Trevor Neufeld: Brad Goes Deep Sea Fishing — Possible Trades With The Kings and Jets

The LA trade is interesting but I think you might be undervaluing Kempe.
As far as Dubois goes he quit on the Jackets and now is quiting on the Jets.... not with a 10' pole!
I think the play is to trade some D depth for picks (preferably 2023) and then cash in on being the only conteder with CAP space and sign Kadri (preferably a Klingberg type 1 year deal).

There is little chance Lizotte is getting many top 6 minutes. Other than flipping wingers, if you switch out Lizotte for Byfield, you have the 4 forward lines probably right. I also think you probably have Roy moving to the left and Spence getting an RHD spot OR keeping Roy on the right and switching out Bjornfot for Moverare. Toby did not have a strong 21/22 and might see some time in Ontario.

I realize the Kings are weak at LHD, BUT they are also bad at burying chances. 5th in total shots last year, but 20th in goal for. Eek. Losing Kempe wouldn't help that. There is enough duct tape in the form of Movare or moving Roy to his offside to hold it together. Not ideal at all, but probably better than losing Kempe.

How about a less impactful deal: Vilardi for Wolf.

A lot of effort here Trevor, and it always is fun to speculate. A lot of these scenarios are centred around the true value of Noah Hanifin, and that may be the fly in the ointment.

Hanifin has always struck me as a guy, who, although he looks good on paper, lacks the grit to push him to that elite category.

Having said that, Hanifin's puck moving abilities, and overall experience, could fill a void for many teams.

Bottom line Tre is not done and it really is fun to speculate.

The LA trade is interesting but I think you might be undervaluing Kempe.
As far as Dubois goes he quit on the Jackets and now is quiting on the Jets.... not with a 10' pole!
I think the play is to trade some D depth for picks (preferably 2023) and then cash in on being the only conteder with CAP space and sign Kadri (preferably a Klingberg type 1 year deal).
- DEDDIE

Agreed on the ten foot pole. Can’t help but wonder what Sutter could do with a center like that though.

There is little chance Lizotte is getting many top 6 minutes. Other than flipping wingers, if you switch out Lizotte for Byfield, you have the 4 forward lines probably right. I also think you probably have Roy moving to the left and Spence getting an RHD spot OR keeping Roy on the right and switching out Bjornfot for Moverare. Toby did not have a strong 21/22 and might see some time in Ontario.

I realize the Kings are weak at LHD, BUT they are also bad at burying chances. 5th in total shots last year, but 20th in goal for. Eek. Losing Kempe wouldn't help that. There is enough duct tape in the form of Movare or moving Roy to his offside to hold it together. Not ideal at all, but probably better than losing Kempe.

How about a less impactful deal: Vilardi for Wolf.
- Only_A_Ladd

Yeah Lizotte is stuck in the center logjam. Would be lucky if he wasn’t surpassed next season. I plugged Kempe due to Kaliev’s potential to move into a more prominent role. Even on the off wing he would put up solid numbers.

A lot of effort here Trevor, and it always is fun to speculate. A lot of these scenarios are centred around the true value of Noah Hanifin, and that may be the fly in the ointment.

Hanifin has always struck me as a guy, who, although he looks good on paper, lacks the grit to push him to that elite category.

Having said that, Hanifin's puck moving abilities, and overall experience, could fill a void for many teams.

Bottom line Tre is not done and it really is fun to speculate.
- Fan the Flame

Nailed it. Very good transition guy, but leaves one wondering what a more physical defenceman could do in his place. He’s taken a big step covering the front of the net since Sutter took over. That was his weakness for years.

Idk what the Jets will get for Dubois and while their defense is only okay and Hanifin would be the Jets best dman they absolutely cannot afford to trade Dubois for yet another dman, speculation is the Jets are trying to move a dman as it is.

The Jets very much rely on Scheifele, Connor, Ehlers and Dubois to provide the bulk of their offense, they can't afford to lose one if the plan is to compete which is what it sounds like they want to do this upcoming season.

Also don't think that's a very good trade for LA.

Yeah Lizotte is stuck in the center logjam. Would be lucky if he wasn’t surpassed next season. I plugged Kempe due to Kaliev’s potential to move into a more prominent role. Even on the off wing he would put up solid numbers.
- Trevor_Neufeld_

Kaliyev will get 20+ goals next year. Ideally, I'd like to see Arvidsson on the 3rd line, Kempe on the 2nd, and Kaliyev on the 1st with Fiala and Kopitar. Two forwards who facilitate will allow Kaliyev to snipe and give him tons of space.

Wolf for Vilardi.

If the Flames are trading a defenceman, it's far more likely to be Andersson than Hanifin. I think he probably has quite a bit more value in a trade and doesn't have any trade protection.

