Niku Vesalalainen Copp all gone for very little all told

Copp is better and younger than Hyman no less

Why not just allocate that money for him

Initial creation date of this team was 2 months ago, was trying to figure out how you had Lowery for less than his extension

I’m not sure Copp is better than Hyman… they’re definitely comparable… but someone has to go to Seattle.

The other option would be using one of Niku/Vesalainen in a deal to protect Copp from Seattle. My concern was mostly about Andrew Copp’s contract negotiations, given what happened last time… but you make a really good point.

Yeah. I started this a long time ago, and completely forgot about it.

While I can see Vesalainen being moved as he's just not getting much of an opportunity with the Jets, and while adding a rugged d-man would be alright in my books, I just don't like the Vesalainen for Gudas move. Now, maybe package Vesalainen and/or Copp and/or Niku for a package that gets the Jets Mackenzie Weegar (plus) out of Florida, and now there's a return that would get me excited for next season!

Detroit declines that trade.

Niku holds no value to Detroit because they already have 4 RD for next years roster (Hronek, Seider, Stecher, Lindström) and will not pay for an AHL bound player.

Beaulieu also holds very little value to Detroit. Detroit needs veteran help on LD but there are cheaper and better options in FA this year (Del Zotto for example) and those don't cost picks.

To Detroit this is a cap dump and those don't get you assets back you have to pay to get rid of them. If you can find another team that values them differently that's fine but Detroit have no use for them.

Julien is done man...heart disease.... and he keep doing the same thing with his bench. He dont try to mix card when its not working...i believe he have a old school mentality

Firstly, Niku is actually a left shot D who can and has played either side. Secondly, getting them both for a 6th rounder is a gift. They may not fill the specific needs on your roster right now, but Yzerman undoubtedly could find a way to turn each of them into assets down the road. Niku especially . . . while it hasn't worked out for him with the Jets, he is still a young, puck moving d-man and that has value. Even if they don't fit in with the roster, and all Yzerman does is flip each of them for individual 5th or 6th rounders at the deadline, Detroit still wins this deal!

That doesn't help if he first have to place them on waivers and send them to the AHL, which is full by the way.

There are dozens of players like them that can be had on waivers every season opening, Detroit will not pay any assets at all for players they can get for free.

There are no roster spots available for them in Detroit, they do not fit any of the needs Detroit have, Detroit don't want them.

Why do other teams fans think that Detroit wants to pay for their rejects without even bothering to check the Detroit roster to see if there is even a remote chance there could be a need for them?

Know what, you're right. I stand corrected. When making my original comment, all I did was a quick pass over Detroit's contracts and saw that they only had 2 defensemen signed on the main roster for next season. I didn't take the time to evaluate which players they may bring back, etc. or who might have a chance at sticking in the majors. Tough to keep a finger on the pulse of every team!

What I should have said is that I don't think Winnipeg should trade Niku and Beaulieu for a single 6th Round pick . . . that the return should be better. (but obviously not from the Red Wings!)

Thanks for admitting your mistake, it's a rarity here...

Detroit do need one or two veteran LD to tie them over until a couple of the prospects have matured but considering that the two players we do have are DeKeyser (with his bad back) and Cholowski (who is questionable defensively) those veterans need to be chosen very carefully. Adding marginal players at that position will only make matters worse.

There are several good options available in FA (Oleksiak and Del Zotto to name two), there is also the option to take on the contracts of Gostisbehere or Gardiner and get picks for it, they are both destined to be cap dumps, or Detroit could trade for Vince Dunn who would be a really good piece to get (Washington can't protect him and is looking to trade him).

All of those options would secure the defense for the few years it'll take for the newly signed good prospects to mature. With 4 bluechip LD prospects signed this year and two more still unsigned + a few longshots there is no worry about the future defense in Detroit, it is set for the next decade on both sides.

Winnipeg might find takers for those two defenders elsewhere but for Detroit they would be considered cap dumps and the price would have to be set accordingly.

Did you mean to type Oleksiak, not Okposo? . . . I don't watch a lot of Sabres games but I don't believe they moved him to defense! Oleksiak would be a nice ad for any team I would think.

Yes, I did.

Thanks for spotting it, I'll change it.

Lowry is already signed for 5 years