Legends
- laughs2907

Martyrs.

Always respect the CoC!!!
- laughs2907

Don’t have to love the CoC. Just respect the CoC. There’s a lot of that CoC.

If I'm grabbing a forward in that range, the only one I consider is Wahlstrom. The guy is a zone entry, first-shot scoring machine and would be a perfect compliment to what we've already got. After grabbing him high, I look at grabbing one of Lundkvist or Addison in round 2.
- MaximumBone

Farabee would be a lovely infusion of speed and skill into the lineup/prospect line. Reads the game well and isn't afraid to shoot. Has some grit to his game as well. Regardless, hard to go wrong here considering the options available.

Double yes to the bolded.

I'd like to see them upgrade our D using the pick and maybe tossing in a salary dump like Russel
- Reveen.

My concern with that route is that we'd lessen the value of the 1st by tacking a contract like Russell's on meaning we'd likely only be getting a defensive equivalent of Stepan for our troubles. Certainly a handy asset, but is it worth losing a top-10 pick? Is it worth the risk we'd have to take on when expansion rolls around?

If we're looking across the league for team's that could both take on a cap dump and who would be motivated to do so by a top-10 pick we narrow our options down a (frank)load: Vancouver, the Rangers, Vegas, Detroit and maybe Buffalo. Of those teams, Detroit is near cap-(frank)ed and lacks any Dmen of worth, the Rangers and Vegas don't have Dmen of worth that they'd trade (Skjei or Pionk; Theodore, Miller or Schmidt) and Buffalo is already pretty cap-committed on D. That leaves us with Vancouver and Chris Tanev. Would you give up a top-10 pick to rid ourselves of Russell's contract and acquire Tanev? I wouldn't.

My concern with that route is that we'd lessen the value of the 1st by tacking a contract like Russell's on meaning we'd likely only be getting a defensive equivalent of Stepan for our troubles. Certainly a handy asset, but is it worth losing a top-10 pick? Is it worth the risk we'd have to take on when expansion rolls around?

If we're looking across the league for team's that could both take on a cap dump and who would be motivated to do so by a top-10 pick we narrow our options down a (frank)load: Vancouver, the Rangers, Vegas, Detroit and maybe Buffalo. Of those teams, Detroit is near cap-(frank)ed and lacks any Dmen of worth, the Rangers and Vegas don't have Dmen of worth that they'd trade (Skjei or Pionk; Theodore, Miller or Schmidt) and Buffalo is already pretty cap-committed on D. That leaves us with Vancouver and Chris Tanev. Would you give up a top-10 pick to rid ourselves of Russell's contract and acquire Tanev? I wouldn't.
- MaximumBone

Dumping guys with no trades would be ideal to give us expansion draft flexibility.

My concern with that route is that we'd lessen the value of the 1st by tacking a contract like Russell's on meaning we'd likely only be getting a defensive equivalent of Stepan for our troubles. Certainly a handy asset, but is it worth losing a top-10 pick? Is it worth the risk we'd have to take on when expansion rolls around?

If we're looking across the league for team's that could both take on a cap dump and who would be motivated to do so by a top-10 pick we narrow our options down a (frank)load: Vancouver, the Rangers, Vegas, Detroit and maybe Buffalo. Of those teams, Detroit is near cap-(frank)ed and lacks any Dmen of worth, the Rangers and Vegas don't have Dmen of worth that they'd trade (Skjei or Pionk; Theodore, Miller or Schmidt) and Buffalo is already pretty cap-committed on D. That leaves us with Vancouver and Chris Tanev. Would you give up a top-10 pick to rid ourselves of Russell's contract and acquire Tanev? I wouldn't.
- MaximumBone

The only dark horse I can think of is Nashville if they win the Cup. They're a perpetually forward-thinking organization that might decide they could let a guy like Ellis go if it meant bringing in a prospect of high quality. As Ellis is due a substantial raise a year from now and with Fabbro, Allard and Carrier already in the system, they could see an opportunity to stay ahead of the curve by moving Ellis while his value is at its peak. In this scenario, I don't envision we could free ourselves from Russell's contract, though. Maybe Sekera's with some cap withheld?

