Speculation: Offseason Roster Building Thread - Trades, Signings, Rumors

[Cardiac Jerks]

draft pettersson

sign kovalchuk

????

profit

You mean trade for Kovalchuk as the devils will not grant permission for him to sign elsewhere. They've already said they will do a sign and trade if the return makes sense. It won't be cheap.

 

[Moosetache]

So to the people who I am sure know this info off the top of their head.

Who are the UFA Centers this year, and who are the RFA centers?

I'm sure most of you (like me) dont think Oshie is a fit.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

So to the people who I am sure know this info off the top of their head.

Who are the UFA Centers this year, and who are the RFA centers?

I'm sure most of you (like me) dont think Oshie is a fit.

https://capfriendly.com/browse/free-agents/2018/caphit/all/center

 

[Moosetache]

https://capfriendly.com/browse/free-agents/2018/caphit/all/center

This is why I lean on you savvy internet wizzes like BBA!!

My computer skills =

 

[Moosetache]

Names off that list that intrigue me:

UFA: None really, but if I had to pick two I'd say
Hanzal
Bonino

RFA:
Draisaitl (of course, tho I'm sure not an option)
Johansen
Kuznetsov (does he play much center really?)
Galchenyuk
Wennberg
Granlund (slightly)

Thoughts?

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I don't think any RFA's will be obtained and would be surprised by either of those UFAs also. I really think the guys the Canes end up getting will be via trade. I'm thinking guys like RNH, Duchene, Strome, Nelson, or someone from a team up against the expansion draft (Minn? Ana? etc..)

 

[Vagrant]

It seems likely that Ottawa would want to keep him and that he'd probably want to stay in Ottawa, but Tom Pyatt would be such a solid add for the bottom six. He's the type of guy that I want us to pursue. A guy with great wheels and versatility that wouldn't be entirely useless in an offensive situation.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Interesting:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/30-thoughts-st-louis-target-eberle-scoring-help/

An unusual name started circulating in trade circles the last few days: Minnesota’s Nino Niederreiter. The 24-year-old winger had a career-high 25 goals in 2016–17, and, after making a few calls, it sounds like teams are looking at the Wild’s expansion/cap situation, wondering if he could be available. Two years away from unrestricted free agency, Niederreiter is arbitration eligible and will get a nice raise from the $2.7 million he just earned.

The Wild also need to re-sign Mikael Granlund. As an exec from another team put it, “It may not be their first choice, but if you make it worth their while, it’s possible.” All GM Chuck Fletcher would say is, “We are actively listening... on everything.

I really think with the looming expansion draft, the trade market in the next couple of months is going to be crazy.

EDIT: Also, not a surprise but:

21. Not surprisingly, Botterill's priority is the defence. “It’s not rocket science,” he said. “We have to address the depth of our D core. Rasmus Ristolainen is a great young player, but we have to help manage his minutes. It’s important. We’re going to look at every possible [method of addition]." He wouldn’t discuss specifics, but the organization has to make a decision on Evander Kane. Do they let him play out his contract, re-sign him or try to move him for that defender?

 

[Moosetache]

I don't think any RFA's will be obtained and would be surprised by either of those UFAs also. I really think the guys the Canes end up getting will be via trade. I'm thinking guys like RNH, Duchene, Strome, Nelson, or someone from a team up against the expansion draft (Minn? Ana? etc..)

RNH- no thanks
Duchene- no term as we have said
Strome- not sure what that guy is to be honest, but I'm open to listen to others thoughts
Nelson- I like him, but he's not the potential 1C we are looking for. he's a decent 2C

 

[Vagrant]

Nino Niederreiter is certainly a name that will perk some ears up around the league. It's going to be expensive for someone. Very similar profile to Landeskog. The ask would be Hanifin almost certainly.

 

[Chan790]

Nino Niederreiter is certainly a name that will perk some ears up around the league. It's going to be expensive for someone. Very similar profile to Landeskog. The ask would be Hanifin almost certainly.

Hopefully, that's when Francis hangs up the phone with great velocity and force. Neither Nieder or Landy is worth discussing Hanifin.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

RNH- no thanks
Duchene- no term as we have said
Strome- not sure what that guy is to be honest, but I'm open to listen to others thoughts
Nelson- I like him, but he's not the potential 1C we are looking for. he's a decent 2C

Honestly, I think getting a true 1C is a pipe dream. For years, Leafs fans made proposal after proposal in trying to trade for a 1C, and it never happened. 1C's are rarely traded, and even in the cases where they are, we'd need to luck out and run into a dumb GM (Seguin trade) or are willing to part with a high end defensive asset (Jones for Johansen trade).

If we aren't willing to give up a "Hanifin" type asset, the chances of us doing better than the guys I listed are non-existent IMO. Even if we ARE willing to give up a Hanifin type asset, it still is a long shot to be able to trade for a 1C. That said, I don't think we NEED a 1C right now. We need better top 6 talent. If Darling/Ward (or Lack) performs better than Ward/Lack, that's big. Now we just need to add some more scoring upfront, whether that be wingers or centers.

 

[MinJaBen]

Nino Niederreiter is certainly a name that will perk some ears up around the league. It's going to be expensive for someone. Very similar profile to Landeskog. The ask would be Hanifin almost certainly.

