Armchair GM: Offseason Roster Moves and Rumors

[CBJWerenski8]

What moves should we make this offseason? Who should stay and go? Will we be active in the UFA/trade market? Will anyone be bought out?

Discuss all offseason roster matters in here.

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[Iron Balls McGinty]

Resign Nylander
I have a sneaking suspicion Voronkov will really want to go back to Russia,
I think Texier is expendable.
I think we find an amicable way to move on from Laine.
I don't like the idea of eating 2 million a year against the cap for 6 years but I think Elvis is bought out.
I think Bean and Boqvist are moved.
I could see Kuraly moved.

That's what I've got off the top of my head.

There needs to be and should be lots of changes so I think some players who people like will find a new home next year because the new GM need to establish an identity.

 

[cbjthrowaway]

of the current roster guys:

• laine: stays
  • not moveable right now
  • they're far better off betting on a bounce-back campaign to open up more options
  • that said, they should pick a direction with him: is he the triggerman on the top line, or the play-driver on L2? i think the latter is better for him at this point, and he'd be a good fit there with jenner and (hopefully) johnson
  • if he bounces back, they can retain on him at the deadline (with another year left) and get a huge haul.
• provorov: moved
  • happens around the draft imo
  • i assume the new GM will keep the player dev staff intact, and i assume their reports on mateychuk will be absolutely glowing
  • i also assume the new GM will be able to get assets for provorov + backfill cheaper with a veteran LHD in UFA or via trade
• elvis: gone
  • hopefully via trade (i'd even attach a good prospect to make it happen)
  • buyout terms aren't awful but definitely not ideal either
• jenner: stays for now
  • good to have some consistency going into the season with new hockey ops leadership at the top
  • i do think that next year is finally the year where they seriously listen to offers for him at the deadline, assuming they're out of it. let him go chase a cup etc.
• non-tendered:
  • jake bean – not much trade interest and not worth the QO
  • alex nylander – may be a controversial opinion but i don't think a new FO is going to be very attached to him despite the hot streak
• surprise trade predictions
  • one of the russians
    • i like all of them but could see the new FO wanting to clear space + capitalizing on their value, especially if they want a forward with the first round pick
  • one of kuraly/danforth
    • a new FO may see this as an opportunity to gain draft capital for players in roles that are easily replaceable (fourth line)
    • could net a pick + backfill in UFA for free, easy way to create excess value

UFA targets:

• provorov replacement*: grzelcyk, kulikov, kylington, scandella
• reclamation winger: olofsson, barabanov, kubalik, leblanc,
• kuraly/danforth replacement: girgensons, nosek, lorentz

*wouldn't be directly replacing provorov as they'd mostly be on the third pair, but could play up at times if mateychuk struggles.

 

[GoJackets1]

I like those UFA target ideas above. As of now, it's hard for me to see the lineup changing that much. Frankly, I don't think the forward lineup will be different pretty much at all. The one big hole, IMO, is RW opposite Gaudreau, assuming we want to keep the Russian line together. We have a lot of left shot forwards too which may make for some odd combos.

Gaudreau-Jenner-XXX/Nylander/Fantilli
Chinakov-Voronkov-Marchenko
Sillinger-Fantilli-Johnson/Nylander
Texier-Kuraly-Danforth

Werenski-Severson
Provorov-XXX (Laine/Johnson trade?)
Mateychuk-Gudbranson
Jiricek

Tarasov
XXX

Notes:

• Laine needs and gets a change of scenery, or he doesn't play. I hope he gets his problems sorted out but at the moment it's hard for me to see him here next year.
• There are too many left-shot forwards, which leads me to believe one of Laine or Johnson is moved for defensive help.
• One of Bean/Boqvist might be kept as 7th/8th D but they will not be anything near lineup staples, if they're here at all.
• I think Provorov might be more movable at the deadline than in the offseason, I'm not sure the new GM could get decent value for him over the summer and we'll just keep him for now.
• I hope Jiricek has a massive offseason and can thrive wherever he is in the lineup, but his play this year wasn't encouraging. I'll go as far as saying I think Mateychuk is probably more NHL ready than he is. I expect Mateychuk to be in the lineup next year.
• Elvis is out one way or another. Unfortunately, there are a lot of signs that he isn't really good in the room anymore. I held off a long time on saying this, but he may be an issue. He's either bought out or miraculously traded.

