Yes, the Laine trade is a bit far fetched, but not ultimately impossible. Winnipeg has a depleted defense and have a glut of offensive forwards. Ehlers was optional too, and may make more sense for some rather than Laine, but the Jets have him signed long-term at a very good price. Laine only has one more season left and may seek a trade.
Ekblad has done remarkably well under Quenneville, and Maurice would be pleased to have a top young d-man.
Panthers will unlikely re-sign Hoffman, who will seek big bucks as a UFA, and Laine will come in at a very good price, with the benefit of being very close to Barkov. Laine would replace that firepower loss from Hoffman.
Jets gain some scoring power with Vatrano, who will provide scoring depth, is affordable, and still young. Panthers gain forward depth with Lowry, whose solid north south game is much needed; plus, there is a Panthers connection as his father played for the Panthers when Adam was born.
Sceviour is a minor salary dump and leaves a slot for a young player, like Tippet, to step in.
Sheary is a risky UFA signing as his offense has declined, but he can shoot the puck and plays with a physical edge. Panthers needs that attitude on the ice.
Borowiecki is a solid physical dman that is not stellar, but brings much needed muscle, toughness on the blueline.
Panthers need to revamp the defense. Matheson is traded to Ottawa, who could try to take Matheson and give him a change of scenery. Matheson is one of the best skating dmen in the league, but clearly he has not been a fit. The Panthers rid of his contract and in return gain Anisimov who doesn't hold much value, but is an experienced, useful forward who played under Quenneville in Chicago. He only has one year left, and being injury prone the Panthers could still use that slot open for a prospect to gain ice time.
What are the Panthers looking at with this roster:
A change in attitude.
Lowry, Borowiecki, Sheary. They come in to bring in not just depth, but a tougher hockey mindset which Quenneville demands and had in Chicago.
The defense changes not necessarily for the better as Ekblad was doing quite well and picking up his development, but it changes in terms of being more capable defensively and physically stronger, with a tougher mindset.
Laine is also a risk. Only one more year and could prove expensive to re-sign. But, this roster is capable of making the playoffs and if the goaltending gives this team the chance to win, then it can do some serve damage.
I like the style that these players play. It's a more blue collar style hockey.
Chances of these moves happening? Unlikely. But, the philosophy of these changes is what counts and what the Panthers should seek to do.
In some sense yes, but Sheary, though playing on the opposite side, could give that 17-21 goal push. Not as good a shot as Frankie, but shoots and gets dirty for goals if he has to.
Matheson is basically unmovable with that contract. He's not very good, and he makes a lot of money for just way too long
I agree, but it's not like we've never seen bad players with bad contracts get traded before. Ottawa has no organizational depth. They will lose two d-men, and the first year of this trade is a wash with Artie's cap going to Florida.
I agree, but it's not like we've never seen bad players with bad contracts get traded before. Ottawa has no organizational depth. They will lose two d-men, and the first year of this trade is a wash with Artie's cap going to Florida.
There are plenty of options for Ottawa on the left side, there's simply no reason to marry themselves to such a mediocre to bad player at nearly 5mil for the next 6 years. Sens have Chabot, Brannstrom, Wolanin and Reilly who are all LHD who will be in the NHL next year.
Also to the point about the cap washing out with Anisimov, I mean sure for one season, but who cares? The Sens don't care about the salary cap at all this season, and obviously the 5 years past this with Matheson is the far more pressing issue. Also worth mentioning that Anisimov is owed just 3mil in real money on that 4.75mil hit.
As a Jets fan I'll say this is probably fair but I'd rather not trade Laine.
Not trying to sound like a d!CK but this team is really bad, Bobrovsky would have to have one epic Vezina caliber season to drag this team into the playoffs.
As a Jets fan I'll say this is probably fair but I'd rather not trade Laine.
Not trying to sound like a d!CK but this team is really bad, Bobrovsky would have to have one epic Vezina caliber season to drag this team into the playoffs.
I agree. But, like I said there is a poor team mentality issue that cultivated in this locker room and it's that mediocrity is good enough. Bob can rebound. We know how good he is. He had a terrible defense in front of him and honestly the goalie coach has been a detriment to all goalies. He is not helping, at all. Didn't help Luongo, Reimer, Bob, Monty.... goalie coach makes a big difference.
We'll see. I think bringing in some much needed mental toughness and making some drastic changes would help this team.
There are plenty of options for Ottawa on the left side, there's simply no reason to marry themselves to such a mediocre to bad player at nearly 5mil for the next 6 years. Sens have Chabot, Brannstrom, Wolanin and Reilly who are all LHD who will be in the NHL next year.
Also to the point about the cap washing out with Anisimov, I mean sure for one season, but who cares? The Sens don't care about the salary cap at all this season, and obviously the 5 years past this with Matheson is the far more pressing issue. Also worth mentioning that Anisimov is owed just 3mil in real money on that 4.75mil hit.
Fair points, but Brannstrom and Wolanin have not proven anything yet either, and I am pretty sure that Brannstrom is RD. Reilly is a marginal NHL'er.
Let me make this clear. Matheson was a stud before. Superb skating abilities, and was thought to be 1st pair with Ekblad. Something happened that, as with other players on this team, he just declined and did not fit. So, yes it is a lengthy contract but as you said the Sens are not worried about the cap. What other options are out there to trade for that won't cost the Sens valuable assets and what UFAs are available that would actually go to Ottawa, or only go if Ottawa is the highest bidder? So I am thinking may as well take a change. If Matheson pans out then Ottawa will love him.
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