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Mock Trades Ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft: McGroarty, Laine, Necas, Lightning & More | THW Roundtable
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Jun 27, 2024
Host Matthew Zator welcomes Jacob Strozyk, Derek Olsen, and Jim Bay to the Hockey Writers Roundtable to react to the recent trades of Linus Ullmark and Jacob Markstrom and dive into some mock trades ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft including names like Rutger McGroarty, Patrik Laine, Martin Necas, Jacob Trouba, and more. They also talk about some teams that could be busy before and during the draft like the New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Buffalo Sabres, and Chicago Blackhawks. 0:00 Intro 0:51 Reaction to Ullmark Going to Ottawa 4:12 Reaction to Markstrom Going to New Jersey 6:23 Is Dustin Wolf the starter now? 8:22 Martin Necas to the Sabres? 12:40 Patrik Laine to the Canadiens? 17:54 Lightning Need to Trade Someone 24:14 Rempe & Trouba to the Sabres? 30:45 Rutger McGroarty Could Get Traded Check out the panel's writing: Jacob Strozyk - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/jstrozyk/ Matthew Zator - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/mzator/ Derek Olsen - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/dolsen/ Jim Bay - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/jbay/ Follow The Hockey Writers:
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0:00
Hello everybody and welcome to another episode of the Hockeywriters Roundtable and we are
0:05
going to be talking draft day trades as the draft is like a couple days away as we're
0:11
recording this. And joined in by pretty common guests on the roundtable here, Derek Olson, Jacob Strozek
0:18
and Jim Bay. Thanks guys for coming together again here and we're going to talk some trades
0:22
It's always fun time. Seems like the last week or so it's felt like the trade deadline
0:29
We've got a few big trades that have happened and the latest one, the Linus Allmark to the
0:35
Ottawa Senators. Not as big of a package as kind of expected
0:40
Mark Kastelik, first round pick and then Jonas Karpisalo, which was a real surprise him taking
0:46
on that contract. So before we get started with some mock trades and some trades that could happen, I want
0:51
to talk about that one because it just happened a couple days ago. So I'll start with you, Jim
0:56
What'd you think about that trade? Was it underwhelming? Was it about right
1:00
What'd you think about it? I thought it was about right. You know, it's clearly a situation where Ottawa, I think, got a really nice upgraded goal tending
1:14
You know, maybe you could get more, but or either side can, you could think always get
1:19
more in a trade. But I think in that case, I think, you know, each team got something that they really needed
1:26
And I think anytime that happens, that ends up being a good trade
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I think it's going to benefit both of them down the road
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But, you know, you're going to hate to see up that little breakup, Boston breakup, that little goaltending duo that were, you know, not only supportive of each other when they
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had the ups and downs, but other little things. But, you know, you know, another season to move on and, you know, something else will happen
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But I think in the end, that was a pretty decent trade for both sides
1:56
Sure. Jacob, what do you think about the trade? I mean, Jacob Chickern was apparently talked about as being part of it
2:03
That didn't happen. Not real big pieces going the other way. It's the first round pick is the biggest thing
2:09
What do you think about that one? Well, yeah, underwhelming is definitely a word I would use
2:14
I mean, as soon as I saw it announced, I was on Slack messaging Billington about it because
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you know, we both cover Atlantic teams and me covering Buffalo. I instantly think about it and I see Boston or Ottawa making a move and I'm like, I don't
2:30
really understand why division rivals are making a move like that. Why is one team really making an improving move, an improvement move towards the other
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one so much? Because to me, all mark really is that good of a goaltender
2:43
So why is Boston really improving Ottawa's goaltending that much and only getting back
2:51
a late first round pick, arguably only a backup goaltender because he's not his corpus
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all is not going to replace Swain as the starter by any means
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So he's not taking over for that job and then a physical center on top of that
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So the return isn't nearly high enough, in my opinion, to justify trading that caliber
3:12
of a goaltender to a division rival. If they were making that trade to some team out West. Sure
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I mean, I think that makes a little bit more sense, but I feel like maybe trying to gouge
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a division rival for a little bit more, maybe a higher pick
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I don't know if they would have been able to maybe get the seventh overall pick out of them or anything like that, but maybe trying to get next year's first round pick since
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it would more than likely be higher than 25th overall. That might have been something they would have been able to swing or at least a better
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prospect on top of it. But there's something more I feel like that was kind of left off the table as opposed
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to what was what was gained. A little time with Shane Pinto being part of it, Boston wanted him
3:57
Obviously Ottawa didn't want to trade him there. But you know, Ottawa's got a great goaltender now and we'll see if it turns out to be that way
4:06
It seems like good goaltenders don't do well in Ottawa, even if they are good elsewhere
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But we'll see what happens. Alright we'll move to Jacob Markstrom, since he was on the team you cover
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Getting finally traded to the New Jersey Devils, what do you think about the return in that
