Armchair GM Thread 2024-25

[OldTimeHockey]

I believe Holmberg has a role to play on the roster. I'm not sure they knew where that was under Keefe. Hopefully under a new system, his strengths are highlighted.

 

[cw]

I'm not sure he's ideal but I don't mind Holmberg either. I thought he took a step in the right direction last season. Flashed some versatility.

Holmberg to me is like the world's greatest 13th forward. I'm still not a big believer in him as a regular roster player though.

That's his ceiling?

Since he made some strides last season, I was hoping he hadn't hit a wall yet.

 

[bustaheims]

I'm not sure he's ideal but I don't mind Holmberg either. I thought he took a step in the right direction last season. Flashed some versatility.

Holmberg to me is like the world's greatest 13th forward. I'm still not a big believer in him as a regular roster player though.

I think he can be a reliable 4th liner, who can kill penalties and chip in the odd goal here and there, but that's about it. At 25, he's probably at or near the ceiling of what he's going to be.

 

[herman]

Holmberg is a Swedish Connor Brown (without the junior accolades riding shotgun to a Connor McDavid). He?s another guy I think fits in better with a Berube style vs Keefe?s. He?s not far removed from being a 1LW on an SHL championship squad and has some clutchiness for ugly goals.

 

[Frank E]

Holmberg is a Swedish Connor Brown (without the junior accolades riding shotgun to a Connor McDavid). He?s another guy I think fits in better with a Berube style vs Keefe?s. He?s not far removed from being a 1LW on an SHL championship squad and has some clutchiness for ugly goals.

So he's Denis Malgin?

 

[Bullfrog]

Malgin's goals were pretty.

 

[bustaheims]

https://theleafsnation.com/news/report-maple-leafs-jake-debrusk-mutual-interest

At the right price, I wouldn't hate this.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

This is one of those instances where there's almost zero chance the "right price" is what he ends up signing for though.

 

[Frank E]

If it's a choice, I'd take Bertuzzi over him.

 

[Big Daddy]

So everyone has that one friend who comes up with trades as though he heard it from a super reliable source. But today in the dressing room after the skate having beers and he says, Sounds like Marner is going to Columbus with our 1st this year for Werenski and Laine(50% retention). Well it got heated and I was actually surprised how emphatically guys want to keep Marner no matter what. I'm only on the fence btw if it's an offer like this otherwise keep him and pay him

 

[dappleganger]

I have a hard time believing Marner would waive his no trade clause to go to Columbus.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

If it's a choice, I'd take Bertuzzi over him.

I think both come in higher than I'd be comfortable paying them, but salaries being equal(ish) I'd probably take DeBrusk actually. DeBrusk at least has a solid defensive game and kills penalties. Plus a little younger, little faster.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I have a hard time believing Marner would waive his no trade clause to go to Columbus.

With all due respect to BD, the whole "my friend heard this from a source" type rumours should have virtually no credibility but aside from that I don't think Columbus is a crazy potential destination for Marner.

Not TOO far from home, which I think will be important to him. Smaller market, again a hunch tells me is something he might/maybe/could prefer. And Columbus is probably in a position (desperate) where they're willing to offer Marner the type of contract he's looking for. For all 3 reasons it makes more sense than say a team like Vegas that everyone likes to connect him to.

 

[Bender]

I have a hard time believing Marner would waive his no trade clause to go to Columbus.

With all due respect to BD, the whole "my friend heard this from a source" type rumours should have virtually no credibility but aside from that I don't think Columbus is a crazy potential destination for Marner.

Not TOO far from home, which I think will be important to him. Smaller market, again a hunch tells me is something he might/maybe/could prefer. And Columbus is probably in a position (desperate) where they're willing to offer Marner the type of contract he's looking for. For all 3 reasons it makes more sense than say a team like Vegas that everyone likes to connect him to.

I did think Columbus was plausible until I heard they wanted to cut payroll... Also I'd be reticent to take on Laine for our first even with retention. He's a reclamation project like PLD to some extent now.

 

[bustaheims]

I did think Columbus was plausible until I heard they wanted to cut payroll... Also I'd be reticent to take on Laine for our first even with retention. He's a reclamation project like PLD to some extent now.

Also, if Columbus were to acquire Marner, I have to imagine part of the reason would be to play him with Laine to try to improve his value. A divorce there feel inevitable, and I know they're exploring that possibility this off-season, but between his contract, the inconsistent performances, and his enrollment in the player assistance program, his value is at rock bottom.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I did think Columbus was plausible until I heard they wanted to cut payroll... Also I'd be reticent to take on Laine for our first even with retention. He's a reclamation project like PLD to some extent now.

Also, if Columbus were to acquire Marner, I have to imagine part of the reason would be to play him with Laine to try to improve his value. A divorce there feel inevitable, and I know they're exploring that possibility this off-season, but between his contract, the inconsistent performances, and his enrollment in the player assistance program, his value is at rock bottom.

I also very much doubt that they would move Werenski in a deal like this as it'd very much be a two steps forward one step back sorta thing for them. If a Marner to Columbus trade were to happen, and again I'm not holding my breathe or anything, it would be a more futures (and cap space) heavy return surrounding at least 1 (but ideally two) of Kent Johnson, David Jiricek, and their 4th overall pick.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/frank_seravalli/status/1803847926072119337

Another middle-6, but ideally 3rd line, centre potentially on the trade market. Colton certainly fits a Berube like play style. Fast, physical, good on draws, has just enough offensive ability. Avs are in a bit of a cap jam with uncertainties surrounding Landeskog and Nichushkin. Colton turns 28 years old this September and has 3 more years at $4mil AAV. 

Only issue is winning trades against Colorado seems pretty challenging these days.

 

[Frank E]

I did think Columbus was plausible until I heard they wanted to cut payroll... Also I'd be reticent to take on Laine for our first even with retention. He's a reclamation project like PLD to some extent now.

Also, if Columbus were to acquire Marner, I have to imagine part of the reason would be to play him with Laine to try to improve his value. A divorce there feel inevitable, and I know they're exploring that possibility this off-season, but between his contract, the inconsistent performances, and his enrollment in the player assistance program, his value is at rock bottom.

I also very much doubt that they would move Werenski in a deal like this as it'd very much be a two steps forward one step back sorta thing for them. If a Marner to Columbus trade were to happen, and again I'm not holding my breathe or anything, it would be a more futures (and cap space) heavy return surrounding at least 1 (but ideally two) of Kent Johnson, David Jiricek, and their 4th overall pick.

How about Boone Jenner?

 

[cabber24]

I did think Columbus was plausible until I heard they wanted to cut payroll... Also I'd be reticent to take on Laine for our first even with retention. He's a reclamation project like PLD to some extent now.

Also, if Columbus were to acquire Marner, I have to imagine part of the reason would be to play him with Laine to try to improve his value. A divorce there feel inevitable, and I know they're exploring that possibility this off-season, but between his contract, the inconsistent performances, and his enrollment in the player assistance program, his value is at rock bottom.

I also very much doubt that they would move Werenski in a deal like this as it'd very much be a two steps forward one step back sorta thing for them. If a Marner to Columbus trade were to happen, and again I'm not holding my breathe or anything, it would be a more futures (and cap space) heavy return surrounding at least 1 (but ideally two) of Kent Johnson, David Jiricek, and their 4th overall pick.

How about Boone Jenner?

Someone has to play centre in CLB. Any team would be lucky to have him on his current contract.

 

[cabber24]

Filip Gustavsson would be awesome. I thought he was going to go off last year and ended up having a horrible start and splitting time with Fleury. He would be a cheaper trade target than Saros or Ullmark.