Jeremy Laura: Mantha wants to stay in Detroit, Yzerman waiting for answers?

4 year deal seems right for Mantha. 5.5-6 mil AAV. 30 goal scorer talent. Injury prone. Yzerman and Mantha should find some common ground.

Bill Placzek from DraftSite.com here.

I was going to throw this up on the site, but there is a bit of a size restriction but more than anything I was wondering what you all thought.

Here goes:

First round trades involving slight movement at the top of the first round have been very rare in the modern area of a universal draft. The Columbus Blue Jackets traded out of the 4th overall slot into 8th overall slot to add a late second 59th overall. The hosts of the draft, the Carolina Hurricanes made a splash with this move up slot #4 to select Andrew Ladd in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft first round.
In 1999, The Sedin Brothers were adamant about being drafted and playing together, so Brian Burke, GM of the Vancouver Canucks talked four teams into making the Sedin Brothers wishes happen when he traded the 3rd overall selection, and defenseman Bryan McCabe and Vancouver's 1st-round pick in the 2000 Draft to the Chicago Blackhawks for their fourth overall pick. Then he obtained the first overall pick from Tampa Bay, flipping Chicago's fourth overall pick — which the Lightning subsequently traded to the Rangers, who used it to draft Pavel Brendl — and two third-round selections. Vancouver and Atlanta then worked out a deal whereby Atlanta, who held the second overall selection, promised to select Patrik Stefan with the first overall pick, leaving both Sedins available to Vancouver at 2nd and 3rd. The Burke intricately four team deal, in my humble opinion, was one which the likes of hockey drafting will never be seen again.

Other than that, I cannot recall teams willing to move out of high slotting, and especially that coveted number one spot, because if you move out, and that prospect turns into a generational player, your fan base never forgives you!

But, is this the year where the prospects and draft order may align so that the Detroit Red Wings can have draft success by NOT drafting Rimouski’s Alexis Lafrenière and using him to obtain the next two picks in the 2020 draft?
There is a proposed draft change on the table whereby there will be one lotto drawing with the winner not selecting first but being able to jump four slots high than they originally were in the draft order (that was determined using winning percentages). No three separate chances for all the non-playoff teams to leapfrog into slots one through three…one winner who gets to then jump up four notches closer to the top of the round.
So it is not a lock that the Red Wings draft first overall...
they have to win the lottery to stay in their number one overall slotting before they can even attempt to drop out of the top spot in a deal. Ottawa may simply win the lottery as they will have the lotto balls of their final standing %s and San Jose's which is slot 3.
If the Red Wings win the draft then Ottawa would then hold both the 2nd and 3rd overall slots...would they be willing to take those two chances a getting great players and package them for one Alexis Lafrenière? Would the Senators make that move to add Francophone player and pass on two chances as franchise pillar prospects? I can easily argue it both ways.

Even if the Detroit Red Wings would have to “sacrifice" the first overall and maybe a sweeter of that first overall in the second round (32nd overall) to make it happen, the Red Wings would have the benefit of two high draft additions to their rebuild? Two additions might serve their long terms interests, and the possible addition to Ottawa by francophone Alexis Lafrenière might be a very tempting bait and one that would be popular in the Canadien Capital.
Could the Red Wings see the two for the price of one as something they could sell to their fan base or would they fear the future successes of Lafrenière might forever haunt and hurt them?
I would like to hear what you think about this possible trade scenario, taking the side as GMs for both teams.

Could the Red Wings see the two for the price of one as something they could sell to their fan base or would they fear the future successes of Lafrenière might forever haunt and hurt them?
I would like to hear what you think about this possible trade scenario, taking the side as GMs for both teams.

I think Stevie would go for it to gain 2 very good choices to lose a best choice. I see Byfield and Stutzle as 2 very good pieces to add to a middling roster. But Lafrenirre is NOT a crapshoot. It is a risk, but has much potential to improve his roster then by just the addition of 1.....

4 year deal seems right for Mantha. 5.5-6 mil AAV. 30 goal scorer talent. Injury prone. Yzerman and Mantha should find some common ground.
- gergeswillems

Yeah, the injuries are scary. Really muddies up the picture. Good call

Jeremy Laura: Mantha wants to stay in Detroit, Yzerman waiting for answers?
- Jeremy Laura

I’m with you in Erne. Our D is horrible but we need some forwards that can get the play to the other end of the rink. Less Erne, Abs and Ehn will only benefit our lack of depth on D.

Mantha deserves 5-6 for a few years to prove he can be consistent and stay healthy. If so, watch out for 40 goals from # 39...

