The way I see it is, Girgensons is a very attractive trade piece. If He can attract a trade much like the Staal trade, I say do it.

Larsson steps in on the third line Center, where Girgensons would ideally play and fill that role quite nicely.

I clearly missed some kind of news item: when is Girgensons going to be making $4M per? Certainly not his next deal, that's for sure.
- kingcong39

You don't know that. He and his agent could very well be seaking that kind of money.

Several players have gotten a higher than expected 2nd contract. just because Girgensons is a hard nose player that is blue collar does not mean he does not want to get paid.

Hell it may be just that, he and his agent realize that with his style he needs to make as much as possible.

I know alot of People are already penciling in our draft pick this year into the line up for next season. But with the exception of Matthews and maybe Puljujärvi, im not so sure the rest are ready for NHL action just yet. At least not ready to contribute at a high level
- MCGUIZZY

That's a fair statement, but I'm not so worried about NEXT year
The point is to continue to improve so we can be a Cup contender cor 10years
We'll be a better team next year whether we pick 1, 2 or 5
If we miss on the forward we want,
We take the defenseman & likely go after Stamkos
If we miss out on Stamkos,
We still have some good forwards that are young & will improve
We got almost no production from Ennis & Girgensons this year. Hard for me to see that continue

You don't know that. He and his agent could very well be seaking that kind of money.

Several players have gotten a higher than expected 2nd contract. just because Girgensons is a hard nose player that is blue collar does not mean he does not want to get paid.

Hell it may be just that, he and his agent realize that with his style he needs to make as much as possible.
- ImThatGuy

But you don't know that they are either. And I'm not sure he gets you much in a trade. McGinn gets you at max a 2nd, I would say Girgensons does the same. So, are you willing to give him up for a 2nd?

You'd probably package him in a deal, but I still think there'd need to be either a bigger centerpiece or it wouldn't be a huge return. He's worth more to us.

That's a fair statement, but I'm not so worried about NEXT year
The point is to continue to improve so we can be a Cup contender cor 10years
We'll be a better team next year whether we pick 1, 2 or 5
If we miss on the forward we want,
We take the defenseman & likely go after Stamkos
If we miss out on Stamkos,
We still have some good forwards that are young & will improve
We got almost no production from Ennis & Girgensons this year. Hard for me to see that continue
- jdfitz77

I'm kind of worried about next year. Playoffs or bust isn't exactly what next year is but it's pretty close. If we're more than 10 points out of a playoff spot next year I'm going to be pretty concerned.

That's a fair statement, but I'm not so worried about NEXT year
The point is to continue to improve so we can be a Cup contender cor 10years
We'll be a better team next year whether we pick 1, 2 or 5
If we miss on the forward we want,
We take the defenseman & likely go after Stamkos
If we miss out on Stamkos,
We still have some good forwards that are young & will improve
We got almost no production from Ennis & Girgensons this year. Hard for me to see that continue
- jdfitz77

I still think we need to sign a couple players in free agency if we want to continue to improve next year. Especially if we move Mcginn (who is currently 5th in scoring) or ennis ect. Thats why im not against signing Mcginn if possible. And you are right we got very little out of Ennis , girg or Moulson this year and I would even add Kane to that list although hes been better of late.

So in 2-3 years when he is making 6MM on the third line putting up 20-30 points, we are ok with that?
- ImThatGuy

What makes u think Girgensons will be making 6mil per?
That's ridiculous

The way I see it is, Girgensons is a very attractive trade piece. If He can attract a trade much like the Staal trade, I say do it.

Larsson steps in on the third line Center, where Girgensons would ideally play and fill that role quite nicely.
- ImThatGuy

I'd rather have Girgensons than Larsson and it's not even close.

Besides, I think you're overvaluing what Girgensons would get back in a trade. I love the guy, you all know that, but it's already been said here multiple times, he's much more valuable on the team than he is in a a trade.

You don't know that. He and his agent could very well be seaking that kind of money.

