They can have anyone but G for OEL as far as i am concerned.
- nails

My daydreams start with having a player like that

Certainly, you have to think Vermette gets moved -- he's 32 now. It feels like just yesterday he came into the league.

And certainly, they can pull the chute on the Keith Yandle Era, too.

But really, when you look at their roster, they're about as close to stripped as you can get. You can move Ekman-Larsson, but that would be about as ridiculous a thing I've seen done in my time watching this sport.

I don't know what they want for Yandle, but if they're going to do it, they have to understand that with his salary, the bidders are limited and the returns will not be astronomical -- enough to certainly help a rebuilding team, but all their years of failing to attract, draft or develop offensive help is going to hurt them, because now they absolutely have to pay through the nose for it, much like the Flyers have had to for defensemen
- AllInForFlyers

Maybe its not stripping the roster all that much more but say he trades OEL and gets a return that includes a lotto pick. Now he's got a nice return and maybe the best odds to win the lottery too. Its a strange situation for sure. They really need to come out of this draft with one of the top two picks though.

My daydreams start with having a player like that
- AllInForFlyers

maybe in three years

Maybe its not stripping the roster all that much more but say he trades OEL and gets a return that includes a lotto pick. Now he's got a nice return and maybe the best odds to win the lottery too. Its a strange situation for sure. They really need to cone out of this draft with one of the top two picks though.
- hereticpride

And that's really where they are -- I'm not anti-prospect or anti-talent, I'm anti-tanking.

But when you have a team like Arizona, that's where I'm OK with them looking at their roster and saying this: "You know what? We are simply (frank)ed with where we are, because we just can't seem to get any offense in here. We've tried and tried and tried, and now we're going to have to move pieces out of here to rebuild this offense."

The difference between them and what Buffalo is doing, and why I hate the Sabres right now, is that Buffalo absolutely decided to pull the chute not just for last year's draft, but THIS year's draft. They had every intention of being in the Connor McDavid sweepstakes LAST year, to the degree where the NHL felt that they had to change the lottery system for the future -- and the Sabres even complained about that.

The Coyotes are bad right now, and they need help. And they absolutely need to move Vermette, because he's UFA.

But I don't view what they're doing as tanking, because moving Yandle -- if that's what they wind up doing -- is the one way they know they're going to get an NHL ready player, or a young, productive roster player, or another first-round pick, while not crippling their defense.

I love that Buffalo made these tanking moves right before we have to play them... So maybe they won't beat us too badly.

And that's really where they are -- I'm not anti-prospect or anti-talent, I'm anti-tanking.

But when you have a team like Arizona, that's where I'm OK with them looking at their roster and saying this: "You know what? We are simply (frank)ed with where we are, because we just can't seem to get any offense in here. We've tried and tried and tried, and now we're going to have to move pieces out of here to rebuild this offense."

The difference between them and what Buffalo is doing, and why I hate the Sabres right now, is that Buffalo absolutely decided to pull the chute not just for last year's draft, but THIS year's draft. They had every intention of being in the Connor McDavid sweepstakes LAST year, to the degree where the NHL felt that they had to change the lottery system for the future -- and the Sabres even complained about that.

The Coyotes are bad right now, and they need help. And they absolutely need to move Vermette, because he's UFA.

But I don't view what they're doing as tanking, because moving Yandle -- if that's what they wind up doing -- is the one way they know they're going to get an NHL ready player, or a young, productive roster player, or another first-round pick, while not crippling their defense.
- AllInForFlyers

They just so badly need a franchise player up front. It really sucks for them. Nothing against Hanafin but if they're picking three that just has to feel heart breaking.

If OEL somehow could be had, man I think we would make a lot of sense to deal with.

They get a lotto pick to increase their odds at that franchise player. We would probably also include a guy like BSchenn, who no other lotto team could really afford to part with. We probably give them a D prospect as well.

We get OEL. First paring D man who's age fits right in with the core of the team. No wasting years off G, Jake and Mase's prime hoping for prospects to pan out.