The defense for 2024-2025 seems like it will still be in a weird state. The following year, assuming all goes well, is when it solidifies with Jiricek, Mateychuk and one of either this year's top pick or Svozil having a regular spot, I hope. I do think we should acquire a defenseman this offseason in some capacity.

Overall, I don't think our lineup changes that much from what we currently have, most changes will be through guys like Mateychuk coming up, and I think we see one bigger trade, and a couple smaller trades of guys like Bean/Boqvist with not much coming back.

 

[Aaaarrgghh]

UFA targets: veteran leaders on short-term deals (a maximum of three years). Preferably a defensive LD . Brenden Dillon is the only one I know that I want them to go after. Maybe another leader to the forward group. Who's available? David Perron? Corey Perry? Or a more star quality player to help with the scoring (that stat about Gaudreau being among the best in the league in terms of 5v5 primary assists haunts my dreams). So Marchessault (circle of life)? Guentzel?

Elvis I expect to be bought out. I don't see anyone taking on his contract. They should bring in a veteran goaltender on a one-year deal and let Greaves play as the starter in the AHL. Tarasov's injury history also plays in. Looking at GSAx at Moneypuck, maybe Brossoit, Rittich, Stolarz or Talbot?

Boqvist should probably be traded, since he has a lot of value. I've seen some suggestions on Capfriendly where Florida and Columbus fans have wanted to trade him for Spencer Knight. If Florida were up for it, I'd do that in a heartbeat.

Bean I'd expect to be traded for whatever draft pick they can get. Maybe a 5th or something like that.

If they can trade Provorov during the off-season at 50 % retained for at least a 1st, I'd be a happy fellow. If not, they can wait to the TDL and keep Mateychuk in the AHL.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see one of Danforth or Kuraly to be traded at 50 % retained, especially Kuraly. Maybe move him with Provorov to Edmonton, Tampa or something?

Nylander I expect to get a 1 year sub $1 million contract, unless a cap-strapped contender wants to take a chance on him and are willing give a draft pick.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

I'm just gonna say, without giving a full picture, that I don't like the idea of moving out all of these d-men, especially if the assumption is Mateychuk and Jiricek are in the lineup nest season. I don't like that one bit. I'd rather retain Provorov or Bean.

People really think Danforth has trade value? I mean, he's a valuable roster player, but I don't think anyone would be looking to move (even minimal) assets for him.

 

[Aaaarrgghh]

I'm just gonna say, without giving a full picture, that I don't like the idea of moving out all of these d-men, especially if the assumption is Mateychuk and Jiricek are in the lineup nest season. I don't like that one bit. I'd rather retain Provorov or Bean.

People really think Danforth has trade value? I mean, he's a valuable roster player, but I don't think anyone would be looking to move (even minimal) assets for him.

He's a capable enough fourth liner playing with heart. With retained salary, I can see him having some value to cap-strapped top teams. Not a lot though, so Columbus will have little reason to trade him before the deadline unless a top team is prepared to pay up.

 

[squashmaple]

He's a capable enough fourth liner playing with heart. With retained salary, I can see him having some value to cap-strapped top teams. Not a lot though, so Columbus will have little reason to trade him before the deadline unless a top team is prepared to pay up.

That's a waste of one of only three retention slots, especially with much more significant players likely on the block (Provorov, Elvis, Kuraly). He makes a million dollars a year. If a team can't fit that under their cap, the have no business trying to acquire him.

