I tend to agree with you. This hire looks more like what you do on a rebuilding team. Which I'm not saying isn't the right choice.

Be very curious what the Panthers do with Ekblad and Bennett. Someone has to go either them or a trade.

The Robertson trade rumors make me tend to agree with you. They are in bad cap space.

I'd definitely do trades 1 and 3. I'd have to think hard on 2. For me the draft drops at 13. So I don't think I'd want to trade back and I'd rather like to keep Blomqvist. Just a year ago his rookie season was better than Murashov's and I think he might have been more hurt than he let on. I could still see him as our starter this year. The value is interesting, I just like what we have more.
- Tojo.

I think Ekblad and Bennett will both sign way too long of deals at a reduced cap hit to stay in Florida. I think Ekblad would do super cheap.

More interesting than #2, sounds like the Utah #4 is on the trade block... thats what we should be all over.

I think Ekblad and Bennett will both sign way too long of deals at a reduced cap hit to stay in Florida. I think Ekblad would do super cheap.

More interesting than #2, sounds like the Utah #4 is on the trade block... thats what we should be all over.
- MacPatty

I agree with that. What does it take to move up that far? Quality over quantity.

Well my strong opinion was whoever it was should be someone I’ve never heard of so this did actually check my one strong opinion box
- Victoro311

Never heard of him, know nothing about him, but he looks ugly as hell in his photo and he’s bald. Can’t trust bald people. I’m feeling pretty iffy right now n

I think Ekblad and Bennett will both sign way too long of deals at a reduced cap hit to stay in Florida. I think Ekblad would do super cheap.

More interesting than #2, sounds like the Utah #4 is on the trade block... thats what we should be all over.
- MacPatty

Ppl saying Bennet will get 10m on open market is insane. Good playoff guy and I like him but 10m for a career high of 51 points?

I agree with that. What does it take to move up that far? Quality over quantity.
- madmike71

Apparently they want a young top 6 forward. Funny this and the Robertson rumors coming back to back... That's what they would want. Peterka or Rossi maybe could fit the bill for them too. They have the cap space and could use a center like Pettersson also.

For us, our best offer would probably be Rackell and the #11? Not sure if that does it. Who knows, maybe they would be into Karlsson as an upgrade to Marino.

Utah will be super interesting to watch. They have a ton of young talent, a top 4 pick, a ton of cap space and they want to win.

Ppl saying Bennet will get 10m on open market is insane. Good playoff guy and I like him but 10m for a career high of 51 points?
- 10inchTerror

Yeah, I mean if there was a team in win now that has the cap space, I could see someone giving him 10x3. Toronto could very well be that team. But if I'm Bennett (and Florida) I'm doing an $5.5x8 deal and worrying about the consequences later.

I think Ekblad and Bennett will both sign way too long of deals at a reduced cap hit to stay in Florida. I think Ekblad would do super cheap.

More interesting than #2, sounds like the Utah #4 is on the trade block... thats what we should be all over.
- MacPatty

That's what I was thinking afterwards, if we got the Rangers pick, we should be trying to move up. #4 might take too much, I wouldn't for 11 and 12. But top 7 or 8 and grab a center.

Ppl saying Bennet will get 10m on open market is insane. Good playoff guy and I like him but 10m for a career high of 51 points?
- 10inchTerror

I don't know about 10M, but if he wants to, Bennett is a valuable guy who will get overpaid. Teams want centers and teams want guys with that grit factor that play high in the lineup. That's probably worth 7M minimum maybe even 8 in a normal year. Add in the cap rising and I do believe he's in a good spot to get a stupid contract if he wants it.

That's what I was thinking afterwards, if we got the Rangers pick, we should be trying to move up. #4 might take too much, I wouldn't for 11 and 12. But top 7 or 8 and grab a center.
- Tojo.

If we are picking 11 & 12, what are yalls dream scenarios and realistic scenario?

Dream is eklund and Martin/Obrien

Realistic is a pick between one of the 2-3 D of Smith, Aitcheson, or Mrtka and a C/W of Martin, bear, or McQueen/Martin, although McQueen seems to be sliding up.

If we are picking 11 & 12, what are yalls dream scenarios and realistic scenario?

Dream is eklund and Martin/Obrien

Realistic is a pick between one of the 2-3 D of Smith, Aitcheson, or Mrtka and a C/W of Martin, bear, or McQueen/Martin, although McQueen seems to be sliding up.
- Brownsoldier

O'Brien dropping would be the dream, but he seems to be moving up.

2 of McQueen, Eklund, and Smith. McQueen should be top 5 IMO if it weren't for the injuries so he's always got an asterisk for me depending on medicals.

