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Zubrowka

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Aug. 6, 2016
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Philadelphia Flyers
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Forum: Armchair-GMApr. 13, 2021 at 2:59 p.m.
Thread: Blockbuster or Bust
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>TrueCanuck</b></div><div>I love the bold idea and something that's clearly outside the box thinking!

But I think as is, San Jose won't have any interest in this deal. When's the last time someone retained for that long? Last time I can think of is the Kessel to Pittsburgh deal which was only 15% of his contract and $1.2M in real money. In a cash strapped and flat cap world, I can't see San Jose wanting to retain $3.25M per season and the returning package doesn't really help that. If they're looking for prospects, I'd think Cam York or Bobby Brink would have to start to be involved, and I think they'd want a young roster player as well. I'd say either Sanheim or Myers.. so for handedness and argument sake, I'd say a package likely starts with Brink and Myers. Sending Gostibehere helps with the cap, but I think Gostisbehere just needs a change of scenery and he'd do very well. Maybe you could entice San Jose with Nolan Patrick since Philadelphia has been shopping him hard instead of Brink. But already sending 2 roster players I wouldn't think a 3rd would be something Philly would want to do. I'd also argue that a 1st wouldn't be involved. Karlsson hasn't been his old MVP self and its a rough contract to take on, so I think most teams will steer clear of a 1st going the other way...</div></div>

Thanks for the thorough reply. Outside the box was exactly what I was going for. Just a fun thought experiment, trying to take account of what these GMs, and the pressures they are under, might make possible.

Regarding retention, I knew this would come up. One one hand, there simply is no comparable deal because no one has an $11.5 AAV but EK himself. You are right, Kessel was the appropriate length and 15% of the salary retained for 6 years is less than the 28.2% retained for 6 here. That said, those same Penguins have on their books retention for Nick Bjugstad at $2M AAV on just a $4.1M contract sold to Minnesota. That's 48.78% of the total. I could dig for hours and fail to find an exact match, but the point is there are transactions retaining greater percentages at shorter length. It is what it is, but I disagree that 28.6% is outside the realm of probability should EK be dealt.
(Edit: Consider as well that there are buyouts that have been more severe, and teams still took that on. For example, the Devils have Cory Schneider's buyout at 2mil AAV for 4 seasons. The Kings have $4M AAV from Phaneuf this season before it drops to 1 and change. Also, I beg of you to look at the NY Rangers buyout situation cumulatively; it's a lot of salary and they got nothing for it, unlike a trade and retain scenario).

Regarding the consideration going the other way, I want to stress that it is an open discussion whether Zamula or York is the better prospect. York has some more name recognition b/c of draft status, but Zamula's production in juniors was frankly insane and he has looked the part in Lehigh (AHL) while being asked to focus on his defensive game. Brink is a good one to bring up; I think he could be bargained into the deal, but not at less retention. That doesn't add up. Selling Myers or Patrick doesn't make much sense either, as the Flyers are trying to win now/soon and these guys are in the NHL right now, albeit while struggling. Neither of them are high in stock price right now, so younger prospects performing well should look more attractive to San Jose than some arguable busts. All that said, I have no idea what the exact right consideration is; I'm just a guy taking a stab at a blockbuster move that could happen, around these core components anyway.

I agree Philly could add a 3C if Frost doesn't pan out, but I expect he gets the chance before they bring someone in to fill the role. Maybe mid-season or at the deadline you see a 3C move if there is a void there and the rest of the team is clicking. (Edit: There is also the option of moving Giroux back to center, and shifting Hayes down to 3C, which frankly I am adamant about doing).

Thanks again for your feedback.
Forum: Armchair-GMMar. 14, 2021 at 12:22 p.m.
Thread: QUICK TURNAROUND
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Mintyfresh</b></div><div>... and its impossible to place where they come from being that they are only missing Niskanen from last year's team. </div></div>

How dare you forget Pitlick. Half serious. He was a good contributor in the limited grinder role, and this team is lacking there. Also bear in mind, we are dealing with multiple players working through basically rehab stints but up with the big club anyway in Patrick and Lindblom, and both have not been anywhere close to what they were when last healthy. And of course, Hart is having a bad time out there, and Elliott may be showing signs of wear and tear from too high a workload for him.

Besides that probably temporary set of issues, you're right the defense is missing quality on that right side. Niskanen brought a reliable outlet pass last season that is sorely missed, excepting the playoffs where he was quite bad. If we could do one better, it'd be to add an RD that has that quality as well as the ability to win the physical battles near the goal and in the corners. Finding and affording that is far easier said than done, however. Moreover, if we acquire such a player, he has to be protected from the expansion draft. The Flyers are in a tough spot from a front office perspective. They may acquire an expiring vet D that doesn't really fit the bill just for optics, and leave any more serious moves for the off-season, as frustrating as that is for us fans.
Forum: Armchair-GMMar. 11, 2021 at 11:20 a.m.
Thread: Quick Fix
Thanks for the feedback, all. Didn't mean to imply any of this is perfectly realistic; just showing a direction Philly could go to try to fix the defense.

IMO the Sabres would have to really decide to rebuild again to part with Risto in the first place. If the Sabres don't want Ghost, it sounds like either a three-way, less likely, deal would be needed or two separate deals, with Ghost in either case going to a team that's really looking for an offensive defenseman / powerplay QB right now. This is in part driven by cap considerations on Philly's end, and also to find maximum return for Ghost to get enough fungible assets for any team, not just Buffalo, to part with a quality RD.

For the Wings, I have no idea what sort of prospects they want, but from your feedback, it sounds like a pick would be preferred. Thanks again for your 2 cents.
Forum: Armchair-GMAug. 15, 2020 at 11:14 a.m.