Player Discussion: official trade deadline 2025 // discussion thread

[stevo61]

All I’ll say is, if we’re going to be buyers (aka keeping Provorov) I hope we sign him because letting him walk rather than taking a first rounder doesn’t seem like good asset management. Even if getting to the playoffs would be cool, is that really worth losing out on a future asset?

yes

 

[CBJWerenski8]

yes

And if you miss, was it worth it?

 

[stevo61]

And if you miss, was it worth it?

Depends on what the offers actually were and to me also depends on how healthy the team starts to look around the deadline. If we get bodies back and they want to make a real push for the playoffs then I think that is considerably better for the team than something that is maybe a player someday in the future.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Depends on what the offers actually were and to me also depends on how healthy the team starts to look around the deadline. If we get bodies back and they want to make a real push for the playoffs then I think that is considerably better for the team than something that is maybe a player someday in the future.

Well I’m under the assumption you could get a first for him. So, if that’s the case, then yeah, I don’t think it’s worth keeping him if you miss.

If all you’re getting is 2nd rounder offers then yeah, keep him.

 

[majormajor]

All I’ll say is, if we’re going to be buyers (aka keeping Provorov) I hope we sign him because letting him walk rather than taking a first rounder doesn’t seem like good asset management. Even if getting to the playoffs would be cool, is that really worth losing out on a future asset?

I'd say the odds of passing up a first, if we don't expect to sign Provorov, are very low. Not something to worry about.

There will be no rentals for 1sts. I think we either head towards the draft with 3 1sts or we move some for pieces we can use next year and going forward. Either trades for guys at the deadline that have term (cough Pelech, cough Bjorkstrand), or trades at the draft.

 

[Indy18]

Well I’m under the assumption you could get a first for him. So, if that’s the case, then yeah, I don’t think it’s worth keeping him if you miss.

If all you’re getting is 2nd rounder offers then yeah, keep him.

Provorov is absolutely 100% going to get a 1st+ even more if we retain 50%. Right now he's probably the most viable Dman out there and he's dented iron. GMs pay stupid prices for those two aspects at the deadline. Now factor in this being a weak draft and basically everyone in it your going to get some offer that are going to make you go...wait what you serious? I mean the Avs GM has basically followed us the past 2 nights and I am sure they are not scouting JJ for another return there.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

And if you miss, was it worth it?

Yes.

That’s the way you have to do those things, like when we held Gaborik. You do things to try and accomplish a thing, it was worth it even if you don’t accomplish the thing. Once you make the decision, it becomes “worth it.”

This is just in the abstract. I’m not advocating holding IP.

 

[koteka]

What I like about this draft is there are a bunch of guys who are described as high-motor solid 2-way 200 foot forwards projected to go outside the top 10. We need some young Foligno and Jenner types in the pipeline for this squad. If you assume the Russians are your scoring wings, and we have center fairly set with some combination of Fantilli, Monahan, Sillinger, and LDBB, and we have a high end bonus if Lindstrom recovers and reaches his potential, then I think this is the draft to give us exactly what we need to round out the forwards.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

Well I’m under the assumption you could get a first for him. So, if that’s the case, then yeah, I don’t think it’s worth keeping him if you miss.

If all you’re getting is 2nd rounder offers then yeah, keep him.

And where is the first? Do we need 3 of them in this draft?

If we trade Provorov we are essentially giving up on the season unless we also acquire an actual comprable replacement or upgrade. There is nobody else in the organization that can play his role.

 

[majormajor]

What I like about this draft is there are a bunch of guys who are described as high-motor solid 2-way 200 foot forwards projected to go outside the top 10. We need some young Foligno and Jenner types in the pipeline for this squad. If you assume the Russians are your scoring wings, and we have center fairly set with some combination of Fantilli, Monahan, Sillinger, and LDBB, and we have a high end bonus if Lindstrom recovers and reaches his potential, then I think this is the draft to give us exactly what we need to round out the forwards.

Not really directed at you, but it sometimes looks like people think we're supposed to draft all of our players. Every player type, every position

Have a look at how many drafted players any of the last few cup champs had on their roster. Only a few. It's okay to trade those picks for mature Jenner/Foligno types when we need them, instead of drafting them and waiting years for them to become that player.

