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

[RodTheBawd]

He's gotta give Peters something of significance up front. There was a little tension in the air at that end of season presser. I get you can't make a move for the sake of making move, but there are definitely viable options out there (without breaking up the top 4 D).

 

[DaveG]

I think we bring in 2, maybe 3 (depending on Vegas), players from outside the org up front alone in the next month.

Aho - Rask - xxxxx (Stempniak?)
xxxxx - Staal - Lindholm
Skinner - xxxxx - TT
McGinn - Wallmark - xxxxx (Nordy or PDG)

Slavin - Pesce
Hanifin - Faulk
Fleury - xxxxx (pre-expansion trade?)

Darling
Ward/Lack

One of those 3 spots will probably be filled with one of Saarela, Goat, or Roy, but if Stempniak gets claimed that's going to be a top 6 forward and a #3 center that we're bringing in IMO. McGinn can always slot up but IMHO he just makes more sense as a 4th liner that is good to be called upon to slot up rather then just flat out slotting him in the top 9. Bones and Williams as UFAs would be optimal there. But one gets the feeling that there may be something on the table like Eberle for something along the lines of the return Shaw got for Chicago.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

I'm not saying he won't make moves, I'm saying this team would still take a step forward even if Brock's grim prediction came true.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I'm saying this team would still take a step forward even if Brock's grim prediction came true.

Yeah, I got what you were saying and they definitely could. My view is it's a big risk taking that approach though, because as I said, one injury to a key player and they could just as easily take a step back. I'd rather try and move the needle a little further.

 

[DaveG]

Yeah, I got what you were saying and they definitely could. My view is it's a big risk taking that approach though, because as I said, one injury to a key player and they could just as easily take a step back. I'd rather try and move the needle a little further.

Exactly. We need to acquire the depth to have PDG or McGinn (or Roy or Goat from the AHL for that matter next season) as "plug and play" 4th liners that can easily slot up if an injury does happen, not to count on them slotting up and having to go in to panic mode when an injury happens.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

Yeah, I got what you were saying and they definitely could. My view is it's a big risk taking that approach though, because as I said, one injury to a key player and they could just as easily take a step back. I'd rather try and move the needle a little further.

Oh they totally shouldn't stand pat. They'll take an expansion player or two (maybe a decent RHD and a middle 6 F).

The injuries part is a good point and one I didn't really consider.

That said if Slavin follows the linear progression he's had the last 3 years again this year, he will have the greatest defensive season in NHL history. So as long as he stays healthy we are good.

 

[Breakdowns]

IMO even if there is no big trade and we get a good 35-40 point top9 player, who can skate, we would be fine in the end. I would like to get Stalberg back for 4th line though. And for 3rd D pair someone with like 4-5 years regular experience at NHL level. (Not Hainsey, we should move on from him)

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

This is gonna be the most fun offseason ever.

I'm actually finding myself excited for the playoffs to end so that this can all start.

 

[the halleJOKEL]

getting stalberg back would be good

we will need that playoff experience next year

 

[NotOpie]

IMO even if there is no big trade and we get a good 35-40 point top9 player, who can skate, we would be fine in the end. I would like to get Stalberg back for 4th line though. And for 3rd D pair someone with like 4-5 years regular experience at NHL level. (Not Hainsey, we should move on from him)

Well unless the youngsters are going to combine for a 20 or so increase in goals scored, we're going to have the same issue with scoring that we did last season. If we lose Stempniak, we'll really need to add 35 goals and/or 90-100 points. Some of that can come from the youngster's natural progression, but we'll need to bring somebody in to make up some of that difference.

 

[GoldiFox]

After moving or buying out Lack and re-signing TT to a $2-3 million bridge - the Canes are going to be literally forced to spend ~$10 million on forwards just to reach the Cap floor. With that kind of money at least 1-2 impact guys should be added. It would be hard not to improve the team after adding $10 million in Payroll.

 

[Breakdowns]

Well unless the youngsters are going to combine for a 20 or so increase in goals scored, we're going to have the same issue with scoring that we did last season. If we lose Stempniak, we'll really need to add 35 goals and/or 90-100 points. Some of that can come from the youngster's natural progression, but we'll need to bring somebody in to make up some of that difference.

