As we close in on the Seattle entry draft this is what I would do if I was Chevy
1) Ask Wheeler to waive so we can expose him. No way Seattle takes that contract. That solves the forward issue with Appleton being exposed. If Copp wants too much money as an RFA then that problem solves itself as there is no way Copp is worth anything above Lowry's $3.5mm AAV because of his lack of offensive skills. He is a third-line player all the way.
2) Phone around the league on trade offers for both Demelo and Stanley and see what teams who are light on defense would pay. I'd bet both are worth at least a second-round pick. Then turn around to Seattle and tell them that they will get neither player for nothing based on their trade worth with the notion that we would rather keep them for a third-round pick. Seattle would have to take that deal.
3) Trade Poolman and Niku for whatever you can get. With Heinola and Samberg in the wings ready to make the team plus a likely UFA pickup, there is no room for either player on this roster. Nathan Beaulieu falls into this category as well. Ideally giving Seattle a second to take Beaulieu as their pick would solve all the above problems all at once and gain some cap space to boot.
- jetsnation
1: Wheeler would never waive, and Chipman would never allow him to be asked in the first place.
Copp doesn’t lack offensive skill at all. He produces at a high end 2nd line rate, as well as generating a lot of scoring chances. He just can’t shoot. He’s better than Lowry at the things Lowry is good at, and picks up points. Top 6 forward for sure. The only question is how can you get him for?
2: Just protect DeMelo and expose Stanley. I absolutely, 100% guarantee Seattle has no interest in a 23 year old 6/7 defenceman with okaying numbers in an extremely sheltered role.
3: Poolman is a UFA, Niku has no value at this point, and Beaulieu is absolutely staying in the top 6 under Mo.
I wouldn’t expect more than 41 games combined AT ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM from Heinola and Samberg combined. Not in Winnipeg.