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one for the Flames? I'm personally pretty happy with it. I think basing that off of the Elmark trade too, I think that they got pretty good value back
4:32
The first is obviously nice and there was an interesting stat pointed out, I forget
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on what social media I saw it on, but only I think only one or two goaltenders have been
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traded for first round picks in the last five or six years, I think. So to be able to get one and obviously Ottawa was probably pretty happy there too, if that
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was, I didn't even realize, you know, you'd think a quality goaltender would be an easy
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first round pick. But I mean, those are trades like that don't happen anymore
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Those are 2000s trades guys. And obviously Kevin Ball was a person that was very highly talked about in the Calgary
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in the office and I'm really pleased to see him in return
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Six foot six, defensive defenseman is always helpful, you know, we have a lot of more offensive
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minded guys on the Flames blue line, so I think that'll help create that balance
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And we have a lot of righties, so left shot helps balance that out too if you're nitpicky
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But yeah, I mean, I think he's 23 as well. He's got a lot of room to grow
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I think they'll probably try him on the second pair, but I mean, it all depends on what they
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do with Oliver Shillington as well. There's still question marks there. And but yeah, I mean, I heard a lot of rumors that the offer that was on the table previously
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at the trade deadline for Jacob Markstrom from the New Jersey Devils was nowhere near
5:53
this one. And I think the the patience of Craig Conroy to be able to wait and hold on to Jacob Markstrom
6:01
and potentially miss out and then get that better deal a couple days ago, that shows
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that shows a lot of strength on his on his on his part
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Either for the first, you know, who knows where it will be
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The Devils are going to be a pretty good team. But yeah, overall, I think it was a good deal. Absolutely
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So now going forward, is it Dustin Wolfe's next season or there's going to be a tandem
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between Vladar and him? Are they going to go out and get a goaltender
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Was it just moving Markstrom so that Wolfe could get that opportunity
6:36
I don't know. I mean, obviously, a small sample size that we're all basing our opinions on Dustin Wolfe
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off of. Obviously, he's dominated every level he's been to before the NHL
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But is he ready for a starters role? I personally don't think so
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You know, I love the guy and I think he has a very bright future. But I and I don't think Dan Vladar is also the guy to share the crease with
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I think I think we need to make a change and kind of generate either a 1A 1B option, maybe
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get a bit of a better goalie that can take time away from Wolfe and maybe kind of give
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him that 40 game mark this year. But I mean, then why wouldn't why trade Markstrom, right
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So it's a weird I don't know the conversations that are going on. I don't know how highly they view Dustin Wolfe in the office, obviously pretty high
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But I just I don't think he's ready to take over full time starting role and play, you
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know, 50 or 60 games. That's pushing it for a 24 year old, 23 year old
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Yeah, I mean, he has dominated every other level. But yeah, it is pretty early
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We'll see. We'll see if they get a better supporting goaltender for him
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And maybe a cheaper guy. Maybe that's what they're looking at instead of paying Markstrom so much
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We'll see that that's something to watch over the offseason into the next season, too. Right
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Let's talk potential trades now. This is the fun part. And I'll start I'll start with you, Jacob
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What do you got for a mock trade that could potentially happen on draft day or in the
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days before here? Well, I got I got a few good ones, but but one that I feel like has been generating a
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lot of buzz because I see this name coming up a lot is between Buffalo and the Hurricanes
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is for Marty Natchez. And it's one that I think makes a lot of sense, especially with the recent buzz, especially
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today with the Sabres potentially buying out Jeff Skinner. They're going to be making more room in their top six
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So if they're really pursuing making room in their top six, then it makes sense
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They would be pursuing a player like him to add to their top six
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And he's a restricted free agent, so he's not signed to a contract right now
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So they would have the negotiating rights. But as far as making a move, I think it would be something that they have the assets to
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actually make the trade with Carolina. And I think it would be a similar trade to one that they made a couple of years ago with
