I guess that’s why they drafted Howard to replace him lol. They’ll probably sign someone to like a 2 or 3 year deal to bridge the gap for Howard and ideally not use up all their cap space so they can resign Cirelli and Sergachev next summer. Those will be some big tickets.

I'm just curious what the hang-up is. Are we lowballing even in the wake of trading McDonagh (which we have plenty of cap for 23-24) or is he thinking he's going to be able to back up a semi to some teams front office and load it with cash?

At the very least he's earned the chance to test free agency. Stamkos did and stayed and I wonder if something similar happens here. Probably his last chance to cash in, so might as well see what's out there for once in your career.

Lines for next year in Tampa - prediction

Stamkos - Point - Kucherov
Stastny - Cirelli - Hagel
Killorn - Paul - Colton
Maroon - Bellemare - Perry

Hedman - Cernak
Sergachev - Foote
Edler - Bogosian

Vasy - Elliott

Like the Stars draft. Would've preferred a RHD like Chesley in the 1st over Bichsel, who looks to be somewhere between Oleksiak and Hakanpaa, but will take it. Our prospect pool had very little in the way of defensemen and was loaded at forward (to where when I was doing ACGM's, I couldn't fit everyone into the NHL roster over a 3 year projection) so 4 defensemen may seem excessive but it was the right call. 3/4 of them are RHD, where Cecconi is the only young RHD we have outside of Heiskanen. The sleeper goalie pick was nice too. Increases the odds that between 3 of them in the system, one of them might become an NHL caliber guy behind Oettinger. The final pick of Stankoven's line mate in Kamloops was nice too.

I realize I'm a homer because the Stars are my favorite team, but I think they have a top 5 prospect pool right now. If not top 5, at least top 10 with Johnston, Stankoven, Bourque, Dellandrea, etc.

Your really comparing this to a hunter draft

Oh boy I think we got a case of crazies here

This this is no where near a hunter draft

Its pretty much on par with last years with the addition of 2 picks

So Giroux to Tampa could actually happen..........

Grav? lol. I think Odelius average rank was around 30. Hes Just the perfect modern 2nd pair D, that’s what you want in a mid-late rd pick. There are some defenseman with higher ceilings (not by much) but much lower floors.

A reach on a 2nd round pick like Korshkov, a D+3y goalie, and overager Russian D+1y 🤷‍♂️Seems kinda similar to me. The only thing that’s not is the small FWDs that is very Kyle.

Again, all good to have a difference of opinion, for me they added very similar skill sets in the players drafted and if you really wanted Minten, trade back.

Really hope I’m wrong

Doubt he's willing to sign a one year deal

If Tampa was willing to sign Palat 5- 6 mill x 4 years Gioux 5mill x 2 years isnt out of the question

After all he just wants to win

With the cap issues they got I'd be amazed if they signed a guy for a multi-year deal - especially at that cap.

Would kinda like to see Stastny in Dallas on a 1 year deal.

Don't mind that either

Based on reports Calgary offered him 8x9.5 and he still hasn’t taken it.

https://twitter.com/hockeydaily365/status/1542902973365362689?s=21&t=_Kijl2wFVvouEBAeBmlmDQ

Breaking News: Johnny Gaudreau signs a 7 year contract with the Lightning

I like it
He gets more experience playing and living in NA and makes the jump to NJ late next season, once Luke also joins the team

Yeah but that same total money on a 7 year deal is 10.8mil AAV. So you’ve gotta both top that AND be a place he wants to go. You willing to drop 11-12mil on Gaudreau? I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets the Panarin contract on the open market, because he’s better than Panarin.

It sounds like they want to either sign or trade for a big name guy to play with Benn and Seguin on the 2nd line, but I think putting Benn on the checking line and having Stastny with Seguin and Gurianov would be ideal. Gives us some nice cap space next summer (although I would hope some of that goes to bringing back Pavs for one more year to chase a Cup).

The Minten pick is the only head scratcher for me. I'm completely fine with everything else.

Thrilled with Moldenhauer actually, think they got a really good value selection there. I don't really lump him in as the same type as those other guys who are much more "waterbug"-ish. Lisowsky, yes, but hell - 7th round pick who was ranked much higher that's got a wicked shot and a high motor? You're not gonna catch me complaining that he's small.

Could not care less if a goalie's been passed over - they're weird. Not gonna pretend like I know enough to say this was a great pick, but I also can't say it's a bad one. If you think you see something in the 6'6" goalie that put up a .931 at two different levels this year and want to spend a 4th on him. Fine by me.

I'm very intrigued by Grebenkin. His shot definitely needs some work, but boy howdy does he ever seem fun. Lotta raw skill there.

I don't get Hunter vibes from this at all.

NJ maybe? Since the Flyers don't have cap space, that's the closest team with cap space to where he's from. The next 1-2 seasons might be rough, but in a few years, they should be legit with all of their young talent.

Minten was confusing then I read his strengths and Im like k now I see why they picked him

Strengths

Two-way game
Play along the boards
Penalty Killing
Net-front presence

Play along the boards and net front presence. Dont know about you but a lot of leaf fans been asking for more guys that can do that. And I know Knies is one but why have one when you can have two with the other being a center

Only issues are FOW% and entries which are simple fixes

Like I talked with 3 scouts and they said hes a pretty safe pick if your looking for a defensively minded bottom 6 guy with some scoring upside.

I think Tampa got a steal in Lucas Edmonds, he’s absolutely gonna ball out in the Tampa system

Yeah but LDBB is literally the same thing (also a 2-way centre) but better offensively, so more likely to be a 3C than a 4C. And there are several other centres between LDBB and Minten imo at varying levels of 2-way play (Goyette, Greene, Hughes, etc.). Minten was a reach.

LDBBs issues made his risk level slightly more higher which was probably why the Leafs were eying someone whose issues were easier to work on

Skating (breakaway speed)
Size and physicality

As basically Minten is a 2/5 for risk while Belluz was a 3.5/5 last time I checked. Both had a 4/5 reward factor

And the good news for Minten we got a FO coach in Malhotra who can help him whenever he gets the chance

Also I think Minten was drafted to be a 3 or 4c and it makes sense as if Leafs get Strome and extend Matthews there really isnt a 2c spot for a while. Or there could be better options in 2023

That’s an easy match though, I’ve done Dallas AGM’s with him signed to that.

If any team wants him, it’ll have to be the 4 first’s one.