I think you are putting a lot of value in your prospects. About half of them will probably becoming impact NHL players, however only time will tell.

I think the Lightning will be very good in a few years though. Stamkos is just too elite.
- Meeqsb

as will the avs, i always thought they underachieved this year . duchene is a monster

not saying i dislike you, i like ya

just saying you started throwing ideas around and mixing up everyones thought process about simply drafting ssomeone with #3 and moving on.

dont be offended by the swearing i swear often, its good to have an open mind about these things
- RileyB77

Lightning Fans are always some of the best on this site (besides Avs Fans ((well actually probably not, some of us are a bit slow lol)).

I really love really pushing the barrier on what a team might be able to get away with on certain trades and what Fans would be open too. I think it is never a bad thing to ask questions and get people thinking but it can be tough to do so tactfully lol.

I dont see the Avs and lightning as being realistic trade partners but this is SUCH an amazing draft and all top 4 players have such differing game breaking dynamics that the argument of what a player might be worth to a team is really something I enjoy diving into.

Regardless this year is going to be nuts and I can't wait to see what happens.

Aulie's contract is reportedly worth $975K.

ah yes, the typical leafs fan. a complete clown in EVERY sense of the word. straight up Gudas for there first? yes. Gudas ,our first and more? no (frank)ing way.
- Artyukhin76

Gudas and the 3rd overall to move up is what I was referring to.
The fact that you're distraught over Radko Gudas being the throw in to acquire the first or second overall pick (which Colorado would laugh at btw) makes me think you're new to watching hockey. Every team has a Radko Gudas.....who they would happily throw in if it meant getting a player of Jones' calibre.
It's like the Leafs saying "Mark Fraser!! No way!"

as will the avs, i always thought they underachieved this year . duchene is a monster
- RileyB77

Sacco's system was truly an awful fit for the team however this last year Duchene elevated his play to a Superstar status (after practicing all summer with Crosby) and solidified himself as a true number 1 center. The loss of downie really hurt us too, he has been a great player for the Avs since he came over.

Another question, lets say Jones manages to go to the Lightning and is turns out to be the real deal, Gudas continues his stellar play and the Lightning decide to buyout Vinny.

Do you think a trade around Hedman for O'reilly would hold any weight. A Stamkos O'reilly center combination could be the most Dynamic combo in the league with respect to what each player brings to the ice.

So with Aulie locked up for the year what is the Lightnings projected 6? And how do you think it compares to those within the new division?

yeah you Richard
- RileyB77

Richard? WTF are you smoking man?

Gudas and the 3rd overall to move up is what I was referring to.
The fact that you're distraught over Radko Gudas being the throw in to acquire the first or second overall pick (which Colorado would laugh at btw) makes me think you're new to watching hockey. Every team has a Radko Gudas.....who they would happily throw in if it meant getting a player of Jones' calibre.
It's like the Leafs saying "Mark Fraser!! No way!"
- MrBen

Every team has a Radko Gudas? And you're accusing him as being new to watching hockey? Gudas's development within the Lightning system has been nothing short of spectacular. Few teams have a freight-train on defense like Radko Gudas. The reality is that the Lightning isn't in a position to be trading a top-four defender right now. The media, even in Canada, loves Radko. I recall a game that was aired on NBC and TSN when the national play-by-play crew remarked that everyone in the league will soon know the name Gudas. He's a special young defender.

So with Aulie locked up for the year what is the Lightnings projected 6? And how do you think it compares to those within the new division?
- fudd1689

We'll probably run 7 so signing a top tier defensive guy to hold our Blueline down.

Gudas and the 3rd overall to move up is what I was referring to.
The fact that you're distraught over Radko Gudas being the throw in to acquire the first or second overall pick (which Colorado would laugh at btw) makes me think you're new to watching hockey. Every team has a Radko Gudas.....who they would happily throw in if it meant getting a player of Jones' calibre.
It's like the Leafs saying "Mark Fraser!! No way!"
- MrBen

While I agree with you, I will point out that I chose Gudas specifically because I think he will be a very good player in this league. Him and Ian Cole are 2 players I would REALLY love to see on the Avs one day. I also came up with the trade noting that it was largely in the Avs favor but that is most likely the type of deal that it would have to be from the Avs side, and TBL would only accept it if they really had their heart set on Jones(Or Mckinnon). I think it could realistically happen (maybe the avs throw in a 4th or a low tier Dman like Hunwick, Zannon, Wilson or SOB to make it more bearable on TBL's end) but I also expected the fans to reject it. Which is what happened but I wanted to ask.

So with Aulie locked up for the year what is the Lightnings projected 6? And how do you think it compares to those within the new division?
- fudd1689

You're looking at Salo, Gudas, Hedman, Carle, Brewer, and Aulie right now. I think that there'll be an acquisition via trade or FA somewhere in there though.

The acquisition is needed to bring the core up to par with the rest of the division. Jones would be nice. There's been some talk that Connolly might be dangled for young D help.

Every team has a Radko Gudas? And you're accusing him as being new to watching hockey? Gudas's development within the Lightning system has been nothing short of spectacular. Few teams have a freight-train on defense like Radko Gudas. The reality is that the Lightning isn't in a position to be trading a top-four defender right now. The media, even in Canada, loves Radko. I recall a game that was aired on NBC and TSN when the national play-by-play crew remarked that everyone in the league will soon know the name Gudas. He's a special young defender.
- Michael_Stuart

He certainly looks special. Like he should be wearing a helmet 24/7 and have a handler.
I have no doubt he's a fan favourite. Most guys who can hit and fight are. Seth Jones is a generational talent. Think Chris Pronger without the suspensions and then think.....Radko Gudas.
Do you want to sell tickets and draft bottom 3 or do you want to win?

