GDT: Trades & Free Agency

[SprDaVE]

Looking at our prospect pool and the guys coming it's extremely wing heavy, I like Bert but I have a hard time justifying 5M+ with term, I think that money is better spent elsewhere

I'd keep Domi because he's going to be cheaper, can play wing and center and he suits our shoot first centers, he also adds some physicality

I'd try to keep Lyubushkin, he shouldn't cost the earth and we know he can partner MO but I'd pass on Edmundson, like the player but 30 year old 6'5 defenseman with back issues are a no no for me

I'd also try trading Liljegren for another young defenseman that's struggling a bit and in a similar situation to him and hope to get lucky, I'm thinking Fabbro or Broberg types

Only way I trade Liljegren is if we get some really good value one way or another. He's had an up and down last 2 seasons but I think he's still very much a capable 18-19 minute defenseman that can give you good play at both ends of the ice. His contract demands shouldn't be overly high either I don't think. He only just turned 25 years old and trading him only having to replace him is going to be rough.

Agreed on the rest though. Only way I re-sign Edmundson is if he agrees to a 1 year deal.

 

[Kiwi]

Only way I trade Liljegren is if we get some really good value one way or another. He's had an up and down last 2 seasons but I think he's still very much a capable 18-19 minute defenseman that can give you good play at both ends of the ice. His contract demands shouldn't be overly high either I don't think. He only just turned 25 years old and trading him only having to replace him is going to be rough.

Agreed on the rest though. Only way I re-sign Edmundson is if he agrees to a 1 year deal.

I don't see Liljegren as a definite no go, but I want to pay him 3rd pair money, he's 25 so I'm not betting on him taking another large step forward developmentally

That's why I wouldn't hate a trade for somebody with some pedigree (like Broberg) that's a couple of years behind where Liljegren is now, I just think we need somebody home grown to become a top 4D to help out financially

 

[TMLAM34]

If we look at the trade route, Sanheim is a name I’d be interested in. Unfortunately Briere has made it known his trade demands are pretty outrageous.

 

[SprDaVE]

I don't see Liljegren as a definite no go, but I want to pay him 3rd pair money, he's 25 so I'm not betting on him taking another large step forward developmentally

That's why I wouldn't hate a trade for somebody with some pedigree (like Broberg) that's a couple of years behind where Liljegren is now, I just think we need somebody home grown to become a top 4D to help out financially

For me the only way you trade him in a players deal is for a clear upgrade. Like say a Parayko or Weegar kind of addition maybe. I don't think Broberg or Fabbro fit what I'd be going for since they are more or less the same level of players or just pure downgrades now. Fabbro has had some tough time recently and Broberg hasn't been able to do much (he is younger). I'd just rather hold on to him at that point.

Even if he stalls to what he is now, that's a solid player likely getting appropriate money for what he is.

 

[TMLAM34]

For me the only way you trade him in a players deal is for a clear upgrade. Like say a Parayko kind of addition maybe. I don't think Broberg or Fabbro fit what I'd be going for since they are more or less the same level of players. Fabbro has had some tough time recently and Broberg hasn't been able to do much either. I'd just rather hold on to him at that point.

Even if he stalls to what he is now, that's a solid player likely getting appropriate money for what he is.

Would you do our 1st + Liljegren for Sanheim?

 

[SprDaVE]

Would you do our 1st + Liljegren for Sanheim?

Probably not? I'd want a right handed shot. I like Sanheim and I think he can play RD but I'm pretty sure he's much better LD. Either way, he'd be a quality target though and in line with what it would take for me to move Liljegren.

 

[Kiwi]

For me the only way you trade him in a players deal is for a clear upgrade. Like say a Parayko or Weegar kind of addition maybe. I don't think Broberg or Fabbro fit what I'd be going for since they are more or less the same level of players or just pure downgrades now. Fabbro has had some tough time recently and Broberg hasn't been able to do much (he is younger). I'd just rather hold on to him at that point.

Even if he stalls to what he is now, that's a solid player likely getting appropriate money for what he is.

You can find bottom pair defenseman, look at Benoit that's why I'm willing to roll the dice trying to upgrade Liljegren

I think I can find another guy who can do Liljegren's job cheap, tough to get a top 4D without it costing an arm and a leg though

Would you do our 1st + Liljegren for Sanheim?

Yes

 

[SprDaVE]

You can find bottom pair defenseman, look at Benoit that's why I'm willing to roll the dice trying to upgrade Liljegren

I think I can find another guy who can do Liljegren's job cheap, tough to get a top 4D without it costing an arm and a leg though

He's played 19:40 TOI/G this season. That's not a straight up bottom pairing defenseman and you can easily do far worse. Not to mention giving up on someone that could very well improve further in a healthy season.

I think giving up on him is a big time mistake but I'm all for improvement.