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Philadelphia when Philadelphia with Florida, when they traded Reinhardt there. So when they have the assets, they could trade the 11th overall pick along with one of their
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many prospects. And then they could probably throw in one of their additional roster players, whether
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it be Yoki Haru's rights or if they want to add in Peyton Krebs as an additional piece
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or if they want to add in Jordan Greenway as an additional piece
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There's a couple of other things that they can put into that equation to kind of sweeten
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the deal. And they have additional picks on top of that, depending on what Carolina is really asking for
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But as far as the asking price, I don't think that there's anything that Carolina would
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be looking for that is ridiculous at this point that Buffalo wouldn't be able to meet
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So I think Martin Aches would be a great addition. And so long as it's not astronomical, which I don't think it would be at this point, I
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don't think it would be unrealistic. And I'm not against Buffalo trading 11th overall along with, say, Yuri Kulich
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And then you throw in maybe like Mattia Samuelson on top of that if you really need to, to make
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a deal like that happen. You immediately improve the top six, and then you get the type of player that you need
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So that would be one that I think would be a big move for Buffalo. And I think it would be a lot of fun to see it happen
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Might be a bit of an overpayment in some people's eyes, but a big move like that is something
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that they can afford to make. Derek, Jim, what do you got any comments on that trade
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Is it something that you could see happening? I mean, Neches is probably one of the bigger targets that's out there
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Lots of teams talking about him and putting mock trades for him. What do you think about that to Buffalo
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Well, yeah, for Buffalo, I mean, that's in your division, you know, conference kind of
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thing trade again. But if it works out for both teams, I definitely think it's doable
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And they're all guys that have been talked about. They're, you know, the buzz around all of that's been
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And, you know, if it happens in any way, shape or form again, you know, I think all the
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scenarios that, you know, Jacob threw out there, I imagine, you know, most of them would
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tweaks and draft picks here and there would probably work out pretty fair
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Yeah. And if somebody has to, you know, overpay to get something done and you're going to
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see a lot of that happening up in the draft day with teams that have, you know, cap issues
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You know, I think I think they're very logical kind of trades and things that you threw out
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there. And I could definitely see any one of those or a combination of those happening
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You know, on draft night or slightly before. Has lots of lots of things that, like you said, with the 11th overall pick, I mean, the
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Sabres have so many prospects, they probably should be looking towards pushing what the
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group that they got over now because and use some of the prospects to, you know, upgrade
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the team right now, because when you know, we have so many guys and so many assets, you
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got to start using it at one point. And I think maybe the 11th overall would be something they'd move for sure
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All right, Derek, I'll go over to you for a mock trade, what do you got for us to discuss
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here? Well, one of the other big names that's available is Patrick Laine of the
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Columbus Blue Jackets, and I've seen a lot of buzz of him going to the Canadians
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Montreal. They definitely need the scoring. They finished 26th in goals scored per game, and I think he'd fit right in with that
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young core of, you know, Caulfield, Suzuki, Slabkowski and Co. You could put him on the second line with a healthy Kirby Dock and Alex Newhook, which
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is that makes for a nice combination. And they have the cap space to fit his full contract if they move Carey Price to LTIR
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which is pretty much an inevitability. And to make things even easier, they could ship Josh Anderson back the other way and
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give them his five point five million dollar contract. He's also struggling and in need of a change
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And, you know, why not send him back to the team he once scored 24 or 27 goals for in a
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season? Pardon me. So my my mock trade is Anderson for Laine straight up or, you know
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maybe Montreal needs to sweeten it a bit and include one of their one of their young
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defenders. They have a lot of they're going to have a logjam on the defense core for a
