James Tanner: Capitals at the Trade Deadline: Target Matt Duchene

James Tanner: Capitals at the Trade Deadline: Target Matt Duchene
- james_tanner1

I think it's pretty clear that the Avalanche are looking for young top-4 defenseman in return for Duchene. I don't think they care about Vrana and a Russian goalie who is signed for a few more years.

My mans Fatmarsh gon' blow a gasket on this one

cap issues notwithstanding (and those are some pretty big issues if thinking of acquiring Duchene) given the caps success the last 6-7 years it means they don't have a lot of top end prospects and no young talent on the roster that they'd be willing to part with.

there are probably 26-27 other teams who could EASILY beat the best package the caps could offer, and who have the cap space to make the move.

I can see caps making a trade for Dan Hamhuis for a 3rd.

I think it's pretty clear that the Avalanche are looking for young top-4 defenseman in return for Duchene. I don't think they care about Vrana and a Russian goalie who is signed for a few more years.

My mans Fatmarsh gon' blow a gasket on this one
- eichiefs9

You're right. I changed the end of the blog to reflect that.

cap issues notwithstanding (and those are some pretty big issues if thinking of acquiring Duchene) given the caps success the last 6-7 years it means they don't have a lot of top end prospects and no young talent on the roster that they'd be willing to part with.

there are probably 26-27 other teams who could EASILY beat the best package the caps could offer, and who have the cap space to make the move.
- sensarmy_11

You would think that, but the Penguins were able to get Kessel and they too lacked any top end prospects. If the Caps can clear the space, then over pay with draft picks or B prospects, it could happen.

You're right. I changed the end of the blog to reflect that.
- james_tanner1

I think it would be tough for the Caps to pull it off. Not to knock Vrana or Samsonov, but I just think that COL is viewing defense as the most pressing need. I guess Samsonov would have a lot more value if he didn't re-up his KHL deal recently, if my memory serves me correctly (I could be wrong).

Eller in the same category as Williams and Oshie ? Come on...

You would think that, but the Penguins were able to get Kessel and they too lacked any top end prospects. If the Caps can clear the space, then over pay with draft picks or B prospects, it could happen.

Yeah but I think those two cases are a little different. Kessel was being run out of town by the media and the Leafs felt they had to get rid of him. I don't think the atmosphere is the same in Colorado, and I really don't think anyone will mind at all if Duschene is still on the team come October. IMO it would cost one of those superstars you mentioned to land him - a deal that would likely make the Caps worse.

I like the Caps, still have George McPhee's hands all over this great group of players, he drafted Ovechkin, Backstrom, Orlov, Burakovsky, Kuznetsov, Johansson, Carlson and Holtby.

Too bad he couldn't get them over the hump with more depth. They've got as good a chance as ever to win it all.

You would think that, but the Penguins were able to get Kessel and they too lacked any top end prospects. If the Caps can clear the space, then over pay with draft picks or B prospects, it could happen.
- james_tanner1

except that every basically agreed that the leafs got absolutely hosed on that deal.....highly doubt sakic would allow himself to get equally hosed.

that and the fact that there is no need to trade Duchene, while the leafs almost had to move kessel since the fans and media basically chased him out of town.

If the Caps want to be conservative, one player to target is Radim Vrbata - he can score and he would fit in nicely on the second line, bumping down Jay Beagle.

Beagle is the 4c and is outstanding for the Caps. Eller while very slow out of the gate has been very good post December. The 3rd line collectively has been very impressive as of late. Mojo hasn't done much of late but he is versatile and the Caps value him. I can only see some minor tinkering at this point. Defense is where they could use some experience IMO. There is little to no depth in the minors and this could come back to bite them if not addressed.