My concern with that route is that we'd lessen the value of the 1st by tacking a contract like Russell's on meaning we'd likely only be getting a defensive equivalent of Stepan for our troubles. Certainly a handy asset, but is it worth losing a top-10 pick? Is it worth the risk we'd have to take on when expansion rolls around?

If we're looking across the league for team's that could both take on a cap dump and who would be motivated to do so by a top-10 pick we narrow our options down a (frank)load: Vancouver, the Rangers, Vegas, Detroit and maybe Buffalo. Of those teams, Detroit is near cap-(frank)ed and lacks any Dmen of worth, the Rangers and Vegas don't have Dmen of worth that they'd trade (Skjei or Pionk; Theodore, Miller or Schmidt) and Buffalo is already pretty cap-committed on D. That leaves us with Vancouver and Chris Tanev. Would you give up a top-10 pick to rid ourselves of Russell's contract and acquire Tanev? I wouldn't.

The only dark horse I can think of is Nashville if they win the Cup. They're a perpetually forward-thinking organization that might decide they could let a guy like Ellis go if it meant bringing in a prospect of high quality. As Ellis is due a substantial raise a year from now and with Fabbro, Allard and Carrier already in the system, they could see an opportunity to stay ahead of the curve by moving Ellis while his value is at its peak. In this scenario, I don't envision we could free ourselves from Russell's contract, though. Maybe Sekera's with some cap withheld?
- MaximumBone

1st and Russell for Kronwall and Ericsson. Fixed your defense.

The ghostofRC got two years once...this one is only 3 months...
- Iggysbff

You and your (frank)ing alts. Pathetic. Follow the CoC.

Dumping guys with no trades would be ideal to give us expansion draft flexibility.
- Reveen.

NTCs have no bearing on the expansion draft; only NMCs. Both Sekera and Russell see their NMCs expire before the likely expansion draft so there should be no fear there.

1st and Russell for Kronwall and Ericsson. Fixed your defense.
- RafiDRW

Only if you're also taking Lucic.

Only if you're also taking Lucic.
- MaximumBone

Take Abdelkader and add a second.

you rang
- I_Am_Cloutier

Congrats on the new website.

Take Athanasiou and add a second in 2020.
- RafiDRW

Deal

Deal
- MaximumBone

Sure. But we sign AA for 5x5 first.

Sure. But we sign AA for 5x5 first.
- RafiDRW

Make it 4.5 by 7

Make it 4.5 by 7
- MaximumBone

Yes.

How about, instead of actively getting slower, we NOT do that?
- MaximumBone

He is a top 6 player that can produce with varying players as evident with NJ, a big body that's got some skill to his game, he isn't a defensive liability (95% of the time), and he isn't as slow as you say, especially when you consider the fact that he can keep up with Connor and other speedy players(unlike some players......), which is all that matters to me.

We can get faster in different ways (get a Nyquist type of player coupled with some youth). Coupling Maroon with such as system isn't going to hinder that as he has shown that he can keep up and more with such said type of players.

Overall, he would be a good add at the right price (3m, maybe even 3.5/2-3 years mark, anything higher than 4m or 4y's, and I say no, but at least we tried) IMO.

Yes.
- RafiDRW

Realistically, what would it cost to get Nyquist off your hands?

What about Mantha (considering that Blashill has made him is biatch)?

Realistically, what would it cost to get Nyquist off your hands?

What about Mantha (considering that Blashill has made him is biatch)?
- EdmHockeyMan

Nyquist is a Ufa after next season. I’d think a protected first or a second and Yammer maybe?

Mantha would be a non protected first from this year and next.

