Targeting a 2C

[dudacek]

Who might be available, who would we like and what can we afford to spend?

The UFA market: Joe Thornton, Mikko Koivu, Derrick Brassard, Colin Wilson, Erik Haula Carl Soderberg... Or if you want to gamble on a guy who might be more a winger, add Mikael Granlund, Tyler Ennis, Alex Galchenyuk, Vlad Namestnikov, Craig Smith...

The RFA market: Matt Barzal, Ryan Strome, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Anthony Cirelli, Max Domi, Dylan Strome, Chris Tierney, Adam Gaudette, Jack Roslovic, Radek Faksa, 

Teams with cap issues: Arizona, Chicago, Toronto, Edmonton, Islanders, Tampa, St. Louis, PIttsburgh, Vegas 

[dudacek]

I’ve already expressed my interest in Domi.

Another name I’m hearing might be available that really intrigues me is Sean Monahan.

Cirelli of course, even though I think they will do whatever they can to keep him. Tampa’s cap issues need to be explored.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will be a UFA next summer. Not sure if he and Oilers are in each other’s plans.

And Nashville is a team that has centres, likes to hoard defencemen and needs a shakeup.

[That Aud Smell]

Tyler Ennis sighting!

[darksabre]

3 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:

Tyler Ennis sighting!

Effing bleak 

[dudacek]

41 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:

Tyler Ennis sighting!

Best thing I see with the UFA market is that we should have no problem signing or replacing Larsson for cheap. The off-season is going to be full of veteran guys scratching for a job. The bottom end of the roster will be a huge buyers market for the GMs.

Edited May 23, 2020 by dudacek

[nfreeman]

@dudacek -- I'm curious as to the sources regarding Monahan.  It seems impossible that Calgary would trade him. 

[dudacek]

5 minutes ago, nfreeman said:

@dudacek -- I'm curious as to the sources regarding Monahan.  It seems impossible that Calgary would trade him. 

I’ve never seen it reported by credible sources that he’s being shopped.

But I am reading that the general feeling in the market is that it is an underachieving team that’s getting tired of its core, with a GM whose seat is warming.

The sense among the fans is that a big deal is in the offing if they don’t make some noise in the playoffs this year. Monahan is thought to be the most likely core piece moved if that happens, although others are saying it might even be Gaudreau. Both have been disappointing this year. There are questions about Monahan’s commitment and some think Gaudreau is gone when he hits free agency.

[GASabresIUFAN]

I think Anaheim may be willing to trade Adam Henrique and think he is an excellent target.  Scorers goals, wins faceoffs, has tons of experience and leadership, still in his prime and has a reasonable remaining contract.  

I think he’d be an excellent bridge until Cozens is ready for the role for 1-2 years.  After that I think he’d make a very solid 3c. 

I also think Tyler Johnson would be a viable pickup.  TB isn’t trading Cirelli.  They will find away to move two of their NTC players such as Palat, Killorn, Gourde and Johnson instead.  Johnson has seen his PT shrink in TB, just like JT Miller, and hopefully he could be convinced to waive his NTC to come here for a bigger role.

Edited May 23, 2020 by GASabresIUFAN

[GASabresIUFAN]

Here are a couple of other ideas.  What about Christian Dvorak or Logan Couture?

[kas23]

I think it’s time to dust off the offer sheet. Things are getting desperate now. Offer sheet Cirelli to something that couldn’t possibly be matched. TB May have to move some players to free up space, but they’ll only have a week to do so. If GMs get mad, eff them. 

[Tondas]

18 minutes ago, kas23 said:

I think it’s time to dust off the offer sheet. Things are getting desperate now. Offer sheet Cirelli to something that couldn’t possibly be matched. TB May have to move some players to free up space, but they’ll only have a week to do so. If GMs get mad, eff them. 

I agree kas.  Why is it in the "business world" we poach employees from other companies all the time, but in the NHL, you have to remain friends?  You're paid by the OWNER  not the other GM's.  Do what you have to do to make the team better.  It's a fiduciary duty.  Otherwise, GTFO.

[kas23]

8 minutes ago, Tondas said:

I agree kas.  Why is it in the "business world" we poach employees from other companies all the time, but in the NHL, you have to remain friends?  You're paid by the OWNER  not the other GM's.  Do what you have to do to make the team better.  It's a fiduciary duty.  Otherwise, GTFO.

Agreed. I hope these current events put things in perspective for these GMs. Seasons can end at any moment, while players get older and out of shape. It’s time to use every tool allowed in the CBA to improve your team.
So what if a GM gets mad at you and swears never to be your trading partner for the next 10 years? Chances are one or both GMs will be out of a job by then anyways. And if you sit on your hands while being a gentleman and your team is losing? You’ll be out of a job too. It’s a do or die league. It’s fine if a GMs swears another GM off. This is done within divisions anyways and it’s accepted. In fact, an offer sheet within a division is a double hit against an enemy. Maybe teams in the NHL don’t consider themselves adversaries. 

