Article: Can the Wild Get Better By Standing Pat?

[mnfaninnc]

20 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

And let's not forget Canes and Stars - they are always dealing - so maybe there is a way to get in and come out ahead. 

Canes will deal and have tons of cap room. I think the player fits will be pretty easy as both play that same structured game. Stars have little cap room so they will be looking to subtract cap. While Marchment or Robertson might be nice, it seems like they will first look for suitors outside of the division to me. 

Buffalo is a call, but I have to wonder if both teams aren't after the same thing. Do we have strengths to cover their weaknesses and vice versa? I'd love to bring Tuch back, but does he even want to leave Buffalo? 

That was the same thing with Larkin, he's at home, does he really want to leave? Tuch has a 5 team list, Larkin is full NTC. I don't think Detroit is willing to blow things up, I think they're in adding mode to win now. That's why I thought Spurgeon might interest them. 

For me, I'd rather play Jiricek 2nd pairing minutes and move Spurgeon who will not be on our cup run team and maybe get an unproven young guy for him that can help our center depth. 

[mnfaninnc]

20 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

to be considered serious trade partners we have to actually be willing to deal players other team want

Well, we've got some vets who are bottom 6 guys who can play up temporarily if needed. They need thinning out. I think those guys need to exit first. I'd hate to suddenly look and see we have 25/23 players on our roster. 

Then, flipping youngsters with promise for maybe guys 3-4 years further along in development could be a way to get better now. It's not just cap space that we need relief from, it's roster space. These bottom 6 guys are paid fairly and can have some value, but we've just got too many of them right now. 

I'd like to ride with the youth for a little while and see what we've got and then fill in holes, unless we've got an opportunity to add from a team in cap trouble. Maybe opportunistic is the word I'm looking for. For instance, is Lafreniere for real, or is that just the name to get you into talks? Could Necas be a possibility? CO needs the prospects and cap relief. Would Necas resign? I'd need a contract extension in place before the deal. 

We're not 1 guy away, but we're about a line away. If we can get the right guys, maybe the sum is greater than the parts? 

To me, we've also got to talk about the Zuccarello problem. NMC and not a top 6 guy anymore as far as minutes go. Where does he fit in?

I'd like to see what a Marchment-Rossi-Necas line would play like, and keep Boldy-Ek-Kaprizov together. I think that's a doable thing and that should get us over the hump to a round 2 in the playoffs even though the central division is a tough division to get through.

[mnfaninnc]

3 hours ago, ArizonaWildFan said:

Watch Paul Maurice's post game interview from Game 6 after Florida clinched. He describes a top to bottom organizational unity. The Panthers don't have 23 superstars who are the best in the league at every position.

Unity is not a word ever used to describe Guerin's approach to managing the club. He's the boss, the big swinging dick, and if you're not one of his guys you're gone. That's not the Florida Panthers approach.

I agree with the approach, but I don't think Guerin has been the problem in this. From the reports, this locker room is very good and likes each other, that's where the unity comes in. The thing FL had was a lot of tenacity from Tkachuk, Bennett and several others. They had secondary scoring. 

Unity isn't the word that Guerin uses, but he's got other words that are similar in regards to the locker room. I also think there is a huge buy in from the players who just don't have another gear when the playoffs come around. For the most part, they give it their all. We had some stinkers when we were pretty injured, but exhaustion doesn't mean there's no unity. 

Florida's roster isn't that much larger than ours, but they have guys who do multiple things well. We don't really have that with everyone, and we couldn't go out and get it either with the cap handicaps. We had to get value players who did less things well. You'd like to have more, especially top 6, guys who can play the heavy game and also dazzle with skill. We don't really have 6 guys who can do that. It's not that they aren't buying in, it's just that they aren't very good at it. 

I thought Boldy took a giant step forward in the playoffs this season. But, look at the black hole lines we had. They weren't particularly good at the skill and weren't particularly good at the heavy game. In my mind, that's what needs to be fixed.

[OldDutchChip]

20 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Canes will deal and have tons of cap room. I think the player fits will be pretty easy as both play that same structured game. Stars have little cap room so they will be looking to subtract cap. While Marchment or Robertson might be nice, it seems like they will first look for suitors outside of the division to me. 

Buffalo is a call, but I have to wonder if both teams aren't after the same thing. Do we have strengths to cover their weaknesses and vice versa? I'd love to bring Tuch back, but does he even want to leave Buffalo? 

That was the same thing with Larkin, he's at home, does he really want to leave? Tuch has a 5 team list, Larkin is full NTC. I don't think Detroit is willing to blow things up, I think they're in adding mode to win now. That's why I thought Spurgeon might interest them. 

For me, I'd rather play Jiricek 2nd pairing minutes and move Spurgeon who will not be on our cup run team and maybe get an unproven young guy for him that can help our center depth. 

