Offseason Outlook

By John Gianfrancesco

Jonathan Drouin is in Montreal. Mikhail Sergachev is in Tampa Bay. Steve Yzerman is on the phone. I think both teams won that trade. This isn’t a Drouin article though. This is an article about what Yzerman still needs to do. He acquired a defenseman for the future and hopefully for the present as well. This team still has some moves to make and holes to fill. Let’s dive in.

What we know already is that defensemen in this league aren’t cheap and usually require a hefty payment. Acquiring Sergachev definitely helps our blueline but Yzerman isn’t done. Stevie Y said he is still in the market for another d-man. OH REALLY? Well, I have some people in mind.

1. Niklas Hjalmarsson

Hjalmarsson has been part of the Blackhawks dynasty and now with the expansion draft looming, Hjalmarsson has been the most talked about Blackhawk for sale. Tampa Bay is obviously protecting Hedman & Stralman, so who’s the 3rd d-man protected? Hjalmarsson could be that man. $4.2M for 2 more years; this could be a great move for Yzerman. He is a lefty and a right handed shot is wanted more but he still can get the job done. This deal only makes sense though if Vegas can take Garrison. Otherwise, this contract isn’t needed along with Garrisons’.

To CHI: Slater Koekkoek, 2017 3rd rd pick

To TB: Niklas Hjalmarsson, 2017 5th rd pick

2. Mathew Dumba

It was rumored that Minnesota was very interested in Jonathan Drouin. I could only imagine that Yzerman wanted Dumba in return. Taken ahead of Koekkoek in the 2012 NHL Draft, Dumba is a solid defenseman that has had his name pop up a time or two in trade talks. Much like Nashville, Minnesota is being held hostage by the expansion draft. Rather than losing a player for nothing, many teams are looking to acquire at least something for their odd man out. Although Dumba will likely be protected, it couldn’t hurt to try and pry him out of Minnesota. A +15 this season which also saw him record 34 points, Dumba had a career year along with most of the Wild team. A right handed shot as well, Dumba brings a more physical aspect to his game than Koekkoek; who hasn’t really been given a chance in Tampa so far. If I’m Yzerman, Dumba is number 1 on my list. Dumba has an AAV of $2.5M and is an RFA after this year.

To MIN: Slater Koekkoek, 2017 2nd rd pick

To TB: Mathew Dumba

3. Ryan Ellis

We all know how Nashville made it as far as they did. A great goaltender and a very, VERY solid blue line. P.K. Subban and Roman Josi headline but also Ryan Ellis did his share. Another team being bullied by the expansion draft, Yzerman may want to try and cash in on Ryan Ellis. Once rumored Tyler Johnson for Ryan Ellis, I think Yzerman chose to keep Johnson once he shipped out Drouin. Ellis is a smaller defenseman but makes up for his lack of size in every other aspect of his game. High work rate and a smart aggressive play style makes him a highly touted defensemen. Shutting down the opposition & getting on the score sheet is exactly what Yzerman is looking for. 38 points in the regular season & 13 points in the playoffs. A plus player in both instances AND a righty shot. This man could definitely help Tampa Bay. But he won’t come cheap. Ellis has an AAV of $2.5M for the next 2 years.

To NSH: Alex Killorn, 2017 1st rd pick

To TB: Ryan Ellis, 2017 2nd rd pick

Other options for Yzerman to explore;

Justin Falk $4.83M [3 years] (CAR), Christopher Tanev $4.45M [3 years] (VAN), Jonas Brodin $4.17M [4 years] (MIN), Jake Muzzin $4M [3 years] (LAK)

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June 20th, 2017