I have a half of a trade proposal because I'm not sure what it would take to get it done or what I would give up to make it happen. The player I think of (not including untouchable superstars of course) having the most impact and the most benefit to the Habs lineup is Blake Wheeler. I believe the biggest hole in the Habs lineup is at RW. I love Gallagher but I want him to thrive on the 2nd line for the rest of his career.
Wheelers contract situation.
SEASON CLAUSE CAP HIT AAV NHL SALARY
2013-14 Modified NTC $5,600,000 $4,600,000
2014-15 Modified NTC $5,600,000 $5,800,000
2015-16 Modified NTC $5,600,000 $5,800,000
2016-17 Modified NTC $5,600,000 $5,800,000
2017-18 Modified NTC $5,600,000 $5,800,000
2018-19 Modified NTC $5,600,000 $5,800,000
CLAUSE DETAILS: Modified NTC details unknown
Here are the top 7 RWers in the league last year according to points:
1 GP G A PT +/- PIM PPG PPP GWG SH% TOI
Patrick Kane 82 46 60 106 17 30 1.29 37 9 16.0 20:24
2
Blake Wheeler 82 26 52 78 8 49 0.95 17 5 10.2 19:47
3
Vlad Tarasenko 80 40 34 74 7 37 0.93 24 7 13.7 18:38
4
Jaromir Jagr 79 27 39 66 23 48 0.84 11 4 18.9 17:04
5
Nikita Kucherov 77 30 36 66 9 30 0.86 25 4 14.4 18:12
6
Kyle Okposo 79 22 42 64 -4 51 0.81 23 4 10.9 18:12
7
Loui Eriksson 82 30 33 63 13 12 0.77 17 5 16.3 19:28
It is interesting that #6 and #7 can be had without a trade but I really think there is a chance (so you're sayin there's a chance) that Wheeler can be had in a trade involving picks and prospects (and maybe a LW roster player). Here are my main reasons why.
1)Wpg is a budget team, not a cap team. They will make decisions based more on salary than other teams. IMO. Wheeler is their 3rd highest cap hit.
2)Wpg has depth at RW. They'll add Laine June 24th and they have Armia and Ehlers who both guys have good potential to be #1 and #2 RWers. They also have Stafford. They're a little thin on the farm after that. Its not too far fetched to think Wheeler is expendable.
3)Wpg is a very young roster with only 5 players 30+. In fact they were the youngest roster in the league last year. (this may be a reason to keep Wheeler)
4)They need better goaltending. I'm very high on Condon and think what he did this year, replacing Price, on the most storied team in the league, in the centre of the hockey universe (sorry TOilet), as a rookie, is not talked enough about how well he did on an imploding team. Condon can be part of a package.
5)Wpg is thin on LW (unless some of these RWers can switch sides) so maybe we send a LW prospect their way. (Imagine Matteau and Lemieux patrolling their LW for the next 10 years? lol). I would part with any of our LWers except MaxPac. Wpg has Kyle Conner (17th overall) coming up.
6)Mtl has high draft picks to dangle/add.
Discuss.
Patrick Kane;
-27 yrs old, 5'11", 177lbs
-$10.5M per for next 7 yrs
-full NMC for duration
-no reason for Chicago to trade as they will go for it at least one more time before any major roster shake up
Blake Wheeler;
-29 yrs old, 6'5", 225lbs
-$5.6M per for next 3 yrs
-modified NTC for duration
-no reason for Winnipeg to trade as they want to win or at least make deep playoffs within 2 years to appease fans and owners
Vlad Tarasenko;
-24 yrs old, 6', 219lbs
-$7.5M per for next 7 yrs
-full NTC kicks in July 1st 2019 remains for remainder
-no reason for St. Louis to trade. They got close this year, so they won't do any major shake up for next year
Jaromir Jagr;
-44 yrs old, 6'3", 230lbs
-$4M for 1 yr
-Bergevin has had opportunity to sign him and has shown no interest. No reason to see that change
-Florida has no reason to trade him as he is producing and is a huge voice in the room and influence to the youth
Nikita Kucherov;
-22 yrs old, 5'11", 178lbs
-$711,667 last season
-RFA this offseason
-Once Tampa/Stamkos issue is decided, Bolts will address their RFA's. Would be a good target for an Offer Sheet
Kyle Okposo;
-28 yrs old, 6', 217lbs
-$2.8M last season
-UFA this offseason
-Depending on his salary request, he would be a really good target for RW position. Probably the most likely option here
Loui Eriksson;
-30 yrs old, 6'02", 183lbs
-$4.25M last season
-UFA this offseason
-Depending on his salary request, he might be a good target for the RW position, but being a Bruin he might not see Mtl as a viable option
Not saying we should target them, but just to show for comparison sake
Matt Zuccarello; GP-81, G-26, A-35, Pts-61, PIM-34, +/- 2
-28 yrs old, 5'7", 179lbs
-$4.5M per for next 3 yrs
-modified NTC ends July 1st 2016
-Rumors have NYR listening on everyone not named Lundqvist and McD
Alexander Radulov; GP-53, G-23, A-42, Pts-65, PIM-73, +/- 28
-29 yrs old, 6'1", 200lbs
-UFA from KHL
-Rumored to want $7.5M per for 2 yrs
While any of the top 4 would be amazing to get, realistically it's the bottom 5 that are targetable.
I prefer Okposo due to his size and ability combined. Having some size on the top line would be a huge upgrade.
I'd be happy with Kucherov or Zuccarello as well if MB somehow managed to get one of them.
I'm not overly interested in Radulov other than the fun of watching MT try to deal with him.
I honestly don't see Eriksson signing in Mtl. He still has the Bruins/Habs hate thing going on. Give him a couple yrs to get that out.
