Toronto's deadline is going to be interesting - obviously this team has to be more or less all in this season so they're going to push to upgrade certain parts of their lineup. But they've got some unique challenges - an injury-prone goalie, not a *ton* of cap space (we're assuming Jake Muzzin is LTIR the rest of the season at this point), and a lot of middling prospects and missing future picks. This is how I'd try and fix it if I got hired tomorrow.
CLEARING THE DECKS
First off - this team has 50 contracts signed and not a lot of flexibility because of it. Let's clear out some guys that aren't needed.
-NAK goes to Colorado, the one team in his career that seems to know how to get the best out of him and could use an upgrade over the Dryden Hunts of the world.
-Justin Holl gets shipped to Anaheim who will probably want a dependable veteran in the room with Jamie Drysdale out for most of the rest of the year, and most of their veteran D being on the trading block.
SIGNING
With some available contract slots open now, I'd sign one of your AHL goalies on PTOs - Keith Petruzzelli is an interesting option to me. This is his 2nd year bouncing around the Toronto system, he's putting up decent numbers, and he's still only 23 years old. I'd sign him as depth in case Murray gets hurt again - with Joseph Woll also hurt you've really only got 2 healthy goalies in the systen (Dennis Hildenby is in Europe this season) so having another warm body is a must - plus there might be a little upside to unlock in the former 3rd round pick.
TRADES
-With Holl gone, I'd want a solid veteran to take over RD3 - Justin Braun went for a 3rd rounder last year at the deadline, but he's another year older and playing less. I'd say a 4th rounder & a lottery ticket prospect would be worth Philly's while in retaining on Braun and getting him in at a minimal cap hit. Now you can pair your young D with solid vets - Gio/Lily on one pair and Sandin/Braun on another. Help guide them into being more polished NHL players while also keeping the team competitive.
-Nick Bonino is a strong defensive presence for the bottom 6 who comes with championship experience - 2 rings to his name. San Jose is going to want to get younger, and they're going to need guys on their ELCs, so I think sending Alex Steeves and giving them an advantageous pick swap gets you Bonino fully retained.
-Andreas Athanasiou is a defensively limited player who brings a ton of speed. I love the idea of putting him on Tavares' wing with another speedy guy in Willy Nylander. Tavares is a great passer and having two deep threats ready to go has great possibilities in my eyes. Since there's enough cap space to take on Athanasiou without using one of the Hawks' 3 retentions slots, I could see him getting a lesser return - a late pick and a flawed but talented prospect like SDA might be very enticing to Chicago.
Now you've got 4 solid lines - the top 2 are here to generate offense, and the bottom 2 are filled with guys who are strong defensively but not hopeless on offense - I wasn't sure about Nick Robertson on the 3rd line, but I want him in the NHL when he's healthy so I like putting him with some defensively minded veterans to make up for any of his deficiencies.
Your D pairs shuffle out with your excellent #1 pair in Rielly/Brodie, with two well balanced pairs behind them. Goalie is a little iffy with Matt Murray's injury history, so I'd roll with Samsonov as your #1 - he's streaky but I'd bet on him being more likely to steal a game or a series for you.
Taxi squad is who I'd bring to the playoffs as black aces.
Not sure what you think Der-Arguchintsev is worth, but it isn't that much. I'm not saying Athanisiou is going to get CHI a 1st or anything ridiculous, at least not at this juncture, but they should be able to get a significantly better return than that.
Not sure what you think Der-Arguchintsev is worth, but it isn't that much. I'm not saying Athanisiou is going to get CHI a 1st or anything ridiculous, at least not at this juncture, but they should be able to get a significantly better return than that.
Even if the value is fine, they will surely want a 2023 pick instead.
Not sure what you think Der-Arguchintsev is worth, but it isn't that much. I'm not saying Athanisiou is going to get CHI a 1st or anything ridiculous, at least not at this juncture, but they should be able to get a significantly better return than that.
probably worth a 4th rounder. But even if that is the right price in the end the hawks will just take a 2023 4th rounder instead. my guess is he'll get a 3rd and maybe a late round pick too
McDavid, Connor
250 000 $)
dannibalcorpse a aimé ceci.
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