This would be painfully boring, but you are right...it’s probably realistic.

I'm really hoping we can get Cirelli here. He's the realistic dream but unfortunately I don't think it happens.

It would take a heckuva sales pitch from Guerin for it to happen, that’s for sure!

Would MIN be interested in McCann for Kunin or Eriksson Ek as opposed to Greenway? Not that I don’t like Greenway, but both of those guys can fill the pens need for a 3C or Kunin could possibly play on Sid’s right if the fit is right

It would probably take a trade using Dumba, problem is Tampa's whole cap situation...

I think Ek is close to untouchable since he's the only young center we have (Kunin is mainly a wing) and we have had issues scoring on the PP due to too many left shots since Kunin is the only right shot in our top 9. That's why I think Greenway or Donato are probably the only two of those four that would be available.

Gotcha. Thanks!

How about McCann , Bjugstad, jack Johnson from Pitt
For Greenway, Victor Rask and Pateryn from the wild

We can't take on Johnson, we have too many depth defenseman with 3 young guys waiting for a spot. We also would only have room for McCann since Sturm, Hartman, and Kunin would play in the spots Bjugstad could play.

Greenway wouldn't be a fit for the penguins. He's too slow.
The penguins are not a cycle team, they haven't been in years. if a player can't move up and down the ice quickly they won't make it there.

$5M for Elliott?

It's a lot but I figured we'd have to overpay for him to sign a 1 year deal

I'd hope not. Joel might be out best C in the entire system for the future and it's the same for Luke, just replace "C" with "right hand stick forward". Basically, if I were GM, they'd be practically untouchable

The funny/sad thing is it's not like either of these guys are that special. Ek is a great checking/defensive middle 6 C and that has value on a contender but he's not a crazy good piece or anything.

Yeah, it's definitely not ideal

Then sign someone else. Anybody else. You.

This is both realistic and likely which is why it hurts so bad.

I think you underestimate Ek’s offensive ability a bit. While he’s never going to be confused with Mackinnon or McDavid, he did score almost .5 points a game in a checking role with zero PP time this past season.I fully expect him to end up as a 50-60pt/year 2nd line center who makes the team better in all 3 zones. In fact, I wish the Wild had 3 Ericksson Eks on the squad!

Zacha for Donato (base deal) is the trade I'm expecting. The fit works for both teams considering the systems they'll run.

Ek is kind of like a Danault to me. He has a lot of value on a contender but in a trade he's not super valuable. That's what I meant by my comment, not that I don't like him on our team.

I knew what you meant.
We’ve seen Ek’s ceiling a little different for a couple of years now. As much as I respect your eyes and your opinion about players, I wouldn’t want to agree all the time. That would be boring!

Fair! I still see him as a 3C on a contender, although I'd be an idiot not to admit that I'm higher on him now than I was even a few months ago. He looked great in the play-in shutting down the Horvat Boeser line. I think we should keep him long term but finding 2 more centers to play ahead of him is my ideal long term outlook.

And I would be thrilled, and more than willing to take my chances with 2 more Eks to play center for the Wild.

Somewhere in the middle of your opinion and mine is probably the most accurate one...