Create a Kraken Mock Expansion Draft

[The Marquis]

Tampa fan with my take on the draft. Not knowing what the side deals are it's hard to determine which way to go on some teams picks. I have them in tiers and I'll some notes.

No brainers
Boston-Lauzon best available should start in the top 6
Buffalo-Borgen RD is needed, other choices not good
Calgary-Giordano great trade piece, can retain and get better return
Columbus-Domi best available need C, other choices not good
Florida-Driedger seems like he's the starter
New Jersey-Merkley still has potential as former 1st, other choices don't stand out
New York-Guathier still has potential as former 1st, other choices didn't stand out
Ottawa-Daccord waiver exempt so can be your AHL starter, only concern injuries
Pittsburgh-Tanev 100% effort player, perfect team guy, contract is fair
San Jose-Gambrell decent 4C, other options not impressive
Washington-Vanacek great trade piece, cheap contract should help the return
Winnipeg-DeMelo top RD available

50/50
Anaheim-Fluery or Volkov went Fluery because still has potential and there's a lot of bottom 6 wings available
Carolina-Hamilton or Bean if Hamilton will sign then its easy but if he doesn't gotta go with the potential in Bean over a Niederrieter
Chicago-Delia or Subban need a cheap backup, either should do went Subban
LA-Grundstrom or Clague went Grundstrom because went Fluery earlier so going winger this time
Minnesota-Soucy or Kahkonen went Soucy as I think he's a top 4 D and with Driedger as the starter don't want to start a controversy if the backup is better
Nashville-Johansen or Jankrok went Johansen, need a top 6 C which he is, his contract is bad but think he still has something left, Jankrok has been good not sure if he can go any further and the bottom 6 is getting packed
New York-Eberle or Bailey went Bailey, liked his playoffs more the past two years and can play either wing
St. Louis-Tarasenko or Dunn went Tarasenko, need legit talent which he has, injury is a concern, other similar LD available so Dunn is a bit redundant
Toronto-McCann or Dermott went McCann, high end 3C, possibly breaking out, Dermott wouldn't be a top 3 LD

No idea which way to go
Arizona-Gross there's a lot of junk on that roster, Gross is a RD so take the chances he could be one of your top 3
Colorado-Landeskog seems like a no brainer but not sure he'll sign so if he does great if not there's not much else worthwhile
Dallas-Kero Bishop makes too much to be backup, Oleksiak is ok but probably wants too much and there are other LD, Kero is a depth forward maybe trade for a mid pick
Detroit-Stetcher RD which can be a good trade piece on a cheap deal, not a lot to work with otherwise
Edmonton-Khaira rugged 4C, not much else worthwhile
Montreal-Byron don't like the contract but think he would be a good bottom 6 guy, other pieces were too expensive so could be a team that does a side deal
Philadelphia-Van Reimsdyk of the big contracts think his gets the most value, Voracek and Gostisbehere are a bit to inconsistent for the money
Tampa-Foote RD with potential, so many choices it's hard to pick, Gourde seems obvious but concerns if he is a 2C and I have McCann as my cheaper 3C, Palat and Killorn would be great but wing spots are full, get the RD who you hope can be set in the top 4 for years
Vancouver-Gadjovich like his style of game, not a lot of standouts another team possible side deal

Landeskog (8x8) - Johansen - Tarasenko
Van Reimsdyk - Domi - Bailey
Tanev - McCann - Byron
Grundstrom - Gambrell - Gauthier
Gadjovich, Khaira, Merkley

Soucy - DeMelo
Lauzon - Foote
Bean - Borgen
Fluery, Gross

Driedger (3x3.5)
Subban
Daccord

Trade Giordano 50% retained for best offer, 2021 1st or two 2nd's
Trade Vanacek for best offer, 2nd + 3rd
Trade Stetcher + 5th for 3rd
Trade Kero for 4th

A REALLY great idea all around. A definitive playoff caliber set up. Those who disagree are dumb.