They have both cap and expansion issues. What about a Hanifin plus picks for Dumba and Nino? We wouldn't be getting our 1C with Hanifin, but we'd get a defender they can't protect plus a very good scoring forward we need for Hanifin and a pick or two. I'd think about a deal like that, but I'm not sure if I jump.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Re: E. Kane from the IIHF thread as it fits better here.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have a problem bringing E. Kane in, just that I think your expectations of him being more "consistent" do not match with his actual on ice performance. A lot of that might be attributed to injuries, by his goal total and point totals have been all over the place. If we get a "healthy" Kane that stays out of trouble, then yep, I agree. We're likely to get a 25+G, physical winger. Just not sure you can count on that more than you can count on Duchene bouncing back.

All depends on what it would cost to get him (or Duchene) though. I think both would help the team.

 

[MinJaBen]

Re: E. Kane from the IIHF thread as it fits better here.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have a problem bringing E. Kane in, just that I think your expectations of him being more "consistent" do not match with his actual on ice performance. A lot of that might be attributed to injuries, by his goal total and point totals have been all over the place. If we get a "healthy" Kane that stays out of trouble, then yep, I agree. We're likely to get a 25+G, physical winger. Just not sure you can count on that more than you can count on Duchene bouncing back.

All depends on what it would cost to get him (or Duchene) though. I think both would help the team.

What about his steady decline, and his average at best play at IIHF with a much better team than the Avs, gives you any confidence of him bouncing back? Sure, I'd take Duchene too if he comes very cheap, but what are the chances of that? The Avs will just hold him and take the risk that he does bounce back themselves.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

What about his steady decline, and his average at best play at IIHF with a much better team than the Avs, gives you any confidence of him bouncing back? Sure, I'd take Duchene too if he comes very cheap, but what are the chances of that? The Avs will just hold him and take the risk that he does bounce back themselves.

I think people are making more of this "steady decline" than really meets the eye. He had a career high in goals just last season where he had 30 goals and 59 points in 76 games and was better than the prior season. In his career, he's had 1 70 point season, but if you remove that season (treat it as an anomaly), his career average is 26G, 59 points over 82 games and last season, he had 30G, 59 points in 76 games which is a little better than his average.

He had a bad season this season, no doubt, but on a VERY bad team where other good players on his team also had off years. Even his "bad" season is only 2 points worse than E. Kanes season this past year. I'm fine with saying he's not a 70 point player, but IMO, his "demise" is being greatly overstated. Same way Skinner was being written off a few years ago. Eric Staal was washed up a year ago and the way countless other players are written off based on the most recent season at hand.

From what I've seen him play (which granted isn't extensive), he still looks like the Matt Duchene of old in terms of his wheels and play. Who knows for sure, but I do think he'll bounce back, especially if he gets out of Colorado. As I mentioned earlier, I'd like Bleed to weigh in as he's probably seen him more.

 

[Breakdowns]

Interesting:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/30-thoughts-st-louis-target-eberle-scoring-help/



I really think with the looming expansion draft, the trade market in the next couple of months is going to be crazy.

EDIT: Also, not a surprise but:

I am all ears for Nino, I really like his style of play. If he is available, we should try to look at him for sure.

 

[Unsustainable]

Which teams in expansion trouble would we be able to poach a good talent back?

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

The best chance we've got at a 1c this year is Aho working real hard in the offseason.

And the chances of him being a 1c are super low.

Just get more scoring, who cares if it's wing or center, who cares if it's a first or second liner.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

The best chance we've got at a 1c this year is Aho working real hard in the offseason.

And the chances of him being a 1c are super low.

Just get more scoring, who cares if it's wing or center, who cares if it's a first or second liner.

Yes, yes, and yes.

 

[Moosetache]

Why would one of these players from Minny cost Hanifin if they can't protect said player anyway? Lose him for nothing or get something for him (not Hanifin).

 

[MinJaBen]

Why would one of these players from Minny cost Hanifin if they can't protect said player anyway? Lose him for nothing or get something for him (not Hanifin).

Because they are good and we are not the only team the Wild can trade with. The expansion draft makes them more available, it doesn't make them discounted.

 

[Bazeek]

Why would one of these players from Minny cost Hanifin if they can't protect said player anyway? Lose him for nothing or get something for him (not Hanifin).

Just to clarify, the Nino/Granlund talk is all about affording their new contracts. Trading one would have little effect on the expansion draft.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Why would one of these players from Minny cost Hanifin if they can't protect said player anyway? Lose him for nothing or get something for him (not Hanifin).

The problem is more with their upcoming contracts (I think).

For the expansion draft, you have to look at the big picture from their POV. First off, they are still in a "win now" position. Futures for a young player probably won't cut it IMO. Secondly, they are definitely going to lose a good player in the expansion draft as they have too many to protect. Whether that be Dumba, or Brodin, or Scandella, or Zucker, or Staal or whoever, they will be losing one of those guys even if they make a trade or two.

So if they trade one player for peanuts, they will STILL lose a very good player to the expansion draft as they can't protect them all. They are better off, as a team, losing one guy to the E.D. than losing 2 guys and only getting peanuts back. The best case scenario for them is to get an Expansion Draft Exempt NHL player back in exchange for a guy. That's why a guy like Hanifin, Pesce, or Slavin would be so desirable to them.

 

[CandyCanes]

Hopefully, that's when Francis hangs up the phone with great velocity and force. Neither Nieder or Landy is worth discussing Hanifin.

We use cell phones nowadays, pretty sure he will just tap the "end call button" repeatedly instead if that's the ask. If he used lots of velocity hanging up the phone he may crack his screen