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

[lanceuppercut75]

I've gone back and forth on Dougie and I'm kind of split on whether they will actually move him. I understand the reasons for it, and I understand the reasons why they won't.

Right now, I think they won't unless they really feel good about Casey picking up Hamilton's slack offensively, and that's a big ask. The devils basically have 2 competent offensive defenders in their 6: Dougie and Luke. Kovacevic, Pesce, Siegs and Dillon aren't giving you anything there. So for that reason, may be a tough ask to move Dougie while you're also trying to compete.

He also has a 10 team trade list (not a 10 team no trade, a 10 team trade), which may make moving him more difficult.

Obviously freeing up the 9 million would be a big get, especially if you're adding that back into the forward group which needs a lot of help.

I think the more likely scenario right now is that Nemec gets dealt, likely in a prospect swap for someone who can play in the bottom 6 for the devils immediately, Dougie is kept another year, Casey plays in Utica and jumps up to the NHL when needed. Then in 26-27, Dougie gets moved and Casey (hopefully) takes his spot.

But that's just all guesswork from me.

I think the reasonable assumption is that one of Hamilton, Nemec, Casey gets traded this summer, and then another one of Hamilton, Nemec, Casey gets traded at either the deadline or next summer. One goes now, one goes next year, one stays long term.

Pesce and Kovacevic were just added / extended on long terms deals and both are RHD, so they only have room for one more long-term. It's possible that by 2027, one of Pesce of Kovacevic is traded, MAYBE, but they certainly seem to be staying for now and probably even will be staying beyond next summer too.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

Karlsson w/ retention to the NYR for the Rangers agreeing to void the protection in the 11th OA pick, and a 3rd in 2026 that can be upgraded to the Rangers 1st if the Rangers win the cup and Karlsson plays in x amount of playoff games.

So basically Karlsson+Rangers 2026 1st for 11th OA+2026 3rd (that can conditionally become the Rangers 2026 1st)

 

[Glorydays22]

I think doing a trade around Faulk and one or two picks and/or prospects for Pulock would be mutually beneficial. Pulock, Pelech and possibly Mayfield aren't likely to be in the long term plans for the Islanders, so they could swap out Pulock for Faulk while picking up young assets, which they desperately need. Faulk is also signed for fewer years than Pulock, so NYI blueline becomes slightly more flexible going forward.

Fowler - Parayko
Broberg - Pulock
Leddy - Kessel

Romanov - Dobson
Pelech - Faulk
(George / Perunovich / Boqvist ) - Mayfield

I don't think the isles would even consider a deal with Faulk. If the Isles trade the best of the 3 (Pelech, Mayfield and Pulock). Why would they take back 2 yrs at 6.5M for a 33 yr old? Isles would be looking to shed a contract. If we are taking back Faulk, that prospect better be very good. The move for Faulk and picks for Pulock to me doesn't make sense.

 

[miscs75]

I don't think the isles would even consider a deal with Faulk. If the Isles trade the best of the 3 (Pelech, Mayfield and Pulock). Why would they take back 2 yrs at 6.5M for a 33 yr old? Isles would be looking to shed a contract. If we are taking back Faulk, that prospect better be very good. The move for Faulk and picks for Pulock to me doesn't make sense.

If it was Pulock and one of Engvall or Duclair and the return was Pulock with picks/prospects, I’d do it. Removed 2 long term contracts and takes back 1 shorter one with futures.

 

[lanceuppercut75]

I don't think the isles would even consider a deal with Faulk. If the Isles trade the best of the 3 (Pelech, Mayfield and Pulock). Why would they take back 2 yrs at 6.5M for a 33 yr old? Isles would be looking to shed a contract. If we are taking back Faulk, that prospect better be very good. The move for Faulk and picks for Pulock to me doesn't make sense.

Well, for one, Faulk is a decent player. He's not amazing or anything, but he's an alright D to play as a number 4 or 5 guy. I don't think he's a pure cap dump or anything like that. Cap hit is a little too high but he can play.

Islanders seem to need to be making some changes, moving on from a bunch of their players, but also I don't see any desire from Islanders management to start into a tear down or rebuild. Therefore, downgrading from Pulock to Faulk straddles the line between getting younger, adding picks and prospects, moving guys out to change the locker room and culture, but also not selling guys off flat out, getting a lot worse and tanking for a high pick and doing a legitimate rebuild.

