Speculation: Speculation, rumours and trade & free agency ideas thread

[Buffdog]

Who needs to wait 2-4 years for draft picks to develop when you can get a NHL ready player right away and have no problem signing FAs.

"ASsET mANagEmeNt"

 

[Daximus]

No reports of Caufield or Hutson wanting out of Montreal. Pretty much any American player with a future in the NHL has had some time with the US NTDP, either through junior, World Championships, etc. Kyle Connor didn't go on the WH trip, fair enough, but there was nothing before the Olympics to suggest that Hellebuyck wanted out. We've been successful with Americans like Buff, Wheeler, no smoke around Samberg, etc. I don't know if this is a Canada specific thing.

I don't think it's Canada specific I think it's just some players couldn't handle the backlash from their field trip. Granted it went overboard and I could only imagine some of the messages they were getting but in general they were all welcomed back. I think some might just be using it as an excuse to make a clean break as well.

 

[CanMerc]

I could see Hellebuyck being willing to go to Dallas, but I can’t see any form of fit trade wise for us

 

[Sleestak Nation]

Yeah certainly seems like a pretty likely destination for him. No trade protection, lots of assets to spend, they won't want to take a step back and draft a bunch of maybe players for 3 years down the road.

I just think the fit is there too. Dostal is moveable this year before his NMC kicks in. Moving McTavish and Dostal (plus whatever else it may take) clears even more cap for their plethora of RFA's including the huge deals that Carlsson and Gauthier are likely to command.

 

[Daximus]

I could see Hellebuyck being willing to go to Dallas, but I can’t see any form of fit trade wise for us

I don't think Dallas is really all that interested with Otter there.

 

[Gm0ney]

If i was making 12 million a year in American dollars i wouldn't care about taxes.

These guys have short careers...throwing an extra $500K into taxes every year (from which they probably feel they receive zero benefits) means $500K x however-many-years less in the bank when they retire. I mean, their financial people and agents are probably going to be telling them to maximize the take home pay.

 

[CanMerc]

I don't think Dallas is really all that interested with Otter there.

Agree…I’m just saying he’d likely waive for Dallas

 

[Daximus]

These guys have short careers...throwing an extra $500K into taxes every year (from which they probably feel they receive zero benefits) means $500K x however-many-years less in the bank when they retire. I mean, their financial people and agents are probably going to be telling them to maximize the take home pay.

Plus the US has the jock tax compared to our residency tax so it ends up being even more saved if they live pretty much anywhere in the US. Which is what most decisions come down to. Money.

 

[Daximus]

Agree…I’m just saying he’d likely waive for Dallas

Oh for sure but I don't think Dallas has any interest. He's also likely interested in Tampa who also likely has no interest in him. Colorado might also be an interesting spot to Helle but they are likely pretty okay with their cheap tandem for now.

 

[abax44]

No reports of Caufield or Hutson wanting out of Montreal. Pretty much any American player with a future in the NHL has had some time with the US NTDP, either through junior, World Championships, etc. Kyle Connor didn't go on the WH trip, fair enough, but there was nothing before the Olympics to suggest that Hellebuyck wanted out. We've been successful with Americans like Buff, Wheeler, no smoke around Samberg, etc. I don't know if this is a Canada specific thing.



Yeah certainly seems like a pretty likely destination for him. No trade protection, lots of assets to spend, they won't want to take a step back and draft a bunch of maybe players for 3 years down the road.

There were reports Helle wanted out, and then he signed a long term contract.

 

[CanMerc]

Oh for sure but I don't think Dallas has any interest. He's also likely interested in Tampa who also likely has no interest in him. Colorado might also be an interesting spot to Helle but they are likely pretty okay with their cheap tandem for now.

I think Colorado would jump at the chance, but they’re low on the required assets for the trade and I don’t know if Helle waives for there

 

[Hunter368]

DD says Helle has given more teams to be traded to than Brady did, he thinks Helle will be traded, albeit it will be hard. 17 min mark starts.

Ray thinks it might end up being Sabres, which I’ve been saying for a while. He eludes on the return, without saying actual name as the main piece but it’s pretty clear imo, very young centre. Ray starts discussing Sabres and return at 19 min mark

Interesting

 

[CanMerc]

DD says Helle has given more teams to be traded to than Brady did, he thinks Helle will be traded, albeit it will be hard. 17 min mark starts.

Ray thinks it might end up being Sabres, which I’ve been saying for a while. He eludes on the return, without saying actual name as the main piece but it’s pretty clear imo, very young centre. Ray starts discussing Sabres and return at 19 min mark

Interesting

Would you prefer UPL or Levi in the return?

 

[Hunter368]

Would you prefer UPL or Levi in the return?

I actually don’t mind UPL, I think he’s an average goalie, Levi is unproven. Plus Sabres will need to send cap back so UPL makes more sense.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

The battle that Chevy faces every day

 

[WaveRaven]

I read in the beginning of this Tampa was one of the team's he'd go to.

 

[Browne88]

I’d be happy getting Ryan McLeod as a main piece coming back. Still young. Proven. 3 years of term left.
Maybe it’s not an option.

I'm a Sabres fan checking in because I feel like we're actually pretty good trade partners. The Sabres top needs are a stud #1 goalie like Hellebuyck, unquestionable 1C, and top 4 D if we end up having to trade Byram.

