2023 Offseason Thread

[town123 200]

Might be some Flames that are available as well because they don't like Sutter.   Actually, I would like some Flames, but, if they don't like Sutter then they probably are too sucky.   Delete post....HAH

[Dabura 12,228]

I'm all in on us going HAM for a legit goal-scoring winger. And given that 1) we don't really appear to have that player in our system or pipeline and 2) this UFA class blows...it's probably gonna have to be a trade.

So, yeah - Kyle Connor sounds great.

...Except, he'd cost a fortune, no? Like, a 1st + Kasper/Edvinsson...no?

I mean... 26 years old, proven producer, $7M cap hit for 3 more seasons... All the reasons we like him are also reasons why he's probably a pipe dream. No?

Mind you, I'm not sure he's any less realistic than DeBrincat, as I have a hard time picturing Dorion sending DeBrincat to a divisional rebuild rival. (Which means DeBrincat will end up in Buffalo or Montreal and we'll scream and it'll be great.)

Known French Guy Dubois is almost certainly going to Montreal, because he's a big French baby.

I like Nik Ehlers. He doesn't strke me as a gamechanger, but he's a good player who might not cost an insane package. I figure Cheveldayoff would rather move him than Connor. 2 years left on his contract, which could be a good thing or a bad thing. Seems like he has trouble staying healthy. So basically he'd be Bertuzzi - i.e. a good-not-great winger who's good for 25 goals...if he's healthy.

I wouldn't hate a top line of Ehlers-Larkin-Raymond. I'd like it more than a top line of Perron/Kubalik/Suter-Larkin-Raymond. I don't like that we're on what feels like the 50th year of this infernal rebuild and we only have two exciting core players in our top 6. (Larkin and Raymond.) Kasper's gonna change that soon, but still.

Jesper Bratt's another possible target, assuming Timo Meier's the top priority for NJ. Turns 25 in July. Swedish. Drives play. Small. Sounds like a Red WIng. (Which means he'll end up in Buffalo or Montreal or Ottawa and we'll scream and it'll be lovely.)

Some have suggested Clayton Keller might want out of Arizona. I don't know that I buy it - but certainly anything's possible with that clownshoes organization.

tl;dr idk shrug lmao

We're in the position we're always in, which is wanting other team's really good young roster players and having so few really good young roster playes of our own that we can only offer so much in trade talks.

Edited April 29, 2023 by Dabura

[Akakabuto 1,831]

6 hours ago, Dabura said:

I'm all in on us going HAM for a legit goal-scoring winger. And given that 1) we don't really appear to have that player in our system or pipeline and 2) this UFA class blows...it's probably gonna have to be a trade.
...
We're in the position we're always in, which is wanting other team's really good young roster players and having so few really good young roster playes of our own that we can only offer so much in trade talks.

I think Raymond still got it in him to be a legit goalscoring-winger. But we need more. Yzerman should go all-in on goalscorers at this draft. If they play center too that would be awesome. Screw BPA. Sometimes you gotta go for it. If Stephen goes up there and calls out Reinbachers name he's basically a meme at this point.

Edited April 29, 2023 by Akakabuto

[F.Michael 4,590]

26 minutes ago, Akakabuto said:

I think Raymond still got it in him to be a legit goalscoring-winger. But we need more. Yzerman should go all-in on goalscorers at this draft. If they play center too that would be awesome. Screw BPA. SOmetimes you gotta go for it. If Stephen goes up there and calls out Reinbachers name he's basiclaly a meme at this point.

More filling nets from the likes of Zadina!

[Akakabuto 1,831]

5 minutes ago, F.Michael said:

More filling nets from the likes of Zadina!

Who?

[F.Michael 4,590]

29 minutes ago, Akakabuto said:

Who?

 

[Walman6million 250]

7 hours ago, Akakabuto said:

I think Raymond still got it in him to be a legit goalscoring-winger. But we need more. Yzerman should go all-in on goalscorers at this draft. If they play center too that would be awesome. Screw BPA. Sometimes you gotta go for it. If Stephen goes up there and calls out Reinbachers name he's basically a meme at this point.

