2019 1st Round pick is the 4th overall pick.
Kirby Dach is a big, strong player with a high hockey IQ, dominant in all three zones, outstanding passer and has a great release, a great wrist shot. From what I've read on him, he sounds a lot like Aleksander Barkov. However, his skating isn't much better than average - there's room for improvement there.
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As mentioned in the trade, Toronto had past interest in both Glendening (who played for Babcock, and was very well-liked by the former Detroit bench boss). Toronto needs a RHD quite badly, and Green - a veteran, puck-moving 1st/2nd pair defenceman - can come at under $3 million (retention). From what I've seen on Bracco, he seems to have the potential of a 1st/2nd liner (depending on the team). Return for Detroit is increased as they're relieving the Leafs from Zaitsev.
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Nielsen is quite frankly being given away. Detroit needs to clear that spot in the lineup, as well as free themselves of that contract. It would screw us in 2 years.
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Ideally, Vanek would be signed and then traded before the deadline. The earlier in the season, the better.
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Suddenly this would be a super young team on the ice for Detroit. A young team with a great blend of size, top-end skill, speed and strength. They're pretty much set for the future, however drafting a DFD (left or right) would be wise - after McIsaac, there isn't anyone with top shut-down potential, and it isn't the best idea to depend so heavily on one prospect (although I love McIsaac and I think his combination of size, speed, strength and hockey IQ is phenomenal) hitting his maximum potential - and even if he does, one shutdown defenceman could spell disaster come playoffs, if we have to deal with a team with several top offensive players like (in the future) Tampa, Florida, Colorado, Philadelphia or Toronto.
Detroit adds a good prospect and a pick, in exchange for Green (a very good top 4 d-man) and Glendening (an excellent, salary-friendly shutdown center). Taking on Zaitsev's contract boosts their return as well.
Detroit retains 50% of each player's salary.
Toronto gets a very good defenceman to play on the right side, as well as a shutdown forward whom Babcock coached before. The Leafs were reportedly interested in Glendening last deadline as well, and I have heard rumour of Toronto being interested in Green as well.
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DET
2020 4th round pick (CAR)
Additional Details:
Carolina adds a good middle-six center, for a low cost due to Nielsen's contract (not pretty). Nielsen could fit on the second line, and both the PP and PK. He is a good player, but he's not worth that money - unless you're Carolina, need a bit more offence, and have a ton of cap space.
Detroit sheds one of their worse contracts, and also clears up a roster spot, allowing young players to get more ice-time. The return is low due to Nielsen's contract, but that doesn't really matter too much as this is basically a "dump him" type of trade.
3.
DET
2019 2nd round pick (EDM)
Additional Details:
Pick becomes a third-round pick if the Oilers miss the playoffs.
Detroit would ideally sign-and-trade Vanek, as they could get a decent return for him, I think. Edmonton needs offence, and I think Vanek would fit well there.
The Oilers receive a smart, skilled forward who has a great shot, and sick hands. Vanek could very well help the Oilers' offence, as he would likely line up with McDavid. He is still a servicable veteran top-6 forward, and for a team searching for solutions like Edmonton, adding Vanek at a relatively low cost is a risk certainly worth taking, as (with McDavid) I would say he has 30-goal, 60-point potential. He is fantastic near the net, especially with deflections, he has very high offensive IQ, and has a nasty release.
You're not getting Bracco outta Toronto for Zaitsev's contract. His deal isn't that bad. Think a lower prospect, not Toronto's top forward one
Green could easily grab a 1st in the world of the modern NHL. Grouping that with adding a great shutdown forward and Detroit taking on an $4.5M/5 year contract for a mediocre (at best) defenceman, and the Leafs not losing a roster player of any value, I think that a good (not great) prospect is reasonable...
Green could easily grab a 1st in the world of the modern NHL. Grouping that with adding a great shutdown forward and Detroit taking on an $4.5M/5 year contract for a mediocre (at best) defenceman, and the Leafs not losing a roster player of any value, I think that a good (not great) prospect is reasonable...
Not when Toronto isn't that desperate to move him with a good prospect. They can move him elsewhere and not give up Bracco and still make upgrades. Doesn't make sense to give up a good, young, skilled, cost effective forward to dump 1 contract. Bracco will be exactly what they need if they have to lose Kapanen or someone like that. Or when injuries happen. Toronto's cap issues are only next season, they won't mortgage that much of the future to get rid of Zaitsev
Not when Toronto isn't that desperate to move him with a good prospect. They can move him elsewhere and not give up Bracco and still make upgrades. Doesn't make sense to give up a good, young, skilled, cost effective forward to dump 1 contract. Bracco will be exactly what they need if they have to lose Kapanen or someone like that. Or when injuries happen. Toronto's cap issues are only next season, they won't mortgage that much of the future to get rid of Zaitsev
Bracco isn't the cost of moving Zaitsev's contract. He's more the cost of Green and Glendening (value being increased because Detroit would retain 50% in my view of this)
Bracco isn't the cost of moving Zaitsev's contract. He's more the cost of Green and Glendening (value being increased because Detroit would retain 50% in my view of this)
.. Toronto doesn't need a 4th line centre, and another player who is exactly like Zaitsev at the cost of a Bracco. They need good, cost efficient players.. exactly like Bracco
So why would Edmonton give what will likely be a fairly early 2nd round pick for a guy who's a UFA that they could just sign without giving up a pretty valuable pick? Makes zero sense.. Lol
Nielsen isn't the Wings worst contract, Abdelkader is, at least Nielsen still produces in the 40 point range and plays center which is an important position. Abdelkader on the other hand is essentially a very expensive 4th line LW plug at this point, I realize Nielsen's contract is a million more then Abdelkaders but he expires a year sooner and center depth is important. Throwing young players into the lineup at an important position like center if they're not ready can seriously screw up there development so having a veteran like Nielsen around isn't bad at all for a rebuilding team. If there's a contract that's gonna screw the Wings it's Abdelkaders but good luck moving that, could maybe move Helm out when he's in his last season before UFA to free up some cap space, some teams would probably be interested in him as a depth piece on a 3rd or 4th line.
Green could easily grab a 1st in the world of the modern NHL. Grouping that with adding a great shutdown forward and Detroit taking on an $4.5M/5 year contract for a mediocre (at best) defenceman, and the Leafs not losing a roster player of any value, I think that a good (not great) prospect is reasonable...
I think that’s a very fair trade. I like it a lot. I don’t think Vanek grabs a 2nd but overall well done
The biggest problem I see is the lack of enough penalty killers, especially down the middle. I know they like to use Larkin on the PK and I suppose Ehn could be the other main PK center but I am not a big fan of either. Ehn is not really much more than a 13/14 forward on good team and while Larkin is a very solid PK guy I worry about burning him out. Having at least one of Nielsen/Glendening around would help take some of that pressure off. Additionally I worry that this lineup would have the Wings weak down the middle with Dach, Athanasiou, Ehn behind Larkin. I don't personally like the idea of throwing a kid as young as Dach into the deep end right away...especially with a couple other very young players in Zadina and Bracco...and I am far from sold on AA as a center. He can do it but I think he is much better off as a winger.
If you simply do not sign Bietto to sit in press box most nights you have a roster spot to keep Nielsen, kick AA to Larkin's wing, move either Bert or Helm to Dach's wing to give a little help to that line and make the depth a little more palatable.
I think that if Edmonton was interested in Vanek they would offer him a contract on July 1st themselves, instead of giving up a second round pick for him.