yes Trouba is an RFA but the Jets wont sign him to a one year deal that lets him walk for nothing, they'll trade him to a team that thinks they can sign him to a long term deal, my guess's are Detroit, NYR, or Florida
- Ross77

Agreed.....Detroit has some young RHD, and they overpaid Mike Green 6.5/3, so Trouba could get 7 there.....

Agreed.....Detroit has some young RHD, and they overpaid Mike Green 6.5/3, so Trouba could get 7 there.....
- liverpoolnhl

I don’t think you understand how quietly good Mike Green is for them. He’s not 70 point prime Green, but he’s still easily their best, and would be not out of Morrissey/Trouba category.
Unfortunately, he’s always hurt, and due for decline.

Someone mentioned Ryan Dzingel, and I’m all about it. Here’s the plan:

Step 1: Get Dzingel. Start with Lemieux and a 2nd, then work up to whatever it takes. DO NOT BURN A FIRST HERE. Make it happen.

Step 2: Acquire Ryan Murray. He’s a solid shutdown guy, only 25(?), and is a perfect Buff partner.
Stanley and a 1st? I bet we can do it for less, but let’s say that’s the deal, just to have this conversation.

Lineup!

Dzingel-Scheifele-Laine
Connor-Lowry-Wheeler
Perreault-Little-Ehlers
Petan-Copp-Tanev
(This makes 3 balanced, and fast scoring lines, with a 4th line you can trust in all 3 zones)

OR

Connor-Scheifele-Laine
Ehlers-Dzingel-Wheeler
Perreault-Lowry-Little
Petan-Copp-Tanev
(This puts a lot of pressure on Scheifele, but probably revives Little, while creating the fastest 2nd line in the entire known universe. 4th stays the same)

Along with:
Morrissey-Trouba
Murray-Byfuglien
Kulikov-Myers
(Perfectly balanced. As all things should be)

Someone mentioned Ryan Dzingel, and I’m all about it. Here’s the plan:

Step 1: Get Dzingel. Start with Lemieux and a 2nd, then work up to whatever it takes. DO NOT BURN A FIRST HERE. Make it happen.

Step 2: Acquire Ryan Murray. He’s a solid shutdown guy, only 25(?), and is a perfect Buff partner.
Stanley and a 1st? I bet we can do it for less, but let’s say that’s the deal, just to have this conversation.

Lineup!

Dzingel-Scheifele-Laine
Connor-Lowry-Wheeler
Perreault-Little-Ehlers
Petan-Copp-Tanev
(This makes 3 balanced, and fast scoring lines, with a 4th line you can trust in all 3 zones)

OR

Connor-Scheifele-Laine
Ehlers-Dzingel-Wheeler
Perreault-Lowry-Little
Petan-Copp-Tanev
(This puts a lot of pressure on Scheifele, but probably revives Little, while creating the fastest 2nd line in the entire known universe. 4th stays the same)

Along with:
Morrissey-Trouba
Murray-Byfuglien
Kulikov-Myers
(Perfectly balanced. As all things should be)
- Rexypoo

Murray has an injury history but I can also see Columbus asking for Roslovic, their home town kid

Murray has an injury history but I can also see Columbus asking for Roslovic, their home town kid
- Ross77

Injury history doesn’t bother me much, but I haven’t looked into it. If it’s his right knee 23 times...

I still do it with Roslovic in place of Lemieux, seeing as I completely forgot about him for my lineup. As long as it’s not Lemieux taking his minutes, it won’t put a dent in us

So if Trouba's .94 points per 60 makes him an "elite" offensive talent. What does Ryan Murray's 1.36 points per 60 make him?

So if Trouba's .94 points per 60 makes him an "elite" offensive talent. What does Ryan Murray's 1.36 points per 60 make him?
- BWJumper

True definition of "elite" defense...Seth Jones. Nuff said!

Scheifele Ice Time - 22:15

Was third on the team in ice time tonight. He was leading the team in ice time until he took that late penalty.

Also this article is nonsense, Scheifele and Wheeler being split would probably mean that the coach could better manage their ice times.

Was at the game tonight. Totally impressed with CLB. Big, strong fast forward. Good 1-4 D. And Bob played like Bob.

Think Friedman is right... they need to go for it. Keep the Breadman, keep Bob... they have a team that could surprise and pull it off.

Was at the game tonight. Totally impressed with CLB. Big, strong fast forward. Good 1-4 D. And Bob played like Bob.

Think Friedman is right... they need to go for it. Keep the Breadman, keep Bob... they have a team that could surprise and pull it off.
- JetsRawk

Unless Columbus gets Duchene while losing Panarin in a 3-team trade....

Was at the game tonight. Totally impressed with CLB. Big, strong fast forward. Good 1-4 D. And Bob played like Bob.

Think Friedman is right... they need to go for it. Keep the Breadman, keep Bob... they have a team that could surprise and pull it off.
- JetsRawk

One of the toughest decisions a GM has to make is trade the UFA's or try and make a run at the cup and lose the UFA's for nothing , or to bail.

St. Louis fans last year were upset when they pulled the plug and traded Statsny. However , the GM made the smart choice. He looked at the opposition that the Blues would have to face in the playoffs and decided there was no way his team was going to compete against the likes of the Jets, Preds, or VGK. So he essentially gave up two games of playoff revenues and picked up some talent .

