Not even gonna outline specific values but just going to throw some ideas around regarding the state of the team.
Gonna start with the coach. I think Don Granato would be a great hire on a 3 year contract if he is not kept as H.C. of the sabres. He seems to have done a fantastic job with developing and working with young players. If Columbus is ever going to become a relevant franchise, we absolutely need to be able to retain young talent, and that starts with being able to connect to your young players and building a positive winning culture. Among the coaching candidates out there, I think he would be one of the best options for where this team is going the next 3 years. David Quinn would probably be my second favorite choice based on this. I think Rick Tocchet and Gerard Gallant are both very good coaches but are not the right fit for what will be a rebuilding franchise. I will not be thrilled if Brad Larsen is hired as the next head coach but maybe it'd help the tank I guess?
Now for the players.
Seth Jones almost certainly will be traded. I think the format of the deal will see something along the lines of a decreased version of the Erik Karlsson trade. EK65 was dealt for 2 solid NHLers, 2 good prospects, 2 draft picks and 2 conditional draft picks. I could see Jones fetching 1 NHLer, and then either 2 good prospects and 1 first rounder, or a higher end prospect, one first, and a 2nd or 3rd rounder. In any case I think the first would have some protection (top 3 or top 10). I would love to see us possibly take on a bad contract and weaponize the ample cap space we will have to gain additional assets as well. MTL, CHI, LAK have been named as potential destinations and I think EDM and PHI would be a good fit as well, and I'm sure some other teams will get into the mix too.
One of the goalies will be dealt as well. If Elvis wants to stay and be part of the solution, then It wouldn't be a bad idea to keep him around. If not, he likely will be traded. He's a good goalie, and he really cares about winning. I wouldn't blame him for not wanting to extend here after seeing the way the team has unraveled in front of him. Korpisalo had a down year but he's still a good to decent goalie who is definitely capable of being a starter or at a minimum part of a goalie platoon. EDM, SJS, CHI, PIT and PHI would be some possible suitors but I could definitely see the organization not wanting to deal him within the East, let alone the metro division. Value wise, I feel like Jarmo will get more than people expect out of whichever goalie is dealt, just a hunch.
I think Laine will get a 2 year deal, bringing him to last RFA year. Depending on how things go I wouldn't be shocked if he was dealt at some point during next season, but I doubt he'll get dealt after his disastrous last season.
Werenski, if he is willing to sign long term, should be signed. If he doesn't want to sign is a conversation for another day with his RFA status.
I think it's extremely important than management is transparent with the players that the plan is likely two years of pain in 2022-2023, but after that I don't think it is unreasonable to be a legitimate team if Columbus is able to get top 3 picks at least one of those two years. Shane Wright and Connor Bedard in particular are two talents you can truly build a team around and guys like Matvei Michkov and Matthew Savoie will be good players as well. If Nick Foligno wants to come back despite the teams direction, he should absolutely be brought back with open arms to be a mentor to the young players on the team. If he doesn't want to return though I wouldn't blame him. NHL players only get so many chances to pick where they play and give themselves a chance to win a stanley cup.
Expansion will be dependent on trades made and who goes in and out. No real concerns there.
In summary, it's imperative to get this rebuild done right. The Brendan Shanahan "there will be pain" approach is what this franchise needs, without becoming Buffalo. It's a delicate balance, but it can be done. Sell the guys who don't want to be here, bring in a coach that develops well and connects with young players, and bring in veterans who can be good mentors when you can.
Would be interested to hear the input of others on what they'd give up for guys like Jones, the goalies, etc and what they think of this rebuild plan too.
