aGENT

Nor do I think we should be doing that either. Focus on the more affordable, shorter term requiring, holes via UFA. We don't need to go big game hunting. 3C (Paul/Tierney/Sturm), maybe a backup (if we don't use one of Martin, MDP etc) and if we manage to move Hamonic, a guy like Lyubushkin. Maybe a hard minute, PK'ing 3LD as well. Bonus if you can nab a guy like Bjustad for 4C (otherwise I'm happy to explore our internal options there as well - Lammiko, Focht, Jasek etc) None of those should break the bank in cap or require more than 2-4 years of term. No reason that can't be competitive. Something like (wingers fluid): Chytil, Horvat, Boeser Podkolzin, Petterson, Garland Pearson, Paul/Tierney/Sturm, Hoglander Dickinson, Lammiko, Highmore Jasek/Focht etc as spares OEL, Myers Hughes, Hamonic/Lyubushkin UFA?, Schneider/Poolman With Burroughs, Schenn, Rathbone, Woo, Juulsen etc depth

Meh, Horvat can 1C (or they can be 1a and 1b... However you want to look at it), until Petey gets closer to his prime and takes over. Not worried about that. Supplement them with a good 3C like Paul/Sturm/Tierney (which with Chytil should roughly equal out to Miller's current hit, and without the long term commitment) and keep on rolling. As for Miller, absolutely. You don't "replace" Miller. But if he doesn't fit in your window, he doesn't fit. Trying to shoehorn him in just sets us back long term, in that window. We need players like Miller, just not likely to be Miller specifically.

I don't think there's any chance we're moving him for JUST picks. So fret not. Rutherford will be looking for something like the Chytil, Schneider and a 1st (+/-) package being bandied about. Add one of Paul/Tierney/Sturm this summer and there's every possibility we're actually a better team than we were with Miller.

Because, yes, we probably get about 2 years of our core's window with him helping... But then it's declining, depreciating asset with monster cap hit (anchor) for the latter half of our window. Love Miller, wish he was younger. Just doesn't fit the window. Still have to think they'd need to send Chytil (and his cap) back this way in any deal with us. And yes, long term he likely plays LW, but he should be able to fill in at 3C here for the rest of this season, until we sign one of Paul/Tierney/Sturm this summer.

Nope one has little to do with the other, short of peripheral cap concerns. Personally, I'd move Miller regardless. It sounds like Rutherford (correctly IMO) has identified +/- 2-7 years from now as our young core's window. With Pettersson and Hughes in the meat of their primes. EVERYTHING should be focused on making us as deep and competitive as possible in that window. A declining, depreciating, mid 30's, and $8m+ Miller does not. Sell high, multiply assets, and build for the contention window IMO. Boeser, on the other hand, IS the right age to contribute to that window. His only real question is his skating. Rutherford will have to make a call on whether he thinks a not -fast Boeser is best to retain, or move for other (faster) pieces. Again, moving one does not preclude also moving the other. Separate discussions.

I really don't think this is a Boeser vs Miller situation, like many have painted it. Completely separate discussions IMO. Miller is more "does he fit the team's contention window". Where as Boeser, is more of a "will he sign a reasonable extension" and/or "can his skill set, with his lack of speed, be an asset while this team is contending". Moving one does not preclude moving the other IMO.

Sure. 10+/- doesn't change my feelings on that overall premise. I'm not scared of playing whichever backup comes in, DeSmith or otherwise, with Martin as backup to the backup for ten'ish games either. Gain the assets, clear the $1.5, focus on our contention window.

IMO, know/be honest with what you are at the TDL. Are we a cup contender, as built, with Miller (or Motte, Halak etc)? IMO, new management has (correctly IMO) assessed our cup window to be the roughly +/- 2-7 years from now. EVERYTHING should be focused on making us as competitive as possible, building towards that window. Rutherford's quotes of the team "having holes" and "being competitive in 2 years" and "long shot to make the playoffs" etc, I think we're already have some idea of what Rutherford is thinking.

