bang on, but for some reason i think he will be at 3, if not...drouin is my man
- RileyB77

If we don't trade our pick and MacKinnon goes to the Avs (I will hate them forever), I think we take Barkov or Jones.

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.
- fudd1689

I was thinking somewhere in that $2MM-3MM range.

I'd like to see Komisarek with us for a year to see.
- Artyukhin76

He would come very cheap. Very cheap.

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).
- Michael_Stuart

I agree with all of this, although it is fairly unprecedented for a team to trade the #1 overall.

I will say this though, I haven't heard scouts tout a dman this much in a very very long time. If it wasn't for the Avs saying they weren't taking him it would be considered a lock.

I was thinking somewhere in that $2MM-3MM range.
- Michael_Stuart

I think there will definitely be a team that offers him 4M after all of the playoff success he has had and the overwhelming reports of his stunning leadership within the dressing room.

I agree with all of this, although it is fairly unprecedented for a team to trade the #1 overall.

I will say this though, I haven't heard scouts tout a dman this much in a very very long time. If it wasn't for the Avs saying they weren't taking him it would be considered a lock.
- Meeqsb

It'll be interesting to see what happens with Jones. There's no doubt in my mind that he will be a solid, if not elite, defender in this league. I just wonder if it will take a few seasons as it has with Hedman and Larsson. I recall the hype that came with both of them, and it's eerily similar.

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).
- Michael_Stuart

I understand it doesn't take a whole lot to move up from 3 to 2 or 1 and that's why I think it's hilarious you wouldn't move Gudas. Did you buy his jersey? Is he your cousin? It's crazy!
Also, calling him a proven commodity is a joke. He's played 22 NHL games.
Obviously I do know what Seth Jones is going to be better than you do because you wouldn't trade a bottom pairing D (on a good team) for the chance to draft him.
Radko Gudas *shakes head....laughs*

I think there will definitely be a team that offers him 4M after all of the playoff success he has had and the overwhelming reports of his stunning leadership within the dressing room.
- Meeqsb

And that's where Yzerman has to walk away, I think.

Just because your last high draft pick was a soft Swede who is on his way to Bustville doesn't mean you have to shy away from taking a defenseman.

It's amazing that Tavares/Hedman was even a discussion.

I think there will definitely be a team that offers him 4M after all of the playoff success he has had and the overwhelming reports of his stunning leadership within the dressing room.
- Meeqsb

No chance Ference gets more than $3.25M on the open market. While he brings stability and a solid veteran presence, he is a 5/6 guy at this point of his career.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with Jones. There's no doubt in my mind that he will be a solid, if not elite, defender in this league. I just wonder if it will take a few seasons as it has with Hedman and Larsson. I recall the hype that came with both of them, and it's eerily similar.
- Michael_Stuart

Swede, Swede, North American.

Now you see the difference.

I understand it doesn't take a whole lot to move up from 3 to 2 or 1 and that's why I think it's hilarious you wouldn't move Gudas. Did you buy his jersey? Is he your cousin? It's crazy!
Also, calling him a proven commodity is a joke. He's played 22 NHL games.
Obviously I do know what Seth Jones is going to be better than you do because you wouldn't trade a bottom pairing D (on a good team) for the chance to draft him.
Radko Gudas *shakes head....laughs*
- MrBen

No, I don't own his jersey. No, I'm not related to him. I just understand the value of developing talent. And yes, Gudas is a proven commodity within the Lightning system. We know what we have in him. He's a smooth-skating, smart, physical defender with tremendous upside.

You don't know what Seth Jones is going to be, and to suggest otherwise is simply foolish. Jones could be Pronger, or he could be Johnson. At this point, nobody knows. Prospects take time to develop. Gudas is a still young, and will continue to develop under Cooper at the NHL level. In the three spot, the Lightning might have a chance at Jones. Either way, if they get him great. If not, they'll get a great forward. I'd rather keep Gudas and add whoever is available in the three spot. I'm not sure what you're not getting. The Lightning aren't in a position to deal defensive prospects, especially ones with a winning pedigree and unique skillset like Gudas.

