How about a trade involving Graves and Zadorov for Zacha and Bratt?
If Sakic trusts Byram and Timmins (or acquires another top 4 RHD somehow) then maybe both Graves and Zadorov could be available in the right trade. Now, it would obviously be a risk to roll with a young D like that, and I recognise that it's a big "if" in the previous sentence, but Sakic did move Barrie last summer to make room for a rookie in Makar so perhaps he's comfortable doing that again with Byram and/or Timmins.
From NJ's perspective they are very thin at LHD, but adding both Graves and Zadorov would instantly make it competitive. Graves would be a perfect and steady partner for Subban (just like with Makar this season), whilst Zadorov could slot in on the 2nd or 3rd pairings and offer some much needed physicality.
Graves ----- Subban
Butcher --- Severson
Zadorov --- Carrick
NJ do have Båhl and Ty Smith in the pipeline, but realistically they both probably need another 1-2 years of development. This trade would solidify the D group right now while allowing NJ to slow-cook Båhl and Smith until Butcher and Subban are UFA's in 2022.
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In return for Graves + Zadorov Colorado could receive something like Bratt + Zacha + pick.
I'm not sure what the exact value of the "pick" would need to be to balance the trade, but there are several constellations that could work, ranging from a 2nd; 3rd; swapping the #28 and #17 picks; and/or a prospect. You could also include Jost or Kamenev from Colorado's side if NJ want a C coming back (adjust trade accordingly).
The trade would effectively be roughly in two parts (not saying these parts are exactly equal but just as a rough idea):
Colorado would take a risk with going with such a young D group, but they would also solve their two biggest needs in acquiring a 3C and a top 6 playmaking winger to feed Burakovsky/Kadri.
NJ might lose a bit of forward depth in the short-term if they move Bratt and Zacha, however, they have Boqvist in the pipeline, and will also be able to pick up two top-end forwards with the #6 and #10 picks, like Rossi and Quinn for example. Rossi is probably close to NHL ready and could take Bratt's place, whilst Quinn would replace Palmieri in 2021:
Colorado trade from position of strength (LHD) solve their two biggest needs in acquiring a 3C and a top 6 playmaking winger to feed Burakovsky/Kadri, both cost-controlled.
NJ are very thin at LHD, but adding both Graves and Zadorov would instantly make their D competitive. Graves would be a perfect and steady partner for Subban (just like with Makar this season), whilst Zadorov could slot in on the 2nd or 3rd pairings and offer some much needed physicality.
Kamenev is included so that NJ get a young C back, for a 4th.
As a "+" in the trade Colorado gets the #17 pick for the #28. This + could also be a 2nd or 3rd.
Graves and Zadorov would be players of interest for NJ, sure. but they're not giving up 17th overall and Bratt to get them, sorry. Bratt was arguably their best forward last year, and is 21 years old. they have no reason at all to move him unless they're packaging him for a superstar.
Graves and Zadorov would be players of interest for NJ, sure. but they're not giving up 17th overall and Bratt to get them, sorry. Bratt was arguably their best forward last year, and is 21 years old. they have no reason at all to move him unless they're packaging him for a superstar.
NJ can afford to lose a Bratt if it means shoring up their LHD which is their biggest weakness. They have Zetterlund/Boqvist/Foote in the pipeline along with whichever two forwards they likely draft at #6 and #10.
NJ would shore up their LHD with two relatively young and cost-controlled Dmen, and still have 3 picks in the 1st round (as they only trade down 10 spots in a deep draft).
Why? I feel like you're underrating Graves here. He's been Colorado's 3rd best Dman this season, leading the league in +/- while logging heavy minutes (top 10 in PK minutes and majority Dzone starts).
NJ are desperate for top 4 LHD, and short of trading one of their 1sts outright (note that this trade is simply a trade down by 10 picks) it's going to be difficult to acquire a relatively young LHD that can fit the rebuild.
Btw, don't let the fact that Graves and Zadorov are being included in trade proposals fool you. The only reason they are included in discussions is because of Girard and Byram being the long-term top 4 LHD's for us, and we also have Cole on the 3rd pairing (not to mention Timmins who's NHL ready).
what is the point of Signing Rutta for more than a million so he can sit in the press box
I just signed him for what his previous contract was. We're not exactly short of capspace so could easily pay slightly extra for a good 7D that could be handy to have with such a young D group.
In any case, signing him was mainly to show that there would be an experienced 7D signed in UFA, doesn't necessarily have to be Rutta for $1.3m.
I think the value is pretty fair (depending on where those 1st round picks end up) . Personally I would do it. I like bratt a lot and he would be cheaper than most other trade targets for a 2nd line role. I don't think we really need zacha because of Compher but I guess hes nice to have. If VANs 1st is in the top 15 or so I would be real happy with that - could maybe snag someone with high upside who falls in the draft
I like Bratt quite a bit, Zacha not nearly as much because I don’t think he is an appreciable upgrade or brings anything substantial different from what is on the existing roster. And while I’m not opposed to moving Zadorov or Graves moving both and counting on both Byram and Timmins to be not only ready but for one of them to be ready to play a top 4 role would be a mistake. Now if it were a situation where a trade occurred after the start of the season because Byram and Timmins played their way into those roles I could get behind that. Now all that being said I think NJ values Bratt in particularly high and wouldn’t want to part with him in this type of trade package.
I like Bratt quite a bit, Zacha not nearly as much because I don’t think he is an appreciable upgrade or brings anything substantial different from what is on the existing roster. And while I’m not opposed to moving Zadorov or Graves moving both and counting on both Byram and Timmins to be not only ready but for one of them to be ready to play a top 4 role would be a mistake. Now if it were a situation where a trade occurred after the start of the season because Byram and Timmins played their way into those roles I could get behind that. Now all that being said I think NJ values Bratt in particularly high and wouldn’t want to part with him in this type of trade package.
Thanks for your thoughtful reply, much appreciated.
I agree about Zacha; he's not that different from what we have, but he is signed to a good contract and is excellent on the PK which is an area we need to improve in.
I agree with your point regarding Byram/Timmins as unproven Dmen. That said, do you think trading acquiring Bratt and Zacha + for Graves and Zadorov would make sense if we also acquired another top 4 Dman on a 1 year deal, like Savard or Murray for example? For reference here's an AGM with this same NJ trade and with a Murray trade: https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/1736575
What do you think NJ would want in order to trade Bratt? I would have thought two cost-controlled, relatively young, and physical top 4 LHD's would be exactly what they want/need. And they can easily absorb the loss of Bratt given that they have Boqvist/Zetterlund/Foote in the pipeline, along with the #6 and #10 picks (eg. Rossi and Perfetti). Solidifying LHD seems to be their biggest priority.