Trade Rumors and Free Agent TalkTrade rumors, transactions, and free agent talk. Rumors must contain the word RUMOR in post title. Proposals must contain the word PROPOSAL in post title.
Realistically, Kulemin could probably be had for the right return, likely a young center with top 6 potential (preferably with size) or a young goaltender with starter potential.
Leafs have an abundance of defensive depth and wing depth, so likely wouldn't be too interested in anything of that return unless they are too good to turn away (duh).
In a perfect world, Kulemin should be kept because he's a great 2-way player that is physical and has a great shot, but considering the Leafs depth on the wings and their lack of good depth down the middle or in goal, he would be a player I'm sure the Leafs would consider moving only to upgrade another position.
But likely it's going to cost them Neuvirth and possibly Kuznetsov along with a draft pick if they want to get a 1st/2nd line legit forward.
That being said, I can't think of one that comes off the top of my head at the moment. They should just get a guy like Devin Setoguchi for a draft pick and a prospect not named Kuznetsov.
I can't see Toronto trading Kulemin for picks. He's an effective piece in the lineup, two-way physical player that plays hard every night, with some decent skill to go along with it.
I also can't see Washington wanting to part with either of Forsberg or Kuznetsov, so unless on of them was on the table, I don't see a great deal. Neuvirth is too big a gamble, hasn't shown much consistency.
Trading Johansson for a top six winger wouldn't help the Caps fill that hole. Johansson is currently playing as a winger on the Ovechkin/Backstrom line. Trading him for a different winger wouldn't fill that hole in the top six.
Johansson is yet another one of those players who's "only available for a star or upgrade." There's no way the Capitals trade him and don't get a roster player capable of filling that role at a significantly higher level than Johansson currently is. Unless we're getting back a 30G winger or top pairing LD, MoJo is off the table.
I also think we should wait a few games to see what we can get from Brouwer and Wolski (or Fehr or Perreault) on Ribeiro's wings before giving up a quality asset to bring in a winger.
Trading Johansson for a top six winger wouldn't help the Caps fill that hole. Johansson is currently playing as a winger on the Ovechkin/Backstrom line.
And that's the problem.
Kulemin is a much better fit there and probably will be for the forseeable future. He's not exactly an old veteran. Gunnarsson is good enough to be a permanent Green's partner hole fix, and getting rid of Schultz would double the impact.
Johansson is a good young player, but he doesn't fit our team. Same deal as Burmistrov/Winnipeg, Turris/Phoenix or Paajarvi/Edmonton
But likely it's going to cost them Neuvirth and possibly Kuznetsov along with a draft pick if they want to get a 1st/2nd line legit forward.
That being said, I can't think of one that comes off the top of my head at the moment. They should just get a guy like Devin Setoguchi for a draft pick and a prospect not named Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov is guaranteed to be on a line with Backstrom and Ovy once he comes to NA, from what I know. Easily one of the top prospects in the world.
Neuvirth + Kuznetsov + draft pick should fetch them a VERY good return. And I'm talking VERYYYYY good. I'm not even a Caps fan either.
Nothing from Minnesota of interest for Alzner unless it's just a completely retarded overpayment that I won't even put an example of so Minnesota fans don't bomb the thread (a la you want Granlund, Brodin and Coyle for WHAT?)
Alzner basically plays nearly Suter level defense and costs 1/6 as much. Will probably cost 1/2 as much when he's resigned. I'd gladly take the offensive tradeoff given that it keeps his contract low and doesn't put him in positions to get burned defensively as much. Value is just too good.
Now, Setoguchi for Schultz (crap I know) + futures, now we're talking.
