Ottawa has ample cap space, and with the contract prorated over the rest of the season, they could afford him. I'd offer G for their 1st and see just how desperate they are to pull off a big move.
- BiggE

Can't eliminate tagging space and other roster decisions from the equation.

A top-10 first-rounder is just "salad dressing?" I hope the Flyers trade for some more dressing at the TDL.
- jmatchett383

you're right...the deal will probably be announced tomorrow

hopefully Florida can find someone to eventually develop into a young top 6 center with that 1st rounder....it will help them replace the young top 6 center they traded away

I said almost.

Also Raffl is 28 compared to a 23 year old Leier.

Raffl had one great season with 21 goals. This year He has the same amount of points as Vandevelde while playing on a top line most of the season.

I didn't say he is vandevelde. But he is in that territory right now.
- J35Bacher

The entire team pretty much sucks. I'm surprised we're not giddy over the offensive explosion of scoring 3 goals last night. That's a start, right?

Rebuild.
- flyer_nutter

They don't need a full rebuild.


They need to reshape the roster.

They have the frame work buy drafting top end defense prospects who look to be developing well in LHV. And those are usually the hardest to find. they look to have a future number one anchor in Provorov.

They need to look at the forwards and start reshaping the forward construction.

The entire team pretty much sucks. I'm surprised we're not giddy over the offensive explosion of scoring 3 goals last night. That's a start, right?
- MJL

I know. I am not saying Raffl sucks. it was more an observation that hit me.

Everyone bangs on Vandevelde but if you look Raffl, he has same amount of points while playing most of the season on the top line.

Rebuild.
- flyer_nutter

Next year is year 4 for Hextall. What does he get a decade?

They don't need a full rebuild.


They need to reshape the roster.

They have the frame work buy drafting top end defense prospects who look to be developing well in LHV. And those are usually the hardest to find. they look to have a future number one anchor in Provorov.

They need to look at the forwards and start reshaping the forward construction.
- J35Bacher

And they have already begun working on the forwards with Konecny, Lindblom and the trio of Rubtsov, Laberge and Allison from last year.
The way they are going, they are looking at a good chance of picking in the top 10 this year as well which should land them another quality prospect to add to the mix.

Raffl is a much better player than both. If Leier was at that level, he would be on the NHL team and signed to a multi year one way deal rather than Raffl.
- MJL

He's producing more than Weise (they have the same cap hit I believe) but Raffl has been a disappointment to me this year as well. 8-3-11 when playing a bit in the top 6 is meh.

he had 21-7-28 in 67 games then dropped to 13-18-31 in 82 to 8-3-11 in 48 so far. I like Raffl and have no issue keeping him but I also wouldn't care if they moved him. I'd sooner move him than lose him for nothing in the expansion draft.

obviously its not feasible to trade everyone nor do I want that but this team needs some change

Ottawa has ample cap space, and with the contract prorated over the rest of the season, they could afford him. I'd offer G for their 1st and see just how desperate they are to pull off a big move.
- BiggE

You realize the idea of Hextall moving Giroux for the ~20th pick in a weak draft is completely absurd, right?

I know. I am not saying Raffl sucks. it was more an observation that hit me.

Everyone bangs on Vandevelde but if you look Raffl, he has same amount of points while playing most of the season on the top line.
- J35Bacher

he has to play with giroux so it makes sense

I know. I am not saying Raffl sucks. it was more an observation that hit me.

Everyone bangs on Vandevelde but if you look Raffl, he has same amount of points while playing most of the season on the top line.
- J35Bacher

If you look at VdV over 210 games you see the team gets outscored with him on the ice by a huge margin.

Next year is year 4 for Hextall. What does he get a decade?
- PLindbergh31

A decade, no likely not, but 6 or 7 years, yeah. He inherited a cap nightmare and very little prospect depth when he took the job. He's pretty much cleaned up the cap, and will be rid of just about all the deadwood in another year or 2, and he's done a remarkable job at refilling the prospect cupboard.

They are moving in the right direction. Building patiently from within is never a linear process, there will be ups and downs, but overall, I think he is doing a very good job.

And they have already begun working on the forwards with Konecny, Lindblom and the trio of Rubtsov, Laberge and Allison from last year.
The way they are going, they are looking at a good chance of picking in the top 10 this year as well which should land them another quality prospect to add to the mix.
- BiggE

Correct.

I actually think this could turn quickly with the right trades and drafts.

