2024 NHL Trade Deadline Thread

[cshea]

It's not until March 8 but the chatter is picking up. Last year was a pretty wild rumor mill and trade season, we'll see if it was an outlier or a shifting landscape.

The Athletic has their big board updated:

https://theathletic.com/5208791/2024/01/18/nhl-trade-board-zegras-tarsenko-markstrom/

Some interesting names on there, curious to see what happens. Guentzel is a fascinating one to me. Pending UFA, 29 years old. Pittsburgh missed the playoffs by a couple of points last season and have been hovering around the final spots this season. Trading Guentzel would get them some much needed future assets but it also could be seen as throwing in the towel and that could be a hard sell to Crosby, Malkin and Letang.

I don't expect the Bruins to be very active around the top of this list given the lack of trade assets but they'll probably be linked to 2 of the bigger fish this cycle, pending Calgary UFA's Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin. Lindholm is a Bergeron-lite center with a few Selke nominations on his resume. Hanifin is a LHD, potentially their white whale. The reporting at the time was they wanted to package the 3 consectuive 1st round picks in 2015 to move up to draft Hanifin. So whether they are interested or not they are probably going to be linked to both. Lindholm does not have trade protection, Hanifin has a 8 team no-list. An extemded Hanifin intrigues me. He's only 26, is from Boston, plays 20 minutes a night and the Bruins are probably losing Grzelyck and Forbort after the year so there's a long-term fit. I'd imagine a Hanifin trade would look something like the Hampus Lindholm trade, and I'm not sure the Bruins can deal another 1st and two 2nds plus any players going back. We'll see though, maybe they get creative.

There's been some reporting that they are poking around some middle six scoring wingers so from that list it's guys like Tarasenko, Duclair, Reilly Smith, Dom Kubalik. I think it's more likely they grab one of these guys for a 2025 3rd or something.

 

[Cotillion]

Boston Bruins Future Draft Pick Status (prosportstransactions.com)

It's worth refreshing what Draft capital Boston has available for trades.

2024 - 4,5,6
2025 - 1,3,5,6,7
2026 - 1-7
2027 - 1-7

 

[TSC]

Not having draft picks in the first three rounds of 2024 hurts.

This trade deadline is interesting. Before the season this was widely viewed as a re-set year, but clearly the Bruins are playing way above expectations.

I don’t really see the Bruins being buyers, mostly because I doubt they have the chips (either in picks or prospects or cap space) to do so.

But they do have SOME pieces, depending on how they view this season.

DeBrusk. A maddening player who is a UFA at seasons end. If the Bruins don’t think they want him long term - do they try to get something for him at the deadline?

Gryz. Similar to DeBrusk in that he’s a FA at the end of the season, and may not be in the Bruins long term plans. He may even be the odd man out once Carlo and Forbert return, with the emergence of Wotherspoon.

Ullmark. Probably your biggest “piece” to trade, but also the one that would have the greatest immediate negative impact on the performance on the 2023/2024 Bruins.

 

[cshea]

They're in first place so I'd be stunned if they viewed this season as anything other than a shot at the Stanley Cup. They fired a lot of bullets last year so it probably puts a ceiling on what they can accomplish at the dealine but I also don't think that means they aren't going to try and improve or they have lower expectations for the post season. And if we learned anything from last year it's probably that there's no sure thing so mortaging the future probably isn't worth it to begin with, though it was understandable in light of Bergeron and Krejci's situation.

Of those 3 the most plausible to me is Grzelyck. He's 30 and a free agent. Sweeney has never signed a defenseman over 30 to a multi-year contract. I think it's highly unlikely he breaks that streak with Grzelyck, so I think this plays out like Krug a few years ago and Grzelyck leaves in free agency. If the Bruins need to match salary in a trade, Grzelyck makes the most sense with Lohrei and Wotherspoon emerging.

 

[McDrew]

Does something like DeBrusk (+ Extension) and Grzelcyk (+ Extension) for Lindholm work? Calgary gets 2 roster spots filled for multiple years for giving up Lindholm and the B's get a needed upgrade (defensive/face-off winning C)?