 

[Habs13]

Drouin - Johansen - Tarasenko
Domi - Gourde - Eberle
Van Riemsdyk - Girgensons - Donskoi
McCann - Lazar - Lemieux

Zadorov - Schultz
Oleksiak - DeMelo
Koekkoek - Cholowski

Holtby
Kahkonen


Gauthier, Phillips, Miletic, Magwood, True
Guhle, Juulson, Bean, Quenneville
Langhamer

 

[The Marquis]

Here's mine. This is by far the most expensive one I've done up to now. Not likely, but fun. Also not attempting to predict side deals, of which there will undoubtedly be at least a couple. Included 2 UFAs that I believe should be priorities, but obviously very unlikely to happen.

Landeskog - Domi - Voracek
Tanev - Gourde - Dadonov
Donato - Jarnkrok - Appleton
Bellows - Kerfoot - Blackwell

Fischer, MacEwen, Bastian, Benson, L'Esperance

Giordano - Hamilton
Dunn - Zadorov
Fluery - Stecher

Kulak, Lauzon, Borgen, Clague

Dreidger
Vanecek

Kahkonen

Another great selection. The goalies are "YIKES! PLEASE PERFORM!" but yeah. Great stuff otherwise.

 

[StarterHart]

Another great selection. The goalies are "YIKES! PLEASE PERFORM!" but yeah. Great stuff otherwise.

For sure. I would have loved to take an established goalie to tandem with Driedger, but the only ones that are really available are old/injured/both.

 

[The Marquis]

For sure. I would have loved to take an established goalie to tandem with Driedger, but the only ones that are really available are old/injured/both.

personally, I think it’s worth the risk, but my cred is beer league, started as an adult. I’m sure I’m a dipshit on these things.

 

[Jack Burton]

RW

pitlick
donskoi
stenlund
bastian
bellows
gauthier
tanev
appleton

C

johansen
tierney
mccann

LW

masherin
vatrano
athanasiou
donato
roussel

LD

mahura
lauzon
kylington
bean
klefbom
soucy
dunn

RD

bergen
foote
braun
jensen

G

price
fulcher
delia

a little thin on C but stenlund, athanasiou, bastain, bellows & appleton can all play C

lauzon can play RD

tanev can play LW

20 players under contract for next season @ 57 mil.
10 RFA who won't take more than 15 mil. to sign
9.5 mil. in cap space to play with.

 

[Crunchrulz]

So Tampa pays two 1st's, a former 1st rounder who just finished his rookie year, a good young forward, a 3rd and 5th just to dump Johnson? That's not gonna happen, they'll let you take one of Gourde, Palat or Killorn instead.

Exactly

 

[RainyCityHockey]

I've tried one but there are certainly moving parts and other things we can't really predict.
Though, it should give us some assets to flip for either picks/prospects or immediate help.

Team	Player	Position	Salary	Contract
Anaheim	Alexander Volkov	LW	$700 K	2022
Arizona	Antti Raanta *	G	$4.25	2021
Boston	Jeremy Lauzon	LD/RD	$850 K	2022
Buffalo	William Borgen	RD	$864 K	2021(RFA)
Calgary	Oliver Kylington **	LD	$787 K	2021(RFA)
Carolina	Jake Bean	LD	$863 K	2021(RFA)
Chicago	Adam Gaudette	C	$925 K	2021(RFA)
Colorado	Jacob MacDonald	LD	$725 K	2022
Columbus	Max Domi	C	$5.3	2022
Dallas	Jamie Oleksiak *	LD	$2.137	2021
Detroit	Troy Stetcher	RD	$1.7	2022
Edmonton	Tyler Benson	LW	$808 K	2021(RFA)
Florida	Chris Driedger *	G	$850 K	2021
Los Angeles	Cal Clague	LD	$761 K	2021(RFA)
Minnesota	Kaapo Kahkonen	G	$725 K	2022
Montreal	Jonathan Drouin **	LW	$5.5	2023
Nashville	Calle Jarnkrok	LW	$2.0	2022
New Jersey	Nathan Bastian	RW	$714 K	2021(RFA)
New York Islanders	Kieffer Bellows	C	$894 K	2021(RFA)
New York Rangers	Julien Gauthier	RW	$863 K	2022
Ottawa	Joey Daccord	G	$750 K	2023
Philadelphia	Shayne Ghostisbehere	LD	$4.5	2023
Pittsburgh	Brandon Tanev	RW	$3.5	2025
San Jose	Dylan Gambrell	C	$700 K	2022
St. Louis	Vince Dunn	LD	$1.875	2021(RFA)
Tampa Bay	Yani Gourde ***	C	$5.166	2025
Toronto	Alexander Kerfoot	C	$3.5	2023
Vancouver	Kole Lind	RW	$891 K	2021(RFA)
Washington	Vitek Vanecek ***	G	$716 K	2022
Winnipeg	Mason Appleton	RW	$900 K	2022