The gloom on Raymond is dumb. He just completed his 20 year old campaign slightly down from his rookie season. Very smart and talented winger, who literally just needs to get stronger, faster, and frankly older. He will be ******* around and getting 70-80 pts a season sooner rather than later.

I'm also starting to agree with your second point about Reinbacher. Literally the only reason I want him is because he's right-handed and we have no RHD in the pipline. But when I step back a bit I think that's a pretty dumb reason to draft a player.

We already have Seider and Edvinsson who are both going to be major blueline monsters for years to come. We can literally cycle the Walman's of the world around these two pillars and have a great top4 D.

I think you go BPA and take a talented forward no matter which position. Reinbacher is a safe choice. And safety is for beta teams who will never hoist. 

[Walman6million 250]

2023/24 Islanders roster today:

Lee - Barzal - Bailey
Nelson - Horvat - Palmieri
Martin - Pageau - Clutterbuck
Johnston - Cizikas - ________

Pelech - Pulock
Romanov - Dobson
Aho - _________

Sorokin
_______

Major RFAs: (F) Wahlstrom

Cap space: $7 million

After re-signing there RFA's and rounding our their roster with AHL size contracts, they're gonna be left with about 3-4 million in capspace.

I think they will definitely be looking to trade Josh Bailey at the draft (1 year @ $5, 25 pts in 64 gp last year, 34 to start the season). This would not be a sexy option for us. But what if the Islanders attach a 2nd to him? In exchange for future considersations. He probably gives you 30 pts and you trade him at the TDL for something meager with salary retained. On the plus side he wore an A on the island for a longtime so he brings some leadership.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2023/24 Jets roster today:

Connor - Schiefele - Wheeler
Ehlers - Lowry - Niederietter
Perfetti - Gustafson - Appleton
________ - ______ - _______

Morrissey - Pionk
Schmidt - Demelo
Dillon - ________

Hellebuyck
________

Major RFAs: (F) Dubois

Cap space: $13 million

After rounding out their roster with AHL sized contracts they are going to have about $6-8 million left to play with, and a gaping hole at 2C.

I think Dubois is definitely gone. I have no interest in him as he seems like a POS who only wants to play in Montreal. Regardless, they're going to have to waste most all of their cap space on replacing him at 2C one way or the other. One guy I can see them trading is Brendan Dillon (1 year @ 4, 23 pts in 82 gp last year, 33 next season). They have a glut of LHD and a few yound D ready to come up and take his spot. Not exactly what we need, but could be a stabilizing  presence for Eddogg on his offhand and flipped at the TDL.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ras - Larkin - Raymond
Berggren - Copp - Perron
Fabbri - Kasper - Bailey
Kubalik - Veleno - Zadina

Walman - Seider
Edvinsson - Dillon
Maata - Chiarot

It wouldn't be sexy, but consider this: You basically get two decent players for free (use the 2nd from Bailey to get Dillon). They are only here for 1 year to be depth and added prospect mentors, then they are trade chips along with Perron and Kubalik at the TDL. And then next year at a better UFA class our roster is wide open again to promote kids, hand out extensions, and bring in good UFAs. IDK.

Edited April 30, 2023 by Walman6million

[Jonas Mahonas 1,872]

6 hours ago, Walman6million said:

2023/24 Islanders roster today:

Lee - Barzal - Bailey
Nelson - Horvat - Palmieri
Martin - Pageau - Clutterbuck
Johnston - Cizikas - ________

Pelech - Pulock
Romanov - Dobson
Aho - _________

Sorokin
_______

Major RFAs: (F) Wahlstrom

Cap space: $7 million

After re-signing there RFA's and rounding our their roster with AHL size contracts, they're gonna be left with about 3-4 million in capspace.