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while here so they could get rid of a guy like Jordan Harris, perhaps who's not as as
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highly viewed as a Hudson or as a as a ghouli or somebody like that
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And then maybe some conditional picks, you know, for a performance based conditional
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picks for both guys. They kind of need might need that sweetening. So I like Laine for Anderson
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Yeah, I could definitely see that happen, especially Josh Anderson has been in the trade
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rumors the last couple of seasons and his contract's a bit big
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But again, Laine's is big, too. So it'd be kind of money in money out, I think
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And I think Laine would probably do pretty well in Montreal. I don't know if he, you know, playing on a team that's rebuilding, although he is on one
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right now. So, yeah, lots of teams are gonna be looking at that, too
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Jacob, Jim, what do you think about that? That trade there? I'm not sure if you want to jump in there, Jim, I'll jump in
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I mean, as far as Laine is concerned, I always like him as a player
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But, you know, the the injury history at that point at this point is really the only
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concern. So, I mean, even if you move him to Montreal, you're you're still sitting
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there wondering, is is that enough of an issue that is is he going to be productive
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as soon as he gets there? So I don't necessarily see any issues with that type of a
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trade because you can see mutual benefit from both sides. I like Anderson going the other way
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I think it would be a pretty fair deal benefiting both sides as far as both of them
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rebuilding. I guess Laine might be hesitant to waive the no trade just for that reason
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alone, that that's the only maybe hiccup I can see in that type of a scenario
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But as far as production value, I think there's a lot of things he would like about
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going there if he doesn't see it as a rebuilding scenario. So if if maybe if Montreal convinces him we're on the up and up, we're not actually
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rebuilding. We actually are a building team, not not a rebuilding team
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I think that would be the best way for them to kind of convince him to go there and be
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a part of, you know, being a leader there. I think that would be a cool, cool way to get him back to being that former second
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overall 40 goal scoring dynamite scoring player that he can be because I still like him
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and what he can do. And I think he can contribute a lot if he goes there
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Do you have anything to add to that one? No, I agree with the part about Laine
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Would he would he accept the idea that I'm going to Montreal who's rebuilding or are
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they building? You know, can they make the playoffs, you know, in next year, in the
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next couple of years? That might that might take some convincing. I think that would be the only hiccup, you know, for getting that trade done
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Other than that, it would be a really good trade. He would have to see something or they'd have to talk to him to say, you know, either
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you know, we'll be there soon or, you know, we're Montreal, you know, come play and
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one of the great hockey meccas of the world. And yeah, we'll get this going there
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There's always that. I think, you know, you know, Montreal and Toronto and a lot of
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them, original six kind of have a little bit of that advantage sometimes, especially if
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they're, you know. On the rise or thought to be on the rise next season and, you know, and we hear, you
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know, the Canadians are done, they might put a few more pieces in there that, you know
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might make some of those teams that, you know, made the playoffs this year start looking
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behind them and going like, oh, we may have to worry about Montreal. Yeah, that's true
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It depends on what type of moves they make in the offseason, because they do got their young guys are pretty good, pretty established now and they got some additions that
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are coming up. Slivkovskis getting better every season and they're close, I think, to
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being a playoff contending team. And does Lonnie see it that way
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I think that is the biggest thing for sure. All right, Jim, over to you
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What trade you got in mind here? Well, the trade I got is for a team that is desperately in need of the trade nest at
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Tampa Bay Lightning because they have a little problem of trying to re-sign Stephen
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Stamkos and they don't have the money to do it. They have about five million in cap space
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He already took one hometown discount. I doubt he's going to go from eight point five to five just because it's Tampa, even