This year Buffalo, Carolina, Columbus , and Vancouver are all in that cusp situation of potentially making the playoffs. Their GM's are likely thinking the same thing. Can we be the Cinderella team and risk losing a lot of talent for nothing ? I agree JetsRAwk that Columbus might be the best of those four and with Atkinson back they can be very formidable. Panarin was also a real force in last years playoffs. It should be . an interesting decision as to what they decide. The best situation for Columbus might be to swap with a team that needs a better center such as the Jets while taking back a slightly lesser guy but with some term and still trying a playoff run....ie) Panarin for Little would make some sense for them.

As for the rest of the four teams, I believe they are going nowhere . Those GM's should take advantage of the trade market.

I forgot how dynamic Panarin is. We haven't seen much him as the last time Columbus was here was over a year ago. I remember watching him when he was with Chicago in the playoff run and was very impressed then but he a very dynamic hockey player.

So if Trouba's .94 points per 60 makes him an "elite" offensive talent. What does Ryan Murray's 1.36 points per 60 make him?
- BWJumper

Lucky

I have been critical of Laine myself...at some games the man actually is worse than a pylon because at least a pylon can be productive if blocking a shot.

However...I say sign him to an 8 year deal...at 6 million per...heavy ended on the last 4 years of his contract and then send him to Gary Roberts during the summer so that he will learn what it takes to become a true superstar.

I forgot how dynamic Panarin is. We haven't seen much him as the last time Columbus was here was over a year ago. I remember watching him when he was with Chicago in the playoff run and was very impressed then but he a very dynamic hockey player.
- CharlieDog

He has the attitude of Alex Semin. (and just as talented) Once he get's paid, he won't care any more. Pity the team that signs him long term.

Peter Tessier: Jets vs Jackets and Laine, what gives?
The Jets host Columbus in the polar vortex that is Winnipeg but focus and not the good kind is landing on Laine.
- Peter.Tessier

While stats are not in Brassard's favour, can the Jets please trade Little for him. I feel he would better fit that 2C role, and 3.1M with no cap commitment going forward would be great. I am sure the panthers are open to moving him.

Agreed.....Detroit has some young RHD, and they overpaid Mike Green 6.5/3, so Trouba could get 7 there.....
- liverpoolnhl

Green took a 2 year extension at 5.3M AAV. 20 points in 29 games is pretty dang good, and has outproduced Trouba's career high 9 times (including to 70+ point seasons), took a pretty big pay cut. Someone must have been willing to offer the 31 year old more term than that. He is a purely offensive D man, but despite his injuries this year, is still on pace to break 40 points. I though Detroit made out quite well on that low-term deal.

He has the attitude of Alex Semin. (and just as talented) Once he get's paid, he won't care any more. Pity the team that signs him long term.
- sparky1957

What makes you say that? He’s an elite player, in his prime, heading to FA for the first time after a pricey bridge deal he actually outplayed. He’s right to demand his money, and with Columbus having so many question marks, he’s smart not to commit early

Green took a 2 year extension at 5.3M AAV. 20 points in 29 games is pretty dang good, and has outproduced Trouba's career high 9 times (including to 70+ point seasons), took a pretty big pay cut. Someone must have been willing to offer the 31 year old more term than that. He is a purely offensive D man, but despite his injuries this year, is still on pace to break 40 points. I though Detroit made out quite well on that low-term deal.
- bikeguy99

His defensive stats are solid. If you wanna use SKATR, he’s the best non-Buff dman on the Jets if you pick him up right now.

(I don’t wanna use SKATR anymore)

What makes you say that? He’s an elite player, in his prime, heading to FA for the first time after a pricey bridge deal he actually outplayed. He’s right to demand his money, and with Columbus having so many question marks, he’s smart not to commit early
- Rexypoo

I agree. Unlike Trouba, Panarin has put up numbers worthy of a big raise. His vision is unreal. He will not be a Jet tho, as they will be looking for a 2C

His defensive stats are solid. If you wanna use SKATR, he’s the best non-Buff dman on the Jets if you pick him up right now.

(I don’t wanna use SKATR anymore)
- Rexypoo

K then i guess I wasn't pumping his tires enough! Haha thanks. Either way, the guy who said he was overpaid does not have a clue what D are getting paid these days. Det got a bargain on the vet D man.

What makes you say that? He’s an elite player, in his prime, heading to FA for the first time after a pricey bridge deal he actually outplayed. He’s right to demand his money, and with Columbus having so many question marks, he’s smart not to commit early
- Rexypoo

He's RUSSIAN nuf said

What would you give for Breyden Schenn? pretty sure he has another year of contract at about 5m. He's been solid in the past, looks like a playoff performer, history with Wheaties and Blues likely make him available. Last year it was Foley and a 1st, would you go Appleton or Lemieux or Petan and a 3rd?

I don't see it as a big upgrade on Little but it adds solid depth and a different look that may gel better with Laine/Ehlers and give other deployment opportunities for Little.

K then i guess I wasn't pumping his tires enough! Haha thanks. Either way, the guy who said he was overpaid does not have a clue what D are getting paid these days. Det got a bargain on the vet D man.
- bikeguy99

*whispers* I really like Mike Green

He's RUSSIAN nuf said
- sparky1957

People like you are the reason Ehlers tells people to only call him “Nik”