better for montreal, good trade tho

The Canadiens are hoping for a top defense and center prospect and pick. We could use Steel.

I don't think the Ducks will move Steel. I could see them maybe moving Kossila or Max Jones. But I get the feeling they are not going to sacrifice Steel.

Good offer, but they need a center

Overpayment for a player the Ducks don't really need. The asking price is too high because Bergevin got fleeced on the Sergachev trade. 1st round picks seem to be under valued in a deep drafts in the next few seasons. Ritchie is playing much better since playing with Kase and Rico. Pass.

I was about to say exactly this. The value must about right but not what habs would be looking for

Good points. I would argue the Ducks would like to add a scoring winger like Max. The Ducks also very rarely trade 1st round picks, which means we have a ton of up and coming players from that last few drafts. They could potentially afford to lose one for this year. Also, the Ducks still are battling for playoff position and could potentially miss so Bob Murray may not even pull the trigger on a deadline acquisition. Thank for the input

How do you MTL would feel about Kossila? 38 pts in 35GPin the AHL this season as a center. 48 points last year. Probably the Ducks best center prospect behind Sam Steel who I don't see them moving. Thanks for your input

I do see the point in adding a winger but what about when Eaves can finally play? The cap situation, chemistry and lines all play a part in a decision to add in front. I'd argue Ducks need a defender more than offense.

MB got fleeced!!!....maybe but most people would let 5yrs go by and not 50 some games before making a claim like that.

Eaves won’t be enough back before the playoffs if at all. No cap in play offs and then Bieksa is off the books next season. But for a playoff run this season a D is the bigger need as Bieksa is just awful but if Pettersson keeps playing solid like he is they could be fine at D.

I know, but then you have Patches for next season, that has potential cap implications and if Eaves is able to play next season, where do you fit both of them and Raks? That has line chemistry implications and could really muck up chemistry.

We also could use Steel. Hence, he's not available. I don't see anyone giving up a highly-touted C or D prospect for Patches. Good luck in your search though.



Agreed on all fronts.



BM has been reportedly in on Vanek, but I'm not sure he'd even be worth adding. We're not linked with anyone of Patches calibre and for good reason because we have nowhere to put them.

In terms of our 1st round picks, we didn't have one last year. I don't believe BM will want to miss out drafting in the 1st round again this year too. Moreover, I think we may have missed on a few former 1st rounders. I'm not convinced that Ritchie or Jones will be top 6 level talents, probably more top 9. We also don't know where Steel or Terry will finish up, top 9? top 6? elite level 1st line players? who knows? Therefore, I think we need to continue to draft as high as we can as many times as we can. Also, as you said, we're not even in the playoffs and, therefore, that 1st round pick could be a mid-1st and worth a lot to us. Personally, I wouldn't move it.



I would think that Troy Terry is our 2nd best forward prospect. He's looked fantastic in the Olympics.



Agreed. D is the main issue we have, but I don't see that getting fixed until the off-season.

There have been rumors of a Patches for Barbashev or Kyrou, Vince Dunn, and a 1st.

They could make the cap work as Bieksa makes more than Eaves and Montour and Ritchie will probly get bridge deals. The chemistry thing is a little overrated by you. Players can find it when playing together plus Eaves and Pac are both high character guys. They’ll fit in the room just fine.

Maybe I’m biased, but I would say that Steel is a tier above Kyrou. I know Kyrou has put up some great numbers, but his numbers are also inflated because of the dominance of the Sarnia Stings PP. I mean, 32 of his 88 points this season came on the PP. Meanwhile, the Pats have never had a top draw PP, so most of Steels production has to come 5-on-5. More importantly though, I’ve watched a lot of Steel and he definitely has elite level IQ and vision. Conversely, I think Kyrou just has a very good, well-rounded game, but doesn’t particularly stand out in any area. Because of that, I think if anyone is going to be an elite player, it’s Steel. Again, maybe I’m biased, but I’d be more willing to move Kyrou if he was on my team, just like I’d be more willing to move Terry than Steel right now. I just think Steel looks like a guy who could be the next Giroux. I wouldn’t say the same thing about Kyrou.