If he didn't want to stay in Detroit, do you really expect he would say so? He's a RFA, so he doesn't have much choice in the matter. Pulling a Marner can give you a bad rep around the league and hamper future contract negotiations for when he does become a UFA.

Sorry guys I’m still thinking a young Goalie for Mantha. Jerry in Pittsburgh maybe?
Just a thought, he’s an asset but a nice trade prospect too. Maybe a package with Abby? Some team might bite.

Sorry guys I’m still thinking a young Goalie for Mantha. Jerry in Pittsburgh maybe?
Just a thought, he’s an asset but a nice trade prospect too. Maybe a package with Abby? Some team might bite.
- Tee56

If you were to offer up Mantha in a trade to LA, they would absolutely take on Abdelkader's contract. They have the cap space to make both of them fit.

If you were to offer up Mantha in a trade to LA, they would absolutely take on Abdelkader's contract. They have the cap space to make both of them fit.
- tkecanuck341

Depends on the return but it would free up the cash and the anchor (ABBY)

You keep saying that Yzerman is in a holding pattern, as if this was something unique. Look around the NHL. Most other GMs are in the same boat. Start with Ken Holland in Edmonton...he has 6 regulars that are RFA/UFA, including guys like AA, Bear, Benning, Sheahan, Smith. He hasn't signed any of them or had any public progress on contract talks. We have 29 standard contracts for next season, Holland has 33. Pretty normal to have a lot of unfilled spots. Buffalo hasn't done anything with RFAs like Reinhart or Montour. Look at Pittsburgh...both goalies are RFAs without contracts, as well as 4 or 5 other skaters. And they've spent the last 2 months signing...one guy to an AHL deal.

Bottom line. Yzerman isn't do anything unique here.

Sorry guys I’m still thinking a young Goalie for Mantha. Jerry in Pittsburgh maybe?
Just a thought, he’s an asset but a nice trade prospect too. Maybe a package with Abby? Some team might bite.
- Tee56

Trade up for an Extra first round pick and grab Askarov. Wings need a stud goalie prospect. This will only happen in Fantasy Land unfortunately.

You keep saying that Yzerman is in a holding pattern, as if this was something unique. Look around the NHL. Most other GMs are in the same boat. Start with Ken Holland in Edmonton...he has 6 regulars that are RFA/UFA, including guys like AA, Bear, Benning, Sheahan, Smith. He hasn't signed any of them or had any public progress on contract talks. We have 29 standard contracts for next season, Holland has 33. Pretty normal to have a lot of unfilled spots. Buffalo hasn't done anything with RFAs like Reinhart or Montour. Look at Pittsburgh...both goalies are RFAs without contracts, as well as 4 or 5 other skaters. And they've spent the last 2 months signing...one guy to an AHL deal.

Bottom line. Yzerman isn't do anything unique here.
- Kooleus

How many of those teams have as bad of a roster as the Wings ? We have 2 good defensemen and 5 forwards.... I say he’s on the right path and the majority can go.

Operations “ Fresh Start “ is a go.

Depends on the return but it would free up the cash and the anchor (ABBY)
- Tee56

Curious to know what the asking price would be from Detroit's side. Obviously with an awful contract like that, the return value will be severely diminished, but I could see the Kings giving up a quality B+ prospect like Rasmus Kupari or Akil Thomas. Top-tier guys like Vilardi, Turcotte, and Kaliyev would be off the table, as would draft picks, as the Kings are in the middle of a rebuild themselves.

Curious to know what the asking price would be from Detroit's side. Obviously with an awful contract like that, the return value will be severely diminished, but I could see the Kings giving up a quality B+ prospect like Rasmus Kupari or Akil Thomas. Top-tier guys like Vilardi, Turcotte, and Kaliyev would be off the table, as would draft picks, as the Kings are in the middle of a rebuild themselves.
- tkecanuck341

Wings have a boat load of cap space. There's zero reason to gift Mantha to the Kings. Abby will be playing in Grand Rapids for 3 years.

Why do people want to spend assets to get rid of Abby? Would love to see what your plans are to use his cap space! You only pay a premium if you are close to competing and need every last dollar. We should be doing the opposite...use our cap space to add more garbage. Then just waive Abby and make room for another young player. Thankfully, Yzerman understands this so I don't worry at all about a dumb move like this.

