LeftWinger

AND since his contract came along with a full NMC, they quite literally cannot move him unless he wants to!

My question is, where is Byfield in all this?

It's not very good GM'ing to trade away someone you just signed. But I would go ahead and do: Erikkson and Podko for Cholowski. We wouldn't need the 1st if we're getting Podko. They'd shed the $6M, PLUS get a pretty good D prospect to play. I am sure Cholowski would love going "home" to play too. I'd actually probably then keep Eriksson through this years TDL and try to shop Filppula, Neilsen and/or Helm. Then, either flip Eriksson at the 2022 TDL or he's one we could leave unprotected at the expansion draft. Adding Eriksson, Podko (to the prospects pool) to this team makes it better than last season for sure. I'd honestly be in talks with Vegas and Arizona as well. It's pretty well known that Vegas will be shopping Fleury, maybe he's someone we could get here to help us until we figure out our G woes. I'd take his two years on along with their 1st round pick. When it comes to Arizona, I'd take Stepan and Hayton (if possible.) If not, then their 2022 1st rounder. We do have in excess of up to $40M-ish in cap space including Z's LTIR, so there is plenty of cash to acquire these big contracts and still sign out RFA's.

Why would we be interested in Eriksson? 2 years left at $6M for a 35 year old? Maybe to flip him at the TDL? But since there is no 2020 1st, what would entice you? Jett Woo?

oops! my mistake...

St. Louis calls and needs to clear space to re-sign Pietrangelo. They are asking that you take the contracts of Steen and Bozak. Obviously you want the 1st round pick, but what else would you ask for, and what would you send them back? Let's say: Steen, Bozak, 1st, Bokk for? What if they'd rather send dump Schwartz and Perron? Would those two eliminate the need for the prospect (Bokk?) Let's say: Schwartz, Perron and 1st for?

Mantha will qualify as a UFA in two season's. Of course Yzerman will want to lock him up for 4-5 seasons so he gets a few "UFA" season's out of him at whatever the price they settle on. ($6M-ish) But this is a business, If Mantha continues to produce or even get better, $6M will be a steal if he is indeed signed for 4-5 years. BUT, Mantha and his agent know this, if Mantha scores at a 30-40 goal rate for the next couple of years, he will be in the $9M-$10M range for UFA's, so why would he sign anything longer than 3 years? He is going to want to cash in at 28 years old (his prime) not get paid less than what he should be getting through 30-31 years old. After that, he has missed his opportunity to cash in. I never said he deserves $10M NOW. BUT, if he signs a 3 year deal at $6M, at 28 (if he continues to rise) he'll get more. It's in HIS best interest to sign a 3 year deal now, and cash in at 28 years old. Let's say that he continues to be the player he his and gets better as the years go on, here is how I can see him (his agent) playing this: Sign 3 year $18M-$20M contract now, taking him into UFA status. Giving The Red Wings ONE year into that status... Sign 8 year $80M-$90M contract as a UFA in the prime of his career. So, yes, by the time The Red Wings are contenders again in 4-5 years, Mantha (as long as he continues his rise) will be a 31 year old making $10M or so a year. And if he is still super valuable to this team that is awesome! My point was (if Raymond, for example) also projects to be as good as the scouts are saying, what is better for your team when you are in serious contention. Also, like I said, I am saying we have to trade him, I am a Mantha fan! Loved the pick when they got him, still love him now. I was just throwing "What if's" out there.

re: Mantha. You have to ask yourself at what point are The Red Wings going to be back in serious contention? 4-5 years? Ok, that puts Mantha over 30, not over the hill by any means, but maybe if you could get a younger elite prospect, or a top 10 pick in the draft, how much better off will they be in 4-5 years? A player at 31 years old, possibly making over $10 (if he only signs a 3 year deal, then another one as a UFA, unless he leaves as UFA) or a player quite possibly of the same or better caliber at 23 years old? I think if (Buffalo for example) offered the #8 pick and a high prospect (Cozens? (may be too high) for Mantha to put on a line with Eichel, Yzerman would have to jump on it. Plus, Buffalo is also under the salary floor, so they could also pay Mantha a ton of cash. I have nothing against keeping Mantha either, I am just saying if offers came rolling in and something like this came up? I'd have to say goodbye to him.

