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I read some clickbait bullshit that really annoyed me, and we went through it on the pod. My gears were grinding so much, I said fuck it I'll do a real trade target list with our real needs where we aren't trading for Quinn as a "fit for Jack Hughes."
This season has flown by and there are 32 games left; 7 games until the 4 Nations then 6 more until the March 7th trade deadline.
First, that pesky salary cap. As of 1/24 per Puckpedia, we have $2.8MM in actual space, which projects to player(s) that make $5.6MM in AAV by the deadline. This number has fluctuated up to $7MMish recently - it is a projection based on the day-to-day roster shenanigans. So when looking at player AAV, that $5.6-$7mm is what will fit into our current cap structure.
So what do we need? 3C, wing for Jack, and depth are all on my radar. Unfortunately the dogfight for the East wildcard muddies the waters on buyers/sellers, so I am primarily looking at the bottom feeder teams, guys on expiring deals or with reasonable term that fit into our age/timeline. I am also going to include some guys I have seen in rumors and why we should stay away or consider.
3C
1) This is by far the biggest need, Uncle Erik has clearly regressed and/or is always a little banged up. He stll has a lot of PK and FO value so bumping him to the 4th line and letting him focus on D/forechecking and we can get a better play driving upgrade. The problem is 90% of competitive teams are looking for this exact player.
Ryan O'Reilly
- 33, 6'1", 216, L
- Signed through 26/27 (currently in year 2 of 4)
- $4.5MM AAV
I think a lot makes sense about O'Reilly, one of the last guys who doesn't wear a visor. He's never been a burner, so won't lose a step and is a well respected veteran with grit and leadership. Very responsible defensively. He is 55% in the dot which can take some heat off of Nico for D-zone draws but also can drive some play - He'll give 20+ goals and 50-55 pts. One concern is age, but with his term and AAV it won't crush us if it goes south. The other concern is dealing with neckless edgelord Barry Trotz who is still trying to prove his chops as a GM but Nashville is having a disaster of a season. O'Reilly doesn't have trade protection, but the word is he will be getting s say in a destination as if he does, how is the music scene in Hoboken?
Mikael Granlund
- 32, 5'10", 185, L
- UFA next year
- $5MM AAV
Granlund is having an interesting season as he has never been a major point producer, but at age 32 he is going to put up career numbers (~25g, 70p) playing top line minutes on a fun but bad team. He has adequate speed, is decent two ways, but the intention here would be to add a dynamic facilitator to the 3rd line and hopefully continue the magic he is creating with the Sharks. Not a huge guy, but plays tough. Color me intrigued.
Tommy Novak
- 27, 6'1" 179, L
- Signed through 26/27 (currently in year 1 of 3)
- $3.5MM AAV
Tommy is a guy I've always liked, and just signed an extension earlier this year. I'm not sure he would even be on the table, but as I mentioned I am looking at guys on bad teams. He has adequate speed, but is a good transition player, and cycles the puck well and is consistently in the 99th percentile in O-zone time. Could Fitz pry him away from his buddy Trotz? Worth a looksee.
Jake Evans
- 28, 6'0", 185 lbs, R
- UFA after this year
- $1.7MM AAV
Jake is an interesting depth center, and we do need a righty depth center. this would give us a better look for the 3rd/4th line and allow us to move Lazar tot he wing where he should be. He is a good skater having a good season - but be aware, he is on a bit of a shooting pct bender. 51.7% in the dot, so a good option there, but is he an upgrade or a lateral move or just a younger version of Haula? Also, with Montreal now back in things, is he even still on the table? The Devils can do something about that in the upcoming stretch of games.
Dylan Cozens
- 23, 6'3", 194, R
- Signed through 29/30
- $7.1MM AAV
This is an interesting buy-low candidate. The Workhorse from Whitehorse is having a middling season at the start of a long term deal he signed after a breakout 31 goal season. So who is he? That 30 goal guy? Or the 20ish guy he is now. His name has been floated, but is that the media trying to get him out of Buffalo or real from Adams? His fancies have never been great, but with Keefe, on the Devils we could fix him, and this would be ANOTHER guy Buffalo let go for dumb reasons. Worth a call, some 24-25 retention maybe and the cap going up, Hughes, Hischier, Cozens is an A+ Center core for years.
JT Miller
- 31, 6'1", 218, L
- Signed through 29/30
- $8MM AAV
Another intriguing option, but haven't heard much about him recently, have you? He's in a down year after signing a hefty extension just two years ago, Miller is an asshole (in a good way) and coming off a 100 point season, but is below a PPG as of today. Seems to check a lot of boxes, eh? I'm not sold: his age, contract term and the smoke around his attitude are concerns. Where does he fit in the lineup? How about the PP? Another pass-first guy? What goes the other way to make money work, are we decimating our depth even more? Do we want another lefty - that makes it east for a defense to push rushes to the backhand side. Vancouver has hit some serious problems, like the Devils just did, and I have seen clips of him quit on multiple plays and his defensive game has been non-existent. Would we rejuvenate him, or would he quit at the first sign of trouble? Would he rub people the wrong way? There is just too much noise and too many flags/questions for my taste, but would defend the wall if he winds up here - which sounds like a real possibility.
