This starts from ownership/management down. I think Yzerman would be ideal, similar to a Shananhan type of situation: he never played for the organization, but lives and breathes hockey and understands what it takes to win in a strong hockey market, and knows the corporate/entertainment side of things. Hopefully with the right dollar amount they can persuade him out of his current situation whether that's retirement or other employment opportunities, really just give him whatever he wants. I'd like to see him as President and GM for the first couple of seasons; he's a wizard when it comes to drafting players, especially in later rounds. Mark Hunter is a great scout and won't be in the OHL much longer. I'd like to see Yzerman mentor him to become the next GM. From there they can pursue the right coach. Hitchcock is a good coach, but I don't know if he'll have the patience for a rebuild.
Having said that I've made the following trades:
Adam Larsson to Buffalo for their first round pick. Buffalo is competing for a playoff spot and outside of Dahlin and Ristolinen they have very little defensive help. A new home might be the right option for Larsson.
Minnesoda is another team in playoff contention that is in need of defensive help with the injury to Dumba. By retaining some salary, Kelfbom should fit into Minnesota's plans going forward and Edmonton gets the picks they need.
Montreal is another team in playoff contention who needs some help on the backend. Nurse hasn't reached his peak yet and is a good top 4 with room to grow. They also have the cap room to take on his contract.
Andrea Sekera is a decent veteran puck moving defensemen. Vancouver is looking for veteran leadership for their team and the contract will come relatively cheap for a team with cap space.
Carolina is a team with the following: cap space, prospects, and a need for scoring. RNH provides all those things. He's 26 now, just entering his prime so Necas and Bean I feel are great returns. A future top 6 forward and top 4 d-man.
I am very open to trading a guy like Draisaitl for the right deal, for example, to Colorado for Ottawa's first selection and another player like Makar but that might be asking way too much. I don't think McDavid would be too happy seeing him go. I've also thought about trading McDavid but the asking price would be too large (top prospects, 4 first rounders, etc. It just isn't realistic in today's NHL and I don't think a guy like Yzerman would do it).
Russell to NYI: Providing depth on the backend come playoff time.
Manning and Benning are in the last year of their contracts so you won't be getting anything for them. Lucic's contract is unmovable, unless you take something back in return. The pressure is definitely going to be off him on a team not expecting to succeed, so he might perform a little better, who knows.
1st round selection in 2019 (Edmonton): Jack Hughes, Kappa Kakko, Dylan Cozens, Kirby Dach, Bowen Byram. I'd be happy with anyone of these selections, but hopefully they win the lottery.
1st round (Buffalo): D Cam York. Effective on the power play and owns the mobility needed to clean up any mistakes he makes. Defensively, his positioning and use of stick continue to improve. Lots to like about his upside. An all-around guy
1st round (Minnesota): D Thomas Harley. Starting to come out of his shell. A smooth skater with excellent passing abilities. Has good reach to help him defensively. There’s a Thomas Chabot waiting to come out.
1st round (Montreal): G Spencer Knight. Talented netminder who blends quickness and strong positioning. Size, athleticism and a strong pedigree. Has been posting exceptional numbers with the U18s this season. Bounces back from bad goals or bad outings quickly – a great sign for the mental side of the position.
"He reminds me of a young Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens)," Al Jensen of NHL Central Scouting said. "He's very calm and poised and just has that presence in the net like a veteran has. He's going to really help that U-18 team out next year. He's always in control and I like his overall game. Should be ready by 2022-2023.
1st round selection 2020 (hopefully): alexis lafreniere. They won't be very good in 19-20, so Lafreniere would be a dream selection. Lafrenière is a strong and balanced skater who uses his edges well and is extremely difficult to knock off of the puck. As a powerful skater, Lafrenière’s explosive strides also allow him to leave his opponents in the dust, while his quick feet and calculative steps allow him to cut through opposing defences like a hot knife through butter.
