In my opinion, Drouin is worth more than Shea Theodore, but not as much as Vatanen. I could see a deal such as Vatanen and a minor prospect for Drouin and say Cedric Paquette or JT Brown.

I really don't see this happening. Drouin has more value than you're saying here and Stevie Y isn't going to let him go unless it's for a king's ransom. If you want to talk forwards that could be moved to Anaheim, think more along the lines of Tyler Johnson, Palat, or Vlad Namestnikov. Palat is probably the least likely of those three

I really don't see this happening. Drouin has more value than you're saying here and Stevie Y isn't going to let him go unless it's for a king's ransom. If you want to talk forwards that could be moved to Anaheim, think more along the lines of Tyler Johnson, Palat, or Vlad Namestnikov. Palat is probably the least likely of those three
- ctcork

Funny how time and opportunity change things. Last year drouin was a outcast. This year he's an important piece.

I really don't see this happening. Drouin has more value than you're saying here and Stevie Y isn't going to let him go unless it's for a king's ransom. If you want to talk forwards that could be moved to Anaheim, think more along the lines of Tyler Johnson, Palat, or Vlad Namestnikov. Palat is probably the least likely of those three
- ctcork

I agree with you - Drouin has played his way into staying in Tampa - very smooth with sick offensive skills, can get his own shot or set guys up - I would take Tyler but push for Palat - Ducks / Tampa trade just makes too much sense -

I agree with you - Drouin has played his way into staying in Tampa - very smooth with sick offensive skills, can get his own shot or set guys up - I would take Tyler but push for Palat - Ducks / Tampa trade just makes too much sense -
- dozerD10

Yeah but does droin want to stay. They did ship down to the minors. And he doesn't seem like the kind of guy to take a team friendly deal.

Funny how time and opportunity change things. Last year drouin was a outcast. This year he's an important piece.
- Eman87654

Limiting his time in the first place was a dumb idea. That said, he should have shut his mouth and earned his place (like he eventually did in the playoffs). Mistakes were made on both sides but it's in the past now

Limiting his time in the first place was a dumb idea. That said, he should have shut his mouth and earned his place (like he eventually did in the playoffs). Mistakes were made on both sides but it's in the past now
- ctcork

If you say so. But you should also factor in what you get back. Palat, or johnson, won't get you nearly as much as drouin. I mean it looks like the avalanche are about to get a kings ransom for duchene or landeskog. Yezerman should wait and let sakic drive up the price on top 6 forwards then come in after and say "hey, i got a top 6 foward just as good."

Addendum: or maybe yezerman waits until the last second before the avs make a deal then back stabs sackic by offering a little less knowing that there aren't many team offering young dmen. It could happen. I mean there's no honor among thrives er gms I mean .

If you say so. But you should also factor in what you get back. Palat, or johnson, won't get you nearly as much as drouin. I mean it looks like the avalanche are about to get a kings ransom for duchene or landeskog. Yezerman should wait and let sakic drive up the price on top 6 forwards then come in after and say "hey, i got a top 6 foward just as good."

Addendum: or maybe yezerman waits until the last second before the avs make a deal then back stabs sackic by offering a little less knowing that there aren't many team offering young dmen. It could happen. I mean there's no honor among thrives er gms I mean .
- Eman87654

Wow, have you watched Moneyball recently? Billy Beane would be proud.

I really don't see this happening. Drouin has more value than you're saying here and Stevie Y isn't going to let him go unless it's for a king's ransom. If you want to talk forwards that could be moved to Anaheim, think more along the lines of Tyler Johnson, Palat, or Vlad Namestnikov. Palat is probably the least likely of those three
- ctcork

No offence to Johnson, Palat or Namestnikov, but Murray could do better with another team. If he moves Vatanen (or Fowlert), it will be for a more substantial player.

No offence to Johnson, Palat or Namestnikov, but Murray could do better with another team. If he moves Vatanen (or Fowlert), it will be for a more substantial player.
- Ed Stein

I think Tampa would need to add, but who else are you seeing as a fit for Vatanen? Gotta take some salary back. Not many teams can afford to take $4.5M with only sending out an ELC. Can't imagine Fowler will be traded before the deadline or even the offseason depending on how contract extension talks go.

