Speculation: RHD: who goes where? Hamilton Ekblad Karlsson Pulock

[RationalExpectations]

I guess it depends on trade price, but I'm not sure how relevant either Montreal or Columbus are to a trade for Pulock. Teams in their situation (young and exiting or trying to exit a rebuild) rarely pay anything close to Lindholm prices for a guy who's turning 31 at the start of next season.

Andersson makes more sense, but I don't think either Montreal or Columbus should trade for him at Lindholm prices.

Well you re not trading for a top 4 Dman without paying the equivalent of what Lindholm / Muzzin got in my opinion (in each case 1st was expected around 22-32OA +2x2nd, which would mean CGY 1st at 16OA and maybe a small plus, this is not that much)

 

[SEALBound]

After July 1st, Karlsson's bonus gets paid by the Penguins and he's only owed $11mil in cash for the final two seasons. I know we tend not to value things like that, but I do believe that will be a highly desirable contract for team, especially considering that he's shown he can still be a top PMD (as we saw in the 4 Nations).

I think Carolina is a prime location for him. He has a full NMC so he gets to decide. I imagine he'll want to go to a contender. Carolina has the space, the open slot, the need, the contender status, and a couple attractive pieces for the Penguins.

 

[Captain Mountain]

Well you re not trading for a top 4 Dman without paying the equivalent of what Lindholm / Muzzin got in my opinion (in each case 1st was expected around 22-32OA +2x2nd, which would mean CGY 1st at 16OA and maybe a small plus, this is not that much)

And you're not making deadline older top-4 D trades which were generally with contenders with late stage rebuilding teams.

Its less of a matter of cost than it is a matter of target profile.

 

[RationalExpectations]

And you're not making deadline older top-4 D trades which were generally with contenders with late stage rebuilding teams.

Its less of a matter of cost than it is a matter of target profile.

Suzuki is 26, and arguably the most important player on this team. I don t think you wait for Lane Hutson to be 30 before you try to improve the team. MTL needs a RD and it won t get one for scraps.

 

[Captain Mountain]

Suzuki is 26, and arguably the most important player on this team. I don t think you wait for Lane Hutson to be 30 before you try to improve the team. MTL needs a RD and it won t get one for scraps.

26 in hockey terms is literally only old on HFBoards.

And I think Montreal (and Columbus, because this isn't me talking as a Habs fan) is ready and willing to pay to improve their team. That doesn't mean trading futures for a 31 one year old D. The goal is to be good for a long period of time, not mediocre for a couple of seasons.

 

[tsujimoto74]

Pulock seems like he’d be a good fit for Buffalo, and the Sabres certainly have a bunch of quality prospects (some bordering on NHL-ready) if NYI are looking to get younger and retool.

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

TRADE - Dougie Hamilton (NJD)
UFA - Aaron Ekblad (FLA)
TRADE - Erik Karlsson (PIT)
TRADE - Ryan Pulock (NYI)
( optional - TRADE - Charlie McAvoy BOS )
( optional - TRADE - Rasmus Andersson CGY )

Where do you predict these top 4 RHD play next season?


Teams that could be looking for a top 4 RHD and could realistically add one :

Boston Bruins
Buffalo Sabres
Detroit Red WIngs
Florida Panthers (if Ekblad leaves)
Pittsburgh Penguins (if Karlsson traded)
Dallas Stars
Nashville Predators
San Jose Sharks


TEAMS I DIDN'T INCLUDE:

Montreal possibly wouldn't be looking to add a top 4 RHD, but it depends on who you ask. Pittsburgh would be looking for a RHD but only if they move Erik Karlsson out.

Tampa Bay has neither the assets nor the cap space to add somebody, though they would maybe look at adding somebody in theory.

Columbus could probably use a top 4 RHD, but they have guys like Gudbranson, Christiansen and Hunt that can play the right side that they probably want to give that spot to, at least for the time being.

St Louis fans I've heard say that they wouldn't mind adding a RHD and rolling Parayko, new guy and Faulk on the right side, but that seems like a luxury somewhat that might not be realistic in terms of asset management and cap management.

Edmonton has neither the assets nor the cap space to add somebody, though they would love to add somebody in theory.

OTT, TOR, CAR, NJD, NYI, NYR, PHI, WAS (east) don't need a top 4 RHD.

CHI, COL, MIN, UTA, WPG, ANH, CGY, LAK, SEA, VAN, VGK (west) don't need a top 4 RHD.

Carolina needs a top 4 RHD. They should literally be at the top of your list for this.

 

[miscs75]

Carolina needs a top 4 RHD. They should literally be at the top of your list for this.

These names are all too old for the Habs.

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

After July 1st, Karlsson's bonus gets paid by the Penguins and he's only owed $11mil in cash for the final two seasons. I know we tend not to value things like that, but I do believe that will be a highly desirable contract for team, especially considering that he's shown he can still be a top PMD (as we saw in the 4 Nations).

I think Carolina is a prime location for him. He has a full NMC so he gets to decide. I imagine he'll want to go to a contender. Carolina has the space, the open slot, the need, the contender status, and a couple attractive pieces for the Penguins.

100% see this as being an option. Canes and Pens have worked some deals and even though it is interdivision they are two teams that can help each other out. Canes have draft capital and prospects and the Pens need to get youth into the system and start rebuilding.

Obviously some retention needs to happen but the teams can make it work out since it's only 2 years.