I also won't complain if we draft Carter Bear - though it looks like he'll be drafted top ten.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Not really directed at you, but it sometimes looks like people think we're supposed to draft all of our players. Every player type, every position

Have a look at how many drafted players any of the last few cup champs had on their roster. Only a few. It's okay to trade those picks for mature Jenner/Foligno types when we need them, instead of drafting them and waiting years for them to become that player.

I also won't complain if we draft Carter Bear - though it looks like he'll be drafted top ten.

I’m not usually with the downer takes but CBJ could still end up drafting top 10.

 

[EspenK]

I am conflicted on trading Provorov. If he wants 8mm plus for 8 years AMF. If he would take say 6x6.5 or 7 I'd seriously considering re-signing him. Also trading him would be dependent of the return. If TB for example offered their 2026 1st &2nd goodbye Ivan. If it is some team offering the 28th pick in 2025 I'd keep him.

What I really would like is him being extended before the TDL. What I don't want is him leaving as a UFA.

I think the message to the team is important also although as DSL pointed out there is no guarantee CBJ are playoff bound. If they get in, barring a TB sweep like performance, I think it will be a quick exit.

Gonna be interesting.

 

[koteka]

Not really directed at you, but it sometimes looks like people think we're supposed to draft all of our players. Every player type, every position

Have a look at how many drafted players any of the last few cup champs had on their roster. Only a few. It's okay to trade those picks for mature Jenner/Foligno types when we need them, instead of drafting them and waiting years for them to become that player.

I also won't complain if we draft Carter Bear - though it looks like he'll be drafted top ten.

I am 100% cool with trades. I would be willing to trade anyone not named Werenski for the right return. But mention trading someone like Voronkov on this board and the torches and pitchforks come out. If you want a really good return (like a really good right D) you probably are going to have to trade a guy you don’t want to trade. Look at the Dobson stuff - the cost of Dobson is probably Marchenko. We can float other ideas, but it is pretty clear the Isles want top end scoring.

 

[CBJx614]

And where is the first? Do we need 3 of them in this draft?

If we trade Provorov we are essentially giving up on the season unless we also acquire an actual comprable replacement or upgrade. There is nobody else in the organization that can play his role.

Just because we have 3 picks don't mean that we would use all of them.

But also I kinda can get behind the idea of a Provorov for Mittlestadt swap of some sort. It lets Mateychuk pick up some more minutes and when Guddy comes back we have our physical shut down guy. I don't think any one is under the illusion that we're going to make a run this year.. If we make it, perfect. If not we have some more flexibility up and down the offensive lineup and can focus on reshaping our depth in the off-season, both offensive and defensively. Which is when I see some major shakeups occuring to the bottom 6/bottom 4

I am 100% cool with trades. I would be willing to trade anyone not named Werenski for the right return. But mention trading someone like Voronkov on this board and the torches and pitchforks come out. If you want a really good return (like a really good right D) you probably are going to have to trade a guy you don’t want to trade. Look at the Dobson stuff - the cost of Dobson is probably Marchenko. We can float other ideas, but it is pretty clear the Isles want top end scoring.

As they should. Who else in our entire system brings anything similar to what he can?

 

[JohnnyJacket13]

Nyquist and Tarasenko (apparently not a fit in Detroit) are really intriguing targets. I wonder if there’d be room to add both, should only cost a few picks. We’re going to need to add some scoring depth, our current injury situation is exposing our lack of quality wingers.

Vronk-Fantilli-Marchenko
KJ-Jenner-Nyquist
JVR-Sillinger-Tarasenko
ZAR-Kuraly-Olivier

 

[Cowumbus]

Nyquist and Tarasenko (apparently not a fit in Detroit) are really intriguing targets. I wonder if there’d be room to add both, should only cost a few picks. We’re going to need to add some scoring depth, our current injury situation is exposing our lack of quality wingers.

Vronk-Fantilli-Marchenko
KJ-Jenner-Nyquist
JVR-Sillinger-Tarasenko
ZAR-Kuraly-Olivier

Both are a step behind the type of players they were even last year.

Trading Provorov for someone like Mittlestadt seems like a recipe for disaster.

 

[koteka]

As they should. Who else in our entire system brings anything similar to what he can?