 

[Salem's Lot]

Does something like DeBrusk (+ Extension) and Grzelcyk (+ Extension) for Lindholm work? Calgary gets 2 roster spots filled for multiple years for giving up Lindholm and the B's get a needed upgrade (defensive/face-off winning C)?

I would think that Calgary would want future assets instead of a 27 year old winger who is about to get expensive and a 30 year old defenseman who they could just sign as a UFA in July anyway.

 

[The B’s Knees]

Yeah, Calgary would more likely be looking for some combination of Poitras, Lohrei, Beecher and Lysell since the cupboards are bare with regards to draft picks.

I don't think DeBrusk is on the table and Gryz won't return anything of value.

Ullmark to the Kings makes some sense (Byfield+ in return?) as they likely aren't on his no trade list, but that trade could also happen in the summer.

 

[Salem's Lot]

Yeah, Calgary would more likely be looking for some combination of Poitras, Lohrei, Beecher and Lysell since the cupboards are bare with regards to draft picks.

I don't think DeBrusk is on the table and Gryz won't return anything of value.

Ullmark to the Kings makes some sense (Byfield+ in return?) as they likely aren't on his no trade list, but that trade could also happen in the summer.

LA is not giving up Byfield for 1 year of any goalie. Probably looking at a 2nd, a conditional 3rd and an ok prospect as a return.

 

[The B’s Knees]

LeBrun mentioned last week in the Athletic that Nashville wouldn't even entertain 2 first rounders from LA for Saros. They'd want Byfield plus more.
And Lebrun isn't Jimmy Murphy.

Saros and Ullmark have almost identical contracts and stats, with Ullmark being slightly older.
LA has no solid goaltender option for next year, and they are in 'win mode' so why wouldn't the B's take advantage of that need?

 

[Salem's Lot]

LeBrun mentioned last week in the Athletic that Nashville wouldn't even entertain 2 first rounders from LA for Saros. They'd want Byfield plus more.
And Lebrun isn't Jimmy Murphy.

Saros and Ullmark have almost identical contracts and stats, with Ullmark being slightly older.
LA has no solid goaltender option for next year, and they are in 'win mode' so why wouldn't the B's take advantage of that need?

I always look at trade proposals from the other teams’ point of view. Byfield is a 21 year old 6’ 5” 220lb center that they drafted #2 overall, who is putting up 31 point in 43 games in his age 21 season. He was the 15th ranked prospect in the entire league coming into this season. They are not trading that for one year of a 31 year old goalie. That would have been like the Bruins trading Pastrnak in 2017 for Holtby or Bobrovsky.

LeBrun is just reporting the asks from teams for players right now, which is always ridiculously high six weeks before the deadline, and why deals don’t get done until right before.

Ullmark May ultimately end up in LA, but it’ll be in late June with a couple of picks and a mid tier prospect coming back IMO.

 

[cshea]

Habs sending Monahan to Winnipeg

View: https://twitter.com/PierreVLeBrun/status/1753443536928645627?s=20

 

[cshea]

Habs getting a first and another conditional pick for Monahan.

View: https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1753450968258052161?s=20

 

[Cotillion]

They got two 1st for him... not bad at all... a first to take him off his previous teams hands, and now a 1st for sending him off to Winnipeg...

 

[cshea]

Under a month until the deadline. This is about when things picked up last year.

Cap: B's are right at it, $87,500 in available room right now. They can create an additional $870,000 by placing Poitras on LTIR. That would bring them to $957,500 in space.

Roster Flexibility: Richard is the only player they can send down (at the moment) without waivers. Lauko, Boqvist, Steen, Wotherspoon...the bottom of the roster players...would need waivers.

Assets: Not much. They have 3 picks left in the 2024 draft (4,5,6) and 5 picks (1,3,5,6,7) in 2025. 2026 draft is fully stocked. Prospect pool is ranked low as usual but has some chips. Lohrei, Lysell, Merkulov, Farinacci, etc. would have varying degrees of value.