My personal opinion is that a rebuild tear down is probably needed, but NYI management doesn't care what I think.

Also, as Miscs75 pointed out, yeah, Faulk is much shorter term than Pulock. If we look beyond the short term, this helps with cap and roster flexibility in the medium and long term.

 

[miscs75]

My personal opinion is that a rebuild tear down is probably needed, but NYI management doesn't care what I think.

The issue with this is the fact that they have way too many contracts with term. They have these for long term currently: Barzal (2031), Horvat (2031), Duclair (2028), Engvall (2030), Pulock (2030), Pelech (2029), Mayfield (2030) & Sorokin (2032). They need to find a way out of a few of these and go from there. Ideally keeping Barzal, Horvat and Sorokin since they’re core pieces moving forward is the plan. Without having a way out of the others, a rebuild would be a 10 year adventure before it even takes shape.

 

[lanceuppercut75]

The issue with this is the fact that they have way too many contracts with term. They have these for long term currently: Barzal (2031), Horvat (2031), Duclair (2028), Engvall (2030), Pulock (2030), Pelech (2029), Mayfield (2030) & Sorokin (2032). They need to find a way out of a few of these and go from there. Ideally keeping Barzal, Horvat and Sorokin since they’re core pieces moving forward is the plan. Without having a way out of the others, a rebuild would be a 10 year adventure before it even takes shape.

If they were going into a rebuild, they would IMO be keeping Horvat, Pelech and Engvall (buyout later).

Barzal, Sorokin and Lee they should agressively look to trade while their value is where it is right now, and they should probably look to move Duclair and Mayfield in the next 1 or 2 years. A buyout on Engvall 2 summers from now results in 6 years of a $1.0m cap hit, which isn't great but palatable. I would also probably talk to Cizikas and Pageau and see which is open to extending if they enter a rebuild. Trade the guys who don't want to be there.

You build a veteran group around Horvat, Tsyplakov, MacLean, Holmstrom, Dobson, Romanov and Pelech and become a tanking rebuild team. Draft high, draft often, and surround the above mentioned guys with kids over the next few years.

To tie it in with the OP and thread title, I don't see why Islanders should move Dobson, unless they're confident he won't want to stay through a rebuild. That's why I didn't include him. You keep your younger studs at a time like this. Similarly, Boston shouldn't trade McAvoy,

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Karlsson w/ retention to the NYR for the Rangers agreeing to void the protection in the 11th OA pick, and a 3rd in 2026 that can be upgraded to the Rangers 1st if the Rangers win the cup and Karlsson plays in x amount of playoff games.

So basically Karlsson+Rangers 2026 1st for 11th OA+2026 3rd (that can conditionally become the Rangers 2026 1st)

Pens fans overwhelmingly want the NYR 2026 1st instead, so I can't imagine this is a popular proposal.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

Pens fans overwhelmingly want the NYR 2026 1st instead, so I can't imagine this is a popular proposal.

I agree about the value of that unprotected pick, but I don't think an NHL GM is going to see it that way. If a GM gets a chance to trade the Rangers 1st next year for a pick where they will potentially have a top 10 talent on the board, and the only sweetener required is Erik Karlsson, I think they would do that.

Even with having to give up the Rangers 1st next year, getting a possible top 10 talent back for Karlsson would be a homerun. Not because Karlsson is terrible, but I think that his NMC and being signed multiple years will make it difficult to create a market for him. Look at what JT Miller went for, a late 1st, a player with concussion issues, and a few spare pieces.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

I agree about the value of that unprotected pick, but I don't think an NHL GM is going to see it that way. If a GM gets a chance to trade the Rangers 1st next year for a pick where they will potentially have a top 10 talent on the board, and the only sweetener required is Erik Karlsson, I think they would do that.

Even with having to give up the Rangers 1st next year, getting a possible top 10 talent back for Karlsson would be a homerun. Not because Karlsson is terrible, but I think that his NMC and being signed multiple years will make it difficult to create a market for him. Look at what JT Miller went for, a late 1st, a player with concussion issues, and a few spare pieces.

Nah, the unprotected pick in a deep draft is the prize.

The "privilege" of having that taken away for the sake of an 11th overall in a shallow draft is not a positive, at all.

 

[biturbo19]

I think Karlsson ends up in Florida. Ekblad gets a hilarious, catastrophic megadeal offer from Buffalo that he simply cannot refuse. Pulock and Dougie stay where they are.

