Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part XXXVIII

[Edge]

What do you see Kakko's best case scenario as?

90+ point forward who creates a ton of space for his linemates, while increasing the heart rate of defenders trying to cover him.

If the team is constructed right, that then creates space for the second line because they get to travel in the wake created by the first line.

The third line comes up next and gives our opponents fits by combining skill and an ability to make the opponent pull their hair out.

Fourth line comes out next to grind them down and chip in some points and fill in the gaps offensively.

What makes Kakko so dangerous, if it all comes together, is trying to figure out how the hell to stop him. You’ve got high level skill - stickhandling, shooting, ability to hold onto the puck, ability to put the puck where he wants, etc.

But then you also have a guy who is going to play at 6’2-6’4, and 210-220 pounds. And he’s going to do that in an era that has embraced smaller defenseman.

If he hits his ceiling, he is going to be an absolute nightmare to try to contain. And that will result in teams having to adjust their strategy to him, and that opens opportunities for players beyond Kakko as well.

THAT is my best case scenario.

 

[Kovalev27]

Would you trade 2OA for this?

Yes

If kakko/Hughes even comes close to petterson we have a home run of a pick quite frankly

 

[Mikos87]

I’d also like to chime in and say that last point is why picks and young players are such valued commodities in TDL deals.

I know everyone wants top prospects and a treasure trove of young talent, but the reality is that teams don’t want to part with young, cost-controlled players unless they feel they have to.

That’s why I don’t think people truly understand the value of that McD trade from a while back.

Putting upsides, ceilings, and potential aside for a moment, you also have a situation where the Rangers acquired at least two cost-controlled talents for their roster, now, with a third very likely in Lundkvist, and the potential to maybe/hopefully add a fourth.

Essentially, they put themselves in a position to get a cost controlled defensive pairing and maybe 2/3 of a forward line.

Again, all other things off the table, that’s huge.

You're absolutely right.

That's why draft picks and cap space are considered currency. There are economics in trades. To my knowledge:

~$3M in cap space or actual dollars= 1st round pick.
~$2M in cap space or actual dollars= 2nd round pick.

There's a reason why OTT threw in the 2nd with Zibanejad in the Brassard deal. In actual dollars, OTT saved money, despite the cap hit. The Rangers paid Brass' signing bonus that year.

 

[Matt4776]

90+ point forward who creates a ton of space for his linemates, while increasing the heart rate of defenders trying to cover him.

If the team is constructed right, that then creates space for the second line because they get to travel in the wake created by the first line.

The third line comes up next and gives our opponents fits by combining skill and an ability to make the opponent pull their hair out.

Fourth line comes out next to grind them down and chip in some points and fill in the gaps offensively.

What makes Kakko so dangerous, if it all comes together, is trying to figure out how the hell to stop him. You’ve got high level skill - stickhandling, shooting, ability to hold onto the puck, ability to put the puck where he wants, etc.

But then you also have a guy who is going to play at 6’2-6’4, and 210-220 pounds. And he’s going to do that in an era that has embraced smaller defenseman.

If he hits his ceiling, he is going to be an absolute nightmare to try to contain. And that will result in teams having to adjust their strategy to him, and that opens opportunities for players beyond Kakko as well.

THAT is my best case scenario.

 

[Edge]

We can ask something crazy because this is Vancouver approaching us. Not the other way around. Make me move from 2. We have no obligation to make a reasonable trade.

Pettersson and next year's 1st, because they have had awful lottery luck forever and its bound to break the other way at any time. Pettersson may be generational, or the next level down. But Vancouver used up 2 ELC years and they aren't getting 3 more from Hughes without paying through the nose.

Cap is a commodity too. Players are a component of the trade but swapping 3 ELC years for 1 ELC prior to dropping an 8 x $10+ can't be ignored by modern GMs.

I’d want this year’s first and next year’s as part of the deal, no matter what.

I’m not letting them take Hughes and someone else at 10 this year. And I don’t see them making a huge leap next year swapping Pettersson for Hughes, so that’s potentially another top 10.

And yes, that is an insane ask. Because I have absolutely no other reason to not take Kakko or Hughes second overall.

And excellent point on the contract.

 

[QJL]

I love Pettersson, but I do think the gamble with Hughes and Kakko is an extra dimension that Pettersson might not quite be able to match.

In the case of Kakko, it’s a skill set in the same general tier, but with an additional 2-4 inches and 30-40 pounds on the frame.

I just don’t see the need to gamble on something when you could have a 19 year old point per game player who does it all. Question marks with Hughes (position he will play, defense) and Kakko (elite playmaking and top speed). To me, Pettersson really doesn’t have question marks at this point. He’s the total package.

Hughes or Kakko could be as good, but it’s a big risk to take if Pettersson was on the table. He won’t be.

 

[AKA Chief]

I assume that's close to what it would take, but it just illustrates how unlikely it is to happen. That cost seems rather absurd to me. You're getting an already proven young, NHL player in Pettersson who has the potential to be as good as KK, as well as 2 more 1sts + another asset.

Vancouver would be out of their mind to do this.

You are correct. There is NO WAY Vancouver is trading Pettersson. The reason the Sedin trade was made was rather obvious since they had to play together. The Hughes brothers isn't comparable but it's April and there ain't much to talk about.

 

[Edge]

I just don’t see the need to gamble on something when you could have a 19 year old point per game player who does it all. Question marks with Hughes (position he will play, defense) and Kakko (elite playmaking and top speed). To me, Pettersson really doesn’t have question marks at this point. He’s the total package.

Hughes or Kakko could be as good, but it’s a big risk to take if Pettersson was on the table. He won’t be.

Well that’s the whole point, the odds of a deal are next to zero because it doesn’t make sense for anyone.

