u/athleticwonder

Hey everyone, after the series against the Avs, it's clear Guerin needs to find a 1C/2C. They have about $13.5M in cap space going into 2026-27 with 17 guys signed. The loudest rumor right now is Vincent Trocheck from the Rangers. He brings exactly the 200-foot game the Wild need, and his $5.625M hit for the next 3 years is incredibly manageable for a top-six guy.

The major hurdle is that he allegedly prefers to stay in the East. Do you think Minnesota is close enough to a Cup that he'd waive that preference? Would you give up premium assets for a 33-year-old?

Anthony Di Marco dropped some interesting notes recently about Michkov. After showing up to camp out of shape and being benched by Tocchet for inconsistent play, the Flyers aren't rushing to trade him, but he's apparently no longer off-limits.

Selling low on him right now seems like terrible asset management unless they get an irresistible offer for a 1C.

Do you guys think Michkov bounces back next year, or is the front office right to start listening to offers?

Corey Masisak at the Denver Post recently touched on this, and looking at the numbers, the Avs are in a tight spot.

The Cap: $104M next season.

The Roster: 17 players signed through 26-27.

The Space: Less than $3M to fill the remaining spots.

Ross Colton is the glaring target to clear space. He’s carrying a $4M cap hit with one year left, his offensive production has dipped, and he was a healthy scratch to start the playoffs. The biggest hurdle is his 12-team no-trade list, which gives him a lot of leverage on where MacFarland can actually send him.

Can the Avs realistically find a taker not on his list who will absorb $4M without Colorado retaining?

Philly has the flexibility to make a hockey trade. Shane Wright is only 22 but struggled under Lane Lambert this season. Given the Flyers' surplus of wingers, trading for Wright seems like the perfect low-risk, high-reward move for Briere.

What would a realistic trade package from Philly look like?

Cam Neely recently noted the Bruins need more talent/speed and a true 1C. We all know Lindholm's offense hasn't matched his contract. But looking ahead to 2026-27, Boston is projected to have over $16.3M in cap space. If Elias Pettersson is truly desperate for a change of scenery out of Vancouver, Boston has the draft capital (future 1st) and the cap space to absorb him, especially if Vancouver retains a bit of salary.

Putting EP40 next to David Pastrnak could fix Boston's top-six issues overnight.

Would you give up a massive haul for Pettersson right now if the Canucks retain salary on a trade?

Matheson floated the idea yesterday. Both guys have NMCs and are signed through 2029-30. Nurse makes $9.25M, Rielly makes $7.5M.

The rumor suggests Leafs are actively looking to move Rielly, and Nurse might waive to go home to Ontario (he grew up with Max Domi).

My take is basically that it's trading two different flavors of defensive anxiety, but the Oilers win simply because of the $1.75M cap savings.

Would you do this if you were Stan Bowman or John Chayka?

William James of Philly Hockey Now recently sparked the debate on if the Flyers should use their cap space to pursue Auston Matthews. The rumored ask from Toronto's front office would be astronomical, likely centered around Porter Martone and Jamie Drysdale.

Getting swept by Carolina showed the Flyers power play and finishing need serious help, but is giving up a top center prospect and a key young defenseman worth it, even for a Rocket Richard winner?

Do you make this trade or keep the kids?

We all know the offense was a massive issue this year (2.76 G/PG, 27th overall). Nichols floated the idea of moving the 12th overall pick to the Blues for Kyrou.

On paper, the fit is incredible. St. Louis gets to reset with a high draft pick, and the Devils get a guy whose speed and finishing would be lethal next to Hughes. The two big hurdles are his $8.125M cap hit and his NTC.

I'm curious what the consensus is here. Is Kyrou the right target, or is that cap hit too much of an anchor for the next few years?

The Athletic recently dropped a piece wondering what San Jose might do with the #2 pick, mentioning Dallas as a partner due to Jason Robertson's massive RFA extension. Dallas will only have about $2M in cap space if they pay Robo $12M-$13M, whereas the Sharks have $41M in space.

Dallas gets out of cap hell and drafts an elite player on an ELC, while San Jose skips part of their rebuild into a playoff contender by landing a 26-year-old superstar.

What do you guys think? Would Nill actually trade his franchise player, and is the #2 pick enough?