 

[TheMadHatTrick]

I'd be willing to give JT another couple of years but he's going to be paid like a good 3rd line center, not a top 6 forward

I think we can find another center but finding two will be a pain in the butt

I like JT but I really want another 2-way center (like Matthews or O'Reilly) for matchup purposes instead of a purely offensive guy.

Having a fourth liner like Kampf as your shutdown center means you're practically giving away shifts with almost zero offensive push back for close to 20 minutes a game.

Ideally, Matthews line should be the matchup line given that he and Marner are excellent defensively, but for some reason we rarely, if ever, use them that way.

 

[TMLAM34]

I’d love to swap Liljegren with Schneider. Liljegren is the better player today but Schneider has the tools we’re looking to add on the blueline with his shot blocking and physicality.

Montour would be a nice addition as well. Plays gritty even though he doesn’t have the size but can move the puck well, quarterback our PP and isn’t a liability defensively.

McCabe - Montour
Benoit - Schneider

If we could get that bottom 4, it has the makings of a real good blueline.

I’d consider re-signing Lyubushkin as well.

Rielly - Lyubushkin
McCabe - Montour
Benoit - Schneider

Wouldn’t be bad.

 

[Kiwi]

He's played 19:40 TOI/G this season. That's not a straight up bottom pairing defenseman and you can easily do far worse. Not to mention giving up on someone that could very well improve further in a healthy season.

I think giving up on him is a big time mistake but I'm all for improvement.

I'm willing to admit this could blow up in my face, but I've seen enough to believe he's not going to become a trusted top 4D and I'm willing to take risks trying to find one

No more bandaids, the cores in its prime I don't think we can wait any longer

I like JT but I really want another 2-way center (like Matthews or O'Reilly) for matchup purposes instead of a purely offensive guy.

Having a fourth liner like Kampf as your shutdown center means you're practically giving away shifts with almost zero offensive push back for close to 20 minutes a game.

Ideally, Matthews line should be the matchup line given that he and Marner are excellent defensively, but for some reason we rarely, if ever, use them that way.

Wennberg, he's somebody you can trust against good offensive players and he will give you 35-45 points

 

[TMLAM34]

I'm willing to admit this could blow up in my face, but I've seen enough to believe he's not going to become a trusted top 4D and I'm willing to take risks trying to find one

No more bandaids, the cores in its prime I don't think we can wait any longer

Wennberg, he's somebody you can trust against good offensive players and he will give you 35-45 points

Wennberg would be a solid addition, but he’ll probably get a similar deal he’s on now which is around 4.5 million dollars. Not sure if he’s really worth that. I’d consider trading for Hayton using Robertson as trade bait and saving 1-1.5 million at least.

 

[bansheebeat]

Everybody wants to trade Kampf, but I for one have enjoyed watching him and Dewar play together. Whether it's with Reaves tagging along or somebody else, we've finally found a 4th line that really clicks.

 

[Kiwi]

Wennberg would be a solid addition, but he’ll probably get a similar deal he’s on now which is around 4.5 million dollars. Not sure if he’s really worth that. I’d consider trading for Hayton using Robertson as trade bait and saving 1-1.5 million at least.

I think we can make the Wennberg salary work if we trim some fat up front and get a 1B goaltender to back up Woll

However if Hayton is the guy we want I wonder if Liljegren is better trade bait with how thin the Utah blue line is, trade Liljegren for Hayton then trade our 1st plus one of our surplus wingers for a defensive upgrade

We could probably come up with a pretty compelling package

 

[TheMadHatTrick]

Wennberg, he's somebody you can trust against good offensive players and he will give you 35-45 points

Not really a fan of Wennberg tbh. He's alright but not moving the needle in a tight playoff series.

If we're going after former Seattle centres I'd rather just trade for the last year of Gourde's contract. He's a proven playoff performer, physical, and a selke caliber defender.

As far as free agents I'd look at Monahan, Duchene, Stephenson, Lindholm, and Pavelski ahead of Wennberg too.

Other players I'd have interest in for a 2C/3C role are Jenner, Bjugstad, Dickinson, Sissons, Dowd.

 

[4thline]

I'm likely completely wrong but barring a massive (Jt/Marner) move I think we have a very quiet offseason as the F group is concerned. The development of Knies/McMann/Holmberg and addition of Dewar leaves a very well rounded group, with only two real spots to fill- a league min 4RW to platoon with Reaves (Gregor competing with youth would be fine), and a top 9 LW/C.


If I had to predict our June-July
Domi re-signed (if not, comparable on July 1)
Dewar and Gregor re-signed
Robertson and Liljegren traded at the draft to restock picks( unless Timmy will take a Benoit deal)
Two premier defense signings on July 1
Usual collection of league min depth signings

 

[Tony Romo]

I’d love to swap Liljegren with Schneider. Liljegren is the better player today but Schneider has the tools we’re looking to add on the blueline with his shot blocking and physicality.

Montour would be a nice addition as well. Plays gritty even though he doesn’t have the size but can move the puck well, quarterback our PP and isn’t a liability defensively.

