AROUND THE LEAGUE - 26-27

[theman]

Good package, only surprise is no 1st coming back in that package.

[Hockey Widow]

New Jersey trying to create a team where Quit Hughes will want to play.

[Cornuck]

Good package, only surprise is no 1st coming back in that package.

Yes - and NJ fans seem happy, and the Peg get some new toys. Seems like a decent deal for both sides. Winnipeg was never going to hit a home run with Helle - so they did ok. NJ didn't give up a major piece.

[Lancer]

New Jersey trying to create a team where Quit Hughes will want to play.

NJ is still an imperfect team even with Helleybuck. The question is what they'll have to give up to get Quitt. Guerin is not going to let him go for free. Whoever trades for him won't do so without a near-certain chance he'll sign with them. If NJ wants Quitt, they'll have to talk with Billy Guerin, and Quitt won't come cheap. Maybe that's why, as decent as the return is for Helleybuck, it still leaves NJ with some assets to go hunting for other players in trade - but with a significantly-reduced arsenal.

[Megaterio Llamas]

Good package, only surprise is no 1st coming back in that package.

No 1st, but Alexander Command was just drafted in the first round this past summer

[theman]

Good package, only surprise is no 1st coming back in that package.

No 1st, but Alexander Command was just drafted in the first round this past summer

Gives me hope for a decent return in a EP40 or DeBrusk trade.

[Carl Yagro]

Hoping also for a chance to jack up the price for Hronek... which would be amazeballs if we were somehow to Land on Dupont.

[Ronning's Ghost]

Hoping also for a chance to jack up the price for Hronek... which would be amazeballs if we were somehow to Land on Dupont.

Maybe it's just an effect of being the primary defenceman on a team that's struggling in almost all areas, but Hronek seems to me to be having a tough season. I hope he can turn it around so as to maximize his trade value.

And in what will probably come as a surprise to you, unless the offer knocks TFGs' socks off, I'd be more inclined to hang on to him until the 2028 deadline, anyway.

[Meds]

Goaltenders don't seem to ever command the trade value that is expected.

That being said, I think the Jets won this one.

[donlever]

Hellebuyck is 34 in May.

He sports a playoff record of 24-34 with a 2.90 gaa and a .903 save %.

Markstrom is 37 in January.

He sports a playoff record of 14-17 with a 2.88 gaa and a .911 save %.

Hellebuycks contract is 8.5 per until 30/31.

Markstroms is 6 per through next season.

To move from Jakob to Connor the Devils gave up...

Mercer
Command
A second
And some spare parts

Was it really worth the first 3 pieces in the deal to do so?

Or is this a Quinn Hughes move.

[Meds]

My thoughts exactly Donny.

[Hockey Widow]

New Jersey trying to create a team where Quit Hughes will want to play.

NJ is still an imperfect team even with Helleybuck. The question is what they'll have to give up to get Quitt. Guerin is not going to let him go for free. Whoever trades for him won't do so without a near-certain chance he'll sign with them. If NJ wants Quitt, they'll have to talk with Billy Guerin, and Quitt won't come cheap. Maybe that's why, as decent as the return is for Helleybuck, it still leaves NJ with some assets to go hunting for other players in trade - but with a significantly-reduced arsenal.

NJ doesn't have to give up a penny for Hughes nor should they. Hughes will likely want to stay in Minny this year. If he hits FA he will decide where he feels he has the best chance to win, if that's NJ then that is where he will go. But there could be other surprise teams. Even if Minny says ok we can't take the chance he walks and moves him I don't think it will change his attitude towards signing now. So either he extends in Minny or he goes FA.

We know he would like a chance to play with his brothers but I don't think that will be his deciding factor yet.

We know he prefers to play in a hockey market in the US and preferably the East Coast.

His number one consideration seems to be, to find a team in his preferred location, that gives him the best chance to win within the next 4-5 years. On a team that is not one a done. That may very still be Minny after this season.

Detroit is in a flux but depending upon what they get for Larkin and that other Dman they may turn it around but I'm not sure in time for July 1st. Boston is a possibility. Rangers may have been and may be again next year when their goaltending is healthy. He seemed to like Tocky Hockey but I don't think Philly is there.

Maybe one of the Florida teams can make room for him.

I think that unless he is committed to Minny he will wait until after July and take his time with the decision. He is very thoughtful and I think he simply will not rush. I can also see him going for 18-20 M but on a shorter deal, like 5 years.

If I am a GM that thinks I can create a market for him come July 1st I am making moves now that show him that.

Maybe Larkin wil waive for NJ too. I mean after all we all know how well that works, getting US buddies to entice him to stay I mean.

[Cornuck]

We know he would like a chance to play with his brothers but I don't think that will be his deciding factor yet.

This is the question I have - it seems players really want to control where they play - and that's fine. I think in the past, the "play where they can win" factor was a lot bigger. The odds of winning a Cup are tough - so I think a lot of players are now going with "play where they want to" - and if that means playing with family, then they'll choose that over a chance at a Cup. Add in the money they make, and they're (the stars are) set for life no matter where they play.

Just guessing, and no stats to back it up - but it will be interesting to see what direction McDavid goes next.

[donlever]

Wouldn't debate your theory Corn....it's entirely plausible and has merit.

On McDavid however.

I'd suggest he is abundantly clear on his legacy and to be "one of" the players we discuss as GOATS dude needs a Cup.

So "my guess" is (IF he doesn't win one where he is now God forbid), that however influenced by outside factors and an arguable hit and miss enterprise, his move would be to a legit potential Cup winner with a window of several years not 1 or 2.

Playing the odds as it were.

Otherwise he is Marcel Dionne or Joe Thornton (yes he is a better player than both of them I get it) in that top 15 all time scorer group that didn't get IT done (whatever the ancillary conditional reasoning behind it).

[theman]

Wouldn't debate your theory Corn....it's entirely plausible and has merit.

On McDavid however.

I'd suggest he is abundantly clear on his legacy and to be "one of" the players we discuss as GOATS dude needs a Cup.

So "my guess" is (IF he doesn't win one where he is now God forbid), that however influenced by outside factors and an arguable hit and miss enterprise, his move would be to a legit potential Cup winner with a window of several years not 1 or 2.

Playing the odds as it were.

Otherwise he is Marcel Dionne or Joe Thornton (yes he is a better player than both of them I get it) in that top 15 all time scorer group that didn't get IT done (whatever the ancillary conditional reasoning behind it).

McDavid also strikes me as ‘the one who brings the cup back to Canada.’

I can see him landing in Montreal or Toronto, depending on which one he believes has the best chance to win.