You would think that, but the Penguins were able to get Kessel and they too lacked any top end prospects. If the Caps can clear the space, then over pay with draft picks or B prospects, it could happen.
- james_tanner1

really going out on a limb there

except that every basically agreed that the leafs got absolutely hosed on that deal.....highly doubt sakic would allow himself to get equally hosed.

that and the fact that there is no need to trade Duchene, while the leafs almost had to move kessel since the fans and media basically chased him out of town.
- sensarmy_11

Well, I don't agree the Leafs lost that trade. They got six million in cap space, completely changed the face of their franchise, got two very very good prospects (Kapenan, Reichel) and a first round pick which they turned into their franchise goaltender.

They also moved Kessel for zero NHL players (at the time) and his 37 annual goals would have prevented them from getting Auston Matthews.

So in exchange for Kessel the Leafs got:

1. $6 million annually for 7 years in cap space
2. Kasperi Kappanen
3. Kirby Riechel
4. Frederik Andersen
5. Increased value of their own 1st, allowing them to get Matthews.

I'd say that is actually one of the better trades any team has made in recent years. And PGH got a Cup out of it - win-win.

As for Sakic, he's one of the worst GMs in the NHL, so I am certain he could easily get "hosed."

In order to get him, in addition to likely not having the best package to offer, they'd have to shed salary to get him. Unless they're going to move Orpik somehow, that means a big name going back as well, which is basically either a lateral move or slight upgrade. I wouldn't fix what's not broken right now.

That being said, most GMs don't have the balls to stand pat when a chance to improve their team comes along.

That would explain why there are so many trades these days, and why so many of them are pure hockey trades, and not at all motivated by money.

Well, I don't agree the Leafs lost that trade. They got six million in cap space, completely changed the face of their franchise, got two very very good prospects (Kapenan, Reichel) and a first round pick which they turned into their franchise goaltender.

They also moved Kessel for zero NHL players (at the time) and his 37 annual goals would have prevented them from getting Auston Matthews.

So in exchange for Kessel the Leafs got:

1. $6 million annually for 7 years in cap space
2. Kasperi Kappanen
3. Kirby Riechel
4. Frederik Andersen
5. Increased value of their own 1st, allowing them to get Matthews.

I'd say that is actually one of the better trades any team has made in recent years. And PGH got a Cup out of it - win-win.

As for Sakic, he's one of the worst GMs in the NHL, so I am certain he could easily get "hosed."
- james_tanner1

Pretty sure they got Rychel from the Blue Jackets, some small beans Marlies player went the other way. I'm surprised they couldn't get a better offer for Kessel, but whatever, I like the team they have now AND Kessel got to shove a Stanley Cup in Toronto's face...so that was good.


EDIT: nevermind on the Rychel bit...forgot about Harrington.

It definitely makes them the team to beat if they did pull this off. Not sure I agree the comment regarding the comparison to Kessel, both talented but to me Duschene is a more complete package...but it is a deal that could put them over the top. If he truly is available then I can think of a bunch of teams that should try.

Bob McKenzie reported that the Avs want:
A under 24 established forward or D-man
a first rounder, a blue-chip prospect .

If the established player is not included then it's 2 blue chip prospects a first and another prospect or high pick.

How would Washington possibly do that?

Asking Price would be something like:

Markus Johansson, Jacob Vrana, Jonas Siegenthaler and a 1st round pick. because pick is so low, asking price would likely have to be a 2nd in there as well.

You would think that, but the Penguins were able to get Kessel and they too lacked any top end prospects. If the Caps can clear the space, then over pay with draft picks or B prospects, it could happen.
- james_tanner1

After weeks of hearing what the asking price is for Duchene or Landeskog, I highly doubt Sakic takes a lesser package of picks and B prospects for either.

Nice try though...

James where is all that untapped offensive potential you think luke schenn has?

They have three x top pairing defenseman (Orlov, Niskanen, Carlsson) and they have excellent depth in Winnik, Beagle, Azner and Wilson.

This is as far as I got...

Bowey, Orlov, 1st would maybe get the Av's listening