RD for 2023-24

CBJ only do that trade if they think Jiricek is ready for NHL time. If not CBJ reject and keep Jiricek in the AHL for another year.

Boqvist would be a nice add but you’d have to think he’d come at a higher price tag than that.
Also why pay 2 assets to dump Hoffman? He only has one year left and the Habs have cap space. Just bury him if it’s going to cost that just to move him.

I think whether or not we move Boqvist is independent of Jiricek. We have Severson, Peeke, Gudbranson, and Blankenburg all NHL-caliber on the right side, even without Boqvist. Factor in Jiricek being NHL-ready either this year or next, and Ceulemans on the way next year or 2024-25, and we suddenly have two teams worth of NHL-level RD. Someone has to go, and Boqvist definitely gets the best return (though I'd prefer it was Peeke).

That's not a bad return for Boqvist IMO, it's essentially 3 2nd-rounders. However, we've already got one of the deeper prospect pools in the league, so CBJ are probably looking for quality over quantity. Columbus probably asks for a 1st, and MTL probably has no interest in moving theirs (since it could land pretty much anywhere). It'll probably take more than just a value match to make a Boqvist trade.

I do think Jiricek is ready, but management seems to want to really take their time with him to make sure he's ready to explode onto the scene when he's called up, and not just be an average player in his first season. They see him as the future cornerstone 1RD like Seth Jones was, so I think their approach is to let him come along in Cleveland until he's the clear 2RD, then hopefully once he comes in it won't be long before he pushes Severson for the #1 spot on that side.



What I agree with is that CBJ could get by this year with Blanks and Peeke at the 2RD spot, but where I disagree is that they'd be good at it. Blanks is borderline top-4, but he hasn't proven he can stay healthy - which definitely matters. CBJ are trying to win now, but aren't "all-in" this season so getting by with that couple would probably be fine, albeit not ideal.

Peeke has proven that he's not a top-4 defenseman and I think it would hurt the team to play him there. He's a good soldier who leaves it all on the ice every night, but the role he fills as a shot-blocking 3rd pair RD is filled by Gudbranson, who also provides a respected veteran voice in the room, steel nerves and an intimidation factor on the ice. That makes Peeke redundant on this team and since he can't play top-4 reliably like they hoped for him, he is the guy that should be traded IMO, not Boqvist.



I agree, this is more than fair value for Boqvist if CBJ decide to move on this summer instead of next, but like I stated above, I'd rather move on from Peeke and give Boq one more year to show he can stay healthy. This would improve his trade value going into next season, and as Jiricek takes over that slot, Jarmo could then hopefully get a 1st+ for Boq. It's a risk, but one I'd rather make than sticking with Peeke as the 2RD for another year.



Boq has shown really good offensive potential, but what I think hurts his trade value right now is his injury frequency and his lack of defensive instinct. He's clearly a smart guy, so that could come along with time. I think one more year could really boost his value if he can stay healthy. He'll have a better fit on the second pair with Provorov and won't be counted on to try to win the 1RD job since they brought in Severson. Hopefully the more comfortable and structured environment will help him thrive, then CBJ should be able to get a 1st+ for him next summer as Jiricek steps into the lineup.

This this this 100%. I don't know if I've ever agreed with a comment more.