Needs: Wingers, Centers, Defense (in that ordiner, IMO)

Outlook: As I've seed elsewhere, I don't anticipate them being too active. They spent a ton last year and I don't think they'll want to dig that hole deeper. An additional problem is the salary cap. They are right at it and unlike previous years they don't have a *bad* contract, like Craig Smith, they could use to match salaries. That's going to make acquiring a player making $5 million, even with 50% retained, difficult as the Bruins will need to create room of $2.5 million. Not impossible but in their previous big trade deadlines they've had dead money so to speak that they could use. Backes, Craig Smith, Matt Beleskey, John Moore, etc. Their pending UFA's are DeBrusk, Grzelyck, Forbort, Shattenkirk, JVR. I don't really see any of them moving unless it is in some convuluted crazy deal where they are upgrading. They need wingers so trading DeBrusk seems unlikely and Grzelyck has settled in as McAvoy's partner so removing him feels unlikely unless it's for an upgrade.

Potential Targets: Just purusing the bad teams on Cap Friendly..

• Max Pacioretty- $2 million AAV. Dealt with a ton of injuries the past 2 years, blew out both achilles. Recently returned for Washington and has been playing. Full no-trade. From CT, probably low acquisition cost but has a high ceiling.
• Anthony Duclair - $3 million AAV, Pending UFA, wallowing away on a terrible San Jose team.
• Vlad Tarasenko - $5 million AAV, pending UFA. Having a solid season with Ottawa, 59th in the league among forwards in points per 60 at even strength. No-trade clause.

I'll add more as we get closer and teams drop in/out of the race.

 

[Salem's Lot]

I would like to add another depth defenseman. Preferably someone that can add some physicality around the goal crease. I look at defenseman in the playoffs like I look at relievers, you can always use another one since you always lose a couple to injury along the way.

 

[cshea]

Kinda think they're all set but they usually do try to add one. They are 10 deep in terms of defensemen with NHL experience:

McAvoy
Lindholm
Carlo
Grzelyck
Forbort
Shattenkirk
Wotherspoon
Lohrei
Mitchell
Zboril

I don't know if a Josh Brown, Nick Holden type moves the needle much. Given their lack of resources, I think I'd just roll with these 10 and use what I have for a winger. The exception being an extended Hanifin.

 

[Salem's Lot]

Kinda think they're all set but they usually do try to add one. They are 10 deep in terms of defensemen with NHL experience:

McAvoy
Lindholm
Carlo
Grzelyck
Forbort
Shattenkirk
Wotherspoon
Lohrei
Mitchell
Zboril

I don't know if a Josh Brown, Nick Holden type moves the needle much. Given their lack of resources, I think I'd just roll with these 10 and use what I have for a winger. The exception being an extended Hanifin.

If they could get a Taylor Hall type trade for Hanifin, that would be incredible.

 

[cshea]

Hall had a full no-trade so he controled the situation. Hanifin only has an 8-team no trade list so unfortunately he can't really dictate where he goes. Even if he says "I'll only sign an extension with Boston" the Flames could get a haul for him as rental elsewhere.

It sounds like Calgary has an extension offer on the table and Hanifin is going to give them an answer soon as to if he'll sign or go to free agency.

 

[The B’s Knees]

A right-winger that would cost them no assets and only the base salary would be Phil Kessel.
He's not a top-six forward anymore, but he's more likely to put the odd puck in the net than, say, Steen (1 assist in 32 games).

Of course, he'd come with a bunch of question marks - is he in shape (i.e. not egg-shaped)? is he a defensive liability? does he hold any grudges against the B's for trading him? etc.

 

[cshea]

Hanifin told the Flames he’s going to FA so appears he is getting moved.

