I don't like the Graves or Bunting signings. Not at those cap hits.

That's a disgusting overpay for Bunting.

The Pens probably have two or three guys they really love that they feel have a realistic shot of being available at 14. If all of those guys are off the board, I can see them trading down. Wouldn’t happen until they’re on the clock, of course.

Agree completely on Bunting, but Graves I could see going for that much. That's why overall though I am not opposed to trade for a D, they're too expensive on open market. We do need a player like Graves though for Letang, and then a puck mover for Pettersson.

I agree the RD with Letang and Petry need a defensively responsible LD to counter balance them. Also why I'm not a fan of Joseph or Smith as they fit the offensive dman mold more.

From the sound of Blues GM and other reports, they will probably be trading those picks but it will be for current players not other draft picks.

Ideally we can trade Petry, but it will be tough. Crazy that Hextall paid a premium puck moving D for him, so hopefully some GM would at least take the cap hit. I think Joseph could be used in a trade this offseason. Personally I think Smith has more potential, but both are question marks.

Hextall made a lot of lateral moves to make the blue line older, slower, and more expensive. Petry offensively is more gifted than Marino, but I'd rather they just kept Marino and Pettersson as a solid 2nd pairing defensive pair. I worry a lot with age decline for Petry and Letang too. We saw an overnight collapse from Carter and Dumoulin. Hoping they can last at least a few years.

That's why I'm taking it year by year with this team. Try and contend next year for sure, but wouldn't commit to anything beyond that. Because like you said declines can happen quickly. Could also see the core continuing to play well for years given their conditioning. No one knows for sure though, but I think Dubas will rebuild at the right time and recognize when the contention window is over.

Truthfully if they started rebuilding this year, they'd be contenders again in five years. But I fully understand why FSG wants to at least aim for the postseason the next two years. After Crosby's contract ends, all bets are off. Especially if they struggle these next two years.

If they struggle this year they should sell at deadline and start it, which I think would happen if we look anything like last year or if any big players decline. I'm fine trading a 1st as long as it's for a player that we could trade for value once it's time for the rebuild. What would you do about Guentzel? That's a tough one for me because I just cannot see us extending him for over 8 mil with a rebuild 1-2 years away.

bruins pass

It's a bit of an overpay for StL, but not if they really like the guy at 14.



They are unlikely to get a better offer.

Bunting is getting too much but I can see Graves getting something in the 5.5 - 6.5 MM range.

Remove DeSmith from the trade and they probably do it - Bruins don't need him

The Bruins dont HAVE to trade their Vezina winning goaltender for pennies on the dollar. If they get a good offer, they may take it, but this is not a great offer

It’s 2 years

Graves is going to get paid after the Gavrikov overpay. Bunting for 2 years is worth an overpay. I doubt he’d be resigned.

I’d be fine with that.

If Desmith was off the table you’d be saving nearly 5 million and getting POJ to replace a more expensive player like Forbort or Gryz.

Ullmark is a Vezina winning goalie and Cher is an Oscar winning actress. Just because you're good once, people think you've always been great and always will be. Ullmark is a middling goalie who had one good season.

They can keep him of they'd like but my guess they trade him for a young player and a lower draft pick (3rd ish). If he regresses back to what he was, he'll have no trade value.

Both teams are tight against the cap, but my preference would be to LAK for Durzi and a mid-round pick.

Durzi and like a 4th or 5th? I could see that. He is a good young dman. The Kings would have to be sold on Ullmark though. I'm not sure they are, but maybe.

Yeah, I had Durzi and a 4th in my offseason scenario.

Bruins free up cap, Kings get their goalie, and LA makes another move to trade Arvidsson to free up space to sign Villardi. Ullmark had an insane year, but he has always been a very good goalie and is on a good contract. I think he can thrive in LA behind a good Kings defense. He is the second best goalie on the offseason market IMO behind Helly.