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though he loves Tampa. He said it, his family's there and all of that other stuff
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And the great, you know, you know, tax benefits of, you know, working and living in
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Florida helps that out a little bit. But if they want to sign Stamkos, they're going to have to trade somebody
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And the three likely names that are being tossed about are Tanner Janot, Eric
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Cernak and Anthony Cirelli. Janot has been floated around to a couple of teams
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There's been a few things where he would make, you know, he might get a second chance
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at kind of getting out of that funk with the Blackhawks. Who are a young team who could use a forward of his nature
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If he got the scoring good, that would be great. It would be an extra large body in there to make sure that people don't bother
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Conor Bedard. The problem with that is he's only two point six on the salary cap
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That takes him up to seven something. They still have to sign more, more players
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And then, you know, you have Cernak. He's another candidate because they traded for Ryan McDonough last month
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And McDonough is a six million dollar salary cap. Cernak's like five or something like that
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That could do it. And again, there's other destinations of somebody who needs a defenseman
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You know, Chicago's being bandied about because they have a million draft picks this
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year. They're going to be one of the busiest teams, if not the busiest team in doing it
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We get back to that scenario, too. A lot of people wondering, are they going to start trading some of those draft picks to
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get some quality players in that lineup? Because how long are you going to let Conor Bedard start losing year after year after
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year? Will Blackhawk fans be patient with Conor Bedard on a team like Detroit, who has
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it made, you know, the playoffs in seven years? And sorry, I think there's a longer team in here from somebody who covers
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Sorry, Jacob. But, you know. You can run that by me one more time
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How patient, you know, how patient will, you know, teams be? How patient will Bedard, you know, be
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You know, he's had some, you know, losing teams in juniors, but he's been part of
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successful Canadian, you know, international teams. And, you know, for the Lightning players, they probably don't have to give up that much
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I don't think they have to give up 18 unless they're going to package like maybe
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Juneau and Cernak and a couple of the few draft picks they'd have left for this year and
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even next year. You know, I see that as being a possibility
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Tampa and Chicago have been good trade partners over the last couple of years
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You know, the Hagel trade, I think, worked out for both sides. Tampa did, you know, nice by Chicago by taking Seabrook and his salary, you know, off that
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So, you know, that got long term. That didn't hurt him, but it helped Chicago
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So, you know, they both have things that they need. The Blackhawks could give Tampa draft picks and Tampa has some, you know, decent younger
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quality players that could come in and step and make the Blackhawks instantly better
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So I see that. I see Tampa being very active. You might see one, two, you know, trades, you know, on draft day or draft night from them as
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they try to, you know, free up some salary cap and get some draft capital back
21:51
Well, they definitely want to resign Stamkos. I don't think they want him going anywhere else because if he does it, the open market, my
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gosh, how many teams are going to line up for him? And, you know, they'll throw the money at him, too
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I mean, he could get 10 plus million. I mean, teams will throw that money at him, even though he is getting up there in age
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but still has quite a few years, I think, still in him. And like you said, that hometown discount, I don't think he's going to take a big
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discount for this one, right? We'll see. Because if he'd do it, I think he probably would have resigned already
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Well, I think the reason why he isn't resigned is because if they throw out a number, they
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put them at a disadvantage in the trade because now teams know they have to do it
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So they don't have to offer a lot. I personally think there's something in the works that they say, you know, we have a
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number agreed to. We just have to get to it with a trade or some other kind of movement
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Be patient with us. We're going to get it done, but we're not going to, you know, and they really don't want
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to, you know, again, talk about overpaying, you know, trading. You know, it's going to be tough because they paid so much to get him and he hasn't