McCabe - Montour
Benoit - Schneider

If we could get that bottom 4, it has the makings of a real good blueline.

I’d consider re-signing Lyubushkin as well.

Rielly - Lyubushkin
McCabe - Montour
Benoit - Schneider

Wouldn’t be bad.

depending on what you do with the rest of the roster and what you are giving Montour. I think we should have enough to sign Tanev to play with Rielly with this line up.

 

[Gallagbi]

I'm likely completely wrong but barring a massive (Jt/Marner) move I think we have a very quiet offseason as the F group is concerned. The development of Knies/McMann/Holmberg and addition of Dewar leaves a very well rounded group, with only two real spots to fill- a league min 4RW to platoon with Reaves (Gregor competing with youth would be fine), and a top 9 LW/C.


If I had to predict our June-July
Domi re-signed (if not, comparable on July 1)
Dewar and Gregor re-signed
Robertson and Liljegren traded at the draft to restock picks( unless Timmy will take a Benoit deal)
Two premier defense signings on July 1
Usual collection of league min depth signings

We also have Cowen and Minten who you'd think they want in the lineup this year or next.

 

[ToneDog]

We also have Cowen and Minten who you'd think they want in the lineup this year or next.

I'd give both a long leash next year so that they are ready the following year once Tavares comes off the books. Will be interesting to see who stays and who goes this summer and next.

 

[SprDaVE]

I'm likely completely wrong but barring a massive (Jt/Marner) move I think we have a very quiet offseason as the F group is concerned. The development of Knies/McMann/Holmberg and addition of Dewar leaves a very well rounded group, with only two real spots to fill- a league min 4RW to platoon with Reaves (Gregor competing with youth would be fine), and a top 9 LW/C.


If I had to predict our June-July
Domi re-signed (if not, comparable on July 1)
Dewar and Gregor re-signed
Robertson and Liljegren traded at the draft to restock picks( unless Timmy will take a Benoit deal)
Two premier defense signings on July 1
Usual collection of league min depth signings

Sounds about what I expect. Although I think Timmins will be dumped and Liljegren kept, it's more or less what I expect -- fairly quiet with maybe one or two moves to keep tinkering.

 

[TMLAM34]

I'd give both a long leash next year so that they are ready the following year once Tavares comes off the books. Will be interesting to see who stays and who goes this summer and next.

Going to be hard to fit Grebenkin, Cowan and Minten into the lineup in the same year. Not impossible obviously but might not be the smartest if we want to compete.

Bertuzzi - Matthews - Marner
Grebenkin - Domi - Nylander
Knies - Tavares - Cowan
Dewar - Minten - McMann

Obviously with the assumption Bertuzzi and Domi re-sign.

If we loose tonight or if we make it to the next round and get destroyed, I’d be looking at serious change this off-season aka moving Marner.

 

[Captain Crunch]

Edmundson is a poor skater, and cant handle the puck, or do anything with pace. He isnt nearly as physical as advertised, I dont want him back.

I would definitely bring Edmundson back. He would be a solid 5/6 dman who would be strong in front of his net as well as a solid PKer.

 

[613Leafer]

We also have Cowen and Minten who you'd think they want in the lineup this year or next.

Decent chance Cowen makes the team. Minten I think could use more time, especially if we want him to develop his offensive game more.

I think by 2025-2026, all of Cowen, Minten, and Grebenkin will be on the team. Easier to fit them all in 2025 if one of them (likely Cowen) can start next year. Grebenkin is a wildcard though - he might be NHL ready as well, as he's obviously played well in the KHL.

 

[ToneDog]

Going to be hard to fit Grebenkin, Cowan and Minten into the lineup in the same year. Not impossible obviously but might not be the smartest if we want to compete.

Bertuzzi - Matthews - Marner
Grebenkin - Domi - Nylander
Knies - Tavares - Cowan
Dewar - Minten - Jarnkrok

Obviously with the assumption Bertuzzi and Domi re-sign.

If we loose tonight or if we make it to the next round and get destroyed, I’d be looking at serious change this off-season aka moving Marner.

Yeah it was interesting when Kyper asked, what is the cutoff line? I'd say they need to have a good showing vs Florida but Kyper thought ECF. He might be right. The window for a SC has been 8 years with not much to show for it. Dubas really f***ed it up.

Be great if any of the 3 can stick. You did not include McMann who I see being in the lineup. I think Marner probably goes because he will demand too much money and we need a dman who can replace Rielly on the PP.

There are so many possibilities as to who stays and who goes.

 

[TMLAM34]

I would definitely bring Edmundson back. He would be a solid 5/6 dman who would be strong in front of his net as well as a solid PKer.

The only reason why I doubt Edmundson is re-signed is because some team will give him what he currently makes and he’s not worth 3+ million playing 15 minutes a night ideally on your third pair. Other than that he’s big, physical, great on the PK and doesn’t take opposing players shit. Not much to dislike aside from probably going to get overpaid.