Proposal: Off Season Trade Thread vol. III

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Who else is feeling a long period of mediocrity oncoming?

We'll miss the playoffs narrowly but won't be able to keep up with the suckage in Edmonton and Buffalo. Flames syndrome. One step forward two steps back almost every year.

Was going to happen anyway.

I don't see this team making any real progression as long as any members of the old guard (Neil, Phillips) are here. With that shiny new Phillips contract, we're basically stuck for a while yet.


The real problem I see, is the way teams are playing (and having success) in the past 3-4 seasons has changed. I don't know if it's the new analytics, new attitudes about hits/fighting or what, but the game is definitely changing - and fast.

Question is, what kind of style/system will be successful 4-5 years from now? That's what we need to focus on, as that's when most of our kids will be hitting their prime.

 

[Fandlauer]

Nope, not exactly. Younger players will develop and hopefully we'll get something valuable in return for Spezza. Am I the only one that doesn't think dealing him will set us back that far?

The biggest issue will still be Melnyk's budget (yes I know I sound like a broken record).

I have no doubt it could not only not set us back, but we could actually improve.

 

[BondraTime]

IN a way it's better then demanding a trade I think. That way Murray isn't forced into making a trade he doesn't like ala heatley

Exactly, he isn't forcing Murrays hand, but is guiding it to let him know he's open to things. Much better than "I'm demanding a trade, and let it be known I only want to go to San Jose". (I realize not same kind of NTC)

 

[bigray19]

Spezza is trending on Twitter lol

 

[Tragedy]

Nope, not exactly. Younger players will develop and hopefully we'll get something valuable in return for Spezza. Am I the only one that doesn't think dealing him will set us back that far?

The biggest issue will still be Melnyk's budget (yes I know I sound like a broken record).

I agree with you. I love Spezza but the W's don't lie. The team can win without him as evidenced by the shortened year and the stretch he missed this year. If we can get a piece or two that can fit in and play right away ala the Rags and Jackets trade then who knows

 

[FolignoQuantumLeap]

Nope, not exactly. Younger players will develop and hopefully we'll get something valuable in return for Spezza. Am I the only one that doesn't think dealing him will set us back that far?

The biggest issue will still be Melnyk's budget (yes I know I sound like a broken record).

There is no winning a Spezza trade. There is no one in the organization who can replace him. There is no possibility of getting a player in return who can replace him. The minute he's gone out biggest need becomes a top line center. Take a look around the league. Tell me how many teams are searching for one of those and have been for a long time. We've gone through this as an organization.

How's this sound: Milan Michalek, Jonathan Cheechoo and a second round pick for Jason Spezza. Let that set in.

 

[FolignoQuantumLeap]

Was going to happen anyway.

I don't see this team making any real progression as long as any members of the old guard (Neil, Phillips) are here. With that shiny new Phillips contract, we're basically stuck for a while yet.


The real problem I see, is the way teams are playing (and having success) in the past 3-4 seasons has changed. I don't know if it's the new analytics, new attitudes about hits/fighting or what, but the game is definitely changing - and fast.

Question is, what kind of style/system will be successful 4-5 years from now? That's what we need to focus on, as that's when most of our kids will be hitting their prime.

Ah well good news, once Spezza is traded Phillips will get the C. Huzzah!

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Ah well good news, once Spezza is traded Phillips will get the C. Huzzah!

lol, yeah, that would definitely kill us. Giving the C to either Phillips or Neil would irreversibly taint the kids and the whole rebuild will be for nothing.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

There is no winning a Spezza trade. There is no one in the organization who can replace him. There is no possibility of getting a player in return who can replace him. The minute he's gone out biggest need becomes a top line center. Take a look around the league. Tell me how many teams are searching for one of those and have been for a long time. We've gone through this as an organization.

How's this sound: Milan Michalek, Jonathan Cheechoo and a second round pick for Jason Spezza. Let that set in.

The guy has one year left and is injury prone. If he doesn't want to re-sign, then move him. We may not win the trade value-wise, but it could help the team.

As talented as he is, the guy has been making the same mistakes for a decade now. I'm sorry, but in this new NHL, your top players need to be able to somewhat play a 200 foot game. I like Spezza, but it may be time to head in a new direction with a new identity.

 

[Hossa18]

*whistles*

Maclean also wanted to name Phillips captain and Murray wanted Spezza. So, Spezza is getting traded because he doesn't want to play for Maclean.....So it came down to Spezza being traded or Maclean being fired.....wow....way too much disconnect in the organization.

 

[SaltyPete]

Was going to happen anyway.

I don't see this team making any real progression as long as any members of the old guard (Neil, Phillips) are here. With that shiny new Phillips contract, we're basically stuck for a while yet.


The real problem I see, is the way teams are playing (and having success) in the past 3-4 seasons has changed. I don't know if it's the new analytics, new attitudes about hits/fighting or what, but the game is definitely changing - and fast.

