Proposal: Top-6 LW (or good 3C) to SJ

[Juxtaposer]

So Hertl is likely to be out several weeks at least, and that means we're down a first line forward (specifically, our best player so far this year) and it sucks.

But more than that, we have a problem at 1LW. Thornton and Pavelski look awful without Hertl, but at the same time Hertl at 3C is a massive upgrade over Chris Tierney and he really should stay at center long-term.

Timo Meier has been excellent the past couple of weeks in the AHL after recovering from mono and he is absolutely NHL-ready. But I don't think counting on him to fill Hertl's void alone is a good idea.

I'd like to acquire a top-6 LW for Thornton and Pavelski. Boedker is bad (who would have guessed!!) and Ward is showing his age, which puts a dent in our forward depth.

Said LW is preferably in the Brent Burns mold or the Tomas Hertl mold. A Brent Burns type is someone who is big, strong, and fast, strong on the boards, and has a good shot. A Hertl type is basically a big body who is a great net front pressence, excellent on the cycle, great hands, and good on zone entries (Jagr-like). In reality, any good player will play well with them, but those two types of players enhance them the best. The player MUST be strong on the cycle.

Failing that, a high-end 3C would be desirable. An offensive type like Bonino rather than a defensive type like Sutter, since Thornton and Couture can play tough minutes. If we got a high-end 3C, then we can move Couture up to 1LW and Hertl up to 2C, or stack Couture and Hertl on the same line to put less pressure on the top-line top score if they had, for example, Meier.

So either:

LW-Thornton-Pavelski
Meier/Ward-Couture-Donskoi
Marleau-Hertl-Meier/LaBanc

Or

Meier-Thornton-Pavelski
Couture-Hertl-Donskoi
Marleau-3C-LaBanc/Ward

Trade chips:

Any prospect but Meier would be on the table. That includes Goldobin (having a great year in the AHL) and Roy (only available because he's injury-prone like crazy; he's been amazing when healthy), as well as the lesser known but still worthwhile prospects on the Cuda (O'Regan, Goodrow, Sorensen, Chartier, Mueller, Bergman), and LaBanc would be on the table for the right player. I have zero interest in trading our 1st round puck unless the return was a young player who could be part of our long-term future.

In terms of roster players, Chris Tierney is probably our most desirable tradable asset. He's an excellent playmaker (honest to god he's a top-6 worthy playmaker but the rest of his game besides PKing is fourth line caliber; if he figures it out, he's a 2C, and he's only 22, but I'm not willing to wait for that). Depth forwards like Wingels, Karlsson, Ward, Boedker, and Nieto would be available, all guys that are third line capable but ideal used as high-end 4th liners on a contender. Theoretically, Marleau and Martin would be available, but I'm not sure they have much value or that they'd waive. Brenden Dillon would be available in the right deal if we got a 7D back (Dillon has been excellent this year as a result of playing with Schlemko, a quick puck-mover with good defensive instincts, rather than a coke-machine like Polak). Dylan DeMelo would be available for the right player (a young defensive RH PMD who really should be playing regularly but is 7th on our depth chart).

We're close to the cap, so any deal would have to be salary-neutral.

And two last notes: Evander Kane would be a good fit, but with his alleged character issues there's no chance DW would touch him. JVR might be a good fit, but I highly doubt we'd be willing to pay what the Leafs (fans) would want.

Fire away! As a starter, I think Anders Lee would be a great fit if he could be had from the Isles.

Click to read more...

 

[Baemon Severson*]

Cammalleri for Tierney

 

[Brock Radunske]

Bozak would be a great 3C addition.
Or if you want to take a flier on Holland. He wouldn't cost much.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Bozak would be a great 3C addition.
Or if you want to take a flier on Holland. He wouldn't cost much.

Technically, with the right line mates, Holland could fill either of those spots well. And then he can be relegated to a lower role and still play well once everyone is healthy.

And as you said, cap hit is only 1.3 mill, and wouldn't cost as much as Bozak to acquire.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Cammalleri for Tierney

Salary cap is a problem, and also is Cammalleri a good cycle player? I can't say I feel confident enough to judge that.

Bozak would be a great 3C addition.
Or if you want to take a flier on Holland. He wouldn't cost much.

Holland is an idea, but I'd rather aim higher. No interest in Bozak.

 

[ThorNton Apologist]

Tierney + pick for Hanzal.
Sharks could use help in the faceoff circle. I know you said offensive 3C but Hanzal is a good fit. Maybe just maybe he could spark Boedker just a bit as well

 

[Juxtaposer]

Tierney + pick for Hanzal.
Sharks could use help in the faceoff circle. I know you said offensive 3C but Hanzal is a good fit. Maybe just maybe he could spark Boedker just a bit as well

Hanzal is not a good fit.

 

[FifthLine]

JVR sounds like a fit, based on what your saying. But, like you said he would probably be to pricey for you guys.

 

[Sysreq]

JVR sounds like a fit, based on what your saying. But, like you said he would probably be to pricey for you guys.

What all would the Leafs be looking for? What about for Kadri? I know he was on the block for a bit. I really like his ability to draw penalties against - considering the strength of the SJ PP.

 

[FifthLine]

What all would the Leafs be looking for? What about for Kadri? I know he was on the block for a bit. I really like his ability to draw penalties against - considering the strength of the SJ PP.