 

[RationalExpectations]

I think Karlsson ends up in Florida. Ekblad gets a hilarious, catastrophic megadeal offer from Buffalo that he simply cannot refuse. Pulock and Dougie stay where they are.

Really don t see how FLA pulls this off, they have no asset left. But if Dubas panics who knows !

 

[BowieSabresFan]

I think Karlsson ends up in Florida. Ekblad gets a hilarious, catastrophic megadeal offer from Buffalo that he simply cannot refuse. Pulock and Dougie stay where they are.

Yeah, not sure as Buffalo has the cap space to do that, even if they were so inclined.

 

[Patty Ice]

I think the more likely scenario right now is that Nemec gets dealt, likely in a prospect swap for someone who can play in the bottom 6 for the devils immediately

What about a Cam Lund and a sweetener (Sharks have multiple 2nd round picks this year and next or the Stars 1st) for Nemec?

Lund had a great college season and played 11 games with the Sharks this year without looking out of place. He has the potential to be a top 6 guy if he continues to develop well.

 

[OtherThingsILike]

Really don t see how FLA pulls this off, they have no asset left. But if Dubas panics who knows !

Florida has a few youngish players who could potentially be something Dubas might want.
I thought Luostarinen was younger, but he's only 26 now, so I could see something based around him and the Panthers' 2027 1st.
Luostarinen + Zether + 1st for a retained Karlsson would work.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

Karlsson w/ retention to the NYR for the Rangers agreeing to void the protection in the 11th OA pick, and a 3rd in 2026 that can be upgraded to the Rangers 1st if the Rangers win the cup and Karlsson plays in x amount of playoff games.

So basically Karlsson+Rangers 2026 1st for 11th OA+2026 3rd (that can conditionally become the Rangers 2026 1st)

Pens fans overwhelmingly want the NYR 2026 1st instead, so I can't imagine this is a popular proposal.

Yes a very easy pass for us.

Id rather keep Karlsson then trade him for only a 3rd.

 

[RationalExpectations]

Florida has a few youngish players who could potentially be something Dubas might want.
I thought Luostarinen was younger, but he's only 26 now, so I could see something based around him and the Panthers' 2027 1st.
Luostarinen + Zether + 1st for a retained Karlsson would work.

Pretty sure a team like CAR could offer a better package and ask for less retention. FLA has 19m cap space for 16 players right now. They need a 2C or 3C if Bennett leaves as FA, a top RD and 5 other players, incl Samoskevich but yes if there is no better offer, PIT May do that Deal indeed

 

[OtherThingsILike]

Pretty sure a team like CAR could offer a better package and ask for less retention. FLA has 19m cap space for 16 players right now. They need a 2C or 3C if Bennett leaves as FA, a top RD and 5 other players, incl Samoskevich but yes if there is no better offer, PIT May do that Deal indeed

You're probably right that the offer from CAR would be better.

 

[saintunspecified]

If they were going into a rebuild, they would IMO be keeping Horvat, Pelech and Engvall (buyout later).

Barzal, Sorokin and Lee they should agressively look to trade while their value is where it is right now, and they should probably look to move Duclair and Mayfield in the next 1 or 2 years. A buyout on Engvall 2 summers from now results in 6 years of a $1.0m cap hit, which isn't great but palatable. I would also probably talk to Cizikas and Pageau and see which is open to extending if they enter a rebuild. Trade the guys who don't want to be there.

You build a veteran group around Horvat, Tsyplakov, MacLean, Holmstrom, Dobson, Romanov and Pelech and become a tanking rebuild team. Draft high, draft often, and surround the above mentioned guys with kids over the next few years.

To tie it in with the OP and thread title, I don't see why Islanders should move Dobson, unless they're confident he won't want to stay through a rebuild. That's why I didn't include him. You keep your younger studs at a time like this. Similarly, Boston shouldn't trade McAvoy,

This makes very little sense, and the idea of a full teardown imo makes no sense for NYI.