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

These names are all too old for the Habs.

What does that have to do with Carolina in any which way?

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

Pulock seems like he’d be a good fit for Buffalo, and the Sabres certainly have a bunch of quality prospects (some bordering on NHL-ready) if NYI are looking to get younger and retool.

We are.

Seems like the two teams could be a fit for a trade.

 

[miscs75]

What does that have to do with Carolina in any which way?

Read it way too fast and saw Canadiens. I could see Pulock with Carolina though and Rod scares him (bright red with bulging neck veins) into playing like he did a few years back.

 

[HugeInTheShire]

To NYI - Hamilton
To Van - Dobson
To NJ - Demko

Devils don't need a goalie that is constantly injured. This doesn't really make a lot of sense for any team involved

 

[HugeInTheShire]

Hamilton to Montreal for Laine @50%

 

[qcal1427]

Hamilton and Pulock stay where they are. Karlsson goes to Toronto and Ekblad goes to Detroit

 

[Jerzey Devil]

Devils don't need a goalie that is constantly injured. This doesn't really make a lot of sense for any team involved

It’s more about getting rid of Hamilton on our end. There was nothing else on Vancouver we would really want that they’d part with. There were rumors recently that Demko wanted to be traded. Plus his contract only has one year left so it wouldn’t really burden us to have him as a back up. Something Daws can probably step back into if necessary because of injury.

My reason the Isles would want Hamilton is to get a 1RD if they were to trade Dobson but I completely understand the injury concerns.

I also didn’t realize the Canucks were apparently done building their defense.

 

[RationalExpectations]

Carolina needs a top 4 RHD. They should literally be at the top of your list for this.

They also have the Assets to make it Happen thanks to Necas / Rantanen

Not a CAR fan by any means but I love how Brindamour s system works and how much puck possession they have. From this point of view Karlsson would be a good fit I think, to take over from Burns.

 

[MXD]

Hamilton to Montreal for Laine @50%

Nothing against the offer per se, but I'm not sure any team would acquire a D-Men with a 9 million cap hit who's definitely geared towards offense when that player wouldn't play on the 1st PP unit.

 

[Jerzey Devil]

Nothing against the offer per se, but I'm not sure any team would acquire a D-Men with a 9 million cap hit who's definitely geared towards offense when that player wouldn't play on the 1st PP unit.

Hamilton has been the anchor for the Devils first power play unit, which is ranked 3rd this season, all season. And that’s ahead of Luke Hughes.

I understand Hutson is playing well but Hamilton would probably be ahead of him. Under Ruff the Devils had Luke on pp1 over Hamilton and it wasn’t good.

 

[HugeInTheShire]

Nothing against the offer per se, but I'm not sure any team would acquire a D-Men with a 9 million cap hit who's definitely geared towards offense when that player wouldn't play on the 1st PP unit.

Fair enough but maybe they go 2 D on the 1st PP. Hamilton and Hutson are very different threats on the PP.
Who plays up high right now for MTL?

 

[Captain Mountain]

Hamilton has been the anchor for the Devils first power play unit, which is ranked 3rd this season, all season. And that’s ahead of Luke Hughes.

I understand Hutson is playing well but Hamilton would probably be ahead of him. Under Ruff the Devils had Luke on pp1 over Hamilton and it wasn’t good.

Hutson was right behind Q. Hughes, Makar, etc. in terms of chance creation at 5v5 and on the PP this season, he wasn't going to lose his spot to Hamilton. Montreal may have played both on PP1, but Hamilton at almost 32 can't replace what Hutson can provide.

 

[MXD]

Hamilton has been the anchor for the Devils first power play unit, which is ranked 3rd this season, all season. And that’s ahead of Luke Hughes.

I understand Hutson is playing well but Hamilton would probably be ahead of him. Under Ruff the Devils had Luke on pp1 over Hamilton and it wasn’t good.

... Fair enough. Either way :
- It's arguable
- It's a really big caphit for someone who would be, at the very best, a marginal improvement

I mean, nothing against Hamilton. If the Habs only had THIS premium position to improve on, it could make sense. Hamilton would be a great deadline acquisition. But they also have to acquire a Top-6 C, and they will have to replace Laine on the Top-6 in your scenario too, because a 2nd line of Newhook - Dach - Demidov is, to put it in the friendliest terms possible, extremely uncool for Demidov. And probably not a 2nd line. And defeats the whole purpose of getting Hamilton in the first place.

 

[leeroggy]

Yep. I think the target will be Pulock (they'll be in on McAvoy and Andersson if either are made available but not seeing it right now).

What would Carolina offer for Pulock? It's intra-division, so it might take a little extra.

Nadeau and a 2026 2nd? You have two firsts in 2026.

 

[Chrispy]

What would Carolina offer for Pulock? It's intra-division, so it might take a little extra.

Nadeau and a 2026 2nd? You have two firsts in 2026.

I think the plan is to move one of the 2026 firsts and a lesser prospect. I doubt Carolina is moving Nadeau.

 

[Jerzey Devil]

Hutson was right behind Q. Hughes, Makar, etc. in terms of chance creation at 5v5 and on the PP this season, he wasn't going to lose his spot to Hamilton. Montreal may have played both on PP1, but Hamilton at almost 32 can't replace what Hutson can provide.

There’s also the possibility Hutson hits a sophomore slump next year. I hope it doesn’t happen as I like him but Montreal is still a young team.