It's painfully obvious the Yotes are still in rebuild mode, and more is to be done. Several pending free agents still on the books, a disgruntled Chychurn STILL waiting to be traded, a high end first round coming this year at the draft, there is some work to be done.
First off, the biggest trade of the cap-friendly sending Chychurn & Bjugstad to the Oilers. Bjugstad gets 50% retained with the expiring contract and all the cap savings Oilers can get, they'll take. In return Oilers send back a cap dump essentially in Warren Foegele, former 1st round pick in Broberg, reclamation project in Puljujarvi, a 1st and 2nd round pick as well. The Yotes want roughly 2 firsts and a second for Chychurn, which happens to be the '23 1st, Broberg and '24 2nd. As for Bjugstad, you could still argue Puljujarvi has value. In addition, Yotes get Tyler Tullio here. He has a connection with fellow former Oiler Zack Kassian, a very decent B-C level prospect and I would think could help thread the needle in that trade
Next up is an admittingly WILD trade suggested by Instagram page Kailer.Memeamoto which suggests a Andersen/Vejmelka swap. Unfortunatley for the Canes, Freddy has returned right back to earth and has either been injured or mid all year. With the injury to Pacioretty, the Canes are seeking 1 more high end forward to compliment their playoff run and why not grab a tandem goalie for Kochetkov. Andersen & Raanta's deal both expire this year, with the acquisition of Vejmelka you run the tandem of himself and Kochetkov for under $5 million dollars for the next 2 years at the very least. That's an elite tandem considering the talent AND contracts. Also, although Freddy is on an expiring deal he knows Arizona well and has visited noted friend Auston Matthews multiple times, MAYBE, just maybe he resigns for 1/2 more years to help further convince his friend to sign?? In addition, Carolina adds d prospect Scott Morrow and a '25 2nd to thread the needle value wise. A high-end B level prospect and a 2nd 3 years away definitely balances out the value, keep in mind Vejmelka's great deal.
The Sens are 6 points out of a playoff spot and if the rumor is true, they'll still be trying this year come hell or high water. Getting stingy with the cost of Chychurn leaves them to settle with another very good option in Gostibehere. Retained at 50% to further create flexibility if the Sens want to buy some more as well. The trade is broken down in multiple segments. The Sens here finally facilitate a trade to get rid of Nikita Zaitsev. They give up a admittingly good middle six player in Formenton (for one reason or another didn't sign on to play this year) with the negative value of an unretained Zaitsev as well costs them a 2024 first instead of 2023 with a lottery protection. The Yotes seem to favour the 2024 draft over 2023 so they load up in a draft they better see fit with more talent, whereas Ottawa doesn't have to risk a 1st in a year they might not make the playoffs in.
Puljuarvi doesn't even get to unpack his bags as he gets swapped out for a disgrunted forward in Detroit in Jakub Vrana. Arizona adds minimal value on their side but two forwards with uncharacteristic bad years get change of scenery swaps here. Vrana has had a particularly rough year as he spent months in the NHLPA assistance program, cleared waivers and rumoured to be loaned out to Sweden? Puljujarvi, not as rough as the latter, has had a rough time putting the puck in the net. Lost his confidence, and playing a style he isn't used to. Yzerman is a smart GM and could play Puljujarvi the way he's meant to be. As for Vrana, he gets the much needed change of scenery and starts new, next year.
As for lines, I would choose to send both Jakub Vrana and Nikita Zaitsev on loan for the rest of the year. Vrana gets sent to Linkopings HC (SHL) where he can assist his former team out of the wild card and into the SHL playoffs. Where as Nikita Zaitsev can join his youth team in CSKA Moscow in the KHL playoffs to win a Gagarin Cup. Next year, you make it a necessity to help Vrana with whatever issues he's facing throughout the offseason and hope he's ready to join the Yotes in the NHL for the 23/24 season, where as Zaitsev could stay out on loan or get bought out for all that matters. Sodersrtom gets called up to play with his youth hockey teammate in Broberg whereas the 6'9 Curtis Douglas gets the call to center a very tough to play against 4th line. Carcone gets the call as an extra forward due to his over 1.50 PPG in the AHL.
I appreciate the level of thought put into all of this, but it just doesn't make sense for the Sens. Gostisbehere as a pure offensive left handed dman doesn't fit the Sens' needs at all, he'd be stuck behind Chabot and Sanderson and they'd just be left with a defensive liability on the 3rd pairing, not even getting power play time. and I don't think they should be in the business of moving next year's 1st any time soon
This is insane. I understand Freddie's propensity for injury, but instead of keeping him in the fold for the playoffs, we're going to shuffle him off for a lesser goalie because he is on a good deal, then add Morrow and a 2nd just to make it fair to Arizona? What the hell.
If Chychrun is traded to oilers broberg and holloway will not be going the other way they are untouchable. Reform it how you would like but broberg and holloway are off the table
Vrána have 6 goals in his last 7 games and is getting his game in order again. Detroit don't need the cap space and can easily wait as long as it takes for Jakub to get back to his former self and be a contributing player on the Red Wings. There's no incentive for Yzerman to sell him on the cheap.
I appreciate the level of thought put into all of this, but it just doesn't make sense for the Sens. Gostisbehere as a pure offensive left handed dman doesn't fit the Sens' needs at all, he'd be stuck behind Chabot and Sanderson and they'd just be left with a defensive liability on the 3rd pairing, not even getting power play time. and I don't think they should be in the business of moving next year's 1st any time soon
Exactly what I was going to say, Ghost wouldn't even get PP time, really not the type they need. He plays RD but he's a LHD so also doesn't fit
Plus Formenton will not or shouldn't be traded now (with the imminent team sale, Dorion might not be able to do anything else), his value is at zero until we know if he's guilty for the TC scandal or not. If he's not guilty, then forget it lol, a 1st + Formenton is wayyyyyy too much to make a Zaitsev-Gostisbehere swap
Even without Formenton, this is also not the way they should spend a 1st round pick
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