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Side Deals:
Seattle takes Jonathan Drouin and stays away from Carey Price <--> Montreal sends 2021 First Round Pick

Seattle stays away from Mark Giordano <--> Calgary sends 2021 2nd Round Pick to Seattle

Seattle sends Vitek Vanecek to Tampa <--> Tampa sends Tyler Johnson, Cal Foote, 2022 First Round Pick

Extensions:
Chris Driedger --> 3 years $10M
Antti Raanta --> 1 year $3M
Jamie Oleksiak ---> 2 years $6.5 M


Free Agency:
Derek Ryan ---> 2 years at $4M($2.0 M AAV)

Trade:
MTL First Round Pick + Gauthier for Connor Garland


Drouin ---Domi----Garland
Bellows---Gourde---Johnson
Jarnkrok---Kerfoot---Tanev
Bastian---Ryan---Appleton

Volkov, Lind, Gambrell

Ghost -- Lauzon
Dunn -- Stetcher
Bean --Oleksiak

Driedger
Raanta
Daccord
Kahkonen(trade?)

Flip a couple of players for picks etc.

 

[LucicAndChong]

Bailey(NYI) - Gourde(TBL) - Voracek(PHI)

McCann(TOR) - Domi(CBJ) - Jarnkrok(NSH)

Byron(MTL) - Tierney(OTT) - Donskoi(COL)

Kahun(EDM) - Donato(SJS) - Gauthier(NYR)

Extra - Grundstrom(LAK)

AHL - Mascherin(DAL), Lind(VAN)


Dunn(STL) - DeMelo(WIN)

*DeHaan(CHI) - Stetcher(DET)

Bean(CAR) - Subban(NJD)

Extra - Lybushkin(ARI)

AHL - Borgen(BUF)

Trade - Giordano 50% Retained(CGY), *Fleury(ANA), Lauzon(BOS)

*DeHaan and Fleury can be swapped out for eachother, depending on who the Kraken likes more. Both fit into the #2LD Role

Kahkonen(MIN)

Dreidger(FLA)

AHL - Vanacek(WSH)

Traded - DeSmith(PIT)

CAP HIT BEFORE TRADES - $72,148,333
CAP SPACE BEFORE TRADES - ~$9,350,000

What do you guys think?

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

Here is my redo...

Landeskog-Henrique-Voracek
Domi-Danault-Athanasiou
Girgensons-McCann-Jarnkrok/Appleton (16)
Bellows-Gaudette-Bastien/Gauthier
Mascherin-Lind

Dunn-Hamilton
Zboril/Simek-A Larsson (10)
Kylington-C Foote
Cholowski-J Lindgren/V Saarijarvi

Driedger
Vanecek (4)
Kahkonen
Daccord

A few changes from the original! I imagine there will be some draft picks involved here can't predict those! I like the line up and with Seattle set to draft Matthew Beniers(C) and maybe S Svozil(D) in the first 2 rounds(Gaudreau-goalie) if D-man is not there in the Entry Draft after the Wednesday Expansion draft results! Go RFrancis Go!!!Go Seattle Kraken Go!!!