Yeah i hear ya - here is where i think we should be fully present on - and have an offer ready depending on a player

Stars:

Robertson, Marchment

Canes:

Svech

Buffalo:

Tuch or Thompson

Ottawa:

Tkachuk

Detroit:

Larkin

Van

EliasP

Columbus:

Voronkov (can we offer sheet him?)

[mnfaninnc]

Out of all those players, I think Tkachuk would be the most important, and that one I'd trade a lot for. I don't think the Canes have any interest in trading Svech.

I do not believe we can offersheet successfully Voronkov. Columbus has money and will likely match anything. However, could we trade for Voronkov? That seems like a possibility and we DO have a relationship with Waddell.

I'm convinced Larkin isn't going anywhere. If there are cracks in that, I'd pounce but not with Faber + Rossi. I really think Detroit's next step is playoffs and they need a couple of pieces, 1 is RHS defense with experience.

I don't think Thompson is going anywhere, but I'd love to have him. Again, he's not a Rossi + Faber player to me, only B. Tkachuk is. Tuch will be traded if he isn't interested in an extension, and that's one to keep an eye on.

I'm less convinced that Vancouver is willing to trade Pettersson the center. However, if there are cracks there, I'd package something around Rossi. 

Stars and Avs I'd be calling regularly. You left out Necas and Lafreniere. Why is that?

[OldDutchChip]

31 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Well, we've got some vets who are bottom 6 guys who can play up temporarily if needed. They need thinning out. I think those guys need to exit first. I'd hate to suddenly look and see we have 25/23 players on our roster. 

Then, flipping youngsters with promise for maybe guys 3-4 years further along in development could be a way to get better now. It's not just cap space that we need relief from, it's roster space. These bottom 6 guys are paid fairly and can have some value, but we've just got too many of them right now. 

I'd like to ride with the youth for a little while and see what we've got and then fill in holes, unless we've got an opportunity to add from a team in cap trouble. Maybe opportunistic is the word I'm looking for. For instance, is Lafreniere for real, or is that just the name to get you into talks? Could Necas be a possibility? CO needs the prospects and cap relief. Would Necas resign? I'd need a contract extension in place before the deal. 

We're not 1 guy away, but we're about a line away. If we can get the right guys, maybe the sum is greater than the parts? 

To me, we've also got to talk about the Zuccarello problem. NMC and not a top 6 guy anymore as far as minutes go. Where does he fit in?

I'd like to see what a Marchment-Rossi-Necas line would play like, and keep Boldy-Ek-Kaprizov together. I think that's a doable thing and that should get us over the hump to a round 2 in the playoffs even though the central division is a tough division to get through.

Kap likely mandated (or will) that Zuccy stays on the team if he is to re-sign 🙂 so i'd pencil him somewhere in the top 9

Yeah - let's add Necas on there then as a target

 

[OldDutchChip]

20 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Out of all those players, I think Tkachuk would be the most important, and that one I'd trade a lot for. I don't think the Canes have any interest in trading Svech.

I do not believe we can offersheet successfully Voronkov. Columbus has money and will likely match anything. However, could we trade for Voronkov? That seems like a possibility and we DO have a relationship with Waddell.

I'm convinced Larkin isn't going anywhere. If there are cracks in that, I'd pounce but not with Faber + Rossi. I really think Detroit's next step is playoffs and they need a couple of pieces, 1 is RHS defense with experience.

I don't think Thompson is going anywhere, but I'd love to have him. Again, he's not a Rossi + Faber player to me, only B. Tkachuk is. Tuch will be traded if he isn't interested in an extension, and that's one to keep an eye on.

I'm less convinced that Vancouver is willing to trade Pettersson the center. However, if there are cracks there, I'd package something around Rossi. 

Stars and Avs I'd be calling regularly. You left out Necas and Lafreniere. Why is that?

Necas - forgot him - please add

Lafreniere - i am not familiar with his game so i'll defer on that

Voronkov - will they match a 6.9MM per!? 

Tkachuk - structure a trade around Rossi + Faber + Canadian player of their choice  for Tkachuk

 

Edited 16 hours ago by OldDutchChip

[mnfaninnc]

2 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

Tkachuk - structure a trade around Rossi + Faber + Canadian player of their choice  for Tkachuk

I still don't think they'd do it. If it were the other way around, and I was the Ottawa GM, I wouldn't do it, he'd be untouchable for me unless he asked out and I'd hope he'd do it privately. So, it's worth a phone call to see if he's available. One would think if he was, Billy would know.

2 hours ago, OldDutchChip said:

Voronkov - will they match a 6.9MM per!? 

Yes they would. They've got $40m in cap space and 18 players signed.

But, wouldn't it be great if we could trade for Voronkov and Marchenko? That would certainly change the direction of this team. Other possibility with Columbus is trading out a couple of bottom 6 guys for them to hit the cap floor. So, my bet is that Voronkov will be the recipient of a pretty nice contract. 

