Joined: May 2023
Posts: 100
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although i wish differently, i think what a lot of people fail to see for the B's cap situation, is there's still positive value to be moved first.
If we can't trade a possible Vezina goalie to the loser of the Helly sweepstakes i'd be surprised, but i'm sure some cap coming back from any team in the league.
after trading Forbort and Reilly. Even adding our limited draft capital, if need be for Reilly. I think Forbort still can be had for even a 7th. Easy pill to swallow for any team who needs PK help.
Then, we have Swayman, Frederick, and Debrusk all with value.
If someone wants to offer sheet Sway and not be outbid, it'll be in the 4.3-4.5 range, anything in the 3s we pobably match. That's a 1st and 3rd compensation there. and we still keep a 1a goalie, with 3-4 strong prospects still in the pipeline, and much cheaper veteran backups avail on the market.
Freddy in the low-mid 2s/per = 1 2nd rd if we can't match
Then, we have Debrusk, who after Bergy and Krej retire, may not want an extension, so great value there for a 26-yr old on a good contract.
There's plenty of easy cap to move there, and if it comes at the expense of getting no return for a top-4 d-man and a middle-6 wing, we'll keep them, and trade Gryz at the deadline to a contender for a much larger haul, and if we can, move Hall at next years draft/deadline if some of the kids are ready.
I strongly believe as much trouble as we're in, we don't need to give away everything, to make it work.
Sweeney and BOS scouts are atrocious at the draft, but have more often than not, been great trade negotiators. If the deal doesn't start with at least a 3rd for Gryz, i think it's a non-starter.
Maybe a 3rd and Ty Smith? Durzi just got a 2nd (i know cheaper and younger)
Hall, with less value i'd still hope for like a 3rd,
so how about a combo for both of say, 2024 2nd (W/good season something like 58-64), Ty Smith (young but expendable w/ Gryz coming in), and a top-9 prospect like Hallander, or Broz? (i think i saw that's what they're fair projection is, not too familiar with your farm system) If they're too high, let me know someone not named Poulin or POJ, that you'd consider. or. replace the 2nd w a first and since eliminating the 9.6 in cap, we can discuss Granlund coming back
Halls term matches what you're what you're going for in terms of length of time for Crosby/Malkin/Letang, and there's no saying that Gryz wouldn't extend there even if just 1-year
sorry for having to read this rant, but i do think these 2 could be strong trade partner candidates this off-season