I think it would be wise to try to keep guys who are on their ELC's or won't be able to bend us over a barrel in arbitration. We have a deep enough prospect pool that we should be able to trade a good prospect and at worst a roster player who could be up for a questionably high contract to obtain another young player hopefully on an ELC or at least signed to a decent deal. With the flat cap the only contract who could prove to be a poor one would be Trouba but at least after next season his buy out won't be so bad. We need to be smart with the cap because if we do we could keep the core of this team together for a long time and hopefully do what the Blackhawks did and win multiple cups during our window.
- newenglandpuck

The problem is, if you go out and get one of those guys you think are super valuable, the other team knows this too. Any of the names mentioned are going to be offered at a premium. There's no way around it. You might be able to get a more veteran say 2C for less, but that's not what the board is proposing.

I think it would be wise to try to keep guys who are on their ELC's or won't be able to bend us over a barrel in arbitration. We have a deep enough prospect pool that we should be able to trade a good prospect and at worst a roster player who could be up for a questionably high contract to obtain another young player hopefully on an ELC or at least signed to a decent deal. With the flat cap the only contract who could prove to be a poor one would be Trouba but at least after next season his buy out won't be so bad. We need to be smart with the cap because if we do we could keep the core of this team together for a long time and hopefully do what the Blackhawks did and win multiple cups during our window.
- newenglandpuck

This is the poop I'm talkin' about!!
I'm not one for buyouts, but Trouba is a no-brainer, I think. A couple more years of munching minutes will get his buyout to around 6 years at ~$3.5M (if I read that chart right). Not ideal, but if we're saving $5.5M against the cap and replacing him with someone on an ELC...

The problem is, if you go out and get one of those guys you think are super valuable, the other team knows this too. Any of the names mentioned are going to be offered at a premium. There's no way around it. You might be able to get a more veteran say 2C for less, but that's not what the board is proposing.
- 2sticks1puck

For all the female doging that we do on here, we have a 2C. We have a 3C that may or may not pan out.
If a trade is to be made, it should be for a can't miss C prospect that will grow from the 3C spot. Otherwise, let's just enjoy watching what we've got. IMO.

uh-oh, you just sent out the nyrangers9769 Bat Signal



- jimbo83

😂

I, personally, like the speed and size that Gauthier would bring to that fourth line. In addition, I like that he drives hard to the net. I think he has gone about his entire development/hockey career thinking he can be a top-6 guy. If he shifts his development to thinking "I need to learn to be a fourth liner, otherwise I'm out of the league", he can be an effective role player with offensive upside.

Really splitting hairs on a Blackwell/Gauthier on the fourth line debate. They both would be good options, imo. Which is why I lean towards trading Blackwell if there is a good offer on the table.
- Bean_Dip

I don’t think he’s been given the chance to prove otherwise. I think he’d be a great 2nd/3rd line guy, I just don’t think we have the spots available on this team. He has the draft pedigree and has scored/succeeded at every level he’s played. Maybe he needs more than 7 minutes a night with Rooney PDG and Howden to show that. Again, not saying he should be playing over anyone in our top 9, but on another team I think he could flourish in a 2nd/3rd line role.

I wanna see Kravtsov play with Panarin and Strome for more than just a shift at the end of the game.

I don’t think he’s been given the chance to prove otherwise. I think he’d be a great 2nd/3rd line guy, I just don’t think we have the spots available on this team. He has the draft pedigree and has scored/succeeded at every level he’s played. Maybe he needs more than 7 minutes a night with Rooney PDG and Howden to show that. Again, not saying he should be playing over anyone in our top 9, but on another team I think he could flourish in a 2nd/3rd line role.
- nyrangers9479

Definitely possible. Why I wouldn't be upset if he was gone. He isn't a 4th liner. As big as he is its not really his game. Don't think he would be happy there either

I wanna see Kravtsov play with Panarin and Strome for more than just a shift at the end of the game.
- aecliptic

Plenty of time, he has only been in 2 games

Plenty of time, he has only been in 2 games
- mdw7413

Horsecrap! Play him or trade him! FIRE QUINN!

Horsecrap! Play him or trade him! FIRE QUINN!
- aecliptic

Definitely could see him moving up. Think Quinn wanted to just get his feet wet first. Even Kravs said he is amazed by the speed of the game at this level.

Definitely could see him moving up. Think Quinn wanted to just get his feet wet first. Even Kravs said he is amazed by the speed of the game at this level.
- mdw7413

I like when a player is willing to admit that rather than say "it's no big deal". He does not look out of place though.

I like when a player is willing to admit that rather than say "it's no big deal". He does not look out of place though.
- JRR1285

Nope, looked pretty good both days. A little nervous that 1st game, completely understandable though. I like that Panarin, Buch and Shesty are here for him. If he was the only Russian on the team, might be tougher for him.

Nope, looked pretty good both days. A little nervous that 1st game, completely understandable though. I like that Panarin, Buch and Shesty are here for him. If he was the only Russian on the team, might be tougher for him.
- mdw7413

Building the next Redwings Russian team.

Building the next Redwings Russian team.
- JRR1285

If we got a new Russian version of Fetisov / Konstantinov combo. Barkov has a Russian name, its close enough.

If we got a new Russian version of Fetisov / Konstantinov combo. Barkov has a Russian name, its close enough.
- aecliptic

Fun Fact:

Barkov was born in Finland 2 hours away from Kakko.

Fun Fact:

Barkov was born in Finland 2 hours away from Kakko.
- TommyGTrain

fun fact: fun facts are my thing here. get your own thing

Fun Fact:

Barkov was born in Finland 2 hours away from Kakko.
- TommyGTrain

Well there you have it.
Trade Quinn.....Fire Laf....Sell the Garden and get Brakov.

If we got a new Russian version of Fetisov / Konstantinov combo. Barkov has a Russian name, its close enough.
- aecliptic

I didn't realize he was from Finland. I'm all in on the Barkov train.

I didn't realize he was from Finland. I'm all in on the Barkov train.
- JRR1285

Florida is the best team in the league. Barkov aint goin nowhere

Florida is the best team in the league. Barkov aint goin nowhere
- picklerick

yep, we "Bark"-in up the wrong tree there I think

fun fact: fun facts are my thing here. get your own thing
- picklerick

Well then, you better up your game!

Well then, you better up your game!
- TommyGTrain

Give me more material to work with and I will

Florida is the best team in the league. Barkov aint goin nowhere
- picklerick

Shut up Rick.

Florida is the best team in the league. Barkov aint goin nowhere
- picklerick

Until hes a free agent next off-season and Florida organization is still broke post-COVID, and Barkov shows them a number that makes them think twice.

Until hes a free agent next off-season and Florida organization is still broke post-COVID, and Barkov shows them a number that makes them think twice.
- aecliptic

If they lose barkov they probably won’t have a team for long