This is a scenario where Bryan Little decides to hang up his skates. I really like what he brings to the team, but if it's in his best interest to retire, then he should.
With that, the Jets have some cap space to work with and bring in some pieces to replace him and augment weaker areas to help build a dominant force in a tough Central Division
UFA:
1) Demelo returns on a long term deal. He's shown to be a perfect partner for Morrissey, providing the kind of stable defensive presence that allows Morrissey the room to make mistakes and is a great addition to the penalty kill. A six year deal at a 3.75 million AAV, along with the prospect of playing on a strong team with championship ambitions should be enough to convince him to stay.
Along with also bringing back a number of UFA's for the Moose (Chibisov, Schilling), the Jets re-up Shaw, Bitetto, and Beaulieu on cheap deals. Beaulieu is a solid bottom pairing guy, and Bitetto and Shaw are perfectly serviceable press box guys to help with locker room morale.
From outside the organization, the main UFA target should be RW Tyler Pitlick. The Jets have a hole in their 3RW slot, and Appleton is still inexperienced and more suited to a fourth-line role right now. Pitlick is a solid forward who can be brought in cheap and play in a high powered offence.
RFA
The Jets sign their RFA's to cheap bridge deals to help manage the cap and their internal pay roll.
Trades
NOTE: all draft picks are 2021 selections or later as I am operating under the assumption of a June 2020 draft, which would negate the ability for trades involving these picks to happen.
Perreault and Dahlstrom to OTT for a 2022 fifth.
WPG gains cap space and two extra contract slots.
OTT gains a veteran bottom sixer who helps them reach the cap floor and a depth defenseman. Perrault can later be flipped at the deadline in exchange for a better pick (think Frolik's return), so Ottawa can move up in the draft in exchange for Dahlstrom and 3/4 season of Perrault's contract.
Sami Niku (D) and a 2022 fifth to NJ in exchange for Miles Wood
Winnipeg gains a jack-of-all-trades bottom sixer to replace Perrault at a cheaper rate, plus his age lines up well with the rest of Winnipeg's core.
NJ gains a pick and a puck-moving defensemen who doesn't fit into Winnipeg's system. With a bit of tweaking and some ice time, Niku can be a solid mid-pairing defender in this league, and NJ can give him both of those.
Luke Green (RD), Simon Lundmark (RD), and Austin Wong (C) to TOR in exchange for Andreas Johnsson.
WPG gains a LW who gives them a deadly weapon in their bottom six capable of moving top the lineup in case of injury.
TOR gains cap space and three prospects who help give the depth in postions of need. The main caveat here is Greens health. The mans had a rough go through no fault of his own, but Toronto can't hope he'll feel better. If the Leafs prefer not to take a risk on his health, then swap Green with a 2022 fourth.
Roslovic, Stanley, Vesalainen, a 2021 first, and a 2022 third in exchange for Cirelli and McElhinney
WPG gains the 2C they've always dreamt of and a backup goalie Tampa can no longer afford.
Tampa Bay gains a first round pick, another pick, Roslovic, a middle six forward who has potential to become something more, a bluechip prospect in Vesalainen (yes, I know he had rough start to the season but the skills are there and he showed them before the cancellation) and a reclamation prospect in Stanley who has the size to be in the NHL, he just needs some help with his stride.
This package is based on the package ROR nabbed two offseason ago: two high picks, reclamation prospect (Thompson and Stanley) and two other players, and Roslovic and Vesalainen have much more to offer than Berglund and Sobotka.
Cap space: all this would leave the Jets with just over 1.75 million dollars in cap space. Anyone worried about re-signing Laine and Pionk need not fear: a look at the long-term outlook reveals 21 million dollars to work with, more than enough money to keep both around long term.
Seattle
The Jets protect Scheifele, Wheeler, Connor, Laine, Ehlers, Cirelli, and Copp, along with Helle, Morrissey, Pionk, and Demelo.
Well ya if a second is offered they take it, but I think he is only worth a 3rd.
Well.. ask for mid-6 forwards is often 2nd + prospect. Given his injury, the value came down a bit, but he is a rock solid player and I think many people are forgetting how good he is. But for 2nd, they move him. He is very good..
babybackribs liked this.
Reply
CapFriendly
CapFriendly