CBJ seems to be trying to win now with this group but has too many NHL caliber RHD, is missing a true centre for their top line, and an option in net that should give them great confidence.
Boqvist appears to be the odd-man out as Severson essentially replaces his role and Gudbranson is immovable.
While Backlund is not a 1C, a group of him, Fantilli, and Jenner is a group which I would argue are all very strong 2Cs, especially with the defensive impact of him and Jenner.
Vladar is coming off a rough year but gives CBJ greater goaltending depth should Elvis or Tarasov falter as we are seeing the league shift to a 3G scheme.
I'd look for Jiricek to take a spot from Peeke or Gudbranson, both of whom are coming off of disappointing years.
Considering better health, a coaching change, and bolstering the defensive environment with players like Provorov, Jiricek, Backlund, Texier, and Severson. This team will hopefully be much better than the year before and compete for a wildcard spot in a competitive Metro division where teams such as Washington, NYI and NYR have regressed or failed to make noticeable improvements. Pittsburgh is still a factor being in the EK65 sweepstakes but are always a threat to fail given the age of their core.
When moving Boqvist I looked at adding a middle 6 C/RW with offensive upside. Considered teams who might need him as Colorado, San Jose (if they moved EK), and St. Louis but ultimately could not identify a player who met my criteria and might be available. I also considered adding Kuznetzov but soon realized that would not work as Washington already has Carlson, Jensen, and TVR locked up on the right side, with the latter 2 being recently resigned.
I acknowledge that this does give CGY a bit of a defensive logjam but with the uncertainty regarding Kylington and the possibility of Hanifin being moved, I think there is a reasonable case that he would fit:
Weegar - Andersson
Kylington - Tanev
Zadorov - Boqvist
Would it really cost Boqvist *and* and a 2nd to get Backlund as a rental? And I really don't know what Vladar's value is, or if he really has any.
I'm a fan of pivoting to Backlund rather than Lindholm. He's a great 1C filler to give Fantilli some breathing room. And if he's willing to sign short-term on a team friendly-deal, all the better. I also prefer to move Boqvist rather than Peeke - Boqvist is an offensive-D who needs to play higher in the lineup, which is jsut not going to happen with Severson and Jiricek breathing down his neck. Peeke can excel in a sheltered third pairing role.
Vladar fits the bill of what we need - a G insurance policy, but I'm not sure Jarmo will trade for a $2.2M G jsut to bury him, and with Tarasov and Elvis not waivers-exempt, it'll be a tricky game (although I think there is a real chance Elvis could be put on waivers to be sent down to CLE to find his game if he struggles).
It'll be interesting to see if CGY pivots and moves their UFAs. I still think they go into the season with everyone, and wait until the TDL to see whether they have a shot or not.
Would it really cost Boqvist *and* and a 2nd to get Backlund as a rental? And I really don't know what Vladar's value is, or if he really has any.
I'm a fan of pivoting to Backlund rather than Lindholm. He's a great 1C filler to give Fantilli some breathing room. And if he's willing to sign short-term on a team friendly-deal, all the better. I also prefer to move Boqvist rather than Peeke - Boqvist is an offensive-D who needs to play higher in the lineup, which is jsut not going to happen with Severson and Jiricek breathing down his neck. Peeke can excel in a sheltered third pairing role.
Vladar fits the bill of what we need - a G insurance policy, but I'm not sure Jarmo will trade for a $2.2M G jsut to bury him, and with Tarasov and Elvis not waivers-exempt, it'll be a tricky game (although I think there is a real chance Elvis could be put on waivers to be sent down to CLE to find his game if he struggles).
It'll be interesting to see if CGY pivots and moves their UFAs. I still think they go into the season with everyone, and wait until the TDL to see whether they have a shot or not.
I know Backlund will be fairly costly given the year he just had, I'm not sure if it would cost that much because I don't know what value Boqvist presently has so added the second because I'd rather pay too much than not enough in an ACGM. I do agree with all the points you have made to an extent. I think Jarmo would be fine adding Vladar at his cost because he is waivers-proof because of his AAV, gives the goaltending depth necessary, and recent moves in FA have suggested ownership is not worried about cutting costs. Its also only a 2 year deal and can be wholly buried despite CBJ not having many expensive contracts to resign next year and the cap going up.
Too much for Backlund. Don’t think the jackets will have any interest with vladar either. I’d do the 2026 second for Backlund
The whole point is to move Boqvist, so make the trade him plus whatever picks you want to get the value right. I think CBJ would be interested in adding another goalie for depth, but if Vladar isn't him, then I won't lose sleep over it.
Backlund has a 10 team trade list, Odds of the CBJ being one of those 10 teams is 0%.
I think that would be the biggest hold up, but perhaps he can be convinced into a reunion with Gaudreau and Gudbranson and the opportunity to get first line minutes in a contract year.
The whole point is to move Boqvist, so make the trade him plus whatever picks you want to get the value right. I think CBJ would be interested in adding another goalie for depth, but if Vladar isn't him, then I won't lose sleep over it.
If vladar is waivers exempt then I could maybe see this deal getting done or if one of Elvis/tarasov gets injured during the season. I think as it stands boqvist has more value than Backlund half retained. Would rather deal boqvist for futures and then flip a lesser pick(s) for Backlund
If vladar is waivers exempt then I could maybe see this deal getting done or if one of Elvis/tarasov gets injured during the season. I think as it stands boqvist has more value than Backlund half retained. Would rather deal boqvist for futures and then flip a lesser pick(s) for Backlund
That is a fair take. Vladar is essentially waivers exempt because his cap hit makes it very unlikely he would be claimed. Elvis does not inspire much confidence after the previous year and I very much hope he bounces back, but a rookie in Tarasov and Jet Greaves are not very strong insurance policies so adding Vladar at pennies on the dollar is very much worth it imo.