Losing Bourque hurts. Is Risto really good enough for that trade package? Defensemen in their 30s scare me it seems like a lot to give up for a guy with only a few years of prime left
He's not my favorite defender. He's injury prone, and his growth spurt could be fleeting. But he fits into this two-year window where the Stars can go for it, and tinker at the trade deadlines if necessary. To me it's about fit: I think Harley with Risto would be every bit as good as Lindell with Heiskanen. Remember, his contract ends with Seguin's. So he's kind of a stopgap more than anything. But I couldn't envision another stopgap as good as him that fits into the contract window.
Bichsel's exit stats look fine; does he really need a PMD for a partner? He's not great at entries, nor at offensive possession, two areas that Nils is actually good at -- or at least decent. Seems like they might complement each other as a pair.
If I'm going to expend Mavrik in a trade, I want someone back with cost control advantages like he brings. Perhaps Maveric Lamoureux?
Comments like these make me want to crowdsource a follow-up version of this exercise because Lamoureux is a fantastic needle drop.
Getting back to Spence, it's less about finding the perfect partner for Bichsel and more about finding more ways for the forwards to have puck support. Bichsel is, I think, quite underrated at this, but Spence is the better option. A third pair that doesn't need to be sheltered that can play both ways would be a boon for this team.
Imagine having a third pair that your opponents have to keep an eye on and one that could steal just a few more minutes away from your top-4. Bichsel/Spence - while maybe not putting up the points themselves - would be sneaky-good facilitators.
Is this the piece originally titled “The Fix in These Stars”? If so, wow, I can’t believe you didn’t go for the cheese, David! Also, as soon as I read the title, I thought of: plotting the stars? Charting the stars? Star maps? Starry Knight, if it happens to be about how you’d run this club if you were Kelly McCrimmon?
Flyers won’t take on Lube. Have too many prospects to move up and test out, for them to then clog up the spots ahead with cap dumps. They will however take Bourque and a first.
Pretending that we're both GMs in our respective orgs and this is one of those hardboiled HBO show exchanges -- then I gotta pull the deal off the table.
"The trade doesn't work without us shedding cap. I won't pretend I didn't screw up and that Ilya has value to you. Maybe his best years are behind him, Danny. If you can find a better deal, then I don't blame you. If there's something you want me to add within reason I might bite, and I won't waste your time telling you yes or no. But Ilya has to be part of the deal or there is none."
Briere will be trading Risto at some point this summer. There’s a stigma surrounding him from his Buffalo days that most viewers seem to parrot non stop, but he’s without a doubt at the top of available dmen. Dallas seemingly being in a pickle with cap decisions and shitting the bed when it came to defense in the playoffs this year, Dallas should take the deal and ditch lube elsewhere for future consideration.
please forward to Jim Nill....like the lineups and the trades a lot, but wondering if Jamie would be at $1.4MM, and the fourth line seems really young and inexperienced with Back, Hyry, and Hryckowian...goal is to make the playoffs but be built to go all the way in the playoffs....
Can you forward on my behalf? I could use a stable job.
Benn at $1.4M is silly, but Evolving-Hockey actually projects $2.3M if he signs with a different team (I guess those are his priors). Doesn't matter to me personally. I'd like to see Dallas play hardball with him. He's not good enough to justify anything beyond 2M, and it's time for a new voice. Plus that's the only way the money works. Honestly, I'd be fine with them bringing in Tanev for league minimum and letting Benn walk.
I admit I'm a big Benn fan for his intangibles as a leader and a captain. How much is that worth? How much of it is being a fan of his over the years and not wanting to let go....? hmmm....maybe it is about $2MM....
I like Benn too. I'm no longer ashamed of my hockey roots: the enforcer era. Does that mean I endorse it and want to go back to the "good old days"? Fuck no. Its lingering pathos is the reason for the postseason's collective sociopathy.
