Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Karlsson, WJC Camps and More

Would be funny to see the trade go down because the "I don't want to lose Simmonds because he's a glue guy" crowd are generally the same guys who would give up their first born to see Bobby Ryan in a Flyers jersey. If they all spontaneously combust after the trade I might have to be in favor of it.

As much as it would be nice to bring the affable Ryan -- who, of course, has personal ties with people in Flyers management -- back to his home area.....

Wait. Bobby Ryan is from the area???

Wait. Bobby Ryan is from the area???
- johndewar

I know.... never gets mentioned.

Seriously, though, Bill, nice work going through the logical gymnastics in order for an Erik Karlsson trade to the Flyers to happen.

I don't think it hurts for Hextall to ask (it never hurts to ask), but I strongly doubt he'd do a deal with Karlsson, given the parameters of such a deal and how it would go against everything he's done to this point. This isn't NHL '18.

Also, I had forgotten about the injuries that Karlsson has had. I don't doubt he is still an elite player, but for what Ottawa will be asking, it's a king's ransom for a guy that has more wear and tear on him than you might think.

I know.... never gets mentioned.
- bmeltzer

Ghost being younger, cheaper, and having scored more and only getting better makes me wonder why the Flyers would consider the trade? EK IMO is not going to be what he once was which lowers his on ice value while increasing the cost. If I'm Flyers I walk from that deal.

Until the flyers get a goalie it won’t matter. The 5 they have are not good enough. Ronald has to know this. It’s going to be a battle just to make the playoffs.

I am excluding hart for now as he no one knows what his expected timeline is at this point.

Ghost being younger, cheaper, and having scored more and only getting better makes me wonder why the Flyers would consider the trade? EK IMO is not going to be what he once was which lowers his on ice value while increasing the cost. If I'm Flyers I walk from that deal.
- jnyfive

You can’t just base it off of last year. Karlsson is arguably one of the top 3-5 players in the league.

You can’t just base it off of last year. Karlsson is arguably one of the top 3-5 players in the league.
- section32

Yeah, the argument is kind of ridiculous. This is like using Matt Carle's numbers to be against the Pronger trade.

You can’t just base it off of last year. Karlsson is arguably one of the top 3-5 players in the league.
- section32

But half his ankle bone won't grow back. He will probably never be as dynamic a skater again after that and the previous 70% Achilles tear. The rest is still there.

Wouldn’t Karlsson be the poster child for exactly what hazy likes, wants and desires in dman?

I’m longing all the different auto correct versions for Hextall

If I were Hextall, I'd say, "No way am I doing that. Konecny is not available. Here's my offer: Gostisbehere straight up for Karlsson. Ghost outpointed Karlsson last year. He is three years younger than Karlsson, which means he's just entering his prime at age 25. Last but certainly not least, he is signed for five more years at $4.5 million. For us to sign Karlsson to an extension beyond next season, it's going to take an eight-year deal at $11 million per season just as Drew Doughty got. Is Karlsson better than Ghost? Yeah. Is he $6.5 million of lost cap space better? No, not when that would be enough space for us to extend Ivan Provorov and then a beyond that. Also, you're not going to get offered any one player from any team who is going to replace more of Karlsson's points than Ghost."
- bmeltzer

This is why I don't get the trade idea. If you asked me who I could have for the entirety of their careers, it's Karlsson. But when you factor age, injuries, and cap hit into the equation as of present-day, Gostisbehere is more valuable than Karlsson. Not only will you lose assets (Ghost+) to bring in an older player, but that older player is going to cost you $6M+ in cap space to resign.

Would I love to bring in Karlsson as a UFA? Yes. Would I trade an in-his-prime cheaper Ghost or more to get him? No.

Bill Meltzer: Quick Hits: Karlsson, WJC Camps and More
- bmeltzer

First, why the hell would we want Karlsson?

Second, if we do this it's gonna take Ghost and a first in 2019 just to start. Hopefully Ottawa takes a garbage contract as well...

Again, why do we need Karlsson?

I didn’t know about the ankle bone. I’m most worried about him self admitting he’ll never get back to what he was. It’s worrisome enough to pass on the deal. Not as worried about the assets that we’d lose but the size of this contract is a problem

You can’t just base it off of last year. Karlsson is arguably one of the top 3-5 players in the league.
- section32

He's also on the downside of his prime, and will cost more in cap space. I think his top-5 days may be gone, and I can say they certainly will be gone within a year or two. I'd put McDavid, Kucherov, MacKinnon, and Crosby above him, and I think there's a slew of player (including Matthews, Hall, Hedman) that can be interchanged in the top-10.

