Speculation: Where does Ekblad sign as a free agent?

[Habby08]

Pretty sure the writing was on the wall when Seth Jones was acquired with the length of his contract and cost to replace Ekblad. It was the long term solution. I could see him overpaid to Anaheim in the 8-9.5 range.

 

[Jozay]

Nashville

 

[TheBigLetowski]

Carolina. He can be Slavins partner for the next 4-5 years.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Next year, Makar is the only major RHD set to hit UFA, but I highly doubt he’ll leave the Avalanche.

Makar isn’t a UFA for another two seasons.

July 1st, 2027.

 

[WADEugottaBELAKthat]

I think he’ll end up in the West. Too much $$ for the Panthers and too difficult (literally and emotionally) to play against the Panthers in the East.

 

[colchar]

I think he’ll end up in the West. Too much $$ for the Panthers and too difficult (literally and emotionally) to play against the Panthers in the East.

Oh yes, he'd be an emotional wreck if he had to play against his former team.

What a load of tripe.

 

[Habsrule]

Montreal has two glaring needs;

2D and top 4 RHD

Ekblad falls under the top 4 RHD but the bigger question is would he sign to play in Montreal? Going from low tax state, great weather and pretty much being able to go out in public unknown to high taxes, long cold winters and everyone knowing you out in public.

 

[Jeune Poulet]

What did he say?

"f*** McDavid!"

 

[jaric1862]

Carolina makes a lot of sense. I could see a number of teams "making room" for a guy like Ekblad too. A lot of teams will want him. Team I think about here is the Leafs.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Love how Florida got ahead of the game and somewhat prepared for this situation and acquired Jones

 

[vokiel]

Guessing Vegas. Pietrangelo is apparently cooked...

 

[belair]

Buffalo should be moving heaven and Earth to get him signed.

 

[centipede2233]

Feels like the new Phaneuf contract about to be signed. He might give a team a year or two of top 4 play and then is going to be a problem.

I am petrified Treliving is going to offer it. Hopefully Ekblad doesn't want to come here.

Yeah I’ve seen this movie plenty of times, some team is gonna load up the brinks truck and will regret it. They will be paying for past performance.

 

[centipede2233]

It might be a huge mistake to let him go. He is one of the longest-serving members of the team and has amazing chemistry with Forsling. He’s big, tough, a proven winner, and good at moving the puck.

If they lose him, they’ll have to find a replacement. Burns has a similar profile, but he’s pretty much cooked at this point. I believe Burns being brought in as a 1 year replacement for Ekblad, but it’s a huge downgrade.

Next year, Makar is the only major RHD set to hit UFA, but I highly doubt he’ll leave the Avalanche. I believe losing Ekblad a year earlier would come back to haunt them, even if the Panthers have more cap space to work with by then.

If I had to choose, I’d prioritize keeping Ekblad over Marchand.

The AVS could sign ekblad July 1, then trade Makar for a haul and not have to pay him 15 mil per

 

[wunderpanda]

calgary with weegar & hubs?

 

[lawrence]

Guessing Vegas. Pietrangelo is apparently cooked...

Nope.

its a plan to put him in LTIR to make room for Marner, however I don't see this happening with him being a strong candidate to play for team Canada.

 

[biturbo19]

Probably won't actually happen...but i can't shake the impression that he's going to take an absolutely disastrous megadeal offer from Buffalo or something. Trying to import "leadership" and "winning culture"...in a big RHD that they also badly need. He's also just a small town girl, born and raised in South Detroit. Played a bunch in Barrie, so i'm not sure he'd be as opposed to Buffalo as a lot of players from a city/climate/etc. perspective.

 

[Ryan57]

It might be a huge mistake to let him go. He is one of the longest-serving members of the team and has amazing chemistry with Forsling. He’s big, tough, a proven winner, and good at moving the puck.

If they lose him, they’ll have to find a replacement. Burns has a similar profile, but he’s pretty much cooked at this point. I believe Burns being brought in as a 1 year replacement for Ekblad, but it’s a huge downgrade.

Next year, Makar is the only major RHD set to hit UFA, but I highly doubt he’ll leave the Avalanche. I believe losing Ekblad a year earlier would come back to haunt them, even if the Panthers have more cap space to work with by then.

If I had to choose, I’d prioritize keeping Ekblad over Marchand.

I think a good starting point is aggregating player's on ice impact. When you compare Ekblad's and Burns' impact on ice (expected goals for and against) Burns has been the stronger player for the previous three years.
Ekblad has been near league average for defensemen (49% WAR) whereas Burns has been in the top quarter (83% WAR).
Both Burns and Ekblad have been similarly struggling on their own end (around 30-40% WAR for even strength defense) but Burns has produced more on the offensive side. Both play against strong opposition (top lines).

Marchand on the other hand has been top 5% compared to league average when comparing the ability to create plays although last year was more difficult and he regressed to being only top 25%. His positive impact has almost definitely been bigger than Ekblad's when measured with expected goals.

 

[UED]

my guess is he takes pietrangelo's spot in vegas if pietrangelo is LTIRetired, anything else would really, really surprise me and would make me assume piets isn't LTIRetired

 

[HighLifeManIsHigh]

calgary with weegar & hubs?

Probably not. The Flames are clearing space for Parekh, don’t need another right shot D.

My money is on Detroit. Close with Boughner and he’s a Windsor guy. I’d bet money he’s headed “home”.

 

[Kaiden Ghoul]

Don't see him going to Detroit with Seider and ASP who's near, unless he's willing to sign a short term deal

Hope it's not Montreal by a personal p.o.v

 

[datsyukfan]

Probably not. The Flames are clearing space for Parekh, don’t need another right shot D.

My money is on Detroit. Close with Boughner and he’s a Windsor guy. I’d bet money he’s headed “home”.

Boughner isnt in Detroit

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

Nashville

The Preds desperately need an upgrade on RD, and have the Cap space.

I just don't think Ekblad would consider going to a team that looks destined to be losing for the next several years like that?

And it's probably for the best if the Preds miss out. Ekblad is a good player and would certainly help the Preds, but it would probably be an overall disaster long-term to have him locked in at 7x$9M or whatever amount like that he'll command, in his waning years, while the team continues to flounder with an aging/slowing lineup.

I won't be at all surprised if Trotz kicks the tires and makes an offer. But I don't think Ekblad would take it.

 

[JKG33]

Pretty sure the writing was on the wall when Seth Jones was acquired with the length of his contract and cost to replace Ekblad. It was the long term solution. I could see him overpaid to Anaheim in the 8-9.5 range.

Love how Florida got ahead of the game and somewhat prepared for this situation and acquired Jones

I dont see it that way at all. Florida had to let Montour go without a real replacement. The cap got announced to go way up, and they went out and got Jones. They realized they're a much better team when they have 3 top pairing D instead of 2.

Jones was a Montour replacement. If Ekblad goes, they'll be looking for another top pairing D.

 

[NeptunesTrident]

Edmonton just because