I probably made a couple of assumptions that not everyone agrees with; one of them being the Stars are agressive at the deadline, and another is that Zuccarello will yield a first round pick and prospect at the deadline. I do not think this will happen, but it is a creative idea.
I think DAL could be a team that would be willing to part with either a first or a prospect and a later pick if they are going to be aggressive buyers; not both. The Stars have Methot (and probably Johns too) out on LTIR (or should) for the year, and will have cap space to make a deal. Instead of moving a prospect, it's possible that Dallas would take on another contract.
That player/contract could be Brendan Smith. Though Smith does not play in every game, he's actually have a pretty good season. His advanced metrics are good, and he's making good decisions on the ice for the most part. The Rangers, however, want to see their young defensemen play, so Smith has been the odd man out. I think Smith would be an upgrade for Dallas on their bottom pairing, and considering Dallas could have the space to take Smith on, they should do it. [If you argue that DAL would not want Smith for 2 more years, consider that Methot and Polak's contracts expire, and are not great options to bring back. Also consider that Smith's contract expires the same offseason as Heiskanen's ELC, and that if they buy out Hanzal, which is likely, they will have more than enough room to acquire top talent.].
In order to make room to take on Zuccarello and Smith for this season, DAL needs to move a contract. Well, are they not trying to move Valeri Nichushkin? He's been more than a disappointment for the Stars. I think the Stars would prefer to take smith on and dump Nichushkin, rather than sacrificing a decent prospect in a trade for a rental.
DAL wins because they grab a hot forward who will add depth scoring, an upgrade on the blueline, and will dump a player that has been a headache.
NYR win because they acquire a first round pick, and are able to dump a contract that they do not need going forward.
Zuccarello wins because he has another chance at the cup. Smith truly wins because he's able to play more, and will realize more on this contract because there is no state income tax.
All in all, I think this a creative option for both teams.
*Note: Assuming Methot and Johns both qualifiy for LTIR, the Stars will still have enough cap space to make another trade (about 3.35 million in cap space).
That's not a terrible idea actually. I think it might take a bit more for Dallas to take on Brendan Smith's contract though. But you've got good framework, it'd at least start trade calls back and forth. Good work
This trade would work if DAL has a spot for Smith. But they don't. Polak has been better than Smith, and will certainly be the cheaper option of the two. If Smith is the odd man out in your team, he'll certainly be that in a top defensive team in the league as well.
Dropping Smith from the trade, would you make a Nichushkin+1st for Zuccarello trade?
This trade would work if DAL has a spot for Smith. But they don't. Polak has been better than Smith, and will certainly be the cheaper option of the two. If Smith is the odd man out in your team, he'll certainly be that in a top defensive team in the league as well.
Dropping Smith from the trade, would you make a Nichushkin+1st for Zuccarello trade?
Polak is playing second pairing with Heiskanen, no? Smith could be inserted on the third line if need be.
I would think NYR would want more than just the first and Valeri. The point of this was to allow Dallas to keep their prospects. If Dallas wants to trade for Zuccarello, and not give up a prospect, it would probably have to take on a contract, which Dallas is able to do. And if I am NYR, I would rather dump the cap than take on another prospect.
This trade would work if DAL has a spot for Smith. But they don't. Polak has been better than Smith, and will certainly be the cheaper option of the two. If Smith is the odd man out in your team, he'll certainly be that in a top defensive team in the league as well.
Dropping Smith from the trade, would you make a Nichushkin+1st for Zuccarello trade?
Also, I do not know if this matters to you, but Polak's possession metrics are substantially worse than Smith's, and Smith is constantly playing with different defensemen and has little chemistry. He even has had to play forward. I think Smith has actually been very good; it's just that the Rangers want to play their youth. In Montgomery's system, Smith could really help make a difference.
Polak is playing second pairing with Heiskanen, no? Smith could be inserted on the third line if need be.
I would think NYR would want more than just the first and Valeri. The point of this was to allow Dallas to keep their prospects. If Dallas wants to trade for Zuccarello, and not give up a prospect, it would probably have to take on a contract, which Dallas is able to do. And if I am NYR, I would rather dump the cap than take on another prospect.
DAL already have the 3rd pair options: Fedun, Carrick and Honka. DAL simply doesn't need any new D-men as of now. They'd probably rather move a prospect than take a cap dump.
Quoting: rja
Also, I do not know if this matters to you, but Polak's possession metrics are substantially worse than Smith's, and Smith is constantly playing with different defensemen and has little chemistry. He even has had to play forward. I think Smith has actually been very good; it's just that the Rangers want to play their youth. In Montgomery's system, Smith could really help make a difference.
Advanced statistics come after the basic stats - and they say Polak has done solid work. It shows on his game, and it shows on Dallas' goals against statistics. Not to mention that they have $3M salary difference, which is a big deal, if DAL considers getting a good UFA player at the offseason.
