Article: Reilly Smith's Well-Around Game Would Benefit the Wild

[Justin Wiggins]

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[Protec]

Not a bad idea, but I'm not sure planning to have tradable guys for the deadline is a great factor to consider when going to get a guy. I feel like the Wild could get 40+ points from a couple guys that cost <5M in the UFA market. A forward and defender potentially. 

I think you wanna trade assets for guys who can step right in and join your lineup. The UFA requires no compensation to other teams. The prospect is on an ELC. The trade is okay if a team wants to dump a contract, but if assets are going back, it should be a guy that really fits. Smith would be bogged down with guys like lazy NoJo.

The Wild making a trade for an aging 40-50pt guy when free agents are plentiful is kinda iffy for me. It's a lot of cap to allocate to one guy too, unless he scores a lot, helps the PK, and the Wild could drop NoJo it seems like a stretch.

[Citizen Strife]

If you told me Smith alone would take the Wild's PK from dogshit to "eh, it's good enough," that would justify going for it.  Problem is, you don't go 30th in PK all year if it was a thing and signing could fix.

Maybe the thought would be, "Spurgeon back+Dino+Ohgren+Smith" is a complete PK overhaul.

I've seen worse ideas around here lately, like trading for Marner.

 

Edited June 1 by Citizen Strife

[Will D. Ness]

2 hours ago, Protec said:

Not a bad idea, but I'm not sure planning to have tradable guys for the deadline is a great factor to consider when going to get a guy. I feel like the Wild could get 40+ points from a couple guys that cost <5M in the UFA market. A forward and defender potentially. 

I think you wanna trade assets for guys who can step right in and join your lineup. The UFA requires no compensation to other teams. The prospect is on an ELC. The trade is okay if a team wants to dump a contract, but if assets are going back, it should be a guy that really fits. Smith would be bogged down with guys like lazy NoJo.

The Wild making a trade for an aging 40-50pt guy when free agents are plentiful is kinda iffy for me. It's a lot of cap to allocate to one guy too, unless he scores a lot, helps the PK, and the Wild could drop NoJo it seems like a stretch.

I'm in the camp of not giving up any assets in 24-25, or signing any FA contract that will not be movable in 25-26.  

Let's see what we can do with the new cap space to address short term holes (PK is one for sure) and maybe a tryout for a top 6 long shot.  Even a bottom 6 big heavy C?

[mnfaninnc]

I can't say I hate the idea, however, I think I'm leaning toward Protec's idea of going UFA instead of trading for an older vet, even if he's in Penguin colors. 

[Burnt Toast]

I’m into waiting until the trade deadline and adding a complimentary core player that can be extended in 25-26. Save up some cash and swing big if the team is playoff bound. Not a fan of giving up assets for a short term fix. If the Wild want to add a forward now find one in FA or another team’s cap dump. Personally I want to see a younger player like Chychrun added and extended to add depth to our D core. 

[MacGyver]

6 hours ago, Burnt Toast said:

younger player like Chychrun added and extended to add depth to our D core. 

Finally someone gets it...

[mnfaninnc]

As most of you know, I've been focused on trading for Brady Tkachuk. I came across these quotes today, and thought I'd share them with you:

Quote

TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun joined Jay Onrait on SportsCenter. When asked about the Brady Tkachuk trade rumours, LeBrun stated that they are untrue, but we have to see how things play out, especially a year from now.

So, maybe not this year, but next year. Although, I do think that there is some smoke here, and wildfires always start with some smoke. 

Quote

Jay Onrait: “You mentioned Matthew Tkachuk. Interesting story about his brother Brady that blew up over the weekend and turned out to really be nothing, but the concept was that Brady might get traded to his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. You know, that’s his hometown. That’s where his dad played. That’s where his family still lives. But as you wrote in The Athletic Pierre, the idea is very far-fetched.”

Pierre LeBrun: “Well, what I wrote is I reached out to Steve Staios to know what he thought of it all and, and I can tell you that the President of Hockey Operations and GM of the Senators wasted no time in responding and responded, I’m not gonna say angrily but certainly, in a very clear way, calling it complete BS and saying that there’s absolutely no trade talks happening with his captain.

Hmmm, more smoke in the same article. I would hate to have St. Louis put in a winning bid for Tkachuk, and it could very well be that Tkachuk wants to go there and not here, but I do think he wouldn't mind moving back into this part of the country. 

