I really like the idea Granlund for 3C. I think he would be a perfect fit for Nylander and give us 3 elite lines. Essentially 3 first lines. I also think Robertson could benefit a lot from playing with a playmaking C like Granlund.Ideal pre-deadline:
Granlund (50% retained by Blue Jackets) for Robertson + 26 1st + 25 4th (to BJs)
Holmberg + 25 3rd + B/C prospect for B Tanev 50%
Knies - Matthews - Domi
McMann - Tavares - Marner
Tanev - Granlund - Nylander
Lorentz - Kampf - Dewar/Reaves
Pacioretty bumps Tanev down if/when he comes back.
I will start the bidding at Chicago's 3rd Rd Pick and our 2026 6 Rd Pick together.I'd do a conditional trade... Chicago's 3rd round 2025 pick, if he plays more than 10 games, or our 2026 6th round back.
Ideal pre-deadline:
Granlund (50% retained by Blue Jackets) for Robertson + 26 1st + 25 4th (to BJs)
Holmberg + 25 3rd + B/C prospect for B Tanev 50%
Knies - Matthews - Domi
McMann - Tavares - Marner
Tanev - Granlund - Nylander
Lorentz - Kampf - Dewar/Reaves
Pacioretty bumps Tanev down if/when he comes back.
Zegras & McTavish to Toronto for Robertson, Niemela, Minten, Akhtyamov, Kampf, Dewar, Jarncrock, Holmberg & a 1st Rd pick in 2026 & 2027
Tavares Matthews Marner
A. Nylander Zegras W. Nylander
McMann McTavish Knies
Lorentz Domi Pacioretty
The cost for us to obtain Granlund is likely going to be out of our price range, given we'd need retention, and Sharks can't do it... so we'd need a third party to do it. In addition, it's improbable we'd be able to extend him, so he'd be a rental, something we should probably stop doing.
He's a good player, but he likely doesn't fit. We really just need a good 3C, not a 2C, to be put in a 3C spot... that goes for Kadri as well.
Here is a list of some C's that have been talked about so far... I think there are others too.
Brock Nelson, Acciari, Laughton, Ryan Strome, Granlund, Kunin, Gourde, Sissons, Dickinson, Pageualt, Dvorak, Evans.... At least, that's who I see might be available. I've mentioned McBain, but I doubt he's available.
It's fairly challenging finding someone who is affordable, puts up some points, and isn't defensively weak....
I would be all over Jiricek.
To Toronto: David Jiricek
To Columbus: Pontus Holmberg + Dennis Hildeby + 2026 1st Round Draft Pick
It’s not often a 20 year old top 10 pick becomes available. I think he’s definitely the worth the gamble.
Rielly - Tanev
McCabe - Jiricek
OEL - Timmins
OR
McCabe - Tanev
OEL - Jiricek
Rielly - Hakanpaa
Columbus doesn’t have a good track at developing young talent. The only player in recent memory really living up to draft expectations is Werenski. Is that due to bad drafting or just mishandling players?If Jiricek can't even get in the Columbus team how do you think he makes our lineup?
He's a high draft pick who's development has stalled with entitlement issues
He's a guy teams that suck take a punt on, that isn't us and we don't have the assets to chase him and go after a good 3C
Columbus doesn’t have a good track at developing young talent. The only player in recent memory really living up to draft expectations is Werenski. Is that due to bad drafting or just mishandling players?
Fair however 20 year old RHD with his potential don’t come on the market very often and when they do, it’s something every team should look into IMO.Could be either but we're not really in a position to develop him properly and he's going to cost a fair bit to aquire
I just don't see the fit, he'd have been a guy you go hard after when our core was just breaking into the league but we're in win now mode and he isn't a win now piece