 

[theimmortal1]

So Tampa pays two 1st's, a former 1st rounder who just finished his rookie year, a good young forward, a 3rd and 5th just to dump Johnson? That's not gonna happen, they'll let you take one of Gourde, Palat or Killorn instead.

At most Johnson will be packaged with a 4th round pick. His straight up value may not even be negative anymore.

So Johnson + say a 5th rounder + Foote

But the reality is Seattle can just take Foote and the Bolts can deal Johnson + a mid to late pick to whomever, or Palat/Killorn/Gourde for high picks to whomever.

The wild card is if Seattle eats salary on a non-Tampa forward (Taresenko?) and flips them to Tampa. Then they'll get a haul as TB goes all in to 3 peat.

 

[RainyCityHockey]

At most Johnson will be packaged with a 4th round pick. His straight up value may not even be negative anymore.

So Johnson + say a 5th rounder + Foote

But the reality is Seattle can just take Foote and the Bolts can deal Johnson + a mid to late pick to whomever, or Palat/Killorn/Gourde for high picks to whomever.

The wild card is if Seattle eats salary on a non-Tampa forward (Taresenko?) and flips them to Tampa. Then they'll get a haul as TB goes all in to 3 peat.

Good luck with that.

Seattle will just select Foote or Joseph during the expansion draft and Tampa can try and trade Johnson + a 4th or 5th round pick without taking on money.

 

[theimmortal1]

Good luck with that.

Seattle will just select Foote or Joseph during the expansion draft and Tampa can try and trade Johnson + a 4th or 5th round pick without taking on money.

Yep. Or we trade two of Palat/Killorn/Gourde based on who gives us the highest picks. Seattle just taking Foote is the ideal scenario.

 

[LokiDog]

Stealing the format from @HoseEmDown

No brainers
Boston-Lauzon best available should start in the top 6 agreed
Buffalo-Borgen or Miller - RD is needed, other choices not good agreed - added Miller as RD option
Calgary-Giordano great trade piece, can retain and get better return agreed
Columbus-Domi best available need C, other choices not good agreed
Florida-Driedger seems like he's the starter agreed - seems forgone conclusion
New Jersey-Merkley still has potential as former 1st, other choices don't stand out agreed
New York-Guathier still has potential as former 1st, other choices didn't stand out agreed - could be Blackwell
Ottawa- Tierney - changed for C depth
Pittsburgh-Tanev 100% effort player, perfect team guy, contract is fair agreed
San Jose-Gambrell decent 4C, other options not impressive agreed - could be Donato, but leaning Gambrell
Washington-Vanacek great trade piece, cheap contract should help the return agreed
Winnipeg-Appleton - I see big breakout potential for Appleton, sort of like Karlsson with Vegas

50/50
Anaheim-Fluery or Volkov went Fluery because still has potential and there's a lot of bottom 6 wings available agreed
Carolina- Bean - Hamilton would be great, but unlike some UFAs, I can't see him signing here
Chicago- Zadorov or Gaudette, based on how other positions shake out - leaning Zad
LA-Grundstrom or Clague went Grundstrom because went Fluery earlier so going winger this time agreed 100% Grundstrom because you have Fleury and Lauon
Minnesota-Soucy or Kahkonen went Soucy as I think he's a top 4 D and with Driedger as the starter don't want to start a controversy if the backup is better Agreed but went Kahkonen for a Dreidger/Vanacek/Kahkonen trio at 4.9M
Nashville-Jarknkrok - good versatile third liner who can slot up
New York- Bailey or Bellows - Bellows is a physical kid, super young, 1st round pick with 6 goals in 22 games, which projects to 20 goal pace. Obviously pace means nothing with such a small sample size, but he has 20+ goal power forward written all over him
St. Louis-Tarasenko or Dunn went Tarasenko, need legit talent which he has, injury is a concern, other similar LD available so Dunn is a bit redundant Agreed - leaning Tarasenko and flip him at 50% but health is a big concern and Dunn is young as well
Toronto-McCann Can play 2LW or 3C and could be a moderate breakout candidate

