So there is ONE core guy traded this summer...who do you choose?

[Geeoff]

I think the obvious answer is Giordano. It's possibly that he ends up in Seattle as well

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Macman

I'd pick Rasmus Anderson from your list there. You can still get good return for him and he's probably the most easy to replace.

I think a big issue with Sean Monahan here now and even to extent Johnny Gaudreau is coaching.

Where are the set plays to get Sean the puck, maybe I'm missing them but I don't think they're there. If he gets traded to a team like Tampa, he'll do nothing but score because that's how they play. Monahan is a goal scorer who doesn't need multiple chances and for that reason I would keep him.

I'm not sure you've been watching him, his shot seems to be gone.

He's a goal scorer who can no longer score goals.

He is no longer getting those set plays to score because the puck was seemingly dying on his stick.

[Patek23]

Was touched on before. But if you want to change the culture of a team its tough to do so with the same captain. I could see Gio being picked up by Seattle by choice or sweetened up to do so with a pick. Hes on the decline. Freeing up that salary and putting a new voice in the locker room is the best way for a fresh start. Id add another player too and I do think we see at least 2 core guys gone. But if I had to pick one it would be Gio.

I understand Gio is always talked about being such a hard worker etc. But he remains the steady constant since Iginla left. When Sutter came in and said that the team lacked the effort required to win that other teams have I felt that was quite the indictment on our leader.

[Macman]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

I'm not sure you've been watching him, his shot seems to be gone.

He's a goal scorer who can no longer score goals.

He is no longer getting those set plays to score because the puck was seemingly dying on his stick.

Maybe it's possible he's injured but I just don't see him getting a whole lot of chances. One of the last goals recently by Monahan almost seemed like a fluke when Mangiapane or Dube passed it from behind the net to Sean and boom, it was in the net.

Look at how the Caps feed Ovechkin the puck, I would definitely not give up on Monahan yet.

[Roof-Daddy]

So many variables to consider.

My dream scenario would be to move Tkachuk + for Eichel and then re-sign Gaudreau to a reasonable extension that would end up looking like an absolute bargain when he's putting up 100 points on Eichel's wing.

But if Gaudreau can't be extended to a reasonable contract he needs to be traded before the Flames get pennies on the dollar for him, or worse nothing for him.

[GranteedEV]

I want to move on from Monahan. Not because I doubt he can bounce back (because he can) but because I just don't think him at his best is still a very effective player. He's one of those players who has never passed the eye test even when producing.

[GreenLantern2814]

As the premise of the thread is you can only trade one of them, Tkachuk. He’s not interested being here long term - people say Johnny isn’t, but Johnny signed for six years and gave this city a lot of his best years, including a 99-point season. I don’t know how much more we can reasonably ask from Gaudreau given we’ve done nothing to help him.

Tkachuk deliberately negotiated his contract to secure his path to UFA as quickly as possible.

Peace out, homie. Thanks for elbowing Doughty.

[Hanna Sniper]

I'm fully expect when Gaudreau gets traded his fans will go even harder at Monahan

I don't care who goes as long as we win the deal, but just get it done

[shutout]

Think that I would be looking to move Tkachuk.
Earning $7M with a $9M qualifier coming up.
Winger with less than impressive skating.
Spent part of the year trying to score every goal from between his legs.
Spent the other part pouting and not showing up emotionally for games because he felt slighted by this teammates.
He is the best trade chip to get something back.
Has the most market value to other teams.

[BagoPucks]

Gaudreau. Great guy but doesn't have the physical attributes that inspire a team to go through a wall.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Macman

I'd pick Rasmus Anderson from your list there. You can still get good return for him and he's probably the most easy to replace.

I think a big issue with Sean Monahan here now and even to extent Johnny Gaudreau is coaching.

Where are the set plays to get Sean the puck, maybe I'm missing them but I don't think they're there. If he gets traded to a team like Tampa, he'll do nothing but score because that's how they play. Monahan is a goal scorer who doesn't need multiple chances and for that reason I would keep him.

