Confirmed with Link: [TBL/SEA/DET] Oliver Bjorkstrand, Yanni Gourde (75% retained), Kyle Aucoin, 2026 5th for Mike Eyssimont, 2026 1st, 2027 1st, 2025 2nd, 2025 4th

[DFC]

It's true but Hagel can be traded when the window is closed.

Congratulations, there are two of us now

I don't think we can sacrifice 1% of improvement in the here and now for hypothetical moves that will happen when the window is closed.

 

[DFC]

Its really not when you consider the retention on salary as well.

It can be an overpayment and a good move at the same time. I think anyone who wasn't expecting us to pay above and beyond regular league prices haven't been paying attention.

I'd rather those two be here than in Toronto. If this is what it took, this is what it took. This isn't a jeannot trade where the assets handcuffed us from making other deals and the acquisition was unproven. We solidified a major weakness here, and we paid through the nose for it. But we get a 2028 1st to spend next year, and we get a lot of brand new UFA money.

 

[AlwaysSunnyInTampa]

So is everyone happy with this move? That’s two middle 6 forwards, righty shot, etc. Is Gourde still the same? He’s 33 now

This is (on paper) probably the 3rd or 4th best move JBB's ever done. Getting Hagel was #1. Hagel's contract was #2. This has an opportunity to compete with McDonagh coming back as #3

 

[Rschmitz]

Need some JBB comments to help put this in perspective. I mean I’m not doing cartwheels because we didn’t “win” this deal, this is a gamble. The cartwheels come later once we see how it all works out on the ice.

 

[MattM92]

Unfortunately we won't see what 2026 First Round Pick can do for us this postseason.

Draft picks don't win hockey games, they turn into players you hope are as good as Oliver Bjorkstrand and Yanni Gourde. This core has maybe half a decade left, if we are lucky. You sell everything that isn't nailed down to improve their odds each TDL until it's over.

 

[Stammertime91]

Need some JBB comments to help put this in perspective. I mean I’m not doing cartwheels because we didn’t “win” this deal, this is a gamble. The cartwheels come later once we see how it all works out on the ice.

Patience grasshopper.

 

[AlwaysSunnyInTampa]

Need some JBB comments to help put this in perspective. I mean I’m not doing cartwheels because we didn’t “win” this deal, this is a gamble. The cartwheels come later once we see how it all works out on the ice.

We got a top 6 forward and a quality depth agitator without losing a single prospect. If we can send a 5th to Chicago for Maroon, I'll be doing cartwheels.

I'll run naked through the streets if we can get Tuch

 

[Stammertime91]

It's true but Hagel can be traded when the window is closed.

Congratulations, there are two of us now

No, there's only one of you.

 

[FinnLightning26]

Starting to think this was probably what Buffalo was asking just for Tuch. Maybe without the 2nd. BriseBois said he can fill that 2RW spot and 3C for the same price. While Bjorkstrand doesn't have the offensive potential that Tuch does i feel he's a better fit for the 2nd line because he plays closer to what Hagel and Cirelli do. So if they can mesh then the offensive difference would probably be minimal. Also Bjorkstrand is extremely reliable, doesn't hardly miss any time so you know he'll be out there every night.

Now you've done it. Björkstrand will be out for the rest of the season in game 1.

 

[AlwaysSunnyInTampa]

Unfortunately we won't see what 2026 First Round Pick can do for us this postseason.

Draft picks don't win hockey games, they turn into players you hope are as good as Oliver Bjorkstrand and Yanni Gourde. This core has maybe half a decade left, if we are lucky. You sell everything that isn't nailed down to improve their odds each TDL until it's over.

Matt awakens from his slumber with a banger post. Welcome back mate.

 

[Rschmitz]

Patience grasshopper.

That is my point, no one should be too quick to judge.

 

[majormajor]

Bjorkstrand scored 3 game 7 goals in the 2023 playoffs (no one else on Seattle scored any).

He was already considered a clutch player in Columbus, going back at least as far as his 2016 Calder Cup MVP when he scored the OT championship winning goal. Also scored against Tampa in the 2019 sweep.

 

[LordStanlersCup]

Need some JBB comments to help put this in perspective. I mean I’m not doing cartwheels because we didn’t “win” this deal, this is a gamble. The cartwheels come later once we see how it all works out on the ice.

he did a presser at 4:15

 

[JTBF81]

I thought they had closer to 1.2 based on the math from puckpedia after Atkinson was sent down, but I guess it's closer to 800k. They can still add one more 4th line type or improve the defense by moving Perbix I'd guess and a pick/prospect for an upgrade maybe.

 

[Rschmitz]

I keep seeing mentioned how draft picks don’t win hockey games, that completely misses the point that they can still be used to bring in other pieces to help instead. So the simple question is how well these guys do once we start playing. I thought we would go for someone younger with more cost control, like a Foerester, the fact that we didn’t is a signal that most here have picked up on that we are certainly “all in”.

JBB is saying Bjorkstrand and Gourde are the best fit right now, this is far less of a short term gamble than bringing in a young guy like Jeannot or Hagel and hoping there is untapped upside.

 

[OurlordAndSaviorKuch]

It's true but Hagel can be traded when the window is closed.

Congratulations, there are two of us now

As can Kuch,Point,Jake, AC ect. Its not going to be hard to get assets back.

 

[HoseEmDown]

Now you've done it. Björkstrand will be out for the rest of the season in game 1.

4D chess, Bjorkstrand on LTIR and we trade Geekie and Howard for Tuch. He comes back for the 1st round.

 

[OurlordAndSaviorKuch]

That is my point, no one should be too quick to judge.

 

[Major4Boarding]

Patience grasshopper.

Sorry LordandSavior

 

[OurlordAndSaviorKuch]

Real question is do we resign Yani in the offseason to some cheap deal to keep him here?

 

[DaBolts]

Kyle Aucoin - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

 

[Rschmitz]

Real question is do we resign Yani in the offseason to some cheap deal to keep him here?

Gotta think that is in the cards

 

[Todd1a]

 

[DFC]

Need some JBB comments to help put this in perspective. I mean I’m not doing cartwheels because we didn’t “win” this deal, this is a gamble. The cartwheels come later once we see how it all works out on the ice.

That's true for anyone we could have brought in.

I don't think it's really about winning the deal. We acquired two players, and we know one of them was coveted by a division rival. On paper we are not just better, but significantly so. There's always the risk that the players won't gel, but even that risk is lowered because we know Gourde understands what's expected under Cooper.

 

[Point21]

JBB is spot on with what he had to say: