Doubt TJ Brodie is available from the Leafs. The right side isn't very deep behind him.

Everyone has said Hertl is available except Hertl and the Sharks and the journalists have changed their stories 10 times. Sharks have even said Hertl is not on the block and never was.

Regardless that deal barely gets you Kevin Labanc let alone Hertl.

what happens when Backstrom is back? if Eichel plays this year?

Agree, as of today. I think Sprong has a big breakout year, and by the deadline, this becomes a fair offer. Thanks.



Yeah. Probably not. I was responding to this, which I hadn't noticed came from an Oilers fan. https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/2851140

A Leafs fan traded for Kuznets this morning (https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/2857136) but wants retention.
Since I'm just flipping Brodie to Buffalo and they're all set on LHD for the next decade or so, I'm definitely open to suggestions on how else to make the cap work on that.



Thanks for asking. Kuznetsov and Eichel trades happen together, this week, while Kuznetsov is scoring two points a game and Eichel needs neck surgery. That makes Kuznetsov as valuable as Eichel, I think, but he has an NTC so a one for one is impossible.

The current Caps are just under the cap with 21 players, when healthy, but if they move out Mantha (5.7) and Kuznetsov (7.8), they clear exactly enough cap for Eichel (10)and Kerfoot (3.5), this year.

The other trades are just ideas for how to spend deadline cap space if Eichel and Backstrom are still out.

I’m sure Toronto’s 1st is available but the other 3 pieces are not.

TOR, NYR, and SEA deals look about fair. The others favor the caps (although hard to tell what Kessel's trade value is).

Why would you trade Kuzy right now? I've never seen him look this good ever! Brodie would be a solid add but late first Kerfoot (we have Eller) and Robertson (who everyone loves but hasnt made it back to the NHL since his COVID bubble playoffs)

Value is great but we get a massive downgrade at center and the Capitals defense looks great. i wouldnt touch this team

Thanks so much!

Yeah. I guess I'm hoping that with Buffalo 3-0, they'll start putting value on healthy players who can make them a better team right away. In the summer they would have read that as two 1st picks and some cap baggage, but today it might be two 1st picks, a skilled 2RD, and a big goal scoring winger.



Didn't mean to imply otherwise. As I said above, I was responding to trade ideas from random fans posting on the Toronto side, which I linked above. Don't think the Caps need any of those three. Actually I think an ideal return for four years of Kuznetsov, if he's even available, would just be two 1st round picks, an A- prospect, and 7.8M of cap space. Doubt Toronto is the right club to offer it right now.



Sounds expensive. How about a 2nd and a 5th for bonino, instead?

https://www.quotetab.com/quote/by-mitch-hedberg/my-friend-said-to-me-you-know-what-i-like-mashed-potatoes-i-was-like-dude-yo

RIP mitch

That is a holy overpay for Kuzy

Agree he's playing great hockey. He's two points behind McMichael and Drai for the league lead.

So if they ever want to move him, now might be the only time they get close to fair value. This isn't fair value, but it's not too far from fair. Or he could just keep working hard and keep on improving like a Marchand. I don't know.

Kuznetsov is better than Hertl or Eichel. Has as many 70 point seasons as both put together. But they're each slightly younger, and bring other strengths. Eichel has a 30 goal year and Hertl can lead a shutdown line. Both of them together would be better than just Kuznetsov. I guess the simpler way to upgrade center depth might be to find a way to turn Mantha into Hertl, or something like that. Or just let McMichael and Lapierre keep developing and hope they break out soon.

Here is the attention you requested.

Perhaps a better return would be Set Jones?

There was never really anything wrong with Kuzy. He went from Trotz to TR to Lav all in a 4year period ..... mix that with COVID and no training camp and that could easily explain why he had a down year last year. Hertl is a UFA and imo Kuzy playing to his ceiling is way better than Hertl and slightly worse than Eichel (who is hurt and my never be the same)

its a massive over payment but its a bunch of stuff the Capitals dont need though? late 1st is cool the prospect is glorified on this site and Brodie is great but trading Kuzy would leave a massive hole and he looks to be playing to his ceiling this year.. i wouldn't trade him

"Dach is Elite" that made my smile

Yeah. I've already been flamed for saying picks in an Eichel deal should be conditional on Eichel playing some playoff games, but they should. With Buffalo winning again, they might take Mantha and another player or two for him, without picks. Have to see how long they can keep winning, though, before they start seeing Mantha as a 1R, and not as a medium cap hit they don't want.

Agree Kuznetsov has always been a good center, and I think to some extent his production just shows his ice time and his role. Agree that coaching changes are a part of that, too. Don't think the Caps need to trade him for any valid hockey reasons. And Laviolette now seems comfortable using him in the #1C role that his skills dictate.

But if Lapierre or McMichael could be playing a middle six center role effectively this year and if either Backstrom is coming back or a different top six center is available, then WSH could consider fair offers.

I would trade Eller way before i trade Kuzy.. 1year left and bottom 6.. CMM looks to be the clear cut replacement

Hello my friend.
We have not discussed trades in a while.
IMO an easy yes from Buffalo.
I know the competition has been very soft but a good team is suppose to do well against bad teams.
It would be a dream to see Mantha on the wing with Cozens and Skinner.
Thompson is playing well with Olofsson and Asplund.
Last 20 games Mittelstadt centered Thompson and Asplund, now Mittelstadt is hurt but was on the third line.
IMO Buffalo would want to move Brodie for a RHD of equal value as that is where they need help.

Thanks! Good to hear from you. Brodie has played right side most of his career. Seems to be better at it. I think he might work, there.



WSH could add Schultz, if necessary. Tor could dump back equal cap if it expires this year.

While I do not like left shooters playing on the right side, if that is the case this is a killer trade for Buffalo.
Two picks in 2022, RW and RD.
Skinner Cozens Mantha would be a solid top line.
Brodie, Miller Jokiharju would be a above average RD.

Buffalo's improvement is still mostly going to come from within, as their young players grow into bigger roles, but getting rid of Eichel for two good players and two picks seems great, for them, I think. Not positive whether WSH goes that high, but if that's where the bidding is, and if they want to Kucherov a couple of top centers, maybe?