My 11 and 12 guys are Mrtka and Martin and I'd be ok with them or Bear. Beyond them, including Aitcheson, would be a disappointment for me because I have a gap there.

If I could move up for O'Brien, Desnoyers, or Frondell I would (or McQueen if medicals are good I like him more than all them, just riskier) and those could be 5 to 8 or 9. Teams like Nasheville, Seattle, Buffalo, Anaheim, maybe Boston, all have pressure to win and might be open for something that helped now like Rackell.

I do wonder if this hiring is tipping our hand at the draft a bit. Muse coached James Hagens. I assume this will boost our interest in Hagens. We are looking to get young and be a bit aggressive this offseason in that regard. I think with many talking about Utah shopping their pick and Hagens being available with the Utah pick. It does make me wonder if we can make a deal. They had Maccelli and Crouse who had their names out there at the deadline. I do wonder if they could be a team we make a deal with and check a few boxes for the offseason.

O'Brien dropping would be the dream, but he seems to be moving up.

2 of McQueen, Eklund, and Smith. McQueen should be top 5 IMO if it weren't for the injuries so he's always got an asterisk for me depending on medicals.

My 11 and 12 guys are Mrtka and Martin and I'd be ok with them or Bear. Beyond them, including Aitcheson, would be a disappointment for me because I have a gap there.

If I could move up for O'Brien, Desnoyers, or Frondell I would (or McQueen if medicals are good I like him more than all them, just riskier) and those could be 5 to 8 or 9. Teams like Nasheville, Seattle, Buffalo, Anaheim, maybe Boston, all have pressure to win and might be open for something that helped now like Rackell.
- Tojo.

I feel like the sabres are taking a C regardless. So I doubt he’s getting past 9…

I do wonder if this hiring is tipping our hand at the draft a bit. Muse coached James Hagens. I assume this will boost our interest in Hagens. We are looking to get young and be a bit aggressive this offseason in that regard. I think with many talking about Utah shopping their pick and Hagens being available with the Utah pick. It does make me wonder if we can make a deal. They had Maccelli and Crouse who had their names out there at the deadline. I do wonder if they could be a team we make a deal with and check a few boxes for the offseason.
- 123Kid

11&12 for 4?


Rakell and 12 for 4?

Bennett will get paid just for his playoffs numbers. Got 1/2 his goal total of entire regular season in 1/4 of the games.

If we are picking 11 & 12, what are yalls dream scenarios and realistic scenario?

Dream is eklund and Martin/Obrien

Realistic is a pick between one of the 2-3 D of Smith, Aitcheson, or Mrtka and a C/W of Martin, bear, or McQueen/Martin, although McQueen seems to be sliding up.
- Brownsoldier

McQueen likely goes earlier, but McQueen/Eklund with one pick and Smith/Aitcheson with the other.

The reason I pitched trading one pick down with Montreal is because 10-20 has quite a bit of parity. So I like Smith/Aitcheson/Mrtka in that order but I think one of them will fall a bit and if we could pick up something extra to go back, we can still get a solid prospect.

He's not going to fall far, but my bold prediction is that Misa goes #1 over Schaffer unless SJ trades up. I've had him as my #1 for a long time, but in spite of his talent, he hasn't proven it over a long enough period of time. Misa looks like a sure thing with an NHL style game.

McQueen likely goes earlier, but McQueen/Eklund with one pick and Smith/Aitcheson with the other.

The reason I pitched trading one pick down with Montreal is because 10-20 has quite a bit of parity. So I like Smith/Aitcheson/Mrtka in that order but I think one of them will fall a bit and if we could pick up something extra to go back, we can still get a solid prospect.


He's not going to fall far, but my bold prediction is that Misa goes #1 over Schaffer unless SJ trades up. I've had him as my #1 for a long time, but in spite of his talent, he hasn't proven it over a long enough period of time. Misa looks like a sure thing with an NHL style game.
- MacPatty

I’ve been seeing Miss being taken first from a few different outlets.

Never heard of him, know nothing about him, but he looks ugly as hell in his photo and he’s bald. Can’t trust bald people. I’m feeling pretty iffy right now n
- 10inchTerror

Mitch Love is also ugly and bald so I don’t think you would have been happy regardless

I agree with this. No idea who he was 10 minutes ago. Sounds like he's got all the stuff on his resume you'd want. But then again why wasn't he mentioned before if he's so qualified?

New coach could give some young players a look Sully wouldn't give them. Looks like we might lose one in Ponomarov who may go to the KHL.
- Tojo.