Now, if you're asking is he a top 3-5 defenseman, then absolutely.

We did not find results for: I have no desire to pay the price for EK, at least the price that is suggested. I'll keep the kids and see what happens next. If the price comes down, then maybe but Frost, SanHeim and Patrick need to stay put. I guess including Ghost wouldn't be so bad but Ghost is just a poor mans EK. Honestly with how fast the NHL has become and continues to be, how more prepared the draft picks appear to be each year, I am not sure trading young assets for a 28 year old is a great idea. If Hextall can take on Ryan, lower the trade cost significantly, then I am a player but the Sens need to win this deal and I want no part of that... Do we become a cup contender? Still think the Flyers are a few years away, they need a 3C, they need a bottom six upgrade and they need speed. Even with EK is our D championship ready? They will still be missing that shut down mean D who has size, that is 2 years away. So EK will be 30 by the time the pieces come together, how will the cap look? Will we have cap casualties down the road? Does EK have 2 ankles? A lot of unknowns to risk when you have such a deep, young team....

We did not find results for: I have no desire to pay the price for EK, at least the price that is suggested. I'll keep the kids and see what happens next. If the price comes down, then maybe but Frost, SanHeim and Patrick need to stay put. I guess including Ghost wouldn't be so bad but Ghost is just a poor mans EK. Honestly with how fast the NHL has become and continues to be, how more prepared the draft picks appear to be each year, I am not sure trading young assets for a 28 year old is a great idea. If Hextall can take on Ryan, lower the trade cost significantly, then I am a player but the Sens need to win this deal and I want no part of that... Do we become a cup contender? Still think the Flyers are a few years away, they need a 3C, they need a bottom six upgrade and they need speed. Even with EK is our D championship ready? They will still be missing that shut down mean D who has size, that is 2 years away. So EK will be 30 by the time the pieces come together, how will the cap look? Will we have cap casualties down the road? Does EK have 2 ankles? A lot of unknowns to risk when you have such a deep, young team....
- wcorvette

Having to take on Ryan would be a deal killer for me. Even with salary retained by Ottawa

But half his ankle bone won't grow back. He will probably never be as dynamic a skater again after that and the previous 70% Achilles tear. The rest is still there.
- bmeltzer

This is my point. His ankle issues will affect his explosiveness. That may make him more human as a player. His hockey sense may still be there but is it worth the cost and price? We'll see when the true sense of what he may have lost comes out.

I rather offersheet Stone than trade for EK

I don't want to include Ghost in a Karlsson deal. Having both would allow Ghost to move down the lineup where he should be as a 3rd pairing, PP specialist

If Hextall is jumping in on Karlsson and assuming Karlsson would be willing to sign an extension, go for it.

I believe a reasonable offer would be built around this type of deal.....

Karlsson and Anderson

for

Neuvirth, Sanheim (ready to play now), Morgan Frost ( Future # 2 centre ) and their first rd in 2019 and 3rd rd in 2019 ( philly currently has two 3rd rd picks)

Dorian get's his 1) NHL ready player 2) NHL high end prospect 3) picks that includes a first rd pick

If we can get ek we should at all cost.

If Hextall is jumping in on Karlsson and assuming Karlsson would be willing to sign an extension, go for it.

I believe a reasonable offer would be built around this type of deal.....

Karlsson and Anderson

for

Neuvirth, Sanheim (ready to play now), Morgan Frost ( Future # 2 centre ) and their first rd in 2019 and 3rd rd in 2019 ( philly currently has two 3rd rd picks)

Dorian get's his 1) NHL ready player 2) NHL high end prospect 3) picks that includes a first rd pick
- Revised12

No way am I giving them frost. None

I love Ghost but he is not the player Karlsson is. I could see the sens wanting Ghost + for this deal. Karlsson took a bit of time last year to get it going but was really good by the end of the year. Yes the injuries are a concern as would be Ghost's ACL tear.
Now if they would accept Ghost, Rubstov, a young D man that might be off the radar (Wyatt Kalynuk) and a 1rst rounder. Obviously contingent on him signing. that would be more reasonable.

Now if Bobby is in the deal, then that could work if they are willing to take back Weise and Lehtera. Ryan is signed another 4 years....so maybe they assume some of his contract to even it out.

In the end I don't think the Flyers would trade for Karlsson… There's enough negatives but it's fun to consider.