Why are you on board?

I’m on couch.
- Banana_Hammock

Surfing

Surfing
- shvingter88

Well played sir.

I think Fitz will be targeting someone like Puljujarvi if he doesnt land any of his top targets. Fits the 'heavy skill' that hes looking to add and a report just came out that the Oilers are "significantly prioritizing" re-signing Yamamoto over JP and that he may have played his final game as an Oiler(which is a mistake, but its Ken Holland soo...). Could probably be cheapish to add as well.

Its definitely a bit of a risk but it could be a nice gamble to take if the price is low enough. His finishing is extremely bad, but he has all the rest of the tools in place. He shoots a ton but it just doesnt go in lol. If he learns how to score then hes a big time breakout candidate.



Both McDavid and Draisaitl fared much better with Puljujarvi on the ice with them then without, its actually crazy he didnt produce more:

McDavid CF% w/ JP: 59.57%, without JP: 54.27%
McDavid actual GF% w/ JP: 69.39%, without JP: 52.70%
McDavid xGF% w/ JP: 61.26%, without JP: 56.93%

Draisaitl CF% w/ JP: 58.31%, without JP: 47.63%
Draisaitl actual GF% w/ JP: 61.54%, without JP: 50.50%
Draisaitl xGF% w/ JP: 57.54%, without JP: 49.86%

JP without either McDavid or Draisaitl: 55.56 CF%, 50% actual GF%, and 55.92 xGF%

https://twitter.com/JFres...&t=h7HH1UikF5jBck7h5UdGNg ...No joke, if he could learn to score he'd be a steal for whoever trades for him(if EDM moves on)

Send Zacha out for Puljujarvi. Holland would love that.

Send Zacha out for Puljujarvi. Holland would love that.
- Pomegrant

There is like no point in making this trade

There is like no point in making this trade
- shvingter88

Sure there is, JP is a better player than Zacha in pretty much every aspect of the game lol. He also plays a somewhat heavy game and is a strong forechecker, which this team doesnt do well. Could also be seen as the typical "change of scenary" trade to people who only look at production. Either way, definitely makes sense.

We likely would need to add a pick or something, but its Ken Holland afterall so if hes willing to do a 1-for-1 then we should take it and run.

Sure there is, JP is a better player than Zacha in pretty much every aspect of the game lol. He also plays a somewhat heavy game and is a strong forechecker, which this team doesnt do well. Could also be seen as the typical "change of scenary" trade to people who only look at production. Either way, definitely makes sense.

We likely would need to add a pick or something, but its Ken Holland afterall so if hes willing to do a 1-for-1 then we should take it and run.
- vlongo4419

Main issue I'm seeing is that Edmonton's cap space is so horrendous since they've been mismanaged forever. It's amazing that that team can be in cap hell while only having 2 main players on their team.

Main issue I'm seeing is that Edmonton's cap space is so horrendous since they've been mismanaged forever. It's amazing that that team can be in cap hell while only having 2 main players on their team.
- Pomegrant

Yeah it's real rough, that's what happens when you have poopty management lol. It'll probably need to just be futures they get back for him, but he's also an offer sheet possibility too.

Yeah it's real rough, that's what happens when you have poopty management lol. It'll probably need to just be futures they get back for him, but he's also an offer sheet possibility too.
- vlongo4419

It's really a similar situation to Fiala. Both teams can't take on money back in trades, although the QO for Puljujarvi is way more reasonable so Edmonton gets some control still whereas Minnesota is going to lose Fiala for nothing without a trade. Makes me think GMs aren't going to spend a lot on Fiala especially when there is no guarantee he signs with your team long term. I'm thinking something like the Buchnevich trade where it was a 2nd and a garbage player for cheap is what will happen.

You can also just work in FA for Nichushkin who has elite defensive rates and the offensive production is finally coming along with it (although some people might be weary seeing one big breakout year on a great Colorado team).