Friedman on 32 Thoughts today mentions Toronto, Tampa, Boston and Florida as potential landing spots. Puts Boston and Florida ahead of Toronto and Tampa in terms of what they can and would be willing to do. There’s also a belief that Hanifin wants to return to America which may hurt Toronto. Says the Bruins “don’t have picks but they have players.” So I guess we’ll see.

 

[Salem's Lot]

Hanifin told the Flames he’s going to FA so appears he is getting moved.

Friedman on 32 Thoughts today mentions Toronto, Tampa, Boston and Florida as potential landing spots. Puts Boston and Florida ahead of Toronto and Tampa in terms of what they can and would be willing to do. There’s also a belief that Hanifin wants to return to America which may hurt Toronto. Says the Bruins “don’t have picks but they have players.” So I guess we’ll see.

Maybe DeBrusk for Hanifin? Boston kid heading to FA that might want to sign here for an Alberta kid heading to FA that might want to sign close to home?

 

[cshea]

Don’t think the B’s would give up DeBrusk. They are already a little thin on the wings .

I think when Friedman says “Boston has players” he’s talking about Poitras, Lysell, Lohrei, etc.

 

[cshea]

Lot's of Bruins talk on today's 32 Thoughts:

• In on Hanifin; Friedman believes Hanifin would extend here. He lists the "big 4" on Hanifin as Boston, Florida, Tampa and New Jersey. Toronto expressed interest but they prefer a RHD and Hanifin apparently doesn't want to extend there. Specific to Tampa, Friedman says they don't have anything to trade. For Boston and Florida he repeats the "they have no picks but they have players" line...leading to a discussion on the Bruins...
• Says they are looking for a center and defenseman.
• Wonders, similar to Tampa, what they have to trade and can they go to the well again but has people telling him they have players
• Goes back to the "no picks but players" and says he's heard whispers about Ullmark. There has been a strict rotation but pointed out Swayman started 2 in a row this week (Dallas and Edmonton) and got 4 straight earlier (though he correctly points out it was when Ullmark was banged up). Mentions Ullmark has some control with a limited no-trade, but doesn't think it's impossible. Marek wonders if the goalie situation is viewed more as a luxury than a strengh. Friedman agrees and says the Bruins aren't afraid to be bold. Also notes they have a good goalie prospect in Bussi.
• He thought they'd sit this one out due to last years spending but teams are telling him that the Bruins are actively looking to upgrade their roster..

Friedman is not usually click-baity so take it for what it's worth.

Ullmark's no trade is a 16-team no list, so half the league. I don't think it's Ullmark to Calgary for Hanifin; it'd be Ullmark to somwhere for futures and then the futures flipped to Calgary (or wherever).

Feels like a lot of moving parts and against their MO but we'll see what develops over the next 2 weeks. The goalie market is pretty hot this year.

 

[j44thor]

How much value does Ullmark really hold? He is having his worst year as a Bruin and doesn't really past the eye test either. Seems overall slower compared to last season and his rebound control has been suspect as well. He was sensational last season but goalies can easily run hot to cold season to season which is probably in large part why goalie trade values tend to be suppressed. Perhaps there is a team out there that thinks they can get him back to something close to last season but I wouldn't be surprised if the market isn't that hot for a 30YO G having a league average season.

 

[locknload]

How much value does Ullmark really hold? He is having his worst year as a Bruin and doesn't really past the eye test either. Seems overall slower compared to last season and his rebound control has been suspect as well. He was sensational last season but goalies can easily run hot to cold season to season which is probably in large part why goalie trade values tend to be suppressed. Perhaps there is a team out there that thinks they can get him back to something close to last season but I wouldn't be surprised if the market isn't that hot for a 30YO G having a league average season.

I think if Donny can swing him into Noah with a reasonable extension he should get a ton of praise.

 

[Maximus]

I agree an additional LHD (preferably Hanifin) and a center should be their priority. I think it would take a massive overpay for Ullmark for Sweeney to move him at the deadline. This year's team is structured with the goalies and their rotation as being one of their significant premium assets. Sweeney's opinion could have evolved on that based on Ullmark's season so far and Swayman's readiness to be the #1 goalie.

