Pretty much in agreement here. I think our D corps is better for the reasons stated. That still leaves it with some weaknesses starting with #6 Dman. I think we need a better (at least different) 1RD. My idea of that is a mobile guy with size. I would like him to have some offense of course, but I want a D first guy. A RHS version of Dillon with a little better mobility and puck moving skills. A RHS Samberg with a little more offense. Maybe Salomonsson can become that. I hope he doesn't take too much longer.
It's funny that both of you (Mortimer Snerd and LowLefty) have said something similar to what I was thinking while exercising earlier today. If Chevy ever needed to cash in those RISK cards and make a big move (his biggest move as the GM), it would be this year - by the way everything has fallen into place - and I fully agree that it should be for a stud defensive defenseman. Like a 1a or 1b (to Morrisey's 1a) type. And if he has secondary offensive skills, that would be great, but I'd be mostly looking for his being physical (punishing), with leadership skills. I'd package something with a ton of assets; and Chevy could always identify another underutilized player (on that team) that would be seen as a throw-in no doubt while offloading a contract or two.
I used to over-value young guys with the Jets (Mike Smith era), and I absolutely hated it when they packaged a deal to get Dave Manson. Looking back, even though I don't think it was that good of a deal (at the end of the day), I think it was the right idea. The problem though, was that team had too many guys that took stupid penalties (and who loved to fight), mixed in with very talented finesse players; and not much in between. What those teams sorely lacked ('93-'95), was high IQ types that could bridge the two together (EQing). Dave Manson joined the club in racking up stupid penalties. The team could have used a Mike Keane type (or two of his type) - there was interest on both sides - but that never materialized for whatever reason.
This team is different, because we have a really nice blend of high IQ types (IMO), with Niederreiter, Namestnikov, Morrissey, this current version of Scheifele, Vilardi (probably), Samberg, Perfetti, DeMelo not to mention guys who are aggressive and smart team players (grinders) like Lowry, Appleton, and Iafallo, etc.
Not to make a big move for that one rock on the backline, would be a waste of the Scheifele and Hellebuyck timeline. The word elite gets tossed around a lot here, but if we ever had an elite player who's building the strongest case to make the HOF, it's Hellebuyck.
Adding that #1a or #1b type, would heighten everything, and put this team in position to go deep in the playoffs the next few years.
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