From the Flames' perspective, Hanifin is probably more valuable assuming Weegar is sticking around. On the ice, there was very little difference between Hanifin and Andersson last year, and I think Hanifin still has more upside. Technically, Hanifin's younger. Not a major concern, but they suddenly have 3 right-hand shots in the top four, and teams usually prefer to go with 2 and 2. If everything goes as expected, both are probably looking for an eight-year pay me like a top defenceman contract on their next deal. That's fine for Hanifin since they'll be paying him until he's 35, but with Andersson, they run into the same problem where they'll be paying a lot of money for a guy who'll be in his 30s for pretty much the entire contract.

That being said, I'd hope for someone a lot better than Kempe if they're trading either of them. If they can't get it, they'd be better off just keeping what they have and moving Mackey and Valimaki for future assets.

I think an extended Dubois has a chance to be a home run move for the Flames, but I can't see the Jets making that move. Their defence isn't elite, but it's a pretty solid 7 and adding Hanifin/Andersson doesn't make it better enough to take the massive shot their forward group would take from losing Dubois.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Yan Kuznetsov on the roster, some time during this upcoming season.
Also, Sutter has said more than once, that Anderson is the teams best defenseman, so I doubt he gets moved.
In regards to Mackey and Meloche, I would think that at least one would be claimed, if they are sent down, even if it is during the waiver frenzy, at the start of the season, as several teams are desperate for defensemen.

If the Flames are trading a defenceman, it's far more likely to be Andersson than Hanifin. I think he probably has quite a bit more value in a trade and doesn't have any trade protection.

From the Flames' perspective, Hanifin is probably more valuable assuming Weegar is sticking around. On the ice, there was very little difference between Hanifin and Andersson last year, and I think Hanifin still has more upside. Technically, Hanifin's younger. Not a major concern, but they suddenly have 3 right-hand shots in the top four, and teams usually prefer to go with 2 and 2. If everything goes as expected, both are probably looking for an eight-year pay me like a top defenceman contract on their next deal. That's fine for Hanifin since they'll be paying him until he's 35, but with Andersson, they run into the same problem where they'll be paying a lot of money for a guy who'll be in his 30s for pretty much the entire contract.

That being said, I'd hope for someone a lot better than Kempe if they're trading either of them. If they can't get it, they'd be better off just keeping what they have and moving Mackey and Valimaki for future assets.

I think an extended Dubois has a chance to be a home run move for the Flames, but I can't see the Jets making that move. Their defence isn't elite, but it's a pretty solid 7 and adding Hanifin/Andersson doesn't make it better enough to take the massive shot their forward group would take from losing Dubois.
- Squeaky

Who's the 3rd right handed shot in the top 4? Rasmus, Tanev and ?
Rasmus has 4 years left on a club friendly $4.55/year deal so why would his next contract be an issue at this point?

Personally, I think Tre is waiting to finalize Weegar's deal before he moves anyone. I think the desire is there from both ides, but you can't start moving out D until you know what next season's roster has. No way Ras is being moved. Hanifin and Kylington most likely to move at some point. Valimaki is a wild card, he may get kept on the roster due to the limited relief on the cap by waiving him. Also, some bargain shoppers (ARI for instance) might choose to claim him.

There is little chance Lizotte is getting many top 6 minutes. Other than flipping wingers, if you switch out Lizotte for Byfield, you have the 4 forward lines probably right. I also think you probably have Roy moving to the left and Spence getting an RHD spot OR keeping Roy on the right and switching out Bjornfot for Moverare. Toby did not have a strong 21/22 and might see some time in Ontario.

I realize the Kings are weak at LHD, BUT they are also bad at burying chances. 5th in total shots last year, but 20th in goal for. Eek. Losing Kempe wouldn't help that. There is enough duct tape in the form of Movare or moving Roy to his offside to hold it together. Not ideal at all, but probably better than losing Kempe.

How about a less impactful deal: Vilardi for Wolf.
- Only_A_Ladd

Dont see enough of Vilardi to know how he has developed.... concerning that after 5 years of pro hockey he has not been able to stick on a rebuilding Kings roster.
Also Wolf is extremely well thought of in the organisation but that could be the best time to move him as we have seen many highly touted goaltenders not pan out in Calgary over the years.

Who's the 3rd right handed shot in the top 4? Rasmus, Tanev and ?
Rasmus has 4 years left on a club friendly $4.55/year deal so why would his next contract be an issue at this point?
- DEDDIE

Weegar shoots right but plays the left side, could be switched if needed. I agree though there’s no way they move Rasmus, he’s got a great value contract for what he provides.

Another note, just saw another D ranking. Weegar 16, Tanev 30, that’s 2 #1 D on the Flames. Funny how some Canuck fans said all the negative crap about Tanev only to witness him get even better in a Sutter system.
Thanks Jim Benning!

