Three objectives here:
- Trade at least 3 players that have been in rumours (Dickinson, Miller, Pearson, Garland, OEL, Myers)
- Try to have at least 1 mil in Cap space heading into upcoming season
- Try to retool to at least be younger and more competitive on paper (more sandpaper, hate to lose mentality)
See all trade descriptions
UFA decisions:
- Kuzmenko seems highly likely to Van, seems like he enjoyed his time in the city, Boudreau seems like best fit coach for him right now, chance to link up again with Podz
- Rakell could want to join ranks of Swedish legends to play in Van, also a solid playmaker, could easily make a good linemate for shooters like Petey and Boes, and doesn't need to be a constant play driver with Petey centering
- Blackwell is that sandpaper kind of player POHO Rutherford wants to incorporate into the lineup. Solid player that seems like a good culture guy
- Manson and Lybushkin fit a sort of mould the right side is developing, solid RHD that can be stay at home physical players, but jump into the offensive play once in a blue moon and surprise the opposition
- McKegg is a good depth piece that adds professionalism, and also apparently has a good relationship with Horvat, probably ways to get him on a cheap contract.
Captaincy Updates:
Horvat still wears the C, OEL gets an A at home, with Boeser joining him, Hughes and Pearson get A's on the road
Projecting picks based on trades made:
15th: Ryan Chesley, RD
53rd: Danny Zhilkin, LHC
80th: Jake Furlong, LD
112th: Jake Sloan, RW
144th: Josh Niedermayer, LD
154: Jakub Huber, LW
176: Luke Devlin, LHC
208: Tyler Dunbar, LD
Familiarity with the organization, should never have been put on waivers in the first place, can't imagine the locker room has an issue with bringing Mac back, and it's a cap space clear. Prime aged sandpaper player that hates to lose.
Fletcher takes on a player that he thinks fits Torts system, although that's debateable. Philly has the cap room to do this, and they need a better combination on the backend after the disaster last year. Poolman isn't exactly an answer, but he's a better defensive d-man than arguably anyone on the Flyers backend currently
High skill winger? Young RD that could develop into a top 4 player? Plus a couple of picks? Hard to say no to this one, creates cap space, makes your team younger, and gives these players a better chance at development given the new emphasis in the organization than they've had a chance at.
Let's make one thing clear. James Dolan makes the final calls on the Rangers. They clearly needed some more emotion after losing some of those games in the Tampa series, and to get one that forechecks, can out up close to 100pts, plus makes less than 6 mil? I think Dolan tells Drury to make it work. Is it a steep-ish price? Yeah, but in a bidding war type situation, it's gets done. Plus imagine that top 6, it might be the best one in the East next year.
3.
VAN
2022 2nd round pick (PIT)
2022 5th round pick (TOR)
Additional Details:
Van recovering some picks in this draft, I think they like too many players that will fall into the 2nd round (Havelid, Warren, Gaucher, Rinzel, etc.) to not try to get a pick there. The salary retention I would usually say only warrants a 3rd, but I think trading that (probably) late 4th next year for a late 5th this year is enough to upgrade that 3rd to a mid-late 2nd.
I can hear the comments already. "Who would pay that for Myers?" Here's my logic: developed his two-way game this season, still can chip in offensively, fills in a clear lack of RHD in Anaheim, can be a mentor to Drysdale, play in the top 4 (I don't know how Shattenkirk did this year, but I can't imagine it was 100% top 4 performance), and will cost about as much as Josh Manson was costing before he got traded at the deadline with the retention. Myers still has more value than fans of most teams give him, and the last few rumours I heard on him that there were teams properly asking about him.
LHD, 6'4" early 2nd round pick, has a very Alex Edler type of play to him as a transitional two way defenseman, but with smoother skating. Does Yzerman hate giving Wallinder up? Yes. But I would be shocked if they aren't one of the teams trying to capitalize on Boston's window being forced shut. Walli also went through the Modo system, which Vancouver has a large familiarity with (See Naslund, Sedins) and Walli will have a chance to be developed under two guys he probably idolized growing up.
Let's make one thing clear right now. Detroit does not trade Wallinder if they don't have one or either of McIsaac and Edvinsson. Those two guys make Wallinder expendable, and a prime candidate to make some moves, weaponized cap space, and try to take advantage of a couple falling teams with Washington losing Backstrom and Boston's window being forced shut. Doing this deal adds a cheap, prime aged, high tempo top 9 winger that can chip in offence, draw opposition in with some craftiness, and someone who can help take a leadership role.
Solid RFA, right handed centre which Van desperately needs, sand paper player that Vegas probably can't afford to resign. Can play a bottom 6 role, and is young enough to develop into one of the better 3C physical, checking, defensive players in the league.
Vegas continues its exploitation of the cap, but they're paying a small premium to do it. While it doesn't fix their current cap issues, it does give them one less player to resign, cap flexibility, and the ability to make one more big cap clearing move while also creating a possibility to not have to bring in dead money to do it. It isn't fun for Vegas to lose Roy, but it kinda feels like he's gonna be the odd man out once they get their cap settled.
With a handful of ld prospects Detroit has its only a matter of time before 1 gets moved for a needed asset. I dont think its this off-season though. I think especially with wallinder he gets another shl season.