lefty. Also LD Lindgren is currently injured.

I think they would be interested in this:

Lindgren - Fox
Miller - Schneider
Chiarot - Mancini
(LD Jones)

And Red Wings would be interested in this:

Edvinsson - Seider
Johansson - Trouba
Gustafsson - Petry/Holl
(Wallinder)

The handnesses would be perfect for both teams.

And Trouba caphit will absolutely need to go, if not this year, but at next summer for 100% sure, after huge Shesterkin contract extension (13 million?) and Lafreniere extension up to 7M+.

That another year for Trouba is extremely problematic for NYR and also Chiarot has that 2nd year left. But it could equal NYR and DET wishes. They could "swap the problems", because it would benefit both teams.

 

[Thechozen1]

Matheson and Savard from MTL.

I’d like Matheson with the Jets, but doubt there’s a fair deal to be made by both sides.

 

[jackjohnson]

Hockey pundits/experts are predicting that this year's trade deadline will be a sellers' market for those who are willing to unload a top 4 Dmen.

The theory is that the demand will be high but the supply will be short. Not only will there be plenty of playoff and contending teams looking to add top 4Dmen but it sounds like there are rebuilding teams like Mtl who also want to add.

This would be a great year for those selling a top 4 dmen and the return should be significant compared to other years.

Having said that, which big name top 4 Dmen will be available?

1. Pettersson
2. Andersson
3.Weegar
4. Pulock
5. Jones
6. Kesselring
7. Durzi
8. Fowler
9. Barron

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Get ‘em while their hot
Fowler
Vatrano
Gibson

 

[jackjohnson]

Rasmussen Anderson! I think he will be moved for a nice package of prospects or picks.

If Andersson is moved, so will Weegar who is 2 years older, more expensive and locked into a 6 year deal. I doubt weegar wants to waste 6 years of his prime on a rebuilding team.

 

[Czechboy]

Hoping my oilers target jiricek early and he is too 4 by playoffs

 

[biturbo19]

The cap would currently work with the DET-NYR Trouba-trade if Chiarot goes another way.

It's a 3.25M difference in value (8.0M vs. 4.75M) and we have 3.46M of cap room.

Also interesting, that NYR has four righties, thanks to growth of Mancini (all Fox, Schneider, Trouba, Mancini are righties) and they are missing an experienced lefty. Also LD Lindgren is currently injured.

I think they would be interested in this:

Lindgren - Fox
Miller - Schneider
Chiarot - Mancini
(LD Jones)

And Red Wings would be interested in this:

Edvinsson - Seider
Johansson - Trouba
Gustafsson - Petry/Holl
(Wallinder)

The handnesses would be perfect for both teams.

And Trouba caphit will absolutely need to go, if not this year, but at next summer for 100% sure, after huge Shesterkin contract extension (13 million?) and Lafreniere extension up to 7M+.

That another year for Trouba is extremely problematic for NYR and also Chiarot has that 2nd year left. But it could equal NYR and DET wishes. They could "swap the problems", because it would benefit both teams.

It's not an insane idea. But that's an enormous cap number moving. And at the same time...Trouba is still massively better than Chiarot.

It's one of those things that does make a little sense, but i honestly can't see how the two parties could ultimately come to an agreement about it. Especially the Rangers, because why would they want to downgrade their defence in a championship run, unless they've got something else important lined up with that cap space they'd free up?

 

[The Real JT]

pipe dream but would love for Dobson to be available.

Canucks pov id give up a kings ransom for him.

1st, 2nd, Willander,

The return will need to be way better.

It’s hard to imagine the Isles moving on from Dobson but for a huge return I wouldn’t mind it as an Isles fan. He’s on the verge of getting a long-term high $AAV deal and frankly my main concern with him is that he is as soft as butter and that won’t change even as he matures.

Pelech and Pulock would both be available assuming that the Isles are not competitive near the TDL or alternatively if they fire Lou before then and the new GM is ready to move on and restock the cupboard.

 

[HuGort]

Montreal will move Savard for first pick

 

[OrangePMD]

The cap would currently work with the DET-NYR Trouba-trade if Chiarot goes another way.

It's a 3.25M difference in value (8.0M vs. 4.75M) and we have 3.46M of cap room.

Also interesting, that NYR has four righties, thanks to growth of Mancini (all Fox, Schneider, Trouba, Mancini are righties) and they are missing an experienced lefty. Also LD Lindgren is currently injured.

I think they would be interested in this:

Lindgren - Fox
Miller - Schneider
Chiarot - Mancini
(LD Jones)

And Red Wings would be interested in this:

Edvinsson - Seider
Johansson - Trouba
Gustafsson - Petry/Holl
(Wallinder)

The handnesses would be perfect for both teams.

And Trouba caphit will absolutely need to go, if not this year, but at next summer for 100% sure, after huge Shesterkin contract extension (13 million?) and Lafreniere extension up to 7M+.

That another year for Trouba is extremely problematic for NYR and also Chiarot has that 2nd year left. But it could equal NYR and DET wishes. They could "swap the problems", because it would benefit both teams.

This makes sense "in a vacuum", but unlkely to happen during the season real life reasons.

Trouba probably has some kind of unwritten agreement not to be traded, because his wife it still not finished with her medical education, and thus unable/unwilling to move.

