Sens essentially save $5m in cash by flipping the Columbus 2nd round pick from next year. Only this year left on deal.

Seems to fit with Sens setting up to go into next year with huge free cap space.

Not a huge fan of having to offer ice time to Stepan. Do admire the way the Sens are setting up to weaponize their free cap space.

There are teams that have cap issues this year. Next year will be a nightmare as teams try to deal with their cap space issues as well as the Seattle draft.
- spatso

Another thought on the Sens trade

From Kooleus
I agree with this thought.

- HenryHockey

Why not just sign Brassard for 1 mil and keep the 2nd? Could've traded him for Zibanajed. Oh wait... This is making a trade for the sake of making a trade. Eugene fooling the Sens fanbase into thinking he actually gives a crap about his team winning.

Another thought on the Sens trade
- HenryHockey

I love how "weaponize cap space" became a popular buzz phrase amongst hockey fans. The year before it was "sweetener." But other than Yzerman buying himself a 2nd round pick to take Marc Staal's washed up carcass, which teams have "weaponized" cap space?

Does Elliot Friedman need to come up with another catchy buzz term everyone in the hockey world can parrot for there to be more trades?

From Kooleus
I agree with this thought.

- HenryHockey

He laid it out well. I’m still hesitant on the 2nd, but Kooleus really put some time in on this one. Man I miss him on the board.

I love how "weaponize cap space" became a popular buzz phrase amongst hockey fans. The year before it was "sweetener." But other than Yzerman buying himself a 2nd round pick to take Marc Staal's washed up carcass, which teams have "weaponized" cap space?

Does Elliot Friedman need to come up with another catchy buzz term everyone in the hockey world can parrot for there to be more trades?
- gergeswillems

The only “almost” would have been TB. They caught a huge break in cap terms with a star player going on IR. They were brutally up against it. So many teams are right at the top (or about 2 million away) still. Paper “waivers’ could be going like crazy. I’ve seen some press complaining that Bettman did waiver off the hard cap for this season. Good grief. I don’t mind waiting until someone really needs the space and runs out of options (if it happens) but there may be more hip surgeries yet to come...

The only “almost” would have been TB. They caught a huge break in cap terms with a star player going on IR. They were brutally up against it. So many teams are right at the top (or about 2 million away) still. Paper “waivers’ could be going like crazy. I’ve seen some press complaining that Bettman did waiver off the hard cap for this season. Good grief. I don’t mind waiting until someone really needs the space and runs out of options (if it happens) but there may be more hip surgeries yet to come...
- Jeremy Laura

I'm sure Andrew Ladd will become pregnant very soon and need parental leave on LTIR.

I'm sure Andrew Ladd will become pregnant very soon and need parental leave on LTIR.
- gergeswillems

You know, I’ve been retaining water quite a bit (or possibly fried chicken). I think I’m in my 12th trimester.

You know, I’ve been retaining water quite a bit (or possibly fried chicken). I think I’m in my 12th trimester.
- Jeremy Laura

Just avoid playing with your nipples. You'll be ok. 👍

Just avoid playing with your nipples. You'll be ok. 👍
- gergeswillems

I would, but we ran out of almond milk. So I guess All-man-milk will have to do?

Ok, that’s really messed up

I would, but we ran out of almond milk. So I guess All-man-milk will have to do?

Ok, that’s really messed up
- Jeremy Laura

- gergeswillems

Yeah, this is a low point. I’m out of coffee and this is what happens...

Okay GMs in training, just to break up the monotony here is a link to Cap Friendly. 10 teams show being over the cap (keep in mind LTIR will come into play) and many teams hovering around 2 mil in space or less. Detroit is showing around 10 mil in space. If you have some spare time, chew on some possible deals and what you would “charge” to use some cap space (draft picks, prospects, deep dish pizzas etc). This is a good group, so have some fun. Sweden will be back in action tomorrow so I’ll be glued to that to give you a breakdown.

https://www.capfriendly.com/

Why not just sign Brassard for 1 mil and keep the 2nd? Could've traded him for Zibanajed. Oh wait... This is making a trade for the sake of making a trade. Eugene fooling the Sens fanbase into thinking he actually gives a crap about his team winning.
- gergeswillems

Brassard is waiting on NYI

Okay GMs in training, just to break up the monotony here is a link to Cap Friendly. 10 teams show being over the cap (keep in mind LTIR will come into play) and many teams hovering around 2 mil in space or less. Detroit is showing around 10 mil in space. If you have some spare time, chew on some possible deals and what you would “charge” to use some cap space (draft picks, prospects, deep dish pizzas etc). This is a good group, so have some fun. Sweden will be back in action tomorrow so I’ll be glued to that to give you a breakdown.

https://www.capfriendly.com/
- Jeremy Laura

Tampa will still be roughly $3.5M over cap even w/ Kuth on LTIR.
There may be simpler ways in getting there, but I try to think outside the proverbial box.....as you know.

Hmm......
Johnson ($1.5M retained) a 1st, Barré-Boulet and NJ's 7th for Zetterberg's $6+M LTIR contract Giving JBB plenty of space ($6M+!!!!) to make another move, sign an FA (Hoffman) or wait til the TDL to make adjustments....seems reasonable, but maybe Stevie wants more.

Brassard is waiting on NYI
- HenryHockey

Brassard is one of many. Seriously. Stepan was Ottawa's ONLY option? I'm not buying it.