If you look at VdV over 210 games you see the team gets outscored with him on the ice by a huge margin.
- Feanor

no trust me...he is fine...as long as you pretend to not remember how the 5 goals he scored went in

The entire team pretty much sucks. I'm surprised we're not giddy over the offensive explosion of scoring 3 goals last night. That's a start, right?
- MJL

I am just pissed that I reluctantly stayed up the past two nights till after midnight when I knew full well what would likely happen.... and then it happened.

WHY DO I DO THIS TO MYSELF!!!??

tampa is screwed
- jmdodgeser4

yeah having Callahan and Filppula protected because of NMCs leaves them in a bit of a bind. they may opt to protect 8 players over 7/3. that would expose a decent dman tho. its crazy how mediocre they have been without Stamkos. as good of a player he is that roster should be doing better one would think

no trust me...he is fine...as long as you pretend to not remember how the 5 goals he scored went in
- YuenglingJagr

But female doging about VDV is like complaining that your sunroof is leaking when all the windows in your car are busted out.

A decade, no likely not, but 6 or 7 years, yeah. He inherited a cap nightmare and very little prospect depth when he took the job. He's pretty much cleaned up the cap, and will be rid of just about all the deadwood in another year or 2, and he's done a remarkable job at refilling the prospect cupboard.

They are moving in the right direction. Building patiently from within is never a linear process, there will be ups and downs, but overall, I think he is doing a very good job.
- BiggE

You see the development in Lehigh Valley. The Phantoms were terrible. Now that some of Hextall's players have started to filter in look at them.

You have to start somewhere. I do believe a shake up in the core is needed though.

You realize the idea of Hextall moving Giroux for the ~20th pick in a weak draft is completely absurd, right?
- Feanor

Have you objectively watched Giroux play this year? He is a glorified pp specialist at this point with a huge contract and lots more years remaining. He's not just mediocre at ES, he is flat out bad. I don't see him improving as he moves into his 30s, so yeah, I'll take a late 1st in this draft for him and let his game finish falling apart somewhere else.

He's undersized, has suffered some serious injuries, and was never a speed demon on his skates. It's highly unlikely he will ever be a legit 1st line player again, and, in another year or 2, he could end up being VLC, a 4th line pp specialist. I don't want to be stuck with an 8.275 million dollar cap hit for a guy who's barely able to keep up at an NHL pace. This is the time to make a deal, in another year, if he continues to deteriorate, his value will be nada.

Next year is year 4 for Hextall. What does he get a decade?
- PLindbergh31

I know you are kidding but for me, he gets time to see what happens with his draft picks. now that is not to say he shouldn't continue to try to improve the team in other means (reasonable free agents and trade) but I give him time to see where his draft picks go

But female doging about VDV is like complaining that your sunroof is leaking when all the windows in your car are busted out.
- jak521

some see it differently. I have no problem complaining about players I think suck and shouldnt be on the roster

I would take back the MacArthur contract(LTIR right now) if it got me Logan brown. If they are so win now then Brown would be someone I target. They would then have Giroux, Brassard and Turris down the middle.
- J35Bacher

I personally wanted to trade up to draft Logan Brown, or one of Keller and Tkachuk. but of the three, Brown intrigued me most with his size. I would have Trayden Schenn if it took that,

A decade, no likely not, but 6 or 7 years, yeah. He inherited a cap nightmare and very little prospect depth when he took the job. He's pretty much cleaned up the cap, and will be rid of just about all the deadwood in another year or 2, and he's done a remarkable job at refilling the prospect cupboard.

They are moving in the right direction. Building patiently from within is never a linear process, there will be ups and downs, but overall, I think he is doing a very good job.
- BiggE

agreed

Have you objectively watched Giroux play this year? He is a glorified pp specialist at this point with a huge contract and lots more years remaining. He's not just mediocre at ES, he is flat out bad. I don't see him improving as he moves into his 30s, so yeah, I'll take a late 1st in this draft for him and let his game finish falling apart somewhere else.

He's undersized, has suffered some serious injuries, and was never a speed demon on his skates. It's highly unlikely he will ever be a legit 1st line player again, and, in another year or 2, he could end up being VLC, a 4th line pp specialist. I don't want to be stuck with an 8.275 million dollar cap hit for a guy who's barely able to keep up at an NHL pace. This is the time to make a deal, in another year, if he continues to deteriorate, his value will be nada.
- BiggE

he was never a speed demon, however, he had quickness and a burst. that is all not there now

he was never a speed demon, however, he had quickness and a burst. that is all not there now
- nastyflyergirl

Exactly.

Look, I loved the player he used to be, and it hurts to watch what he's becoming. But, at the end of the day, it's a business. The smart move would be to move him as soon as possible, his value will only get lower with time.