 

[cshea]

How much value does Ullmark really hold? He is having his worst year as a Bruin and doesn't really past the eye test either. Seems overall slower compared to last season and his rebound control has been suspect as well. He was sensational last season but goalies can easily run hot to cold season to season which is probably in large part why goalie trade values tend to be suppressed. Perhaps there is a team out there that thinks they can get him back to something close to last season but I wouldn't be surprised if the market isn't that hot for a 30YO G having a league average season.

Last year was historically great and wasn't ever going to be repeated. I guess his save percentage technically is league average but I don't think he's fallen off that much. He's still 7th in the league in 5x5 goals saved above expected among the 53 goalies with 1000 minutes played. He's 14th of 53 if you expand that out to all situations. A big difference is he's facing more quality shots against this season. His expected goals against per 60 has jumped from 2.64 to 3.05 and his high danger shots against from 8.05 to 8.74 per 60. To me, he's still a very good goalie and would represent an upgrade to many teams.

The market is a bit tough to sort out. There seems to be an unusually high number of teams potentially looking for a goalie. Edmonton, Carolina, New Jersey, LAK. There also seems to be an unuaually high number of real players potentially available. New Jersey was after Markstrom and there's some chatter that Nashville will listen on Saros. I would think Saros is the prize among goalies available but I'd put Ullmark 2nd ahead of Markstrom. Ullmark's numbers are a bit better, he's younger than Markstrom, has a cheaper contract and less trade protection.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

They absolutely need to trade Ullmark. Having two #1 goalies is a luxury this team can't afford. They need to fill some holes and hope they can get hot again going into the playoffs.

 

[Salem's Lot]

They absolutely need to trade Ullmark. Having two #1 goalies is a luxury this team can't afford. They need to fill some holes and hope they can get hot again going into the playoffs.

I completely agree, but it would be a hard trade to pull off.

The Bruins’ needs are basically:

A LHD that can be a physical presence, especially good at clearing the crease late in games.

A good two way top 6 center who can win faceoffs.

Scoring depth on the wing.

Teams looking to trade for a top goalie are typically playoff teams, and all of those teams are looking to add players like this, not give them up for a goalie.

Sweeney will probably have to trade him for futures, and then try to flip those to another team that is selling.

He has pulled off some great deadline deals, so there’s a chance, I still wouldn’t call it likely though.

We may just be stuck with what we got this year unfortunately.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

Which I'm also ok with, but I don't see them making a big splash in FA either. Need to try and pry Hanafin or at least one equivalent piece that they can lock up for 5+ years.

 

[cshea]

I'm definitely open to trading Ullmark but I feel like it's going to fall into the "trades are hard" bucket over the next 10 days. Unless they are OK doing it just for futures, thus subtracting from the current team, it's going to be 2 large-ish moves.

 

[5dice]

If Calgary wants Ullmark, with Markstrom going elsewhere, could be interesting, although I think they are high on Wolf as the future G

 

[cshea]

The one thing that gives me pause about Calgary is Ullmark's no-trade. He has a 16-team no list. No way of knowing which teams are on there but when outlets do anonymous player survey's and ask about NTC's, Canadian teams are more often than not on NTC's. Particularly a smaller market like Calgary.

LA, Carolina and New Jersey are interesting to me. New Jersey was the team hot after Markstrom but apparently it fell through.

 

[Auger34]

How much value does Ullmark really hold? He is having his worst year as a Bruin and doesn't really past the eye test either. Seems overall slower compared to last season and his rebound control has been suspect as well. He was sensational last season but goalies can easily run hot to cold season to season which is probably in large part why goalie trade values tend to be suppressed. Perhaps there is a team out there that thinks they can get him back to something close to last season but I wouldn't be surprised if the market isn't that hot for a 30YO G having a league average season.

