1. Caps risk non-tendering Burakovsky and signing him to a cheaper, 1 year prove-it deal. He has said that he really likes it in DC, so he may be willing to do this, but if we lose him for nothing, it could hurt. I don't see another team paying him much more than 1.5M for the season he had last year.
2. Trading Holtby - I think you have to trade him here. I don't think Holtby would be willing to take a 2-3 year short term deal, and the Caps shouldn't sign him for any longer than that with Samsonov in North America. Lucas Johansen is stuck in a log jam at LHD, and Alexeyev is arguably higher than him on the depth chart. You get a 1st, a 2nd, Dube, and Hamonic for Holtby and Johansen. Hamonic solidifies the right side on the third pair, and can move up the lineup if you need him to. Dube is a young player on the fringe of making the NHL, and the Caps need more forward prospects.
3. Trading Niskanen for Nichushkin. Yes, Nichushkin had zero goals this past season. BUT, the Caps have been reviving careers for a few years now in Connolly and DSP, and have had some success. You get Nichushkin on an expiring deal, and could thrive in more sheltered minutes in better match-up situations. You get a couple of mid-round picks for Niskanen, since Dallas is arguably the best trade partner for Niskanen. I see a lot of people trading him to Ottawa, but Niskanen has a NTC, and there's no way he doesn't have Ottawa on his no-trade list.
I think you have to lower you sights for a Holtby trade.. you're looking for a lot there
I think it's reasonably fair - you have an elite, Stanley Cup winning team going to Calgary, who needs to go deep in the playoffs next year. Teams often do daring, desperate things when they fail to meet expectations. Losing in 5 to a WC team isn't exactly the way Calgary was looking to perform in the playoffs this season. Smith was pretty solid in the series, but Holtby has a keen talent for making saves when you need them.
There's added flexibility with his deal expiring, but I think the value of the trade could be even better if Holtby immediately signs an extension. Johansen is a pretty decent D prospect who can slot into the NHL next year, the Caps just don't have a spot for him right now. Realistically, if you want to lower the trade values, you can remove one of the picks.
I think you have to lower you sights for a Holtby trade.. you're looking for a lot there
I agree. While trading Holts now isn't a wild thought, the expected return would be much less. The last high caliber goalie that was traded was Bishop. He was amazing for the Lightning who just went to the finals, then they flipped him to the Kings. In return TBL got G Peter Budaj, D Erik Cernak, a 7th rounder, and a conditional pick. That's not much...
I agree. While trading Holts now isn't a wild thought, the expected return would be much less. The last high caliber goalie that was traded was Bishop. He was amazing for the Lightning who just went to the finals, then they flipped him to the Kings. In return TBL got G Peter Budaj, D Erik Cernak, a 7th rounder, and a conditional pick. That's not much...
If that's the package that would get Holtby, I don't think you trade him. He's worth more than that to the Caps, and they might as well make one last run in the last year of his contract and let him walk.
I agree. While trading Holts now isn't a wild thought, the expected return would be much less. The last high caliber goalie that was traded was Bishop. He was amazing for the Lightning who just went to the finals, then they flipped him to the Kings. In return TBL got G Peter Budaj, D Erik Cernak, a 7th rounder, and a conditional pick. That's not much...
Wasn't Bishop a rental though?
That Cernak is pretty good actually, this is a bit much though I agree and I'm not sure if Calgary would
have much use/interest in Johansen, they have a lot of good young defenseman already.
Really like the premise of it all. Just a few notes.
I don't think GMBM will go over $3.5mm for Connolly. I agree that the 4x5 is about what he'll probably get offered on the open market, but I don't think he'll get that in DC.
Stars trade - I'd rather upgrade the picks from Dallas to a 2nd + 3rd or 4th (similar to the Johansson deal) and no Nishushkin and keep Andre at the QO figure or offer him a more realistic 1 x 2.5mm deal. The team has the space to do it, and Riley Barber can get a shot at 3rd line RW. Maybe sign a Thomas Vanek type (not saying necessarily him) but someone of that ilk to compete for a depth scoring role.
staytru20 a aimé ceci.
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