Dzingle and Duchene both re-sign. Dzingle played college hockey with Ohio State and has stated that he wants to stay, while Duchene seems to be happy for the moment since he's competing in the playoffs. Ottawa receives the 2020 first rounder as a condition of trade that sent Duchene to Columbus. RFAs Werenski and Murray also stick around. Werenski sees a similar cap hit as Jones. Murray doesn't see much of an increase due to his injury concerns. Rookie goaltender Elvis Merzilkins will begin the year with Cleveland in the AHL to adapt to the North American style of play. Forward Emil Bemstrom had a good year in the SHL, recording 23-12-35 in 47 games, and will join Merzilkins in Cleveland for his first full year in North America. Gavrikov should be able to compete with Harrington for time on the bottom pair in a fully healthy lineup, which leaves Columbus with a wealth of options at the blueline. Now for the three way trade. Columbus receives JT Miller from Tampa. Ottawa receives the rights to Sonny Milano, Adam Clendening from Columbus, while also retaining some of Wennberg's contract. They also receive the rights to Adam Erne from Tampa. Tampa receives a cost controlled Gabriel Carlsson to give them a cheap option in the back and a cheaper Alexander Wennberg to take Miller's roster spot. I've done this trade for a few reasons. First, Tampa is clearly in cap trouble, and Miller is forced to leave in an effort to create cap space to sign Point. While Miller does have a NTC, I'm sure he would waive it to go to a good team, especially when that team just swept him. They get a replacement with Wennberg, who has shown flashes of skill but has yet to consistently produce, though he may still become a viable middle 6 player. Secondly, Columbus needed a solid 2nd line forward to go with Dubois and Bjorkstrand. Wennberg, at nearly $5 mil, is too costly as a third line center. Ottawa gets their hands on a decent prospect in Milano, plus a few depth NHL players that they can flip if they want to do so. It should be noted that I have never done a 3 way deal before, so I'm not 100% sure if I've balanced the values for all sides. I still need a goaltender to replace Bobrovsky at this point. Varlamov is the obvious choice but he has stated he wishes to remain with the Avs and Grubauer has given them little reason to think he can take over as starter. I'd love to sign Lehner, but there is absolutely no way NYI lets him walk. I also suspect that Mrazek re-signs with CAR. Talbot is an interesting option. He has experience as a starter, but hasn't done well this season. With that said, Columbus has a better defense than Edmonton, and he won't be forced to play 70 games, so I think he may just bounce back. If he doesn't, Korpisalo will finally have the chance to show why he has been considered one of the better goaltending prospects over the last few years. If Talbot gets scooped up by another team, Kinkaid can return to work in tandem with Korpisalo. He would probably cost around $2 mil given his reputation as a good backup and passable run as starter in a poor Devils team. Speaking of goalies, the crease in the AHL is very crowded with several prospects. With Merzilkins in North America now and Vehvilainen playing very well in Liiga and looking like a candidate for a spot in the AHL, the team can afford to give up Kivlenieks. I'll gowith the Avs, who lack many young goalie prospects aside from 23 year old Spencer Martin, who has been decent in the AHL thus far. This can go to anyone willing to give mid-late round pick for this year's draft. Boyle comes in as a guy who can play in any situation, and will be moved up the lineup as injuries occur. He'll be expected to help on the penalty kill and possibly the second powerplay unit on occasion. Dea adds some depth at forward. Dubinsky looks like he'll either be bought out or sent to Seattle in the expansion draft with compensation.
You give Ottawa a lottery pick? Without Bobrovsky and Panarin this team won't be competing in the playoffs, Columbus went all in this year, and they got further this year then they ever have before (round 2) but I really wouldn't resign Duchene he isn't good enough on his own to make the pick a non-lottery pick, I'd hold off, but it is your decision
You give Ottawa a lottery pick? Without Bobrovsky and Panarin this team won't be competing in the playoffs, Columbus went all in this year, and they got further this year then they ever have before (round 2) but I really wouldn't resign Duchene he isn't good enough on his own to make the pick a non-lottery pick, I'd hold off, but it is your decision
I think they have enough pieces in place to at least make the playoffs. It’s a gamble, but one I’m willing to take when the core group is fairly young
I think they have enough pieces in place to at least make the playoffs. It’s a gamble, but one I’m willing to take when the core group is fairly young
It's a gamble? You're about to lose one of the best goalies in the world and a top 3 winger in the world, for nothing..... Duchene may make up for the loss of Panarin but you're asking a LOT from Korpisalo to hold that load when Bob goes
McDavid, Connor
250 000 $)
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