ESPN did a survey where current players, executives, and goalie coaches rated the top 10 goalies recently and Ullmark was rated as 9th. I think the market would be fairly strong

 

[cshea]

Lindholm was on the ice today prior to practice. Not available in the next few days but will be re-evaluated next week.

Doesn't seem like LTIR for the year is an option.

View: https://twitter.com/smclaughlin9/status/1762885089359286666?s=20

 

[FL4WL3SS]

He's more valuable on the ice then off it

 

[cshea]

He's more valuable on the ice then off it

Totally agree but if it was a longer term injury it would potentially alter the cap dynamics at the deadline.

 

[cshea]

DeBrusk says there has been no progress on an extension, deadline is definitely on his mind though not as much as 2 years ago.

View: https://twitter.com/smclaughlin9/status/1762888758909604169?s=20

 

[cshea]

Fans. To Dallas for a 2nd, prospect, conditional pick.

View: https://twitter.com/friedgehnic/status/1763011960826745145?s=46&t=23orJRFkAhpzRtm4p3-oEw

 

[MiracleOfO2704]

No one tweet covers the whole of it, but it sounds like Chris Tanev is going to Dallas for D Artem Grushnikov, a 2nd, and a conditional 3rd. Calgary retains 50% on Tanev’s AAV.

View: https://twitter.com/renlavoietva/status/1763012591637393831?s=46&t=QgPlur015YjYmVsNzWFFfg

 

[cshea]

Tanev was laundered through New Jersey for a 4th.

 

[TSC]

Actually a three team deal.

Here’s what everyone gets.

View: https://twitter.com/DallasStars/status/1763014186269872206?s=20

 

[Salem's Lot]

Any interest in Zadorov if they don’t have enough to get Hanifin?

 

[MiracleOfO2704]

Any interest in Zadorov if they don’t have enough to get Hanifin?

I don’t know if Vancouver’s going to be selling.

(The Flames traded Zadorov to Vancouver last November)

 

[Salem's Lot]

I don’t know if Vancouver’s going to be selling.

(The Flames traded Zadorov to Vancouver last November)

Well fuck, there I go seeing him on the TNT Tanev highlights and forgetting he’s already been traded. My bad.

 

[cshea]

What do we think the Bruins could get for DeBrusk? 1st and a 4th was what the Bruins paid for a retained Bertuzzi last year and the two are somewhat comparable.

I kind of go back and forth on what to do with DeBrusk. I think the Bruins are thin on the wing and are currently playing Anthony Richard on the top line so subtracting him for futures harms the 23/24 team. On the other hand, he's kind of been a non-factor this year. He's killing penalties but his production has dipped. He's a UFA, so do we really want to extend him? It's basically been a roller coaster ride with him. He was in the dumps for a couple of years and requested a trade. Then they put him on a line with Bergeron, gave him an extension and he took off for a year and a half. Now we're back into a malaise of sorts in a contract year with the deadline approaching. Is this roller coaster something they want to invest in long term? I also wonder if, once he gets through the deadline and has clarity on his immediate future, he'll take off again like he did last time.

I'm kind of leaning towards trading him at the moment. If they can get a premium like the Bertuzzi return, I think I would do it. Recoup some of what they dealt away last year. It sounds like Vancouver and Edmonton may be headed into a bidding ware for Jake Guentzel. Maybe the Bruins could get a premium from the loser for our Jake?They could also bring in a cheaper veteran winger like Tarasenko or Zucker.

He'll probably have a good game tonight and I'll change my mind again.

 

[cshea]

Should note that trading DeBrusk or any UFA to be strictly for futures would be completely counter to Sweeney's history. This will be his 9th deadline as GM and he has never sold for futures. The best comparison I can think of is when they were battling for the last spots and he held onto Loui Eriksson. And that team was in a battle for the 8th seed, not battling for the division lead and #1 seed in the east. He has traded away veterans but typically it is misfits on bloated contracts that had fallen out of favor that are used as salary filler (David Backes, Craig Smith, John Moore, Matt Beleskey).