 

[Aaaarrgghh]

That's a waste of one of only three retention slots, especially with much more significant players likely on the block (Provorov, Elvis, Kuraly). He makes a million dollars a year. If a team can't fit that under their cap, the have no business trying to acquire him.

Well, how many players are they going to retain on? Probably Provorov. Maybe Kuraly. Elvis I think will be bought out. Boqvist makes little sense to retain on, in my opinion, since he has several years left on his deal.

EDIT: I suppose they could be part of a three-way deal and retain at the TDL. Point taken, then Columbus shouldn't retain on him. Then I'd guess he could at most get moved at the TDL without retention. In fairness, the Blue Jackets lately seem to have forgotten that they can retain in three-way trades too.

 

[thebus88]

I'd rather retain Provorov or Bean.

I think the key here is, “OR”.

I fully expect Mateychuk to be ready next year to start on the 3rd pair (at least) and move himself up during the year.

I’m also assuming Provorov has a somewhat higher trade value over Bean, while not necessarily being a better player. Overall, I think all of Boqvist/Provorov/Bean would be better off swapped for a different style defender, and I think Jiricek is better as “trade bait” at this point.

Werenski/Mateychuk-Severson/Gudbranson is my D “core” at this point with a HOLE at 1RD.

 

[cbjthrowaway]

1. no need to retain on danforth, he's already cheap
2. he is valuable to contending teams looking to shore up their depth
3. his play style, versatility and compete make him a perfect fit for cap-strapped teams looking to improve at the margins
4. CBJ can easily take back salary which would increase his value even more

a few comparables:

• the lafferty/mccabe trade to toronto from a couple years back. a sparkplug bottom-sixer + middle-pair defenseman with retention fetched a 1st + 2nd + two prospects. good potential framework for a danforth + retained provorov trade (albeit without the extra year that mccabe had)
• bjugstad to edmonton for kesselring + a 3rd. bjugstad's got a lot more size but danforth would fit a similar role. could also be a comp for a kuraly trade.

i don't think danforth on his own would fetch a ton (certainly less than bjugstad did) but as an add-on to ensure that provorov returns a 1st round pick in the 20-25 neighborhood? he'd be worth it then. bottom six players are replaceable.

 

[thebus88]

We’re gonna need to hire Babcock to run an organizational wide audit after all these different quotes from everyone to figure out what’s really going on….

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

We’re gonna need to hire Babcock to run an organizational wide audit after all these different quotes from everyone to figure out what’s really going on….

I guess we could just send him everyone's phones...

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

of the current roster guys:

• non-tendered:
  • jake bean – not much trade interest and not worth the QO
  • alex nylander – may be a controversial opinion but i don't think a new FO is going to be very attached to him despite the hot streak

It would be a very CBJ thing to do for the last 20 years to not keep a guy who will be cheap and excelled in our uniform because he might not be able to do it again. The guy played 28 games and was top 10 on the team in goal scoring.

I'd like to hope we move past that mentality. No reason he can't and shouldn't sign a cheap qualifying offer with a chance to be a legit NHL player. The worst thing that happens is we could waive him if he really struggles and the best thing that could happen is that he does his job and keeps the team from rushing another young prospect.

I don't know what a new GM will want out of the team but I certainly wouldn't turn down a guy available on the cheap who seems to have a nose for finding them net and being in the right place at the right time. His goal last night was a prime example.

 

[KJ Dangler]

If Jenner is used as our top line center again next year , we are picking in the top 5 once again . Fantilli had 8 less points than Boone . Played 10 games less than Boone , and about 5 min per game less. Boone had a whopping 13 assist on the season . My head will explode if Pascal is retained and we watch yet another year of Boone playing 22 min a night , while the younger much more talented players get 13-15 minutes per night .

