I'm going to start this on the positive side. It's not that hard to fix EDM's problems. They have the hardest pieces to get already on this team. AKA...other worldly talent.
What their missing though is 1 more really solid defender, a REAL goaltender, but a good backup would be nice too, but IMO most importantly is depth forwards. You can't go into TRIPLE OT and then find out guys like Chaisson, Khaira, McLeod, and Koekkoek all had 10 minutes or less. Actions speak louder than words. They're all just liabilities on the ice. McLeod is very young though...he gets a small pass.
ALL of these items can be found AND quite easily to be perfectly honest. You do need cap space, but the pieces are out there.
Goalies - This is the single easiest piece to find this off season. With literally 7 ROOKIES getting 20+ games...Vanecek, Lankinen, Shesty, Sorokin, Oette, Kahkonen, and Ned.....that solves ALOT of problems for other teams. CAR is no longer looking for a starter AND Pytor is coming up. CHI is no longer looking for a starter, but they are looking for a backup. MIN is no longer looking for a starter, but likely trying to get Talbot to come back. WAS now has Vanecek and Samsanov...so not likely looking for a started. OTT has Murray and (3) different rookies with 10+ games. TOR has Campbell, but will be looking for a backup. What are guys like Freddie Anderson, Bernier, MRazek (backup), Raanta, Dreidger, Duby (backup), Halak (backup), going to do. Point is...EDM will basically have their pick. I chose Freddie and Bernier to both come to EDM because they A.) want to win B.) have something the prove C.) don't have many other options.
Role players -
Luke Glendening, #1 on DET's PK and #3 in the NHL for face off percentages. He's a role player for sure, but one of the better ones.
Goodrow and Coleman - I'm lumping them together. They can go from one elite team to another, BUT with more money offered to them. Both of these guys have come up big in the playoffs for TBL. Physical forces beyond just Kassian that are fast and add an element of scoring depth that EDM doesn't currently have in the bottom 6.
Adding a Dman. This one's a bit tougher, but it's doable. I signed a UFA obviously and it doesn't HAVE to be Cole, but I feel like he's a bit underrated right now. Oleksiak is another options, but you might also be able to go trade for a Brendan Dillon. WAS is looking for cap space.
Finally. I inserted a blank $10M LW space. You choose who you want for $10M there.
Reunite the Otters. They had great chemistry and their playing styles will help eachother. Play Stome at LW and Pool Party at RW. McDavid is obviously the speedy center, but Strome has really good vision and passing. He can also be a 2nd scoring options which again...obviously McDavid is the 1st option.
Add ALMOST anything Chicago wants...ALMOST... This $10.25M Cap hit is vital to making EDM better.
The one thing EDM doesn't need is a top 6 player. They can score with the elite teams, but their defense needs improvement, the goalie needs to get better, but IMO the single most important thing they can do is forward depth. More specifically, each depth forward needs a specific ROLE or be a specialist. It just seems like EDM's current bottom 6 are failed top 6 forwards. Just my opinion.
2.
EDM
Any Team. Just go away. Add smaller pieces if needed to lose the dead weight.
You can. That's the $10M option as the #2 LW. I'm just pointing out that there's ALOT of choices you can make. $10M can get you just about any UFA out there.
Koskinen and Neal to CHI would take assets I don't think you're willing to give, Koskinen was not good this year, and even with only one year on his contract there's a much greater than zero chance he gets buried in favor of Soderblom, Delia, or Subban depending on camp. Neal's contract is Neal's contract.
Think Broberg or Bouchard + Holloway + a pick. Hawks could add Vlasic or Krys coming back.
I think EDM would be better served, in all honesty, by trading for Strome and moving Draisatl for a huge haul, and using Strome as a 2C or spot LW as folks develop.
Koskinen and Neal to CHI would take assets I don't think you're willing to give, Koskinen was not good this year, and even with only one year on his contract there's a much greater than zero chance he gets buried in favor of Soderblom, Delia, or Subban depending on camp. Neal's contract is Neal's contract.
Think Broberg or Bouchard + Holloway + a pick. Hawks could add Vlasic or Krys coming back.
I think EDM would be better served, in all honesty, by trading for Strome and moving Draisatl for a huge haul, and using Strome as a 2C or spot LW as folks develop.
You can't trade away Drai. McDavid would revolt...and he should if you trade Drai. Let's pretend you EDM did trade away Broberg or Holloway or etc... NONE of them are the reigning hart winner on a VERY good contract. EDM can't trade either of those guys. Just Tear off the band-aid and pay either ANA or DET or CHI whatever they want in picks / prospects.
Are you willing to give up 3 first rounders to get rid of the Kosk and Neal and bring in Strome??
To win a cup. YES. I'm not an EDM fan though. I just see EVERY year multiple teams trade away 1st rounders for meh players. It's almost a requirement to win a cup. Be proactive and get rid of the Chiarelli garbage and go get your players. Make McDavid/Drai, AND THE FAN BASE happy.
I keep seeing EDM fans saying “get the Otters back together” with Strome and McDavid. However, Strome is already with an Otter, Debrincat, and the magic isn’t there. Idk if the magic would be there with McDavid. I wouldn’t bet on it.
I keep seeing EDM fans saying “get the Otters back together” with Strome and McDavid. However, Strome is already with an Otter, Debrincat, and the magic isn’t there. Idk if the magic would be there with McDavid. I wouldn’t bet on it.
He's $3M, an RFA, and has shown to score 51 point in 58 games. He's 6'3" and 200 lbs. The dynamics of that line are such that Strome doesn't have to be the fastest guy. McDavid spreads the ice all by himself. McDavid already does that right now regardless of who is line mates are. Strome also has a chip on his shoulder. His exit interview makes it seem like he'd be ok getting traded.
I don't understand that Hawk trade....way to cap going to Hawks and the players going to Hawks aren't good.
Same with Seattle, they have no reason to help other teams cap issues.
I don't understand that Hawk trade....way to cap going to Hawks and the players going to Hawks aren't good.
Same with Seattle, they have no reason to help other teams cap issues.
The description of the Seattle trade says any team, AND that if minor pieces need to be sent to shed that cap...that's ok. I just was spending too much time on everything else.
The description again already states that EDM would need to send additional picks/prospects..whatever CHI is asking for technically. It might even need to be Dylan Holloway or Phillip Broberg. The point is that EDM should send just about anything to a team willing to take $10.25M in cap space. You're a TOR fan, and $6M cap dump known as Marleau cost Seth Jarvis. There's a bit more to that Marleau trade, BUT this is $10.25M vs $6M, AND getting Strome from CHI in return as well.