Gordie I hope so. He needs to get back healthy and PLAY though, for any chance of that. And even then... Might be a tall order. Then sign Lyubushkin for a couple years ($2 something x 2-3 years) this summer and explore moving Poolman next year if said young D makes the roster (and/or Poolman can be our spare D).

Most of our core is 25 and under right now. The group of guys we have the best shot at a cup with, isn't even in their prime for another couple years. The team needs to focus it's planning on having the best depth and biggest push while they're between +/-25-30 years old or roughly years 2-7 from now. EVERYTHING should be planned around that, as it will give us our greatest chances to win a cup. So no, this isn't about continuing to cycle players out/in forever. It's about cycling players out who don't fit that timeline and focusing all of our efforts towards that window. A declining, mid 30's Miller at $8m+ does not do that. That's a depreciating anchor, right in the meat of that window.

While I agree some are probably being over confident on Martin, how many more games is our backup going to play this season, maybe 5? I'm not sure Martin couldn't at least give us passable net minding for 5 piddly games.... And in all likelihood, the trading team would be sending back they're backup anyway. For instance PIT and DeSmith. Demko, DeSmith and Martin for G depth the rest of the season, to add an asset AND get rid of the extra $1.5m hit next year... We'd be silly not to IMO.

Do you want a better "bubble playoff" team now, or a better "contender" team in 2+ years? That's basically what this comes down to IMO. And from Rutherford's comments, it seems apparent what his opinion on the matter is.

Eventually you have to have some of these guys turn in to the next "Motte" (Lockwood?), Dickinson, Lammiko (due a raise as well soon) etc. At which point, they WILL be cheaper. That's my point. And frankly, you have no idea what Jasek or Karlsson may be capable of at this level, in due time. That's where depth players largely come from. Late blooming guys who just keep working at it, and refining their game. It may be Jasek/Karlsson, or it may be other players (Costmar, Focht, Kunz, Lockhart, Zhukenov etc). Time will tell.

Well no....like for example there's discussion of moving Motte as we don't want to possibly pay him $2m+ to extend him. THAT is the players, that cheap ELC's will replace. Guys who price themselves out of our bottom 6. You need those support players to cycle through on cheap deals, not just stars (though those are nice too).

The information we're seeing in the media, quotes from Rutherford etc. Just trying to read between lines.

Meh. Bigger and better. Nothing to get one's panties all a-twist.

I really don't think that's the given that a lot of people are assuming (dependent on the return and what solutions management unearth this summer).

The majority of their retool is like 1 part good management, 4 parts "players just want to play in New York" and 5 parts horse shoes I literally laugh my balls off when folks try to laud them as #proper rebuild.

It's 2022 you Neanderthal. She can pull out her own damn chair!

I think it's entirely possible that we could trade Miller and still have roughly the same chances of making the playoffs this year, with the right return. All while being far better set up long term, better cap situation and multiplying assets in a sell high scenario. I've actually come to the conclusion that it's likely the right thing to do, regardless of our playoff hopes this season. And I'm starting to get the indication that may be how Rutherford feels as well.

I'd laugh if we do move Miller and still make the playoffs

We've already got more exciting ingredients on the table. Besides a couple other ingredients, rice and beans are actually exactly what we need to keep cycling through for cheap, so we can keep the more exciting dishes on the menu.

Yeah, I think Boeser likely falls in the $6.5-$7 range, depending on term. And he takes that over his one year QO (that the team likely arbitrates anyway) for the security and bigger overall money. Like it's just silly to suggest otherwise. And Boeser on a +/-$6.75m x +/- 6 year deal is just fine, thanks. Bunch of panicky Pollyannas...

Imagine the value to them off Miller at 50% for next year. Two full playoff runs potentially with him and Strome. I still think 50% retention, for both years is unlikely but man... The trade value of that...

They likely lose Strome or Miller. Not both FWIW. They'd move other pieces first, if they need the cap. They might even keep both, and move other pieces.