I think they will definitely be looking to trade Josh Bailey at the draft (1 year @ $5, 25 pts in 64 gp last year, 34 to start the season). This would not be a sexy option for us. But what if the Islanders attach a 2nd to him? In exchange for future considersations. He probably gives you 30 pts and you trade him at the TDL for something meager with salary retained. On the plus side he wore an A on the island for a longtime so he brings some leadership.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2023/24 Jets roster today:

Connor - Schiefele - Wheeler
Ehlers - Lowry - Niederietter
Perfetti - Gustafson - Appleton
________ - ______ - _______

Morrissey - Pionk
Schmidt - Demelo
Dillon - ________

Hellebuyck
________

Major RFAs: (F) Dubois

Cap space: $13 million

After rounding out their roster with AHL sized contracts they are going to have about $6-8 million left to play with, and a gaping hole at 2C.

I think Dubois is definitely gone. I have no interest in him as he seems like a POS who only wants to play in Montreal. Regardless, they're going to have to waste most all of their cap space on replacing him at 2C one way or the other. One guy I can see them trading is Brendan Dillon (1 year @ 4, 23 pts in 82 gp last year, 33 next season). They have a glut of LHD and a few yound D ready to come up and take his spot. Not exactly what we need, but could be a stabilizing  presence for Eddogg on his offhand and flipped at the TDL.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ras - Larkin - Raymond
Berggren - Copp - Perron
Fabbri - Kasper - Bailey
Kubalik - Veleno - Zadina

Walman - Seider
Edvinsson - Dillon
Maata - Chiarot

It wouldn't be sexy, but consider this: You basically get two decent players for free (use the 2nd from Bailey to get Dillon). They are only here for 1 year to be depth and added prospect mentors, then they are trade chips along with Perron and Kubalik at the TDL. And then next year at a better UFA class our roster is wide open again to promote kids, hand out extensions, and bring in good UFAs. IDK.

Can u get this to Saul in time?

[Axl Foley 318]

Defense:

Seider/Walman

Matt Dumba or Damon Severson/Edvinsson

Chiarot/Maatta

Lindstrom

Forwards:

Kubalik-Larkin-Raymond

Berggren-Copp-Perron

Fabbri-Barbashev-Soderblom

Rasmussen-Veleno-Zadina

Suter

[Jonas Mahonas 1,872]

3 hours ago, Axl Foley said:

Defense:

Seider/Walman

Matt Dumba or Damon Severson/Edvinsson

Chiarot/Maatta

Lindstrom

Forwards:

Kubalik-Larkin-Raymond

Berggren-Copp-Perron

Fabbri-Barbashev-Soderblom

Rasmussen-Veleno-Zadina

Suter

Lindstrom is history.  He's trying to get more $ by saying he's going back to SWE.  Yzerman signing Tuomisto basically said "No problemo" back to team Gustav.  That dude is gonna find a 3 year, 3 million offer from Stevie, and THAT'S IT.  He should recognize that he has it good here in the top 7 and take it.

[town123 200]

Sutter canned in Calgary.    I was hoping for a fire sale.... dang

[Dabura 12,228]

On 4/29/2023 at 3:42 AM, Akakabuto said:

I think Raymond still got it in him to be a legit goalscoring-winger. But we need more. Yzerman should go all-in on goalscorers at this draft. If they play center too that would be awesome. Screw BPA. Sometimes you gotta go for it. If Stephen goes up there and calls out Reinbachers name he's basically a meme at this point.

Reinbacher probably won't be available at 9, so you probably don't have to worry about that.

However...if he is there? Well, honestly, there's a case to be made for taking him. Yeah, it'd be silly adding ANOTHER defenseman...but it actually wouldn't be silly at all, because having all three of Seider, Edvinsson, and Reinbacher in our top 4 would be pants-s***tingly amazing (assuming Reinbacher's legit).

But I agree with you that goal-scoring's the most pressing organizational need right now. And I agree that it's probably worth going HAM on that in this draft. If we could come away from this draft with Ryan Leonard and Colby Barlow (we'd probably have to trade up from 18/17), that'd be huuuge.

