It's a lot for Ekholm, but he's the perfect combination of offense and defense, I think he'd fit the team perfectly. Andy Greene, in my opinion, just isn't cutting it right now, offensively or defensively. He should've been in a reserve role from the start and if we make the playoffs and he's still on the 3rd pair, I'll be little concerned. Adding Ekholm I think makes the top-4 close to airtight and gives us much more certainty when P and P aren't out there.
Nashville, meanwhile, can kickstart their retool with an NHL-ready offensive defenseman who, unfortunately, is probably never going to get a shot on LI. Thought about adding Bellows instead of Aho (which I'd prefer), but Aho would obviously replace the role Ekholm would play and I honestly think the upside with him is higher than that of Bellows. I originally had two 2nds here, with a condition on one in 2022 that made it upgrade to a 1st if the Islanders win the Cup, but I looked around at some other Ekholm ACGMs and the consensus seems to be that he's worth at least a 1st, so I made some changes. Considering that the Isles are trading a first here, I'd expect this deal to be made closer to the deadline, when they're hopefully on their way to making the playoffs (as opposed to relatively soon, when there's still a lot of time for them to fall apart).
For expansion, I say do 7-3-1
Barzal, Lee, Eberle, Nelson, Beauvillier, Pageau, Bellows
Pelech, Pulock, Ekholm
Varlamov
Seattle will probably take Mayfield (Bailey if we're lucky, but that's highly unlikely). Then hopefully buy-out or trade Nick Leddy and rebuild the 3rd pair with prospects (Wilde or Bolduc) and a low cost UFA (or Aho if they opt to keep him).
I wouldn't be surprised if he costs more than that tbh.
He's not off to an amazing start to the season, I would think that could bring his value down a little bit, at least compared to what it might normally be.
This is the most I'd be willing to give up for him I think, unless Nashville wants like Scott Mayfield too
Ekholm deal will be similar to the Jake Muzzin one to Toronto. Ekholm is highly underrated, one of the best defensive d-man in the league. Would probably get more than what Muzzin got. If Nashville decides to move him, they're likely looking at a retool phase if not a rebuild. Aho is an AHL d-man which is of no use to them at all. Price would start at a 1st round pick + B prospect. Then maybe a project prospect from there.
I'd likely say Ekholm for 1st round pick + Oliver Wahlstrom + Robin Salo
He's not off to an amazing start to the season, I would think that could bring his value down a little bit, at least compared to what it might normally be.
This is the most I'd be willing to give up for him I think, unless Nashville wants like Scott Mayfield too
Name value alone probably gets Nashville more than this. It's not as if they *Have* to move him, and I'd assume there'd be a number of teams out there that would push the bid up. Nothing insane, probably just a better prospect than Aho.
I might be in minority but I’d rather have bellows. We have farrance hopefully coming up next year if he does sign with us and him and fabbro are familiar with each other and this years draft is stocked full of good defenseman and if the preds remain the course they are heading we could have a top 5 pick powers Hughes or Edvinsson are all better options than aho in my opinion. Really depends on what poile is wanting which I’m hoping he isn’t part of this rebuild/retool what ever direction we tend to go
Next season seems like a stretch. Maybe in two years.
It’s really not. Robin salo is NHL ready right now, he’s a #1 D in the 3rd best league in the world and leads all U23 Dmen in points. Also has a polished defensive game. Turns 23 in OCT.
What's the story on Bellows? He was a big name prospect when drafted, but hasn't made it yet. Similar to Tolvanen? I'd prefer Bellows to Aho in a NYI trade.
Never trust Euro numbers as "NHL-ready", let alone ready for top 4. A team relying on that is setting itself to get booted in the arse.
It’s not just the points, he’s a Jack of all trades D, perfect modern day D. He can definitely play on the 2nd pairing next season. He’s not 20 YO, he turns 23 in oct
Ekholm deal will be similar to the Jake Muzzin one to Toronto. Ekholm is highly underrated, one of the best defensive d-man in the league. Would probably get more than what Muzzin got. If Nashville decides to move him, they're likely looking at a retool phase if not a rebuild. Aho is an AHL d-man which is of no use to them at all. Price would start at a 1st round pick + B prospect. Then maybe a project prospect from there.
I'd likely say Ekholm for 1st round pick + Oliver Wahlstrom + Robin Salo
Oliver Wahlstrom isn’t available is he? I would do this trade in a heartbeat if I’m Nashville
What's the story on Bellows? He was a big name prospect when drafted, but hasn't made it yet. Similar to Tolvanen? I'd prefer Bellows to Aho in a NYI trade.
He’s a sniper who needs someone to get him the puck. He can’t generate on his own - Trotz puts him with grinders and then scratches him when he doesn’t produce.
Yea when I seen it I couldn’t believe it. And the guy actually had a first and another prospect with him lol. He’s y’all’s top prospect right? Or is it Dodson. Or more 1a/1b
It’s not just the points, he’s a Jack of all trades D, perfect modern day D. He can definitely play on the 2nd pairing next season. He’s not 20 YO, he turns 23 in oct
Sure, he may be able to, but the shift from Europe to the NHL is pretty significant.
Yea when I seen it I couldn’t believe it. And the guy actually had a first and another prospect with him lol. He’s y’all’s top prospect right? Or is it Dodson. Or more 1a/1b
This is Dobson’s 2nd year in the NHL. Sorokin has only played 4 games and wahlstrom 17 , so it’s between those two for top prospect. Wahlstrom is on the 3rd line on the isles right now, playing really well.
Think Ekholm will cost a bit more than this. No incentive to take Aho if NSH's gonna lose him in the expansion.
Think Ekholm will cost you Holmström+1st. Considering all facts, the return simply must be better than what NJ got for Coleman. Otherwise it's bad asset management by Poile.
It’s really not. Robin salo is NHL ready right now, he’s a #1 D in the 3rd best league in the world and leads all U23 Dmen in points. Also has a polished defensive game. Turns 23 in OCT.
I mean, that'd be great if he came in next year, just usually doesn't happen.
Think Ekholm will cost a bit more than this. No incentive to take Aho if NSH's gonna lose him in the expansion.
Think Ekholm will cost you Holmström+1st. Considering all facts, the return simply must be better than what NJ got for Coleman. Otherwise it's bad asset management by Poile.
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