Here is the truth about Voronkov. He is a freaking unicorn. He has great hands for a guy his size. He is fun to watch. He is also a very nice complimentary piece. He is not a core piece needed to win a Cup. He is the extra piece to push you over the top, but he is not the guy getting you there. We have clear gaps in our line up if we ever want to contend for a Cup. A humongous hole in this team is a tough right defenseman that can help this team hold a lead and play good playoff hockey. That is a necessary piece to have if we want to win a Cup. I don’t know how we get that piece. Once we traded a 1C for a true high end 1RD. Recently we used a high draft pick and drafted a guy we hoped would become that piece, but he obviously didn’t seem to be it. We can keep throwing draft picks at RD and hope we hit the lottery, but even if we do, it might take a guy 5 years to develop. So we probably need to make a big trade. And that big trade, if it ever gets made, will likely involve Voronkov because he does have a lot of value in his unique skill set.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

A humongous hole in this team is a tough right defenseman that can help this team hold a lead and play good playoff hockey. That is a necessary piece to have if we want to win a Cup. I don’t know how we get that piece

See I agree with you here. I really do. But you continue to imply that it needs to be a top pairing type person. It doesn’t need to be. Cernak, Savard, etc were the “top” pairing RHD guys on Tampa during their cup runs. Good players, but not exactly guys you need to trade a unicorn for. Same with Ekblad or Montour in Florida.

We’re still knee deep in this rebuild thing. We’re not close to making cup runs. There’s no need to shop guys like Voronkov. I agree with your assessment that he’s a complimentary piece, but we have (or we hope we have) the top end guys developing with Fantilli, Marchenko, KJ, and maybe Lindstrom eventually. On D we have Werenski and hopefully Mateychuk as our top end guys. While it would be nice to have a game changing RD, it’s not like it’s a pre requisite for everyone to win a cup.

 

[koteka]

See I agree with you here. I really do. But you continue to imply that it needs to be a top pairing type person. It doesn’t need to be. Cernak, Savard, etc were the “top” pairing RHD guys on Tampa during their cup runs. Good players, but not exactly guys you need to trade a unicorn for. Same with Ekblad or Montour in Florida.

We’re still knee deep in this rebuild thing. We’re not close to making cup runs. There’s no need to shop guys like Voronkov. I agree with your assessment that he’s a complimentary piece, but we have (or we hope we have) the top end guys developing with Fantilli, Marchenko, KJ, and maybe Lindstrom eventually. On D we have Werenski and hopefully Mateychuk as our top end guys. While it would be nice to have a game changing RD, it’s not like it’s a pre requisite for everyone to win a cup.

I would trade Voronkov for a 22 year old cost controlled Cernak in a second.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Also just for clarity sake, this will be the trade deadline GDT when that day comes. Please use this and not the roster discussion thread

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

I think the message to the team is important also although as DSL pointed out there is no guarantee CBJ are playoff bound. If they get in, barring a TB sweep like performance, I think it will be a quick exit.

I think you make a decision based on this, and you just stick to it/live with it. Is there value in trying to make the playoffs? Is there value in making the playoffs even if you get ousted early and quickly?

Then you execute a plan for that, and that’s the plan. Whether it works or not is not how you measure whether it was the right decision.

 

[majormajor]

Look at the Dobson stuff - the cost of Dobson is probably Marchenko. We can float other ideas, but it is pretty clear the Isles want top end scoring.

Yeah and I'd like Scarlett Johansson, what does that have to do with anything?

If you're implying that Marchenko for Dobson would be an even trade, it would not. Marchenko has emerged as a much more valuable player. Just to use the hockeystatcard ratings as an example of the disparity - Dobson rates as a very nice +5 player, not half a Werenski but he would be 2nd on our club and a lot of clubs. Then you've got Marchenko around +11. Last I checked there was not a player in the league with a greater disparity in 5v5 goal results between what the club does with him on the ice vs off of it. That's a distinction often reserved for McDavid and Mackinnon. I imagine that will be a temporary distinction for Marchenko but it should nonetheless give you a sense of his caliber.

Here is the truth about Voronkov. He is a freaking unicorn. He has great hands for a guy his size. He is fun to watch. He is also a very nice complimentary piece. He is not a core piece needed to win a Cup.

You don't know the truth. Voronkov absolutely could be the best player in a playoff series. You can't remotely rule that out.

You think we just like him because he's fun to watch?

A humongous hole in this team is a tough right defenseman that can help this team hold a lead and play good playoff hockey. That is a necessary piece to have if we want to win a Cup. I don’t know how we get that piece.

