Botterill says, sure I can help out.

Goalie market over saturated no way holtby gets all that

but Kovalchuk said he wants to win a cup......

Not to mention goalies haven't gotten a major price tag like that in awhile. What did Bishop get traded for to LA? Wasn't much. Lehner got a 1st rounder because the Sabres were idiots. Flames only got Brian Elliott for a high 2nd despite having top 5 goalie numbers during his 4 year span with the Blues(albeit in fewer starts). Holtby will get a prospect and 1st or a goalie swap with a pick and prospect maybe, not a top 4 d-man plus

Bishop was clearly going to be chosen in the expansion draft, and was also clearly declining. Holtby is neither.


The main idea here, of trading Ovechkin and Holtby while they're still awesome, and then signing UFAs and promoting from within to keep the team good? That's a good idea. I posted something similar with more moving parts this afternoon. Nobody's read the whole thing yet. Yours is a good start.

I know what the idea is, but you're not going to get that kind of return for Holtby. I don't have an issue starting anew, if Washington loses in round 1 then they definitely should. But why not trade Backstrom while he's still valuable? He's in that same age range so it makes and you'll get a lot higher return for him

Backstrom's the #1 C off the team that won the toughest division the last three years. Holtby's a #1 goalie off same. Both should have some value. When BIshop was traded, he had 16 wins through the trade deadline. Holtby had 34 this year. Carolina beat that by two this year. Obviously wins are a team effort, but having a goalie with the patience, endurance, and confidenceto stay calm through adversity is valuable.

Justin Faulk plays 22 minutes, but with 58% offensive zone starts this year, for like 30 points. He's not a top fifty defenseman. People are trading for him like he is, or like he's still 22 with unlimited growth potential like he was the time he broke 40 points. Now he's 26 with an impressive 200 career points and a less impressive -100 career rating, including -26 this year. People are trading for him all over this page this year because he's suddenly looking like a bargain, and can probably do better in a 20 minute role--not because he's an all star or a Norris candidate.

You're right that a lot of teams want centers, but I think most teams want recent multiple Vezina trophy winning goalies, too. I think most teams want the guy with the best active playoff save percentage, who's tied with Brodeur for the most wins in a single season. Your argument about Bishop getting old and injured in a season when Vasilevsy played and won twice as many games as him, with an expansion draft coming up? You delivered it very well, for what it is.

Name one available guy better.

What pick would the Caps give a team to just take Orpik's full cap hit off their books?

There may not be “better” guys but if I’m Carolina I’d much rather sign a guy like carter Hutton that won’t cost any assets or trade for a young goalie like Jusse Sarros that would cost much less and fits the age of the young core much better

Most teams want a number 1 center. That's why a high end center usually requires getting a number 1 defenseman or a team's best prospect plus picks.
The goalie market is not that high. Faulk is a top 4 defenseman on just about any team. The fact he's been able to put up the points he has is impressive considering the weak offensive teams he's been on. Yeah, he's not the greatest, but he can produce lots of offense from the back end which is one of the most sought after commodities right now. Also, Faulk is only 26. Defenseman don't usually hit their prime until about 28 to 32 years of age. History shows he'll get better.

Hotlby is a good goalie. Probably a great one, but there aren't a lot of teams seeking a goalie. Islanders, Blues possibly, most teams are happy with their goaltending situation though. Carolina probably wants one, but would require Darling going the other way. Faulk won't be part of that negotiation and if he is, no first will go to Washington. If Holtby brings in any first rounder, it's going to be a late first at max with a prospect, not a top 4 defenseman. Yes I know Holtby has a vezina to his name, but when you're replaced as the starter and the back up carries the team the last month or so, the value will take a small hit. Holtby's value should be higher, but unfortunately he's only worth what teams are willing to pay for him. Which nowadays isn't that much.

The market is oversaturated because not enough teams want goalies right now. It isn't because Holtby isn't (or is) a great goalie

I never said he wasn’t I know he is. I 100% agree with you. I’m just stating that there’s no way caps will get a HUGE return for holtby due to the market.

I'm agreeing with you. This was meant for the other guy