No idea which way to go
Arizona- Fischer - good skating, super physical 4th line RW to pair opposite Tanev on a heavy 4th line
Colorado-Landeskog - GIVE HIM THE BAG
Dallas-Kero Bishop makes too much to be backup, Oleksiak is ok but probably wants too much and there are other LD, Kero is a depth forward maybe trade for a mid pick Agreed
Detroit-Stetcher RD which can be a good trade piece on a cheap deal, not a lot to work with otherwise Agreed, need RD even if depth
Edmonton-Khaira rugged 4C, not much else worthwhile Agreed, unless they can sign Larsson - he played junior up here
Montreal-Danault - would drastically improve center depth, at sub 6M is affordable as a 2C and can mentor/insulate Beniers until he's ready to take 2C, at which point Danault is elite 3C
Philadelphia-Voracek. Toss up with JVR but Voracek is a pretty consisten 60 point guy (in full years) and seems to have a slightly more dynamic game
Tampa-Gourde - versatility to play as C or 2LW. Friends with Danault, and those two on a line would be real tough to play against
Vancouver-Gadjovich like his style of game, not a lot of standouts another team possible side deal agreed

Landeskog (8x8) - Domi - Voracek
Gourde - Danault (6x5.8) - Appleton
Bellows/Grundstrom - McCann - Jarnkrok
Tanev - Tierney - Fischer
Gadjovich, Khaira, Merkley, Gauthier, Gambrell

Giordano - Dunn
Zadorov - Miller
Bean - Lauzon/Fleury
Stetcher,

Driedger (3x3.5)
Vanacek
Kahkonen

See if you can package Lauzon, Bellows, Domi, McCann/Tierny, Dunn, etc. with a 1st for an elite C like Eichel.
See if you can make another package for an upgrade to RD.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

At most Johnson will be packaged with a 4th round pick. His straight up value may not even be negative anymore.

So Johnson + say a 5th rounder + Foote

But the reality is Seattle can just take Foote and the Bolts can deal Johnson + a mid to late pick to whomever, or Palat/Killorn/Gourde for high picks to whomever.

The wild card is if Seattle eats salary on a non-Tampa forward (Taresenko?) and flips them to Tampa. Then they'll get a haul as TB goes all in to 3 peat.

I think your perception that Seattle will even consider taking Johnson for a 4th round pick is off. They have no need for Johnson on the team. I'd be fine picking Gourde or Palat in the expansion draft. Foote works for me too. But since Johnson will be moved in a side-trade, there is no reason for us to touch him.

Before the lists were released, maybe TBL fans could have tried the 'You need top-6 F approach'. Not so much anymore.

Domi
Drouin
Gourde/Palat
Tarasenko
JVR/Voracek
McCann/Kerfoot
Bailey

Just to name a few. So sure, we may take Gourde or Palat but we have no need for Johnson on this roster. Maybe the Bolts should try to move him elsewhere after the expansion draft and trade freeze

 

[theimmortal1]

I think your perception that Seattle will even consider taking Johnson for a 4th round pick is off. They have no need for Johnson on the team. I'd be fine picking Gourde or Palat in the expansion draft. Foote works for me too. But since Johnson will be moved in a side-trade, there is no reason for us to touch him.

Before the lists were released, maybe TBL fans could have tried the 'You need top-6 F approach'. Not so much anymore.

Domi
Drouin
Gourde/Palat
Tarasenko
JVR/Voracek
McCann/Kerfoot
Bailey

Just to name a few. So sure, we may take Gourde or Palat but we have no need for Johnson on this roster. Maybe the Bolts should try to move him elsewhere after the expansion draft and trade freeze

Right. For some reason people thought the Bolts had to get Seattle to take Johnson. That was never the case.

The trade proposal above was laughable. Multiple firsts and multiple prospects and Johnson.