 

[cbjthrowaway]

It would be a very CBJ thing to do for the last 20 years to not keep a guy who will be cheap and excelled in our uniform because he might not be able to do it again. The guy played 28 games and was top 10 on the team in goal scoring.

sure, but they already have a lot of bodies on the wing and realistically can't play all of them.

he's not young (26 – he's a month older than laine!) and has, over the last 5-6 seasons, been an AHL/NHL tweener type. i don't think a new front office will (or should) put much stock in a 20-game shooting bender (which included a few ENGs) given that a lot of that came playing with gaudreau.

that's not to say that they can't/shouldn't bring him back, but it's not like they can bank on him to produce at a 65-point pace or shoot 17% over a full season, especially if he's not playing with gaudreau.

i don't think you can put him ahead of laine/marchenko/chinakhov/johnson in the line based on a flash-in-the pan. i do think he could be a useful player in a lesser role, but the roster numbers are already tight.

i will also say, i think danforth's ideal role is as a 4C, and malatesta should be on the fourth line to start next year. nylander starting the year as their RW would make for a really fun line.

 

[EDM]

I hope the new Gm sees the need for a new Head Coach.

 

[majormajor]

• surprise trade predictions
  • one of the russians
    • i like all of them but could see the new FO wanting to clear space + capitalizing on their value, especially if they want a forward with the first round pick

Their value would go much higher if they have more time to become consistent scorers. You're still selling low.

They're also good, seem like players we should want to keep.

• one of kuraly/danforth
  • a new FO may see this as an opportunity to gain draft capital for players in roles that are easily replaceable (fourth line)
  • could net a pick + backfill in UFA for free, easy way to create excess value

This isn't your xbox.

We have a 4th line that outscores opponents and you want to mess with that for a middle round pick? We don't need piddling excess value like that. Focus on the big gains and avoid excessive roster turnover.

UFA targets:

• provorov replacement*: grzelcyk, kulikov, kylington, scandella
• reclamation winger: olofsson, barabanov, kubalik, leblanc,
• kuraly/danforth replacement: girgensons, nosek, lorentz

If we're signing UFA D we should be looking at stout defenders. Go for Brenden Dillon. Grzelcyk especially would be another small puckmover.

Those reclamation wingers are not good. I don't watch the Sharks so I won't comment as much on those two, but Olofsson and Kubalik should not be in the NHL, those are PP specialists who are huge drags at evens. Nylander helped out all of the lines he played on, including Gaudreau's line, so there's no reason to replace him with a worse fit.

 

[Cheddarcheese]

if Fantili can come in and slide Boone down i think we are in a better spot.

i would like to see us to take advantage of disgruntled players in other markets ( same way Vegas got jack eichel )

wouldn't mind seeing our line up with some game changers ( i feel like we have one of the best bottom 6 in the league )

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

sure, but they already have a lot of bodies on the wing and realistically can't play all of them.

he's not young (26 – he's a month older than laine!) and has, over the last 5-6 seasons, been an AHL/NHL tweener type. i don't think a new front office will (or should) put much stock in a 20-game shooting bender (which included a few ENGs) given that a lot of that came playing with gaudreau.

that's not to say that they can't/shouldn't bring him back, but it's not like they can bank on him to produce at a 65-point pace or shoot 17% over a full season, especially if he's not playing with gaudreau.

i don't think you can put him ahead of laine/marchenko/chinakhov/johnson in the line based on a flash-in-the pan. i do think he could be a useful player in a lesser role, but the roster numbers are already tight.

i will also say, i think danforth's ideal role is as a 4C, and malatesta should be on the fourth line to start next year. nylander starting the year as their RW would make for a really fun line.

I honestly could see 1-2 of the highlighted mentioned moved by a new GM. I don't expect Laine back on this team as a contributor honestly and Johnson could be moved for equal value that provides something this team needs.

