Speculation: Trades: The Calm before the storm?

[Grand Admiral Thrawn]

I think many teams will wait out the start of free agency. I think free agents won’t get what they are expecting either. Not a lot of cap space to go around.

And the team's that do have money, those FA's won't want to go to.

 

[Taluss]

so Elliot,Jarry, and Lehner don’t count?

Trade wise I mean

 

[57special]

I think it's more difficult than ever to make a trade because of a flat cap, declining revenues, and uncertainty regarding the coming season. The NHL is making happy talk, but there is a distinct possibility that the 20-21 season is played to empty seats, and is shortened, if not cancelled.

I think some teams are just going to punt, and look to 21-22.

 

[WingsMJN2965]

Here is what Arizona's GM said this morning on the market.

I feel like we hear this every time the market is flat, and the floodgates rarely open.

 

[Djp]

Kind of doubt we're going to see as much action as people seem to be expecting. A flat cap means more teams will be risk averse the next couple years.

This will just drive UFA terms down in terms of money and length outside of5 or so UFAs ( PA, Hall, Krug, a few others). The rest are going to be going for the best return on investment.

Teams need to prepare for the ED so it will hurt long controlle Dmen value because of exposure.

This happened ehrn vegas came in. Teams didn’t acquire a 4D who they can’t protect the following year and wait till after the draft. There aren’t many teams who can protect 4D.

 

[The don godfather]

Hopefully bettman keeps saying we have a trade to announce.

 

[nickschultzfan]

Minnesota already started the race.

 

[Djp]

GM's are likely waiting to see what deals they can squeeze out of a few cap strapped teams. There are likely to be some real bargains there.
Personally i would take a cautious approach on acquiring players with 1 year of term left. It's a possibility (however slight) they never play a shift unless a cancelled season means current contracts are simply rolled over until the next season. Not sure what solution has been suggested should that dismal scenario play out.

Chicago
Tampa Bay
NY islanders
Toronto
Arizona

There are a few others that are at or above the cap after factoring the resigned RFA want to keep.

Thrn there are teams with cap space besides Detroit and Ottawa who could eat some sort term salary and gain something for doing that. These teams can only go 1-2 yrs in contracts because they know they can have RFAs to resign themselves. They hope by then cap goes up, but they can’t assume it.

If m surprised in the extended CBA they didn’t authorize another round of CBOs that are off the books.

I think it's more difficult than ever to make a trade because of a flat cap, declining revenues, and uncertainty regarding the coming season. The NHL is making happy talk, but there is a distinct possibility that the 20-21 season is played to empty seats, and is shortened, if not cancelled.

I think some teams are just going to punt, and look to 21-22.

The games likely occur with low capacity fans at around 25%. ( depending on local regulations)

I don’t see the season cancelled.

 

[Positive Vibes]

Same thing every year. Lots of rumors and speculation of teams running rampant with the trades... Then nothing happens.


It'll be the same this year, maybe even slower considering many teams have essentially no cash available.

people say this every year and its normally true, but this year more than ever teams NEED to make moves.

also people seem to be ignoring a actual Gms comments.

 

[Rockmorton]

I think we're seeing the "cone of silence" right now. Any major deals are going to be announced at the draft and most teams involved wont want the beans spilled.

 

[Amadeus]

I think we're seeing the "cone of silence" right now. Any major deals are going to be announced at the draft and most teams involved wont want the beans spilled.

I will bet on minimal activity. I honestly think the uncertainty around next season, start dates, COVID surge and flat cap will contribute to low trade volume.

 

[TML1967]

I think its also hard because so many of the dates hit at the same time.
Qualifying guys, draft, free agency. All in like a 3 day window.

I think its probably hard to work on all the scenarios at the same time.

 

[Goulet17]

I think it's more difficult than ever to make a trade because of a flat cap, declining revenues, and uncertainty regarding the coming season. The NHL is making happy talk, but there is a distinct possibility that the 20-21 season is played to empty seats, and is shortened, if not cancelled.

I think some teams are just going to punt, and look to 21-22.

I am going to applaud you for your post as you seem to be the first poster to acknowledge the current economic environment and the upcoming economic uncertainties associated with the season. It took nearly three pages for someone to bring it up, with all the talk focused on the hard cap or conservative owners.

It really makes me wonder just how incredibly sheltered and naive a number of posters are on this board.

 

[McJedi]

I honestly think there is no calm before the storm. Treliving said the uncertainty is going to prevent a lot of moves. I've always thought NHL was conservative. Media always likes to build up the excitement but it'll be a dud.

This. Trade and off-season free agent movement this year will be minimal and underwhelming.

 

[RoyalDoubleMcCheesie]

Isn't there a quote from a GM or someone saying that the trade action wouldn't start to pick up until after the draft.
I could be wrong tho.

 

[Habsrule]

I can’t see many trades done until after free agency has settled. Teams should not be willing to give up assets to trade for players when they can sign a UFA without giving up any assets. Keep in mind that this year the players (UFAs) have very little leverage compared to any other years past.

 

[Boxscore]

Honestly, I don't know. Seems like we hear this kind of talk every year and it mostly falls flat. I know this offseason is "different" but I would be shocked to see multiple stars like OEL, Laine, Gaudreau, Boeser, Eichel, etc. change teams in the same offseason.

 

[CupfortheSharks]

I think the teams with available cap space are playing hardball. Time is on their side. It’s better for them to let free agency start first.

 

[Canucks LB]

Monday should be fun in theory!

 

[meefer]

Half a world away, it's 7.15 pm and I'm heading out, back by 11.30 pm. Fully expect this place to be shut down due to:
Eichel moved to NY.
Two, no three goalies moved.
Leafs get a right hand D not named Alex Pietrangelo.
OEL.
A few RFAs signed (hello Tampa)
A big surprise...big.

One can hope

 

[odishabs]

Predictions:

Anderson to the Habs
Virtanen to the Sabres
Murray to the Hawks
Fleury to the Wild
Puljujarvi to the Oilers (he back)
Johnsson to the Sharks (leafs Johnsson)
Strome to the Jackets
F. Anderson to the Hurricanes
Mrazek to the Oilers
Ekman-Larsson to the Canucks

 

[Hookslide]

I can’t see anyway they’d be willing to retain for 7 years.

Agree, but I had to put that out there

 

[Mick Jagr]

Matt Murray... COME ON....DOOOOOOOWWWWNNNNN!

 

[Mick Jagr]

Predictions:

Anderson to the Habs
Virtanen to the Sabres
Murray to the Hawks
Fleury to the Wild
Puljujarvi to the Oilers (he back)
Johnsson to the Sharks (leafs Johnsson)
Strome to the Jackets
F. Anderson to the Hurricanes
Mrazek to the Oilers
Ekman-Larsson to the Canucks

That would be an amazing fit.

 

[Guttersniped]

Honestly, I don't know. Seems like we hear this kind of talk every year and it mostly falls flat. I know this offseason is "different" but I would be shocked to see multiple stars like OEL, Laine, Gaudreau, Boeser, Eichel, etc. change teams in the same offseason.

Is anyone expecting all those particular guys, outside of OEL if the few teams he willing to go to can somehow swing it, will actually be traded? I assumed the trades will lean more towards sad deals with retained salaries and swapping problems like Florida and Pittsburgh did. I have low expectations for glitzy fun big deals but I would enjoy being wrong about that.