May be a stupid question, but is there any history or situation in which a team is trusted by others to rent a *non-end-of-contract* player for futures or picks to a contending team, only to have them traded back for futures after the playoffs end?
It would require trust or creative contract writing, I'd guess, and a willingness to have a potential star or franchise player be injured playing for a different team, but it might be interesting to tap those players and see if they'd like to come compete at the playoff level if their club isn't going to make it. NHL may not like it, and it's the reason the trade deadline is earlier in the season, but there have got to be clubs who have forfeited the season (SJ) who may be willing to let go of star/franchise players for the postseason in order to get those players post-season experience.
It'd be interesting, and Nill could potentially have the trust in the league to make it happen. Don't know if it would or what it would cost, but I haven't heard of it happening anywhere -- don't know for sure why (though it could be that it's so stupid it'd never happen).
Interesting question! I love weird scenarios like this.
I think the GM wouldn't effectively loan a player for nothing unless it was a player so underperformimg that there wasn't any chance another team would offer more. The Oleksiak situation is the obvious analog here, but that was a long-term thing where the pick and his value were both pretty similar.
Now, here's the really interesting question: do you think the Stars and Penguins planned on reversing that trade all along? Obviously it's a silly thing to really consider, but on the other hand, what if?
> I think the GM wouldn't effectively loan a player for nothing
Agreed, though it would:
1) Help them tank harder -- removing key players tends to do that, Heiskanen fortunately has not hurt us *that* badly, thanks largely to Harley being much better than I had expected.
2) (potentially) Make the player happier. Morale is important. May not be the case for the players most likely to be dealt in this way (the older group who want a cup but are in long term contracts) as they may have families, etc, but maybe.
3) Increase that player's value in the future -- playoff experience (cup winning experience, potentially) is presumably incredibly valuable.
Fairly new subscriber here with no trade proposals for you to dissect. But, I will say that this is the type of content that justifies the subscription each month. Just excellent analysis and thoughtful presentation (with some solid one-liners thrown in). Thanks for doing it, RT.
Hi Bob. What about Brian Dumoulin from Anaheim, who has a $3 million salary and is unrestricted, and has decent pedigree, allowing him to jump in for Dumba and play with Bichsel. I suspect maybe Nill could get him for a 4th round pick? The question really is for the first time in 6 years, would Anaheim sell, given they are about 6 points out of a playoff spot?
Finally, given the recent power play success (and credit to you for even suggesting this several weeks ago, BEFORE Miro got injured, am I the only one who's thinking. . . you know what, Harley needs to remain on the # 1 unit even after Miro returns? We are blessed to have two outstanding defenseman, and I would argue they play different games. Harley is simply more gifted offensively, and the team would be better off with him in that role.
Dumoulin is a good player, but my concern as a GM would be that he would block Lian Bichsel when the playoffs start. That's why I'd be more inclined to get a righty, I think. But he would definitely make the team better.
It would really seem like the Heiskanen tail wagging the roster dog if he replaces Harley on the top unit. You weren't the only one calling for Harley to replace Miro on the top unit before Miro's injury. And the clean, indisputable improvement in the unit since the change only validates the opinions of those who suggested it.
There is the whole "you can't take away a player's spot because he's injured" thing, but in this case, the length of the absence and the marked improvement after it seem like they'll result in keeping the status quo, at least until the power play cools off again.
I'd be very happy with a Brandon Tanev and Henri Jokiharju addition.
I do think Nill is capable and willing of doing something bigger that involves a currently rostered youngster like Stankoven and if it happens will be out of left field and unexpected. I don't think it will happen but I wouldn't be flabbergasted if it did happen.
The only player I'd trade Stankoven for is Rantanen. I'd listen to what the ask is for Jokiharu (sp?), and I'd love to get Ristolainen...
...Pipe dreams, I know...
To Philly
2026 1st
2026 4th
Blumel
Dumba
To Dallas
Ristolainen
I think Philly wants a player, too. That trade just pushes their competitive window back.