And for better or for worse, he the man in that locker room. It's his team and the vets love him. And there isn't currently a reason to rock that boat. Fans can say whatever, but these things matter to Real Hockey Men, who deal with real people, in real life.

Maybe next summer.

 

[vokiel]

Matheson, Savard on the Habs are available now, but we need warm D bodies back.

Savard isn't a top 4 d anymore however.

 

[dgibb10]

1. Pettersson
2. Andersson
3.Weegar
4. Pulock
5. Jones
6. Kesselring
7. Durzi
8. Fowler
9. Barron

W.

Pettersson is so slept on but he is better than Andersson

 

[Wpgpage]

It's still way to early for most of these predictions. That being said if the Jets keep playing like this and Specifically Pionk keeps up his stellar play then I think the Jets go very hard after a RHD. Ideally someone who can keep up with Morrissey and PK. That allows them to move Demelo down to P3 to pair with Heinola and gives them an offensive and defensive player on each pairing which is critical to thier offensive structure. Basically any prospect other than Yager and Lambert would be moveable along with all picks.

 

[madmike77]

Either Andersson or Weegar will likely be available from the Flames. I can't see them getting rid of both. It would leave them with zero veteran leadership on the back end. And they'd need to bring in a lot of salary to replace them.

My guess at this point would be Andersson. I can't see him wanting to stick around for the rebuild. Although, as others have noted, the Flames may wait to trade him in the offseason so they can get more for him with an extension.

 

[jackjohnson]

Either Andersson or Weegar will likely be available from the Flames. I can't see them getting rid of both. It would leave them with zero veteran leadership on the back end. And they'd need to bring in a lot of salary to replace them.

My guess at this point would be Andersson. I can't see him wanting to stick around for the rebuild. Although, as others have noted, the Flames may wait to trade him in the offseason so they can get more for him with an extension.

If both can get a haul, then why not? Then they could get Karlsson from Pens for multiple 1st and 2nd round picks and prospects. They will fill the cupboard in no time. Getting vets is easy when you have lots of cap space to play with especially teams that want to get rid of their expensive vets.

 

[Jumptheshark]

Depends how many teams are within striking distance of the playoffs

 

[Schemp]

I still like Provorpov on Utah if the BJs can't re-sign him.

 

[CannonFire1]

Hoping my oilers target jiricek early and he is too 4 by playoffs

For Bouchard? Ok.

Seriously though, what would Edmonton even be willing to offer? They don't appear to have much in the way of capital.

 

[SillyRabbit]

The Canucks desperately need a top 4-defenceman who is responsible in their own end. Their offensive ability isn't important as long as they can defend.

Who's their best option(s)?

 

[PlayersLtd]

This is a great one, when we talk about the change in hockey terminology these days.

We have this new breed and generation of fan, and even some younger guys in the media, who misinterpret what the term “Top 4 Dman” actually means (to some) today, from what it used to mean for decades.. Actually what it still means in hockey circles.

It used to mean to all fans and media as well….. A top dman, who would play in everyone’s Top 4, in every circumstance. Didn’t matter what team. Basically a Dman who could “Carry a Pairing.”

For example, Larry Murphy wasn’t considered a “Top 4” Dman in the late 90s, just because he played with Nick Lidstrom for a couple hundred straight games. He wouldn’t have played in Toronto’s Top 4 and Toronto wasn’t anywhere near winning cups, like Detroit was. Today, there’s fans who would call him a top pairing Dman, because he technically played on Detroit’s top pairing every year.

Today, because fans are so literal, they’d call him a Top 4 Dman. To the point they’d be upset and argue if you tried to correct them. We’ve all tried.

In hockey terms, It doesn’t mean someone who plays in a Top 4 with a good/great partner, or on the Sharks for example. It still doesn’t when scouts, etc, say “top 4 Dman.” Those bloggers and vloggers misinterpret it a lot as well..

The ONLY Top 4 Dman who we know is on the market is Cam Fowler. An aging one, but still a legit Top 4 Dman. When he’s traded, he’ll either carry a second pairing, or more likely (at this stage of his career) be a supporting Top 4 Dman. He’s gonna play in someone’s Top 4. Good bet it’s Detroit’s coincidentally.

Don't you think it's different now though? The game and skill sets have changed. I think there are more top 4 potential D out there than there ever was.

The fact that even the worst D skaters today could hold their own against an average 'top pairing' skater from previous generations gives a lesser D man today a better chance at slotting into a top 4 role than in generations past.

Also, there is more structure in today's game which results in good coaches being able to get more out of lesser players, or lesser players end up being a better fit within a certain system.

Back in the day you had an excess of dmen playing in the top 4 who as you say likely didn't deserve the label. There was a lot of value placed on the one dimensional big stay at home shot blocking and net front clearing d men, like Stephane Quintal say, and those guys got top four minutes without being top 4 talents.

Today however, because d men are by and large better skaters and puck handlers/movers than before I think you have a bigger talent pool of true top 4 dmen and you also have more bottom pairing players who have the potential to rise up and hold their own in a top 4 role if properly utilized by the coach or if they mesh with a particular system.

 

[KurtDangle]

Hampus Lindholm might be