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

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Let’s keep it real here. I couldn’t agree more that not a single one of us knows what was offered. There’s even a chance nothing was offered because Lou told everyone he was not for sale.

As far as floating the possibility of any potential offer being a third round pick, you know that’s ridiculous. Anthony Beauvillier of all people returned a second round pick.
This is just my gut feeling but I feel the Kings called about Palms and offered a 3rd and Lou said no so they turned to Philly and got Kuzmenko for a 3rd instead but I know nothing lol
 
Probably a fake rumor but read on the main board Dahlin wants out. If we can work a Dobson for Dahlin deal I’d be stoked.

But only if they throw in Peterka. :naughty:

Seriously though...

As much as I'd absolutely love to see Dahlin - a true allrounder who can play the game any way it comes - he's earning 11 MM per for the next 4 years.

Any such deal would probably require that Lou talks them into taking on no less than Engvall as well, if not another contract too.
 
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This is just my gut feeling but I feel the Kings called about Palms and offered a 3rd and Lou said no so they turned to Philly and got Kuzmenko for a 3rd instead but I know nothing lol
No idea, on XM they mentioned Kuzmenko has like 50 shots in 49 games or something absurdly low for a team needing a guy to put the puck on and in the net.
 
But only if they throw in Peterka. :naughty:

Seriously though...

As much as I'd absolutely love to see Dahlin - a true allrounder who can play the game any way it comes - he's earning 11 MM per for the next 4 years.

Any such deal would probably require that Lou talks them into taking on no less than Engvall as well, if not another contract too.
Dahlin has a Dubas special on his term. That’s a big risk on a re-up in 4 years.
 
Ritchie is the plan to replace JGP internally, or at least I think that’s what Lou envisions judging by his presser.
In 2025-26? I'll believe it when shovels are in the ground.

This is just my gut feeling but I feel the Kings called about Palms and offered a 3rd and Lou said no so they turned to Philly and got Kuzmenko for a 3rd instead but I know nothing lol
I agree with this take. Lou might have traded Palms if the return was a young player who is NHL ready.
 
Taking a look at the cap situation for next year. Assuming Varly is not back and we buy out Engvall and Mayfield we'll have somewhere between 4-6M in cap space.
Screenshot 2025-03-11 at 1.56.11 PM.png



Could see Lou moving out Pageau and replacing him with Sam Bennett at that same 7.5 number he was going to give Brock - probably would need 7 years though.
 
Taking a look at the cap situation for next year. Assuming Varly is not back and we buy out Engvall and Mayfield we'll have somewhere between 4-6M in cap space. View attachment 991512


Could see Lou moving out Pageau and replacing him with Sam Bennett at that same 7.5 number he was going to give Brock - probably would need 7 years though.
God what a bad lineup....I would hope for more younsters. And I just don't see Lou buying out any contracts.
 
Our flexibility will come from trading Pageau and Dobson.

There’s room to work with. Not just in a playful Dahlin scenario but anywhere.
 
You guys crack me up sometimes—


Shitting on players like Dahlin and EP40...

Dobson ++ for Dahlin? Come on.

And EP40 isn’t soft physically—he might just be done with the media in Vancouver. Looks like he’s lost trust in his coach and the organization. His confidence has taken a hit, and he’s clearly pressing.

EP40 plays on the power play and excels on the penalty kill. Defensively, he’s stronger than Miller and Horvat combined, and when he’s at his best, he’s a PPG player who would make this team a hell of a lot better. Lou should take advantage of the uncertainty around his game right now, get him at a lesser price, and take a risk. A coach like Roy might be exactly what he needs to rebuild his game—unlike someone like Tocchet.

No top-line player is going to be available unless it’s a contract situation (Tkachuk, Rantanen) or there are some warts and risks involved.

Gotta love how people praise Vegas for getting Eichel, but when he was available, those same types were calling him “damaged goods” and saying to stay away. Fast forward—Stanley Cup winner and a PPG player.

The Miller situation highlights two different generations of hockey players. Miller clearly tried to be the sword, but he pushed it too far—and in the process, he lost EP40.

And this Dahlin talk—what does “Dubas special on his term” even mean? A no-move clause? Big deal. $11M a season for the next six years for a player like that is going to be a blessing (and might have at least 2 Norris Trophies in that time frame), especially with the cap rising. Plus, the contract has no signing bonus—just $11M straight.
 
Taking a look at the cap situation for next year. Assuming Varly is not back and we buy out Engvall and Mayfield we'll have somewhere between 4-6M in cap space. View attachment 991512


Could see Lou moving out Pageau and replacing him with Sam Bennett at that same 7.5 number he was going to give Brock - probably would need 7 years though.
They don't need to buy out Mayfield (I think they could trade him - return might not be much) and Perunovich will be qualified, which means he will make the same as this season 1.15.

Must be dealt.
I think it is time.
 
You guys crack me up sometimes—


Shitting on players like Dahlin and EP40...

Dobson ++ for Dahlin? Come on.

And EP40 isn’t soft physically—he might just be done with the media in Vancouver. Looks like he’s lost trust in his coach and the organization. His confidence has taken a hit, and he’s clearly pressing.

EP40 plays on the power play and excels on the penalty kill. Defensively, he’s stronger than Miller and Horvat combined, and when he’s at his best, he’s a PPG player who would make this team a hell of a lot better. Lou should take advantage of the uncertainty around his game right now, get him at a lesser price, and take a risk. A coach like Roy might be exactly what he needs to rebuild his game—unlike someone like Tocchet.

No top-line player is going to be available unless it’s a contract situation (Tkachuk, Rantanen) or there are some warts and risks involved.