May be a stupid question, but is there any history or situation in which a team is trusted by others to rent a *non-end-of-contract* player for futures or picks to a contending team, only to have them traded back for futures after the playoffs end?
It would require trust or creative contract writing, I'd guess, and a willingness to have a potential star or franchise player be injured playing for a different team, but it might be interesting to tap those players and see if they'd like to come compete at the playoff level if their club isn't going to make it. NHL may not like it, and it's the reason the trade deadline is earlier in the season, but there have got to be clubs who have forfeited the season (SJ) who may be willing to let go of star/franchise players for the postseason in order to get those players post-season experience.
It'd be interesting, and Nill could potentially have the trust in the league to make it happen. Don't know if it would or what it would cost, but I haven't heard of it happening anywhere -- don't know for sure why (though it could be that it's so stupid it'd never happen).
Interesting question! I love weird scenarios like this.
I think the GM wouldn't effectively loan a player for nothing unless it was a player so underperformimg that there wasn't any chance another team would offer more. The Oleksiak situation is the obvious analog here, but that was a long-term thing where the pick and his value were both pretty similar.
Now, here's the really interesting question: do you think the Stars and Penguins planned on reversing that trade all along? Obviously it's a silly thing to really consider, but on the other hand, what if?
I'm pretty sure there is a rule prohibiting a player being traded back to their former team for at least one contract year
I believe that rule is only if salary has been retained on the player, but I need to check the CBA to make sure I'm not wrong on that.
> I think the GM wouldn't effectively loan a player for nothing
Agreed, though it would:
1) Help them tank harder -- removing key players tends to do that, Heiskanen fortunately has not hurt us *that* badly, thanks largely to Harley being much better than I had expected.
2) (potentially) Make the player happier. Morale is important. May not be the case for the players most likely to be dealt in this way (the older group who want a cup but are in long term contracts) as they may have families, etc, but maybe.
3) Increase that player's value in the future -- playoff experience (cup winning experience, potentially) is presumably incredibly valuable.
Fairly new subscriber here with no trade proposals for you to dissect. But, I will say that this is the type of content that justifies the subscription each month. Just excellent analysis and thoughtful presentation (with some solid one-liners thrown in). Thanks for doing it, RT.
Hey, that means a lot, Corey. I love doing this, but y'all supporting me makes it possible to keep doing it. Thanks for reading!
Agreed!
Hi Bob. What about Brian Dumoulin from Anaheim, who has a $3 million salary and is unrestricted, and has decent pedigree, allowing him to jump in for Dumba and play with Bichsel. I suspect maybe Nill could get him for a 4th round pick? The question really is for the first time in 6 years, would Anaheim sell, given they are about 6 points out of a playoff spot?
Finally, given the recent power play success (and credit to you for even suggesting this several weeks ago, BEFORE Miro got injured, am I the only one who's thinking. . . you know what, Harley needs to remain on the # 1 unit even after Miro returns? We are blessed to have two outstanding defenseman, and I would argue they play different games. Harley is simply more gifted offensively, and the team would be better off with him in that role.
Dumoulin is a good player, but my concern as a GM would be that he would block Lian Bichsel when the playoffs start. That's why I'd be more inclined to get a righty, I think. But he would definitely make the team better.
And I think Harley stays on the top power play when Heiskanen returns, at least for a while.
It would really seem like the Heiskanen tail wagging the roster dog if he replaces Harley on the top unit. You weren't the only one calling for Harley to replace Miro on the top unit before Miro's injury. And the clean, indisputable improvement in the unit since the change only validates the opinions of those who suggested it.
There is the whole "you can't take away a player's spot because he's injured" thing, but in this case, the length of the absence and the marked improvement after it seem like they'll result in keeping the status quo, at least until the power play cools off again.
I'd be very happy with a Brandon Tanev and Henri Jokiharju addition.
I do think Nill is capable and willing of doing something bigger that involves a currently rostered youngster like Stankoven and if it happens will be out of left field and unexpected. I don't think it will happen but I wouldn't be flabbergasted if it did happen.
To Philly
2025 4th
2026 2nd
Lundqvist
To Dallas
2025 5th
Ristolainen