If you guys are looking for a 2C in a trade we have about 6 of them lol

Thompson, McLeod, Norris, Helenius, Ostlund, Kulich can all play centre but none are ideal 1C's. Thompson is closest but he's not what I would consider a natural centre in that his positioning and defensive game isn't really there. Norris and McLeod are good defensively, but don't have the offensive upside for 1C. Of the kids Helenius is the only one I'd say has a good chance to get there, which IMO makes him untouchable other than in a trade for a 1C.

What is the rumoured ask in a Hellebuyck trade? The other issue is with Skinner's buyout this year any trade for Hellebuyck would need to be a dollars in/dollars out kind of deal. So Norris or McLeod would work better that way as the base. Otherwise Maybe UPL and Greenway or something to balance the cap might be needed if the main piece is one of the kids.

 

[CanMerc]

I actually don’t mind UPL, I think he’s an average goalie, Levi is unproven. Plus Sabres will need to send cap back so UPL makes more sense.

I think either way it works…we either get a starter or a backup

 

[CanMerc]

The battle that Chevy faces every day


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See…I’m definitely Canadian because that bottom pic looks really beautiful to me and far more inviting…and my knees don’t like the cold

 

[Gm0ney]

So I am catching up here today after a busy weekend.

The most generous homer goggle spin I can put on this is Zito held out with futures only for Ottawa because they were under way more pressure to move Brady and he had more leverage with Ottawa. Zito preserved Lundell because he knew he would need him for the Helle trade that is getting close.

Brady's signed for 2 more years...although he does have a full NMC. But what's his leverage (aside from sulking for a year or two)? Ottawa is on the precipice of being a very good team and they just traded Tkachuk for futures? I'd think if anyone wanted roster players back, it would be them...unless they're going to flip those picks for someone (Robertson? Thomas?)

 

[CanMerc]

I'm a Sabres fan checking in because I feel like we're actually pretty good trade partners. The Sabres top needs are a stud #1 goalie like Hellebuyck, unquestionable 1C, and top 4 D if we end up having to trade Byram.

If you guys are looking for a 2C in a trade we have about 6 of them lol

Thompson, McLeod, Norris, Helenius, Ostlund, Kulich can all play centre but none are ideal 1C's. Thompson is closest but he's not what I would consider a natural centre in that his positioning and defensive game isn't really there. Norris and McLeod are good defensively, but don't have the offensive upside for 1C. Of the kids Helenius is the only one I'd say has a good chance to get there, which IMO makes him untouchable other than in a trade for a 1C.

What is the rumoured ask in a Hellebuyck trade? The other issue is with Skinner's buyout this year any trade for Hellebuyck would need to be a dollars in/dollars out kind of deal. So Norris or McLeod would work better that way as the base. Otherwise Maybe UPL and Greenway or something to balance the cap might be needed if the main piece is one of the kids.

Welcome to the thunder dome
We’ve been discussing Helenius + UPL/Levi + Mrtka + #20

 

[WolfHouse]

I'm a Sabres fan checking in because I feel like we're actually pretty good trade partners. The Sabres top needs are a stud #1 goalie like Hellebuyck, unquestionable 1C, and top 4 D if we end up having to trade Byram.

If you guys are looking for a 2C in a trade we have about 6 of them lol

Thompson, McLeod, Norris, Helenius, Ostlund, Kulich can all play centre but none are ideal 1C's. Thompson is closest but he's not what I would consider a natural centre in that his positioning and defensive game isn't really there. Norris and McLeod are good defensively, but don't have the offensive upside for 1C. Of the kids Helenius is the only one I'd say has a good chance to get there, which IMO makes him untouchable other than in a trade for a 1C.

What is the rumoured ask in a Hellebuyck trade? The other issue is with Skinner's buyout this year any trade for Hellebuyck would need to be a dollars in/dollars out kind of deal. So Norris or McLeod would work better that way as the base. Otherwise Maybe UPL and Greenway or something to balance the cap might be needed if the main piece is one of the kids.

I’d be asking Helenius (or Kulich), UPL (needs to waive), 20OA and Mrtka

 

[DRW204]

Dreger apparently saying Hellebuyck has given a longer list team than Brady (assuming Larkin too). Does say they think WPG will deal.

 

[Buffdog]

I'm a Sabres fan checking in because I feel like we're actually pretty good trade partners. The Sabres top needs are a stud #1 goalie like Hellebuyck, unquestionable 1C, and top 4 D if we end up having to trade Byram.

If you guys are looking for a 2C in a trade we have about 6 of them lol

Thompson, McLeod, Norris, Helenius, Ostlund, Kulich can all play centre but none are ideal 1C's. Thompson is closest but he's not what I would consider a natural centre in that his positioning and defensive game isn't really there. Norris and McLeod are good defensively, but don't have the offensive upside for 1C. Of the kids Helenius is the only one I'd say has a good chance to get there, which IMO makes him untouchable other than in a trade for a 1C.

What is the rumoured ask in a Hellebuyck trade? The other issue is with Skinner's buyout this year any trade for Hellebuyck would need to be a dollars in/dollars out kind of deal. So Norris or McLeod would work better that way as the base. Otherwise Maybe UPL and Greenway or something to balance the cap might be needed if the main piece is one of the kids.

Dreger is generally accepted as being Chevy's mouthpiece, and he's openly stated that the ask for Helle is a 2C AND a big defenseman who is tough to play against

We'd also need a goalie at some point

 

[Browne88]

Welcome to the thunder dome
We’ve been discussing Helenius + UPL/Levi + Mrtka + #20

What's the actual rumoured ask though? Personally, if Helenius is required I would just run it back with UPL and Lyon. UPL is a good to very good goalie, so paying that much for an upgrade isn't worth it.