I wonder if there is a match there given TB's cap issues. Monahan+picks prospects for Point? Would save them a small bit now but a lot on next contracts.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I wonder if there is a match there given TB's cap issues. Monahan+picks prospects for Point? Would save them a small bit now but a lot on next contracts.

If TB really wanted to save cap they would simply move Point for picks and prospects, and not need to take on Monny's contract.

[powderjunkie]

Gaudreau.

I'm far more interested to see more of Monahan with Sutter, without Gaudreau.

Also opens the door for our small prospects to get a shot.

Tkachuk-Lindholm-??
Mangiapane-Monahan-Phillips (sheltered)
Lucic-Backlund-Dubé
?-Ruzicka-?

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by Macman

I'd pick Rasmus Anderson from your list there. You can still get good return for him and he's probably the most easy to replace.

I think a big issue with Sean Monahan here now and even to extent Johnny Gaudreau is coaching.

Where are the set plays to get Sean the puck, maybe I'm missing them but I don't think they're there. If he gets traded to a team like Tampa, he'll do nothing but score because that's how they play. Monahan is a goal scorer who doesn't need multiple chances and for that reason I would keep him.

How is a young top 4 RH dman the easiest to replace? Who do we have in the pipeline to replace that RH presence?

It’s amazing how quickly everyone can turn on a player and/or graciously accept them back as a core piece.

Last year everyone wanted Hanifin gone, now everyone wants to keep him.

Even before we all flip flopped about Brodie.

Now it’s Andersson and Valimaki.

Aiy yai yai

Players can’t have bad stretches, even if they are still young and developing, or else this fan base completely turns on them.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Macman

Maybe it's possible he's injured but I just don't see him getting a whole lot of chances. One of the last goals recently by Monahan almost seemed like a fluke when Mangiapane or Dube passed it from behind the net to Sean and boom, it was in the net.

Look at how the Caps feed Ovechkin the puck, I would definitely not give up on Monahan yet.

When a player isn't getting any scoring chances, it's really time to worry.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

If TB really wanted to save cap they would simply move Point for picks and prospects, and not need to take on Monny's contract.

Highly doubtful. In todays cap world nobody is taking big dollars back without dumping some salary back. Even the teams with cap space.

[Jore]

If they finally develop a plan, and it’s to retool with Gaudreau willing to sign a reasonable contract, then trade Monahan and whatever else you need to get a #1C. I don’t care what they have to move, you’re not winning anything without a #1C.

If the plan is to rebuild, then trade all of them, it doesn’t matter.

Most likely there is no plan and we see players moved for sideways deals that keep the wheels spinning in the mud.

[Erick Estrada]

It's Gaudreau without a doubt as the team needs to get a return for him before he leaves in free agency. That said this team without him is going to be pretty bad as the player/prospects they get in return won't be able to fill his shoes at least in the next season or two.

[SeanCharles]

How is Vegas such a great team without a #1C?

Minnesota?

Not saying we shouldn’t do our darnedest to get one if possible but all this talk about it being impossible to win without one meanwhile those are two of the top teams and Vegas has shown they can win in the playoffs without one.

[DomeFoam]

Assess Johnnys interest in coming back. If he says hes leaving, we rebuild. If hes staying, we retool.

Leaving?

Send Treliving to join the perseverance on Mars, new GM trades Monahan and Gaudreau and roll with Tkachuk and Lindy with hopefully some good young assets in return (hopefully 1st's). Try and find deals like Yzerman made with Mantha (although Caps GM makes Treliving look like Jesus Christ, not sure that deal for Vrana and a 1st for a streaky scorer will ever come to pass in the league again).

I also really think the scouting staff needs to prioritize skating ability with whomever they pick going forward especially in the higher rounds. Inability to skate is such a massive barrier to a players ability. Imagine if Tkachuk had wheels with the amount of skill level in his stickhandling? Monahan with wheels with his goal scoring ability? A damn shame.