VGK isn’t going to retain and send a 1st. It’s one or the other bud

I hope they go for the first but Fleury in Minnesota fits really well. Any news on the Petro front?

Nothing yet

MTL should accept that deal

Take out Hartman and make it a 1st rounder

Stop encouraging Montreal fans. Wild don't want Domi, he isn't the answer here.
I agree with @VGKNation702 if Wild want the 1st then Vegas should not have to retain.
I like Laine but given what his contract demands are likely to be and the fact Fiala and Kaprizov will both need raises I don't think Wild should be in on him unless they plan to move 1 of Fiala or Kaprizov.

I don't think Domi is the answer either, but giving up Greenway+'21 2nd was always okay with me. Giving up Hartman seems a little much, maybe MTL could toss a 3rd back, but swapping two wingers for one better winger should be the strategy we're trying to go with.

If you're talking about giving up Dumba for Domi though, not even a little bit.

Atleast you and I agree he is a winger, to that point do we need another left shot wing. Especially one who will demand in the 5 to 6 million AAV?

When did Lanie become a 2C?

If Domi (belongs at center as much a Laine does) is only signing for $4.5m then MTL keeps him.

I think 5.5M is palatable for Domi.

I know we have a lot of wingers right now, but looking at the depth charts here:

x-Johansson-Fiala
Kaprizov-Bjugstad?-Zuccarello
Greenway-Eriksson Ek-Kunin
Foligno-Sturm-Hartman
Parise
Donato

I don't really want Parise playing on the top line with Fiala, I think Kaprizov and Zuccarello should be the de facto second line to begin the season. Don't break up the Ek line unless you have to. So as it stands, in my eyes, we could still use a top 6 winger.

How is Zucc a top-6 wing and Parise not? I want Zucc nowhere near anyone in the lineup.

MarJo/Bjugstad/Fiala
Kaprizov/JEE/Kunin
Parise/Rask/Hartman
Greenway/Strum/emergency goalie
Zucc

Until Parise is moved though you don't have that option, can't sit him in the press box. I agree to start the season Zuccarello and Kaprizov should be paired up. I would like to see JEE moved up the lineup to see if there is more offense so I would break up the GEEK squad. Maybe try Kunin on the left wing opposite Fiala see if he can take off. Greenway needs to prove he wants to be more consistent so I would be content leaving him with 3rd line minutes. Guerin has been pretty clear that though he values Bjugstads ability to play center the organization sees him as a wing. I know GMs bluff alot but I really think he intends to allow Rask to play.

Parise was awful at 5v5 this year. He can play PP1, but if he's anywhere near the top 6 at even strength we're in for a long season. Zuccarello, for his shortcomings and disappointments, was at least a middle six player 5v5.

Why do you have both Kunin and Fiala playing offhanded wing? It opens up the shooting a little more, but makes it harder along the boards by putting everything on their backhand.

Okay so what I'd like to see, and let's pretend this Domi deal goes through, as well as the Donato trade:

Domi-Johansson-Fiala
Kaprizov-Ek-Zuccarello
Parise-Bjugstad-Kunin
Foligno-Sturm-?

The problem then becomes your shutdown line. You have to find another good defensive RW to play on the fourth and be the shutdown line. Parise-Bjugstad-Kunin honestly is kinda worthless. I would almost switch Kunin and Zuccarello in that scenario. The Fiala line is obviously your top offensive line for 5v5 and PP.

Yeah it seems like Fiala played better on the right, but it would be starting point and just adapt from there if it doesn't work. Could have them flip flop when they are in the defensive zone. I see Kunin as a guy with some ability would like to see him start to blossom.

You almost have to move Bjugstad down to your 4th line RW, I'm not sure how good he is defensively and Rask is your 3c which as a 3rd scoring line might be ok. He isn't a good skater and doesn't back check well but if you can control his defensive zone time it won't be so bad. I think Wild have to increase Zuccarello's value so Wild have to give him opportunities to get with Kaprizov.

Bjugstad is not good defensively. That's what concerns me. That's also why I'm hesitant to trade Hartman, because if you plan to give Kunin any kind of increased offensive role, you need Hartman to fill in the defensive role he leaves behind.

Fiala saw a big drop in his 5v5 adv stats without Parise. Koivu being an o-zone blackhole tanked a lot of their stats too.