happy holiday, here is imo best chance to get out from under current mess
Per my usual, best hope for at least 1 if not multiple cups = EXTEND the window
this means deal vets for youth, few exceptions notwithstanding.
The out of nowhere Zib meltdown has complicated things with great negative forces. Even a premium payment to remove him must be acceptably profitable to a trade partner and that is not readily visible other than gutting nyr to an intolerable degree.
Someone – and apologies I lost track of who – said maybe VAN b’c JT Miller is clashing w/Petterssen, and that could be enuf of an inducement for a basis, to not a straight 1 for 1. Of course, while JT remains productive, we are taking him back as is, and that is its own kettle of fish with both pros and cons, but in these circumstances I think it is worth the risk. If JT can feel good here, that is a resolution, and if not, I believe he is mature enuf we can work with him to relocate him to where he will be happy. VAN can hope that fellow Swedes Pet. + Zib can find the same frequency and keep it going. Mika at half means if it is a miss, they can extend another 2 or so per and move him down the road.
1. Rs-‘nucks
Zib max reduced 8.5 to 4.25 + Lindy 4.5 reduced to 2.25 + Jones + Quick + Vesey which is around 8 cap hit
for
JTM full pop at 8 per + Raty elc + Juulsen rfa-ufa expiring around 10m
this has just enuf to make it worthwhile for VAN
G Demko is listed as IR, so Quick is a welcomed stopgap
Quick has like 20 teams ntc and also must give permission
he understands this is just to help VAN cup run this year, he is welcomed back for next season, no matter what
Vesey is useful bottom 6 cog
Lindy is not worth much but Forbort is IR [tho not listed as inactive], so literally a stopgap
Rs get
Miller who is potentially resolution to zib problem + good scorer
Ratty = useful pivot depth
Juulsen is RD w/decent size, unfortunate injury history early on, but ok now and possibly next 1-2 yrs
2. Rs-Devs
had hoped to max retain on bread for Nemec and Silayev but not getting that vibe on the boards, maybe one or the other [for unretained bread] but not both
so, bread 11.6+ for
Nemec [recent 2OA] elc, +
cap dumps Palat [presumes he waives] 6 per x 3 + Haula 3.15 x 2 and Tatar 1.8 expiring ufa
So Jersey is deep at RD atm, so much so that nemec is in the A.
Palat and Haula are solid, but bread is special, and this gives them inside track to offer an extension and if so at what rate going forward. Obv he would help w/scoring.
For NY Nemec is useful flip [discussed below] and avoids discussion about extending salary. Palat, Haula, Tatar likely flipped
3. NYR-LAK
While surrender of Byfield is a major concession, Kings win this deal, but it is still a fit for Rs.
W/LA in on discussions, Shesty extended 12.2 x 5, no NMC, limited ntc, which as an extension kicks in next season. Rs eat 2m per beginning this season and continuing.
Add KAM rfa - new deal after this season
add Nemec elc
Now there is too much on the plate for Kings to refuse. Obv Byfield is heir to Kopitar and now that has to have plan b alternate, but Ks still have good pivot depth and too many issues solved by this to decline.
The above 3 for Byfield
NOTE: with this trade now, Shesty’s value is not 12.2 - 2, but current 5.6 -2 = 3.6, so add KAM + Nemec elc it is ballpark to Byfield’s #.
We can take back Rittich 1m expiring ufa if they don’t prefer to sell him elsewhere
4. Rs - Ds
Haula, Tatar, Robertson
for
Dumoulin and Helleson
rationale: Ducks looking for F support, are good at pivot regardless of Zegras and Huala by now = good option to upgrade, phase out Strome, get something selling him now. Tatar is just a try me F, Robertson a prospect not properly developed w/good size, etc. Helleson has shown signs but is far enough down they can let him go. Dumoulin would be a small wince but worth it.
if retention is nec Trouba will have to wait til Lindgren’s retention is finished. Otherwise if he wants now, he can go now. (LI?)
If not he can be emergency 3RD an do 4RW balance of this campaign
____________
So what does all this leave us?
Kreider - Byfield - Miller
LaF - Tro - Palat [stopgap for Gabe P]
Cuylle - Chytil/Brodz - Kakko
Eds - Brodz/Rempe -Rempe/Trouba
Raty, Carrick + Smith = forward depth
Fox - Schneider
Dumoulin - Mancini
__________ - Juulsen/Helleson
usual suspects for LD depth: Scanlin/Harpur/Mackey/Ruhwedel
Rasmus Larsson and Hank Kempf may be close enuf for cup of coffee if available
Broberg on LTIR
after the above, possible buy now w/St. Louis for acceptable assets (Sykora +) and add late in the yr?