Should the Caps trade for Heatley?

[allstar1579]

Dany Heatley has demanded a trade out of Ottawa. He's expensive at $7.5 per for the next 4 years, but he's young and talented, and would really fit in on the right side for us.

While I'm sure Semin would appeal for them and I wouldn't be completely against it, I would try other options first. We have so much to deal from, and if we could unload one of those prohibitive salaries in a deal with some young talent, I think we could have a match.

Between all the young goaltending we have, and 2 minor league champion teams I'm sure we could find enough to get him. A power play of Ovie-Backstrom-Heatley is scary to think about...if you are the other team.

[Dr. FLK]

As long as he doesn't drive Ovie around...(did I go too far?)

[allstar1579]

As long as he doesn't drive Ovie around...(did I go too far?)

I think a chauffeur is a part of his contract

[tywright]

I'd rather trade for a 2nd center...maybe Marleau

[DuffMan]

Too much money. Not sure what it will take to extend Semin, but I think it would be less than that.

I agree with Ty that a 2nd center is the way to go, especially if Federov goes to Russia to play.

[TyCobb]

Caps should try and trade Semin for him.

I wish the Devils would make a move for him, but I don't think they will.

[allstar1579]

Feds is out 80% sure (from what I've heard). But Laich can play center too, and we have Giroux in Hershey and Gustafson might be in the mix (although I think it's a year early).

I would also do Semin and a prospect, I just think we have enough and he costs enough that we could unload Theodore's deal coupled with 2 good prospects, so we actually only net $3 mil this season (which is less than what Kozlov made). Semin is going to cost some money to lock up so the money switch there wouldn't be horrible either, but I think we are a much better team with Ovie-Backstrom-Semin and Osala-Laich-Heatley than we would be with Ovie-Backstrom-Clark and Laich-Marleau-Giroux.

[tywright]

Feds is out 80% sure (from what I've heard). But Laich can play center too, and we have Giroux in Hershey and Gustafson might be in the mix (although I think it's a year early).

I would also do Semin and a prospect, I just think we have enough and he costs enough that we could unload Theodore's deal coupled with 2 good prospects, so we actually only net $3 mil this season (which is less than what Kozlov made). Semin is going to cost some money to lock up so the money switch there wouldn't be horrible either, but I think we are a much better team with Ovie-Backstrom-Semin and Osala-Laich-Heatley than we would be with Ovie-Backstrom-Clark and Laich-Marleau-Giroux.

Laich should not be a 2nd line center. He's a perfect 3rd line guy with Steckel.

Giroux might not even resign with us, but he could a great option on the 1st or 2nd line wing.

Lil Gus might not want to play in the AHL and could easily stay another year in Sweden. He may follow the Backstrom route.

Osala is too inconsistent right now to play top 6 minutes.

What about Shane Mo, Flash, and Lepisto/Bourque for Marleau? Bourque is NHL ready, but not even have a spot with us because he needs to be on the top 3 lines.

ESPN thinks we should sign Antropov...ehhh

Another good trade target is Shane Doan to play RW on Ovi's line.

[Beltwayman]

Laich should not be a 2nd line center. He's a perfect 3rd line guy with Steckel.

Giroux might not even resign with us, but he could a great option on the 1st or 2nd line wing.

Lil Gus might not want to play in the AHL and could easily stay another year in Sweden. He may follow the Backstrom route.

Osala is too inconsistent right now to play top 6 minutes.

What about Shane Mo, Flash, and Lepisto/Bourque for Marleau? Bourque is NHL ready, but not even have a spot with us because he needs to be on the top 3 lines.

ESPN thinks we should sign Antropov...ehhh

Another good trade target is Shane Doan to play RW on Ovi's line.

That Caps love that guy Flash, but I'm not sold on him. He's not gritty, though all around play has improved. If I got a small guy, I want him gritty.

[tywright]

That Caps love that guy Flash, but I'm not sold on him. He's not gritty, though all around play has improved. If I got a small guy, I want him gritty.

Yeah he's the type of player we can't rely on in the playoffs. We desperately needed secondary scoring against Pittsburgh and we didn't get it.

[allstar1579]

Laich should not be a 2nd line center. He's a perfect 3rd line guy with Steckel.

Giroux might not even resign with us, but he could a great option on the 1st or 2nd line wing.

Lil Gus might not want to play in the AHL and could easily stay another year in Sweden. He may follow the Backstrom route.

Osala is too inconsistent right now to play top 6 minutes.

What about Shane Mo, Flash, and Lepisto/Bourque for Marleau? Bourque is NHL ready, but not even have a spot with us because he needs to be on the top 3 lines.

ESPN thinks we should sign Antropov...ehhh

Another good trade target is Shane Doan to play RW on Ovi's line.

Laich did fine on the 2nd line when we needed him, but you are right in an ideal world he's on the 3rd line to give a little offense/defense mix. I was just pointing out options. You have to question amongst other things, SJ doesn't need to trade him, and probably do not want to, so you have to overpay, then how long is he signed and when is he a FA? Heatley at least you know can't go anywhere, and in a down year scored more than Marleau did in a peak year. I'm not saying I don't like Marleau and think he'd be a good fit, but the cost and questions outweigh the benefits for me.

The big key for me is that Ottawa has to move Heatley and his value is down a bit because he publicly demanded a trade. If we could dump Theodore or Nylander by giving up some young talent it's a great move. That I think is the bigger problem because say we get Marleau and he's up for FA soon, we couldn't resign him because of these burdens we have on the payroll. SJ wouldn't take a goaltender because they are about to sign that Sweedish kid Gustavson.