Edited May 4, 2023 by Dabura

[Walman6million 250]

Walman, Raymond, Mazur, Kasper, and Veleno at worlds. Do these guys plan on spending any time in Detroit this offseason?...

[Akakabuto 1,831]

20 minutes ago, Walman6million said:

Walman, Raymond, Mazur, Kasper, and Veleno at worlds. Do these guys plan on spending any time in Detroit this offseason?...

No. 

[Walman6million 250]

3 minutes ago, Akakabuto said:

No. 

I saw somewhere that Kasper is expected to return to Austria after worlds too and wont be here till later in the summer.

Hard to build a solid team when everyone gets the fuqq out of dodge every summer. Not how I would run my business...

[Walman6million 250]

What about Alex Lyon from Florida for a backup goalie?

With Knight and Bob, cats prolly wont sign him. He had decent numbers this year and played okay in the playoffs so far.

Sign him and Ned cheap and let them fight for the backup spot. Loser goes down to AHL to tandem with Cossa.

[Dabura 12,228]

9 hours ago, Walman6million said:

What about Alex Lyon from Florida for a backup goalie?

With Knight and Bob, cats prolly wont sign him. He had decent numbers this year and played okay in the playoffs so far.

Sign him and Ned cheap and let them fight for the backup spot. Loser goes down to AHL to tandem with Cossa.

Do you think Ned even wants to come back? (Honest question, no hate.)

[F.Michael 4,590]

20 minutes ago, Dabura said:

Do you think Ned even wants to come back? (Honest question, no hate.)

50/50 I’m thinking - unless he gets a solid opportunity elsewhere.

As for Lyon why would he want to sign with Detroit considering his recent success?

 

[Jonas Mahonas 1,872]

23 hours ago, Walman6million said:

I saw somewhere that Kasper is expected to return to Austria after worlds too and wont be here till later in the summer.

Hard to build a solid team when everyone gets the fuqq out of dodge every summer. Not how I would run my business...

You are spot on.  We need guys that want to make Detroit home.

[Walman6million 250]

14 hours ago, Dabura said:

Do you think Ned even wants to come back? (Honest question, no hate.)

Do you think SY even wants him back?

Wherever he goes he's probably taking a big cut, just getting a job at all (even with Detroit) might be his priority right now. 

14 hours ago, F.Michael said:

50/50 I’m thinking - unless he gets a solid opportunity elsewhere.

As for Lyon why would he want to sign with Detroit considering his recent success?

 

I think Lyon will go anywhere that will pay him. Much like Husso. This is his chance to get a decent contract and have a real NHL role.

33 minutes ago, Jonas Mahonas said:

You are spot on.  We need guys that want to make Detroit home.

I forgot Kubalik and Matta - they were also on the first flight out of town

Edited May 6, 2023 by Walman6million

[Jonas Mahonas 1,872]

2 hours ago, Walman6million said:

Do you think SY even wants him back?

Wherever he goes he's probably taking a big cut, just getting a job at all (even with Detroit) might be his priority right now. 

I think Lyon will go anywhere that will pay him. Much like Husso. This is his chance to get a decent contract and have a real NHL role.

I forgot Kubalik and Matta - they were also on the first flight out of town

both euro toolbags

[Axl Foley 318]

Heaven forbid our European players go home to Europe in the off season.

[Dabura 12,228]

9 hours ago, Walman6million said:

Do you think SY even wants him back?

Wherever he goes he's probably taking a big cut, just getting a job at all (even with Detroit) might be his priority right now.

I figure SY wouldn't mind having him back, assuming there wasn't any backstage drama. He was pretty decent when he came back from the AHL.

[Dabura 12,228]

I have to say, I'm pretty pumped for this draft. And that's mainly because I've never seen such a lack of consensus for so many really good players. It's wild.

Oliver Moore, for example. Ask three people to rank him; one will say 6th, one will say 12th, and one will say 18th.