Yanni Gourde
- 33, 5'9", 172, L
- UFA after this year
- 5.166MM AAV
I'm only including this guy because I've seen him on some lists because the Kraken suck. He's too small, has lost a major step and speed was his best asset when he won cups with Tampa. He's not even over 50% in the dot. The rumored cost would be a 1st/ good 2nd which would be an overpay for a washed rental. No thanks.
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Top 6 wing for Jack
2) This has felt like a hole since the offseason, and may not be a realllllll necessity and more of a nice to have. But a girl can dream. This would bump Palat down, who isn't going anywhere folks. My touch of 'tism says Jack needs a righty, think about how good he and Caufield were at the USNDTP and how electric he was with Toff before he got taken out by himself.
Rickard Rakell
-31, 6'1", 203 lbs, R
-Signed through 27-28
-$5.00MM AAV
Pittsburgh has put out the for sale sign, and this guy can wire the puck and has good/above average speed. He is having a ridiculous scoring season (23g in 48g), but tops out usually around 30ish goals. He is a little bit injury prone, but if we are going in on this season he is intriguing and Fitz should inquire.
Brock Boeser
-27, 6'1", 207 lbs, R
-UFA next year
-$6.65MM AAV
This is probably a pipedream, HOWEVER, this checks my above mentioned righty sniper box. I think he stays put with an extension, but Vancouver is teetering and it's something to keep an eye on. He scored 40 last year, and is on pace for 30+ this year. He is not a burner, probably akin to a younger Toff, but he can SNIPEEEEEEEE and would break all the handsome/60 models.
Kyle Palmieri
- 33, 5'11", 185, R
- UFA after this year
- 5MM AAV
Hey, Palms how are ya man? Didn't recognize you without the beard. I don't need to get too much into him, but his speed has held up and has been a model of consistency. Did Fitz chat with Lou at Lemaire's ceremony? I'd be down, but Lou will hold until the last minute on everyone as "they are still in it" - LOL you are not.
Alex Tuch
- 28, 6'4", 216, R
- Signed through 25/26
- 4.75MM AAV
There is a lot to like about Tuch, a big, well-rounded player - good leader, good shooter, responsible. Just well rounded, see above. He'll be in the 25-30 goal range, 60-70 pt range. His name hasn't really been out there in any rumors but with his age, term, AAV, size - like a said, a lot to like, see above again. I REALLY like him as an option. Worth sniffing around. He is a Western NY kid, and was excited when he got traded to Buffalo, but man that is a bad team. Wonder what it could be.
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Middle 6 scorer/Wing for Jack
3) Other top/middle 6 wings (Lefties, basically).
Jared McCann
- 28, 6'" 185lbs, L
- Signed though 26/27
- $5MM AAV
Adequate to above average speed, good shooter with two consecutive 30+ goal years including 40 in Seattle's inaugural season. Is he declining or is a team thing? Also, see above about lefties with Miller. He isn't PP dependent which is a good thing and could be a good 5v5 boon to our offense. Is he even available? Worth a looksee from Fitz.
Taylor Hall
- 33, 6'1", 209, L
- UFA after this year
- $6MM AAV
Heard of him? As a team selling now (the Blackhawks) we could probably scoop him up for cheap and try and rekindle some magic. His speed is actually still there and familiarity is a thing. I'm kinda meh on him and think there are better options. Would be pretty cheap though and a good option on line 3, I DO NOT see him as a top 6 option.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Depth/ Bottom 6
4) 3rd/4th line depth wing is our second biggest need to push out some underperformers and solidify the bottom of the lineup. Not the shiniest of pennies here, but these are guys that randomly score two goals in game 6 of the finals and win you cups.
Trent Frederic
- 26, 6'3", 220, L
- Year 2 of 2, UFA next year
- $2.3MM AAV
Big, good skater, strong, fights, got some scoring pop (15-20g), good forechecker. Feisty as hell. GIMME. This is the guy to slot in on the 3rd/4th line and is an immediate upgrade over Bastian and Tatar. Need him.
Eeli Tolvanen
- 25, 5'10", 192, L
- Year 1 of 2
- $3.745MM AAV
I think there is something untapped in this guy, he can snipe, not a burner but plays a good structured game. He was drafted as a scorer by Nashville, but has never found his way and Seattle sucks. Intriguing, not sure if he would be on the market.
Drew O'Connor
- 26, 6'3", 190, L
- UFA after this year
- $925k AAV
I had to include a Jersey kid for vibes even though he went to Delbarton. Pure depth, great skater, big, feisty with some pop (12-17g upside). Another immediate upgrade, I like his age, he's cheap etc. Pittsburgh is a dumpster fire, get him outta there and bring him home.
That's who I got for now, some guys may go other places, some other teams may come on the radar. Did I miss anyone? Let me know what you think. No, not you Steve.
LGD
