NFT: NHL Free Agency Thread

In comment 14493196 Jay on the Island said:

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In comment 14493163 Eric on Li said: Quote: In comment 14493159 Jay on the Island said: Quote: In comment 14493153 Eric on Li said: Quote: we could even use Eakin to replace our 3C, so I'd love to send Vegas a good package for him + 1 of their wingers. Marchessault would be perfect but even with all their salary issues I have a hard time seeing them deal him. I'd almost definitely give up next year's 1st plus a solid prospect for that combo though - and with them already almost $3m over the cap, with 3 more roster spots to fill, it seems that's the type of move they will need to make in addition to dealing Gusev. I agree I don't think Vegas wants to move Marchessault. I think they would most likely move Eakin, who has just 1 year left on his deal, or Smith who has 3 years and an AAV of $5 million. They could also force a team to take on Reaves which would free up $2.775 million in cap room. Eakin is an excellent 3rd line center. Eakin + Reilly Smith would be a great fit for a Trotz team. I'm still holding out hope Lou has an offer sheet for Marner up his sleeve, but I wouldn't be disappointed at all if he pivoted to something like Eakin/Smith. Ehlers is another guy Staple has mentioned as a possibility for something built around Leddy + picks/prospects, I'd be on board with that. Just don't want to see another huge chunk of cap room go to waste again like last year. Acquiring those two would give the Islanders a very deep team. I still can't believe the Islanders landed both Dobson and Wilde in last years draft. Wilde probably needs another year of development but Dobson should be ready to step into the NHL right now if they deal Leddy.

Wahlstrom is the guy who I was the most surprised about. Still can't believe the Rangers passed on Wahlstrom. I would have taken Wahlstrom ahead of Quinn Hughes and Boqvist.

But the way Kravstov seems to be developing it will be a non-factor, but I thought the media/local pundits will be watching those two for a while.

Wahlstrom, Wilde and Dobson is a home run trio IMO.

fans watched the Memorial Cup, but Dobson was a beast for the champion Rouyn-Noranda

need to make room for him in the NHL (Lou even admitted there's nothing left for him to do in junior). The only minor issue is that he's a RD and Leddy is a LD, but hopefully they can just move someone to their off side. Pulock and Mayfield have been studs so keeping them at RD would be ideal so the only other option is Boychuk (who they should probably be "keeping fresh"/minimizing as much as possible anyways).

But that's what's frustrating about Lou doing nothing again (so far). It has literally been a calendar year since his last trade (only GM in the NHL who hasn't made a trade in that period of time). He's got a good farm system, all his future picks, tradable assets, and cap room. So he's holding a good hand and has yet to play a hand.

In comment 14493201 pjcas18 said:

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fans watched the Memorial Cup, but Dobson was a beast for the champion Rouyn-Noranda

I didn't watch a ton (mostly just the highlight plays) but I saw he was playing like 30 minutes per game. He's been so good even "pay your dues" Lou already said he's got nothing left in juniors.

I've never loved Wahlstrom - seems like a good scoring winger which isn't a bad thing - but doesn't seem dynamic enough to ever be a major impact player. I'd have no issue trading him in the right deal whereas I wouldn't move Dobson under almost any circumstance.

In comment 14493205 Eric on Li said:

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In comment 14493201 pjcas18 said: Quote: fans watched the Memorial Cup, but Dobson was a beast for the champion Rouyn-Noranda I didn't watch a ton (mostly just the highlight plays) but I saw he was playing like 30 minutes per game. He's been so good even "pay your dues" Lou already said he's got nothing left in juniors. I've never loved Wahlstrom - seems like a good scoring winger which isn't a bad thing - but doesn't seem dynamic enough to ever be a major impact player. I'd have no issue trading him in the right deal whereas I wouldn't move Dobson under almost any circumstance.

I'd take Wahlstrom in a heartbeat. There is no hole in his game. He doesn't have the edge work or transition of Hughes, the shot of Matthews or Caufield, but he's like a Bergeron om the ice and his hockey IQ + skill combo is off the charts. I loved watching him play.

