I've heard WSH fans saying they'd want an exempt RD prospect plus 2nd rounder for Vanecek in return. Think a RD prospect, two seconds and a third is a hefty price for a first rounder. Think you could cut down one of the picks WSH is giving up or potentially EDM has to add something.

That being said, Vanecek to EDM as an idea is solid. Vanecek-Smith sounds like a good tandem.

1. Many appealling exposed Dman in Washington
2. Vanecek track record is too small and his potential limited.
3. Allen will be a far better option for a backup goalie.

All this to say that I dont think Washington should be stressed of loosing him. IMO they would even be happy, since a backup is way easier to replace than a roster player.

Value wise, goalies usually fetch a midround first. I would get rid of the 2nd to make it fair.

But he's not a backup goalie; that's the whole point. He was 9th in the league in starts but 7th in wins (which means he played above expectations), 18th in save percentage (0.908) and 15th in GAA (2.69); those stats are better than more than half of the starting goalies in the league. Now if you want to argue that one year is too small a sample to make a final determination on his future, fine; but characterizing him as only a backup is both premature and contra-factual.

To be fair he would've been a backup had Samsonov been healthy. He wasn't even a NHL goalie before this year, he was the 4th goalie behind Samsonov, Lundqvist and Copley in WSH. He made it to a starter with a stroke of luck in a sense.

I see lots of similarities in between Vanecek in 2020-21 and Peter Budaj in 2016-17. He didn't play many, if any games in the season(s) before that, but with injuries LA had no choice but to use him, and to everyone's surprise he played extremely well. But that didn't make Budaj a starter. He was traded to a contender afterwards, which ultimately lead his career to an end.

Not saying that Vanecek shares the same value as he's definitely younger than Budaj was and carries more potential and a better contract. But I would say it's premature to call him a starting goalie. Solid 2G with extremely desirable contract, but an established starter...wouldn't buy him as one just yet.

Fair points. But I wouldn't call Sebastian Cossa a starter yet, either, and he won't see the NHL until 2023-2024 at the earliest.

We'll have to wait until he gets drafted lol

Yep. Schultz finished 32nd in points by a defenseman this year, with 27. Burns had 29, but age, cap hit, and term. Gio had 26, but age and cap hit. Schultz might be SLE's first power play quarterback. If they're lucky they also sign Mike Rielly in UFA for their second unit, or maybe pick Miller out of Buffalo, who didn't get a lot of points this year but sometimes can.

As far as goalies, teams probably pay mid-round picks to dump Holtby and Allen. Each has carried a team to the Finals. Adin Hill is younger and bigger than Vanecek and might be a good enough 3G to develop slowly behind that aging tandem.

I haven't read any update on Kempny's health or Samsonov's contract.

In a Tor thread yesterday someone pointed out that if the Caps trade Vanecek before the expansion draft, the return has to be enough to also justify losing whoever else Seattle claims instead. A 1st pick is probably more valuable than a 25 year old goalie who did okay as a starter in a short, strange season. But not by a 2nd and 3rd and Schultz, I don't think.

I think if Edmonton trades for a goalie it will be through Seattle. They will have many G options that could be intriguing to Edmonton short term (Allen, Knobby, Talbot) or longer (Hill, Vanecek, Kivlenieks)

A lot of UFAs also with Raanta, Andersen, Ullmark, Dredger, Grubaeur (?)...

As the Oilers saw last year its hard to get UFAs to come here. If they get their UFA target that's great was just saying a trade through Seattle could also make sense if free agent market doesn't favour us.

I certainly think it is between Dillon, Schultz, and Vanacek to be exposed / selected by Seattle. Obviously, the caps would want Dillon / Schultz to be selected. They will probably try to sweeten the deal with a 3rd - ish to make that happen. Maybe I am wrong here, but Vanacek is a good spot starter, and did well this season for the most part, but I think there are better options for Seattle. If I am Seattle, I am taking Schultz over Vanacek, as RHD who are solid offensively and can head a PP are pretty valuable.

As far as Sammy - next contract is going to be around 2 years, $2-2.5 mil (maybe a little more to avoid arbitration) according to Caps analysts.

Kempny is a huge question mark - one major injury with a pretty big set back in back to back seasons. I believe the Caps believe that he will be ready for the season, as he was skating / practicing with the team (in a non contact jersey after his set back) during the playoffs. Have to remember, during the cup run, he was arguably the Caps best defender...

I think it would be smart for Caps to protect:
Backstrom, Oshie, Kuzy, Mantha, Eller, Wilson, Sprong. Orlov, Carlson, TVR. Samsonov. McClellan will be making a trade or two regardless of who is selected. In my scenario here he could take Vanacek, Dillon, Schultz, Jensen, Sheary. I would most want him to take one of the D men (2.5 - 4 million savings helps). But if he were to select Sheary or Vanacek only, the Caps are going to have to make a few trades after or on draft day to get Ovi and Sammy paid plus fill out the roster. This would likely mean sending out picks with the trades too which isn't ideal.

Thanks for the response!

Thanks for the response!

Thanks for the response!

So is Eichel to Anaheim done or what?!

God, I hope so.

I'm sure you've read me on this subject before, but aside from the issue of whether a rebuilding team should surrender substantial values (and the Buffalo guys usually demand three of our six best assets) to acquire one player, I think that it would be GM malpractice to make any trade for Eichel before he's played at least half the new season, so that we can be sure that he's made a complete recovery from what was, after all, a season-ending injury. That seems elementary to me.

So maybe even a trade deadline deal would be prudent then?, I see what you are saying. That injury is a concern for sure.