Mamin and Mikheyev I think could work but are not as good but are better for the team financially and could potentially play in the top six.

Realistically out of those options I could only see maybe Burakovsky take that top-6 role for you as a UFA, but OTT isn't exactly known as a team going after big UFA names.

Maybe that changes with a difference in ownership or maybe Ottawa isn't able to go for any UFA's at all cause of their ownership situation.

Who knows. We'd have to see who is the new owner first.

But yeah, so can I, I also like Palat and I also somehow forgot Claude Giroux so he would be another person that I could see coming to Ottawa IF Florida wins the cup.

Are these better options than Fiala because you think they will cost less in terms of acquisition value or that they are just better than Fiala?

A little bit of both, all of these players are more well rounded which is what you need but they will cost less to which will be beneficial. Also won't have to give up plenty to get them.

Ahh yes, known well rounded player Phil Kessel > Fiala. It checks out.

I don’t think that’s entirely true. Johnny Hockey and Forsberg cost about a mil more than Fiala in salary, and they have to choose to go to OTT (sorry, I don’t believe they would). Palat and Burakovsky also will end up costing as much as Fiala and considerably more than your estimate. The thing about trading for Fiala is that you only do it if you can sign him long term and that’s not something you can say about the others.

I think this is a very interesting idea for OTT fans but I think Fiala really does make sense as target #1. But worth thinking about alternatives.

A part of me hopes the Wild sign Kessel to replace Fiala next year. That’d be amazing.

Lol if they did that, I’d probably stop watching them for the year. The memes would be lit though.

I know Forsberg and Gaudreau won't go to Ottawa but I think that Palat, Burakovsky, Nidereider will all cost less and be more effective as I think Fiala's asking price is in the 7's and all of these players probably don't get more than 6.5 half million but probably less than six.

Well, I think Kessel would be a pretty good player cause he does the same thing but will cost 5 million less and will show the team how to win and will help it be competitive. I get that he is worse but he is not terrible and he does the same thing and plays the same way but is a lot cheaper.

True. But I’d bet my pants that they don’t consider OTT at all. That’s why Fiala is a match. You have to overpay him because it’s OTT but you know you get the player since he’s RFA.

He will also show them how to properly eat a hot dog.

I would just rather overpay for Burakovsky who is a similar and not all that older UFA. And Dadanov considered Ottawa, didn't work but he considered it and I think they'll be big game hunting this year to help support the core.

Just as important right?!

Yeah I was just giving you a hard time. At this point I’m their careers, Fiala is so significantly better than Kessel that it’s not even close.

If you opt for Kessel over Fiala, it’s not even choosing generic brand vs name brand. You’re getting an entirely different product.

Fair enough. Like I said, it’s a fun exercise. As a Wild fan, I’d be shocked if Fiala isn’t a Senator this time next year.

Unfortuanlty, I agree, I think he would work but there are other options that I think are better. Like Burakovsky or Giroux but for all the hype there hasn't been much out of the Sens office on him but yeah, agree, I just hope he isn't acquired for too much and paid too much.

I want Keller > Fiala

He stays in Arizona.

Booo

they need a top 6 winger to play with Stutzle , best option of these listed IMO are Burakovsky and Palat. Not having to give up players or assets is the best part, the worst part is overpaying a free agent. I think they should kick tires on Konecny if Philly is going rebuild mode, they might be able to get it done with some good picks / prospects?

I don't think Philly is going into rebuild just cause of the expectations for that core and from that fanbase. Especially after being up and down the past few years. I think all the big pieces stay for Philly.