Aho had a slow start, same goes to Lindy. And I think TT has another level he can get to, so there could be at least 15 goals. If we lose Stempniak then we need to look for more goals and points for sure - via trade or free agancy.

 

[NotOpie]

Aho had a slow start, same goes to Lindy. And I think TT has another level he can get to, so there could be at least 15 goals. If we lose Stempniak then we need to look for more goals and points for sure - via trade or free agancy.

Yup that's my point. 235 goals was something like 12th in the league this past season. I think every team in the top 12-14 in scoring except Winnipeg made the playoffs. There might have been one other.

So if Stemper is gone, then we'll need to replace his and add the 20 more. And yes we will have to spend some to get to the floor. Depending on if they like what they saw in Teravainen, they might do a little longer bridge or even try to buy out a few RFA years.

 

[Roboturner913]

I tend to forget about TT because of his passenger-like play at times. But when you look at his numbers, 42 points with 3rd line minutes really is pretty good. And he has surprisingly good possession stats.

And this is just the eyeball, but I thought his defense was passable, even downright good at times and got better (or at least, more noticeable) when he was playing center. Even if he doesn't have another level to give, he's still solid depth scoring. I'd say that's turned out to be a pretty good deal.

 

[Breakdowns]

Yup that's my point. 235 goals was something like 12th in the league this past season. I think every team in the top 12-14 in scoring except Winnipeg made the playoffs. There might have been one other.

So if Stemper is gone, then we'll need to replace his and add the 20 more. And yes we will have to spend some to get to the floor. Depending on if they like what they saw in Teravainen, they might do a little longer bridge or even try to buy out a few RFA years.

So our best hope is that young guys get better and Vegas take a pass on Stempniak. Like that, we will not need to overspend in FA. Maybe Williams can come back and give us 20+ goals.

At least we expansion draft this year, because FA seems to be really weak.

 

[sheriff bart]

If JR was still around, I'd say there's no way Williams considers the Canes. With RF in charge, who knows. I don't know what his relationship with Francis and Brindy was.

 

[RibFrabcus]

I tend to forget about TT because of his passenger-like play at times. But when you look at his numbers, 42 points with 3rd line minutes really is pretty good. And he has surprisingly good possession stats.

And this is just the eyeball, but I thought his defense was passable, even downright good at times and got better (or at least, more noticeable) when he was playing center. Even if he doesn't have another level to give, he's still solid depth scoring. I'd say that's turned out to be a pretty good deal.

I agree. I think we underrate TT a little bit. He's very solid defensively, just had a few memorable turnovers/lost battles that probably contributed to some confirmation bias of "small, weak, bad defensively." There's no question he's an excellent driver of play and a great playmaker.

 

[DougieSmash]

According Russo, Wild would trade Zucker and Dumba. It's not bad package.

Fleury/ Dumba. Zucker is really small but he's useful goalscorer.

 

[DaveG]

Sounds like they're exposing Staal as well. I'd be all over Dumba if possible to do something around Fleury+, though they'd inevitably want Hanifin instead.

 

[RodTheBawd]

Sounds like they're exposing Staal as well. I'd be all over Dumba if possible to do something around Fleury+, though they'd inevitably want Hanifin instead.

Who all are they exposing? Gotta figure Staal would not be happy going out there at this stage in his life.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

stempniak+2nd to MIN for estaalo

lol

 

[geehaad]

stempniak+2nd to MIN for estaalo

lol

...and then make him the captain!

In all seriousness, Eric Staal at center for 2 years @3.xM/year is a pretty great hole-filling move.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

...and then make him the captain!

In all seriousness, Eric Staal at center for 2 years @3.xM/year is a pretty great hole-filling move.

I would do it tbh. With dramatically lowered expectations, he could be a good piece.

It won't happen, and for good reasons. But I'd still do it.

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

A rejuvenated E. Staal centering Aho and Teravainen would be fun.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

...and then make him the captain!

In all seriousness, Eric Staal at center for 2 years @3.xM/year is a pretty great hole-filling move.

I would do it tbh. With dramatically lowered expectations, he could be a good piece.

It won't happen, and for good reasons. But I'd still do it.

I'd be surprised if Staal is exposed, unless they already know LV is taking one of their defensemen so it's just a formality exposing him. He was their 2nd leading scorer and is signed for only $3.5M for 2 more years.

I'd imagine there would be many suitors wanting to trade for him at that production / salary.