10 Mar 2026 21:59:18
Let’s look at our forward, player by player and do first draft of off-season plans.

Perhaps the very first questions deal with Matthews and Nylander. Do we keep both or just one?

I don’t care much whether we call it a retool or rebuild but if we trade both then the debate is clearly settled.

I am choosing to keep Matthews because he’s the more rounded player. So L1C.

We trade Nylander to the Ducks for Mintyukov, Gaucher and Tarim Smith.

Keep Knies for now. L1LW or L2LW.

Keep Tavares as L2C. I think he deserves another year here give his FO ability and offence.

Trade Domi to the Wild for 19yo RW Ryder Ritchie who was drafted #45 in 2024, is 6.2 190.

Resigning Maccelli at a small raise to $4m x 2 yrs. If he wants more I trade his RFA rights. He has shown his skill of late so I think he adds to the team’s ability to score.

I would try and trade Joshua (failing that he would be the L4C) along with Rifai and Niemela’s RFA rights to the Predators for 20yo C Felix Nilsson #43 in 2023 who is 6’ 192 and plays the game right in all three zones.

Obviously Jarnkrok leaves, for me at least.

Robertson is trade due to redundancy with Cowan and Maccelli. Have a new proposal to send him to Vegas for Alexander Holtz and Kai Uchacz. Both these players have had problems so these are risky for sure. But with risk come great upsides.

Holtz is a 24yo RW 6’ 198 and a #7 pickin 2021. A speedster who can score with opportunity and the right linemates. Uchacz is a 22yo C who is 6.1 209; he was undrafted not because of ability but racial comments made to a teammate. He is took time away from hockey and racial education. I’d be willing to trade for him IF the interview went well.

Lorentz I’m keeping as L4RW.

Depending on training camp Cowan may start at L3 RW or get plenty of ice in critical moments in AHL.

Quillan is resigned along with Haymes and Groulx and at camp.
Each gets a good look.

Keep Valis and invite to camp as well. Holinka gets an invite as well.

I try to sign the following UFAs. Again I’m looking for players that have skill but on reasonable contracts thereby yielding multiple signings and forward depth.

I want to sign Anthony Mantha ($4m x 3), Mason Marchment ($5m x 3), AJ Greer ($1.3m x 2) and Phillipp Kurashev ($1.2m x 2).

That’s it for today.

1.) 11 Mar 2026
11 Mar 2026 04:28:08
You lost my vote (??) when you resigned Maccelli.
He has scored some points but is completely a non impact player who you don’t know is on the ice unless he gets a point.

I don’t think any team in the league is taking Domi and sending back an asset.



Trade Matthews and Nylander for the most young assets we can get.

Signing UFAs over 30 years old for 3 year terms is not how to rebuild a team.

2.) 11 Mar 2026
11 Mar 2026 11:38:22
Thanks for the response, WB.

I was certainly not a fan of Maccelli early on but his recent play has IMO shown his value.

At $4m he would be a decent value; I think he can be close to a 50 point puck carrier and playmaker for us.

I’m open however to hearing a proposal. Where would you trade him and for what?

You’re a bit harsh on Domi methinks; I’m pretty certain some team could use him; he’ll reach 40pts, is a good skater with toughness.



Lol, retool! Three years is enough time for our newly traded-in players plus several kids in the pipeline (Holinka, Danford, Chadwick, Valis and a couple of others) to make the jump.

But thanks for input; the Matthews/Nylaner situation will be much talked about for awhile yet.