DAL already have the 3rd pair options: Fedun, Carrick and Honka. DAL simply doesn't need any new D-men as of now. They'd probably rather move a prospect than take a cap dump.
Advanced statistics come after the basic stats - and they say Polak has done solid work. It shows on his game, and it shows on Dallas' goals against statistics. Not to mention that they have $3M salary difference, which is a big deal, if DAL considers getting a good UFA player at the offseason.
Is Nichushkin+Heatherington+1st enough for Zucc?
I would guess NYR would want a forward prospect, not Heatherington, but who knows; Mascherin comes to mind.
I would guess NYR would want a forward prospect, not Heatherington, but who knows; Mascherin comes to mind.
Nngh. Mascherin's one of DAL's better prospect. And Zuccarello is not exactly the player type the team needs. They need a scoring winger, like Kreider.
Nngh. Mascherin's one of DAL's better prospect. And Zuccarello is not exactly the player type the team needs. They need a scoring winger, like Kreider.
What would you like to have for Kreider?
Personally, would not move Kreider; I'd extend him. Others on this site want to move him, but I think he's worth keeping. I'm no Stars fan, but I actually think if you put Zuccarello on a line with Seguin it would be awesome. Look at what he's doing with Mika. I understand Mascherin is one of the better prospects, but Zuccarello is proving as of late that he should be one of the most sought after rentals.
But if I were Jim Nill, I would not buy anything at all. I'd stay put. I was just trying to be creative with this proposal.
Personally, would not move Kreider; I'd extend him. Others on this site want to move him, but I think he's worth keeping. I'm no Stars fan, but I actually think if you put Zuccarello on a line with Seguin it would be awesome. Look at what he's doing with Mika. I understand Mascherin is one of the better prospects, but Zuccarello is proving as of late that he should be one of the most sought after rentals.
But if I were Jim Nill, I would not buy anything at all. I'd stay put. I was just trying to be creative with this proposal.
If I were Nill, I'd try to acquire a winger. If we can get another scorer to the 2nd line, we'd be in good position for a surprise. Our goalies have been a TOP3-duo, our D have miraculously been in TOP5...only thing that's lacking is offensive depth.
If I were Nill, I'd try to acquire a winger. If we can get another scorer to the 2nd line, we'd be in good position for a surprise. Our goalies have been a TOP3-duo, our D have miraculously been in TOP5...only thing that's lacking is offensive depth.
If I were Nill, I'd try to acquire a winger. If we can get another scorer to the 2nd line, we'd be in good position for a surprise. Our goalies have been a TOP3-duo, our D have miraculously been in TOP5...only thing that's lacking is offensive depth.
I know this thread is kinda dead lmao but maybe the 4th can be conditional turning into a 3rd if they make the 2nd round of the playoffs or something?
Hey man we moved on! No it's fine. I am sure if we were actually negotiating this we'd tinker a little with the details but the base is fair on the surface.
Take out Smith, and the salary retention on Zuccarello and turn the 1st & 2020 4th into a 2nd & 2020 3rd.
Honestly though, if I’m Dallas I don’t even look at Zuccarello. He’s a solid playmaker, don’t get me wrong, but the Stars don’t need point production; they need GOAL production, and there are quite a few players I’d look at before Zuccarello. If the Stars are trading a 1st Round Pick (or packaging it with other pieces) to the Rangers, Chris Kreider or Mika Zibenejad needs to be coming the other way; and let’s be real...there’s 0 chance the Rangers trade Zibenejad.
Given the fact that Kreider has another year remaining on his deal, he won’t just be a rental, so he’ll land a 1st and a prospect in return.
Valeri Nichushkin
Mattias Janmark
2019 1st Round Pick
Adam Mascherin
Take out Smith, and the salary retention on Zuccarello and turn the 1st & 2020 4th into a 2nd & 2020 3rd.
Honestly though, if I’m Dallas I don’t even look at Zuccarello. He’s a solid playmaker, don’t get me wrong, but the Stars don’t need point production; they need GOAL production, and there are quite a few players I’d look at before Zuccarello. If the Stars are trading a 1st Round Pick (or packaging it with other pieces) to the Rangers, Chris Kreider or Mika Zibenejad needs to be coming the other way; and let’s be real...there’s 0 chance the Rangers trade Zibenejad.
Given the fact that Kreider has another year remaining on his deal, he won’t just be a rental, so he’ll land a 1st and a prospect in return.
Valeri Nichushkin
Mattias Janmark
2019 1st Round Pick
Adam Mascherin
Chris Kreider
2019 4th Round Pick
I'd decline both proposals; the point for NYR was to have some cap relief (Smith (4.35) - Valeri (2.95)). Also, I think NYR would be able to grab a first for Zuccarello. I also would not want to move Kreider, but that is just me.