Question is, what kind of style/system will be successful 4-5 years from now? That's what we need to focus on, as that's when most of our kids will be hitting their prime.

Dump and chase is on the way out, skill is going to take precedence over size and grit, enforcers will be nonexistent. Basically the style of game that Detroit's been playing for a while and the style that most of the best teams in the league play today.

 

[BigRig4]

Nope, not exactly. Younger players will develop and hopefully we'll get something valuable in return for Spezza. Am I the only one that doesn't think dealing him will set us back that far?

The biggest issue will still be Melnyk's budget (yes I know I sound like a broken record). The team's direction isn't clear when we trade a bunch of young assets for a winger like Ryan, but can't spend to make the team better. Are we planning to contend?

I think Spezza is a great player, don't get me wrong. But we were 5-1-1 without him this year and averaged exactly 3 goals per game. Keep in mind those games were without any type of return we would get for him. I think it makes sense for both parties.

 

[BigRig4]

Maclean also wanted to name Phillips captain and Murray wanted Spezza. So, Spezza is getting traded because he doesn't want to play for Maclean.....So it came down to Spezza being traded or Maclean being fired.....wow....way too much disconnect in the organization.

That's super interesting, actually never heard that before. Remember where you heard that by any chance?

 

[Benjamin]

There is no winning a Spezza trade. There is no one in the organization who can replace him. There is no possibility of getting a player in return who can replace him. The minute he's gone out biggest need becomes a top line center. Take a look around the league. Tell me how many teams are searching for one of those and have been for a long time. We've gone through this as an organization.

How's this sound: Milan Michalek, Jonathan Cheechoo and a second round pick for Jason Spezza. Let that set in.

Sounds decent if its means missing out on either Spezza walking away while getting no assets from him or missing on a mistake of an extension.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Dump and chase is on the way out, skill is going to take precedence over size and grit, enforcers will be nonexistent. Basically the style of game that Detroit's been playing for a while and the style that most of the best teams in the league play today.

And that's a scary thought.

That is the kind of play a guy like Spezza can excel in...maybe even prolong his career with the reduction of physical play. Only thing holding him back is the skating speed issue.

Who knows? This might be the dawning of a new age in the NHL where it suddenly becomes the norm for guys to play to 40.

 

[God Says No]

We will lose a Spezza trade 9 out of 10 times. That is because Spezza is the best player involved in the trade.

 

[FolignoQuantumLeap]

The guy has one year left and is injury prone. If he doesn't want to re-sign, then move him. We may not win the trade value-wise, but it could help the team.

As talented as he is, the guy has been making the same mistakes for a decade now. I'm sorry, but in this new NHL, your top players need to be able to somewhat play a 200 foot game. I like Spezza, but it may be time to head in a new direction with a new identity.

Fair points, I just think keeping him should have always been the plan. Courting him earlier and reassuring he was a figure here long term would have been the better move in my eyes.

Even in this so called 'new NHL' you have room for guys who can run a PP. Look at a series like the Habs and Boston. Montreal is only still around because they've done well on the man advantage and the Bruins haven't. It can make a mediocre team into a team that can take the Bruins to six games.

I'm not saying make a homogenous roster of Spezza, Sedin and Thornton clones, just that they can work in prominent roles on very good teams. Malkin could be in that group but he had a supporting cast. I thought we were about to get a good supporting for Karlsson and Spezza. Oh well.

 

[BondraTime]

That's super interesting, actually never heard that before. Remember where you heard that by any chance?

That has obviously never been said. It is him making assumptions/theories. Obviously a coach/GM would never say that they disagreed on making the choice of captain, and the coach wanted someone else

 

[HSF]

Spezza wants out and people are crying?

the fans turned on him no **** he wants out

 

[Hossa18]

That has obviously never been said. It is him making assumptions/theories. Obviously a coach/GM would never say that they disagreed on making the choice of captain, and the coach wanted someone else

No, I actually read it somewhere and I mentioned it in the Maclean thread about a month ago but I can't remember where I read it.

 

[HSF]

we either go with 3 A's or we give Karlsson or Turris the C...guaranteed

 

[OttawaSenators11]

I am worried about the return in a potential Spezza trade.

This is going to be a depressing off-season

The never ending ' rebuild'

I wonder what Karlsson will think about moving him?

 

[The Fuhr*]

No, I actually read it somewhere and I mentioned it in the Maclean thread about a month ago but I can't remember where I read it.

I remember it too.

 

[YouGotAStuGoing]

No, I actually read it somewhere and I mentioned it in the Maclean thread about a month ago but I can't remember where I read it.

I remember it too.

A cursory Google search pulls up nothing. If there's a link anywhere that corroborates this, I'd love to see it.

 

[HSF]

I am worried about the return in a potential Spezza trade.

This is going to be a depressing off-season

The never ending ' rebuild'

I wonder what Karlsson will think about moving him?

spezza is part of the last core. this never ending rebuild nonsense is an exageration. Actually a guy like Karlsson is probably waiting to lead a team with the C on his chest with the ego he has