Roster/Rumors/Speculation/Trade Talk - 2024-25: Re-Tool, Re-Group, Re-Mix, Re-Build

[seafoam]

There is no such thing as Hagens or bust. You have to trust the process of doing things correctly. That means:

1.) Trading both Nelson and Palmieri at this point. Anything less after how the season has gone is GM malpractice.

2.) Trading Pageau in the offseason if all reports are true that he is not seen as a negative contract.

3.) Going into the draft to continue restocking the prospect cupboard with 2 first round picks and likely 2 second round picks.

4.) If Hoberg continues to impress buying Varlamov out.

5.) You do NOT need to win the lottery for selling at the deadline to be seen as a major win for the organization.

6.) If Lou does not want to undergo a retool you fire him. I think Lou understands they need to sell judging by how he did not trade the picks last year. Regardless they should likely look into bringing in a potential GM from an organization like Carolina or Winnipeg. Small market teams that don't get many free agents but are successful.

7.) I think you would see a more exciting team next year pretty quickly. Things have gotten stale.

Maybe I’m overrating him, but I think Varlamov could be moved at his cap hit and track record.

 

[periferal]

I wonder what a loss by San Jose tonight will be received by Lou and the staff.
0-3 to start a 7-game home stand and a loss to the worst team in the NHL cannot be ignored.

They won. Who cares?

It’s the rest of the season and state of the roster/farm system cannot be ignored.

 

[MJF]

Just a reminder that rebuilding ain't easy . . .

Neither is the mushy middle and this perpetual Groundhog Day.

It’s time to re-something.

 

[Torrey Redux]

Just a reminder that rebuilding ain't easy . . .

The fact that something isn't easy is no reason not to do it. And since it is necessary if we ever want to be something close to the franchise some of us remember and others have only seen grainy old videos of there is no reason to dwell on the difficulty or unpleasantness of it. It has to be done, and it has to be done from Worcester to Bridgeport to UBS and it has to be done by someone other than the people running the show right now.

 

[beach]

Maybe I’m overrating him, but I think Varlamov could be moved at his cap hit and track record.

Varly is better than all of the Canes' goalies.

 

[impaaaaaact]

Maybe I’m overrating him, but I think Varlamov could be moved at his cap hit and track record.

Varly is better than all of the Canes' goalies.

he'd have to waive. already allegedly blocked a trade to Edmonton.

 

[The Real JT]

Maybe I’m overrating him, but I think Varlamov could be moved at his cap hit and track record.

Older goalie with a .889 save percentage and 2.5 years left on a $2.75M/yr deal.

He’s no longer a #1 goalie and that’s a very steep price to pay for a goalie that might be showing the start of a decline. Throw in some recent time off for injuries and a NTC and no way he has positive value without retention.

If they can get a minor asset by retaining $1M/year I’d be ok with that.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Hagens is definitely not the consensus #1 at this point. Haven’t been paying much attention but was a bit surprised to see other names at the top of some mocks recently. On the bright side I think that’s a good sign for the talent available at the top, doesn’t seem like Hagens has played poorly as much as other players have played their way into the conversation.

I seem to remember Eiserman entering his draft year as a concensus Top 3 pick.

Right now, Hagens has 6-19-25 and +6 in 21 NCAA games. He had 9 points in 7 WJC contests. He first turns 19 in November.

And you're right, he has dropped from that "surefire 1st overall" to "one of the top 4-5", with most now fawning over Schaefer.

That drop is not of Hagens doing.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

I love all the hagens dreaming as much as anyone else, but in all likelihood we will be drafting in the 6-10 range. We should be talking about guys like Desnoyers, McQueen and Frondell. Will need some help from the NHL to have a real crack at Hagens

Would take any of them in the 6-10 range.

Can't wait to see McQueen come back from injury. The 6'5", righty shot center looked like a stud at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

 

[impaaaaaact]

Would take any of them in the 6-10 range.

Can't wait to see McQueen come back from injury. The 6'5", righty shot center looked like a stud at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

I really hope he falls but I'm not getting my hopes up

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Don't think anyone is making a move for Varly unless/until he gets some games in.

In order to get some games in, the 3rd string Hogberg would have to be sent down.

To be sent down, he's gotta go through waivers.

That's the dilemma.

***
Somehow, I don't see Lou parting with Varlamov. Seems to be one of the guys he's real loyal to.

If he does move him, I doubt they can afford to bring him in off the IR. Would likely have to move him for "Future considerations" to a team willing to take Lou's word that Varly is ready to go.

 

[impaaaaaact]

Don't think anyone is making a move for Varly unless/until he gets some games in.

In order to get some games in, the 3rd string Hogberg would have to be sent down.

To be sent down, he's gotta go through waivers.

That's the dilemma.

***
Somehow, I don't see Lou parting with Varlamov. Seems to be one of the guys he's real loyal to.

If he does move him, I doubt they can afford to bring him in off the IR. Would likely have to move him for "Future considerations" to a team willing to take Lou's word that Varly is ready to go.

I think Varly will suddenly get healthy when Hogberg starts to get cold

 

[The Real JT]

Next victim in my mid season assessment: Casey Cizikas

He has 5 points in 42 games this season!
His -14 plus minus is a team worst and it’s his personal worst for his entire career and we’re only halfway done with the season.

His contract pays him $2.5M/year for 2 1/2 more years. This is a gritty guy who looks like he’s lost that critical half a step. Formerly one of the league’s best on the PK, he is now a liability on the PK and adds nothing on the fourth line. Yes his linemates suck but that’s somewhat of a cop out.

Retain $1M/year or get a similar contract with less term + a minor asset and get out of this deal.

 

[seabass45]

I love all the hagens dreaming as much as anyone else, but in all likelihood we will be drafting in the 6-10 range. We should be talking about guys like Desnoyers, McQueen and Frondell. Will need some help from the NHL to have a real crack at Hagens

Depends on what they do as the deadline nears. Extremely unlikely that we catch San Jose or Chicago, but we’re four points ahead of Buffalo and Nashville at #3. Not a bad spot to be in, especially in a draft where there seems to be less consensus as time goes on.

Next victim in my mid season assessment: Casey Cizikas

He has 5 points in 42 games this season!
His -14 plus minus is a team worst and it’s his personal worst for his entire career and we’re only halfway done with the season.

His contract pays him $2.5M/year for 2 1/2 more years. This is a gritty guy who looks like he’s lost that critical half a step. Formerly one of the league’s best on the PK, he is now a liability on the PK and adds nothing on the fourth line. Yes his linemates suck but that’s somewhat of a cop out.

Retain $1M/year or get a similar contract with less term + a minor asset and get out of this deal.

He might just be cooked. Send him with Lee to hang out with Adam Oates this summer and hope for the best.