 

[IdiotKicker]

What do we think the Bruins could get for DeBrusk? 1st and a 4th was what the Bruins paid for a retained Bertuzzi last year and the two are somewhat comparable.

I kind of go back and forth on what to do with DeBrusk. I think the Bruins are thin on the wing and are currently playing Anthony Richard on the top line so subtracting him for futures harms the 23/24 team. On the other hand, he's kind of been a non-factor this year. He's killing penalties but his production has dipped. He's a UFA, so do we really want to extend him? It's basically been a roller coaster ride with him. He was in the dumps for a couple of years and requested a trade. Then they put him on a line with Bergeron, gave him an extension and he took off for a year and a half. Now we're back into a malaise of sorts in a contract year with the deadline approaching. Is this roller coaster something they want to invest in long term? I also wonder if, once he gets through the deadline and has clarity on his immediate future, he'll take off again like he did last time.

I'm kind of leaning towards trading him at the moment. If they can get a premium like the Bertuzzi return, I think I would do it. Recoup some of what they dealt away last year. It sounds like Vancouver and Edmonton may be headed into a bidding ware for Jake Guentzel. Maybe the Bruins could get a premium from the loser for our Jake?They could also bring in a cheaper veteran winger like Tarasenko or Zucker.

He'll probably have a good game tonight and I'll change my mind again.

I think you've noted the possibility of a DeBrusk move for futures that can then be flipped to grab Hanifin while maintaining cap compliance if Hanifin has a bit of money retained.

Ultimately, Jake's inconsistency is the reason why you don't commit to him after this. They got good value out of him the last 2.25 years, mostly because of the back end of 21-22 and all of 22-23. Even if they don't trade him, I think they got the most they could out of the player, but I can't see committing to him at 3-4 years at $5-6M per, which is probably where he lands. He's a good player, but those contracts for players who start to slip are the kinds that kill your cap and end up looking bad by the end. I think if you can get a 1st for him, you move him, but otherwise, he has more value in trying to make a run this year, and if he walks, that's fine with me. Championship teams always have FAs that walk because of cap reasons, and so I think you look for a good value if trading, but otherwise you keep him through year end but make minimal effort to re-sign.

 

[Salem's Lot]

Sweeney is in a tough spot.

On one hand, the team won 1 game in regulation in 11 since the break. That just screams of a team that is surviving on getting loser points, will probably get bounced out of the playoffs pretty quickly, so sell guys like DeBrusk and Ullmark for futures and retool with all of that cap space in the summer.

On the other hand, they’re still tied for first in their division, have enough talent in that room that they could make a run if things turn around, and should try to add to fill holes.

They have five games to show if this year is worth investing in or not. Tonight against Vegas, Then the Islanders, two vs Toronto, one at home vs Edmonton. If they don’t start winning some these games then sell for futures.

 

[cshea]

I think you've noted the possibility of a DeBrusk move for futures that can then be flipped to grab Hanifin while maintaining cap compliance if Hanifin has a bit of money retained.

Ultimately, Jake's inconsistency is the reason why you don't commit to him after this. They got good value out of him the last 2.25 years, mostly because of the back end of 21-22 and all of 22-23. Even if they don't trade him, I think they got the most they could out of the player, but I can't see committing to him at 3-4 years at $5-6M per, which is probably where he lands. He's a good player, but those contracts for players who start to slip are the kinds that kill your cap and end up looking bad by the end. I think if you can get a 1st for him, you move him, but otherwise, he has more value in trying to make a run this year, and if he walks, that's fine with me. Championship teams always have FAs that walk because of cap reasons, and so I think you look for a good value if trading, but otherwise you keep him through year end but make minimal effort to re-sign.

I'm not so much wondering about the DeBrusk-for-futures then futures-for-Hanifin scenario but flat out trading DeBrusk for futures even if it doesn't lead to a Hanifin this season. Basically just selling him. They've always kept their pending FA's for the playoff run but given the dearth of futures in the cupboard, does it make sense to move him either way? I don't know.