Wow, have you watched Moneyball recently? Billy Beane would be proud.
- Ed Stein

My bros makes me watch it.

I think Tampa would need to add, but who else are you seeing as a fit for Vatanen? Gotta take some salary back. Not many teams can afford to take $4.5M with only sending out an ELC. Can't imagine Fowler will be traded before the deadline or even the offseason depending on how contract extension talks go.
- CptAhab

For Vats, how about Ryan Strome, Jeff Skinner, Taylor Hall (if at all possible), Gabriel Landeskog, and under the right circumstances JvR.

I really don't see this happening. Drouin has more value than you're saying here and Stevie Y isn't going to let him go unless it's for a king's ransom. If you want to talk forwards that could be moved to Anaheim, think more along the lines of Tyler Johnson, Palat, or Vlad Namestnikov. Palat is probably the least likely of those three
- ctcork

Tampa may want Drouin, but does Drouin want Tampa? His people aren't afraid to play hardball with Yzerman. His upcoming contract negotiations will be contentious to say the least. Does Stevie Y. want to go through it again, when he can get the PP QB he needs?

Tampa may want Drouin, but does Drouin want Tampa? His people aren't afraid to play hardball with Yzerman. His upcoming contract negotiations will be contentious to say the least. Does Stevie Y. want to go through it again, when he can get the PP QB he needs?
- Ed Stein

May have just been saying the right things before the season but there's this: http://www.rawcharge.com/...-with-tampa-bay-lightning

Then this: http://www.espn.com/nhl/s...ys-florida-feels-home-now

Again, he may just be saying the right things but I guess we'll see. Regardless, he'll be an RFA and there's no reason to trade him at the deadline without trying to negotiate after the season first.

May have just been saying the right things before the season but there's this: http://www.rawcharge.com/...-with-tampa-bay-lightning

Then this: http://www.espn.com/nhl/s...ys-florida-feels-home-now

Again, he may just be saying the right things but I guess we'll see. Regardless, he'll be an RFA and there's no reason to trade him at the deadline without trying to negotiate after the season first.
- ctcork

This one has much to do about the expansion draft. At this point the Bots have to protect either Braydon Colborn or Jason Garrison. I'm betting they don't want to do either.

As an aside, in almost every expansion draft scenario I've run, Tampa will have a hard time holding on to Gudlevskis. Even if Vegas doesn't keep him there are enough teams that will need a goalie next season.
I could see a scenario where a major deal would include Gudlevskis for Hackett and a conditional draft pick (2nd if he stays in Anaheim, 4th if they lose him).

This one has much to do about the expansion draft. At this point the Bots have to protect either Braydon Colborn or Jason Garrison. I'm betting they don't want to do either.

As an aside, in almost every expansion draft scenario I've run, Tampa will have a hard time holding on to Gudlevskis. Even if Vegas doesn't keep him there are enough teams that will need a goalie next season.
I could see a scenario where a major deal would include Gudlevskis for Hackett and a conditional draft pick (2nd if he stays in Anaheim, 4th if they lose him).
- Ed Stein

From Lebrun: http://www.espn.com/nhl/s...allahan-valtteri-filppula

I'd guess we protect Koekkoek over either Garrison or Coburn, who both have NTCs but not NMCs.
As far as Drouin and the the forwards (which I thought we were talking about): Of the "four forwards left to protect" list that Lebrun mentions, Kucherov, Palat, and Drouin are obvious choices. I think TJ is on the block and we wouldn't mind too much if Killorn was taken off our hands. That's why I said previously that TJ and Namestnikov are viable trade chips.

Gudlevskis is likely going to be exposed but we've got Wilcox in the system too so it wouldn't be a huge loss. Plus Gudlevskis has a 2.74 GAA for Syracuse this year so he's not exactly an attractive add anyway.

Btw, I dont read into the issue but what is the news (or non news) that Despres career is over? Sad, very sad.
Is he doing ok personally?
- DutchSenators

No one I've been in contact with, will confirm anything about Despres. I plan to do some additional digging.