Do you need more LD? You have Chabot and Brannstrom

Devils aren't giving you a 3rd for Nilsson

Brannstrom is taking his time with his development, and if they do take Guhle he's extremely low ceiling (high floor) he'll be a decent number 4, but not more

They wont take Guhle with the 3rd pick, theyll take one of Schneider/Barron or a winger

well some team will give up a 3rd. The point was just to get him off the roster

I'm not looking to make the playoffs next year, but I would like to shelter our youth with SOME experienced players who can act a bit as on-ice coaches so that they're at least learning things while losing games. As-is, that top 6 gets eaten alive every night. They have a combined total of 580 games of NHL experience; 227 games if you remove Duclair. Your 2nd line has just 56 games combined, and your top 2 pivots have 32 games and 9 points.

Boro should get a 1 year deal, 2 MAX.

And why on earth would Ottawa let Hawryluk walk and THEN give up a 2ND ROUND PICK in an amazing draft year for a Keegan Kolesar???

Barron at least has a high ceiling... Except you generally don't want prospects to get worse from their DY-1 year to their DY bc McIsaac left (I'd also just straight up take Niemela or Grans over Schneider, there both better players imo)

Barron was dealing with blood clots. Hed actually be perfect next to Chabot him or Schneider.

Kolesaar isn't an NHL player

Arizona doesn't need Anisimov, they'll be tight to the cap already. Anybody who takes Anisimov would be looking for a sweetener. My guess is Ottawa holds on to him as a place holder in case the kids need more time in Belleville. Same goes for Bobby Ryan. I don't see Vegas trading Kolesar if he is as good as you describe, another team that will be maneuvering through cap hell this summer and will need inexpensive players at the bottom of their lineup. Agree on re-signing Boro, Tierney, and Brown. Would like to re-sign Duclair but I think that's too much money/term for someone who is still relatively unproven. This team can manage that AAV but I would not give him more than 2 yrs. I don't see why San Jose makes that trade... giving up prospects for players they may lose on waivers, San Jose has enough fringe NHL forwards right now. I like the trade for Murray and its framework, may change depending on how badly Pittsburgh needs to clear money. I agree with what someone posted above that I don't think they should let Hawryluk walk after a decent audition, he won't be expensive and provides more competition in the lineup. I think it's important that the young guys earn their roster spots instead of being penciled in as the top two centers.

Forwards: Tkachuk, Duclair, C. Brown, Tierney, White, Paul, Bjugstad, Hawryluk, Anisimov, Ryan, Balcers

11 forwards means 2-3 spots for L. Brown, Norris, Batherson, and Formenton to compete for. When they play, they should be given top 9 minutes or be back in Belleville. If none of them fail to solidify a spot in camp then PD may need to pick up another place holder or two.

Pretty much agree with the defence, not sure if Zub can step in on the first pair right away. Jaros will be in Belleville to start, first recall. I wouldn't bother re-signing Englund unless they need bodies in Belleville. May need to search for another RD if Zub needs to be sheltered more/Brannstrom needs more time in Belleville. I really hope Wolanin has a healthy year and can bounce back.

Cheers to giving me lots to think about!

Even before then, they shouldn't have hampered his play that much

I really like the Murray trade. Maybe upgrade the 3rd to a 2nd (no issue for OTT), but makes sense for both sides in the long term and saves PIT's cap

Ottawa wouldnt trade a 2nd for Kolesar. Anisimov had 15 goals in a season that wasnt played fully. Im sure a team would give up something for 1 year or half a year at 2 mill

Man, if Ottawa had a rich owner they could totally weaponise their $20m unused capspace to set themselves up with picks for the foreseeable future, not just this year.

For starters they could retain salary as the 3rd wheel in a trade between two other teams. Like for example taking picks to retain a bit on a forward that Tampa wants to trade (to make them much more tradeable). So for example, Killorn to Dallas via Ottawa, with Ottawa retaining $2m and getting a 2nd rounder from Dallas. Or a 1 year cap dump like Lundqvist/Smith. Lot's of ways to make that capspace work in your favour... Do a handful of those sorts of 1 year capdumps/retentions and they'd have a half dozen more picks in the 2021 and 2022 drafts; not that they really need them but they might as well stock up if they can.

Alas, you've still got Eugene so none of that will happen.

@csick Would Ottawa have any interest in Zadorov? I figure you look quite thin at LHD behind Chabot, and Zadorov would be an intimidating physical presence to keep opposing teams honest against a team of rookies. Next contract will be ~$3.5m aav, and can be had for a 2nd + 3rd.

They already have a full left side with Chabot, Brannstrom, Wolanin and Boro so i guess not