We have to move 2 good vet forwards. If you select one then we trade another. If you select a prospect then we trade 2. No big deal

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Right. For some reason people thought the Bolts had to get Seattle to take Johnson. That was never the case.

The trade proposal above was laughable. Multiple firsts and multiple prospects and Johnson.

We have to move 2 good vet forwards. If you select one then we trade another. If you select a prospect then we trade 2. No big deal

Certainly not for the Kraken. It will be for TBL till they get cap compliant. I know that you make it sound easy but let us wait and see how the Bolts handle the situation first.

 

[The Marquis]

Not a one of these isn't a good team. Bodes well.

 

[theimmortal1]

Certainly not for the Kraken. It will be for TBL till they get cap compliant. I know that you make it sound easy but let us wait and see how the Bolts handle the situation first.

Trading Palat as an example won't be hard. He is easily a 1st round pick. Shoot people are talking crazy numbers for Danault who isn't much better than Johnson and is well worse than Gourde.

Seattle coming into the league does help the Bolts quite a bit. It is an extra 81.5m of cap to be used. Seattle is going to free up cap across the league through the ED and then they'll still have some left over. So there should be plenty of teams looking for top 6 forwards for a reasonable deal.

I think the most likely scenarios are the Kraken simply picks who they want or a real blockbuster (not the mid-round sweetener for Johnson). I'm talking St Louis and Seattle eat salary and send Taresenko to Tampa and Seattle ends up with Palat/Johnson/couple prospects/pick/etc. I doubt Seattle will spend to the cap on their active roster right away, but they should weaponize the available cap. Best way to do that is to eat salary for other teams.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Trading Palat as an example won't be hard. He is easily a 1st round pick. Shoot people are talking crazy numbers for Danault who isn't much better than Johnson and is well worse than Gourde.

Seattle coming into the league does help the Bolts quite a bit. It is an extra 81.5m of cap to be used. Seattle is going to free up cap across the league through the ED and then they'll still have some left over. So there should be plenty of teams looking for top 6 forwards for a reasonable deal.

I think the most likely scenarios are the Kraken simply picks who they want or a real blockbuster (not the mid-round sweetener for Johnson). I'm talking St Louis and Seattle eat salary and send Taresenko to Tampa and Seattle ends up with Palat/Johnson/couple prospects/pick/etc. I doubt Seattle will spend to the cap on their active roster right away, but they should weaponize the available cap. Best way to do that is to eat salary for other teams.

Kraken could potentially have interest in both Palat and Gourde. They are good players and worth their contracts. Johnson is not.

The issue with TBL moving $$ is not going to be a question of IF contracts can be moved or not. It is going to be more about WHO they want to move. What would you prefer:

1. Kraken pick Gourde in the expansion. Palat being moved to some other team for a late 1st (if a team does give you that value).
2. Kraken pick Gourde in the expansion. Johnson being moved for a 1st round pick + B prospect to the Kraken.

The first scenario has the Bolts stuck with Johnsons contract and losing 2 good players. Sure they get a late 1st but that does not help them right away. The second scenario has the Bolts with Palat still on his roster, losing a bad contract in Johnson (you disagree on this but even the majority of Bolts fans dont).

If Seattle takes Johnson, they are doing the Bolts a favor because they have no need for Johnson on their roster. That is why it will cost more than what you think. If there is a different buyer to be found, then that is the direction the Bolts should go.

 

[thethirdhockeyman91]

Bailey-Johansen-Tarasenko
Donskoi-Gourde-Vatrano
Gauthier-Tierney-Appleton
Fischer-Kerfoot-Khaira

Giordano-Ghost
Fleury-Bean
Zadorov-Lauzon

Driedger
Kakkokhen

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Bailey-Johansen-Tarasenko
Donskoi-Gourde-Vatrano
Gauthier-Tierney-Appleton
Fischer-Kerfoot-Khaira

Giordano-Ghost
Fleury-Bean
Zadorov-Lauzon

Driedger
Kakkokhen

Not a bad lineup. Gives us good depth down the middle.