It's really a similar situation to Fiala. Both teams can't take on money back in trades, although the QO for Puljujarvi is way more reasonable so Edmonton gets some control still whereas Minnesota is going to lose Fiala for nothing without a trade. Makes me think GMs aren't going to spend a lot on Fiala especially when there is no guarantee he signs with your team long term. I'm thinking something like the Buchnevich trade where it was a 2nd and a garbage player for cheap is what will happen.

You can also just work in FA for Nichushkin who has elite defensive rates and the offensive production is finally coming along with it (although some people might be weary seeing one big breakout year on a great Colorado team).
- Pomegrant

Yeah for sure, its definitely in the same boat there. I think the return will be a little better than the Buchnevich return but i tend to agree with their beat writer that the return will likely be similar to what Buffalo got for Reinhart, which was a protected 1st and a B'ish' prospect(remember, this was before Devon Levi fully broke out, and he was just a 7th round pick the year before this trade happened). A lot of people were crushing the Sabres for that return. So we'll see. That has been around the realm of what i expect Fitz to be offering.

BIG agree on Nichushkin, i love him. He's my #1 free agent target, but i highly doubt he comes here. There were apparently issues between him and Ruff when they were in Dallas and that was part of the reason he went back to Russia, so i dont think hes an option for us unfortunately.

EDIT: Speaking of free agency, Pierre LeBrun just now on TSN said that if Gaudreau hits the market to expect the Devils to pursue him. Idk if he has actual inside info on that or just linking him to us because everybody does since hes from Jersey, but man im not a fan of that. If he were to take a bit of a discount and sign for 9M, then MAYBE. But hes going to get 10+ and i would hate that if its us.

I think the Gaudreau rumor is completely baseless because I saw it earlier today too. People just see the cap space and for some reason the "guy goes to home state to play professional sports" is something people care about. Also, the Flyers are going to figure out a way to trade somebody and give him 10mil a year so nothing to worry about anyway.

I think the Gaudreau rumor is completely baseless because I saw it earlier today too. People just see the cap space and for some reason the "guy goes to home state to play professional sports" is something people care about. Also, the Flyers are going to figure out a way to trade somebody and give him 10mil a year so nothing to worry about anyway.
- Pomegrant

We can trade for provorov

Pennies on the dollar

We can trade for provorov

Pennies on the dollar
- dmarsden2988

Zacha for Provorov

Over two weeks without a new blog. It’s over.

Over two weeks without a new blog. It’s over.
- RubberBiscuitz

Everything Woo writes is garbage anyways. Might as well just have a random comment thread, that’s basically what this is anyways.

Sure there is, JP is a better player than Zacha in pretty much every aspect of the game lol. He also plays a somewhat heavy game and is a strong forechecker, which this team doesnt do well. Could also be seen as the typical "change of scenary" trade to people who only look at production. Either way, definitely makes sense.

We likely would need to add a pick or something, but its Ken Holland afterall so if hes willing to do a 1-for-1 then we should take it and run.
- vlongo4419

What? They both suck. And someone that can’t produce with mcdavid or draisaitl will definitely not benefit from a scenery change. This reminds me of people saying hemsky could use a change of scenery.

What? They both suck. And someone that can’t produce with mcdavid or draisaitl will definitely not benefit from a scenery change. This reminds me of people saying hemsky could use a change of scenery.
- shvingter88

Tatar and Johnnsson already dragging this team down isn’t enough for some people apparently. Need to add another one…

There is like no point in making this trade
- shvingter88

It actually would make NJ worse. Pul is bad. Period.

What? They both suck. And someone that can’t produce with mcdavid or draisaitl will definitely not benefit from a scenery change. This reminds me of people saying hemsky could use a change of scenery.
- shvingter88

Lol alright then. Lets just keep Zacha instead of upgrading over him! Who needs another very good playdriver anyway! I, too, do not want to improve the team when a potential opportunity to buy below market value on someone arises!

https://twitter.com/Infer...&t=ki0j9HEV-Yteqknt7mqkZQ Puljujarvi sucks though!

It's kinda crazy that people will say Puljujarvi sucks, but then want to use the 2nd overall pick on Slafkovsky lol.

