Writing this up with the assumption that BG will trade Dumba before the expansion draft. If the Wild go 8-1 and Seattle probably takes Greenway, crap but oh well. He's got a good toolkit/size but sure seems streaky this season. He seems to disappear when not on the same line with EEK/Foligno. Maybe I'm crazy, but it looks like he doesn't want to play big without Foligno out there with him?
I think/hope BG will be able to get a good prospect with a pick. Don't see getting that current top 6 C back for Dumba from anyone. Teams I see that fit and might be willing to add another D to protect could be: AZ, CGY & PHI ... I'm sure other teams will be interested as well... maybe EDM? VGK?
Wild go with 7-3-1 (Parise, Zucc, EEK, Fiala, Greenway, Foligno, (Hartman or acquired player if needed) Suter, Spurge, Brodin, Kaapo) Seattle picks from: Talbot, Sturm, maybe Hartman, Soucy ... I'd think Seattle takes Soucy or Talbot
Rossi - sure hope he comes back strong and healthy and works his way into a top 6 centre role.
Menell - I hope he'll be willing to sign with the Wild to get to the NHL next season. If his concern is playing time, the Wild would only have 3 spots filled in the top two pairings and Suter isn't getting younger.
Kirill/Fiala - I think both players will sign contracts that expire before they're 30 so they can cash in again.
EEK - hope he can be locked up for 5 million or less. He's proven to be a top shutdown center and should get paid well.
Hartman - If he's not taken by Seattle I'd like to get him signed for less that 3 million for 2-3 years as a good middle six forward.
Cole - I like the idea of signing him to a 2 year deal. Sure seems like a great 3rd pairing guy.
Resigned current players for fillers
I know Sturm is not ready or will ever be in a 2c role... I think him between Boldy and Fiala could be fun with a lot of energy
This would be my preferred trade. I think PHI could go 8-1 with Giroux, Hayes, Couturier + fwd of choice, Provorov, Sanheim, Myers, Dumba, Hart. Could see PHI wanting to add Ghost to send back or not be willing to trade Frost but willing to trade Nolan. Adding Ghost would move the 2nd to a 1st imo, switching Nolan for Frost would need upgrade the pick to a 1st plus add another pick or mid level prospect as Nolan is more of a gamble with his health history.
I'd value Hayton lower than Frost. I moved up the 2nd to a 1st and added a 4th. Could also see an interest in Nick Schmaltz + something coming back for Dumba.
Not sure that CGY would part with Zary, heard mixed things from fans if they say he's untouchable or not, but that is who I like to see the Wild go after. Similar to PHI, if they say no, maybe Petterson with a 1st?
Yea Zary is our best prospect he's not for trade. Also we don't have the protection spot for Dumba. We already have 2 Dmen we don't know who to protect why do we need 3?
All seriousness though, I wonder if you can’t build something around Menell for Hayton. He needs more seasoning for sure and ARI doesn’t have the best track record developing Cs....
Yea Zary is our best prospect he's not for trade. Also we don't have the protection spot for Dumba. We already have 2 Dmen we don't know who to protect why do we need 3?
Didn't see Giordano had a M-NMC... doesn't pop up on the Expansion tool... I'd thought Hanifin, Andersson and Tanev were the only 3 and Dumba could be a 4th if they were to value him over whatever Forward Seattle would then take. Also Lucic has a NMC... ouch
All seriousness though, I wonder if you can’t build something around Menell for Hayton. He needs more seasoning for sure and ARI doesn’t have the best track record developing Cs....
Crap thats my fault I forgot to have MN sending both 2021 1sts to AZ for Schmaltz and MN retaining on Dumba.
Didn't see Giordano had a M-NMC... doesn't pop up on the Expansion tool... I'd thought Hanifin, Andersson and Tanev were the only 3 and Dumba could be a 4th if they were to value him over whatever Forward Seattle would then take. Also Lucic has a NMC... ouch
He doesn't have a M-NMC he has a M-NTC. But we have no need for Dumba and I doubt Flames trade Zary
I don't know. AZ would be getting a top pair RD for their team and MN would get a player who hasn't lived up to the billing in the two years since being drafted and picks. I get it that a team wouldn't want to part with a player picked that high, but with a new GM I could see the enticement to get a proven player vs one that the jury is still out on... but just my opinion on it.
I don't know. AZ would be getting a top pair RD for their team and MN would get a player who hasn't lived up to the billing in the two years since being drafted and picks. I get it that a team wouldn't want to part with a player picked that high, but with a new GM I could see the enticement to get a proven player vs one that the jury is still out on... but just my opinion on it.