Columbus being the biggest free agency spenders in the NHL in back to back years is the world I want to live in, especially after watching everyone walk over the past few years. It's unrealistic, but I f*ckin' love it!

I could see something like this given that the 2nd rounder is an early pick.

It would be worth it alone for the apoplexy it'd give Dom Luszczychyn (I didn't look that up so apoloigies on spelling) even if the team never wins a game.

That little bonus of giving Larkin the same AAV as Werenski made me smile.

Agree. Low 1st is probably what Murphy is worth given that he's pretty good and (in the current environment) cheaply signed.

I like this. Murphy buys us time until jiricek/corson are ready. No chance it happens but if jackets end up with bedard/fantilli then horvat wouldn’t be necessary and we could use that cap space elsewhere or this could let the jackets take a chance on drafting Michov if they get the third or fourth pick

There's definitely a chance they can end up with Bedard or Fantilli based on the standings today. Ananheim and then Chicago have the best shots, but I also think the league doesn't support tanking and thus finds a way with the lottery balls to stack the odds of them being rewarded for tanking...a bit of my conspiracy theorist head talking though LOL

As a jackets fan I support any lottery conspiracy theories. The jackets have been awful for most of the franchises history and has never won the lottery. It’s almost statistically impossible for them to have never won the lottery

This also makes me believe Chicago is a shoe in for a top 2 pick as long as they finish below us in the standings

With the recent sex scandal coming to light a year with the hawks upper management and the current ownership's mishandling of it, I can't see the NHL rewarding Chicago with Bedard 1 year later

Ah yes, the NHL having great morals for once I guess is good

I would be happy to get either Larkin or Horvat and think Murphy would be a great add also.
The only problem with adding both would be if Jake doesn't end up as LTIRetired next year.

We can dream though.

Technically, we have one lottery "win". OTOH, said "win" had us move from 4th to 3rd overall, and the payoff was folks reacting with confusion when we passed on Puljujarvi, and then getting brutally backstabbed five years later... so I can easily see why it too could be considered ultimately a loss.

A very high 2nd pick and Roslovic for Murphy seems to be a very fair deal and I bet Chicago would be happy to see that return. If Chicago unloads Kane, Towes and take this offer they are going to have unreal amount of picks in the top40 next year for their draft!

Based on this roster that Left Hand Defense still looks rather shakey and I am concerned about long term payments for Sillinger/KJ coming up but this is a very good team that could get you to the conference championship loss. Defense still is a concern though with this setup and would be nice to have a 2way 2LHD that could be seen at an affordable rate around 3-4 mil *cough cough*

If only Gavi would sign with us at that price...