Habs Fan in Edmonton

It certainly improves his chances. I hope he is working his ass off this summer to get ready.

I am also glad the Habs didn't have to use a lot of draft capital (ie picks) to get him. I have these thoughts and dreams about Florida having a tough year this year and that pick turning out to be way better than anybody expected. Hughes will have a lot of options at the 2025 draft.

100%, they have a lot of money invested in Slaf now, they need to protect their investment.

It's good to have confidence but somehow I don't think the Leafs will ever regret taking Matthews. I just hope he can stay healthy. If he can, he will likely score 30+.

Agreed, that was obviously Waddell's preference so he had to take little in return.

At no retention the market was very small. Pretty much given away. Sometimes it's good to have cap space.

Yes, I have complete trust in Hughes, he obviously gave this a lot of thought and his patience paid off here. I break this trade into 2 parts: 1) Patrick Laine for free (cap space) 2) Jordan Harris for a 2nd round pick. Frees up a spot now for the young D and 2nd round picks are good draft capital Hughes obviously thought this was the best use of cap space. There is risk but I like it.

It is a swing for the fences but sometimes you have to take that swing. You can't be conservative all the time.

With full retention the cost was never going to be great. How many other teams could take on the full amount? Hughes decided to use the cap space in this manner and next year just got a whole lot more interesting. Stay healthy Patrick and Kirby!!! We might have a 2nd line.

I don't think any GM is expecting Ceci to "find another level". It is possible however that some GM's think that Ceci is better than some of the armchair quarterback's on this board think he is.

I agree on this.

That's a big "IF" and as you have said and I agree goalies are voodoo. He hasn't proven anything at the NHL level yet.

Maybe Grier thinks Ceci can help the Sharks D for a year? Perhaps not all GM's think Ceci is as bad as many here think he is. The Sharks should be much improved, added some good veterans plus Will Smith and Celebrini should be fun to watch.

Agreed, the Oilers did well here.

Ceci to San Jose. Looks like the Oilers are matching

That's very true, it does make it more complicated for them.

Yes, I am assuming you would be willing to accept 2026 picks.

That's what I think. A 2nd rounder is likely in the 55-60 range which is not a big incentive to take on Ceci's contract.

I am betting Laine is back with the Blue Jackets https://www.tsn.ca/video/blue-jackets-would-welcome-laine-back-if-there-s-no-deal-to-be-done~2979056

I am sure Nurse is better with an Eckholm (who wouldn't be) or a Bouchard. Not sure that would apply to any other defensemen on the Oilers he would be paired with.

Comparing Ceci to the other Oiler defensemen (not named Eckholm or Bouchard) how would his advanced stats compare? He had a better +/- than all the others (including the overpaid Nurse), Kulak and Desharnais during the regular season. If they are all equally as bad as Ceci than it's amazing the Oilers made to the finals.

I think "this point in the rebuild" is a key consideration here. There are fewer pieces needed to complete the rebuild so Hughes is more likely to package draft picks to acquire that needed piece rather than acquiring more draft picks. However Hughes would likely consider adding another 1st rounder in the right deal as he can always package 1st rounders to move up. He was asked about acquiring another 1st rounder at the 24 draft, he said he was trying hard to move up in the draft (which he did) rather than trying to acquire another 1st rounder.

I understand your point. I just think that for Hughes to use up his last retention spot this early, nothing less than a 1st round pick would have to be involved as there is a reasonable chance of getting a 1st at the deadline. I don't think Hughes is that interested in 2nd and 3rd round picks this early in the year.

I think it does matter unless the reward is really worth it. I am pretty sure Hughes will want to have 1 retention spot available at the trade deadline as that is usually when you get the best deals.

I agree with this, getting the Oilers 1st rounder in 2026 (they traded their 2025 1st rounder) is likely not that big an enticement for Hughes at this point. He needs the young D to play. I think there are a number of other teams who are more likely to take on Ceci's contract for a year.