Several players have gotten a higher than expected 2nd contract. just because Girgensons is a hard nose player that is blue collar does not mean he does not want to get paid.

Hell it may be just that, he and his agent realize that with his style he needs to make as much as possible.
- ImThatGuy

I understand trading him as a way to improve the team, at either forward or defense, but the way you and Homie have been talking, you are trading him out of fear.

Fear that a. he will be a 60 game per season player the rest of his career and b. that he is going to get $4M now and $6M soon.

For me, I never, ever make a trade out of fear.

I'd rather have Girgensons than Larsson and it's not even close.

Besides, I think you're overvaluing what Girgensons would get back in a trade. I love the guy, you all know that, but it's already been said here multiple times, he's much more valuable on the team than he is in a a trade.
- HonkFortheGoose

that really is the x factor

what other gm's would offer for a player like him in a package

we will never know the answer to that

I still think we need to sign a couple players in free agency if we want to continue to improve next year. Especially if we move Mcginn (who is currently 5th in scoring) or ennis ect. Thats why im not against signing Mcginn if possible. And you are right we got very little out of Ennis , girg or Moulson this year and I would even add Kane to that list although hes been better of late.
- MCGUIZZY

Kane has been skating around out there like his hair is on fire lately. He's all over the place. I think he's playing the best hockey we've seen from him all season. I think missing the amount of time he did last year, then coming to a new team, and then ending up with an injury pretty early in the season had a big affect on him. He's now finally looking comfortable and looks to be playing his game the way he wants.

What makes u think Girgensons will be making 6mil per?
That's ridiculous
- jdfitz77

Unless he finishes the season on fire producing points, I don't think he is even getting $3M per on a 2 year bridge deal.

I think it would be something like 2 years for $5.5M total, or $2.75M per.

that really is the x factor

what other gm's would offer for a player like him in a package

we will never know the answer to that
- homiedclown

He's a guy that can play many, many roles on this team. If I'm moving him, it better be for a guy that's going to blow me away at this point. Guys like Girgs are invaluable when you do finally get to the post season. It's why I'm very hesitant to trade him.

that really is the x factor

what other gm's would offer for a player like him in a package

we will never know the answer to that
- homiedclown

We may never know but I have a feeling TM knows as he does not strike me as the kind of GM who doesn't listen intently to every call made to him and also every call he makes.

Kane has been skating around out there like his hair is on fire lately. He's all over the place. I think he's playing the best hockey we've seen from him all season. I think missing the amount of time he did last year, then coming to a new team, and then ending up with an injury pretty early in the season had a big affect on him. He's now finally looking comfortable and looks to be playing his game the way he wants.
- HonkFortheGoose

Absolutely. Imagine if Ennis, Kane, Moulson, Girgensons (or Lehner) had been playing up to their potential all season. We wouldn't be talking about a top 5 pick right now. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise and its next season that things really fall into place. At least thats my hope

Absolutely. Imagine if Ennis, Kane, Moulson, Girgensons (or Lehner) had been playing up to their potential all season. We wouldn't be talking about a top 5 pick right now. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise and its next season that things really fall into place. At least thats my hope
- MCGUIZZY

Seems every time the team starts to finally look like they're getting comfortable with each other and Byslma stops moving people around, someone gets hurt and everything gets shuffled up again. The injuries are piling up and it's wreaking havoc right now.

Seems every time the team starts to finally look like they're getting comfortable with each other and Byslma stops moving people around, someone gets hurt and everything gets shuffled up again. The injuries are piling up and it's wreaking havoc right now.
- HonkFortheGoose

The next trade better be for an iron man. Can't be making a big deal for a top 4/top 6 guy who will be a part timer.

Seems every time the team starts to finally look like they're getting comfortable with each other and Byslma stops moving people around, someone gets hurt and everything gets shuffled up again. The injuries are piling up and it's wreaking havoc right now.
- HonkFortheGoose

The key is Ennis. I don't know what the deal is but if he comes back and looks like the player last 2 seasons, then it'll be a lot easier to do something next year. If he doesn't then it'll be harder.

