We should be able to keep Dumba if you move Talbot for futures and don't re-sign Goligoski (personally I'd roll with Brodin, Spurgeon, Dumba, and Addison in the top 4, but I could see the argument for playing Addison on the 3rd pairing and Kulikov with Spurgeon).

Fiala probably gets about $1M more, but you'd be able to fit that in along with a cheap backup goalie.

I'd be REALLY surprised if Sturm signs a 1 year $900k deal. I'd think he'd get at least $1.5m if not more.

Wow, if Fiala is going for 7.5M would the team take him to arbitration for the last RFA year instead?

I like the idea of trading Talbot. I think he'd be easier to trade than Dumba anyway. Plus, if it works out we might be able to resign Dumba for less in 2023.

I suppose that's true. But Sturm hasn't shown much this year even when they tried moving him up. I think he's a bottom 6 guy ultimately.

The more I look at this team on paper, the more I'm convinced Talbot is the guy to trade. Kahkonen seems to play fine when given consistent starts and they may be able to sign him for an inexpensive 3 year deal to get him through the Parise/Suter buyouts and just pick up a cheap veteran backup to play behind him while they figure out what they have in Wallstedt, Jones, and Baribeau. The top 4 D is fine if Dumba extends at the same or less money, Merrill is fine in a 3rd pairing role and could probably play with Addison next year. Rossi can ease in a 3rd line role with quality linemates and if he clicks with them, the team has 3 legit lines that can score.

Who would be the other goaltender next year then? I just don't see Wallstedt being ready for significant games, no matter his stock. Talbot's contract is still team friendly.

Perhaps, but apparently he wanted Kaprizov money last offseason so he won't be cheap

That didn't stop Vancouver from giving Jay Beagle $3m x 4 years. Casey Cizikas is another example of a bottom 6 center getting paid. Sturm likely won't get what they did but he won't get league minimum either unless he's REALLY happy here and that's the only way to keep him.

I think they want Addison in the top 4 next year, making me think Dumba gets traded. Once Brodin got healthy they sent Addison down after a multi-point game so that he continues to get big minutes.

Would have to be a cheap depth signing. Wallstedt should be in Iowa all of next season.

Could also be he was the only dman to not require waivers and they didn't want to risk losing someone for nothing. Addison is there if they need him later in the season.

Kahkonen has looked really good so far this year, but do you really think they're ready to give him the reigns next year? The new G signing would have to be for a guy who can go 50/50 with Kahkonen if needed. At that point, might as well keep Talbot for the final year IMO.

Fiala is a goner. They'll get a high pick and a prospect who is ready to contribute in the next 1-2 seasons on an ELC.

I wouldn't be completely opposed to Kahkonen being the guy next year, but I'm reserving the right to change that opinion. He has played very well this year and looked great for that stretch last year but I'd like to see how he does for the rest of the year before saying for certain.

So at this point one of these guys has to go: Fiala, Dumba, Talbot, and Greenway (not likely now that he was extended). If I have to choose 1 to go, it's Talbot.



Not necessarily. You can make the money work if you trade Talbot for picks, let Sturm and Goligoski walk, and sign a cheap backup goalie. What would you rather have: Fiala, a depth goalie, and a depth D or Talbot, Sturm, and Goligoski?

I would do that Dumba trade in a heartbeat.

Philly on the other hand wouldn't. That 1st will be too high for them to even consider it. It currently sits at 6th overall. There's not a chance in hell they'll move both Brink and the 6th overall pick in the best draft since 2015 and 2003 for Matt Dumba.

Make it their 23' 1st, and maybe they do it.

I think Kahkonen can take the reins. But we'd need a Stalock type behind him to take 20-30 games

Kulikov seems like he'd work in a top 4 LHD role opposite Spurgeon, so unless Goligoski is coming back close to a league minimum deal, you probably let Goligoski walk and go with something like Brodin/Dumba, Kulikov/Spurgeon, Merrill/Addison imo.

I would move Fred G if it meant the Wild can keep Sturm!

What is the Wild threw in their ‘22 1st or Fred G and their 2nd?

I mean... I think all of us would, but who do you trade Freddy G to?

Dropping out of the top 10 and down 20 spots for just Dumba while also giving up Brink is insane. Not even Fletcher's that stupid.

Zona'

I mean...... don't count him out

😑😑😑😑

I was enjoying reading the posts above so I tried it myself. Signed Fiala to 5x7million, I traded Talbot, signed a 13th F @750k, signed a 7th D @750k and signed a depth G at 900k. The team was set below with $561,412 in space...

KK/Hartman/Zucc
Fiala/Rossi/Boldy
GREEF
Dewar/Gaudreau/Duahime
13th F

Brodin/Dumba
Kulkov/Spurg
Merrill/Addison
7th D

Kappo
depth Goalie