But his style and fights have a special place in my heart. I'd love to see him a bottom six role. But I also don't like the idea of seeing him and Seguin chug around aimlessly pretending better years are ahead. I'm sure Benn's voice is well respected in the room. Does that mean there isn't another one worth respecting? So yea, bringing back Benn is fine. But he earned his bag. If he wants another one, then he can find it elsewhere.
Speaking of, you have to wonder where Seguin's career is headed. It's a point Dimitri Filipovic often brings up. Given his injury history, and declining performance, you have to wonder if Seguin firmly isn't in his Mark Stone era - or headed to Robidas island. That would be a huge injection of cap if it happened. Not that I'm praying for anything...
I’ll sign off on this, but I’m sorry, I’m over Jamie Benn. Kick me off this Substack if you must, but as much as I cheered for the visor-less wonder to win a cup, he’s not the catalyst we need.
Love some of your additions, but with the lack of 1st round picks coming up, do we really give up more?
That is no reason to kick someone off Substack. I left him there because I figured they HAD to bring him back, even if he's not worth what he'll likely get.
And no I don't want to give up picks either but Dallas has the same amount as Florida right now with 12 over the next 3 drafts. Give to get and all that.
Welp, let’s hope that big Jim comes through. He has been pretty decent lately, just hope he doesn’t sacrifice the short term vs the long term. I’d almost be okay with some difficult decisions impacting next year if it means we set ourselves up truly for better deals for Harley, Robo, and eventually Bischel. Not sure just the addition in cap space for next year really sets us up for success.
If there's a way to avoid trading Bourque, I'd do it. I like him. Always have, and always will. But the bottom six will be trash for the foreseeable future, which will minimize Bourque's true ceiling. I say set him free.
It hurts to think that we lose both Stank and Borque to trades, but I understand it conceptually. I don't know if Ritzy and Hyry are fourth line material, but I'll take any AHL to NHL graduations I can get.
I'm sure there's a way to trade Lybushkin to someone else, but boy did they sink his value when they scratched him for Petrovic. Which honestly I don't even think that was the right move. I'm not eager to move Bourque, but I am eager to fix the blueline. And I do think Risto is worth it -- not in a vacuum and not to the team, but to Harley? Absolutely. That's a second top pair, which instantly makes it one of the better top fours in the league.
Probably. Flyers have a lot of small, speedy wingers though. I think there are ways to hotwire this thing: Maveric Lamoreux in Utah, Simon Nemec in New Jersey, Perbix in Tampa, etc -- but it's a risk, and Dallas' pro scouts don't seem interested in taking them (not that these are safe bets, granted). Risto seems semi-realistic here. Finnish, big, physical, top four, right-shot.
Losing Bourque hurts. Is Risto really good enough for that trade package? Defensemen in their 30s scare me it seems like a lot to give up for a guy with only a few years of prime left
He's not my favorite defender. He's injury prone, and his growth spurt could be fleeting. But he fits into this two-year window where the Stars can go for it, and tinker at the trade deadlines if necessary. To me it's about fit: I think Harley with Risto would be every bit as good as Lindell with Heiskanen. Remember, his contract ends with Seguin's. So he's kind of a stopgap more than anything. But I couldn't envision another stopgap as good as him that fits into the contract window.
Do you think Fabbro has a bidding war or is he just not the answer?
Unfortunately it was recently reported that Columbus is in the process of extending him.
Bichsel's exit stats look fine; does he really need a PMD for a partner? He's not great at entries, nor at offensive possession, two areas that Nils is actually good at -- or at least decent. Seems like they might complement each other as a pair.
If I'm going to expend Mavrik in a trade, I want someone back with cost control advantages like he brings. Perhaps Maveric Lamoureux?
Comments like these make me want to crowdsource a follow-up version of this exercise because Lamoureux is a fantastic needle drop.