Decent NHL Player (maybe a cap dump would add assets)
Good prospect 1
Good prospect 2
Protected first Round Pick
Conditional pick on advancing to SCF/ winning cup (probably like a 2nd)
Columbus might as well keep him. He's character flaws, two years of down productions, & him being bad along the board with essentially not playing the game right way when he's not playing position he likes is going to significantly decrease any interest in him
He's also not a C. The sooner he recognizes that, the better
Columbus might as well keep him. He's character flaws, two years of down productions, & him being bad along the board with essentially not playing the game right way when he's not playing position he likes is going to significantly decrease any interest in him
He's also not a C. The sooner he recognizes that, the better
If you’re referring to Domi, i see those points. And just tagged Minny in the trade as a random hypothetical. He definitely has his deficiencies as a centerman. Not too sure what we do with him
Domi is a tough one for CBJ. He's not a good center, but he's the best they have. I think they re-sign him because no UFAs wants to sign in CBJ.
Sadly yeah. I don’t think he’ll re-up with us personally, so odds are he gets dealt closer to TDL. Best hope is to be able to sign some veteran ufas to plug holes like Ottawa has done to help their rebuild along.
Sadly yeah. I don’t think he’ll re-up with us personally, so odds are he gets dealt closer to TDL. Best hope is to be able to sign some veteran ufas to plug holes like Ottawa has done to help their rebuild along.
I dunno. If he wants to be a center I think he will. There aren't many teams out there where he would be a center let alone a top-6C.
If you’re referring to Domi, i see those points. And just tagged Minny in the trade as a random hypothetical. He definitely has his deficiencies as a centerman. Not too sure what we do with him
Yeah referring to Domi. He really needs to grow up. His throwing his career away over position, & whether or not he plays on top lines
I dunno. If he wants to be a center I think he will. There aren't many teams out there where he would be a center let alone a top-6C.
Quoting: BoeserSZNMNBoy
Yeah referring to Domi. He really needs to grow up. His throwing his career away over position, & whether or not he plays on top lines
Honestly didn’t follow the jackets as closely rumors wise this year, was Domi wanting to play center and not wing something that’s always been a thing or is this a recent thing that’s come out?
Honestly didn’t follow the jackets as closely rumors wise this year, was Domi wanting to play center and not wing something that’s always been a thing or is this a recent thing that’s come out?
I’m all for a painful rebuild if that’s the clear goal. Then Laine and Werenski need dealt and probably Merzlikins. Let Korpi play for a bad team for two years until Tarasov is ready, and it’s off to the races. With a top forward this year and next from the draft and a few FAs this team could be totally remade and ready to compete after next season. Jarmo is a wizard when it comes to trades so I have full faith that he’ll figure something out.
Honestly didn’t follow the jackets as closely rumors wise this year, was Domi wanting to play center and not wing something that’s always been a thing or is this a recent thing that’s come out?
Going back to Montreal. When he doesn't get his way, he pouts, & basically shows in his play on the ice
If he doesn't play c, or gets demoted, instead of taking that as a challenge like nico sturm did with Wild when benched, his attitude shows in his refusal to go full out on the ice . He does so by not hitting, not skating to the best of his ability, & lacks of care on the board defensively, & offensively.
It's why going back to Montreal, I personally didn't have a positive view of him
I’m all for a painful rebuild if that’s the clear goal. Then Laine and Werenski need dealt and probably Merzlikins. Let Korpi play for a bad team for two years until Tarasov is ready, and it’s off to the races. With a top forward this year and next from the draft and a few FAs this team could be totally remade and ready to compete after next season. Jarmo is a wizard when it comes to trades so I have full faith that he’ll figure something out.
Agreed for most part. I think Werenski should be kept if he wants to stay through short rebuild but I won’t be heartbroken at all if Laine got dealt. Might as well just wait for him to recoup some of his value before doing so though. And as good as Jarmo has been at trades and finding talent, he definitely needs to prove he can keep some of this talent he finds... I get that Panarin, Bob and Duchene were unique scenarios but PLD definitely wanted out so the narrative of stars not wanting to be here has been established and needs to be put to bed
Going back to Montreal. When he doesn't get his way, he pouts, & basically shows in his play on the ice
If he doesn't play c, or gets demoted, instead of taking that as a challenge like nico sturm did with Wild when benched, his attitude shows in his refusal to go full out on the ice . He does so by not hitting, not skating to the best of his ability, & lacks of care on the board defensively, & offensively.
It's why going back to Montreal, I personally didn't have a positive view of him