I wouldn't be surprised to see Yan Kuznetsov on the roster, some time during this upcoming season.
Also, Sutter has said more than once, that Anderson is the teams best defenseman, so I doubt he gets moved.
In regards to Mackey and Meloche, I would think that at least one would be claimed, if they are sent down, even if it is during the waiver frenzy, at the start of the season, as several teams are desperate for defensemen.
- Reubenkincade

I’d be disappointed to lose Mackey without at least giving him a least a 20 game addition. I think he could be that rough D every team needs.

ew limieux

Yeah Lizotte is stuck in the center logjam. Would be lucky if he wasn’t surpassed next season. I plugged Kempe due to Kaliev’s potential to move into a more prominent role. Even on the off wing he would put up solid numbers.
- Trevor_Neufeld_

Good article Trevor!!

LA make a decent trade partner but not sure if they want to help each other. I dont mind that Hanafin trade scenario. Not sure on the Dubois trade. Now there was talk about Schiefle being on the trade block for awhile there, not so much anymore, but how sweet would that be if we could land him. Couldnt even guess how a trade like that would look like. Then again, I didnt expect the Tkachuk trade to look how it did.

Kaliyev will get 20+ goals next year. Ideally, I'd like to see Arvidsson on the 3rd line, Kempe on the 2nd, and Kaliyev on the 1st with Fiala and Kopitar. Two forwards who facilitate will allow Kaliyev to snipe and give him tons of space.

Wolf for Vilardi.
- Only_A_Ladd

Have you seen Teen Wolf?

No Wolf no part.....no Wolf ... no part....

Guess what no Wolf for you sir!!

I’d be disappointed to lose Mackey without at least giving him a least a 20 game addition. I think he could be that rough D every team needs.
- K-man25

Yeah of all the young guys I really would like to see Mackay get time on that 3rd pairing with Zadorov. Just having Zad on his pairing will give him that extra boost on the nasty side. Heard lots of good things with Meloche too. Valamaki Im afraid will probably be part of another deal or picked off of waivers. Which would suck even if we gain a bit of cap space.

With Monahan & Lucic's 11.5 mill coming off & factoring in a 6.75 mill hit for Weegar, we're still in pretty good shape cap wise for next year. Its the year after that it gets interesting but I would hope the cap goes up a whole pile by then.

Great article Trevor - I've said it before though, Tre should be calling OTT regarding Hanifin for Stutzle. Maybe something there? Also, if not PLD from WPG, why not Scheifele? Older yes, but I think he could be awesome with Cgy and Sutter! Other deals to look at: Necas from Carolina, or Lundell from Florida (another trade with them, why not?), but not for Hanifin, would need more coming back... all speculative but those teams could use D, and we have a stock. I like Kylington with Tanev, I like Meloche on our third pair, and so if Weegar is signed long-term, to me Hanifin is expendable, and should fetch a solid young top9 forward with upside.

Weegar shoots right but plays the left side, could be switched if needed. I agree though there’s no way they move Rasmus, he’s got a great value contract for what he provides.

Another note, just saw another D ranking. Weegar 16, Tanev 30, that’s 2 #1 D on the Flames. Funny how some Canuck fans said all the negative crap about Tanev only to witness him get even better in a Sutter system.
Thanks Jim Benning!

- K-man25

Gotcha I thought Weeger shot left and played the right side.... my bad.

Gotcha I thought Weeger shot left and played the right side.... my bad.
- DEDDIE

Great article Trevor - I've said it before though, Tre should be calling OTT regarding Hanifin for Stutzle. Maybe something there? Also, if not PLD from WPG, why not Scheifele? Older yes, but I think he could be awesome with Cgy and Sutter! Other deals to look at: Necas from Carolina, or Lundell from Florida (another trade with them, why not?), but not for Hanifin, would need more coming back... all speculative but those teams could use D, and we have a stock. I like Kylington with Tanev, I like Meloche on our third pair, and so if Weegar is signed long-term, to me Hanifin is expendable, and should fetch a solid young top9 forward with upside.
- quinneroma

Hanifin to his hometown Bruins for Fabian Lysell and a 2nd

Yeah of all the young guys I really would like to see Mackay get time on that 3rd pairing with Zadorov. Just having Zad on his pairing will give him that extra boost on the nasty side. Heard lots of good things with Meloche too. Valamaki Im afraid will probably be part of another deal or picked off of waivers. Which would suck even if we gain a bit of cap space.

With Monahan & Lucic's 11.5 mill coming off & factoring in a 6.75 mill hit for Weegar, we're still in pretty good shape cap wise for next year. Its the year after that it gets interesting but I would hope the cap goes up a whole pile by then.
- Kevin R

I believe he could get a bit of nasty going playing with Zadorov.
Once Weegars signed, I’m open to moving Hanifin, Kylington, or Valimaki but not all of them. Playing Mackey with Tanev might be a good option, as we all have seen how his influence has helped his partners. Just ask Quinn Hughes how he felt losing his partner.