Every team has a Radko Gudas? And you're accusing him as being new to watching hockey? Gudas's development within the Lightning system has been nothing short of spectacular. Few teams have a freight-train on defense like Radko Gudas. The reality is that the Lightning isn't in a position to be trading a top-four defender right now. The media, even in Canada, loves Radko. I recall a game that was aired on NBC and TSN when the national play-by-play crew remarked that everyone in the league will soon know the name Gudas. He's a special young defender.
- Michael_Stuart

May as well give Michael. This guys is way to smart for us. We don't know poop about hockey and this (frank)er knows everything.

You're looking at Salo, Gudas, Hedman, Carle, Brewer, and Aulie right now. I think that there'll be an acquisition via trade or FA somewhere in there though.

The acquisition is needed to bring the core up to par with the rest of the division. Jones would be nice. There's been some talk that Connolly might be dangled for young D help.
- Michael_Stuart

I think Andrew Ference would be a great signing for Stevie Y this summer. He would bring a great of stability to the back end as well as veteran leadership. He could become extremely helpful in furthering the development of Hedman, Gudas, and Aulie. Guy shows up everyday and plays hard for his teammates, seems like a Stevie Y kind of guy.

He certainly looks special. Like he should be wearing a helmet 24/7 and have a handler.
I have no doubt he's a fan favourite. Most guys who can hit and fight are. Seth Jones is a generational talent. Think Chris Pronger without the suspensions and then think.....Radko Gudas.
Do you want to sell tickets and draft bottom 3 or do you want to win?
- MrBen

Victor Hedman was Nick Lidstrom too. I'd rather keep Gudas and draft a forward (or Jones if he's still there) than trade Gudas+ to move up two spots. The Lightning is going to get a great prospect at three whether it's Jones or not. You don't know what Seth Jones is going to be any more than I do. The reality is that the Lightning have a proven commodity in Gudas, and a commodity who has had a great deal of success with the team's coach.

I'll stick with Gudas and grab one hell of a player at three. Though I don't believe that the Lightning will move up, I suggest that you check the history books to see what it takes to move from three to one (Hint: not a whole lot).

May as well give Michael. This guys is way to smart for us. We don't know poop about hockey and this (frank)er knows everything.
- Artyukhin76

Yup.

I think Andrew Ference would be a great signing for Stevie Y this summer. He would bring a great of stability to the back end as well as veteran leadership. He could become extremely helpful in furthering the development of Hedman, Gudas, and Aulie. Guy shows up everyday and plays hard for his teammates, seems like a Stevie Y kind of guy.
- fudd1689

Absolutely!

At the right price, I'd love this.

He certainly looks special. Like he should be wearing a helmet 24/7 and have a handler.
I have no doubt he's a fan favourite. Most guys who can hit and fight are. Seth Jones is a generational talent. Think Chris Pronger without the suspensions and then think.....Radko Gudas.
Do you want to sell tickets and draft bottom 3 or do you want to win?
- MrBen

hes not just a fighter/hitter thats just one of the things we need the most from im on the blue line cuz we lack it hard..

he is a fantastic defenseman. super calm under pressure, in no rush...Takes time to decide the smart play

hes not just a fighter/hitter thats just one of the things we need the most from im on the blue line cuz we lack it hard..

he is a fantastic defenseman. super calm under pressure, in no rush...Takes time to decide the smart play
- RileyB77

NO! YOU CLEARLY DON'T WATCH ANY HOCKEY!!!!!!!!

I think Andrew Ference would be a great signing for Stevie Y this summer. He would bring a great of stability to the back end as well as veteran leadership. He could become extremely helpful in furthering the development of Hedman, Gudas, and Aulie. Guy shows up everyday and plays hard for his teammates, seems like a Stevie Y kind of guy.
- fudd1689

I agree, but with the lightning already having cap problems Ference wouldn't come cheap and I believe you already have some solid veteran Dmen in Brewer and Ohlund(injured?).

I see Ference just fitting better on a different team than the lightning.

Aulie's contract is reportedly worth $975K.
- Michael_Stuart

NO! YOU CLEARLY DON'T WATCH ANY HOCKEY!!!!!!!!
- Michael_Stuart

dammit michael ive only been here since what, january? dont shoe me away already!!

I agree, but with the lightning already having cap problems Ference wouldn't come cheap and I believe you already have some solid veteran Dmen in Brewer and Ohlund(injured?).

I see Ference just fitting better on a different team than the lightning.
- Meeqsb

I don't think Ohlund will ever play again, unfortunately. Everything I've heard indicates that he'll be sticking on LTIR for the foreseeable future. The Lightning do need another solid presence on the back end. Scuderi is the name I've been following for a while, but I do think that Ference could be a good fit.

Absolutely!

At the right price, I'd love this.
- Michael_Stuart

I think he could be had for right around $3mill per, maybe slightly under if Yzerman can sell him on the future of the Lightning.

I agree, but with the lightning already having cap problems Ference wouldn't come cheap and I believe you already have some solid veteran Dmen in Brewer and Ohlund(injured?).

I see Ference just fitting better on a different team than the lightning.
- Meeqsb

I'd like to see Komisarek with us for a year to see.