Why do people want to spend assets to get rid of Abby? Would love to see what your plans are to use his cap space! You only pay a premium if you are close to competing and need every last dollar. We should be doing the opposite...use our cap space to add more garbage. Then just waive Abby and make room for another young player. Thankfully, Yzerman understands this so I don't worry at all about a dumb move like this.
- Kooleus

I was thinking that Stevie takes on Vancouver's Erickson's bad contract along with a Jet Woo sweetener for a 7th and Kyle Wood.......

I was thinking that Stevie takes on Vancouver's Erickson's bad contract along with a Jet Woo sweetener for a 7th and Kyle Wood.......
- HenryHockey

3 more years of James Neal at $5.75M would probably net a much bigger haul of assets. Obviously dealing with Ken Holland makes it easier.

I'd also call the Blues and take the final year of Jake Allen off their hands. That should net an extra 2nd rounder or equivalent. Bernier-Allen for one year. Blues can find a cheaper and better back-up.

Mantha needs to go play for the Habs....he would be very welcomed there.

Bill Placzek from DraftSite.com here.

Could the Red Wings see the two for the price of one as something they could sell to their fan base or would they fear the future successes of Lafrenière might forever haunt and hurt them?
I would like to hear what you think about this possible trade scenario, taking the side as GMs for both teams.
- wiz1901

It really all comes down to how much of a gap you see between Lafreniere and the next best player.

I’m generally of the opinion that it’s better to have one legit superstar than two first liners / borderline all stars. Even “franchise pillars” are not created equal.

Put it this way: as much as I love, say, Larkin and Mantha, I’d give both up for just one McDavid, Kucherov, Matthews, or McKinnon in a heartbeat. No hesitation.

So if you see Lafreniere as a potential perennial Hart / Art Ross level talent and the rest of the pack topping out more in the “really really good” range (think Tarasenko, Seguin, Voracek, etc.) you shouldn’t be tempted by the 2-for-1. If there’s a clear best player, that’s the guy you want.

The only way trading the No. 1 makes sense is if you think Byfield (or whoever you have at No. 2) is on the same level as Lafreniere, or at least very, very close.

Now, for me personally? I would consider the deal, because I'm skeptical that Lafreniere is going to peak that high. In terms of the guys who went straight from CHL to NHL his junior record seems less impressive to me than a lot of past high picks (Crosby and McDavid most obviously, but also Kane, Stamkos, Tavares ...).

Not to say that he isn't going to be very good or that he shouldn't be No. 1 -- I think if I had to guess I'd say he's on track to be just a cut below that tier of guys, but probably still ahead of some other really really good players like Taylor Hall or Mitch Marner. It's just that I don't know that he's really that far ahead of a guy like Byfield or even Perfetti. This is looking like a pretty deep draft at the top.

Could go either way honestly.

Mantha needs to go play for the Habs....he would be very welcomed there.
- Hockey Pucker

Maybe HABS would take Mantha for Romanov? Who do you throw in to sweeten the trade? Zardina? Fabbri? Abby isn’t a sweetener.

Maybe HABS would take Mantha for Romanov? Who do you throw in to sweeten the trade? Zardina? Fabbri? Abby isn’t a sweetener.
- Tee56

Habs would need a sweetener, Romanov is not a proven NHL everydayer, Mantha is!
I would say Fabri and a 2nd and a 3rd for Romanov, only because Detroit needs more defense. Or Mantha for Sergachev........

Habs would need a sweetener, Romanov is not a proven NHL everydayer, Mantha is!
I would say Fabri and a 2nd and a 3rd for Romanov, only because Detroit needs more defense. Or Mantha for Sergachev........
- HenryHockey

I can't see the Habs making either one of those trades.

Maybe HABS would take Mantha for Romanov? Who do you throw in to sweeten the trade? Zardina? Fabbri? Abby isn’t a sweetener.
- Tee56

Mantha isn’t going anywhere. You can have Abby for a bag of pucks and we’ll toss you a 3rd rounder.

Mantha isn’t going anywhere. You can have Abby for a bag of pucks and we’ll toss you a 3rd rounder.
- Manthamania

Honesty I wouldn't even do that unless there's an actual plan to spend up to the cap that only works if you remove Abdelkader's salary.

I don't think anyone on this board has been more consistently critical of Abby's play or his contract than I have (although several people are tied), but bad contracts only truly hurt you if they prevent you from having enough cap space to sign good players to good contracts.

If the Wings plan to continue operating $5+ million under the cap during the rebuilding phase, there's simply no reason to give up a draft pick (even a third rounder) to get rid of a contract that isn't actually causing cap headaches anymore. Far better, I think, to just let Abby rot in the minors.