He can produce with varying players as evident with NJ, a big body that's got some skill to his game, he isn't a defensive liability (95% of the time), and he isn't as slow as you say, especially when you consider the fact that he can keep up with Connor and other speedy players(unlike some players......), which is all that matters to me.

We can get faster in different ways. Coupling Maroon with such as system isn't going to hinder that as he has shown that he can keep up and more with such said players.

Overall, he would be a good add at the right price (3m/2-3 years mark, anything higher than 4m or 4y's, and I say no, but at least we tried) IMO.
- EdmHockeyMan

I disagree with most of your first paragraph.

He most definitely IS a defensive liability (probably among our worst this year) as he regularly got beat by his man or didn't get back fast enough.

He most definitely IS slow. His ability to "keep up" with Connor has nothing to do with his skating but instead to do with his simple, straight line mindset. He's not physically keeping up with Connor on the rush; he simply has the ability to drive the net and finish some of the plays sent his way.

He was also the biggest culprit in unforced offsides going against our team. The amount of times that lumbering mess managed to put himself offside was infuriating.

Contrary to the negatives I express here, it's not like he's without value but his flaws are the exact type we can't have on this team right now. By having both he AND Lucic on our team, we commit to making two of our lines slower than average and- considering their contracts- at least one of them would have to be in our top-6 either taking Nuge's LW spot or making Leon's job more difficult by not giving him the speed on the wings that he needs to be at his best.

Further, adding him would take up even MORE valuable and scarce cap space on a team that NEEDS to add a high-skilled winger to the mix to help Draisaitl on the 2nd line. Paying another aging UFA is not the answer to our team's list of problems.

Unless your solution includes getting rid of Lucic (good luck), I don't foresee a way that bringing him back would be anything but a net negative both short and long term.

Nyquist is a Ufa after next season. I’d think a protected first or a second and Yammer maybe?

Mantha would be a non protected first from this year and next.
- RafiDRW

I could see a 2019 2nd and Yamo going for Nyquist assuming contract talks could be negotiated prior to the deal. That or Safin and a 2019 1st.

I could see a 2019 2nd and Yamo going for Nyquist assuming contract talks could be negotiated prior to the deal.
- MaximumBone

If we could keep the contract at like 5x5 for you guys, I’d hope a third rounder from this year too.

If we could keep the contract at like 5x5 for you guys, I’d hope a third rounder from this year too.
- RafiDRW

I don't think that'd work. I think the point of trading Yamo would be with the knowledge that this year's picks would have to fill the hole left by his departure. It's also my assertion that this trade would occur in July once Nyquist is eligible to be resigned so 2018 picks would be off the board.

Free, did you happen to get my PM? I've got a question for you there if you get a moment.

As for the idea of discussing the press conferences, I don't think I take issue with anyone choosing to discuss it so long as there's a recognition that it's going to contain a lot of rehashing of things that have been said thousands of times before. It would be like a left-leaning political outlet committing a whole article to Trump's comments on wussy grabbing again using the context of a slightly off-base comment he might make in a tweet today.

By my estimation, the best way to handle it would be mentioning it and your thoughts on it as a precursor to a piece of content with some more "meat on its bones" (for lack of a better term).
- MaximumBone

Yeah just saw it and sent you a message. Also appreciate the feedback on the blog!

A discussion of what we can expect in the Nurse negotiations, with comparisons to deals signed by players of similar performance.

A breakdown of the top prospects available in this years draft, that most fit our organizational needs (RW and RH D in particular).

A discussion on whether or not to bring back Ryan Strome, and how much should the Oilers spend if they choose to do so.

A breakdown of Lucic's struggles, and whether or not he's likely to rebound. Are there similar examples around the league perhaps?

An Iggy Roast, with special guests Richard Cloutier and Dozzer.
- Wildschwein

Nurse negotiation I can definitely cover soon

As for Lucic could do a blog on that. Best case scenario I personally envision for Lucic is what happened with Backes. Not going to be a 50 point player anymore but if he can contribute 35 or so points on a third line and be effective with those minutes.