Eklund: The Evander Kane-undrum and "What the Ek Wednesday" Ask Away..

I don't think Buffalo moves Kane because they won't get fair value for what he's actually worth on the ice, mostly thanks to him not being very likeable

Are the Flyers going to keep Neuvirth or Mason? And What are the chances the Flyers make a move for Anthony Duclair? Seems like a minor move to land him is more likely than nothing.

What player do you see the Islanders acquiring EK if any? Thanks!

When I can start writing the Vegas blogs?

When I can start writing the Vegas blogs?
- Streit2ThePoint

I thought you already were.

What player do you see the Islanders acquiring EK if any? Thanks!
- ses111

Alexei Yashin

Thing is Buffalo is not going to get back what we traded for Kane. (A Top 4 Defenseman right now) BUT! Buffalo can get 1 maybe 2 real strong young pieces one could become a top 4 defenseman. Let's just say the Ducks were talking to Buffalo about Kane and the main piece was Brandon Montour. Montour has the potential to become a top 4 D, but is not right now. Sabres get value out of that trade. The Sabres do not need to get Fowler for example to get Value.

A package that could work is Montour and a 1st for Kane. I know people on these forums dont want that to happen, BUT your voice does not matter. Only the 2 GMs making the trade matter.

Alexei Yashin
- obie

undersized, need moar powar forwerds

Does Jarmo have any blockbusters up his sleeve? Does Columbus do anything at the trade deadline.
BTW at "Hockey in Heals" this past weekend Jarmo said talks with Vegas are going well and he believes he has a deal in place for the expansion draft.

If they are trying to make the playoffs, why would they move him? Only way a team takes him is if they get him for cheap I would think. Buffalo should just keep chugging along.

Hey EK,

It seems as though talks between the Avs and Canes about Duchene died down since Francis doesn't want to give up a young and established D man like Slavin for a player having 2 years left on his deal before become a UFA. Are the Canadiens and Islanders the favorites now if he moves?

Also is Anaheim now the favorite to get Landeskog with one of their young Dmen like Vatanen since talks with Boston died down because they didn't want to include Carlo or MaCavoy?

Thanks

undersized, need moar powar forwerds
- eichiefs9

But we're not trading Michel Sergachault

Alexei Yashin
- obie

Be very careful. You stole Julien from us.

Be very careful. You stole Julien from us.
- ses111

That's fine because by doing so they freed up Therrien for ya

When I can start writing the Vegas blogs?
- Streit2ThePoint

Right now

Hey EK,

It seems as though talks between the Avs and Canes about Duchene died down since Francis doesn't want to give up a young and established D man like Slavin for a player having 2 years left on his deal before become a UFA. Are the Canadiens and Islanders the favorites now if he moves?

Also is Anaheim now the favorite to get Landeskog with one of their young Dmen like Vatanen since talks with Boston died down because they didn't want to include Carlo or MaCavoy?

Thanks
- Avsrchamps01

Islanders are the favorite because they can afford to part with first line talent like Josh Bailey.

But we're not trading Michel Sergachault
- obie

Would prefer to have Juulshaw anyway

Islanders are the favorite because they can afford to part with first line talent like Josh Bailey.
- eichiefs9

Not if the Habs decide to up the ante and offer up a young power forward like Desharnais

Strike while the iron is hot. Anaheim could give a defensemen we despretely need, while sending a 30 goal scorer with a year left on his deal, then he can go home to Vancouver. Kane has enough value to nab one of the Ducks 7 guys. Looking at the original trade Kane and Bogosian (and I believe notre dame? goalie Jason Kasdorff) have never lived up to the expectations of most sabres fans when they gave up Stafford, Myers, Armia, Lemieux, and a 1st.

If Vegas picks Bogosian in the expansion draft, you free up almost $11 million in less than 6 months

That's fine because by doing so they freed up Therrien for ya
- obie

How generous.


Why Julien wants to coach the Habs again when he has a perfectly fine team in Brooklyn I'll never know.

Strike while the iron is hot. Anaheim could give a defensemen we despretely need, while sending a 30 goal scorer with a year left on his deal, then he can go home to Vancouver. Kane has enough value to nab one of the Ducks 7 guys. Looking at the original trade Kane and Bogosian (and I believe notre dame? goalie Jason Kasdorff) have never lived up to the expectations of most sabres fans when they gave up Stafford, Myers, Armia, Lemieux, and a 1st.

If Vegas picks Bogosian in the expansion draft, you free up almost $11 million in less than 6 months
- Acup2buff

Like...one of the current 7 defensemen on the Ducks NHL roster? I count 9 on their website, but will admit I have no idea if anyone is hurt.

How generous.


Why Julien wants to coach the Habs again when he has a perfectly fine team in Brooklyn I'll never know.
- ses111

He doesn't like gluten-free, organically-sourced, vegan tacos

He doesn't like gluten-free, organically-sourced, vegan tacos
- eichiefs9

He hates hipsters so much he rather do repeat business with the Habs.

I think if the Sabres are confident he can be resigned, you hang on to him. He is a huge piece, and the type of player teams are always looking for. The Sabres, by no means, are in the hunt for the Stanley Cup at this stage. Kane is still young enough (25) to be part of the team when it's ready to compete for the cup (2-3 years). Signing him for under $6 mill would be awesome. The amazing thing about Kane is...he's scoring all these goals, without getting a sniff of the 1st unit powerplay!! Which is a bit baffling, especially with Reinhart being out the last couple of games, and Matt Moulson taking his spot. Kane is a legit power-forward, and has the skill set to be one of the best in the NHL for the next number of years. I don't see how a top-4 d-man can make up for moving that.

Keep him. Sign a top-4 dman in the off-season, or move some of their other young forwards (we have had a number of recent call ups show they can play - Bailey, Baptiste, Rodrigues, Carrier...Nylander in the AHL) which makes others (Girgensons, Ennis, Foligno) expendable.

The Edmonton Oilers are a perfect example of how some minor tweaks (along with the gradual maturation of young stars) can create a huge jump from one season to the next. Moving Hall is tough to call a minor tweak, but that was more of a locker-room addition by subtraction. No one would argue that Adam Larson is an upgrade in talent over Taylor Hall. I don't feel Kane is a locker-room issue. Outside of that, the Oilers moves were fairly minor (and even slightly negative...Lucic) but the team has seen a significant jump in production.

The Sabres could see a similar jump next year assuming some shrewd moves on defense, and a healthy lineup.