Eklund: Should Buffalo Pursue Kane? Does Tampa go for a goalie?

You’ve said some crazy things over the years, but suggesting that Connor Hellybuyck (also pronounced Hellebuyck in Canadian) being traded to Tampa to fill in for Vasy for 8 weeks is borderline insane

Kane is washed, he didn't even help NYR last year. Benson, Kulich, Savoie, or Rousek would be more effective.

I'm actually less informed after reading this nonsense.

Given he is only out 8 weeks, I can see Tampa grabbing a stopgap, but not an expensive starter. Seattle has Dreidger, Toronto has Jones. I could see Tampa watching waivers and grabbing one of them perhaps.

So step 1 is Tampa trades for Hellebuyck...despite having no 1st round pick this year, no 2nd round pick, no 1st round pick next year, and no real grade A prospects. But I'll play along. Somehow they acquire Hellebuyck.

Then in 8 weeks Vasilevsky is healthy and ready to be activated. That would put Tampa over the cap by a massive margin. So who would they trade? Anyone of significance has NMC/NTC. But, again, I'll play along and Tampa trades someone like Cernak for draft picks to create cap room for Vasilevsky.

Now Tampa has a tandem of Vasilevsky and Hellebuyck. They would be unstoppable. Hence, this does kind of make sense.

As close to the cap as Tampa Bay is, I'm not sure they could even afford to pay me be the backup, much less anyone with any kind of professional goaltending ability.

That had to be one of the least thought out piles of horsesh!t i've read on here.

Kane is washed, he didn't even help NYR last year. Benson, Kulich, Savoie, or Rousek would be more effective.
- DanielEtvs

He was playing on a bad hip that required surgery and he was one of the Rangers top playoff performers. He's still a top 6 forward on any team. But sure, your AHL players would be more effective.

I'm actually less informed after reading this nonsense.
- GalacticStone

Insane the hype about Tampa.

The Lightning with average to above goaltending will have them leading the division by the time he gets back.

Tampa = Patriots of NHL. Everyone hates them and cant wait for them to fall off...but they won't.

This is ludicrous and clickbait

Bring back AI Ek. It was way better.

Insane the hype about Tampa.

The Lightning with average to above goaltending will have them leading the division by the time he gets back.

Tampa = Patriots of NHL. Everyone hates them and cant wait for them to fall off...but they won't.
- TrueGrit

Insane comparison. Brady kept NE as a top contender for unprecedented length of 15+ years. Tampa is already on the downside of their competitive window. They are a dynasty much like CHI or PIT but this cycle is the nature of the NHL in the cap era.

you could of named Thompson, Ingram, Smchid , Swayman, Allen, all these goaltenders making cap compliant easy to move around amounts but instead you go with Hellebuyck


Also the Lightning barely have the assets to get him.

you could of named Thompson, Ingram, Smchid , Swayman, Allen, all these goaltenders making cap compliant easy to move around amounts but instead you go with Hellebuyck


Also the Lightning barely have the assets to get him.
- Alexzanki

It's Schmid, not Smchid. And, the Devils aren't trading him!

the comments in here deliver for a Friday.
I lol'd

It's Schmid, not Smchid. And, the Devils aren't trading him!
- Mr._Devil

I Don Cherry'd it

Bring back Comical Ali Ek. It was way better.
- jfkst1

ROGER THAT!

The Lightning will likely try to stand pat with their collection of AHL goalies and try to limp along till Vasi comes back.

If they do pick up anyone, it will be a dusty old bag of bones on a league minimum salary, like Elliot or Halak.

Doesn't matter though. The Lightning's defense is no longer good enough to prop up another goalie like Louis Domingue. The Lightning had McDonagh and a lot better depth back then.

At least you got the 2 teams right.

Buffalo trades Ukka Pekka Lukkonen to Tampa as Vasy's fill in

At least you got the 2 teams right.

Buffalo trades Ukka Pekka Lukkonen to Tampa as Vasy's fill in
- Blockhead

Buffalo is trading UPL? Interesting. Maybe right after they acquire that SERIOUS goalie two weekends ago.

Hey Ek, there's this team out in Socal. They're not very good right now but they will be. Anyway, this team currently has 5 goalies signed on their roster and almost all of them are making around $800k. It would have made you look pretty smart if you had suggested any 4 of the 5 that are making less than a million. Now there are 2 of those goalies who look very promising and I don't think this team's crazy GM would consider trading any of them, BUT, there is a guy on the roster who is making the least of any goalie on the team, and would be a decent stop-gap for a team like Tampa. If you had mentioned him, then this hit would have made a ton of sense.

Buffalo is trading UPL? Interesting. Maybe right after they acquire that SERIOUS goalie two weekends ago.
- Cooleus

Comrie has outplayed him for the backup spot and we have the kid to develop. Comrie has been outstanding

The Lightning will likely try to stand pat with their collection of AHL goalies and try to limp along till Vasi comes back.

If they do pick up anyone, it will be a dusty old bag of bones on a league minimum salary, like Elliot or Halak.

Doesn't matter though. The Lightning's defense is no longer good enough to prop up another goalie like Louis Domingue. The Lightning had McDonagh and a lot better depth back then.
- GalacticStone

What about Stalock with the Ducks? He's only making $800k and Lukas Dostal and Calle Clang have already shown that they can play in the NHL/AHL. Probably wouldn't take much to get him.

What about Stalock with the Ducks? He's only making $800k and Lukas Dostal and Calle Clang have already shown that they can play in the NHL/AHL. Probably wouldn't take much to get him.
- duxcup07

Don't forget Logan Thompson who Ek previously reported has demanded a trade out of Vegas. There are also Jack Campbell sweepstakes quietly happening.