Also, I will counterpoint with Johnathan Marchessault. Sure, he's 26. Some people figure it out late or never got the right chance until later but a one year prove it deal is not out of the question because it's not like he'll be 35 when it expires. I also don't see him as a top 6 winger. He could be a great cheap 3rd line guy on the team. It just seems stupid on the surface to get rid of people who did produce when given the chance just to keep others who don't produce.

I'm not ready to give Malatesta a spot on the roster. If he earns it in camp great. If he doesn't, there is no reason he can't get another year in Cleveland.

 

[cbjthrowaway]

Their value would go much higher if they have more time to become consistent scorers. You're still selling low.

They're also good, seem like players we should want to keep.

you'll also want to note that i said "prediction" for the reasons above, not that i was advocating for it. i agree that they are good players.

i also recognize that, realistically, a set of new decision-makers at the top of hockey operations will want to have some roster turnover, and will have different evaluations/opinions of the players who are already here.

This isn't your xbox.

it's an internet message board lol it might as well be my xbox

We have a 4th line that outscores opponents and you want to mess with that for a middle round pick? We don't need piddling excess value like that. Focus on the big gains and avoid excessive roster turnover.

year 1 of a new front office regime isn't going to be "compete for the playoffs" mode, it's going to be "identify the players we can build around" mode. the answer to that question is never going to be "this 30 year old 4th liner" – especially if those guys can be moved for draft capital.

as for the continuity piece, this roster:

1. finished 29th and 31st the last two years
2. already has a logjam
3. will be overseen by a new hockey ops regime

a new GM isn't going to walk through those doors, look at the roster, and say "sure, they just fired jarmo, but i'm going to stand pat and see his vision through" – nor should you want them to!

If we're signing UFA D we should be looking at stout defenders. Go for Brenden Dillon. Grzelcyk especially would be another small puckmover.

this one's on me for not differentiating between targets (players who would feasibly come here without wanting term) and wish list (dillon, teravainen, stephenson) free agents.

i tried to pick players who are useful and experienced, but not so useful or experienced that they'd get scooped up by a cup contender.

that criteria also eliminated players like tj brodie, nikita zadorov, alec martinez, alex wennberg and teddy blueger, all of whom i prefer over the players i listed.

 

[cbjthrowaway]

I'm not ready to give Malatesta a spot on the roster. If he earns it in camp great. If he doesn't, there is no reason he can't get another year in Cleveland.

the only reason i bring him up is because the veteran players on the team kept singling him out during exit interviews today as a player who came in, nailed his role, and showed that he belonged.

his game is built to be an impact fourth line player. i say let him earn the chance in camp. but there has to be an open spot for him to do that – put him against a PTO vet and see what happens.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

the only reason i bring him up is because the veteran players on the team kept singling him out during exit interviews today as a player who came in, nailed his role, and showed that he belonged.

his game is built to be an impact fourth line player. i say let him earn the chance in camp. but there has to be an open spot for him to do that – put him against a PTO vet and see what happens.

They always say if they deserve it they’ll make a spot for them. I just don’t like holding a spot for them. We all know PTO players are rarely worth a damn.

 

[VT]

I like those UFA target ideas above. As of now, it's hard for me to see the lineup changing that much. Frankly, I don't think the forward lineup will be different pretty much at all. The one big hole, IMO, is RW opposite Gaudreau, assuming we want to keep the Russian line together. We have a lot of left shot forwards too which may make for some odd combos.

Gaudreau-Jenner-XXX/Nylander/Fantilli
Chinakov-Voronkov-Marchenko
Sillinger-Fantilli-Johnson/Nylander
Texier-Kuraly-Danforth

Werenski-Severson
Provorov-XXX (Laine/Johnson trade?)
Mateychuk-Gudbranson
Jiricek

Tarasov
XXX

Notes:

• Laine needs and gets a change of scenery, or he doesn't play. I hope he gets his problems sorted out but at the moment it's hard for me to see him here next year.
• There are too many left-shot forwards, which leads me to believe one of Laine or Johnson is moved for defensive help.
• One of Bean/Boqvist might be kept as 7th/8th D but they will not be anything near lineup staples, if they're here at all.
• I think Provorov might be more movable at the deadline than in the offseason, I'm not sure the new GM could get decent value for him over the summer and we'll just keep him for now.
• I hope Jiricek has a massive offseason and can thrive wherever he is in the lineup, but his play this year wasn't encouraging. I'll go as far as saying I think Mateychuk is probably more NHL ready than he is. I expect Mateychuk to be in the lineup next year.
• Elvis is out one way or another. Unfortunately, there are a lot of signs that he isn't really good in the room anymore. I held off a long time on saying this, but he may be an issue. He's either bought out or miraculously traded.

The defense for 2024-2025 seems like it will still be in a weird state. The following year, assuming all goes well, is when it solidifies with Jiricek, Mateychuk and one of either this year's top pick or Svozil having a regular spot, I hope. I do think we should acquire a defenseman this offseason in some capacity.

Overall, I don't think our lineup changes that much from what we currently have, most changes will be through guys like Mateychuk coming up, and I think we see one bigger trade, and a couple smaller trades of guys like Bean/Boqvist with not much coming back.

• Jenner is not the first line center and not ideal to Gaudreau
• If Laine is health, he is a TOP NHL player, look at the last seasons. So I see no reason to trade him. Especially when he can be a really excellent center (I agree with @majormajor). Unfortunately, no one knows what's up with him, what his plans are. Mental illnesses are inscrutable and mostly incurable by current means. They can only be alleviated.
• I would like to trade Elvis but is it possible? He still has M-NTC.
• We need one more tough defenseman who can play in front of the net.
• I don't think we need Kuraly, it's possible a Jenner trade will be considered. Not for the sake of the game, but we need to replace some players.
• It's entirely possible that Johnson will be used in a trade. This also applies to one of the Russian forwards. The important thing here will be whether Voronkov wants to play in the NHL or not.
• I honestly don't see why we should keep Nylander. Yes, he's a good player, but let's not forget that his SH% was 17.7. We can use him in a trade.
• I'll be honest, I like Boqvist. It's just that one technical player will have to go. I think Jiricek should stay in the AHL for another year, but, short of that, everyone knows the situation.
• But one thing is certain, some change must come. Jarmo protected his players, the new GM needs to look at the team with new eyes. Just like Jarmo did upon his arrival. They just have to be reasonable, not ruin the team.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

• Jenner is not the first line center and not ideal to Gaudreau
• If Laine is health, he is a TOP NHL player, look at the last seasons. So I see no reason to trade him. Especially when he can be a really excellent center (I agree with @majormajor). Unfortunately, no one knows what's up with him, what his plans are. Mental illnesses are inscrutable and mostly incurable by current means. They can only be alleviated.
• I would like to trade Elvis but is it possible? He still has M-NTC.
• We need one more tough defenseman who can play in front of the net.
• I don't think we need Kuraly, it's possible a Jenner trade will be considered. Not for the sake of the game, but we need to replace some players.
• It's entirely possible that Johnson will be used in a trade. This also applies to one of the Russian forwards. The important thing here will be whether Voronkov wants to play in the NHL or not.
• I honestly don't see why we should keep Nylander. Yes, he's a good player, but let's not forget that his SH% was 17.7. We can use him in a trade.
• I'll be honest, I like Boqvist. It's just that one technical player will have to go. I think Jiricek should stay in the AHL for another year, but, short of that, everyone knows the situation.
• But one thing is certain, a radical cut must come. Jarmo protected his players, the new GM needs to look at the team with new eyes. Just like Jarmo did upon his arrival.

The logic you want to get rid of Nylander because of his shooting percentage being unsustainable is the reason no other team would trade for him.

Maybe we should Trade Tarasov too because his save percentage over the last month was unsustainable too. Even if his percentage came down to league average his value in a cheap contract makes it worth it.