As for Pettersson, put me down as someone who wonders about durability and is aware that his contract will come sooner than later. So, broadly speaking, that path isn’t without question marks as well.

 

[Ola]

If vPod starts falling on draft day, I wonder if Anaheim at 9 or Minny at 12 would bite at a Chytil for their respective pick with him on the table?

 

[Matt4776]

If vPod starts falling on draft day, I wonder if Anaheim at 9 or Minny at 12 would bite at a Chytil for their respective pick with him on the table?

I'm not interested in that trade.

 

[Irishguy42]

If vPod starts falling on draft day, I wonder if Anaheim at 9 or Minny at 12 would bite at a Chytil for their respective pick with him on the table?

 

[Cag29]

90+ point forward who creates a ton of space for his linemates, while increasing the heart rate of defenders trying to cover him.

If the team is constructed right, that then creates space for the second line because they get to travel in the wake created by the first line.

The third line comes up next and gives our opponents fits by combining skill and an ability to make the opponent pull their hair out.

Fourth line comes out next to grind them down and chip in some points and fill in the gaps offensively.

What makes Kakko so dangerous, if it all comes together, is trying to figure out how the hell to stop him. You’ve got high level skill - stickhandling, shooting, ability to hold onto the puck, ability to put the puck where he wants, etc.

But then you also have a guy who is going to play at 6’2-6’4, and 210-220 pounds. And he’s going to do that in an era that has embraced smaller defenseman.

If he hits his ceiling, he is going to be an absolute nightmare to try to contain. And that will result in teams having to adjust their strategy to him, and that opens opportunities for players beyond Kakko as well.

THAT is my best case scenario.

Can Kakko play center?

 

[Ola]

I'm not interested in that trade.

But you should be!

 

[Edge]

Can Kakko play center?

Yes.

But put me down as someone who thinks he’s better suited for the wing.

 

[Cag29]

Yes.

But put me down as someone who thinks he’s better suited for the wing.

I was thinking of something like this:
Kreider. Zibby. Buch
Panarin. Kakko. Kravstov
Followed up with a gritty bottom 6.
Lemieux. Howden. Andersson
Xxx. Xxx. Fast.
I know a lot of variables but that’s a lot of talent. I keep smiling. I’m excited again!
Also the possibility of us trading back into the top 15 this draft. LGR!!!

 

[Cag29]

I was thinking of something like this:
Kreider. Zibby. Buch
Panarin. Kakko. Kravstov
Followed up with a gritty bottom 6.
Lemieux. Howden. Andersson
Xxx. Xxx. Fast.
I know a lot of variables but that’s a lot of talent. I keep smiling. I’m excited again!
Also the possibility of us trading back into the top 15 this draft. LGR!!!

Holy crap I forgot Chityl. Lol wow.

 

[NYR Viper]

In all seriousness the time for some decisions is probably coming pretty soon for some of these players. With the amount of young players soon to be or already pushing for spots there just won’t be enough room. This gives Gorton trade capital to bring in the right guys.

It’s possible Gorton has a couple of targets for this offseason utilizing some of his assets to bring in young guys who he sees that fit that model.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Yes.

But put me down as someone who thinks he’s better suited for the wing.

It would be nice if we actually put players in their favorite position, instead of always focusing on shifting them to center. Chytil, Kravtsov and Kakko are wingers. Andersson and Howden are centers.

If we need centers, draft them.

 

[Edge]

It would be nice if we actually put players in their favorite position, instead of always focusing on shifting them to center. Chytil, Kravtsov and Kakko are wingers. Andersson and Howden are centers.

If we need centers, draft them.

We had success with Hayes and so I think we’re always looking to “maximize” what a guy can bring. But sometimes that doesn’t mean playing him at center.

Jaromir Jagr is the second highest scoring player in NHL history, and holds our goal and point record. So being a wing shouldn’t be seen as a slight.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

It would be nice if we actually put players in their favorite position, instead of always focusing on shifting them to center. Chytil, Kravtsov and Kakko are wingers. Andersson and Howden are centers.

If we need centers, draft them.

Chytil said he preferred being a center this past March

Edit: so did Quinn for what it’s worth

 

[Edge]

Chytil said he preferred being a center this past March

I hear that.

But I have to tell you, watching this kid going back to 2017 and before the draft, I think it’s very iffy that he’s an NHL center.

I think a lot of the components are there, but I just don’t know if it’s all the components in the right order.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

I hear that.

But I have to tell you, watching this kid going back to 2017 and before the draft, I think it’s very iffy that he’s an NHL center.

I think a lot of the components are there, but I just don’t know if it’s all the components in the right order.

I could see him following a similar developmental path to Hertl. He started out on the wing, then slowly moved his way over to center. The traits to be a center were always there, it just took him some time to adjust to it at the NHL level. And now he’s an absolute f***ing monster.

 

[kovazub94]

In all seriousness the time for some decisions is probably coming pretty soon for some of these players. With the amount of young players soon to be or already pushing for spots there just won’t be enough room. This gives Gorton trade capital to bring in the right guys.

It’s possible Gorton has a couple of targets for this offseason utilizing some of his assets to bring in young guys who he sees that fit that model.

Completely agree that decisions might be needed very soon, might even as soon as this offseason. Specifically Andersson probably has a lot of value as 7OA with a lot of NHL games under his belt through D+2 in addition to captaining Sweden to WJC silver and decent stats in SHL and AHL. Someone could surely bite in exchange for this year’s pick in early teens.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Chytil is a center, Andersson should be a wing

Howden can be the 3C

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Chytil said he preferred being a center this past March

Edit: so did Quinn for what it’s worth

Yeah well. In rugby I preferred being an inside center, yet my coach put me in an openside flanker position which turned out to be much better suited for my skill-set