[JimS]

1 hour ago, kas23 said:

I think it’s time to dust off the offer sheet. 

I like this idea.

[dudacek]

1 hour ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Here are a couple of other ideas.  What about Christian Dvorak or Logan Couture?

Like both of these options.

Couture would be ideal (and a huge Bills fan) but he is the captain up there and I’m not sure how interested the Sharks would be in committing to a rebuild. Definitely worth exploring.

Dvorak is intriguing. He’s on a long-term affordable deal that overpays him for his production to date, but has the upside to flip it into a great contract. I have no idea why the Coyotes would want to trade him.

[Tondas]

29 minutes ago, JimS said:

I like this idea.

First, welcome Jim.  I agree.  It is the duty and obligation of every GM to use every tool available to make the team better. To not do that is grounds for dismissal.  The players union AND management agreed to the offer sheet process.  Use it.  As a GM, you're not being a dick, you're being smart, and most important, you're doing your job.

[dudacek]

Just now, Tondas said:

First, welcome Jim.  I agree.  It is the duty and obligation of every GM to use every tool available to make the team better. To not do that is grounds for dismissal.  The players union AND management agreed to the offer sheet process.  Use it.  As a GM, you're not being a dick, you're being smart, and most important, you're doing your job.

This is certainly the year to use it.

[dudacek]

Ottaw Detroit and New Jersey have space.

Does Yzerman target Cirelli?

Edited May 23, 2020 by dudacek

[Tondas]

7 minutes ago, dudacek said:

Ottaw Detroit and New Jersey have space.

Does Yzerman target Cirelli?

I would not be surprised if he does.  Yzerman is a GM that doesn't give a F about other GM's if it makes his teams better.

Edited May 23, 2020 by Tondas

[NAF]

I think a solid off season would be to trade Mittelstadt for Puljujarvi, and sign Erik Haula as a 2C. Hopefully the abundance of Fins on our team can lure him in. Cirelli will be too costly to trade for and an offer sheet is unrealistic. Roster would look like this:

Olofsson - Eichel - Reinhart

Skinner - Haula - Kahun

Johansson - Cozens - Puljujarvi

Lazar - Larsson - Okposo (If no CBO)

 

Dahlin - Miller

Montour - Jokiharju

McCabe - Ristolainen

 

I see no way in which Botterill isn't fired if he doesn't find a 2C, so I am curious to see what happens this off season.

 

 

[Tondas]

7 minutes ago, NAF said:

I think a solid off season would be to trade Mittelstadt for Puljujarvi, and sign Erik Haula as a 2C. Hopefully the abundance of Fins on our team can lure him in. Cirelli will be too costly to trade for and an offer sheet is unrealistic. Roster would look like this:

Olofsson - Eichel - Reinhart

Skinner - Haula - Kahun

Johansson - Cozens - Puljujarvi

Lazar - Larsson - Okposo (If no CBO)

 

Dahlin - Miller

Montour - Jokiharju

McCabe - Ristolainen

 

I see no way in which Botterill isn't fired if he doesn't find a 2C, so I am curious to see what happens this off season.

 

 

Welcome NAF.  I'm in!  Is Middlestadt out?

[LabattBlue]

2 hours ago, kas23 said:

I think it’s time to dust off the offer sheet. Things are getting desperate now. Offer sheet Cirelli to something that couldn’t possibly be matched. TB May have to move some players to free up space, but they’ll only have a week to do so. If GMs get mad, eff them. 

Just remember the player also has to want to sign the offer sheet.  Say for instance Cirelli has no interest in playing for this train wreck of a franchise...then the Sabres offer sheet is not going to happen, no matter what the $$$ are. 

[bob_sauve28]

Maybe it’s time to think about trading our number one pick this year for a solid ready to contribute player 

[Randall Flagg]

7 hours ago, dudacek said:

Matt Barzal,  Pierre-Luc Dubois, Anthony Cirelli, Max Domi

My needle gets moved on next year's team if and only if ^

Edited May 24, 2020 by Randall Flagg

[GASabresIUFAN]

13 minutes ago, Randall Flagg said:

My needle gets moved on next year's team if and only if ^

We aren't getting any of the those players except maybe Domi, maybe.

Truth be told we don't need any of those players long-term.  For cap reasons we really need a bridge player until Mitts, Cozens or even this year's pick are ready for the job.  Also guys like Barzal, Dubios and Cirelli aren't being moved.  

[Randall Flagg]

19 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

We aren't getting any of the those players except maybe Domi, maybe.

Truth be told we don't need any of those players long-term.  For cap reasons we really need a bridge player until Mitts, Cozens or even this year's pick are ready for the job.  Also guys like Barzal, Dubios and Cirelli aren't being moved.  

I understand that my needle is not likely to be moved