Looking at how Chevy might be able to leverage the Expansion draft to rebuild the blueline and reshape the roster.
This assumes a trade is arranged with SEA before the expansion draft. There are assumptions about which players other teams will expose. Please don’t bother debating the expansion list, if I used a different set of players, the objective would be the same.
Logic- Seattle must select 30 contracts. They can only ice 23 players, so they will have opportunities to trade assets to build long term.
The build: the key part of this roster is the Sea trade. This gives up Copp and Stanley, but enables the Jets to acquire 3 valuable assets: Gio (top 4 D), Appleton (who was exposed and could have been selected) and Robinson (a really great, high energy 4th line who brings experience and some youth).
This leaves the Jets with some holes to fill.
Jets FA - Pionk extends for the full 8 years at a slightly lower AAV. He’s a long term Top 4 right D. Jets sign Poolman for org depth at a reasonable contract, 2 year one way deal. Matty P is given a second year and a very reasonable contract for the value he brings (energy, experience and flexibility) to the bottom 6. Brossoit doesn’t find a 1B opportunity and comes back to caddy for Helly.
UFAs - this leaves the Jets in need of a middle six wing and top 4 RD. I really like Hyman, he should be able to play anywhere in the top 9 and contribute. The perfect Maurice forward when he inevitably puts the lines in the blender. I would slot Prefetti in, but I don’t think he’ll be ready to play in the top 9 next October and he can’t get 10 mins per night on the 4th line. Look at Caufield, he didn’t join the Habs until a full 2 years after he was drafted. Prefetti takes a similar route, and if he’s ready come March, it’s a depth bonus for the Jets.
On D, I would love Hamilton, but don’t think that is happening. Larsson is likely going back to the Oilers, but $5M is a raise, and he’ll lock down a top 4 RD for the next few years. This will give Morrissey the strong partner that he’s lacked for 2 years. Martinez could be an option, but he’ll make over $5 in all likelihood.
Overall, I like this roster. I think it checks the boxes and would be a significant upgrade over the past 2 years.
Seattle is giving up Kukan, but they will have better bottom pair D options from other teams.
CBJ
Seattle takes Robinson and includes as part of the trade to WPG.
2.
WPG
Seattle sends Gio and Robinson to Winnipeg and receives Copp and Stanley. Seattle selects Jordie Benn, a UFA contract only the expansion draft as part of this trade. (They might sign him, or let him leave as a UFA - contract is a placeholder)
SEA gets a very good middle 6 forward and future assistant captain. He brings strong 2-way play and leadership to help build the culture. Stanley is a solid young bottom pair D with second pair potential. The draft pick is to cover the salary retention on Gio.
Seems like a lot of maneuvering to go through to get stuck with a severely declining defenseman.
Gio is not a Norris candidate or anywhere close, but next year, he is much better than Stanley, and I would take him on a 1-year deal at $3.5M over any other LD for more money on a multi-year deal. Heinola, Stanley and Samberg are all competing for 2 spots on the left side, Gio gives Chevy another year of development for Samberg and leadership in Gio.
I don’t think the Jets can sign 2 top 4 dmen in a single offseason. (Forbort is not Top4 on a Stanley Cup contender).
I think the Jets will have Morrissey and two of Heinola, Stanley and Samberg on the left side from 22-23 onwards, but to compete in 21-22, they need a two veteran Top 4 D.
I don’t think Jones is an option, 12+ teams will be offering $7.5-$8.5M+ to Hamilton as a true #1 D. There are maybe others, but any LD with term would block two of the young 3.
Gio is not a Norris candidate or anywhere close, but next year, he is much better than Stanley, and I would take him on a 1-year deal at $3.5M over any other LD for more money on a multi-year deal. Heinola, Stanley and Samberg are all competing for 2 spots on the left side, Gio gives Chevy another year of development for Samberg and leadership in Gio.
I don’t think the Jets can sign 2 top 4 dmen in a single offseason. (Forbort is not Top4 on a Stanley Cup contender).
I think the Jets will have Morrissey and two of Heinola, Stanley and Samberg on the left side from 22-23 onwards, but to compete in 21-22, they need a two veteran Top 4 D.
I don’t think Jones is an option, 12+ teams will be offering $7.5-$8.5M+ to Hamilton as a true #1 D. There are maybe others, but any LD with term would block two of the young 3.
So, if I'm reading your trade correctly. You're giving up Copp and Stanley to protect Appleton I guess and get Giordano? To me that is an Oiler management type deal. From what Calgary fans we're saying last year, they'd love to dump Gio and from what I saw I agree with them.
I also disagree with you on Stanley, from what I saw this past season at worst Stanley is equal with Giordano now and is 15 years younger.
That's just really terrible asset management and would just enable Maurice to continue to play plugs over young skill.
McDavid, Connor
250 000 $)
Windjammer a aimé ceci.
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