Well that certainly doesn't describe Noah Dobson. Sounds more like Ryan Pulock. Or Radko Gudas. Ekblad was the closest thing to that for the cup winning Panthers, and he wasn't very good - supposedly can't skate without back injections. He's UFA in a few months and no one else here has mentioned wanting him here. Pulock would be nice, the usual trade returns speculated for him are not super high, nothing that would force us to part with Voronkov.

 

[koteka]

I think you make a decision based on this, and you just stick to it/live with it. Is there value in trying to make the playoffs? Is there value in making the playoffs even if you get ousted early and quickly?

Then you execute a plan for that, and that’s the plan. Whether it works or not is not how you measure whether it was the right decision.

NY at times last night (like on 4-on-4) looked incredibly sharp. Plus they have a great goalie. They aren’t going anywhere. If I had to predict the playoffs right now it would be:

Caps, Canes, Devils

Panthers, Leafs, Lightning

and then the two wildcards would come from Sens, Rangers, Bruins, and maybe Wings.

The Bruins and Rangers have the experience, and the Red Wings and Sens are ahead of us on the rebuild.

I expect us to finish 10th - 12th in the East. (Which, by the way, is serious improvement.)

Do I like trying and not tanking given where the team is in its development? Yes. Do I make some moves for the short term and not trade Provorov? No.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Item No. 1: Trader Don​

A month ago, it seemed as if Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell was ready to consider the return of captain Boone Jenner later this month as the equivalent of a trade deadline acquisition, a big boost as the young club tries to grab a playoff spot down the stretch.
But then center Sean Monahan needed surgery for a sprained wrist. And then Kirill Marchenko needed surgery to reset a fractured jaw. Just like that, two-thirds of the top forward line was lost, and with it went the Blue Jackets’ ability to win games by outscoring opponents.

Waddell is now looking at the March 7 trade deadline through a much different lens. He was one of the NHL’s more aggressive GMs last week in his search for a top-six scoring forward who can restore the Blue Jackets’ margin for error in games.

“We had some irons in the fire,” Waddell told The Athletic. “But no action yet.”

Waddell said he’d be willing to trade one of the Blue Jackets’ two first-round picks this coming summer — they also own Minnesota’s after the David Jiricek trade — but only for a player who has remaining term on their contract, not a rental player.

But he also wouldn’t rule out trading one of the Blue Jackets’ mid-round picks — they have two fourth-round picks this year, plus two third-round and three fourth-round picks in 2026 — for a veteran player with an expiring contract after this season.

“I’d like to add somebody who can play in our top six, somebody who can score,” Waddell said. “We were getting through it without (Monahan) for a while, but then Marchy happens … you can’t expect to keep scoring goals when you take those guys out of your lineup.”
Meanwhile, Waddell said talks with the Blue Jackets’ most prominent pending unrestricted free agents — defenseman Ivan Provorov and forward Mathieu Olivier — have remained productive and amicable.

Both players figure to garner significant interest on the trade market — the Boston Bruins have taken runs at Olivier at the past two deadlines — but Waddell said he’s “100 percent” open to keeping them beyond March 7, even if contracts aren’t signed.
“We’ve exchanged ideas and numbers on both sides,” he said. “We’re not there yet, but there are deals to be made, for sure.

“Now that the (NHL salary cap) is going up, and we have the numbers, it’s a little bit clearer now. But the thing I want to be careful with is term.”

Waddell wants to keep defenseman Dante Fabbro, too, given the way Fabbro has meshed with No. 1 defenseman Zach Werenski since he was claimed off waivers from Nashville earlier this season. Numbers have not yet been exchanged with Fabbro’s camp, but there are plans to talk soon, Waddell said.

 

[majormajor]

But he also wouldn’t rule out trading one of the Blue Jackets’ mid-round picks — they have two fourth-round picks this year, plus two third-round and three fourth-round picks in 2026 — for a veteran player with an expiring contract after this season.

“I’d like to add somebody who can play in our top six, somebody who can score,” Waddell said.

This is good to hear.

But can he hurry up?

“Now that the (NHL salary cap) is going up, and we have the numbers, it’s a little bit clearer now. But the thing I want to be careful with is term.”

This is a very good window into what's going on, then. We want less term than Provorov does, perhaps less than Olivier does too.

Numbers have not yet been exchanged with Fabbro’s camp, but there are plans to talk soon, Waddell said.

Does this seem like a reasonable amount of time to wait until we talk with Fabbro's camp? We've known for a while that we want to keep the player.