I wouldn’t even class Barbashev as a highly-touted C prospect. The guy has played quite a number of games at the NHL level and hasn’t exactly set the world on fire.

The rest of that package is just standard extras. Overall, I think the value is fine. In fact, it’s pretty much how I value Patches now i.e. young roster player + good prospect + late 1st. Basically, what Ryan got when we moved him. Still doesn’t include a top C prospect though. At least, not IMO.

I think the main issue is where do you put all these guys? I guess, with the arrival of Patches, Ritchie could be placed on the 4th along with Perry when Eaves returns, but that seems like a waste of top 9 talent. More importantly though, what do you do when Henrique, Silf and Patches all need raises the following off season? Too much money to afford all 3, so you have to move someone. Then you probably lose value because you HAVE TO move them and can’t take salary back i.e. exactly what happened with CHI and Hjalmarsson.

Also, what about guys like Steel and Terry? When do they get their shot? No chance they break into the top 9 with all that talent in it and those guys aren’t really suited for the 4th line either.

If you win a cup it’s all worth it. Then steel and/or terry take the spot of a Pac or Henrique. I know they’re C’s but one could play on the wing. Plus who to say Eaves ever plays again? He’s got a serious condition and I hope he comes back but that’s not a given. Oh and the salary cap goes up with the D locked down long term. At this point you’re making trades to win the cup. If the only way to keep Bieksa out of the line up is trading for a D then that’s the priority but Pac would be a good add too.

Yeah, true. I also don’t think Eaves will be back. His condition isn’t durable and could be life threatening. I think you put your family first in that situation.

Idk, I not against the idea, I’d just prefer to see BM to see BM go big and try and get EK, even if it cost us Fowler and couple big future pieces. I don’t think EK will cost as much as everyone thinks (i.e. 5 x 1sts) because his term is very short and the salary issue.

I’ll pass on EK. You’d have to take back Ryan too at 7.5 and that’s too much. I’m not sure who’s actually available but cole was in the brassard trade that the nhl nixed but if they figure that out maybe you could get him on the flip from OTT for cheap. I think a 4D to play with fowler is the best route and then if there’s room a Kane/Nash/Pac/Hoffman after that

Yeah, I’m not sure how anyone can afford to take Ryan along with EK. I’m not sure OTT will follow through on that in the end. It would literally leave them with 1 or 2 teams to deal with because most teams simply won’t have the cap space. Therefore, there is no doubt they'd get very little in return for EK. I know they’d be getting an overpaid winger made of glass and only good for 45-50 points off the books for the next 4 seasons, but you’d also be giving up a Norris trophy winning, future HoF D-man for dirt, dirt, dirt cheap. Don’t see it happening. Get max value for EK and deal with Ryan’s contract separately.

Cole would be a good, cheap add. Yeah, depending on the price, I’d be happy to have him join the team. Not sure I go out and get Hoffman/Patches as well as I don’t think we'll be able to compete this year against NSH/PIT/TBL. More importantly though, I really hope BM doesn’t go after Nash or Kane. They’re not worth it and complete waste of assets.

Tbh, I’ll be happy as long as McD and EK don’t end up in TB, as has been rumoured. If TB get either, we might as well kiss our chances of winning the cup with Getzlaf goodbye because TB would be the dominant force in the league.

I think OTT wait til the draft and make the EK trade and pkg Ryan with him but teams will be able to maneuver cap space to make it work.

Cole is going to be traded again. It’s just a matter of the price the put on him. Rumors had PIT asking for a 2nd for him but I’d think OTT will ask for less as the got a return they like for brassard and Cole was just cap room.

I think the ducks have a good fwd group. They can match up with anyone down the middle. They add a solid D to play with fowler and the Dcore is plenty good enough for a cup run. If they add another scoring option it will help the pp and make matchups harder for opponents. I like the idea of a Hoffman or Pac cuz you get them next season too and you never know what could happen. OTT was a goal from the cup final last season now they’re blowing it up. I’d like to see BM go for it.