Players I would refuse to move:
- Sid/Geno (clearly and no need for explanation)
- Guentzel - because the ELC contract and what he does is worth more than anything you could get back reasonably. He's untouchable right now for me.
- Murray - No need for explanation
- Sprong - Because we don't have a single player in the clubhouse with his skillset. Keep him.
And while I don't want to move guys like Kessel, Rust, Letang, Hornqvist, Schultz... If an insane offer came, I would dabble. The other ones are nonstarters. I'd hang the phone up before you even told me the absurd price you'd pay.
I know I'm a big Rust fan boy but still...I'd add him to this list. He's cheap this year and likely won't cost a ton to re-sign, plays everywhere and will be needed particularly when Hags gets moved or leaves as a UFA. He does so much for the team
From what I understood from the media, which is the only real source of info anyone on the outside of the organization has, McPhee was NOT moving any forwards over the summer until he saw what he had--and then, it seemed the only ones under consideration were upcoming UFAs like Neal at the TDL. He has said he was only interested in moving D men since he had too many.
I don't think it's fair to assume JR never contacted Vegas before the season started about their centers. In fact, I bet he did and was told no. But at least there's no info to the contrary
Sure it would. It would also be nice to have drafted Forsberg instead of Pouliot. But just like Kostin, even if we'd made the pick, we wouldn't have been picking either of those players.
Oh of course he contacted McPhee. I'm just saying that he should have made an aggressive offer. It's one thing to say you aren't moving Karlsson and another to turn down a 1st+ for him when your plan is to be a cup contender by year 5-7.
How do you know he didn't ? He might have offered Sprong and a 1st and McPhee said, sorry, I have a young center here that I value more and I think I'll get a higher 1st from another team at the TDL for another player. I'm just saying, and others have been saying, that McPhee has not been open to moving his young forwards yet....we'll see, TBD in the future, and if he does, we'll all be interested to see where they go and for what
I would really like him here. Was he ever a center in his career? I feel like he was...but I can't put my finger on where I thought I knew that from. Mandela Effect I spose. I don't see a Hagelin-Grabner swap...but I would be all over it if it were on the table.
For Sheary and a 1st I think you get your pick of Vegas centers. That's too much for any center on their roster that's reasonably available. I wouldn't let Sheary and a 1st go for Lindberg, Karlsson, or Haula. Eakin...pshhhhh...I'd want something else coming back with him. Bottom line, that's too much. The longer in the tooth Sid and Geno get, the more important those 1st get. Right now, like last year, I believe getting a quality center prospect into the system should be priority #1, so unless we are getting back an early 20's stud, I don't think the 1st should be on the table unless it's a no brainer deal - like getting Duchene back.
I would assume so. IIRC, Duchene, Galchenyuk, Sheahan, Shore, Tierney were the names talked about. Problem with Galchenyuk is that the Bergy shot himself in the foot with a 50 BMG by giving him that $4.5mil/yr contract. He's their 4C right now too. Unless there's major retention, I just don't see it happening unless it's a TDL deal with a Hags-Gally swap and even then I don't know...
It's really tough for me to roster build right now without knowing what we have in Sprong. If we knew that Sprong was going to come in and have a Guentzel like impact, that could certainly open up the possibilities of sending someone else out.
Guentzel, Sheary, Rust, Kessel, Sprong, Horny, Hags. If Sprong stick, one can go. Each have unique values about what you can get back. Guentzel I think gets you whoever you want. Sheary gets you a really good young 3C. Rust, about the same. Kessel gets you quite the package back and likely cap space. Sprong gets you a 3C prospect at similar stages of development. Horny, no idea but I doubt it's worth it. Hags gets you a similar aged 3C or a poor young 3C.
One team I'd be tracking hard is Carolina. Lots of centers. Sheary, Rust, or Sprong could likely get us back Lindholm, TT, or maybe Rask. All young guys at reasonable costs. May even be able to go a Hags for Kruger if we kick in something.
Deal from strength. Sprong if he is the real deal makes Kessel or Horny expendable after this year. Horny will be resigned as long as the cost is around for 4 years @4.5. Kessel is at 5.1 million in salary after this year. Pens can get some nice assets back for him. Love Phil and his contributions but asset management can extend the teams drive for cups.
5x2m i offer Rust right now. And I pray he takes it.
Khudobin?? JR, come on...
Letang+1st for RNH+Puljujarvi+1st
Kessel or Horny+1st to Calgary for Brodie
Jake-Sid-Sheary
Rust-Malkin-Sprong
Puljujarvi-RNH-Kessel/Horny
Hags-Sheahan-Reaves/Archi/Kuhn
Dumoulin-Brodie
Cole-Schultz
Maatta-Rudwedel
Mur-ray
Jar-ray
Where's the crazy Sealbound rant about people thinking a player scoring goals in the AHL makes Hornqvist and Kessel suddenly expendable?
Look at Jake.
Sprong > Jake at scoring in my opinion
Why?
We get:
3C taken care of
A wing prospect who I still feel turns into an impact player.
Top pairing dman, balance in pairings
Alleviates us from Letang's contract
Cheaper
Just spitballing. When was the last time some actually proposed a trade around here that could help us?
The AHL is much much different than the NHL, my friend
Jake has gotten looks- they just aren't going in, just like the rest of the team. It isn't like they've got a pop gun offense...the pucks that shouldn't have gone in last year were finding their way. Now the ones that SHOULD go in, aren't
It will balance out in the next couple weeks