I'm kind of worried about next year. Playoffs or bust isn't exactly what next year is but it's pretty close. If we're more than 10 points out of a playoff spot next year I'm going to be pretty concerned.
- Zschalberg

How many points are we out now?
U gotta figure that McCabe & Pysyk will continue to get better
And Lehner is looking good (Ullmark did too)
Plus, I expect us to be better offensively as well.
Not only do I see more from Sam & Jack, I think Kane, Ennis & Girgensons will all score more.

I don't really see how we can't be better
Minimum just miss the playoffs
Most likely, a wild card team

The key is Ennis. I don't know what the deal is but if he comes back and looks like the player last 2 seasons, then it'll be a lot easier to do something next year. If he doesn't then it'll be harder.
- Zschalberg

They finally said the other day that it's a concussion. He's missed so much time this year, I think it's a lost season for him. He's a notoriously slow starter and needs time to adjust and with all the changes this year it's not good that he hasn't been out there much getting comfortable with the guys we have now.

Seems every time the team starts to finally look like they're getting comfortable with each other and Byslma stops moving people around, someone gets hurt and everything gets shuffled up again. The injuries are piling up and it's wreaking havoc right now.
- HonkFortheGoose

It is but im happy that we have a group of rather versatile players that can play multiple positions and multiple roles. Obviously we are not winning but I love the idea of constructing a team around these type of players. Again this is what is making me appreciate a player like Mcginn more and more and why I would offer him a contract if we are not getting a 1st for him.

Absolutely. Imagine if Ennis, Kane, Moulson, Girgensons (or Lehner) had been playing up to their potential all season. We wouldn't be talking about a top 5 pick right now. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise and its next season that things really fall into place. At least thats my hope
- MCGUIZZY

Thats exactly why I can't even understand why people are already talking about trading guys like Ennis, Girgs, etc.

They've both had tough years but are usually very consistent/reliable guys.

I say, have a little patience, we'll get one last good pick this draft, and everyone will enter next season not needing to redevelop the chemistry it's taken half a season to develop. If we're at this same point next season come this time, maybe it time to start the trade talk, but it's not like we've lost anything, they're definitely not going to have LESS value then since they don't have much now, which reflects a season fraught with injury.

It is but im happy that we have a group of rather versatile players that can play multiple positions and multiple roles. Obviously we are not winning but I love the idea of constructing a team around these type of players. Again this is what is making me appreciate a player like Mcginn more and more and why I would offer him a contract if we are not getting a 1st for him.
- MCGUIZZY

I do too. I think they're instrumental in a team being able to make a deep run in the playoffs. That said, I'd prefer if we had guys that could stay healthy as well.

I'd rather have Girgensons than Larsson and it's not even close.

Besides, I think you're overvaluing what Girgensons would get back in a trade. I love the guy, you all know that, but it's already been said here multiple times, he's much more valuable on the team than he is in a a trade.
- HonkFortheGoose

In a world with no cap, and we had no other holes I agree. We have both though. One will land you fair value on the trade market. The other will not.

If we are looking for a third line center, I don't think the drop off is that severe between Larsson or Girgensons. That is more of a complement to Larsson than it is a knock on Z.

I really think you could target Anaheim and one of their D-men in a trade revolving around Z.

In a world with no cap, and we had no other holes I agree. We have both though. One will land you fair value on the trade market. The other will not.

If we are looking for a third line center, I don't think the drop off is that severe between Larsson or Girgensons. That is more of a complement to Larsson than it is a knock on Z.

I really think you could target Anaheim and one of their D-men in a trade revolving around Z.
- ImThatGuy

I really don't think the return you get for Girgensons is all that much better than what you'd get for Larsson. From an outsiders perspective, their values aren't all that different, IMO.