- What makes sense is that NYI tries to move on from Pelech and/or Pulock (probably Pulock because it seems like Pelech has really been hampered by injuries in ways other teams are sure to notice).
- I don't think Lee, JGP, or Cizikas will have significant value during the offseason, but they may at the deadline. No reason to force any decision there.
- Only reason to move on from Sorokin is if NYI think they made a mistake with his deal.
- Only reason NYI move Barzal is in a hockey trade. Otherwise, if NYI keep Horvat, Dobson, Romanov, Sorokin, NYI keep Barzy. (I think they do).
- Very little reason to buy out Engvall when burying his deal does almost as much. Also little reason to buy out Duclair unless there's a good reason.

There's a few things that could force NYI's hand this offseason, but beyond them, I don't see huge numbers of moves. The things that could force their hand: (i) large UFA signing (that's a pipe dream of mine, very unlikely), or (ii) big gap in contract talks involve Dobson.

Otherwise, NYI already have 2 2026 1st rounders. And teams aren't going to be chomping at the bit to trade 2026 1st rounders before 2025-26 season begins given the current projection regarding how strong the top of that draft may look.

Apart from the possibility that NYI know that the Dobson contract negotiations aren't going well by draft day, I really don't see NYI making significant moves at the draft except maybe ordinary pick shuffling.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

Yes a very easy pass for us.

Id rather keep Karlsson then trade him for only a 3rd.

It's not a third.

It's a projected playoff 1st and Karlsson for 11th overall and a 3rd that could become a playoff 1st.

Using Puckpedia's chart, the difference between 11th+3rd and a playoff projected 1st is roughly another playoff projected 1st.

So it's like trading Karlsson for a 1st round pick in value, which seems extremely reasonable. Add in the optics of picking up an 11th OA pick after giving one up to acquire him.

I agree about the NYR unprotected pick being a compelling pick to own, but I don't think most GMs can afford to think like that. I think they would take the cost certainty of the 11th overall. Especially if they have the benefit of agreeing to the trade in principal and waiting to see who is on the board in that range. There is a chance that someone much higher on Pittsburgh's list could be available in that range.

If anything, I think that the Rangers probably wouldn't do it.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

It's not a third.

It's a projected playoff 1st and Karlsson for 11th overall and a 3rd that could become a playoff 1st.

Using Puckpedia's chart, the difference between 11th+3rd and a playoff projected 1st is roughly another playoff projected 1st.

So it's like trading Karlsson for a 1st round pick in value, which seems extremely reasonable. Add in the optics of picking up an 11th OA pick after giving one up to acquire him.

I agree about the NYR unprotected pick being a compelling pick to own, but I don't think most GMs can afford to think like that. I think they would take the cost certainty of the 11th overall. Especially if they have the benefit of agreeing to the trade in principal and waiting to see who is on the board in that range. There is a chance that someone much higher on Pittsburgh's list could be available in that range.

If anything, I think that the Rangers probably wouldn't do it.

Many of us in Penguins land would rather role the dice on the 2026 1st.

Its a weaker draft and an unprotected 1st next year with a chance of being in the lottery is more appealing.

If we get there pick this year cool. If we get it next year also cool.

I don't see why we would negotiate for a 3rd rounder and the 1st we already have.

Just a really bad proposal.

 

[ZeHockeyFan]

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.

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.

Nill probably throws a lifeline to Ekblad; possibly leveraging his bargain-bin tactics to sign him to a 1-year "show me you can do this w/o PEDs, and then we'll see" deal, or maybe he blinks and gives him a 7 year term, out of desperation.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Carolina will definitely be looking for a top 4 RD in the offseason. Burns will move on, and they have Chatfield, Walker, and Morrow who played a handful of NHL games this year behind him. Probably too soon to assume that Nikishin could play RD, and Nikishin will fill the 2LD spot as Orlov likely leaves as a UFA.

Doesn't need to be a top pairing RD, but I think Carolina will want someone they can put with Slavin on the top pair.

If I grew a defenseman in a lab to be the perfect partner to Erik Karlsson, it would be Jacob Slavin. Pens are willing to retain as well for the right price.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Florida has a few youngish players who could potentially be something Dubas might want.
I thought Luostarinen was younger, but he's only 26 now, so I could see something based around him and the Panthers' 2027 1st.
Luostarinen + Zether + 1st for a retained Karlsson would work.

We prefer prospects over picks at this stage.

 

[OtherThingsILike]

We prefer prospects over picks at this stage.

True, Florida doesn't seem to have a Koivunen-level prospect to give. I thought of Zether, who is much younger (he was drafted in 2024), but is a big center prospect who seems to be doing well in Sweden right now.