Speculation: Trade Ideas and Free Agency XIV

[Digitalbooya]

Would it even be possible? Guessing your praying more than being realistic but my goodness would he be huge to land

Can't imagine San Jose moving him before Jumbo or Marleau and then what it would require.

It'd be tricky. Probably have to send a package of two of Granlund/Coyle/Tuch/Spurgeon + pick + Backstrom

 

[LordFletcher]

I recently moved from NYC to the Bay Area. I just asked a co-worker why this week the Sharks seemed to go back to the same game plan, trade for a goalie, bring in a vet defenseman, and give it another shot. Why wouldn't they just rebuild already?

His answer was that the Sharks are terrified of rebuilding because they don't think the fanbase will be able to handle 3+ years of being bad. They don't think their fans are invested enough to follow prospects or smart enough to understand why building through youth is how you win. The team's ticket prices are high, and financially the franchise is doing alright, so it's just reload and try to get into the playoffs. And just keep doing it because you may get lucky.

I was a bit surprised because each year I just figure that its the year for the Sharks to rebuild, but they never do. Once he said it, I felt it made a lot of sense.

Anyways, that is long way of saying that the Sharks might actually entertain moving a guy like Couture if he wants out.

I'm shocked your coworker follows the game more than anything. I figure 94% of warm weathered hockey "fans" are rentals. Playoffs or get back to me....

Makes a lot of sense but if Florida / Tampa / AZ can keep their heads above water, I'd assume San Jose could easily as well.

This to me is the year that the Sharks should blow it up, if not last year. They could get get great picks / prospects for Jumbo, Marleau, Burns and still keep Couture cuz he's young and future face of franchise....

 

[Dampland]

The thing about this free agerncy period, is that there hasn't been a single "I wish Fletcher had done that" moment. Dubious trades, and meh signings. Glad to be where we are at.


Prosser:
After the Wild acquired Dubnyk, Prosser was +10 or so, even though he ended the season -1. He was not bad going down the stretch, and even chipped in some offense.

The Wild keep him around because he wants to be here, knows the system, and is willing to sit for long periods of time, with no ego, and play for the team when called upon, and even have a fight or two.

For 600K, what is the problem?

BINGO!!! I never understand all the Prosser hate. The guy is a perfect 7th D-man.

 

[TaLoN]

The thing about this free agerncy period, is that there hasn't been a single "I wish Fletcher had done that" moment. Dubious trades, and meh signings. Glad to be where we are at.


Prosser:
After the Wild acquired Dubnyk, Prosser was +10 or so, even though he ended the season -1. He was not bad going down the stretch, and even chipped in some offense.

The Wild keep him around because he wants to be here, knows the system, and is willing to sit for long periods of time, with no ego, and play for the team when called upon, and even have a fight or two.

For 600K, what is the problem?

No problem with Prosser as long as Reilly earns his NHL spot. If Reilly isn't ready and Prosser needs to play regularly, that's when there's a problem.

 

[Victorious Secret]

No problem with Prosser as long as Reilly earns his NHL spot. If Reilly isn't ready and Prosser needs to play regularly, that's when there's a problem.

Not when we have others to fill in above Prosser. Reilly isn't the only player able to beat out Prosser for a lineup spot.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

So right now his competition is young player forced to play his offside, and a league minimum player who almost everybody can agree is best served as a healthy scratch (and those who don't agree don't want him on the team).

So maybe they didn't "guarantee" him a spot, but as of now, there isn't much being done in the way of not handing it over to him.

 

[Victorious Secret]

So right now his competition is young player forced to play his offside, and a league minimum player who almost everybody can agree is best served as a healthy scratch (and those who don't agree don't want him on the team).

So maybe they didn't "guarantee" him a spot, but as of now, there isn't much being done in the way not handing it over to him.

Not to mention, Fletcher can give Yeo a roster in which Reilly is heavily hinted.

 

[TaLoN]

So right now his competition is young player forced to play his offside, and a league minimum player who almost everybody can agree is best served as a healthy scratch (and those who don't agree don't want him on the team).

So maybe they didn't "guarantee" him a spot, but as of now, there isn't much being done in the way not handing it over to him.

Keep in mind, Leo already said if he plays this season it will only be for the Wild....maybe Fletcher is keeping that ace up his sleeve just in case? We can hope?

Maybe Fletcher even told Leo to keep in shape just in case?

 

[TaLoN]

Not when we have others to fill in above Prosser. Reilly isn't the only player able to beat out Prosser for a lineup spot.

Olofsson lost a year of development, no way is he ready. Folin cannot play LHD, nor do I want him to right now, nobody else would have a legit shot.

Not to mention, Fletcher can give Yeo a roster in which Reilly is heavily hinted.

we cannot afford a Leo one way deal if Reilly makes the team cap-wise, no space. Leo can only be here now if Reilly is in the AHL.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Olofsson lost a year of development, no way is he ready. Folin cannot play LHD, nor do I want him to right now, nobody else would have a legit shot.

we cannot afford a Leo one way deal if Reilly makes the team cap-wise, no space. Leo can only be here now if Reilly is in the AHL.

He really can't because he's right handed.

 

[TaLoN]

He really can't because he's right handed.

I for one would prefer him to develop on the right side so Olofsson can develop on the proper left and both have their best shot in the lineup in the future.

Learn your natural side first please. He has very little experience on the left which is why the lesser valued Prosser was playing the off hand over Folin last year, yet when RHD was needed, Folin usually got the call over Prosser.