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really, you know, lived up to, you know, even even what they thought at a at a floor
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that he could do. And injuries have been a little bit of an issue. But, you know, I personally think he would be a better fit on another team at this
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point, too. For sure. And I mean, they definitely need money and they got some guys like you mentioned a few
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names and they definitely could trade one of them and still be a pretty good team still
23:35
So, yeah, we'll see what we'll have to keep an eye on the lightning for sure
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All right. Let's get a couple more trades. Jacob, you have another one for us here
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Yeah, I like I said, I got a lot of these, but I'll throw out a double name since
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they're they're on the same team. I'll kind of hone in on the the Rangers here since Buffalo lacks physicality, a couple
24:01
of names that I was kind of honing in on one. I was really thinking about and I won't say it as a joke
24:09
I was thinking about it more just in a simplistic term. The initial name I was thinking about was Matt Rempe because I thought it would have
24:16
been just a much more simpler acquisition. But towards the end of the the Rangers run in the playoffs, I was really thinking about
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maybe Buffalo could try and target Jacob Truba as well. And I was like, what would a trade like that look like
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And hypothetically, if Buffalo was trying to make a splash and get both of them, what
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would that look like? So if they really were serious about trying to become more physical, something like that
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they could they could throw something maybe a little bit more creative at the Rangers
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if they're trying to to up their physicality. So maybe if they threw Samuelson their way to get the roster defenseman going back the
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other way, along with one or both of their higher end center prospects in Kulik and
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Ostlund, or if they wanted a winger instead of another center, they could do Ostlund
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Rosen or Kulik. They could pick two of those three and kind of just pick which one is really the best
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fit for their system to kind of recuperate some of the prospects to to dip into that
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and then to maybe offset some of the financial issue that comes with the Truba contract
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throwing Jordan Greenway. And then that also helps with some of the bottom six issues that the Rangers were
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facing at the end of the playoffs. And it also gets help with some of their defensive issues, because Greenway was
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outstanding last year in the defensive. And even though he was, you know, kind of buried in the Buffalo system, but he was
25:59
still doing well. And then on the side, if it was just him, I was saying maybe a third, fourth round
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pick to kind of jump into that. But it was just a matter of packaging all of these assets together and trying to get
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him and trying to get these players in there so that you can add Rempe to the bottom
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six and get get him in Lindy Ruff's hands and see what he can really do with a player
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like him. Just because I genuinely believe if you add some defensive awareness to this kids game
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he's still young. He's still very moldable. He's just a little immature with his game, and he's a good enough skater
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He's already physical. He has decent hands, decent puck handling ability. But if you add some defensive awareness to his game, he can be a terrifying bottom six forward
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And. Lindy Ruff can absolutely do something great with him if you just give him a shot and
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then you add Truba to the Sabres top four crew, put him with Owen Power, and that'll
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give him some of the most ridiculous amount of space you can possibly imagine
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And. It just creates a whole new dynamic to that decor compared to what they currently have
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it's a whole new look for them making a move like that, I think it's something that's just
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so completely different from what they were last year compared to what they could be if
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they make a bold move like that. Sure. Jim, since you are connected to the Rangers a bit, what do you think about Truba getting
27:39
moved and Rempe being in there for the Sabres and just in general Truba being moved
27:45
Because that has been talked about quite a bit. Yeah, the Rangers are in a similar situation as the Lightning, some of the other teams
27:53
they do have some salary cap issues. I think it's possible if the right combination came about
28:02
I don't think they want to move Truba. But, you know, again, it's all about the cap space
28:10
I've also heard they are maybe willing to move Capocaco, and I'm not sure they think
28:21
that he's done. But I think, you know, playing with him as long as they did without him last year and
28:29
doing as well as they did, they could see him as a movable piece
28:33
And again, maybe a change of scenery is better for them. Like New York City is a tough place to play
28:40
You know, it may not be as tough as Toronto or some of the Canadian cities, but it's a
28:43
tough place to play. And not every kid, and I think he's only what, still 21 or 22
28:49
I mean, he would be one I would think, you know, he could end up in Buffalo as well
28:53
He's a young player. I don't know if they have to give up all that much to him