...so IF as rumored that LA may consider taking Drysdale at 2, and Sanderson is also considered top 5, once again, if you are Ottawa, do you NOT take Sanderson at 3 and risk Detroit taking him at 4 or do you take him at 3, leaving BOTH Byfield and Stutzle available at 4,then take whichever one Detroit does not take? 1. LAF 2. Drysdale 3. Sanderson 4. Byfield (Stutzle) 5. Stutzle (Byfield) ...still looks like an amazing two picks for Ottawa. also re: Mantha for another top 10 pick. I would trade him straight up for the pick as long as we were drafting his replacement. (ie. Raymond, Rossi, Perfetti) But that being said, as long as he does not become a prick about his contract, I'd just assume keep him. BUT, if I do want Askarov, and he falls to around 20ish, I would love to make a deal getting another pick to get him. Assuming teams 6-10 are even interested in Mantha, or the likes of 13-20ish are interested in making a deal, because none of those teams in the 13-20range are hurting too much for cap space. Unless they want to land a HUGE name UFA. How awesome would it be to come out of the 1st round with Byfield (Stutzle,) Raymond and Askarov? Whew!

yes, the rise of Sanderson has seriously made the chance of many changes in the top three less likely.

If LA does not take Drysdale at 2, then Ottawa will take him at 3. Ottawa will take him because to keep Detroit from taking him, then Ottawa will select Best Forward available at 5. We will have available to us, one of Byfield or Stutzle. BUT is Yzerman going to go with what HE wants? Rossi, Perfetti, Raymond? re: Raymond, some folks have him going in the top 3. What if it goes down like: LAF, Drysdale, Raymond? Which one of Byfield or Stutzle would you prefer? also, Bob Mac has Stutzle ranked #2 in his final rankings, if LA or Ottawa each take one of Stutzle and Drysdale, do you automatically pick Byfield, or is the fact that a 17 year old Raymond played in a MAN's league all year in Sweden (and did quite well for himself) make you look at him twice? https://www.tsn.ca/alexis-lafreniere-tops-tsn-hockey-insider-bob-mckenzie-s-final-draft-rankings-1.1488269 If we drafted according to his list, we'd have: Drysdale, Helge Grans, William Cuylle, Brock Faber, Maxim Groshev, Brandon Coe in the first 3 rounds. I do not know much about anyone really outside of the top 10-15, but maybe some of you do? Does this look like a successful 3 rounds? also, if there was a deal out there to get another pick in the top 10, (Mantha package) who would you select? Would you go for Askarov? or If you chose Offense at 4, would you go with the defensman Sanderson or another forward if not taking Askarov? Or maybe would you prefer to trade in to the 10-15 range and just take Askarov? Would you trade Mantha for the chance at Askarov?

I hope to see a couple of trades from Yzerman to acquire picks or prospects. https://nhlrumors.com/nhl-rumors-philadelphia-flyers-and-the-vancouver-canucks/2020/09/07/ Would you take on JvR and 3 more years at $7M to acquire their #23 OA draft pick?

This is true, BUT, he has won already, he's a Champion, sure he'd probably like to win some more, BUT he did say "This is MY time in terms of my value at it's peak." Which sounds like to me that he is going to go where the money is. Now maybe there will be Cup contenders out there willing to give him "his value" but there is no doubt that Detroit can afford him, plus it is home to him. I have no issue if Yzerman signs him. You have to start with that ONE valuable name in order to attract more to the mix. Continue to draft and develop, make trades, but you do need UFA's as well. Krug would be one of the big names available and if he put his faith in Detroit, then another or two may want to follow in the coming years. Adding Krug, even for 7 years,only helps this team in the short term and the long term. We aren't going to win the Cup over night, not ALL of our prospects are going to "develop" into Cup champion quality. You NEED Vets like Krug to help move the kids along. He may sign 7 years, and we may not win a Cup in those years, but we WILL become a playoff team within 2-3 and he will be very valuable to our team and the development of players like Hronek, Seider and McIssac. We can still acquire a "big contract" or two as well in order to get picks/prospects. We can still sign top 6 UFA material. We have TONS of cap space, plus Z's LTIR if needed. If Yzerman makes a deal or two, signs a couple of UFA's, maybe if we get a compliance buyout, when can rid ourselves of Nielsen or Abby's contract as well.

considering the French boys involved in your scenario (Veleno and Mantha) Montreal just might overpay for them.