Swede, Swede, North American.

Now you see the difference.
- MrBen

Erik Johnson?

There's no difference. There are great Swedish defensemen just as there are great North American defensemen.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with Jones. There's no doubt in my mind that he will be a solid, if not elite, defender in this league. I just wonder if it will take a few seasons as it has with Hedman and Larsson. I recall the hype that came with both of them, and it's eerily similar.
- Michael_Stuart

Lmao the only one I remember who were big on Larsson was Pierre and Oiler Fans lol. The Hedman comparisons were pretty far off too lol but I hear what you are saying.

For me both Larsson and Hedman were considered the best Dman in the Draft where people are calling Jones the best Dman in a long time.

Lmao the only one I remember who were big on Larsson was Pierre and Oiler Fans lol. The Hedman comparisons were pretty far off too lol but I hear what you are saying.

For me both Larsson and Hedman were considered the best Dman in the Draft where people are calling Jones the best Dman in a long time.
- Meeqsb

I remember Hedman being compared to Lidstrom, and then having people say that Larsson was ahead of Hedman development wise. Drafting defensemen is just about the farthest thing from an exact science. I hope the Lightning land Jones at three, but I won't run away crying if they don't. I like Drouin, I like Barkov, and I like Nichushkin. There's no bad option here.

No chance Ference gets more than $3.25M on the open market. While he brings stability and a solid veteran presence, he is a 5/6 guy at this point of his career.
- fudd1689

Players always get overpaid in FA. I think Streit and Gonchar are both excellent examples of that.

Swede, Swede, North American.

Now you see the difference.
- MrBen

The players nationality doesn't mean a thing any more. You could say Russian players might be more prone to play in the KHL or you could argue the QOC of the league they played in but anything other than that is just foolishness.

Players always get overpaid in FA. I think Streit and Gonchar are both excellent examples of that.
- Meeqsb

This year's class is going to be especially bad just because it's so thin. I went through the list of UFAs earlier today, and it's frightening.

The players nationality doesn't mean a thing any more. You could say Russian players might be more prone to play in the KHL or you could argue the QOC of the league they played in but anything other than that is just foolishness.
- Meeqsb

I remember Hedman being compared to Lidstrom, and then having people say that Larsson was ahead of Hedman development wise. Drafting defensemen is just about the farthest thing from an exact science. I hope the Lightning land Jones at three, but I won't run away crying if they don't. I like Drouin, I like Barkov, and I like Nichushkin. There's no bad option here.
- Michael_Stuart

Yeah Drouin would be a great fit for this team.

Yeah Drouin would be a great fit for this team.
- Meeqsb

Long-term, I would argue that Drouin + Gudas is more valuable to the Lightning than Jones on his own.

Swede, Swede, North American.

Now you see the difference.
- MrBen

youre a tool man

youre a tool man
- RileyB77

Best analysis of the day.

This year's class is going to be especially bad just because it's so thin. I went through the list of UFAs earlier today, and it's frightening.
- Michael_Stuart

The compliance buyouts should help a tad but I think this year is going to be more about the trades, there is just such a prime market for it. I am really hoping the Avs can get a solid return in a trade for Stastny due to the incredibly thin market. Also I think Stastny is a phenomenal player, he is so underrated. If it wasn't for the overflowing of top end centers the Avs have and the glaring need at every other position I would want him to retire an Av.

The compliance buyouts should help a tad but I think this year is going to be more about the trades, there is just such a prime market for it. I am really hoping the Avs can get a solid return in a trade for Stastny due to the incredibly thin market. Also I think Stastny is a phenomenal player, he is so underrated. If it wasn't for the overflowing of top end centers the Avs have and the glaring need at every other position I would want him to retire an Av.
- Meeqsb

I think there'll be a couple of teams in Canada that would show interest in Stastny. The Flames, Leafs, and Jets come to mind as possible fits.