Gotta love how people praise Vegas for getting Eichel, but when he was available, those same types were calling him “damaged goods” and saying to stay away. Fast forward—Stanley Cup winner and a PPG player.

The Miller situation highlights two different generations of hockey players. Miller clearly tried to be the sword, but he pushed it too far—and in the process, he lost EP40.

And this Dahlin talk—what does “Dubas special on his term” even mean? A no-move clause? Big deal. $11M a season for the next six years for a player like that is going to be a blessing (and might have at least 2 Norris Trophies in that time frame), especially with the cap rising. Plus, the contract has no signing bonus—just $11M straight.
I’ve been one of the people championing EP40 - it’s just I want Barzal gone for it, others want to keep him.
 
I’ve been one of the people championing EP40 - it’s just I want Barzal gone for it, others want to keep him.
Yeah, the two are not mutually exclusive.
They would complement each other - they play opposite sides of the PP.
In the simplest way to see it - Barzal can transport and EP40 can finish.

And I don't want to get into a meaningless back and forth with you about Barzal.

I understand what we need to see from Barzal, which is production.
He needs to produce—period end of story.
He was a PPG player last year and I believe he can get there again.

An EP 40 trade
  • Replaces nelson
  • Gets the team younger
  • Makes them better
  • Strengthens the PP and PK
  • Allows them to jettison a bad contract like Engvall - which would be added in the deal, not only for cap but more so actual dollars. That is a lot of $ on that contract and I can see Vancouver buying out Engvall in the offseason.
  • Sign me up for EP 40 for Dobson, Engvall, + (pick) + (prospect) this offseason
Holmstrom - EP40 - Barzal
Lee - Horvat - Palmieri
Cizikas - Pageau - Appleton or Frederic
Duclair - Ritchie - Tsyplakov

That is a good forward group.
 
I agree that Peterson should definitely be a target as his value is declining, but I still have hope for Dobson and I just don't see any possible solutions to fill his place. Now if we could add Willander to the deal somehow that I think that's a no brainer. Peterson's value might be so low (his contract would make him negative value but he's a good enough player that he'll get something) that maybe something along Peterson + Willander for Dobson + Pageau + 2026 Col 1st + Danny Nelson. With Ritchie now here, there isn't really a way for Nelson to have a spot in the lineup plus that won't be for a couple years anyways.
 
Holmstrom - EP40 - Barzal
Lee - Horvat - Palmieri
Cizikas - Pageau - Appleton or Frederic
Duclair - Ritchie - Tsyplakov

That is a good forward group.
My only question would be, who transports the puck into the offensive zone when the 2nd line is on the ice? I'd think about swapping Barzal and Palmieri.

Otherwise, it's amazing what inserting a top line talent does to a lineup when everyone else gets pushed back one slot. I think an EP40 is a worthwhile risk and we'd be lucky to get him, assuming they can't sign one of the top UFAs (I know, crazy idea that they won't be able to! :rolleyes: ). And I'm probably less inclined to give up on Dobson than some others here....

I see two realistic options if Lou stays on based on his comments the other day. Striking pay dirt with an EP40-like deal and maybe actually make some noise, or a do-nothing rebuild. The latter is where Lou mostly lets contracts age out, maybe trading some for assets (hopefully), and keeping draft picks and gradually replacing the roster over a handful of years. Tear down rebuild apparently ain't happening, and unfortunately I don't see Lou pulling off an active, multiple moves, asset swap retool like you see other NHL (and NFL, cough, Howie Roseman) GMs pulling off.
 
I don't understand some of you guys here. You are stand on the table demanding picks and as soon as we get them, you want to move them and along with probably our best trading assest in Dobson, one of our best youngsters in Nelson and picks for 1 player who by the way has some major questions and is making $11.6M and not considered a leader.

How about we just start adding with our 2 1st rounders and our remaining draft picks and get good young talent to go along with promising youngsters in D.Nelson, Eiersman, Finley and Richie...Let's fill the cupboard first...
 
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I agree with this take. Lou might have traded Palms if the return was a young player who is NHL ready.

Sounds logical to me as well.

Would Lou have turned down an offer of that '27 3rd and Turcotte?

'Cause in light of them paying that 3rd for Kuzmenko and a 7th, you'd have to think LA would have been on board, especially when you see how little ice time Turcotte has gotten since the deadline and in general over the past 4 weeks.
 
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I don't understand some of you guys here. You are stand on the table demanding picks and as soon as we get them, you want to move them and along with probably our best trading assest in Dobson, one of our best youngsters in Nelson and picks for 1 player who by the way has some major questions and is making $11.6M and not considered a leader.

How about we just start adding with our 2 1st rounders and our remaining draft picks and get good young talent to go along with promising youngsters in D.Nelson, Eiersman, Finley and Richie...Let's fill the cupboard with first...
I'm on board with that too - it's the alternative scenario in my post above. My top preference would be to keep picks and intelligently swap out assets to improve the on ice product. I just don't know if Lou is capable of doing that. So it's either roll the dice for a top talent, or hold onto picks and youth and get what you can for guys as their contracts are coming to an end. I think Lou can handle that.

BTW, EP40 with his recent production and his contract is devalued, so I don't see sending Dobson +++ for him. IMO it would be Dobson plus maybe something but not a lot.
 
The Marner situation is interesting. Seems like he wants to stay, management floats the Carolina trade (by design either as a motivator, or we hold the cards kid, or whatever goofball thing Toronto does), but is Toronto willing to pay him what he wants?

If they don’t make it to the SC final, maybe the ECF final, then can they truly run back the same ‘big 4’ and lock them all in long term again?

Be interesting to see what are his wants as a player?

I would trade Matthews before letting Marner walk for free.
 

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