https://www.971thefan.com/episode/jarmo-kekalainen-cbj-general-manager-5-12-23-2/
Thought this interview was really interesting.
Wouldn’t really comment of whether or not he had a problem with Larsen playing Johnny the last few games of the tank.
Also says we’re not trading 3OA unless we get a bonafide center locked in a long term deal in return.
by bucknuts34
5 Comments
Sooo he’s alluding to Elias Pettersson right… right?
Have to wonder how the salary cap math shakes out for CBJ with an elite center signed to a contract.
I always thought that Jarmo’s plan was to rise to contention with Jiricek, Sillinger, Johnson, Marchenko providing outsize value on early contracts as Johnny Gaudreau, Zach Werenski and Patrik Laine were eating up large chunks. Sillinger looks less likely to vastly outperform any contract but now we have 3OA.
If we trade 3OA for an established center, we’re likely paying near market value. If we keep it, we risk that the center is going to massively contribute while on an ELC (like Tampa with Brayden Point) or at the very least an earlier and more cost controlled contract. Leo Carlsson looks like he could be really good but no prospect is guaranteed to develop in the NHL and become Elias Pettersson. That skill and impact simply doesn’t exist in prospects and can only exist from a player improving and adapting well at the NHL level.
It is worth mentioning that Elite Centers always provide more than their market value but the pure efficiency of a top 6 C on an ELC is not something to throw away without significant consideration.
It should be noted that he references ONLY Fantilli & Carlsson by name when asked about the upcoming Center prospects for our marquee selection.
Which lends credence to the working theory that the coverage of CBJ’s interest in Will Smith just prior to the lottery being set was a lot of smoke fed to our beat writers to buffer fan disappointment had we be superseded by two non-Anaheim teams and had the 4th selection. Those handful of “inside reporters” readily regurgitated this CBJ interest in Will Smith information to the public. Now, whether this was a test within the organization to see of who may or may not have loose lips remains to be seen with who is privy to which intel and scoops going forward.
Thanks for posting this! He said all the right answers, hoping for 1C. Curious how the World Championships change the conversation around Carrolsson
Absolutely trade that if we can get an established player, it’s a no brainer