Tampa will still be roughly $3.5M over cap even w/ Kuth on LTIR.
There may be simpler ways in getting there, but I try to think outside the proverbial box.....as you know.

Hmm......
Johnson ($1.5M retained) a 1st, Barré-Boulet and NJ's 7th for Zetterberg's $6+M LTIR contract Giving JBB plenty of space ($6M+!!!!) to make another move, sign an FA (Hoffman) or wait til the TDL to make adjustments....seems reasonable, but maybe Stevie wants more.
- HenryHockey

Technically Tampa doesn't have to make any trades. They'll likely trade Paquette. But if JBB can't swing a trade all they have to do is play Musical Chairs with their cap...

Brassard is one of many. Seriously. Stepan was Ottawa's ONLY option? I'm not buying it.
- gergeswillems

Cause Stepan is cheap in the real money that Sens need to pay, only 2 million.

Cause Stepan is cheap in the real money that Sens need to pay, only 2 million.
- StargateSG1

I already mentioned the 2 mil in actual money. Giving up a 2nd round pick for a rental when you can sign a UFA is foolish. If anything the Sens should've received a 2nd round pick to take Stepan's 6.5 mil Cap hit. Yzerman got a 2nd for taking Marc Staal's 5.7 mil cap hit. All the Sens did was do to the Coyotes a favour.

I already mentioned the 2 mil in actual money. Giving up a 2nd round pick for a rental when you can sign a UFA is foolish. If anything the Sens should've received a 2nd round pick to take Stepan's 6.5 mil Cap hit. Yzerman got a 2nd for taking Marc Staal's 5.7 mil cap hit. All the Sens did was do to the Coyotes a favour.
- gergeswillems

Perhaps they thought the remaining UFA centers aren't good enough?

Perhaps they thought the remaining UFA centers aren't good enough?
- StargateSG1

Let's say that's true. Does Ottawa view themselves as being playoff contenders? This is the kind of move a team like Boston would make at the trade deadline. Pick up some extra center depth for a Cup run. Give up a 2nd and keep my roster intact? That's Kenny Holland 101. But the Sens are not much better than the Red Wings are. Why are they making a NOW move? It makes no sense.

What this is really about is selling the Sens fanbase a Bill of goods. "Hey look Sens fans! We just added a 6.5 mil player! You see? We're trying to win! Buy a season ticket!" But Stepan isn't really a 6.5 mil player. He's being paid 2 mil. That's all penny pincher Eugene Melnyk cares about.

Let's say that's true. Does Ottawa view themselves as being playoff contenders? This is the kind of move a team like Boston would make at the trade deadline. Pick up some extra center depth for a Cup run. Give up a 2nd and keep my roster intact? That's Kenny Holland 101. But the Sens are not much better than the Red Wings are. Why are they making a NOW move? It makes no sense.

What this is really about is selling the Sens fanbase a Bill of goods. "Hey look Sens fans! We just added a 6.5 mil player! You see? We're trying to win! Buy a season ticket!" But Stepan isn't really a 6.5 mil player. He's being paid 2 mil. That's all penny pincher Eugene Melnyk cares about.
- gergeswillems

I believe they said they didn't want the kids to be thrown into a fire and wanted a veteran center for a year.
Yeah, it's Kenny Holland 101, but they have so many picks, they can waste one, unlike Kenny's tenure.

I believe they said they didn't want the kids to be thrown into a fire and wanted a veteran center for a year.
Yeah, it's Kenny Holland 101, but they have so many picks, they can waste one, unlike Kenny's tenure.
- StargateSG1

I don't believe in wasting picks. A rebuilding team like Ottawa should want as many kicks at the draft can as possible. Increase your chances of finding the next Kucherov.

Just because you have extra picks doesn't mean you should hand them out like candy. I understand a young team wanting some veteran leadership but he should be better than a rapidly declining Derek Stepan.

If you make him your 1C then you're handicapping guys like Brady Tkachuk and Dadonov because Stepan can't keep up. He had 28 points in 72 games last season. And he's going to be your 1C? Or 2C? Really? Even if he's your 3C, you're giving up a 2nd round pick to fill this void on a rebuilding team?

I believe they said they didn't want the kids to be thrown into a fire and wanted a veteran center for a year.
Yeah, it's Kenny Holland 101, but they have so many picks, they can waste one, unlike Kenny's tenure.
- StargateSG1

I love the back and forth on this. Ottawa definitely has some excitement in the pipes. I’m just not sure how they could climb over Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Montreal, Calgary and Winnipeg. That alignment didn’t do them a ton of favors for sure. If Stepan can be a steadying presence that’s fantastic. High second round picks are fairly valuable, that’s my hang up on this.

Technically Tampa doesn't have to make any trades. They'll likely trade Paquette. But if JBB can't swing a trade all they have to do is play Musical Chairs with their cap...


- gergeswillems

I know the taxi squad will rescue them this year, but the trade I proposed will help them in future years as well .....although only limiting to most of TJ's cap hit.
Yeah I admit with TS rules it is now unnecessary.
Gary Bettman to the rescue!

I know the taxi squad will rescue them this year, but the trade I proposed will help them in future years as well .....although only limiting to most of TJ's cap hit.
Yeah I admit with TS rules it is now unnecessary.
Gary Bettman to the rescue!
- HenryHockey

Things seemed to work out quite well for TB afterall.