Further, Lafrenière commands the puck well and is incredibly strong on his stick, a trait which allows him to successfully protect the disk in traffic and retain possession in the face of overwhelming pressure. Owing to these abilities is Lafrenière’s high energy level and his innate ability to develop and react to plays before they transpire.
Pulujavri needs to spend a couple of years in the minors; its evident that moving up and down isn't beneficial for his development. Maybe coming over from Europe has something to do with that, at 20 he's still very young. Dylan Strome was looking like kind of a bust while spending some time in the minors but was traded to Chicago and is having a really good season so far and can grow from there. Bouchard and Yamamoto also will need some more time.
I've signed some veterans for a couple of seasons to really just let their prospects develop.
Total salary retained: 4.5 million
The key to all this is Yzerman. They need strong leadership from the top down and a breathe of fresh air. A 5 year plan has to be put in place, no quick fix, no bringing up players who aren't ready, no more Taylor Hall deals. I think McDavid and Draisitl would be happy with the changing of management, if not, trading them could become a real possibility. This current roster has talent but they haven't performed so some big changes are needed.
Let's hope the streak of first overall selections in Edmonton continue for a couple of more seasons for a proper rebuild.
Future Top 6:
Draisaitl-McDavid-Lafrieniere
Necas-Hughes-Puljuarvi
Defence: Top 4
Bean-Bouchard
York-Harley
G- Knight.
Keep in mind this is only two drafts, there will be other prospects coming in along the way.
Literally the last thing we need is another defenseman unless we trade Brodin, and swapping him for Klefbom might be one of the most lateral moves any team could make (they are almost identical players). We need young high-end centers more than anything. We also definitely aren't trading away our first.
You can only retain salary from 3 players. Currently, you're retaining 4.
As for the trades...well, to put it simply, they don't really work imo. The value of Larsson and Klefbom are pretty much on point, but the team you're trading with is wrong. BUF and MIN are not moving their draft picks. They want to further build their teams. Sekera and Russell are both overpaid, you'd be lucky if you get a 3rd for Sekera and 5th for Russell. Also CAR won't trade two of their top prospects outside of NHL just for RNH. Although he is having a good season, the demand is just way too high.
The Canucks are not paying the Oilers for Suckera. If you want the Canucks to take on that contract, the Oilers are going to be the ones sending draft pick to the Canucks.
Literally the last thing we need is another defenseman unless we trade Brodin, and swapping him for Klefbom might be one of the most lateral moves any team could make (they are almost identical players). We need young high-end centers more than anything. We also definitely aren't trading away our first.
I dont see the sabres moving their first. If san joses first and nylander/guhle is of interest i can see something happening. Larsson checks several boxes, but the 2 years of control and the lack of a 2 way game might not put him high on botterills wish list.
Probably not pieces you'd want. Pretty much anything but our 1st, 2nd, Dumba, Greenway, Kunin, and Kaprizov are on the table but those are all our most valuable pieces (besides Granlund). I doubt Suter, Parise, and Koivu waive so you could add them to that list as well.
I thought the Oilers defense was bad thiss year. Now you go and trade out top 4 defensemen and getting unknowns in return? I will feel bad for the goalies and the goal judge next year in Edmonton.
I should mention that whoever is playing that night for Edmonton will get his neck burnt due to too many goals being let in.
I thought the Oilers defense was bad thiss year. Now you go and trade out top 4 defensemen and getting unknowns in return? I will feel bad for the goalies and the goal judge next year in Edmonton.
I should mention that whoever is playing that night for Edmonton will get his neck burnt due to too many goals being let in.
Yeah that why its a proper rebuild. What's the difference between finishing last with my team and finishing last with the current roster regardless of shots or goals let in? Absolutely nothing, they're both last place teams.
Yeah that why its a proper rebuild. What's the difference between finishing last with my team and finishing last with the current roster regardless of shots or goals let in? Absolutely nothing, they're both last place teams.
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