Ha, I totally misread what you posted on Bluesky the other day and thought it was Dom speculating about more moves on defense instead of Friedman. I still don't see how they make things fit if they make a move to add another RHD though. Assuming Heiskanen's healthy for the playoffs, I imagine the D pairings looks something like:
Harley-Heiskanen
Lindell-Lybushkin/Ceci
Bichsel-Lybushkin/Ceci
It doesn't seem likely they'd put one of of Harley or Lindell on the third pairing just for balanced handedness. I have a hard time seeing Lyubushkin or Ceci scratched too, even if they add another RHD. They're both prototypical "playoff" defensemen (ugh) and were acquired this year. I'd think an acquisition pushes Bichsel out of the lineup in favor of a veteran (ugh again).
If Heiskanen's not healthy, I can see them wanting to upgrade Dumba, but that has two issues, in my opinion. First, if Heiskanen misses the first round, is it worth trying to make a push this year? I don't think swapping Dumba for Savard on the third pair makes a significant difference against the Avs or the Wild. Second, to your point, what do they have to trade to upgrade their 4RD? With the term left on his contract, I think Dumba probably costs an asset to move, and Dallas is really thin on sweeteners now with no first, second, or fourth round picks this year and a collections of B-level prospects if Bourque, Stankoven, and Bichsel are untouchable (which they should be in a trade for a third pairing defenseman).
There's always a chance Nill is working on something really surprising, but that hasn't been his MO in a long time now, and his biggest moves have been offseason anyway.
I've heard this. I'm still just trying to figure out what that means in the context of improving it. Dumba is already gonna be a healthy scratch come playoff time. Are they replacing Dumba or are they moving Dumba to shift Ceci and Lyubushkin down? Does that mean Lyubushkin becomes a healthy scratch when Heiskanen returns? Or do they want a Heiskanen replacement in case he's not ready in time for round one?
Nill said on Spittin Chiclets, "you can never have enough d men". Upgrading a guy who's going to be a playoff scratch, as David points out below, for someone serviceable feels like a good plan. But what do they have to send to end of us the Dumba experience? Kyrou, 2026 2nd rounder, and maybe even Daddy seem like only possibilities (not advocating those just thinking).
Ha, I totally misread what you posted on Bluesky the other day and thought it was Dom speculating about more moves on defense instead of Friedman. I still don't see how they make things fit if they make a move to add another RHD though. Assuming Heiskanen's healthy for the playoffs, I imagine the D pairings looks something like:
Harley-Heiskanen
Lindell-Lybushkin/Ceci
Bichsel-Lybushkin/Ceci
It doesn't seem likely they'd put one of of Harley or Lindell on the third pairing just for balanced handedness. I have a hard time seeing Lyubushkin or Ceci scratched too, even if they add another RHD. They're both prototypical "playoff" defensemen (ugh) and were acquired this year. I'd think an acquisition pushes Bichsel out of the lineup in favor of a veteran (ugh again).
If Heiskanen's not healthy, I can see them wanting to upgrade Dumba, but that has two issues, in my opinion. First, if Heiskanen misses the first round, is it worth trying to make a push this year? I don't think swapping Dumba for Savard on the third pair makes a significant difference against the Avs or the Wild. Second, to your point, what do they have to trade to upgrade their 4RD? With the term left on his contract, I think Dumba probably costs an asset to move, and Dallas is really thin on sweeteners now with no first, second, or fourth round picks this year and a collections of B-level prospects if Bourque, Stankoven, and Bichsel are untouchable (which they should be in a trade for a third pairing defenseman).
There's always a chance Nill is working on something really surprising, but that hasn't been his MO in a long time now, and his biggest moves have been offseason anyway.
Sean said they're working on moving Dumba for another dman. That seems pretty believable to me.
I've heard this. I'm still just trying to figure out what that means in the context of improving it. Dumba is already gonna be a healthy scratch come playoff time. Are they replacing Dumba or are they moving Dumba to shift Ceci and Lyubushkin down? Does that mean Lyubushkin becomes a healthy scratch when Heiskanen returns? Or do they want a Heiskanen replacement in case he's not ready in time for round one?
Nill said on Spittin Chiclets, "you can never have enough d men". Upgrading a guy who's going to be a playoff scratch, as David points out below, for someone serviceable feels like a good plan. But what do they have to send to end of us the Dumba experience? Kyrou, 2026 2nd rounder, and maybe even Daddy seem like only possibilities (not advocating those just thinking).
I'd be interested un which GM's Nill calls who don't laugh and hangup.