Summer of '25 Reload Discussion

[VivaLasVegas]

The Knights had no consistent scoring during the 24-25 season -- and couldn't put a single point on the board towards the end -- so presumably that will be the most important point of emphasis after re-signing Eichel.

Definitely a few passengers claiming to play forward who can be given a free Uber ride to Terminal C.

The good news is that I think we were just a couple of quality 200' forwards from going to the SCF.

Not sure that I would keep Hertl around ... his old magic just isn't there anymore.

 

[The Duck Knight]

Hertl's not going anywhere. He's got a 4 team NTC. He wasn't the only ghost in the playoffs. And he just had a 35 goal regular season too.

#1 priority is getting the Eichel extension done. If for some reason he's not willing to sign early then you either have to go ALL IN to win next year just in case he is planning on leaving.

# 2 Think you need to get an extension done with Smith in the 2x2.5 range. He just works with Karlsson so that should be a cheapish solution to one of the holes.

# 3 Need to find a trade for either Whitecloud or Hague that brings back an under 30 wing that can score 20 goals and not be a 5on5 liability. Also need to be under 4m or so.

 

[azvgk]

Hertl's not going anywhere. He's got a 4 team NTC. He wasn't the only ghost in the playoffs. And he just had a 35 goal regular season too.

#1 priority is getting the Eichel extension done. If for some reason he's not willing to sign early then you either have to go ALL IN to win next year just in case he is planning on leaving.

# 2 Think you need to get an extension done with Smith in the 2x2.5 range. He just works with Karlsson so that should be a cheapish solution to one of the holes.

# 3 Need to find a trade for either Whitecloud or Hague that brings back an under 30 wing that can score 20 goals and not be a 5on5 liability. Also need to be under 4m or so.

Hertl is not cooked, he can be extremely valuable and the 17% picked up by San Jose is a big help. Under 7 million for a 35 goal scorer is cheap. He just needs to be used correctly, don't count on him to be a speed merchant, but he is great as a net front presence on the power play.

As to the rest, we simply must resign Eichel. If we can get Reilly for 2 x 2.5 I'd do it in a heartbeat. He and Wild Bill are a great tandem. I hear Pittsburgh is interested in Hague, and they have lots of draft capital. I'd keep Whitecloud if at all possible. He has a great contract, which also makes him attractive as a trade chip, but Hutton can slot in for Hague and not be worse. Finally,Korczak is more than ready to replace Pietrangelo if he can be convinced to retire or waive is NTC.

 

[Vegan Knight]

If Pietrangelo could be replaced by Korczak he would have done it already. He is NHL ready but Pietrangelo was still a steady presence defensively that Korczak would struggle to match.

The only thing a Pietrangelo LTIRetire would do for the team is give cap flexibility to fix other holes because the defense is pretty deep as a unit. Oh, and Marchessault had 3 goals, 7 assists in 20 games and 6 goals and 3 assists in 19 games the playoff years before he won the Conn Smythe. Hertl is only going to play as well as the team around him, he doesn't need to be our best or second or third best forward even in a playoff run for us to succeed.

They need to trade Hague for the best power forward making around four million they could get. Preferably young who hasn't seen their best play but could be unlocked here. Our pro scouting has astouded before and will need to do their best again.

Signing Smith for reasonable money and finding another Oloffson option hopefully to stay healthy this time are the other moves.