 

[theimmortal1]

Kraken could potentially have interest in both Palat and Gourde. They are good players and worth their contracts. Johnson is not.

The issue with TBL moving $$ is not going to be a question of IF contracts can be moved or not. It is going to be more about WHO they want to move. What would you prefer:

1. Kraken pick Gourde in the expansion. Palat being moved to some other team for a late 1st (if a team does give you that value).
2. Kraken pick Gourde in the expansion. Johnson being moved for a 1st round pick + B prospect to the Kraken.

The first scenario has the Bolts stuck with Johnsons contract and losing 2 good players. Sure they get a late 1st but that does not help them right away. The second scenario has the Bolts with Palat still on his roster, losing a bad contract in Johnson (you disagree on this but even the majority of Bolts fans dont).

If Seattle takes Johnson, they are doing the Bolts a favor because they have no need for Johnson on their roster. That is why it will cost more than what you think. If there is a different buyer to be found, then that is the direction the Bolts should go.

Clearly the 1st option. The drop off from Palat to Johnson would be minor on the Bolts. He will put up a 50 point season in such a scenario (we lose Gourde and Palat). So I would much rather them get a 1st or 2nd for Palat than give up a 1st to move Johnson.

To make those scenarios quasi equal in my mind Johnson would have to be basically given away with very little extra attached.

Most Bolts fans are in line with what I think that Johnson is basically flat value at this point. We think he is a pretty good player who was underutilized on an absolutely stacked team. That made him overpaid. But at this point the contract isn't bad for the Bolts as he'd get top 6 minutes. The consensus that I've seen is to keep Johnson if the additional demand is anything more than a mid-round pick.

JVR has not significantly outproduced Johnson and makes almost $2m more. Put them with similar lines and I wouldn't be shocked at all if Johnson outproduced him.

I'm not trying to convince you to like Johnson, but just pointing out the Lightning will be more than willing to keep him for a scenario #1 as you presented.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Clearly the 1st option. The drop off from Palat to Johnson would be minor on the Bolts. He will put up a 50 point season in such a scenario (we lose Gourde and Palat). So I would much rather them get a 1st or 2nd for Palat than give up a 1st to move Johnson.

To make those scenarios quasi equal in my mind Johnson would have to be basically given away with very little extra attached.

Most Bolts fans are in line with what I think that Johnson is basically flat value at this point. We think he is a pretty good player who was underutilized on an absolutely stacked team. That made him overpaid. But at this point the contract isn't bad for the Bolts as he'd get top 6 minutes. The consensus that I've seen is to keep Johnson if the additional demand is anything more than a mid-round pick.

JVR has not significantly outproduced Johnson and makes almost $2m more. Put them with similar lines and I wouldn't be shocked at all if Johnson outproduced him.

I'm not trying to convince you to like Johnson, but just pointing out the Lightning will be more than willing to keep him for a scenario #1 as you presented.

Which is perfectly fine with us.

Like I said, we have no need for Johnson on the roster. And yet you try again and again to convince us of the value he has despite your saying otherwise. Bringing up and comparing Johnson to JVR is pretty much where I realized that this is a pointless discussion. But whatever works for you.

 

[theimmortal1]

Which is perfectly fine with us.

Like I said, we have no need for Johnson on the roster. And yet you try again and again to convince us of the value he has despite your saying otherwise. Bringing up and comparing Johnson to JVR is pretty much where I realized that this is a pointless discussion. But whatever works for you.

Last 8 years Johnson has averaged about 44 points, JVR about 49. Last 5 Johnson has dropped to 39, and JVR still at 49. But of course Johnson was dropped to Maroon due to how stacked the Bolts were. If you look at say shooting % over the last 5 years they are both at about 13.5%. It is just a fact when Johnson has had top 6 minutes he has put up over 50 points. And Johnson is also younger and cheaper.

Regardless it is fairly moot. We want you to take Gourde or Palat. Then we flip the other for a 1st or trade Johnson, whatever has the most value. Then we go for the Cup in 2022.