I love that Buffalo made these tanking moves right before we have to play them... So maybe they won't beat us too badly.
- Hextall271

Those moves just bought us 4 easy points and will probably cost us a spot or two in the draft.

They can have anyone but G for OEL as far as i am concerned.
- nails

Young solid dmen like him are worth their weight in gold nowadays. Similarly, I would prob trade anyone on the roster including G (and I'm a huge fan) for Doughty.

Each team gave up assets it could afford. Buffalo gave up one of three first rounders, likely a pick in the twenties. They have a very good and deep system, so they could give up good prospects like Armia and Lemieux. To me, Myers and Bogosian is a wash, so it boils down to Stafford and the pick/prospects for Kane.
- Jsaquella

I like Bogo a little more than Myers in terms of on ice performance. Bogo just gets hurt a lot.

Armia is 21 and can't break the worst lineup in hockey. Even if they've been saving him from being a part of a terrible team, you can't say he's tearing up the AHL either. He's a year older than Laughton and has played 1 game of NHL hockey. Can you imagine how down we'd be on Laughton if he wasn't in the NHL by this point next season? Lemieux might be a decent player down the line, but he doesn't have high end potential. The first round pick will likely be betaeen 25-30. For a team with 4 picks in the top 32 of this year's draft, they could afford to give it up.

From the Jets perspective, I just don't see the high potential player in this trade. They went for the big package of B-level prospects instead of getting maybe 1 A-level prospect.

They didn't really make their current team much better either. Bogo and Myers is just about a wash and Stafford isn't very good.

I love that Buffalo made these tanking moves right before we have to play them... So maybe they won't beat us too badly.
- Hextall271

Anders Lindback will notch a 43 save shutout.

Those moves just bought us 4 easy points and will probably cost us a spot or two in the draft.
- hereticpride

Oh there's no doubt in my mind. I expect us to finish like 5 or 7 points out in traditional Leafs non playoff zone.

I like Bogo a little more than Myers in terms of on ice performance. Bogo just gets hurt a lot.

Armia is 21 and can't break the worst lineup in hockey. Even if they've been saving him from being a part of a terrible team, you can't say he's tearing up the AHL either. He's a year older than Laughton and has played 1 game of NHL hockey. Can you imagine how down we'd be on Laughton if he wasn't in the NHL by this point next season? Lemieux might be a decent player down the line, but he doesn't have high end potential. The first round pick will likely be betaeen 25-30. For a team with 4 picks in the top 32 of this year's draft, they could afford to give it up.

From the Jets perspective, I just don't see the high potential player in this trade. They went for the big package of B-level prospects instead of getting maybe 1 A-level prospect.

They didn't really make their current team much better either. Bogo and Myers is just about a wash and Stafford isn't very good.
- PhillySportsGuy

Agreed. They got a lot of assets, but unless they get a good guy with that pick...

Anders Lindback will notch a 43 save shutout.
- Jsaquella

He'll miraculously remember how to play goal for 1 night.

Still looking at that Kane trade..Man did buffalo give up a lot. Whose 1st is it that they dealt?

Young solid dmen like him are worth their weight in gold nowadays. Similarly, I would prob trade anyone on the roster including G (and I'm a huge fan) for Doughty.
- Hextall271

I don't know that I would move G for Doughty
I don't know I would move G at all.
but that is just me.

I look at franchise centers and franchise D in the same light.

He'll miraculously remember how to play goal for 1 night.

Still looking at that Kane trade..Man did buffalo give up a lot. Whose 1st is it that they dealt?
- Hextall271

Probably end up being the Isles or Blues.

With the Evander Kane pick up by Buffalo, what's next for Chris Stewart who I assume the Sabers still want to move.

I like Bogo a little more than Myers in terms of on ice performance. Bogo just gets hurt a lot.