Getting back to Spence, it's less about finding the perfect partner for Bichsel and more about finding more ways for the forwards to have puck support. Bichsel is, I think, quite underrated at this, but Spence is the better option. A third pair that doesn't need to be sheltered that can play both ways would be a boon for this team.
Imagine having a third pair that your opponents have to keep an eye on and one that could steal just a few more minutes away from your top-4. Bichsel/Spence - while maybe not putting up the points themselves - would be sneaky-good facilitators.
Is this the piece originally titled “The Fix in These Stars”? If so, wow, I can’t believe you didn’t go for the cheese, David! Also, as soon as I read the title, I thought of: plotting the stars? Charting the stars? Star maps? Starry Knight, if it happens to be about how you’d run this club if you were Kelly McCrimmon?
Ok, I’ll go back and read it now 😎
Honestly, I forgot about the original title. Still stewing over this Robertson nonsense.
Not bad at all. I’ve been on the Spence train since finding out he’s available.
I probably wouldn’t move Bourque but I see the vision.
My thinking was that Hemming would take Brown's spot in two years, making the Bourque sacrifice palatable.
When you think about it, it’s somewhat embarrassing that one of the first task of this off season is to undo the last off season.
First they need to trade and/or get rid of the contracts of Dumba and Lyubushkin
Second, they will probably not sign or trade the rights of Lundkvist
Third, they most likely will let Smith and Blackwell walk
That does not look good on a GM resume
Love the additions of Fogele and Brown… addition by subtraction -bye Marchment - and reduced penalties helps Lindell!!!
Flyers won’t take on Lube. Have too many prospects to move up and test out, for them to then clog up the spots ahead with cap dumps. They will however take Bourque and a first.
Damn. So you think that's a good deal for the Flyers? Perhaps even...'charitable'?
I’d say Risto for Borque and a first is what Briere considers fair. And that leaves Dallas with Lubes cap hit still.
Pretending that we're both GMs in our respective orgs and this is one of those hardboiled HBO show exchanges -- then I gotta pull the deal off the table.
"The trade doesn't work without us shedding cap. I won't pretend I didn't screw up and that Ilya has value to you. Maybe his best years are behind him, Danny. If you can find a better deal, then I don't blame you. If there's something you want me to add within reason I might bite, and I won't waste your time telling you yes or no. But Ilya has to be part of the deal or there is none."
Briere will be trading Risto at some point this summer. There’s a stigma surrounding him from his Buffalo days that most viewers seem to parrot non stop, but he’s without a doubt at the top of available dmen. Dallas seemingly being in a pickle with cap decisions and shitting the bed when it came to defense in the playoffs this year, Dallas should take the deal and ditch lube elsewhere for future consideration.
please forward to Jim Nill....like the lineups and the trades a lot, but wondering if Jamie would be at $1.4MM, and the fourth line seems really young and inexperienced with Back, Hyry, and Hryckowian...goal is to make the playoffs but be built to go all the way in the playoffs....
Can you forward on my behalf? I could use a stable job.
Benn at $1.4M is silly, but Evolving-Hockey actually projects $2.3M if he signs with a different team (I guess those are his priors). Doesn't matter to me personally. I'd like to see Dallas play hardball with him. He's not good enough to justify anything beyond 2M, and it's time for a new voice. Plus that's the only way the money works. Honestly, I'd be fine with them bringing in Tanev for league minimum and letting Benn walk.
I admit I'm a big Benn fan for his intangibles as a leader and a captain. How much is that worth? How much of it is being a fan of his over the years and not wanting to let go....? hmmm....maybe it is about $2MM....
I like Benn too. I'm no longer ashamed of my hockey roots: the enforcer era. Does that mean I endorse it and want to go back to the "good old days"? Fuck no. Its lingering pathos is the reason for the postseason's collective sociopathy.