This is why everybody gave up on Nichushkin too. Bad counting stats and has a big breakout season when finally utilized correctly and given the chance to succeed. Not saying Puljujarvi is going to have a ppg season but his defensive rates are good (unlike Zacha) so at the very worst he'll be responsible in his own end. And this is a team that has had defensive issues with forward depth.

This is why everybody gave up on Nichushkin too. Bad counting stats and has a big breakout season when finally utilized correctly and given the chance to succeed. Not saying Puljujarvi is going to have a ppg season but his defensive rates are good (unlike Zacha) so at the very worst he'll be responsible in his own end. And this is a team that has had defensive issues with forward depth.
- Pomegrant

Yup, very similar situation tbh. I've seen the comparison thrown out a ton over the past day or two and it makes a ton of sense. But you know this, people only look at points and just assume players are the same! Nothing else matters! Puljujarvi could legit have zero increase in production and hes still an upgrade to this team over Zacha lol.

I fully expect Sakic to be involved in trying to trade for JP if he actually becomes available, because hes actually a great GM. Gonna get Nichushkin 2.0

Yup, very similar situation tbh. I've seen the comparison thrown out a ton over the past day or two and it makes a ton of sense. But you know this, people only look at points and just assume players are the same! Nothing else matters! Puljujarvi could legit have zero increase in production and hes still an upgrade to this team over Zacha lol.

I fully expect Sakic to be involved in trying to trade for JP if he actually becomes available, because hes actually a great GM. Gonna get Nichushkin 2.0
- vlongo4419

Also an upgrade over most of the bottom six on this team. Kuokkanen, Bastian, and McLeod are players people like but in the bigger picture are pretty expendable and you always upgrade if possible.

Also an upgrade over most of the bottom six on this team. Kuokkanen, Bastian, and McLeod are players people like but in the bigger picture are pretty expendable and you always upgrade if possible.
- Pomegrant

Exactly. Looking at the 'pure' wingers on our team(Mercer not included since he plays a lot of center), Bratt is the honestly the one you can say is 'no doubt about it' better than Puljujarvi on the current roster. You can argue Sharangovich is better based purely on his goalscoring ability, but JP is better from a playdriving/forechecking/defensive aspect. So you can argue Shara is better since he has the best shot on the team and shooting is JPs biggest weakness. But other than those 2, JP is flat out better than all of Zacha, AJ, Tatar, Bastian, Wood, Kuokkanen, Vesey, and Geertsen.

If Fitz is able to land one of the true top line forwards up front like a Fiala/DeBrincat/ect as well as one of the 'secondary' top 6/middle 6 guys like a JP/Garland/ect this offense is gonna be ready to roll. Goaltending is still the biggest question but there's going to be someone added one way or another(I think Campbell will be his target if he gets to FA)

David Pagnotta(so take it with a grain of salt) says the Devils are one of the teams that have shown interest in Alex DeBrincat, and also notes that the 2nd overall pick could be in play in a potential move here.

Not sure i do it, because it probably costs 2OA+(probably Holtz). I'd rather just try to give up a protected 2023 1st for a Fiala and keep 2OA.



A realistic and hell of an offseason would be something like:

-Goalie upgrade(Campbell/Kuemper/Gibson/one of the WSH goalies/Varlamov/ect)
-Top line winger(Fiala/ect)
-2nd line/middle 6 "Heavy Skill" winger(Puljujarvi/Marchment/Mikheyev/ect)
-Depth D(Kulak/Lyubushkin/Braun/Pysyk/ect) + maybe bringing Subban back on a cheap deal
-2nd overall pick added to the pipeline(Slaf/Cooley)

Thats a pretty realistic offseason and that would be insane for this team tbh. Lots of options out there and the possibility of some of it is very exciting, lets see what Tom can do.

I think the goalie I'd want them to target is Keumper, although injury history is something that might deter them. Still think Ville Husso is a solid get and would be relatively cheap. Campbell seems like the guy who will get overpaid pretty big by somebody if I'd have to guess.