Armia is 21 and can't break the worst lineup in hockey. Even if they've been saving him from being a part of a terrible team, you can't say he's tearing up the AHL either. He's a year older than Laughton and has played 1 game of NHL hockey. Can you imagine how down we'd be on Laughton if he wasn't in the NHL by this point next season? Lemieux might be a decent player down the line, but he doesn't have high end potential. The first round pick will likely be betaeen 25-30. For a team with 4 picks in the top 32 of this year's draft, they could afford to give it up.

From the Jets perspective, I just don't see the high potential player in this trade. They went for the big package of B-level prospects instead of getting maybe 1 A-level prospect.

They didn't really make their current team much better either. Bogo and Myers is just about a wash and Stafford isn't very good.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think the hope is that they can sort out Myers and that the pick is solid in a good draft. It was also probably addition by subtraction with losing Kane.

With the Evander Kane pick up by Buffalo, what's next for Chris Stewart who I assume the Sabers still want to move.
- SuperSchennBros

forget that.
I bet they ship Bogo off first.
Detroit.

They just so badly need a franchise player up front. It really sucks for them. Nothing against Hanafin but if they're picking three that just has to feel heart breaking.

If OEL somehow could be had, man I think we would make a lot of sense to deal with.

They get a lotto pick to increase their odds at that franchise player. We would probably also include a guy like BSchenn, who no other lotto team could really afford to part with. We probably give them a D prospect as well.

We get OEL. First paring D man who's age fits right in with the core of the team. No wasting years off G, Jake and Mase's prime hoping for prospects to pan out.
- hereticpride

And that's the thing -- a team like them has to really make a tough decision: Do you hold on to an elite player when you could draft twice in the Top 10 of a loaded draft, when you need a franchise player?

I agree that the Flyers first, which will be around 10, plus Baby Schenn, plus one of the defense prospects, plus maybe another future pick should get that kind of conversation started, and if they asked for Laughton, I would still do it

With the Evander Kane pick up by Buffalo, what's next for Chris Stewart who I assume the Sabers still want to move.
- SuperSchennBros

He won't be there after March 2, if not before

I think the hope is that they can sort out Myers and that the pick is solid in a good draft. It was also probably addition by subtraction with losing Kane.
- Hextall271

I'm telling you guys now: Myers has not played badly this season. That teams is just brutal

Do not be surprised when he goes to Winnipeg and plays well. He is going to play well for them

I don't know that I would move G for Doughty
I don't know I would move G at all.
but that is just me.

I look at franchise centers and franchise D in the same light.
- nails

It would depend on a lot of factors, but if LA said we're moving Doughty and we want G.. I'd listen.. I want to emphasize that you won't find a bigger G fan out there..just that a dman like Doughty is exactly what we need.

I'm telling you guys now: Myers has not played badly this season. That teams is just brutal

Do not be surprised when he goes to Winnipeg and plays well. He is going to play well for them
- AllInForFlyers

I haven't watched buffalo a lot but I can see it. Slotted better and with better support, he might get his confidence back and be solid.

And that's the thing -- a team like them has to really make a tough decision: Do you hold on to an elite player when you could draft twice in the Top 10 of a loaded draft, when you need a franchise player?

I agree that the Flyers first, which will be around 10, plus Baby Schenn, plus one of the defense prospects, plus maybe another future pick should get that kind of conversation started, and if they asked for Laughton, I would still do it
- AllInForFlyers

I really like OEL, and if he is available, which I have doubts, the Flyers need to inquire about his availability. Let's not get carried away though. He's good but he's not a franchise player at this point, and may never be. A top 10 pick, Schenn, a top defense prospect, and another pick is too much in my opinion.

It would depend on a lot of factors, but if LA said we're moving Doughty and we want G.. I'd listen.. I want to emphasize that you won't find a bigger G fan out there..just that a dman like Doughty is exactly what we need.
- Hextall271

I wouldn't do Giroux, but otherwise, here's the thing about Doughty or any other legit No. 1: You wouldn't be getting one player, you would be getting two, in essence, because Coburn looks like a different player with a partner with hockey sense

Damn. We have got to get better on defense before Giroux starts to slow down