For those still posturing that Torts is the reason CBJ players left ... here's more info that reports solidly against that Idea..

From the Athletic's CBJ beat reporter...

Blue Jackets players, contrary to popular belief, widely admired and appreciated Tortorella. While most accepted that the time had come to part ways, many seemed sad to see him go.
- IonSabres

The hardball played by the GM in RFA contract negotiations was a more frequent reason given than having problems with Torts.

Not only no, but (frank) no. Young, proven 1C or bust. You can keep the lotto tickets. It has to be a "hockey trade" or they're going to get killed.
- Wetbandit1

So, you want to trade a young 1C for another young 1C.

I'm not sure how that would happen, but sure. I just wouldn't hold my breath and try to maximize future opportunities in yet another rebuild after losing Sam, Risto and other vets.

So, you want to trade a young 1C for another young 1C.

I'm not sure how that would happen, but sure. I just wouldn't hold my breath and try to maximize future opportunities in yet another rebuild after losing Sam, Risto and other vets.
- IonSabres

I believe he's thinking someone like Scheifele from Winnipeg.

I believe he's thinking someone like Scheifele from Winnipeg.
- kingcong39

Dubois would be better

Dubois would be better
- Fattony1187

I thought of the duo of PLD and Copp together.

So, you want to trade a young 1C for another young 1C.

I'm not sure how that would happen, but sure. I just wouldn't hold my breath and try to maximize future opportunities in yet another rebuild after losing Sam, Risto and other vets.
- IonSabres

Bottom line is you absolutely can not trade a franchise player for a bunch of parts, no matter how promising.

I believe he's thinking someone like Scheifele from Winnipeg.
- kingcong39

Ok.
28 is considered young though?
Why would The Peg do that and incurred almost $4m more in Cap, unless it is to get younger...which flies in the face of young 1C for young 1C.

I'm confused and can't see it.

Bottom line is you absolutely can not trade a franchise player for a bunch of parts, no matter how promising.
- Wetbandit1

The "A" prospects are of the Byfield, Zegrass, Turcotte, Dach variety.

You said for young 1C ... who is doing that?
I'm curious of who you have in mind.

Ok.
28 is considered young though?
Why would The Peg do that and incurred almost $4m more in Cap, unless it is to get younger...which flies in the face of young 1C for young 1C.

I'm confused and can't see it.
- IonSabres

That was one example. Think Aho, Barkov, Barzal, and Petersson for other examples.

I thought of the duo of PLD and Copp together.
- kingcong39

That's different than 28 yo...so ya, I could get behind that given the circumstances.

Personally, I'd rather go Byfield and some younger guys myself.

Ok.
28 is considered young though?
Why would The Peg do that and incurred almost $4m more in Cap, unless it is to get younger...which flies in the face of young 1C for young 1C.

I'm confused and can't see it.
- IonSabres

Scheifele only because, well, he's great, but he's also steady. There's your next captain, obviously don't pull a Ruff and make him captain the day you acquire him like with Rivet. But guys like Aho, Pettersson, Barkov, Barzal are the caliber you absolutely have to get back.

For those still posturing that Torts is the reason CBJ players left ... here's more info that reports solidly against that Idea..

From the Athletic's CBJ beat reporter...

Blue Jackets players, contrary to popular belief, widely admired and appreciated Tortorella. While most accepted that the time had come to part ways, many seemed sad to see him go.
- IonSabres

Not sure if that's from the same article where they interviewed three players anonymously, but everything seemed to be centered around the CBJ organization and how they value their players that drives players away.

That was one example. Think Aho, Barkov, Barzal, and Petersson for other examples.
- kingcong39

Ok, sure I get it 39. But why would they move those guys remains the question.
I mean it sounds GREAT, too good to be true...I can't see it at all.

Those guys are all nearly as good.

Do you see it..and if so, why?
Curious here.

The hardball played by the GM in RFA contract negotiations was a more frequent reason given than having problems with Torts.
- Ratsreign

It's easier to blame Torts and call him a dinosaur who crushes talent. He has his faults but he's a damn good coach

It's easier to blame Torts and call him a dinosaur who crushes talent. He has his faults but he's a damn good coach
- Michael Pachla

I could get behind Davidson Adams Karmanos Torts

Ok, sure I get it 39. But why would they move those guys remains the question.
I mean it sounds GREAT, too good to be true...I can't see it at all.

Those guys are all nearly as good.

Do you see it..and if so, why?
Curious here.
- IonSabres

Eichel is better then all 4 of the players I mentioned, and by a fair bit. If anything, Eichel is underrated.

I think Carolina might do it if their playoffs go bad this year. Florida might do it only because Barkov is a UFA after next season, which means that would be dicey for the Sabres. I think the Islanders might do it because they would have longer control over Eichel and Barzal's qualifying offer after his contract is over is $10M.

I think Vancouver would definitely do it.

Scheifele only because, well, he's great, but he's also steady. There's your next captain, obviously don't pull a Ruff and make him captain the day you acquire him like with Rivet. But guys like Aho, Pettersson, Barkov, Barzal are the caliber you absolutely have to get back.
- Wetbandit1

Same question to you I posed to Kong...why would those teams even consider trading them for Jack?
Their all 1C's already, and close to Jack as well.

I missing something.
The want is great, but the why is lacking.

Ok, sure I get it 39. But why would they move those guys remains the question.
I mean it sounds GREAT, too good to be true...I can't see it at all.

Those guys are all nearly as good.

Do you see it..and if so, why?
Curious here.
- IonSabres

Exactly. That's why you can never get close to fair value for a franchise player in his prime. Jack took the money, now it's time to take his medicine. He knew the state of the franchise when he signed the deal. Asking for a trade is well within his rights, but if you can't extract equal, current value out of a deal, why would you ever trade him? "Something is better than nothing" is a load of horsepoop too, by the way.

Same question to you I posed to Kong...why would those teams even consider trading them for Jack?
Their all 1C's already, and close to Jack as well.

I missing something.
The want is great, but the why is lacking.
- IonSabres

I don't think any of them are close except maybe Barkov, who is about to get paid big time after next season.

That's different than 28 yo...so ya, I could get behind that given the circumstances.

Personally, I'd rather go Byfield and some younger guys myself.
- IonSabres

If you're the king's gm and you just missed the playoffs, you absolutely trade byfield + for eichel.

Kopitar and eichel up the middle is very strong.

I bet we would have to take some cap dumping, but maybe a few more prospects in return?

I could get behind Davidson Adams Karmanos Torts
- Buff36

Me too. But I don't think Terry and Kim would

Eichel is better then all 4 of the players I mentioned, and by a fair bit. If anything, Eichel is underrated.

I think Carolina might do it if their playoffs go bad this year. Florida might do it only because Barkov is a UFA after next season, which means that would be dicey for the Sabres. I think the Islanders might do it because they would have longer control over Eichel and Barzal's qualifying offer after his contract is over is $10M.

I think Vancouver would definitely do it.
- kingcong39

Thanks for the clarifying thoughts.
Vancouver has no Cap space, and I doubt they trade Petterson...but merely my opinion.
Maybe Sam out there instead, IDK.

Sorry, but I still see no compelling reason for the others..maybe Aho in Carolina, I guess.

Some nice racks on the WPT tonight

Me too. But I don't think Terry and Kim would
- Michael Pachla

Probably, but would be a smart move for them

Probably, but would be a smart move for them
- Buff36

Not yes men. I'm torn. I like Donnie G and think he could do well. But the losing culture needs an enema and I don't think he's the guy to do it.