I think the general consensus of leaf fans on Jvr is that if he is moved, it has to be for a top four dman (preferably right handed), other wise we'll likely keep him as he is still valuable to us.

As for Kadri its unlikely that they will move him barring an overpayment. He signed long term this summer and is currently thriving in the role Babcock has put him in this year.

 

[Absurdity]

Spooner for Tierney + 1st?

Spooner fits the bill as an offensive #3C who has played on the Bruins top 6 at LW. In his first full season last year, he scored 49pts and is a weapon on the PP. He looks to be a high-end #3C or #2C in the future. He's also only 24 and a RFA next season with a $925,00 cap hit this season. I think the Bruins could use a player like Tierney as their #3C.

 

[NMK11]

Let me talk to you about our perennial top 6 LW: Chris Kunitz

 

[Albus Dumbledore]

Kadri can only be had for a overpayment really
Komarov and jvr package could be if ur trying for a cup run.

 

[DonskoiDonscored]

Spooner for Tierney + 1st?

Spooner fits the bill as an offensive #3C who has played on the Bruins top 6 at LW. In his first full season last year, he scored 49pts and is a weapon on the PP. He looks to be a high-end #3C or #2C in the future. He's also only 24 and a RFA next season with a $925,00 cap hit this season. I think the Bruins could use a player like Tierney as their #3C.

I wouldn't add a 1st to Tierney with where our 1st could end up. Also, Tierney has really struggled at 3C in the past. Good playmaking but pretty poor on the boards.

 

[Absurdity]

I wouldn't add a 1st to Tierney with where our 1st could end up. Also, Tierney has really struggled at 3C in the past. Good playmaking but pretty poor on the boards.

That's fair regarding your 1st. If Tierney struggles along the boards, then I don't think he may be a player the Bruins should target. Spooner fits what the OP is looking for, but right now from a Bruins perspective, I'm not so sure the Sharks have anything available that makes the Bruins send Spooner to San Jose. The Bruins have plenty of bottom 6 players and forward prospects. The only thing the Bruins could use is a top 4 RD, and I doubt San Jose is looking to trade one as they want to ultimately make a run in the playoffs.

 

[Sysreq]

I think the general consensus of leaf fans on Jvr is that if he is moved, it has to be for a top four dman (preferably right handed), other wise we'll likely keep him as he is still valuable to us.

As for Kadri its unlikely that they will move him barring an overpayment. He signed long term this summer and is currently thriving in the role Babcock has put him in this year.

So something like:

SJS -
1) JvR
2) SJS 2017 2nd (returned)
(-$250,000 Cap)

TOR -
1) Justin Braun
2) Matt Nieto
(+$250,000 Cap)

I don't love it, but I don't hate it either. It could definitely work...

 

[Electric Eric]

Tomas Tatar for Roy + 2nd?

Edit: Actually any one of these guys really:

Helm- 3C more D oriented so probably not.
Sheahan- 3C or Top 6 LW.
Tatar

 

[Sysreq]

That's fair regarding your 1st. If Tierney struggles along the boards, then I don't think he may be a player the Bruins should target. Spooner fits what the OP is looking for, but right now from a Bruins perspective, I'm not so sure the Sharks have anything available that makes the Bruins send Spooner to San Jose. The Bruins have plenty of bottom 6 players and forward prospects. The only thing the Bruins could use is a top 4 RD, and I doubt San Jose is looking to trade one as they want to ultimately make a run in the playoffs.

Paul Martin and Justin Braun could be available for the right price. Juxt wants to turn picks and prospects into a top-6 winger, but I am of the opinion that it will have to come from our defense core.

Paul Martin is listed as a LHD, but actually preferred RHD in his time in Pittsburgh. Otherwise, Braun is the more valuable of the two, but will likely cost a true 1st line winger.

 

[Sysreq]

Tomas Tatar for Roy + 2nd?

We'd have to trade for a second, but otherwise, I'd do it.

 

[BluesTraveler]

the bruins can offer you a david backes

Just picks back please

 

[DonskoiDonscored]

We'd have to trade for a second, but otherwise, I'd do it.

We'd also have to clear a lot of cap space.

 

[FifthLine]

So something like:

SJS -
1) JvR
2) SJS 2017 2nd (returned)
(-$250,000 Cap)

TOR -
1) Justin Braun
2) Matt Nieto
(+$250,000 Cap)

I don't love it, but I don't hate it either. It could definitely work...

Certainly not a bad offer at all imo. I think I'd strongly consider it if the 2nd rounder was taken out. Pretty fair I think, as I'm a fan of Braun and think he'd fit well here.

 

[TorontoTrades]

Holland for conditional 3rd?

Becomes a 4th if they don't make it to the 2nd round of playoffs.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Tomas Tatar for Roy + 2nd?

Edit: Actually any one of these guys really:

Helm- 3C more D oriented so probably not.
Sheahan- 3C or Top 6 LW.
Tatar

Tatar would be exactly what I'd want. If we had a 2nd, I'd be happy with that deal. Alas...

 

[Brewins]

the bruins can offer you a david backes

Just picks back please

Why would the Bruins do it? Just signed him, fits like a glove and NMC. Spooner would be more likely. Just picks back? We dont need picks we need a top4 dman.