I figure seeing as the season's going to open any day now (right... right?) it's time to fire up the trade block.
Right now the Racers are still not in a "win now / win at all costs" mode. We're still building something here. But we're also keenly aware that we're flush with assets. If I could protect 17, I would. But that's not the world we live in.
Option 1: Consolidate
This is my preferred option this off-season. Simple enough, but think of what the real-life Montreal Canadiens did this off-season, moving Logan Mailloux and two firsts for Noah Dobson. #GoodTradeForBothTeams. I am looking at acquiring an established young player (max age 25) who can contribute to me now and in the future. In exchange, I would surrender a combination of a young player or players and draft picks. The first overall pick is not going to be moved, but all others are open for discussion.
I am focused mainly on acquiring a forward as I am doing fairly well on the d-man front, but I'd also be open to doing some sort of 2:1 type transaction for a more established but still young offensive d-man.
Option 2: Players for Picks
I've got a lot of picks as it is, but I'm not completely averse to picking up some more and kicking the can on these decision down the road a bit. I'm also always open to moving up in the draft. I have three first rounders and four second rounders in this coming draft
Option 3: Trading for Protection Spots
As it stands right now, I'd be willing to trade for at least two protection spots if I can't get any other sort of trades done. So if you've got open spots, I'll probably come calling.
Players I'm Open To Moving
Obviously given the right trade there's no such thing as an untouchable. It's just that these guys are more "touchable" than others on my squad. I like my team, I like all my guys. Just can't keep 'em all.
Matty Beniers
Matty Ice, former 2nd overall pick, won the Calder Trophy in 2023. It seems like things are going to be looking up in Seattle and Beniers will be part of that turnaround. They know they need more offense and Beniers can certainly help with that as he showed in his rookie season. Don't let his great two-way play deceive you, this boy can score. And the more responsible a player you are, the more ice you see. The more ice you see, the more opportunities for points. Simple math.
Oliver Moore
That's right, baby, take a selfie with Bedard because you two should be seeing the ice together for years to come. Sure, the Blackhawks have sucked the past couple of season. That's by design! Duh. But help is on the way. Moore was a late addition last year signing out of the NCAA, but this motherfucker is fast. What did McKeen's say about that? "Without a doubt, Moore was one of the most, if not the most, dynamic skaters in the 2023 draft class. It is his quickness and his ability to lead the counterattack with pace that makes him such a dangerous offensive player.".
David Jiricek
You know when people get impatient with defensemen developing and then they trade them away and then - BOOM - they bust out? Frankly, that's my big concern here because Jiricek has the chance to do just that. And yes, I know, obviously Zeev Buium is the man about town in Minnesota. For sure. I'm an honest broker here, I do get it. Not saying he's better in the least. However, Buium is a left-shot D-man. Jiricek is a right-show D-man. There's a chance here that ol' DJ might just be Buium's 5-on-5 partner for years to come. If you want to get in on the ground floor of that, here's your guy.
Pavel Mintyukov
Look, Cronin was just an absolute nightmare in Anaheim. Stifled the offense like there was no tomorrow. Enter Joel Quenneville. Remember the offensive production of those Blackhawks teams he coached? If you don't, just ask Lorne to tell you all about them. The Ducks are going to be firing on all cylinders next season and will go from a team that you hated having guy on to a team everyone wishes they had a share in. Well, here's another bit of a buy-low opportunity on a young d-man with a big whack of offensive upside. And unlike Zellweger, Verbeek drafted Minty so management will be motivated to make sure he's a success. Let's just check back in with McKeen's to see what they had to say about him... "The Ducks are surely over the moon that they were able to land a prospect of Mintyukov’ caliber with the 10th overall pick in the 2022 draft. Not only does he possess an enormous amount of raw skill, but he also has an ideal frame and doesn’t have any significant weaknesses. He went from playing on a high-flying, firewagon Saginaw team to a much more structured Ottawa club, finishing the season leading all OHL defenders in assists (64) and points (88) and winning the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenseman. He shines the brightest with his offensive play and boy does he shine bright, but with the right development work he could become a premiere off-puck defender as well. If he reaches his full ceiling, he will be a true number-one defenseman who logs boatloads of ice time and contributes significantly on both sides of special teams."
Again, I'm open to moving more guys than this, but I figure these guys are a good balance of really good young talent that you might be interested if you've got some things I'm interested in.