 

[Jarick]

I still don't understand what Fletcher is thinking.

They got swept in the second round. I don't think they even held a single lead in the entire second round. It wasn't close, it was a complete embarrassment.

The GM decides to literally bring back the entire team except swap out one fourth liner and one depth defenseman. No changes made to the coaching staff, and no changes in the coaching staff's philosophy.

 

[MuckOG]

I still don't understand what Fletcher is thinking.

They got swept in the second round. I don't think they even held a single lead in the entire second round. It wasn't close, it was a complete embarrassment.

The GM decides to literally bring back the entire team except swap out one fourth liner and one depth defenseman. No changes made to the coaching staff, and no changes in the coaching staff's philosophy.

Maybe Fletcher is looking at how well the team played in the second half and the 1st round..and his thinking is that this larger sample size is more indicative as to what this team is capable of than the four playoff games against Chicago?

Even if one were to agree with your premise (I don't), you need to remember that it's only July 2nd.

 

[kfan22]

I still don't understand what Fletcher is thinking.

They got swept in the second round. I don't think they even held a single lead in the entire second round. It wasn't close, it was a complete embarrassment.

The GM decides to literally bring back the entire team except swap out one fourth liner and one depth defenseman. No changes made to the coaching staff, and no changes in the coaching staff's philosophy.

So you want them to trade Zucker, Nino, Granlund etc? Cause newsflash nobody is going to trade for Koivu, Vanek nor will they waive there NTC and maybe even Pominville since he is under contract for 4 more years thats not attractive to most teams either. What do you want him to do?

 

[Jarick]

Gotta be kidding me with this.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Maybe Fletcher is looking at how well the team played in the second half and the 1st round..and his thinking is that this larger sample size is more indicative as to what this team is capable of than the four playoff games against Chicago?

Even if one were to agree with your premise (I don't), you need to remember that it's only July 2nd.

He's even said as much. Right after it ended, he said he didn't want to overreact to 4 games.

I'm actually in the minority in that I didn't think the Chicago series was as lopsided as everyone else does.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Gotta be kidding me with this.

Gabriel or both?

 

[Jarick]

So you want them to trade Zucker, Nino, Granlund etc? Cause newsflash nobody is going to trade for Koivu, Vanek nor will they waive there NTC and maybe even Pominville since he is under contract for 4 more years thats not attractive to most teams either. What do you want him to do?

Phil Kessel's contracted was "untradeable" and Toronto was able to make a trade. Philly traded 5m in dead cap space. It's entirely possible to make trades.

 

[Jarick]

Gabriel or both?

Gabriel. He's an enforcer who can't score. Why are we going backwards? We have three goalies on the roster and he wants a tough guy?

 

[kfan22]

Phil Kessel's contracted was "untradeable" and Toronto was able to make a trade. Philly traded 5m in dead cap space. It's entirely possible to make trades.

Hmm Lets See Phil Kessel or Mikko Koivu ??

You fail to realize Koivu wont waive and neither will Vanek

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Gabriel. He's an enforcer who can't score. Why are we going backwards? We have three goalies on the roster and he wants a tough guy?

Ah. Agree.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

It's not impossible to make trades, but I think we were pretty limited if we wanted to get anything close to fair value back.

 

[Jarick]

Hmm Lets See Phil Kessel or Mikko Koivu ??

You fail to realize Koivu wont waive and neither will Vanek

If Fletcher didn't hand out NTC's like candy, he wouldn't be in this mess.

Trading Koivu would be a huge mistake considering he is one of two NHL calibre centers on the roster and the only won who can consistently win draws, not to mention he is an elite defensive center.

I would have moved Pominville or Coyle to make an offer for Vermette. Wild have too many wings and Coyle is playing out of position at #3 center. Vermette is a solid center who can win over 55% of his draws, while Coyle has managed about 45% over his career.

We would be better off have three good secondary centers rather than having two good secondary centers and then a third line winger playing at center.

 

[ThatGuy22]

If Fletcher didn't hand out NTC's like candy, he wouldn't be in this mess.

Trading Koivu would be a huge mistake considering he is one of two NHL calibre centers on the roster and the only won who can consistently win draws, not to mention he is an elite defensive center.

I would have moved Pominville or Coyle to make an offer for Vermette. Wild have too many wings and Coyle is playing out of position at #3 center. Vermette is a solid center who can win over 55% of his draws, while Coyle has managed about 45% over his career.

We would be better off have three good secondary centers rather than having two good secondary centers and then a third line winger playing at center.

I think Vermette had his sights set on Arizona. He could have exceeded 3.75m somewhere else.

He's on record that he didn't want to be traded last year, and got a NMC in his deal with Arizona now. I think he likes it there, and is content to ride it out collecting checks while enjoying the Arizona lifestyle.

 

[Digitalbooya]

I for one would prefer him to develop on the right side so Olofsson can develop on the proper left and both have their best shot in the lineup in the future.

Learn your natural side first please. He has very little experience on the left which is why the lesser valued Prosser was playing the off hand over Folin last year, yet when RHD was needed, Folin usually got the call over Prosser.

I agree, I was just pointing out you said LHD (left handed defenseman) when Folin is right handed.

Phil Kessel's contracted was "untradeable" and Toronto was able to make a trade. Philly traded 5m in dead cap space. It's entirely possible to make trades.

Toronto got a crap return and they retained $1.25m for the next 7 years... Arizona needs to get to the cap floor and Pronger's cap hit is significantly higher than his actual salary($5m vs $525k).