28:58
But then but he also comes with a lot of NHL games under his belt
29:02
You know, he might find some success there or, you know, in some other places
29:06
I don't know if New York and Buffalo would do a trade. I mean, you know, same division, but, you know, I think whatever the Rangers are going
29:17
to have to do to free up cap space, it could happen. Truba is certainly a possibility
29:23
And, you know, a few other, you know, bottom six guys on that roster that have some salary
29:28
cap but are still, you know, nicely named players. I think the only one they're taking off the board, I haven't heard much about is
29:34
Lafreniere. I think he had such a bounce back season. I think, OK, we're seeing what we need from him
29:40
We're going to keep him, you know, and as far as some of the other ones, not so much
29:46
Yeah, I think Lafreniere is a bit off the trade block now, it seems
29:50
That's so unfortunate. I wanted him. I wanted to try and get him last year
29:57
Nobody listened to me. Yeah, I think he's a Ranger now. And there is a lot of talk
30:03
And I don't know if because of the way he played, there was actually the price. That was some of the things that came afterwards is that reportedly the Rangers had some
30:12
offers, but they weren't, you know, satisfactory to their liking. And part of it is going to make you look bad
30:16
You have the first overall pick and you're going to trade a player in a second for him
30:21
or, you know, like that. That's just, you know, not a look that Chris Drury really wanted to have as well
30:27
So I think there were two parts to that one for sure. All right, Derek, let's finish it off with one more
30:34
You got another one for us here. Oh, I got lots. Yeah, this is the best part of our job
30:39
Come on. Yeah. So it just came out not too long ago that Winnipeg Jets in their 2022 first round pick
30:49
Rutger McGruder are at an impasse and they're supposedly shopping him around as he will
30:56
reportedly not sign with the team. So any trade for him, I mean, essentially it's just cut or go to a 2.0 in my eyes
31:06
And it's going to be pretty similar to that. A highly drafted college forward that has no pro experience yet, but immense potential
31:14
obviously. And the Jets would probably want a young roster player in return
31:18
But I don't I don't view McGrurdy as valuable or as highly valued as cut or go to
31:26
So I don't think they would dreamy Jamie Drysdale-esque player in return
31:30
So instead of that, I could see I could see this time around a team trading their first
31:37
round pick in this draft to acquire him. I think it could be a trade we see on Friday
31:45
A team like I mean, I hate to point out, but Buffalo, like we said earlier, I mean, they
31:48
have a lot of prospects already. This 11th pick, you know, do we need it
31:54
Do we need to make it given what we have? And, you know, why not take a player like McGrurdy, who's you know what you're getting
32:00
essentially with him? It's less of a bit less of a gamble. He's going to be an effective NHL or all signs point towards that
32:07
But a team like the Devils could also give up the 10th pick
32:11
Same same reason. You know why? Why gamble and and go with something like that
32:16
So I think him for for a first happens. Yeah, I see it, too
32:23
Jacob, Jim, what do you think of McGrurdy? I mean, quickly before we run out of time here, I what do you think about that one
32:31
That one's yeah, that one's pretty recent. Jacob, I'll start with you there
32:36
I mean, you don't got to sell me on him. I mean, I I'd be more than happy to take him in Buffalo system if you're going to trade
32:43
11 for him. Sure. I mean, if you're looking at draft stock, you're only losing a couple of a couple
32:50
of slots technically because he was drafted at what, 14? I'm pretty sure back in the day
32:56
So you're not really losing too much draft stock there. And the difference between 11 and like 18 in the draft really isn't that much of a
33:05
difference as far as player quality goes. So it doesn't really matter
33:09
And he's a much more developed prospect than having to wait. So you're just speeding along your development process more than anything
33:16
He's a good winger. He's a scoring winger. And that's something that Buffalo could definitely use in their top six sooner rather
33:23
than later. So if it speeds up the process, sure, absolutely. I'd be happy to take him
33:27
You don't got to twist my arm backwards for it. Sure. Make the call
33:32
Yeah. Jim, what do you think about McGroady? Is that is that something is he going to get moved is the biggest thing
33:40
I think he's probably going to have to if he's making it clear that he's not going to
33:44
sign with him, you know, Winnipeg and Winnipeg doesn't want to, you don't want to be in
33:49
a position because now, you know, you know, the rest of the teams know where you stand
33:55
And again, teams with draft picks like Buffalo, like Chicago and a whole bunch of other
33:59
one, I could see him going to Chicago and being part of their young group again
34:03
They have plenty of picks. They have 18 sitting there. That's a possibility
34:08
I was I'm kicking around ideas and it was going to ask some people, you know, if
34:14
Winnipeg would be willing to take players because Winnipeg wanted to do it
34:18
Let's move, you know, let's ship them off to a team that has some players do like, you
34:23
know, again, I bring up Tampa because I cover them. You know, would they be interested in a Cernak or a Janot or even an Anthony
34:30
Cirelli and, you know, give him away with maybe a couple of picks and both sides are
34:35
happy in that one. So I think there's a bunch of different scenarios. And using that, at least, you know, Winnipeg is not married to just getting a draft pick
34:44
back for him. You know, I think there's a lot of possibilities for both sides to, you know, get a win win
34:50
in that trade. I agree, I think I think it depends on like if Winnipeg wants to take not just a draft
34:58
pick, I think that is the biggest thing. But yeah, that's going to be something to watch to lots of stuff, lots of trades that
35:04
could happen. So we'll just have to see. The draft is just a couple of days away as a recording
35:09
But thanks. Thanks, Derek, Jacob and Jim, for coming on talking trades
35:14
We'll have to get on another one after the draft and talk about any ones that did
35:18
happen, because I'm sure we're going to see some. But make sure to check out everything at thehockeywriters.com, all of our draft
35:23
coverage. And of course, we'll talk about the trades that happened, too. But until our next roundtable, we'll see you next time
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