Maybe you’ll get you Poubum redemption arc

I feel like the sabres are taking a C regardless. So I doubt he’s getting past 9…
- Brownsoldier

I feel like the Sabers are desperate to compete and will be willing to put their pick in play for help now. But that's a good point of can we bridge the gap if a C is on the board.

11&12 for 4?


Rakell and 12 for 4?
- Brownsoldier

I'd do those in a heartbeat, so I can't see Utah doing the same. Feel like we need to add. Or likely they get a better offer.

McQueen likely goes earlier, but McQueen/Eklund with one pick and Smith/Aitcheson with the other.

The reason I pitched trading one pick down with Montreal is because 10-20 has quite a bit of parity. So I like Smith/Aitcheson/Mrtka in that order but I think one of them will fall a bit and if we could pick up something extra to go back, we can still get a solid prospect.

He's not going to fall far, but my bold prediction is that Misa goes #1 over Schaffer unless SJ trades up. I've had him as my #1 for a long time, but in spite of his talent, he hasn't proven it over a long enough period of time. Misa looks like a sure thing with an NHL style game.
- MacPatty

You'd be taking a slight risk on one of them falling. McKenzie for instance has Aitcheson at 14 and he is a guy who might jump up from a team set on getting a defenseman.

But I see your point now because you're much higher on Aitcheson than I am. I get to him and think nice prospect, but no way I'd take him over Martin or Bear.

I agree, I'd take Misa first too.

You'd be taking a slight risk on one of them falling. McKenzie for instance has Aitcheson at 14 and he is a guy who might jump up from a team set on getting a defenseman.

But I see your point now because you're much higher on Aitcheson than I am. I get to him and think nice prospect, but no way I'd take him over Martin or Bear.

I agree, I'd take Misa first too.
- Tojo.

Yeah, I could be wrong, but I think teams will see Aitcheson as a guy with star power. He is fast, has skill and is a destroyer.... has fan favourite written all over him. I could totally see him going in the top 10, though that would be a stretch.

I'd be fine taking Martin or Bear, but I don't know why I am not super high on either of them. Both perfectly fine picks at 11 but neither something I would consider a steal there. For comparison, as draft prospects, Im taking Yager over both of them as a no brainer and Yager was a 15 pick. If McQueen, Martin & Bear are there at #11, which do you take? Almost no chance they all are but curious your though there since you like those two.

You guys all probably know me well enough to know I really want a trade with Montreal for us to get Mailloux out of them.

Yeah, I could be wrong, but I think teams will see Aitcheson as a guy with star power. He is fast, has skill and is a destroyer.... has fan favourite written all over him. I could totally see him going in the top 10, though that would be a stretch.

I'd be fine taking Martin or Bear, but I don't know why I am not super high on either of them. Both perfectly fine picks at 11 but neither something I would consider a steal there. For comparison, as draft prospects, Im taking Yager over both of them as a no brainer and Yager was a 15 pick. If McQueen, Martin & Bear are there at #11, which do you take? Almost no chance they all are but curious your though there since you like those two.

You guys all probably know me well enough to know I really want a trade with Montreal for us to get Mailloux out of them.
- MacPatty

I think whoever gets Aitcheson will be happy, I just think he's more of a second pairing guy and others are higher IMO.

I like Martin and Bear more, but they're my 12 and 13th ranked guys. I won't be too upset if we pick them, but neither would be the top guy on my board. And I'd agree, I'd take Yager over either, he was my pick going into the draft.

McQueen I take over anyone we might realistically get if they feel good about his medicals. But if that's the case, I think he's gone before 11.

I think whoever gets Aitcheson will be happy, I just think he's more of a second pairing guy and others are higher IMO.

I like Martin and Bear more, but they're my 12 and 13th ranked guys. I won't be too upset if we pick them, but neither would be the top guy on my board. And I'd agree, I'd take Yager over either, he was my pick going into the draft.


McQueen I take over anyone we might realistically get if they feel good about his medicals. But if that's the case, I think he's gone before 11.
- Tojo.

For some reasons mcqueen has jumped this past week into top 10 and as high as the flyers pick. I guess because he might a healthy, but not sure.

Eklund reminds me a lot of Marchand. Just fiesty/scrappy, smaller, but still good offensively. Martin plays with a lot of bite too. I think this team needs a toucher identity and these two fit that bill perfectly.

For some reasons mcqueen has jumped this past week into top 10 and as high as the flyers pick. I guess because he might a healthy, but not sure.

Eklund reminds me a lot of Marchand. Just fiesty/scrappy, smaller, but still good offensively. Martin plays with a lot of bite too. I think this team needs a toucher identity and these two fit that bill perfectly.
- Brownsoldier

McGroatry to McQueen would have been a sick call on TV.