Quote

He reiterated what he said in February. Remember in February, he was asked about Brady Tkachuk trade rumors and he said he intends to continue to retool this team around his captain, not without him.

So he really slammed the door shut on that. But I mean, let’s be fair, I think we know there are people in St. Louis who would love to see that and that’s why these things might flare up from time to time, especially if the Senators have another disappointing season, right?

I think this conversation, might be more interesting in a year. That’s just me; no one is telling me that. But in the moment there appears to be absolutely nothing to that and nothing coming out of Brady Tkachuk’s camp Jay. He is very much an Ottawa Senators and you know, we’ll see where we go.”

You know what this sounds like? A vote of confidence. I think Staios wants to keep him, but I think Brady would entertain a change of scenery. Has he asked for a trade? I don't think he has, but it wouldn't surprise me if he was closer to asking. 

According to the Hockey Writers, the Wild have the 5th ranked prospect pool, St. Louis has the 13th which included 3 1sts from last year in a very deep draft. 

I would think that if Tkachuk were available, Shooter could outbid St. Louis for the player. However, Armstrong is a very good GM, and he may get Staios' ear before Shooter even has a chance. 

So, my advise to Shooter is to quickly develop a relationship with Staios and keep asking about Brady. While most of you do not like my compensation for Brady, I think this is a player we must seriously consider giving up a lot for. Perhaps Ottawa could retain 50% salary next season on him if we get him this year. 

Here's one more from LeBrun a couple of days earlier: 

Quote

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: Ottawa Senators GM Steve Staios when asked about the Brady Tkachuk trade speculation that surfaced on social media.

“Complete B.S. We are building this team around Brady. His leadership and unique skill set are rare.

There is absolutely no validity to it.”

Ryan Whitney tweeted back in February that “maybe” the Senators could trade Tkachuk by the deadline. Staios said back then “that could not be further from the truth.”

So, these rumors have been circulating since February on this player. I can see he's frustrated with losing. Pay attention, Shooter, we could use a guy just like this within our organization. 

[mnfaninnc]

More from LeBrun, this time on another player who is definitely rumored to be changing places:

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Can see how Martin Necas may be open for a change of scenery. The 25-year-old is a pending RFA. Necas’ dad said that Martin would be open for a move, but has learned that his dad doesn’t always speak for son.

Necas to Aaron Vickers of NHL.com on Sunday:

“We’ll see what’s going to happen. I don’t really care right now. What’s going to happen is going to happen. My agent is going to deal with that. We’re going to figure it out. Now I’m going to celebrate this medal and I’m going to enjoy it for a while.’’

It’s doesn’t seem like he’s going to sign a long-term deal with the Hurricanes. It’s known that Necas’ name came up in trade talks with the Vancouver Canucks about Elias Pettersson. Necas was part of the Hurricanes offers to the Calgary Flames for Matthew Tkachuk in 2022.

The Hurricanes won’t be looking for futures as they are in win-now mode. If the Hurricanes don’t get an offer with a ‘star-caliber asset,’ they may be okay with hanging on to him.

The Nashville Predators and Boston Bruins make sense. The Canucks have had previous interest.

What Necas wants in a long-term deal would also play into things.

I realize that Shooter negotiates within the cone of silence, but if Necas is remotely available, why aren't we on this rumors list? Necas would fit in really well with our team. Yet, crickets from LeBrun. As said above, Carolina is in win now mode, so they're not looking for futures or picks. The trade Kalisha put together was completely unrealistic to what Carolina's needs are. 

I think this is another player we need to seriously consider as he makes our team better. But, his price tag is high and it would take a lot more than a couple of castoffs + prospects/picks to get him. 

[MacGyver]

Burnt Toast mentioned Chycrun in a post. I was in favor of getting him for a couple years. Now rumor is Colorado is talking heavily with Ottowa about acquiring Chycrun. Rossi Colton and Colorado's 2024 first round pick for Chycrun. 

[MNCountryLife]

On 6/1/2024 at 3:09 PM, Burnt Toast said:

Personally I want to see a younger player like Chychrun added and extended to add depth to our D core. 

I agree with this entirely.  Our D core is still slim and needs another young guy to pair in with Faber.