[OldDutchChip]

1 hour ago, mnfaninnc said:

I still don't think they'd do it. If it were the other way around, and I was the Ottawa GM, I wouldn't do it, he'd be untouchable for me unless he asked out and I'd hope he'd do it privately. So, it's worth a phone call to see if he's available. One would think if he was, Billy would know.

Yes they would. They've got $40m in cap space and 18 players signed.

But, wouldn't it be great if we could trade for Voronkov and Marchenko? That would certainly change the direction of this team. Other possibility with Columbus is trading out a couple of bottom 6 guys for them to hit the cap floor. So, my bet is that Voronkov will be the recipient of a pretty nice contract. 

worth a call to OTT - I bet Tkachuk is not long for CA

As for Columbus available $ - they do not spend to the ceiling (they were 30th last year at money spent) so they have to be smart with money allocation (as of course all - but there is less room to splurge). perhaps 6.9 is too rich for them. 

Getting both comrades is a dream. But one of them - may be attainable

[mnfaninnc]

This is why a Tkachuk is worth the price:

Quote

Tkachuk says he tore the adductor off the bone, as well as dealing with a sports hernia on the same side of his body. And yet, he still had 23 points in 23 games to help lead his team to a back-to-back Stanley Cup win. Absolutely insane. 

These happened in the 4 Nations Tournament. He wasn't miraculously healed when the playoffs came around, he just gutted it out even though he was injured. Brady is making just under $9m/yr on a longterm deal. He would be an absolute steal if we could get him. I highly doubt he's available, only if he's asked out privately. 

[mnfaninnc]

1 hour ago, OldDutchChip said:

As for Columbus available $ - they do not spend to the ceiling (they were 30th last year at money spent) so they have to be smart with money allocation (as of course all - but there is less room to splurge). perhaps 6.9 is too rich for them. 

Columbus barely made the floor last season. They have no problems telling people they are rebuilding. This team, if they keep their youngens, is going to be a monster in 3 seasons.

[mnfaninnc]

From around the division comes this:

Quote

Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi suffered a season-ending concussion this past season in February. Long into his recovery, he's now revealed, he continued to experience headaches, and was subsequently diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. 

 

POTS, as it's referred to, is a blood flow disorder of the autonomic nervous system that is characterized by an excessively fast heart rate and symptoms of lightheadedness upon standing. 

Josi says, however, that he's received treatment and expects to be able to play in the 2025-26 season. 

 

[OldDutchChip]

6 minutes ago, mnfaninnc said:

Columbus barely made the floor last season. They have no problems telling people they are rebuilding. This team, if they keep their youngens, is going to be a monster in 3 seasons.

IF all goes right for them they'll be good - that's been a curse for some teams - relying on that future to pay off - and does it? Columbus has a decent core but there is zero superstars and that's what win. (Yes FL won as a "team" but let's not pretend they didn't also have few superstars playing for them) Columbus is also under tight budget so unless they can contend = they may look to cut cost and a cost control piece like yurov (and of course freddy) would be enough to pry away Voronkov for 7. 

i think there is a chance to steal one of their young players..... 

[ArizonaWildFan]

10 hours ago, Burnt Toast said:

Brad M was integrated quickly and seamlessly

And Seth Jones and Nate Schmidt and etc. There are no Johansson, Trenin, Gaudreau, Brazeau types on the Panther's roster. What has been Billy's big splash so far? Signing Johansson. That's a damned wasted roster spot. Doesn't matter if it was basically for league minimum. What message is that sending to prospects and prospective free agents? This franchise will never be successful with Guerin at the helm. And the franchise will be in trouble for a couple years after he's gone with the stupid contracts that he has been signing and will continue to sign.

[OldDutchChip]

1 hour ago, ArizonaWildFan said:

And Seth Jones and Nate Schmidt and etc. There are no Johansson, Trenin, Gaudreau, Brazeau types on the Panther's roster. What has been Billy's big splash so far? Signing Johansson. That's a damned wasted roster spot. Doesn't matter if it was basically for league minimum. What message is that sending to prospects and prospective free agents? This franchise will never be successful with Guerin at the helm. And the franchise will be in trouble for a couple years after he's gone with the stupid contracts that he has been signing and will continue to sign.

whats the big deal with MJ's contract? if a prospect outplays him - that's fine - here is his job. the horror!!! 800K contract for the only player that can actually enter the O zone on PP!

and Trenin? - he is just the worse! - forget that for 3.5MM he played like close to a 6MM player in the PO - but i guess you care about reg season finesse stats? yeah you right - let's trade trenin, harty and foligno (Billy's boys - discard....)

Braz and Freddy are also either gone or at a league min.

What else you got to cry about? Where is a stupid contract?