Fast stays in Carolina at that price

I love Jesper Fast! He solves a lot of our third line issues, but you’re missing about 3 million dollars on that deal. I think he’d take a 3.5x2.

Edit: That is also a very interesting Wilson trade that I haven’t seen. I think that if Washington adds a top line winger, they wouldn’t want to part with Top 6 talent in return. Bratt for 8OA, Lapierre and taking on Mantha’s full cap hit would make more sense from a Capitals perspective. Also, the Caps would give Bratt his shorter term deal as their window closes in 3 years. All in push now and still get the benefits of trading him again on his UFA year for a 1st+ when they actually start a rebuild.

Fwiw EH has the projection for Fast at 2.6x3

Devils would need a player that’s able to replace Bratt NOW. The Devils window has opened; doesn’t make sense to only acquire picks and prospects. Trading Wilson for Bratt gives the Caps some young blood and speed that they desperately need

Easy pass for the caps.

Yep. Caps could probably get Bratt with that 8OA pick, so this is saying Wilson is worth a 2nd? Yeah no way. Plus Devils would have to pay extra to send Wilson w/i in the division.

From a caps perspective, I can see this being an issue. I do think this trade becomes a lot more attractive to us if A: we know Bratt would sign and B: we were able to offload at least part of the Mantha contract. The concept of this trade as a whole though, specifically centered around these two guys, is pretty interesting.

The comp for Bratt is probably somewhere in between the DeBrincat and Fiala deals, but I would bet it would be closer to the Fiala return if he actually is moved (which doesn’t seem likely).

Hard to justify just 8OA with Bratt and a 2nd, let alone adding Tom Wilson

Caps do not accept this

Dumba$$ Reply

Wait are you trying to argue that Jesper Bratt should be involved in a Ross Colton trade? I sure hope not

Wrong Jesper

1) Bratt is the better player

2) Bratt is the younger player

3) The Capitals DESPERATELY need speed in their top 6

4) The Capitals still receive a 2nd round pick in the 2023 Draft in this trade

I think if you’re trading Bratt, you have full confidence that Mercer and Holtz are your 1-2 punch on the RW. Also, there’s players that can round out the Top 9 and be a Swiss Army knife (like a Jesper Fast, Connor Brown). You can also make subsequent trades and take advantage of cap strapped teams that need to shed depth (perhaps Kyle Palmieri, Brock Boeser). You have to get creative if you’re trading Bratt.

Yes Bratt is better but you have to remember if Wilson goes on the trading block 15-20 team are bidding on him. The price would be huge. Then whatever that price is you need to add more to send him within the division. Wilson is worth way more than just a 2nd.

You do know the Caps 2023 1st is 8oa in a draft that that is one of the best in a very, very long time...

Wilson will be cheaper. He is a unicorn that provides physicality along with top-6 play. You can keep Bratt or do whatever you want with it - but the Caps easily decline and its actually laughable that you would think that this trade is remotely close

Interesting scenario.
As is @BrodeurBro30 ‘s Bratt for 8OA, Lapierre, Mantha.

I would throw a different twist on it: Bratt for 8oa…then flip 8oa for a guy like Tuch, Batherson or Kempe (heavier skill with term)

The market for a top 6 RFA winger just doesn’t justify that return from Bratt though, especially in such a highly touted draft

I don’t think any of those guys you listed there are on the trading block tho. Why would Buffalo move Tuch, Ottawa has Batherson on a team friendly deal, and Kempe is an LA vet who is on a good deal

Interesting perspective. I would much rather pick at 8oa (if Benson or Leonard are available, I don’t say Michkov because Washington WILL pick Michkov) OR trade down with the Sabres (if Reinbacher is available) for picks 13OA + 39OA + 86OA , or 15oa + 24oa with the Preds if they feel desperate to draft a center with 1C upside (Moore, Dvorsky).

nooooooope. not giving up Wilson and the 8th overall in one go, no friggin shot lmfao

“A guy like” those guys. If I actually had the right answer, I would have given that name.

And on 32 thoughts, or maybe Jeff Marek show, they did talk about which pieces LAK may move and included Kempe and Vilardi in that group (although Iafallo or Arvidsson sound more likely). Not that Kings are looking for picks.

Crouse? Maybe a stretch. Dubois? Probably doesn’t sign. Lafreniere? Ew. I don’t know…maybe someone that fits the bill.

I think we establish a few parameters:

#1: Washington is the ONLY team willing to trade their 1st Round Pick within the Top 10
- there are other players than Bratt who they could target, other teams will make a push to pry the pick away

#2 Washington DOES NOT trade the pick if Michkov is on the board (I don’t need to explain)

#3 Washington only trades 8OA if it addresses acquiring a top line winger, while simultaneously freeing up cap space (dumping Mantha)
- it’s a historically deep draft, why not ask for a historically good return?

I would rather flip it for a player age 20-25. Ideally with some term on deal.

If we had 8th pick…and were looking to draft, I think I would be trying to move down. If you are not picking top-3 in this draft, the real value is in 15-40 range…grab 2-3 of those guys instead.

8oa for Bratt straight up isn’t outside plausible range…it’s definitely on high side (especially with Dubois, DeBrincat, etc out there). Most of the real bids will likely be closer to Fiala trade…one near-NHL-ready prospect and one good, but not top-10, pick.

Hard to come up with Caps alternative…maybe something like Alexeyev, Protas, 2nd