But his style and fights have a special place in my heart. I'd love to see him a bottom six role. But I also don't like the idea of seeing him and Seguin chug around aimlessly pretending better years are ahead. I'm sure Benn's voice is well respected in the room. Does that mean there isn't another one worth respecting? So yea, bringing back Benn is fine. But he earned his bag. If he wants another one, then he can find it elsewhere.
well said
Speaking of, you have to wonder where Seguin's career is headed. It's a point Dimitri Filipovic often brings up. Given his injury history, and declining performance, you have to wonder if Seguin firmly isn't in his Mark Stone era - or headed to Robidas island. That would be a huge injection of cap if it happened. Not that I'm praying for anything...
yeah, that contract hit is enormous and sure would help the cap situation if dealt with.
I’ll sign off on this, but I’m sorry, I’m over Jamie Benn. Kick me off this Substack if you must, but as much as I cheered for the visor-less wonder to win a cup, he’s not the catalyst we need.
Love some of your additions, but with the lack of 1st round picks coming up, do we really give up more?
That is no reason to kick someone off Substack. I left him there because I figured they HAD to bring him back, even if he's not worth what he'll likely get.
And no I don't want to give up picks either but Dallas has the same amount as Florida right now with 12 over the next 3 drafts. Give to get and all that.
Welp, let’s hope that big Jim comes through. He has been pretty decent lately, just hope he doesn’t sacrifice the short term vs the long term. I’d almost be okay with some difficult decisions impacting next year if it means we set ourselves up truly for better deals for Harley, Robo, and eventually Bischel. Not sure just the addition in cap space for next year really sets us up for success.
Here is a trade proposal that would involve a part of the core.
And to be honest, I don't know if it makes sense but here it is:
Robertson to L-A
Clarke, Laferriere and a 2nd round pick to Dallas
A 2nd round pick that Dallas could use after in another transaction.
I'm saying 'no' because I don't think Clarke is the truth. He's got elite skills, no doubt, but I don't know that he's a genuine top four.
Love it
I'm behind all of these moves with the exception of trading Bourque. Really like the ideas of adding Spence and Risto
If there's a way to avoid trading Bourque, I'd do it. I like him. Always have, and always will. But the bottom six will be trash for the foreseeable future, which will minimize Bourque's true ceiling. I say set him free.
It hurts to think that we lose both Stank and Borque to trades, but I understand it conceptually. I don't know if Ritzy and Hyry are fourth line material, but I'll take any AHL to NHL graduations I can get.
I like all of your ideas except the Bourque trade.
If you include a 1st round pick in that deal, it's Lundkvist that should go the other way.
If you still keep Bourque in that deal, you should ask the Flyers to retain.
But that being said, you should absolutely KEEP Bourque. That forward depth is frightening.
Yea but if they're taking back Lyubushkin? That's why it's favorable for Philly. It has to be for them to take on that nonsense contract.
Then don't do the trade as it is too favorable for the Flyers.
Risto is not worth that much anyway.
I'm sure there's a way to trade Lybushkin to someone else, but boy did they sink his value when they scratched him for Petrovic. Which honestly I don't even think that was the right move. I'm not eager to move Bourque, but I am eager to fix the blueline. And I do think Risto is worth it -- not in a vacuum and not to the team, but to Harley? Absolutely. That's a second top pair, which instantly makes it one of the better top fours in the league.
Then add on top of trading Lundkvist, and keep Bourque.
Stranges?
Probably. Flyers have a lot of small, speedy wingers though. I think there are ways to hotwire this thing: Maveric Lamoreux in Utah, Simon Nemec in New Jersey, Perbix in Tampa, etc -- but it's a risk, and Dallas' pro scouts don't seem interested in taking them (not that these are safe bets, granted). Risto seems semi-realistic here. Finnish, big, physical, top four, right-shot.
Need at least one French-Canadian on the team to win the Stanley Cup 😬
Foegele is a steal…especially at that price. I like it.
David, you’re a sicko and I love it. Another good look at outside the box opportunities the Stars have in the coming weeks.