Canadiens and Islanders have been frequent trade partners, I'd love to see them trade again if it included Wahlstrom. Maybe Trotz can "fix" Drouin.

In comment 14493205 Eric on Li said:

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In comment 14493201 pjcas18 said: Quote: fans watched the Memorial Cup, but Dobson was a beast for the champion Rouyn-Noranda I didn't watch a ton (mostly just the highlight plays) but I saw he was playing like 30 minutes per game. He's been so good even "pay your dues" Lou already said he's got nothing left in juniors. I've never loved Wahlstrom - seems like a good scoring winger which isn't a bad thing - but doesn't seem dynamic enough to ever be a major impact player. I'd have no issue trading him in the right deal whereas I wouldn't move Dobson under almost any circumstance.

I would jump at the chance to add Wahlstrom. I think he is the type that would thrive if you put him next to a player like Hughes who has has played with in the past.

I really wanted the Devils to draft Wilde or K'Andre Miller in the first round but I didn't expect Ty Smith to fall past the Islanders. I also didn't expect Dobson or Wahlstrom to fall to the Islanders though.

I was disappointed NJ didn't trade up for Wilde when he fell out of the 1st round.

But he does happen to be exactly what they need next to Barzal. Drouin I�m a little suspect on his fit with Trotz.

In comment 14493224 Eric on Li said:

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But he does happen to be exactly what they need next to Barzal. Drouin I�m a little suspect on his fit with Trotz.

I don't think that Wahlstrom will be an elite superstar but I think that he could develop into a consistent 25+ goal scorer with 55-65 points. If you put him with a stud center then he could post a few 30+ goal seasons.

In comment 14493226 Jay on the Island said:

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In comment 14493224 Eric on Li said: Quote: But he does happen to be exactly what they need next to Barzal. Drouin I�m a little suspect on his fit with Trotz. I don't think that Wahlstrom will be an elite superstar but I think that he could develop into a consistent 25+ goal scorer with 55-65 points. If you put him with a stud center then he could post a few 30+ goal seasons.

Yea that sounds reasonable - and to me a player like that is dealable for the higher level guys that generally hit the trade market (like Stone at deadline or ROR last summer). I would not deal Dobson in that type of deal though.

Big right handed defenseman who are good in the offensive zone are pretty rare.

but I think Wahlstrom is a solid top 6 forward you can pencil in for 50+ points, with upside depending on who he is playing along side and if he's on specials.

People look at freshman and their NCAA stats and form opinions (not saying anyone here did but people do). I remember the same thing with Tkachuk. "only" 31 points in 40 games at BU where people expected him to dominate.

He was 2nd in rookie points (to Pettersson) and 2nd in rookie goals - in the NHL. 2nd among rookies in PIMs.

i tend to agree with the 50 point guess, 25-30 goals, similar number of assists in a good year. That's definitely still a useful player, I just don't think he's going to be another Barzal (who was a similar surprise to fall on draft day). But I could be wrong, his goal scoring upside could be higher than i'm giving him credit for and if he does end up next to Barzal that's a very big head start in the right direction. There is definitely some validity to the Tkachuk/NCAA comp.

just talking about Sabres weak D last night with someone. This will help and Nylander is replaceable. But will fit in better with the 'hawks.


NHL.com
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Henri Jokiharju was traded to the Sabres by the Blackhawks for Alexander Nylander on Tuesday

Ristolainen is a top 4 D.


Steve Dangle Glynn
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Buffalo�s gonna trade Ristolainen for something obscene. If they get better goaltending, which isn�t a high bar to get over, they�re gonna mess around and make the playoffs.
4:54 PM - 9 Jul 2019

Gotta be more trades

What percent of fans want trades?

In comment 14495668 Davisian said:

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What percent of fans want trades?

We know that the Rangers need to trade some salary before the season, Davisian. I'd make a lousy GM, because I get impatient; to make good trades you need to be pretty chill and wait for your best option(s).