"Dabura, let's not be hyperbolic; no one's saying Oliver Moore's the 18th best player in this class."

My brother in Christ, he's 19th (!) on Pronman's latest list:

https://archive.is/LsfYW

Quote

19. Oliver Moore, C, Usa U-18 (NTDP)

Jan. 22, 2005 | 5′ 11.0″ | 188 pounds | Shoots left

March 2023 Ranking: 14

Tier: Projected bubble top and middle of the lineup player

Skating: High-end
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Player comparable: Jean-Gabriel Pageau

Background: Moore has often been the second-line center for the U.S. NTDP this season. He runs Team USA’s second power-play unit and is their top penalty killer. He is committed to the University of Minnesota.

Analysis: Moore is the best skater in the draft. He has very good speed and his edgework is NHL-elite caliber. He evades pressure so well and is able to go from a stop to a fast gear very quickly. He has very good hands to go with those feet and projects to get a ton of controlled zone entries in the NHL. I don’t think his pure offensive touch as a scorer or playmaker will ever dazzle, and he’ll be more of a secondary scorer on an NHL line. Moore lacks size, and isn’t overly physical, but he’s a worker. He gets to the net, comes back hard on defense and coaches trust him in tough situations. He has a ton of NHL projectability and looks like a potential top-three line center or second-line wing.

That's arguably a Larkin/Barzal and we're talking about him maybe not even going in the top 10 (like Larkin and Barzal).

Similarly, Colby Barlow's 20th (!) on that Pronman list:

Quote

20. Colby Barlow, LW, Owen Sound (OHL)

Feb. 14, 2005 | 6′ 0.25″ | 190 pounds | Shoots left

March 2023 Ranking: 9

Tier: Projected bubble top and middle of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: High-end

Player comparable: Jason Zucker

Background: Barlow was one of the top-scoring and shot-generating forwards in the OHL this season. He scored 30 goals in 59 games as a 16-year-old in the OHL. He was a member of Canada’s Hlinka Gretzky team, where he played a big role and scored five points in five games despite no power-play time. He was the eighth pick in his OHL Draft.

Analysis: Barlow is a well-rounded winger. He is a strong skater who can transport pucks through the neutral zone. He’s a hard-working forward who has some physicality, can kill penalties, and is quite physically advanced for his age. Offensively he has excellent stick skills and a great shot. He’s a threat to score off the rush and from a standstill with his one-timer. Barlow’s playmaking isn’t his selling point, but it’s good enough, especially with how skilled he is at creating scoring opportunities for himself. He projects as a high-in-the-lineup wing who can play on both special teams in the NHL.

...While McKenzie's latest aggregate thing has Barlow at 11:

https://www.tsn.ca/plenty-of-intrigue-after-bedard-in-mckenzie-s-lottery-edition-ranking-1.1956585

Quote

TSN’s Top 12 list is rounded out as follows: Austrian two-way defenceman David Reinbacher at No. 10; Owen Sound Attack goal-scoring winger Colby Barlow at No. 11 and University of Connecticut right winger Matthew Wood, who is coming of a strong performance for Canada at the U-18 World Championship.

Reinbacher is the only defenceman to make TSN’s Draft Lottery Edition Top 12 list and moved up 10 positions from his No. 20 ranking at mid-season. Barlow, who recently battled some injuries, slipped three spots from his No. 8 spot at mid-season; and Wood jumped up two slots from No. 14 in January.

The uncertainty and jockeying for position behind Bedard in this draft is palpable when talking to the scouts.

Like I said: wild.

Admittedly, it does suck that we're almost certainly gonna miss out on all the marquee talent. Bedard, Fantilli, Carlsson, Smith, Michkov...that's an unreal set of players. Some people think Michkov might slide, but I have to think 8th would be the limit, as the Caps would surely love a shiny new Russian. On a related note: f*** the Caps for losing their last game.

But anyway, the good news is we're gonna get at least one really good player in the 1st round. HYPE!